Method and apparatus for the production of a rubber compound used for the manufacture of an article made from rubber or a pneumatic tire technical sector

A method for production of a compound used for manufacture of an article made of rubber or of a pneumatic tire via an apparatus comprising a continuous mixer having a section in which components of the compound being processed are mixed, a reaction section located downstream of the mixing section and in which a rise in temperature of the compound is produced, and a cooling section located downstream of the reaction section and in which the compound being processed is cooled, wherein said reaction and cooling sections are arranged in succession one after another with structural continuity, the method comprising:

• a first step of supplying the components of the compound to the continuous mixer;
• a step of continuously mixing the components of the compound being processed carried out at a reference temperature;
• a first reaction step, subsequent to the mixing step, performed at a reaction temperature that is greater than the reference temperature in such a way as to activate a mild reaction of the compound being processed;
• and
• a cooling step, subsequent to the reaction step, performed at a cooling temperature that is lower than the reaction temperature, in order to prevent further development of the reaction that takes place during the reaction step.