Projectile, projectile core, and method of making

Abstract

A projectile core is provided formed from a carrier and a colorant. The carrier and colorant are mixed into a core mixture, which is formed into a predetermined core shape. The core mixture is cured until substantially firm, such as by drying, heating or freezing. An outer layer may be formed adjacent the surface of the projectile core by heating. An outer coating may also be applied to the projectile core. A method of forming a projectile core comprises: (a) mixing a carrier and a colorant to form a core mixture; (b) forming the core mixture into a predetermined core shape; and, (c) curing the core mixture until a substantially firm projectile core is formed.

1 . A method of forming a paintball, said method comprising: forming a desired quantity of paintball filling material into an approximately sphere-like shape; hardening the sphere-like shaped paintball filling material; and applying a shell material to the hardened sphere-like shaped paintball filling material. 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein hardening the filling material comprises drying the filling material. 
   
   
       3 . The method of forming a paintball according to  claim 1 , wherein forming the desired quantity of paintball filling material into an approximately sphere-like shape comprises injecting the filling material into a spherical mold cavity. 
   
   
       4 . A method of forming a paintball, said method comprising: forming a quantity of paintball filling material into a desired shape; drying the paintball filling material; and applying a shell material to the paintball filling material. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying a shell material to the paintball filling material comprises spraying the shell material onto the frozen paintball filling material. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the paintball filling material is molded into the desired shape. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying a shell material to the paintball filling material comprises dipping the paintball filling material into a bath containing the shell material. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying a shell material to the paintball filling material comprises pouring the shell material on the paintball filling material. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein forming a desired quantity of paintball filling material into a desired shape comprises pouring the paintball filling material into a mold cavity. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising curing the shell material. 
   
   
       11 . A method of forming a paintball, said method comprising: dispensing a desired quantity of paintball filling material; forming the desired quantity of paintball filling material into a desired shape; curing the paintball filling material having the desired shape to retain the desired shape and to provide a desired size; and applying a shell material to the paintball filling material. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein forming the desired quantity of paintball filling material into a desired shape comprises molding the paintball filling material into an approximately spherical shape. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the desired size is approximately 0.68 inches in diameter. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein applying a shell material to the paintball filling material comprises spraying the shell material onto the paintball filling material. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the paintball filling material is molded into the desired shape. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein applying a shell material to the paintball filling material comprises dipping the paintball filling material into a bath containing the shell material. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the projectile is generally liquid-free. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein forming a quantity of paintball filling material into a desired shape comprises pouring the paintball filling material into a mold cavity. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the desired shape is a sphere approximately 0.68 inches in diameter. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the filling material is cured.