Modular unit for the fabrication of conveyors

Details Modular unit for the fabrication of conveyors Modular unit for the fabrication of conveyors

2000-04-14

2001-12-25

Valenza, Joseph E. (Department: 3651)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor section

Having means to enhance the friction or adherence between...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06332531

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a first modular unit for the fabrication of conveyors, said first modular unit comprising an upper surface and a lower surface and means along at least one, preferably two long sides lying diametrically opposite each other, for pivotal hinging of the first modular unit to a second modular unit, and where extending from the upper surface said first modular unit comprises a list carrier with a front surface and a rear surface, an upper concluding end and two side edges lying opposite each other, the middle/center plane of said carrier standing substantially at right-angles to the upper surface and extending parallel with the long sides.
The invention also concerns a conveyor for the transport of items which makes use of the modular unit described above.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
From U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,514 there is known a modular unit which is used for conveyors where these conveyors are of a rising character, i.e. they are required to transport materials at an angle in relation to the horizontal. These materials can be, for example, flour, coffee and similar materials or materials which are of a more coarsely grained size.
The conveyor is fabricated with modular units which are arranged at the side of one another in the formation of the conveyor breadths and where the front and rear of the modular units are pivotally connected to a similar row, whereby the conveyor is formed. On the modular units there are carriers, i.e. substantially right-angled plate pieces, which ensure that the material to be conveyed and at an angle in relation to the horizontal does not slide off the belt, but is caught by these carriers. During this process the problem arises that the weight of the material can result in the carriers not remaining tight between the links, so that they do not stand correctly in relation to one another. Especially with fine materials such as flour and sugar, the sugar and the flour will thus run away between the carriers.
In the above-mentioned U.S. patent, an attempt to solve this problem is made by providing a groove in the one concluding edge of the carrier and a corresponding tongue in the other, which thus enter into engagement with each other in a form of tongue-and-groove construction. However, this gives rise to areas where accumulations of bacteria can take place, and where as a result of the intricate configuration it can be difficult for these bacteria accumulations to be removed again, and consequently the solution is not considered to be hygienic.
Alternatively, the surfaces on the carriers, which abut up against each other, can extend in an inclined manner so that a tightening effect should arise. However, also in the areas where these abut up against each other there arises a pronounced groove effect, which also gives rise to the collection of dirt, and moreover where the inclined course will probably result in a tight abutment as far as that surface which is the supported surface is concerned, but where that surface which is the supporting surface will have greater risk of separation in those cases where the carrier is exposed to a heavy load.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a modular unit whereby it is ensured that the carriers lock tightly against each other, so that these withstand even great and uneven loads in such a manner that greater or lesser weight can be applied to certain areas of the carriers, without this resulting in the carriers opening up in relation to one another, and thus give rise to the possibility for the material being conveyed to escape between possible cracks. Similarly, with this construction it is avoided that inexpedient corners and channels arise, and this is achieved with a modular unit and also where the front and rear surfaces of the carriers each comprise at least one pin extending outwards from the side ends, the first surface of said pins facing towards and being flat parallel with that surface from which they extend, and where the distance of the first surface of the pins to the middle/center plane of the carrier is at a maximum twice the distance between the middle/center plane of the carrier and the surface from which the pin extends.
The modular unit functions such that along the lines where hinges are provided, it is connected front and rear either with similar modular units or simply with modular units without carriers, and where laterally to a modular unit with a carrier further modular units with carriers are seen
Because of the pin which sits on each individual carrier and substantially at the same height, and where that modular unit which has its pin provided on the front surface along a side edge will engage with a modular unit's carrier, where this carrier has a corresponding pin but merely placed on the rear surface. This second modular unit, with its pin placed on the front surface, will thus engage with a third modular unit, said third modular unit having a pin provided on its rear surface.
This arrangement is thus continued until the fabrication results in a conveyor with the desired breadth, and where as mentioned the pins ensure that the carriers enter into firm engagement with one another, and where there thus arises minimum risk of openings appearing between the carriers with the result that the material can escape through the cracks.
A modular unit is disclosed which achieves an optimum locking between the individual carriers.
A modular unit is disclosed which achieves a uniform production of the modular units.
A modular unit is disclosed which achieves an optimum stability of the carriers.
A modular unit is disclosed in which the pins themselves do not give rise to accumulations of bacteria.
A modular unit is disclosed in which no clearance arises between the carriers which are placed at the side of each other.
A modular unit is disclosed in which a further optimization of the mutual engagement between the carriers is achieved, whereby locking arises.
A modular unit is disclosed in which the carriers in themselves do not give rise to accumulations of bacteria.
The invention also concerns a conveyor.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4832183 (1989-05-01), Lapeyre
patent: 5165514 (1992-11-01), Faulkner
patent: 5413211 (1995-05-01), Faulkner

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