PROCESS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING EXTRUDED PLASTIC SHEETS HAVING DECORATIVE EFFECTS, PRODUCTS MADE WITH EXTRUDED PLASTIC SHEETS CREATED WITH SAME AND DECORATIVE FILMS FOR USE IN SUCH PROCESS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

摘要

A system and associated process for creating an extruded sheet having a decorative surface effect, such as plastic for example are presented. A roll of decorative plastic film for use in such system and process is also presented. Viscous materials are provided and fed through an extruder module and feed block to form a stream of viscous material. A die positioned downstream forms the stream of viscous material into a sheet of material and a calander having a set of rolls smoothes the sheet of material after it is released by the die. A film application assembly cooperates with the calander to apply a decorative plastic film to a surface of the sheet of material. The film application assembly includes a support structure for holding a roll of the decorative plastic film and a film feeding mechanism configured to direct the decorative plastic film to position a surface of the decorative plastic film opposite the surface of the sheet of material. The sheet of material to which the decorative plastic film has been applied is then directed towards an accumulation area. Sheets of extruded material having decorative surface effect may be created using such process/system and may be used in the manufacturing of many different products including for example kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, luges amongst many others. The process and system described here may be used alone, in combination with other processes and systems, for creating visually pleasing effects in extruded materials.