Cutting mill for laboratory use

Abstract

Cutting mill (1) for laboratory use, in particular designed as a tabletop device, with a housing (2) and a drive motor (3) with drive shaft (4) connected to the housing (2), wherein a cutting rotor (5) with cutting blades (6) can be connected to the drive shaft (4) for cutting and grinding material by shearing action, with a grinding chamber (15) for arranging the cutting rotor (5) in the grinding chamber (15), wherein the grinding chamber (15) is axially bounded on the motor side by a grinding chamber rear wall and radially bounded on the circumferential side by a grinding chamber side wall, wherein stationary counter blades (18) are held on the inside of the grinding chamber side wall, which engage with the cutting blades (6) during cutting and grinding of material, and wherein a centrally arranged shaft passage opening (23) is provided in the grinding chamber rear wall, through which the cutting rotor (5) can be driven by the drive shaft (4), characterized in thatthat the grinding chamber side wall is formed by a side wall (16) of an interchangeable cassette (14) and the grinding chamber rear wall by a rear wall (17) of the interchangeable cassette (14) and that the housing (2) has a cassette receptacle (26) for receiving the interchangeable cassette (14), wherein the interchangeable cassette (14) is interchangeably inserted into the housing (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cutting mill for laboratory use, in particular designed as a table-top device, with a housing and a drive motor with a drive shaft connected to the housing, wherein a cutting rotor with cutting blades can be connected to the drive shaft for cutting and comminuting material to be ground by shearing, with a grinding chamber for arranging the cutting rotor in the grinding chamber, wherein the grinding chamber is delimited axially on the motor side by a grinding chamber rear wall and radially on the circumferential side by a grinding chamber side wall, wherein stationary counter blades are held on the inside of the grinding chamber side wall, which come into engagement with the cutting blades during the cutting and comminuting of material to be ground, and wherein a centrally arranged shaft passage opening is provided in the grinding chamber rear wall, through which shaft passage opening the cutting rotor can be driven by the drive shaft.The invention relates in particular to cutting mills with a horizontal alignment of the drive shaft when installed and operated as intended.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an interchangeable cassette for a cutting mill.

[0003] Laboratory cutting mills comminute the material to be ground using a scissor-like cutting action between a rotating cutting rotor with attached cutting blades and stationary counterblades located on the inside of the grinding chamber side wall. The cutting blades and counterblades extend in the axial direction of the drive shaft as cutting bars. Laboratory cutting mills are advantageously used for comminuting soft, medium-hard, tough, elastic, fibrous, and heterogeneous sample mixtures. Examples of laboratory cutting mills are the applicant's SM 100, SM 200, and SM 300 cutting mills.

[0004] The applicant's known cutting mills comprise a housing in which a recess is provided, forming a grinding chamber. The housing defines the grinding chamber radially and axially in the direction of a drive motor. Furthermore, the housing has an inlet opening on the top side of the housing for supplying a grinding material to the grinding chamber. The housing further comprises an outlet opening on the bottom side of the housing for removing comminuted grinding material from the grinding chamber and the housing and for transferring the grinding material to a sample collection container.

[0005] In the known cutting mill, the cutting rotor is mounted on a drive shaft of the drive motor, with the drive shaft extending through a centrally located opening in the housing into the area of ​​the grinding chamber. The cutting rotor can be removed or replaced, preferably manually, if necessary without tools. For this purpose, the cutting rotor can be coaxially attached to the drive shaft, preferably manually, and removed when the grinding chamber is open after opening a housing door, so that the cutting rotor can be easily replaced. The torque of the drive shaft can then be transferred to the cutting rotor via appropriate driver elements.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of increasing the applicability of the previously known cutting mills.

[0007] In particular, the invention is based on the object of providing a cutting mill of the type mentioned at the outset which can be easily cleaned and is characterized by a high level of user comfort.

[0008] In addition, the cutting mill should be highly suitable for grinding different materials.

[0009] The above objects are achieved according to the invention by a cutting mill having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0010] In the cutting mill mentioned above, this is achieved according to the invention in that the grinding chamber rear wall and the grinding chamber side wall are formed on an interchangeable cassette, and in that a housing of the cutting mill has a cassette holder formed by a recess, i.e., a material removal, or a cutout and / or depression in the housing, for receiving the interchangeable cassette. The interchangeable cassette is inserted into the housing in an interchangeable manner. The interchangeable cassette can be completely inserted or received in the cassette holder. The housing is at rest during grinding operation of the cutting mill and is arranged stationary relative to the drive shaft.

[0011] Particularly preferably, only the grinding chamber rear wall and the grinding chamber side wall are formed on the interchangeable cassette, which for this purpose can have a one-piece and / or single-piece base body that defines the grinding chamber radially and axially on the motor side. A grinding chamber cover, which can be releasably placed against the base body, can form an at least partial closure of the grinding chamber on the front or front side of the cassette facing away from the drive motor.

[0012] The grinding chamber cover can preferably be held or fastened to a housing door that is directly or indirectly connected to the housing and can be opened and closed, and can be moved together with the housing door. When the housing door is closed, the grinding chamber cover can rest against the interchangeable cassette and at least partially close off the grinding chamber on the front of the housing. By opening the housing door, the grinding chamber cover is moved into an open position together with the housing door, allowing access into the grinding chamber via the front of the housing, for example, to remove the interchangeable cassette from the cassette holder and / or to clean the grinding chamber.

[0013] However, a design in which the grinding chamber cover is detachably attached to a base body of the interchangeable cassette that borders the grinding chamber side wall and the grinding chamber rear wall is also possible. In this case, the base body can be removed from the cassette holder together with the grinding chamber cover or inserted into the cassette holder.

[0014] In contrast to the prior art, in the cutting mill according to the invention, the walls that radially and axially define the grinding chamber on the motor side are formed on an interchangeable cassette. The housing, in turn, has a receptacle for the cassette, the geometry of which is adapted to the cassette geometry and size, so that the cassette can preferably be fully inserted into the cassette receptacle. The front surfaces of the interchangeable cassette and the front surfaces of the housing wall that defines the cassette receptacle can then be aligned, or the front surfaces of the interchangeable cassette can be lowered relative to the front surfaces of the housing wall that defines the cassette receptacle.

[0015] During operation of the laboratory mill according to the invention, the cutting rotor then sweeps over the rear wall of the cassette, which forms the grinding chamber rear wall. The grinding chamber side wall is formed by a side wall of the interchangeable cassette, which can essentially concentrically surround the rotational axis of the drive shaft, at least in some areas.

[0016] Until the invention, experts believed that integrating the grinding chamber into an interchangeable cartridge was not practical for laboratory cutting mills due to the very high demands placed on the precise alignment of cutting blades and counterblades required for an accurate grinding result. The invention is the first in the state of the art to break away from this misconception and proposes the use of interchangeable cartridges in cutting mills for laboratory use.According to the invention, the grinding chamber side wall and the grinding chamber rear wall and, if appropriate, at least in sections, a grinding material inlet and / or a grinding material outlet, via which the grinding material is fed to the cutting rotor after entering the exchangeable cassette or via which the grinding material is discharged from the cassette from the area of ​​the cutting rotor, are formed on an exchangeable cassette which can be inserted into a corresponding cassette holder in a housing of the laboratory mill.

[0017] The solution according to the invention offers a number of advantages.

[0018] The use of an interchangeable cassette forming the grinding chamber, as provided for in the invention, creates the possibility for simplified cleaning. After opening the housing door and the associated grinding chamber cover, the grinding chamber can be easily cleaned via the open front or front side of the interchangeable cassette. The cassette can remain in the cassette holder during cleaning.

[0019] Alternatively, the cassette can also be removed from the cassette holder for cleaning purposes.

[0020] In addition, it is possible to use cassettes made of different cassette materials, for example steel, aluminum or certain steels, particularly those low in heavy metals.

[0021] In addition, cassettes can be used that differ from one another in the direction of the ground material flow when removing the ground material from the grinding chamber and / or the direction of the ground material flow when feeding the ground material into the grinding chamber.

[0022] In principle, cassettes with different dimensions of the grinding chamber can also be used, which may require the use of intermediate or adapter pieces that are inserted into the cassette holder.

[0023] The invention particularly preferably provides that the removable cassette can be inserted into the cassette holder via a front side of the housing. This simplifies handling of the cassette when inserting it into the cassette holder and when removing it from the cassette holder.

[0024] The term "interchangeable cassette" within the meaning of the invention refers to cassette solutions in which a cassette, as a separate component or separate assembly, forms the grinding chamber rear wall and the grinding chamber side wall, and, if appropriate, a grinding chamber front wall, thus spatially delimiting the grinding chamber. Particularly preferably, the grinding chamber rear wall and the grinding chamber side wall are formed by a cassette base body, wherein the grinding chamber front wall can be formed by a grinding chamber cover that closes the grinding chamber toward the front of the laboratory mill and can be detachably connected to the cassette base body or pressed against the cassette base body.

[0025] Furthermore, the cassette can be replaced without tools, which simplifies handling when changing cassettes. The removable cassette can be removed from or inserted into the cassette holder entirely manually, without the use of tools such as screwdrivers or pliers.

[0026] However, "tool-free" within the meaning of the invention also includes embodiments in which locking, latching, or detent means that secure the cassette in the cassette receptacle must be manually operated in order to secure the cassette in the cassette receptacle and / or to remove it from the cassette receptacle. For example, to secure the cassette in the cassette receptacle after reaching a specific insertion position, a manually operable pin can be provided that engages positively and / or non-positively in the cassette and / or the housing, thereby securing the cassette in a specific position in the cassette receptacle.

[0027] Preferably, however, the cassette can be inserted into and removed from the cassette receptacle without having to actuate connecting, locking, and / or arresting means. Inserting and removing the cassette into and from the cassette receptacle is then carried out without the use of tools and does not require the actuation of connecting elements designed for a positive and / or non-positive connection between the cassette and the housing.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the grinding chamber rear wall and the grinding chamber side wall are formed on a single-piece or one-piece cassette base body. In principle, however, the grinding chamber rear wall and the grinding chamber side wall can also be formed on detachably connected cassette components.

[0029] A sieve or grid insert can be inserted into the grinding chamber in a manner known per se, whereby a sieve seat for the sieve or grid insert can be formed on the side wall of the interchangeable cassette in the area of ​​a cassette opening in order to hold the insert in and on the cassette.

[0030] The housing comprises at least one recess, cutout or gap which forms a cassette holder.

[0031] The cassette receptacle can be formed by a recess in the housing that is at least partially circular. The cassette receptacle can be adjacent to or transition from an upper recess or upper cutout in the housing, which opens into an upper housing opening. The cassette receptacle can be adjacent to or transition from an upper recess or lower cutout in the housing, which opens into at least one lower housing opening.

[0032] The upper recess or upper cutout in the housing can, as described below, be provided for the partial, end-side accommodation of a material feed shaft of a grinding material hopper and form a shaft receptacle. Furthermore, a grinding material inlet formed on the cassette through the cassette wall, which opens into an upper cassette opening and through which the grinding material to be comminuted is fed to the area of ​​the cutting rotor or the grinding chamber, can engage at least partially in the upper recess or upper cutout in the housing.

[0033] The lower recess or lower cutout in the housing can, as described below, be provided for the partial reception of an outlet funnel connected to the exchangeable cassette, wherein the lower recess or lower cutout forms an outlet funnel receptacle.

[0034] The cassette has an upper cassette opening and at least one lower cassette opening. The ground material enters the cassette and thus the grinding chamber through the upper housing opening and the upper cassette opening. The ground material leaves the grinding chamber and the cassette through the lower cassette opening and exits the housing through the lower housing opening.

[0035] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a cassette centering device is formed on the rear wall of the grinding chamber, whereby the interchangeable cassette can be centered via a radial contact surface on the rear wall of the grinding chamber and a radial centering surface of the housing or another component of the cutting mill that is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner. The radial centering surface can, for example, be formed on an intermediate flange that connects the motor flange to the housing, which forms the cassette receptacle, in a rotationally fixed manner. According to the invention, the cassette centering then takes place on a stationary mill component that is at rest during grinding operation and not on the drive shaft. The cassette centering device holds the cassette concentrically to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, but is not centered on the drive shaft.The very precise centering of the interchangeable cassette that this enables ensures exact alignment of the cutting blades and counter blades and very precise maintenance of a specified small cutting gap during grinding operation.

[0036] The interchangeable cassette can be pushed coaxially to the drive shaft onto the drive shaft and / or a receiving element for the cutting rotor connected to the drive shaft, in particular a shaft sleeve plugged onto the drive shaft, wherein in the centered state of the interchangeable cassette the fit clearance between the interchangeable cassette and the drive shaft and / or the receiving element is greater than the fit clearance between the radial contact surface on the grinding chamber rear wall and the radial centering surface of the housing or the radial centering surface of another component of the cutting mill connected to the housing.

[0037] The following statements relating to the housing apply accordingly to another component of the cutting mill which is connected to the housing in a rotationally fixed manner and on which a radial centering surface is formed.

[0038] The minimum and / or maximum clearance between the interchangeable cassette and the drive shaft and / or between the interchangeable cassette and the receiving element for the cutting rotor is preferably greater than the minimum and / or maximum clearance between the grinding chamber rear wall of the interchangeable cassette and the stationary housing. Preferably, there is a clearance fit between the interchangeable cassette and the drive shaft or the receiving element on the one hand, and between the interchangeable cassette and the stationary housing on the other. Furthermore, the interchangeable cassette and the housing can be easily moved relative to each other by hand.By means of a sufficiently small fit clearance between the radial contact surface on the grinding chamber rear wall and the radial centering surface on the stationary housing, a predetermined very small cutting gap between the cutting blades of the cutting rotor and the stationary counter blades can be precisely maintained, which leads to a low susceptibility to failure of the laboratory mill according to the invention during grinding operation and to highly efficient comminution.

[0039] In a structurally simple embodiment, the cassette centering is formed by an annular centering extension on the rear wall of the interchangeable cassette, which has a radial contact surface on its outer side, wherein a centering opening with a radial centering surface is provided on the housing forming the cassette holder or a further component of the cutting mill connected thereto on the inner side of the centering opening and wherein the centering extension can be inserted and / or inserted into the centering opening with a precise fit, at least in sections, over an insertion length in the radial direction.

[0040] The centering extension can form or define a shaft passage opening in the rear wall of the grinding chamber for the drive shaft of the drive motor. The drive shaft then passes through the centering opening in the housing forming the cassette holder or another component of the cutting mill that is non-rotatably connected to the housing, and the shaft passage opening in the rear wall of the grinding chamber.

[0041] When a predetermined insertion length of the interchangeable cassette into the cassette holder formed on and / or in the housing is reached, the centering extension on the rear wall of the interchangeable cassette can be arranged concentrically to the drive shaft and, in the radial direction, at least partially between the stationary housing or another component of the cutting mill connected to the housing in a rotationally fixed manner, on the one hand, and the drive shaft and / or a receiving element connected to the drive shaft, on the other. This achieves very precise centering of the interchangeable cassette on the device housing.

[0042] The shaft passage opening in the rear wall of the interchangeable cassette can be sealed against the drive motor on the motor side by a contact seal, particularly a radial shaft seal or a felt / ring seal. Alternatively, labyrinth and gap seals can also be used as non-contact seals.

[0043] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is one in which the rear wall of the interchangeable cassette has an axial connection geometry on the motor side with an axial contact surface that rests against an axial wall surface of the housing in the area of ​​the cassette receptacle when the interchangeable cassette is fully inserted into the cassette receptacle or inserted as intended. The axial connection geometry holds the interchangeable cassette in the cassette receptacle in a form-fitting manner in the axial direction of the motor shaft toward the motor. The connection geometry allows the rear wall of the interchangeable cassette to be held at a certain distance from the wall surface of the housing.

[0044] The axial connection geometry of the interchangeable cassette is preferably formed by a preferably annular projection on the outer side of the rear wall of the interchangeable cassette facing the motor in the inserted state.

[0045] Furthermore, at least one spring means and / or clamping means can be provided for applying a pressure and / or clamping force to the interchangeable cassette acting in the axial direction to the drive motor, so that the interchangeable cassette is pressed in the axial direction against an axial wall surface of the housing in the region of the cassette holder.

[0046] Particularly preferably, an openable and closable housing door can be provided, which can preferably be pivotally mounted on the housing forming the cassette receptacle. When the housing door is closed, the housing door can transmit a clamping force to the cassette, so that the cassette is pressed in the axial direction towards the drive motor and is clamped axially in the cassette receptacle. At least one sealing element can be provided between the housing door and the cassette, which is compressed when the housing door is closed and thus ensures that the cassette is clamped axially in the cassette receptacle without any play. The sealing element thus fulfills a sealing function and, at the same time, functions as a means for transmitting a clamping force to the cassette.

[0047] The stationary counter knives, particularly designed as cutting bars, can be replaced manually with a tool or without tools, i.e., can be removed without damaging the blade, held or attached to the interchangeable cassette. The counter knives can be held or fixed to the interchangeable cassette for adjustment and fine-tuning to a desired cutting gap.

[0048] On the side wall of the interchangeable cassette forming the grinding chamber side wall, pockets or receiving areas extending radially outwards can be provided on the inside of the side wall for receiving and holding the counter knives.

[0049] To create a positive connection in the circumferential direction, the side wall of the interchangeable cassette can have or form a radial connection geometry on the outside, for example designed as a radially outward-facing bulge which, when the interchangeable cassette is inserted into the cassette receptacle, bears against a holding geometry on a housing wall of the housing that radially delimits the cassette receptacle. For example, the housing wall of the housing can have a radially outward-extending bulge, i.e. directed away from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft, into which the bulge on the outside of the side wall of the interchangeable cassette engages when the interchangeable cassette is inserted into the cassette receptacle. A rotational positive connection can be achieved through the interacting connection geometry and holding geometry.

[0050] Furthermore, the connection geometry and the holding geometry can be held against each other in a circumferentially free manner by at least one spring means. The spring means can cause the interchangeable cassette to be screwed into the cassette holder, for example, by a leaf spring, whereby the interchangeable cassette is then held in the cassette holder in a circumferentially free manner due to spring forces.

[0051] For example, the holding geometry can be formed by a stop that is preferably detachably connected to a housing wall of the housing that defines the cassette receptacle. In particular, the stop can be screwed to a housing wall of the housing that radially defines the cassette receptacle.

[0052] A spring means can then be provided on the stop to ensure that the interchangeable cassette rests against the housing wall without play.

[0053] Preferably, however, the interchangeable cassette is held in the cassette holder without play in the axial and circumferential directions solely by clamping forces transmitted to the interchangeable cassette in the axial direction, for example, by a housing door as described above in the closed position of the housing door. The formation of an anti-twist device through interacting connection and holding geometries is then preferably not provided.

[0054] A first alternative embodiment of the interchangeable cassette provides a lower, laterally aligned cassette opening in the side wall of the interchangeable cassette for lateral removal of the ground material from the interchangeable cassette, wherein, preferably, the ground material is first deflected in a horizontal direction on the inner surface of the side wall of the interchangeable cassette and exits in a horizontal direction from the interchangeable cassette via the lateral cassette opening.

[0055] Particularly preferably, the interchangeable cassette has a lower cassette opening for a grinding material outlet from the interchangeable cassette in an outlet direction deviating from the direction of gravity at an angle, in particular for a grinding material outlet from the interchangeable cassette transversely to the direction of gravity, wherein, preferably, the grinding material is deflected on the inner surface of the side wall of the interchangeable cassette below the axis of rotation of the drive shaft in the horizontal direction to the lower cassette opening and exits the cassette opening in the horizontal direction.

[0056] In particular, the ground material can be provided to exit from the lower cassette opening at an angle of 70° to 110°, preferably 90°, relative to a vertical exit direction of the ground material.

[0057] The lateral discharge of the grinding material air stream from the interchangeable cassette can be particularly advantageous if the interchangeable cassette is adjacent to a cyclone separator and the grinding material air stream is directed laterally via the side cassette opening into an inlet channel of the cyclone separator. In addition to providing effective cooling of the grinding material and the cutting rotor, a cyclone separator also ensures improved sample discharge from the grinding chamber.

[0058] In the vertical direction, the interchangeable cassette can then be designed to be closed, so that the interchangeable cassette only has a lower cassette opening that is open to the side.

[0059] The lower, laterally oriented cassette opening in the side wall of the interchangeable cassette is preferably located within the housing when the interchangeable cassette is inserted into the cassette receptacle. As already described above, the cassette receptacle can laterally adjoin or merge into a lower recess or cutout in the housing, which is designed to at least partially accommodate a cyclone separator and is hereinafter referred to as the "cyclone receptacle."

[0060] The cassette holder and the cyclone holder are fluidically connected to each other or merge into one another. The cassette holder and the cyclone holder can be formed by a common, continuous, uninterrupted recess, cutout, and / or depression in the housing. This allows the interchangeable cassette and the cyclone separator to be installed side by side in the housing.

[0061] When the interchangeable cassette is inserted into the cassette holder, the lower, laterally aligned cassette opening can then be opposite an inlet channel of a cyclone separator inserted into the cyclone holder of the housing, so that a transition of a ground material air flow takes place via the cassette opening of the interchangeable cassette into the cyclone separator within the housing.

[0062] In particular, the cyclone receptacle formed in the housing is designed for inserting a tool-free, replaceable cyclone separator into the housing, which simplifies the insertion of the cyclone separator into the housing and the removal of the cyclone separator from the housing. However, "tool-free" within the meaning of the invention also includes embodiments in which locking, latching, or detent means must be manually actuated in order to secure the cyclone separator in the cyclone receptacle and / or to remove it from the cyclone receptacle. In particular, such locking, latching, or detent means can be spring-loaded; furthermore, in particular, the insertion and / or removal of the cyclone separator into or from the housing can be associated with a tactile, acoustic, or visual signal.

[0063] Particularly preferably, the invention provides for the cyclone separator to be insertable into the cyclone receptacle via a front side of the housing. This simplifies the handling of the cyclone separator when inserting it into the cyclone receptacle and when removing it from the cyclone receptacle.

[0064] As described above, an openable and closable housing door can be provided, which can preferably be pivotally mounted on the housing. When the housing door is closed, the housing door can optionally transmit a clamping force to the cyclone separator, so that the cyclone separator is pressed in the axial direction towards the drive motor and is clamped in the axial direction in the cyclone receptacle. Here, too, a spring means and / or clamping means can be provided, for example a sealing element that is arranged between the housing door and the cyclone separator and is compressed when the housing door is closed, so that the cyclone separator is clamped in the cyclone receptacle without axial play.

[0065] Preferably, however, the cyclone separator can be secured in the cyclone receptacle solely by means of locking, latching, or detent means, regardless of any closing movement of the housing door. The cyclone separator is then securely held in the cyclone receptacle even when the housing door is open.

[0066] The cyclone receptacle can be formed by a recess or cutout in the housing, which creates a first, preferably substantially horizontally extending first receiving area and a second, preferably substantially vertically extending second receiving area, wherein the first receiving area merges into the second receiving area and the second receiving area can open into a lower housing opening of the housing.

[0067] The first receiving area can be provided or designed to at least partially accommodate an inlet channel of the cyclone separator leading to a vortex chamber of the cyclone separator, to accommodate the vortex chamber of the cyclone separator, and to accommodate a dip tube of the cyclone separator. The vortex channel can be formed by a rotationally symmetrical upper part of the cyclone separator, which can merge into a conical lower part of the cyclone separator. The conical lower part can form a separation chamber and then preferably extends vertically downwards in the second receiving area. The lower end of the lower part can be led out of the housing via the lower housing opening of the housing. A container connection for connecting a sample container can then be provided at the lower end of the lower part.

[0068] Coaxial with the separation chamber, the immersion tube can extend through the vortex chamber into the separation chamber area in a conventional manner. The rotationally symmetrical vortex chamber is designed to create a rotary flow. A tangential inflow of a ground material air stream into the vortex chamber is possible via the inlet channel of the cyclone separator, which has an inlet opening opposite the side opening of the interchangeable cassette.

[0069] The size and geometry of the cyclone receptacle in the housing is adapted to the size and geometry of the cyclone separator, so that the cyclone separator is preferably completely integrated into the housing when inserted.

[0070] The integration of the cyclone separator into the housing results in a very compact design of the cutting mill according to the invention, which can thus be operated as a fully-fledged table cutting mill without overhang.

[0071] In order to prevent the escape of crushed ground material via adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and cyclone separator into free spaces in the cassette holder and / or the cyclone holder, the adjacent edge geometries can be kept or arranged at a distance from one another, in particular to form an air gap between adjacent edge geometries for the extraction of false air during grinding operation. The cyclone separator enables grinding operation to be carried out at a negative pressure level in the grinding chamber, with a ground material-air mixture being sucked in via an upper cassette opening and extracted via a lower cassette opening. When the ground material-air mixture is extracted, ambient air is sucked in via the air gap via the distance created between the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and cyclone separator and enters the interchangeable cassette.This prevents the crushed material from escaping via the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and cyclone separator into the cassette holder and thus the interior of the cutting mill.

[0072] Furthermore, the mutual spacing of the interchangeable cassette and cyclone separator reliably prevents damage during grinding operation due to mechanical contact between the interchangeable cassette and cyclone separator.

[0073] The air gap or the mutual spacing is preferably provided over the entire surface between the adjacent edge geometries of the exchangeable cassette and the cyclone separator, so that the extraction of false air can take place over the entire extent of the facing edge geometries or at any point.

[0074] The interchangeable cassette and the cyclone separator can be inserted into the cassette holder or the cyclone holder of the housing independently of each other and / or removed from the housing. This requires a corresponding design of the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and cyclone separator. Spacing the edge geometries from each other simplifies the replacement of the interchangeable cassette independently of the cyclone separator.

[0075] In this context, it can preferably be provided that edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and cyclone separator are designed to be complementary to one another in such a way that the interchangeable cassette can be moved in the drive shaft direction relative to the cyclone separator held on the housing and can thus be inserted into the cassette holder and removed from the cassette holder, while the cyclone separator remains in the cyclone holder.

[0076] Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the interchangeable cassette and cyclone separator can be substantially aligned in the inserted state and / or an extension of the flow cross-section can be provided at the transition of the cassette opening to the inlet channel of the cyclone separator in order to avoid the deposition of crushed ground material on projections and / or edges in the transition area from the interchangeable cassette to the cyclone separator.

[0077] The cutting mill according to the invention preferably also allows the use of a replaceable so-called "gravity cassette." In this alternative embodiment of the invention, an interchangeable cassette is used, which has a lower cassette opening, preferably located centrally below the shaft passage opening of the cassette, for vertical removal of the ground material in the direction of gravity.

[0078] The side wall of the interchangeable cassette can, with reference to a view in the axial direction, have on the inner side a circular segment-shaped upper profile and an adjoining trapezoidal lateral and lower profile which delimits a vertically downwardly directed cassette opening.

[0079] Both in the previously described design of the interchangeable cassette as a "gravity cassette" and in the design of the interchangeable cassette with a laterally aligned lower cassette opening, an upper cassette opening is provided in the upper area of ​​the side wall of the interchangeable cassette. A circular segment-shaped upper profile of the side wall, which defines the actual grinding chamber, can be followed upwards by a straight profile of the side wall, forming a grinding material inlet that opens into the upper cassette opening. The material to be ground is fed radially to the cutting rotor via the upper cassette opening and the grinding material inlet of the interchangeable cassette. The grinding material inlet is preferably aligned obliquely to the direction of gravity.

[0080] As already described above, a seat for a portafilter and / or mesh support can be provided inside the interchangeable cassette or on the inside of the grinding chamber side wall. The portafilter and / or mesh support can be detachably attached to the interchangeable cassette and can be inserted or removed from the cassette holder together with the cassette.

[0081] Furthermore, a further recess or cutout can be formed in the housing below the cassette receptacle, creating a receiving area for an outlet funnel, hereinafter referred to as the "outlet funnel receptacle." The outlet funnel receptacle is designed for at least partial insertion of an outlet funnel into the housing.

[0082] The outlet funnel receptacle is formed by a further recess, cutout and / or depression in the housing, which is fluidically connected to the cassette receptacle and can open into a lower housing opening of the housing.

[0083] In particular, in addition to the cassette receptacle, both an outlet funnel receptacle and the cyclone receptacle described above can be provided on the housing. The cyclone receptacle can open into a first lower housing opening of the housing, and the outlet funnel receptacle can open into a second lower housing opening of the housing. The two housing openings on the underside of the housing are then offset from one another transversely to the drive shaft direction.

[0084] In the above-described interchangeable cassette designed for discharging the crushed material in the direction of gravity, the interchangeable cassette has a lower cassette opening that can be positioned below the rotational axis of the drive shaft in the direction of gravity. The cassette opening is aligned with the outlet hopper receptacle. This ensures that the crushed material is easily transferred via the lower cassette opening of the interchangeable cassette in the direction of gravity into an outlet hopper inserted into the outlet hopper receptacle.

[0085] Preferably, the outlet hopper receptacle opens into a lower housing opening located centrally below the rotational axis of the drive shaft. This lower housing opening is provided to allow the crushed material to be discharged from the outlet hopper by gravity.

[0086] The interchangeable cassette can have a lower cassette opening, also preferably centered on the rotational axis of the drive shaft. The lower cassette opening is then located below the cutting rotor in the direction of fall. The crushed material enters the discharge hopper via the lower cassette opening and is then discharged from the housing via the discharge hopper.

[0087] An embodiment in which the interchangeable cassette can have two lower cassette openings is not excluded. A first lower cassette opening can be provided centrally below the shaft passage opening of the cassette for a gravity discharge of the comminuted ground material from the interchangeable cassette. A second laterally oriented lower cassette opening can be provided to discharge the ground material laterally from the interchangeable cassette after appropriate deflection in a horizontal direction and, in particular, to feed it to a cyclone separator. The invention thus also relates to an interchangeable cassette with two outlet openings oriented in different spatial directions, namely, in particular, with a first outlet opening oriented in the direction of gravity and with a further outlet opening oriented laterally, preferably horizontally. This aspect is of inventive importance.In this context, a closure element can be provided in order to be able to close one of the two cassette openings as required and to direct the ground material air flow to the other cassette opening.

[0088] An outlet funnel can be provided for insertion into the outlet funnel receptacle. The outlet funnel can be formed by an upper truncated cone-shaped or truncated pyramid-shaped funnel inlet that connects to a lower hollow-cylindrical funnel neck. When the outlet funnel is inserted, the funnel inlet can rest against a side wall of the interchangeable cassette that defines the lower cassette opening. The interchangeable cassette and the funnel inlet can have a complementary connection geometry that enables a preferably stepless transition from the interchangeable cassette to the funnel inlet.

[0089] The outlet funnel can be detachably connected to the housing.

[0090] It is particularly advantageous if the outlet funnel has an intervention guard that prevents manual intervention laterally past the funnel neck into the area of ​​the cutting rotor. The outlet funnel can also be releasably attached to the housing via the intervention guard, whereby the lower housing opening of the housing can be closed at least partially by the intervention guard, particularly in the area of ​​the clear opening cross-section that extends between the funnel neck and the housing wall delimiting the lower housing opening of the housing.

[0091] In a structurally simple embodiment, the access guard is formed by two holding and fastening tabs running transversely to the hopper neck, via which the outlet hopper can be attached to the housing from below when assembled. When assembled, the access guard prevents access to the rotor area via the lower housing opening. The access guard thus fulfills a dual function. Firstly, it serves as a safety element to prevent an operator from being endangered by accessing the cutting rotor area via the lower housing opening. Secondly, it fulfills a holding and fastening function when the outlet hopper is attached to the housing via the access guard.

[0092] When the outlet funnel is inserted, the funnel inlet can be arranged inside the housing, with its upper funnel edge adjacent to, preferably abutting, the interchangeable cassette. An edge geometry of the side wall of the interchangeable cassette can form a seat for the funnel edge of the funnel inlet in the area of ​​the lower cassette opening.

[0093] Two fastening tabs extending laterally, preferably essentially horizontally, can be formed on the lower base of the hopper inlet. These tabs can be used to attach the outlet hopper to the housing and serve as a guard against intrusion. The hopper neck then extends downward from a central opening in the base of the hopper inlet and preferably ends in a hopper outlet outside the housing. The crushed material then enters the hopper inlet via the lower cassette opening and from there, via the hopper neck, flows under gravity to the hopper outlet.

[0094] In particular, the edge geometry of the adjacent wall sections of the interchangeable cassette and outlet funnel is selected such that the interchangeable cassette can be inserted into and / or removed from the housing independently of the outlet funnel. This simplifies handling of the interchangeable cassette when changing the cassette. In particular, it is possible to remove the interchangeable cassette from the housing's cassette holder while leaving the outlet funnel in the outlet funnel holder, for example, to clean or replace the interchangeable cassette.

[0095] Inserting the outlet funnel into the outlet funnel holder of the housing and removing the outlet funnel from the outlet funnel holder is preferably done via a front side of the housing, as with the interchangeable cassette.

[0096] In particular, the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and the outlet funnel can allow a displacement relative to each other in the drive shaft direction in order to further simplify the handling of the interchangeable cassette independently of the outlet funnel.

[0097] In order to largely avoid agglomeration of crushed material in the transition area between the interchangeable cassette and the outlet funnel, the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and the funnel inlet can be substantially aligned and / or an expansion of the flow cross-section is provided at the transition from the interchangeable cassette to the outlet funnel in the flow direction.

[0098] Furthermore, as already mentioned above, the housing can have a further upper cutout, recess, and / or depression, which is connected to or merges into the cutout, recess, and / or depression of the housing forming the cassette receptacle. The further upper cutout, recess, and / or depression can be designed to at least partially accommodate or at least partially insert a material feed chute of a grinding material hopper or a grinding material feed device. The further upper cutout, recess, and / or depression then forms a shaft receptacle of the housing for the material feed chute of the grinding material feed device.

[0099] In particular, the grinding material hopper has an outer housing with a material filling chute with a filling slope, wherein the material filling chute opens into the material feed chute in an opening region, wherein the material filling chute and the material feed chute overlap and merge into one another in the opening region, and wherein a grinding material slide is guided in the material feed chute in a longitudinally adjustable manner. The grinding material hopper can in particular comprise a stuffing slide which is guided in the material feed chute of the grinding material hopper, as described, for example, in DE 29702876 U1. However, the grinding material hopper can also have a different structural design; in particular, no stuffing slide needs to be provided to move the grinding material via the material feed chute towards the cutting rotor.

[0100] The shaft receptacle can open into an upper housing opening. The shaft receptacle can be aligned radially to the cutting rotor and run at an angle to the direction of gravity. The upper housing opening can be offset laterally relative to the rotational axis of the drive shaft.

[0101] The upper cassette opening of the interchangeable cassette is aligned with the housing's shaft receptacle when the interchangeable cassette is inserted into the cassette receptacle. When the material feed chute of the grinding hopper is inserted into the shaft receptacle, the material to be ground is fed into the grinding chamber via the upper cassette opening and, if necessary, a section of the interchangeable cassette that forms a material inlet.

[0102] The shaft receptacle and the cassette receptacle can preferably be formed by a common, continuous and uninterrupted recess, cutout and / or depression in the housing.

[0103] In particular, the shaft holder is designed and constructed for inserting and / or holding a tool-free replaceable material feed shaft. This facilitates handling when inserting or removing the material feed shaft from the shaft holder.

[0104] To prevent the fed-in grinding material from escaping via adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and the material feed chute of the grinding material hopper into the area of ​​the cassette holder and / or the material feed chute, the interchangeable cassette and the material feed chute can be arranged at a distance from one another at edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and the material feed chute that are adjacent to one another when inserted, in particular to form an air gap for extracting unwanted air during grinding operation. A cyclone separator enables grinding operation to be carried out at a negative pressure level in the grinding chamber. When the grinding material-air mixture is extracted from the interchangeable cassette, ambient air can then be drawn in via the air gap between the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette and the material feed chute.This prevents the feed material from escaping through the adjacent edges of the interchangeable cassette and the material feed chute, particularly into the cassette holder and thus into the interior of the cutting mill. This significantly reduces cleaning effort. It also ensures that cassettes can be easily changed without having to remove the material feed chute from the chute holder.

[0105] Furthermore, the mutual spacing of the exchangeable cassette and the material feed chute reliably prevents damage during grinding operation due to mechanical contact between the exchangeable cassette and the material feed chute.

[0106] The air gap or the mutual spacing is preferably provided over the entire surface between the adjacent edge geometries of the exchangeable cassette and the material feed chute, so that the extraction of false air can take place over the entire extent of the facing edge geometries or at any point.

[0107] The removable cassette and the material feed chute can be inserted into the cassette holder and the chute holder of the housing independently of each other and / or removed from the housing. This requires a corresponding design of the adjacent edge geometries of the removable cassette and the material feed chute. Spacing the edge geometries from each other simplifies the replacement of the removable cassette, independent of the material feed chute.

[0108] In this context, it can preferably be provided that the edge geometries of the removable cassette and the material feed chute are designed to complement each other in such a way that the removable cassette can be displaced relative to the material feed chute mounted on the housing in the drive shaft direction and can thus be inserted into and removed from the cassette receptacle, while the material feed chute remains in the chute receptacle. This simplifies insertion and removal via the front of the housing into the corresponding receiving areas for the removable cassette and the material feed chute.

[0109] Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the interchangeable cassette and the material feed chute can be substantially aligned in the inserted state and / or an expansion of the flow cross-section can be provided at the transition between the material feed chute and the interchangeable cassette in the area of ​​the upper cassette opening in order to avoid the deposition of crushed material on projections and / or edges in the transition area.

[0110] In order to prevent, or at least to make it more difficult for, grinding material to escape via the adjacent edge geometries of the material feed chute and the exchangeable cassette into the chute receptacle or the cassette receptacle, the adjacent edge geometries in the circumferential direction of the grinding chamber can also form a labyrinth geometry, based on the state in which the exchangeable cassette and material feed chute are inserted into the housing.

[0111] When inserted, the material feed shaft can be held in the shaft holder in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner and / or fixed to the housing.

[0112] The material feed chute can be connected to a hopper housing of the grinding material hopper and / or form a section of the hopper housing. When inserted into the chute receptacle, the material feed chute can then be moved together with the outer housing relative to the housing of the laboratory mill forming the cassette receptacle and positioned relative to the housing.

[0113] In particular, the material feed chute can be inserted into the chute receptacle from the front or frontally, more particularly after a housing door of the cutting mill that closes the chute receptacle at the front has been opened. Upon insertion into the chute receptacle, an outer housing of the material feed device can then reach a fastening position relative to the housing forming the chute receptacle, in particular in which the outer housing can stand on the housing. Subsequently, it is then possible to form-fit and / or force-fit the outer housing to the housing forming the chute receptacle using at least one connecting means, such as a screw, and thus to fix it in position relative to the housing. The material feed chute is then also firmly connected to the housing.

[0114] As already described above, a housing door can be provided that is movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the housing. In an expedient embodiment, a grinding chamber cover can be held on the motor side of the housing door in order to at least partially close off the grinding chamber of the interchangeable cassette from the front of the interchangeable cassette when the housing door is closed. For example, an insert made of an insert material can be let into a recess on the motor side of the housing door. This insert forms the grinding chamber cover and is moved together with the housing door when the housing door is opened and closed. When the housing door is in the closed position, the insert then comes into contact with the side wall of the interchangeable cassette, which forms the grinding chamber side wall, and closes off the grinding chamber at least partially from the front, thus forming a grinding chamber front wall.The insert material may have different material properties than the door material of the housing door.

[0115] A sealing element can be provided between the housing door and the removable cassette, creating a seal between the housing door and the removable cassette when the housing door is closed. When the housing door is closed, a clamping force can be transferred to the removable cassette via the sealing element, so that the removable cassette is pressed against a housing wall axially bordering the cassette receptacle and clamped in the cassette receptacle. The clamping force required to clamp the removable cassette in the cassette receptacle is applied via the housing door.

[0116] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, which is characterized by the possibility of easy cleaning of the material feed chute, a material feed chute inserted into the chute receptacle and, preferably, a material filling chute opening into the material feed chute can be delimited at least partially, preferably at least substantially completely, by a front chute wall, wherein the front chute wall is formed by the housing door when the housing door is in a closed position. In the closed position, the housing door can then form the front wall of the material feed chute and close the front of the material feed chute at least partially, preferably completely. In the open position, however, the housing door releases the material feed chute for access into the feed chute, in particular for cleaning purposes.The material feed chute then does not form a circumferentially closed chute or channel, but rather has a cut-out wall section on the front of the housing, in which the chute is open to the outside. This cut-out wall section is covered and closed by the housing door in the closed position.

[0117] In this context, the housing door can have an insert made of a hardened and / or low-abrasive material that is firmly connected to the housing door. The insert then forms a front wall of the material feed chute when the housing door is closed.

[0118] A sealing element can be provided which, when the housing door is closed, rests against a shaft wall of the material feed shaft and seals the material feed shaft from the housing door.

[0119] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a cutting mill according to the invention obliquely from above; Fig. 2 a front view of the cutting mill from Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a component group of the cutting mill from Fig. 1 in a perspective view after dismantling a front housing door of the cutting mill; Fig. 4 the component group Fig. 3 in a front view; Fig. 5 a component group of the cutting mill from Fig. 1 in a perspective partial view after dismantling the housing door of the cutting mill; Fig. 6A the detail VI-A from Fig. 3; Fig. 6B the detail VI-B from Fig. 8; Fig. 7A the detail VII-A from Fig. 5; Fig. 7B the detail VII-B from Fig. 8; Fig. 8 a cross-sectional view of the cutting mill from Fig. 1 along the section line VIII-VIII from Fig. 18; Fig. 9 the cutting mill Fig. 1 in a perspective view after opening the housing door of the cutting mill; Fig. 10 shows an exchangeable cassette of a first embodiment for the cutting mill from Fig. 1 in a perspective view; Fig. 11 the removable cassette Fig. 10 in a front view; Fig. 12 the removable cassette Fig. 10 in a rear view; Fig. 13 a housing of the cutting mill made of Fig. 1 in a perspective view; Fig. 14 the housing Fig. 13 in a front view; Fig. 15 the housing Fig. 13 in a rear view; Fig. 16 a component group of the cutting mill from Fig. 1 in a perspective view with the housing made of Fig. 13 inserted interchangeable cassette and inserted cutting rotor; Fig. 17 a front view of the component group from Fig. 16 Fig. 18 a plan view of the cutting mill according to the invention from Fig. 1; Fig. 19 a cross-sectional view of the cutting mill according to the invention from Fig. 18 along the section line XIX-XIX Fig. 18 with an optional stop as an anti-rotation device on the inside of the housing of the cutting mill; Fig. 20 the detail XX from Fig. 19; Fig. 21 a longitudinal sectional view of the cutting mill from Fig. 18 along the section line XXI - XXI from Fig. 18; Fig. 22 the detail XXII from Fig. 21; Fig. 23 a perspective view of the housing from Fig. 13 with an interchangeable cassette according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 24 that in Fig. 23 shown housing with interchangeable cassette in a front view; Fig. 25 a perspective view of the interchangeable cassette from Fig. 23; Fig. 26 a front view of the interchangeable cassette Fig. 25; Fig. 27 a rear view of the interchangeable cassette Fig. 25; Fig. 28 a perspective view of an outlet funnel for the Fig. 23 shown interchangeable cassette and Fig. 29 a front view of the outlet funnel Fig. 28.

[0120] Based on the Fig. 1 to 29, features and aspects of a cutting mill 1 for laboratory use, in particular designed as a tabletop device, as well as features and aspects of two embodiments of an interchangeable cassette 14 designed for use with the cutting mill 1 shown are explained below. The cutting mill 1 shown has a housing 2 and a drive motor 3 connected to the housing 2 with a drive shaft 4. A cutting rotor 5 with cutting blades 6 can be connected to the drive shaft 4 in a manner known per se for cutting and comminuting the material to be ground by shearing.

[0121] The cutting mill 1 further comprises a housing door 7 which is pivotally connected to the housing 2 and is opened by a Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown closed positions into one in Fig. 9. In the embodiment shown, the housing door 7 consists of a lower door section 8 and an upper door section 9, wherein both door sections 8, 9 can be rigidly connected to one another or wherein the housing door 7 can also be formed integrally with the door sections 8, 9. However, an embodiment in which the door sections 8, 9 are formed as separate door parts and are held on the housing 2 so as to be pivotable relative to one another and independently of one another is not excluded.

[0122] Not shown is the possibility of providing a safety switch with a door signaling contact to detect the proper closing of the housing door 7. In particular, mill operation may only be possible once the housing door 7 has reached a predetermined closing position.

[0123] At the front, a door cover 10 is firmly connected to the lower door section 8. The housing door 7 can be opened or closed by pulling or pushing the door cover 10. For simplified handling, a handle element can be formed on the door cover 10, for example in the form of a bent edge of the door cover 10 or a recessed grip, by which the door cover 10 can be grasped and pulled forward to open the housing door 7 or pushed toward the drive motor 3 to close the housing door 7.

[0124] The cutting mill 1 further comprises a grinding material hopper 11 or a grinding material hopper and a cyclone separator 12, which may have a quick-release fastener 13 for a sample vessel at the outlet from the housing 2.

[0125] The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show views of an assembly of the cutting mill from Fig. 1, after the housing door 7 has been removed.

[0126] As can be seen from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, an interchangeable cassette 14 is inserted into the housing 2. The interchangeable cassette 14 forms a grinding chamber 15 and is designed for arranging the cutting rotor 5 with the cutting blades 6 in the grinding chamber 15. The interchangeable cassette 14 has a side wall 16 which radially delimits the grinding chamber 15 and forms a grinding chamber side wall ( Fig. 10). The side wall 16 extends axially in the direction of a rear wall 17 of the interchangeable cassette, which delimits the grinding chamber 15 in the axial direction on the motor side and forms a grinding chamber rear wall.

[0127] Stationary counterblades 18 are mounted on the inside of the side wall 16, which engage with the cutting blades 6 during the cutting and comminution of the material to be ground. The number of cutting blades 6 and counterblades 18 is not limited to the number shown in the exemplary embodiment.

[0128] The Fig. 10 to 12 show the interchangeable cassette 14 from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The side wall 16 of the interchangeable cassette 14 is interrupted in the area of ​​an upper cassette opening 19 and in the area of ​​a lower cassette opening 20, so that two side wall sections 21, 22 are formed.

[0129] Furthermore, a shaft passage opening 23 is provided in the rear wall 17 of the exchangeable cassette 14 forming the grinding chamber rear wall, through which the cutting rotor 5 can be driven by the drive shaft 4.

[0130] At the door-side outer edges, the side wall sections 21, 22 merge into two radially extending collar sections 24, 25.

[0131] In the Fig. 13 to 15, the housing 2 of the cutting mill 1 is shown. The housing 2 has a central recess or depression that forms a cassette receptacle 26 for the interchangeable cassette 14. This allows the interchangeable cassette 14 to be inserted manually and without tools into the cassette receptacle 26 via a front side 27 of the housing 2 after the housing door 7 has been manually swung open from the housing 2 via the handle section of the door cover 10 and thus moved into an open position. The open position of the housing door 7 is shown in Fig. 9. In Fig. 9 also shows two hinge parts 28, 29 with which the housing door 7 is pivotally held on the housing 2.

[0132] The interchangeable cassette 14 can be inserted into and removed from the cassette holder 26 without the use of tools. When inserted, the end faces 30, 31 of the collar sections 24, 25 of the interchangeable cassette 14 are slightly lowered relative to adjacent end faces 32 of the housing 2, but can also be aligned.

[0133] In the inserted state, the side wall 16 of the interchangeable cassette 14 extends in the axial direction of the drive shaft 4 and delimits the grinding chamber 16 in the radial direction, while the rear wall 17 of the interchangeable cassette 14 delimits the grinding chamber 15 on the motor side.

[0134] As can be seen from Fig. 10 and Fig. 12, the side wall 16 of the interchangeable cassette 14 forms radial bulges 33, so that pockets 34 are formed on the inside, which are provided for receiving and holding the counter knives 18. The counter knives 18 can be exchangeably or detachably attached to the interchangeable cassette 14 using appropriate locking and holding means. Furthermore, it is possible to provide setting and adjustment means in order to be able to set or finely adjust the counter knives to a desired cutting gap with the cutting knives 6.

[0135] Furthermore, it is possible for the side wall 16 of the interchangeable cassette 14 to form a radial connection geometry, in the embodiment shown in the form of the radial bulges 33, which can bear against a retaining geometry on a housing wall 35 of the housing 2 radially delimiting the interchangeable cassette receptacle 26 to form a positive connection in the circumferential direction. As can be seen from the Fig. 18 to 20, for example, an internal stop 36 connected to the housing wall 35 can be fastened, in particular detachably by screwing, wherein a spring means 37, for example a leaf spring, can be held on the stop 36, so that the interchangeable cassette 14, in the inserted state, rests against the housing wall 35 of the housing 2 without play in the circumferential direction due to the spring force of the spring means. When the interchangeable cassette 14 is inserted into the cassette receptacle 26, the spring force then causes the interchangeable cassette 14 to be rotated into a circumferential position in which the interchangeable cassette 14 rests against the housing 2 without play.

[0136] Preferably, however, it is provided that the interchangeable cassette 14, in the closed state of the housing door 7, is held in place by force transmission from the housing door 7 via a sealing element 38 arranged between the housing door 7 and the interchangeable cassette 14 (cf. Fig. 9) is pressed against an axial housing wall 39 of the housing 2, so that a positive connection in the circumferential direction is achieved solely by the compressive force transmitted to the interchangeable cassette 14 by the housing door 7. An additional anti-twist device in the form of a stop 36 on the inside of the housing wall 35 delimiting the cassette receptacle 26 is then unnecessary.

[0137] A central opening 39a is provided in the axial housing wall 39 of the exchangeable cassette ( Fig. 13 - 15).

[0138] On the housing wall 35 of the housing 2, which radially delimits the cassette holder 26, a step 40 is provided in some areas on the inner edges ( Fig. 14), whereby the interchangeable cassette 14 can be inserted into the cassette holder 26 and the end faces 30, 31 of the collar sections 24, 25 of the interchangeable cassette 14 do not protrude forwards relative to the end face 32 of the housing 2.

[0139] As can be seen from the Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, an axial connection geometry with an axial contact surface 41 for contacting a contact surface 42 on the housing wall 39 of the housing 2 axially delimiting the cassette receptacle 26 is formed on the rear wall 17 of the interchangeable cassette 14. Preferably, the interchangeable cassette 2 only contacts the housing 2 in the axial direction via the axial connection geometry, and not via the collar sections 24, 25 of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the steps 40 on the housing 2.

[0140] The connection geometry allows the interchangeable cassette 14 to be held at a distance from the housing 2 in the axial direction.

[0141] Preferably, the axial connection geometry on the rear wall 17 of the exchangeable cassette 14 is formed by an annular projection 43. It is understood that a corresponding connection geometry can also be provided on the axial housing wall 39 of the housing 2.

[0142] As can be seen from Fig. 9, a grinding chamber cover 44 is inserted into the lower door section 8 on the inside or motor side, which adjoins a shaft cover 45 inserted into the lower door section 8 and the upper door section 9 on the motor side.

[0143] Fig. 9 shows the sealing element 38, which encloses the shaft cover 45 and the grinding chamber cover 44 in the region of the lower door section 8. The radial distance of the sealing means 38 from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 4 is selected such that the sealing means 38 comes into contact with the collar sections 24, 25 of the interchangeable cassette 14 when the housing door 7 is closed and, in the closed state, a sufficient clamping force can be transmitted to the interchangeable cassette 14 via the housing door 7 in order to press the interchangeable cassette 14 with the contact surface 41 on the rear wall 17 of the interchangeable cassette 14 against the contact surface 42 on the axial housing wall 39 of the housing 2 and thereby achieve a positive connection of the interchangeable cassette 14 in the circumferential direction of the cassette holder 26. The housing door 7 interacts with the sealing element 38 as a clamping means for applying a compressive and clamping force to the interchangeable cassette 14 in the axial direction to the drive motor 3.

[0144] As shown schematically in Fig. As shown in Figure 19, a sieve insert 46 can be releasably held on the inside of the side wall 16 of the interchangeable cassette 14. For this purpose, the side wall 16 can form a sieve seat to which the sieve insert 46 is held in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. The sieve insert prevents coarser ground material components from escaping uncomminuted from the area of ​​the grinding chamber 15 through the lower cassette opening 20 and from being further crushed.

[0145] With reference to the Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, which show a cross-sectional view of the cutting mill 1, a cassette centering device for the interchangeable cassette 14 is described below by way of example. The cassette centering device is formed on the rear wall 17 of the interchangeable cassette 14 in the form of a radial contact surface 47 of the interchangeable cassette 14, which is centered on a radial centering surface 48 of an intermediate flange 49, which is connected to the housing 2 in a rotationally fixed manner and is coaxial with the drive shaft 4 of the drive motor 3. The centering surface 48 could in principle also be formed on the housing 2. The intermediate flange 49 provides a larger centering surface in the axial direction for the radial contact surface 47 of the interchangeable cassette 14, thus enabling highly precise centering.

[0146] The intermediate flange 49 serves to connect a motor housing 51 of the drive motor 3 to the housing 2. A motor flange 50 of the motor housing 51 is connected to the housing 2 in a rotationally fixed manner via the intermediate flange 49 and the drive motor 3 is held on the housing 2.

[0147] A shaft sleeve 52 is mounted on the drive shaft 4 as a receiving element for the cutting rotor 5. The torque is transmitted from the drive shaft 4 to the cutting rotor 5 via the shaft sleeve 52.

[0148] The interchangeable cassette 14 can be pushed onto the shaft sleeve 52 coaxially with the drive shaft 3. When the interchangeable cassette 14 is centered, the clearance between the interchangeable cassette 14 and the shaft sleeve 52 is greater than the clearance between the radial contact surface 47 of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the radial centering surface 48 of the intermediate flange 49. The interchangeable cassette 14 can be easily pulled out by hand from the centering seat formed on the intermediate flange 49. The minimum and maximum clearance between the interchangeable cassette 14 and the shaft sleeve 52 can be greater than the minimum and maximum clearance between the interchangeable cassette 14 and the intermediate flange 49.

[0149] In the embodiment shown, the cassette centering is formed by an annular centering extension 53, which is formed on the rear side of the rear wall 17 of the interchangeable cassette 14. The centering extension 53 has the radial contact surface 47 on its outer side. A centering opening, which is delimited by the centering surface 48, is provided in the center of the intermediate flange 49. The centering extension 53 can be pushed or inserted into the centering opening with a precise fit, at least in sections, over a predetermined insertion length. When inserted, the drive shaft 4 passes through the centering opening in the intermediate flange 49 and the shaft passage opening 23 of the interchangeable cassette 14. In the centered state, the centering extension 53 is then radially connected between the intermediate flange 49 and the drive shaft 4 orthe shaft sleeve 52 connected to the drive shaft 4 and centered via the interacting contact surfaces on the radial outer side of the centering extension 53 and the radial inner side of the intermediate flange 49. This allows for very precise centering of the interchangeable cassette 4, either directly or indirectly, on the housing 2.

[0150] To seal the shaft passage opening 23, in particular to prevent comminuted ground material from reaching the bearings of the drive motor 3 via the area formed between the centering extension 53 and the adjacent shaft sleeve 52, the shaft passage opening 23 in the embodiment shown is sealed by a contact seal, in particular a radial shaft seal or an annular seal, further in particular by a felt seal 54. The felt seal 54 can be formed by an adapter with an inserted felt strip and effectively protects against the passage of finely comminuted ground material.

[0151] As can be seen from the Fig. 10 to 12, the interchangeable cassette 14 can, in a preferred embodiment, have a lower cassette opening 20 which is not arranged centrally below the shaft passage opening 23 and is open vertically downwards, but is arranged laterally offset to the shaft passage opening 23 and is open substantially horizontally to the side. This enables lateral removal of the comminuted ground material from the grinding chamber 15, wherein the ground material is deflected on an inner surface 55 of the side wall section 21 of the interchangeable cassette 14 in the area below the shaft passage opening 23 from a radially outward flow direction into a horizontal flow direction and exits the interchangeable cassette 14 in a horizontal flow direction. This is shown in Fig. 10 is shown schematically by the arrows 56.

[0152] The side wall 16 of the Fig. The interchangeable cassette 14 shown in Figures 10 to 12 is closed in the vertical direction so that the ground material cannot be discharged in the direction of gravity.

[0153] When the exchangeable cassette 14 is inserted into the housing 2, the lower cassette opening 20 is located inside the housing 2, which is the case, for example, in the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 9 is shown.

[0154] As can be seen from the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the housing 2 has a cyclone receptacle 57 formed by a further recess or depression in the housing 2 for receiving the cyclone separator 12. The interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12 are separate components and can be inserted into or removed from the respective receptacles 26, 57 independently of one another. Due to the structural separation of the interchangeable cassette 14 and cyclone separator 12, it is possible to insert the interchangeable cassette 14 into the cassette receptacle 26 independently of the cyclone separator 12 or to remove it from the cassette receptacle 26 in order to replace the interchangeable cassette 14. The cyclone separator 12 can remain in the cyclone receptacle 57. In particular for cleaning purposes, it is advantageous to be able to remove the interchangeable cassette 14 from the housing 2 and reinsert it independently of the cyclone separator 12.

[0155] The one in the Fig. 3 and Fig. The cyclone separator 12 shown in Figure 4 can be inserted into the cyclone holder 57 and removed from the cyclone holder 57 via a front side of the housing 2 after opening the housing door 7, preferably without tools and / or independently of the interchangeable cassette 14.

[0156] The geometry of the cassette holder 26 is adapted to the outer geometry of the interchangeable cassette 14 in order to enable the insertion of the interchangeable cassette 14 into the cassette holder 26.

[0157] Likewise, the receiving geometry of the housing 2 in the area of ​​the cyclone receiving means 57 is adapted to the external dimensions and the external geometry of the cyclone separator 12 in order to enable the insertion of the cyclone separator 12 into the cyclone receiving means 57.

[0158] Preferably, the cyclone separator 12 can be fully inserted into the cyclone receptacle 57 in the axial direction and is then fully integrated into the housing 2 in a closed position of the housing door 7 in the axial direction.

[0159] The cyclone holder 57 and the cassette holder 26 are formed by a common recess or merge into one another. When the interchangeable cassette 14 is inserted, the lower cassette opening 20 of the Fig. 10 to 12, the embodiment of the interchangeable cassette 14 is aligned laterally to the cyclone holder 57, ie to the first holder area 58.

[0160] The cyclone receptacle 57 is formed by a recess or depression in the housing 2, which has a first, substantially horizontally extending first receptacle area 58 and a second, preferably substantially vertically extending second receptacle area 59. This is also shown in the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. The first receiving area 58 merges into the second receiving area 59, and the second receiving area 59 opens into a lower housing opening 60 of the housing 2. The housing opening 60 is provided laterally offset from the central housing opening 39a or laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 4 on the underside of the housing 2.

[0161] The first receiving area 58 of the cyclone holder 57 serves to receive an inlet channel 62 with inlet opening 63 leading to a vortex chamber 61 of the cyclone separator 12 (cf. Fig. 8). The inlet opening 63 connects to the lower cassette opening 20 of the interchangeable cassette 14 in the flow direction of a grinding material air stream, which is sucked out of the grinding chamber 15 by the cyclone separator 12 via the lower cassette opening 20.

[0162] In the embodiment shown, the vortex chamber 61 is formed by a rotationally symmetrical upper part 65, which merges into a conical lower part 66 of the cyclone separator 12, which forms a separation chamber 67 and extends downwards in the second vertical receiving area 59 of the cyclone receptacle 57 beyond the housing opening 60 of the housing 2. The quick-release fastener 13 for a sample container is arranged at the end of the conical lower part 66 protruding from the housing 2 beyond the housing opening 60.

[0163] Furthermore, the second receiving area 59 of the cyclone receptacle 57 serves to receive an immersion tube 64 of the cyclone separator 12 extending vertically through the vortex chamber 61.

[0164] The inlet channel 62 is delimited by an upper channel wall 68, a lower channel wall 69, a rear channel wall 70 and a front channel wall 71. The channel walls 68 to 71 can be detachably connected to one another.

[0165] The immersion tube 64 ends at the bottom at the transition between the vortex chamber 61 and the separation chamber 66. At the top, the immersion tube 64 opens into a suction channel 73 of the housing 2 via a sealing element 72 at the outlet from the upper channel wall 68. The suction channel 73 opens into a connection opening 74 of the housing 2 for connection to a suction pipe of a suction device.

[0166] The rotationally symmetrical vortex chamber 61 creates a rotary flow when a ground material air stream is extracted by a suction device via the connection opening 74, with the ground material air stream being fed tangentially to the vortex chamber 61 via the inlet channel 62. In the vortex chamber 61, the ground material and air stream are then separated in the separation chamber 67, with the ground material being conveyed via the lower part 66 under the influence of gravity into a sample container held by the quick-release fastener 13.

[0167] It is understood that the cyclone or centrifugal separator 12 may also have a structural design that differs from the one shown.

[0168] When inserting the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12 independently of one another, it is advantageous if the edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12, which are adjacent to one another, are designed to be complementary to one another in such a way that the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12 can be displaced relative to one another in the direction of the drive shaft 4 when inserted into the cassette holder (26) or into the cyclone holder (57). This allows for simple axial insertion and axial removal into or from the respective holder 26, 57 of the housing 2.

[0169] As can be seen in particular from Fig. 7, the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12 are spaced apart from each other at adjacent edge geometries. This spacing ensures that forces that occur during cutting operation of the cutting mill 1 and can lead to the interchangeable cassette 14 being moved relative to the cyclone separator 12 cannot lead to unwanted contact between the edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12.

[0170] By extracting a mixture of grinding material and air via the cyclone separator 12, grinding can be carried out in the grinding chamber 15 at a negative pressure level. A design with a circumferential gap 75 between the edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12 (cf. Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B) and between the interchangeable cassette 14 and the housing 2 adjacent in the area of ​​the cassette opening 20 is suitable for sucking in unwanted air through the formed gap 75. Then, unwanted air from the environment is sucked into the inlet channel 62 of the cyclone separator 12 between the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12 and fed to the vortex chamber 61.

[0171] This prevents the escape of ground material beyond the boundary area of ​​the adjacent edge geometries into the cassette holder 26 and the cyclone holder 57.

[0172] In the Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B schematically shows a gap 75 between the adjacent edge regions of the side wall sections 21, 22 and the rear wall 17 of the exchangeable cassette 14 on the one hand and the adjacent edge regions of the channel walls 68 to 71, which form the inlet channel 62 of the cyclone separator 12, on the other hand.

[0173] The spacing or the gap 75 formed between the exchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 2 extends - in particular with reference to the Fig. 7B - preferably along the entire extension length of the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette 14 and cyclone separator 12 and in particular over the entire surface of the adjacent edge geometries.

[0174] The sealing between the housing door 7 and the exchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12 is effected in the closed position of the housing door 7 via the sealing element 38 ( Fig. 9) that extends over the adjacent edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12.

[0175] Furthermore, adjacent inner surfaces of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the cyclone separator 12 can be aligned when inserted into the housing 2 in order to avoid the agglomeration of comminuted grinding material on projections, edges or the like extending into the flow path of the extracted grinding material air stream.

[0176] In the Fig. 23 to 27, another embodiment of a removable cassette 14 is shown. Corresponding features of the removable cassette 14 shown in the preceding figures and described above and the following with reference to the Fig. 23 to 27 are marked with the same reference numerals.

[0177] The Fig. The interchangeable cassette 14 shown in Figures 23 to 27 has a lower cassette opening 20 for vertical downward discharge of the ground material. The ground material is discharged in the direction of gravity. The side wall 16 is radially closed, with the exception of the upwardly directed cassette opening 19 and the lower cassette opening 20.

[0178] As can be seen from a comparison of the Fig. 10 to 12 on the one hand and 25 to 27 on the other hand, both embodiments of the interchangeable cassette 14 have a matching external geometry, so that both interchangeable cassettes 14 can be inserted into the cassette holder 26 as required. The grinding material feed via the upper cassette opening 19 is inclined by an angle α to the perpendicular passing through the center of the shaft passage opening 23 in both embodiments of the interchangeable cassette 14. This is shown schematically for both embodiments in the Fig. 11 and Fig. 26 shown.

[0179] In the Fig. 23 to 25, this has on the inner side a circular segment-shaped upper side wall profile and an adjoining trapezoidal lower side wall profile which merges into the lower cassette opening 20.

[0180] In the Fig. In the first embodiment of the interchangeable cassette 14 shown in Figures 10 to 12, the upper circular segment-shaped side wall profile merges into a lower horizontal side wall profile and into the cassette opening 20 oriented towards the side.

[0181] In the Fig. 13 to 15 it is shown that the housing 2 has an outlet funnel receptacle 77 formed by a further recess or depression in the housing 2 below the housing opening 39a. The outlet funnel receptacle 77 is provided for the insertion of an outlet funnel 78, which is inserted into the Fig. 28 and Fig. 29 is shown.

[0182] The cassette holder 26 and the outlet funnel holder 77 are formed by a common recess or depression in the housing 2 and merge into one another. In the inserted state, the lower grinding material outlet opening 20 of the Fig. 24 to 27 is aligned with the outlet funnel receptacle 77. The outlet funnel receptacle 77 opens into a further lower housing opening 79 of the housing 2, which is provided centrally to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 4 below the housing opening 39a. This makes it possible to insert an interchangeable cassette 14 into the housing 2, if necessary, with a laterally arranged grinding material outlet opening 20 or also with a grinding material outlet opening 20 arranged at the bottom for vertical removal of the grinding material in the direction of gravity.

[0183] Not shown and not excluded is an embodiment of an interchangeable cassette 14 which has a lower grinding material outlet opening for a vertical removal of the grinding material in the direction of gravity and a lateral grinding material outlet opening for a lateral removal of the grinding material in cyclone operation, wherein a closure means can then be provided in order to close one of the two openings in each case depending on the removal of the grinding material in the direction of gravity or on the removal of the grinding material during suction by means of a cyclone.

[0184] On the inside, both side wall sections 21, 22 of the side wall 16 of the interchangeable cassette 14 can form a seat 80 for the inner edge of the outlet funnel 78. In the embodiment shown, the seat 80 is formed by a cutout of the collar sections 24, 25 of the side wall sections 21, 22 adjacent to the cassette opening 20.

[0185] The outlet funnel 77 is Fig. 28 and Fig. 29 formed by a truncated pyramid or truncated cone-shaped funnel inlet 81, which is connected to a funnel neck 82 via an intervention guard 83.

[0186] The upper side edges 84 of longitudinal side walls 85 of the funnel inlet 81 rest against the side wall sections 21, 22 of the exchange cassette 14 from below in the inserted state.

[0187] Preferably, the funnel inlet 81 lies unsealed against the side wall sections 21, 22 and the rear wall 17 of the interchangeable cassette 14 in the region of the side edges 84 of the longitudinal sides 85 and in the region of the longitudinal edge 89 of a rear wall 90 of the funnel inlet 81.

[0188] The connection geometries of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the outlet funnel 78 are selected such that the crushed material can exit unhindered from the lower cassette opening 20 into the funnel inlet 81. For this purpose, the adjacent inner surfaces of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the outlet funnel 78 can be aligned and / or an expansion of the clear flow cross-section is provided at the transition from the interchangeable cassette 14 to the outlet funnel 78.

[0189] The intrusion guard 83 can be detachably attached to the housing 2, for example, by screwing it from below. When attached, the intrusion guard 83, which can be formed by two retaining and fastening tabs 87 extending transversely to the direction of gravity, closes the further housing opening 79 of the housing 2 adjacent to the funnel neck 2. The intrusion guard 83 prevents any access to the rotor area via the lower housing opening 79, with the outlet funnel 78 fulfilling a safety function.

[0190] According to the Fig. 23 and Fig. 24, the size and geometry of the outlet funnel receptacle 77 in the housing 2 is selected such that the funnel inlet 81, when the outlet funnel 78 is inserted or mounted, is arranged within the housing 2 and abuts radially against the interchangeable cassette 14. The funnel neck 82 is preferably arranged outside the housing 2 and has an internal inlet opening 88 for the ground material, through which the ground material then enters the funnel neck 82 and exits the housing 2. The funnel neck 82 can have a holding device for holding a sample vessel at its free end.

[0191] The outlet funnel 78 is preferably open at its front. A front end wall of the funnel inlet 81 is formed by the inside of the housing door 7 when the housing door 7 is in the closed position.

[0192] Furthermore, the complementary edge geometries of the interchangeable cassette 14 and the outlet funnel 78 and the receiving geometries of the cassette receptacle 26 and the outlet funnel receptacle 77 enable the interchangeable cassette 14 and the outlet funnel 78 to be inserted into the housing 2 or removed from the housing 2 independently of one another. The outlet funnel 78 and the interchangeable cassette 14 can be inserted into or removed from the respective receptacle 26, 77 via a front side of the housing 2 with the housing door 7 open. To simplify handling, the interchangeable cassette 14 and the outlet funnel 78 are preferably displaceable relative to one another in the direction of the drive shaft 4 and can thus be inserted into the respective receptacle 26, 77 one after the other or removed from the respective receptacle 26, 77.

[0193] The Fig. 10 and Fig. 25 show that the side wall sections 21, 22 of the interchangeable cassette 14 in the inlet area of ​​the upper cassette opening 19 can be designed in a straight line and run parallel to each other, so that a grinding material inlet 91 is created for the grinding material fed to the grinding chamber 15 and to be comminuted. The grinding material inlet 91 is preferably oriented obliquely to the vertical, which is Fig. 11 and Fig. 26 is schematically shown by the angle α. The grinding material is fed to the cutting rotor 5 at an angle from above and laterally offset from the rotational axis of the cutting rotor 5.

[0194] Preferably, in both embodiments shown, the interchangeable cassette 14 is held in the cassette holder 26 in a form-fitting manner solely due to the contact pressure transmitted from the housing door 7.

[0195] Furthermore, preferably no connecting, locking, and / or arresting means are provided that must be (manually) actuated to insert the cassette into the cassette holder and / or to remove the cassette from the cassette holder. This ensures easy handling of the interchangeable cassette 14 when inserting and removing it from the housing 2.

[0196] On the housing 2, above the cassette holder 26, a shaft holder 92 can be provided for at least partially inserting a material feed shaft 93 of the grinding material hopper 11 into the housing 2 and for feeding grinding material into the grinding chamber 15. Particular attention is drawn to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 13, Fig. 14.

[0197] The shaft receptacle 92 is in turn formed by a recess or depression in the housing 2, which forms a receiving area for the material feed shaft 93, inclined to the direction of gravity, and opens into an upper housing opening 94 of the housing 2. The upper housing opening 94 is preferably arranged laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 4.

[0198] The cassette holder 26 and the grinding material holder 92 are formed by a common, continuous and uninterrupted recess in the housing 2.

[0199] When the interchangeable cassette 14 is inserted, the upper cassette opening 19 of the interchangeable cassette 14 is aligned with the shaft receptacle 92 to enable the grinding material to be fed to the cutting rotor 5. Thus, in the embodiment shown, no frontal or end-side feeding of the grinding material to the rotor 5 is provided.

[0200] In the embodiment shown, the material feed chute 93 is formed by a baffle wall 95, an opposite side wall 96 and a rear wall 97.

[0201] The side wall 96 forms a filling slope 99 at the junction area of ​​a material filling shaft 98 into the material supply shaft 93.

[0202] The part of the side wall 96 forming the filling slope 99 delimits the material filling chute 98 in the vertical downward direction. The material filling chute 98 and the material feed chute 93 overlap in the inlet area and merge into one another, with a grinding material slide 100 guided in the material feed chute 93 for longitudinal adjustment.

[0203] To fix the grinding material slide 100 in a lowered position, a locking means 101 is provided ( Fig. 8). Above the junction area of ​​the material filling chute 98 into the material feed chute 93, an upper side wall 102 is provided, which laterally delimits the material feed chute 93 above the junction area.

[0204] The front sides of the material feed chute 93 and the material filling chute 98 are open.

[0205] Front shaft walls of the material feed shaft 93 and the material filling shaft 98 can be formed at least partially, preferably at least substantially completely, on the housing door 7. In the closed position, with the material feed shaft 93 inserted into the shaft receptacle 92, the housing door 7 then forms the front shaft walls at least partially and closes the material feed shaft 93 and the material filling shaft 98 at least partially, preferably completely. By opening the housing door 7, the material feed shaft 93 and the material filling shaft 96 are released for external access in the open position of the housing door 7, for example, for cleaning purposes.

[0206] In the embodiment of the cutting mill 1 shown, the front shaft wall of the material feed shaft 93 is formed in the closed state of the housing door 7 by the Fig. 9 shown door insert 45, which may be made of an abrasion-resistant material.

[0207] To seal the material feed chute 93 and the material filling chute 98 against the housing door 7, the Fig. 9, which extends on the side of the baffle 95 essentially over the entire height of the baffle 95 and on the opposite side follows the course of the side wall 96. When the housing door 7 is closed, the sealing element 38 comes into contact with the baffle 95 and the side wall 96.

[0208] For grinding, the material to be ground is added via the material feed chute 98, and the material feed slide 100 is raised, exposing a filling opening 103 where the material feed chute 98 opens into the material feed chute 93. The material to be ground then enters the grinding chamber 15 and is propelled outward again by the rotating cutting blades 6. The material feed slide 100 is then moved downward and secured there, preferably with the locking means 101. This moves the material to the rotating cutting blades 6 of the cutting rotor 5 until it is carried along and cut by the counter blades 18.

[0209] Furthermore, a lock flap 104 can be provided, which closes the material feed shaft 93 in the raised state of the grinding material slide 100, as in Fig. 8, and thus ensures that manual intervention in the material feed shaft 93 is not possible when the grinding material slide 100 is raised.

[0210] When the material feed chute 93 is inserted into the chute receptacle 92, the material feed chute 93 is oriented obliquely to the direction of gravity with respect to its central longitudinal axis. This results in an advantageous supply of ground material to the cutting rotor 5 during grinding operation.

[0211] As can be seen in particular from the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, the interchangeable cassette 14 and the material feed shaft 93 are spaced apart from each other at all adjacent edge geometries.

[0212] In the Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B schematically shows a gap 105 between the adjacent edge regions of the side wall sections 21, 22 and the rear wall 17 of the interchangeable cassette 14 on the one hand and the adjacent edge regions of the baffle wall 95, the side wall 96 and the rear wall 97 of the material feed chute 93.

[0213] The spacing or the gap 105 formed between the exchange cassette 14 and the material feed shaft 93 extends - in particular with reference to the Fig. 6B - preferably along the entire extension length of the adjacent edge geometries of the exchange cassette 14 and the material feed shaft 93 and in particular over the entire surface of the adjacent edge geometries.

[0214] In particular, adjacent edge geometries of the exchangeable cassette 14 and the material feed chute 93 can form a labyrinth geometry. If a negative pressure level is generated in the area of ​​the grinding chamber 15 during grinding operation with the cyclone separator 12, this leads to infiltration of ambient air through the gap 105 formed between the adjacent edge geometries of the material feed chute 93 and the exchangeable cassette 14 via the shaft receptacle 92, thus preventing the escape of the material to be ground via the adjacent edge geometries. The formation of a labyrinth geometry between adjacent edge geometries further impedes the escape of the material to be ground via the adjacent edge geometries.

[0215] The connection of the grinding material hopper 11 as a separate assembly is preferably achieved by inserting the material feed chute 93 into the chute receptacle 92 at the front or axially. Locking means may be provided to positively and / or force-fit a hopper housing 106 of the grinding material hopper 11 to the housing 2. When the material feed chute 93 is inserted into the chute receptacle 92, the hopper housing 106 of the grinding material hopper 11 can then stand on the housing 2.

[0216] Particularly preferably, the interchangeable cassette 14 and the material feed chute 93 can be inserted into the housing 2 and / or removed from the housing 2 independently of one another. In particular, the interchangeable cassette 14 and the material feed chute 93 can be displaceable relative to one another in the drive shaft direction when inserting the cassette 14 into the cassette receptacle 26. The ability to remove the interchangeable cassette 14 from the housing 2 and insert it into the housing 2 independently of the grinding material hopper 11 simplifies cassette changing.

[0217] Particularly preferably, the material feed shaft 93 can be inserted into the shaft receptacle 92 and / or removed from the shaft receptacle 92 without tools.

[0218] When the interchangeable cassette 14 and the material feed chute 93 are inserted, the adjacent inner surfaces of both components can be aligned and / or an expansion of the flow cross-section can be provided at the transition between the inner surfaces of the material feed chute 93 and the interchangeable cassette 14. This prevents particle agglomerations in the transition area of ​​the inner surfaces due to edges or projections or the like protruding into the flow cross-section. List of reference symbols: 1 cutting mill 2 housings 3 Drive motor 4 drive shaft 5 Cutting rotor 6 cutting blades 7 Housing door 8 lower door section 9 upper door section 10 Door cover 11 grinding hopper 12 cyclone separators 13 Quick release 14 interchangeable cassettes 15 Grinding chamber 16 Side wall 17 Rear wall 18 counter knives 19 Cassette opening 20 cassette opening 21 Side wall section 22 Side wall section 23 Shaft passage opening 24 collar section 25 collar section 26 cassette recording 27 Front 28 Joint part 29 Joint part 30 frontal area 31 Frontal surface 32 frontal area 33 bulge 34 bag 35 Housing wall 36 stop 37 spring means 38 Sealing element 39 Housing wall 39a Opening 40 gradations 41 contact surface 42 contact surface 43 lead 44 Grinding chamber cover 45 Manhole cover 46 Sieve insert 47 contact surface 48 Centering surface 49 Intermediate flange 50 Motor flange 51 Engine housing 52 Shaft sleeve 53 Centring process 54 Felt seal 55 interior surface 56 Arrow 57 Cyclone recording 58 Recording area 59 Recording area 60 housing opening 61 Vortex chamber 62 Inlet channel 63 Inlet opening 64 dip tube 65 top 66 Lower part 67 Separation chamber 68 Canal wall 69 Canal wall 70 canal wall 71 Canal wall 72 Sealing element 73 Suction channel 74 Connection opening 75 gap 76 Sealing element 77 Outlet funnel holder 78 outlet funnel 79 Housing opening 80 seats 81 funnel inlet 82 funnel neck 83 Protection against interference 84 margin 85 long side 86 Longitudinal edge 87 tab 88 Entrance opening 89 Longitudinal edge 90 rear wall 91 Grinding material inlet 92 shaft recording 93 Material feed chute 94 Housing opening 95 impact wall 96 side wall 97 Rear wall 98 Goods filling chute 99 filling slope 100 grinding material slides 101 locking devices 102 side wall 103 Filling opening 104 Lock flap 105 gap 106 funnel housing QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 29702876 U1

[0099]

Claims

[1] Cutting mill (1) for laboratory use, in particular designed as a table-top device, with a housing (2) and a drive motor (3) connected to the housing (2) with a drive shaft (4), wherein a cutting rotor (5) with cutting blades (6) can be connected to the drive shaft (4) for cutting and comminuting material to be ground by shearing, with a grinding chamber (15) for arranging the cutting rotor (5) in the grinding chamber (15), wherein the grinding chamber (15) is delimited axially on the motor side by a grinding chamber rear wall and radially on the circumferential side by a grinding chamber side wall, wherein stationary counter-blades (18) are held on the inside of the grinding chamber side wall, which come into engagement with the cutting blades (6) during the cutting and comminution of material to be ground, and wherein a centrally arranged shaft passage opening (23) is provided in the grinding chamber rear wall, through which the cutting rotor (5) can be driven by the drive shaft (4), characterized bythat the grinding chamber side wall is formed by a side wall (16) of an interchangeable cassette (14) and the grinding chamber rear wall is formed by a rear wall (17) of the interchangeable cassette (14) and that the housing (2) has a cassette holder (26) for receiving the interchangeable cassette (14), wherein the interchangeable cassette (14) is inserted replaceably into the housing (2). [2] Cutting mill (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) can be inserted into the cassette holder (26) via a front side (27) of the housing (2). [3] Cutting mill (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) can be replaced without tools. [4] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a cassette centering device is formed on the rear wall (17) of the interchangeable cassette (14), wherein the interchangeable cassette (14) can be centered via a radial contact surface (47) of the interchangeable cassette (14) and a radial centering surface (48) of the housing (2) and / or a further component (49) of the cutting mill (1) connected to the housing (2). [5] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the interchangeable cassette (14) can be pushed coaxially to the drive shaft (4) onto the drive shaft (4) and / or a receiving element for the cutting rotor (5) connected to the drive shaft (4), in particular a shaft sleeve (52) placed on the drive shaft (4), and that in the centered state of the interchangeable cassette (14), the fit clearance between the interchangeable cassette (14) and the drive shaft (4) and / or the receiving element is greater than the fit clearance between the radial contact surface (47) and the radial centering surface (48) of the housing (2) and / or a further component (49) connected to the housing (2). [6] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cassette centering is formed by an annular centering extension (53) which has the radial contact surface (47) on its outer side, and that a centering opening is provided on the housing (2) or the further component (49) connected to the housing (2), which is delimited by the radial centering surface (48), wherein the centering extension (53) can be inserted and / or inserted into the centering opening with an exact fit, at least in sections, over an insertion length in the radial direction. [7] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the centering extension (53) is arranged, in the centered state of the interchangeable cassette (14), concentrically to the drive shaft (3) and in the radial direction at least in sections between the housing (2) and / or a further component (49) connected to the housing (2) in a rotationally fixed manner and the drive shaft (3) or a receiving element connected to the drive shaft (3). [8] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the shaft passage opening (53) in the rear wall (17) of the interchangeable cassette (14) is sealed by a contact seal, in particular a radial shaft seal or ring seal, further in particular by a felt seal. [9] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an axial connection geometry with an axial contact surface (41) for contact against a contact surface (42) of the housing (2) is formed on the rear wall (17) of the interchangeable cassette (14). [10] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one spring means and / or tensioning means is provided for applying a compressive and / or tensioning force to the interchangeable cassette (14) acting in the axial direction to the drive motor (3). [11] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat counter knives (18) are held interchangeably on the exchange cassette (14). [12] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that pockets (34) for receiving and holding the counter knives (18) are formed on the side wall (16) of the interchangeable cassette (14). [13] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the side wall (16) of the interchangeable cassette (14) has a radial connection geometry on the circumference, in particular designed as a radial bulge, which bears against a holding geometry on a housing wall (35) of the housing (2) radially delimiting the cassette receptacle (26) in order to form a positive connection in the circumferential direction. [14] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) and the housing (2) rest against each other in the circumferential direction without play via at least one spring means (37). [15] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a holding geometry is formed by a stop (36) which is preferably detachably connected to the housing wall (37). [16] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a spring means (37) is provided on the stop (36) for the play-free contact of the interchangeable cassette (14) against the housing (2). [17] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the interchangeable cassette (14) has a lower cassette opening (20) for the grinding material to exit the interchangeable cassette (14) in an exit direction deviating at an angle from the direction of gravity, in particular for the grinding material to exit the interchangeable cassette (14) transversely to the direction of gravity, wherein, preferably, the grinding material is deflected on the inner surface of the side wall (16) of the interchangeable cassette (14) in a horizontal direction to the lower cassette opening (20) and exits the cassette opening in a horizontal direction. [18] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the exchange cassette (14) is closed in the vertical direction. [19] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cassette opening (20) is arranged within the housing (2). [20] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the housing (2) has a cyclone receptacle (57) for a cyclone separator (12) and that the cyclone separator (12) is inserted into the cyclone receptacle (57). [21] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cyclone separator (12) can be inserted into the cyclone holder (57) via a front side of the housing (2). [22] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lower cassette opening (20) of the interchangeable cassette (14) is directed towards the cyclone holder (57). [23] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cyclone receptacle (57) is formed by a recess, cutout and / or depression in the housing (2), wherein, preferably, the recess, cutout and / or depression has a first, preferably substantially horizontally extending first receiving area (58) and a second, preferably substantially vertically extending second receiving area (59), wherein the first receiving area (58) merges into the second receiving area (59) and the second receiving area (59) opens into a lower housing opening (60) of the housing (2). [24] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cassette holder (26) and the cyclone holder (57) are formed by a common recess, cutout and / or depression in the housing (2). [25] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the interchangeable cassette (14) can be inserted into and / or removed from the housing (2) independently of the cyclone separator (12). [26] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) is displaceable in the drive shaft direction relative to the cyclone separator (12) when inserted into the cassette holder (26) and / or when removed from the cassette holder (26). [27] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) and the cyclone separator (12) are spaced apart from each other at adjacent edge geometries. [28] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) and the cyclone separator (12) are completely spaced apart from each other at the adjacent edge geometries. [29] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the interchangeable cassette (14) has a lower cassette opening (20) arranged centrally below the axis of rotation of the drive shaft (4) for vertical removal of the ground material in the direction of gravity. [30] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an outlet funnel receptacle (77) is formed on the housing (2) below the cassette receptacle (26) for at least partially inserting an outlet funnel (78) into the housing (2). [31] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lower grinding material outlet opening (20) of the interchangeable cassette (20) is aligned with the outlet funnel holder (77). [32] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the outlet funnel receptacle (77) opens into a lower housing opening (79) of the housing (2), wherein, preferably, the lower housing opening (79) is provided centrally to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft (4). [33] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an outlet funnel (79) is provided, preferably detachably connected to the housing (2). [34] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the outlet funnel (78) has an intervention protection (83) and, preferably, can be detachably fastened to the housing (2) via the intervention protection (83), wherein the lower housing opening (79) can be closed in regions by the intervention protection (83). [35] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) can be inserted into and / or removed from the housing (2) independently of the outlet funnel (78). [36] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) is displaceable in the drive shaft direction relative to the outlet funnel (78) when inserted into the cassette holder (26) and / or when removed from the cassette holder (26). [37] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the outlet funnel (78) can be inserted into the outlet funnel receptacle (77) via a front side (27) of the housing (2). [38] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a shaft receptacle (92) is provided on the housing (2) for at least partially inserting a material feed shaft (93) of a grinding material hopper (11) into the housing (2) and for feeding grinding material into the grinding chamber (15). [39] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the exchange cassette (14) and the material feed shaft (93) are spaced apart from each other at adjacent edge geometries. [40] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the exchange cassette (14) and the material feed shaft (93) are completely spaced from each other at all adjacent edge geometries. [41] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that adjacent edge geometries of the exchange cassette (14) and the material feed shaft (93) form a labyrinth geometry. [42] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the material feed shaft (93) can be inserted into the shaft receptacle (92) via a front side (27) of the housing (2). [43] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the interchangeable cassette (14) can be inserted into and / or removed from the housing (2) independently of the material feed shaft (93). [44] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the interchangeable cassette (14) is displaceable in the drive shaft direction relative to the material feed shaft (93) when inserted into the cassette holder (26) and / or when removed from the cassette holder (26). [45] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the material feed shaft (93) can be inserted into the shaft receptacle (92) and / or removed from the shaft receptacle (92) without tools. [46] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat a housing door (7) is provided which is movable relative to the housing (2) from a closed position into an open position, wherein the grinding chamber (15) is axially delimited by a grinding chamber front wall on the front side facing away from the drive motor (3), and wherein the grinding chamber front wall is formed by the housing door (7) in the closed position of the housing door (7). [47] Cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a frontal shaft wall of the material feed shaft (93) and, preferably, a frontal shaft wall of a material filling shaft (98) opening into the material feed shaft (93) is formed, at least in regions, preferably completely, by the housing door (7) when the housing door (7) is in the closed position. [48] ​​Interchangeable cassette (14) designed for use in a cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims and / or having features of an interchangeable cassette (14) according to one of the preceding claims. [49] Cyclone separator (12) designed for use in a cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims and / or having features of a cyclone separator (12) according to one of the preceding claims. [50] Grinding material hopper (11) designed for use in a cutting mill (1) according to one of the preceding claims and / or comprising features of the grinding material hopper (11) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images