Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of making a homogenous powder mixture from at least two heterogenous aggregable and non-aggregable powders in which at least two different powders are passed through a closed multistage sliding-shear extruder, the extruder including a cylinder in which is inserted a rotating axle having a transport screw on its circumference which extends along the length of the cylinder, a plurality of rotating disks each spaced at intervals and being concentrically attached to the axle, the cylinder including interior surfaces forming a plurality of fixed disks each arranged in alternating fashion between the rotating disks, the opposite surfaces of each of the rotating disks and the opposite surfaces of each of the fixed disks having alternating elevations and depressions extending radially from the center of the axle toward the circumference of the cylinder, the extruder including a powder inlet and a powder outlet, the rotating disks and the fixed disks each being spaced from one another to define gaps therebetween, the method comprising passing the two heterogeneous powders through the extruder from the inlet to the outlet, continuously mixing the two heterogenous powders in the extruder while subjecting the powders to compressive and shearing forces as the powders sequentially pass through the gaps, providing a homogenous blend of the two heterogenous powders upon exit of the powders from the cylinder, and withdrawing from the powder outlet a microhomogeneously interdispersed powder mixture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of making a homogenous powder mixture from at least two heterogenous aggregable and non-aggregable powders in which at least two different powders are passed through a closed multistage sliding-shear extruder, the extruder including a cylinder in which is inserted a rotating axle having a transport screw on its circumference which extends along the length of the cylinder, a plurality of rotating disks each spaced at intervals and being concentrically attached to the axle, the cylinder including interior surfaces forming a plurality of fixed disks each arranged in alternating fashion between the rotating disks, the opposite surfaces of each of the rotating disks and the opposite surfaces of each of the fixed disks having alternating elevations and depressions extending radially from the center of the axle toward the circumference of the cylinder, the extruder including a powder inlet and a powder outlet, the rotating disks and the fixed disks each being spaced from one another to define gaps therebetween, the method comprising passing the two heterogeneous powders through the extruder from the inlet to the outlet, continuously mixing the two heterogenous powders in the extruder while subjecting the powders to compressive and shearing forces as the powders sequentially pass through the gaps, providing a homogenous blend of the two heterogenous powders upon exit of the powders from the cylinder, and withdrawing from the powder outlet a microhomogeneously interdispersed powder mixture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the powders are solids selected from the group consisting of inorganic pigments, metal oxides, metal hydroxides, organic pigments, organic resins, solid silicones, pearlescent substances, porous substances, carbon, metals, and biopolymers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 2 in which the biopolymers are materials selected from the group consisting of human hair, animal hair, feathers, horns, hooves, collagen, cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, chitin, chitosan, alginic acid, chondroitin, nucleic acid, and peptidoglucans.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 in which the gaps in the extruder are from 0.3 to 3.0 millimeters.