Chip conveyor and chip-separation/recovery apparatus

A chip conveyor apparatus wherein chips discharged from a machine tool are received in a receiving region and are conveyed to a discharge position, which is spaced from the receiving region, wherein a path from the receiving region to the discharge position is defined as a forward route, and a passage from the discharge position to the receiving region is defined as a return route, the apparatus comprising:

• an endless conveying member for conveying the chips from the receiving region, wherein the endless conveying member discharges the chips at the discharge position, and the conveying member is circulated in a predetermined direction;
• a separation apparatus located in the return route, wherein the separation apparatus separates chips from the conveying member by causing a liquid to act on chips that adhere to the conveying member to reduce or remove the adhesion after the conveying member has passed the discharge position, wherein the separation apparatus comprises a liquid storage tank containing the liquid acted on the chips, and wherein the liquid storage tank includes a chip discharge device, wherein the chip discharge device includes a screw conveyor provided on the bottom portion of the liquid storage tank for discharging the chips from the liquid storage tank, and a discharge tube attached to an outer wall of the liquid storage tank, the distal end opening of the discharge tube being placed above the liquid level of the liquid in the liquid storage tank.