Continuous mixer with screw discharge control

Claim 2

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber with a wall portion defining two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions orientated more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions for mixing material within the chamber; a charging opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof; a discharge opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from the charging opening; means on said rotor adjacent the charging opening for introducing material into the mixing chamber; structure forming a material receiving conduit, with a wall portion defining a cylindricAl passageway, said conduit being adjacent the mixing chamber in direct communication with said discharge opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and through the discharge opening; a rotatable screw in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control flow of material from mixing chamber into and through the conduit; means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from the discharge opening of the mixing chamber; drilled passageways in said wall portion defining the substantially cylindrical parallel portions of the mixing chamber, extending axially of the cylindrical portions, and manifold chambers about said wall portion circulating heat exchange fluid through said drilled passageways; and drilled passageways in said wall portion defining the cylindrical passageway, extending axially thereof, and manifold chambers about said last-mentioned wall portion for circulating heat exchange fluid through said last-mentioned drilled passageways.

Claim 3

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions orientated more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to said mixing chamber; a second screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent an opposite end of the rotor from the first screw portion and adjacent said second opening, said second screw portions having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and said second opening; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening.

Claim 4

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions orientated more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to said mixing chamber; a second screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent an opposite end of the rotor from the first screw portion and adjacent said second opening, said second screw portions having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and said second opening; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening.

Claim 5

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions orientated more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion; a second screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said second opening, adapted to aid in discharging material from the mixing chamber said second screw portions having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening for receiving material advanced through the mixing chamber and second opening, and having a discharge end and an extrusion die at said end; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit, and constructed to further condition said material through rotation of said screw; means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening and to force said material axially along the conduit and through said extrusion die; drilled passageways in said wall portion defining the substantial cylindrical parallel portions of the mixing chamber, extending axially of the cylindrical portions, and manifold chambers about said wall portion for circulating heat exchange fluid through said drilled passageways; and drilled passageways in said wall portion defining the cylindrical portion of said conduit, extending axially thereof, and manifold chambers about said last-mentioned wall portion for circulating heat exchange fluid through said last-mentioned drilled passageways.

Claim 6

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions orientated more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion; a second screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said second opening, adapted to aid in discharging material from the mixing chamber said second screw portions having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening for receiving material advanced through the mixing chamber and second opening, and having a discharge end and an extrusion die at said end; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit, and constructed to further condition said material through rotation of said screw; means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening and to force said material axially along the conduit and through said extrusion die; drilled passageways in said wall portion defining the substantial cylindrical parallel portions of the mixing chamber, extending axially of the cylindrical portions, and manifold chambers about said wall portion for circulating heat exchange fluid through said drilled passageways; and drilled passageways in said wall portion defining the cylindrical portion of said conduit, extending axially thereof, and manifold chambers about said last-mentioned wall portion for circulating heat exchange fluid through said last-mentioned drilled passageways.

Claim 7

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions that twist in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber, said blade portions of at least one of said rotors having first and second pairs of blades formed in a generally continuous rotor surface and extending inward from adjacent opposite ends of the rotor, the blades of each pair being displaced one from the other approximately 180* circumferentially about the rotor, each pair extending in a generally opposite helical path toward the center of the rotor, the blades of the first pair being displaced peripherally about the rotor from the second pair, with the inner ends of the blades of the first pair being overlapped axially with respect to the inner ends of the blades of the second pair; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a screw feed portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and second opening; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion and extending substantially the length thereof to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening of the mixing chamber.

Claim 8

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions that twist in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber, said blade portions of at least one of said rotors having first and second pairs of blades formed in a generally continuous rotor surface and extending inward from adjacent opposite ends of the rotor, the blades of each pair being displaced one from the other approximately 180* circumferentially about the rotor, each pair extending in a generally opposite helical path toward the center of the rotor, the blades of the first pair being displaced peripherally about the rotor from the second pair, with the inner ends of the blades of the first pair being overlapped axially with respect to the inner ends of the blades of the second pair; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a screw feed portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and second opening; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion and extending substantially the length thereof to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening of the mixing chamber.

Claim 9

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions that twist in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber, the bladed portions of at least one of said rotors having first and second pairs of blades formed in a generally continuous rotor surface and extending inward from adjacent opposite ends of the rotor, the blades of each pair being displaced one from the other approximately 180* circumferentially about the rotor, each pair extending in a generally opposite helical path toward the center of the rotor, the blades of the first pair being displaced peripherally about the rotor from the second pair, with the inner ends of the blades of the first pair being Overlapped axially with respect to the inner ends of the blades of the second pair; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion; a second screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent an opposite end of the rotor from the first screw portion and adjacent said second opening, said second screw portion having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and second opening; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion and extending substantially the length thereof to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening of the mixing chamber.

Claim 10

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions that twist in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber, the bladed portions of at least one of said rotors having first and second pairs of blades formed in a generally continuous rotor surface and extending inward from adjacent opposite ends of the rotor, the blades of each pair being displaced one from the other approximately 180* circumferentially about the rotor, each pair extending in a generally opposite helical path toward the center of the rotor, the blades of the first pair being displaced peripherally about the rotor from the second pair, with the inner ends of the blades of the first pair being Overlapped axially with respect to the inner ends of the blades of the second pair; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion; a second screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent an opposite end of the rotor from the first screw portion and adjacent said second opening, said second screw portion having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and second opening; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion and extending substantially the length thereof to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening of the mixing chamber.

Claim 11

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions that twist in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber, the bladed portions of at least one of said rotors having first and second pairs of blades formed in a generally continuous rotor surface and extending inward from adjacent opposite ends of the rotor, the blades of each pair being displaced one from the other approximately 180* circumferentially about the rotor, each pair extending in a generally opposite helical path toward the center of the rotor, the blades of the first pair being displaced peripherally about the rotor from the second pair, with the inner ends of the blades of the first pair being overlapped axially with respect to the inner ends of the blades of the second pair; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion; a second screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent an opposite end of the rotor from the first screw portion and adjacent said second opening, said second screw portions having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said discharge opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and second opening, and having a discharge end and an extrusion die at said end; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion and extending substantially the length thereof to restrict flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit and constructed to further condition said material through rotation of said screw; means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening of the mixing chamber and to force said material axially along the conduit and through said extrusion die.

Claim 12

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two bladed rotors, one in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber, supported for rotation therein and each having a central portion in the mixing chamber with blade portions that twist in opposite directions to mix material in the mixing chamber, the bladed portions of at least one of said rotors having first and second pairs of blades formed in a generally continuous rotor surface and extending inward from adjacent opposite ends of the rotor, the blades of each pair being displaced one from the other approximately 180* circumferentially about the rotor, each pair extending in a generally opposite helical path toward the center of the rotor, the blades of the first pair being displaced peripherally about the rotor from the second pair, with the inner ends of the blades of the first pair being overlapped axially with respect to the inner ends of the blades of the second pair; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion; a second screw portion on each of said bladed rotors adjacent an opposite end of the rotor from the first screw portion and adjacent said second opening, said second screw portions having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said discharge opening for receiving material advanced under pressure through the mixing chamber and second opening, and having a discharge end and an extrusion die at said end; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion and extending substantially the length thereof to restrict flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit and constructed to further condition said material through rotation of said screw; means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said second opening of the mixing chamber and to force said material axially along the conduit and through said extrusion die.

Claim 13

In a method of continuously mixing material such as rubber, plastics, and the like, the steps comprising: introducing material to be mixed into a mixing chamber and adjacent one end of a pair of adjacent generally coextensive rotors each having bladed portions twisting in opposite directions, rotating the rotors in opposite directions to mix the material, continuously advancing the material along the rotors toward a discharge passageway from the mixing chamber, restricting movement of material through the discharge passageway by a material moving means offset from the axes of the rotors and operative to positively convey material from the discharge passageway, sensing pressure within the mixing chamber, and varying the speed of said material moving means to maintain optimum pressure in the mixing chamber.

Claim 14

In a method of continuously mixing material such as rubber, plastics, and the like, the steps comprising: introducing material to be mixed into a mixing chamber and adjacent one end of a pair of adjacent generally coextensive rotors each having bladed portions twisting in opposite directions, rotating the rotors in opposite directions to mix the material, continuously advancing the material along the rotors toward a discharge passageway from the mixing chamber, restricting movement of material through the discharge passageway by a material moving means offset from the axes of the rotors and operative to positively convey material from the discharge passageway, sensing pressure within the mixing chamber, and varying the speed of said material moving means to maintain optimum pressure in the mixing chamber.

Claim 15

In a method of continuously mixing material such as rubber, plastics, and the like, the steps comprising: introducing material to be mixed into a mixing chamber and adjacent one end of a pair of adjacent generally coextensive rotors each having blade portions that are oriented more lengthwise of their axis of rotation than circumferentially and twist in opposite directions, rotating the rotors in opposite directions to mix the material, continuously advancing the material along the rotors into a conduit in an extruder housing which conduit is connected with the mixing chamber and is radially offset from and extends transversely of the axis of the rotors, controlling the rate of flow of material from the mixing chamber by controlling the throughput of the extruder by varying the speed of rotation of an extruder screw in the conduit, and circulating a heat exchange fluid through passages in the walls of the mixing chamber and extruder housing to control the temperature of material being mixed.

Claim 16

In a method of continuously mixing material such as rubber, plastics, and the like, the steps comprising: introducing material to be mixed into a mixing chamber and adjacent one end of a pair of adjacent generally coextensive rotors each having blade portions that are oriented more lengthwise of their axis of rotation than circumferentially and twist in opposite directions, rotating the rotors in opposite directions to mix the material, continuously advancing the material along the rotors into a conduit in an extruder housing which conduit is connected with the mixing chamber and is radially offset from and extends transversely of the axis of the rotors, controlling the rate of flow of material from the mixing chamber by controlling the throughput of the extruder by varying the speed of rotation of an extruder screw in the conduit, and circulating a heat exchange fluid through passages in the walls of the mixing chamber and extruder housing to control the temperature of material being mixed.

Claim 17

In a method of continuously mixing material such as rubber, plastics, and the like, the steps comprising: introducing material to be mixed into a mixing chamber and adjacent one end of a pair of adjacent generally coextensive rotors, rotating the rotors to mix the materials, advising the material under pressure along the rotors toward a discharge passageway from the mixing chamber, restricting movement of material through the discharge passageway while concurrently and positively conveying incremental portions of material from the discharge passageway, sensing the temperature of the material advanced from the mixing chamber and establishing a desired temperature by changing the rate at which material is conveyed from the discharge passageway.

Claim 18

In a method of continuously mixing material such as rubber, plastics, and the like, the steps comprising: introducing material to be mixed into a mixing chamber and adjacent one end of a pair of adjacent generally coextensive rotors, rotating the rotors to mix the materials, advising the material under pressure along the rotors toward a discharge passageway from the mixing chamber, restricting movement of material through the discharge passageway while concurrently and positively conveying incremental portions of material from the discharge passageway, sensing the temperature of the material advanced from the mixing chamber and establishing a desired temperature by changing the rate at which material is conveyed from the discharge passageway.

Claim 19

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one supported by bearings adjacent opposite ends thereof for rotation in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and each having in the mixing chamber a central portion with blade portions oriented more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions less than 180* about the axis of the rotor to mix material in the mixing chamber; each of said blade portions having convex leading surfaces; said oppositely twisting blade portions of each rotor extending inwardly from adjacent opposite ends of the mixing chamber toward the center of the rotor in generally helical paths; means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged and a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; said second opening being located between said bearings; a screw portion on each of said rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion of said rotors; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening and radially offset from and extending transversely of the axes of the rotors for receiving material from said mixing chamber; passages in the structure forming said mixing chamber for the circulation of heat exchange meDium therethrough; passages in the structure forming said material receiving conduit for the circulation of heat medium therethrough; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control the flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said discharge opening.

Claim 20

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming a mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one supported by bearings adjacent opposite ends thereof for rotation in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and each having in the mixing chamber a central portion with blade portions oriented more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions less than 180* about the axis of the rotor to mix material in the mixing chamber; each of said blade portions having convex leading surfaces; said oppositely twisting blade portions of each rotor extending inwardly from adjacent opposite ends of the mixing chamber toward the center of the rotor in generally helical paths; means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged and a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; said second opening being located between said bearings; a screw portion on each of said rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion of said rotors; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said second opening and radially offset from and extending transversely of the axes of the rotors for receiving material from said mixing chamber; passages in the structure forming said mixing chamber for the circulation of heat exchange meDium therethrough; passages in the structure forming said material receiving conduit for the circulation of heat medium therethrough; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control the flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said discharge opening.

Claim 21

In a continuous internal mixer; a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one supported for rotation in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and each having in the mixing chamber blade portions that twist in opposite directions less than 180* about the axis of the rotor to mix material in the mixing chamber; means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged and a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion of said rotors; a second screw portion on each of said rotors adjacent an opposite end of the rotor from the first screw portion and adjacent said second opening, said second screw portion having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said discharge opening and offset from and extending transversely of the axes of the rotors for receiving material from said mixing chamber; passages in the structure forming said mixing chamber for the circulation of heat exchange medium therethrough; passages in the structure forming said material receiving conduit for the circulation of heat medium therethrough; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control the flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said discharge opening.

Claim 22

In a continuous internal mixer; a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one supported for rotation in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and each having in the mixing chamber blade portions that twist in opposite directions less than 180* about the axis of the rotor to mix material in the mixing chamber; means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged and a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent an end opposite from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; a first screw portion on each of said rotors adjacent said first opening adapted to advance material to the central bladed portion of said rotors; a second screw portion on each of said rotors adjacent an opposite end of the rotor from the first screw portion and adjacent said second opening, said second screw portion having substantial peripheral clearance relative to a surrounding chamber portion; structure forming a material receiving conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, in communication with said discharge opening and offset from and extending transversely of the axes of the rotors for receiving material from said mixing chamber; passages in the structure forming said mixing chamber for the circulation of heat exchange medium therethrough; passages in the structure forming said material receiving conduit for the circulation of heat medium therethrough; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit closely received within the cylindrical portion to control the flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate to convey material away from said discharge opening.

Claim 23

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one rotatable in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and having blade portions that twist in opposite directions to their axes of rotation for mixing material in said mixing chamber; means forming a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent to the end thereof remote from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; means supporting said structure and said rotors for relative movement axially of said rotors; means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; means forming a material receiving conduit in communication with said second opening and offset from the axes of said rotors; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit to control the flow of material from said mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate.

Claim 24

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one rotatable in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and having blade portions that twist in opposite directions to their axes of rotation for mixing material in said mixing chamber; means forming a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent to the end thereof remote from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; means supporting said structure and said rotors for relative movement axially of said rotors; means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; means forming a material receiving conduit in communication with said second opening and offset from the axes of said rotors; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit to control the flow of material from said mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate.

Claim 25

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one rotatable in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and having blade portions that twist in opposite directions to their axes of rotation for mixing material in said mixing chamber; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent to the end thereof remote from said first opening through which mixed material is discharGed; means supporting said structure and said rotors for relative movement axially of said rotors; means connected to the ends of said rotors remote from said first opening for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; means forming a material receiving conduit in communication with said second opening and offset from the axes of said rotors; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit to control the flow of material from said mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate.

Claim 26

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one rotatable in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and having blade portions that twist in opposite directions to their axes of rotation for mixing material in said mixing chamber; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charged; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent to the end thereof remote from said first opening through which mixed material is discharGed; means supporting said structure and said rotors for relative movement axially of said rotors; means connected to the ends of said rotors remote from said first opening for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; means forming a material receiving conduit in communication with said second opening and offset from the axes of said rotors; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit to control the flow of material from said mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate.

Claim 27

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions and a material inlet opening adjacent to one end of the chamber; two rotors one rotatable in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and having blade portions in said cylindrical portions of said mixing chamber that twist in opposite directions to their axes of rotation for mixing material in said mixing chamber; a material discharge opening adjacent to the end of said mixing chamber remote from said inlet opening through which mixed material is discharged; means supporting said structure for movement axially of said rotors; and means connected to the ends of said rotors remote from said first opening for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; means forming a material receiving conduit in communication with said discharge opening and offset from the axes of the rotors; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit to control the flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate.

Claim 28

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions and a material inlet opening adjacent to one end of the chamber; two rotors one rotatable in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and having blade portions in said cylindrical portions of said mixing chamber that twist in opposite directions to their axes of rotation for mixing material in said mixing chamber; a material discharge opening adjacent to the end of said mixing chamber remote from said inlet opening through which mixed material is discharged; means supporting said structure for movement axially of said rotors; and means connected to the ends of said rotors remote from said first opening for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; means forming a material receiving conduit in communication with said discharge opening and offset from the axes of the rotors; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit to control the flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate.

Claim 29

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one rotatable in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and having blade portions that twist in opposite directions to their axes of rotation for mixing material in said mixing chamber; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charge; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent to the end thereof remote from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; means supporting said structure and said rotors for relative movement axially of said rotors; drive means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; means stationary with respect to said drive means forming a material receiving conduit in communication with said second opening and offset from the axes of said rotors; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit to control the flow of material from said mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate.

Claim 30

In a continuous internal mixer: a structure forming mixing chamber having two interconnected substantially cylindrical parallel portions; two rotors, one rotatable in each cylindrical portion of the mixing chamber and having blade portions that twist in opposite directions to their axes of rotation for mixing material in said mixing chamber; a first opening to said mixing chamber adjacent one end thereof through which material to be mixed is charge; a second opening from said mixing chamber adjacent to the end thereof remote from said first opening through which mixed material is discharged; means supporting said structure and said rotors for relative movement axially of said rotors; drive means for rotating said rotors in opposite directions; means stationary with respect to said drive means forming a material receiving conduit in communication with said second opening and offset from the axes of said rotors; a rotatable screw extending axially in said receiving conduit to control the flow of material from said mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled rate.

Claim 31

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having a material feeding opening adjacent one end; a rotor supported by bearings adjacent opposite ends thereof for rotation in said mixing chamber and having in the mixing chamber a central portion with blade portions orientated more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions less than 180* about the axis of the rotor for mixing material in said mixing chamber; each of said blade portions having convex leading surfaces; said oppositely twisting blade portions extending inwardly from adjacent opposite ends of the mixing chamber toward the center of the rotor in generally helical paths, means for rotating said rotor at a controlled speed; structure forming a material conveying conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, adjacent the end of said mixing chamber opposite said material receiving opening in communication with the mixing chamber at a location between said bearings and radially offset from and extending transversely of the axis of said mixing chamber; said structure forming said mixing chamber having passageways therein for the circulation of heaT exchange medium closely adjacent the interior wall of said mixing chamber; said structure forming said conduit having passageways therein for the circulation of heat exchange medium closely adjacent the interior wall of said conduit; a rotatable screw extending axially in said conduit closely received in the cylindrical portion to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit, said screw being rotatably supported in said conduit with its axis offset from the axis of said rotor; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled speed to convey material away from the mixing chamber.

Claim 32

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber having a material feeding opening adjacent one end; a rotor supported by bearings adjacent opposite ends thereof for rotation in said mixing chamber and having in the mixing chamber a central portion with blade portions orientated more lengthwise of the axis of the rotor than circumferentially thereof and twisting in opposite directions less than 180* about the axis of the rotor for mixing material in said mixing chamber; each of said blade portions having convex leading surfaces; said oppositely twisting blade portions extending inwardly from adjacent opposite ends of the mixing chamber toward the center of the rotor in generally helical paths, means for rotating said rotor at a controlled speed; structure forming a material conveying conduit, at least a portion of which is cylindrical, adjacent the end of said mixing chamber opposite said material receiving opening in communication with the mixing chamber at a location between said bearings and radially offset from and extending transversely of the axis of said mixing chamber; said structure forming said mixing chamber having passageways therein for the circulation of heaT exchange medium closely adjacent the interior wall of said mixing chamber; said structure forming said conduit having passageways therein for the circulation of heat exchange medium closely adjacent the interior wall of said conduit; a rotatable screw extending axially in said conduit closely received in the cylindrical portion to control flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through the conduit, said screw being rotatably supported in said conduit with its axis offset from the axis of said rotor; and means to rotate said screw at a controlled speed to convey material away from the mixing chamber.

Claim 33

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber; a bladed rotor supported for rotation in said mixing chamber and having in the mixing chamber first and second pairs of blade portions each having a convex leading surface and each pair extending in generally opposite helical paths more lengthwise than circumferentially of the axis of the rotor from opposite ends of the mixing chamber toward the center thereof; said mixing chamber having an opening adjacent one end through which material to be mixed is fed thereto; a double-thread screw feed portion on said rotor in advance of said blade portions; each of said double threads of said screw feed portion terminating at and connected with one of said pair of blade portions adjacent said screw feed; structure forming a material receiving conduit extending transversely of said mixing chamber and in communication with the end of said mixing chamber opposite said opening through which material is fed thereto for receiving mixed material from said mixing chamber; a rotatable screw in said receiving conduit with its axis offset from the axis of said rotor for controlling flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw.

Claim 34

In a continuous internal mixer: structure forming a mixing chamber; a bladed rotor supported for rotation in said mixing chamber and having in the mixing chamber first and second pairs of blade portions each having a convex leading surface and each pair extending in generally opposite helical paths more lengthwise than circumferentially of the axis of the rotor from opposite ends of the mixing chamber toward the center thereof; said mixing chamber having an opening adjacent one end through which material to be mixed is fed thereto; a double-thread screw feed portion on said rotor in advance of said blade portions; each of said double threads of said screw feed portion terminating at and connected with one of said pair of blade portions adjacent said screw feed; structure forming a material receiving conduit extending transversely of said mixing chamber and in communication with the end of said mixing chamber opposite said opening through which material is fed thereto for receiving mixed material from said mixing chamber; a rotatable screw in said receiving conduit with its axis offset from the axis of said rotor for controlling flow of material from the mixing chamber into and through said conduit; and means to rotate said screw.

Claim 35

In a method of continuously mixing materials such as rubber, plastics, and the like, the steps comprising: introducing material to be mixed into one end of a mixing chamber and adjacent one end of a pair of adjacent generally coextensive rotors rotatable therein and each having first and second pairs of blades, each having a convex leading surface and each pair extending in generally opposite helical paths more lengthwise than circumferentially of the axis of the rotors from opposite ends of the mixing chamber towards the center thereof, the blades of each pair being displaced from one another about 180* circumferentially of the rotor and the blades of one pair being displaced circumferentially about the rotor from the other pair with adjacent ends overlapping; rotating the rotors in opposite directions to mix the material and advance it along the rotors to a screw in a conduit communicating with the end of the mixing chamber opposite the end into which the material is introduced and offset from and extends transversely to the axes of the rotors; controlling the rate of flow of material from the mixing chamber by controlling the speed of rotation of the screw, and circulating a heat exchange fluid through passages in the walls of the mixing chamber and the screw housing to control the temperature of material being mixed.

Claim 36

In a method of continuously mixing materials such as rubber, plastics, and the like, the steps comprising: introducing material to be mixed into one end of a mixing chamber and adjacent one end of a pair of adjacent generally coextensive rotors rotatable therein and each having first and second pairs of blades, each having a convex leading surface and each pair extending in generally opposite helical paths more lengthwise than circumferentially of the axis of the rotors from opposite ends of the mixing chamber towards the center thereof, the blades of each pair being displaced from one another about 180* circumferentially of the rotor and the blades of one pair being displaced circumferentially about the rotor from the other pair with adjacent ends overlapping; rotating the rotors in opposite directions to mix the material and advance it along the rotors to a screw in a conduit communicating with the end of the mixing chamber opposite the end into which the material is introduced and offset from and extends transversely to the axes of the rotors; controlling the rate of flow of material from the mixing chamber by controlling the speed of rotation of the screw, and circulating a heat exchange fluid through passages in the walls of the mixing chamber and the screw housing to control the temperature of material being mixed.