Roller modular conveyor belt module and modular conveyor belt formed therefrom

Abstract

A roller modular conveyor belt module for a motorized continuous conveyor comprises: a main body extending in length along a first direction, a plurality of first hinge elements and a plurality of second hinge elements extending from the main body in opposite directions perpendicular to the first direction and spaced apart from each other, each of the first hinge elements and the second hinge elements having a through hole with an axis parallel to the first direction, the through holes being coaxial with each other to receive a corresponding hinge pin passing therethrough, at least one corresponding roller passed through by an axial hole in the space between at least two adjacent first hinge elements and / or between at least two adjacent second hinge elements, the axial hole being coaxially arranged with the through holes of the two adjacent first hinge elements and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements, the module comprising at least one sleeve having a first end portion inserted into the through hole of one of the two adjacent first hinge elements and / or one of the two adjacent second hinge elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a modular roller conveyor belt module for a motorized continuous conveyor, wherein rollers are mounted on articulated pins of the articulated continuous module.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a modular conveyor belt module with a roller transport surface, wherein the rollers are mounted on articulation pins which articulate consecutive modules and define a transport surface on which the products to be transported rest.

[0003] The invention also relates to a modular conveyor belt comprising a plurality of such modules. Background Art

[0004] In the field of motorized continuous conveyors, conveyor belts are known which are formed by a plurality of modules articulated to one another by articulation pins and whose transport surface or support surface on a supporting frame is defined by a plurality of rollers mounted on the articulation pins articulating the continuous modules to one another.

[0005] Each module consists of a main body with one or more hinge elements extending parallel to the direction of motion of the conveyor belt, located on its front and rear surfaces. Each hinge element is threaded through a corresponding through-hole to accommodate a hinge pin, which articulates the module to the following module. The hinge pin extends perpendicular to the direction of motion of the conveyor belt.

[0006] Between two or more such adjacent hinge elements a space is defined for accommodating at least one corresponding roller, which is mounted directly on a hinge pin that hinges such a module to another module adjacent thereto.

[0007] The rollers are thus embedded in the thickness of the body of the module, protrude above and / or below the body of the module and are coaxially and rotatably mounted on an articulation pin which articulates such a module with the consecutive module.

[0008] Examples of such modules are described in patents US7527146 (EP1842806) and US10065802 (EP3612474).

[0009] The assembly and disassembly of conveyor belts manufactured with modules of this type is particularly time-consuming and expensive in terms of time and labor.

[0010] In fact, during the assembly process, each roller must be arranged and held between the articulation elements of the consecutive modules until the corresponding articulation pin has been inserted into the through-holes of the articulation elements and into the axial holes of each roller arranged therebetween. Similar problems arise if the conveyor belt has to be disassembled, or even if only a single module of the conveyor belt has to be replaced.

[0011] The module described in US Pat. No. 7,527,146 (EP Pat. No. 1,842,806) offers a solution to this problem. According to the description in US Pat. No. 7,527,146 (EP Pat. No. 1,842,806), a protruding extension is obtained in a single piece from at least one of the two faces facing each other of two articulated elements, defining a space for accommodating at least one respective roller. When the roller is pushed into the respective space, this extension engages in the axial hole of the respective roller by elastic deformation until it aligns with the through-holes of the two articulated elements defining the space.

[0012] This solution makes it possible to keep the rollers on the body of the module coaxial with the through holes of the articulation elements in the absence of articulation pins, ie when the modules are not articulated to other modules to form a conveyor belt.

[0013] However, in use, anomalies may occur when products are transported on the rollers, or when the rollers come into contact with the support frame of the conveyor belt.

[0014] In fact, each roller retaining extension extends into the axial hole of the respective roller only through a portion at the end of the roller, this portion being made specifically for this purpose.

[0015] When the modules are articulated with the articulation pins to form the conveyor belt, the rollers are mounted directly on the articulation pins in a rotational manner, ie in direct contact.

[0016] Due to wear and deformation of the hinge pins, abnormal contact and slippage may occur between the retaining extension and the roller itself, and the resulting friction may change the correct rolling motion of the roller and thus the transport of the product or the slippage of the conveyor belt.

[0017] Furthermore, constructing the retaining extensions protruding from opposing faces of adjacent hinge elements and the module body as a single piece requires the use of complex molds. Summary of the Invention

[0018] The object of the present invention is therefore to create a roller modular conveyor belt module for motorized continuous conveyors, in which the rollers are mounted on articulation pins and the modular conveyor belt is formed from a plurality of such modules, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0019] Within this general aim, an object of the invention is to propose a module that allows the rollers to be retained on the body of the module in a manner that is easy to implement and assemble, even without articulation pins, and that at the same time allows ensuring, during use, the correct rolling of the rollers in contact with the supporting frame of the product or conveyor belt resting thereon, thereby eliminating the occurrence of localized and undesirable friction.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to create a module that allows obtaining a conveyor belt with a substantially continuous roller transport surface, increasing the density of the rollers.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to produce a particularly simple and practical roller modular conveyor belt module and a modular conveyor belt formed from a plurality of said modules at low cost.

[0022] These objects are achieved according to the invention by making a modular conveyor belt module and a modular conveyor belt of the roller type with rollers mounted on articulated pins. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The features and advantages of the roller modular conveyor belt module will become more apparent from the following description, which will be understood as illustrative and not restrictive of the features and advantages of the roller modular conveyor belt module of the type in which rollers are mounted on hinge pins and the modular conveyor belt formed of a plurality of modules according to the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is an axonometric and partially exploded view of a first embodiment of a module according to the invention, in particular a head module, in which the hinge pin is also shown;

[0025] Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1 Axonometric and partial cross-sectional views of a segment of a modular conveyor belt made of a plurality of modules;

[0026] Figure 3 is Figure 1 A top plan view of the module;

[0027] FIG4 is a cross-sectional view along plane IV-IV of FIG3;

[0028] FIG4A is a detailed enlarged view of FIG4 ;

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The front view of the module;

[0030] Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8 Along the Figure 5 Cross-sectional views along planes VI-VI, VII-VII and VIII-VIII;

[0031] FIG6A is a detailed enlarged view of FIG6 ;

[0032] Figure 9 is an axonometric and partially exploded view of a second embodiment of a module according to the invention, in particular a head module, in which the hinge pin is also shown;

[0033] Figure 10 It is based on Figure 9axonometric and partial cross-sectional views of a segment of a modular conveyor belt made of a plurality of modules;

[0034] Figure 11 is Figure 9 A top plan view of the module;

[0035] FIG12 is a cross-sectional view along the plane XII-XII of FIG11;

[0036] FIG12A is a detailed enlarged view of FIG12;

[0037] Figure 13 is Figure 9 The front view of the module;

[0038] 14 , 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views taken along planes VI-VI, VII-VII and VIII-VIII of FIG. 13 , respectively;

[0039] FIG. 14A is a detailed enlarged view of FIG. 14 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Referring to the drawings, the roller 11 modular conveyor belt module is indicated by 10, and the modular conveyor belt is indicated by 100, which is made of modules 10 placed side by side in consecutive rows, and wherein the modules 10 in adjacent rows are hinged to each other to form a closed loop (not shown in full in the drawings, wherein Figure 2 and Figure 10 Only a portion of the conveyor belt 100 is shown).

[0041] It should be noted that, in the present specification, adjectives such as "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of clarity of description and should not be construed as limiting in any way. The same numerals are used to denote corresponding elements.

[0042] In addition, in this specification, adjectives such as "front" and "rear", "upper" and "lower" refer to the general situation of using the module 10 to form a closed-loop belt 100, which is driven by a pair of gears and forms an upper branch for transporting products and a lower return branch.

[0043] The module 10 is used to produce a conveyor belt 100 , for example for transporting individual or grouped bottles, cans or cartons.

[0044] The modules 10 are used to produce a conveyor belt 100 , wherein rollers 11 are coaxially mounted to an articulation pin 12 which articulates adjacent modules 10 to one another in the direction of movement S of the conveyor belt 100 .

[0045] Rollers 11 can form a transport surface for the products, creating a so-called LBP (low back pressure) conveyor belt 100. Such belts 100 are used, for example, to transport products and simultaneously form so-called buffer zones or accumulation zones for the products along a transport route, guiding them through successive stations of a processing and / or packaging plant. For example, such conveyor belts 100 (LBP) are used to form buffer zones or accumulation zones along a transport route between a packaging station and a palletizing station.

[0046] Alternatively, the rollers 11 may form the support surface for the belt 100 on a support frame of the continuous conveyor belt.

[0047] The drawing relates to a module 10 for producing a conveyor belt 100 having a conveyor belt surface consisting of rollers 11 (LBP).

[0048] First, refer to Figures 1 to 8 A first embodiment of a module 10 is shown.

[0049] The module 10 includes a body 13 extending in length along a first direction D1 .

[0050] The first direction D1 is transverse or more precisely perpendicular to the movement direction S of the conveyor belt 100 .

[0051] The plurality of first hinge elements 14 extend from the body 13 along a second direction D2 substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1. The second direction D2 is parallel to the direction of movement S.

[0052] The first articulation elements 14 are spaced apart and each has a through hole 15 having an axis parallel to the first direction D1. The through holes 15 of the first articulation elements 14 are coaxial with each other so as to receive therethrough a corresponding articulation pin 12 which articulates a module 10 with another of said modules to form a conveyor belt 100.

[0053] A plurality of second hinge elements 16 extend from the body 13 in a direction D3 that is parallel to and opposite to the second direction D2. The second hinge elements 16 are spaced apart and each has a through hole 17 having an axis parallel to the first direction D1. The through holes 17 of the second hinge elements 16 are coaxial with each other to receive corresponding hinge pins 12 therethrough, which articulate the module 10 with another module to form the conveyor belt 100.

[0054] As is known, the first articulation elements 14 of a module 10 are adapted to insert themselves between the second articulation elements 16 of another of said modules 10 adjacent thereto, with the corresponding through holes 15 and 17 being coaxially aligned between them to accommodate the articulation pin 12 that articulates the two subsequent modules to each other.

[0055] Between at least two adjacent first joint elements 14 and / or between at least two adjacent second joint elements 16 , a respective space 18 , 19 is defined, in which at least one respective roller 11 is arranged.

[0056] In the drawings, there is a single roller 11 in each space 18, 19. However, two or more coaxial rollers 11 may be accommodated in each space 18, 19.

[0057] Each roller 11 has an axial hole 20, which is aligned with the axial holes 15 of two adjacent first hinge elements 14, which define a space 18 for accommodating the roller, or is aligned with the axial holes 17 of two adjacent second hinge elements 16, which define a space 19 for accommodating the roller.

[0058] For each roller 11 or each group of rollers 11 housed in a respective space 18, 19, the module 10 comprises at least one respective sleeve 21 suitable for retaining the respective roller 11 or the group of rollers 11 on the body 13 in the absence of a respective hinge pin 12, i.e. when the module 10 is not hinged to other modules 10 adjacent thereto to form the conveyor belt 100.

[0059] In the following description, reference will be made to the embodiment shown in the drawings in which only one roller 11 is present in the spaces 18, 19. However, as mentioned above, two or more rollers 11 may be present in the spaces 18, 19 delimited by the two first articulated elements 14 or the two second articulated elements 16; in this case, the skilled person will immediately understand that the same sleeve 21 can be used to support the two or more rollers 11 received in the same spaces 18, 19.

[0060] Each sleeve 21 holds at least one corresponding roller 11 so that the corresponding axial hole 20 is aligned with the through hole 15 of the adjacent first hinge element 14 or with the through hole 17 of the adjacent second hinge element 16 to define spaces 18, 19 for accommodating the sleeve.

[0061] Each sleeve 21 is traversed by a respective axial hole 22 which, as will be seen, is capable of receiving a respective hinge pin 12 with some play.

[0062] Each sleeve 21 is constituted by a cylindrical tubular body and has a constant cross-section along its longitudinal length, except for countersunk holes at the ends opposite to its axial bore 22 .

[0063] Each sleeve 21 has a first end portion 21 a and a second end portion 21 b axially opposite to each other.

[0064] Each sleeve 21 has a first end portion 21a, which is inserted into the through hole 15, 17 of one of the two adjacent first hinge elements 14 and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements 16, wherein the two adjacent first hinge elements 14 and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements 16 define a space 18, 19 in which the corresponding at least one roller 11 is arranged, and extends through the axial hole 20 of the corresponding at least one roller 11.

[0065] Advantageously, each sleeve 21 has a second end portion 21b which is inserted into a through hole 15, 17 of the other of the two adjacent first articulated elements 14 and / or the two adjacent second articulated elements 16, which define a space 18, 19 in which the respective at least one roller 11 is arranged.

[0066] Advantageously, each sleeve 21 passes through the axial hole 20 of the corresponding at least one roller 11 and has a first end portion 21a and a second end portion 21b, which are inserted into the through holes 15, 17 of two adjacent first hinge elements 14 and / or two adjacent second hinge elements 16, and the two adjacent first hinge elements 14 and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements 16 define the space 18, 19 in which the corresponding at least one roller 11 is arranged.

[0067] The axial hole 22 of each sleeve 21 houses an articulation pin 12 which articulates the successive modules 10 with a certain clearance. The clearance is defined as the difference between the maximum diameter of the articulation pin and the minimum diameter of the hole of the sleeve 21, which allows free articulation movement of the modules 10 and also enables easy assembly.

[0068] exist Figures 1 to 8 In the first embodiment shown, the first end portion 21a and the second end portion 21b of each sleeve 21 are interference-fitted into corresponding through-holes 15 and 17 of two adjacent first hinge elements 14 and / or two adjacent second hinge elements 16. The two adjacent first hinge elements 14 and / or two adjacent second hinge elements 16 define spaces 18 and 19 in which the at least one roller 11 is disposed. The interference-fit coupling is defined as the state in which the sleeve 21 is coupled to the module 13.

[0069] A coupling gap is defined between the axial hole 20 of each roller 11 and the corresponding sleeve 21, so that each roller 11 is assembled on the corresponding sleeve in a rotatable manner relative to the sleeve 21. The coupling gap is defined as the difference between the maximum outer diameter of the sleeve 21 and the minimum inner diameter of the roller 11 that allows them to roll freely relative to each other.

[0070] At least one of the two first hinged elements 14 and / or at least one of the two second hinged elements 16 adjacent to each space 18, 19 respectively has a compartment, namely a first compartment 23 and a second compartment 24, which are suitable for accommodating at least one second hinged element 16 or at least one first hinged element 14 of another module 10, respectively.

[0071] In order to be able to assemble the module 10 (i.e. the rollers 11 on the respective body 13), each sleeve 21 has a length B that is greater than the length L of the respective at least one roller 11 and less than or equal to the width V measured parallel to the axis of the through-hole 15, 17 of the respective first compartment 23 or second compartment 24 (i.e. parallel to the first direction D1).

[0072] In addition, the length B of each sleeve 21 is greater than the length L of the corresponding at least one roller 11 and is less than or equal to the distance C between the opposite surfaces of two adjacent first hinge elements 14 and / or two adjacent second hinge elements 16, wherein the two adjacent first hinge elements and / or two adjacent second hinge elements define a space 18, 19 for accommodating the corresponding at least one roller 11, wherein the distance C is measured parallel to the axis of the through holes 15, 17 (i.e., parallel to the first direction D1).

[0073] Each roller 11 is fully supported along its entire length L by a corresponding sleeve 21 .

[0074] The length L of at least one roller 11 is smaller than the distance H between the facing surfaces of two adjacent first articulated elements 14 and / or two adjacent second articulated elements 16, which define a space 18, 19 in which the roller is accommodated, wherein the distance H is measured parallel to the axis of the through holes 15, 17 (i.e. parallel to the first direction D1).

[0075] Each sleeve 21 is formed as a separate and distinct element from the body 13, to which it is coupled when the rollers 11 are assembled on the body, thereby equipping the module 10 with the rollers 11. Once assembled, each module 10 comprises a body 13 on which the rollers 11 are supported by the corresponding sleeve 21. Thus, the rollers 11 are supported by the body 13 of each module 10, without the hinge pins 12 that articulate the module to the other modules 10 to form the conveyor belt 100.

[0076] The hinge pin 12 is housed in the sleeve 21. The hinge pin 12 is then received in the through holes 15, 17 of the first and second hinge elements 14, 16 with the sleeve 21 interposed therebetween which holds the roller 11 on the body 13.

[0077] In more detail, the body 13 has an upper surface 130 and a lower surface 131 , which are connected to each other through a pair of side surfaces 132 , 133 , a front surface 134 , and a rear surface 135 .

[0078] The two side surfaces 132 , 133 extend along a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1 .

[0079] The front surface 134 and the rear surface 135 extend along the longitudinal extension of the main body 13 .

[0080] The first hinge element 14 protrudes from the front surface 134 .

[0081] The second hinge element 16 protrudes from the rear surface 135 .

[0082] exist Figures 1 to 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the body 13 and roller 11 are shaped and sized such that the roller 11 protrudes with a portion thereof above the upper surface 130 of the body 13, thereby acting as a support element for products transported by the conveyor belt 100 (LBP).

[0083] In a possible embodiment, the first articulation elements 14 are distributed in pairs along the first direction D1 . The first two articulation elements 14 of each pair delimit a respective space 18 in which at least one respective roller 11 supported by a respective sleeve 21 is arranged.

[0084] Consecutive pairs of first articulation elements 14 are separated from one another by respective first compartments 23 suitable for housing at least one second articulation element 16 of another adjacent module 10 .

[0085] Similarly, in a possible embodiment, the second articulation elements 16 are distributed in pairs along the first direction D1. The two second articulation elements 16 of each pair delimit a corresponding space 19 in which at least one corresponding roller 11 supported by a corresponding sleeve 21 is arranged. Consecutive pairs of second articulation elements 16 are separated from each other by corresponding second compartments 24 capable of accommodating at least the first articulation element 14 of another adjacent module 10.

[0086] exist Figures 1 to 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the first hinge elements 14 and the second hinge elements 16 are arranged in pairs, as described above, wherein the pairs of first hinge elements 14 and the pairs of second hinge elements 16 are staggered with each other.

[0087] However, alternative embodiments are not excluded. For example, only some of the first articulation elements 14 and / or second articulation elements 16 may be spaced apart so as to delimit a respective space 18, 19 in which at least one respective roller 11 is accommodated.

[0088] The body 13 is made of plastic, for example obtained by injection molding.

[0089] The pipe sleeve 21 is made of a thermoplastic material. Alternatively, the pipe sleeve 21 is made of a metal material, such as steel.

[0090] The hinge pin 12 can be made of plastic or metal.

[0091] The skilled person will immediately understand that the assembly of the module 10 occurs:

[0092] Each roller 11 (or a group of rollers 11) is placed in the corresponding space 18 or 19, aligning the axial hole 20 with the through hole 15 or 17 of the first hinge element 14 or the second hinge element 16 delimiting the space 18 or 19, respectively;

[0093] for each roller 11 (or a group of rollers 11 ), a corresponding sleeve 21 is provided in a first compartment 23 or in a second compartment 24 adjacent to the space 18 or 19 for receiving the sleeve, so that the sleeve is coaxially aligned with the through hole 15 or 17 of the first articulated element 14 or of the second articulated element 16 delimiting the space 18 or 19;

[0094] An axial thrust is applied to each sleeve 21 so that it can be inserted by axially sliding in the through hole 15 or 17 of the first hinge element 14 or the second hinge element 16 that defines the space 18 or 19, thereby passing through the axial hole 20 of the roller 11 arranged in the said space 18 or 19, as long as the first end portion 21a and the second end portion 21b of each sleeve 21 are inserted into the through hole 15 or 17 of the first hinge element 14 or the second hinge element 16 that defines the space 18 or 19, so that each roller 11 (or a group of rollers 11) is rotatably supported by the corresponding sleeve 21, which holds it on the main body 13 in the absence of the hinge pin 12.

[0095] Once assembled, each sleeve 21 has a respective first end 21 a and a second end 21 b which extend outside the roller 11 on which it is assembled and are inserted into the through holes 15 , 17 of the two first articulated elements 14 or the two second articulated elements 16 which delimit a space 18 , 19 for housing the respective roller 11 .

[0096] The assembly of the conveyor belt 100 is achieved by arranging the modules 10 one after another, wherein the first articulation element 14 or the pair of first articulation elements 14 are inserted between the second articulation elements 16 or the pair of second articulation elements 16 of adjacent modules 10, so that the through hole 15 of the first module together with the axial hole 22 of the sleeve 21 inserted therein are coaxially aligned with the through hole 17 of the second articulation element and the axial hole 22 of the sleeve 21 inserted therein, and are aligned by inserting the articulation pin 12 into the axial hole 22 of the sleeve 21, so as to articulate the consecutive modules 10 two by two.

[0097] Along the first direction D1 , two or more modules 10 , even of different lengths, can be arranged side by side to form a row of conveyor belts 100 . In this case, the hinge pins 12 extend between the modules 10 side by side.

[0098] like Figure 2 and Figure 10 As shown, the articulation pin 12 is received in an axial bore 22 of a sleeve 21 of the support roller 11 .

[0099] The sleeves 21 of two consecutive modules 10 extend in a substantially continuous manner to one another along the first direction D1 .

[0100] In operating conditions, the roller 11 rotates relative to the sleeve 21 and the hinge pin 12 rotates relative to the sleeve 21. There is no direct contact between the hinge pin 12 and the roller 11.

[0101] Each roller 11 is fully supported along its entire length L by the corresponding sleeve 21, and any contact anomalies that may occur between the sleeve 21 and the hinge pin 12 (for example, anomalies that may be caused by wear or deformation of the hinge pin 12) do not affect the rotatable coupling of the roller 11 on the sleeve 21, and in particular the friction coefficient between the roller 11 and the sleeve 21. This means that there are no anomalies in the transportation of the product on the roller 11 or in the sliding of the conveyor belt on the frame.

[0102] Disassemble by reversing the above steps.

[0103] Figure 9 to Figure 1 The second embodiment shown in FIG6 differs from the first embodiment in the dimensions of the module 10 and in that each sleeve 21 has a respective first end portion 21 a and / or a respective second end portion 21 b, which are coupled via a gap in the respective through-holes 15, 17 of the two first articulated elements 14 and / or the two second articulated elements 16 that define each space 18, 19, each housing at least one respective roller.

[0104] Clearance is defined as the condition where the sleeve 21 is not held in place by interference with the bores 15 , 17 .

[0105] In this case, at least one radial protrusion 25 is formed on the inner side surface of the axial hole 20 of at least one roller 11, which is coupled to a corresponding recess 26 obtained on the outer side surface of the corresponding sleeve 21, and vice versa, to prevent relative axial sliding of the roller 11 and the sleeve 21.

[0106] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the projection 25 comprises an annular collar and the recess 26 comprises an annular groove in which the projection engages when the sleeve 21 is axially slidably inserted into the axial hole 20 of the corresponding roller 11 .

[0107] Otherwise, the module 10 of the second embodiment is identical to that of the first embodiment.

[0108] In practice, it has been found that a modular roller conveyor belt module and a modular roller conveyor belt comprising a plurality of such modules achieves the stated objectives.

[0109] In fact, even without the hinge pin 12 , the roller 11 is retained on the body 13 of the module 10 in alignment with the hinge holes (through holes 15 , 17 ), which allows simple assembly and disassembly of the conveyor belt 100 .

[0110] The sleeves 21 by which the rollers 11 are retained on the body 13 are interposed along their entire length between the articulation pin 12 and the rollers 11; therefore, any abnormal contact or friction that may arise between the sleeves 21 and the articulation pin 12 (for example due to wear or deformation of the articulation pin) does not directly affect the rotatable connection of the rollers 11 on the sleeves 21 and therefore does not affect the rolling friction between the rollers 11 and the product they carry or the frame on which they roll.

[0111] The mould used to obtain the body 13 is also simpler than in the known art.

[0112] The modular roller conveyor belt module and the modular conveyor belt thus conceived are susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the invention; moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used and their dimensions may be of any type, depending on the technical requirements.

Claims

1. A roller (11) modular conveyor belt (100) module (10) for a motorized continuous conveyor, wherein: The module (10) comprises: a body (13) extending in length along a first direction (D1); a plurality of first hinge elements (14) extending from the body (13) in a second direction (D2) substantially perpendicular to the first direction (D1) and spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the first hinge elements (14) has a through hole (15) having an axis parallel to the first direction (D1), the through holes (15) being coaxial with each other to receive a corresponding hinge pin (12) for hinge-connecting the module (10) to another module (10); a plurality of second hinge elements (16) extending from the body (13) along a direction (D3) parallel to and opposite to the second direction (D2) and spaced apart from each other, wherein each of the second hinge elements (16) has a through hole (17) having an axis parallel to the first direction (D1), and the through holes (17) are coaxial with each other to receive a corresponding hinge pin (12) for hinge-connecting the module (10) to another module (10); wherein the first hinge element (14) is adapted to be inserted between the second hinge elements (16) of another module (10), wherein the corresponding through holes (15, 17) are aligned with each other to receive the hinge pin (12) for hinge-connecting the modules (10) to each other; It is characterized by: In a space (18, 19) between at least two mutually adjacent first articulated elements (14) and / or between at least two mutually adjacent second articulated elements (16), a corresponding roller (11) is arranged, wherein the roller (11) is penetrated by an axial hole (20), which is coaxial with the through-holes (15, 17) of the at least two mutually adjacent articulated elements (14) and / or the at least two mutually adjacent articulated elements (16) that delimit the space (18, 19); And wherein, the module includes At least one sleeve (21) having a first end portion (21a) inserted into the through hole (15, 17) of one of the two adjacent first hinge elements (14) and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements (16) delimiting the space (18, 19), wherein the sleeve (21) extends through the axial hole (20) of the at least one roller (11), the sleeve (21) retaining the roller (11) on the body (13) and being suitable for receiving the corresponding hinge pin (12) therethrough, so as to be interposed between the hinge pin (12) and the through hole (15, 17) and between the hinge pin (12) and the at least one roller (11).

2. The module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one sleeve (21) has a second end portion (21b) axially opposite to the first end portion (21a) and is inserted into the through hole (15, 17) of the other of the two adjacent first hinge elements (14) and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements (16) that define the space (18, 19), and the sleeve (21) intersects with the axial hole (20) of the at least one roller (11).

3. The module (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The first end portion (21a) and / or the second end portion (21b) of the at least one sleeve (21) are coupled in an interference fit manner in the corresponding through holes (15, 17) of the two adjacent first hinge elements (14) and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements (16) defining the space (18, 19).

4. The module (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that The first end portion (21a) and / or the second end portion (21b) of the at least one sleeve (21) are coupled with a certain gap in the corresponding through holes (15, 17) of the two adjacent first hinge elements (14) and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements (16) that define the space (18, 19).

5. The module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that At least one radial protrusion (25) is formed on the inner side surface of the axial hole (20) of the at least one roller (11), the protrusion being coupled to a corresponding recess (26) obtained on the outer side surface of the sleeve (21), and vice versa, to prevent relative axial sliding of the roller (11) and the sleeve (21).

6. The module (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that The protrusion (25) comprises an annular collar, and the recess (26) comprises an annular groove.

7. The module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that A coupling gap is defined between the axial hole (20) of the at least one roller (11) and the corresponding sleeve (21), on which the roller (11) is rotatably mounted.

8. The module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that A compartment (23, 24) is provided along at least one of the two adjacent first articulated elements (14) and / or at least one of the two adjacent second articulated elements (16) that define the space (18, 19), the compartment being suitable for accommodating at least one second articulated element (16) or at least one first articulated element (14) of another module (10), respectively, wherein the length (B) of the sleeve (21) is less than or equal to the width (V) of the compartment (23, 24) measured parallel to the axis of the through hole (15, 17) and greater than the length (L) of the roller (11).

9. The module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The length (B) of the sleeve is greater than the length of the roller and is less than or equal to the distance (C) between the opposing faces of the two adjacent first hinge elements (14) and / or the two adjacent second hinge elements (16) that define the space (18, 19), the distance (C) being measured parallel to the axis of the through hole (15, 17).

10. The module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first articulated elements (14) are distributed in pairs along the first direction (D1), wherein the two first articulated elements (14) in each pair delimit a corresponding space (18) in which at least one corresponding roller (11) supported by the corresponding sleeve (21) is arranged, and wherein consecutive pairs of the first articulated elements (14) are separated from each other by corresponding first compartments (23) suitable for receiving at least one second articulated element (16) of another adjacent module (10).

11. The module (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that The second articulated elements (16) are distributed in pairs along the first direction (D1), wherein the two second articulated elements (16) in each pair define a corresponding space (19), in which at least one corresponding roller (11) supported by the corresponding sleeve (21) is arranged, and wherein consecutive pairs of the second articulated elements (16) are separated from each other by corresponding second compartments (24), which are suitable for receiving at least one first articulated element (14) of another adjacent module (10).

12. The module (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that The pair of first hinge elements (14) and the pair of second hinge elements (16) are offset from each other.

13. The module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The body (13) has an upper surface (130) and a lower surface (131), wherein the at least one roller (11) protrudes such that at least a portion thereof exceeds the upper surface (130) or the lower surface (131).

14. A modular roller conveyor belt (100), characterized in that: Comprising a plurality of modules (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the modules are arranged continuously one after another along the direction of movement (S), wherein the first hinge element (14) and the second hinge element (16) of each of the modules (10) are respectively inserted between the second hinge element (16) and the first hinge element (14) of the directly adjacent module (10), and a plurality of hinge pins (12) are inserted into the through holes (15, 17) of the first hinge element (14) and the second hinge element (16), so that the directly adjacent modules (10) are inserted between each other, wherein the hinge pins (12) extend through the pipe sleeve (21) supporting the roller (11).

15. The conveyor belt (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that The hinge pin (12) extends with a certain gap in an axial hole (22) of the sleeve (21) supporting the roller, and the hinge pin (12) is rotatable relative to the sleeve (21).

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