TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to Internal Batch mixer for mixing rubber compounds. More particularly, the present invention relates to visualizing the chamber after mixing, during the batch changeover, for checking the presence of leftover rubber inside the chamber.
BACKGROUND
[002] The Internal Batch mixer for mixing rubber compounds, is completely closed during mixing. Mixing takes place in the chamber made of two Barrel casings supported by end support which is also closing the chamber sideways.
[003] At the top of the barrel casings, there will be a weight pushing the rubber inside the chamber and also close the chamber from the top. At the bottom there is a hinged door that closes the chamber from bottom. After completion of mixing of compounds inside the chamber, the door opens and mixed rubber gets dumped into downstream equipment. The bottom door opens into the Mezzanine cutout and at downstream side also, the rubber flowing path is completely sealed for safety purpose.
[004]Reference is made to US8911139B2, wherein an internal batch mixer is provided with: a casing within which a material is mixed; a door which opens and closes a material discharge opening of the casing by being rotated about the axis thereof and closes the material discharge opening when in a closed state; and a latch mechanism which, when the material is mixed in the casing, holds the door in a latched state, the latched state being a state in which the material discharge opening is being closed by the door and cannot be opened, and which, when the material having been mixed in the casing is discharged from the inside of the casing, releases the door from the latched

state. The latch mechanism is provided with a linear actuator which has a movable section capable of moving linearly and moves the movable section to the door side to supply power to the latch member, the power causing the latch member to move to the door side, and a linear sensor for measuring the distance of linear movement of the movable section caused by the linear actuator. Information relating to the displacement of the latch member is displayed on a display device on the basis of the distance of linear movement of the movable section measured by the linear sensor.
[005] Reference is made to US20090238027A1 which teaches an apparatus for kneading a rubber material which continuously performs a series of processes which are kneading a rubber material with a non-vulcanization compounding agent at the beginning, kneading it with a vulcanization compounding agent, and finally obtaining final kneaded rubber; and a kneading method using this kneading apparatus. Preparatory kneaded rubber having been kneaded in one internal mixer is selectively fed, by a distribution conveyor, to a group of kneading lines where at least two kneading lines are provided to be arranged side by side. Each of the kneading line consists of a plurality of open roll mixers serially connected with each other. Intermediate kneaded rubber resulted in having a target viscosity after having been kneaded in the group of kneading lines is kneaded with a vulcanization compounding agent, whereby final kneaded rubber is obtained.
[006] Reference is made to US 20070025176 A1 which teaches a batch mixer, which includes a floating weight that is freely elevatable by hydraulic cylinders in a hopper which is provided for a mixer main body in a communicated state and into which mixing materials are charged, includes: a linear scale capable of continuously detecting the elevating/lowering position of a floating weight; a position setting device that sets the elevated position of the floating weight; and a control device that controls the elevating/lowering position of the floating weight based on the positional detection signal of the linear scale and the set value of the position setting device. The control device sends a stop signal to a direction switching solenoid valve to stop the action of the hydraulic cylinders when the positional detection signal matches the positional set

value. With such a constitution, the stop position of the floating weight can be changed without requiring a complicated work.
[007] The limitation with the existing set up, as discussed above, is that there is no provision to confirm that all the mixed rubber got discharged through the bottom door as it is completely closed on other sides. Also the opening whatever available is not sufficient for visual access. If there is some mixed rubber exists inside the chamber, then this rubber acts as a contamination to the next batch as each batch is controlled for each of the ingredients for getting required properties.
[008] Thus, there is no prior method for visualization inside the chamber. Due to the construction of the mixer, it is not possible to check manually. At present, a sample from the first batch after the compound changeover is checked at a lab for the contamination. In case of property mismatch due to contaminations, the whole batch is scrapped and this is causing a productivity loss. This is the main need for this invention.
[009] Therefore, there exist a dire need to address these concerns of visualizing the chamber after mixing, during the batch changeover, for checking the presence leftover rubber inside the chamber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide the mechanical arm
arrangement, its operation & control and the necessary control system for the operation, control and display of the chamber internal.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to carry out in an automatic
mode where an arm arrangement is fixed outside the chamber will take a camera inside the chamber and control system process the image and present the same to the machine operator in the machine display. All the arm movements are controlled by automatic means and without manual intervention but with a manual override during necessity.
[0013] Accordingly, in the first aspect, the present invention provides a
visualization apparatus for contamination analysis, provided within a mixing chamber of internal batch mixer, wherein said apparatus comprising:
a mechanical arm arrangement to access internals of said internal batch mixers for observation for contaminants, inspection of internal elements for wear and cleaning or repair of internal elements of chamber.
[0014] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for
contamination analysis using the visualization apparatus in a mixing chamber, wherein said method comprising:
actuating, by a first actuator, a slider arm means; and thereby
aligning the mechanical arm arrangement with an opening created by a swinging open of a supporting means;
actuating, by a second actuator, a horizontal swing arm for enabling said horizontal swing arm to enter the chamber through the opening;
actuating, by a third actuator, a vertical swinging arms to cause linear and/or swinging motion so as to enable the image capturing means mounted at the top of said vertical swinging arm to enter into said mixing chamber, sense and send the image data to a Control module;

processing, by said control module, said image data and displaying processed output on a panel display units.
[0015] In both the aspects, the apparatus comprises a supporting means with swing mechanism, affixed to a bottom side of the chamber or contained in an enclosure as a portable device for use with other internal mixers. After batch mixing process, the supporting means swing open to create an opening to provide entry to said mechanical arm arrangement into said chamber.
[0016] In both the aspects, access to the mixing chamber is provided by the opening in the supporting means or openings in end supports or from opening at a top of the mixing chamber.
[0017] In both the aspects, the mechanical arm arrangement comprises at least one image capturing means for capturing image data or inspection or cleaning devices.
[0018] In both the aspects, the mechanical arm arrangement further comprises: at least one slider arm means, at least one horizontal swinging arm means, and at least two vertical swinging arms, wherein the image capturing means fixed to one of said vertical swinging means.
[0019] In both the aspects, a control module operably coupled to said image capturing means and adapted to process said image data and display the processed output on panel display units.
[0020] In both aspects, the image capturing means is selected from a machine vision camera to measure clearance of internal mechanism of mixing chamber.
[0021] In both aspects, the image capturing means is used in conjunction with an actuator to remove residual substances inside the mixing chamber or repairing internal elements.
[0022] In both aspects, the actuator is selected from an electrical means, pneumatic means, hydraulic means, manual means, or any combinations thereof.

[0023] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0024] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain
exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0025] Figure 1 illustrates an arrangement of the apparatus as described in
previous sections in its home position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 2 illustrates an arrangement of the apparatus in its full working
condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0028] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings
is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of

the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.
[0029] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various
changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0030] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not
limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0031] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0032] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic,
parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
[0033] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one
embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0034] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when
used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
[0035] In one implementation, the present invention provides a visualization
apparatus within a mixing chamber for contamination analysis. The apparatus comprising: a mechanical arm arrangement provided with at least one or more if necessary image capturing means for capturing image data, wherein said arrangement comprises: at least one or more if necessary slider arm means, at least one horizontal swinging arm means, at least one extension arm, and at least two vertical swinging arms, wherein said image capturing means fixed to one of said vertical swinging means; and a control module operably coupled to said image capturing means and adapted to process said image data and display the processed output on a panel display units.
[0036] In one implementation, the Figure 1 illustrates an arrangement of the
apparatus as described in previous sections in its home position. The position is just after the batch dumping and door is in open position and the apparatus is ready to enter the chamber.
[0037] In one implementation, figure 2 illustrates an arrangement of the
apparatus in its full working condition. This position is achieved by actuation of all the actuators in the systems and the camera is taken inside the chamber for visualization purpose.
[0038] In one implementation, referring to figure 1 and 2, the Chamber of the
internal mixer consists of End supports (1a & 1b) at the ends, Barrels (2a & 2b) at the sides and weight (3) at the top and bottom door (4) at the bottom. This bottom door is fixed to a support (5). This support swings open whenever the rubber needs to be dumped and closes for next batch mixing. Inside the barrels (2a & 2b) there are Rotors (7a & 7b) that rotates and mixes the Rubber fed into the chamber. Opposite to the door

(4) and support (5) swing mechanism, there is a latch arrangement (6) which locks the support (5) of the door (4) in position during mixing. Latch arrangement (6) side is fully closed and there is no accessibility of the chamber through this. Whereas when the support (5) with door swings open to its maximum position, there is an opening. This invention uses this gap to insert a mechanical arm arrangement (10) with Camera (10a) inside the chamber for checking the presence of excess rubber.
[0039] In one implementation, referring to figure 1 and 2, the camera
arrangement (10) is normally fixed at the hinge side of the support (5) of the chamber and it operates outside the movement zone so that it will not hinder the normal operation motion of the mixer components. This arrangement consists of a Slider arm (10b), horizontal swinging arm (10c) and two numbers of vertical swinging arm (10d & 10e) at the tip of the second vertical swing arm (10e), the camera 10a will be fixed. Movement of slider arm (10b) is by a first actuator and sliding mechanism built within the arm. Horizontal swinging of the arm (10c) is by second actuator (10f) fixed at the hinge point. The movement of the Vertical swing arms is by the combination of torsion rod 10g, bevel gears 10h, 10i & 10j and the pulley arrangement 10k, 10l with the belt 10m.Torsion rod 10g is rotated by a third actuator (10n). This vertical swinging is also achieved by the combination of ball screw connected to a cam follower that guides through the cam plate and connected to linkages that converts the linear motion to swinging motion.
[0040] In one implementation, whenever there is a Batch change over, the door
(4) of the chamber with support (5) will swing out and kept in that position and then the Camera arm will be activated. This activation first moves the slider arm by actuating the actuator fixed with the arm. This movement will align the arrangement in line with the gap available to access the chamber. Then, the second actuator (10f) will be activated to swing the horizontal swing arm and the arm enters through the gap. Then, the vertical swinging arm (10 d & 10e) are swinging open by activating the third actuator (10n). This will enable the arm reaching the chamber inside and enable the camera mounted at

the top of the arm (10e) to sense and send the image output to the Control module. This vertical swinging is alternatively carried out by rotating the ball screw (10p) with nut which is connected to a cam follower (10q). This cam follower follows though the cam plate (10r) and this cam is designed in such a way that the vertical swing arms (10d & 10e) are swing to rise inside the chamber with the help of a set of linkages (10s). Once the arms are extended and Camera is in position, Slider arm (10e) will slide across the length of the chamber to get the complete lengthwise view of the chamber. This Camera shall be a single camera with swinging arrangement for 360° or may be twin combination of many cameras for sensing both more than one sides simultaneously.
[0041] In one implementation, the image captured by the Camera will be sent to
the control module and Control module process the data and displays the same in the Panel display units.
[0042] In another implementation, in order to return back from the chamber, the
mechanical arm arrangement with the camera will follow the same steps in the reverse sequence.
[0043] Some of the features of the present invention considered to be
noteworthy are mentioned below:
. Visualization of internal chamber of mixer with a camera
. A Compact mechanism carrying camera enters through small opening and positions camera inside the chamber with a series of linkages and actuators by automatic operation. . Presentation of image of the internal of mixing chamber in machine display units for the operator to examine for the presence of rubber.
[0044] It may be understood by the person skilled in that art that, the coupling,
joining, fitting, fastening, of the two components mentioned the present invention may

be achieved by any of the existing coupling techniques that may include but not limited to fasteners, nuts and screws or any other mechanical linkage.
[0045] Some of the non-limiting advantages of the present apparatus over the
prior art is as follows:
> Improving the product quality during batch changeover.
> Avoiding scrap generation due to contamination
> Used as a visual inspection aid for chamber internal inspection.
> Possibility to attach the add on manipulator to remove the contamination
[0046] Although a visualization apparatus and method for a chamber of internal
batch mixer for contamination analysis have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the above section are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or apparatus described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of the visualization apparatus and method for a chamber of internal batch mixer for contamination analysis.

WE CLAIM:
1. A Visualization apparatus for contamination analysis, provided within a mixing
chamber of internal batch mixer, wherein said apparatus comprising:
a mechanical arm arrangement to access internals of said internal batch mixers for observation for contaminants, inspection of internal elements for wear and cleaning or repair of internal elements of chamber.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprises a supporting means with swing mechanism, affixed to a bottom side of said chamber or contained in an enclosure as a portable device for use with other internal mixers.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein access to said mixing chamber is provided by an opening in said supporting means or openings in end supports or from opening at a top of said mixing chamber.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mechanical arm arrangement comprises at least one image capturing means for capturing image data or inspection or cleaning devices.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arrangement further comprises: at least one slider arm means, at least one horizontal swinging arm means, and at least two vertical swinging arms, wherein said image capturing means fixed to one of said vertical swinging means.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 and 4, further comprises a control module operably coupled to said image capturing means and adapted to process said image data and display the processed output on panel display units.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said image capturing means is selected from a machine vision camera to measure clearance of internal mechanism of mixing chamber.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said image capturing means used in conjunction with an actuator to remove residual substances inside the mixing chamber or repairing internal elements.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said actuator is selected from a electrical means, pneumatic means, hydraulic means, manual means, or any combinations thereof.
10. A method for contamination analysis using the visualization apparatus in a mixing chamber, according to claim 1, wherein said method comprising: actuating, by a first actuator, a slider arm means; and thereby
aligning the mechanical arm arrangement with an opening created by a swinging open of a supporting means;
actuating, by a second actuator, a horizontal swing arm for enabling said horizontal swing arm to enter the chamber through the opening;
actuating, by a third actuator, the vertical swinging arms to cause linear and/or swinging motion so as to enable the image capturing means mounted at the top of said vertical swinging arm to enter into said mixing chamber, sense and send the image data to a Control module;

processing, by said control module, said image data and displaying processed output on a panel display units.