Conveyor trolley system

Details Conveyor trolley system Conveyor trolley system

1999-10-05

2001-06-12

Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor section

Endless conveyor having means for suspending load

C452S177000, C452S187000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06244425

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the conveying of products via an overhead trolley type conveyor in a meat/food processing facility.
In a meat/food processing facility it is desirable to control the hygiene of the processing environment so as to preclude the introduction of contaminates in the product. Various government regulations address contaminates and sanitation in meat/food processing facilities. It is also desirable to maintain and/or modify conveyor systems with a minimum of effort to reduce labor and costs. Furthermore it is desirable to maintain safe conveyor systems to avoid injury to personnel and equipment.
Several problems exist that hinder the meat/food processing facility in meeting the government regulations concerning hygiene, maintenance and the safety of this equipment.
One problem is the result of sanitation techniques used on the conveyor systems. These systems are sprayed or dipped in a sanitation solution that may become trapped in recesses or between components. Current conveyor systems, by design, have a significant number of areas to trap contaminates. This results in possible contamination due to dripping of solution onto product throughout the facility. If product is contaminated it must be removed from the production stream and destroyed or utilized as rendering at a greatly reduced value.
A second source of contamination is the direct result of normal wear in current metallic based trolley systems. Metal flakes, corrosion, lubricants, and broken cable strands can find their way into the meat/food products during the normal operation of these systems as they pass over areas containing product.
Current systems are plagued with endless cycles of sanitation. Corrosion is accelerated by the use of strong caustic sanitation solutions. Corroded parts making contact with other metal parts tend to wear faster than normal.
Failure of an overhead trolley conveyor system is potentially dangerous due to unexpected rapid and uncontrolled movement of product on the conveyor system. Many components of current systems utilize plated mild steel, which corrodes rapidly when exposed to caustic sanitation solutions. Those systems utilizing corrosive resistant cable do not address the problem of stress on the cable mounting points resulting in premature fracturing of the cable strands. These systems are hard to inspect resulting in overlooked damage and unrecognized danger. Because these systems utilize metal to metal engagement of components they must also use lubricants. The lubricants are constantly depleted during the sanitation process and pose a contamination threat themselves.
Maintenance costs of current conveyor systems are significant due to the need for constant lubrication, replacement of parts that show excessive wear, corrosion, and fracturing. Modification and repair of current systems must be performed at designated areas away from meat/food products. Current systems utilized complex trolleys with multiple components fastened together. Replacing trolley components can require more multiple maintenance personnel to perform the repair. Current Systems typically use continuous lengths of cable or chain for an entire system. Often, cutting equipment and special power tools are required to repair or modify the conveyors. This results in additional loss of use and increased costs. If a current conveyer system should fail, the system must be advanced to a safe area for repair. If this is not possible then product must be removed from the work area to avoid contamination. This procedure and subsequent cleanup of the work area increases costs substantially.
Finally, current systems create noise due to metal to metal contact. This adds to the overall ambient noise level that could be detrimental to the work force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In response thereto we have invented an improved conveyor trolley system which eliminates or reduces the potential of product contamination in a meat/food processing facility while minimizing maintenance, modification costs, and noise. Our system utilizes a combination of polymer-based materials and corrosive resistant steel formed into a series of trolleys connected by individual cable sections. These components are supported vertically by commercially available wheels rolling along a system of commercial tee rails. The conveyor is able to transport products to any point within the facility along the conveyor path utilizing trolley hanger attachments as designated by the user. Our system utilizes specially designed turn sheave assemblies to drive the system along the tee rails and support the trolley hanger components as they change horizontal directions during normal travel along the conveyor path. The precision design of the trolley hangers and turn sheave assemblies allows them to work together and minimize all stress and wear associated with changing directions. The combination of the design and the materials used to make the trolley hangers and turn sheaves make them very quiet. The specially designed cable end fitting working in conjunction with the trolley hanger attachment point will allow an extreme angle of deflection with no detrimental stress placed on the cable or cable end fitting. This results in an extremely flexible and long lasting system. Lubrication is eliminated with the use of polymer-based materials and the design of the cable end fitting and the trolley hanger attachment points. Our system may be repaired or modified at almost any point in the system using only common hand tools.
It is therefore the objective of this invention to present an improved trolley conveyer system to minimize the contamination of meat/food products in a processing facility, reduce the overall cost of maintenance, and improve safety.
The object of the polymer-base trolley hangers is to eliminate harmful corrosion.
Another object is to eliminate areas capable of trapping contaminating fluids.
Further object of the polymer-based trolley hangers is to minimize noise.
Further object of the polymer-based trolley hangers is to reduce wear.
The object of the polymer-based turn sheaves is to form sheave turn assemblies and work in conjunction with the polymer-based trolley hangers to provide smooth propulsion and horizontal transition for the conveyor system through the turns.
Another object of the polymer-based turn sheaves is to support the trolley hangers and remove detrimental stress from the cable and cable end fittings.
Further object of the polymer-based turn sheaves is to eliminate corrosion.
Further object of the polymer-based turn sheaves is to eliminate areas capable of trapping contaminating fluids.
Further object of the polymer-based turn sheaves is to minimize noise.
Further object of the polymer-based turn sheaves is to minimize wear between the trolley hangers and the turn sheaves.
Another object of this invention is to eliminate the need for lubrication of the conveyer system.
Another object of this invention is to reduce the maintenance costs of the conveyor system.
Another object of this invention is to improve the ability to modify the conveyor system.
Another object of this invention is to improve inspection capabilities and avoid dangerous failures.
Another object of this invention is to eliminate stresses that tend to fracture the cables in the system.
Another object of this invention is to provide the capability of rapid replacement of worn or damaged parts at convenient locations.
Other advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention.


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