Method for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers and apparatus for performing the method

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for effectively degassing and mixing a reactive thermosetting composition in a short time and at low cost.SOLUTION: An apparatus for batch reactive mixing and degassing comprises a container 1; a rotary plate 2 on which the container 1 is disposed and which is rotatably mounted; first driving means for driving the rotary plate 2; second driving means for driving the rotary plate on which the container 1 is disposed; and means for placing the container 1 under vacuum. The container 1 includes a body 4, a bowl 8 that can be disposed inside the body 4, a removable cover 5, and a poppet check valve 7 connected to the cover 5. The apparatus further includes control means for controlling the first driving means and the second driving means, wherein the control means is capable of continuously and independently varying a revolution speed and a rotation speed of the container 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of batch reactive mixing of multiple components, such as components of polyurethane or other thermoset polymer formulations, the use of a device known as a planetary mixer is a well-known technique. A planetary mixer combines the rotation of a container placed on a rotating plate, which is at an incline and whose axis of revolution is not coaxial with the axis of rotation of the container. The combination of two relatively high-speed rotations exerts a significant mixing force on the components. The components may be viscous enough to form a thick paste, solid fillers that can be dispersed, or liquid components that are generally more difficult to mix than viscous components but can still be mixed.

[0003] Such devices are described in particular in documents W02005 / 025717, W02011 / 155370 or W02009 / 020167.

[0004] WO2005 / 025717 describes an agitation and degassing device. This device agitates and degasses a highly viscous material to be mixed by simultaneously rotating and swirling a container holding the material. The container is connected to an external device via piping (wiring) that does not twist when the container rotates. The agitation and degassing device agitates and degasses the material by rotating the container around its axis of rotation and its axis of revolution. The agitation and degassing device includes a first rotation drive mechanism, such as a motor, that rotates a turntable; a second rotation drive mechanism that rotates the container in the opposite direction to the turntable and at the same speed as the turntable; and one or more distribution means, such as a suction pipe, one end of which is connected to the container and the other end of which is connected to an external device.

[0005] WO2011 / 155370 describes an apparatus for kneading and defoaming under vacuum. The apparatus can thoroughly and uniformly knead and defoam a paste material contained in a cylindrical paste container. The apparatus for kneading and defoaming under vacuum includes a revolvable rotating element, a means for holding the container, and a drive mechanism. The rotating element is provided in a chamber placed in a low-pressure state and rotates on a horizontal plane around a reference drive axis of rotation. The means for holding the container is provided on the track edge of the revolvable rotating element, allowing it to rotate around a rotational axis parallel to the reference drive axis of rotation, and removably holds the paste container with the central axis of the paste container obliquely intersecting the rotational axis. The drive mechanism rotates the revolvable rotating element and the means for fixing the container. The paste container has an opening formed therein for introducing the paste material. The opening has a degassing valve that opens the internal space of the paste container to the internal space of the chamber by the action of centrifugal force caused by the revolution and rotation of the paste container, or a gas dialysis membrane that is impermeable to the paste material.

[0006] WO2009 / 020167 describes a degassing device for a kneader. The degassing device allows the kneader to knead the material to be processed while degassing the kneader by rotating a container holder that holds a container capable of containing the material to be processed around an axis of revolution while rotating the container holder around an axis of revolution that passes substantially through the center of the bottom surface of the container and is substantially parallel to the axis of revolution on the orbit. When the container rotates around the axis of revolution while rotating around the axis of revolution, the inner wall surface of the side surface of the container moves up and down relative to an imaginary plane that passes substantially through the center of the container in the height direction and is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, thereby stretching and approaching the axis of rotation.

[0007] We are further aware of documents JP6262087, WO2009 / 137480 and US2007 / 002682 which describe an apparatus for degassing and batch reactive mixing of thermosetting polymers.

[0008] JP6262087 describes an apparatus for degassing and reactive batch mixing of thermosetting polymers such as polyurethane. The apparatus includes a sealable container, a rotary table rotatably mounting a satellite-like rotary table on which the container is positioned and rotates and revolves, and a means for evacuating the container. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a revolution motor and a rotation motor, or a single motor, for rotating the container.

[0009] Document WO2009 / 137480 discloses a twin-screw mixing device. The device has a rotatable main support and one or more additional offset supports, such as a turntable. The main support and the offset rotatable supports can be controlled independently of each other to prevent dead zones in the materials being mixed in the centrifuge. The operator can specify various rotation sequences based on the materials being mixed and observations of the materials during the mixing process.

[0010] Document US2007 / 002682 describes an apparatus and method for producing a mixture or solution of a liquid and a soluble solid, the method comprising the steps of containing the liquid and the soluble solid in a container and rotating the container in a first direction about a first axis while rotating the container in a second direction about a second axis to dissolve the soluble solid and mix the components of the mixture or solution. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] However, these prior art devices suffer from shortcomings in that they do not adequately batch mix reactive thermoset polymers. Specifically, the prior art devices and methods are unable to thoroughly mix all types of polyurethane formulations, and / or are too slow to mix reactive formulations, and / or do not adequately degas ingredients that must first be degassed under vacuum.

[0012] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing an apparatus and method for effectively degassing and mixing reactive thermosetting formulations in a short time and at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] For this purpose, in the present invention, 1. An apparatus for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers, comprising: at least one sealable container into which the batch of thermosetting polymer is placed; a rotary plate on which a container is placed is rotatably mounted, the rotary plate being configured to rotate and revolve the container by placing the container on the rotary plate; first means for driving said rotary plate; second means for driving a rotary plate on which said container is placed; and means for placing said container under vacuum, The container comprises: at least one cylindrical body; a removable cylindrical bowl positionable within the cylindrical body; a removable cover including a seal capable of ensuring a seal-tight closure between the body and the removable cover; a poppet check valve rigidly connected to said cover, said poppet check valve being cooperable with means for placement under vacuum; The apparatus includes a means for controlling a first means for driving a rotary plate to revolve the container at a desired speed, and a second means for driving the rotary plate on which the container is placed to rotate the container about its own axis at a desired speed, and it is noteworthy that the control means is capable of continuously varying the revolving speed and the rotation speed of the container independently of each other.

[0014] Preferably, during a mixing and degassing cycle, the ratio of said rotational speed to said orbital speed is variable and non-zero.

[0015] Advantageously, the device comprises: Means are included for determining the rotational and revolution speeds of the container according to at least the components of the batch of thermosetting polymer and the weights of the components.

[0016] Additionally, the device according to the invention advantageously comprises: at least one sensor for identifying the components of a batch of thermosetting polymer disposed in said container; a weight sensor for measuring the weight of each component of the batch of thermosetting polymer; These sensors are connected to means for determining the rotational and revolution speeds of the container.

[0017] The removable bowl and / or the body may include means for preventing the removable bowl from rotating within the body.

[0018] To facilitate removal of the degassed composition and / or cleaning of the removable bowl, at least the inner wall of said removable bowl is covered with a layer made of a non-stick material.

[0019] According to one embodiment variant, said removable bowl is made from polyethylene (PET).

[0020] Moreover, the container is advantageously formed from a thermoformed cylindrical body obtained from poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), known as ABS.

[0021] Another subject of the invention is A method for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers using the above apparatus, comprising: introducing the components of the thermosetting polymer batch into at least one hermetically closed container; placing the container under vacuum; rotating and revolving the container for a mixing and degassing cycle; In a method comprising at least It is noteworthy that the rotation speed and revolution speed of the container are continuously varied independently of each other during the mixing / degassing cycle.

[0022] Preferably, the ratio of the rotational speed to the orbital speed is variable and non-zero.

[0023] Advantageously, the method comprises the steps of: a preliminary step of measuring the weight of each component of the batch of thermosetting polymer placed in said container; determining the rotation speed and revolution speed of the container according to the compound to be mixed and the measured weight.

[0024] In addition, the method advantageously comprises: a preliminary step of identifying each component of a batch of thermosetting polymer placed in said container; determining the rotation and revolution speeds of the container according to the composition of the batch of thermosetting polymer.

[0025] Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of several non-limiting exemplary implementation variations of the apparatus and method according to the present invention for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container of a device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a container placed in a frame for placing the container under vacuum in a device according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container of the device placed under vacuum. [Figure 6] 1 is a graphical representation of the curves of the speed and rotation of the vessel of the device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Like reference numerals represent like elements throughout the remainder of this description. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0028] 1 to 5, an apparatus for batch reactive mixing and degassing of a thermosetting polymer, such as polyurethane or the like, generally includes at least one sealable container 1 for disposing a batch of thermosetting polymer therein, a rotary plate 2 rotatably mounting satellite rotary plates or arms (not shown) on which the containers 1 are disposed within supports 14 on the rotary plate, causing the containers 1 to rotate and revolve about their axes, first means for driving the rotary plate 2, second means for driving the satellite rotary plates (not shown), and means 3 for placing the container 1 under vacuum (FIG. 5). The support 14 is a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the container 1, and accommodates the container 1.

[0029] Each container 1 is formed from a cylindrical body 4, advantageously made from thermoformed poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), commonly referred to as ABS; a removable cover 5 including a seal 6 that ensures a tight seal between the body 4 and the removable cover 5; and a poppet check valve 7 rigidly connected to the removable cover 5 and operable with the means for placement under vacuum 3. For faster and easier handling, the container 1 advantageously includes a removable cylindrical bowl 8 that is positionable within the cylindrical body 4. Additionally, the removable bowl 8 and / or the body 4 include means for preventing the removable bowl 8 from rotating within the body 4, which in this particular exemplary embodiment comprises a protrusion 9. The protrusion 9 projects from the outer wall of the removable bowl near its top end and cooperates with a groove 10 in the inner wall of the container 1 that extends vertically from its top end.

[0030] It will of course be apparent that the means for preventing the removable bowl 8 from rotating within the body 4 may be any other means well known to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] To facilitate removal of the degassed composition and / or cleaning of the removable bowl 8, at least the inner wall of the removable bowl 8 is covered with a layer made of a non-stick material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or the like. It should be noted that the removable bowl can also be made of a recyclable non-stick material, for example polyethylene (PET), and disposed of after use, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0032] 4 and 5, to facilitate placement under vacuum, the apparatus further includes a frame 11. The frame 11 is formed from a substantially rectangular metal plate and has two recesses 12 for accommodating two containers 1. The spacing between the containers corresponds to the spacing between the cups 13 in the means 3 for placement under vacuum.

[0033] The vacuum means 3 may be configured to apply a vacuum to the at least one container 1 before placing the at least one container 1 on the support 14 .

[0034] Of course, without departing from the scope of the invention, the container 1 can alternatively (not shown) be placed on a satellite rotating plate in the device and then placed directly under vacuum.

[0035] According to an essential feature of the device of the present invention, the device comprises means for controlling first means for driving the rotary plate 2 to revolve the container 1 at a desired speed and second means for driving the satellite rotary plates to rotate the container 1 at a desired speed, the control means being capable of continuously varying the revolving speed and the rotation speed of the container 1 independently of each other. By continuously varying the speed of rotation and revolution of the container 1 in this way, the components of the thermosetting polymer batch can be rapidly and completely degassed and particularly uniformly mixed.

[0036] Preferably, during the mixing and degassing cycle, the ratio of rotational speed to orbital speed is variable and non-zero.

[0037] In this regard, an example of varying the revolution and rotation speed of the container is shown in Figure 6. The upper curve represents the variation of the revolution speed of the container 1 during a mixing and degassing cycle, and the lower curve represents the variation of the rotation speed of the container 1 during a mixing and degassing cycle.

[0038] Furthermore, the device advantageously comprises means for determining the rotational and revolution speeds of the container 1 according to at least the ingredients of the batch of thermosetting polymer and the weights of said ingredients. These decision means may consist of a computer with a processor and a memory unit, or any electronic device that includes at least a processor and a memory unit, such as a tablet, a smartphone, or the like.

[0039] Additionally, the device according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one sensor for identifying the components of the batch of thermosetting polymer placed in the container 1, and a weight sensor for measuring the weight of each component of the batch of thermosetting polymer, these sensors being connected to means for determining the rotational and revolution speeds of the container 1.

[0040] Thus, the method of the present invention for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers such as polyurethane or the like comprises at least the following steps: i) introducing the components of a batch of thermosetting polymer into at least one hermetically closed container 1; ii) placing the container 1 under vacuum and rotating and revolving the container 1 for a mixing and degassing cycle iii) continuously varying the rotation speed and revolution speed of the container 1 independently of each other during the mixing / degassing cycle;

[0041] The container is placed under vacuum at 5 to 20 mbar (absolute pressure), which also removes gases dissolved in the components.

[0042] Preferably, the ratio of rotational speed to orbital speed is variable and non-zero.

[0043] Advantageously, the method comprises the preliminary step of measuring the weight of each component of the batch of thermosetting polymer placed in the container and determining the rotation and revolution speeds of the container according to the measured weights, and / or the preliminary step of identifying each component of the batch of thermosetting polymer placed in the container and determining the rotation and revolution speeds of the container according to the components of the batch of thermosetting polymer.

[0044] As an example demonstrating the effectiveness of the method and apparatus of the present invention, a 400 gram batch containing 100 parts by weight of TDI (toluene diisocyanate) polyester prepolymer containing 3.6% isocyanate (NCO) functionality (low free monomer content) and 8.7 parts by weight of an amine chain extender such as DMTDA (dimethylthiotoluenediamine) can be thoroughly degassed and mixed by the following method: The composition is placed in a container, which is then placed under vacuum for 30 seconds to reach 15 mbar (absolute) before mixing begins. The container 1 is rotated and revolved for the mixing / degassing cycle, with the vacuum maintained in the container throughout the mixing / degassing process. The mixing and degassing cycle includes a first step of approximately 50 seconds in which the revolution speed is 740 revolutions per minute (rpm) and the rotation speed is 530 revolutions per minute (rpm), i.e., the ratio of the rotation speed to the revolution speed is 0.71, and a second step of approximately 60 seconds in which the revolution speed is 740 revolutions per minute (rpm) and the rotation speed is 74 revolutions per minute (rpm), i.e., the ratio of the rotation speed to the revolution speed is 0.10.

[0045] It should be noted that the rotation and revolution speeds used in the above examples depend on the size of the device, in particular the size of the rotating plate 2 and the satellite rotating plates, and may therefore be different without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0046] An apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. An apparatus for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers, such as polyurethane or the like, comprising: at least one sealable container into which a batch of thermosetting polymer is placed; a rotary member on which a satellite-like rotary member is rotatably mounted, the rotary member being configured to rotate and revolve the container by placing the container on the satellite-like rotary member; a first means for driving the rotary member; second means for driving the satellite rotary members; and means for placing the container under vacuum.

[0047] The apparatus may further include control means for controlling the first means and the second means to continuously vary the orbital speed and rotation speed of the container independently of each other.

[0048] The container may include at least one cylindrical body and a removable cylindrical bowl positionable in the cylindrical body.

[0049] Finally, it should of course be clear that the above examples are merely specific examples and in no way limit the field of application of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers, comprising: at least one sealable container (1) in which the batch of thermosetting polymer is placed; a rotary plate (2) for rotatably mounting a rotary plate on which a container (1) is placed, the rotary plate (2) being configured to rotate and revolve the container (1) by placing the container (1) on the rotary plate on which the container (1) is placed; First means for driving said rotary plate (2); second means for driving a rotary plate on which the container (1) is placed; and means (3) for placing the container (1) under vacuum, The container (1) At least one cylindrical body (4); a removable cylindrical bowl (8) that can be placed inside the cylindrical body (4); a removable cover (5) including a seal (6) that ensures a seal-tight closure between the body (4) and the removable cover (5); a poppet check valve (7) rigidly connected to said cover (5), said poppet check valve (7) being cooperable with means (3) for placement under vacuum; The device includes a means for controlling a first means for driving the rotary plate (2) to revolve the container (1) at a desired speed, and a second means for driving the rotary plate on which the container (1) is placed to rotate the container (1) about its own axis at a desired speed, and the means for controlling is capable of continuously varying the revolving speed and the rotation speed of the container (1) independently of each other.

2. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the ratio of said rotational speed to said orbital speed during a mixing / degassing cycle is variable and non-zero.

3. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

1. An apparatus comprising means for determining the rotational and revolution speeds of said container (1) according to at least the components of said batch of thermosetting polymer and the weights of said components.

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, at least one sensor for identifying the components of the batch of thermosetting polymer placed in the container (1); a weight sensor for measuring the weight of each component of the batch of thermosetting polymer; 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sensor is connected to means for determining the rotational and revolution speeds of the container.

5. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, 1. The device, characterized in that the removable bowl (8) and / or the main body (4) comprise means (9, 10) for preventing the removable bowl (8) from rotating within the main body (4).

6. 6. The device according to claim 1, Device characterized in that at least the inner wall of said removable bowl (8) is covered with a layer obtained from a non-stick material.

7. 6. The device according to claim 1, Device characterized in that said removable bowl (8) is obtained from polyethylene (PET).

8. 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein Device characterized in that the container (1) is made from a thermoformed cylindrical body (4) made from poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), known as ABS.

9. 9. A method for batch reactive mixing and degassing of thermosetting polymers using an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of: introducing the components of the batch of thermosetting polymer into at least one hermetically closed container (1); placing the container (1) under vacuum; Rotating and revolving the container (1) for a mixing and degassing cycle; In a method comprising at least A method characterized in that the rotation speed and revolution speed of the container (1) are continuously varied independently of each other during the mixing and degassing cycle.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the ratio of the rotational speed to the orbital speed is variable and non-zero.

11. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, measuring the weight of each component of the batch of thermosetting polymer placed in the container (1); and determining the rotation speed and revolution speed of the container (1) according to the measured weights.

12. 12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, Identifying each component of the batch of thermosetting polymer placed in the container (1); determining the rotation and revolution speeds of the container (1) according to the composition of the batch of thermosetting polymer; A method comprising:

Images