Layering of initially mixed granular dissimilar material components deposited by surface flow is realized by varying the relative angle of the flowing layer periodically with respect to the bulk of the pile formed. Layer thickness and extent can be controlled by varying the timing and extent of the surface variations. Variation in surface flow rates may be realized by varying the feed rate from an inlet to a collection base at a fixed feed location, varying the feed location relative to the collection base, tilting the collection base that is supporting the material, and reducing the pile repose angle using vibration or fluid flow through the base.

Described herein is a process for producing an effect pigment paste including at least steps (1) and (2), namely producing a mixture including at least one effect pigment (a) and at least one polymer (b) in a liquid medium (c) (step (1)), and dispersing the mixture obtained after step (1) to obtain the effect pigment paste (step (2)), where step (2) is performed using a shaker and the effect pigment paste obtained after the performance of step (2) has ended is free of grinding media. Also described herein are an effect pigment paste producible by this process, containing an amount of effect pigment of at least 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the effect pigment paste, and a method of using a shaker for dispersing of effect pigments for production of an effect pigment paste.

Described herein is a process for producing an effect pigment paste including at least steps (1) and (2), namely producing a mixture including at least one effect pigment (a) and at least one polymer (b) in a liquid medium (c) (step (1)), and dispersing the mixture obtained after step (1) to obtain the effect pigment paste (step (2)), where step (2) is performed using a shaker and the effect pigment paste obtained after the performance of step (2) has ended is free of grinding media. Also described herein are an effect pigment paste producible by this process, containing an amount of effect pigment of at least 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the effect pigment paste, and a method of using a shaker for dispersing of effect pigments for production of an effect pigment paste.

An apparatus and method to exfoliate a graphite grain is described. A mixture of a graphite grain and an ice grain are transferred into a vessel. The vessel includes an agitator. The agitator agitates the mixture to induce a contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain. The contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain exfoliates the graphite grain.

An apparatus and method to exfoliate a graphite grain is described. A mixture of a graphite grain and an ice grain are transferred into a vessel. The vessel includes an agitator. The agitator agitates the mixture to induce a contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain. The contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain exfoliates the graphite grain.

An apparatus for mixing and/or conditioning powdery materials through fluid-free fluidization comprises a movably supported container that defines a first processing chamber for receiving powdery material; an oscillation generator by which a powdery material located in the processing chamber can be subjected to an oscillation, in particular a sinusoidal oscillation, during operation; and a control unit that controls the oscillation generator.

An apparatus for mixing and/or conditioning powdery materials through fluid-free fluidization comprises a movably supported container that defines a first processing chamber for receiving powdery material; an oscillation generator by which a powdery material located in the processing chamber can be subjected to an oscillation, in particular a sinusoidal oscillation, during operation; and a control unit that controls the oscillation generator.

An apparatus and method to exfoliate a graphite grain is described. A mixture of a graphite grain and an ice grain are transferred into a vessel. The vessel includes an agitator. The agitator agitates the mixture to induce a contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain. The contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain exfoliates the graphite grain.

An apparatus and method to exfoliate a graphite grain is described. A mixture of a graphite grain and an ice grain are transferred into a vessel. The vessel includes an agitator. The agitator agitates the mixture to induce a contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain. The contact between the graphite grain and the ice grain exfoliates the graphite grain.