Patent ID: 7374797
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: B01J,B29B,B29K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for continuously fabricating bichromal spheres comprising: supplying a solid polymer and a first pigment to a first extruder, said polymer being melted in the first extruder and mixed with the first pigment resulting in a first pigmented polymer melt; supplying a second solid polymer and a second pigment to a second extruder, said second polymer being melted in the second extruder and mixed with the second pigment resulting in a second pigmented polymer melt; pumping said first and second pigmented polymer melt from said first and second extruder to a plurality of spinning disks at substantially opposite sides; rotating said plurality of spinning disks causing said first and second pigmented polymer melt to flow to an outer edge region of the spinning disks and form outbound of said outer edge a plurality of bichromal streams, thereby forming spherical balls comprising hemispheres of differently colored pigmented polymer melt from said bichromal streams; remixing said first pigmented polymer melt immediately prior to introducing said first pigmented polymer melt to said plurality of spinning disks; and remixing said second pigmented polymer melt immediately prior to introducing said second pigmented polymer melt to said plurality of spinning disks.