Sealed kneader

Abstract

This sealed kneader comprises: a kneading chamber having a kneading compartment; a material input section having an internal space; a hopper provided in the material input section; an exhaust passage having an exhaust port provided in the material input section; and a drive section that raises and lowers a weight. The drive section can stop the weight at a lower position where a kneaded object can be pressed from above by the weight entering an upper opening of the kneading compartment, and at an exhaust adjustment position where a part of the exhaust port is closed by the weight. When the weight is at the lower position, a gap is formed between the peripheral edge of the kneading chamber, which defines the upper opening, and the weight.　

Description

Closed kneader

[0001] The present invention relates to a closed kneader.

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in JP-A-2013-107025, JP-A-2007-118387, and JP-A-4-16223, a closed kneader including a kneading chamber having a kneading room, a material charging section located above the kneading chamber, and a weight disposed in the material charging section so as to be movable up and down to the kneading room of the kneading chamber is known. In this type of kneader, the kneaded material is kneaded while being pressed from above by the weight in the kneading room.

[0003] The kneader disclosed in JP-A-2013-107025 is used in a kneading method in which a kneaded material such as rubber or plastic and a powder compounding agent are together charged into the kneading room to knead the kneaded material. In this kneader, an input door, a powder chute, and a ventilation chute are connected to a material charging section located above the kneading chamber. The input door is configured to be openable and closable to allow the kneaded material to be charged. The powder chute is used when supplying the kneading powder compounding agent. An air bag having a filter body is built in the ventilation chute. By providing the ventilation chute, it is possible to prevent the dust-containing gas accompanied by the powder compounding agent from scattering to the outside.

[0004] In the kneader disclosed in JP-A-2007-118387, a hopper door, a gas supply device, and a dust collection duct are provided in the material charging section. The hopper door is opened when charging the kneaded material. The gas supply device is configured to be able to supply an inert gas into the material charging section. A dust collector is provided in the dust collection duct. By introducing an inert gas into the kneading chamber by the gas supply device, the dust is collected by the dust collector through the dust collection duct. Therefore, the dust concentration in the kneading chamber can be reduced.

[0005] In the kneader disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-16223, a cylinder is provided that extends further upward from the material input section, which is equipped with a hopper door. The weight is configured to rise from the material input section into the cylinder. The space inside the cylinder above the weight is a back pressure chamber, and the cylinder is equipped with a dust collector that collects dust contained in the pressurized air in this back pressure chamber.

[0006] In the closed-type kneader disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-107025, a ventilation chute is provided in the material input section, so that dust-containing gas accompanied by powdered compounding agents that are stirred up in the material input section can be collected by the ventilation chute. However, there is a risk that some of the powdered compounding agents for kneading supplied through the powder chute may be sucked into the ventilation chute due to the suction force of the ventilation chute. Similarly, in the closed-type kneader disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-118387, there is a risk that powdered additives introduced into the material input section may be sucked into the dust collection duct. Furthermore, the dust collector in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-16223 is equipped with a dust collector that collects dust contained in the pressurized air in the back pressure chamber. However, the hopper frame, which is equipped with a hopper door, is not provided with anything like a chute for sucking up gas.

[0007] Furthermore, none of the Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2013-107025, 2007-118387, and Hei 4-16223 offer any suggestions regarding countermeasures for when the internal pressure inside the kneading chamber may increase due to steam generated from the material being kneaded during the kneading process.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a closed-type kneader that can suppress the rise in internal pressure inside the kneading chamber during kneading, while also preventing the discharge of powdered material to be kneaded into the material input section.

[0009] A closed-type kneader according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a kneading chamber having a kneading chamber with an upper opening; a material input section located above the kneading chamber and having an internal space communicating with the kneading chamber; an openable / closable hopper provided on one side wall of the material input section and configured to allow the material to be kneaded to be introduced into the internal space of the material input section; an exhaust passage connected to the other side wall of the material input section so as to communicate with the internal space through an exhaust port formed on the other side wall of the material input section; a weight provided in the internal space; a drive unit configured to generate a driving force for raising and lowering the weight, while also allowing the weight to enter the upper opening of the kneading chamber and to allow the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber to be pressed from above by the weight; and an exhaust adjustment position located above the lower position, where the weight blocks at least a portion of the exhaust port; and a pair of kneading rotors configured to knead the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber. When the weight is in the lower position, it has a shape that forms a gap between itself and the peripheral edge defining the upper opening of the kneading chamber, allowing gas generated from the material to be kneaded to be discharged from the kneading chamber into the internal space.

[0010] This is a cross-sectional view of a closed-type kneader according to this embodiment, with the weight in the exhaust adjustment position and the hopper open. This is a cross-sectional view of a closed-type kneader according to this embodiment, with the weight in the lower position and the hopper closed. This is a cross-sectional view of a closed-type kneader according to this embodiment, with the weight in the exhaust adjustment position and the hopper closed. This is a diagram illustrating a recess provided on the side of the weight. This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the top surface of the weight. This is a cross-sectional view of a closed-type kneader according to a modified example. This is a diagram illustrating an opening for taking in outside air into the internal space. This is a diagram illustrating an inlet for introducing compressed air into the internal space.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the enclosed kneader 50 according to this embodiment is a device for kneading materials 5 such as rubber and resin, and comprises a kneading chamber 1 having a kneading chamber 2 with an open top, and a material input section 6 located above the kneading chamber 1. That is, the kneading chamber 2 has an upper opening 2a.

[0013] The kneading chamber 2 is a room for kneading the material to be kneaded 5, and a pair of kneading rotors 3A and 3B are arranged inside the kneading chamber 2. The pair of kneading rotors 3A and 3B are arranged parallel to each other and rotatable inside the kneading chamber 2. Each of the kneading rotors 3A and 3B is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) located outside the kneading chamber 1. The material to be kneaded 5 inside the kneading chamber 2 is kneaded by the driving of the pair of kneading rotors 3A and 3B.

[0014] A discharge port 4 is provided at the bottom of the mixing chamber 1 for discharging the mixed material 5. The discharge port 4 is closed when the material 5 is being mixed and is opened by a discharge command.

[0015] The material input section 6 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a rectangular cross-section. That is, the material input section 6 has a pair of side walls facing each other in one direction, and another pair of side walls facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned one direction. The material input section 6 is hollow, and the internal space 16 of the material input section 6 is in communication with the kneading chamber 2 through the upper opening 2a.

[0016] The material input section 6 is equipped with a hopper 10 for introducing the materials to be kneaded 5 into the internal space 16, and an exhaust passage 9 for discharging steam and other gases discharged from the kneading chamber 2.

[0017] The hopper 10 is provided on one side wall (first side wall 6a) of the material input section 6. The hopper 10 is configured to open and close the opening 17 (or input port) formed in the first side wall 6a. That is, the hopper 10 is positioned so that its lower end is located at the lower edge of the opening 17, and a hinge 18 is provided at the lower end of the hopper 10. As a result, the hopper 10 is rotatable around the axis of the hinge 18 located at its lower end. The opening 17 is opened and closed by the rotation of the hopper 10. In other words, the hopper 10 is of the open / close type. With the opening 17 open by the hopper 10, the materials for the mixture 5 can be introduced into the internal space 16 of the material input section 6.

[0018] The exhaust passage 9 is connected to a side wall (second side wall 6b) different from the first side wall 6a on which the hopper 10 is provided. That is, an exhaust port 19 is opened in the second side wall 6b, and the exhaust passage 9 is connected to the second side wall 6b so as to communicate with the internal space 16 through this exhaust port 19. In this embodiment, the second side wall 6b is a side wall opposite the first side wall 6a, but it may be a side wall adjacent to the first side wall 6a instead.

[0019] The exhaust passage 9 extends diagonally upward from the exhaust port 19. For example, the exhaust passage 9 extends in a direction inclined at 40 to 50 degrees with respect to the vertical. Also, the lower edge of the exhaust port 19 is set higher than the lower edge of the opening 17 (or input port) of the first side wall 6a. This prevents the material introduced from the hopper 10 from flowing directly into the exhaust passage 9. Furthermore, even if powdery material that has been stirred up in the internal space 16 enters the exhaust passage 9, this material can be dropped into the mixing chamber 2, thus preventing the exhaust port 19 from becoming clogged.

[0020] A suction device 21 is provided in the exhaust passage 9. By operating the suction device 21, the gas (which may include dust, etc.) inside the internal space 16 of the material input section 6 can be discharged to the outside of the sealed kneader 50 through the exhaust passage 9.

[0021] A weight 7 is positioned in the internal space 16 of the material input section 6 so as to be able to move up and down. The weight 7 is connected to a drive unit 23 for raising and lowering the weight 7 via a connecting rod 8.

[0022] The drive unit 23 generates a driving force to raise and lower the weight 7. The drive unit 23 may, for example, include a cylinder (not shown) and a piston (not shown) slidably disposed within the cylinder, and may be configured to move the weight 7 vertically via a connecting rod 8 by the reciprocating movement of the piston.

[0023] Furthermore, the drive unit 23 is configured to stop the weight 7 at the lower position (the position shown in Figure 2) and the exhaust adjustment position (the position shown in Figure 1). That is, by controlling the working fluid supplied to the cylinder, the weight 7 can be stopped at the lower position and the exhaust adjustment position. In this case, for example, a detector 25 for detecting the position of the connecting rod 8 (or weight 7 or piston) may be provided, and the drive unit 23 may control the stopping position of the weight 7 based on the detection result from the detector 25. Alternatively, a stopper (not shown) for stopping the weight 7 at the exhaust adjustment position may be provided, in which case the drive unit 23 may raise the weight 7 until it contacts this stopper and stops it at the exhaust adjustment position. Alternatively, the drive unit 23 may be set so that the upper limit of the movement range of the weight 7 is the exhaust adjustment position and the lower limit of the movement range is the lower position.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, when the weight 7 is in the lower position, the weight 7 enters the upper opening 2a of the kneading chamber 2. This allows the material to be kneaded 5 inside the kneading chamber 2 to be pressed down from above by the weight 7. The drive unit 23 applies a downward force to the weight 7 so that the material to be kneaded 5 can be pressed down by the weight 7.

[0025] The exhaust adjustment position is the position where the weight 7 has risen from its lower position, as shown in Figure 1. When the weight 7 is in the exhaust adjustment position, the upper opening 2a of the mixing chamber 2 is open to the internal space 16 of the material input section 6. Also, when the weight 7 is in the exhaust adjustment position, approximately half (approximately the upper half) of the exhaust port 19 is blocked by the weight 7. However, the weight 7 in the exhaust adjustment position is not limited to blocking approximately half of the exhaust port 19, but is sufficient if it blocks at least a part of the exhaust port 19.

[0026] The exhaust adjustment position is also the position of the weight 7 when the opening 17 is opened by the hopper 10 to feed in material. This prevents material fed from the hopper 10 from unintentionally flowing into the exhaust passage 9 through the exhaust port 19.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the drive unit 23 may position the weight 7 in the exhaust adjustment position when the hopper 10 is closed and the material to be mixed 5 is being mixed in the mixing chamber 2. In other words, if it is not necessary to press the material to be mixed 5 with the weight 7 while mixing, depending on the mixing conditions, the drive unit 23 may position the weight 7 in the exhaust adjustment position. Even in this case, since the weight 7 blocks a part of the exhaust port 19, the flow of powdery material scattered from the material to be mixed 5 into the exhaust passage 9 is suppressed.

[0028] When the weight 7 is in the lower position, the upper opening 2a of the kneading chamber 2 is almost completely blocked by the weight 7. At this time, as shown in Figure 4, a gap 30 is created between the peripheral edge 1a (or inner surface) that defines the upper opening 2a in the kneading chamber 1 and the side surface of the weight 7 in the lower position. Therefore, if the internal pressure of the kneading chamber 2 rises, the air inside the kneading chamber 2 (including, in some cases, the powdered material that has been introduced, gas generated from the material to be kneaded 5, etc.) may leak out through the gap 30 into the internal space 16 of the material input section 6.

[0029] Furthermore, a recess 31 is formed on the side surface of the weight 7, and the size of the gap 30 is increased by the formation of the recess 31. In other words, a gap 30 is formed between the side surface of the weight 7 and the peripheral edge 1a (or inner peripheral surface) that defines the upper opening 2a without the recess 31 being formed on the side surface of the weight 7, and the width of this gap 30 is increased by the presence of the recess 31.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the recesses 31 are provided on a pair of sides 7a and 7b that face opposite each other. However, this is not the only option. The recesses 31 only need to be provided on at least one side, and may be provided on all sides of the weight 7.

[0031] The recess 31 may be provided on the side surface 7a of the weight 7 that faces the second side wall 6b where the exhaust port 19 is provided in the material input section 6. In this case, gas that passes through the gap 30 between the peripheral edge 1a (or inner surface) of the upper opening 2a and the recess 31 and moves upward flows directly into the exhaust passage 9 through the exhaust port 19. Therefore, if the material contains powdery gaseous material, it becomes easier to draw this powdery material into the exhaust passage 9.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the upper surface 7c of the weight 7 is inclined. Specifically, the upper surface 7c of the weight 7 is inclined such that the side facing the exhaust port 19 is lower than the side facing the hopper 10. That is, the height of the side surface 7a of the weight 7 facing the second side wall 6b is lower than the height of the side surface 7b of the weight 7 facing the first side wall 6a. Therefore, gases such as steam generated in the mixing chamber 2 can more easily pass through the gap 30 on the exhaust port 19 side than the gap 30 on the hopper 10 side. Furthermore, if a recess 31 is provided on the side surface 7a of the weight 7 facing the second side wall 6b where the exhaust port 19 is located, it becomes even easier for gases such as steam to flow through the gap 30 on the exhaust port 19 side. In addition, because the upper surface 7c of the weight 7 is inclined, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of powder components on the upper surface 7c of the weight 7.

[0033] In the enclosed kneader 50 of this embodiment, which has the configuration described above, the material to be kneaded 5 is introduced into the kneading chamber 1 from the material input section 6 while the weight 7 is in the exhaust adjustment position. After the material to be kneaded 5 is introduced, the drive unit 23 lowers the weight 7 to the lower position. When the weight 7 reaches the lower position where it enters the upper opening 2a of the kneading chamber 2, the drive unit 23 stops the lowering of the weight 7. At this time, a gap 30 is created between the peripheral edge 1a of the upper opening 2a of the kneading chamber 1 and the side surface of the weight 7. In this state, the pair of kneading rotors 3A and 3B are driven, and the material to be kneaded 5 is kneaded in the kneading chamber 2.

[0034] During mixing, as the temperature of the material to be mixed 5 rises, moisture and other substances contained in the material to be mixed 5 may vaporize, generating steam. This steam can flow out through the gap 30 into the internal space 16 of the material input section 6. Therefore, even when mixing a material to be mixed 5 that generates a large amount of steam, the rise in internal pressure of the mixing chamber 2 can be suppressed. The gas that flows into the internal space 16 is sucked into the exhaust passage 9 through the exhaust port 19 by the operation of the suction device 21 and discharged to the outside of the sealed mixer 50. If the gap 30 becomes clogged for any reason, the weight 7 can be raised and the foreign matter can be scraped off with a scraper (not shown) or the like.

[0035] On the other hand, when the drive unit 23 operates to raise the weight 7 from the lower position, the drive unit 23 stops the weight 7 at the exhaust adjustment position. In this state, the hopper 10 can be opened and the materials for the mixture 5 (mixture 5, additives, etc.) can be put into the internal space 16 of the material input unit 6. At this time, the suction machine 21 is stopped, and at least a part of the exhaust port 19 is blocked by the weight 7. Therefore, even if the mixture 5 put in from the hopper 10 contains powdery material and the powdery material is blown up, it is possible to prevent the powdery material from flowing into the exhaust passage 9 through the exhaust port 19. Thus, it is possible to prevent the powdery material from being discharged to the outside of the sealed mixer 50.

[0036] When the weight 7 is in the exhaust adjustment position, approximately half of the exhaust port 19 is blocked by the weight 7. Therefore, the exhaust port 19 can be roughly blocked while preventing the movement stroke of the weight 7 from becoming excessive, thus allowing the overall height of the closed-type kneader 50 to be reduced while obtaining a configuration in which a portion of the exhaust port 19 is blocked.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a recess 31 is provided on the side surface 7a of the weight 7, which is located directly below the exhaust port 19. Therefore, when the gas generated from the material to be kneaded 5 flows out of the kneading chamber 2 through the gap 30 between the recess 31 of the weight 7 and the peripheral edge 1a (or inner surface) defining the upper opening 2a, this gas rises and is guided directly to the exhaust port 19. Thus, the gas can be efficiently guided to the exhaust passage 9.

[0038] In this embodiment, the upper surface 7c of the weight 7 is inclined such that the portion on the exhaust port 19 side is lower than the portion on the hopper 10 side. As a result, the thickness of the weight 7 in the height direction is thinner on the exhaust port 19 side and thicker on the hopper 10 side. Therefore, steam and other gases can be efficiently guided to the exhaust port 19 on the exhaust port 19 side. In addition, if the material to be kneaded 5 contains powder components, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of powder components on the upper surface 7c of the weight 7.

[0039] (Other Embodiments) It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from its spirit. For example, as shown in Figure 6, an opening 33 may be formed in the side wall of the material input section 6 at a position above the hopper 10. This opening 33 functions as an air intake that takes in outside air into the internal space 16 when the hopper 10 is closed and the suction device 21 is operating. By taking in outside air through the opening 33, it is possible to prevent gases such as water vapor and ethanol generated from the material to be kneaded 5 from accumulating in the internal space 16 of the material input section 6.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, in the material input section 6, an opening 34 may be provided in the second side wall 6b where the exhaust port 19 is formed. This opening 34 also functions as an air intake port that takes in outside air into the internal space 16 when the suction device 21 is operating. Multiple openings 34 may also be provided. Furthermore, the openings 33 and 34 may be provided in any side wall of the material input section 6. For example, an opening 33 in the first side wall 6a and an opening 34 in the second side wall 6b may be provided, or only an opening 34 in the second side wall 6b may be provided.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, the material input section 6 may be provided with an inlet 35 for compressed air. A pipe (not shown) connected to a compressor (not shown) is connected to this inlet 35. The compressed air discharged from the compressor is sent into the internal space 16 of the material input section 6 through the inlet 35. Therefore, when the suction machine 21 is operating, the compressed air is sent into the internal space 16, so that the gas in the internal space 16 can be discharged more smoothly to the outside through the exhaust passage 9. For this reason, it is possible to more effectively prevent the retention of the gas generated from the kneaded material 5, and forced ventilation can be performed. Note that the inlet 35 may be provided on the second side wall 6b in which the exhaust port 19 is formed, or may be provided on a different side wall. Also, the number of inlets 35 may be arbitrary.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the recess 31 is provided on the side surface of the weight 7. However, if the exhaust through the gap 30 between the side surface of the weight 7 and the peripheral edge portion 1a (or the inner peripheral surface) of the upper opening 2a is sufficient, the recess 31 may be omitted. However, by forming the recess 31, the locations where the gas is discharged from the kneading chamber 2 can be concentrated, so that it becomes easier to control the exhaust to the exhaust port 19. Also, the recess 31 does not have to be located directly below the exhaust port 19.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the upper surface 7c of the weight 7 is inclined. However, if the material of the kneaded material 5 does not contain much powder component, the upper surface 7c of the weight 7 does not have to be inclined.

[0044] Here, the above embodiment will be outlined.

[0045] The enclosed kneader according to the above embodiment comprises: a kneading chamber having a kneading chamber with an upper opening; a material input section located above the kneading chamber and having an internal space communicating with the kneading chamber; an openable / closable hopper provided on one side wall of the material input section and configured to allow the material to be kneaded to be introduced into the internal space of the material input section; an exhaust passage connected to the other side wall of the material input section so as to communicate with the internal space through an exhaust port formed on the other side wall of the material input section; a weight provided in the internal space; a drive unit configured to generate a driving force for raising and lowering the weight, while also allowing the weight to enter the upper opening of the kneading chamber and to allow the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber to be pressed down from above by the weight; and an exhaust adjustment position located above the lower position, where the weight blocks at least a portion of the exhaust port; and a pair of kneading rotors configured to knead the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber. When the weight is in the lower position, it has a shape that forms a gap between itself and the peripheral edge defining the upper opening of the kneading chamber, allowing gas generated from the material to be kneaded to be discharged from the kneading chamber into the internal space.

[0046] In the aforementioned closed-type kneader, the material to be kneaded is introduced into the kneading chamber from the material input section while the weight is in the exhaust adjustment position. After the material to be kneaded is introduced, the drive unit lowers the weight to the lower position. When the weight reaches the lower position, the drive unit stops lowering the weight. At this time, a gap is created between the periphery of the kneading chamber that partitions the upper opening of the kneading chamber and the weight. In this state, the pair of kneading rotors are driven, and the material to be kneaded is kneaded inside the kneading chamber.

[0047] During mixing, as the temperature of the material being mixed rises, moisture and other substances contained in the material may vaporize, generating steam. This steam can flow out through the gap into the internal space of the material input section. Therefore, even when mixing materials that generate a large amount of steam, the rise in internal pressure of the mixing chamber can be suppressed.

[0048] On the other hand, when the drive unit operates so that the weight rises from the lower position, the drive unit stops the weight at the exhaust adjustment position. In this state, the hopper can be opened and the kneaded material can be introduced into the internal space of the material input section. At this time, at least a part of the exhaust port is blocked by the weight. Therefore, when the kneaded material introduced from the hopper contains a powdery material, even if the powdery material is blown up, it is possible to suppress the powdery material from flowing into the exhaust passage. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the powdery material from being discharged to the outside of the closed kneader.

[0049] At least a part of the exhaust port when the weight is in the exhaust adjustment position may be approximately half of the exhaust port.

[0050] In this aspect, it is possible to approximately block the exhaust port while preventing the movement stroke of the weight from becoming excessive. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the overall height of the closed kneader while obtaining a configuration in which a part of the exhaust port is blocked.

[0051] A recess may be provided on the side surface of the weight. In this case, the gap between the recess and the peripheral edge of the kneading chamber may be located below the exhaust port.

[0052] In this aspect, since the gap width between the side surface of the weight and the peripheral edge of the kneading chamber is increased, it is possible to easily allow the gas generated from the kneaded material to flow out from the kneading chamber. Further, the gas flowing out from the kneading chamber through the gap between the recess and the peripheral edge of the kneading chamber can be directly guided to the exhaust port simply by raising it. That is, it becomes easier to control the position where the gas flows out from the kneading chamber.

[0053] The other side wall of the material input section provided with the exhaust port and the one side wall of the material input section provided with the hopper may face each other. In this case, the upper surface of the weight may be inclined such that the portion on the exhaust port side is lower than the portion on the hopper side.

[0054] In this embodiment, the thickness of the weight in the height direction is thinner on the exhaust port side and thicker on the hopper side. Therefore, steam and other gases can be efficiently guided to the exhaust port on the exhaust port side. In addition, when the material to be kneaded contains powder components, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of powder components on the upper surface of the weight.

[0055] A suction device may be connected to the exhaust passage, in which case the material input section may be provided with an opening that allows outside air to be drawn into the internal space. In this embodiment, when the suction device operates and discharges the gas from the internal space, outside air can flow into the internal space of the material input section through the opening. Therefore, the gas from the internal space can be discharged smoothly.

[0056] The material input section may be provided with an inlet through which compressed air can be introduced into the internal space. In this embodiment, compressed air can be introduced into the internal space through the inlet. Therefore, when the suction device is in operation, compressed air is sent into the internal space, allowing the gas in the internal space to be discharged more smoothly to the outside through the exhaust passage. In other words, the gas in the internal space can be forcibly replaced with compressed air.

[0057] As explained above, this method suppresses the rise in internal pressure within the mixing chamber during mixing, while also preventing the discharge of powdered material from being added to the material input section.

[0058] This application is based on Provisional Application 63 / 707496, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on 15 October 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A closed-type kneader comprising: a kneading chamber having a kneading chamber with an upper opening; a material input section located above the kneading chamber and having an internal space communicating with the kneading chamber; an openable / closable hopper provided on one side wall of the material input section and configured to allow the material to be kneaded to be introduced into the internal space of the material input section; an exhaust passage connected to the other side wall of the material input section so as to communicate with the internal space through an exhaust port formed on the other side wall of the material input section; a weight provided in the internal space; a drive unit configured to generate a driving force for raising and lowering the weight, while also allowing the weight to enter the upper opening of the kneading chamber and to allow the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber to be pressed down from above by the weight, and an exhaust adjustment position located above the lower position and where the weight blocks at least a part of the exhaust port; and a pair of kneading rotors configured to knead the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber. A closed-type kneader, wherein the weight, when in the lower position, has a shape that forms a gap between it and the peripheral edge defining the upper opening of the kneading chamber, allowing gas generated from the material to be kneaded to be discharged from the kneading chamber into the internal space.

2. A closed-type kneader according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the exhaust port when the weight is in the exhaust adjustment position is approximately half the size of the exhaust port.

3. A closed-type kneader according to claim 1, wherein a recess is provided on the side surface of the weight, and the gap between the recess and the peripheral edge of the kneading chamber is located below the exhaust port.

4. A closed-type kneader according to claim 1, wherein the other side wall of the material input section on which the exhaust port is provided and the side wall of the material input section on which the hopper is provided face each other, and the upper surface of the weight is inclined such that the portion on the exhaust port side is lower than the portion on the hopper side.

5. A closed-type kneader according to claim 1, wherein a suction device is connected to the exhaust passage, and the material input section is provided with an opening that allows outside air to be taken into the internal space.

6. A closed-type kneader according to claim 5, wherein the material input section is provided with an inlet into which compressed air can be introduced into the internal space.

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