DE10037906A1 - Extrusion die for production of multi-chamber plastic profiles has a melt flow broadening zone and a matrix of flow dividers with cores at the ends for dividing flow into part streams - Google Patents

Abstract

From the inlet end the die has a zone(40) for broadening melt flow leaving the extruder. At the downstream end a zone with a die plate(46) includes a matrix(58) of parallel flow dividers with wedge-shaped ends at the extruder end. The downstream end of the flow dividers carries uniformly spaced polygonal cores and divides the melt stream into part streams. The number of cores corresponds to the number of chambers in the profile. Independent claims are made for: a) a process for extrusion of multi-chamber plastic profiles in which the extruded melt flow is initially broadened in a horizontal direction, then in a vertical direction before being divided once into part streams then again into further part streams which flow through the die plate(46) around the core matrix(58) to produce the profile which is then cooled and calibrated; b) a multi-chamber extruded profile with a honeycomb cross-section of ribs and polygonal chambers, the internal rib thickness being 20-200microns and the thickness of the ribs forming the outer walls being 50-300 microns.

Description

The invention relates to multi-chamber hollow profiles and a front device and a method for extruding the same from egg nem plastic material, especially for transparent Thermal insulation can be used and which example are described in DE 198 06 424-A1.

The disadvantage of these profiles is that they are conventional Extrusion technology can be manufactured and stabilized layer must be surrounded in order to be manageable. In addition, quality always occurs with these profiles problems in that the material collapsed hollow chambers, torn or kinked webs, wrinkles on the Has webs or corrugated surfaces. So this is it Material only conditionally for applications with high optical and aesthetic demands. It also suffers These profiles also retain their shape. In addition, at a large number of cross-sectional structures Hollow section sections are assembled.

The object of the present invention is, on the one hand Device and on the other a method for extruding Multi-chamber hollow profiles of the type mentioned above ready places that are economical to manufacture at the same level enable the product quality.  

Problematic in the production of the addressed variety merhohlprofile and especially when using them for the transparent thermal insulation is that with the multitude the hollow chambers and the ones forming them and separating them from one another a tool must be found, the one uniform and uniform extrusion of all the cavities Permits separating webs and in particular avoids the problems mentioned above.

This object is achieved in a device for extruding multi-chamber hollow profiles from a plastic material by using the device which comprises an extruder equipped with an extruding tool, in which the extruding tool is divided into several zones which comprise at least:

• - An expansion zone for expanding the extruder leaving melt flow and
• - a zone with a profile plate with a matrix from parallel in the extrusion direction ordered, at their En facing the expansion zone the wedge-shaped flow divider, which starts at her upstream end substantially uniform and all sides spaced apart, in cross section carry polygonal cores and the melt flow in Divide partial streams, the number of cores Number of hollow chambers in the multi-chamber hollow profile correspond.

With such a device, a honeycomb-like amount can be achieved hollow chamber profiles with a large variety of hollow chambers produce, for example several hundred hollow chambers one piece.

Due to the possibility of a large number of hollow chambers as one Multi-chamber hollow profile can be extruded easily and cost-effective by cutting the hollow sections to large areas provided with transparent thermal insulation.

Despite the large number of hollow chambers in the individual profile and the associated large number of webs that form a web matrix or a honeycomb structure is created with the The device according to the invention achieves that the webs train uniformly, d. H. not to collapse or close tend to stick together and also no deformation of the webs, a kinking or wrinkling of the webs etc. occurs.

In particular, the device according to the invention tion also produce such multi-chamber hollow profiles in which the outer bars, which are the surface of the lot Form chamber hollow profile, have a greater wall thickness than the webs that are present inside the hollow profile and which essentially only separate individual volumes from one another zen to suppress convection effects. Despite the material savings achieved can be hollow profile Manufacture materials that form a lot more allow as a height of 2 m.

The expansion zone can be realized in this way, for example be that in the melt stream coming from the extruder a stowage plate with a perforated grid, the one Aufwei  tion of the melt stream leaving the extruder in two Extrusion direction allows orthogonal directions.

However, the expansion zone is preferably designed such that this first a sub-zone with a wide slot distributor Nozzle comprises the melt leaving the extruder zestrom in a first direction transverse to the extrusion direction expands, and in a subsequent sub-zone in the form of a Divergence zone that emerges from the slot slot nozzle tendency, already widened in the first direction zestrom and in a second, to the first direction and the direction perpendicular to the extrusion. The division of the expansion zone into two sub-zones has the Advantage that larger flow cross sections can be reached than with the baffle plate, while maintaining homogeneity the flow front is guaranteed.

It is preferred between the expansion zone and the zone that the profile plate includes a parallel zone be net even when the need for a strong on expansion of the melt flow ensures that a be particularly uniform and as homogeneous as possible flow front in the Melt flow over the entire cross section of the same det.

In principle, the parallel zone could be jammed replace disk or baffle plate, but this causes one significantly larger pressure drop and would therefore provision of the entire tool causes significantly higher costs chen.  

The formation of the parallel zone does not mean inconsistent thing that all walls of the parallel zone to Ex direction of trusion must be aligned. On the contrary it was found that the walls facing the smallest can correspond to the extent of the expanded melt flow can diverge or converge.

A particularly homogeneous flow front of the melt is achieved in that the length l of the paralleling zone is selected depending on the smallest edge dimension k of the expanded melt flow according to the following relationship:
0.1 k ≦ 1 ≦ 0.5 k.

The factor 0.1 k represents the lower limit from which on noticeable homogenization effect is achieved. Above the The 0.5 k limit will hardly increase the homogeneity sation effect observed.

The slot die preferably has a so-called bran derbügelverteilergeometrie and preferably defines egg NEN expansion angle in the range of 100 to 150 °. The up Widening angle in the area mentioned allows operation the device in a wide throughput range.

With regard to the divergence zone, attention is preferably paid to it tet that an expansion angle for the melt flow in Range of 70 to 100 ° is realized. This ensures a Optimal in short overall length and minimal disruption to the Homogeneity of the flow front.  

The profile plate preferably has an essentially rectangular core matrix, the cores preferably in Rows and columns are arranged. This leads to one rectangular profile cross section, which is particularly easy to close assemble several profile sections into larger cross cuts allowed.

It is recommended that the melt flow in the expansion zone on an essentially rectangular cross section (preferably geometrically similar) melt flow with min is expanded to a slightly greater height and width. This ensures that the outer surface of the Webs forming the hollow chamber profile are fully formed, d. H. that this area of the core matrix in the extrusion pro zeß is supplied with sufficient melt.

In addition, this variant of the invention allows that the outer webs of the multi-chamber hollow profile a large are thicker and therefore more stable than the inside lying webs. This protects the generated profile from mecha Damage or undesired deformation. This applies especially when the inner webs are on a mi nominal wall thickness can be reduced. In this case, the greater thickness of the webs forming the surface the multi-chamber hollow profile is easy to handle. egg ne form-stabilizing, separate layer is here itself not necessary for very large profile cross sections.

The height and width of the expanded melt is preferred zestroms in the expansion zone so chosen that the Au Material (partial) flow forming webs by at least 5% by volume above that forming the inner webs of the profile  Partial flows. This ensures a precise training of the au outer ridges guaranteed. Would you like the profile with produce thicker outer webs, should the partial material flow for the outer webs preferably by 15 vol.%, be even further preferably by about 30 vol.% or more over the inner webs forming partial streams.

Preferably, the profile plate with the core matrix in egg Nem be held so that this against other profile plates is interchangeable, for example if another po desired lygonal cross section of the hollow chambers or theirs Cross-sectional area should be varied.

The input opening of the frame is preferably one melting area converging on the cross section of the matrix include so that, for example, in combined use with an expanded over the cross section of the core matrix Melt flow a gradual reduction of the cross section of the melt flow can be made.

On the output side, the profile plate is preferably made by one Exit frame to be surrounded, to the outer Ker the matrix maintains a gap with a first distance, which I'm heading towards the opposite direction of extrusion second distance narrowed. This narrowing can be continuous take place or stepwise and supports in particular the formation of larger web thicknesses on the outer surface of the Multi-chamber hollow profile.

The frame that supports the profile plate and the exit frame men can be formed in one piece.  

The gap that is formed between the profile plate and the exit frame preferably has a total length l _P , which is related to the length of the gap section in which the second, narrowed distance l _{D is} as follows:

0.3 l _P ≦ l _D ≦ 0.7 l _P.

A particularly regular and trouble-free bridge structure is obtained in the multi-chamber hollow profile when the Cores of the profile plate on the output side an opening to the off blow supporting air so that when extruding the Multi-chamber hollow profile through the still deformable webs Support air emerging from the openings in its position will hold and before deforming or even collapsing remain preserved.

In a preferred embodiment, the profile plate with the core matrix and the flow dividers in one piece be educated, because this is how the regularity of the lot is best hollow chamber profile can be ensured. Avoid who also the offsets and seams that would otherwise exist if necessary, directly in the extruded multi-chamber hollow profile could find again. A one-piece profile plate is as such more stable than one composed of several parts and also leaves higher pressure loads during the extrusion process to. Furthermore, the supply of supporting air is easier and above all, make it safe, d. H. it is guaranteed that no transfer of supporting air into the melting room can.  

However, very large hollow section cross sections in generated one step, it can with regard to ferti technology may be necessary, the profile plate from several Assemble parts.

With a given number of cores in x columns and y rows, the melt flow is preferably subdivided into z partial flows in the profile plate. The following should apply to z:
z = (y + 2). (x + 1).

The partial melt streams are preferred in a flat rectangle channels with an essentially flat flow front. To ensure such a flat flow front, the The length of the rectangular channels can be selected accordingly.

Preferably, two distinguishable groups of streams mung divider used, the first group a division of the melt flow parallel to the second direction and the second group a division of the melt flow in parallel to the first direction.

While the first group of flow dividers are preferred as Continuation of the cores in a direction opposite the extrusi ons direction is further preferred, the two te group of flow dividers essentially plate-shaped educated.

This, as previously recommended, will train the Partial melt flows achieved with a flat rectangular cross section.

It is preferred to ensure that all edges of the stream mung dividers are arranged in a common plane. Wei  ter preferably the flow dividers are designed so that they are arranged parallel to each other flat Form rectangular channels that are parallel to the first or to the two th direction are arranged and the straight in Continue melt channels between the cores.

Having preferred the number of between the flow dividers trained rectangular channels is less than that later on required number of webs for the formation of the multi-chamber hollow profiles, is preferred at the transition between the Stromtei learn and the cores a corresponding number of cross channels provided that the melt channels between the flow part learn with those melt channels between the cores bind which crossways to the melt channels between the streams mung dividers are arranged and which are not directly in Fort placement of the channels between the flow dividers of these be supplied. This divides the partial melt flows, that are created between the flow dividers into several Partial flows and ensure even filling of the Melt channels between the spaced cores and the formation of the corresponding homogeneous flow fronts. In order to supply the cores with supporting air, preference is given to in flow dividers across the extrusion direction the entire height or width of the profile plate extending Drilled holes provided with the supporting air ducts that in the cores are present, are connected. So that can an even supply of supporting air for the individual cavities Ensure chambers and avoid that supporting air in the Melt passes.  

To ensure the dimensional accuracy of the multi-chamber hollow profiles produced ensure the device preferably has a potash on.

The calibration unit is preferably segmented and the seg elements of the calibration unit along the extrusion path from spaced from each other. This means that not in the calibration before a coherent calibration block is taken, but in sections, whereby the pre partly shows that with the same cooling effect much less Contact surfaces are required and thus the friction loss ver is wrestled.

The calibration unit further preferably has structured ones Contact surfaces along which the extruded hollow profile slides. By structuring the contact areas the system of the extruded hollow profile on the surface reduce the calibration unit to the necessary minimum and thus minimizes friction losses the calibration unit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the potash cooling unit cooled, so that the calibrated hollow profile of defined surface cooled and solidified becomes.

To ensure an exact fit of the surfaces of the extruded hollow profiles on the surfaces of the calibration unit and thus egg ne to ensure the most exact possible calibration of the hollow profile we prefer to apply vacuum to the calibration unit beat. Preferably the vacuum is not all over Calibration distance or all calibration segments constant  ten, but varies so that adjacent to the exit from the Extrusion die, d. H. then when the plastic material is still very easily deformable, use a low vacuum is and in the range of the calibration path in which the ver The profile surface is strengthened to a maximum of Va applied vacuum and then again with a smaller one Vacuum works. With a segmentation of the calibration direction this can be achieved very simply by that in the individual segments with different vacuums veaus is being worked on.

Finally, it is recommended to use the device Strip take-off, which is made up of the calibration unit emerging hollow chamber profile.

With the help of the tape take-off, the extruded hollow cam compress or stretch the profile within certain limits.

The invention further relates to a method for the manufacture of multi-chamber hollow profiles made of plastic material as described above, the method comprising the steps of:

• - Plasticizing the plastic material in an Ex truder to a melt stream;
• - Expansion of the melt flow in a first rich direction transverse to the direction of extrusion;
• - Expansion of the melt flow in a second rich direction transverse to the direction of extrusion and transverse to the first Direction;
• - Splitting the melt flow into a first number of partial flows;  
• - further dividing partial streams into a second number of substreams;
• - Passing these partial flows through a profile plate with a matrix of cores, the number of which number of hollow chambers in the extruded multi-chamber corresponds to hollow profile, and merging all Partial flows to a coherent web structure, which is essentially that of the finished Hohlpro fils corresponds;
• - blowing support air into each of the hollow chambers; and
• - Calibration of the extruded multi-chamber hollow profile under cooling.

Here, how this is in the description of the fiction The device has already sounded, preferably the up ranges of the melt flow in the first and the second Direction in two successive steps leads.

Likewise preferred is the melt flow after the expansion and before the division into partial streams in a parallelizing zoo ne led to the homogenization of the flow front.

To ensure that the feed is as complete and even as possible the profile plate with polymer material, especially in the edge areas, to ensure the melt flow preferably over the cross section of the profile plate in the area expanded the core matrix.

The melt flow is then in the area of the inlet Feeds profile plate converging. This means that a Avoid stage in the flow channel of the melt stream and  the cross section of the melt flow gradually on the cross cut specified by the core matrix of the profile plate is returned. This means there are no dead spaces in the flow channel of the melt, and the formation of at the Surface of the hollow profile existing webs with a large This makes wall thicknesses easy to achieve.

In a preferred method, care is taken that the partial flows of the melt generated by the flow dividers currents as essentially rectangular currents in cross section with a flat flow front.

A preferred plastic material for making the inventions Multi-chamber hollow profiles according to the invention is on polycarbonate based material. This allows in particular the beginning addressed transparent, heat-insulating materials be put.

A negative pressure is preferably used in the calibration step used next to the profile from -0.01 to -0.2 bar, whereby along the calibration path, the negative pressure is preferred, such as described above is varied.

The calibration step to ensure the exact external dimensions of the extruded hollow profile is preferably in several individual steps.

Of particular importance is that before the calibration step preferably free of cooling and lubricating agents between extruders dat and calibration unit is worked.  

For better handling of the hollow profile according to the invention is this with external webs that cover the surface of the Extruded profiles, which are thicker than the inside arranged webs of the hollow profile. This gives the profile good stackability even when inside arranged webs are extremely thin. Stack heights above Even in such a case, 2 m is no problem.

Finally, the extruded profile is preferably egg a factor of 0.9 to <1 compressed or with a factor stretched from <1 to 10.

These options, the wall thickness of the profile after the Ex to be able to influence trusion again without the Stability of the emerging from the profile plate, still ver malleable webs suffers, again proves the advantage of the device according to the invention or of the invention Process.

In the production of polycarbonate-based hollow profiles, which have, for example, a thickness of the inner webs of 50 µm and the outer webs of 170 µm, with a matrix of 8 × 50 hollow chambers, compliance with the following parameter ranges has proven to be advantageous:
Exit velocity v _{0 of} the melt from the nozzle: v ₀ = 0.2 to 1.8 m / min
Draw factor λ _z = v _A / V ₀ : = 0.9 to 10
Pull-off speed v _{A of} the profile: v _A = 0.18 to 8 m / min
Ratio ϕ of the supporting air flow V _L to the extruded profile volume V _p :

Dwell time t _{K1 of} the profile in the structured calibration section: t _K1 = 30 to 180 s
Dwell time t _{K2 of} the profile in the smooth calibration path: t _K2 = 10 to 120 s
Share a of the free path lengths in the calibration: a = 10 to 40%
Temperature T _{K of} the calibrators run in the first (t _K1 + t _K2 ) seconds after exiting the nozzle: T _K = 80 to 135 ° C
Number n _{K of} the segments of the calibration: n _K = 3 to 10

Finally, the invention relates to a multi-chamber hollow profile made of a plastic material with a honeycomb in cross section shaped structure made of webs and polygonal in cross section Hollow chambers, the thickness of which is inside the profile arranged webs is 20 to 200 microns, the thickness of the outer re surface of the profile-forming webs is larger than that Thickness of the bars arranged inside and in the range of 50 is up to 300 µm.

As stated earlier, is used to manufacture Multi-chamber hollow profiles used in transparent thermal insulation mung should be used, preferably a plastic material used material, which is based on polycarbonate.

The preferably used polycarbonate has a characteristic shear viscosity profile, which corresponds to the approach according to Carreau according to the formula

can be described, whereby for a processing temperature of 260 ° C the Carreau parameters a, b and c should be within folder limits:
2000 <a <6500 [Pa.s]
0.07 <b <0.2 [s]
0.63 <c <0.9
In the above formula, γ means the shear rate [1 / s].

If desired, the plastic material can also be colored be so that he has certain color effects with the hollow profiles can be aimed if this as a transparent thermal insulation materials are used.

The cross section of the individual chambers is preferably in the range from 10 to 100 mm ² .

Preferred materials for the production of the hollow profiles according to the invention have a characteristic viscosity at processing temperature of η (dγ / dt = 100 l / s) ≧ 2000 Pa.s [measuring method: high-pressure capillary viscometer with feed extruder]. In addition, the material to be processed should have a minimum stretching force of 4 cN or less at processing temperature in the technical expansion diagram with a stretching of λ = 4 [measuring method: Rheotens with measuring nozzle L ₀ / D ₀ = 30 mm / 2 mm; Spinning length L = 100 mm, throughput v ₀ <15 mm / s].

The previously described inventive method and the Device according to the invention allow the production of it Multi-chamber hollow profiles according to the invention with a very high Number of integrally formed hollow chambers, i. H. in egg A large number of extrusion processes are carried out directly together the connected hollow chambers with the one mentioned above honeycomb structure directly formed. In particular, be Profiles with more than 100 hollow chambers formed. Further ahead hollow chamber profiles with a number of hollow chambers are added manufactured by at least 1500.

These and other advantages of the invention are set out below explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It show in one individual:

Fig. 1 shows an inventive multi-chamber hollow profile;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for producing a multi-chamber hollow profile according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view (vertical) through an extrusion tool of the device according to Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view (horizontal) of the extrusion tool of the device in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5a to 5j top views and sectional views of the pro filplatte of the extrusion tool of Figures 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 are perspective sectional view of the profile plate of Fig. 5.

In Fig. 1, a multi-chamber hollow profile 10 according to the invention is shown, which contains 400 hollow chambers 12 made in one piece, which are each separated from one another by webs 14 .

The hollow chambers 12 of the hollow profile 10 have a quadratic cross-section and are arranged in a matrix of 8 × 50. The outer surfaces of the hollow profile 10 are formed by webs 16 which, like the webs 14 , are formed in one piece with one another. The outer webs 16 have a greater wall thickness than the inner webs 14 . In the present example, the wall thickness of the inner webs is approximately 50 μm, while that of the outer webs 16 forming the surface of the profile 10 is approximately 170 μm.

Fig. 2 shows an inventive device for the produc- tion of multi-chamber hollow profiles according to the invention, as shown for example in Fig. 1, and includes an extruder 20 which is coupled to an extrusion tool 22 .

The plastic material is fed from a storage container 24 via a line 26 to the extruder via the receiving funnel 28 , plasticized in the extruder 20 and the resulting melt flow is fed to the extrusion tool 22 .

The extruder 20 is preferably equipped with a heating device which allows the temperature to be regulated independently of one another in different segments along the direction of extrusion in the extruder 20 .

The extrusion tool 22 , which will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, is followed by a calibration device 30 which is segmented. The calibration segments are spaced from one another along the withdrawal direction of the hollow profile 10 (free path lengths).

After the calibration unit 30 , the extruded profile 10 is taken up by a tape take-off 32 and, if desired, stretches ver. Finally, the hollow profile 10 falling as an endless material is cut to length by means of a flying saw 34 into stackable hollow profile sections 36 .

Fig. 3 now shows in detail a sectional view through an inventive extrusion tool 22 , which is divided into a widening zone 40 , a parallelizing zone 42 and a zone 44 with a profile plate 46 .

The expansion zone 40 directly adjoins the outlet of the extruder 20, not shown here, and is divided into two sub-zones 48 , 50 . The first sub-zone 48 is a zone with a slot die 52 with a clothes hanger manifold geometry, as can be seen in detail in the sectional view in FIG. 4.

The expansion angle shown by the slot die with hanger distributor geometry is approximately 120 °. The expansion of the melt flow coming from the extruder takes place in the first subzone 48 in a first direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction (flow direction of the melt flow coming from the extruder), which in the present example is arranged parallel to the horizontal.

In the second sub-zone 50 , the expansion takes place in the vertical direction, ie perpendicular to the extrusion direction and perpendicular to the first expansion direction, which is defined by the sub-zone 48 .

The expansion zone 40 comes from the original narrow melt stream as transition at A 54 from the extruder, a melt flow is as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 it is clear in the synopsis, shaped, whose cross-sectional area is a multiple of the cross-sectional area at the entrance 54. By dividing the expansion zone into a first partial zone 48 and a second partial zone 50 , an expansion of the melt flow is effected without the generation of excessive pressure losses, the flow front of the melt flow being essentially flat and homogeneous despite the extreme expansion.

To further improve the homogeneity of the flow front, the expanded melt flow is then passed through the parallelizing zone 42 in order to achieve further homogenization and leveling of the flow front of the melt flow. The parallelization zone need not necessarily have walls arranged parallel to the melt flow or the extrusion direction, as shown in FIG. 4, in which the walls which run in the vertical direction are shown as slightly converging in the parallelization zone 42 .

When the expanded melt flow has left the parallelization zone (if present), it meets zone 44 with profile plate 46 , which is held by a frame 56 on the input side. The entrance opening of the frame 56 preferably adjoins the grading zone 42 in the paralleling zone 42 (or, if this is not present, the expanded cross section from the expansion zone 40 ) and leads the melt flow convergingly to the profile plate 46 .

The profile plate 46 is surrounded on the output side by an exit frame 60 .

The latter holds the profile plate 46 with the frame 56 between it and the paralleling zone 42 .

The design of the profile plate 46 with its flow divider and core matrix 58 is decisive for the success of the method according to the invention and for the quality of the extruded multi-chamber hollow profiles. This is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The exemplary embodiment described below shows the cores have a square cross section. However is easy to see that with simple modifications others polygonal cross-sections for the cores or the extruded ones Hollow chambers are possible.

Structurally, the plate profile 46 is composed of a matrix 62 on flow dividers 64, wherein the successive in the vertical direction flow divider 64 dergrenzen directly aneinan, while the adjacent in the horizontal direction of flow divider 64 are spaced apart. Parallel to the horizontal, a second type of flow divider 65 is arranged which, in cooperation with the flow dividers 64, form a number of flow channels 66 which essentially have a flat rectangular cross section. In the present exemplary embodiment, the number of flow channels 66 corresponds to the number of vertically arranged webs in the extruded hollow profile.

The wedge-shaped ends 68, 69 of the flow divider 64, 65 tei len coming from the Parallelisierzone 42 melt stream in a first, vertically arrange the direction of extrusion th direction and a second, to the first and Extrusi onsrichtung vertical direction into partial flows.

The flow dividers 68 have at their downstream ends cores 70 which are spaced apart on all sides and which correspond in number to the number of hollow chambers in the extruded profile.

The spaced apart cores 70 form between them extremely flat rectangular flow channels 72 , 73 , which are oriented vertically or horizontally. The number of these flow channels 72 , 73 corresponds to the number of webs that form the hollow chamber structure of the profile 10 . The vertically arranged flow channels 72 essentially represent the continuation of the flow channels 66 with a narrowed cross section. The flow channels 73 , which are oriented horizontally, are also fed by the flow channels 66 , but not directly but via horizontally extending feed channels 74 , per line Cores 70 of the core matrix 58 are arranged at the transition from flow dividers to cores. The partial melt flows of the flow channels 66 are divided into additional partial flows at this transition region 76 , a flow channel 73 being fed by two adjacent flow channels 66 .

In the vertically continuous blocks of the flow dividers, continuous vertical bores 76 are arranged, from which supporting air channels 78 are fed, which extend from the bores 76 in the extrusion direction to the free end in each of the cores 70 and open there in a supporting air opening 80 . From here, the hollow chamber is supplied with supporting air during the extrusion, so that a collapse of the webs of the individual hollow chambers can be avoided.

The multi-chamber hollow profiles 10 according to the invention are particularly suitable as transparent thermal insulation material, where the pro files are divided into small sections and sealed on the end face with a transparent flat covering material (for example foils or glass panes). The profiles can be stacked to form larger areas without additional measures.

Colored profile material can be used to achieve certain ergono mixer and psychological effects are used for what colorless material is not suitable. For example, a blue or green product is a cool one Sensation of light and is therefore recommended for rooms with high Energy concentration or high temperature jobs. In Products in red or yellow tones convey larger ones Comfort as a colorless material and are suitable for living, office and lounges recommended.  

Compared to the coloring of the surrounding (glass) envelope surfaces, the use of colored honeycomb material has the following advantages:

• 1. The coloring can be flexible to the respective requirements set and appropriate material in the who produces the required amount at extremely short notice without expensive glass elements in different colors must be in stock.
• 2. A change of color is by exchanging the honeycomb size terials possible at any time.

The use of a color masterbatch in the manufacture the honeycomb profile requires a different mode of operation location. The plasticizing screw of the extruder is attached to the Tip through a distributive melt mixing element of length 1D to 4D supplemented by an even distribution of color to ensure particles. Generally the temperatures of the extruder, the tool and the calibration the viscous and thermal properties of the material mix be adapted to a regularly shaped extrusion to get dat with a smooth surface.

Claims (48)

1. Device for extruding multi-chamber hollow profiles from a plastic material, the device comprising an extruder equipped with an extrusion tool, which is divided into several zones, which comprise at least:
an expansion zone for expanding the melt stream leaving the extruder and
a zone with a profile plate with a matrix of parallel to each other in the direction of extrusion, the wedge-shaped flow dividers at their ends facing the expansion zone, which at their downstream end have substantially uniform and mutually spaced, cross-sectional polygonal cores and divide the melt flow into partial flows , with the cores in their number corresponding to the number of hollow chambers of the multi-chamber hollow profile. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the expansion zone from a zone with a width slot distributor nozzle, which leave the extruder the melt flow in a first direction transverse to the Ex  direction of expansion expands, and a subsequent Di Vergencezone is formed, which from the broad slot distributor nozzle emerging in the first direction expanded melt stream picks up and in a second perpendicular to the first direction and the direction of extrusion direction widened. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized net that between the expansion zone and the zone with a paralleling zone is arranged on the profile plate. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the length l of the parallelizing zone is selected depending on a smallest edge dimension k of the expanded melt flow according to the following relationship:
0.1 k ≦ 1 ≦ 0.5 k 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized characterized in that the divergence zone is an expansion angle for the melt flow in the range of 70 to 100 ° having. 6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized characterized in that the slot die a clothes hanger has gel distributor geometry and preferably one Expansion angle defined in the range from 110 to 150 °. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized characterized in that the profile plate is essentially a  chen rectangular core matrix and that the melt zestrom in the expansion zone to one essentially rectangular, geometrically similar cross-section is expanded. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the profile plate is held in a frame, the Entrance opening of the frame one on the cross section of the matrix converging melting space. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized characterized in that the profile plate from an off step frame is surrounded, the outer Ker a gap with a first distance that keeps going in the direction of the extrusion direction tion narrowed to a second distance. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the total length l _{P of} the gap between the Ausittsrah men and the length of the gap section with a second Ab stand l _{D are} in the following relationship:
0.3 l _P ≦ l _D ≦ 0.7 l _P. 11. The device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized characterized in that the cores on the output side an opening Have enough to blow out supporting air. 12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized characterized in that the profile plate made in one piece forms is.   13. The device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the flow dividers at a predetermined number of cores, which are arranged in x columns and y rows, the melt flow in part streams, where z applies to:
z = (y + 2). (x + 1). 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the partial melt streams in flat rectangular channels with an essentially flat flow front the. 15. The device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized characterized that the flow dividers in two groups can be subdivided, the first group being divided the melt flow parallel to the second direction acts and the second group a division of the melt zestromes parallel to the first direction. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the first group of flow dividers as a continuation the cores in a direction opposite to the extrusion direction tion are trained. 17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, characterized records that the second group of flow dividers in is essentially plate-shaped.   18. Device according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized characterized in that the edges of the flow dividers in are arranged on a common plane. 19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized characterized in that the flow dividers between them flat rectangular channels arranged parallel to each other form that parallel to the first or second direction are arranged and which are rectilinear in melt channels Continue the le between the cores. 20. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized characterized in that at the transition between the Stromtei lern and the cores there are cross channels that the Melt channels between the flow dividers with the Connect melt channels between the cores, which across the melt channels between the flow section learn are arranged. 21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized characterized in that in the flow dividers across the extru direction essentially over the entire height there are holes in the profile plate, which are connected to supporting air channels of the cores. 22. The device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized characterized in that the device is a calibration includes. 23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that that the calibration unit is segmented and the segments  te of the calibration unit along the extrusion path from are spaced from each other. 24. The device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized records that the calibration unit structured Kon has tact surfaces along which the extruded Hollow profile slides. 25. The device according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized characterized in that the calibration unit is cooled. 26. Device according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized characterized in that the calibration unit with vacuum be can be opened. 27. The device according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized characterized in that the device for a tape take-off the hollow chamber pro emerging from the calibration unit fil includes. 28. The apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the hollow chamber profile can be drawn with the tape take-off is. 29. A method for producing multi-chamber hollow profiles from plastic material, the hollow profiles being formed by a multiplicity of hollow chambers delimited from one another by means of webs, comprising the steps:

• - Plasticizing the plastic material in an extruder to a melt stream;
• - Expansion of the melt flow in a first direction Rich transversely to the extrusion direction;
• - Widening the melt flow in a second direction Rich transversely to the extrusion direction and transversely to the first direction;
• - Splitting the melt flow into a first number of partial flows;
• - Subsequent further division of partial streams into a second number of partial streams;
• - Passing these partial streams through a Profilplat te with a matrix of cores, the number of which corresponds to the number of hollow chambers in the extruded multi-chamber hollow profile and merging all partial streams into a coherent web structure which essentially corresponds to that of the finished hollow profile;
• - blowing support air into each of the hollow chambers; and
• - Calibration of the extruded multi-chamber hollow profile under cooling.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that expanding the melt flow in the first and the second direction in two successive steps is carried out. 31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in net that the melt flow after expansion and before the division into partial flows in a parallel zone to homogenize the flow front. 32. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized characterized in that the melt flow over the inflow cross section of the profile plate is expanded.   33. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 32, characterized characterized in that the melt flow of the profile plate is converging on the inlet side. 34. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 33, characterized characterized in that the substreams as essentially streams of rectangular cross-section with a flat flow front be performed. 35. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 34, characterized characterized in that a negative pressure during the calibration step used adjacent to the profile from -0.01 to -0.2 bar becomes. 36. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 35, characterized characterized in that as a plastic material on poly carbonate-based material is used. 37. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 36, characterized characterized in that the calibration step in several ge separate steps is performed. 38. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 37, characterized characterized in that in the calibration step free of cooling and lubricating agents between extrusion and potash brier unit is worked. 39. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 38, characterized characterized in that the profile with external Ste conditions that form the surface of the profile  which are thicker than the inside arranged Ste ge of the hollow profile. 40. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 39, characterized characterized in that the profile with a factor of 0.9 up to <1 or stretched from <1 to 10. 41. Multi-chamber hollow profile made from a plastic material a cross-sectional structure made of webs and polygonal hollow chambers in cross section, the Thickness of the webs 20 arranged inside the profile is up to 200 µm, the thickness of the outer surface of the profile-forming webs is greater than the thickness of the webs arranged inside and in the range from 50 to 300 µm. 42. Multi-chamber hollow profile according to claim 41, characterized records that the plastic material is a polycarbonate based material. 43. multi-chamber hollow profile according to claim 42, characterized in that the polycarbonate polycarbonate has a cha characteristic shear viscosity profile, which cher with the approximation approach to Carreau according to the formula
follows, whereby for a processing temperature of 260 ° C the Carreau parameters a, b and c are within the following limits:
2000 <a <6500 [Pa.s]
0.07 <b <0.2 [s]
0.63 <c <0.9
and where γ means the shear rate [1 / s]. 44. multi-chamber hollow profile according to one of claims 41 to 43, characterized in that the profile made of transparent Material is made. 45. multi-chamber hollow profile according to one of claims 41 to 44, characterized in that the plastic material is colored. 46. Multi-chamber hollow profile according to one of claims 41 to 45, characterized in that the cross section of the individual chambers is in the range from 10 mm ² to 100 mm ² . 47. multi-chamber hollow profile according to one of claims 41 to 46, characterized in that the profile more than 100 a integrally formed hollow chambers. 48. multi-chamber hollow profile according to claim 47, characterized records that the number of hollow chambers is at least 1500 is.