Mixing and Kneading Machine

Abstract

The mixing and kneading machine (1) for compounding bulk-flowable, plastic and/or pasty masses comprises a working space (9) enclosed by a casing (2), and a working member (3) moving rotatingly and translationally in the casing (2). The working member (3) comprises a plurality of kneader vanes (4). Secured to the casing (2) are kneader pins (6) which protrude into the working space (9). To optimize processing, the main surfaces of the kneader vanes (4) and/or of the kneader pins (6) are configured at least in part as main surfaces (23a-23f).

Description

The invention will now be detailed with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a mixing and kneading machine as shown diagrammatically;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the mixing and kneading machine as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the characteristic shear and extensional flow zones in the product mass as caused by a kneader vane passing a kneader pin;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the rotational motion between a kneader pin and a conventional kneader vane;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the rotational motion between a kneader pin and a kneader vane configured in accordance with the invention in a first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the rotational motion between a kneader pin and a kneader vane configured in accordance with the invention in a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the rotational motion between a kneader pin and a kneader vane configured in accordance with the invention in a third embodiment;

FIGS. 8 to 11 are each a sectionwise first longitudinal section through the mixing and kneading machine shown diagrammatically with differently configured kneader vanes;

FIG. 12 is a view in perspective of a screw module featuring kneader vanes 4 configured in accordance with the invention, and

FIGS. 13 to 16 are each a cross-section through a mixing and kneading machine 1 shown diagrammatically in which the radial shell surfaces of the kneader vanes are configured differently.

Claims

1. A mixing and kneading machine (1) particularly for compounding bulk-flowable, plastic and/or pasty masses comprising: a working space (9) enclosed by a casing (2);a working member (3) moving rotatingly and translationally in the casing (2) and provided with kneader vanes (4); andkneader pins (6) secured to the casing (2) and protruding into the working space (9),said kneader vanes (4) and/or said kneader pins (6) having main surfaces that are configured at least in part as free-formed surfaces (23a-23f).

2. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main surfaces (23a-23f) of the kneader vanes (4) and/or kneader pins (6) are configured in a three-dimensional geometry at least in part having in no point a natural starting point.

3. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least the main surface (23a-23f) of a kneader vane (4b, 4c) facing a kneader pin (6b, 6c) is configured as a free form surface.

4. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least the main surface (25c) of a kneader pin (6c) facing a kneader vane (4c) is configured as a free form surface.

5. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main surfaces of the kneader vanes (4) and/or of the kneader pins (6) are adapted to the translatory motion of the working member (3), whereby the action working the mass being processed is optimized.

6. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main surface (23a) of said kneader vanes (4a) is adapted to an associated one of said kneader pins (6) such that a substantially uniform gap is defined between the kneader pin (6) and the passing kneader vane (4a), said gap (16a) having a dimension which is about 0.005 to 0.03 times the nominal diameter of said working member of the corresponding mixing and kneading machine (1).

7. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said working space defines axially differing process zones; andsaid main surfaces of the kneader vanes (4) and/or of the kneader pins (6) are differently configured in said differing process zones.

8. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main surfaces (23b, 24b, 23c, 24c) of the kneader vanes (4b, 4c) and/or of the kneader pins are configured at least in part to create extensional flow zones in the mass being processed.

9. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein said kneader vanes (4g, 4h) include radial shell surfaces which are configured at least in part as free-form surfaces.

10. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least part of the main surfaces (23a, 24a) of said kneader vanes (4a) is configured as a sinusoidal surface.

11. The mixing and kneading machine (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least part of the main surfaces of said kneader pins is configured as a sinusoidal surface.