Manufacturing solvent-free solid paint

Abstract

A method and apparatus for manufacturing small batches of solid paint is disclosed, which method includes a first step of providing a component of the solid paint as a liquid in a heated mixing container that has a base and sides and includes a stirrer for stirring the contents of the container. The next step of the method includes controlling, heating and stirring of the contents of the container and progressively adding other components of the solid paint as solids to the container. The liquid acts as a heat transfer medium that transfers heat from the heated container and from the stirrer to the solids. The mix is heated to a temperature of the solid paint and forms a melt that is a uniform liquid. The final step in the method includes discharging the melt from the container and allowing the melt to cool and form the solid paint.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.