Mold for granulation device, cutting blade holder for granulation device, cutting blade unit for granulation device, resin cutting device, granulation device, and method for producing resin pellets

Abstract

The invention provides a die for a granulation device, a cutting blade holder for a granulation device, a cutting blade unit for a granulation device, a resin cutting device, and a granulation device, wherein the size of the die can be suppressed even if the throughput capacity is increased. The mold (10) includes a bottom surface (10B), an upper surface (10A) having a smaller radius than the bottom surface (10B), a side surface (10C) connecting an outermost peripheral portion of the bottom surface (10B) and an outermost peripheral portion of the upper surface (10A), and a plurality of mold holes (11) formed in the side surface (10C) for discharging a resin raw material.

Description

[0001] This invention application is a divisional application of the invention application filed on September 15, 2021, with international application number PCT / JP2021 / 033828, national application number 202180092845.6 that entered the Chinese national phase, and entitled "Mold for granulation apparatus, cutting blade holder for granulation apparatus, cutting blade unit for granulation apparatus, resin cutting device, granulation apparatus and method for manufacturing resin particles". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a mold for a granulation apparatus, a cutting blade holder for a granulation apparatus, a cutting blade unit for a granulation apparatus, a resin cutting device, a granulation apparatus, and a method for manufacturing resin particles. Background Technology

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-51617 (Patent Document 1) discloses a granulation apparatus for manufacturing granules from resin raw materials such as synthetic resin. In the granulation apparatus described above, the mold surface having a mold hole for discharging resin raw materials and the cutting edge of a cutting blade pressed against the mold surface are configured to be orthogonal to the rotation axis of the cutting blade unit.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-51617 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In recent years, there has been a demand for larger processing capacities in granulation equipment. Consequently, the various components of granulation equipment, such as molds and cutting blade units, as well as the overall size of the granulation equipment, have become larger.

[0009] The main objective of this disclosure is to provide a mold for a granulation apparatus that can suppress large-scale processing even with large-capacity processing, a cutting blade holder for a granulation apparatus, a cutting blade unit for a granulation apparatus, a resin cutting device, and a granulation apparatus.

[0010] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a method for manufacturing a large quantity of resin particles using a mold for a granulation apparatus with suppressed enlargement, a cutting blade holder for a granulation apparatus, a cutting blade unit for a granulation apparatus, a resin cutting device, and a granulation apparatus.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] A mold for a granulation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a bottom surface; an upper surface having a radius smaller than that of the bottom surface; a side surface connecting the outermost periphery of the bottom surface to the outermost periphery of the upper surface; and a mold hole formed on the side surface for discharging resin raw materials.

[0013] A cutting blade holder for a granulation apparatus according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes: a rotatable cutting shaft connected to the shaft of a drive motor; and a rotatable cutting blade connecting portion connected to the cutting shaft for connecting multiple cutting blades. The cutting blade connecting portion has a frustum-shaped profile. The rotation axis of the cutting blade connecting portion is orthogonal to the bottom and top surfaces constituting the frustum shape. Multiple cutting blades can be connected to the side surfaces constituting the frustum shape.

[0014] A cutting blade unit for a granulation apparatus according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes: a rotatable cutting shaft connected to the shaft of a drive motor; a rotatable cutting blade connecting portion connected to the cutting shaft; and a plurality of cutting blades connected to the cutting blade connecting portion. The cutting blade connecting portion has a frustum-shaped profile. The rotation axis of the cutting blade connecting portion is orthogonal to the bottom and top surfaces constituting the frustum shape. A plurality of cutting blades are connected to the side surfaces constituting the frustum shape.

[0015] A resin cutting apparatus according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes: a mold for discharging resin raw material; and a cutting blade unit for granulating the discharged resin raw material. The mold includes: a bottom surface; a top surface with a radius smaller than that of the bottom surface; a side surface connecting the outermost periphery of the bottom surface to the outermost periphery of the top surface; and a mold hole formed in the side surface for discharging the resin raw material.

[0016] A granulation apparatus according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes: a mold for discharging resin raw material; and a cutting blade unit for granulating the discharged resin raw material. The mold includes: a bottom surface; a top surface with a radius smaller than that of the bottom surface; a side surface connecting the outermost periphery of the bottom surface to the outermost periphery of the top surface; and a mold hole formed in the side surface for discharging the resin raw material.

[0017] A method for manufacturing resin granules according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes a step (a) of discharging resin raw material from a die of a granulator and a step (b) of granulating the discharged resin raw material after step (a). The die includes: a bottom surface; a top surface with a radius smaller than that of the bottom surface; a side surface connecting the outermost periphery of the bottom surface to the outermost periphery of the top surface; and a die hole formed on the side surface for discharging the resin raw material.

[0018] The effects of the invention

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the mold for the granulation apparatus, the cutting blade holder for the granulation apparatus, the cutting blade unit for the granulation apparatus, the resin cutting device, and the granulation apparatus can suppress large-scale production even with large processing capacity.

[0020] According to the resin particle manufacturing method of one embodiment of the present disclosure, a large quantity of resin particles can be manufactured using the granulation apparatus of one embodiment of the present disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a granulation apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged side view showing one embodiment of the mold, cutting blade holder, cutting blade unit, and resin cutting device.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged top view showing one embodiment of the mold, cutting blade holder, cutting blade unit, and resin cutting device.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a partial enlarged view of the cutting blade holder, cutting blade unit, and resin cutting device of one embodiment, viewed from the mold side.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the mold, cutting blade holder, cutting blade unit, and resin cutting device.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a method of connecting a mold to a cutting blade unit according to one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a partial enlarged view showing a mold, cutting blade holder, and cutting blade unit according to another embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a partial enlarged view showing a mold, cutting blade holder, and cutting blade unit according to another embodiment.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a partial enlarged view showing a mold, cutting blade holder, and cutting blade unit according to another embodiment.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a partially enlarged side view showing the mold, cutting blade holder, cutting blade unit, and resin cutting device of a comparative example. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same or equivalent parts in the following drawings will be labeled with the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0032] <Composition of Granulation Device 100>

[0033] First, refer to Figure 1 The configuration of a granulation apparatus according to one embodiment is described. Figure 1 The granulation apparatus 100 shown is an underwater cutting type granulation apparatus. The granulation apparatus 100 is connected to a feeder 110, an inflow pipe 111, and an outflow pipe 112. The granulation apparatus 100 processes the resin raw material (hereinafter referred to as raw material) supplied by the feeder 110 into resin particles (hereinafter referred to as particles) in a coolant such as water supplied from the inflow pipe 111, and discharges the particles together with the coolant into the outflow pipe 112.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the granulation device 100 mainly includes a hopper 1, a screw mixer 2, a diversion valve 3, a gear pump 4, a screen changer 5, a mold base 6, a resin cutting device 30 formed by connecting a mold 10 and a cutting blade unit 20, a motor 40, and a chamber 50.

[0035] The feeder 110, hopper 1, screw mixer 2, diverter valve 3, gear pump 4, screen changer 5, mold base 6 and mold 10 are connected in sequence.

[0036] A certain amount of raw material is supplied from feeder 110 to hopper 1 per unit time. Hopper 1 then supplies the raw material supplied from feeder 110 to screw mixer 2.

[0037] The screw mixer 2 melts and mixes the raw materials supplied from the hopper 1. The screw mixer 2 then supplies the melted and mixed raw materials to the diversion valve 3.

[0038] The diversion valve 3 switches the flow so that the raw materials after being melted and mixed by the screw mixer 2 flow to the gear pump 4 or are discharged to the outside of the granulation device 100.

[0039] The diversion valve 3 has an inlet for raw materials to flow into the screw mixer 2, an outlet connected to the gear pump 4, other outlets connected to the outside of the granulation device 100, and a valve core. The valve core opens one of the two flow paths connecting the inlet and outlet formed within the diversion valve 3 and closes the other flow path.

[0040] The gear pump 4 pressurizes the raw material supplied by the diversion valve 3 and extrudes it into the screen changer 5, the die holder 6 and the die 10.

[0041] The screen changer 5 has multiple screens (not shown in the figure) used to remove impurities from the raw material supplied by the gear pump 4. The raw material passing through the screen changer 5 flows to the mold 10 via the mold base 6. It should be noted that the screen changer 5 includes: one or more screens disposed in the raw material flow path from the gear pump 4 to the mold 10; one or more screens not disposed in this flow path; and a replacement mechanism for replacing the screens disposed in this flow path. The screen changer 5 performs screen replacement without stopping the granulation device 100 when one or more screens disposed in the aforementioned flow path become clogged.

[0042] The die holder 6 holds the die 10 in a detachable manner. The die 10 is threaded to the die holder 6, for example. A flow path is formed in the die holder 6 for the raw material extruded from the screen changer 5.

[0043] The mold 10 is held in the mold base 6. A flow path 7 is formed in the mold 10 for the raw material extruded from the aforementioned flow path of the mold base 6 (see [link]). Figure 5 ) and a plurality of mold holes 11 for discharging the raw material flowing in the flow path (see Figure 5 The raw material extruded from the gear pump 4 into the die 10 is discharged to the outside of the die 10 through the flow path 7 and each die hole 11, thereby being processed into an elongated cylindrical shape (hereinafter referred to as wire).

[0044] The cutting blade unit 20 cuts the wire material discharged from each mold hole 11 of the mold 10, processing it into granules. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the cutting blade unit 20 includes a cutting blade 21 and a cutting blade holder 22, and rotates around the rotation axis O.

[0045] The mold 10 and the cutting blade unit 20 are housed inside the chamber 50. The chamber 50 is connected to the inlet pipe 111 and the outlet pipe 112. The chamber 50, the inlet pipe 111, and the outlet pipe 112 form part of a coolant circulation loop. When the granulation apparatus 100 is running, the interior of the chamber 50 is filled with coolant, and the processed granules are cooled by the coolant. The granules and coolant are conveyed together through the outlet pipe 112 to a dehydration / drying device (not shown) for drying.

[0046] The cutting blade unit 20 and the chamber 50 are mounted on the trolley 60 and are configured to move relative to the mold 10 in the direction along the rotation axis O.

[0047] <Composition of mold 10 and cutting blade unit 20>

[0048] Next, refer to Figures 2-5 This section will explain the detailed structure of the mold 10, the cutting blade unit 20, and the resin cutting device 30.

[0049] <Composition of Mold 10>

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the mold 10 includes an upper surface 10A, a bottom surface 10B, and a side surface 10C. The bottom surface 10B is connected to the mold base 6. An inlet is formed on the bottom surface 10B for the raw material to flow into the flow path 7. The upper surface 10A is positioned opposite to the bottom surface 10B and spaced apart from it in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 10B. The side surface 10C connects the outermost periphery 10AO of the upper surface 10A and the outermost periphery 10BO of the bottom surface 10B. A plurality of mold holes 11 are formed on the side surface 10C.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the central axis C of the mold 10, passing through the center of the upper surface 10A and the bottom surface 10B, is orthogonal to both the upper surface 10A and the bottom surface 10B. The upper surface 10A and the bottom surface 10B are concentric. When viewed from the side, the side surface 10C is inclined relative to the central axis C. It should be noted that viewing the mold 10 from the side means viewing the mold 10 radially relative to the central axis C.

[0052] like Figure 2 As shown, when viewed from the side, side 10C is inclined such that it separates from the central axis C as it moves from the upper surface 10A towards the bottom surface 10B. When viewed from the side, the angle between the upper surface 10A and side 10C is obtuse, and the angle between the bottom surface 10B and side 10C is acute. When viewed from the side, side 10C extends, for example, in a straight line.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, when viewed from above, the upper surface 10A and the bottom surface 10B are both circular. When viewed from above, the side surface 10C is annular. When viewed from above, the inner circumferential end 10EI and the outer circumferential end 10EO (details described later) of the side surface 10C are both circular. The upper surface 10A, the bottom surface 10B, and the side surface 10C of the mold 10 form a frustum shape. It should be noted that viewing the mold 10 from above refers to viewing the mold 10 from a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 10A. The radius of the upper surface 10A is smaller than the radius of the bottom surface 10B. When viewed from above, the outermost circumference 10AO of the upper surface 10A is positioned inside the outermost circumference 10BO of the bottom surface 10B.

[0054] like Figure 5 As shown, multiple mold holes 11 are formed on the side surface 10C. Figure 5 As shown, the hole axis of each mold hole 11 is orthogonal to the side surface 10C. The inner circumferential surface of each mold hole 11 is inclined relative to, for example, the hole axis of each mold hole 11. The inner circumferential surface of each mold hole 11 is inclined in such a way that the diameter of each mold hole 11 decreases as it approaches the side surface 10C.

[0055] The material forming the side surface 10C of the mold 10 has a higher hardness than the material forming the upper surface 10A of the mold 10. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the mold 10 includes, for example, a main body 10D constituting the upper surface 10A and the bottom surface 10B, and a curing layer 10E constituting the side surface 10C. The material constituting the curing layer 10E includes, for example, an ultra-hard alloy, such as TiC (titanium carbide).

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, the main body 10D has a side surface 10F connecting the outermost periphery 10AO of the upper surface 10A to the outermost periphery 10BO of the bottom surface 10B. The aforementioned flow path 7 is formed inside the main body 10D. A curing layer 10E is formed on the aforementioned side surface 10F of the main body 10D. The annular portion on the upper surface 10A side and the annular portion on the bottom surface 10B side of the side surface 10F protrude from the curing layer 10E. A plurality of mold holes 11 are formed to penetrate the curing layer 10E and extend from the side surface 10F of the main body 10D to the flow path 7 formed inside the main body 10D.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, in a cross-section along the central axis C, side surface 10F is, for example, parallel to side surface 10C. The thickness of the cured layer 10E is, for example, constant.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, the side surface 10C formed by the cured layer 10E has an inner peripheral end 10EI located on the upper surface 10A side along the direction of the central axis C and radially inward relative to the central axis C, and an outer peripheral end 10EO located on the bottom surface 10B side along the direction of the central axis C and radially outward compared to the inner peripheral end 10EI. The radius of the inner peripheral end 10EI is smaller than the radius of the outer peripheral end 10EO. When viewed from above, the inner peripheral end 10EI is positioned inside the outer peripheral end 10EO.

[0059] The inner peripheral end 10EI is connected to the outermost peripheral portion 10AO of the upper surface 10A via the annular portion of the side surface 10F of the main body 10D that exposes from the cured layer 10E and is located on the upper surface 10A side, and the end face of the cured layer 10E located on the upper surface 10A side. The outer peripheral end 10EO is connected to the outermost peripheral portion 10BO of the bottom surface 10B via the annular portion of the side surface 10F of the main body 10D that exposes from the cured layer 10E and is located on the bottom surface 10B side, and the end face of the cured layer 10E located on the bottom surface 10B side.

[0060] The side 10C is tilted in such a way that it separates from the central axis C as it moves from the inner peripheral end 10EI to the outer peripheral end 10EO.

[0061] Figure 5The radial distance L2 between the inner peripheral end 10EI and the outer peripheral end 10EO relative to the central axis C is shown. Figure 5 The distance L1 along the side surface 10C between the inner peripheral end 10EI and the outer peripheral end 10EO is shorter. When the side surface 10C is projected onto a plane orthogonal to the central axis C, the projected area of ​​the side surface 10C is smaller than the area of ​​the side surface 10C.

[0062] <Composition of Cutting Blade Unit 20>

[0063] like Figures 2-4 As shown, the cutting blade unit 20 includes multiple (e.g., four) cutting blades 21 and cutting blade holders 22 for fixing each cutting blade 21. The rotation axis O of the cutting blade unit 20 is configured to be coaxial with the central axis C of the mold 10.

[0064] like Figure 2 As shown, the cutting edge holder 22 includes a cutting shaft 23 connected to the shaft 41 of the drive motor 40, and a cutting edge connecting portion 24 connected to the cutting shaft 23 and used to connect a plurality of cutting edges 21. The cutting shaft 23 and the cutting edge connecting portion 24 are rotatable about the rotation axis O.

[0065] The cutting edge connecting portion 24 has an external shape, for example, a frustum shape. The cutting edge connecting portion 24 includes an upper surface 24A, a bottom surface 24B, and a side surface 24C that form the frustum shape. The upper surface 24A and the bottom surface 24B are each circular in shape. The radius of the upper surface 24A is smaller than the radius of the bottom surface 24B. The rotation axis O passes through the centers of the upper surface 24A and the bottom surface 24B and is orthogonal to both surfaces.

[0066] The upper surface 24A faces the opposite side of the bottom surface 24B and is spaced apart from the bottom surface 24B in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 24B. The upper surface 24A is connected to the shaft 41 of the motor 40 via a cutter shaft 23. The bottom surface 24B is opposite to the upper surface 10A of the mold 10. The side surface 24C connects the outermost periphery 24AO of the upper surface 24A and the outermost periphery 24BO of the bottom surface 24B. A plurality of cutting blades 21 are fixed on the side surface 24C. Each cutting blade 21 is fixed to the side surface 24C of the cutting blade holder 22 by, for example, a screw 25. A screw hole 24D is formed on the side surface 24C for screwing in the screw 25. The screw hole 24D constitutes a fixing part for fixing the cutting blade 21 to the side surface 24C.

[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, when viewed from the side, side 24C is tilted relative to the rotation axis O. It should be noted that viewing the cutting edge unit 20 from the side refers to viewing the cutting edge unit 20 radially relative to the rotation axis O.

[0068] like Figure 2As shown, when viewed from the side, side 24C tilts in a manner that separates from the rotation axis O as it moves from the upper surface 24A towards the bottom surface 24B. From different angles, side 24C tilts in a manner that separates from the rotation axis O as it moves from the outermost periphery 24AO towards the outermost periphery 24BO.

[0069] When viewed from the side, the angle between the upper surface 24A and the side surface 24C is an obtuse angle, and the angle between the bottom surface 24B and the side surface 24C is an acute angle. When viewed from the side, the side surface 24C extends, for example, in a straight line.

[0070] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the side surface 24C of the cutting edge holder 22 is similar to the side surface 10C of the mold 10. Both side surface 24C and side surface 10C are configured to form different portions of a conical surface centered on, for example, the central axis C and the rotation axis O. When viewed from the side, the extending direction of side surface 24C is along the extending direction of side surface 10C.

[0071] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, each cutting blade 21 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis O. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The four cutting blades 21 shown are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis O at a 90-degree angle.

[0072] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, each cutting blade 21 has an inner portion 21I fixed to the cutting blade connecting portion 24 of the cutting blade holder 22 and an outer portion 21O protruding from the cutting blade connecting portion 24. The outer portion 21O protrudes outward (to the mold 10 side) from the outermost periphery 24BO of the bottom surface 24B in the direction along the rotation axis O. The outer portion 21O also protrudes outward from the outermost periphery 24BO of the bottom surface 24B in the radial direction relative to the rotation axis O.

[0073] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, when viewed from above, the outer portions 21O of each cutting edge 21 extend radially relative to the rotation axis O. When viewed from above, the outer portions 21O of each cutting edge 21 have a long dimension A along the radial direction relative to the rotation axis O and a short dimension direction along the circumferential direction relative to the rotation axis O. It should be noted that viewing the cutting edge unit 20 from above refers to viewing the cutting edge unit 20 from a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 24A.

[0074] like Figure 5As shown, in a cross-section along the rotation axis O, the outer portion 21O of each cutting blade 21 extends along the side surface 10C. In a cross-section along the rotation axis O, the outer portion 21O extends linearly from the side surface 24C of the cutting blade connection portion 24.

[0075] like Figure 5 As shown, the outer portion 21O of each cutting edge 21 is configured to contact the side surface 10C of the mold 10. The outer portion 21O, for example, has a contact surface 21A configured to contact the side surface 10C, and a forward-tilting surface 21B forming a forward-tilting angle relative to the contact surface 21A. The contact surface 21A of each cutting edge 21 extends along the longitudinal direction A of each cutting edge 21. The length of the longitudinal direction A of the contact surface 21A is greater than or equal to the aforementioned surface distance L1 of the side surface 10C of the mold 10. When each contact surface 21A is projected onto a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis O, the projected area of ​​the contact surface 21A is smaller than the area of ​​the contact surface 21A.

[0076] It should be noted that the cutting blade unit 20 may contain one or more cutting blades 21. When the cutting blade unit 20 contains two or more cutting blades 21 of any number N, the N cutting blades 21 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis O at a rotational symmetry of (360 / N) degrees.

[0077] <Composition of the resin cutting device 30>

[0078] In the granulation apparatus 100, the central axis C of the mold 10 and the rotation axis O of the cutting blade unit 20 are configured to be coaxial, and the cutting blade 21 is pressed against the side surface 10C of the mold 10, thereby achieving... Figure 2 and Figure 5 The state shown. Figure 2 and Figure 5 The state shown represents the operating state of the granulation apparatus 100. In this specification, [the following will be stated / discussed]. Figure 2 and Figure 5 The state shown is denoted as the state in which the mold 10 and the cutting blade unit 20 are connected. The mold 10 and the cutting blade unit 20 in this connected state are referred to as the resin cutting device 30. That is to say, the granulation apparatus 100 is equipped with the resin cutting device 30.

[0079] When viewed from the side, the outer portion 21O of each cutting blade 21 extends along the side 10C of the mold 10. It should be noted that viewing the resin cutting device 30 from the side means viewing the resin cutting device 30 radially relative to the central axis C and the rotation axis O.

[0080] In the resin cutting device 30, the contact surfaces 21A of each cutting blade 21 are pressed against and in contact with the side surface 10C of the mold 10. The resin cutting device 30 is configured such that the contact surfaces applied between the side surface 10C of the mold 10 and the contact surfaces 21A of the cutting blade 21 are pressed equally along the longitudinal direction A.

[0081] <Composition of Chamber 50>

[0082] like Figure 2 As shown, the chamber 50 is configured to house the mold 10 and the cutting blade unit 20. The chamber 50 includes an inlet section 51 for coolant to flow into and an outlet section 52 for coolant and particles to flow out. The inlet section 51 is connected to an inlet pipe 111. The outlet section 52 is connected to an outlet pipe 112. The inlet section 51 is positioned below the outlet section 52. The inlet section 51 is positioned below the mold 10 and the cutting blade unit 20. The outlet section 52 is positioned above the mold 10 and the cutting blade unit 20. Thus, a flow path for coolant from bottom to top is formed within the chamber 50. A portion of the side surface 10C of the mold 10, located on the upper surface 10A side, is positioned, for example, vertically between the inlet section 51 and the outlet section 52.

[0083] like Figure 6 As shown, the chamber 50 is mounted on the trolley 60 together with the cutting blade unit 20, and is integrally configured to move relative to the mold 10. The chamber 50 has an opening 53. The opening area of ​​the opening 53 is larger than the projected area of ​​the mold 10 on a plane orthogonal to the central axis C and the projected area of ​​the cutting blade unit 20 on a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis O. Therefore, the chamber 50 does not interfere with the mold 10 during the aforementioned movement. The opening 53 is pressed against the mold base 6. The chamber 50 is watertightly connected to the mold base 6.

[0084] The chamber 50 has a through hole through which the cutting blade shaft 23 of the cutting blade unit 20 or the shaft 41 of the motor 40 is inserted.

[0085] <Methods for manufacturing granules>

[0086] Next, refer to Figure 5 This describes a method for manufacturing granules using the granulation apparatus 100.

[0087] First, raw materials are discharged from the die holes 11 of the granulation device 100. Next, the raw materials discharged from the die holes are granulated. Specifically, the raw materials supplied from the feeder 110 pass through the hopper 1, screw mixer 2, diverter valve 3, gear pump 4, screen changer 5, and die base 6 to the aforementioned flow path 7 of the die 10. Upon reaching the flow path 7 of the die 10, the raw materials are melted and mixed. The melted and mixed raw materials flow from the flow path 7 into each die hole 11, and are discharged from each die hole 11 onto the side surface 10C as wire. After being discharged from each die hole 11, the wire is immediately cut into particles by each cutting blade 21, which is pressed against the side surface 10C by the contact surface 21A and rotates around the rotation axis O. The particles are cooled by the coolant flowing within the chamber 50, and flow with the coolant, exiting from the outlet 52 to the outlet pipe 112.

[0088] The granules are then fed into a dehydration / drying unit (not shown) and dried thereby. In this way, granulation equipment 100 is used to manufacture granules from raw materials.

[0089] <Variation Example>

[0090] Hereinafter, a modified example of the mold 10, the cutting blade unit 20 and the resin cutting device 30 of this embodiment will be described.

[0091] like Figures 7-9 As shown, when viewed from the side, both the side surface 10C of the mold 10 and the contact surface 21A of the cutting blade 21 can be bent. The contact surface 21A of the cutting blade 21 is configured to contact the side surface 10C of the mold 10.

[0092] like Figure 7 As shown, when viewed from the side, the center of curvature of the side surface 10C of the mold 10 can also be positioned inside the mold 10, relative to the side surface 10C. For example... Figure 8 As shown, when viewed from the side, the center of curvature of the side surface 10C of the mold 10 can also be positioned on the outer side of the mold 10 compared to the side surface 10C. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the resin cutting device 30 shown, the center of curvature of the contact surface 21A of the cutting blade 21 is set to coincide with the center of curvature of the side surface 10C.

[0093] like Figure 9 As shown, when viewed from the side, the side surface 24C of the cutting edge holder 22 can also be bent. The center of curvature of the side surface 24C of the cutting edge holder 22 can also be positioned inside the cutting edge holder 22 compared to the side surface 24C. When viewed from the side, the center of curvature of the side surface 24C of the cutting edge holder 22 can also be positioned outside the cutting edge holder 22 compared to the side surface 24C.

[0094] Such a mold 10, cutting blade unit 20, and resin cutting device 30 also have the same... Figures 2-6 The mold 10, cutting blade unit 20 and resin cutting device 30 shown in the figure have basically the same structure, so they can achieve the same effect.

[0095] <Effect>

[0096] Next, based on the granulation apparatus compared to the comparative example (see...), Figure 10 The effects of the mold 10, cutting blade holder 22, cutting blade unit 20, resin cutting device 30 and granulation device 100 in this embodiment are explained by comparison.

[0097] exist Figure 10 In the comparative example granulation apparatus shown, the processing surface 210A of the mold 210 with mold holes and the contact surface 241A of the cutting blade 221 pressed against the surface 210A are configured to be orthogonal to the central axis C of the mold and the rotation axis O of the cutting blade unit. It should be noted that the mold 210 includes a main body 210D and a cured layer 210E formed on the surface of the main body 210D, and the processing surface 210A is the surface of the cured layer 210E. In this comparative example, if the processing surface 210A of the mold 210 with mold holes and the contact surface 241A of the cutting blade 221 are increased in conjunction with the increase in processing capacity, the mold 210 and the cutting blade 221 become larger and heavier. Furthermore, in the comparative example granulation apparatus, since the cutting blade holder 222 holds the multiple cutting blades 221 by bearing the entire weight of these cutting blades, the cutting blade holder 222 also becomes larger and heavier. As a result, in the comparative example granulation unit, it is difficult to suppress the increase in unit size that accompanies the increase in processing capacity.

[0098] In contrast, the mold 10 of the granulation apparatus 100 includes a bottom surface 10B, an upper surface 10A with a radius smaller than that of the bottom surface 10B, a side surface 10C that connects the outermost periphery 10BO of the bottom surface 10B to the outermost periphery 10AO of the upper surface 10A, and a plurality of mold holes 11 formed on the side surface 10C.

[0099] The granulation apparatus 100 has a cutting blade unit 20 comprising a cutting blade 21 and a cutting blade holder 22. The cutting blade holder 22 comprises a bottom surface 24B, an upper surface 24A having a maximum width smaller than that of the bottom surface 24B, and a side surface 24C connecting the outermost periphery 24BO of the bottom surface 24B (when viewed from above) to the outermost periphery 24AO of the upper surface 24A. The cutting blade 21 has an inner portion 21I fixed to the side surface 24C and an outer portion 21O protruding from the outermost periphery 24BO of the bottom surface 24B in a direction along the side surface 24C.

[0100] The resin cutting device 30 of the granulation apparatus 100 includes a mold 10 and a cutting blade unit 20. The rotation axis O of the cutting blade unit 20 is coaxially arranged with the central axis C of the mold 10. When viewed from the side, the outer portion 21O of the cutting blade 21 extends along the side 10C of the mold 10.

[0101] Here, a comparison is made between the granulation apparatus 100 with the same processing capacity and the granulation apparatus of the comparative example. The area of ​​the side surface 10C of the mold 10 of the granulation apparatus 100 is equal to the area of ​​the processing surface 210A in the granulation apparatus of the comparative example. In addition, the area of ​​the contact surface 21A of each cutting blade 21 is equal to the area of ​​the contact surface 241A of each cutting blade 221 in the granulation apparatus of the comparative example. On the other hand, when the side surface 10C is projected onto a plane orthogonal to the central axis C, the projected area of ​​the side surface 10C is smaller than the area of ​​the side surface 10C, and therefore smaller than the area of ​​the processing surface 210A of the comparative example. Similarly, when each contact surface 21A is projected onto a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis O, the projected area of ​​the contact surface 21A is smaller than the area of ​​the contact surface 21A, and therefore smaller than the area of ​​the contact surface 211A of the comparative example. In other words, in the above comparison, the mold 10 is smaller than the mold 210 of the comparative example, and the cutting blade unit 20 is smaller than the cutting blade unit 220 of the comparative example.

[0102] Therefore, in the above comparison, the granulation apparatus 100 can be miniaturized compared to the granulation apparatus of the comparative example. Consequently, the maintainability and operability of the granulation apparatus 100 are improved compared to the granulation apparatus of the comparative example.

[0103] Furthermore, mold 10 is lighter than mold 210 of the comparative example. In other words, the ratio of the weight of mold 10 divided by the area of ​​side surface 10C is smaller than the ratio of the weight of mold 210 of the comparative example divided by the area of ​​machined surface 210A.

[0104] Furthermore, since the mold 10 bears a portion of the weight of the cutting edge 21 that moves above the side 10C of the mold 10, the weight that the cutting edge holder 22 should bear is less than the total weight of the multiple cutting edges. Therefore, the cutting edge holder 22 can be miniaturized and / or made lighter compared to the cutting edge holder 222 of the comparative example.

[0105] Furthermore, in the comparative example granulation apparatus, since the cutting edge holder 222 bears the entire weight of the multiple cutting edges 221, the weight difference between the cutting edge 221 side and the shaft 241 side of the cutting edge unit 220 is relatively large. As a result, the cutting edge 221 side moves relatively downward, while the shaft 241 side moves relatively upward. The cutting edge unit 220 may tilt relative to a direction perpendicular to the machining surface 210A of the mold 210. In other words, the rotation axis O of the cutting edge unit 220 may tilt relative to the central axis C of the mold 210. In this case, it is difficult for each cutting edge 221 to make uniform contact with the machining surface of the mold.

[0106] In contrast, in the granulation apparatus 100, since the weight that the cutting blade holder 22 should bear is less than the total weight of the multiple cutting blades, the rotation axis O of the cutting blade unit 20 is less likely to tilt relative to the central axis C. As a result, each cutting blade 21 can make uniform contact with the side surface 10C of the mold 10.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above comparison, the radius of the outermost circumference of each cutting edge 21 is shorter than the radius of the outermost circumference of each cutting edge 221 in the comparative example. Therefore, in the above comparison, when the rotational speed is equal, the circumferential speed of each cutting edge 21 is lower than the circumferential speed of each cutting edge 221 in the comparative example. On the other hand, in the above comparison, when the circumferential speed is equal, the rotational speed of each cutting edge 21 is increased compared to the rotational speed of each cutting edge 221 in the comparative example.

[0108] In the granulation apparatus 100 and the comparative example granulation apparatus, the circumferential speed of the cutting blade is limited from the viewpoint of preventing cavitation in the coolant. According to the granulation apparatus 100, not only can cavitation be prevented to the same extent as in the comparative example granulation apparatus, but also, because the rotational speed of the cutting blade 21 is increased compared to the comparative example, more particles can be processed using a single cutting blade 21. As a result, in the granulation apparatus 100, compared to the comparative example, the particle processing capacity can be greatly increased without increasing the number of cutting blades 21. From another perspective, in the granulation apparatus 100, compared to the comparative example, the number of cutting blades 21 can be reduced without reducing particle manufacturing efficiency.

[0109] The configuration of the granulation apparatus 100, excluding the mold 10, the cutting blade unit 20, and the resin cutting device 30, can be the same as that of the granulation apparatus of the comparative example, excluding the mold 210 and the cutting blade unit 220. For example, the hopper 1, the screw mixer 2, the diverter valve 3, the gear pump 4, and the screen changer 5 can also have the same configuration as the aforementioned components of the granulation apparatus of the comparative example.

[0110] The particle manufacturing method of this embodiment uses a granulation apparatus 100 that is smaller and more maintainable and operable than the granulation apparatus of the comparative example. Therefore, compared with the particle manufacturing method using the granulation apparatus of the comparative example, it is possible to manufacture a large number of particles with high efficiency.

[0111] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but various modifications can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0112] 1 Hopper, 2 Screw Mixer, 3 Diverter Valve, 4 Gear Pump, 5 Screen Changer, 6 Mold Base, 7 Flow Path, 10 Mold, 10A Upper Surface, 10B Bottom Surface, 10C, 10F Side Surface, 10D Main Body, 10E Curing Layer, 10EI Inner Peripheral End, 10EO Outer Peripheral End, 11 Mold Hole, 20 Cutting Blade Unit, 21 Cutting Blade, 21A Contact Surface, 21B Forward Inclined Surface, 21I Inner Part, 21O Outer Part, 22 Cutting Blade Holder, 23 Cutter Shaft, 24 Cutting Blade Connection, 24A Upper Surface, 24AO Outermost Peripheral Part, 24B Bottom Surface, 24BO Outermost Peripheral Part, 24C Side Surface, 24D Screw Hole, 25 Screw, 30 Resin Cutting Device, 40 Motor, 41 Shaft, 50 51 Chamber, 52 Inlet, 53 Opening, 60 Cart, 100 Granulation Unit, 110 Feeder, 111 Inlet Pipe, 112 Outlet Pipe.

Claims

1. A cutting blade holder for a granulation apparatus, characterized in that, Include: A rotatable cutter shaft, which is connected to the shaft of a drive motor; and A cutting blade connecting part, which is connected to the cutter shaft and can rotate, is used to connect multiple cutting blades. The cutting blade connecting part has a frustum-shaped profile. The rotation axis of the cutting blade connection is orthogonal to the bottom and top surfaces that form the frustum shape. The plurality of cutting blades can be connected to the sides forming the frustum shape.

2. A cutting blade unit for a granulation apparatus, characterized in that, Include: A rotatable cutter shaft is connected to the shaft of a drive motor; A rotatable cutting edge connecting part, which is connected to the cutting blade shaft; and Multiple cutting blades, which are connected to the cutting blade connecting part. The cutting blade connecting part has a frustum-shaped profile. The rotation axis of the cutting blade connection is orthogonal to the bottom and top surfaces that form the frustum shape. The plurality of cutting blades are connected to the side surfaces that form the frustum shape.

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