Patent Publication Number: US-11376761-B2

Title: System and method for producing rubber mixtures for tires

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the production of rubber mixtures and vehicle tires made therefrom. More particularly, the invention relates to the complete production of rubber mixtures by selective execution of production sequences. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the manufacture of tires, it is required that the tire exhibit various performance characteristics (e.g., reduced rolling resistance, better wear resistance, comparable wet and dry adhesion, estimated mileage, etc.). The tires are therefore made of various types of rubber compounds having properties critical for operation of the tire itself. To ensure that a marketable tire has the expected performance, a rubber compound can be selected from a variety of rubber mixtures, each having various ingredients mixed in different amounts and derived from a variety of production sequences. Depending on the desired characteristics, such sequences may be carried out once, twice or even several times. 
     Although multiple types of rubber compounds are contemplated in the tire production process, there is a choice of, and an optimized implementation of, equipment that adapts itself to the choice of, the rubber mixture production sequence. Optimal productivity is therefore possible, while retaining the availability of diverse rubber properties. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a system for producing rubber mixtures having expected properties. The system includes a series of rubber mixture production installations that define monopassage and multipassage sequences of rubber mixture production. Each rubber mixture production installation permits execution of at least one rubber mixture production process. The rubber mixture production installations include at least one initial mixing installation that performs an initial mixing process. A first mixing and cooling installation performs a first mixing and cooling process before a complementary mixing process that is performed by at least one complementary mixing installation. A second mixing and cooling installation performs a second mixing and cooling process after the complementary mixing process. A transport means sequentially directs the rubber mixture toward either the complementary mixing installation or toward the second mixing and cooling installation according to a rubber mixture recipe selected for producing a rubber mixture having the expected properties. 
     The initial mixing installation includes comprises at least one internal mixer having a chamber of predetermined filling volume for receiving and mixing an elastomeric material with one or more initial ingredients during the initial mixing process. The complementary mixing installation comprises at least one ramless mixer having a chamber with a predetermined filling volume approximately two times greater than a predetermined filling volume of the internal mixer, the chamber receiving and mixing the rubber mixture with one or more complementary ingredients. 
     In certain embodiments, each mixing and cooling installation includes at least one external mixer in which a pair of cylinders transforms the rubber mixture into a continuous sheet; at least one spray system in which one or more spray rails are positioned at each of an upper spray station and a lower spray station, each spray rail being in communication with a source for supplying water and air to one or more nozzles at a predetermined water flow rate and a predetermined air pressure; and at least one aspiration system in which one or more aspiration hoods are positioned downstream of each respective spray rail, each aspiration hood being in communication with a source for supplying air at a predetermined air flow rate. During the mixing and cooling process, each mixing and cooling installation sprays a respective continuous sheet and evacuates the air containing the evaporated water in order to produce the rubber mixture at target values of temperature and water content before a complementary mixing process. 
     In certain embodiments, the rubber mixture production installations include a transport installation configured for selective transfer of a rubber mixture toward a preselected rubber mixture production installation. The transport installation includes an optional evacuation station including a spray rail and an aspiration hood; a retractable conveyance that allows selective transfer to the complementary mixing installation or to the second mixing and cooling installation; and a conveyance that performs the selective transfer to the second mixing and cooling installation. 
     In certain embodiments, the rubber mixture production installations include at least one end of line installation that performs an end-of-line process. A feed belt directs a rubber mixture from the second mixing and cooling installation to the end of line installation. 
     The system produces rubber mixtures from recipes with monopassage sequences or from recipes with multipassage sequences without the need for separate equipment. Therefore, the choice of expected properties is not limited by the configuration of the system. 
     The invention also relates to methods for selectively effecting one or more sequences for producing rubber mixtures according to a selected mixing recipe (e.g., a recipe requiring a monopassage sequence or a multipassage sequence). 
     The invention also relates to a tire formed according to these methods. 
     Other aspects of the presently disclosed invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The nature and various advantages of the presently disclosed invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of an exemplary system for producing rubber mixtures according to exemplary rubber production processes of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of an exemplary mixing and cooling installation and an exemplary evacuation station used with the system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  show the system of  FIG. 1  with a retractable conveyance in the course of transporting a rubber sheet toward a preselected rubber production installation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation and not by limitation of the presently disclosed invention. Selected combinations of aspects of the disclosed technology correspond to a plurality of different embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with one or more other embodiments to yield at least one further embodiment. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not expressly mentioned which perform the same or similar function. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Now referring further to the figures, in which like numbers identify like elements,  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary system  10  for producing one or more rubber products to be incorporated into one or more vehicle tires. It is contemplated that system  10  enables production of rubber mixtures having variable and customizable properties as determined by the performance properties of the resulting tire. As used herein, the term “tires” includes but is not limited to tires used with lightweight vehicles, passenger vehicles, utility vehicles (including heavy trucks), leisure vehicles (including but not limited to bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs, etc.), agricultural vehicles, military vehicles, industrial vehicles, mining vehicles and engineering machines. It is also contemplated that the products produced by the presently disclosed invention include full and partial tire treads such as those used in known retreading processes. 
     System  10  includes a series of rubber mixture production installations that together delineate one or more sequences of rubber mixture production. Each rubber production installation enables performance of at least one rubber mixture production process. A rubber mixture is obtained and sequentially directed to one or more of the rubber production installations according to a variety of rubber mixture recipes. System  10  allows sequential execution of rubber production processes until the resulting rubber exhibits the desired performance properties, which properties are variable and adaptable according to the rubber mixture recipe. 
     The rubber mixture that is selected for production in a given mixing cycle may be selectively obtained from a production sequence that is performed only once (hereinafter a “monopassage” sequence) or a production sequence that is carried out twice or more (hereinafter a “multipassage” sequence). A multipassage sequence may include one or more successive passes through at least part of the system before a final pass. The rubber mixture can thus be manufactured from a predefined recipe selected from among a plurality of rubber mixture recipes amenable to production by either by a monopassage sequence or by a multipassage sequence. 
     Control of the rubber mixture&#39;s properties is carried out not only by the ingredients selected for a given rubber mixture, but also by the order of their introduction as well as any intermediate steps. Since the configuration of system  10  remains static irrespective of whether it performs a multipassage or a monopassage sequence, an extensive selection of rubber mixture recipes becomes available that are suitable for the manufacture of tires. In this sense, the system allows the production of rubber mixtures from recipes with monopassage sequences or recipes with multipassage sequences without the need for separate equipment. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , among the rubber production installations provided with system  10  is an initial mixing installation  20  that performs an initial mixing process. Mixing installation  20  includes at least one internal mixer  22  having a chamber  24  of a predetermined fill volume. Internal mixer  22  includes one or more mixing blades (not shown) that ensure penetration of rubber ingredients into an elastomer matrix. Internal mixer  22  may be selected from a variety of commercially available mixers. 
     In an initial step A of both monopassage and multipassage sequences (see  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 ), performed at initial mixing installation  20 , internal mixer  22  receives elastomeric material  27  (e.g., natural rubber, synthetic elastomer and combinations and equivalents thereof) and one or more rubber ingredients such as one or more of implementation agents  29 , protection agents  31  and reinforcing fillers  33 . The ingredients may include one or more of carbon black or silica in varying quantities depending upon the desired performance properties of the tire. It is understood that other rubber ingredients may be introduced into internal mixer  22  with the exception of vulcanization (e.g., cross-linking) ingredients, which are introduced later in the sequence. 
     In a subsequent step B of both monopassage and multipassage sequences (see  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 ), also performed at initial mixing installation  20 , internal mixer  22  mixes the elastomeric material and the rubber ingredients to obtain a rubber mixture therefrom. The initial mixing process employs general mixing techniques as is known in the art. In some processes, mixing takes place at a temperature of not more than 180° C. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1  and further to  FIG. 2 , a rubber mixture  108  obtained from initial mixing installation  20  is conveyed toward a mixing and cooling installation  100  for performance of a mixing and cooling process thereat. The mixing and cooling installation  100  is a rubber production installation that includes at least one external mixer. 
     The installation  100  includes a pair of cylinders  110 . Each cylinder  110  has a rotational axis and the cylinders are arranged in a mutually opposed manner such that the rotational axes are parallel to one another. Cylinders  110  may exhibit identical diameters and lengths to ensure uniform and repeatable performance thereof during successive mixing cycles. One or both of cylinders  110  may have fluid or commensurate cooling means integrated therein as is known in the art. 
     Mixing and cooling installation  100  also includes at least one upper spray station  102  and a lower spray station  104  that are both incorporated into a spray system that sprays water and an aspiration system. The spray system includes one or more respective spray rails  124 ,  126  positioned at each of the upper and lower spray stations. Each spray rail is in communication with a water supply source and an air supply source that supply water and air to one or more nozzles at a predefined water flow rate. 
     The aspiration system includes one or more respective aspiration hoods  134 ,  136  positioned downstream of each rail. Each aspiration hood is in communication with an air supply source for the aspiration of air. The addition of water by the rails  124 ,  126  supplies the ambient air with moisture. The air containing evaporated water is aspirated to prevent the introduction of water into the rubber mixture. Each combination of rail and aspiration hood serves as a checkpoint that optimizes the cooling of rubber mixtures  108  over the entire production line. 
     In a step C, both for monopassage and multipassage sequences (see  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 ) performed at mixing and cooling installation  100 , cylinders  110  transform rubber mixture  108  into a continuous sheet  112  which then circulates according to a predefined path. The predefined path includes one or more continuous conveying means (for example one or more conveyor belts or transport equivalents). For the example of mixing and cooling installation  100  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the predefined path is formed at least partly by a continuous belt  114  positioned at the upper spray station  102  and another continuous belt  116  positioned at the lower spray station  104 . Belts  114 ,  116  are driven at least by an upper roller  118  and a lower roller  120  of larger relative diameter. One or more auxiliary rollers  122  can complement the belts  114 ,  116  as is known in the art. Although the belts  114 ,  116  are described as separate transport means, one continuous belt can replace them. 
     In some recipes, the cycle can take place as follows. After the initial mixing process is performed at the initial mixing installation  20 , the system  10  sends the rubber mixture  108  toward the installation  100 . The rubber mixture  108  passes between cylinders  110  of installation  100  in order to form a continuous sheet  112  having a selected thickness and width. 
     During the mixing and cooling cycle that is performed by installation  100 , a second mixture can then start in the internal mixer  22 . 
     During step C, the rubber mixture  108  is transported by belt  114  in a direction for treatment at upper spray station  102 . Belt  114  transports the first rubber mixture  108  between cylinders  110  to form continuous sheet  112 . Belt  116  transports the sheet in a direction for treatment at lower spray station  104 . On the basis of the unique properties of the rubber mixture  108 , each spray rail  124 ,  126  sprays water at a predetermined flow rate and each respective aspiration hood  134 ,  136  aspirates the air. The addition of water by rails  124 ,  126  loads the ambient air with moisture and promotes the extraction of heat during mixing. The purpose of the aspiration is to limit condensation and thereby prevent the introduction of excess water into rubber mixture  108 . Each ramp and aspiration hood combination therefore serves as a checkpoint that optimizes cooling and homogenization of the rubber mixture prior to commencement of a subsequent rubber production process. 
     Each rail  124 ,  126  should be configured to provide a water flow rate as determined by the mixing recipe of the selected rubber mixture. In some processes, the predefined water flow rate may be from about 70 liters/hour to about 400 liters/hour. Similarly, each aspiration hood  134 ,  136  should be configured to provide a predefined air flow rate as determined by the selected rubber mixture recipe. In some processes, the aspiration of air is selected at a level from about 5000 m 3 /hr to about 30000 m 3 /h. 
     The flow rates of water and aspiration of air may vary as long as the delivered flow rates confer to the rubber mixture the target values of temperature and water content before adding the crosslinking ingredients. For example, if, after an elapsed time, the rubber mixture temperature is greater than an expected target temperature, the water flow rate (for example, as delivered by rail  124  or rail  126 ) can be adjusted to a higher rate than would be delivered at a lower temperature. In some processes, the target temperature of the rubber mixture is about 70° C., at which temperature the predictability and reproducibility of the process are obtained. In some processes, the target water content does not exceed about 0.20% by mass of the rubber mixture. 
     The adjustment of the water flow rate can be performed alone or in combination with an adjustment of the air flow rate (e.g., by the aspiration hood  134  or the aspiration hood  136 ). As successful adjustments are made over time, such adjustments may be repeated to ensure that the water content of any rubber mixture is limited to the target value therefor. This value is ensured prior to the subsequent addition of vulcanization ingredients. When the mixture  108  is finished on the installation  100 , it is then sent to the transport installation  200 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , sheet  112  is transported toward a transport facility  200  that performs the selective transfer of the sheet  112  to a preselected rubber production installation. Transport installation  200  includes an optional evacuation station  206  having a spray system and an aspiration system for effecting an auxiliary cooling process as described above with respect to mixing and cooling installation  100 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , evacuation station  206  includes at least one spray rail  224  having nozzles which are positioned to spray sheet  112  at a predetermined water flow rate. Rail  224  includes a similar configuration to that described above with respect to rails  124 ,  126 . At least one aspiration hood  226  is downstream of spray rail  224  and has a similar configuration to that described above with respect to aspirations hoods  134 ,  136 . Aspiration hood  226  is positioned to aspirate air after spraying by rail  224 . 
     When evacuation station  206  performs additional cooling of the sheet, rail  224  sprays water thereon for evacuation by aspiration hood  226 . The cooling process performed at evacuation station  206  ensures that the rubber mixture exhibits a sufficient temperature and water content for sequential execution of a process in a monopassage or multipassage sequence. In other words, the sheet has properties suitable for the execution of a subsequent process, irrespective of whether the process is part of a monopassage sequence or a multipassage sequence. 
     In step D, for both monopassage and multipassage sequences (see  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 ), performed at transport installation  200 , a transport means such as an evacuation belt  240  transports sheet  112  from the mixing and cooling installation  100  toward a retractable conveyance  250  or a conveyance  252 , which are available at the level of transport installation  200 . In some sequences, sheet  112  is maintained at transport installation  200  prior to performing a subsequent process. The sequential direction of the rubber mixture toward a preselected rubber mixture production installation depends upon the selected rubber mixture. In this manner, system  10  realizes the benefits of both monopassage and multipassage sequences while permitting a selection between the two. 
     The pre-selected rubber mixture production installation is selected from a complementary mixing installation  300  that performs a complementary mixing process and a second mixing and cooling installation  100 ′. Installation  100 ′ is similar to the first installation  100  already described previously. In some embodiments, the size of the installations may be different. 
     Referring further to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , retractable conveyance  250  may be positioned for selective transfer toward complementary mixing installation  300  or for selective transfer toward second mixing and cooling installation  100 ′. During step D of a monopassage sequence (see  FIG. 3 ), retractable conveyance  250  extends toward evacuation belt  240  to allow the continuous conveyance of sheet  112  towards complementary mixing installation  300 . In such sequences, retractable conveyance  250 , either alone or in combination with another conveyance, dispatches the rubber mixture for performance of a complementary mixing process. 
     Referring further to  FIG. 4 , during step D of a multipassage sequence, and in particular for one or several successive passes (i.e., those passages of the sequence prior to the last passage), retractable conveyance  250  retracts from evacuation belt  240  for continuous transport of sheet  112  toward second mixing and cooling installation  100 ′. Conveyance  252  effects the selective transfer in by-passing complementary mixing installation  300  and in transporting sheet  112  directly toward installation  100 ′. The choice between a monopassage sequence and a multipassage sequence determines therefore if retractable conveyance  250  is positioned to by-pass complementary mixing installation  300 . 
     System  10  eliminates non-compliant mixtures in both monopassage and multipassage sequences. Although the process reduces the possibility of waste, if the material is non-compliant (e.g., due to malfunction of a mixing process), the system prevents the material from reaching complementary mixing installation  300 . Therefore, additional waste of energy and time is avoided while the advantages of the different rubber mix production sequences are preserved. 
     In further reference to  FIG. 3 , during step D of a multipassage sequence, and in particular for the last passage thereof, retractable conveyance  250  extends toward evacuation belt  240  for uninterrupted conveyance of sheet  112  to complementary mixing installation  300 . Upon completion of mixing at complementary mixing installation  300 , the rubber mixture is transferred to installation  100 ′ and submitted to a second mixing and cooling process. In certain multipassage sequences having successive passages before the last passage, the rubber mixture comes back to the start of another sequence at the level of initial mixing installation  20  (for example, in starting from step B of  FIG. 4 ). 
     During step E of both a monopassage sequence (see  FIG. 3 ) and a last pass of a multipassage sequence (see  FIG. 4 ), performed at complementary mixing installation  300 , mixer  302  receives one or more complementary ingredients (e.g., crosslinking or vulcanizing ingredients) that form the crosslinking system and any complementary elastomers and necessary additives (e.g., additional elastomers and/or recycling materials  309 , protection agents  311  and crosslinking agents  313 ). In some processes, complementary ingredients include at least one of sulfur and one or more accelerators. It is understood that other complementary ingredients can be introduced into mixer  302 . 
     During step F of both a monopassage sequence (see  FIG. 3 ) and a multipassage sequence (see  FIG. 4 ), performed at complementary mixing installation  300 , mixer  302  performs the complementary mixing process. The complementary mixing installation  300  realizes both monopassage and multipassage sequences and includes at least one ramless mixer  302  having a chamber  304  of a predefined filling volume. In some embodiments, the mixer  302  has a fill volume approximately twice that of internal mixer  22  positioned at initial mixing installation  20 . Ramless mixer  302 , which includes one or more mixing blades (not shown) as is known in the art, may be selected from commercially available mixers. 
     During this process, mixer  302  mixes sheet  112  with the complementary ingredients to effect mixing of all ingredients. During the complementary mixing process, the temperature of the rubber mixture is controlled as is known in the art (for example, by adjusting the speed of the mixing blades of mixer  302 , by employing a low filling factor, etc.). In some methods, the temperature of the mixture in chamber  304  is regulated so as not to exceed 110° C. prior to delivery of the rubber to mixing and cooling installation  100 ′. 
     During step G of both a monopassage sequence (see  FIG. 3 ) and a multipassage sequence (see  FIG. 4 ), performed at second mixing and cooling installation  100 ′, a second mixing and cooling process is performed. The second mixing and cooling installation  100 ′ realizes cooling and homogenization of rubber mixture  108 . 
     When mixing is terminated at installation  300 , the mixture is sent toward second mixing and cooling installation  100 ′. Installation  100 ′ functions in the same way as explained previously with respect to the first installation  100 . Rubber mixture  108  passes between cylinders  110 ′ of installation  100 ′ in order to form a continuous sheet  112 ′. One or more rails  124 ′,  126 ′ that are positioned at an upper spray station  102 ′ spray water at a predefined flow rate. One or several aspiration hoods  134 ′,  136 ′ that are positioned downstream of each respective rail  124 ′,  126 ′ aspirate the air. The cycle time on installation  100 ′ may be, for example, equivalent to a cycle time for installation  100 . The cycle time on the two installations  100 ,  100 ′ may be, for example, equal to the mixing time at initial mixing installation  20 . 
     For monopassage sequences, step G is performed after completion of the complementary mixing process by complementary mixing installation  300  (see step G of  FIG. 3 ). For multipassage sequences, step G is performed after the mixing and cooling process performed at installation  100 ′ and without performing the complementary mixing process realized by complementary mixing installation  300  (i.e., after the transfer of sheet  112  coming from evacuation station  206  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In a last passage of a multipassage sequence, step G is repeated after execution of the complementary mixing process at complementary mixing installation  300  (shown at step G of  FIG. 4 ). 
     During step G, in the course of multipassage sequences and before the last passage thereof, sheet  112  is transferred toward installation  100 ′ without passing the sheet to mixer  302 . This by-pass of the complementary mixing installation avoids all contamination of the rubber mixture by crosslinking residue that could remain present in chamber  304 . Although the complementary ingredients are deliberately selected in order to effect efficient crosslinking, a contamination by crosslinking residue is preferably avoided for those recipes in which the rubber mixture requires a complementary treatment (for example, at the level of at least one or more of an end-of-line installation  400 , a mixing and cooling installation  100  or  100 ′ and an evacuation station  206 ). 
     The recipe is carried out so as to optimize the occupancy times of the two installations  100 ,  100 ′. Thus, their waiting times without mixing (waiting at the end of the cycle of the mixer  20 ) or with mixing (waiting to evacuate the mixture from the installation  200 ) are minimized. 
     The use of two installations  100 ,  100 ′ makes it possible to double the time spent on these installations without penalizing the overall cycle time. This configuration also makes it possible to use two cylinder tools with different settings without losing time to effect the change of settings, especially for the adjustment of cooling equipment. 
     During a step G, system  10  sends the mixture toward an end-of-line installation  400 . End-of-line installation  400 , which is used for both monopassage and multipassage sequences, includes equipment for performing an end-of-line line process. This end of line process can be selected from profiling, sampling, processing, cooling, palletizing and storage of the rubber mixture. Equipment that is installed to perform the end of line process can be combined with other end-of-line equipment as needed. 
     In certains embodiments, one or more rubber mixtures are available at end-of-line installation  400 . One or more of these rubber mixtures can be extracted and combined during a later passage (for example, commencing at step B of  FIG. 4 ). For such sequences, evacuation station  206  executes supplementary cooling steps such that the water content and the temperature of the entire rubber mixture are limited to the target values before introduction of vulcanizing ingredients during the complementary mixing process. 
     System  10  includes a transport means that sequentially directs the rubber mixture to one or more of the rubber mixture production installations. As used herein, the term “transport means” refers to one or more transport means or conveyances such as belts  114 ,  116 ,  240 , retractable conveyance  250 , conveyance  252  and equivalent and complementary transport means. It is understood that the transport means is not limited to continuous belts and that other conveyances may be used for this purpose without departing from the scope of the present invention. The transportation can be “endless” (i.e., uninterrupted) for at least one sequence in progress and may circulate endlessly through one or more successive sequences. 
     The present invention contemplates the creation of rubber mixture production installations in which the rubber mixture production processes are selectively performed according to a selected rubber mixture recipe (e.g., by one or more controllers). These examples of rubber mixture production installations can follow a programmed sequence. For example, a central control center  230  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be programmed with established data for a plurality of rubber mixtures, each having a unique mixing cycle profile (e.g., monopassage sequence or multipassage sequence). Additional data may include at least one predefined water flow rate to deliver for each spray rail, an air flow rate to deliver to each aspiration hood, a target temperature of the rubber mixture after an elapsed time and a target water content for the rubber mixture. 
     One or more sensors and/or sensor types may be optionally employed, including but not limited to environmental sensors (e.g., to sense atmospheric conditions such as temperature, pressure and/or humidity prior to initiation of a mixing cycle) and verification sensors (e.g., to sense deviation from a proscribed sequence). In this manner, the presently disclosed invention enables an increased number and variety of rubber mixtures to be produced in view of the tire to be manufactured. 
     While one tire may benefit from a rubber that has its properties influenced by a monopassage rubber production sequences, another tire may benefit from a rubber that has its properties influenced by a multipassage rubber production sequence. Comparable ingredients may be used for both types of sequences and are therefore amenable to manufacture on equipment that accommodates various other non-disclosed processes. Such equipment can incorporate additional beneficial rubber mixing treatment processes without compromising the quality of the resulting rubber mixture and ultimately the performance of the final product. 
     It is understood that one or more steps in a selected monopassage or multipassage sequence can be performed at a given time and for a predetermined duration. To support the modularity of production capacity, one or more systems can be installed in a common facility with commencement of certain steps that are staggered between the stations (for example, a cooling process of one system may begin at a pre-defined waiting time after commencement of a cooling process by another system in the same facility). The present invention also includes equilibrating one or more steps or one or more processes in the same system. The start time for one or more steps may be staggered from a start time of other steps in the same sequence. One or more steps may terminate upon the start of a subsequent step or may otherwise have their durations extended until the conclusion of a step performed consecutively. 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not limited to a specified unit of measurement. For example, dimensions expressed in English units are understood to include equivalent dimensions in metric and other units (e.g., a dimension disclosed as “1 inch” is intended to mean an equivalent dimension of “2.5 cm”). 
     At least some of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. As used herein, the term “method” or “process” may include one or more steps performed at least by one electronic or computer-based apparatus having a processor for executing instructions that carry out the steps. 
     The terms “at least one” and “one or more” are used interchangeably. Ranges that are described as being “between a and b” are inclusive of the values for “a” and “b.” 
     While particular embodiments of the disclosed apparatus have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes, additions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, no limitation should be imposed on the scope of the presently disclosed invention, except as set forth in the accompanying claims.