Closed kneader

Abstract

This closed kneader is provided with: a kneading chamber having a kneading space; a material charging part located above the kneading chamber; a weight; a drive unit that raises and lowers the weight between a lower position at which a kneading object in the kneading space can have pressure applied thereto from above by the weight and a retracted position to which the weight is retracted upward from the lower position; a kneading rotor that kneads the kneading object in the kneading space; and a deaeration mechanism that is provided in the kneading chamber and has an inner end section facing the interior of the kneading space, and that is configured so as to be capable of discharging, from the inner end section to the outside of the kneading chamber, gas produced during kneading of the kneading object.

Description

Closed-type kneading machine

[0001] This invention relates to a closed-type kneading machine.

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-217240, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-43520, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-232320, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-107025 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-118387, a closed-type kneader is known that comprises a kneading chamber having a kneading chamber with an open top, and a weight that is arranged to be raised and lowered so as to descend into the kneading chamber, and kneads the material to be kneaded while pressing it from above with the weight within the kneading chamber. The kneaders disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-217240, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-43520 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-232320 are used in kneading methods in which oil is added and raw rubber is kneaded. Furthermore, the kneader disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-107025 is used in a kneading method in which materials to be kneaded, such as rubber and plastic, and powdered compounding agents are introduced together into a kneading chamber to knead the mixture. The kneader in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-107025 is equipped with a ventilation chute connected to the kneading chamber, and this ventilation chute is equipped with an airbag having a filter. This prevents dust-containing gas entrained with the powdered compounding agents from being scattered to the outside. In addition, the kneader disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-118387 is configured to reduce the dust concentration inside the kneading chamber by introducing an inert gas into the kneading chamber.

[0003] In a kneader where the material to be kneaded is kneaded with a weight lowered to block the upper opening of the kneading chamber, for example, when kneading a material containing a large amount of moisture, the moisture may vaporize as the temperature rises during kneading, causing the internal pressure in the kneading chamber to increase. In addition, gas may escape from the gap between the edge of the upper opening of the kneading chamber and the weight, but even in this case, if a large amount of moisture vaporizes, it can cause a pressure increase in the kneading chamber. Furthermore, the material to be kneaded or additives may become clogged in the aforementioned gap, in which case degassing becomes impossible.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an enclosed kneader suitable for kneading a kneaded material that generates a large amount of gas such as steam.

[0005] An enclosed kneader according to an aspect of the present invention includes a kneading chamber having a kneading chamber with an upper opening, a material charging portion located above the kneading chamber, having an internal space communicating with the kneading chamber, and configured to be able to charge a material of the kneaded material into the internal space, a weight provided in the internal space, a drive portion configured to raise and lower the weight between a lower position where the weight enters the kneading chamber and can press the kneaded material in the kneading chamber from above, and a retracted position where the weight retreats upward from the lower position and the kneading chamber is opened, and a pair of kneading rotors configured to knead the kneaded material in the kneading chamber, and a degassing mechanism having an inner end portion facing the kneading chamber and provided in the kneading chamber, and configured to be able to discharge gas generated during kneading of the kneaded material from the inner end portion to the outside of the kneading chamber.

[0006] It is a cross-sectional view showing the enclosed kneader according to the present embodiment as viewed from the side. It is a cross-sectional view showing the enclosed kneader according to the present embodiment as viewed from above the kneading chamber. It is a view showing the degassing mechanism provided in the enclosed kneader and showing a state where the rod is in the closed position. It is a view showing the degassing mechanism provided in the enclosed kneader and showing a state where the rod is in the open position. It is a view showing the degassing mechanism provided in the enclosed kneader according to the first modification. It is a view showing the degassing mechanism provided in the enclosed kneader according to the second modification.

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the enclosed kneader 50 according to the present embodiment is a device for kneading a kneaded material such as rubber or resin. The kneader 50 includes a kneading chamber 25 having a kneading chamber 21 with an upper opening 21a, a material charging portion 27 located above the kneading chamber 25, and a weight 28 disposed in the material charging portion 27.

[0009] The kneading chamber 21 is a room for kneading the material to be kneaded. A pair of kneading rotors 20 are arranged inside the kneading chamber 21. The pair of kneading rotors 20 are arranged to rotate parallel to each other inside the kneading chamber 21. Each kneading rotor 20 has rotor shafts 22A and 22B extending from both sides in the axial direction. The rotor shafts 22A and 22B pass through the end plates 23A and 23B of the kneading chamber 25, which will be described later, and are driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) located outside the kneading chamber 25. The material to be kneaded inside the kneading chamber 21 is kneaded by the driving of the pair of kneading rotors 20.

[0010] The material input section 27 has an internal space 27a that communicates with the kneading chamber 21. The material input section 27 is equipped with a hopper 30, and the materials to be kneaded can be introduced into the internal space 27a of the material input section 27 through this hopper 30.

[0011] The weight 28 is provided so as to be able to move up and down within the internal space 27a of the material input section 27. The weight 28 is connected to a drive unit 32 for raising and lowering the weight 28 via a connecting rod 29. The drive unit 32 raises and lowers the weight 28 between a lower position and a retracted position. The drive unit 32 may, for example, include a cylinder (not shown) and a piston (not shown) slidably disposed within the cylinder, and be configured to move the weight 28 vertically via the connecting rod 29 by the reciprocating movement of the piston. The drive unit 32 applies a downward force to the weight 28 so that the weight 28 can press against the material to be kneaded.

[0012] When the weight 28 is in the lower position, it enters the upper opening 21a of the kneading chamber 21. This allows the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber 21 to be pressed down from above by the weight 28. When the weight 28 is in the lower position, the upper opening 21a of the kneading chamber 21 is almost completely blocked by the weight 28. At this time, a gap is created between the inner circumference of the kneading chamber 25 that defines the upper opening 21a and the periphery of the weight 28 in the lower position. Therefore, if the internal pressure of the kneading chamber 21 rises, air (and possibly the added powdered material) inside the kneading chamber 21 may leak out through the gap into the internal space 27a of the material input section 27.

[0013] The retracted position is the position where the weight 28 has risen from its lower position. When the weight 28 is in the retracted position, the upper opening 21a of the kneading chamber 21 is open to the internal space 27a of the material input section 27. The weight 28 can rise to a position above the connection point of the hopper 30 in the material input section 27.

[0014] The mixing chamber 25 comprises a cylindrical chamber body 25a and a pair of end plates 23A and 23B that close the openings at both ends of the chamber body 25a. The chamber body 25a is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds a pair of mixing rotors 20, and an upper opening 21a is formed at the top of the chamber body 25a that connects the mixing chamber 21 and the internal space 27a of the material input section 27. In addition, a discharge port 26 for discharging the mixed material is provided at the bottom of the chamber body 25a. The discharge port 26 is closed when the material to be mixed is being mixed and is opened by a discharge command.

[0015] The chamber body 25a is formed in a cylindrical shape with openings at both ends in the direction of extension of the rotor shafts 22A and 22B of the kneading rotor 20. The end plates 23A and 23B are connected to the end faces of the chamber body 25a from the outside in the direction of extension of the rotor shafts 22A and 22B so as to close the openings at both ends of the chamber body 25a. The end plates 23A and 23B are provided with through holes 23a and 23b through which the rotor shafts 22A and 22B are inserted, and bearings 24A and 24B that rotatably support the rotor shafts 22A and 22B.

[0016] In the direction of extension of the rotor shafts 22A and 22B (left and right directions in Figures 1 and 2), the length of the chamber body 25a is longer than the length of the kneading rotor 20. Therefore, the end face 20a of the kneading rotor 20 and the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B are spaced apart in the direction of extension of the rotor shafts 22A and 22B. In other words, a space is formed between the end face 20a of the kneading rotor 20 and the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B.

[0017] The space within the mixing chamber 21 includes a mixing space MS located at a position corresponding to the mixing rotor 20, and an adjacent space AS located at a position offset from the mixing space MS in the direction of extension of the rotor axes 22A and 22B. The adjacent space AS is adjacent to the mixing space MS.

[0018] The mixing space MS is the space located between the end faces 20a, 20a of the mixing rotor 20 in the direction in which the rotor axes 22A, 22B extend, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the rotor axes 22A, 22B (viewed perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1). During mixing, the material to be mixed is mainly mixed in the mixing space MS within the mixing chamber 21. The mixing space MS includes the space located above the pair of mixing rotors 20, the space located below the rotors, the space located to the right, and the space located to the left.

[0019] The adjacent space AS is the space located outside the end face 20a of the kneading rotor 20 in the direction in which the rotor shafts 22A and 22B extend. The adjacent space AS includes an opposing space facing the end faces 20a of the pair of kneading rotors 20, and an annular outer peripheral space located on the outer periphery of this opposing space. The opposing space is the space between the end face 20a of the kneading rotor 20 and the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B that face this end face 20a.

[0020] The kneading chamber 25 is provided with a degassing mechanism 12 configured to discharge gas generated during the kneading of the material to be kneaded from the kneading chamber 21. The degassing mechanism 12 has an inner end portion 12a facing the inside of the kneading chamber 21, and is configured to discharge gas from inside the kneading chamber 21 to the outside of the kneading chamber 21 from this inner end portion 12a.

[0021] In other words, when mixing the material to be mixed, gas (which may include evaporated components such as water) may be generated from the material to be mixed. This gas escapes from the mixing chamber 21 into the internal space 27a of the material input section 27 through the gap around the weight 28. Therefore, if not much gas is generated during mixing, the internal pressure of the mixing chamber 21 will not rise significantly. However, when mixing a material containing a large amount of evaporated components, the amount of gas generated may be large, causing the internal pressure of the mixing chamber 21 to rise. Therefore, a degassing mechanism 12 is provided to release gas from the mixing chamber 21 in a manner other than the gap around the weight 28, thereby suppressing the pressure rise inside the mixing chamber 21.

[0022] In this embodiment, the degassing mechanism 12 is provided on each of the pair of end plates 23A and 23B. Therefore, the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 is located on the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B and faces the adjacent space AS. During kneading, the material to be kneaded flows within the kneading space MS as the kneading rotor 20 is driven. Therefore, even if a degassing mechanism 12 for discharging gas from inside the kneading chamber 21 is provided such that the inner end portion 12a is located within the adjacent space AS, the possibility of the material to be kneaded coming into contact with the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 can be reduced.

[0023] In this embodiment, the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 is located in the outer peripheral space included in the adjacent space AS, above the pair of kneading rotors 20. That is, as shown in Figure 1, the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 is located above the upper end portion of the kneading rotors 20 in the outer peripheral space (adjacent space AS). This further reduces the possibility of the material to be kneaded coming into contact with the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12. Note that the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 does not need to be located above the kneading rotors 20; it may be located above the rotor shafts 22A and 22B within the adjacent space AS, or it may be located below the rotor shafts 22A and 22B within the adjacent space AS.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 is located in the intermediate portion between the pair of rotor shafts 22A and the intermediate portion between the pair of rotor shafts 22B when viewed from above. However, the degassing mechanism 12 does not need to be located in this position and may be located in a different position.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the degassing mechanism 12 includes a cylindrical rod guide 3 inserted into a through hole 23e formed in the end plates 23A and 23B, a degassing port 10 provided in the rod guide 3, and a degassing passage 13 (see Figures 1 and 2) provided in the end plates 23A and 23B so as to communicate with the degassing port 10. The degassing passage 13 connects the degassing port 10 to the outer surfaces of the end plates 23A and 23B (the outer surfaces of the kneading chamber 25).

[0026] The through-hole 23e into which the rod guide 3 is inserted penetrates the end plates 23A and 23B between their inner surfaces 23c and 23d and their outer surfaces. The rod guide 3 is positioned in the through-hole 23e so as to open to the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B. As a result, gas in the kneading chamber 21 can be discharged to the outside of the kneading chamber 25 through the space in the rod guide 3, the vent 10, and the vent passage 13. In this case, the inner end of the rod guide 3 (i.e., the inner opening 9) functions as the inner end 12a of the vent mechanism 12 that opens to the kneading chamber 21.

[0027] The degassing passage 13 and the degassing port 10 may also be used to blow air in from outside the kneading chamber 25. By blowing air in from the outside, any blockage inside the rod guide 3 can be removed.

[0028] The degassing mechanism 12 further comprises a rod 7 positioned within the rod guide 3 and a cylinder 4 for moving the rod 7. The rod 7 is positioned to extend outward from within the cylinder 4. The cylinder 4 is attached to the outer end (base end) of the rod guide 3 via a bracket 5. A gap is provided between the inner surface of the rod guide 3 and the outer surface of the rod 7 to facilitate the movement of the rod 7.

[0029] The cylinder 4 is configured to move the rod 7 back and forth so that the vent port 10 is opened and closed by the rod 7. That is, the cylinder 4 slides the rod 7 between a closed position (shown in Figure 3) where the tip of the rod 7 (the end on the mixing chamber 21 side) is located closer to the mixing chamber 21 than the vent port 10, and an open position (shown in Figure 4) where the tip of the rod 7 is located on the opposite side of the mixing chamber 21 than the vent port 10. The cylinder 4 is operated by hydraulic pressure or the like, but is not limited to this.

[0030] When the rod 7 is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 3, a gap exists between the rod guide 3, in which the vent 10 is formed, and the rod 7, and the vent 10 is covered by the rod 7. Therefore, compared to the case where the rod 7 is in the open position as shown in Figure 4, the amount of gas escaping from the kneading chamber 21 can be relatively limited while degassing the kneading chamber 21. In this case, the tip of the rod 7 may substantially close the inner end of the rod guide 3 (i.e., the inner opening 9). This further limits the amount of gas to be degassed, but prevents the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber 21 from entering the rod guide 3. At this time, the tip surface of the rod 7 may be aligned with the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B (the inner surfaces of the kneading chamber 25). In other words, the tip surface of the rod 7 and the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B (the inner surfaces of the kneading chamber 25) may be located on the same plane. If the tip of the rod 7 can move to a position where it does not protrude from the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B (the inner surface of the mixing chamber 25), then the tip of the rod 7 can be prevented from interfering with the mixing process.

[0031] When rod 7 is in the open position, the vent 10 is opened by rod 7, as shown in Figure 4. In this case, degassing from inside the kneading chamber 21 is more active than when rod 7 is in the closed position. When rod 7 is in the open position, there is a possibility that the material to be kneaded inside the kneading chamber 21 may enter the rod guide 3, but the material that has entered is pushed back into the kneading chamber 21 by rod 7 when rod 7 moves to the closed position, thus preventing the material that has entered from obstructing the opening and closing operation of rod 7.

[0032] A degassing pipe (not shown) is connected to the degassing passage 13. The degassing pipe is connected to a scraper or the like (not shown) to remove impurities. Therefore, the gas discharged from the mixing chamber 21 is released into the atmosphere in a purified and cooled state. The degassing pipe may be provided with an opening and closing mechanism, in which case the degassing can be controlled by the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing mechanism.

[0033] Cylinder 4 operates in response to a command from a controller (not shown) to drive rod 7. This allows the vent port 10 to be opened when gas is to be discharged from the kneading chamber 21 or when air is to be blown in from the outside. When not receiving a command from the controller, cylinder 4 may position rod 7 in a closed position so that it covers the vent port 10. The controller may also drive rod 7 so that it moves back and forth between the open and closed positions at predetermined intervals. This allows the kneading material that has entered the rod guide 3 to be pushed out into the kneading chamber 21. The controller may also control the driving of both rods 7 so that the rod 7 of one degassing mechanism 12 opens the vent port 10, while the rod 7 of the other degassing mechanism 12 covers the vent port 10. The controller may also control the driving of the two rods 7 so that this is repeated alternately. This prevents clogging of the kneading material in the rod guide 3 while allowing continuous exhaust from the kneading chamber 21.

[0034] Furthermore, when powdered materials are mixed into the material to be kneaded, it may be necessary to discharge gas while preventing the discharge of the powdered material. In such cases, the timing of operating the cylinder 4 may be controlled so that the rod 7 is moved to the open position after kneading has been performed for a predetermined time.

[0035] In this case, for example, a timer that starts counting down time from the start of mixing may be provided, and the controller may position the rod 7 in the closed position until the measured time reaches a preset time, and then position the rod 7 in the open position where the vent port 10 is exposed when the measured time reaches the preset time. Alternatively, a detector for detecting the temperature of the mixing chamber 25 may be provided, and the controller may position the rod 7 in the closed position until the temperature detected by this detector reaches a preset temperature, and then position the rod 7 in the open position where the vent port 10 is exposed when the detected temperature reaches the preset temperature. Furthermore, a linear sensor for monitoring the position of the weight 28 may be provided, and the controller may position the rod 7 in the closed position until the weight 28 moves down to a reference position, and then control to open the vent port 10 when it is detected that the weight 28 has moved down to the reference position. In addition, control to expose the vent port 10 may be performed when the temperature detected by a temperature detector attached to the discharge port 26 reaches a preset temperature. Furthermore, a detector is provided to detect the power (or current or voltage) of the motors that drive the rotor shafts 22A and 22B. When it is detected that the value detected by this detector has exceeded its peak and begun to decrease, control may be performed to expose the vent port 10.

[0036] The through-hole 23e in which the rod guide 3 is positioned is formed to extend diagonally. That is, the through-hole 23e extends diagonally upward from the end or inner opening 9 that opens into the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B. This makes it easier to install the rod guide 3 and to attach the cylinder 4 to the rod guide 3. It also prevents the material to be kneaded from entering the rod guide 3. Furthermore, it makes it easier for the lubricating oil injected from the injection port 6 (described later) to spread evenly across the inner surface of the rod guide 3.

[0037] Because the rod 7 and rod guide 3 are positioned at an angle, the tip of the rod 7 is cut at an angle. This makes it easier for the tip surface of the rod 7 to conform to the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B.

[0038] A boss 8 is provided in the middle of the rod 7. The boss 8 has a larger diameter than the rod 7 and is in contact with the inner surface of the rod guide 3. The rod guide 3 also has an inlet 6 located on the cylinder 4 side of the vent 10. The inlet 6 can be used to inject liquid into the rod guide 3. This liquid may include lubricating oil for rod lubrication, process oil to be mixed with the material to be kneaded to change its properties, or a liquid to push the material to be kneaded or by-products stuck in the rod guide 3 into the kneading chamber 21.

[0039] The cylinder 4 moves the rod 7 so that the boss 8 is positioned on the side of the mixing chamber 21 relative to the injection port 6 (as shown in Figure 3) and on the side of the cylinder 4 relative to the injection port 6 (as shown in Figure 4). In the state shown in Figure 3, the boss 8 is positioned between the injection port 6 and the mixing chamber 21, closing the space between the injection port 6 and the mixing chamber 21. This state can be called the closed state. When in the closed state, even if the material to be mixed in the mixing chamber 21 enters the rod guide 3, it can be prevented from reaching the injection port 6.

[0040] In the state shown in Figure 4, the boss 8 is further away from the mixing chamber 21 than the inlet 6, so the inlet 6 and the mixing chamber 21 are in communication. This state can be called the communication state. When in the communication state, the liquid injected from the inlet 6 can flow into the mixing chamber 21.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, the position of the boss 8 is set so that communication occurs when the rod 7 is in the open position (the position where the vent port 10 is exposed), but this is not the only option. The position of the boss 8 may be set so that it is closed when the rod 7 is in the open position. In other words, even when the vent port 10 is exposed, the position of the boss 8 may be set so that the space between the inlet 6 and the kneading chamber 21 is closed by the boss 8. In this case, even when degassing is performed, it is possible to prevent the material to be kneaded from reaching the inlet 6.

[0042] In this embodiment, the degassing mechanisms 12 are provided on the end plates 23A and 23B on both sides respectively. Therefore, in one degassing mechanism 12, while degassing is performed from the degassing port 10, in the other degassing mechanism 12, liquid can also be injected from the injection port 6.

[0043] In the closed kneader 50 of this embodiment having the configuration described above, with the weight 28 in the retracted position, the material of the kneaded object is charged into the kneading chamber 25 from the material charging section 27. After the material of the kneaded object is charged, the weight 28 moves to the lower position and enters the upper opening 21a of the kneading chamber 25, whereby the upper opening 21a of the kneading chamber 21 is almost blocked. In this state, when the pair of kneading rotors 20 are driven, the kneaded object is kneaded in the kneading chamber 21.

[0044] During kneading, a large amount of gas may be generated from the kneaded object. However, the degassing mechanism 12 is provided in the kneading chamber 25 such that the inner end portion 12a faces the inner surface of the kneading chamber 21. Therefore, the gas in the kneading chamber 21 can be discharged to the outside of the kneading chamber 25 by the degassing mechanism 12. Thus, even when kneading a kneaded object that generates a large amount of gas from the kneaded object, an increase in the internal pressure in the kneading chamber 21 can be suppressed, and thus kneading of such a kneaded object can also be performed.

[0045] Incidentally, when the weight 28 is in the lower position, a gap is formed between the inner peripheral edge of the upper opening 21a in the kneading chamber 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the weight 28. Therefore, the gas generated from the kneaded object can be discharged from the kneading chamber 21 to the internal space 27a of the material charging section 27 through this gap. At this time, if the amount of gas generated from the kneaded object is small, the discharge of gas through this gap alone may be sufficient. However, when the amount of gas generated from the kneaded object is large, the pressure in the kneading chamber 21 may increase only by discharging gas from this gap. Therefore, by performing degassing by the degassing mechanism 12, an increase in the internal pressure in the kneading chamber 21 can be suppressed.

[0046] Also, in the present embodiment, the degassing mechanisms 12 are provided on the end plates 23A and 23B on both sides, respectively, and the inner ends 12a of the degassing mechanisms 12 are each located in the adjacent space AS of the kneading chamber 21. Inside the kneading chamber 21, the kneaded material flows in the kneading space MS as the kneading rotor 20 rotates, but the possibility that the kneaded material enters the adjacent space AS is low. Therefore, the possibility that the flowing kneaded material contacts the inner end 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 is reduced. Thus, it is possible to reduce the intrusion of a part of the kneaded material into the degassing mechanism 12. For this reason, even if the degassing mechanism 12 is provided in the kneading chamber 25, it is possible to make it difficult to cause a situation where the degassing mechanism 12 is clogged by the kneaded material.

[0047] Moreover, degassing can be evenly performed from both axial sides of the rotor shafts 22A and 22B. Also, even if one degassing mechanism 12 becomes clogged, degassing can be performed from the other degassing mechanism 12.

[0048] Also, in the present embodiment, the inner end 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 is located in the space above the kneading rotor 20 in the adjacent space AS. For this reason, the possibility that the inner end 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 contacts the kneaded material becomes even lower, so that the possibility that the kneaded material is clogged in the degassing mechanism 12 due to the discharge of the vaporized component during degassing by the degassing mechanism 12 can be further reduced. For this reason, it becomes a configuration more suitable for degassing.

[0049] Also, in the present embodiment, since the degassing mechanism 12 includes a rod 7 capable of opening and closing the degassing port 10 and a cylinder 4 for moving the rod 7, when active degassing is not required, the degassing port 10 can be covered by the rod 7. Thereby, clogging of the space in the rod guide 3 can be suppressed by the rod 7. Also, during degassing, by exposing (opening) the degassing port 10 with the rod 7, degassing can be efficiently performed from the peripheral surface of the rod guide 3.

[0050] Furthermore, when the rod 7 is in the closed position, the rod 7 is positioned so that its tip surface aligns with the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B. As a result, even when the rod 7 is driven by the cylinder 4 to slide to the closed position, the rod 7 does not protrude into the kneading space MS. Therefore, the rod 7 does not interfere with the pair of kneading rotors 20.

[0051] In this embodiment, a boss 8 is provided in the middle of the rod 7, and the movement of the boss 8 allows the space within the rod guide 3 to selectively switch between a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, when the boss 8 is located on the kneading chamber 21 side of the injection port 6, it is possible to prevent the injection port 6 from being blocked by the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber 21. Also, liquids such as oil injected through the injection port 6 can spread throughout the rod guide 3 due to the movement of the boss 8 accompanying the movement of the rod 7. On the other hand, when the boss 8 is in the open state, located on the cylinder 4 side of the injection port 6, any material clogging the space within the rod guide 3 can be discharged into the kneading chamber 21 by injecting liquid. Furthermore, if liquid injection is required during kneading, the liquid can be injected into the kneading chamber 21 through the degassing mechanism 12. In addition, since there is no need to provide an injection mechanism separately on the end plates 23A and 23B in addition to the degassing mechanism 12, it is possible to prevent an increase in the processing time of the end plates 23A and 23B.

[0052] 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.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the degassing mechanism 12 comprises a rod guide 3 provided with a degassing port 10, a rod 7 disposed within the rod guide 3, and a cylinder 4 for moving the rod 7, and is configured to open and close the degassing port 10 by the forward and backward movement of the rod 7, but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the degassing mechanism 12 may comprise a through hole 23e formed in end plates 23A and 23B, an external pipe 34 connected to the end plates 23A and 23B so as to connect to the through hole 23e, and an on-off valve 35 provided in the external pipe 34. In this configuration, the degassing function by the through hole 23e is turned on and off by the opening and closing operation of the on-off valve 35. In this case, if the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 is located in the adjacent space AS within the kneading chamber 21, it is possible to prevent the material to be kneaded from entering the through hole 23e.

[0054] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the degassing mechanism 12 includes a rod 7 positioned in a through hole 23e formed in the end plates 23A, 23B (kneading chamber 25), and a cylinder 4 for moving the rod 7 forward and backward. A lid member 37 that opens and closes the inner end of the through hole 23e may be provided at the tip of the rod 7. In this configuration, even if a gap is formed between the outer surface of the rod 7 and the inner surface of the through hole 23e, the through hole 23e is closed when the lid member 37 sits on the inner end of the through hole 23e. A degassing passage 13 branches off from the through hole 23e, and when the lid member 37 separates from the inner surfaces 23c, 23d of the end plates 23A, 23B (kneading chamber 25), the gas in the kneading chamber 21 is discharged to the outside of the kneading chamber 25 through the through hole 23e and the degassing passage 13.

[0055] In this case, the inner end of the through hole 23e may be formed to widen, and the lid member 37 may be configured to make surface contact with the inner end of the through hole 23e. Alternatively, the lid member 37 may be configured so as not to protrude from the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B (kneading chamber 25) when seated on the inner end of the through hole 23e.

[0056] Furthermore, in a configuration in which a cover member 37 is provided, a positioning mechanism 39 for the rod 7 may be added. The positioning mechanism 39 is positioned between the outer circumferential surface of the rod 7 and the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 23e to prevent the rod 7 from moving radially. The clearance between the rod 7 and the rod guide 3 formed by the positioning mechanism 39 functions as an exhaust path. Moreover, if a rod rotation prevention mechanism (not shown) is added to the cylinder 4 to prevent the rotation of the rod 7, it becomes unnecessary for the inner ends of the cover member 37 and the through hole 23e to be formed in a circular cross-section. For example, even if the inner ends of the cover member 37 and the through hole 23e are formed in an elliptical shape (a shape other than circular), the cover member 37 can be positioned along the inner end of the through hole 23e. Therefore, even if the inner ends of the lid member 37 and the through hole 23e have a shape other than a circular cross-section, the rotation of the rod 7 around its axis prevents the lid member 37 from protruding from the inner surfaces 23c and 23d of the end plates 23A and 23B (mixing chamber 25) toward the mixing chamber 21. This prevents the mixing material from accumulating around the lid member 37, and also avoids the situation where the through hole 23e is blocked by the mixing material accumulated around the lid member 37, resulting in poor exhaust.

[0057] In the above embodiment, an injection port 6 is provided in the rod guide 3, but it is not limited to this. That is, the injection port 6 may be provided separately from the through hole 23e in which the rod guide 3 is located, so as to penetrate the end plates 23A, 23B (kneading chamber 25).

[0058] In the above embodiment, the degassing mechanism 12 is provided on each of the pair of end plates 23A and 23B, but it is not limited to this. The degassing mechanism 12 may be provided on only one of the end plates 23A or 23B.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the degassing mechanism 12 is provided on the end plates 23A and 23B, but is not limited to this. That is, the degassing mechanism 12 may be provided on the chamber body 25a of the kneading chamber 25. In this case as well, the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 faces into the kneading chamber 21. In this case, it is preferable that the inner end portion 12a of the degassing mechanism 12 is located in the adjacent space AS and faces the adjacent space AS. That is, when the degassing mechanism 12 is provided on the chamber body 25a, it is preferable that the degassing mechanism 12 is provided in a portion of the chamber body 25a that is axially outward from the pair of kneading rotors 20.

[0060] Here, we will give an overview of the embodiment described above.

[0061] The enclosed kneader according to the above embodiment includes: 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, and configured to allow material to be kneaded to be introduced into the internal space; a weight provided in the internal space; a drive unit for raising and lowering the weight between a lower position where it enters the kneading chamber and the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber can be pressed down from above by the weight, and a retracted position where the weight retracts upward from the lower position and the kneading chamber is opened; a pair of kneading rotors configured to knead the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber; and a degassing mechanism having an inner end facing the kneading chamber and provided in the kneading chamber, configured to discharge gas generated during the kneading of the material to be kneaded to the outside of the kneading chamber from the inner end.

[0062] 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 retracted position. After the material is introduced, the weight moves to the lower position and enters the upper opening of the kneading chamber. In this state, a pair of kneading rotors are driven, and the material to be kneaded is kneaded inside the kneading chamber. During kneading, a large amount of gas may be generated from the material to be kneaded. However, a degassing mechanism is provided in the kneading chamber so that its inner end faces the kneading chamber. Therefore, the gas inside the kneading chamber can be discharged to the outside of the kneading chamber by the degassing mechanism. Consequently, even when kneading a material that generates a large amount of gas, the rise in internal pressure inside the kneading chamber can be suppressed, and such materials can be kneaded.

[0063] Furthermore, when the weight is in the lower position, a gap may be formed between the periphery of the upper opening in the kneading chamber and the weight so that gas generated from the material being kneaded can be discharged from the kneading chamber into the internal space of the material input section. In this case, if the amount of gas generated from the material being kneaded is small, discharge of the gas through the gap alone may suffice. However, if the amount of gas generated from the material being kneaded is large, discharge of the gas through the gap may cause the pressure inside the kneading chamber to rise. For this reason, degassing by a degassing mechanism can suppress the rise in internal pressure inside the kneading chamber.

[0064] The kneading chamber may include a cylindrical chamber body having the upper opening and a pair of end plates that close the openings at both ends of the chamber body. In this case, the degassing mechanism may be provided on at least one of the pair of end plates. The kneading chamber may also include a kneading space at a position corresponding to the pair of kneading rotors and an adjacent space at a position axially offset from the kneading space. The inner end of the degassing mechanism may face the adjacent space.

[0065] In this embodiment, the degassing mechanism is provided on at least one end plate, and the inner end of the degassing mechanism is located in the space adjacent to the mixing chamber. Inside the mixing chamber, the material to be mixed flows within the mixing space as the mixing rotor rotates, but the possibility of the material to be mixed entering the adjacent space is low. Therefore, the possibility of the material to be mixed in flow coming into contact with the inner end of the degassing mechanism is low. Consequently, the possibility of any part of the material to be mixed entering the degassing mechanism can be reduced, making it less likely for the degassing mechanism to become clogged with the material to be mixed, even if the degassing mechanism is provided in the mixing chamber.

[0066] The inner end of the degassing mechanism may be located in the adjacent space above the pair of kneading rotors.

[0067] In this embodiment, the possibility of the inner end of the degassing mechanism coming into contact with the material being kneaded is reduced. Therefore, the possibility of the material being kneaded clogging the degassing mechanism as vaporized components are discharged during degassing can be further reduced. This results in a configuration that is more suitable for degassing.

[0068] The degassing mechanism may be provided on each of the pair of end plates.

[0069] In this embodiment, degassing mechanisms are provided on both end plates, and the inner ends of the degassing mechanisms are located in the adjacent space within the kneading chamber. Inside the kneading chamber, the material to be kneaded flows within the kneading space as the kneading rotor rotates. At this time, the possibility of the material to be kneaded entering the adjacent space is low. Therefore, the possibility of the flowing material to be kneaded coming into contact with the inner ends of the degassing mechanisms is low. Consequently, the intrusion of any part of the material to be kneaded into the degassing mechanism can be reduced. For this reason, even if the degassing mechanism is provided in the kneading chamber, it is difficult for the degassing mechanism to become clogged with the material to be kneaded during degassing. Moreover, degassing can be performed evenly from both sides in the axial direction. Furthermore, even if one degassing mechanism becomes clogged, degassing can be performed from the other degassing mechanism.

[0070] The degassing mechanism may include a cylindrical rod guide inserted into a through hole formed in at least one of the pair of end plates, a rod positioned within the rod guide, a degassing port provided in the rod guide, a degassing passage provided in at least one of the pair of end plates so as to communicate with the degassing port, and a cylinder that moves the rod so as to expose or cover the degassing port. In this case, the inner end of the rod guide may constitute the inner end of the degassing mechanism located in the adjacent space.

[0071] In this configuration, when active degassing is not required, the degassing port can be covered by the rod, thereby preventing clogging of the space inside the rod guide. When active degassing is required, the degassing port can be exposed by moving the rod, allowing degassing from the circumferential surface of the rod guide.

[0072] When the rod is in a closed position covering the vent, the tip surface of the rod is aligned with the inner end, and when the rod is in an open position exposing the vent, the tip surface of the rod may be located within the rod guide.

[0073] A boss may be provided in the middle of the rod so as to contact the rod guide. Furthermore, an inlet for injecting liquid may be provided in the rod guide on the cylinder side relative to the vent port. In this case, the cylinder may be configured to allow the rod to move so that the boss is positioned either on the mixing chamber side of the inlet or on the cylinder side relative to the inlet.

[0074] In this embodiment, when the boss is positioned on the mixing chamber side of the inlet, it is possible to prevent the inlet from being blocked by the material being mixed in the mixing chamber. Also, liquids such as oil injected through the inlet can spread throughout the rod guide due to the movement of the boss accompanying the movement of the rod. Furthermore, when the boss is positioned on the cylinder side of the inlet, any clogging in the space within the rod guide can be discharged into the mixing chamber by injecting liquid. In addition, when liquid injection is required during mixing, the liquid can be injected into the mixing chamber through the degassing mechanism. Moreover, since there is no need to provide an injection mechanism in addition to the degassing mechanism on the end plate, it is possible to prevent an increase in the processing time of the end plate.

[0075] The kneading chamber may have a cylindrical chamber body having the upper opening and a pair of end plates that close the openings at both ends of the chamber body. In this case, the degassing mechanism may have a through hole formed in at least one of the pair of end plates and including an inner end that functions as the inner end of the degassing mechanism, a rod inserted into the through hole, a degassing passage provided in at least one of the pair of end plates so as to branch off from the through hole, and a cylinder configured to move the rod. In this case, when the tip surface of the rod is in a state where it closes the inner end of the through hole, the tip surface of the rod may be aligned with the inner surface of the kneading chamber that faces the kneading chamber.

[0076] In this embodiment, the inner end of the through-hole is closed by the tip surface of the rod, preventing the material to be kneaded from entering the through-hole and clogging it. Furthermore, when the tip surface of the rod is in a state where it is closing the inner end of the through-hole, the rod can be prevented from interfering with the kneading of the material to be kneaded.

[0077] When the tip surface of the rod is in a state that opens the inner end of the through hole, the tip surface may be located inside the through hole.

[0078] The kneading chamber comprises a cylindrical chamber body having the upper opening and a pair of end plates that close the openings at both ends of the chamber body, and the kneading chamber may have a kneading space at a position corresponding to the pair of kneading rotors and an adjacent space at a position axially offset from the kneading space. In this case, the degassing mechanism may be provided in the chamber body such that its inner end faces the adjacent space.

[0079] In this embodiment, the degassing mechanism is installed in the chamber body such that its inner end faces the adjacent space. Inside the mixing chamber, the material to be mixed flows through the mixing space as the mixing rotor rotates. At this time, the possibility of the material to be mixed entering the adjacent space is low. Therefore, the possibility of the flowing material to be mixed coming into contact with the inner end of the degassing mechanism is reduced. Consequently, the intrusion of any part of the material to be mixed into the degassing mechanism can be reduced, making it less likely for the degassing mechanism to become clogged with the material to be mixed, even if the degassing mechanism is installed in the mixing chamber.

[0080] As explained above, it is possible to knead materials that generate large amounts of steam or other gases.

[0081] This application is based on Provisional Application No. 63 / 707506, 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, and configured to allow material to be kneaded to be introduced into the internal space; a weight provided in the internal space; a drive unit for raising and lowering the weight between a lower position that enters the kneading chamber and allows the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber to be pressed down from above by the weight, and a retracted position in which the weight retracts upward from the lower position and the kneading chamber is opened; a pair of kneading rotors configured to knead the material to be kneaded in the kneading chamber; and a degassing mechanism having an inner end facing the kneading chamber and provided in the kneading chamber, configured to discharge gas generated during the kneading of the material to be kneaded to the outside of the kneading chamber from the inner end.

2. A closed-type kneader according to claim 1, wherein the kneading chamber comprises a cylindrical chamber body having the upper opening and a pair of end plates that close the openings at both ends of the chamber body, the degassing mechanism is provided on at least one of the pair of end plates, the kneading chamber comprises a kneading space at a position corresponding to the pair of kneading rotors and an adjacent space at a position axially offset from the kneading space, and the inner end of the degassing mechanism faces the adjacent space.

3. A closed-type kneader according to claim 2, wherein the inner end of the degassing mechanism is located in the adjacent space above the pair of kneading rotors.

4. A sealed kneader according to claim 2, wherein the degassing mechanism is provided on each of the pair of end plates.

5. A closed-type kneader according to claim 2, wherein the degassing mechanism comprises a cylindrical rod guide inserted into a through hole formed in at least one of the pair of end plates, a rod disposed within the rod guide, a degassing port provided in the rod guide, a degassing passage provided in at least one of the pair of end plates so as to communicate with the degassing port, and a cylinder for moving the rod so as to expose or cover the degassing port, wherein the inner end of the rod guide constitutes the inner end of the degassing mechanism located in the adjacent space.

6. A sealed kneader according to claim 5, wherein when the rod is in a closed position covering the suction port, the tip surface of the rod is aligned with the inner end, and when the rod is in an open position exposing the suction port, the tip surface of the rod is located within the rod guide.

7. A closed-type kneader according to claim 5, wherein a boss is provided in the middle of the rod so as to be in contact with the rod guide, the rod guide has an inlet for injecting liquid on the cylinder side relative to the suction port, and the cylinder is configured to move the rod so that the boss can be positioned on the kneading chamber side relative to the inlet and on the cylinder side relative to the inlet.

8. A closed-type kneader according to claim 1, wherein the kneading chamber comprises a cylindrical chamber body having the upper opening and a pair of end plates that close the openings at both ends of the chamber body, and the degassing mechanism comprises a through hole formed in at least one of the pair of end plates and including an inner end that functions as the inner end of the degassing mechanism, a rod inserted into the through hole, a degassing passage provided in at least one of the pair of end plates so as to branch from the through hole, and a cylinder configured to move the rod, wherein when the tip surface of the rod is closed to the inner end of the through hole, the tip surface of the rod is aligned with the inner surface of the kneading chamber facing the kneading chamber.

9. A closed-type kneader according to claim 8, wherein when the tip surface of the rod opens the inner end of the through hole, the tip surface is located inside the through hole.

10. A sealed kneader according to claim 1, wherein the kneading chamber comprises a cylindrical chamber body having the upper opening and a pair of end plates that close the openings at both ends of the chamber body, the kneading chamber comprises a kneading space at a position corresponding to the pair of kneading rotors and an adjacent space at a position axially offset from the kneading space, and the degassing mechanism is provided in the chamber body such that the inner end of the degassing mechanism faces the adjacent space.

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