Conveyor belt module with plastic diversion notch

Abstract

An injection molded conveyor belt module includes a plastic redirect notch to strengthen the module in the edge region. The plastic redirect notch is formed at a laterally inner end of a cavity in the edge region that houses a hinge rod retainer and intersects a hinge channel. The plastic redirect notch extends laterally inward from the cavity toward a center of the module to distance a weld line from the cavity.

Description

[0001] Related applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 605,715, filed December 4, 2023, entitled “Conveyor Belt Module with Plastic-Redirecting Notch,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] background The present invention generally relates to power-driven conveyors, and more specifically to modular conveyor belts having edge modules that allow access to hinge bars.

[0003] Modular plastic conveyor belts are widely used for transporting products. A modular belt consists of rows of one or more belt modules connected end-to-end at hinge joints by hinge rods. In many belts, the hinge rods are axially inserted into transverse channels formed by aligned, staggered hinge eyes of adjacent belt rows. Once inserted, the hinge rods are typically retracted by snap-in or blocking structures in the belt or by insertable or sliding blocking members. Modules can be formed by injection molding or other suitable processes. In injection molding, weld lines form where two flow fronts converge in the module, resulting in reduced strength in that area. Invention Overview The injection-molded conveyor module includes a plastic-redirecting notch near the cavity housing the hinge rod retainer to reinforce the module in the edge region. The plastic-redirecting notch extends laterally inward from the transverse inner wall of the cavity and intersects with the hinge channel.

[0005] According to one aspect, the conveyor module includes a laterally extending body, a first set of hinge elements extending from a first end of the body, a second set of hinge elements extending from a second end of the body, and an edge portion aligned with the second set of hinge elements and located at a first side edge of the body. The edge portion includes an edge hinge element defining a hinge channel aligned with the second set of hinge elements, a cavity formed in the edge hinge element and intersecting the hinge channel, a flexible rod retainer received within the cavity, and a notch intersecting the hinge channel and the cavity.

[0006] According to another aspect, the conveyor module includes a laterally extending body, a first set of hinge elements extending from a first end of the body, a second set of hinge elements extending from a second end of the body, and an edge portion aligned with the second set of hinge elements and located at a first side edge of the body. The edge portion includes an edge hinge element defining a hinge channel (aligned with the second set of hinge elements), a cavity, and a notch. The cavity is formed in the edge hinge element and intersects with the hinge channel. The cavity includes a lateral outer wall (through which the hinge channel extends), a longitudinal front wall, a longitudinal rear wall, and a lateral inner wall. The notch extends laterally inward from the lateral inner wall and leads to the hinge channel. Brief description of the attached diagram Figure 1 This is a top view of one form of the conveyor belt edge module that embodies the features of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Rear view of the conveyor belt edge module; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Side view of the conveyor belt module; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A detailed top view of the edge portion of the conveyor belt module; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Detailed bottom view of the edge portion; Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Another top view of the edge portion; Figure 7 yes Figure 4 Another bottom view of the edge portion; Figure 8 yes Figure 4 Another bottom view of the edge portion; Figure 9 yes Figure 4 Rear view of the edge portion; Figure 10 This is viewed from the bottom of the module. Figure 4 Detailed view of the cavity in the edge portion; Figure 11 yes Figure 4 The front view of the edge portion shows the mold flow simulation, illustrating the weld lines formed during the injection molding process; Figure 12 This is a front view simulation of the edge portion of a conveyor belt edge module without plastic diversion notches.

[0008] Detailed description exist Figures 1-3An edge module for a modular conveyor belt is shown. The edge module 10 includes a central body, shown as a laterally extending spine 20, with a length extending from a first end 14 to a second end 15, a width extending laterally from a first side edge 16 to a second side edge 17, and a thickness extending from a top conveyor surface 18 to a bottom surface 19. The exemplary top conveyor surface 18 is flat, but can be shaped according to the products conveyed by the conveyor belt. The opposing bottom surface 19 is concave and has curves. The exemplary spine 20 tapers gradually from the top conveyor surface 18 to the concave bottom surface 19 in the longitudinal direction, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0009] The first set of hinge elements 40 extends longitudinally from the first end of the ridge member 20, while the second set of hinge elements 50 extends longitudinally from the second end of the ridge member 20. The hinge element 40 at one end of the ridge member is laterally offset from the hinge element 50 at the other end.

[0010] The gaps separate the hinge elements at each end, allowing the hinge elements of the continuous modules to stagger—the first set of hinge elements 40 of one module is located in the gaps within the second set of hinge elements 50 of the continuous module. The lateral openings of the staggered hinge elements 40, 50 through the continuous modules are aligned to form lateral channels for hinge rods (not shown). The hinge rods define a hinge axis around which the continuous rows of modules 10 can be hinged.

[0011] Selected hinge elements 52 in the second set of hinge elements 50 are drive hinge elements and have a drive pocket formed on their underside to receive drive teeth on the sprocket to drive the conveyor belt. These drive hinge elements 52 are wider than other standard hinge elements, and the gaps opposite each drive hinge element are wider than the other gaps that separate the hinge elements 40 to accommodate the drive hinge elements 52.

[0012] The exemplary module 10 is formed by injection molding. A gate mark 60 is formed at the injection molding gate location in the mold used to form the module 10. As shown, the exemplary module is formed by injecting molten plastic into the central portion of the mold defining the module, wherein the plastic flows to the edges 16, 17 to fill the mold. The exemplary gate mark is formed on the hinge element 50, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0013] The edge portion 70 of the conveyor module is aligned with the hinge elements 50, 52 and includes features for inserting, locking, and removing the hinge levers. (Reference) Figures 4-10The edge portion 70 includes a laterally elongated hinge element 72, which includes a cavity 74 intersecting a hinge channel 30 extending through the hinge elements 50, 52 and the edge portion 70. The exemplary cavity 74 extends through the thickness of the module and leads to both the top and bottom of the module, but alternatively may lead only to the top, bottom, or side.

[0014] A flexible rod retainer 80 extends obliquely across the cavity 74. The flexible rod retainer includes a base 81 connected to a corner of the cavity, a flexible body 82, and an enlarged tip 83. An exemplary enlarged tip is barbed. The retainer 80 can flex about its base between an open position and a position in which the barbed tip blocks at least a portion of the hinge channel to prevent the hinge rod from disengaging. In the open position, the retainer allows the hinge rod to be inserted into or removed from the hinge channel. When no external force is applied to the retainer 80, the natural shape of the retainer 80 allows it to assume a position, for example… Figures 4-7 In the position shown, the retainer 80 prevents the hinge rod from retracting from the module 10. In this position, the enlarged end 82 opposes the hinge channel 30 to block the channel.

[0015] The walls of cavity 74 are shaped to accommodate the flexural deformation of retainer 80. The walls can be relatively thin and prone to breakage.

[0016] The edge portion 70 also includes a notch 90 in the bottom surface of the elongated hinge element 72. The notch 90 extends from the transverse inner edge 76 of the cavity 74 and intersects with the hinge channel 30. The notch 90 is aligned with the enlarged end of the retainer 80, which is in the natural shape of the retainer 80.

[0017] The edge portion 70 also includes an overhang 96 at the transverse inner edge of the cavity 74 at the top surface 18. The overhang 96 includes a thin planar lip that spans the length of the cavity and protrudes relative to the transverse inner edge 76 by a distance approximately half the distance between the transverse inner edge and the enlarged end of the retainer 80.

[0018] like Figure 10As shown, the walls of cavity 74 are shaped to facilitate the operation of retainer 80. The exemplary cavity 74 has different shapes when viewed from top and bottom. Cavity 74 includes a transverse outer wall 75 through which hinge channel 30 extends to the outer edge of the module. A longitudinal front wall 77 extends obliquely relative to the transverse outer wall 75. Retainer 80 extends from the intersection of the transverse outer wall 75 and the longitudinal front wall 77, but the invention is not limited thereto, and the retainer can extend from any suitable location within cavity 74. The longitudinal front wall 77 extends outward below the starting point of the enlarged end of the retainer and transitions to another obliquely extending wall 78, which extends to the transverse inner wall 76 of the cavity, which extends between the bottom of the module and the overhang 96. The longitudinal rear wall of the cavity includes a first obliquely extending wall 84, which extends from the transverse outer wall 75 and transitions to a transversely extending wall 85 having an intermediate longitudinally extending connecting wall 86. The transverse extension wall 85 extends slightly above the enlarged end of the retainer to the outer transverse extension wall 87, which terminates at the transverse inner wall 76.

[0019] The notch 90 extends laterally inward from the transverse inner wall 76 and leads to the hinge channel 30. The exemplary notch 90 has flat sidewalls 92, 94 and a curved end wall 96 to form a semi-oblong or truncated oblong shape, but the invention is not limited thereto. The exemplary notch 90 extends laterally from the inner edge 76 by a distance D less than half the distance between the inner edges 76 and 73 of the elongated hinge element 72. However, the notch 90 may be shorter or longer. The exemplary notch 90 has a longitudinal length L approximately the same as the enlarged end of the retainer 80. The notch is not limited to the exemplary shape, size, and / or location.

[0020] Cavity 74 may have a variable or uniform cross-section from the bottom to the top of the module. In an exemplary embodiment, the top of cavity 74 is defined by an inclined extending edge 88 at the longitudinal rear edge. Exemplary cavity 74 also includes a slight notch 89 between walls 87 and 76 and overhang 96, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0021] refer to Figure 11 The notch 90 strengthens the thinner edge portion 70 by redirecting the plastic flow during the injection molding process. As the plastic flows from the center of the mold defining the module to the edge portion, the notch 90 guides the flow front to contact the weld line 100 located before the cavity 74, rather than around the cavity 74. Removing the weld line from the cavity area reduces the likelihood of breakage in the edge portion of the module and increases the strength of the edge portion 70, thereby reducing the likelihood of breakage in that portion.

[0022] refer to Figure 12 Without a notch, the edge portion 170 of the conveyor belt module will be weaker. For example... Figure 12 As shown, without a notch, a fusion line 200 is formed at a location that might weaken the edge portion. Without a notch, the fusion line 200 is formed in a thinner region at the edge of the module, which weakens that area of ​​the module.

[0023] The invention has been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be implemented in many different applications and embodiments, and is not particularly limited to the specific embodiments depicted.

Claims

1. A conveyor belt module, comprising: The main body extends horizontally; A first set of hinge elements extends from a first end of the body; A second set of hinge elements extends from a second end of the body; and An edge portion, aligned with the second set of hinge elements and located at the first side edge of the body, the edge portion comprising: - An edge hinge element that defines a hinge channel aligned with the second set of hinge elements; - A cavity formed in the edge hinge element and intersecting with the hinge channel; - A rod retainer, the rod retainer being housed within the cavity; and - A notch that intersects with the hinge channel and the cavity.

2. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1, wherein, The notch is formed in the bottom of the edge hinge element.

3. The conveyor belt module according to claim 2, wherein, The notch includes flat sidewalls and curved endwalls.

4. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1, wherein, The rod retainer extends obliquely from the corner of the cavity and terminates at an enlarged end, and the notch is opposite to the enlarged end.

5. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1, wherein, The rod retainer has a flexible body.

6. The conveyor belt module according to claim 4, wherein, The enlarged end is barbed.

7. The conveyor belt module according to claim 4, wherein, The notch has a length approximately equal to the length of the enlarged end.

8. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1 further includes an overhang at the inner end of the cavity.

9. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1, wherein, The cavity leads to the top and bottom of the edge hinge element.

10. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1, wherein, The notch extends laterally inward from the inner lateral edge of the cavity.

11. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1, wherein, The main body, the first set of hinge elements, the second set of hinge elements, and the edge portion are integrally formed from injection-molded plastic.

12. The conveyor belt module according to claim 11, wherein, The module includes a gate mark in the central portion of the module.

13. The conveyor belt module according to claim 11, wherein, The module includes a weld line formed during the injection molding process, the weld line being located away from the cavity.

14. A conveyor belt module, comprising: The main body extends horizontally; A first set of hinge elements extends from a first end of the body; A second set of hinge elements extends from a second end of the body; and An edge portion, aligned with the second set of hinge elements and located at the first side edge of the body, the edge portion comprising: - An edge hinge element that defines a hinge channel aligned with the second set of hinge elements; - A cavity formed in the edge hinge element and intersecting the hinge channel, the cavity including a transverse outer wall, a longitudinal front wall, a longitudinal rear wall, and a transverse inner wall, the hinge channel extending through the transverse outer wall; and - A notch that extends laterally inward from the transverse inner wall and leads to the hinge channel.

15. The conveyor belt module according to claim 14, wherein, The notch includes a first flat sidewall, a second flat sidewall, and a curved endwall.

16. The conveyor module of claim 14, further comprising a rod retainer extending across the cavity and terminating at an enlarged end opposite the hinge channel.

17. The conveyor belt module according to claim 14 further includes an overhang, the overhang extending laterally outward from the transverse inner wall opposite to the notch.

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