Mixing machine and discharging station

Abstract

A mixing container 1 with a top filling opening 5, with a connection flange 9, 9.1 which projects outward in the area of the top filling opening 5 in a radial direction for connecting the mixing container 1 to the mixing head of an industrial mixing machine and with a bottom discharge 13 that can be blocked and opened comprises a mixing receptacle 3, 3.1 forming the hollow chamber 4 of the mixing container 1 and with a wall 18, 19 encompassing its hollow chamber and flexible in a radial direction and comprises a container frame 2 holding the mixing receptacle 3, 3,1 and with the connection flange 9 and the discharge 13. The container frame 2 holds the mixing receptacle 3, 3.1, in such a manner that its wall 18, 19 surrounding the hollow chamber 4 is at least partially accessible in the circumferential direction for bringing about a deformation of it in the radial direction.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising a mixing container with a container frame seated on pivot rollers so the mixing container can be readily moved, and an emptying station, wherein said mixing container comprises: a top filling opening with an outward projecting, radial connection flange for connecting the mixing container to a mixing head of an industrial mixing machine; a bottom discharge with a discharge conduit that can be blocked and opened; a mixing receptacle with a wall forming a hollow chamber of the mixing container, the wall being flexible in a radial direction, the mixing receptacle mounted in the container frame; the container frame with the connection flange and the discharge conduit for holding the mixing receptacle, and on which container frame the mixing receptacle is held in such a manner that the wall surrounding the hollow chamber is at least partially accessible in the circumferential direction for bringing about a deformation of the wall in the radial direction; and wherein said emptying station comprises: an entry position for the mixing container to be moved from outside the emptying station into a docking position of the mixing container within the emptying station, in which docking position the discharge conduit of the mixing container can be coupled to an emptying conduit of the emptying station for receiving the mixed material; at least one pressure body being the free, moveable end of an adjusting piston of a pneumatically or hydraulically operated piston-cylinder arrangement, which adjusting piston can be moved in a radial direction opposite the wall of the mixing container, and the at least one pressure body is positioned to press the wall inward when the mixing container is moved into the emptying station.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising the mixing receptacle having an outward projecting, radial holding flange which is circumferential and rests on the connection flange of the container frame.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein a circumferential groove is introduced into a connection surface of the connection flange, the connection surface faces the mixing head, and the holding flange has a connection continuation that engages into the groove and is held therein.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising the mixing receptacle having a circumferential outward projecting, radial connection flange for connecting the mixing receptacle to the discharge of the container frame.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the connection flange of the mixing receptacle comprises an annular reinforcement inserter.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the reinforcement inserter is exposed at least in sections in the direction of the mixing receptacle for making a clamping surface available, and that for the connection of the connection flange of the mixing receptacle to the discharge of the container frame, the container frame comprises a recessed, annular connection flange receiver and two clamping levers which extend over the connection flange receiver, with bars of the clamping levers holding the connection flange in the connection flange receiver.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall of the mixing receptacle is manufactured from an elastically expandable material and the outer circumference of this wall is undersized relative to an inside circumference of a receptacle receiver of the container frame.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the mixing receptacle is manufactured from an elastomer or a polymer with rubber-like elastic properties.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the inside surface of the wall of the mixing receptacle has a coating that reduces adhesion relative to the material to be mixed therein and/or is provided with such a surface structuring.

10. A method for emptying the mixing container in the assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure body is moved against the wall of the mixing container for deformation of a portion of the wall and is then retracted.

11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the circumferential groove is an undercut groove.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mixing container comprising a container frame and a mixing receptacle held in it,

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container frame of the mixing container of FIG. 1,

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mixing receptacle of the mixing container of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross section through the filling-in-side closure of a mixing container according to another exemplary embodiment,

(5) FIG. 5 is the mixing container of FIG. 1 connected to an emptying station during its emptying,

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another mixing container according to the invention, and

(7) FIG. 7 is a sectional view through the mixing container of FIG. 6.

(8) Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) A mixing container 1 comprises a container frame characterized in its entirety by the reference number 2 in FIG. 1 and a mixing receptacle 3 which is held in the container frame 2. The mixing receptacle 3 surrounds a hollow chamber 4 into which material to be mixed can be introduced through the upper filling opening 5 recognizable in FIG. 1. As regards this functionality the mixing container 1 corresponds to those known from previously known mixing containers. The container frame 2 is seated on pivot rollers 6 so that it can be readily moved.

(10) The container frame 2 of the exemplary embodiment shown makes a receptacle receiver 7 available into which the mixing receptacle 3 is inserted (see FIG. 2). This receptacle receiver 7 is made available by several strips 8 which are arranged circumferentially with the same or approximately the same angular distance from each other and which represent the support for the outer wall of the mixing receptacle 3 in the radial direction. The shape of the strips 8 is adapted to the outer shape of the mixing receptacle 3 in the direction of its longitudinal extension. The strips 8 are connected to an upper ring which forms its connection flange 9 as regards the mixing container 1. The mixing container 1 is connected by its connection flange 9 to the mixing head of an industrial mixing machine, for example like the one known from DE 20 2014 101 787 U1 or from DE 20 2009 001 937 U1. These mixing machines are designed so that during the mixing procedure no or at least no appreciable heat is added into the mixing material during the mixing process. A mixing without the adding of heat is preferred when using the mixing container 1.

(11) In addition, the connection flange 9 is supported by columns 10 on a carriage 11 carrying the pivot rollers 6 as part of the container frame 2. A discharge 13 is arranged between two longitudinal struts 12, 12.1 of the carriage 11. The discharge 13 comprises a discharge conduit 14 in which a closure flap 15, present in closed position in FIG. 2, is arranged. The closure flap 15 can be activated by pivoting a lever. The upper closure of the discharge conduit 14 carries a connection flange for closing the mixing receptacle 3.

(12) FIG. 3 shows the mixing receptacle 3 in a perspective view. The mixing receptacle 3 carries an outward projecting, radial circumferential holding flange 17 on its top. The holding flange 17 is designed to be connected to the connection flange 9 of the container frame 2, wherein the holding flange 17 is simultaneously a seal between the connection flange 9 of the container frame 2 and a complementary flange of the mixing head of the mixing machine. The mixing container 3 has a geometry like that known for previously known mixing containers. Therefore, the mixing receptacle 3 comprises an upper, cylindrical section 18, a bordering, conically tapered section 19 and a discharge section 20. The discharge section 20 has an outward projecting, radial connection flange 20.1 at the bottom for connecting the mixing receptacle 3 to the discharge 13 or the entrance of the discharge conduit 14 of the container frame.

(13) The mixing receptacle 3 of the exemplary embodiment shown consists of a vulcanized rubber material with a Shore A hardness of about 50 to 70. Therefore, the hardness of the material selected for the construction of the mixing receptacle 3 corresponds approximately to that of a vehicle tire. The wall thickness of the mixing receptacle 3 of the exemplary embodiment shown is about 3 mm. The inner wall of the mixing receptacle 3 is provided with an adhesion-minimizing coating, wherein a PTFE coating was selected for the exemplary embodiment shown. The hollow chamber 4 is therefore enclosed by the sections 18, 19 in the mixing receptacle 3. Based on the previously cited material this wall consisting of the sections 18, 19 is flexible and can be elastically expanded to a certain extent. The mixing receptacle 3 is produced regarding its dimensions with a certain undersize in its diameter relative to the inside dimensions of the receptacle receiver 7 of the container frame 2.

(14) The mixing receptacle 3 has a stable shape when connected to the container frame 2. This means that the wall formed by the sections 18, 19 retains its original and intended shape even when the mixing container 1 filled with material to be mixed is connected to the mixing head of a mixing machine and the latter is pivoted into its mixing position. The concept stability of shape is to be understood in the context of these comments in such a manner that the wall, formed by the sections 18, 19, of the mixing receptacle 3 does not fall into the hollow chamber during such an upside down position of the mixing container 1 and therefore the hollow mixing chamber retains its proper shape. It is not necessarily required for this that no wall movements occur in such a usage of the mixing container. Only a falling in and therefore an appreciable change in the geometry of the hollow chamber 4 should be avoided.

(15) In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 to 3 the mixing receptacle 3 is connected with its holding flange 17 by screws to the connection flange 9 of the container frame 2. FIG. 4 shows another method for connecting the filling-in-side end of a mixing receptacle 3.1 to a container frame is shown in a detailed sectional view. The container frame is shown in FIG. 4 only in the area of a section of its upper, circumferential connection flange 9.1. Otherwise, this container frame corresponds to the container frame 9 of the previous figures. A circumferential, undercut groove 22 is introduced into the top 21 of the connection flange 9.1. This groove 22 serves to lock a connection continuation 23 formed on the holding flange 17.1 of the mixing receptacle 3.1, which continuation is constructed as a hollow chamber profile in the exemplary embodiment shown. This embodiment makes possible a simple pressing in of the thickened part of the connection continuation 23 into the groove 22 of the connection flange 9.1 through the tapered section of the groove 22. The forming of the connection flange 23 is provided in the exemplary embodiment shown at a distance from the radially outer closure of the holding flange 17.1. In addition, the holding flange 17.1 comprises several mounting flaps 24 arranged distributed radially over the circumference. These flaps extend over the outer closure of the connection flange 9.1. They serve as a handle for pulling the connection continuation 23 out of the circumferential groove 22 when the mixing receptacle 3.1 is to be removed from the container frame.

(16) A mixing container 1 filled with un mixed material is connected to the mixing head of a mixing machine. The drive shafts of the mixing tool(s) who shafts extend through the bottom and/or the wall are sealed with an air-supported slot seal opposite the discharge for mixed material. In this mixing machine air is introduced during the mixing process into the mixing receptacle, formed by the mixing container and the mixing head and which is then closed, during an operation which raises the inside pressure. The previously described elastic ductility of the mixing receptacle 3 of the mixing container 1 dampens the elevation of the pressure so that the mixing time can be longer without exceeding a maximum internal pressure for the material to be mixed.

(17) After the conclusion of the mixing process the mixing container 1 is separated from the mixing head of the mixing machine and moved to an emptying station 30. The emptying station 30 comprises an entry position which is made available in the exemplary embodiment shown by two struts 31, 31.1. If the mixing container 1 is in its docking position and in its entry position (see FIG. 5) its discharge conduit 14 is connected to an emptying conduit 32 associated with the emptying station 30. The mixed material in the mixing container 1 is supplied via this emptying conduit 32 to the further processing chain. The closure flap 15 of the mixing container 1 is opened for emptying. FIG. 5 shows the mixing container in a schematic longitudinal section.

(18) The emptying station 30 comprises two pressure devices 33, 33.1. In the following the pressure device 33 is described. The pressure device 33.1 is constructed in the same manner. The pressure device 33 serves to deform a section of the wall of the mixing receptacle 3, as is schematically shown in FIG. 5. The original shape of this wall is shown in dotted lines. To this end the pressure device 33 comprises a pressure body 34 which is on the free end of the piston 35 of a piston-cylinder arrangement characterized in its entirety by the reference numeral 36. The extending of the piston 35 with its pressure body 34 from the associated cylinder against the outer side of the wall of the mixing container, which wall is formed by the sections 18 and 19, brings about a deformation of the wall. Mixing material bridges built up inside the mixing receptacle 3 or mixing material bridges being built up in it during the emptying process can be counteracted and/or eliminated by a multiple pressing in and out in the previously described manner. The pressing in movement of the wall of the mixing container 3 takes place against the return forces of the mixing receptacle 3 and against the material to be mixed in the mixing receptacle 3. For this reason, during a return of the pressure body 34 the wall of the mixing receptacle 3 moves back into its original shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two pressure devices 33, 33.1 can be alternately operated. The distance of the strips 8 of the container frame 2 to each other is sufficient so that the pressure bodies 34 can be run through them.

(19) A complete emptying of the hollow chamber 4 of the mixing receptacle 3 is possible in the previously described manner, in particular without an appreciable development of noise.

(20) FIG. 6 shows another mixing container 1.1 with a container frame 2.1 and a mixing receptacle 3.2. The mixing container 1.1 is basically constructed like the mixing container 1 of the previous figures. The mixing container 1.1 differs from the mixing container 1 in that its mixing receptacle 3.2 has a more stable shape. The container frame 2.1 comprises an upper connection flange 9.2 supported by columns 10.1 on the carriage 11.1 for holding the mixing receptacle 3.2. Three columns 10.1 are provided in the exemplary embodiment shown. The columns 10.1 carry a ring iron 25 which supports the receptacle 3.2 in the area of its lowest cylindrical section on the outside.

(21) The mixing receptacle 3.2 has the same properties as the mixing receptacles 3, 3.1 already previously described. The mixing receptacle 3.2 carries a connection flange 26 on its lower end. The connection flange 26 comprises a steel ring as inserter 27. The latter serves to stiffen the connection flange 26. The steel inserter 27 is exposed on the top in its radial, outer edge area. This outer section of the steel inserter 27 serves as a clamping or tensioning surface. Two clamping levers 29, 29.1 serve to fix the connection flange 26 to the discharge 28 of the container frame 2.1. The discharge 28 comprises a recess at the top for receiving the connection flange 26. The bars 29.2, 29.3 of the clamping levers 29. 29.1 extend over the receiver for the locking flange 26 and act on the top of the steel inserter 27 so that the connection flange 26 is entirely pressed in under a certain pretension into the complementary receiver of the discharge 28. In this manner the lower closure of the receptacle 3.2 is sealed off and securely connected to the discharge 28 of the container frame 2.1. The simple connection of the connection flange 26 to the discharge 28 is especially advantageous. To this end only the clamping levers 29, 29.1 need to be activated.

(22) The mixing receptacle 3.2 also comprises a holding flange 17.2 on the top and reinforced by a steel inserter. This flange rests on the top of the connection flange 9.2 of the container frame 2.1. The holding flange 17.2 has a stable shape due to the steel inserter so that no other means is required at this position for holding the mixing receptacle 3.2 with its holding flange 17.2 on the connection flange 9.2.

(23) An emptying of the mixing container 1.1 takes place in the same manner as was described for the mixing receptacle 1.

(24) The present disclosure was described using exemplary embodiments. The claimed mixing container can be modified in other ways without leaving the scope of the valid claims. Therefore, for example the container frame can also comprise circumferential walls or wall sections as long as sufficient access is present in order to be able to influence from the outside the outer wall of the mixing receptacle arranged in it for the cited purposes.

(25) While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations therefore. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims hereinafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations are within their true spirit and scope. Each apparatus embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents.

(26) The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. In general the terms and phrases used herein have their art-recognized meaning, which can be found by reference to standard texts, journal references and contexts known to those skilled in the art. The above definitions are provided to clarify their specific use in the context of the invention.

(27) TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals 1, 1.1 Mixing container 2, 2.1 Container frame 3. 3.1, 3.2 Mixing receptacle 4 Hollow chamber 5 Filling opening 6 Pivot roller 7 Receptacle receiver 8 Strip 9, 9.1, 9.2 Connection flange 10, 10.1 Column 11, 11.1 Carriage 12, 12.1 Longitudinal strut 13 Discharge 14 Discharge conduit 15 Closure flap 16 Lever 17, 17.1, 17.2 Holding flange 18 Cylindrical section 19 section 20 Discharge section 20.1 Connection flange 21 Top 22 Groove 23 Connection continuation 24 Mounting flap 25 Ring iron 26 Connection flange 27 Steel insert 28 Discharge 29, 29.1 Clamping lever 29.2, 29.3 bar 30 Emptying station 31, 31.1 Strut 32 Emptying conduit 33, 33.1 Pressure device 34 Pressure body 35 Piston 36 Piston-cylinder arrangement