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US 2003/0196876 A1Published application
Modular conveyor belt
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorsDavid C. Weiser, Andrew A. Corley, Mitchell G. Pansano JR.
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AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorsDavid C. Weiser, Andrew A. Corley, Mitchell G. Pansano JR.
Estimating the term…
A module for a modular conveyor belt has a plurality of projections on its top surface for supporting objects. The module may include drainage openings through which fluids can drain from objects disposed on the projections. The projections can be used to prevent objects from adhering to the top surface of the module and/or to immobilize the objects during movement of a conveyor belt including the module.
A module for a modular conveyor belt comprising a grid including a plurality of lengthwise ribs extending in a lengthwise direction of the module, a plurality of the lengthwise ribs each having a bore formed in its outer end for receiving a hinge pin, a plurality of projections being provided on a top surface of the grid for supporting objects to be transported by the module, a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in the lengthwise direction of the module and a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a widthwise direction of the module, a plurality of drainage openings being provided between adjoining lengthwise ribs for drainage of fluid from objects supported on the projections.
A module for a modular conveyor belt comprising a grid including a plurality of lengthwise ribs extending in a lengthwise direction of the module, a plurality of the lengthwise ribs each having a bore formed in its outer end for receiving a hinge pin, and a plurality of projections provided on a top surface of the grid for supporting objects to be transported by the module, each projection comprising a body of rotation, a plurality of drainage openings being provided between adjoining lengthwise ribs for drainage of fluid from objects supported on the projections.
A module for a modular conveyor belt having first and second lengthwise ends, a top surface disposed between the lengthwise ends, a plurality of bores for receiving a hinge pin formed at the first and second lengthwise ends, and a plurality of projections for supporting objects to be transported by the module provided on the top surface, a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a lengthwise direction of the module and a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a widthwise direction of the module, the module having an open area of at least 10%.
A module for a modular conveyor belt having a front end and a rear end each having a plurality of aligned bores formed therein, the front end and the rear end each being shaped for interfitting with one of the ends of an identical module, and a plurality of projections on a top surface of the module, a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a lengthwise direction of the module and a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a widthwise direction of the module, a plurality of the projections extending forward of axes of the bores at the front end of the module and a plurality of the projections extending rearward of axes of the bores at the rear end of the module, wherein if the module is connected in series with an identical module with the bores at the rear end of the module aligned with the bores in the front end of the identical module, the modules can undergo reverse pivoting with respect to each other from a coplanar state by at least 40 degrees.
A module for a modular conveyor belt having a plurality of projections on a top surface thereof, a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a lengthwise direction of the module and a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a widthwise direction of the module, the module having a front end and a rear end each having a plurality of aligned bores formed therein, the front end and the rear end each being shaped for interfitting with one of the ends of an identical module, wherein if the module is connected in series with the identical module with the bores at the rear end of the module aligned with the bores in the front end of the identical module, a pitch between adjoining projections which overlap each other in the widthwise direction of the modules varies by at most 75% over a length of the modules, the modules able to undergo reverse pivoting with respect to each other from a coplanar state by at least 40 degrees.
A module for a modular conveyor belt having a plurality of projections on a top surface thereof, a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a lengthwise direction of the module and a portion of the projections being nonoverlapping with respect to each other in a widthwise direction of the module, the module having a front end and a rear end each having a plurality of aligned bores formed therein, the front end and the rear end each being shaped for interfitting with one of the ends of an identical module, wherein if the module is connected in series with the identical module with the bores at the rear end of the module aligned with the bores in the front end of the identical module, the minimum diameter of a sphere which can be supported atop a plurality of the projections without contacting the top surface varies by at most 0.15 inches over the length of the modules, the modules being able to undergo reverse pivoting with respect to each other from a coplanar state by at least 40 degrees.
A module for a modular conveyor belt comprising a grid including a plurality of lengthwise ribs extending in a lengthwise direction of the module and separated from each other by gaps and each having an outer end having a bore formed therein for receiving a hinge pin, one of the lengthwise ribs having a stopping member extending in a widthwise direction of the module into the gap between the one of the lengthwise ribs and an adjoining lengthwise rib.
A method of assembling a modular conveyor belt comprising:
A method of operating a modular conveyor belt having a plurality of modules connected in series, with modules adjoining each other in a lengthwise direction of the conveyor belt being able to undergo reverse pivoting with respect to each other from a coplanar state by at least 40 degrees, comprising supporting a plurality of items of food having a maximum dimension of at most 0.5 inches atop projections of the modules with an air gap between a lower surface of the items and surfaces of the modules on which the projections are formed, with a plurality of the items spanning two adjoining modules.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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The surface being formed by the traction element: specially adapted to follow a curved path
Individual load-carriers: having flat surfaces, e.g. platforms, grids, forks
Transport or storage devices
Term end not estimated
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a modular conveyor belt suitable for carrying fruit, vegetables, or other items having a tendency to adhere to the surface of a conveyor belt.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of an embodiment of a module of a modular conveyor belt according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the module of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of two modules like the one shown in FIG. 1 connected in series.
A modular conveyor belt according to the present invention includes a plurality of modules pivotably connected to each other end to end in series, typically to form an endless belt. FIGS. 1-7 illustrate one embodiment of a module 10 for a modular conveyor belt according to the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a single module 10, while FIGS. 3-7 show various views of two identical modules 10 connected to each other in series. The overall geometry of the module 10 (such as its length, its width, the shape of its lower portion, the shape of its lengthwise ends) may be similar to that of an existing module. For example, the illustrated module 10 is similar in overall geometry to a Series 800 Flush Grid Interior Module available from Intralox, Inc. of Harahan, La.
The illustrated module 10 is in the form of a grid with a generally rectangular outer periphery. It includes a central portion in the form of a transverse rib 20 extending in a widthwise direction of the module 10 and a plurality of lengthwise ribs 30 and 35 extending from the transverse rib 20 parallel to each other in the lengthwise direction of the module 10 (the direction in which the module 10 travels along a path as part of a conveyor belt) and laterally (such as perpendicularly) with respect to the transverse rib 20. The lengthwise ribs 30 and 35 include a plurality of first lengthwise ribs 30 and a plurality of second lengthwise ribs 35 which alternate with the first lengthwise ribs 30 in the widthwise direction of the module 10 and which are shorter than the first lengthwise ribs 30 as measured in the lengthwise direction of the module 10. In the present embodiment, each of the first lengthwise ribs 30 is aligned with one of the second lengthwise ribs 35 on the opposite side of the transverse rib 20 in the lengthwise direction of the module 10. However, alignment of the lengthwise ribs 30 and 35 is not necessary. The first lengthwise ribs 30 all have the same length, so the outer ends of the first lengthwise ribs 30 at either lengthwise end of the module 10 are flush with a straight line parallel to the transverse rib 20. This gives the module 10 a generally rectangular outline. However, other shapes are possible by varying the lengths of the first lengthwise ribs 30. The top surfaces of the transverse rib 20 and the lengthwise ribs 30 and 35 are substantially flat and flush with a common plane, but it is also possible for the top surfaces to be sloping to facilitate drainage.
In the present embodiment, all of the lengthwise ribs 30 and 35 extend in a straight line perpendicular to the transverse rib 20, but the lengthwise ribs may have a different shape as viewed in plan, such as curved or crank shaped, and they need not be parallel to each other.