A mixer (2) includes: a pair of rotors (44) arranged to have a gap (SP2) therebetween; a casing (45) in which a chamber (C2) in which the pair of rotors (44) is disposed, an introduction port (51) for introducing a material to be mixed (W) into the chamber (C2), and a discharge port (52) for discharging the material to be mixed (W) from the chamber (C2) are formed; a sensor (80) which is disposed above the pair of rotors (44) and detects variation in position or pressure of the material to be mixed (W); and a control unit (82) which controls rotation of the pair of rotors (44), based on a detection result of the sensor (80).

A kneading state determination system includes a kneading unit and a determination unit. The kneading unit kneads a kneading material, and transmits a kneading state value indicating a kneading state to the determination unit. Based on the kneading state value transmitted from the kneading unit, the determination unit determines kneading of the kneading material in the kneading unit in accordance with a preset determination condition. The determination condition includes a determination period and a state value range. The state value range is set as a range for the kneading state value. The determination period is a partial period of a period from start to completion of the kneading in the kneading unit.

A kneader internal inspection device according to the present invention suspends and supports a photographing unit, which is arranged in an interior of a kneader and which photographs the interior, so as to be vertically movable in the interior of the kneader. Therefore, such a kneader internal inspection device is capable of easily inspecting the interior of the kneader.

A method of forming a composite material includes mixing granules of thermoplastic(s) and granules of reinforcing material(s) using a mixer with an interior friction coating. The friction generated by interaction between the granules and friction coating causes granules of at least one of the thermoplastic(s) to be heated to a liquid or semi-liquid state. The liquid/semi-liquid thermoplastic(s) act a binder for the mixed material. A system for forming such a composite material includes such a mixer with an interior friction coating. The system may also include a mould and/or a press for forming material produced by the mixer into a finished shape. The method and system may use post-consumer and post-industrial material as an input allowing such material to be recycled. In some cases, cross-contaminated or mixed post-consumer/post-industrial material may be recycled, potentially reducing environmental impacts.

An example system is used to mix components and dispense a mixture for forming a thiol-ene polymer article. The system includes a first reservoir containing a first component of the thiol-ene polymer including a first polymerizable compound, and a second reservoir containing a second component of the thiol-ene polymer including a second polymerizable compound. The system also includes a mixing vessel having a mixing chamber, a delivery manifold providing a conduit for fluid from the first and second reservoirs to the mixing vessel, and a dispensing manifold providing a conduit for fluid from the mixing vessel. The system also includes a control module programmed to control the operation of the system.

A homogenizer for homogenously blending a feedstock includes a separator, an agitator and a hopper integrated as a single unit in a common housing. The separator receives a material feed, in the form of a fluid medium carrying a composite feedstock, and separates the composite feedstock from the fluid medium. The agitator receives the separated composite feedstock from the separator, and mixes the composite feedstock to yield the homogenously blended feedstock. The hopper receives the homogenously blended feedstock from the agitator and holds the homogenously blended feedstock for release to either a processing machine or a storage container. The homogenizer is controlled by one or more control units that use signals received from a sensor in the hopper to control the delivery of a material feed to the homogenizer, and the flow of feedstock therethrough.

A kneading state determination system includes a kneading unit and a determination unit. The kneading unit kneads a kneading material, and transmits a kneading state value indicating a kneading state to the determination unit. Based on the kneading state value transmitted from the kneading unit, the determination unit determines kneading of the kneading material in the kneading unit in accordance with a preset determination condition. The determination condition includes a determination period and a state value range. The state value range is set as a range for the kneading state value. The determination period is a partial period of a period from start to completion of the kneading in the kneading unit.

A mixing paddle configured for use with a gravimetric blender. The mixing paddle has a first rotor; a second rotor spaced axial from the first rotor; and at least one mixing blade disposed between the first rotor and the second rotor. The at least one mixing blade of the mixing paddle includes an inner edge having a first sloped portion and a second sloped portion directed inward toward a middle portion of the at least one mixing blade. The mixing blade is configured to be narrower in the middle portion between the outer edge and the inner edge than at a first end and second end.

A process for producing a precursor material comprising the steps of, agitating a polymer material and a fibre material in a blending device comprising a blending means operating at a velocity sufficient to bring about an increase of the temperature to at least a temperature beyond the VI CAT softening point or within or beyond the melting temperature range of the polymer material. Thereafter, maintaining the velocity of the blending means and, when the specific motor power needed to maintain the velocity of the blending means increases by a predetermined amount or reaches a predetermined value, reducing the velocity. Repeating the previous step as necessary, until the velocity falls below a first threshold value to form an intermediate material. Finally, comminuting the formed intermediate material in a comminuting device comprising a comminuting means operating at a velocity allowing a decrease in temperature, until the temperature falls below a second threshold value.

The invention is directed to an apparatus for making a finished rubber mixture which includes a reactive additive. The apparatus includes a tandem mixer with an upper machine having an upper mixing chamber and a lower machine having a lower mixing chamber. The lower mixing chamber is larger than the upper mixing chamber and there are rotors disposed in each mixing chamber. Mixture components are introduced into the lower mixing chamber via a loading shaft of a loading unit. The loading unit has at least two metering devices, a cutting or preheating unit connected upstream of a metering device and a first conveyor belt to the loading shaft. All conveyor belts of the apparatus can be switched on and off automatically, such that mixture components weighed in can be held in a wait position thereon.