Production of rounded salt particles
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. Schuessler, Alberto J. Flores-Pujol
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to methods of preparing spherical salt particles for industrial, medical, and other uses. The methods can include combining the angular salt particles with a quantity of finishing media, for example, into a receptacle. Thereafter, the angular salt particles and the finishing media can be moved or agitated until the angular salt particles have a desired sphericity.
Claims21
A method for producing rounded salt particles from angular salt particles, the method comprising combining the angular salt particles with a quantity of about 1 mm to about 10 mm ball-shaped finishing media in a receptacle, and moving or agitating the angular salt particles and the finishing media at a frequency of about 2 Hz to about 4 Hz for about 6 hours to about 12 days until the angular salt particles have a sphericity of greater than about 0.75.
A method for producing rounded sodium chloride salt particles from angular sodium chloride salt particles having a particle size in the range of about 420 to about 600 μm, the method comprising:
- combining the angular sodium chloride salt particles with a quantity of 4 mm porcelain ceramic balls in a receptacle, wherein the angular sodium chloride salt particles and the porcelain ceramic balls are provided in a weight ratio of angular salt to finishing media is about 0.6:1;
- and
- vibrating the angular sodium chloride salt particles and the porcelain ceramic balls until the angular sodium chloride salt particles have a sphericity of greater than about 0.75, wherein the vibrating is performed for a period of time in the range of about 6 hours to about 12 days and at a frequency of about 2 Hz to about 4 Hz.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.