Conveyor system unit and circulating conveyor system

Abstract

Conveyor system units configured to form part of a circulating conveyor system and a circulating conveyor system comprising conveyor system units are disclosed. The conveyor system unit (10) comprises a first slab (11) and a second slab (12), and each slab has a support surface (13) having a first and a second long side edge portion (21, 22) and two short side edge portions (23). The first and second slabs are arranged side by side relative to each other and are interconnected by an elastic matrix (30) extending across the support surface (13). Each conveyor system unit (10) further comprises a support side wall (24) arranged at each short side edge portion (23) of each slab, the support side walls (24) arranged on the same short edge side of the conveyor system unit (10) are interconnected by an elastic matrix wall (324, 324') extending across the support side walls (24).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a conveyor system unit configured to form part of a loop conveyor system, and to a loop conveyor system comprising a pair of loop chains and a plurality of conveyor system units. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the mining industry, there are different feeder options that can be used to transport mining material from one type of equipment to another. For heavy load applications, apron feeders are often used. An apron feeder comprises a steel apron supported and driven by a caterpillar chain. In situations where there is a lot of fines and / or where the height of the transport is critical, a belt feeder can be a better option.

[0003] Conveyor belt feeders connected to a steel support apron driven by a caterpillar chain are also known, and such an arrangement can prevent leakage of fines or possibly also liquids through the conveying surface when used for transporting ore material. However, the belt surface of a conveyor belt feeder wears and can be torn or punctured by larger rocks, and replacing a worn belt can be time consuming and difficult. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved conveyor system unit and an improved loop conveyor system comprising a plurality of such conveyor system units.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, these and other objects are all or at least partly achieved by a conveyor system unit configured to form part of a loop conveyor system. According to this aspect of the present disclosure, each conveyor system unit comprises a first slat and a second slat which together form a pair of slats, each slat having a support surface with a first long side edge portion and a second long side edge portion and two short side edge portions. The first and second long side edge portions are longer than the two short side edge portions, and the first and second long side edge portions and the two short side edge portions together define a rectangular support surface. The first slat and the second slat are arranged side by side relative to each other with the first long side edge portion of the first slat facing the second long side edge portion of the second slat. Furthermore, the first slat and the second slat are interconnected by an elastomeric matrix extending across the support surfaces of the first slat and the second slat. Furthermore, the elastomeric matrix comprises a connecting portion extending between the first slat and the second slat, thereby forming a continuous load carrying surface of the conveyor system unit, wherein the connecting portion forms a hinged connection between the first slat and the second slat, and wherein the elastomeric matrix is fastened to the first slat and the second slat.

[0006] Each conveyor system unit further comprises a support side wall arranged at each short side edge portion of each slat, which support side wall extends upwards above the support surface of each slat. The support side walls arranged on the same short edge side of the conveyor system unit are interconnected by an elastic matrix wall fastened to and extending across the support side walls. The elastic matrix wall further comprises a connecting wall portion extending between the support side walls arranged on the same short edge side of the conveyor system unit, thereby forming a continuous side wall at each short edge side of the conveyor system unit, wherein the connecting wall portion forms a hinged connection between the support side walls at each short edge side of the conveyor system unit.

[0007] With such conveyor system units, individual conveyor system units can be replaced independently of each other in case of breakage, wear or other influences, such as chemical contamination. With the possibility of independent replacement, the downtime of the conveyor system during replacement is reduced. Furthermore, when these conveyor system units are arranged into a loop conveyor system, these conveyor system units enable the use of scrapers not only for the continuous load bearing surface of the loop conveyor system, but also for the side walls.

[0008] According to one embodiment, each side wall has a support member, and the conveyor system unit is configured to be mounted to a pair of loop chains by the support member of the support side wall on the first slat connected to a first chain link and the support member of the support side wall on the second slat connected to a consecutive chain link in the loop chain. Thus, each conveyor system unit is configured to be arranged to bridge over the pivotable joint in the chain links, and the connecting portion between the pair of slats and the connecting wall portion between the support side walls allow such pivoting movement when the loop conveyor system travels over one of the pulley positions. Thus, the support member is arranged on the side of the support side wall opposite the elastic matrix wall.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the connecting wall portion is foldable and wedge-shaped with an acute angle facing the continuous load bearing surface. When a plurality of conveyor system units are arranged into a loop conveyor system, between the pulley positions, the wedge-shaped connecting wall portion will fold together between the support side walls of the first and second slats, and when travelling over the pulley, the wedge-shaped connecting wall portion will stretch between the support side walls of the first and second slats, thereby forming a continuous flat side wall, wherein the elastic matrix wall on the support side walls is arranged on the same short edge side of the conveyor system unit.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the connection portion between the long side edge portions of the first and second slats comprises a longitudinally extending recess forming part of the articulated connection between the first and second slats and the side wall. When a plurality of conveyor system units are arranged into a loop conveyor system, the longitudinally extending recess in the connection portion will enable a pivotable movement between the first and second slats in the pulley position, wherein the elastic matrix will be compressed to some extent. Such longitudinally extending recess can be arc-shaped or have a triangular cross-section. Other geometric cross-sections are also possible, as long as the longitudinally extending recess allows the two slats to pivotably move relative to each other when passing the pulley position. The longitudinally extending recess is preferably arranged in the surface opposite the continuous load carrying surface of the conveyor system unit. However, in one embodiment, the connection portion is devoid of a longitudinally extending recess, instead the elastic matrix is made of a material flexible enough to allow bending in the connection portion between the first and second slats.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first slat has a longitudinally extending protruding web along the second long side edge portion, and the second slat has a corresponding longitudinally extending recess along the first long side edge portion. Thus, when a plurality of conveyor system units are arranged side by side on a pair of loop chains into a loop conveyor system, wherein each conveyor system unit bridges a pivotable joint in a chain link, and consecutive conveyor system units are arranged with their first slats connected to the same chain link as the second slat of the preceding conveyor system unit, the longitudinally extending protruding web of one conveyor system unit and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess of the adjacent conveyor system unit are aligned, thereby forming a continuous load carrying surface of the loop conveyor system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the elastic matrix has a longitudinally extending protruding web along the second long side edge portion of the first slat and a corresponding longitudinally extending recess along the first long side edge portion of the second slat.

[0013] In another embodiment, the longitudinally extending protruding web can be formed in the elastic matrix, while the corresponding longitudinally extending recess is formed by the support surface of the slat in combination with an end surface of the elastic matrix along the first long side edge portion of the second slat not fully covering the support surface.

[0014] Independently, if the longitudinally extending web and the longitudinally extending recess are arranged on the slats or in the elastic matrix, or a combination thereof, a continuous load carrying surface will be obtained when the conveyor system units are arranged consecutively into a loop conveyor system as described above.

[0015] In another embodiment, the side wall portion of the support side wall of the first slat has a protruding web, and the side wall portion of the support wall of the second slat has a corresponding recess.

[0016] In another embodiment, the elastic matrix wall has a protruding web along the side wall portion of the support side wall of the first slat and a corresponding recess along the side wall portion of the support side wall of the second slat.

[0017] In another embodiment, the protruding web can be formed in the elastic matrix wall along the side wall portion of the support side wall of the first slat and the corresponding recess is formed by the side wall portion of the support side wall of the second slat in combination with the end surface of the support side wall of the elastic matrix wall along the side wall portion of the support side wall of the second slat not fully covering the end surface of the support side wall.

[0018] Likewise, independently, if the web and recess are arranged on the support side wall, on the elastic matrix wall of the support side wall or a combination thereof, a continuous wall surface will be obtained when the conveyor system units are arranged in succession as a circulating conveyor system as described above.

[0019] In one embodiment, each conveyor system unit comprises a modular system. The modular system comprises a slat unit, two pairs of support side walls and two elastic matrix walls.

[0020] The slat unit comprises a first slat and a second slat forming a pair of slats, each slat being a cross bar having a T-shaped cross section, wherein each upper flat rectangular portion of the T-shaped cross bar forms a support surface.

[0021] As described above, the first and second slats (in the form of cross bars having a T-shaped cross section) are arranged side by side relative to each other, with a first long side edge portion of the first slat facing a second long side edge portion of the second slat, and the first and second slats are interconnected by an elastic matrix extending across the support surfaces of the first and second slats, and the elastic matrix comprises a connecting portion extending between the first and second slats forming a hinged connection between the first and second slats, thereby forming a continuous load bearing surface of the conveyor system unit. Likewise, the elastic matrix is fastened to said pair of slats.

[0022] The two pairs of support side walls are configured to be releasably attached to the short side edges of the first and second slats, and each support side wall has a support member. Likewise, as described above, the support side walls are configured to extend upward above the support surfaces of each slat.

[0023] With regard to the two elastic matrix wall units, each elastic matrix wall unit comprises two elastic matrix wall parts configured to cover two support side walls and releasably attached to the two support side walls, the two support side walls configured to be arranged on the same short edge side of the slat unit. The two elastic matrix wall parts are interconnected by a connecting wall portion, the connecting wall portion being foldable and wedge-shaped with an acute angle configured to face the continuous load bearing surface arrangement of the slat unit. The connecting wall portion forms a hinged connection between the elastic matrix wall parts.

[0024] In one embodiment of the modular system, the connection portion between the long side edge portions of the first and second slats comprises a longitudinally extending recess forming part of the hinged connection between the first and second slats. The longitudinally extending recess is arranged in a surface opposite the continuous load bearing surface of the slat unit.

[0025] With regard to the connection portion between the long side edge portions of the first and second slats in the form of a longitudinally extending recess, such longitudinally extending recess can be arc-shaped or have a triangular cross-section. Other geometric cross-sections are possible as long as the longitudinally extending recess allows the two slats to be pivotably moved relative to each other when passing the pulley position.

[0026] The different features of the different embodiments disclosed above apply equally to the modular system when the modular system is assembled into a conveyor system unit.

[0027] According to the embodiments disclosed above, the elastic matrix on the slat unit can have a longitudinally extending protruding web along the second long side edge portion of the first slat and can have a corresponding longitudinally extending recess along the first long side edge portion of the second slat. Thus, when a plurality of modular conveyor system units are arranged side by side on a pair of endless chains into an endless conveyor system, where the modular conveyor system units bridge the pivotable joints in the chain links and consecutive modular conveyor system units are arranged such that the support members attached to the support side walls of the first slat connect to the same chain link as the support members attached to the support side walls of the second slat of the preceding modular conveyor system unit, the longitudinally extending protruding web and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess align, thereby forming the continuous load bearing surface of the endless conveyor system.

[0028] Also, according to the embodiments disclosed above, another embodiment of the modular conveyor system unit comprises a side wall portion of a support side wall intended to be mounted to the first slat having a protruding web, a side wall portion of a support side wall intended to be mounted to the second slat having a corresponding recess.

[0029] Moreover, according to the above disclosed embodiments, a further embodiment of the modular conveyor system unit comprises: a side wall portion of a first elastomer matrix wall part of the elastomer matrix wall unit having a protruding web; and a side wall portion of a second elastomer matrix wall part of the elastomer matrix wall unit having a corresponding recess.

[0030] Likewise, when the modular conveyor system units are arranged one after the other on a pair of endless chains as described above, a continuous elastomer matrix wall surface will be obtained.

[0031] Alternative arrangements of protruding webs and corresponding recesses according to the earlier disclosed embodiments can likewise be applied to the modular conveyor system unit.

[0032] In one embodiment, the support member is arranged on the support side wall, offset from the continuous load bearing surface of the conveyor system unit. The term "offset" refers to a position above the continuous load bearing surface when seen in the load bearing mode of the conveyor system unit. In relation to this position, in the load bearing mode, the continuous load bearing surface is not aligned with the endless chain, instead, the continuous load bearing surface is arranged at a lower height compared to the endless chain. Thus, when the endless conveyor system travels on the pulleys, the point of rotation along the slat is lower than the point of rotation of the endless chain.

[0033] In one embodiment, the elastomer matrix material of the elastomer matrix and / or the elastomer matrix wall is selected from reinforced elastomer material, rubber, polyurethane or any other suitable material, which can withstand the wear from the material or goods carried by the conveyor system unit.

[0034] In one embodiment, the elastomer matrix and the elastomer matrix wall are fastened to the pair of slats and the support side wall, respectively, by vulcanization. In another embodiment, the elastomer matrix and the elastomer matrix wall are fastened by clamping.

[0035] However, in other embodiments, the elastomer matrix and the elastomer matrix wall can also be fastened by means of fusion bonding, adhesive, cold welding or by mechanical fastening, such as screwing, bolting or by using Velcro. A combination of two or more of these fastening methods can also be used for each conveyor system unit.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, these and other objects are also fully or at least partially attained by a loop conveyor system comprising a pair of loop chains and a plurality of conveyor system units according to any one or a combination of the above-mentioned embodiments of the conveyor system unit. According to this second aspect, the conveyor system units are arranged side by side to form the loop conveyor system, wherein the support members of the support side walls on the first slat of a first conveyor system unit are connected to a first chain link of one of the loop chains, and the support members of the support side walls on the second slat of the first conveyor system unit are connected to a consecutive second chain link of the loop chain. Furthermore, the support members of the support side walls on the first slat of a consecutive conveyor system unit are connected to the second chain link of the loop chain, and the support members of the support side walls on the second slat of the consecutive conveyor system unit are connected to a consecutive third chain link of the loop chain.

[0037] Also, with such conveyor system units forming a loop conveyor system, each conveyor system unit can be replaced independently of each other in case of breakage, wear or being subjected to other influences, such as chemical contamination. With the possibility of independent replacement, the downtime of the conveyor system during replacement is reduced. Furthermore, such a loop conveyor system enables the use of scrapers not only for the continuous load bearing surface of the loop conveyor system, but also for the side walls. Still further, such a loop conveyor system can be applied in heavy load applications as well as in applications where there is a large amount of fines in the feed material, since its structure ensures minimal leakage and at the same time provides a structure that allows heavy loads.

[0038] According to one embodiment of this second aspect, the protruding web extending longitudinally along the long side edge portion of the first conveyor system unit is received in the recess extending longitudally along the long side edge portion of the consecutive conveyor system unit, thereby forming a continuous load bearing surface of the loop conveyor system.

[0039] According to another embodiment of this second aspect, the protruding web along the side wall portion of the support side wall of the first conveyor system unit is received in the recess along the side wall portion of the support side wall of the consecutive conveyor system unit, thereby forming a continuous wall surface of the loop conveyor system.

[0040] According to one embodiment of this second aspect, a load distribution plate is connected to and arranged to bridge over two support members, said support members being arranged on a common chain link. Such a load distribution plate will ensure that the two support members on the common chain link are aligned, and will also distribute any uneven load over the continuous load bearing surface of the two conveyor system units in alignment.

[0041] In one embodiment, the load distribution plate is reinforced with ridges arranged in the direction of the chain links.

[0042] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the annexed claims and from the drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure relates to all possible combinations of features.

[0043] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0044] As used herein, the term "comprises / comprising" and variations thereof do not intend to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings, which show examples of current preferred embodiments of the disclosure.

[0046] Figure 1a Perspective view of one embodiment of a conveyor system unit according to the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 1b Perspective view of one embodiment of a conveyor system unit according to the present disclosure. Figure 1a Cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in the middle.

[0048] Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a conveyor system unit according to the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a conveyor system unit according to the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a conveyor system unit according to the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 5 Perspective view of one embodiment of a conveyor system unit according to the present disclosure, shown in a curved position similar to when passing a pulley position in a loop conveyor system arrangement.

[0052] Figure 6 Perspective view of a part of a loop conveyor system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the loop conveyor system having three conveyor system units arranged thereon.

[0053] Figure 7 Perspective view of a part of a loop conveyor system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the loop conveyor system having a conveyor system unit arranged thereon.

[0054] Figure 8 is shown from another angle Figure 7 perspective view of the loop conveyor system shown in

[0055] Figure 9 is a perspective cut view of the loop conveyor system.

[0056] Figure 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a conveyor system unit according to the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 11 is a perspective view of Figure 10 cut view of the embodiment shown in

[0058] Figure 12a is a perspective view of Figure 10 partial exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 12b is a close-up view of a part of the embodiment shown in Figure 10

[0059] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a part of the loop conveyor system according to the embodiment shown in Figure 10

[0060] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a part of the loop conveyor system having a conveyor system unit arranged thereon.

[0061] Figure 15 is shown from another angle Figure 14 perspective view of the loop conveyor system shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The present disclosure is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0063] Figures 1a-1b ​​A conveyor system unit 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, which is configured to form part of a loop conveyor system 50. The conveyor system unit 10 is shown in a flat configuration and comprises a first slat 11 and a second slat 12 which together form a pair of slats. Each slat 11, 12 has a support surface 13 configured to carry a load of the loop conveyor system 50. The support surface 13 has a first long side edge portion 21, a second long side edge portion 22 and two short side edge portions 23. The first and second long side edge portions 21, 22 are longer than the two short side edge portions 23 and the first and second long side edge portions 21, 22 and the two short side edge portions 23 together define a rectangular support surface 13.

[0064] In the conveyor system unit 10, the first and second slats 11, 12 are arranged side by side relative to each other with the first long side edge portion 21 of the first slat 11 facing the second long side edge portion 22 of the second slat 12 and the first and second slats 11, 12 are interconnected by an elastic matrix 30 extending across the support surfaces 13 of the first and second slats 11, 12. Thus, the elastic matrix 30 joins the two slats together. Between the pair of slats 11, 12, the elastic matrix 30 forms a connection portion 31 extending from the first slat 11 to the second slat 12 forming a hinged connection between the first and second slats 11, 12, and thus the elastic matrix 30 thereby forms a continuous load carrying surface 313 of the conveyor system unit 10.

[0065] In this embodiment, the elastic matrix 30 is fastened to the first and second slats 11, 12 by vulcanization during its manufacture. However, in other embodiments, the elastic matrix can be fastened by clamping, fusion bonding, adhesive, cold welding or by mechanical fastening such as screwing, bolting or by using Velcro.

[0066] At each short side edge portion 23 of the first and second slats 11, 12, a support side wall 24 is arranged. These side walls 24 are arranged to extend upwards above the support surface 13 of each slat 11, 12. Furthermore, the support side walls 24 arranged on the same short edge side of the conveyor system unit 10 are interconnected by an elastic matrix wall 324 extending across the support side walls 24 and the elastic matrix wall 324 further comprises a connection wall portion 311 extending between the support side walls 24 arranged on the same short edge side of the conveyor system unit 10, thereby forming a continuous side wall at each short edge side of the conveyor system unit 10, wherein the connection wall portion 311 forms a hinged connection between the support side walls 24 at each short edge side of the conveyor system unit 10.

[0067] The elastic matrix wall 324 can also be fastened to the support side wall during its manufacture by vulcanization. However, in other embodiments, the elastic matrix wall 324 can be fastened by means of clamping, fusion bonding, adhesive, cold welding or by mechanical fastening, such as screwing, bolting or by using Velcro.

[0068] The support side wall 24 has support members 27 arranged on its surface opposite the elastic matrix wall. These support members 27 are configured to be mounted to a pair of endless chains 51, for example as Figure 6 illustrated, where the first support members 27 of the first slat 11 are connected to a first chain link 52 and the support members 27 of the second slat 12 in the same conveyor system unit 10 are connected to consecutive chain links 53 in the endless chain 51. The connection portion 31 and the connection wall portion 311 bridge over the pivotal link 58 between the endless chain 51 and the first chain link 52 and allow pivotal movement in the articulated connection when the conveyor system unit 10 reaches the pulley position. This is illustrated in more detail in Figures 5-10 .

[0069] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1a , the connection wall portion 311 comprises a flexible and foldable wedge-shaped part having an acute angle facing the consecutive load bearing surface 313 of the conveyor system unit 10. When the conveyor system unit 10 travels along the flat part of the endless conveyor system path, the connection wall portion 311 is folded together as illustrated in Figure 1a , and when the conveyor system unit 10 reaches the pulley position of the endless conveyor system path, the connection wall portion 311 is stretched to form a consecutive wall with the elastic matrix wall 324 on the support side wall 24 of the first and second slats 11, 12 as illustrated in Figures 6-9 .

[0070] In the conveyor system unit 10 illustrated in Figure 1a , the connection portion 31 arranged between the long side edge portions 21, 22 of the first and second slats 11, 12 comprises a longitudinally extending recess 37. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1a , this longitudinally extending recess 37 is arranged as an arc-shaped longitudinally extending recess 37 in the elastic matrix 30 between the pair of slats 11, 12. However, this longitudinally extending recess 37 can also have other forms. In Figure 3In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the longitudinally extending recess 37 has a triangular cross-section. Other geometric cross-sections are also possible, as long as the longitudinally extending recess 37 allows the first and second slats 11, 12 to be pivotably moved relative to each other when passing the pulley position. Also, as mentioned earlier, it is not necessary that the connecting portion necessarily comprises a longitudinally extending recess, instead the elastic matrix can be made of a material flexible enough to allow bending in the connecting portion between the first and second slats.

[0071] Figure 1b In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the longitudinally extending recess 37 has a triangular cross-section. Other geometric cross-sections are also possible, as long as the longitudinally extending recess 37 allows the first and second slats 11, 12 to be pivotably moved relative to each other when passing the pulley position. Also, as mentioned earlier, it is not necessary that the connecting portion necessarily comprises a longitudinally extending recess, instead the elastic matrix can be made of a material flexible enough to allow bending in the connecting portion between the first and second slats. Figure 1a A cross-sectional view of the conveyor system unit 10 is shown in Fig. 4. Figure 1b It is also shown that the conveyor system unit 10 has a longitudinally extending protruding web 41 arranged on the second long side edge portion 22 of the first slat 11, and has a corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 along the first long side edge portion 21 of the second slat 12. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 are formed in the elastic matrix 30. However, in another embodiment, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the longitudinally extending corresponding recess 42 can be formed in the first and second slats 11, 12, as shown in Fig. 5. Figure 1b In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 are formed in the elastic matrix 30. However, in another embodiment, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the longitudinally extending corresponding recess 42 can be formed in the first and second slats 11, 12, as shown in Fig. 5. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 are formed in the elastic matrix 30. However, in another embodiment, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the longitudinally extending corresponding recess 42 can be formed in the first and second slats 11, 12, as shown in Fig. 5. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 are formed in the elastic matrix 30. However, in another embodiment, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the longitudinally extending corresponding recess 42 can be formed in the first and second slats 11, 12, as shown in Fig. 5. Figure 4 In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 are formed in the elastic matrix 30. However, in another embodiment, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the longitudinally extending corresponding recess 42 can be formed in the first and second slats 11, 12, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 are formed in the elastic matrix 30. However, in another embodiment, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the longitudinally extending corresponding recess 42 can be formed in the first and second slats 11, 12, as shown in Fig. 5. Figures 1a-1b The conveyor system unit 10 shown in Fig. 3 also has a protruding web 45 along a side wall portion 25 of the support side wall 24 arranged on the first slat 11, and has a corresponding recess 46 along a side wall portion 25 of the support side wall 24 arranged on the second slat 12. Again, the protruding web 45 and the corresponding recess 46 can be arranged in an elastic matrix wall 324 on the support side wall 24, as shown in Fig. 6, or can be arranged in the support side wall 24, or even can comprise a protruding web 45 in the elastic matrix wall 324 and a corresponding recess 46 formed by the support side wall 24 on the second slat 12 in combination with an end surface of the elastic matrix wall 324 on the support side wall 24 not fully covering the support side wall 24 towards the side wall portion 25 of the support side wall 24, as shown in Fig. 7. Figure 1b In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 are formed in the elastic matrix 30. However, in another embodiment, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the longitudinally extending corresponding recess 42 can be formed in the first and second slats 11, 12, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0073] Thus, when two conveyor system units 10 are arranged side by side on a pair of endless chains 51, the protruding web 41, 45 of one conveyor system unit 10 will align with the corresponding recess 42, 46 of the adjacent conveyor system unit 10 and form a continuous load bearing surface 313 and a continuous wall surface of the endless conveyor system 50.

[0074] It is not necessary that the webs 41, 45 have to be arranged on the same side of the conveyor system unit 10. Instead, the longitudinal web 41 can be arranged along the second long side edge portion 22 of the first slat 11, while the web 45 can be arranged on the side portion 25 of the support side wall 24 arranged on the second slat 12. With this arrangement, the longitudinal recess 42 will be arranged along the first long side edge portion 21 of the second slat, and the recess 46 will be arranged on the side portion 25 of the support side wall 24 arranged on the first slat 11.

[0075] Figure 5 is Figure 1a a perspective view of an embodiment of the conveyor system unit 10, shown in a curved position similar to when passing a pulley position in an endless conveyor system arrangement. As Figure 5 indicated, the connecting wall portion 311 is now stretched out and forms a continuous smooth side wall together with the elastic matrix wall 324 on the support side wall 24 of the first and second slats 11, 12, while the connecting portion 31 bends like a hinge between the first and second slats 11, 12.

[0076] As Figure 6 indicated, where three conveyor system units 10 have been arranged on a pair of endless chains 51 with a space for the middle conveyor system unit 10, the connecting portion 31 and the connecting wall portion 311 are arranged as a pivoting link 58 bridging between two consecutive chain links (the first chain link 52 and the consecutive chain link 53), and each conveyor system unit 10 bends between the first and second slats 11, 12 when the endless conveyor system 50 travels over a pulley position.

[0077] Figure 7 and Figure 8how the first and second slats 11, 12 in each conveyor system unit 10 pivot relative to each other as they pass through the pulley locations, while the first long side edge portion 21 of the second slat 12 in the first conveyor system unit 10 remains aligned with the second long side edge portion 22 of the first slat 11 in the consecutive conveyor system unit 10, wherein the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 of the second slat 12 in the first conveyor system unit 10 is received in the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 in the first slat 11 of the consecutive conveyor system unit 10 to form a continuous load bearing surface 313 of the elastic matrix 30, as these slats are arranged on a common chain link. In the same manner, the protruding web 45 along the side wall portion 25 of the support side wall 24 of the second slat 12 in the first conveyor system unit 10 is received in the corresponding recess 46 along the side wall portion 25 of the support side wall 24 of the first slat 11 of the consecutive conveyor system unit 10 to form a continuous side wall surface.

[0078] Figure 9 is a perspective cut view of a loop conveyor system 50 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the longitudinally extending recesses 42 and longitudinally extending webs 41 arranged in the material of the first and second slats 11, 12, respectively. The loop conveyor system 50 further has load distribution plates 70, each arranged to bridge over two support members 27 of two different conveyor system units 10 arranged on a common chain link 52, 53, 54, 55, respectively. The load distribution plates 70 are fastened to the loop chain 51 with the support members 27 arranged therebetween by means of bolted connections. Each load distribution plate 70 can further have reinforcing ridges 71 arranged in the chain link direction.

[0079] Figures 10-15 is shown a conveyor system unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the conveyor system unit 10 comprises a modular system. As Figures 12a is shown, the modular system comprises a slat unit 60, two pairs of support side walls 24 and two elastic matrix walls 324’.

[0080] The slat unit 60 comprises a first slat 11 and a second slat 12 forming a pair of slats, each slat 11, 12 being a crosspiece having a T-shaped cross-section. Each upper flat rectangular portion of the crosspieces 11, 12 forms a support surface 13 of each crosspiece or slat 11, 12. In the slat unit 60, the first and second slats 11, 12 are arranged side by side with respect to each other, with a first long side edge portion 21 of the support surface 13 of the first slat 11 facing a second long side edge portion 22 of the support surface 13 of the second slat 12, and the first and second slats 11, 12 being interconnected by an elastic matrix 30 extending across the support surfaces 13 of the first and second slats 11, 12. The elastic matrix 30 further comprises a connecting portion 31 extending between the first and second slats 11, 12, thereby forming a hinged connection between the first and second slats 11, 12. In Figures 10-15 In the embodiment shown in the figures, the connecting portion 31 comprises a longitudinally extending recess 37, which can have an arcuate cross-section or a triangular cross-section. Other geometric cross-sections are also possible, as long as the longitudinally extending recess 37 allows the first and second slats 11, 12 to be pivotably moved with respect to each other. Likewise, it is not necessary for the connecting portion to necessarily comprise a longitudinally extending recess, instead the elastic matrix can be made of a material flexible enough to allow bending in the connecting portion between the first and second slats.

[0081] The two pairs of support side walls 24 are configured to be releasably attached to the short side edges 23 of the first and second slats 11, 12, and in particular to the vertical portions of the crosspieces 11, 12 having a T-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each support side wall 24 has a support member 27 arranged thereon, which is arranged on the surface of the support side wall 24 configured to face away from the continuous load bearing surface 313 of the slat unit 60, thereby being arranged on the surface opposite to the surface to which the elastic matrix wall is attached.

[0082] As Figure 12b As shown in detail, each elastic matrix wall 324' comprises two elastic matrix wall parts 327 configured to cover and be releasably attached to two support side walls 24 configured to be arranged on the same short edge side of the slat unit 60. The elastic matrix wall parts 327 are interconnected by a connecting wall portion 311, which is flexible, foldable, wedge-shaped and has an acute angle configured to be arranged facing the continuous load bearing surface 313 of the slat unit 60. The connecting wall portion 311 forms a hinged connection between the elastic matrix wall parts 327.

[0083] When the modular system is assembled into a conveyor system unit 10, it is used and assembled to a pair of endless chains 51 in the same way as in the above described embodiments. Thus, the support members 27 are mounted to the pair of endless chains 51 as Figures 13-15 illustred, where the first support members 27 attached to the support side walls 24 of the first slats 11 are connected to the first chain links 52, and the support members 27 attached to the support side walls 24 of the second slats 12 are connected to consecutive chain links 53 in the endless chain 51. The connection portions 31 and the connection wall portions 311 of the conveyor system unit 10 are bridged over the pivotal link 58 between the endless chain 51 and the first chain link 52, and the connection portions 31 and the connection wall portions 311 allow pivotal movement between the first and second slats 11, 12 and the support side walls 24 attached thereto when the conveyor system unit 10 reaches the pulley position. This is illustrated in more detail in Figures 13-15 .

[0084] Figure 11 The cross-sectional view of the conveyor system unit 10 illustrated in Figure 11 further illustrates that the conveyor system unit 10 has a longitudinally extending protruding web 41 arranged on the first long side edge 21 of the elastic matrix of the second slat 12, and a corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 along the second long side edge portion 22 of the first slat 11. In the embodiments, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 and the corresponding longitudinally extending recess 42 are formed in the elastic matrix 30. Thus, when two conveyor system units 10 are arranged side by side on the pair of endless chains 51, the longitudinally extending protruding web 41 of the first conveyor system unit 10 will align with the corresponding recess 42 of the consecutive conveyor system unit 10, and form a continuous load bearing surface 313 for the endless conveyor system 50.

[0085] Figure 12b In the elastic matrix wall 324’ illustrated in Figure 10 it appears that there is no protruding web 45 along the side wall portion of the first elastic matrix wall part 327, and no corresponding recess 46 along the side wall portion of the second elastic matrix wall part 327. However, when mounted to the side wall, it will form a protruding web 45 of the elastic matrix in one end, and a corresponding recess 46 in the other end, formed by the support side wall surface and the side wall portion 25 of the elastic matrix wall part 327 facing the support side wall 24 not fully covering the end surface of the support side wall 24, as illustrated in .

[0086] However, the alternative arrangement with protruding webs 45 and corresponding recesses 46 according to the earlier disclosed alternatives in relation to Figs. 1 to Figure 4 are also possible for this modular form of the conveyor system unit 10.

[0087] InFigures 10-15 In the embodiment shown in the middle, the elastic matrix 30 is fastened to the first and second slats 11, 12 by being clamped around the long side edges 21, 22 of the first and second slats 11, 12. However, it can also be fastened to the first and second slats 11, 12 by being vulcanized during the manufacture of the slat unit 60, while the elastic matrix wall 324’ can be mechanically fastened to the support side walls as a screw or screw and bolt arrangement, or by Velcro.

[0088] As Figure 13 shown, three conveyor system units 10 have been arranged on a pair of endless chains 51 with space for an intermediate conveyor system unit 10, the connecting portion 31 and the connecting wall portion 311 are arranged as a pivoting link 58 bridging between two consecutive chain links 52, 53, and each conveyor system unit 10 is bent between the first and second slats 11, 12 when the endless conveyor system 50 travels over the pulley locations.

[0089] Figure 14 and Figure 15 how a plurality of conveyor system units 10 are arranged in succession on a pair of endless chains 51. Also shown is how the first and second slats 11, 12 in each conveyor system unit 10 are pivoted relative to each other while the first long side edge portion 21 of the second slat 12 of a first conveyor system unit 10 is aligned with the second long side edge portion 22 of the first slat 11 in a consecutive conveyor system unit 10 on a common chain link when passing by a pulley location. Also, the protruding web 41, 45 of each conveyor system unit 10 is received in the respective recess 42, 46 of an adjacent conveyor system unit 10 to form a continuous load bearing surface 313 and a continuous elastic matrix wall surface of the elastic matrix 30.

[0090] Figures 13-15 The endless conveyor system 50 in Fig. 3 also has load distribution plates 70, each arranged to bridge over two support members 27 from two different conveyor system units 10 arranged on a common chain link 52, 53, 54, 55. The load distribution plates 70 are fastened to the endless chains 51 by bolt connections with the support members 27 arranged therebetween. Each load distribution plate 70 can also have reinforcing ridges 71 arranged in the chain link direction.

[0091] The person skilled in the art realizes that several modifications of the embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

[0092] For example, the second long side edges 22 of the support side walls 24 and the protruding web 41, 45 of the side wall portion 25 on the first slat and the corresponding recesses 42, 46 of the first long side edges 22 of the support side walls 24 and the side wall portion 25 on the second slat 12 can be arranged in other ways around the long side edges 21, 22 of the support side walls 24 and the side wall portion 25 on the first slat 11 and the second slat 12, respectively, or even differently.

[0093] Furthermore, the slats can have other cross-sectional profiles as long as such cross-sectional profiles provide a rectangular support surface 13 and an end opposite the support surface that allows for pivotal movement between the slats when passing through the pulley location.

Claims

1. A conveyor system unit (10) comprising: - a first slat (11) and a second slat (12), each slat having a support surface (13) having a first long side edge portion (21) and a second long side edge portion (22) and two short side edge portions (23), the first long side edge portion (21) and the second long side edge portion (22) being longer than the two short side edge portions (23), and the first long side edge portion (21) and the second long side edge portion (22) and the two short side edge portions (23) together defining a rectangular support surface (13), wherein the first slat (11) and the second slat (12) are arranged side by side relative to each other with the first long side edge portion (21) of the first slat (11) facing the second long side edge portion (22) of the second slat (12), and wherein the first slat (11) and the second slat (12) are interconnected by an elastic matrix (30) extending across the support surfaces (13) of the first slat (11) and the second slat (12), wherein the elastic matrix (30) further comprises a connecting portion (31) extending between the first slat (11) and the second slat (12) thereby forming a continuous load bearing surface (313) of the conveyor system unit (10), wherein the connecting portion (31) forms a hinged connection between the first slat (11) and the second slat (12), and wherein the elastic matrix (30) is fastened to the first slat (11) and the second slat (12), wherein each conveyor system unit (10) further comprises a support side wall (24) arranged at each short side edge portion (23) of each slat, the support side wall (24) extending upwards above the support surface (13) of each slat, wherein the support side walls (24) arranged on the same short edge side of the conveyor system unit (10) are interconnected by an elastic matrix wall (324, 324') fastened to the support side walls (24) and extending across the support side walls, and the elastic matrix wall (324, 324') further comprises a connecting wall portion (311) extending between the support side walls (24) arranged on the same short edge side of the conveyor system unit (10) thereby forming a continuous side wall at each short edge side of the conveyor system unit (10), wherein the connecting wall portion (311) forms a hinged connection between the support side walls (24) at each short edge side of the conveyor system unit (10).

2. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein Each side wall (24) has a support member (27), and wherein the conveyor system unit (10) is configured to be mounted to a pair of endless chains (51) by the support members (27) of the support side walls (24) attached to the first slats (11) on the first chain links (52) and the support members (27) of the support side walls (24) attached to the second slats (12) on the successive chain links (53) in the endless chains (51).

3. Conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The connecting wall portion (311) is foldable and wedge-shaped, having an acute angle facing the continuous load bearing surface (313).

4. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The connecting portion (31) between the first long side edge portion (21) of the first slat (11) and the second long side edge portion (22) of the second slat (12) comprises a longitudinally extending recess (37) forming part of the hinged connection between the first slat (11) and the second slat (12).

5. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The elastic matrix (30) has a longitudinally extending protruding web (41) along the second long side edge portion (22) of the first slat (11) and a corresponding longitudinally extending recess (42) along the first long side edge portion (21) of the second slat (12).

6. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The side wall portion (25) of the support side wall (24) of the first slat (11) has a protruding web (45) and the side wall portion (25) of the support side wall (24) of the second slat (12) has a corresponding recess (46).

7. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The elastic matrix wall (324, 324') has a protruding web (45) along the side wall portion (25) of the support side wall (24) of the first slat (11) and wherein the elastic matrix wall (324, 324') has a corresponding recess (46) along the side wall portion (25) of the support side wall (24) of the second slat (12).

8. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein, Each conveyor system unit (10) comprises a modular system, the modular system comprising: a slat unit (60) comprising the first slat (11) and the second slat (12), each slat being a crosspiece having a T-shaped cross-section, wherein each upper flat rectangular portion of the T-shaped crosspiece forms the support surface (13); two pairs of support side walls (24) configured to be releasably attached to the short side edge portions (23) of the first slat (11) and the second slat (12), and wherein each support side wall (24) has a support member (27); and two elastic matrix walls (324, 324'), each elastic matrix wall (324, 324') comprising two elastic matrix wall parts (327), each elastic matrix wall part being configured to cover and be releasably attached to two support side walls (24) arranged on the same short edge side of the slat unit (60), the two elastic matrix wall parts (327) being interconnected by a connecting wall portion (311), the connecting wall portion (311) being foldable and wedge-shaped with an acute angle arranged to face the continuous load carrying surface (313) of the slat unit (60), the connecting wall portion (311) forming a hinged connection between the elastic matrix wall parts (327).

9. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 8, wherein The connecting portion (31) between the first long side edge portion (21) of the first slat (11) and the second long side edge portion (22) of the second slat (12) comprises a longitudinally extending recess (37) forming part of the hinged connection between the first slat (11) and the second slat (12).

10. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The support member (27) is arranged on the support side wall (24) offset from the continuous load carrying surface (313) of the conveyor system unit (10).

11. The conveyor system unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The elastic matrix material of the elastic matrix (30) and / or the elastic matrix walls (324, 324') is selected from reinforced elastomer material, rubber, polyurethane, which can withstand wear from the material or goods carried by the conveyor system unit (10).

12. A circulating conveyor system (50) comprising a pair of circulating chains (51) and a plurality of conveyor system units (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the conveyor system units (10) being arranged side by side to form the circulating conveyor system (50), wherein, The support member (27) of the support side wall (24) on the first slat (11) of the first conveyor system unit (10) is connected to a first chain link (52) of one of a plurality of endless chains (51), and the support member (27) of the support side wall (24) on the second slat (12) of the first conveyor system unit (10) is connected to a consecutive chain link (53) in the endless chain (51), and wherein the support member (27) of the support side wall (24) on the first slat (11) of the consecutive conveyor system unit (10) is connected to a second chain link (54) of the endless chain (51), and the support member (27) of the support side wall (24) on the second slat (12) of the consecutive conveyor system unit (10) is connected to a consecutive third chain link (55) in the endless chain (51).

13. The endless conveyor system (50) according to claim 12, wherein, A longitudinally extending protruding web (41) along the first long side edge portion (21) of the first conveyor system unit (10) is received in a longitudinally extending recess (42) along the second long side edge portion (22) of the consecutive conveyor system unit (10), thereby forming a continuous load carrying surface (313) of the endless conveyor system (50).

14. The endless conveyor system (50) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, A protruding web (45) along a side wall portion (25) of a support side wall (24) of the first conveyor system unit (10) is received in a corresponding recess (46) along a side wall portion (25) of a support side wall (24) of the consecutive conveyor system unit (10), thereby forming a continuous wall surface of the circulating conveyor system (50).

15. The endless conveyor system (50) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, A load distribution plate (70) is connected to and arranged to bridge over two support members (27) arranged on a common chain link.

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