US20180169899A1 - Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components - Google Patents
Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180169899A1 US20180169899A1 US15/735,506 US201615735506A US2018169899A1 US 20180169899 A1 US20180169899 A1 US 20180169899A1 US 201615735506 A US201615735506 A US 201615735506A US 2018169899 A1 US2018169899 A1 US 2018169899A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- storage section
- plastic components
- melting
- supply
- free
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B13/00—Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped
- B29B13/02—Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped by heating
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B13/00—Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped
- B29B13/02—Conditioning or physical treatment of the material to be shaped by heating
- B29B13/022—Melting the material to be shaped
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/7457—Mixing heads without moving stirrer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/76—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head
- B29B7/7615—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head characterised by arrangements for controlling, measuring or regulating, e.g. for feeding or proportioning the components
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/76—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head
- B29B7/7631—Parts; Accessories
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/76—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head
- B29B7/7663—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head the mixing head having an outlet tube with a reciprocating plunger, e.g. with the jets impinging in the tube
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/76—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head
- B29B7/7663—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head the mixing head having an outlet tube with a reciprocating plunger, e.g. with the jets impinging in the tube
- B29B7/7673—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head the mixing head having an outlet tube with a reciprocating plunger, e.g. with the jets impinging in the tube having additional mixing arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/76—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head
- B29B7/7663—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head the mixing head having an outlet tube with a reciprocating plunger, e.g. with the jets impinging in the tube
- B29B7/7684—Parts; Accessories
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/76—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head
- B29B7/7663—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head the mixing head having an outlet tube with a reciprocating plunger, e.g. with the jets impinging in the tube
- B29B7/7684—Parts; Accessories
- B29B7/7689—Plunger constructions
- B29B7/7694—Plunger constructions comprising recirculation channels; ducts formed in the plunger
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/82—Heating or cooling
- B29B7/823—Temperature control
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C39/00—Shaping by casting, i.e. introducing the moulding material into a mould or between confining surfaces without significant moulding pressure; Apparatus therefor
- B29C39/22—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C39/24—Feeding the material into the mould
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C67/00—Shaping techniques not covered by groups B29C39/00 - B29C65/00, B29C70/00 or B29C73/00
- B29C67/24—Shaping techniques not covered by groups B29C39/00 - B29C65/00, B29C70/00 or B29C73/00 characterised by the choice of material
- B29C67/246—Moulding high reactive monomers or prepolymers, e.g. by reaction injection moulding [RIM], liquid injection moulding [LIM]
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/7471—Mixers in which the mixing takes place at the inlet of a mould, e.g. mixing chambers situated in the mould opening
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/74—Mixing; Kneading using other mixers or combinations of mixers, e.g. of dissimilar mixers ; Plant
- B29B7/76—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head
- B29B7/7615—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head characterised by arrangements for controlling, measuring or regulating, e.g. for feeding or proportioning the components
- B29B7/7626—Mixers with stream-impingement mixing head characterised by arrangements for controlling, measuring or regulating, e.g. for feeding or proportioning the components using measuring chambers of piston or plunger type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/82—Heating or cooling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/88—Adding charges, i.e. additives
- B29B7/885—Adding charges, i.e. additives with means for treating, e.g. milling, the charges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2077/00—Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
- B29K2105/0002—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped monomers or prepolymers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
- B29K2105/0058—Liquid or visquous
- B29K2105/0067—Melt
Definitions
- the present invention concerns a melting device for melting meltable plastics according to the general concept of claim 1 . Furthermore, the invention concerns an arrangement for mixing reactive plastic components with such a melting device.
- raw materials delivered by the raw material producers in the form of flakes, granules or powder can be melted in a plasticising screw and then directly injected into a cavity of a tool where they cool and harden.
- plastic components which are mixed before the cavity or in the cavity where they react to form a plastic part.
- the main components for example caprolactam
- the main components will mostly be halved between two containers and a catalyst will be added in one container and an activator in the other container.
- a measured mixing of these premixes into a reactive molten mass is then carried out in a common mixing head.
- the components must be liquefied for processing, in order to be able to measure, inject and apply them etc.
- large containers known as day tanks are generally used, in which the at least two base components are melted and kept ready in a liquid state and are fed into the cavities by pumps (see FIG. 6 ).
- a disadvantage of this is that the individual components often remain in the large containers for long periods, whereby their quality and therefore their reactivity can decline.
- the plastic components provided with the catalyst in particular cause problems and make it necessary to process the materials quickly. The molten raw materials must therefore be processed completely within a prescribed period and the day tanks must be emptied before the next quantity of free-flowing material is fed in and melted.
- the task of the present invention is thus to make available a melting device and a method for mixing reactive plastic components, which makes possible a more flexible supply of plastic components in a molten or mixed state.
- the melting device for meltable (plastic) materials has a container (or group of containers) in which meltable material, which is supplied in a free-flowing (eg granular, flaked or powdered or similar) state, can be melted and stored in a liquid state.
- the container has a first storage section for storing the meltable material in its free-flowing state, a second storage section for storing the molten material in its liquid state and a dividing section provided between the first storage section and the second storage section.
- the dividing section is configured so that it holds back the material or plastic components in a non-molten or free-flowing state, and allows material in a molten or liquid state to pass from the first storage section into the second storage section.
- the division of the container into two storage sections or chambers makes it possible to separate the plastic components in their two aggregate states, ie in the free-flowing state and the liquid state, from one another, or to functionally separate the melting of the material from the storage of the material in its liquid state.
- This makes possible a continuous operation which also allows a two, three or multi-shift operation.
- the melting device according to the invention also makes possible a so-called stop-and-go-operation, since the structure of the melting device means that new material can be melted at any time without having to interrupt the downstream treatment processes and, therefore, only small quantities of molten material need to be present in the melting device at any one time.
- the melting device can be emptied very quickly and at any time, and the whole machine can be stopped.
- the time required to start up the machine or melting device again is correspondingly short. Because of the small quantity in the second chamber, this is also processed correspondingly quickly so that no additional heating energy is required to maintain the molten material in a liquid state or to keep it “on the boil”.
- the disadvantages described above can therefore be avoided by means of the melting device according to the invention.
- the long dwell times in the container are shortened, the melt quality is kept high and an on-demand provision of the plastic components is made possible.
- a further advantage is the fact that the melting device according to the invention can be realised with low investment costs.
- the container is preferably formed as one piece and has two chambers. Alternatively, there may be a group of containers between which the dividing section is arranged.
- the first storage section can be arranged vertically over the second storage section.
- the dividing section can be a grid with a mesh size, or a perforated plate with a hole diameter, smaller than the particle size of the material in its free-flowing state.
- a control device for operating or opening and closing the dividing section which can also be formed as a mechanically operated barrier, can be dispensed with.
- the first storage section and/or the dividing section can be provided with a heating device and be capable of being heated, in order, advantageously, to continuously melt the free-flowing, meltable material.
- a prescribed quantity of the free-flowing material can be briefly temporarily stored in the first storage section and melted as required.
- the integration of the heating device into the dividing section or dividing grid presents a technically very simple and economically beneficial solution.
- the melting process can in particular be continuous. In this case the control of the quantity of molten material can largely take place (with some time-lag) through the supply of the material to the first storage section.
- the grid or the perforated plate if the dividing section is formed as such, and/or the storage section which forms the first storage section, can be capable of being heated. It is also an option for the whole container, ie both storage sections, to be capable of being heated, in order to prevent the temperature of the molten material in the second storage section from dropping too far, for example for a situation where the downstream treatment processes have to be briefly interrupted, for example for a tool change.
- the melting device can further have a first supply and dispensing section for a measured, in particular continuous, supply of the meltable materials in a free-flowing state into the first storage section, and/or a second supply and dispensing section for a measured, in particular discontinuous, discharging of the molten material in a liquid state out of the second storage section.
- a fill-level measuring device can be provided which measures the fill-level of the material stored in a liquid state in the second storage section. Furthermore, a control device can be provided which controls the supply of the meltable material in a free flowing state by means of the first supply and dispensing section and/or the melting of the meltable material by means of the heating device in accordance with the measured fill-level.
- the control device can control the first supply and dispensing section and/or the heating device so that the quantity of liquid material in the second storage chamber corresponds to the immediate demand.
- the quantity can in particular be adjusted so that it is limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations or so that it is processed within a prescribed time.
- the quantity can be adapted for in the region of 2 to 10, in particular 4 to 8, preferably 5 plastics processing operations (shot).
- the dwell time in the second chamber can be set to a period of less than or equal to 30 minutes, in particular less than or equal to 15 minutes. In this way it is ensured that the molten material remains in a liquid aggregate state (preferably with a predetermined viscosity) even without any additional heating.
- Another aspect of the invention is directed at a mixing arrangement for mixing reactive plastic components.
- This features a mixing chamber in which the reactive plastic components can be mixed with one another to form a reactive mixture, at least one melting device according to one of the preceding aspects and a second dispensing and/or supply device for a measured supply of at least the plastic components melted in the at least one melting device into the mixing chamber.
- the first dispensing and supply device and the second dispensing and supply device are, according to the invention, synchronised with one another so that only a prescribed quantity of meltable material is melted in the melting device, which quantity corresponds to the immediate demand for that plastic component, is preferably limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations, in particular 2 to 10, preferably 5, or is to be processed within a prescribed time, in particular less than or equal to 30 minutes, preferably less than or equal to 15 minutes.
- the mixing arrangement can feature a first melting device for melting a first reactive plastic component supplied in a free-flowing state with a first additive, in particular caprolactam, with an activator, and a second melting device for melting a second reactive plastic component supplied in a free-flowing state with a second additive, in particular caprolactam, with a catalyst.
- the mixing arrangement can feature a first melting device for melting a (eg pure) plastic component, a third dispensing and supply device for the measured supply of a first additive, in particular an activator, to the mixing chamber and/or a fourth dispensing and supply device for the measured supply of a second additive, in particular a catalyst, to the mixing chamber.
- a first melting device for melting a (eg pure) plastic component
- a third dispensing and supply device for the measured supply of a first additive, in particular an activator
- a fourth dispensing and supply device for the measured supply of a second additive, in particular a catalyst
- the melting device according to the invention may also be used in a single component arrangement in which plastic raw material is melted as required without additives and the additives are first mixed in directly in the mixing chamber.
- a further aspect of the invention relates to a method for melting meltable plastics. This comprises the following steps: supplying meltable material which is in a free-flowing state to a first storage section of a melting device; melting the meltable material in the first storage section of a melting device; storing the molten material in a liquid state in a second storage section of the melting device; discharging the molten material from the melting device in a liquid state; and dividing the first storage section and the second storage section so that the material which is in a non-molten or free-flowing state, remains in the first storage section and can flow from the first storage section into the second storage section, preferably by itself, in a molten or liquid state.
- a further aspect of the invention concerns a method for mixing reactive plastic components, with the following steps: the measured supply of each of the reactive plastic components in a free-flowing state to an appropriate melting device; melting the reactive plastic components in the respective melting device; the measured supply of the respective molten plastic components to the mixing chamber; mixing the molten plastic components with one another to form a reactive mixture in the mixing chamber; and coordinating the two supply steps with one another so that only a prescribed quantity of meltable material is melted in the melting device, which quantity corresponds to the immediate demand for that plastic component, is preferably limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations, in particular 2 to 10, preferably 5, or is to be processed within a prescribed time, in particular less than or equal to 30 minutes, preferably less than or equal to 15 minutes.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of a mixing arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a melting device according to the first embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic depiction of a mixing arrangement according to the second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 shows a schematic depiction of a mixing arrangement according to the third embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 5 shows a schematic depiction of a mixing arrangement according to a variation of the third embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 shows a schematic depiction of a conventional mixing arrangement according to the state of the art.
- FIG. 1 shows a mixing arrangement 2 for mixing liquid reactive plastic components according to a first embodiment. This serves to prepare the plastic components so that they can subsequently be used in downstream treatment processes for plastic parts production.
- This mixing arrangement 2 features a first storage container 4 A in which a first mixture 6 A consisting of a first plastic component, eg caprolactam, together with a first additive, eg an activator, is stored. They are each in a free-flowing (eg granular, flaked, powdered or similar) form so that the plastic components do not as yet react with the respective additive and can be stored for longer in this form.
- a first mixture 6 A consisting of a first plastic component, eg caprolactam, together with a first additive, eg an activator
- the two mixtures 6 A and 6 B are supplied to a first melting device 10 A or a second melting device 10 B by means of a first vacuum conveyor 8 A and a second vacuum conveyor 8 B (or any other suitable conveyor device).
- These melting devices 10 A and 10 B are structurally identical and their structure and manner of functioning are described in further detail below.
- the mixture 6 A liquefied by means of the first melting device 10 A and the second mixture 6 B liquefied by means of the second melting device 10 B are supplied to a mixing head 14 via corresponding supply lines 12 A and 12 B.
- a filter 16 A, 16 B and a dispensing unit 18 A, 18 B or pump is provided in each of the supply lines 12 A and 12 B.
- Surplus material is directed or circulated from the mixing head 14 back into the respective melting device 10 A or 10 B via corresponding return lines 20 A and 20 B.
- the respective mixture 6 A and 6 B is injected into a mixing chamber 24 via corresponding inlet nozzles 22 A or 22 B provided in the mixing head 14 and mixed together and the resulting reactive mixture 26 is conveyed into a mould cavity (not shown) via an outlet nozzle 34 , by means of a piston 28 which is actuated by a hydraulic block 30 and controlled by a corresponding mixing head control unit 32 .
- FIG. 2 shows an enlarged depiction of the first melting device 10 A. Since both melting devices 10 A, 10 b are structurally and functionally identical a common description of the melting device 10 follows.
- the melting device 10 is essentially formed of a (eg one-piece) container 36 which is divided by a dividing grid 38 into a vertically upper first chamber 40 and a vertically lower second chamber 42 .
- the base component mixture 6 is supplied to the first (upper) chamber 40 by the vacuum conveyor 8 .
- the dividing grid 38 is configured so that, as long as it is in granular form, the supplied mixture 6 cannot fall or get through the dividing grid 38 into the second chamber 42 .
- the mesh size of the dividing grid is smaller or finer than the particle size of the free-flowing starting mixture 6 supplied to the first chamber 4 and stored in the storage container 4 .
- the dividing grid 38 can be heated by a heating device 39 so that mixture 6 lying on the dividing grid 38 in the first chamber 40 can be melted or liquefied by means of the dividing grid 38 .
- the molten mixture 6 can flow or drip through the dividing grid 38 into the second (lower) chamber 42 and subsequently get into the supply line 12 .
- the container 36 or the two chambers 40 , 42 are designed so that only the immediately required quantities of free-flowing base material or liquefied material 6 need to be kept available.
- the first chamber 40 can accommodate preferably 10 to 20 kg of the granular mixture 6 and the second chamber 42 can accommodate molten material, which is just sufficient for a prescribed small number of plastics processing operations, eg maximum 5 shots, or for plastics processing operations within a prescribed time period, eg maximum 15 minutes.
- the dispensing and supply device (vacuum conveyor 8 ) which supplies the free-flowing base mixture 6 to the first chamber 40 of the melting device 10
- the dispensing and supply device (dispensing unit 18 ) which removes the molten material 6 from the second chamber 42 of the melting device 10 are correspondingly synchronised with one another in relation to control or regulation technology, ie the vacuum conveyor 8 A, 8 B is controlled (via an integrated or central control device) so that it only supplies as much free-flowing plastic material 6 to the first chamber 40 as corresponds to the quantity of liquid plastic material that is extracted from the second chamber 42 .
- the second chamber 42 only functions as a kind of short-term buffer in order to be able to even out potential fluctuations caused by the discontinuous demand in the downstream treatment processes.
- the melting process on the other hand can occur continuously.
- FIG. 3 shows a functional diagram of a mixing arrangement 2 ′ according to a second embodiment, which only differs from the first embodiment in relation to the structure of the mixing head 14 ′ and the supply of the molten material to the mixing head 14 ′.
- this is carried out via dispensing cylinders 18 A′ and 18 B′ which are arranged directly in front of or on the mixing head 14 ′, are connected to the supply lines 12 A′ or 12 B′ and by which the quantities to be injected into the mixing chamber 24 ′ may be precisely dispensed.
- the return lines 20 A and 20 B can thus be done without in this variant.
- the mixing head 24 ′ has a correspondingly altered structure, but is functionally similar in relation to the first embodiment as described above.
- FIG. 4 shows a functional diagram of a mixing arrangement 2 ′′ for mixing liquid, reactive plastic components according to a third embodiment. It is immediately obvious from FIG. 4 that in contrast to the first and second embodiments, one, two or a number of additives are not added at the beginning, ie before the melting process, but are instead first supplied directly to the mixing head 14 ′′ or the mixing chamber 24 ′′. With this in mind, only one storage container or repository 4 ′′ for the (pure or unmixed or additive-free) plastic components 7 , eg caprolactam, is provided. The plastic components 7 can be stored there in a solid or free-flowing form (granular, flaked, powdered or similar form), or also in liquid form.
- a solid or free-flowing form granular, flaked, powdered or similar form
- the plastic components 7 are supplied to the melting device 10 ′′ or, more exactly stated, a first chamber 40 ′′.
- the melting device 10 ′′ has a funnel-shaped container 36 ′′ which in turn is divided by a dividing grid 38 ′′ into the vertical upper first chamber 40 ′′ and a vertical lower second chamber 42 ′′.
- the dividing grid 38 ′′ is configured so that the mixture supplied, as long as it is in a granular or very viscous liquid state, does not fall or get through the dividing grid 38 ′′ down into the second chamber 42 ′′.
- the mesh size of the dividing grid 38 ′′ is smaller or finer than the particle size of the free-flowing plastic components 7 stored in the storage container 4 ′′ and supplied to the first chamber 40 ′′, or the grid 38 ′′ holds the viscous material 7 back.
- the first chamber 40 ′′ can be heated.
- the walls of the first chamber 40 ′′ can be provided with a heating strip 37 , which can heat the walls of the first chamber 40 ′′ so that the plastic components 7 stored briefly in the first chamber 40 ′′ are melted and liquefy. In a molten or liquefied state, the plastic components 7 flow or drip through the dividing grid 38 ′′ into the second chamber 42 ′′ located below.
- An outlet opening in the floor of the second chamber 42 ′′ is connected with a dispensing unit 18 ′′ via a supply line 12 ′′ by means of which the liquefied plastic components 7 are supplied to a mixing head 14 ′′ or mixing chamber 24 ′′.
- a return line 20 ′′ feeds any surplus quantity of plastic components 7 back into the melting device 10 ′′, more exactly stated into the second chamber 42 ′′, or makes possible a circulation.
- the dispensing unit 18 has a dispensing cylinder 44 and a dispensing piston 46 which is operable by a motor.
- the dispensing cylinder 44 can be designed to be capable of being heated and for this purpose is provided with a heating device 50 , for example, built into the cylinder walls. In this way it can be ensured that the liquefied plastic components 7 do not cool down or change their viscosity.
- the liquefied plastic components 7 are supplied from the second chamber 42 ′′ of the melting device 10 ′′ into the dispensing cylinder 44 via a first section of the supply line 12 ′′ and by means of the dispensing piston 46 are supplied to the mixing chamber 24 ′′ under pressure via the second section of the supply line 12 ′′.
- One, two three or a number of additives 52 A, 52 B, 52 C are supplied to the mixing head 14 ′′, more exactly stated the mixing chamber 24 ′′, from the relevant containers 54 A, 54 B, 54 C in which they are stored via respective conveyor units 56 A, 56 B, 56 C so that they mix with the supplied liquefied plastic components 7 in the mixing chamber 24 ′′ to form a reactive mixture 26 ′′ which can be output by the mixing head 14 ′′ for further processing.
- At least one activator and one catalyst may be involved, which initiate the chemical reaction of the caprolactam in the mixing head 14 ′′.
- the precise dispensing of the additive may be carried out by the respective conveyor units 56 A, 56 B, 56 C and/or by a control valve arrangement 58 provided in the mixing head 14 ′′.
- FIG. 5 depicts a variation on the third embodiment which differs in that the supply of the plastic components 7 by means of the dispensing unit 18 ′′ occurs so that a circulation or return line 20 ′′ can be done without.
- the activator or the catalyst may already be mixed with the plastic components 7 in the storage container 4 ′′ and the other of the two additives first fed directly into the mixing chamber 24 ′′.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
Abstract
A melting device includes a container capable of melting a material supplied in a free-flowing state and storing the material in a liquid state. The container includes a first storage section for storing the material in the free-flowing state, a second storage section for storing the material in the liquid state, and a dividing section provided between the first storage section and the second storage section and configured to hold back the material, when the material is in a non-molten or free-flowing state and to allow passage of the material from the first storage section into the second storage section, when the material is in a molten or liquid state.
Description
- The present invention concerns a melting device for melting meltable plastics according to the general concept of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention concerns an arrangement for mixing reactive plastic components with such a melting device.
- In the field of manufacturing plastic parts, various plants and processes are known. Thus, for example, raw materials delivered by the raw material producers in the form of flakes, granules or powder can be melted in a plasticising screw and then directly injected into a cavity of a tool where they cool and harden. Alternatively, there are also plastic components which are mixed before the cavity or in the cavity where they react to form a plastic part. In the latter case the main components, for example caprolactam, will mostly be halved between two containers and a catalyst will be added in one container and an activator in the other container. A measured mixing of these premixes into a reactive molten mass is then carried out in a common mixing head.
- The components must be liquefied for processing, in order to be able to measure, inject and apply them etc. In these known plants large containers known as day tanks are generally used, in which the at least two base components are melted and kept ready in a liquid state and are fed into the cavities by pumps (see
FIG. 6 ). A disadvantage of this is that the individual components often remain in the large containers for long periods, whereby their quality and therefore their reactivity can decline. The plastic components provided with the catalyst in particular cause problems and make it necessary to process the materials quickly. The molten raw materials must therefore be processed completely within a prescribed period and the day tanks must be emptied before the next quantity of free-flowing material is fed in and melted. Furthermore, large quantities of the plastic components must be kept in a liquid state, or rather the day tank must be kept constantly “on the boil”. The repeated preparing and melting of the plastic components takes a very long time, during which time the operation of the machine or the downstream treatment processes for plastic parts production are essentially idle. For this reason two or three-shift operation is not possible. - The task of the present invention is thus to make available a melting device and a method for mixing reactive plastic components, which makes possible a more flexible supply of plastic components in a molten or mixed state.
- This task is achieved, in relation to the melting device, by the characteristics of claim 1, and in relation to the method, by the characteristics of the sub-ordinate claim 7. Further advantageous developments are the respective subject matter of sub-claims.
- The melting device for meltable (plastic) materials according to the invention has a container (or group of containers) in which meltable material, which is supplied in a free-flowing (eg granular, flaked or powdered or similar) state, can be melted and stored in a liquid state. Further, the container has a first storage section for storing the meltable material in its free-flowing state, a second storage section for storing the molten material in its liquid state and a dividing section provided between the first storage section and the second storage section. The dividing section is configured so that it holds back the material or plastic components in a non-molten or free-flowing state, and allows material in a molten or liquid state to pass from the first storage section into the second storage section.
- The division of the container into two storage sections or chambers makes it possible to separate the plastic components in their two aggregate states, ie in the free-flowing state and the liquid state, from one another, or to functionally separate the melting of the material from the storage of the material in its liquid state. This means that the container does not first need to be emptied for the (renewed) melting of the material, rather, the melting of the material in the first chamber and the removal of the liquid material from the second chamber can occur in parallel. This makes possible a continuous operation which also allows a two, three or multi-shift operation.
- The melting device according to the invention also makes possible a so-called stop-and-go-operation, since the structure of the melting device means that new material can be melted at any time without having to interrupt the downstream treatment processes and, therefore, only small quantities of molten material need to be present in the melting device at any one time. Thus the melting device can be emptied very quickly and at any time, and the whole machine can be stopped. The time required to start up the machine or melting device again is correspondingly short. Because of the small quantity in the second chamber, this is also processed correspondingly quickly so that no additional heating energy is required to maintain the molten material in a liquid state or to keep it “on the boil”.
- The disadvantages described above can therefore be avoided by means of the melting device according to the invention. Thus the long dwell times in the container are shortened, the melt quality is kept high and an on-demand provision of the plastic components is made possible. A further advantage is the fact that the melting device according to the invention can be realised with low investment costs.
- The container is preferably formed as one piece and has two chambers. Alternatively, there may be a group of containers between which the dividing section is arranged.
- According to one aspect of the invention the first storage section can be arranged vertically over the second storage section. The dividing section can be a grid with a mesh size, or a perforated plate with a hole diameter, smaller than the particle size of the material in its free-flowing state.
- This has the advantage that molten material flows from the first storage section into the second storage section by itself or rather by gravity. In this way a control device for operating or opening and closing the dividing section, which can also be formed as a mechanically operated barrier, can be dispensed with.
- According to one aspect of the invention, the first storage section and/or the dividing section can be provided with a heating device and be capable of being heated, in order, advantageously, to continuously melt the free-flowing, meltable material.
- By appropriately controlling the heating device, a prescribed quantity of the free-flowing material can be briefly temporarily stored in the first storage section and melted as required. The integration of the heating device into the dividing section or dividing grid presents a technically very simple and economically beneficial solution. The melting process can in particular be continuous. In this case the control of the quantity of molten material can largely take place (with some time-lag) through the supply of the material to the first storage section.
- Here, the grid or the perforated plate, if the dividing section is formed as such, and/or the storage section which forms the first storage section, can be capable of being heated. It is also an option for the whole container, ie both storage sections, to be capable of being heated, in order to prevent the temperature of the molten material in the second storage section from dropping too far, for example for a situation where the downstream treatment processes have to be briefly interrupted, for example for a tool change.
- According to one aspect of the invention the melting device can further have a first supply and dispensing section for a measured, in particular continuous, supply of the meltable materials in a free-flowing state into the first storage section, and/or a second supply and dispensing section for a measured, in particular discontinuous, discharging of the molten material in a liquid state out of the second storage section.
- Thus it is possible to adjust the quantity of plastic components in a free-flowing or liquid state using the supply and dispensing section, wherein the extraction of material out of the melting device can also occur discontinuously depending on the downstream treatment process. Thus the supply and the extraction of the material can be controlled independently of one another.
- According to one aspect of the invention a fill-level measuring device can be provided which measures the fill-level of the material stored in a liquid state in the second storage section. Furthermore, a control device can be provided which controls the supply of the meltable material in a free flowing state by means of the first supply and dispensing section and/or the melting of the meltable material by means of the heating device in accordance with the measured fill-level.
- In this way the quantity of stored liquid plastic components can be kept constantly the same or precisely adjusted. In doing so the control device can control the first supply and dispensing section and/or the heating device so that the quantity of liquid material in the second storage chamber corresponds to the immediate demand. The quantity can in particular be adjusted so that it is limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations or so that it is processed within a prescribed time. Thus the quantity can be adapted for in the region of 2 to 10, in particular 4 to 8, preferably 5 plastics processing operations (shot). The dwell time in the second chamber can be set to a period of less than or equal to 30 minutes, in particular less than or equal to 15 minutes. In this way it is ensured that the molten material remains in a liquid aggregate state (preferably with a predetermined viscosity) even without any additional heating.
- Another aspect of the invention is directed at a mixing arrangement for mixing reactive plastic components. This features a mixing chamber in which the reactive plastic components can be mixed with one another to form a reactive mixture, at least one melting device according to one of the preceding aspects and a second dispensing and/or supply device for a measured supply of at least the plastic components melted in the at least one melting device into the mixing chamber. The first dispensing and supply device and the second dispensing and supply device are, according to the invention, synchronised with one another so that only a prescribed quantity of meltable material is melted in the melting device, which quantity corresponds to the immediate demand for that plastic component, is preferably limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations, in particular 2 to 10, preferably 5, or is to be processed within a prescribed time, in particular less than or equal to 30 minutes, preferably less than or equal to 15 minutes.
- According to one aspect of the invention the mixing arrangement can feature a first melting device for melting a first reactive plastic component supplied in a free-flowing state with a first additive, in particular caprolactam, with an activator, and a second melting device for melting a second reactive plastic component supplied in a free-flowing state with a second additive, in particular caprolactam, with a catalyst.
- In this way two reactive plastic components can be prepared or melted as required and mixed together and processed within a short time. The short dwell time of the reactive components in a liquid state maintains the quality and reactivity of the two reactive components. Thus the disadvantages mentioned in the introduction can be avoided by means of the melting device according to the invention. In particular in relation to the component mixed with the catalyst, swift processing following the melting can be ensured.
- According to an alternative aspect of the invention the mixing arrangement can feature a first melting device for melting a (eg pure) plastic component, a third dispensing and supply device for the measured supply of a first additive, in particular an activator, to the mixing chamber and/or a fourth dispensing and supply device for the measured supply of a second additive, in particular a catalyst, to the mixing chamber. In the process, the supply of the plastic components and the additives by the second, third and/or fourth dispensing and supply devices can be synchronised with one another in relation to timing and quantities respectively (according to a formula) so that these and, where necessary, further components mix with one another into a desired reactive mixture.
- Thus the melting device according to the invention may also be used in a single component arrangement in which plastic raw material is melted as required without additives and the additives are first mixed in directly in the mixing chamber.
- A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for melting meltable plastics. This comprises the following steps: supplying meltable material which is in a free-flowing state to a first storage section of a melting device; melting the meltable material in the first storage section of a melting device; storing the molten material in a liquid state in a second storage section of the melting device; discharging the molten material from the melting device in a liquid state; and dividing the first storage section and the second storage section so that the material which is in a non-molten or free-flowing state, remains in the first storage section and can flow from the first storage section into the second storage section, preferably by itself, in a molten or liquid state.
- A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for mixing reactive plastic components, with the following steps: the measured supply of each of the reactive plastic components in a free-flowing state to an appropriate melting device; melting the reactive plastic components in the respective melting device; the measured supply of the respective molten plastic components to the mixing chamber; mixing the molten plastic components with one another to form a reactive mixture in the mixing chamber; and coordinating the two supply steps with one another so that only a prescribed quantity of meltable material is melted in the melting device, which quantity corresponds to the immediate demand for that plastic component, is preferably limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations, in particular 2 to 10, preferably 5, or is to be processed within a prescribed time, in particular less than or equal to 30 minutes, preferably less than or equal to 15 minutes.
- Additional advantageous further developments of the invention are revealed in the following description of preferred embodiments.
- The present invention is described in more detail below by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
-
FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of a mixing arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a melting device according to the first embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3 shows a schematic depiction of a mixing arrangement according to the second embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4 shows a schematic depiction of a mixing arrangement according to the third embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 5 shows a schematic depiction of a mixing arrangement according to a variation of the third embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 6 shows a schematic depiction of a conventional mixing arrangement according to the state of the art. -
FIG. 1 shows amixing arrangement 2 for mixing liquid reactive plastic components according to a first embodiment. This serves to prepare the plastic components so that they can subsequently be used in downstream treatment processes for plastic parts production. - This mixing
arrangement 2 features afirst storage container 4A in which afirst mixture 6A consisting of a first plastic component, eg caprolactam, together with a first additive, eg an activator, is stored. They are each in a free-flowing (eg granular, flaked, powdered or similar) form so that the plastic components do not as yet react with the respective additive and can be stored for longer in this form. - The two
mixtures first melting device 10A or asecond melting device 10B by means of afirst vacuum conveyor 8A and asecond vacuum conveyor 8B (or any other suitable conveyor device). Thesemelting devices - The
mixture 6A liquefied by means of thefirst melting device 10A and thesecond mixture 6B liquefied by means of thesecond melting device 10B are supplied to a mixinghead 14 via correspondingsupply lines filter dispensing unit supply lines head 14 back into therespective melting device return lines - The
respective mixture chamber 24 via correspondinginlet nozzles head 14 and mixed together and the resultingreactive mixture 26 is conveyed into a mould cavity (not shown) via anoutlet nozzle 34, by means of apiston 28 which is actuated by ahydraulic block 30 and controlled by a corresponding mixinghead control unit 32. -
FIG. 2 shows an enlarged depiction of thefirst melting device 10A. Since bothmelting devices 10A, 10 b are structurally and functionally identical a common description of themelting device 10 follows. - The
melting device 10 is essentially formed of a (eg one-piece)container 36 which is divided by adividing grid 38 into a vertically upperfirst chamber 40 and a vertically lowersecond chamber 42. The base component mixture 6 is supplied to the first (upper)chamber 40 by thevacuum conveyor 8. Thedividing grid 38 is configured so that, as long as it is in granular form, the supplied mixture 6 cannot fall or get through thedividing grid 38 into thesecond chamber 42. In other words, the mesh size of the dividing grid is smaller or finer than the particle size of the free-flowing starting mixture 6 supplied to thefirst chamber 4 and stored in thestorage container 4. - The
dividing grid 38 can be heated by aheating device 39 so that mixture 6 lying on thedividing grid 38 in thefirst chamber 40 can be melted or liquefied by means of thedividing grid 38. In a liquid form the molten mixture 6 can flow or drip through thedividing grid 38 into the second (lower)chamber 42 and subsequently get into thesupply line 12. - The manner of functioning of the melting device is described below.
- The
container 36, or the twochambers first chamber 40 can accommodate preferably 10 to 20 kg of the granular mixture 6 and thesecond chamber 42 can accommodate molten material, which is just sufficient for a prescribed small number of plastics processing operations, eg maximum 5 shots, or for plastics processing operations within a prescribed time period, eg maximum 15 minutes. - In this way the necessary plastic components can be prepared on demand or according to a formula. In this way only small quantities of liquid base components are produced in each case which can be directly processed. Thus small quantities are melted, but this generally happens continuously.
- The dispensing and supply device (vacuum conveyor 8) which supplies the free-flowing base mixture 6 to the
first chamber 40 of themelting device 10, and the dispensing and supply device (dispensing unit 18) which removes the molten material 6 from thesecond chamber 42 of themelting device 10 are correspondingly synchronised with one another in relation to control or regulation technology, ie thevacuum conveyor first chamber 40 as corresponds to the quantity of liquid plastic material that is extracted from thesecond chamber 42. Thesecond chamber 42 only functions as a kind of short-term buffer in order to be able to even out potential fluctuations caused by the discontinuous demand in the downstream treatment processes. The melting process on the other hand can occur continuously. -
FIG. 3 shows a functional diagram of amixing arrangement 2′ according to a second embodiment, which only differs from the first embodiment in relation to the structure of the mixinghead 14′ and the supply of the molten material to the mixinghead 14′. Instead of the molten material being supplied and dispensed viapumps cylinders 18A′ and 18B′ which are arranged directly in front of or on the mixinghead 14′, are connected to thesupply lines 12A′ or 12B′ and by which the quantities to be injected into the mixingchamber 24′ may be precisely dispensed. Thereturn lines head 24′ has a correspondingly altered structure, but is functionally similar in relation to the first embodiment as described above. -
FIG. 4 shows a functional diagram of amixing arrangement 2″ for mixing liquid, reactive plastic components according to a third embodiment. It is immediately obvious fromFIG. 4 that in contrast to the first and second embodiments, one, two or a number of additives are not added at the beginning, ie before the melting process, but are instead first supplied directly to the mixinghead 14″ or the mixingchamber 24″. With this in mind, only one storage container orrepository 4″ for the (pure or unmixed or additive-free) plastic components 7, eg caprolactam, is provided. The plastic components 7 can be stored there in a solid or free-flowing form (granular, flaked, powdered or similar form), or also in liquid form. - By means of a
conveyor unit 8″ (vacuum conveyor, pump or similar), the plastic components 7 are supplied to themelting device 10″ or, more exactly stated, afirst chamber 40″. Themelting device 10″ has a funnel-shapedcontainer 36″ which in turn is divided by adividing grid 38″ into the vertical upperfirst chamber 40″ and a vertical lowersecond chamber 42″. Thedividing grid 38″ is configured so that the mixture supplied, as long as it is in a granular or very viscous liquid state, does not fall or get through thedividing grid 38″ down into thesecond chamber 42″. In other words, the mesh size of thedividing grid 38″ is smaller or finer than the particle size of the free-flowing plastic components 7 stored in thestorage container 4″ and supplied to thefirst chamber 40″, or thegrid 38″ holds the viscous material 7 back. - In contrast to the first and second embodiments, alternatively or in addition to the
dividing grid 38″, thefirst chamber 40″ can be heated. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 4 , the walls of thefirst chamber 40″ can be provided with aheating strip 37, which can heat the walls of thefirst chamber 40″ so that the plastic components 7 stored briefly in thefirst chamber 40″ are melted and liquefy. In a molten or liquefied state, the plastic components 7 flow or drip through thedividing grid 38″ into thesecond chamber 42″ located below. An outlet opening in the floor of thesecond chamber 42″ is connected with a dispensingunit 18″ via asupply line 12″ by means of which the liquefied plastic components 7 are supplied to a mixinghead 14″ or mixingchamber 24″. Areturn line 20″ feeds any surplus quantity of plastic components 7 back into themelting device 10″, more exactly stated into thesecond chamber 42″, or makes possible a circulation. - The dispensing
unit 18 has a dispensingcylinder 44 and adispensing piston 46 which is operable by a motor. The dispensingcylinder 44 can be designed to be capable of being heated and for this purpose is provided with aheating device 50, for example, built into the cylinder walls. In this way it can be ensured that the liquefied plastic components 7 do not cool down or change their viscosity. The liquefied plastic components 7 are supplied from thesecond chamber 42″ of themelting device 10″ into the dispensingcylinder 44 via a first section of thesupply line 12″ and by means of thedispensing piston 46 are supplied to the mixingchamber 24″ under pressure via the second section of thesupply line 12″. - One, two three or a number of
additives head 14″, more exactly stated the mixingchamber 24″, from therelevant containers respective conveyor units chamber 24″ to form areactive mixture 26″ which can be output by the mixinghead 14″ for further processing. - In relation to the additives, at least one activator and one catalyst may be involved, which initiate the chemical reaction of the caprolactam in the mixing
head 14″. - The precise dispensing of the additive may be carried out by the
respective conveyor units control valve arrangement 58 provided in the mixinghead 14″. -
FIG. 5 depicts a variation on the third embodiment which differs in that the supply of the plastic components 7 by means of the dispensingunit 18″ occurs so that a circulation or returnline 20″ can be done without. - The invention has been described by means of preferred embodiments, but is not however limited to these.
- Thus in a further developed form of the third embodiment, for example, the activator or the catalyst may already be mixed with the plastic components 7 in the
storage container 4″ and the other of the two additives first fed directly into the mixingchamber 24″. -
- 2; 2′; 2′ mixing arrangement
- 4, 4A, 4B; 4A′, 48′; 4″ storage container
- 6, 6A, 6B; 6 k, 6B′ mixture
- 7 plastic components
- 8; 8A, 8B; 8 k, 8B′; 8″ vacuum conveyor
- 10, 10A, 10B; 10A′, 10B′; 10″ melting device
- 12, 12A, 12B; 12A′, 12B′; 12″ supply line
- 14; 14′; 14″ mixing head
- 16, 16′; 16″ filter
- 18, 18A; 18B; 18A′, 18B′; 18″ dispensing unit (second dispensing and supply device)
- 20, 20A, 20B; 20″ return line
- 22, 22A, 22B; 22A′, 22B′ inlet nozzle
- 24; 24′; 24″ mixing chamber
- 26; 26′; 26″ reactive mixture
- 28 piston
- 30; 30′ hydraulic block
- 32; 32′ mixing head control unit
- 34; 34′ outlet nozzle
- 36; 36′; 36″ container
- 37 heating device
- 38; 38″ dividing grid (dividing section)
- 39 heating device
- 40; 40″ first container chamber (first storage section)
- 42; 42″ second container chamber (second storage section)
- 44 dispensing cylinder
- 46 dispensing piston
- 48 motor
- 50 heating device
- 52A, 52B, 52C additive
- 54A, 54B, 54C container
- 56A, 56B, 56C conveyor unit
- 58 valve arrangement
Claims (19)
1.-11. (canceled)
12. A melting device, comprising a container capable of melting a material supplied in a free-flowing state and storing the material in a liquid state, said container comprising:
a first storage section for storing the material in the free-flowing state,
a second storage section for storing the material in the liquid state, and
a dividing section provided between the first storage section and the second storage section and configured to hold back the material, when the material is in a non-molten or free-flowing state and to allow passage of the material from the first storage section into the second storage section, when the material is in a molten or liquid state.
13. The melting device of claim 12 , wherein the first storage section is arranged vertically above the second storage section, said dividing section configured as a grid defined by a mesh size which is smaller than a particle size of the material in the free-flowing state.
14. The melting device of claim 12 , wherein the first storage section is arranged vertically above the second storage section, said dividing section configured as a perforated plate defined by a hole diameter which is smaller than a particle size of the material in the free-flowing state.
15. The melting device of claim 12 , further comprising a heating device arranged to heat at least one of the first storage section and the dividing section so as to melt the material in the free-flowing state.
16. The melting device of claim 15 , wherein the heating device operates continuously.
17. The melting device of claim 12 , further comprising:
a first supply and dispensing section for measured supply of the material in the free-flowing state to the first storage section; and/or
a second supply and dispensing section for measured discharge of the material from the second storage section.
18. The melting device of claim 17 , wherein the first supply and dispensing section operates continuously, and the second supply and dispensing section operates discontinuously.
19. The melting device of claim 17 , further comprising:
a heating device arranged to heat at least one of the first storage section and the dividing section so as to melt the material in the free-flowing state;
a fill-level measuring device configured to measure a fill level of the material stored in the liquid state in the second storage section; and
a control device configured to control a supply of the material in the free-flowing state by means of the first supply and dispensing section and/or to control a melting of the material by means of the heating device, in response to the fill level measured by the fill-level measuring device.
20. The melting device of claim 19 , wherein the control device controls operation of the first supply and dispensing section and/or the heating device so that a quantity of material in the second storage chamber corresponds to an immediate demand.
21. The melting device of claim 20 , wherein the quantity of material in the second storage chamber is limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations, in particular 2 to 10, preferably 5, or limited to an amount sufficient for processing within a prescribed time, in particular less than or equal to 30 minutes, preferably less than or equal to 15 minutes.
22. A mixing arrangement, comprising:
a mixing chamber capable of mixing reactive plastic components into a reactive mixture;
a first melting device comprising a container capable of melting one of the plastic components supplied in a free-flowing state and storing the one of the plastic components in a liquid state, said container comprising a first storage section for storing the one of the plastic components in the free-flowing state, a second storage section for storing the one of the plastic components in the liquid state, and a dividing section provided between the first storage section and the second storage section and configured to hold back the one of the plastic components, when the one of the plastic components is in a non-molten or free-flowing state and to allow passage of the one of the plastic components from the first storage section into the second storage section, when the one of the plastic components is in a molten or liquid state;
a first supply and dispensing section for measured supply of the one of the plastic components in the free-flowing state to the first storage section; and
a second supply and dispensing section for measured discharge of the one of the plastic components from the second storage section to the mixing chamber,
wherein the first and second supply and dispensing sections are synchronised with one another so that only a prescribed quantity of the one of the plastic components is melted in the melting device, which quantity corresponds to an immediate demand for the one of the plastic components.
23. The mixing arrangement of claim 22 , wherein the quantity of the one of the plastic components is limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations, in particular 2 to 10, preferably 5, or limited to an amount sufficient for processing within a prescribed time, in particular less than or equal to 30 minutes, preferably less than or equal to 15 minutes.
24. The mixing arrangement of claim 22 , further comprising a second melting device comprising a container capable of melting another one of the plastic components supplied in a free-flowing state and storing the other one of the plastic components in a liquid state, said container comprising a first storage section for storing the other one of the plastic components in the free-flowing state, a second storage section for storing the other one of the plastic components in the liquid state, and a dividing section provided between the first storage section and the second storage section and configured to hold back the other one of the plastic components, when the other one of the plastic components is in a non-molten or free-flowing state and to allow passage of the other one of the plastic components from the first storage section into the second storage section, when the one of the plastic components is in a molten or liquid state.
25. The mixing arrangement of claim 24 , wherein the one of the plastic components is caprolactam with a first additive, in particular an activator, and wherein the other one of the plastic components is caprolactam with a second additive, in particular a catalyst.
26. The mixing arrangement of claim 22 , further comprising:
a third supply and dispensing device for a measured supply of a first additive, in particular an activator, to the mixing chamber; and
a fourth supply and dispensing device for a measured supply of a second additive, in particular a catalyst, to the mixing chamber,
wherein a supply of the one of the plastic components and the first and second additives by means of the second, third and fourth supply and dispensing devices are synchronised with one another as a function of time and quantity, so that the one of the plastic components and the first and second additives are mixed together in the mixing chamber to form the reactive mixture.
27. A method for melting meltable plastic material, comprising:
supplying a meltable material in a free-flowing state to a first storage section of a melting device;
melting the material in the first storage section of the melting device;
storing the molten material in a liquid state in a second storage section of the melting device;
discharging the molten material in the liquid state; and
separating the first storage section and the second storage section such that the material in its non-molten or free-flowing state remains in the first storage section and, in a molten or liquid state, is capable to flow from the first storage section into the second storage section.
28. A method for mixing reactive plastic components, comprising:
supplying a measured quantity of the reactive plastic components in a free-flowing state to respective melting devices;
melting the reactive plastic components in the respective melting devices;
supplying a measured quantity of the molten plastic components to a mixing chamber;
mixing the molten plastic components with one another into a reactive mixture in the mixing chamber; and
coordinating the supply of the reactive plastic components to the respective melting devices and the supply of the molten plastic components to the mixing chamber such that only prescribed quantities of the reactive plastic components are melted in the respective melting devices in correspondence to an immediate demand for the plastic components.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the quantities of the plastic components are limited to a prescribed number of downstream plastics processing operations, in particular 2 to 10, preferably 5, or limited to amounts sufficient for processing within a prescribed time, in particular less than or equal to 30 minutes, preferably less than or equal to 15 minutes.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102015109770.2A DE102015109770A1 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2015-06-18 | Melting device for melting fusible plastic material |
DE102015109770.2 | 2015-06-18 | ||
PCT/EP2016/061767 WO2016202541A1 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2016-05-25 | Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2016/061767 A-371-Of-International WO2016202541A1 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2016-05-25 | Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/534,748 Division US11104039B2 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2019-08-07 | Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20180169899A1 true US20180169899A1 (en) | 2018-06-21 |
Family
ID=56084034
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/735,506 Abandoned US20180169899A1 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2016-05-25 | Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components |
US16/534,748 Active US11104039B2 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2019-08-07 | Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/534,748 Active US11104039B2 (en) | 2015-06-18 | 2019-08-07 | Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20180169899A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3288743B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20180018577A (en) |
CN (1) | CN107635735B (en) |
DE (2) | DE102015109770A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2740174T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016202541A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10723092B2 (en) * | 2016-07-18 | 2020-07-28 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical article |
US11298852B2 (en) | 2018-09-07 | 2022-04-12 | Kraussmaffei Technologies Gmbh | Device and method for producing reaction plastics |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT520183B1 (en) | 2017-12-22 | 2019-02-15 | Engel Austria Gmbh | injection system |
CN111037771A (en) * | 2019-11-21 | 2020-04-21 | 河北领启机械设备销售有限公司 | Be used for polyurethane and aluminum alloy section bar pouring set composite |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US180688A (en) * | 1876-08-01 | Improvement in soap-remelters | ||
US2217743A (en) * | 1939-03-28 | 1940-10-15 | Du Pont | Apparatus |
US2374069A (en) * | 1941-03-13 | 1945-04-17 | Du Pont | Method of plasticizing polyamides |
US4161391A (en) * | 1978-03-14 | 1979-07-17 | Allied Chemical Corporation | Melting apparatus |
US5374120A (en) * | 1993-12-06 | 1994-12-20 | Eastman Kodak Company | Modified passive liquid in-line segmented blender |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH479654A (en) * | 1968-03-02 | 1969-10-15 | Basf Ag | Method and device for the production of polyamide moldings |
DE2432556C2 (en) * | 1974-07-06 | 1982-09-02 | Agfa-Gevaert Ag, 5090 Leverkusen | Process for making photographic materials |
US3964645A (en) * | 1975-02-12 | 1976-06-22 | Nordson Corporation | Apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic material |
US4667850A (en) | 1985-10-28 | 1987-05-26 | Nordson Corporation | Thermoplastic grid melter |
DE8806521U1 (en) * | 1988-05-18 | 1988-07-14 | Nordson Corp., Westlake, Ohio | Device for melting high-polymer, thermoplastic materials, especially adhesives |
CA2057948A1 (en) | 1991-01-11 | 1992-07-12 | James W. Schmitkons | Method and apparatus for metering flow of a two-component dispensing system |
US5523537A (en) | 1991-12-31 | 1996-06-04 | Eastman Kodak Company | Passive liquifier |
US7070404B2 (en) * | 2002-10-25 | 2006-07-04 | Macphee Daniel Joseph | Computer-controlled compounding extrusion blending apparatus and method |
US8225963B2 (en) * | 2005-10-06 | 2012-07-24 | Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa | Integrated low application temperature hot melt adhesive processing system |
CH698495B1 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2009-08-31 | Robatech Ag | An apparatus for providing a flowable medium. |
DE102006017808A1 (en) | 2006-04-13 | 2007-10-18 | Impetus Plastics Engineering Gmbh | Temperable injection mold with mold nest(s), has insert with tempering fluid channels, formed by connecting plate-form segments with segment obtained by laser fusion of powder or wire |
ATE453459T1 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2010-01-15 | Robatech Ag | DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A MOLTEN, FLOWABLE MEDIUM |
AT511514B1 (en) * | 2011-06-09 | 2013-12-15 | Engel Austria Gmbh | METHOD FOR PRODUCING, PARTICULARLY FIBER-REINFORCED, THERMOPLASTIC PLASTIC PARTS |
US10179429B2 (en) * | 2013-12-03 | 2019-01-15 | Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation | Device for polymerising lactams in moulds |
-
2015
- 2015-06-18 DE DE102015109770.2A patent/DE102015109770A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2015-06-18 DE DE202015009025.7U patent/DE202015009025U1/en active Active
-
2016
- 2016-05-25 US US15/735,506 patent/US20180169899A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2016-05-25 ES ES16725509T patent/ES2740174T3/en active Active
- 2016-05-25 WO PCT/EP2016/061767 patent/WO2016202541A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-05-25 KR KR1020177036558A patent/KR20180018577A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2016-05-25 EP EP16725509.0A patent/EP3288743B1/en active Active
- 2016-05-25 CN CN201680027176.3A patent/CN107635735B/en active Active
-
2019
- 2019-08-07 US US16/534,748 patent/US11104039B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US180688A (en) * | 1876-08-01 | Improvement in soap-remelters | ||
US2217743A (en) * | 1939-03-28 | 1940-10-15 | Du Pont | Apparatus |
US2374069A (en) * | 1941-03-13 | 1945-04-17 | Du Pont | Method of plasticizing polyamides |
US4161391A (en) * | 1978-03-14 | 1979-07-17 | Allied Chemical Corporation | Melting apparatus |
US5374120A (en) * | 1993-12-06 | 1994-12-20 | Eastman Kodak Company | Modified passive liquid in-line segmented blender |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10723092B2 (en) * | 2016-07-18 | 2020-07-28 | Ppg Industries Ohio, Inc. | Method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical article |
US11298852B2 (en) | 2018-09-07 | 2022-04-12 | Kraussmaffei Technologies Gmbh | Device and method for producing reaction plastics |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3288743B1 (en) | 2019-07-10 |
CN107635735A (en) | 2018-01-26 |
EP3288743A1 (en) | 2018-03-07 |
US20190358857A1 (en) | 2019-11-28 |
WO2016202541A1 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
KR20180018577A (en) | 2018-02-21 |
CN107635735B (en) | 2020-12-22 |
ES2740174T3 (en) | 2020-02-05 |
DE102015109770A1 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
DE202015009025U1 (en) | 2016-07-11 |
US11104039B2 (en) | 2021-08-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11104039B2 (en) | Melting device and method for melting meltable plastic material, method for mixing reactive plastic components | |
US4314963A (en) | Method and a device for producing shaped articles from a multi-component reaction mixture | |
CN102470561B (en) | Material blending/supply device and material blending/supply method | |
KR100252564B1 (en) | Injection unit for injection molding machine | |
US11117290B2 (en) | Melting and injection device for plastic materials | |
EP2735418B1 (en) | Injection molding machine and raw material metering unit | |
ITMI20121648A1 (en) | PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FERTILIZER IN TABLETS | |
US3228065A (en) | Device for feeding raw materials to plastic extrusion machines | |
EP3078465B1 (en) | Device for polymerizing lactams in molds | |
CN106943906A (en) | Apparatus and method for mixing | |
TW201544012A (en) | Apparatus, system and method for manufacturing a mass blended with granular material | |
US4728476A (en) | Method of supplying a moldable mixture of materials to an article forming mold of an injection molding machine | |
CN210679470U (en) | High-efficient injection molding machine | |
JP7403522B2 (en) | Manufacturing processes and systems for manufacturing 3D printed drug delivery products | |
EP1321273B1 (en) | Control of an injection molding - compounding machine | |
WO2013121049A1 (en) | Injection molding compounder | |
CN104589610A (en) | Feeding device of plastic extruder | |
JP6960557B2 (en) | Reactive plastic manufacturing equipment and manufacturing method | |
JP6541093B2 (en) | Liquid colorant compatible melting discharge device, liquid colorant injection device, and control method of liquid colorant compatible melting discharge device | |
CN109806810B (en) | Method and equipment for stabilizing production of fertilizer particles | |
CN206463897U (en) | A kind of pre-mixing apparatus of powder and liquid | |
KR101770236B1 (en) | Apparatus for mixing food in particle with viscous liquid | |
NO342430B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for continuous manufacture of a pyrotechnic article | |
ITMI20121649A1 (en) | PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FERTILIZER IN TABLETS AND FERTILIZER IN TABLETS SO PRODUCT |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KRAUSSMAFFEI TECHNOLOGIES GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RENKL, JOSEF;REEL/FRAME:044356/0957 Effective date: 20171122 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |