Process and apparatus for continuously producing an elastomeric composition

A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition, comprising:

• providing at least one extruder;
• metering and feeding at least one elastomer and at least one filler into the at least one extruder;
• metering and feeding ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one extruder;
• mixing and dispersing the at least one filler and the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder;
• and
• extruding a resulting elastomeric composition through a discharge opening of a housing of the at least one extruder;
• wherein the at least one extruder comprises:
• the housing;
• and
• at least one screw rotatably mounted in the housing;
• wherein the housing comprises:
• at least one feed opening;
• and
• the discharge opening;
• wherein at least one of the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers comprises a subdivided product comprising one or more minor ingredients dispersed in at least one thermoplastic binding agent, and
• wherein the subdivided product is conveyed, before metering and feeding into the at least one extruder, by at least one pneumatic conveying line.

An apparatus for continuously producing an elastomeric composition, comprising:

• at least one extruder;
• at least one first metering device;
• at least one second metering device;
• and
• at least one pneumatic conveying line;
• wherein the at least one extruder comprises:
• a housing;
• and
• at least one screw rotatably mounted in the housing;
• wherein the housing comprises:
• at least one feed opening;
• and
• a discharge opening;
• wherein the at least one first metering device meters and feeds at least one elastomer and at least one filler through the at least one feed opening into the at least one extruder,
• wherein the at least one second metering device meters and feeds ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one extruder,
• wherein at least one of the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers comprises a subdivided product comprising one or more minor ingredients dispersed in at least one thermoplastic binding agent, and
• wherein the at least one pneumatic conveying line conveys the subdivided product from a storage bin to the at least one second metering device.