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US 5,174,436 AGranted
Flexible module chain conveyor
AssigneeNestec S. A.
InventorLars G. A. Wadell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conveyor has a plurality of overlapping modules having horizontal and vertical flexibility while forming a tight surface which are provided by chain links which include an articulated pivot which is connected by a spring to a module lug.
Claims9
A conveyor apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of modules, each having an article support element for supporting articles to be conveyed, wherein a rearward bottom surface portion of each module article support element overlaps a forward top surface portion of an adjacent module article support element;
- a lug connected to the bottom surface portion of each module article support element positioned between the forward and rearward potions of the bottom surface;
- a plurality of chain links, each having a chain link head positioned beneath each forward bottom surface and having an articulated pivot positioned in the head;
- and
- a spring which connects each module lug to the articulated pivot positioned beneath the forward bottom surface of the module to which the lug is connected to urge the rearward bottom surface portion of each module article support element into contact with the forward top portion of the adjacent module article support element and so that the modules are horizontally and vertically flexible.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.