Module for a modular conveyor belt having a microcellular structure
AssigneeHabasit AG
InventorsLuis Cediel, Sergio Fandella
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A module for a modular conveyor belt, is described. The module is of a micocellular polymeric foam produced by an injection molding process. The foam polymeric material exhibits excellent mechanical properties required for modular conveyor belts capable of withstanding long service lives. Also, the reduced weight in comparison to conventionally molded modules helps decrease wear on the conveyor belt support structures including the drive sprockets.
Claims34
A modular conveyor belt, which comprises:
- a) a plurality of modules, each module comprised of a first plurality of link ends, a second plurality of link ends and an intermediate section integrally formed with and joining the first and second plurality of link ends, wherein the link ends of each of the modules are releasably engaged between link ends of an adjacent module except for individual link ends of modules disposed at the extreme sides of the belt and wherein at least some of the modules comprise a polymeric material including a plurality of cells having an average cell size of less than 100 microns and at least some of the modules include a nucleating agent;
- and
- b) a pivot rod pivotally connecting the modules at engaged link ends.
A modular conveyor belt, which comprises:
- a) a plurality of modules, each module comprised of a first plurality of link ends, a second plurality of link ends and an intermediate section integrally formed with and joining the first and second plurality of link ends, wherein the link ends of each of the modules are releasably engaged between link ends of an adjacent module except for individual link ends of modules disposed at the extreme sides of the belt;
- b) a polymeric material comprising at least some of the modules including a nucleating agent in an amount between about 2.5% and about 7%, by weight, of the polymeric material;
- and
- c) a pivot rod pivotally connecting the modules at engaged link ends to thereby form the modular conveyor belt.
A method for manufacturing a modular conveyor belt, comprising the steps of:
- a) molding a plurality of modules, each comprising a first plurality of link ends, a second plurality of link ends and an intermediate section integrally formed with and joining the first and second plurality of link ends, and including molding at least some of the modules of a polymeric material comprising a plurality of cells of an average cell size of less than about 100 microns and including associating a nucleating agent with the polymeric material to thereby provide the cells;
- and
- b) releasably engaging the link ends of each module between the link ends of an adjacent module except for individual link ends of modules disposed at the extreme sides of the belt by a pivot rod pivotally connecting the modules at engaged link ends to thereby form the modular conveyor belt.
A method for manufacturing a modular conveyor belt, comprising the step of:
- a) molding a plurality of modules, each comprising a first plurality of link ends, a second plurality of link ends and an intermediate section integrally formed with and joining the first and second plurality of link ends;
- b) molding at least some of the modules from a polymeric material comprising a nucleating agent in an amount from about 2.5% to about 7%, by weight, of the polymeric material;
- and
- c) releasably engaging the link ends of each module between the link ends of an adjacent module except for individual link ends of modules disposed at the extreme sides of the belt by a pivot rod pivotally connecting the modules at engaged link ends to thereby form the modular conveyor belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.