EP1079188B1

EP1079188B1 - Apparatus for treatment by vibration

Info

Publication number: EP1079188B1
Application number: EP19990116707
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shinkichi Ito
Original assignee: Chuo Kakohki Coltd
Current assignee: Chuo Kakohki Coltd
Priority date: 1999-08-25
Filing date: 1999-08-25
Publication date: 2003-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-25
Also published as: DE69910009T2; EP1079188A1; DE69910009D1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treatment by vibration, comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1. Such an apparatus is known, for example, from FR-A-2 638 660. The to-be-treated material used herein is exemplified by a powder and a liquid having a relatively high viscosity, which can be charged into the container and be transformed into a powder through a required treatment.

Description of the Prior Art

As an apparatus for treatment by vibration in which a container charged with a to-be-treated material is vibrated to perform a required treatment such as drying of the to-be-treated material in the container, there have been proposed and put into practical use those of a type comprising a container extending substantially horizontally, a resilient support means for resiliently supporting the container, and a vibration means for vibrating the container as disclosed in Japanese Examined (Kokoku) Patent Publications Nos. 37944/1980, 13742/1985 and Japanese Unexamined Laid-open (Kokai) Patent Publication No. 307764/1994. The container has a cylindrical barrel extending substantially horizontally, and has a to-be-treated material charge port and a to-be-treated material discharge port that are allowed to be freely opened and closed. In a case where the drying treatment is effected for the to-be-treated material, the container is usually equipped with a heating means for heating the to-be-treated material charged in the container and a vacuum means for evacuating the interior of the container.
When the to-be-treated material is to be heated by the above apparatus for treatment by vibration, the to-be-treated material such as a powder is charged in a required amount into the container through the to-be-treated material charge port. Then, the container is vibrated by the vibration means, the to-be-treated material is heated by the heating means, and gases and vapor are evacuated from the container by the vacuum means. The to-be-treated material charged in the container is heated by the heating means while being stirred by vibration as the container is vibrated and thus, is dried. Vapor such as water vapor formed as a result of heating the to-be-treated material is evacuated from the container by the action of the vacuum means to promote the drying. The to-be-treated material that is dried as required is discharged out of the container through the to-be-treated material discharge port.
However, according to the experience of the present inventor, there remains a problem to be solved that in the conventional apparatuses for treatment by vibration, the stirring by vibration does not necessarily work on the to-be-treated material charged in the container to a sufficient degree, imposing limitation on the treating efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved apparatus for treatment by vibration that can vibrate and stir the to-be-treated material charged in the container sufficiently effectively to enhance the treating efficiency.
Through the intensive studies and experiments, astonishingly, the present inventor has discovered the fact that when at least part of the container into which the to-be-treated material is charged is formed in a truncated conical cylindrical shape extending substantially horizontally, instead of a cylindrical shape that extends substantially horizontally, the to-be-treated material is sufficiently stirred in a substantially vertical direction and at the same time, is stirred to a sufficient degree in a substantially horizontal direction, i.e., in the direction of center axis of the container as the container is vibrated, enabling the to-be-treated material to be vibrated and stirred sufficiently effectively.
According to the present invention, as an apparatus for treatment by vibration to accomplish the above-mentioned principal object, there is provided an apparatus for treatment by vibration comprising
a container extending substantially horizontally and having a to-be-treated material charge port and a to-be-treated material discharge port,
a resilient support means for resiliently supporting said container and
a vibration means for vibrating said container,

at least part of said container is of a truncated conical cylindrical shape extending substantially horizontally.

It is desired that at least part of the container is of a truncated circular conical cylindrical shape extending substantially horizontally. It is desired that the to-be-treated material discharge port is disposed at the lowermost end in the portion of a maximum diameter, that is a portion of the container of the truncated conical cylindrical shape. In a preferred embodiment, the container includes a first truncated circular conical cylinder of a truncated circular conical shape, which extends substantially horizontally and of which the diameter gradually increases in a predetermined direction from an end of a minimum diameter to an end of a maximum diameter, and a second truncated circular conical cylinder which extends substantially horizontally continuing from the end of the maximum diameter of the first truncated circular conical cylinder and of which the diameter gradually decreases in the predetermined direction from an end of a maximum diameter toward an end of a minimum diameter, the first truncated circular conical cylinder and the second truncated circular conical cylinder being symmetrical to each other concerning the boundary surface between the two. It is desired that the to-be-treated material discharge port is disposed at the lowermost end in the boundary region between the first truncated circular conical cylinder and the second truncated circular conical cylinder. Desirably, the vibration means makes the center of gravity of a vibration member comprising the container and means mounted on the container and vibrated together with the container, to circulate substantially. It is desired that the circular truncated cone be tapered at an angle of from 5 to 40 degrees, particularly from 10 to 30 degrees. The container can be equipped with a heating means for heating the to-be-treated material charged in the container. Further, the container may be provided with a vacuum means for evacuating the interior of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for treatment by vibration constituted according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus for treatment by vibration of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus for treatment by vibration of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a heat-transfer fin arranged in a container in the apparatus for treatment by vibration of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a simplified partial transverse sectional view illustrating the manner of movement of the to-be-treated material in the container in apparatus for treatment by vibration of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a simplified partial longitudinal sectional view illustrating the manner of movement of the to-be-treated material in the container in the apparatus for treatment by vibration of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing typical examples of a change in the temperature of the to-be-treated material and a change in the degree of vacuum in the container in the apparatus for treatment by vibration of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a modified embodiment of the apparatus for treatment by vibration constituted according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings that illustrate preferred embodiments of the apparatus for treatment by vibration constituted according to the present invention.
Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate an apparatus for treatment by vibration 2 that can be preferably used for drying a to-be-treated material such as a powder while vibrating it. The apparatus for treatment by vibration 2 includes a stationary support frame 4 and a container 8 (Figs. 2 and 3) mounted on the support frame 4.
As will be clearly understood from Figs. 2 and 3, the container 8 extends substantially horizontally. The barrel of the container 8 in the illustrated embodiment is constituted a first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 of which the diameter gradually increases in a predetermined direction from an end of a minimum diameter toward an end of a maximum diameter, i.e., of which the diameter gradually increases toward the right in Fig. 2, and a second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 which continues from the end of the maximum diameter of the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and of which the diameter gradually decreases in the predetermined direction from an end of a maximum diameter toward an end of a minimum diameter, i.e., of which the diameter gradually decreases toward the right in Fig. 2. It is desired that the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12-have a shape symmetrical to each other concerning the boundary surface between the two. Both ends of the container are closed by end plates 18 and 20 that are preferably of the shape of a dish. The first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 constituting the barrel of the container 8 can be made of a suitable metal plate such as a stainless steel plate. The end plates 18 and 20 closing both ends of the container 8 can similarly be made of a suitable metal plate such as a stainless steel plate, and can be coupled to the barrel, i.e., to the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and to the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 by a suitable means such as welding. It is desired that the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 be tapered at an angle α of from 5 to 40 degrees and, particularly, from 10 to 30 degrees.
With further reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the container 8 has a to-be-treated material charge port 22 and a to-be-treated material discharge port 24. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, a cylindrical protruded portion 26 is formed on the upper surface of the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 of the container 8 to protrude upwards substantially vertically. A protruded open end of the cylindrical protruded portion 26 constitutes the to-be-treated material charge port 22. On the to-be-treated material charge port 22 is detachably mounted a closure member 27 for closing the charge port. It is desired that the to-be-treated material discharge port 24 be disposed at the lowermost end in the boundary region between the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 of the container 8 (i.e., at the lowermost end in the portion of the largest diameter of the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and also at the lowermost end in the portion of the largest diameter of the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12). In the illustrated embodiment, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, a flexible hose 29 is connected to the to-be-treated material discharge port 24 through a valve means 28 that may be a suitable open/close valve. As will be further described later, when the valve means 28 is opened, the to-be-treated material in the container 8 is discharged into, for example, a collection tank (not shown) through the to-be-treated material discharge port 24, valve means 28 and flexible hose 29.
As clearly shown in Fig. 2, a cylindrical upward-extended portion 30 of a relatively large diameter is formed at a central portion on the upper surface of the container 8 to extend upwards. A closing member 32 is detachably mounted on the upper end of the upward-extended portion 30. A filter means 32 is arranged in the lower half portion of the upward-extended portion 30. The illustrated filter means 32 is constituted by a holder plate 34 and a plurality of filter elements 36 hanging from the holder plate 34. A plurality of openings 37 (only one of them is illustrated in Fig. 2) are formed in the holder plate 34, and the plurality of filter elements are detachably mounted to the holder plate 34 to be in match with the openings 37. A cylindrical exhaust port 38 is formed in the upper half of the upward-extended portion 30 to protrude outward in the radial direction. A vacuum means 40 (Fig. 3) that can be constituted by a vacuum pump is connected to the exhaust port 38 via a suitable connection means (not shown) such as a flexible hose. Therefore, the interior of the container 8 is connected to the vacuum means 40 through the filter elements 36, opening 37 formed in the holder plate 34 and exhaust port 38. As will be further described later, the interior of the container 8 is evacuated to make vacuum by the action of the vacuum means 40. A manhole portion 52 is arranged in an upper part in one end surface (right end surface in Fig. 2) of the container 8. The manhole portion 52 is of a cylindrical shape protruding outward, and has a sealing member 54 detachably attached to an end thereof. When the sealing member 54 is removed to open the end of the manhole portion 52, a path is formed for access to the interior of the container 8. Further, two monitor window portions 56 (Figs. 1 and 3) are formed in the upper surface of the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 of the container 8 at a distance in the circumferential direction. The monitor window portions 56 are of a cylindrical shape protruding upwards, and their ends are closed with a transparent member which may be a glass. The state inside the container 8 can be monitored through the monitor window portions 56.
With further reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the illustrated apparatus for treatment by vibration is equipped with a heating means 58 for heating the to-be-treated material charged in the container 8. In the illustrated embodiment, a jacket 60 that can be formed of a suitable metal plate such as a stainless steel plate is mounted on the outer side of the container 8 via suitable coupling brackets (not shown), and a flow space 62 is formed between the container 8 and the jacket 60 permitting a heating medium such as water vapor to flow. The jacket 60 includes a cylindrical portion surrounding the outer periphery of the upward-extended portion 30 formed on the container 8, and an introduction port 64 is formed in the cylindrical portion. A heating medium-supplying (Fig. 2) such as boiler is connected to the introduction port 64. A pair of discharge ports 68 (Fig. 2) is formed in the lower surface of the jacket 60 at positions on both sides of the to-be-treated material discharge port 24 formed in the container 8. As will be understood with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the protruded portion 26 of the container 8, to-be-treated material discharge port 24, upward-extended portion 30, exhaust port 38, manhole portion 52 and monitor window portions 56 extend outward penetrating through the jacket 60. with further reference to Figs. 2 and 3 together with Fig. 4, the heating means 58 in the illustrated embodiment further includes two heat-transfer fins 70 arranged in the container 8 at a distance in the lengthwise direction (right-and-left direction in Fig. 2). Each heat-transfer fin 70 is of the form of a hollow plate of nearly a semicircular shape, and is positioned in the lower half portion of the container 8, and is secured at its edges on both sides to the inner surface of the container 8 by a suitable means such as welding. The lower central portion of the heat-transfer fin 70 has a concave shape to define a flow path 72 between the bottom surface of the container 8 and the lower surface of the heat-transfer fin 70 to permit the to-be-treated material charged in the container 8 to pass. An inflow hole 73 is formed in an upper portion in one side surface of the heat-transfer fin 70, an outflow hole 74 is formed in the lower portion in the other side surface, the heating medium flows into the heat-transfer fin 70 from the flow space 62 through the inflow hole 73, and the heating medium flows out into the flow space 62 from the heat-transfer fin 70 through the outflow hole 74.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the stationary support frame 4 includes a base unit 76, and four support poles 78 extending substantially upwards from the base unit 76 at suitable distances in the direction of length (right-and-left direction in Fig. 2) and in the direction of width (right-and-left direction in Fig. 3). A pair of mounting brackets 80 is secured at a distance in the direction of width to the outer surface of the jacket 60 by a suitable means such as welding. To-be-supported portions 82 are formed on both sides of each of the mounting brackets 80 extending outward in the radial direction. The underside of the to-be-supported portions 82 is flat surface extending substantially horizontally. The to-be-supported portions 82 of the mounting brackets 80 are each mounted on the four support poles 78 of the stationary support frame 4 via resilient support means 84. Thus, the container 8 and the vibration member (comprising container 8, heating means 58 and vibration means that will be described later) mounted on the container 8 are resiliently supported on the stationary support frame 4. The resilient support means 84 may be constituted by a suitable resilient member such as a coil spring or pneumatic spring. A preferred example of the resilient member constituting the resilient support means 84 may be a resilient member in which a steel coil spring is buried in an elastomer, which is placed in the market by Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Komaki-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan in the trade name of "ELIGO". This resilient member exhibits a high damping characteristic resulted from the elastomer.
With further reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the pair of mounting brackets 80 has support portions 86 that extend downward while being inclined toward the right in Fig. 3. Vibration means 88a and 88b are mounted on the support portions 86 of the mounting brackets 80. The vibration means 88a and 88b in the illustrated embodiment are constituted by rotary shafts 90a and 90b rotatably mounted on the support portions 86 of the mounting brackets 80, and eccentric weights 92a and 92b secured to both ends of the rotary shafts 90a and 90b. The rotary shafts 90a and 90b extend substantially horizontally, and the eccentric weights 92a and 92b are of a semicircular shape. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a support plate 94 is arranged at one end of the stationary support frame 4 and an electric motor 96 is placed on the support plate 94. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, an output shaft of the electric motor 96 extending substantially horizontally is coupled to the rotary shaft 90a of the vibration means 88a through a universal joint 98a. The rotary shaft 90a of the vibration means 88a is connected to the rotary shaft 90b of the vibration means 88b through a universal joint 98b. When the electric motor 96 is energized, the eccentric weight 92a of the vibration means 88a and the eccentric weight 92b of the vibration means 88b are rotatingly driven in a direction indicated by an arrow 100 in Fig. 3.
Described below is an example of dry-treatment using the above-mentioned apparatus for treatment by vibration 2. First, the closure member 27 is removed to open the to-be-treated material charge port 22. The material which is to be dried, e.g., a powder having an average particle diameter of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 mm, is charged into the container 8 through the to-be-treated material charge port 22. It is desired that the volume of the to-be-treated material to be charged, i.e., the apparent volume of the to-be-treated material at a moment when it is charged is from about 65 to 80% and, particularly, from about 60 to 70% of the volume of the container 8, so that the to-be-treated material charged can be sufficiently satisfactorily vibrated. As is well known among people skilled in the art, the apparent volume of the to-be-treated material changes (usually decreases) when the to-be-treated material is dried. Then, the closure member 27 is mounted to close the to-be-treated material charge port 22, and the electric motor 96 is energized to rotate the eccentric weights 92a and 92b of the vibration means 88a and 88b at a predetermined speed in the direction of arrow 100.
With reference to Figs. 2 and 3 together with Fig. 5, the vibration member comprising the container 8 and means (i.e., heating means 58 and vibration means 88a, 88b) mounted thereon is vibrated when the eccentric weights 92a and 92b of the vibration means 88a and 88b are rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 100. As is well known among people skilled in the art, when the vibration means 88a and 88b are rotated at a predetermined speed, the center of gravity G of the vibration member circulates substantially along a circle 102 of a predetermined diameter (i.e., vibration pitch P). The center C of the container 8 undergoes an elliptic motion along an ellipse 104 having a long diameter which is the vibration pitch P, and a point L in the container 8 is linearly and reciprocatingly moved at a reciprocation width that is equal to the vibration pitch P. The rotational speed of the eccentric weights 92a and 92b (i.e., the number of vibration of the vibration member) may be, for example, from about 500 to about 1800 rpm. The vibration pitch P defined by the shape of the eccentric weights 92a and 92b may be, for example, from about 0.5 to about 10 mm.
As the container 8 is vibrated as described above, the to-be-treated material 106 contained in the container 8 is moved as indicated by arrows 108 in Fig. 5; i.e., the to-be-treated material 106 moves from the left lower side toward the right upper side and from the right upper side toward the left lower side in Fig. 5, and is caused to be present on the right side in a deviated manner to some extent in Fig. 5. The to-be-treated material 106 undergoes the stirring action while it is moving as described above. Besides, in the apparatus for treatment by vibration 2 constituted according to the present invention, the container 8 is constituted by the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 each having a diameter that gradually increases from the end of the minimum diameter toward the end of the maximum diameter. In the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 as shown in Fig. 6, the to-be-treated material 106 exists being deviated toward the side of the large diameter rather than the side of the small diameter, and the amount of the to-be-treated material 106 moving toward the right upper side in Fig. 5 increases on the side of the large diameter rather than on the side of the small diameter. Due to this, the upper surface of the to-be-treated material 106 is inclined downward from the end of the maximum diameter toward the end of the minimum diameter. Due to the inclination of the upper surface of the to-be-treated material 106, the to-be-treated material 106 moves in the upper part thereof from the end of the maximum diameter toward the end of the minimum diameter and moves in the lower part thereof from the end of the minimum diameter toward the end of the maximum diameter, as indicated by arrows 108 in Fig. 6. In the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10, too, the to-be-treated material 106 moves in the upper part thereof from the end of the maximum diameter toward the end of the minimum diameter and moves in the lower part thereof from the end of the minimum diameter toward the end of the maximum diameter, in a quite similar manner. Thus, as will be understood with reference to Fig. 5 together with Fig. 6, the to-be-treated material 106 is stirred while being moved in a required direction in transverse cross section (Fig. 5) and is stirred while being moved in a required direction in longitudinal cross section (Fig. 6), with the consequence that the to-be-treated material 106 is stirred sufficiently effectively. As will be understood with reference to Fig. 6, the heat-transfer fins 70 disposed in the container 8 tend to hinder the motion of the to-be-treated material 106 in the longitudinal direction to some extent. In order for the to-be-treated material 106 to be moved in the longitudinal direction to a sufficient degree, therefore, the heat-transfer fin 70 may be omitted.
With further reference to Figs. 2 and 3, when the electric motor 96 is energized to vibrate the container 8, the heating means 58 is energized simultaneously or subsequently thereto. That is, the source 66 for supplying the heating medium is actuated to introduce the heating medium which may be the water vapor into the flow space 62 through the introduction port 64, whereby the heating medium flows through the flow space 62 and further flows through the heat-transfer fins 70. Thereby, the to-be-treated material 106 (Figs. 5 and 6) is heated through the wall of the container 8 or through the walls of the heat-transfer fins 70. When the heating medium is the water vapor, the condensed water is drained from the flow space 62 through the discharge ports 68. Simultaneously with, or subsequent to, the energization of the electric motor 96, the vacuum means 40 starts operating to evacuate the interior of the container 8. Vapor generated as a result of heating the to-be-treated material 106 is evacuated from the container 8 to promote the drying of the to-be-treated material 106. Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a change in the temperature of the to-be-treated material 106 and a change in the degree of vacuum in the container 8 during the operation of the apparatus for treatment by vibration 2. The temperature of the to-be-treated material 106 can be detected by a temperature detector (not shown) disposed at the lower portion of the container 8. The degree of vacuum in the container 8 can be conveniently detected by attaching a pressure tube (not shown) to the container 8 through a flexible hose (not shown) and measuring the degree of vacuum in the pressure tubing by using a vacuum gauge (not shown). When the to-be-treated material 106 is dried as desired, the temperature of the to-be-treated material 106 approaches the temperature of the heating medium introduced into the flow space 62 through the introduction port 64, and the degree of vacuum in the container 8 reaches a predetermined degree of vacuum.
After the temperature of the to-be-treated material 106 and the degree of vacuum in the container 8 have reached predetermined values, the electric motor 96 is deenergized, and the heating means 58 and the vacuum means 40 are stopped to be operated. Thereafter, the valve means 28 is opened, and the to-be-treated material 106 in the container 8 is discharged through the to-be-treated material discharge port 24, valve means 28 and flexible hose 29. The to-be-treated material discharge port 24 is disposed at the lowermost end in the boundary region between the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12 of the container 8, that is, at the lowermost end in the portion of the maximum diameter of the first truncated circular conical cylinder 10 and also at the lowermost end in the portion of the maximum diameter of the second truncated circular conical cylinder 12, and the bottom surface of the container 8 is inclined downward toward the to-be-treated material discharge port 24. Therefore, the to-be-treated material 106 in the container 8 smoothly flows in the container 8 and is discharged through the to-be-treated material discharge port 24. In discharging the to-be-treated material 106, as required, the electric motor 96 may be energized to vibrate the container 8 in order to promote the discharge of the to-be-treated material 106.
Fig. 8 illustrates a modified embodiment of the apparatus for treatment by vibration constituted according to the present invention. In the apparatus for treatment by vibration 202 shown in Fig. 8, the barrel of the container 208 includes a first truncated circular conical cylinder 210 of which the diameter gradually increases in a predetermined direction (toward the right in Fig. 8) from an end of a minimum diameter to an end of a maximum diameter and a second truncated circular conical cylinder 212 which is continuous to the end of the maximum diameter of the first truncated circular conical cylinder 210 and of which the diameter gradually decreases in the predetermined direction from the end of the maximum diameter to an end of a minimum diameter, as well as a third truncated circular conical cylinder 211 that is continuous to the end of the minimum diameter of the second truncated circular conical cylinder 212 and extends in the predetermined direction up to an end of a maximum diameter, and a fourth truncated circular conical cylinder 213 which is continuous to the end of the maximum diameter of the third truncated circular conical cylinder 211 and of which the diameter gradually decreases in the predetermined direction from the end of the maximum diameter to an end of a minimum diameter. The first truncated circular conical cylinder 210 and the second truncated circular conical cylinder 212 are symmetrical to the third truncated circular conical cylinder 211 and the fourth truncated circular conical cylinder 213 concerning the boundary surface between the second truncated circular conical cylinder 212 and the third truncated circular conical cylinder 213. The to-be-treated material charge port 222 is disposed on the upper surface in the boundary region between the second truncated circular conical cylinder 212 and the third truncated circular conical cylinder 211. The to-be-treated material discharge ports 224 are disposed at the lowermost end in the boundary region between the first truncated circular conical cylinder 210 and the second truncated circular conical cylinder 212 and also at the lowermost end in the boundary region between the third truncated circular conical cylinder 211 and the fourth truncated circular conical cylinder 213. The cylindrical upward-extended portions 230 containing the filter means 234 are arranged in a number of two on the upper surface of the container 208 in the direction of length at a distance. Four mounting brackets 280 are disposed in relation to the first truncated circular conical cylinder 210, second truncated circular conical cylinder 212, third truncated circular conical cylinder 211 and fourth truncated circular conical cylinder 213. The four mounting brackets 280 are placed on the support poles 278 of the stationary support frame 204 via a resilient support means (not shown), respectively. Vibration means 288a, 288b, 288c and 288d are respectively mounted on the four mounting brackets 280. In other respects, the constitution of the apparatus for treatment by vibration 202 shown in Fig. 8 may be substantially the same as that of the apparatus for treatment by vibration 2 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.
Though preferred embodiments of the apparatus for treatment by vibration constituted according to the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that the invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments only and can be modified or altered in a variety of ways without departing from the scope of the invention.
In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the container has a plurality of truncated circular conical cylinders, but it may have a single truncated circular conical cylinder. It is further allowable to use a container having a truncated polygonal conical cylinder instead of the truncated circular conical cylinder. In the illustrated embodiment, furthermore, the vibration means is mounted at a position displaced to one side in the direction of width from the center axis of the container. However, the position for mounting the vibration means can be arbitrarily selected according to the manner of imparting vibration to the container. For example, a rotary eccentric weight may be arranged on one side of the container and a balancing weight may be disposed on the other side of the container as done in the vibration means in the vibration mill disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,570,848. It is further allowable to use vibration means of any other suitable form such as vibration means of the form that includes a linearly reciprocating weight instead of using the vibration means of the form that includes a rotary eccentric weight. Though the illustrated embodiments use the heating means of the form that circulates the heating medium, it is also allowable to use the heating means based on the induction heating or the heating means of a suitable form such as the one which utilizes a chemical reaction, instead of, or in addition to, the above-mentioned heating means.

Claims

An apparatus for treatment by vibration (2; 202) comprising

a container (8; 208) extending substantially horizontally and having a to-be-treated material charge port (22; 222) and a to-be-treated material discharge port (24; 224),

a resilient support means (84) for resiliently supporting said container (8; 208) and

a vibration means (88a, 88b; 288a, 288b, 288c, 288d) for vibrating said container (8; 208), characterized in that

at least part of said container (8; 208) is of a truncated conical cylindrical shape extending substantially horizontally.
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to claim 1, characterized in that said truncated conical cylindrical shape is circular.
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said to-be-treated material discharge port (24; 224) is disposed at the lowermost end in a portion of a maximum diameter, that is the portion of said container (8; 208) of said truncated conical cylindrical shape.
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to claim 2, characterized in that said container (8; 208) includes a first truncated circular conical cylinder (10; 210) of a truncated circular conical shape which extends substantially horizontally and of which the diameter gradually increases in a predetermined direction from an end of a minimum diameter to an end of a maximum diameter, and a second truncated circular conical cylinder (12; 212) which, continuing to the end of the maximum diameter of said first truncated circular conical cylinder (10; 210), extends substantially horizontally and of which the diameter gradually decreases in said predetermined direction from an end of a maximum diameter to an end of a minimum diameter, said first truncated circular conical cylinder (10; 210) and said second truncated circular conical cylinder (12; 212) being symmetrical to each other concerning the boundary surface between the two.
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to claim 4, characterized in that said to-be-treated material discharge port (24; 224) is disposed at the lowermost end in the boundary region between said first truncated circular conical cylinder (10; 210) and said second truncated circular conical cylinder (12; 212).
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said vibration means (88a, 88b; 288a, 288b, 288c, 288d) moves the center of gravity of a vibration member comprising said container (8; 208) and means that is mounted on said container (8; 208) and is vibrated together with said container (8; 208), substantially along a circle.
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said truncated conical cylinders (10, 12; 210, 212) are tapered at an angle of from 5 to 40 degrees.
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said truncated conical cylinders (10, 12; 210, 212) are tapered at an angle of from 10 to 30 degrees.
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said container (8; 208) is equipped with a heating means (58) for heating the to-be-treated material (106) charged in said container.
An apparatus for treatment by vibration according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said container (8; 208) is equipped with a vacuum means (40) for evacuating the interior of said container (8; 208).