MXPA97000537A - Conveyor for degasificing solid surface mixed paraproducts and method of - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved conveyor apparatus for processing a mixture of materials consisting of: a conveyor housing consisting of: an upstream section and a downstream section, wherein said upstream section has an inwardly conically configured passage which is longer at one end upstream thereof, a rotatable screw located in said conveyor housing, said screw having a first section located in said upstream section in said conveyor housing and a second section located in said downstream section, wherein said first section of said screw has a conical shape corresponding to said conically configured interior passage, a first entrance to said conveyor housing, a first entrance to said conveyor housing to provide a mixture of materials within said conveyor housing , said first input connected to said upstream section, an outlet from said conveyor housing, said outlet connected to a downstream end of said downstream section, and a vacuum source connected to said conveyor housing to remove gases from the mixture.

Description

TRANSPORTER PflRR DESTRSIFY MIXES PRRñ SURFACE PRODUCTS SQLIDñ AND METHOD OF USE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing and degassing mixtures or matrices of material for the production of final products of solid surface material, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a conveyor apparatus that provides the continuous degassing of a mixture or matrix of materials in the production of solid surface products, such as cultured marble and other polymer cast products In the production of certain final products of solid surface material, such as cast polymer products, Several materials from which the final solid surface product is formed are initially mixed together under controlled conditions and subsequently transported as a liquid-solid mixture or matrix to a mold or other type of deposit where the mixture of materials solidifies The initial mixing process causes typical that air - other gases are your suspended in the liquid-solid mixture. After the mixing process but before the mixture is emptied into the mold, the mixture can be added with various additives, catalysts, hardeners, etc.

Certain types of solid surface end products require that the other gases be removed from the mixture before it hardens, or before the catalyst or other additives are added. Various arrangements have been envisaged for degassing such mixtures of liquid liquor as days. One type of arrangement requires that a load of the mixture be emptied into an intermediate tank that is kept under a vacuum. Another type of degassing arrangement is shown in the U.S. No. 5,024,531. Although such arrangements can achieve the desired degassing, there is still a need for an improved degassing system to process a liquid-solids mixture. In addition, it would be desirable for the degassing process to operate on a continuous basis and be efficient and reliable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, an improved method and means is provided for processing and degassing a mixture of materials to form a solid surface final product, such as a cast polymer product. A conveyor includes a conveyor housing with an internal passage having a conically shaped upstream section and a downstream section. A rotating screw is located in the internal passage and has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the internal passage, so that a section upstream of the screw is conically shaped, the section upstream of the passage has an inlet that connects to a source of inaterlales, as a mixer, and the downstream section has a salt that allows the mixture of materials leaves the transporter housing. A vacuum source is connected to the conveyor housing to remove gases from the mixture while it is transported through the conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIBU30S Figure 1 is a side vieta, partially in section, of a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side sectional view in approach of a portion of the conveyor and screw housing of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the portion upstream of the transporter housing of Figures 1 and 2 Figure 4 is an end view of the portion of the conveyor housing of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side view of the screw of Figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. A conveyor 10 includes an inlet 14 and an outlet IB. The inlet 14 is connected to a mixer 18. The mixer 18 can be a conventional type of mixer in which various solids and liquids, as fillers, aggregates, powders, polymers, elastifiers, binders, dyes, water, plastic, etc., are mixed under controlled conditions. Controlled conditions may include control of mixing times, heat, pressure, sequence and amount of addition of materials, and intensity (mixed Jel.) When the material in mixer 18 has been sufficiently mixed, or is otherwise lis-o , it exits towards the conveyor 10 through a duct, tube or hose 19. The outlet 16 of the conveyor 10 is connected to a mold 20, or alternatively to a tank or to another process.The mold, tank or other process can also be The outlet 16 can be connected to the mold by any suitable means, such as a conduit or pipe 21. The conveyor 10 includes a conveyor housing 24, a screw 28, a motor 30, a vacuum source 32 and a controller 34. The conveyor housing 24 includes at least two parts or sections: a first or upstream section 40 and a second or downstream section 42. The conveyor housing 24 defines a passageway i nternal 46 extending through the housing 24 from the upstream section 40 through the downstream section 42. The internal passage 46 includes at least two sections 48 and 50 corresponding to the sections upstream and downstream of the housing 24. The inlet 14 (Jel conveyor 10 connects to the upstream section 40 and communicates with the passage (ie the upstream section 48. As shown specifically in Figures 2 and 3, the inlet 14 is connected to a lower side of the upstream section 40 of the housing 24 near an upstream end 54 of the ism. Referring again to Figure 1, the outlet 16 of the conveyor-10 is connected to the downstream section 42 of the housing and communicates with the downstream passage 50, and more specifically, the outlet 16 is connected to a downstream end 56 of the downstream section 42. The internal passage 46 has a generally circular cross section along its length, although the cross section is longer in the upstream section 48, as explained below. Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 5, the screw 28 is located in the conveyor housing 24 and specifically the screw 28 is located in the passage 46 and extends from the upstream end 54 to the downstream end 56. The screw 28 is rotatable within the conveyor housing 24. The screw 28 includes a proximal arrow 60 that extends through an opening in the upstream end 54 of the housing. The proximal arrow 60 is connected to the motor 30 so that the motor 30 can impart rotation to the screw 28 by means of the proximal arrow bO. The screw 28 includes threads 66 which helically thread helically about an arrow portion 58 of the screw 28. The outside diameter of the threads 66 defines an outer profile of the screw along its length. The external diameter of the threads is close in dimension to the internal diameter of the passage 46 so that the rotation of the screw 28 causes the material in the passage 46 to move downstream, Referring to Figure 5, the screw 28 includes the first two sections; an upstream section 70 and a downstream 72. The upstream and downstream sections 70 and 72 of the screw 28 correspond to the sections upstream and downstream of the housing and passage. The pitch of the threads in the downstream section 72 of the screw is tighter than the pitch of the threads in the upstream section 70 of the screw. In a preferred embodiment, the downstream section 72 of the screw includes at least 2 subsections. A first downstream subsection 73 is directly adjacent to the upstream section 70 and a second downstream subsection 74 is adjacent to the first downstream subsection 73, but on the opposite side from the upstream section 70. The threads in the second subsection downstream 7 have a step as tight as the threads in the first downstream subsection 73. In a present embodiment, the housing 24 and screw 28 have a geometry that facilitates efficient degassing of a mixture being transported in passage 46 of the 10. As shown in the drawings, the upstream section 70 of the screw 28 and the upstream section 48 of the passage 46 have coincident tapering or tapering profiles. The taper is in a downstream direction so that the downstream part of the upstream section is smaller in diameter than the upstream part. The downstream section 72 of the screw and the downstream section 50 (the passageway has even cylindrical profiles.) Referring to Figures 1-4, a vacuum chamber 76 is connected to an opening 77 located on the upper side of the next housing. 40. The interior of the vacuum chamber 76 communicates with the upper side of the upstream passage 48. As shown in Figure 4, in a preferred embodiment, the opening 77 towards the vacuum chamber 76 is not connected to the The upper chamber 40 of the upstream housing 40 is not aligned with it for reasons explained below.The vacuum chamber 76 is connected to the vacuum source 32, as shown in Figure 1.

Associated with the vacuum chamber 76 is at least one and preferably three sensors, 80, 82 and 84. The sensors are located vertically along one side of the vacuum chamber 76. Each of the sensors is adapted for sending a signal indicative of whether a mixture is in the vacuum chamber 76 at a level adjacent to the sensor. Various sensor technologies can be used, and in a preferred embodiment, capacitive sensors are used. Each of the capacitive sensors rni e the capacitance directly adjacent to it in the vacuum chamber. If the mixture rises to the level of the sensor, the measured capacitance changes and the sensor provides a leak. The outputs of the sensors 80, 82 and 84 are connected to the controller 34. The control 34 provides a controlling output signal to the motor 30"The controller 34 can modify the speed of the motor. In addition, the roller 34 can provide other operations and tasks associated with the production of solid surface matrices, including the provision of the controlled conditions associated with the aforementioned mixer 18. Controllers of this type are conventional and well known in the art. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the housing 24 includes a second inlet 90 located in the downstream section 42. The second inlet 90 is connected to a catalyst source 92. The catalyst source 92 may also be connected to the controller 34. Under operation of the controller 34, the catalyst source 92 can inject-catalysts or other additives into the downstream section 50 of the passage 46. Referring to FIG. 2, at the downstream end 56 (Jel housing 24, the internal diameter of the passage. inner 46 narrows to form a restriction 96. Distant extrusion 97 of arrow 68 of the screw is tapered to conform to the shape of restriction 96. LO conveyor may also include a base 98. Base 98 may be use to mount the housing 24 and other parts of the conveyor 10, such as the motor 30, the controller 34 or other related parts of the mixing processing equipment. , the conveyor housing 24 is mounted to the base 98 at an even angle that it tilts from the upstream end to the downstream end. In a present embodiment, the inclination is approximately 10 °.

In a present embodiment, the housing 24 and screw 28 are made of steel. The upstream section of the screw 70 is approximately 285 mm in length, the first downstream subsection 73 of the screw is approximately 159 mm in length, and the second downstream subsection 74 of the screw is approximately 159 mm in length. The arrow 66 of the screw 28 has a diameter of approximately 35 mm. The external diameter of the screw in the downstream section 72 is approximately 63.5 mrn. The external diameter \ the screw in the upstream section 70 is tapering from approximately 292 inm to 63.5 nm. In a present modality, the symbol forms an angle of approximately 44.5 °. The threads 66 are approximately 6.35 in. Thick. In the upstream section 70, the threads are spaced apart 63.5 nm, in the first subsection downstream the threads are spaced apart 25.4 in., And in the second subsection downstream. 74 threads stan spaced apart L9.05 rnin. The internal passage 46 has a length that is adequate to contain the screw 28. The internal diameter of the inner passage 46 of the housing 24 conforms to the external diameter of the screw 28 plus a suitable tolerance, for example, 5.35 mrn. The restriction 96 at the distal end of the housing has an internal diameter of approximately 25.4 mm and a length of approximately 57.15 nm. The controller 34 may be a PLC manufactured by Sum tomo Inc. The motor 30 may be manufactured by Eurod ive Systems. The sensors can be manufactured by Ornron Inc. The vacuum source can be a vacuum pump manufactured by Gerb. Becker.

In operation, the transporter 10 is assembled and connected to receive the output of the mixer 18. The conveyor-10 is prepared in a conventional manner. In a preferred embodiment, the mixer material 18 can be pumped to the conveyor 10 through the Li tube 19, or it can be fed by gravity, or alternatively, it may not be pumped ,. In a preferred embodiment, the tube 19 has a length that is sufficient for the mixing coming from the mixer 18 does not flow inside the entrance 14 of the conveyor 10 without application of the vacuum from the vacuum source 32. In this way , the vacuum control 32 contributes to the control of the mixing level in the vacuum chamber 76. In a present embodiment, the length of the tube 19 is approximately 1.83 meters, although other lengths may be suitable depending on the size of the tube, the speed of the motor 30, the pumping force, if any, applied by the mixer 18, ele. The heat 16 of the LO transporter is connected to the reservoir 20. The vacuum source 32 is operated to apply a vacuum to the chamber 76. In a present embodiment, a vacuum of approximately 203 inm Hg is applied to the chamber 76. The motor 30 is operated at an appropriate speed, which in a preferred embodiment is approximately 415 RPM. This speed may vary, under the operation of the controller. Under the direction of the catalyst, suitable catalysts can be added to the second inlet 90. Degassing of the mixture occurs in the upstream section of the housing. By turning the screw 28, the mixture is rotated beyond the bottom of the vacuum chamber 76. Vacuum exposure removes air and other gases from the mixture. The degassing is efficiently carried out in the conveyor because the relatively long diameter (ie the section upstream of the housing exposes a substantial portion of the material to the vacuum, while this passes through the section upstream of the housing. The opening 77 of the housing to the vacuum chamber is located in such a way that it is misaligned with respect to the upper part of the housing so that the rotation of the screw does not cause the material to flow up into the chamber. As a result, the opening is located beyond the upper limit center of the housing depending on the direction of rotation of the screw As mentioned above, the screw 28 has different steps in the upstream section 70, the first downstream section 73 and the second downstream 74. Specifically, the step is made successively tighter in the current direction below and n each of these sections. This has the effect of restricting the flow of material at the downstream end, causing it to back off in a limited and controlled manner towards the upstream section 46 of the passage. This contributes to a better mixing of the material, and in particular contributes to the exposure of the mixture to the vacuum in the upstream section 40 (the housing, thereby contributing to the degassing of the material.) While the material is being transported and degassed in the carrier 10, the level of the material in the vacuum chamber 76 can be used to control the speed and flow.If the rotation of the screw is too slow, the vacuum source 32 will begin to send material up into the vacuum chamber 76. The sensors 80, 82 and 84, located adjacent to the camera 76, will detect the level of material elevation.The outputs for the sensors are arranged in such a way that the controller can slow down or stop the motor 30 if the material it rises very high in the chamber 76. As mentioned above, the vacuum is also used to conduct the material into the housing 24. This makes the conveyor 10 self-to l unstable and provides an efficient and controllable operation of the system. The degassing may proceed on a continuous basis while the material is being transported through the conveyor to the mold 20. It is intended that the above detailed description be rendered illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that the following claims, including all the equivalents, are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. An improved conveyor apparatus for processing-a mixture of materials consisting of: a tri-passport housing consisting of: an upstream section and a downstream section, wherein said upstream section has a conically configured inner passage that It is long at one end upstream of the mine; a rotating screw located in said conveyor housing, said screw has a first section located in said section above said conveyor housing and a second section located in said downstream section, wherein said first section of said screw has a shape conical corresponding to said conically configured interior passage; a first input to said conveyor housing to provide a mixture of materials within said conveyor housing, said first inlet connected to said upstream section; an outlet from said conveyor housing, said outlet connected to a downstream end of said section below; and a vacuum source connected to said conveyor housing to remove gases from the mixture.
2. 2. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that said vacuum source is connected to said current section of said conveyor housing.
3. 3. The improved carrier device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second input to said carrier housing, said interconnected to a source of catalyst.
4. 4. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 3, further characterized in that said second inlet to said conveyor housing is connected to said section downstream of said conveyor housing.
5. 5. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that said vacuum source is connected to said section upstream of said conveyor housing. (> .- The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a vacuum chamber connected to said section upstream of said conveyor housing and further charged because said vacuum source is connected to said vacuum chamber 7. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 6, further characterized in that said vacuum chamber extends upwardly from said upstream section of said conveyor housing 8. The conveyor apparatus improved in accordance with claim 1, which further consists of: At least one sensor connected to said conveyor housing, said sensor provides an outlet for controlling a transport speed of material 9. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 8, which consists in addition to a controller, and further characterized in that said at least one sensor-provides said s - The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that at least one sensor is located in a chamber and extends upwardly from said upstream section of said conveyor housing. . 11. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 10, further characterized in that said vacuum source is connected to said carnara. 12. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 8, further characterized in that said sensor is a capacitive sensor. 13. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that said downstream section of said conveyor housing-includes a downstream interior passage having a cylindrical geometry. 14. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 13, further characterized in that said second section of said screw includes a profile having a cylindrical geometry. 15. The improved transporter apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that said screw includes at least two portions having a different pitch. 16"- The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that said second section of said screw includes at least two portions having a different pitch. 17. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 16, further characterized in that a downstream portion of said at least two portions has a more tight passage than at least one of said at least two portions. 18. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that said second section of said screw has a step tighter than said first section. 19. The improved conveyor apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in that said vacuum source provides for the coaxing of said mixture of materials within said conveyor housing. 20. The improved conveyor apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that said first inlet is located on a lower side of said section upstream of the conveyor housing. 21. - The improved conveyor apparatus of thickness with the ejection 1, further characterized in that said upstream section of said conveyor housing is directly adjacent to said downstream section. 22. A par-ato to transport and continuously degas a mixture of materials consisting of: a conveyor device consisting of: a housing having an elongated passage, said passage having a section above which is tapered from a first diamet or a second diameter, and a downstream section that has a substantially equal diameter; a screw located in said passage and rotated therein, said screw adapted to transport said mixture from said section upstream through said section below, further characterized in that said screw has a shape corresponding to said passage; degassing apparatus connected to said housing (je conveyor for removing gases from the mixture) 23. A method for continuously conveying and degassing a mixture of material with a conveyor consisting of the steps of: rotating a screw in a passage of a housing, further characterized in that said passage consists of an upstream section and a downstream section, and further because said screw consists of a first section located in said section above and a second section located in said downstream section, and furthermore because said first section of said screw has a common profile because said passage has a shape corresponding to said screw, said gi or said screw being in a direction for transporting said plane from said current of said housing to said downstream section; applying a vacuum to said current above the housing to remove gases from said mixture; 24. The method according to claim 23, which further comprises: detecting a level of mixing in said cross section above said passage. 25.- The method according to claim 23, characterized furthermore because said step of applying a vacuum leads additionally said material (Jentro of said section mentioned above). 26.- The method according to the claim. 23, which further comprises the step of: adding a catalyst to said mixture while said mixture is in said passage. 27. The method according to claim 23, which further comprises the step of: controlling a speed of said rotation. 28.- The method according to claim 23, which further comprises the step of: detecting a level (Je mix in said housing and control a speed of said rotation based on said sensonficsdoección.