Conveyor module and method of manufacturing
OwnerChristopher J. Smithinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conveyor module is disclosed. The module is formed around one or more cup assemblies. The cup assembly comprises a cup having a top formed flush with the top surface of the module, and a bottom formed flush with the bottom surface of the module. The cup has a hollow interior and a pair of opposing sockets positioned in the interior. An axle extends between the sockets. A roller is mounted on the axle and extends above the top surface of the module, and may also extend below the bottom surface of the module. The cup assembly comprises a cup having a top having a top perimeter, and a bottom having a bottom perimeter. A centerline of the cup has a middle perimeter. The top perimeter and the bottom perimeter are shorter than the middle perimeter.
Claims24
A conveyor belt module, comprising:
- a planar member having a first edge, an opposing second edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface;
- a plurality of first links located along the first edge;
- a plurality of second links located along the second edge, and offset from the first links;
- the module injection molded around a cup assembly, the cup assembly comprising:
- a cup comprising:
- an exterior;
- a top positioned flush with the top surface of the module;
- a bottom positioned flush with the bottom surface of the module;
- a hollow interior;
- and,
- a pair of opposing sockets;
- an axle extending between the sockets;
- and,
- a roller mounted on the axle;
- and,
- wherein the roller extends beyond the top surface or the bottom surface of the module.
A method of manufacturing a conveyor belt module comprising the processes of:
- molding a cup comprising:
- a hollow interior;
- a pair of opposing sockets in the interior;
- and,
- a flat top surface and a flat bottom surface in a plane parallel to the top surface;
- placing a roller with a hollow center axis in the interior of the cup;
- locating an axle in the sockets of the cup and in the central axis of the roller to create a cup assembly;
- providing a first mold having a first receptacle;
- providing a first insert comprising:
- a fill structure that extends in complementary fit into a gap between the roller and the interior of the cup;
- and,
- a base, locatable against the top of the cup assembly and insertable into the first receptacle;
- positioning the first insert in the first receptacle of the first mold and connecting both to an injection molding machine;
- providing a second mold having a second receptacle;
- providing a second insert further comprising:
- a fill structure that extends in complementary fit into a gap between the roller and the interior of the cup;
- and,
- a base, locatable against the bottom of the cup assembly and insertable into the second receptacle;
- positioning the second insert in the second receptacle of the second mold and connecting both to an injection molding machine;
- positioning the cup assembly over the fill structure of the first insert;
- pressing the second mold against the first mold to form a module void between the first mold and the second mold;
- infusing the module void with a desired polymer;
- curing the polymer to form a conveyor module section with the cup assembly in the desired location and orientation;
- separating the second mold from the first mold;
- and,
- removing the module and cup assembly from the molding machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.