FR3065900A1 - MANUFACTURE OF RUBBER MIXTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

In the field of tire production, the invention relates to methods for selectively producing one or more production sequences of a rubber blend composition according to a rubber compounding recipe selected from the blend recipes. rubber from a generic masterbatch. The common ingredients between several mixing recipes (with the exception of vulcanizing ingredients) are introduced at an internal mixer (22), producing a common masterbatch which is suitable for mixing with complementary ingredients selected at the level of an internal mixer (22). a second mixer (302). Thus, the differentiation of the rubber compounding recipes is made only at the second mixer 302.

Description

® Agent (s): MANUF FSE PNEUMATIQUES MICHELIN Limited partnership with shares.

FR 3 065 900 - A1 ® MANUFACTURE OF RUBBER MIXTURE.

(© In the field of tire production, the invention relates to methods for selectively producing one or more production sequences for a rubber compounding composition according to a rubber compounding recipe chosen from rubber mixing from a generic masterbatch. The common ingredients between several mixing recipes (with the exception of vulcanizing ingredients) are introduced into an internal mixer (22), producing a common masterbatch which is suitable for mixing with complementary ingredients chosen at a second mixer (302), thus the differentiation of rubber mixing recipes is made only at the second mixer 302.

-1 MANUFACTURE OF RUBBER MIXTURE

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates generally to the production of rubber mixtures and vehicle tires prepared therefrom. More particularly, the invention relates to the production of a rubber mixture using a rubber mixing recipe chosen from rubber mixing recipes coming from a generic masterbatch.

CONTEXT

In the manufacture of tires, it is required that the tire has various performances (for example reduced rolling resistance, better wear resistance, comparable grip in wet and dry conditions, estimated mileage, etc.). Tires are therefore composed of different types of rubber mixtures having properties essential to the functioning of the tire itself.

To ensure that a marketable tire exhibits expected performance, a rubber blend can be selected from a variety of rubber blends, each having different ingredients mixed in different amounts and derived from a variety of production sequences. Depending on the expected characteristics, such sequences can be performed once, twice or even several times.

For example, in application FR2978370, the applicant discloses a method for selectively producing one or more sequences for producing a rubber compounding composition according to a chosen rubber compounding recipe. The rubber mixture which is chosen for production in a given mixing cycle can be obtained selectively from a production sequence which is carried out only once (hereinafter called "single pass" sequence) or a sequence of production which is carried out twice or more (hereinafter called "multipass" sequence). A multi-pass sequence may include one or more successive passes through at least part of the equipment before a final pass. The rubber mixture can thus be produced from a predefined recipe selected from a plurality of rubber mixture mixing recipes capable of being produced either by a single pass sequence or by a sequence

-2multipassage.

Although multiple types of rubber mixtures are envisaged in the tire production processes, there is a choice and an optimized location of the equipment which makes it possible to adapt to the choices of the sequence of production of rubber mixture. Optimal productivity is therefore possible, while simplifying a change in the rubber mixing recipe.

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for selectively producing one or more sequences for producing a rubber mixture composition according to a rubber mixing recipe chosen from rubber mixing recipes from a generic masterbatch. . During the process, the step of providing a system comprising a series of rubber mixture production plants which carries out single-pass and multi-pass rubber mixture production sequences is carried out, each rubber mixture production plant allowing 'execution of at least one rubber compound production process. During the process, an initial mixing process is carried out to make the generic masterbatch at an initial mixing facility, the mixing process comprising at least one internal mixer which mixes one or more common ingredients between several recipes. rubber mixing, other than a crosslinking system. During the process, the step of passing the generic masterbatch is carried out to a complementary mixing installation comprising a second internal mixer which mixes the generic masterbatch and complementary ingredients chosen according to the chosen recipe, including the crosslinking. During the process, a complementary mixing process is carried out at the complementary mixing installation. During the process, the step is carried out of sequentially directing a rubber mixture to at least one installation for producing rubber mixture according to the chosen rubber mixture recipe.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of providing a means of transportation for making the step of sequentially directing the rubber mixture to at least one rubber mixture production facility according to the rubber mixture recipe chosen.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the step

- 3 to carry out a cooling process at a mixing and cooling installation, and the step to carry out an end of line process at an end of line installation.

In certain embodiments, the mixing and cooling installation comprises at least one external mixer having a pair of cylinders to transform the rubber mixture into a continuous sheet, at least one spraying installation having one or more booms positioned at the level of each of an upper spraying station and a lower spraying station, each boom being in communication with a water and air supply source for supplying water and air to one or more nozzles at the water flow rate and at the predetermined air pressure, and at least one suction installation having one or more suction hoods positioned downstream of each manifold, each suction hood being in communication with an air supply source for the suction at the predetermined air flow, so that during the cooling process the mixing and ref coarse spraying the continuous web and evacuating the air containing the evaporated water to produce the rubber mixture at target values of temperature and addition of water before the additional mixing process.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of producing a rubber mixture having a temperature not exceeding 180 ° C during the initial mixing process and the step of producing a rubber mixture having a temperature not exceeding step 110 ° C during the additional mixing process.

In some embodiments, the end-of-line process is selected from profiling, sampling, processing, cooling, palletizing, and storing the rubber mixture.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, during the mixing and cooling process, the step of transforming the rubber mixture into a continuous web, the step of spraying water onto the continuous web at a rate of predetermined water, and the step of evacuating the sprayed water with an air suction source, so that the rubber mixture reaches target values of temperature and addition of water before the complementary mixing process . In some embodiments, a target value of the temperature of the rubber mixture is about 70 ° C, and a target value of the water content of the rubber mixture

-4 rubber does not exceed about 0.20% by mass of the rubber mixture.

In certain embodiments, the method further comprises positioning a retractable transport means for carrying out the complementary mixing process at the end of which the rubber mixture will be transferred towards the end of the line, or positioning the retractable means of transport for transfer to the end-of-line installation without carrying out the additional mixing process.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of selectively transferring the rubber mixture to a preselected rubber production facility.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of selecting the rubber blend from a variety of rubber blends derived from recipes for one or more rubber production sequences including single pass and multi pass sequences .

The invention also relates to a system intended to implement the recited processes.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and the various advantages of the invention will become more evident on reading the following detailed description, together with the appended drawings, in which the same reference numbers designate identical parts everywhere, and in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary system for the production of rubber mixtures according to examples of the rubber mixture production process of the invention.

FIG. 2 represents a schematic view of an example of a mixing and cooling installation and of an example of an optional evacuation station which are used with the system of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 shows the system of Figure 1 in an example of a single pass rubber composition production sequence.

Figures 4 and 5 show the system of Figure 1 during successive passes and the last pass respectively of an example of production sequence of

- 5 multi-pass rubber composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, in which the same numbers identify identical elements, FIG. 1 shows an example of a system 10 for producing one or more rubber mixtures to be incorporated in one or more vehicle tires. It is envisaged that the system 10 allows the production of a rubber mixture having various and varied properties as determined by the performance requirements of the resulting tire.

System 10 includes a series of rubber compound production plants which together define one or more rubber blend production sequences. Each rubber compound production facility allows for the execution of at least one rubber compound production process. A rubber blend is obtained and directed sequentially to one or more of the rubber blend production facilities according to a variety of rubber blend mixing recipes. The system 10 can allow the sequential execution of rubber mixture production processes until the resulting mixture has the desired properties, which properties are variable and adaptable according to the rubber mixture mixing recipe.

Still referring to Figure 1, among the rubber compound production facilities provided with the system 10, there is an initial mixing facility 20 which performs an initial mixing process. The mixing installation 20 comprises at least one internal mixer 22 having a chamber 24 of a predefined filling volume. The internal mixer 22 comprises one or more mixing blades (not shown) which ensure the penetration of ingredients into an elastomeric matrix. The internal mixer 22 can be selected from a variety of commercially available mixers.

In an initial step A, both for single-pass and multi-pass sequences (see FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5) carried out at the level of the initial mixing installation 20, the internal mixer 22 receives an elastomeric material 27 (for example, an natural rubber, a synthetic elastomer and combinations and the like) and one or more ingredients, such as one or more processing agents 29, protective agents 31 and reinforcing fillers 33. The ingredients may

-6also include carbon black or silica in variable amounts depending on the desired performance for the tire. It is obvious that other ingredients can be introduced into the internal mixer 22 with the exception of the vulcanization ingredients (for example, crosslinking) which are introduced later in the sequence. Thus, the internal mixer 22 allows the introduction of the raw materials, common between several rubber mixing recipes, other than the crosslinking system, and their mixing to produce a generic masterbatch of a mixture. rubber.

In a next step B for both single-pass and multi-pass sequences (see FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5) also carried out at the level of the initial mixing installation 20, an internal mixer 22 which mixes the elastomeric material and ingredients to obtain a rubber mixture from these. The initial mixing process uses general mixing techniques as is known in the art. In some processes, mixing takes place at a temperature not exceeding 180 ° C.

Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a rubber mixture 108 obtained from the initial mixing plant 20 is transported to a mixing and cooling plant 100 for carrying out a mixing process and cooling down there. The mixing and cooling installation 100 is a rubber mixture production installation which comprises at least one external mixer having a pair of cylinders 110. Each cylinder 110 has an axis of rotation and the cylinders are arranged in a mutual manner opposite so that the axes of rotation are parallel to each other. The cylinders 110 may have identical diameters and lengths to ensure uniform and reproducible performance during successive mixing cycles. The speed ratio between the two cylinders can be 1: 1 or a different ratio. In certain embodiments, it is possible to vary the speed of rotation of the cylinders.

A cylinder 110 or both may have fluid cooling means as is known in the art. After the initial mixing process carried out at the initial mixing installation 20, the system 10 passes the rubber mixture 108 between the cylinders 110 to form a continuous ply 112 having a selected thickness and width.

The mixing and cooling installation 100 also comprises at least one upper spraying station 102 and a spraying station

-7inferior 104 which are both integrated into a spraying installation which sprays water and a suction installation. The spraying installation comprises one or more respective booms 124, 126 positioned at each of the upper and lower spray stations. Each boom is in communication with a water and air supply source for supplying water and air to one or more nozzles at a predefined water flow rate. The suction installation comprises one or more respective extraction hoods 134, 136 positioned downstream of each boom. Each extractor hood is in communication with an air supply source for air extraction. The addition of water through the ramps 124, 126 charges the ambient air with moisture. The air containing the evaporated water is drawn in to prevent the introduction of water into the rubber mixture. Each combination of boom and extractor hood serves as a spray control point that optimizes the cooling of rubber mixtures 108 throughout the production line.

In a step C, for both single-pass and multi-pass sequences (see FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5) carried out at the level of the cooling installation 100, the cylinders 110 transform a rubber mixture 108 into a continuous sheet 112 which then travels along a predefined route. The predefined path comprises one or more continuous means of transport (for example one or more conveyor belts or equivalent means of transport). For the example of mixing and cooling installation 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, the predefined path is formed at least in part by a continuous belt 114 positioned at the upper spraying station 102 and another continuous belt 116 positioned at the lower spraying station 104. The belts 114, 116 are driven at least by an upper roller 118 and a lower roller 120 of larger relative diameter. One or more auxiliary rollers 122 can complete the guidance of the belts 114, 116 as is known in the art. Although the belts 114, 116 are described as separate means of transport, a single continuous belt can replace them.

In step C, the rubber mixture 108 flows through the carpet 114 in a direction for treatment at the upper spray station 102. The carpet 114 transports the rubber mixture 108 between the cylinders 110 to form a sheet 112. Continuous 112. The mat 116 circulates the web in one direction for treatment at the lower spray station 104. Based on the unique properties of the rubber mixture 108, each boom 124, 126 sprays

- 8 water at a predefined flow and each respective extractor hood 134, 136 draws air. The addition of water through the ramps 124, 126 charges the ambient air with humidity and promotes heat extraction during mixing. The purpose of the suction is to limit condensation and therefore prevent the introduction of water into the rubber mixture 108. Each combination of ramp and suction hood optimizes the cooling and homogenization of the rubber compounding before the start of a subsequent rubber composition production process.

Each boom 124, 126 must be configured to provide a flow rate of water spray as determined by the selected rubber mixture mixing recipe. In some processes, the preset water circulation rate can be from about 70 liters / hour to about 400 liters / hour. Likewise, each extractor hood 134, 136 must be configured to provide a predefined air flow rate as determined by the selected rubber mix recipe. In some processes, the air intake is selected at a level ranging from about 5000m ³ / h to about 30 000m ³ / h.

The water circulation rate and the air intake can vary as long as the circulation rates provided give the rubber mixture target values for temperature and addition of water before adding the crosslinking ingredients. For example, if, after an elapsed time, the temperature of the rubber mixture is higher than an expected target temperature, the water flow rate (for example, as delivered by ramp 124 or ramp 126) can be adjusted to a higher rate than that which would be delivered at a lower temperature. In some processes, the target temperature of the rubber mixture is around 70 ° C, at which temperature the predictability and reproducibility of the process are obtained. In some processes, a target value of adding the water content of the rubber mixture does not exceed about 0.20% by mass of the rubber mixture.

The adjustment of the water circulation rate can be performed alone or in combination with an air intake adjustment (for example by the extractor hood 134 or the extractor hood 136). Since successful adjustments are made over time, such adjustments can be repeated to ensure that the addition of any rubber mixture to water is limited to the target value of that mixture. This value is ensured before the subsequent addition of vulcanization ingredients. Such control allows predictable and reproducible mixing cycles with reduced cycle times and this can import surrounding atmospheric conditions.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the web 112 (which comprises an amount of the generic masterbatch) is transported to a transport installation 200 which performs the selective transfer of the web 112 to an installation for the production of composition of preselected rubber. The transport installation 200 comprises an optional evacuation station 206 comprising a spraying installation and a suction installation for carrying out an auxiliary cooling process as described above with respect to the mixing and cooling installation 100 As further illustrated in Figure 2, the optional discharge station 206 includes at least one boom 224 having nozzles which are positioned to spray the web 112 at a predefined water circulation rate. The ramp 224 comprises a configuration comparable to that described above with respect to the ramps 124, 126. At least one extractor hood 226 is downstream from the ramp 224 and includes a configuration comparable to that described above with respect to the extractor hoods 134, 136. The extractor hood 226 is positioned to extract air after spraying by the boom 226.

When the optional evacuation station 206 performs additional cooling of the water table, the ramp 224 sprays water thereon before the air containing the evaporated water is sucked in by the extractor hood 226. cooling process carried out at the optional discharge station 206 ensures that the rubber mixture has an acceptable temperature and addition of water for sequential execution of a process in a single-pass or multi-pass sequence. In other words, the tablecloth has properties suitable for the execution of a subsequent process, regardless of whether the process is part of a single-pass sequence or a multi-pass sequence.

In a step D, both single-pass and multi-pass sequences (see FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5), carried out at the level of the transport installation 200, a means of transport such as a discharge conveyor 240 transports the sheet 112 from the mixing and cooling installation 100 to a retractable transport means 250 or a transport means 252 which are available at the transport installation 200. In certain sequences, the ply 112 is maintained at the level of the transport installation 200 before the execution of a subsequent process. The sequential direction of the rubber composition to a preselected rubber compound production facility depends on the selected blend recipe. In this way, the system 10 makes it possible to benefit from the advantages of both the sequences

- 10monopassage and multipassage while allowing to make a selection between the two.

The preselected rubber mixture production installation is selected from a complementary mixing installation 300 which performs a complementary mixing process and an end of line installation 400 which performs at least one end of line process. The complementary mixing installation 300, which makes it possible to carry out both the single-pass and multi-pass sequences, comprises a second internal mixer 302 being a mixer with or without a pestle comprising a chamber 304 of a predefined filling volume. In certain embodiments, the mixer 302 has a volume approximately twice that of the internal mixer 22 positioned at the level of the initial mixing installation 20. The second internal mixer 302, which comprises one or more mixing blades (not as shown in the art, can be selected from commercially available mixers.

The end-of-line facility 400, which is used for both single and multi-pass sequences, includes equipment to perform an end-of-line process. This end-of-line process can be selected from profiling, sampling, processing, cooling, palletizing, and storing the rubber mixture. The equipment that is installed to carry out the end-of-line process can be combined with other end-of-line equipment as required.

With further reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the retractable transport means 250 can be positioned for selective transfer to the complementary mixing installation 300 or for selective transfer to the end-of-line installation 400. from step D of a single-pass sequence (see FIG. 3), the retractable transport means 250 extends towards the transport means 240 to allow the uninterrupted transport of the sheet 112 to the complementary mixing installation 300. these sequences, the retractable means of transport 250, either alone or in combination with another means of transport, conveys the rubber mixture for the execution of a complementary mixing process.

Referring further to FIG. 4, during step D of a multi-pass sequence, and in particular for one or more successive passages (i.e. passages thereof before the last passage) , the retractable transport means 250 withdraws from the transport means 240 for the uninterrupted transport of the sheet 112 towards the end-of-line installation 400. The transport means 252 carries out the selective transfer by bypassing the mixing installation complementary 300 and transporting the

- 11 tablecloth 112 directly to the end-of-line installation 400. The choice between a single-pass or multi-pass sequence therefore determines whether the retractable transport means 250 is positioned for bypassing the complementary mixing installation.

System 10 allows the elimination of nonconforming mixtures in both the single and multi-pass sequences. Although the processes reduce any possibility of wastage, in the event that the material is non-compliant (for example, due to a malfunction of a mixing process), the system can prevent the material from reaching the installation. complementary mixing 300. Consequently, additional wastes of energy and time are avoided while the advantages of the different production sequences of rubber compound are preserved.

Another advantage of the configuration described is to allow the production of certain mixtures with similar properties compared to the same mixtures obtained with known processes (such as internal mixer and external mixer) while optimizing the amount of energy supplied to the mixture and his rubber mixing recipe.

Referring further to FIG. 5, during step D of a multi-pass sequence and in particular for the last pass thereof, the retractable transport means 250 extends towards the transport means 240 for transport uninterrupted from the web 112 to the complementary mixing installation 300. At this stage, the rubber mixture has already been transferred to the end of line installation 400 and subjected to the execution of an end of line process. In certain multi-pass sequences having successive passes before the last pass, the rubber mixture returns to the start of another sequence at the initial mixing installation 20 (for example, starting from step B of the figure 4). In certain multi-pass sequences, one or more rubber mixes are available at the end-of-line installation 400. One or more of these mixes can be extracted and combined during a subsequent pass (for example by starting from step B of figure 4). For such sequences, the optional disposal station 206 performs additional cooling steps to ensure that the addition of water and the temperature of any rubber mixture is limited to the target values before the introduction of vulcanizing ingredients during the complementary mixing process.

In a step E both of a single-pass sequence (see FIG. 3) and of a last pass of a multi-pass sequence (see FIG. 5), carried out at the level of the complementary mixing installation 300, the mixer 302 receives one or more complementary ingredients (e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing ingredients) which form the crosslinking system and any additional elastomers and additives required (e.g. complementary elastomers and / or materials to be recycled 309, protective agents 311 and crosslinking agents 313). The process makes it possible to use fillers chosen from the group consisting of carbon blacks, silicas, kaolin, chalk, synthetic organic fillers, natural organic fillers and their mixtures. It is obvious that other complementary ingredients (for example, oils) can be introduced into the mixer 302 and added to the masterbatch. In some processes, the additional ingredients include at least one of sulfur and one or more accelerators. The mixer 302 allows mixing at low temperature (e.g., a temperature that does not exceed 110 ° C during the additional mixing process) and the modification of the physical characteristics of the feed. The vulcanizing products are introduced into the mixer 302 to complete the mixing with the required properties. Preferably, the method according to the invention is used to optimize the productivity of an installed line because the mixer 302 works well filled, preferably with a filling coefficient which can exceed 70%.

The common ingredients between several mixing recipes (with the exception of vulcanization ingredients), introduced at the level of the internal mixer 22, produce a common masterbatch, which is adapted during step E to carry out mixing with ingredients selected at the second mixer 302. Thus, the differentiation of rubber mixing recipes is made at the second mixer 302. For example, rubber mixing recipes from a common masterbatch are made as described in the table below:

By way of example, the following comparative results have been obtained for rubber compositions as described in the table below, in which the same numbers identify identical elements in the figures and in which:

MI: internal mixer

ME: external mixer

MB: masterbatch

- 13 These examples are provided by way of explanation and not limitation of the invention described. Those skilled in the art will understand that various combinations of the masterbatch and complementary ingredients can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Recipe 1 Recipe 2 Recipe 3 Recipe 4 Composition Place of introduction Place of introduction Place of introduction Place of introduction Elastomer A XX MI22 XX MI22 XX MI22 XX MI22 Elastomer B X MI302 X MI302 Charge A XX MI22 XX MI22 XX MI22 XX MI22 Charge B X MI302 X MI302 Products Chemical X MI22 X MI22 X MI22 X MI22 Plasticizer X MI302 Vulcanizing X MI302 X MI302 X MI302 X MI302

TABLE 1

In this example, elastomer A, filler A and chemicals are common ingredients across all recipes. Elastomer A and filler A are introduced into the internal mixer 22 to make a masterbatch. The masterbatch derived from the internal mixer 22 is ready to be mixed with complementary ingredients at the second mixer 302 according to a rubber mixing recipe chosen from recipes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Recipe 1 Recipe 2 Recipe 3 Recipe 4 Composition Place of introduction Place of introduction Place of introduction Place of introduction Elastomer A XX MI22 XXX XX - MI22 X - MI302 XX MI22 XXX XX - MI22 X - MI302 Elastomer B Charge A XX MI22 XX MI22 XXX XX - MI22 X - MI302 XXX XX - MI22 X - MI302 Charge B Products Chemical X MI22 X MI22 X MI22 X MI22 Plasticizer X MI302 Vulcanizing X MI302 X MI302 X MI302 X MI302

TABLE 2

In this example, elastomer A, filler A and chemicals are common ingredients across all recipes. To make rubber mixtures with desired properties, recipes 2 and 4 use more elastomer A than

- 14 other recipes, and recipes 3 and 4 use more charge A than other recipes. For each recipe between recipe 2 and recipe 4, the same recipe is made until the addition of an additional part (X) of the elastomer at the level of the second mixer 302. For each recipe between recipe 3 and recipe 4, the same recipe is made until the addition of an additional part (X) of the charge A at the second mixer 302.

The invention makes it possible to obtain a great flexibility of the installation without changing the equipment and to reduce the constraints linked to the storage of mixtures. For example, we can improve the flow forecasts and the space required for pallets in storage. The invention also makes it possible to increase the variety of materials and while optimizing the energy aspects which can be obtained by the process (for example, fluidity optimized or adapted to the chosen elastomers, level of cooling of the first mixture, etc.).

In a step F, both of a single-pass sequence (see FIG. 3) and of a last pass of a multi-pass sequence (see FIG. 5), carried out at the level of the complementary mixing installation 300, the mixer 302 performs the complementary mixing process. During this process, the mixer 302 mixes the web 112 with the complementary ingredients to effect the mixing of all the ingredients. During the evacuation of the web 112 in the additional mixer, the rubber mixture has already reached the target values for temperature and addition of water.

During the complementary mixing process, the temperature of the rubber mixture is regulated as is known in the art (for example by adjusting the speed of the mixing blades of the mixer 302, using a low fill factor, etc.). In certain methods, the temperature of the mixture in the chamber 304 is regulated so as not to exceed approximately 120 ° C. before the evacuation of the rubber mixture in the end-of-line installation 400. In certain methods, this temperature is regulated so as not to exceed about 110 ° C.

In a step G of both a single-pass sequence (see FIG. 3) and a multi-pass sequence (see FIGS. 4 and 5), carried out at the end of line installation 400, an end process line can be performed as is known in the art. For single-pass sequences, step G is carried out after the completion of the complementary mixing process by the complementary mixing installation 300 (see steps F and G of FIG. 3). For multi-pass sequences, step G is carried out after the mixing and

- cooling carried out by the installation 100 and without going through the additional mixing process carried out by the additional mixing installation 300 (i.e., after the transfer of the web 112 from the evacuation station optional 206) (shown in Figure 4). For multi-pass sequences, step G is repeated after the execution of the complementary mixing process at the complementary mixing installation 300 (shown in step G of FIG. 5).

Thus, during the multi-pass sequences and before the last pass of these, the sheet 112 is transferred to the end-of-line installation 400 without passing from the sheet to the mixer 302. This by-pass of the complementary mixing installation avoids any contamination of the rubber mixture with a crosslinking residue which could remain present in the chamber 304. Although the complementary ingredients are deliberately selected to effect effective crosslinking, contamination with crosslinking residues is preferably avoided for recipes in which the rubber mixture requires additional treatment (for example at one or more of an end-of-line installation 400, a mixing and cooling installation 100 and an optional discharge station 206) .

The system 10 includes a means of transport which sequentially directs the rubber mixture to one or more of the rubber mixture production facilities. As used herein, the term "means of transport" refers to one or more means of transport such as belts 114, 116, 240, 402, to the transport facility 200, to the retractable means of transport 250 at aux equivalent and complementary means of transport. It is obvious that the means of transport is not limited to continuous belts and that other means of transport can be used for this purpose, without departing from the scope of the invention. The means of transport can be "endless" (ie without interruption) for at least one running sequence and can travel endlessly through one or more successive sequences.

The invention contemplates the creation of rubber compound production plants in which the rubber compound production processes are carried out selectively according to a chosen rubber compounding recipe (for example by one or more controllers). These examples of rubber compounding plants can follow a programmed sequence. For example, a central control center 230 (illustrated in FIG. 2) may have been programmed with data established for a plurality of rubber compounds,

- 16 each with a unique mixing cycle profile (for example a single-pass sequence or a multi-pass sequence). The additional data may include at least a predefined water circulation rate to be delivered for each boom, an air intake for each extractor hood, a target temperature of the rubber mixture after an elapsed time and addition of water target of the rubber mixture.

One or more sensors and / or types of sensors may optionally be used, including, but not limited to, environmental sensors (for example, to detect atmospheric conditions such as temperature, pressure and / or humidity before initiation of a mixing cycle) and verification sensors (for example to detect a deviation from a prohibited sequence). In this way, the invention allows an increase in the number and variety of rubber mixes produced depending on the tire to be manufactured.

While a tire can benefit from a rubber mixture whose properties are influenced by a production sequence of single-pass rubber mixture, another tire can benefit from a rubber mixture whose properties are influenced by a production sequence of multi-pass rubber compound. Comparable ingredients can be used during both types of sequences and can therefore be made on equipment that includes various other undisclosed processes. Such equipment can incorporate additional beneficial rubber mixture processing processes without adversely affecting the quality of the resulting rubber mixture and ultimately the performance of the final product.

It is obvious that one or more steps in a selected single-pass or multi-pass sequence can be carried out at a fixed time and for a fixed period of time. To support the modularity of the production capacity, one or more of the systems can be installed in a common installation with start-ups of certain stages which are staggered between the stations (for example a process of cooling a system can start within a delay predefined wait time after the start of a cooling process by another system in the same installation). The invention likewise includes balancing one or more steps or one or more processes in the same system. The start time for one or more steps can be staggered relative to a start time for other steps in the same sequence. One or more stages may end upon the start of a subsequent stage or may otherwise have their extended durations

- 17until the conclusion of a stage carried out consecutively.

The properties of the rubber mixture are checked not only by the ingredients selected for a given rubber mixture, but also by the order of introduction as well as by all possible intermediate stages. Since the configuration of the system 10 remains static regardless of whether a single pass or multi pass sequence is performed, a wide selection of rubber mix mixing recipes becomes available which are suitable for the manufacture of tires. In this sense, the system makes it possible to produce rubber mixtures from recipes with single-pass sequences or with recipes 10 with multi-pass sequences without the need for separate equipment.

The ranges that are presented as "between a and b" include the values "a" and "b".

Although particular embodiments of the disclosed apparatus have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes, additions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, no limitation should be imposed on the scope of the invention described with the exception of those set out in the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. Method for selectively producing one or more sequences for producing a rubber mixture composition according to a rubber mixing recipe chosen from rubber mixing recipes from a generic masterbatch, during from which the following steps are performed: to provide a system (10) comprising a series of rubber mixture production installations (20, 100, 200, 300, 400) which carries out single-pass and multi-pass rubber mixture production sequences, each mixture production installation rubber (20, 100, 200, 300, 400) allowing the execution of at least one rubber mixture production process; performing an initial mixing process to make the generic masterbatch at an initial mixing facility (20), the mixing process comprising at least one internal mixer (22) which mixes one or more common ingredients among several rubber mixing recipes, other than a crosslinking system, to pass the generic masterbatch to a complementary mixing facility (300) comprising a second internal mixer (302) which mixes the generic masterbatch and selected complementary ingredients depending on the recipe chosen, including the crosslinking system; carrying out a complementary mixing process at the complementary mixing installation (300); and sequentially directing a rubber mixture to at least one rubber mixture production installation (20, 100, 300, 400) according to the chosen rubber mixture recipe. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a means of transportation (114, 116, 200, 240, 250) for the step of sequentially directing the rubber mixture to at least one production facility rubber compound (20, 100, 300, 400) according to the rubber compound recipe chosen. 3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the following steps: to carry out a cooling process at a mixing and cooling installation (100); and perform an end of line process at an end of line facility (400). 4. Method according to claim 3, in which the mixing and cooling installation (100) comprises: at least one external mixer having a pair of cylinders (110) for transforming the rubber mixture into a continuous web (112); at least one spraying installation having one or more booms (124), (126) positioned at each of an upper spraying station (102) and a lower spraying station (104), each boom (124) , (126) being in communication with a water and air supply source for supplying water and air to one or more nozzles (124a), (126a) at the predetermined water flow and air pressure; and at least one suction installation having one or more suction hoods (134), (136) positioned downstream of each ramp (124), (126), each suction hood (134), (136) being in communication with an air supply source for suction at the predetermined air flow; so that, during the cooling process, the mixing and cooling installation (100) sprays the continuous web (112) and evacuates the air containing the evaporated water to produce the rubber mixture at target temperature values and adding water before the additional mixing process. 5. Method according to claim 4, further comprising the following steps: producing a rubber mixture having a temperature not exceeding 180 ° C during the initial mixing process; and producing a rubber mixture having a temperature not exceeding 110 ° C during the complementary mixing process. 6. The method of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the end-of-line process is selected from profiling, sampling, processing, cooling, palletizing and storing the rubber mixture. 7. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising, during the mixing and cooling process, the following steps: transforming the rubber mixture into a continuous web (112); spraying water onto the continuous web (112) at a predetermined water flow rate; and exhaust the sprayed water with a source of air suction (134, 136, 224); so that the rubber mixture reaches target values for temperature and addition of water before the further mixing process. 8. Method according to claim 7, in which: a target value for the temperature of the rubber mixture is about 70 ° C; and a target value of the water content of the rubber mixture does not exceed about 0.20% by mass of the rubber mixture. 9. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, further comprising positioning a retractable transport means (250) for the execution of the complementary mixing process at the end of which the rubber mixture will be transferred to the end of line (400); or the positioning of the retractable transport means (250) for the transfer to the end-of-line installation (400) without carrying out the additional mixing process. The method according to any of claims 2 to 9, further comprising the step of selectively transferring the rubber mixture to a preselected rubber production facility (20, 100, 300, 400). 11. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, further comprising the step of selecting the rubber mixture from a variety of rubber mixtures derived from recipes for one or more rubber production sequences comprising single pass sequences and 5 multi-pass sequences. 12. System intended to implement a method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. read 1/5 φ Q. CO M-> LU read 3/5 φ Q. CO M-> LU read 4/5 φ Q. CO M-> LU