Blow-molded paintball and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

Blow-fill-seal processing is employed to fabricate fully formed and filled paintballs. A blow-fill-seal machine, known in the field of medical container and syringe manufacture, is adapted for making paintballs by employing spherical surface main molds which form blow-molded shells and permit the shells to be filled with suitable paintball dye and then sealing molds are used to seal the filled paintball shell thereby resulting in a fully formed paintball having an accurate spherical surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to projectiles which are typically fired from a CO2 or compressed air gas marker. More specifically, the invention relates to a paintball projectile structure formed by an outer blow-molded shell that fractures on impact with a target and leaving a pigmented marking agent contained within. This blow-molded paintball provides benefits not found in traditional gelatin paintballs. The process used to make the paintball is unique to paintball manufacturing and is a basis of this invention. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] Traditionally the shell of a gelatin paintball is formed with a pair of hemispheres of gelatinous material similar to that used to encase oral medicines such as cold capsules. As is the case with oral medicines, these gelatin shell paint balls are soluble in water. Upon striking the target, a paintball fractures to mark the target with coloring agent contained within the pa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] As mentioned above, traditional gelatin paintballs come with many drawbacks. None of these drawbacks are found in paintballs formed using Blow-Fill-Seal technology. The material used to make the paintball shell may be biodegradable resin that is not susceptible to temperature and humidity changes. This is a benefit that allows longer shelf life and allows consumers to use the product in extreme cold, heat and humidity conditions without affecting the performance of the product. The paintball itself is formed with a much more spherical nature / characteristic thus allowing the paintball to fly farther and much more accurately when fired from a CO2 or compressed air marker. The manufacturing process is simplified and shortened compared to manufacture of traditional gelatin paintballs. There is no longer a need for dehumidifying rooms to let the paintball cure after manufacturing. Paintballs formed using Blow-Fill-Seal technology are completely finished as they leave the machine. The harness / breakability of the paintball is also easily controlled in the manufacturing process by adjusting the amount of resin used to make the outer paintball shell.

Problems solved by technology

None of these drawbacks are found in paintballs formed using Blow-Fill-Seal technology.

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