Patent ID: 8801265

Claim:
A machine ( 1 ) for homogenizing a bitumen-based mixture with polymer granules in order to obtain a homogenized bituminous blend; said machine ( 1 ) comprising: a substantially cylindrical sleeve ( 5 ), said sleeve ( 5 ) having its longitudinal axis substantially coaxial to a reference axis (A), said sleeve ( 5 ) being adapted to internally contain said bitumen-based mixture and a preset amount of said polymer granules; said sleeve ( 5 ) having a perforated side wall ( 8 ), said perforated side wall ( 8 ) comprising a plurality of apertures ( 9 ) extending through said perforated side wall ( 8 ), each of said plurality of apertures ( 9 ) being shaped so as to have at least one sharp cutting edge ( 9 a ) portion; and a homogenizer assembly ( 10 ) comprising: a central hub ( 13 ) within said sleeve ( 5 ), said central hub being adapted to rotate about said reference axis (A); at least one knife ( 14 ) adapted to rotate within said sleeve ( 5 ) to rotate about said reference axis (A), said at least one knife ( 14 ) being adapted to displace, during its rotation, at least part of said bitumen-based mixture and of said polymer granules along a direction substantially tangential to the inner surface ( 11 ) of said perforated side wall ( 8 ) so as to press the polymer granules to impact on the portions of sharp cutting edge ( 9 a ) of said plurality of apertures ( 9 ); said at least one knife ( 14 ) comprising a blade ( 18 ) extending parallel to said reference axis (A) and being adapted to abut said inner surface ( 11 ) of said perforated side wall ( 8 ); each said at least one knife ( 14 ) comprising a first bar ( 17 ), said first bar ( 17 ) being connected to said blade ( 18 ), wherein said first bar ( 17 ) being adapted to support said blade ( 18 ); and a mechanical connection member ( 24 ) linking each said first bar ( 17 ) and said central hub ( 13 ), wherein said mechanical connection member ( 24 ) being adapted to move said first bar ( 17 ) along a first plane passing said reference axis (A) to and from said cylindrical sleeve ( 5 ).