Patent ID: 7207499

Claim:
An atomizer machine for the production of porous polymer particles, comprising: a) an atomizer wheel having an edge, wherein said wheel is rotatable about an axis; b) a distributor for depositing polymer in fluid state to said wheel, wherein said distributor has a lip with holes, wherein the holes occupy almost all the distributor lip surface and are spaced in such a way that sufficient strength of the distributor is maintained; c) a catch tray disposed under the atomizer wheel to collect the polymer particles formed as a result of ejection of the polymer from the edge as the atomizer wheel rotates; d) an enclosure, enclosing said atomizer wheel, said distributor and said catch tray, said enclosure defining a partition between an interior environment of said atomizer machine and an exterior environment of said atomizer machine and e) an aperture on said enclosure allowing a gaseous exchange between the interior environment of said atomizer machine and the exterior environment of said atomizer machine.