Mixing machine

Abstract

This mixing machine comprises a mixing head that attaches to a container, forming a closed mixing receptacle. The head is pivotably supported in a frame such that the closed mixing receptacle can pivot to perform the mixing. The mixing head also has a rotationally driven tool which cleans the bottom of the head, supplying a low-energy transport stream for material to at least one second tool carried by the head. The second tool performs the mixing and is located inside the movement path of the bottom-cleaning first tool. The first tool has a scoop positioned in the direction of rotation of the tool with its edge facing in the direction of rotation and outward in the radial direction. The first tool comprises a first scoop section, a second, wall-cleaning scoop section and a recess open toward its closure more remote from the wall through which the second tool passes during rotation of the first tool.

Claims

1. A mixing machine comprising: a mixing head having one or more connecting elements for attaching the mixing head to a container, thereby forming a closed mixing receptacle for containing a material to be mixed; said mixing head being pivotally supported in a frame such that the mixing receptacle can pivot to carry out the mixing process; said mixing head comprises at least one first tool and at least one second tool, the first tool and the second tool being rotationally driven; the first tool generating a low-energy transport stream for supplying mixing material contained in the mixing receptacle to the second tool, the low-energy transport stream comprising only a fraction of the mixing material contained in the mixing receptacle; the second tool is responsible for the actual mixing work and is located inside the movement path of the first tool; the first tool comprises a first scoop section having an edge that clears the bottom of the mixing head, a second scoop section following the first scoop section having an edge facing in the direction of rotation of the first tool that clears the wall of the mixing head, and a recess open toward its closure more remote from the wall of the mixing head through which the second tool is conducted upon rotation of the first tool; the first scoop section and the second scoop section each being arranged at a positioning angle relative to the radius of the mixing head running through the first tool thereby moving mixing material away from the bottom and the wall of the mixing head; the positioning angle being between approximately 50 and approximately 70; the first scoop section being arranged at a first positioning angle and the second scoop section being arranged at a second positioning angle.

2. The mixing machine of claim 1, wherein the positioning angle of the first tool is approximately 60.

3. The mixing machine of claim 1, wherein the first positioning angle of the first scoop section is the same as the second positioning angle of the second scoop section.

4. The mixing machine of claim 1, wherein the first positioning angle of the first scoop section is smaller than the second positioning angle of the second scoop section.

5. The mixing machine of claim 1, wherein the second scoop section has a greater radial extent and a greater extent in the direction of rotation of the first tool than the first scoop section.

6. The mixing machine of claim 1, wherein the first scoop section is positioned at an angle to the plane of the second scoop section with the side of the first scoop section facing in the direction of rotation of the first tool facing away from the bottom of the mixing head.

7. The mixing machine of claim 6, wherein the first scoop section is angled between approximately 25 and approximately 45 to the plane of the second scoop section.

8. The mixing machine of claim 1, wherein the bottom-cleaning edge of the first scoop section further comprises a flexible stripping lip that makes contact with the bottom of the mixing head.

9. The mixing machine of claim 1, wherein the wall-cleaning edge of the second scoop section further comprises a flexible stripping lip that makes contact with the wall of the mixing head.

10. The mixing machine of claim 1, further comprising two first tools, said first tools being spaced apart with the same angular spacing.

11. The mixing machine of claim 1, further comprising a bottom-cleaning countertool driven together with the first tool, said bottom-cleaning countertool arranged on a shaft of the first tool opposing the scoop sections of the first tool and cooperates with the first tool on in moving mixing material to the second tool.

12. The mixing machine of claim 11, wherein the countertool comprises a wall-clearing tool section adjacent to a bottom-cleaning tool section and is therefore constructed in principle like the first tool with an opposing positioning angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in the following using an exemplary embodiment with reference made to the attached figures. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mixing machine with a container containing a mixing material, connected to the mixing head of the mixing machine and in a mixing position.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view into the mixing head of the mixing machine of FIG. 1 from a first direction of view.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view into the mixing head of the mixing machine of FIG. 1 from another direction of view.

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view onto the mixing head of FIGS. 2 and 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view into the mixing head with the moving of the mixing material indicated by block arrows.

(7) 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

(8) A mixing machine 1 for industrial purposes comprises a frame 2 on which a mixing head 3 is pivotably supported. The pivot axis of the mixing head 3 is made recognizable with the reference sign S in FIG. 1. The mixing head 3 can pivot about its pivot axis S at least through 180 by a drive 4. In the exemplary embodiment the pivotability of the mixing head 3 serves the purpose that in its rotated position through 180 opposite the view in FIG. 1 a container 5 containing a mixing material is brought up as a container containing mixing material to the mixing head 3 and can be connected to it in order to be able to pivot the unitthe actual mixing containerformed by container 5 for mixing material and of mixing head 3 into the mixing position of the mixing head 3 shown in FIG. 1. In this position the mixing head 3 of the mixing machine 1 is at the bottom in order that the mixing material contained in the mixing material container 5 falls onto the tools arranged in the mixing head 3.

(9) The mixing head 3 of the exemplary embodiment shown comprises two tools that are driven by an electromotor. A first electromotor 6 serves to drive a first tool unit; a second electromotor 7 serves to drive a second tool.

(10) FIG. 2 shows the mixing head 3 in a perspective view without the mixing material container 5 connected to it. The mixing head 3 comprises a receptacle part 8 with a bottom 9 and a cylindrical wall section 10 formed on it. The transition from the bottom 9 and into the wall section 10 is carried out by forming a radius. The receptacle part 8 is enclosed in a housing 11. The housing 11 carries a coupling flange 12 on its free end on which flange a coupling piece 3 of the mixing material container 5 with a complementary design rests after the connection to the mixing head 3. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment shown the coupling flange 12 serves as an element for connecting a container containing mixing material, here: the mixing material container 5 to the mixing head 3.

(11) Two tools 13, 13.1 are driven in a rotary manner by the electromotor 6 as the first tool unit. These tools are also called first tools 13, 13.1 in the framework of these explanations. The shaft 14 of the electromotor 6 extends through the bottom 9 of the receptacle part 8 in its middle and also extends through the bottom of the housing 11. The axis of rotation of shaft 14 is therefore aligned with the longitudinal axis of the mixing head 3. The tools 13 and 13.1 are connected to the shaft 14 by an arm 15. 15.1. When the tool 13 is described in the following, the explanations also apply, unless otherwise indicated, to the tool 13.1.

(12) The tool 13 is designed as regards its functionality like a scoop and is placed opposite the direction of rotation indicated by the block arrows. The position of the tool 13 located on the arm 15 is directed, starting from an arrangement of the tool 13, with which the latter forms an angle of 90 with the radius R formed by the transport arm 15, outward toward the wall section 10 with its front edge facing in the direction of rotation. As a consequence of this position, this tool 13 is wall-cleaning. Therefore, upon a rotary movement of the tool 13 this mixing material is transported from the wall section 10 in the direction of the shaft 14. The scoop-like tool 13 is subdivided into a first scoop section 16 close to the bottom and into a following second scoop section 17. In addition to the previously described radial position of the tool 13, the first scoop section 16 is additionally positioned opposite to the plane of the second scoop section 17 and in the exemplary embodiment shown at approximately 25 with its edge 18 of the scoop section 16 facing the bottom in the direction of rotation. As a result of this construction of the first scoop section 16, it is bottom-cleaning in order to transport mixing material away in the direction of the bottom 9 of the mixing head 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown the angle of the position of the scoop section 16 opposite the radius, compared with the position angle of the second scoop section 17, is slightly greater, by approximately 15. The bottom-cleaning scoop section 16 borders on a recess 19. The recess 19 is introduced into the tool 13 starting from its closure 20 facing opposite the direction of rotation. The first scoop section 16, that is closer to the bottom, is constructed to be distinctly lower as regards its height compared to the height of the second scoop section 17.

(13) In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures a stripping lip 21 is arranged on the front edge 21 of the wall-cleaning scoop section 17 that faces in the direction of rotation in its section extending substantially above the height of the wall section 10. This lip is manufactured from an elastic material and extends from the edge 22 to wall section 10 and therefore makes contact with the latter. The stripping lip 21 acts with a certain pretension against the surface of the wall section 10 and serves to strip off particles of mixing material that could be adhered to it. In the embodiment of the mixing machine according to the figures only the tool 13 carries such a stripping lip 21. It is not necessary that both tools 13, 13.1 carry a stripping lip at this position. The tool 13 is provided with such a stripping lip 21 preferably when PE material or PP material is mixed in the mixing head 3.

(14) A countertool 23 is located inside in the radial direction with regards to the first, bottom-clearing scoop section 16 of the tool 13, also driven by the shaft 14. The countertool 23, since it is connected to the shaft 14, is driven in the same direction of rotation in a rotating manner like the tool 13. The countertool 23 is also a bottom-cleaning tool that is positioned as regards the direction of rotation in the other direction of rotation like the tool 13. In the embodiment shown a stripping lip 24 is connected to the countertool 23 which lip serves the same purpose as the previously described stripping lip 21 present on the scoop section 17. Due to the arrangement of the tool 13 and of the countertool 23, mixing material is moved on the one hand from the wall section 10 in the direction of the shaft 14 and on the other hand by the counter-tool 23 from the shaft 14 in a bottom-cleaning manner back in the direction of the wall section 10. A collection of mixing material that did not participate in the mixing process is prevented in the area of the shaft 14 by the countertool 23. Since two first tools 13, 13.1 are provided in the exemplary example shown; two countertools 23, 23.1 are also provided.

(15) The electromotor 7 of the mixing head 3 serves to drive a second tool 25. The second tool also extends with its shaft through the bottom 9 of the receptacle part 8 and the bottom of the housing 11, which bottom cannot be recognized in FIG. 2. The shaft and therefore the axis of rotation of the tool 25 is inclined to the axis of rotation of the shaft 14 as can be readily recognized in the figures. The mixing tool 25 is a known mixing tool with several mixing blades seated superposed on the shaft. The actual mixing work is carried out during an operation of the mixing machine 1 by this tool 25 operated at a high or very high speed. The first tools 13, 13.1 and the countertools 23, 23.1 cooperating with them and serve to supply mixing material to the mixing tool 25, and to remove mixing material seized by the mixing tool 25.

(16) It can be recognized from the view into the mixing head 3 from the perspective in FIG. 3 regarding the first tool 13.1 that its first, bottom-cleaning scoop section 16.1 is also equipped with a stripping lip 26, namely, in the manner already described for this above for the stripping lip 21. The stripping lip 26 rests in the exemplary embodiment shown under pretension on the bottom 9 of the receptacle part 8 and extends over the inner radius connected in the bottom 9 to the wall section 10 into the lowest wall section 10.

(17) The views of the mixing head 3 in the FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the first tools 13, 13.1 have a greater extent in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the mixing head 3 than the height of the wall section 10. Therefore, these tools 13, 13.1 extend into a mixing material container 5 connected to them.

(18) FIG. 4 shows a top view of the bottom 9 of the mixing head 3 with the radial alignment of the arms 15, 15.1 emanating from the shaft 14. In this exemplary embodiment the view shows the radii R formed by the arms 15, 15.1. The tool 13 is connected to the end of the arm 15. The positioning angle can be recognized in it by . The opposing position of the countertool 23 relative to the tool 13 and the movement of the mixing material running to each other upon a rotary movement of the shaft 14 with the tools 13, 23 connected to it caused by this opposing position also become clear from this view of the mixing head 3. The same naturally applies to the tools 13.1, 23.1, that lie opposite the tools 13 and 23 relative to the shaft 14. FIG. 4 schematically shows the movement of the material in the area of the tools 13, 13.1 and 23, 23.1 with block arrows and shows the direction of rotation of the tools 13, 13.1 and 23, 23.1 by arrows. This movement of material that is directed in a diverging manner conducts the mixing material to the second tool 25 provided for the actual thorough mixing in an especially effective manner.

(19) FIG. 5 again shows a perspective view into the mixing head 3. In this figure the previously described movement of falling-down mixing material upon a rotary movement of this first tool 13 is schematically indicated using the tool 13.

(20) The previously explained countertools are designed as was explained in principle for the first tools 13, 13.1 in an exemplary embodiment not shown in the figures. In this embodiment the countertools comprise, in addition to the described bottom-cleaning tool section, a second wall-cleaning tool section following the first one. A recess is present between the two tool sections, just as in the case of the tools 13, 13.1, through which recess the second tool can be conducted. The wall-cleaning tool section comprised by at least one of the countertools is also positioned opposite to the direction of the first tool. Mixing material is moved away from the shaft 14 in a radial direction by the flow-cleaning tools section of the countertool, as in the case of the first tool, and the same falling down effect of the mixing material in the direction of the bottom of the mixing head develops as was previously described using the tool 13 in regard to the outer wall section 10 of the mixing head 3. However, the mixing material was moved outward by the shaft 14 in a radial direction.

(21) 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.

(22) 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. Whenever a range is given in the specification, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure.

(23) 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.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(24) 1 Mixing Machine 2 Frame 3 Mixing head 4 Drive 5 Mixing material container 6 Electromotor 7 Electromotor 8 Receptacle part 9 Bottom 10 Wall section 11 Housing 12 Coupling flange 13, 13.1 First tool 14 Shaft 15, 15.1 Arm 16, 16.1 Scoop section 17 Scoop section 18 Edge 19 Recess 20 Closure 21 Stripping lip 22 Edge 23, 23.1 Countertool 24 Stripping lip 25 Second tool 26 Stripping lip R Radius S Pivot axis Positioning angle