Conveyor module with overlapping sections

Abstract

The invention proposes a conveyor belt module (10) having a first eye portion and a second eye portion for allowing connection of the conveyor belt module to a similar conveyor belt module (10II) via a rod (41), said conveyor belt module being suitable for a side-bending modular conveyor belt (100), wherein in a cross-sectional plane intersecting the outermost eye portion of the conveyor belt module and being orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt module, the conveyor belt module comprises a portion of material having a position on both sides of a plane comprising the longitudinal axis and intersecting both the first eye portion and the second eye portion, which position exists on both sides of an axis passing through the first eye portion and the second eye portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a conveyor belt module, and more particularly to a conveyor belt module for a side-bending modular conveyor belt, and also to a corresponding conveyor belt, a modular conveyor belt system, a method for conveying one or more components, and uses of the conveyor belt. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of modular conveyor belts, there is a growing need for improved safety and flexibility.

[0003] Side-bending conveyors offer flexibility by enabling in-plane and optionally out-of-plane bendable modular conveyor belt segments, but may also pose risks such as damage or injury to equipment and / or personnel upon contact with the moving conveyor.

[0004] Therefore, improved conveyor belt modules and corresponding conveyor belts, modular conveyor belt systems, methods for conveying one or more components, and uses of modular conveyor belts will be advantageous, and in particular, improved conveyor belt modules and corresponding conveyor belts, modular conveyor belt systems, methods for conveying one or more components, and uses of conveyor belts will be advantageous in mitigating or eliminating the risk of damage or injury while preferably maintaining flexibility. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention can be seen as providing a conveyor belt module and corresponding conveyor belt, a modular conveyor belt system, a method for conveying one or more components, and uses of the conveyor belt, which overcomes the problems mentioned above. Other objects of the invention may be to provide alternatives to the prior art. Therefore, the objects described above and several other objects are intended to be achieved in the first aspect of the invention by providing a conveyor belt module for a side-bending modular conveyor belt, the conveyor belt module comprising:

[0006] - The first set of eye portions, which defines the first axis, and

[0007] -The second set of eye portions, which defines the second axis,

[0008] In the following planes:

[0009] – A main cross-sectional plane that intersects the main outermost eye portion and is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis, such as at a location where the axis intersects the main outermost eye portion, wherein the main outermost eye portion is the outermost eye portion positioned in the main end of the conveyor belt module in the dimension defined by the first axis and / or the second axis; and / or

[0010] - A secondary cross-sectional plane, which intersects the outermost eye portion of the secondary conveyor belt module and is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis, such as at a location where the axis intersects the outermost eye portion of the secondary conveyor belt module, wherein the outermost eye portion is the outermost eye portion placed in the secondary end of the conveyor belt module in the dimension defined by the first axis and / or the second axis, wherein the secondary end of the conveyor belt module is opposite to the main end of the conveyor belt module.

[0011] The conveyor module includes a material portion that has positions on both sides of a central plane defined by the following axis:

[0012] - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis; and

[0013] - An axis (44) in a cross-sectional plane, such as in a main cross-sectional plane or a secondary cross-sectional plane, and intersecting with the first axis and the second axis.

[0014] The material has portions on both sides of each of the following planes:

[0015] - A plane (52) orthogonal to the central plane and including a line passing through the first eye portion, such as a straight line, and a cross-sectional plane, such as a main cross-sectional plane or a secondary cross-sectional plane, at a first intersection point, such as having a position surrounding the line passing through the first eye portion and the cross-sectional plane; and

[0016] - A plane orthogonal to the central plane and including a line passing through the second eye portion, such as a straight line, and a cross-sectional plane, such as a main cross-sectional plane or a secondary cross-sectional plane, at a second intersection point (54).

[0017] A possible advantage of the invention is that, by positioning the material portions in such a way that, when two (optionally identical) conveyor belt modules are similarly oriented and connected to each other, such that the axes of each of the two conveyor belt modules are coaxial and the two conveyor belt modules are aligned along these axes, at least when the conveyor belt modules are as close as possible (and in embodiments, also when the conveyor belt modules are as far apart as possible), the material portions of one conveyor belt module will overlap with the material portions of the other conveyor belt module. This prevents entry between the material portions (e.g., from one side of the conveyor belt module to the other in the cross-sectional plane between the axes of the conveyor belt modules), i.e., no object can reach between the material portions from one side of the conveyor belt module to the other in a direction orthogonal to the central plane. This, in turn, increases safety, because, for example, fingers cannot reach between the material portions via a direction orthogonal to the central plane. The material portions can similarly shield the entry of the eye portion and / or the rod in the eye portion. For example, it would be impossible to place an object such as a finger between portions of material in a direction orthogonal to said plane (such as a vertical direction) for multiple similar conveyor belt modules assembled into a conveyor that at least partially defines a plane (such as a horizontal plane).

[0018] An advantage can be seen in that the conveyor belt modules can have a rotation axis (wherein, when the conveyor belt modules are aligned as described above, or optionally connected, the rotation axis and the alignment axis are coaxial), wherein the material portions of one conveyor belt module are not far from the rotation axis in the direction of the other conveyor belt module, and this in turn has the effect of enabling a relatively large rotation (in each direction) of one conveyor belt module relative to the other conveyor belt module about the alignment axis.

[0019] An advantage can be seen in that the conveyor belt module can be installed upside down, and optionally, its orientation can be changed upside down after wear, such as effectively doubling its service life.

[0020] A possible advantage of having material portions on both sides of a volume defined by planes orthogonal to the central plane and parallel to the first and second axes, respectively, is that the required distance between the material positions can be satisfied without having to move the material positions away from either axis in a direction parallel to an axis orthogonal to and intersecting both the first and second axes. This, in turn, allows the conveyor module to remain compact in a direction along the axis orthogonal to and intersecting both the first and second axes. A possible advantage of having material portions on both sides of the central plane is that it ensures that access between the material portions from both sides of the central plane is prohibited; that is, no object can reach the central plane between the material portions from either direction orthogonal to a plane that is orthogonal to the cross-sectional plane and includes the first and / or second axes.

[0021] In an alternative formulation, a conveyor belt module can be described as follows: when connected to an adjacent identical conveyor belt module, the conveyor belt module is arranged such that the peripheral eye portion (at one or both ends of the conveyor belt module) includes a portion of material that (at least when the conveyor belt modules are as close together as possible) physically blocks any lines (such as lines of sight) in two directions orthogonal to the central plane toward a portion of the axis of the conveyor belt module between the axes of the conveyor belt module, optionally even when the modular conveyor belt modules are as far apart as possible, such as on the outside of the conveyor belt during maximum lateral bending, physically blocking any lines in two directions orthogonal to the central plane toward a portion of the axis of the conveyor belt module between the axes of the conveyor belt module.

[0022] "Conveyor belt module" can be understood as a module that can be combined with other modules, such as other similar or identical modules, and optionally by means of rods passing through the first axis and the second axis, to form some or all of the modules of a modular conveyor belt, such as one or more surfaces of the module forming the load surface of the conveyor belt.

[0023] The conveyor belt module has a load-bearing surface, such as a load-bearing surface that is generally parallel to the central plane and / or generally flat. The load-bearing surface of the central portion of the conveyor belt module (such as between the outermost eyelets) may be flush with the load-bearing surfaces of one or two outermost eyelets. The conveyor belt modules may be connected to the same conveyor belt modules such that (directly, such as without intermediate elements) the load-bearing surfaces of the connected conveyor belt modules have a flat and uninterrupted load-bearing surface in a cross-sectional plane orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis.

[0024] The conveyor module may include an elongated (and oriented in the direction of a first axis and / or a second axis) central beam, a first eye portion extending from the central beam in a first transverse direction (in a central plane and orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis), and a second eye portion extending in a second transverse direction (in a central plane and orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis), the second transverse direction being substantially opposite to the first transverse direction, such as opposite (e.g., antiparallel).

[0025] A "conveyor belt" can generally be understood as a circular conveyor that includes multiple traction elements, each provided by a conveyor belt module. The surface of the conveyor belt can be formed by the surfaces of the traction elements. The conveyor belt can follow a curved path in two or three dimensions, such as a conveyor belt adapted to follow a curved path in two or three dimensions.

[0026] "Side-bending modular conveyor belt" is understood to be common in the art, such as, where alternatively similar or identical multiple conveyor belt modules are combined to form a conveyor belt that allows turning in the plane of the conveyor belt (e.g., for a conveyor belt having a horizontal plane that allows turning about a vertical axis), such as, turning with a turning radius of at least 100 m or less, such as 10 m or less, such as 1 m or less. Side bending can be permitted, for example, by making at least a portion of the conveyor belt module made of a flexible material such as an elastic material, and / or by making the first set of eye portions and / or the second set of eye portions include elliptical eye portions, such as being composed of elliptical eye portions. Side-bending modular conveyor belts can generally be understood as modular conveyor belts adapted to follow curved paths.

[0027] The terms "first eye section" or "second eye section" are understood to be common in the art, such as allowing a straight, rigid, or flexible rod to pass through the first eye section or the second eye section.

[0028] "Defining a first axis" or "defining a second axis" can be understood as meaning that the first or second eye portion defines an axis, such as an axis passing through the center of the first or second eye portion. This includes situations where the first and / or second axis is curved. The first and / or second axis can be straight. The first and second axes can be generally parallel, such as parallel.

[0029] The first and / or second eye portion may include elliptical holes, such as elliptical holes having the longest extension in a plane orthogonal to the first and / or second axes, in a direction parallel to the line intersecting each of the first and second axes (such as holes having a horizontal long axis in the cross-sectional plane in the case of a conveyor module having a first and second axis in the same horizontal plane).

[0030] The “primary cross-sectional plane” and the “secondary cross-sectional plane” are understood in each case as imaginary planes, which are in each end of the conveyor module relative to the first axis and / or the second axis.

[0031] The “material part” can be understood as the solid material part that is fixedly connected to the first eye part and the second eye part.

[0032] "The position, when projected onto the axis that intersects the first axis and the second axis in the cross-sectional plane, is separated by a distance," can be understood as the maximum distance between the positions along the axis that intersects the first axis and the second axis in the cross-sectional plane (such as the maximum horizontal distance in the cross-sectional plane in the case of a conveyor module having a first axis and a second axis in the same horizontal plane).

[0033] The line passing through the first eye section can be surrounded by the position of the material. The line passing through the first eye section and the cross-sectional plane can be far away from the line passing through the second eye section. The line passing through the second eye section and the cross-sectional plane can be as close as possible to the line passing through the first eye section.

[0034] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein the material portion includes branched material, such as Y-shaped material or fork-shaped material, wherein...

[0035] --A portion of the branch material, such as a rod portion, including the outermost eye portion intersecting the cross-sectional plane and the first or second axis, such as a portion of the branch material surrounding the first or second axis, and

[0036] - The other of the first or second axes intersects the cross-sectional plane at a location between the branches of the branched material.

[0037] A possible advantage of this is that the first conveyor module can be joined to the second conveyor module, such that the eye portion of the rod portion of the first conveyor module can be arranged between the branches of the other conveyor module. The branches and rod portions can thus overlap. "Branch" can be understood as any shape comprising at least two branches, such as two forks or portions joining at one location and extending away from said location, such as extending away in a non-parallel (and non-opposite parallel) direction, such as V-shaped, U-shaped, Y-shaped, or forked. In particular embodiments, the branches include portions forming a minimum angle of less than 30°, such as less than 15°, such as generally parallel, such as parallel.

[0038] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is provided, wherein the conveyor belt module includes an integral element, the integral element comprising at least:

[0039] -First set of eye parts

[0040] -The second set of eye parts, and

[0041] -The materials section.

[0042] One potential advantage is increased strength, as there will be no weak joints. Another potential advantage is hygiene, as there will be no joints where dirt, bacteria, etc., can adhere. The integral conveyor module can be provided, for example, by injection molding.

[0043] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein the conveyor belt module comprises a polymer material, such as being composed of a polymer material, such as a single type of polymer material.

[0044] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein the material portion is a continuous material portion, such as material portions on both sides of the central plane, and the material portion not contained in the central plane is a continuous material portion.

[0045] The material part can be

[0046] - Around one of the first and second axes, such as completely around one of the first and second axes, and / or

[0047] - A portion of the material may not include the material at the following locations, such as an opening: a location in the central plane that is further away from the (encircled) first axis or (encircled) second axis than at the intersection of a line, such as a straight line, that passes through the eye portion defining the other of the first and second axes, with the plane of the cross section.

[0048] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein a portion of the material surrounds a first axis or a second axis, such as forming a closed line around the first axis.

[0049] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein portions of material at each end along an axis parallel to the cross-sectional plane and intersecting each of the first and second axes occupy mutually unique positions in a direction orthogonal to the axis parallel to the cross-sectional plane and intersecting each of the first axes. This can be advantageous in allowing the connection of two similar or identical conveyor belt modules such that portions of material in the two conveyor belt modules overlap (e.g., portions of material are arranged not to occupy the same space).

[0050] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein the conveyor belt module can be coupled to the same conveyor belt module in the following manner:

[0051] - Position the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module such that:

[0052] - The first axis of the conveyor belt module and the second axis of the same conveyor belt module are coaxial.

[0053] - The positions of the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module along the first axis of the conveyor belt module are similar or identical.

[0054] Insert the rod through the first eye section of the conveyor belt module and the second eye section of the same conveyor belt module.

[0055] In an embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein the conveyor belt module has double rotational symmetry about one or more of the following axes:

[0056] - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis, and

[0057] – An axis orthogonal to each of the following axes:

[0058] - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, and

[0059] - An axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis.

[0060] Possible advantages could be that the conveyor belt module can rotate, for example, flip up and down, and still be correctly installed in the modular conveyor belt (e.g., "foolproof" during installation). Rotational symmetry could be double rotational symmetry, such as rotational symmetry that produces a similar or identical shape when rotated 180°. A possible advantage of double rotational symmetry (e.g., around an axis orthogonal to the first and / or second axis and intersecting both the first and second axes) could be that it allows the conveyor belt to flip, such as flipping up and down, which could then benefit from rotating the conveyor belt module 180° to allow the module to wear on the other side relative to a potentially worn side, for example, flipping it up and down in the case of wear on the upper side. This allows the previously unworn lower side to become a new, readily usable upper side, effectively doubling the lifespan of the conveyor belt module and potentially bringing associated benefits in terms of resources, economy, and environment.

[0061] In an embodiment, a conveyor belt module is provided, wherein the conveyor belt module is arranged such that, when connected via a rod to the same conveyor belt module, the rod is inserted through a first eyelet portion of the conveyor belt module and a second eyelet portion of the same conveyor belt module, and the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are positioned identically along a first axis and / or a second axis. The conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module can each rotate about the rod. Optionally, when the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are brought as close together as possible, the minimum angle between the following two axes can reach at least 45 degrees, such as at least 50 degrees, such as at least 60 degrees, such as at least 65 degrees, such as at least 70 degrees:

[0062] - An axis orthogonal to the first and / or second axis of the conveyor belt module and intersecting both the first and second axes of the conveyor belt module; with

[0063] - An axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the same conveyor module and intersects both the first axis and the second axis of the same conveyor module.

[0064] A potential advantage is that modular conveyors, made up of multiple similar or identical conveyor modules, can change direction more quickly (around an axis parallel to the first and / or second axis). This can be significant, for example, for conveyors with a small radius of curvature around the sprocket and / or for changing direction, such as for short-distance movement from one high point to another. This can be advantageous for shortening the length of modular conveyor segments and conveyor segment systems, which in turn allows them to be constructed cheaper, operated cheaper, with reduced friction, and requiring less space / footprint.

[0065] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein a portion of the material of the peripheral eye portion surrounds a first axis in the cross-sectional plane and defines a concave region including a second axis, wherein the peripheral eye portion:

[0066] - As measured on an axis having a direction orthogonal to the central plane, the dimension decreases along the position between the second and first axes in the direction from the second axis to the first axis, and / or

[0067] - As measured on an axis having a direction orthogonal to the central plane, at a position on the opposite side of the second axis relative to the first axis, in a direction away from the second axis, the distance between the portions of material on both sides of the central plane increases.

[0068] This reduction and / or increase in size / distance can be used to facilitate a relatively large rotation angle of one conveyor module relative to the same conveyor module engaged by rods passing through the respective first axis / second axis. It can be seen as an advantage that the reduced / sized arrangement maintains strength at the relevant locations while still allowing for large rotation angles.

[0069] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein a portion of the material is a three-dimensional structural portion having surfaces on one or both sides of a central plane defined by the following axis:

[0070] - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis; and

[0071] - An axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis.

[0072] The surface is:

[0073] – Relative to the central plane at the far end;

[0074] - The surface parallel to the outermost part of the secondary eye; and

[0075] – The distance between the surface of the outermost part of the secondary eye and the central plane is equal.

[0076] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein a portion of the material is a three-dimensional structural portion having a generally flat, such as flat, surface on one or both sides of a central plane, and a surface generally parallel, such as parallel, to the central plane, which is defined by the following axis:

[0077] - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis; and

[0078] - An axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis.

[0079] One possible advantage is that parts of the material can also be used as load-bearing surfaces.

[0080] In another embodiment, a conveyor module is provided, wherein the generally flat surface is flush with and / or physically directly connected to the surfaces of adjacent eye portions and / or the outermost sub-eye portions. A possible advantage could be that it increases physical strength, and / or that a portion of the material can form part of a load-bearing surface, such as part of a planar load-bearing surface.

[0081] In another embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed. The conveyor belt module has a generally flat surface flush with the surface of the rest of the conveyor belt module. A possible advantage is that a portion of the material can form part of a load-bearing surface, such as part of a planar load-bearing surface.

[0082] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein the material portion is a three-dimensional structural portion, which, when projected onto a central plane, is defined by the following axes:

[0083] - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis; and

[0084] - An axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis.

[0085] The material defines a region, at least along a distance equal to or greater than the distance between the first and second axes in the cross-sectional plane, having an outermost profile that is smooth, such as being straight, such as being orthogonal to the first and / or second axes.

[0086] One advantage of this is that the edges of the modular conveyor belt modules, formed by multiple conveyor belt modules, create a smooth outer surface on the sides of the modular conveyor belt. This overcomes the problems of existing modular conveyor belts, which may have perceptible protrusions, bulges, or indentations on the sides, which could actually provide a saw-like effect to the moving modular conveyor belt. Therefore, a potential advantage is reducing or eliminating the saw-like effect, and / or making shielding on the sides of the modular conveyor belt less necessary or unnecessary.

[0087] The outermost contour can be arranged such that the corresponding outer contour of a modular conveyor belt formed by multiple connected similar or identical conveyor belt modules is smooth, such as, wherein the outermost contour of each conveyor belt module is straight and parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt module.

[0088] "Smooth" is understood to mean what is common in the art, such as a mathematical function having a continuous first derivative, or alternatively, having a flat or regular surface, or alternatively, having no perceptible protrusions, bulges or depressions (where "perceptible" can be understood as having a structure with a size of at least 10 mm in two orthogonal directions in the central plane, such as at least 8 mm, such as at least 6 mm, such as at least 5 mm, such as at least 4 mm, such as at least 2 mm, such as at least 1 mm).

[0089] Advantages include: rods that are orthogonal to both the conveying direction and the first and / or second axes—such as rods with a diameter of 10 mm, such as 8 mm, such as 6 mm, such as 5 mm, such as 4 mm, such as 2 mm, such as 1 mm—will not be able to reach between sections of the modular conveyor belt.

[0090] "A is greater than B" can generally be understood as A being equal to or greater than 101% of B, such as being equal to or greater than 102% of B, such as being equal to or greater than 105% of B, such as being equal to or greater than 110% of B, such as being equal to or greater than 125% of B, such as being equal to or greater than 150% of B, such as being equal to or greater than 200% of B, such as being equal to or greater than 500% of B, such as being equal to or greater than 1000% of B, and / or (in the case of length) A being at least 1 mm larger than B, such as being at least 2 mm larger than B, such as being at least 5 mm larger than B, such as being at least 10 mm larger than B, such as being at least 25 mm larger than B, such as being at least 50 mm larger than B, such as being at least 100 mm larger than B, such as being at least 500 mm larger than B, such as being at least 1000 mm larger than B.

[0091] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein the conveyor belt module includes end portions, such as end portions positioned at the ends of the conveyor belt module in a dimension defined by a first axis and / or a second axis, thereby blocking entry from outside the volume defined by the boundaries of the conveyor belt module in a direction parallel to the first or second axis, and through the plane at the ends of the conveyor belt module, and into the volume not occupied by solid material in the cross-sectional plane. A possible advantage could be, for example, that in a modular conveyor belt formed of multiple similar or identical conveyor belt modules, fingers cannot reach between the eye portions of adjacent conveyor belt modules.

[0092] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is provided, wherein the conveyor belt module is arranged such that it can be joined to an identical conveyor belt module via a rod inserted through a first set of eyelets of the conveyor belt module and a second set of eyelets of the same conveyor belt module, such that in a cross-sectional plane, such as in a main cross-sectional plane or a secondary cross-sectional plane, the outermost eyelet of the conveyor belt module, such as in the outermost eyelet of a main outermost eyelet or a secondary outermost eyelet, includes portions of the material of the same conveyor belt module on both sides of the central plane at the location of the rod.

[0093] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed, wherein, in the cross-sectional plane and along the direction of the axis (44) intersecting the first and second axes:

[0094] -At least the first distal portion of the material occupies a position along a direction orthogonal to the central plane.

[0095] This location lies within the following locations and does not overlap with the following locations:

[0096] - At least a second distal portion of the material, wherein the second distal end is opposite to the first distal end.

[0097] For example, the portion of material on the opposite side of the first axis relative to the second axis has a position along a direction orthogonal to the central plane, only within the position occupied by the portion of material on the opposite side of the second axis relative to the first axis.

[0098] According to an embodiment, a conveyor belt module is proposed for a side-bending modular conveyor belt, the conveyor belt module comprising:

[0099] - The first set of eye portions, which defines the first axis, and

[0100] -The second set of eye portions, which defines the second axis,

[0101] The eye portion includes:

[0102] –Main eye group

[0103] – Secondary eye group, wherein the secondary eye group includes eye portions placed on both sides of the primary eye group along an axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis.

[0104] In the cross-sectional plane orthogonal to the line, the line is:

[0105] - Orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis, and

[0106] - Intersects with both the first and second axes.

[0107] The first width aspect of any eye portion is given as the ratio of the following two:

[0108] – The width of the surface of the distal portion of the eye in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, the first direction being along an axis in the cross-sectional plane and orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis.

[0109] – The maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis.

[0110] Furthermore, the second width ratio of any eye portion is given as the ratio of the following two:

[0111] – The width of the surface of the eye portion at its distal end in the second direction, in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction, and...

[0112] - The maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis.

[0113] Furthermore, for the eye portion within the primary eye portion group, the first width ratio and / or the second width ratio are smaller compared to the eye portion within the secondary eye portion group.

[0114] Additionally, attachment units are disclosed, such as attachment units for attaching to assembled modular conveyor belts, such as attachment units for attaching to conveyor belt modules, wherein the attachment units define:

[0115] -Vertical direction

[0116] - A first lateral direction, which is perpendicular to each of the longitudinal directions.

[0117] - A second lateral direction, which is perpendicular to each of the longitudinal direction and the first lateral direction.

[0118] The attachment unit includes:

[0119] - A light part, such as a component used to slow down or block other elements;

[0120] – Attachment portion, which includes:

[0121] - A first set of protrusions, which includes one or more protrusions;

[0122] - A second set of protrusions, which includes one or more protrusions;

[0123] Each of the protrusions extends away from the slat portion in the first transverse direction.

[0124] Each of the first set of protrusions and the second set of protrusions includes one or more protrusions, each having one or more protrusions and / or cavities extending in a longitudinal direction and / or a second transverse direction, such as hooks for engaging with recesses of a modular conveyor belt (such as a conveyor belt module), and

[0125] The first set of protrusions is offset along the second lateral direction.

[0126] According to an embodiment, a conveyor belt module system is proposed, which includes a conveyor belt module and an attachment unit, the conveyor belt module and the attachment unit being optionally connected to each other. In this conveyor belt module system, one or more protrusions and / or cavities of one or more attachment units engage with one or more recesses and / or extensions of one or more conveyor belt modules.

[0127] According to the second aspect, a modular conveyor belt is proposed, comprising multiple conveyor belt modules according to the first aspect. One or more surfaces of the conveyor belt modules, optionally integrally, may be the load-bearing surfaces of the modular conveyor belt.

[0128] According to an embodiment, a modular conveyor belt is proposed, wherein multiple conveyor belt modules, such as adjacent conveyor belt modules according to the first aspect, are connected to each other by a rod passing through a first eye portion of one conveyor belt module and a second eye portion of another conveyor belt module, such that the conveyor belt modules and the other conveyor belt module are positioned identically along a first axis and / or a second axis.

[0129] According to an embodiment, a modular conveyor belt is proposed, wherein a straight line can be drawn in a cross-sectional plane orthogonal to the central plane to intersect with portions of the material of two adjacent conveyor belt modules.

[0130] According to an embodiment, a modular conveyor belt is proposed, wherein, when two adjacent conveyor belt modules are as far apart as possible, a straight line can be drawn in a cross-sectional plane orthogonal to the central plane to intersect with portions of the material of the two adjacent conveyor belt modules.

[0131] According to an embodiment, a modular conveyor belt is proposed, wherein portions of the material are positioned such that:

[0132] - The distance from one end to the other of the projection of a portion of the material onto the axis intersecting the first and second axes in the cross-sectional plane.

[0133] equal to or greater than

[0134] - The distance is given by the difference between the following two in the cross-sectional plane:

[0135] - Maximum distance, which is the distance between the following two intersection points:

[0136] 1. The first intersection point between the line passing through the first eye portion, such as a straight line, and the cross-sectional plane, and

[0137] 2. At the second intersection point between the line passing through the second eye portion, such as a straight line, and the cross-sectional plane, and...

[0138] - The dimension of the rod along the axis in the cross-sectional plane that intersects the first axis and the second axis, such as the diameter.

[0139] One potential advantage of this is that overlap will still occur even when adjacent conveyor modules are furthest apart.

[0140] "Equal to or greater than the maximum distance in the cross-sectional plane between the first intersection point of a line, such as a straight line, passing through the first eye portion and the cross-sectional plane, and the second intersection point of a line, such as a straight line, passing through the second eye portion and the cross-sectional plane," is understood as the distance between the intersection points in the cross-sectional plane of lines passing through the first and second eye portions, respectively, wherein the lines are arranged to maximize the distance. A possible advantage of this is that it ensures that even when the module is combined with one or more similar or identical modules to form a side-bending conveyor, there will be overlap between portions of material, even with maximum side bending, such as minimum radius of curvature.

[0141] According to embodiments, a modular conveyor belt is proposed that is suitable for conveying food products, such as unpackaged food products, such as unpackaged food products containing animal protein, such as unpackaged food products containing any one of fish, meat, or poultry. "Suitable for conveying food products" can generally be understood to mean that, under normal or foreseeable conditions of use, the modular conveyor belt will not transfer a quantity of its components that could endanger human health to the food, will not cause unacceptable changes to the composition of the food, or will not cause a deterioration of the sensory properties of the food, and / or the modular conveyor belt is easily cleaned and sterilized using continuous or discontinuous techniques.

[0142] According to the third aspect, a modular conveyor belt system is proposed, which includes:

[0143] -Based on the modular conveyor belt of the second aspect

[0144] - Devices for controlling the path of modular conveyor belts, such as tracks or guides, and

[0145] - An actuator arranged to drive a modular conveyor belt.

[0146] According to an embodiment, a modular conveyor belt system is proposed, wherein the modular conveyor belt system includes a portion in which the modular conveyor belt is laterally curved. "In which the conveyor belt is laterally curved" can generally be understood to mean that the modular conveyor belt is adapted to follow a curved path, such as a curved path in a plane defined by:

[0147] -Direction of teleportation, and

[0148] - First axis and / or second axis.

[0149] According to the fourth aspect, a method for transmitting one or more elements is provided, the method comprising:

[0150] - Place one or more components on or at a modular conveyor belt according to the second or third aspect, and

[0151] - Use modular conveyor belts to transport one or more components.

[0152] According to an embodiment, a method for conveying one or more elements is provided, wherein the one or more elements include food products, such as unpackaged food products, such as unpackaged food products comprising animal protein, such as unpackaged food products comprising any one of fish or meat or poultry.

[0153] According to the fifth aspect, the use of a conveyor belt according to the second or third aspect is provided for conveying one or more elements, such as, wherein the one or more elements include food products, such as unpackaged food products, such as unpackaged food products comprising animal protein, such as unpackaged food products comprising any one of fish or meat or poultry.

[0154] The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention can each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and will be clarified with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0155] The conveyor belt module and corresponding conveyor belt and modular conveyor belt system according to the invention, the method for conveying one or more elements, and the use of the conveyor belt will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate one embodiment of the invention and should not be construed as limiting other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0156] Figure 1 The illustration shows a conveyor belt module not covered by this invention;

[0157] Figure 2 The illustration shows a conveyor belt module with the outermost eye portion and the material portion;

[0158] Figure 3 The illustration shows a side-bending modular conveyor belt;

[0159] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the conveyor belt module;

[0160] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the cross-sectional plane of the conveyor belt module;

[0161] Figure 6 A conveyor module 10, which is coupled with the same conveyor module 10II, is shown;

[0162] Figure 7 This illustrates multiple conveyor belt modules that are not covered by existing technology and are combined together. Detailed Implementation

[0163] Figure 1 The illustration shows a conveyor belt module not covered by this invention, which may be used with another similar or identical conveyor belt module (see also...). Figure 7 Together, they form a side-bending modular conveyor belt. If this conveyor belt module is exposed, it will be unsafe for fingers when bending (see, for example, the outermost end portion in the enlarged view inserted). Figure 7 If the outermost eye portion is exposed, then that portion may have a sawing effect on anyone standing near the conveyor (see also...). Figure 7 ).

[0164] Figure 2 The illustration shows one end of the conveyor module section 10, which has an outermost eye portion 26 and a pair of flanges 14A, 14B. The flanges intersect a cross-sectional plane (indicated by dashed line 60, which is a line in the cross-sectional plane that intersects both the first and second axes; see also [reference needed]). Figure 3 The cross-sectional plane is orthogonal to the plane of the paper, and the cross-sectional plane is orthogonal to the first axis (which coincides with the first rod axis 24 in the figure) and the second axis (which coincides with the second rod axis 32 in the figure).

[0165] exist Figures 2 to 4 The conveyor belt module portion 10 shown is adapted to be assembled into a modular side-bending conveyor belt 100, which includes multiple conveyor belt modules, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 .

[0166] exist Figures 2 to 4 The conveyor belt module 10 shown may have eye portions in a first set of eye portions and eye portions in a second set of eye portions, the eye portions in the first set of eye portions and the eye portions in the second set of eye portions being offset relative to each other, such that they can overlap when two similar or identical conveyor belt modules are oriented in the same way, and are positioned such that their first axis and second axis are respectively brought to a coaxial position, and their positions are the same along the coaxial direction. The conveyor belt module 10 can thus form a row in a modular side-bending conveyor belt.

[0167] exist Figures 2 to 4 The conveyor belt module 10 shown can be a modular conveyor chain that can form a single row in a side-bending conveyor. This is in Figure 4 As shown in the image.

[0168] exist Figures 2 to 4 The conveyor belt module 10 shown includes a central beam 12.

[0169] exist Figures 2 to 4The conveyor belt module 10 shown includes a first eye portion 20 extending from the beam 12. The first eye portion 20 has a first hole 24 for receiving a rod along the first rod axis 22.

[0170] exist Figures 2 to 4 The conveyor belt module 10 shown includes a second eyelet portion 30 that extends from the beam 12 in a direction opposite to the first eyelet portion 20 and is laterally offset relative to the first eyelet portion 20. The second eyelet portion 30 has an elliptical second hole 34 for receiving a rod along the second rod axis 32.

[0171] exist Figures 2 to 4 The central beam 12 of the conveyor belt module 10 shown also includes a pair of flanges 14A, 14B, which extend in opposite directions (relative to the direction of the eye portion away from the central beam) to the outermost eye portion 26 of the first set of eye portions 20. The flanges 14A, 14B are adapted to form a channel 16 for receiving at least a portion of the outermost eye portion 26II of another conveyor belt module 10II. This is in Figure 3 The right side (marked "B") is shown. As in Figure 3 As disclosed in the right-hand portion (labeled "B"), in this view, the elliptical second hole 34 is located between the pair of flanges 14A, 14B. This allows for greater potential overlap and permits more abrupt bending without compromising safety. The outermost eye portion 26 is adapted so that the hole 24 of the outermost eye portion 26 can be inserted into the channel 16. This is achieved by making the outermost eye portion 26 thinner relative to the other eye portions of the first set of eye portions 24, thereby allowing the outermost eye portion 26 to be inserted into the channel 16.

[0172] Flanges 14A and 14B are connected to the nearest, opposite, adjacent eye portion 36 (such as a secondary outermost eye portion in this end of the conveyor belt module) relative to the outermost eye portion 26, and flanges 14A and 14B form two common planes with the nearest, opposite, adjacent eye portion 36. This increases the rigidity of the conveyor belt module and allows the conveyor belt module to be pulled around a curve with greater force without damaging it.

[0173] Figure 3 The illustration shows a modular side-bending conveyor belt 100. The modular conveyor belt 100 is constructed from materials such as those used in... Figure 2 The conveyor belt module 10 shown and described herein is assembled from a plurality of similar or identical conveyor belt modules 10, 10II.

[0174] The first rod axis 22 and the second rod axis 32 overlap between different rows of conveyor belt modules, and rods are inserted along the axes to assemble the side-bending conveyor belt 100.

[0175] Figure 3 The right side (labeled “B”) discloses how the modular side-bending conveyor belt 100 still has overlap in the maximum pitch: by placing a portion of the outermost eye portion of the conveyor belt module 10II inside the channel 16 formed by a pair of flanges 14A, 14B.

[0176] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a conveyor belt module 10, which includes components at both ends of the conveyor belt module. Figure 2 All features shown in the diagram.

[0177] Therefore, in this example, the conveyor module 10 is a conveyor module, and both longitudinal ends of the central beam include a pair of flanges 14A, 14B that extend in opposite directions to the outermost eye portion 26 of the first eye portion 20. The flanges 14A, 14B are adapted to form a channel 16 for receiving at least a portion of the outermost eye portion 26II of another conveyor module 10II.

[0178] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt module 10 is shown, which is similar to Figures 2 to 4 The conveyor belt module 10, and more specifically, a cross-sectional plane intersecting the outermost eye portion and orthogonal to the first and / or second axes of the conveyor belt module (e.g., defined by the eye portion, such as by the first hole 38 in the first eye portion and the second hole 40 in the second eye portion, respectively). Dashed lines indicate portions of the conveyor belt module that do not intersect the cross-sectional plane. Shaded areas 42 indicate material in the cross-sectional plane having positions on either side of a central plane (orthogonal to the plane of the paper) (e.g., above and below in this figure), defined by the following axes:

[0179] --Axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, and

[0180] -The axis (44) in the cross-sectional plane that intersects the first axis and the second axis.

[0181] The material has portions on both sides (such as the left and right sides in this figure) of each of the following planes:

[0182] - Plane (52), which is orthogonal to the central plane and includes the first intersection point between the line passing through the first eye portion—such as a straight line passing through the first eye portion—and the cross-sectional plane, wherein in Figure 5In the middle, part of the material surrounds the line that passes through the first eye portion, and

[0183] - Plane (54), which is orthogonal to the central plane and includes a second intersection point between the line passing through the second eye portion—such as a straight line passing through the second eye portion—and the cross-sectional plane, wherein in Figure 5 In this case, the line passing through the second eye portion is as close as possible to the first eye portion.

[0184] In other words, the material exists in all four regions (“quadrants”), which are above and below the central plane, and to the left and right of the volume defined by a plane orthogonal to the cross-sectional plane and including the intersection point, which is the intersection point between the line passing through the first eye portion and the second eye portion and the cross-sectional plane, respectively.

[0185] The material portion includes a Y-shaped material in the cross-sectional plane, wherein the rod portion of the Y-shaped material (in...) Figure 5 The left side of the middle) includes the outermost eye portion that intersects the cross-sectional plane and the first axis and surrounds the first axis, and the second axis is a branch in the branch of the Y-shaped material (in Figure 5 The position between the right and middle of the plane intersects the cross-sectional plane.

[0186] The portions of material on either side of the central plane (even when the central plane is not included) are continuous portions of material, and protective measures such as prohibiting entry through portions of the material are in place.

[0187] exist Figure 5 In the middle, a portion of the material completely surrounds the left axis, and the portion of the material in the central plane is farther away from the intersection point between the straight line passing through the eye of the right axis and the cross-sectional plane (i.e., in...). Figure 5 In the middle, towards Figure 5 The location of the surrounding axis (on the right side) does not include material, wherein the openings are arranged to allow a mating relationship between the surrounding portion of one conveyor module and the opening of another conveyor module.

[0188] The left distal portion of the material portion occupies a position along a direction orthogonal to the central plane, which is located within the position of the right distal portion of the material portion and does not overlap with the position of the right distal portion of the material portion. In other words, at least a portion, such as the entire left distal portion, at least partially fits into the right opening, such as completely fitting into the right opening.

[0189] exist Figure 5 In the diagram, a conveyor belt module is shown having a rod 41 that connects the conveyor belt module to an adjacent conveyor belt module (not shown), thereby forming part of a modular conveyor belt (not shown), wherein a portion of material 42 is positioned such that:

[0190] - The distance from one end to the other end of the projection of a portion of the material onto the axis intersecting the first and second axes in the cross-sectional plane is 45.

[0191] equal to or greater than

[0192] - Distance 46, which is given by the difference between the maximum distance 47 and dimension 48 in the cross-sectional plane, where:

[0193] - The maximum distance of 47 is the distance between the following two intersection points:

[0194] 1. At the first intersection point between the line passing through the first eye section, such as a straight line, and the cross-sectional plane (such as the intersection between axis 44 and dashed line 52),

[0195] 2. At the second intersection point between the line passing through the second eye section, such as a straight line, and the cross-sectional plane (such as the intersection between axis 44 and dashed line 53),

[0196] - Dimension 48 is the dimension of rod 41 along axis 44 in the cross-sectional plane that intersects the first axis and the second axis, such as diameter.

[0197] Figure 6 A conveyor belt module 10 is shown engaged with the same conveyor belt module 10II via a rod inserted through a second eyelet portion of the conveyor belt module 10 and a first eyelet portion of the same conveyor belt module 10II, such that the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are positioned identically along a first axis and / or a second axis, and the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are shown as such that the same conveyor belt module rotates about the rod such that a minimum angle of 56° is formed between the following two axes:

[0198] -Axis 44, which is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the conveyor belt module and intersects both the first axis and the second axis of the conveyor belt module, and

[0199] -Axis 45, which is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the same conveyor module and intersects both the first axis and the second axis of the same conveyor module.

[0200] It is non-zero, such as being substantially different from zero, such as approximately 30°. The possibility of rotation, such as rotation to a relatively large angle, can be achieved by some features of the material portion, such as a concave shape on one or both sides of the (neck portion or) bar portion and / or a truncated, rounded or inclined end in one or both of the branch portions.

[0201] This can be achieved by having a portion of the material of the peripheral eye portion surround the first axis in the cross-sectional plane and define a concave region including the second axis, wherein the peripheral eye portion:

[0202] - As measured on an axis having a direction orthogonal to the central plane, the dimension decreases along the position between the second axis and the first axis in the direction from the second axis to the first axis (such as in...). Figure 5 In the process of moving from the second hole 40 to the left towards the first hole 38, the material partially thins in the vertical direction, and / or

[0203] - As measured on an axis having a direction orthogonal to the central plane, at a position on the opposite side of the second axis relative to the first axis, in a direction away from the second axis, the distance between the portions of material on both sides of the central plane increases (e.g., in...). Figure 5 In the middle of the second hole 40, as it moves to the right, the opening between the parts of the material widens in the vertical direction.

[0204] Figure 7 A conveyor module not covered by this invention is shown, in which there is a line of sight 62 that passes through the cross-sectional plane and through the peripheral eye portion (where fingers may be injured by entering the volume 64 between adjacent peripheral eye portions).

[0205] In summary, a conveyor belt module (10) is proposed, having a first set of eyelets and a second set of eyelets for allowing the conveyor belt module to be connected to a similar conveyor belt module (10II) via a rod (41). The conveyor belt module is suitable for a side-bending modular conveyor belt (100), wherein, in a cross-sectional plane intersecting the outermost eyelet of the conveyor belt module and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt module, the conveyor belt module includes a portion of material located on both sides of the axis passing through the first and second eyelets at positions on both sides of the plane including the longitudinal axis and intersecting both the first and second eyelets.

[0206] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it should not be construed as limiting it in any way to the presented examples. The scope of the invention is set forth by the appended claims. In the claims, the terms "comprise" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Furthermore, references such as "a" or "an" should not be construed as excluding multiple elements. Reference numerals used in the claims relating to elements indicated in the drawings should also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Additionally, various features referred to in different claims may be advantageously combined, and referencing these features in different claims does not preclude the possibility and disadvantage of combining features.

Claims

1. A conveyor belt module (10) for use as a side-bending modular conveyor belt, the conveyor belt module comprising: - The first eye portion (20) defines the first axis; as well as - The second set of eye portions (30) defines the second axis. in, - In the cross-sectional plane at the main end, the cross-sectional plane at the main end is a main cross-sectional plane that intersects with and is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis, wherein the main outermost eye portion is the outermost eye portion located in the main end of the conveyor module in the dimension defined by the first axis and / or the second axis; and / or - In the cross-sectional plane at the secondary end, the cross-sectional plane at the secondary end is a secondary cross-sectional plane that intersects with and is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis, wherein the secondary outermost eye portion is the outermost eye portion located in the secondary end of the conveyor belt module in the dimension defined by the first axis and / or the second axis, wherein the secondary end of the conveyor belt module is opposite to the main end of the conveyor belt module. The conveyor module (10) includes portions of material (42) having positions on both sides of a central plane defined by the following axes: - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis; and - The axis (44) in the cross-sectional plane and intersecting the first axis and the second axis. The portion of the material (42) has portions on both sides of each of the following planes: - A plane (52) orthogonal to the central plane and including the first intersection point between the line passing through the first eye portion and the cross-sectional plane; and - A plane (54) orthogonal to the central plane and including the second intersection point between the line passing through the second eye portion and the cross-sectional plane. The conveyor module described therein has double rotational symmetry about one or more of the following axes: - An axis (44) orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis, and – An axis orthogonal to each of the following axes: - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, and - An axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis.

2. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The portion of the material (42) has portions on both sides of each of the following planes: - A plane (52) orthogonal to the central plane and including the first intersection point between the straight line passing through the first eyelet portion and the cross-sectional plane; and - A plane (54) orthogonal to the central plane and including the second intersection point between the straight line passing through the second eye portion and the cross-sectional plane.

3. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The material (42) includes a branched material, wherein, - A portion of the branch material includes the outermost eye portion formed by the intersection of the cross-sectional plane and the first axis or the second axis, and - The first axis or the other of the second axis intersects the cross-sectional plane at a location between the branches of the branch material.

4. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The branch material is a Y-shaped material or a fork-shaped material.

5. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The branch material's rod portion includes the outermost eye portion formed by the intersection of the cross-sectional plane and the first axis or the second axis.

6. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 3, wherein, A portion of the branch material surrounds the first axis or the second axis.

7. The conveyor belt module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The conveyor belt module includes an integral component, which includes at least: - The first set of eye parts (20). - The second set of eye parts (30), and - A portion of the material.

8. The conveyor belt module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The conveyor belt module is arranged such that, when connected to the same conveyor belt module via a rod, the rod inserts through a first eyelet portion of the conveyor belt module and a second eyelet portion of the same conveyor belt module, and such that the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are positioned identically along the first axis and / or the second axis, and each conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are each rotatable about the rod such that the minimum angle (56) between the following two axes can reach at least 45 degrees: - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the conveyor belt module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the conveyor belt module, and - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the same conveyor module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the same conveyor module.

9. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 8, wherein, The conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are each rotatable about the rod such that the minimum angle (56) between the following two axes can reach at least 50 degrees: - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the conveyor belt module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the conveyor belt module, and - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the same conveyor module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the same conveyor module.

10. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 8, wherein, The conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are each rotatable about the rod such that the minimum angle (56) between the following two axes can reach at least 60 degrees: - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the conveyor belt module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the conveyor belt module, and - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the same conveyor module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the same conveyor module.

11. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 8, wherein, The conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are each rotatable about the rod such that the minimum angle (56) between the following two axes can reach at least 65 degrees: - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the conveyor belt module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the conveyor belt module, and - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the same conveyor module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the same conveyor module.

12. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 8, wherein, The conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module are each rotatable about the rod such that the minimum angle (56) between the following two axes can reach at least 70 degrees: - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the conveyor belt module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the conveyor belt module, and - An axis orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis of the same conveyor module and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis of the same conveyor module.

13. The conveyor belt module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, Part of the material (42) is a three-dimensional structural part, and part of the material (42) has a flat surface on one or both sides of the central plane and parallel to the central plane, the central plane being defined by the following axis: - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, and - An axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis.

14. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 13, wherein, The flat surface, which is parallel to the central plane, is flush with the surface of the rest of the conveyor belt module.

15. The conveyor belt module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The material portion is a three-dimensional structural portion, which, when projected onto a central plane, is defined by the following axes: - An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis; as well as - An axis (44) that is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis. A portion of the material defines a region having an outermost contour that is equal to or greater than the distance between the first and second axes in the cross-sectional plane, and the outermost contour is smooth.

16. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 15, wherein, The outermost contour is a straight line.

17. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 15, wherein, The outermost contour is orthogonal to the first axis and / or the second axis.

18. The conveyor belt module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The conveyor module includes an end portion that blocks entry from outside the volume defined by the boundaries of the conveyor module, through the plane at the end of the conveyor module, and into the volume not occupied by solid material in the cross-sectional plane, in a direction parallel to the first axis or the second axis.

19. The conveyor belt module (10) according to claim 18, wherein, The conveyor belt module includes an end portion positioned at the end of the conveyor belt module in a dimension defined by the first axis and / or the second axis.

20. The conveyor belt module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The conveyor belt module is arranged such that it can be joined to an identical conveyor belt module via a rod inserted through a first set of eyelets of the conveyor belt module and a second set of eyelets of the identical conveyor belt module, such that, in the cross-sectional plane, the outermost eyelets of the conveyor belt module include portions of the material of the identical conveyor belt module on both sides of the central plane at the location of the rod.

21. A modular conveyor belt (100) comprising a plurality of conveyor belt modules according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A modular conveyor belt system, the modular conveyor belt system comprising: - The modular conveyor belt (100) according to claim 21. - A means for controlling the path of the modular conveyor belt, and - An actuator arranged to drive the modular conveyor belt.

23. The modular conveyor system according to claim 22, wherein, The device used to control the path of the modular conveyor belt is a track or guide.

24. The modular conveyor system according to claim 22, wherein, The modular conveyor system includes a portion in which the modular conveyor belt (100) is laterally curved.

25. A method for transferring one or more elements, the method comprising: - Place the one or more components on or at the modular conveyor belt (100) according to any one of claims 21 to 24, and - The modular conveyor belt is used to transport one or more of the components.

26. The method for transmitting one or more elements according to claim 25, wherein, The one or more elements include food products.

27. The method for transmitting one or more elements according to claim 26, wherein, The food product in question is an unpackaged food product.

28. The method for transmitting one or more elements according to claim 27, wherein, The unpackaged food products mentioned are unpackaged food products that include animal protein.

29. The method for transmitting one or more elements according to claim 28, wherein, The unpackaged food product is any unpackaged food product of fish, meat, or poultry.

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