Dual-Chamber Polymer Mixer for High-Shear Small-Batch Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for screening and characterization of combinatorial libraries of fluid, chemical, and biological compounds are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and require large quantities of material, making it difficult to identify obscure variations in rubber compositions, especially when mixing viscous rubber materials with reinforcing fillers and additives.
Innovation Solution
A mixer apparatus with a housing containing two chambers connected by a passageway, operated by rams to move polymer compositions between chambers, applying high shear forces to small quantities of rubber and additives, allowing for distributive and dispersive mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If robust mixing apparatus such as Brabender mixers are used to mix rubber compositions, then adequate mixing of viscous rubber materials with reinforcing fillers and additives is achieved, but relatively large sample quantities are required and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system is segmented into multiple small mixing chambers arranged in series, each chamber contributing to the progressive mixing of the rubber composition. This segmentation allows adequate mixing quality to be achieved through cumulative shear action across multiple stages rather than requiring a single large-volume mixer
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional horizontal or vertical mixing geometries to a serpentine flow path through multiple chambers, adding a dimensional aspect to the mixing process. The material flows through a complex three-dimensional path that increases mixing efficiency without increasing sample volume
2Measurement precision
If sequential screening techniques are used for combinatorial libraries, then sample preparation and transfer can be performed, but the process becomes labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple mixing operations are merged into a single continuous process where material flows sequentially through multiple chambers without intermediate handling. This combines what would traditionally be separate preparation steps into one integrated operation, eliminating labor-intensive transfer steps between devices
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing process operates continuously as material flows through the series of chambers in one uninterrupted sequence. This eliminates the discontinuous nature of traditional sequential techniques where samples must be prepared, transferred, and re-positioned between separate mixing devices, thereby increasing productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If large quantities of material are used in sequential screening, then adequate mixing is achieved, but material waste increases and obscure variations are ignored
Solution Approach 1:
The total mixing process is divided into multiple small stages across several chambers, each contributing to the overall mixing quality. This allows adequate mixing to be achieved incrementally through cumulative shear action, eliminating the need to use large sample quantities in a single mixing event
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the shear rate parameter across the series of chambers, with each chamber providing a specific shear environment that contributes to progressive mixing. This parameter variation allows efficient mixing of small quantities by optimizing shear conditions at each stage rather than requiring excessive material to ensure adequate mixing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus efficiently mixes small quantities of rubber and additives with high shear, reducing material waste and time, enabling high-throughput screening and characterization of rubber compositions.
Implementation Method 1
moving one of said ram in one of said sections to force the composition through said passageway and into the other of said sections
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for mixing polymer, the apparatus comprising (i) a mixer housing including an internal chamber, said internal chamber having first and second sections in fluid communication with each other through a passageway; (ii) a first ram received in said first section; and (iii) a second ram received in said second section, where the apparatus is adapted to receive a composition including polymer within said internal chamber and move said composition between said first and second chambers through said passageway by operation of said first and second rams.