JP2005096101A - Method and apparatus for molding and processing rubber - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rubber molding and processing method having flexibility in the molding and processing of a rubber and capable of realizing the stable continuous extrusion of a rubber product without causing the deterioration of the quality of the rubber product caused by the mixing with foreign matter or the like, and a apparatus therefor. <P>SOLUTION: Proper kneading conditions (temperature, time and speed) are set to a twin-screw continuous keader 1 to form a kneaded rubber composition and rubber pellets obtained by pelletizing the kneaded rubber composition are fed in a hermetically sealed state as a raw material for common use through a pipeline 4 under pressure by air. By this constitution, the rubber pellets can be easily supplied to a desired place without using labor while preventing the mixing with foreign matter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rubber molding method and a rubber molding apparatus, and more particularly, to a rubber molding method and a rubber molding apparatus that efficiently perform from kneading to molding of a rubber material according to a series of steps. is there.

  Conventionally, rubber molded products such as tire treads and automobile weather strips have been molded by kneading raw rubber, reinforcing agents, fillers, softeners, etc. into a kneader such as a Banbury mixer. The sheet is put into a kneader together with a vulcanizing agent and the like, kneaded and formed into a sheet, and the sheet is put into an extruder and extruded to form a product of a desired shape (for example, A method of obtaining a weather strip) is generally employed.

  As described above, the conventional method is based on batch kneading using a Banbury mixer, a kneader, or the like, and there is a problem in terms of production efficiency because the mixing ratio of materials is likely to vary and a lot of manpower is required.

  Further, in order to reduce the variation in the mixing ratio of the materials and improve the production efficiency, a continuous kneading method of rubber using a continuous kneader and connecting the continuous kneader and an extruder is proposed ( For example, see Patent Document 1.)

  In the method described in Patent Document 1, a rubber supply port is provided on the base side of the barrel of the continuous kneader, an additive supply port is provided in the center, and a rubber supply device is connected to the rubber supply port via a quantitative gear pump. Connect the vulcanizing agent quantitative supply device to the additive supply port, connect the extrusion molding machine to the discharge side end of the barrel, and feed the sheet containing raw rubber, reinforcing agent, filler, softening agent to the rubber supply device The vulcanizing agent is added and kneaded with a continuous kneader, and a product having a desired shape is obtained with an extruder.

According to this method, since the process from the addition of the vulcanizing agent to the extrusion is continuously performed, the variation in the mixing ratio of the materials can be reduced. Moreover, production efficiency can be improved.
JP 2000-43032 A

  However, according to the continuous kneading extrusion molding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the continuous kneading machine and the extrusion molding machine are directly connected, products that can be extruded from the extrusion molding machine are limited. There is a problem of lack of flexibility in productivity management. In addition, if the kneaded rubber composition is distributed with a carrier such as a carriage in order to increase the types of products that can be manufactured, the effort required for distributing and transporting the rubber composition increases, making the rubber molding process complicated. In addition, the dust and foreign matters are likely to adhere to the rubber composition during transportation, and the quality of the extruded product is deteriorated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a rubber molding method and rubber that have flexibility in rubber molding and can realize stable continuous extrusion of a rubber product without causing deterioration of the quality of the product due to contamination of foreign matters. An object of the present invention is to provide a molding apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a providing step of kneading a rubber composition comprising a rubber material and a predetermined compounding material to provide a kneaded rubber composition, and forming rubber pellets from the kneaded rubber composition A pellet forming step, a delivery step for delivering the rubber pellets in a sealed state via a conveyance path to a predetermined position, and a connection to the conveyance path at the predetermined position from the conveyance path. The present invention provides a rubber molding method comprising: an extrusion molding step of receiving a supply of the rubber pellets and extruding a product having a predetermined shape as an extrusion molding material.

  The delivery step includes a step of pumping the rubber pellets to a plurality of predetermined positions, and the extrusion molding step is performed by connecting a plurality of extrusion molding machines to the conveyance path at the plurality of predetermined positions. It may include a step of extruding a product having a predetermined shape as the extruded material.

  The delivery step includes a step of pumping the rubber pellets to a plurality of predetermined positions, and the extrusion molding step is performed by connecting a plurality of extrusion molding machines to the conveyance path at the plurality of predetermined positions. It may include a step of extruding a product having a predetermined shape as the extrusion molding material and simultaneously containing the rubber pellets that are transported by being connected to at least one of the plurality of positions. good.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a process of kneading a rubber composition comprising a rubber material and a predetermined compounding material to provide a kneaded rubber composition, and rubber pellets from the kneaded rubber composition. A pellet forming step for forming the rubber pellets, a delivery step for delivering the rubber pellets in a sealed state via a conveyance path to a predetermined position, and the conveyance by being connected to the conveyance path at the predetermined position A rubber molding process characterized by having an extrusion process of receiving the supply of the rubber pellets from a road and mixing the rubber pellets and additives to extrude a product having a predetermined shape as an extrusion molding material. Provide a method.

  The delivery step includes a step of pumping the rubber pellets to a plurality of predetermined positions, and the extrusion molding step is performed by connecting a plurality of extrusion molding machines to the conveyance path at the plurality of predetermined positions. It may include a step of extruding a product having a predetermined shape as the extruded material.

  In the extrusion molding step, a vulcanizing agent may be added as the additive before the extrusion molding.

  In the extrusion molding step, a plurality of the additives including at least a vulcanizing agent may be added before the extrusion molding.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a kneading part for kneading a rubber composition comprising a rubber material and a predetermined compounding material to form a kneaded rubber composition, and pelletizing the kneaded rubber composition. Extrusion molding that extrudes a product of a predetermined shape by receiving a pellet forming section that forms rubber pellets, a transport section that transports the rubber pellets in a sealed state, and a rubber pellet transported through the transport section An apparatus for molding and processing rubber is provided.

  The conveyance section may be a pipe line provided with a distributor provided with an openable / closable distribution valve for controlling distribution of the rubber pellets to the extrusion molding section.

  The pipe line may have a spiral pipe wall shape.

  The said conveyance part may have a sealed conveyance path main body and the conveyor provided in the said conveyance path main body and conveying the said rubber pellet.

  The extrusion molding unit may include a plurality of the extrusion molding units.

  The extrusion molding unit may be configured to extrude a two-color extruded product based on two-color extrusion with an extruded material extruded from another extruder.

  The transport unit may include a storage tank that temporarily stores the rubber pellets.

  According to the present invention, a kneaded rubber composition obtained by kneading a rubber composition composed of a rubber material and a predetermined compounding material is pelletized into rubber pellets, and the rubber pellets are sealed in an extruded part by a transport unit. Since it is conveyed, it has flexibility in rubber molding, and stable continuous extrusion of rubber products can be realized without causing deterioration of the product quality due to foreign matter contamination.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an extruded product manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment. The extrusion product manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a biaxial continuous kneader 1, a hopper 2 serving as a supply port for raw rubber, a biaxial continuous kneader motor 31 that rotates a screw (not shown), and screw rotation. A transmission 32 for changing the number, a pelletizing and pumping device 3, a pipe 4 having a plurality of distributors 14 for distributing pellets of the kneaded rubber composition conveyed through the pipe 4, and the distributor 14 A plurality of extrusion molding machines 15 connected to the pipe line 4 and a transport container 20 connected to the pipe line 4 via the distributor 14 are provided.

  The distributor 14 has a pellet distribution valve 14 </ b> A that is controlled to be opened and closed by an actuator, and distributes rubber pellets fed by pressure in the pipeline 4 to the extruder 15 and the transport container 20.

  The extrusion molding machine 15 is composed of a single screw, and includes a molding machine motor 15A, a die 15B for discharging the extruded material, a hopper 18 for supplying rubber pellets, and a supply hopper 19 for additives and the like. Have.

  The transport container 20 is, for example, a flexible bag-like flexible container, and in addition to temporarily storing rubber pellets, the rubber containers can be packed and transported to other places. The transport container 20 monitors the amount of rubber pellets with a weigh scale when the rubber pellets are stored (supplied), and the storage is stopped when the weight reaches a specified weight.

  The pelletizing and pumping device 3 pelletizes the kneaded rubber composition kneaded by the biaxial continuous kneader 1 to form a rubber pellet, and pumps the rubber pellet to a pipe line 4 to be described later. The composition includes an introduction part 5, a pelletizer 6, a water circulation pump 7, a cooler 8, a tank 9, conveying pipes 9 </ b> A and 9 </ b> B, a separator 11, a dryer 12, and a pressure feeder 13.

  The introduction unit 5 removes contaminants that cause defects in extrusion molding, such as agglomerates, gels, and foreign substances contained in the kneaded rubber composition supplied from the biaxial continuous kneader 1, and is added to the pelletizer 6 in the subsequent stage. The kneaded rubber composition from which the contaminants have been removed is supplied, and has a moving cylinder 5B that moves a strainer (described later) used to remove the contaminants in a predetermined direction.

  The pelletizer 6 divides the kneaded rubber composition extruded in a string shape into particles to form rubber pellets.

  The water circulation pump 7 circulates the cooling water through the path of the transport pipe 9 </ b> B, the pelletizer 6, the transport pipe 9 </ b> A, the separator 11, and the tank 9. A release agent may be mixed in the cooling water so as to have release properties.

  The separator 11 separates the rubber pellets from the mixture of the rubber pellets and the cooling water and supplies them to the dryer 12.

  The dryer 12 is forcibly dried by exposing the wet rubber pellets fed from the separator 11 to an air stream.

  The pressure feeder 13 is connected to a pipeline 4 for feeding rubber pellets, and the pipeline 4 is connected to an extruder 15 and a transport container 20 via a distributor 14. In addition, although the pressure feeder 13 sends dry air into the pipe line 4, you may make it send inactive gas, such as normal air and nitrogen.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view in which a part of the pelletizing and pumping apparatus is broken. The introduction unit 5 includes a strainer 5A supported by a moving cylinder 5B so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the extrusion direction of the kneaded rubber composition, that is, a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and a base 5C for extruding the kneaded rubber composition in a string shape. Have

  The pelletizer 6 has a motor 6A and a rotary blade 6C attached to a rotary shaft 6B of the motor 6A, and a string-like shape pushed out from the base 5C of the introducing portion 5 by rotating the rotary blade 6C with the motor 6A. The kneaded rubber composition is divided to form rubber pellets G. The rotary blade 6C is cooled by water transported through the transport pipe 9B, and sends the rubber pellet G together with water to the transport pipe 9A connected to the downstream side.

  The rubber pellet G is transported from the pelletizer 6 to the separator 11 via the transport pipe 9A by water pumped from the water circulation pump 7, separated from the water by the separator 11, and the water adhering to the dryer 12 is removed. The pump 13 is pumped in a sealed state from the pump 13 to the pipeline 4. Note that the term “sealing” in this embodiment means a state where light is shielded from light and is shielded from the outside in terms of temperature and humidity.

  3A and 3B are views partially showing the pipeline, in which FIG. 3A is a side view and FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view. The pipe 4 is formed to have a pipe wall shape spiraling in the length direction as shown in (a), and the rubber pellet G passing through the pipe has a pipe wall as shown in (b). Stirring is performed by moving along 4A.

  FIG. 4 is a view partially showing the pellet distribution valve, (a) is a plan view showing a state where the pipe line is not in communication with the distribution pipe, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of (a), (C) is a top view which shows the state which a pipe line connects with distribution piping, (d) is sectional drawing in the DD section of (c). The pellet distribution valve 14A includes a cylindrical valve member 140 having a circular passage 140A and a branch passage 140B through which the rubber pellet G passes, a solenoid 141 that drives the valve member 140 to project and retract via a plunger 141A, and a valve member. And a distribution pipe 142 through which the rubber pellet G is diverted from the pipe line 4 by opening 140. The distribution pipe 142 is connected to the hopper 18 (not shown) or the transport container 20.

  The valve member 140 is formed of a metal member and is slidably supported by the distribution pipe 142. The valve member 140 can also be formed of a heat resistant resin material.

  When the valve member 140 is in the state shown in (a) and (b), that is, when the plunger 141A protrudes from the solenoid 141, the opening direction of the passage 140A is the same as that of the pipe line 4A. The rubber pellet G (not shown) is supplied to the downstream side of the pipe line 4 by being arranged in the same direction.

  Further, in the pellet distribution valve 14A, when the valve member 140 is in the state shown in (c) and (d), that is, when the plunger 141A is drawn into the solenoid 141, the branch passage 140B is connected to the pipeline 4. And the distribution pipe 142 are arranged to communicate with each other, thereby allowing the distribution of the rubber pellet G (not shown).

  FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus. The extruded product manufacturing apparatus 10 includes a pipe sensor 14B provided in the pipe 4 and a hopper sensor that detects a weight corresponding to the amount of the rubber pellet G provided in the hopper 18 and introduced through the pipe 4. 14C, a temperature sensor 34 for monitoring the temperature of the biaxial continuous kneader 1 and the extrusion molding machine 15, a RAM 35A for temporarily storing detection data of each sensor, and a control program for controlling the operation of each part of each process It has a ROM 35B for storing and a control unit 35 for controlling each unit.

  The hopper sensor 14C outputs a replenishment signal to the control unit 35 when the rubber pellet G received by the hopper 18 reaches a predetermined lower limit amount. The supply signal is canceled when the lower limit amount is exceeded based on the supply of the rubber pellet G. Further, when the rubber pellet G received in the hopper 18 reaches a predetermined upper limit amount, a replenishment stop signal is output to the control unit 35. In addition, even if it is the extrusion molding machine 15 to which the replenishment signal was output, it has the rubber pellet G which can be drive | operated for a fixed time in the hopper 18.

  Based on the detection data of each sensor and a control program, the control unit 35 opens and closes the pellet distribution valve 14A, drive control including starting and stopping of the molding machine motor 15A, and drive control including starting and stopping of the biaxial continuous kneader motor 31. Etc.

  Moreover, the control part 35 will open the pellet distribution valve 14A of the applicable extrusion molding machine 15, if a replenishment signal is input from the hopper sensor 14C. In addition, when a replenishment signal is input from two or more hopper sensors 14C at the same time, the pellet distribution valve 14A of the extruder 15 based on a predetermined priority condition is opened preferentially.

  Further, the control unit 35 does not need to supply the rubber pellet G to the extrusion molding machine 15 and opens the pellet distribution valve 14A to the transport container 20 when the transport container 20 does not reach the specified weight.

  In addition, when the control unit 35 inputs the temperature abnormality signal of the biaxial continuous kneader 1 and the extrusion molding machine 15 from the temperature sensor 34, the rubber pellet G formed in the state where the abnormality has occurred becomes the extrusion machine 15 and All the distribution valves 14A are closed so as not to be mixed into the transport container 20, and the operations of the biaxial continuous kneader motor 31 and the molding machine motor 15A are stopped.

  The operation of the first embodiment will be described below.

  First, a raw material rubber such as ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) which is a thermoplastic elastomer, a reinforcing agent such as carbon black, a softening agent such as process oil, etc. are fed into the biaxial continuous kneader 1 from a hopper 2 by a supply device (not shown). Supplied. These are kneaded by a screw (not shown) incorporated in the biaxial continuous kneader 1 to become a kneaded rubber composition, which is sent in the tip direction of the biaxial continuous kneader 1.

  The kneaded rubber composition kneaded by the biaxial continuous kneader 1 is supplied to the pelletizer 6 by being extruded in a string shape from the die 5C. The pelletizer 6 forms rubber pellets G by dividing the string-like kneaded rubber composition into particles with a rotary blade 6C. The rubber pellet G is transported through the transport pipe 9 </ b> A with water sent from the water circulation pump 7, cooled, and sent to the separator 11. The separator 11 separates the rubber pellet G and water and sends them to the dryer 12. The dryer 12 removes water adhering to the rubber pellet G and sends it to the pressure feeder 13. The pressure feeder 13 sends the rubber pellet G to the pipe line 4 with a predetermined air pressure. The rubber pellet G is sent to the downstream side while being stirred based on the spiral shape of the pipe line 4. In addition, as for the air which pumps the rubber pellet G, what was dehumidified is desirable and it may contain nitrogen as what prevents the deterioration of the rubber pellet G.

  The distributor 14 divides the rubber pellet G fed by pressure through the pipe line 4 into the distribution pipe 142 when the pellet distribution valve 14A communicates the distribution pipe 142 and the pipe line 4 through the branch passage 140B. Here, when the pellet distribution valve 14A of the distributor 14 connected to the extruder 15 is connected to the distribution pipe 142 by the branch passage 140B, the rubber pellet G is supplied to the extrusion machine 15 through the distribution pipe 142. Is done. The extrusion molding machine 15 kneads the rubber pellet G supplied to the hopper 18 and the additive such as a vulcanizing agent supplied to the hopper 19 based on the rotation of a screw (not shown), and the desired vulcanized rubber is obtained from the die 15B. Extrude the product.

  Further, when the pellet distribution valve 14A of the distributor 14 connected to the transport container 20 connects the distribution pipe 142 and the pipe line 4 by the branch path 140B, the rubber pellet G fed by pressure through the pipe line 4 is The flow is divided by the distributor 14 and supplied to the transport container 20 through the distribution pipe 142.

  The extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment is applicable to the manufacture of various rubber molded products, but is particularly suitable for manufacturing weather strips, and will be specifically described below. The biaxial continuous kneader 1 is charged with 50 to 300 parts by weight of carbon black, 10 to 40 parts by weight of process oil and other fillers with respect to 100 parts by weight of the raw rubber.

  As raw rubber, EOR (ethylene α-olefin rubber), NR (natural rubber), IR (isoprene rubber), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), BR (butadiene rubber), CR (chloroprene rubber) IIR (butyl rubber), Examples thereof include CO / ECO (epichlorohydrin rubber), NBR (nitrile rubber), ACM / ANM (acrylic rubber), FKM (fluorine rubber), and Q (silicone rubber). For weatherstrip applications, EOR is suitable, with EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) being particularly suitable. EPDM is preferably one having an ethylene content of 60 to 80% by weight, a propylene content of 25 to 35% by weight, and a non-conjugated diene content of 5% by weight or less from the viewpoint of compression set resistance.

  As the carbon black, any of HAF, MAF, FEF, GPF, SRF and the like can be used, but MAF, FEF, and GPF are preferable in order to ensure extrudability and reinforcement.

  Examples of other fillers charged into the biaxial continuous kneader 1 include white fillers (clay, calcium carbonate, silica, etc.), lubricants (stearic acid, etc.), zinc white, and dehydrating agents (calcium oxide, etc.). Can do.

  The various components put into the biaxial continuous kneader 1 are kneaded and extruded as a kneaded rubber composition from the base 5C in a string shape. This string-like kneaded rubber composition is divided by the rotary blade 6C of the pelletizer 6 into rubber pellets. The rubber pellets are conveyed through the pipeline and supplied to the extruder 15 where a vulcanizing agent and a vulcanization accelerator are added and kneaded to form a weather strip. When a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent is used as the vulcanizing agent, any vulcanization accelerator selected from thiazole-based, thiuram-based, dithiocarbamate-based and the like is used.

  All of the ingredients other than the vulcanizing agent and the vulcanization accelerator are charged into the biaxial continuous kneader 1 and kneaded. Dispersibility of the vulcanizing agent and vulcanization accelerator during kneading in the extruder 15 Although it is preferable from the top, if it is a very small amount, the blending of the components such as the white filler and zinc white may be the extruder 15 instead of the biaxial continuous kneader 1. In addition, when the components such as the white filler and zinc white are blended in the extruder 15, it is preferable from the viewpoint of kneading dispersibility that the vulcanizing agent and the vulcanization accelerator are blended while being supported on the filler. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the supply of rubber pellets by the transport container. Thus, it is also possible to supply the rubber pellet G from the transport container 20 to the extruder 16 that is not connected to the conduit 4. In the extrusion molding machine 16, it is possible to extrude a desired product from the die 16B by driving a molding machine motor 16A.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another supply of rubber pellets by the transport container. In this method, both the transport container 20 and another transport container 21 are installed in a blender 23, and rubber pellets G supplied from the transport container 20 and rubber pellets G having different compounding compositions supplied from another transport container 21 are combined. Then, they are mixed by the blender 23 and supplied to the transport container 22. The transport container 22 is installed in an extruder 17 that is not connected to the pipeline 4. In the extrusion molding machine 16, a desired product based on the mixed rubber pellet G can be extruded from the die 17B by driving a molding machine motor 17A.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained.
(1) A kneaded rubber composition is prepared by setting appropriate kneading conditions (temperature, time, speed) in the biaxial continuous kneader 1, and the rubber pellet G obtained by pelletizing the kneaded rubber composition is used as a common raw material. Since the pressure is fed in a sealed state through the pipe line, the rubber pellet G can be easily supplied to a desired place without requiring manual labor.
(2) Since the rubber pellet G is pressure-fed through the conduit 4 in a sealed state, the rubber pellet G is less susceptible to deterioration due to light irradiation and environmental variations in temperature and humidity. In addition, since foreign matter can be prevented from being mixed in, the rubber pellets G of stable quality can be supplied in a necessary amount.
(3) Since the kneaded rubber composition discharged from the biaxial continuous kneader 1 is passed through the strainer, aggregates resulting from the intermolecular bonding of the powder raw material, gels and insolubles in the solvent It is possible to remove undesired contaminants such as the above from the kneaded rubber composition, and it is possible to form the rubber pellets G with a good quality kneaded rubber composition.
(4) Since a pipe having a spiral pipe wall shape is used for the pipe line 4, a flow of moving the rubber pellet G to be fed in the circumferential direction of the pipe line 4 is generated. As a result, the rubber pellets G are agitated and the sticking between the pellets can be prevented.
(5) Since the distributor 14 provided with the pellet distribution valve 14A is provided in the pipeline 4 for supplying the rubber pellet G, the rubber can be easily supplied to the supply destination according to the number of the extrusion molding machines 15 and the number of the transport containers 20. The pellets G can be distributed, the flexibility between the processes is improved, and it is possible to flexibly cope with the high-mix low-volume production. Moreover, production efficiency can be improved.
(6) Since the rubber pellet G can be distributed in a sealed state not only to the extrusion molding machine 15 but also to the transport container 20 by distributing the rubber pellet G via the pipe line 4, the rubber pellet G can be separated from the outside air or light. It can be temporarily stored in the transport container 20 without being exposed to water. Further, an appropriate amount of rubber pellets G can be supplied according to the extruder 15 not connected to the pipe line 4 and the application for which small-scale production is desired. Moreover, since the rubber pellet G does not contain a vulcanizing agent, the quality does not deteriorate even when stored.
(7) In addition, since various rubber pellets G stored in the transport container 20 can be blended and extruded by another extrusion molding machine 15, it is possible to flexibly cope with diversification of extruded products. .
(8) In forming the extrusion molding material, the rubber pellet G continuously formed from the kneaded rubber composition and the additive are mixed by the extrusion molding machine 15, so that the rubber pellet G having a small quality variation Mixability with the additive becomes uniform and stable, and stable quality of the product can be ensured.
(9) Further, since the rubber pellets G with small variations in quality are supplied in a sealed state via the pipe line 4, additives other than the vulcanizing agent (for example, calcium carbonate) are supplied by the extrusion molding machine 15 as the supply destination. , Silica, etc.) can be mixed to obtain a uniform and stable mixed state.
(10) Since the rubber pellets G can be distributed to the plurality of extrusion molding machines 15 in a sealed state via the pipeline 4, it is possible to reduce the number of transport vehicles and personnel for transporting the rubber pellets G, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. It becomes possible to do.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration using the spiral pipeline 4 has been described. However, the spiral pipeline 4 is used for a part of the pipeline 4 in addition to the entire pipeline 4. A configuration is also possible.

  Further, the rubber pellet G formed by the pelletizer 6 is preferably in a predetermined particle size range that does not cause clogging when being pumped through the pipe line 4, and may have any uniform shape and particle size. good. Moreover, about the shape of the rubber pellet G, the thing of multiple shapes, such as a cone shape and a cylindrical shape, may be mixed, for example.

  FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of an extruded product manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the following description, parts having the same configuration as that of the embodiment of FIG. The difference from the first embodiment is that a storage tank 24 is connected to the pipe line 4 via a distributor 14, and a pipe line 26 is connected to a pressure feeder 25 provided below the storage tank 24. 26 is connected to an extruder through a distributor 14.

  Accordingly, the rubber pellet G from the pelletizing and pumping device 3 is stored in the storage tank 24 through the distributor 14, is pumped by the pump 25, is transported in the pipe 26, and is supplied to the extruder 15. The

  The operation of the second embodiment will be described below.

  The biaxial continuous kneading machine 1 forms a kneaded rubber composition by kneading a raw material rubber supplied from a hopper 2 by a supply device (not shown), a reinforcing agent such as carbon black, a softening agent such as process oil, etc. with a screw, It is sent to the pelletizing and pumping device 3. The pelletizing and pumping device 3 forms a rubber pellet G from the kneaded rubber composition and sends it to the pipe line 4 based on the procedure described in the first embodiment.

  The rubber pellet G is pumped through the pipeline 4 and stored in the storage tank 24 via the distributor 14. The rubber pellet G stored in the storage tank 24 is supplied to the pipe line 26 by the pressure feeder 25 and then supplied to the extruder 15 via the distributor 14. The extrusion molding machine 15 kneads the rubber pellet G supplied to the hopper 18 and the additive such as a vulcanizing agent supplied to the hopper 19 based on the rotation of a screw (not shown), and the desired vulcanized rubber is obtained from the die 15B. Extrude the product.

  According to the second embodiment described above, by providing the storage tank 24, it becomes possible to further increase the flexibility between the processes in addition to the preferable effects of the first embodiment. When the extrusion machine is operated after storing the rubber pellets G, the work should continue even if the amount of rubber pellets G used in the extrusion machine exceeds the amount of rubber pellets supplied by the pelletizer Is possible.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a rubber pellet conveyance path according to the third embodiment, in which FIG. 9A is a schematic configuration diagram partially showing the conveyance path, and FIG. 9B is an EE portion of FIG. FIG. The third embodiment has a configuration in which a part of the pipe line 4 of the first embodiment is a sealed duct-shaped pellet conveyance path 60.

  The pellet conveyance path 60 includes a conveyance path main body 61 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape having a sealed structure, a conveyor 62 that is accommodated in the conveyance path main body 61 and conveys the rubber pellet G, and a roll 620 of the conveyor 62. It has a conveyor drive motor 63 that drives, and a pressure feeder 13 that pressure-feeds the rubber pellets G conveyed by the conveyor 62 to the downstream pipe line 4, and the conveyor 62 partially overlaps the adjacent conveyor 62. Are arranged as follows. Also, dry air is constantly sent into the conveyance path body 61 by a blower (not shown).

  The conveyor 62 is stretched by a pair of rolls 620, one on the driving side and the other on the driven side, and has a cross-sectional shape in which the central portion 62B is recessed with respect to the peripheral portion 62A as shown in FIG. By having it, the rubber pellet G is prevented from falling off.

  The pellet conveyance path 60 conveys the rubber pellet G in the downstream direction based on the rotational drive of the conveyor 62. The rubber pellets G are transported between the conveyors 62 by dropping them. Further, the conveyor 62 throws the conveyed rubber pellet G into the pressure feeder 13. The pressure feeder 13 pumps the charged rubber pellet G to the pipe line 4 together with the compressed air.

  According to the third embodiment described above, by transporting the rubber pellet G through the sealed pellet transport path 60 having the conveyor 62, without causing deterioration due to light deterioration or temperature / humidity, and The rubber pellets G can be conveyed while preventing sticking between them. That is, when the rubber pellets G fall from the conveyor 62 to the conveyor 62, the rubber pellets G are mixed together to prevent sticking.

  Moreover, in the case of the pellet conveyance path 60 using the conveyor 62, the conveyance speed of the rubber pellet G which is impossible by the pressure feed of the rubber pellet G through the pipe line 4 can be adjusted arbitrarily. Can be partially increased or decreased. This conveyance speed can be adjusted according to the operating state of the extrusion molding machine 15, for example. In order to accurately determine the state of conveyance of the rubber pellet G inside the pellet conveyance path 60, it is preferable to monitor the state of conveyance of the rubber pellet G with a detection means such as an optical sensor or a load sensor.

  FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of an extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), two extrusion-molded product manufacturing apparatuses 10A and 10B are installed, and the extrusion port 15B of the extrusion-molding machine 15 belonging to one extrusion-molded product manufacturing apparatus 10A. And the extrusion port 15B of the extrusion molding machine 15 belonging to the other extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus 10B is connected to one die 151 as shown in FIG. 10B, and the sliding contact surface 40A is formed on the surface of the base 40B. A weatherstrip 40 is formed. That is, the extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus 10A supplies the rubber material forming the sliding contact surface 40A, and the extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus 10B supplies the rubber material forming the base portion 40B. A weather strip 40 having a sliding contact surface 40A on the surface of the base portion 40B is extruded from the tip portion 151 of the base 15B.

  Specifically, the pelletized pellet material is prepared by dynamic vulcanization in advance while kneading EPDM, a vulcanizing agent, a filler, a process oil, and polypropylene in a predetermined ratio. Next, the pellet material is kneaded by the biaxial continuous kneader 1 of the extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus 10A to form the thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) pellet (A) in the pelletizing and pumping apparatus 3, and the TPO pellet (A ) To the pipeline 4. On the other hand, the biaxial continuous kneader 1 of the extruded product manufacturing apparatus 10B is charged with EPDM, a vulcanizing agent, a filler, a process oil, and polypropylene at a predetermined ratio, and kneaded while kneading them. The thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) pellet (B) is formed in the pelletizing and pumping device 3 and the TPO pellet (B) is pumped to the pipe 4. The TPO pellets (A) are supplied to the extrusion molding machine 15 through the pipeline 4 and the distributor 14 on the extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus 10A side, and the TPO pellets (B) are distributed to the pipeline 4 on the extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus 10B side and distributed. The two materials are fed from the die 151 in a molten state to form the weather strip 40 through the machine 14 and supplied to the extruder 15.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a weather strip manufactured according to the fourth embodiment. The weather strip 40 includes a seal lip portion 400, a groove bottom portion 401, and a base portion 40B that are extruded by using TPO pellets (B) as raw materials. In addition, the sliding contact surface 40A that is extruded by using the TPO pellet (A) as a raw material is thinly and integrally extruded on the surfaces of the seal lip 400 and the groove bottom 401.

  According to the above-described fourth embodiment, the seal lip portion 400, the groove bottom portion 401, and the base 40B are harder and have a sliding contact surface 40A and a groove bottom portion 401 that are excellent in slidability with the window glass 50. The weather strip 40 can be easily obtained by the two-color extrusion, and the raw material constituting the weather strip can be continuously manufactured from the material charging to the extrusion molding.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an extruded product manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is expansion explanatory drawing of a pelletizing and pumping apparatus. It is a figure which shows a pipe line partially, (a) is a side view, (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. It is a figure which shows a pellet distribution valve partially, (a) is a top view which shows the state which a pipe line does not connect with a distribution pipe, (b) is sectional drawing in the BB part of (a), (c) is The top view which shows the state which a pipe line connects with distribution piping, (d) is sectional drawing in the DD section of (c). It is a control block diagram of an extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus. It is a figure which shows supply of the rubber pellet by a conveyance container. It is a figure which shows other supply of the rubber pellet by a conveyance container. It is a whole block diagram of the extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the conveyance path of the rubber pellet which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (a) is a schematic block diagram which shows a conveyance path partially, (b) is sectional drawing in the EE part of (a). is there. It is a whole block diagram of the extrusion molded product manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the weather strip manufactured based on 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1A, screw 1, biaxial continuous kneader 2, hopper 3, pelletizing and pumping device 4, pipe 4A, pipe wall 5, introduction part 5A, strainer 5B, moving cylinder 5C, base 6, pelletizer 7, water circulation pump 8, Cooling machine 9A, Conveying pipe 9B, Conveying pipe 10, Extrusion product manufacturing apparatus 10A, Extrusion product manufacturing apparatus 10B, Extrusion product manufacturing apparatus 11, Separator 12, Dryer 13, Pressure feeder 14, Distributor 14A , Pellet distribution valve 14B, pipe line sensor 14C, distribution valve sensor 15, extrusion molding machine 15A, molding machine motor 15B, die 16, extrusion molding machine 16A, molding machine motor 16B, die 17, extrusion molding machine 17A, molding machine motor 17B, base 18, hopper 19, hopper 20, transport container 21, transport container 22, transport container 23, blender 24, storage tank 25, pump 26, pipe 31, biaxial continuous kneader motor 32, transmission 34, temperature sensor 35, controller 40, weather strip 40A, sliding surface 40B, base 45, polypropylene 50, window glass 60 , Pellet conveyance path 61, conveyance path main body 62, conveyor 62A, peripheral edge 62B, central part 63, conveyor drive motor 140A, passage 140, valve member 140A, passage 140B, branch passage 141, solenoid 141A, plunger 142, distribution pipe 151 , Base 151, tip 331, tip 400, seal lip 401, groove bottom

Claims (14)

A providing step of kneading a rubber composition comprising a rubber material and a predetermined compounding material to provide a kneaded rubber composition;
A pellet forming step of forming rubber pellets from the kneaded rubber composition;
A delivery step of delivering the rubber pellets to a predetermined position by conveying the rubber pellets in a sealed state via a conveyance path;
An extrusion molding step of being connected to the conveyance path at the predetermined position and receiving the supply of the rubber pellets from the conveyance path to extrude a product having a predetermined shape as an extrusion molding material. Rubber molding process. The delivery step includes a step of pumping the rubber pellets to a plurality of predetermined positions,
The extrusion molding step includes a step of extruding a product of the predetermined shape as the extrusion molding material by connecting a plurality of extrusion molding machines to the conveyance path at the plurality of predetermined positions. The rubber molding method according to claim 1. The delivery step includes a step of pumping the rubber pellets to a plurality of predetermined positions,
In the extrusion molding step, a plurality of extrusion molding machines are connected to the conveyance path at the plurality of predetermined positions to extrude the product of the predetermined shape as the extrusion molding material. 2. The rubber molding method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of accommodating the rubber pellets connected to at least one of a plurality of positions and pumped. A providing step of kneading a rubber composition comprising a rubber material and a predetermined compounding material to provide a kneaded rubber composition;
A pellet forming step of forming rubber pellets from the kneaded rubber composition;
A delivery step of delivering the rubber pellets to a predetermined position by conveying the rubber pellets in a sealed state via a conveyance path;
By being connected to the conveyance path at the predetermined position, the rubber pellets are supplied from the conveyance path, and the rubber pellets and additives are mixed to form a product having a predetermined shape as an extrusion molding material. And a rubber molding process characterized by comprising: an extrusion molding step. The delivery step includes a step of pumping the rubber pellets to a plurality of predetermined positions,
The extrusion molding step includes a step of extruding a product of the predetermined shape as the extrusion molding material by connecting a plurality of extrusion molding machines to the conveyance path at the plurality of predetermined positions. The method for molding a rubber according to claim 4.   5. The rubber molding method according to claim 4, wherein in the extrusion molding step, a vulcanizing agent is added as the additive before extrusion molding.   5. The rubber molding method according to claim 4, wherein in the extrusion molding step, a plurality of the additives including at least a vulcanizing agent are added before the extrusion molding. A kneading part for kneading a rubber composition comprising a rubber material and a predetermined compounding material to form a kneaded rubber composition;
A pellet forming part for pelletizing the kneaded rubber composition to form a rubber pellet;
A transport section for transporting the rubber pellets in a sealed state;
A rubber molding apparatus comprising: an extrusion molding unit configured to extrude a product having a predetermined shape by receiving supply of rubber pellets conveyed through the conveyance unit.   9. The rubber molding according to claim 8, wherein the transport unit is a pipe line provided with a distributor provided with an openable / closable distribution valve for controlling the distribution of the rubber pellets to the extrusion molding unit. Processing equipment.   10. The rubber molding apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pipe has a spiral pipe wall shape. The transport unit includes a sealed transport path main body,
The rubber molding apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a conveyor that is provided in the conveyance path main body and conveys the rubber pellets.   The rubber molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the extrusion molding unit includes a plurality of the extrusion molding units.   9. The rubber molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the extrusion molding unit extrudes a two-color extruded product based on a two-color extrusion with an extruded material extruded from another extruder. 9. The rubber molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transport unit includes a storage tank that temporarily stores the rubber pellets.

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