Littleford Day, Incorporated

Michael J Middendorf

Michael J Stokes

Ricky D Kesig

A horizontal mixer for mixing and processing materials includes a horizontally disposed mixing chamber and an elongated rotatable mixing shaft extending longitudinally through the chamber. The drive apparatus is coupled to a drive of the mixing shaft to rotate the shaft and mix material placed in the chamber. A stub end of the shaft has a bearing portion extending through an end wall of the chamber opposite the drive end of the shaft. The bearing portion engages a sleeve bearing which is operable for rotatably supporting the stub end proximate the end wall opening. A sealing shroud is coupled proximate the sleeve bearing and covers an outer portion of the shaft stub end. A static shroud seal is coupled with the sealing shroud at an interface between the shroud and the sleeve bearing. The static shroud is maintained out of direct contact with the rotatable shaft stub end. The sealing shroud and static shroud effectively isolate the shaft stub such that leakage between the chamber and the outside atmosphere is generally prevented.

Horizontal mixer apparatus and method with improved shaft and seal

A conical mixer for mixing and processing materials comprises a mixing chamber, an orbit arm positioned within the chamber for rotating therearound and a mixing screw coupled to the end of the orbit arm for rotation simultaneous with the rotation of the orbit arm. A driver for rotating the screw is coupled to an orbit arm assembly which includes a first drive gear coupled to the driver and a first mixing screw shaft with a first driven gear which cooperates with the first drive gear to rotate the first mixing screw shaft. A second drive gear is positioned at the end of the first mixing screw shaft and cooperates with a second driven gear which is, in turn, coupled to a second mixing screw shaft. Each of the driven gears includes a plastic gear portion to engage the respective drive gear in a generally lubricant free engagement for reducing the amount lubricant exposed to the mixing space of the chamber. The first and second mixing screw shafts are supported by a plurality of bearings. The bearings include solid lubricant therein which is generally solidly contained in the bearing during operation of the orbit arm for preventing exposure to the inside of the mixer. Thereby contamination of the mixing space and maintenance of the mixer is reduced.

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Florence, KY, United States of America

Michael J Middendorf