Helical conveyor
AssigneeAmbaflex International B.V.
InventorsWouter Balk, Emiel Martijn Schouten
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A helical conveyor for transporting products in downward direction by means of gravity comprises a frame and a helical track extending around an upright centerline. The helical track is supported by the frame and comprises a bottom for bearing a product. The bottom has an inclination angle in a direction (X) along the helical track. At least a portion of the bottom is formed by a transport surface of a drivable conveying system such that the transport surface has a predefined speed in downward direction (X) along the helical track. The inclination angle at an inner bend of the transport surface of the conveying system is larger than 20°.
Claims20
A helical conveyor for transporting products in downward direction by means of gravity, comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- a helical track extending around an upright centerline, which helical track is supported by the frame and comprises a bottom for bearing a product, wherein the bottom has an inclination angle in a direction (X) along the helical track, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is formed by a transport surface of a drivable conveying system such that the transport surface has a predefined speed in the downward direction (X) along the helical track and an inclination angle at an inner bend of the transport surface of the drivable conveying system is larger than 20°, and wherein the transport surface of the conveying system is inclined downwardly in a direction from an outer bend thereof to the inner bend.
A method of transporting products by using a helical conveyor comprising a helical track extending around an upright centerline, wherein a bottom of the track has an inclination angle in a direction (X) along the helical track, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is formed by a transport surface of a drivable conveying system such that the transport surface has a predefined speed in a downward direction (X) along the helical track and an inclination angle at an inner bend of the transport surface of the drivable conveying system is larger than 20°, the method comprising:
- moving a first product downwardly along the helical track, wherein the first product is moved by means of gravity at a higher speed than the predefined speed of the transport surface of the conveying system;
- and
- moving a second product by the transport surface of the conveying system at the predefined speed of the transport surface of the conveying system so as to transport the second product downwardly in case the second product remains on the transport surface.
A helical conveyor for transporting products in downward direction by means of gravity, comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- a helical track extending around an upright centerline, which helical track is supported by the frame and comprises a bottom for bearing a product, wherein the bottom has an inclination angle in a direction (X) along the helical track, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is formed by a transport surface of a drivable conveying system such that the transport surface has a predefined speed in the downward direction (X) along the helical track that is less than 30 meters/min and an inclination angle at an inner bend of the transport surface of the drivable conveying system is larger than 20°.
A helical conveyor for transporting products in downward direction by means of gravity, comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- a helical track extending around an upright centerline, which helical track is supported by the frame and comprises a bottom for bearing a product, wherein the bottom has an inclination angle in a direction (X) along the helical track, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is formed by a transport surface of a drivable conveying system such that the transport surface has a predefined speed in the downward direction (X) along the helical track and an inclination angle at an inner bend of the transport surface of the drivable conveying system is larger than 30°.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.