EP3202489B1 - Device for homogenizing and/or dispersing flowable products - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for homogenizing and / or dispersing flowable products of all types and shapes, such as. B. liquids, powders or solid-liquid mixtures according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

In the cosmetic, pharmaceutical or chemical industry, a large number of the most varied of liquid, pasty or solid substances are mixed with one another or with one another in order to produce flowable products in particular, such as creams, ointments or pastes. The mixtures of substances produced from a wide variety of starting materials and often in the form of emulsions or dispersions sometimes already form a finished, salable end product. Under certain circumstances, these substance mixtures are also used as a starting product for possible further processing. In order to be able to produce such mixtures of substances, which are often in the form of an emulsion or dispersion, devices for homogenizing and / or dispersing preferably flowable products are used, with which a preferably homogeneous mixture of substances is generally to be produced from the starting materials to be mixed with one another. The substance mixtures produced can also be in the form of a powder phase to which a binder is only added afterwards.

Devices of the aforementioned type are used, for example, for homogenizing and / or dispersing flowable or powdery products which a closed container, such as an agitator container. The various solid, flowable or liquid starting materials are introduced into the container and processed into a product with a preferably homogeneous structure with the aid of, for example, an agitator arranged in the interior of the container. Out DE 299 17 365 U1 For example, such a device for homogenizing a flowable product is known which has a container with an agitator arranged in the interior of the container. In addition to the agitator inside the container, a pumping and / or mixing device is connected to the container. With the aid of this pumping and / or mixing device, shear forces are also applied to the product conveyed by the pumping and / or mixing device. In addition, a uniform distribution of the starting materials used to form the product is achieved in the mixture of substances to be produced. In the DE 299 17 365 U1 The pump-mixing device described has a rotor / stator arrangement for homogenizing / dispersing the product.

Out EP 1 125 625 B1 Furthermore, a homogenizing device for homogenizing flowable substances is known which has a container with a homogenizer connected to the container. The homogenizer comprises two rotors which can be driven by means of a drive device and which can each be driven independently of one another. The disclosed rotor / rotor arrangement allows the rotors to move in the same or in opposite directions. The known rotor / stator arrangements and rotor / rotor arrangements each have non-contacting interlocking component sections, which increases the shear stress on the product that flows through such an arrangement. The rotor / rotor or rotor / stator thus have component sections lying on a plane extending approximately perpendicular to their axis of rotation. Mixing a powdery additive into a liquid phase or mixing different powdery starting materials within a pure powder phase cannot be implemented with such a pumping and / or mixing device.

It is also off DE 2017562 A or U.S. 2,668,694 A a mixer or a stirring device for, for example, the suspension of solids in liquids is known. The mixing or stirring device comprises a container within which two coaxially guided shafts are arranged, wherein mixing blade units or paddle wheels can be arranged at different heights and driven independently of one another.

DE 1141517 refers to a device for mixing and homogenizing substances. The device comprises a container within which two star bodies are arranged above the container base with arms pointing upwards at an angle.

DE 10 2009 044 205 A1 or JP S6447432 A each relates to a mixing device with a container and two mixing wheels which can be driven from above by means of an agitator in the container. The mixing wheels can be driven in opposite directions.

DE 3520039 A1 discloses a mixing device with a mixing container within which two separately drivable agitators are arranged. US 2010/071219 A1 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1 and relates to a household mixer with a stirring container and two cutting elements arranged on a common drive shaft at different heights.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a pumping and / or mixing device of the type mentioned above, which is improved and / or with which a powdery substance can be mixed in in a simplified manner and an improved homogeneity in the mixture of substances, even in the case of preferably purely powdery phases Way is achievable.

The invention solves the problem on which it is based in a device for homogenizing and / or dispersing flowable products, in particular emulsions or dispersions, of the type indicated at the outset, according to the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the pumping and / or mixing device is above the container bottom arranged, wherein the offset between the rotor elements designed as mixing parts is selected such that a shear gap extending in one plane is formed. With the help of the axially spaced apart rotor elements designed as mixing parts, the distance between which defines the size of the shear gap, a uniform distribution of the starting materials in a purely powdery product is ensured, in which a binder is only added afterwards, i.e. after a uniformly mixed powder mixture has been produced . As a result of the spacing between the rotor elements, which preferably results in the axial direction, at least one gap is formed between the rotor elements, with which the shear forces can be exerted on the starting products to be mixed. With such a gap, which preferably runs in a plane between the axially spaced apart rotor elements, also referred to as a shear gap, a purely powdery substance mixture can preferably be further broken up in an advantageous manner. Compared to two rotor elements, which interlocking Have sections or areas, an enlarged shear gap is formed between the mixing parts. This type of configuration also decisively improves the homogeneity of the product to be manufactured.

According to the invention, the axes of rotation of the first and second rotor elements are arranged essentially parallel, preferably coaxially. Preferably, the coaxial arrangement of the axes of rotation provides an advantageously congruent alignment or arrangement of the first and second rotor elements with respect to one another. This results in an even shear stress on the flowable product moved at least by means of the pump and / or mixing device according to the invention, preferably over the entire circumference of the two rotors. In addition, a compact and therefore space-saving arrangement of the first and second rotor element is achieved. The axes of rotation preferably run in the vertical and essentially perpendicular to a horizontal plane as a mounting surface for the pumping and / or mixing device

In addition, according to the invention, the first rotor element is coupled to a first drive shaft and the second rotor element is coupled to a second drive shaft, which can be driven by means of various drive devices, one of the drive shafts preferably being designed as a hollow shaft. The provision of separate drive shafts for driving the first and second rotor elements, which are preferably rotationally coupled to a first and a second drive device, ensures an independent drive of the first rotor element relative to the second rotor element. The first and second rotor elements can preferably be driven in the same direction, ie having the same direction of rotation, or in opposite directions, ie having different directions of rotation. In addition, it is also possible to individually adapt the speeds of the first and second rotor elements. The design of a drive shaft as a hollow shaft also has the advantage that both rotor elements are mechanically driven from one side with respect to their axes of rotation. This further improves the compactness of the pumping and / or mixing device according to the invention.

According to a preferred development of the device according to the invention, the axial offset between the first and the second rotor element can be changed. The distance is preferably adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the axes of rotation, whereby in one embodiment of the invention the gap, in particular the shear gap, between the first and second rotor element is individually tailored to the flowable product to be processed can be matched. Depending on the given viscosity of the flowable product to be mixed or conveyed, the distance between the first and second rotor element is increased or decreased. To change the axial offset between the first and second rotor elements, the position of at least one of the rotor elements on a correspondingly assigned drive shaft is changed.

This is achieved, for example, with the aid of spacer sleeves of different lengths, by means of which the position of the first rotor element on the associated drive shaft can be changed. In an alternative embodiment, one of the first and second drive shafts with the first or second rotor element respectively fixedly arranged thereon in the axial direction is displaced in the axial direction relative to the other drive shaft in each case. The first or second drive shaft is preferably coupled to a corresponding axial adjustment unit.

In an embodiment not according to the invention, the first rotor element is designed as an axial pump wheel and / or the second rotor element is designed as a radial pump wheel. In one embodiment, the first rotor element is used to convey the flowable product in the longitudinal direction of the rotor axis of the first rotor element. Alternatively or optionally, the second rotor element is designed as a radial pump wheel. With the help of the radial pumping wheel, the flowable product is deflected in the direction of movement by approximately an angle of 90 degrees. The flowable product, which is preferably sucked in parallel to the axis of rotation of the second rotor element, is deflected by means of the radial pump wheel so that it is discharged or discharged essentially uniformly over the circumference of the rotating second rotor element in an approximately radial direction to its axis of rotation. In the configuration of the pumping and / or mixing device with an axial pumping wheel and a radial pumping wheel, the distance or offset between the first and second rotor element is preferably selected such that it corresponds to at least about a fifth of the diameter of the first or second rotor element.

In an embodiment not according to the invention, the first rotor element has a plurality of conveying vanes projecting essentially radially from the axis of rotation, which are designed to preferably bring about a first conveying movement of the product in the direction of the second rotor element. The first rotor element has, in particular, three, four, five or more conveyor vanes, which preferably run radially to the axis of rotation of the first rotor element. There is a conveying movement of the to homogenizing / dispersing flowable product in the direction of the second rotor element, which is preferably arranged below the first rotor element. In the axial direction, the conveyor wings preferably have a curved course or a curved wing shape. In addition, an effective conversion of the rotary movement of the first rotor element into a conveying movement of the product with a primarily axial movement component is ensured.

In an embodiment not according to the invention, the second rotor element has a plurality of conveyor blades which are set up to bring about a second conveying movement of the product with a radial movement component towards the outside. The second rotor element, here a radial pump wheel, preferably has an axial, preferably centrally arranged inlet for the product to be moved and, in particular, to be homogenized. The inlet of the second rotor element faces the first rotor element, the first rotor element preferably being arranged above the second rotor element. The outlet of the second rotor element is provided on the circumferential surface of the second rotor element. To implement the second, radial conveying movement of the product, the second rotor element has a plurality of conveying blades in the area of its outer circumference. The conveyor blades preferably have a curved profile or have a shape which essentially corresponds to a section of a spiral extending outward from the axis of rotation.

In an embodiment not according to the invention, the second rotor element is assigned a stator with a plurality of stator elements through which the product passes during the second conveying movement generated with the second rotor element. This results in improved shear stress and preferably homogeneous mixing of the product emerging from the second rotor element. Powder-like additives, which are introduced into a preferably liquid or pasty product, can be broken up in a simplified manner with the aid of the stator assigned to the second rotor element. The stator is assigned to the periphery of the second rotor element, preferably to the outer periphery and thus to the outlet of the second rotor element. With its stationary stator elements, the stator thus forms a flow resistance for the conveyed product. The stationary stator elements preferably extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the second rotor element.

In an embodiment not according to the invention, the interior of the housing has a flow area in the conveying direction between the first rotor element and the second rotor element with a flow cross-section that decreases, preferably in the direction of flow. It is thereby achieved that the flow velocity within the pump and / or mixing device, which preferably has a housing, is increased. The introduction of an additive into the conveyed product stream is thus simplified. In addition, by means of the decreasing flow cross-section, the axial inlet area for the second rotor element, which is preferably designed as a radial pump wheel, is generated. The housing is also spatially divided into two housing areas by the flow cross-section decreasing in the direction of flow. The housing is preferably designed in at least two parts, with each housing part preferably forming at least one of the housing areas each receiving a rotor element. In one embodiment, the housing has a funnel-shaped inlet opening upstream of the first rotor element in the direction of flow.

According to the invention, the first and second rotor elements, which are designed as a mixing part, each have two or more mixing blades. With the aid of the mixing parts, which are movable relative to one another and preferably rotate in opposite directions, the shear stress can advantageously be increased, particularly in the case of a powdery product, such as powder materials. As a result, the powdery but flowable product is optimally broken up in the gap between the rotor elements designed as mixing parts. With the mixing parts arranged at a distance from one another, the uniformity of the thorough mixing of the flowable product is preferably further improved. A circulation of the flowable product is preferably not implemented with the rotor elements designed as mixing parts.

According to another development of the invention, it is provided that the shear gap between the mixing parts, in particular the mixing blades, has a gap dimension that is in the range of approximately 2 to 25 mm. The shear gap preferably has a gap dimension in the range between 5 and 20 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the size of the shear gap between the mixing parts is designed to be variable.

According to the invention, the first and the second rotor element each have two or more mixing blades running essentially radially to the axis of rotation. With the help of the mixing blades formed on the rotor elements, a shear force is preferably applied at different levels within the flowable product counter-rotating rotor elements generated. This further improves the shear stress in the product and the associated mixing of the product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and the second rotor element have mixing blades of different lengths and a different number of mixing blades. Furthermore, the mixing blades of the first and second rotor elements can have a purely radial orientation. Preferably, at least a section of the mixing vanes, in relation to the axis of rotation, can have a curved profile in the direction of the axis or movement or extend at an angle other than 90 °. Preferably, projections or teeth can be formed on the mixing blades, which protrude or protrude on the mixing blades in the circumferential direction, in the tangential direction and / or in the axial direction. A circumferential shear gap is preferably also formed between the first and second rotor element.

On the pumping and / or mixing device according to the invention, the first rotor element additionally has a plurality of mixing blades that are inclined at an angle to its axis of rotation. The additional mixing blades preferably run at an angle in the range from approximately 5 to 85 degrees, preferably in a range from approximately 20 to 55 angular degrees, inclined to the axis of rotation on the first rotor element. The additional mixing blades are arranged on the side of the first rotor element which faces away from the second rotor element of the pumping and / or mixing device according to the invention. These mixing blades, which are aligned obliquely to the axis of rotation, can also have projections or teeth.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the inclined agitator blades are arranged in a plane at a distance above the mixing blades of the first and second rotor elements that define the shear gap. The spacing of the inclined agitator blades, with which a conveying direction of the material mixture is preferably effected in the direction of the shear gap, avoids a disadvantageous influence on the mixing process in the area of the shear gap between the relatively movable mixing parts with their mixing blades. The inclined agitator blades are preferably arranged on a plane which is at a distance from the mixing blades of the first rotor element in the range from approximately 50 mm to approximately 150 mm. The agitator blades forming a type of agitator part are in particular rigidly connected to the first rotor element and its mixing blades extending essentially radially to the axis of rotation of the first rotor element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixing blades and the stirring blades of the first and second rotor elements are preferably designed as rod elements with a polygonal cross section, the rod elements preferably having a trapezoidal cross section. The rod elements on the first and second rotor elements with their preferably square cross-section bring about a preferably homogeneous mixing of, in particular, a purely powdery material mixture. With the polygonal cross-section of the rod elements, the shear stress in the material mixture is further increased. The mixing blades of the first and second rotor elements preferably have surfaces running parallel to one another and define a preferably trapezoidal cross section of the rod elements on the first and second rotor element. In a preferred embodiment, in particular the smaller or narrower surfaces of the mixing blades of the first and second rotor elements that run parallel to one another face one another. These mutually facing surfaces of the mixing blades define the size of the shear gap. The stirring parts have rod elements with a preferably quadrangular, substantially rectangular cross-section, the cross-section changing in the direction of extension of the stirring blades in one embodiment.

In an embodiment not according to the invention, the pumping and / or mixing device is arranged in a section of the circulation line which is directly assigned to an outlet opening of the container formed on the container bottom. The inlet opening of the pumping and / or mixing device is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the outlet opening of the container or the inlet opening of the pumping and / or mixing device forms the outlet opening of the container. The rotor elements of the pumping and / or mixing device are preferably arranged directly below the container bottom. The center axis of the outlet opening is preferably arranged coaxially to the center axis of the container, whereby a uniform discharge of the flowable product from the interior of the container is ensured. The circulation line, in particular its pressure side, which leads from the outlet opening of the housing of the pump and / or mixing device back to the container, is connected to a side wall of the container in a fluid-conducting manner. The inlet opening into the container is provided or arranged, for example, in the upper half of a section of the side wall of the container. The inlet for the circulation line can, however, also be provided at a different location, for example in a lower section of the side wall or at the bottom of the container

A rotating agitator with a plurality of agitator parts that can move relative to one another is preferably arranged within the container. With the aid of an agitator, the entire amount of product in the container can advantageously be kept in motion. This preferably counteracts any segregation of the product within the container and thus maintains its homogeneity. Preferably, an agitator, such as an anchor agitator or a coaxial agitator, is used with at least two agitator parts which are movable relative to one another and which can also be moved relative to the container. Each stirring part preferably has a plurality of displacement elements arranged in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis of the container, also referred to as mixing blades. The product in the container is set in motion with the displacement elements, the formation of a vortex inside the container being avoided by the agitating parts rotating preferably in opposite directions to one another. The axes of rotation of the stirring parts are preferably arranged coaxially or at least parallel to the central axis of the container. Both stirring parts are preferably each assigned a separate drive device with which the stirring parts can be moved independently of one another.

Fig. 1:

eine Ansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Homogenisieren und/oder Dispergieren;

Fig. 2:

eine Ansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung im Teilschnitt;

Fig. 3:

eine Teilansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 4:

eine Teilansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsmäßen Vorrichtung im Teilschnitt;

Fig. 5:

eine Teilansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einem Rührwerk im Teilschnitt;

Fig. 6:

eine Teilansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einem Rührwerk im Teilschnitt;

Fig. 7:

eine Ansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Pump- und/oder Mischeinrichtung;

Fig. 8:

eine Ansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Pump- und/oder Mischeinrichtung;

Fig. 9:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Pump- und/oder Mischeinrichtung; und

Fig. 10:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Pump- und/oder Mischeinrichtung;

Fig. 11:

eine Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Pump- und/oder Mischeinrichtung;

Fig.12:

eine Teilansicht des ersten Rotorelements mit einem Rührflügel aus Fig. 11;

Fig. 13:

eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung im Teilschnitt, und

Fig.14:

eine Teilansicht der Ausführungsform der Pump- und/oder Mischeinrichtung gemäß der Einrahmung in Fig. 13.

The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of possible exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Here show:

Fig. 1:

a view of a device not according to the invention for homogenizing and / or dispersing;

Fig. 2:

a view of a device not according to the invention in partial section;

Fig. 3:

a partial view of a device not according to the invention;

Fig. 4:

a partial view of an embodiment of an inventive device in partial section;

Fig. 5:

a partial view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention with an agitator in partial section;

Fig. 6:

a partial view of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention with an agitator in partial section;

Fig. 7:

a view of a pumping and / or mixing device not according to the invention;

Fig. 8:

a view of a pumping and / or mixing device not according to the invention;

Fig. 9:

a perspective view of a pumping and / or mixing device not according to the invention; and

Fig. 10:

a perspective view of a further embodiment of a pumping and / or mixing device according to the invention;

Fig. 11:

a view of a further embodiment of a pumping and / or mixing device according to the invention;

Fig. 12:

a partial view of the first rotor element with an agitator from Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 13:

a view of an embodiment of a device not according to the invention in partial section, and

Fig. 14:

a partial view of the embodiment of the pumping and / or mixing device according to the frame in FIG Fig. 13 .

Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for homogenizing and / or dispersing flowable products, which has a container 2, also referred to as a stirred container. The suction side of a pump and / or mixing device 6 is connected to the container 2 via a discharge line 4, starting from the container 2, the pressure side of which is in turn connected to the container 2 in a fluid-conducting manner via a supply line 8. The outflow and supply lines 4, 8 form a circulation line via which a flowable product located in the container 2 can be circulated at intervals or continuously. The inlet 10 of the discharge line 4 is coupled to the container bottom 12, and the outlet 14 of the supply line 8 is coupled to the side wall 16 of the container 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the arrows 18, 18 'indicate the direction of flow of a product located in the container 2 during a pumping and / or mixing process.

The pumping and / or mixing device 6 is set up separately from the container 2 and forms a so-called stand-alone variant. The pumping and / or mixing device 6 comprises two drive devices 20, 22 which drive the pumping and / or mixing elements (not shown in more detail), as described in more detail below. The input or filling of starting materials for producing a flowable product to be produced inside the container 2 takes place via filling and input openings, not shown in detail, which are provided or arranged in particular in the upper region of the container. A finished product is drained or dispensed via drain openings, not shown, in particular in the container bottom 12, or via a branch (not shown in greater detail) on the circulation line or on the in FIG Fig. 1 Pump and / or mixing devices shown and described in detail in the following figures.

In Fig. 2 a device 1 'is shown which has a container 2', in the container bottom 12 of which an outlet opening 24 is provided, below which a pumping and / or mixing device 6 'is arranged directly. The outlet opening 24 on the container bottom 12 simultaneously forms the inlet opening 25 of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 '. The outlet opening 26 of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 'is connected in a media-conducting manner to the side wall 16 of the container 2' via a circulation line 28, whereby a circuit for circulating a product in the container 2 'is formed. The arrows 18, 18 'in turn indicate the direction of flow of the mixture received within the container.

The pumping and / or mixing device 6 ′, which is partially shown in section, has a housing 30 in which a first rotor element 32 and a second rotor element 34 are arranged. The first rotor element 32 is coupled to the first drive device 20, and the second rotor element 34 is mechanically, in particular rotationally, coupled to the second drive device 22. First rotor element 32 and first drive device 20 are coupled to one another via a first drive shaft 36. The second rotor element 34 is coupled to the second drive device 22 via a second drive shaft 38. Both drive shafts 36, 38 are arranged coaxially, the second drive shaft 38 being designed as a hollow shaft within which the first drive shaft 36 is rotatably supported. The first and second rotor elements 32, 34 are driven separately from one another, so that the rotor elements can be driven in the same direction or in opposite directions and, moreover, can be moved at different speeds. How Fig. 2 clarified, the rotor elements 32, 34 have an axial offset to one another in the longitudinal direction of their axes of rotation. The first and second rotor elements are thus arranged at a distance from one another. In addition, an addition line 60 is arranged on the housing 30 of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 ′, via which the addition or introduction of solid, liquid or pasty addition substances can take place. Arrow 39 indicates the direction of flow of the additive in the direction of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 '.

In Fig. 3 a further embodiment of a device 1 ″ is shown, which comprises a container 2 ″ to which no circulation line for a product is connected. A pumping and / or mixing device 6 "is arranged on the container bottom 12 in such a way that the pumping and mixing elements are arranged inside the container. The pumping and / or mixing device 6" has a first rotor element 32 'and a second rotor element 34'. on. The first and second rotor elements 32 ', 34' are corresponding to those in FIGS Fig. 2 shown embodiment via the drive shafts 36, 38 with a first drive device 20 and a second drive device 22 mechanically coupled. The first and the second rotor element 32 ′, 34 ′ can be driven as desired by means of the drive devices 20, 22. Thus, the speed of rotation and the direction of rotation of the rotor elements 32 ', 34' can be changed. By changing the direction of rotation of the first and second rotor element, the conveying direction of the mixture within the container 2 ″ is also changed.

The product is circulated within the container 2 "by means of the pumping and / or mixing device 6". The first rotor element 32 'is designed as an axial pump wheel, and the second rotor element 34' is designed as a radial pump wheel. The first and second rotor elements 32 ', 34' are axially spaced from one another with respect to their axis of rotation. The first rotor element 32 'has a plurality of conveying vanes 40, 40' projecting radially to the axis of rotation, which are designed to effect a conveying movement of the product or the mixture in the longitudinal direction of its axis of rotation and thus in the direction of the second rotor element 34 '. The second rotor element 34 'comprises a plurality of curved conveyor blades 42, 42' ( Fig. 7 ), which are set up to effect a conveying movement of the product in the radial direction outward, based on its axis of rotation. The first and second rotor elements 32 ', 34' arranged inside the container 2 ″ rotate in particular in opposite directions to one another, as a result of which the creation of a vortex inside the container is counteracted Fig. 3 In addition, it is clear that the pumping and / or mixing device 6 ″ is flanged to the container bottom 12.

In Fig. 4 a fourth embodiment of a device for homogenizing and / or dispersing flowable products is shown. The device 1 '"has an inherently closed container 2'" without a circulation line. In the embodiment shown, a pumping and / or mixing device 6 '"is again arranged directly above the container bottom 12 of the container 2'". The pumping and / or mixing device 6 ′ ″ in turn has a first rotor element 32 ″ and a second rotor element 34 ″, which at least partially protrude into the interior of the container 2 ′ ″.

In contrast to the in Fig. 3 In the embodiment shown, this embodiment has first and second rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ designed as mixing parts. The rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ have two or more mixing blades 44, 44 ′ which protrude at least essentially in the radial direction from the axes of rotation of the first and second rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″. Furthermore, the first rotor element 32 "additionally has a plurality of, preferably two, agitator blades 46, 46 'which are inclined at an angle to its axis of rotation and which extend in the direction of the interior of the container 2'" protrude. Such rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ designed as mixing parts are used for mixing powdery products. The first and second rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ also have an axial offset to one another, which is selected such that a shear gap 47 extending in one plane is formed, into which no areas or sections of the rotor elements protrude. The shear gap 47 formed between the first and second rotor element 32 ″, 34 ″ has a gap dimension which is in the range of approximately 2 to 25 mm.

Similar to the previous exemplary embodiments, the first and second rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ designed as mixing parts can be driven in opposite directions as well as in the same direction and at varying speeds by means of the drive devices 20, 22. The first and second rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ are mechanically connected to the respective drive devices 20, 22 via a drive shaft 36, 38 that is correspondingly mechanically coupled to the rotor elements. The second drive shaft 38 is in turn designed as a hollow shaft, in the free interior of which the first drive shaft 36 is rotatably arranged.

The Figures 5 and 6th show alternative exemplary embodiments of a device 1 '"according to the invention, which optionally comprise an agitator 48, 48' in addition to the rotor elements 32", 34 "designed as mixing parts. With the aid of the agitators 48, 48 ', a product located in the container 2'" is in the The whole thing kept moving. The agitator 48 ( Fig 5 ), which is designed as an anchor agitator, comprises a stirring part 50 whose axis of rotation is aligned coaxially to the central axis of the container 2 '". Furthermore, the agitator 48 comprises at least two stirring parts 52, 52' whose axes of rotation are evenly spaced around the axis of rotation The stirring parts 50, 52, 52 'have a plurality of displacement elements 54, 54'. The displacement elements 54, 54 'of the stirring parts 52, 52' move without contact between the displacement elements 54, 54 arranged at different heights 'of the stirring part 50. The displacement elements 54, 54' of the two stirring parts are offset in height relative to one another.

The agitator 48 'of the in Figure 6 1 '"has two coaxially guided stirring parts 56, 56', each with displacement elements 58, 58 'arranged thereon. The displacement elements 58, 58' are arranged at intervals in height one above the other on a respective stirring part 56, 56 ' During the relative movement, the displacement elements 58, 58 'of the second stirring part 56' run into the spaces between the displacement elements 58, 58 'of the first agitating part 56 the stirring parts 56, 56 'through. The displacement elements 58, 58 'of the two stirring parts 56, 56' rotating in opposite directions in one embodiment are offset in height relative to one another. Above the container bottom 12 of the container 2 '"is in both in the Figures 5 and 6th In the illustrated embodiments, a pumping and / or mixing device 6 '"is provided, which comprises rotor elements 32", 34 "designed as stirring parts. The rotor elements 32", 34 "are driven similarly to the previously described embodiments via drive shafts coupled to the rotor elements, which with the drive devices 20, 22 are rotationally connected.

In the Figures 7 and 8 are detailed views of the Fig. 1 and 2 Shown embodiments of the pumping and / or mixing device 6, 6 'shown. The pumping and / or mixing device 6, 6 'comprises a housing 30 with an inlet opening 25 and an outlet opening 26. The inlet opening 25 is provided with, for example, a discharge line 4 ( Fig. 1 ) or forms the outlet opening 24 of the container 2 '( Fig. 2 ). The first and second rotor elements 32, 34 of the pumping and / or mixing devices 6, 6 ′ are arranged inside the housing 30. The first and second rotor elements 32, 34 are axially offset from one another in the longitudinal direction of their axes of rotation. The first rotor element 32 with its conveyor blades 40, 40 'is thus axially spaced from the second rotor element 34 with its conveyor blades 42, 42'. The distance is at least approximately one fifth of the diameter of the first or second rotor element 32, 34.

In a preferred embodiment, the distance or the axial offset between the first and second rotor element can be changed. As the Figures 7 and 8 furthermore show, a feed opening 60 ′ or feed line 60 for introducing or adding an additive into the mixture or product flowing through the housing 30 is arranged within the housing 30. The feed opening 60 ′ or feed line 60 is arranged in a radial wall section 61 of the housing 30, which is adjacent to the first rotor element. Furthermore, the interior of the housing in the conveying direction between the first rotor element 32 with its conveying vanes 40, 40 'and the second rotor element 34 has a flow area 62 with a decreasing flow cross-section.

The interior of the housing 30 is divided into two chambers 64, 64 'by the narrowing flow area 62. How Figures 7 and 8 Furthermore, it is clear that the housing 30 is designed in two parts, each chamber 64, 64 'of the housing 30 being produced from a separate component. In Fig. 7 is the second rotor element 34 with his A stator 66 with a plurality of stator elements 68, 68 'is assigned to conveyor blades 42, 42'. The mixture or the product flows through the stator 66 during the second conveying movement generated by the second rotor element in an approximately radial direction to the axis of rotation of the second rotor element.

In the Fig. 8 The embodiment shown does not include a stator associated with the second rotor element 34. With the in Fig. 8 The pump and / or mixing device 6 'shown is, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment, off Fig. 7 a reduced shear stress of the product which is conveyed through the housing 30 is achieved. From the Figures 7 and 8 the mechanical coupling between the first rotor element 32 and the first drive shaft 36 as well as the second rotor element 34 and the second drive shaft 38 is also illustrated.

Fig. 9 FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the particular in FIG Fig. 3 The illustrated rotor elements 32 ', 34' of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 ". The first rotor element 32 'is arranged at a distance from the second rotor element 34'. The first rotor element, designed as an axial pump wheel, has several, preferably two to five, conveyor vanes 40, The conveying vanes 40, 40 'are inclined in the axial direction, so that when the first rotor element 32' rotates, a conveying movement of the product immediately surrounding the rotor element 32 'is implemented in the axial direction At the outer end, the conveyor wings 40, 40 ′ are connected to one another via a ring part 70.

The second rotor element 34 'is arranged below the first conveying element 32'. The second rotor element 34 'has a plurality of curved conveyor blades 42, 42', which have a course directed in the radial direction and in the circumferential direction. A stator 66 is arranged adjacent to the outer circumference of the second rotor element 34 'and has a plurality of stator elements 68, 68' arranged at predetermined distances from one another. By means of the conveyor blades 42, 42 'moving relative to the stator 66, the product to be circulated is conveyed through the existing slots 72 between the stator elements 68, 68'.

Fig. 10 shows a detailed representation of the rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″, which are used as mixing parts for mixing a product which is preferably present as a pure powder phase. The first and second rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ each have a plurality, preferably two, essentially in the radial direction to the axis of rotation of the rotor elements 32 ", 34" protruding mixing blades 44, 44 '. On the first rotor element 32 ″, the also in Fig. 4 shown additional agitator blades 46, 46 ', which in the embodiment shown extend at an angle in the range of about 20 ° to 25 ° inclined to the axis of rotation of the first rotor element 32 ". The first and second rotor element 32" and 34 "are arranged to one another, that a continuous shear gap 47 is formed between the two rotor elements for the product to be mixed. The gap dimension is approximately in the range between 2 and 25 mm, preferably in the range between 5 and 20 mm the second rotor element 34 "is connected to the second drive shaft 38 ( Fig. 4 and 6th ) mechanically coupled.

Fig. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ designed as mixing parts, which are used for thorough mixing of a material mixture which is preferably present as a pure powder phase or a product to be manufactured. The first and second rotor elements have four mixing vanes, 44, 44 ′, which preferably protrude essentially radially to the axis of rotation of the rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″. The rotor elements 32 ″, 34 ″ preferably each have four mixing blades, it being possible for the number of mixing blades 44, 44 ′ on the rotor elements to be different.

How further from Fig. 11 In one embodiment, the stirring blades 46, 46 'on the first rotor element 32 "can be seen in a plane at a distance of approximately 50 to 150 mm above the mixing blades 44, 44' on the first rotor element 32". Preferably, three inclined agitator blades 46, 46 'are provided, wherein, as shown in FIG Fig. 12 As can be seen, the agitator blades extend at an angle α in the range from 20 to about 45 degrees to the axis of rotation R of the first and rotor element 32 ". The distance between the agitator blades and the mixing blades of the first rotor element 32" can be changed in particular via an exchangeable spacer 78.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mixing blades 44, 44 'and the stirring blades 46, 46' are preferably designed as rod elements with a polygonal cross section. The rod elements in particular have a square cross-section, the mixing blades 44, 44 'having a trapezoidal cross-section. In the in Fig. 11 The embodiment shown, the mixing blades 44, 44 'are arranged to one another in such a way that the mutually parallel surfaces 80, 80' on the rotor elements 32 ", 34" in a plane parallel to the mutually parallel surfaces 80, 80 'of the respective other second or first rotor element 34 ", 32" run. In particular, the smaller of the surfaces 80 ′ of the first and second rotor elements, which respectively run parallel to one another, are facing each other and define the shear gap 47 between the mixing blades 44, 44 '.

In Fig. 13 is an alternative embodiment to that in Fig. 2 shown device 1 'for homogenizing and / or dispersing flowable products. The device 1 'has a container 2' with an outlet opening 24 which is coupled in a fluid-conducting manner to a pumping and / or mixing device 6 '. The pumping and / or mixing device 6 ′ immediately downstream of the outlet opening comprises, as in the previous embodiments, a first rotor element 32 and a second rotor element 34. The rotor elements 32 and 34 are driven via the respective corresponding drive devices 20, 22. The first rotor element 32 is primarily designed as an axial pump wheel and the second rotor element 34 is designed as a radial pump wheel. A circulation line 28 is connected to the outlet opening 26 of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 ′, which in the embodiment shown opens into an upper section of the side wall 16 of the container 2 ′. The direction of flow of the circulated mixture is indicated by the arrows 18, 18 '. The circulation line 28 can also be connected in a fluid-conducting manner to other regions of the container, such as, for example, a lower section of the side wall 16 of the container 2 ′ or the container base 12.

In addition to the in Fig. 2 A bypass line 74 is also provided with its metering line 60 arranged on the housing 30. With the bypass line 74, a fluid-conducting connection is established between a cylindrical wall section 61 of the housing 30 and a section of the circulation line 28. The discharge opening of the bypass line 74 is approximately the same distance between the inlet opening 25 and the outlet opening 26 of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 'arranged.

In Fig. 14 FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 'from FIG Fig. 13 pictured. How Fig. 14 shows, the addition line 60 for entering additive substances and the bypass line 74 are connected to a cylindrical wall section 61 of the housing 30, which, viewed in the axial direction of the pumping and / or mixing device 6 ', is essentially between the first and the second rotor element 32, 34 is arranged. In particular, a partial flow (arrow 76) of the product flow flowing through the pumping and / or mixing device is branched off from the chamber 64 by means of the bypass line 74 and does not come into contact with the second rotor element 34, i.e. the second chamber 64 'and the second rotor element 34 immediately, in the Circulation line 28 passed. The delivery flow (arrow 39) of the additive in the addition line 60 and the fluid flow of the partial product flow (arrow 76) that bypasses the second rotor element through the bypass line 74 can be controlled or adjusted via actuating means, such as control valves, not shown in detail. Similar or identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

List of reference symbols

1, 1 ', 1 ", 1'"

contraption

2, 2 ', 2 ", 2'"

container

4th

Derivation

6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'"

Pumping / mixing device

8th

Supply line

10

inlet

12th

Container bottom

14th

Outlet

16

Side wall

18, 18 '

Flow direction mixture

20, 22

Drive device

24

Outlet opening

25th

Inlet opening

26th

Outlet opening

28

Circulation line

30th

casing

32, 32 ', 32 "

first rotor element

34, 34 ', 34 "

second rotor element

36.38

drive shaft

39

Flow direction of the additive

40, 40 '

Conveyor wing

42, 42 '

Conveyor shovel

44, 44 '

Mixing blades

46, 46 '

Impeller

47

Shear gap

48, 48 '

Agitator

50, 52, 52 '

Stirring part

54, 54 '

Displacement element

56, 56 '

Stirring part

58, 58 '

Displacement element

60

Addition line

60 '

Feed opening

61

Wall section

62

Flow range

64, 64 '

chamber

66

stator

68, 68 '

Stator element

70

Ring part

72

slot

74

Bypass line

76

Partial flow

78

Spacers

80, 80 '

Surfaces

Claims (7)

1. Device for homogenising and/or dispersing flowable products, in particular of emulsions or dispersions, having
   at least one container (2, 2', 2", 2"') for receiving a product, and a pump- and/or mixing device (6, 6', 6", 6'") for conveying, homogenising and/or dispersing flowable products, having
   a first rotor element (32, 32', 32") which is mounted rotatably about a first axis of rotation and can be actuated by means of an actuation device (20), and
   a second rotor element (34, 34', 34") which is mounted rotatably about a second axis of rotation and can be actuated by means of an actuation device (22),
   the axes of rotation of first and second rotor element (32, 32', 32", 34, 34', 34") extending essentially parallel to each other, preferably being disposed coaxially,
   the first rotor element (32, 32', 32") and the second rotor element (34, 34', 34") having, relative to the axes of rotation thereof, an axial offset relative to each other,
   the pump- and/or mixing device (6", 6'") being disposed in the inner region of the container above the container base (12),
   the offset between the rotor elements (32", 34") configured as mixing parts being chosen such that a shear gap (47) which extends in one plane is configured,
   the first and second rotor element (32", 34") respectively having two or more mixing blades (44, 44') which extend essentially radially relative to the axis of rotation, and the first rotor element (32") having in addition a plurality of agitation blades (46, 46') which extend inclined at an angle relative to the axis of rotation thereof, characterised in that the first rotor element (32, 32', 32") is coupled to a first actuation shaft (36) and the second rotor element (34, 34', 34") is coupled to a second actuation shaft (38) which can be actuated by means of different actuation devices (20, 22).
2. Device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that one of the actuation shafts (38) is configured as a hollow shaft.
3. Device according to at least one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the axial offset between the first and second rotor element (32, 32', 32", 34, 34', 34") can be changed.
4. Device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the shear gap (47) has a gap size which is in the range of approx. 2 to 25 mm.
5. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the angularly extending agitation blades are disposed in a plane at a spacing above the mixing blades (44, 44'), defining the shear gap, of first and second rotor element (32", 34").
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the mixing blades (44, 44') and the agitation blades (46, 46') of first and second rotor element (32", 34") are configured preferably as bar elements having a polygonal cross-section, these preferably having a trapezoidal cross-section.
7. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that inside the container (2"') there is disposed a rotating agitator (48, 48') with a plurality of agitator parts (50, 52, 52', 56, 56') which are movable relative to each other.

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