Oriented polymer hinge pins in modular plastic conveyor belts
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorsDavid C Weiser, Kyle j Sedlacek, Sandra A Christiana, Andrew A Corley
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Abstract
A modular plastic conveyor belt hingedly interconnected by hinge pins made of a highly oriented polymer material. The hinge pins are preferably extruded from a material including a highly oriented polymer, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. Alternative materials include highly oriented acetal or polyurethane. Plastic hinge pins made with these polymers having their long molecules oriented along the axis of the shaft of the hinge pin are exceptionally strong and resistant to deformation.
Claims6
A hinge pin for hingedly interconnecting adjacent rows of plastic belt modules through aligned apertures in interleaved hinge elements of adjacent rows, the hinge pin comprising:
- a shaft made of a highly oriented polymer material.
A modular plastic conveyor belt comprising:
- a series of rows of belt modules wherein each row includes at least one belt module extending from a first end to a second end in the direction of belt travel and including a first set of hinge elements along the first end and a second set of hinge elements along the second end, wherein the hinge elements form aligned apertures therethrough and wherein the rows are arranged end to end with the first set of hinge elements of a row interleaved with the second set of hinge elements of an adjacent row, the aligned apertures of the interleaved hinge elements defining a passageway between adjacent rows;
- and
- a hinge pin disposed in the passageway to form a hinge joint between adjacent rows, wherein the hinge pin includes a shaft made of a highly oriented polymer material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.