System and method for detecting contamination of a conveyor
AssigneeLaitram, L.L.C.
InventorsDavid W. Bogle, Manoj Thomas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Conveying systems and method for detecting the presence and amount of biological contaminants or additives on a conveyor belt. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having embedded biosensors. Transmitters co-located in the belt with the biosensors transmit biosensor signals to a remote controller. The remote controller allows remote monitoring of the contamination level on the conveyor belt.
Claims19
A conveyor belt comprising a biosensor advancing along a conveyor path with the conveyor belt and sensing the presence of a predetermined analyte and producing a corresponding response signal, and further comprising an opening in an outer side of the conveyor belt through which replacement biosensors are loaded to replace spent biosensors.
A conveyor system comprising:
- a conveyor belt including:
- a biosensor sensing the presence of a predetermined analyte and producing a corresponding response signal;
- a transmitter transmitting the response signal;
- a receiver remote from the conveyor belt receiving the response signal transmitted by the transmitter;
- a biosensor-loading-unloading device for loading and unloading the biosensor in the conveyor belt.
A method for monitoring a process for contamination of articles conveyed continuously through the process on a conveyor belt, comprising:
- advancing articles supported on a conveyor belt along a conveyor path;
- detecting a predetermined analyte at an outer surface of the conveyor belt with a biosensor mounted in and advancing with the conveyor belt and producing measurements;
- transmitting the measurements remotely from the conveyor belt to a monitoring station;
- replacing spent biosensors with replacement biosensors through an opening in an outer side of the conveyor belt.
A conveyor system comprising:
- a conveyor belt including a biosensor advancing along a conveyor path with the conveyor belt and sensing the presence of a predetermined analyte and producing a corresponding response signal;
- a biosensor-loading-unloading device for loading and unloading the biosensor in the conveyor belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.