Conveyor belt cleaner with baffle plate, cleaner sheet of conveyor belt cleaner and conveyor belt system

Abstract

In one aspect, a flapped conveyor belt cleaner has a cleaning sheet for engaging a conveyor belt, an elongated support for the cleaning sheet, and a mount configured to orient the elongated support to extend across the conveyor belt and allow the cleaning sheet to engage with the conveyor belt and its flaps. The mount includes a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force, by allowing the cleaning sheet and the elongate support to move away from the strap portion against the biasing force during engagement of the cleaning sheet with the flap, thereby maintaining the cleaning sheet in biasing engagement with the flap as the flap and the strap portion deflect. The biasing member is configured to bias the elongated support back toward the belt portion after the cleaning sheet is disengaged from the baffle of the conveyor belt and to return the cleaning sheet into engagement with the conveyor belt. The present disclosure also includes a cleaner sheet for a flapped conveyor belt cleaner, and a conveyor belt system.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 547,912, filed November 9, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 638,608, filed April 25, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a conveyor belt cleaner for removing material from a conveyor belt, and more specifically, to a conveyor belt cleaner with baffles and its cleaner plates and conveyor belt system. Background Technology

[0004] Conveyors are used to move objects from one location to another. Some conveyors use a conveyor belt with a drive pulley, a tail pulley, and one or more rollers supporting the conveyor belt. Conveyors have a drive unit, such as an electric motor, that rotates the drive pulley to move the conveyor belt. Objects are placed on the upper run of the conveyor belt and travel downstream as the drive pulley rotates and the conveyor belt moves. Conveyors can have various configurations, including horizontal conveyors and conveyors with inclined sections.

[0005] Some facilities utilize inclined conveyor belts to move objects (such as food or products) from a lower position to a higher position. One example is a food processing facility that uses a conveyor belt system to move meat or other food items from a lower position to a higher position. As an example, cut meat is transferred onto the conveyor belt of a conveyor belt system for movement within the facility. The conveyor belt system has a lower upstream end and a higher downstream end. The conveyor belt system transports meat to the higher downstream end, where the transported meat falls off the conveyor belt and into containers (such as trolleys). The higher downstream end of the conveyor belt system allows trolleys to be positioned to receive the transported meat. Once a trolley is full, a worker removes it and places a new trolley below the end of the conveyor belt system to continue collecting transported meat.

[0006] Some inclined conveyor belts have baffles (sometimes called flight barriers) that support the food being transported as the conveyor belt pushes it toward the higher downstream end of the conveyor belt system. The baffles project outward from the outer surface of the belt section of the conveyor belt to support the transported food and prevent it from rolling or sliding back upstream as it is transported up the inclined conveyor belt toward the downstream end.

[0007] The conveyed food product can fall from the higher, downstream end of the conveyor belt system under the force of gravity and into a container or onto another conveyor belt. However, when the conveyor belt reverses direction around the downstream pulley of the conveyor belt system, some of the conveyed food product can stick to the conveyor belt and the apron. The stuck food product can then undesirably fall from the conveyor belt to the floor of the facility below the conveyor belt system and form waste that should be removed from the floor. SUMMARY

[0008] In one aspect of the disclosure, a belt apron conveyor belt cleaner is provided for cleaning a conveyor belt having an apron projecting from a belt portion of the conveyor belt. The belt apron conveyor belt cleaner includes a cleaning blade for engaging the conveyor belt, an elongate support for the cleaning blade, and a cradle configured to orient the elongate support to extend across the conveyor belt and allow the cleaning blade to engage the conveyor belt and its apron. The cradle includes a biasing member configured to exert a biasing force that maintains the cleaning blade in biased engagement with the apron as the apron and belt portion deflect by allowing the cleaning blade and elongate support to move away from the belt portion against the biasing force during engagement of the cleaning blade with the apron. The biasing member is configured to bias the elongate support back toward the belt portion and re-engage the cleaning blade with the conveyor belt after the cleaning blade disengages from the apron of the conveyor belt. In this way, the biasing member maintains the cleaning blade in engagement with the apron as the apron deflects and re-engages the cleaning blade with the conveyor belt once the cleaning blade disengages from the apron.

[0009] In one embodiment, the cleaning blade has a belt engagement position in which the cleaning blade engages the belt portion of the belt apron conveyor belt upstream of the apron and a clearance position in which the cleaning blade is spaced apart from the belt portion a distance that allows the apron to travel downstream of the cleaning blade. The cradle is configured to allow the cleaning blade to be moved from the engagement position to the clearance position by the apron against the biasing force from the biasing member. The engagement of the cleaning blade with the apron as the apron moves downstream causes the cleaning blade to travel along an upstream surface of the apron and clean the surface and move the cleaning blade from the belt engagement position to the clearance position so that the apron can travel downstream past the cleaning blade.

[0010] The present disclosure also provides a belt guard conveyor belt cleaner having a cleaning blade, an elongated support for the cleaning blade, and a pair of spring tensioners mounted on either side of the conveyor belt. The spring tensioners are configured to orient the elongated support to extend laterally across the conveyor belt along a support axis and to allow the elongated support to pivot about a pivot axis parallel to and longitudinally offset from the support axis in response to biased engagement of the cleaning blade with a guard of the conveyor belt. The belt guard conveyor belt cleaner also includes an opening extending longitudinally from the cleaning blade and the elongated support to the pivot axis and laterally between the spring tensioners to provide space for an object removed from the conveyor belt to travel through the opening and away from the conveyor belt. The opening provides an enlarged area for the removed object, such as a piece of meat, to travel through without becoming stuck on a bar or other structure of the belt guard conveyor belt cleaner.

[0011] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for cleaning a belt guard conveyor belt having a belt portion and a guard projecting therefrom. The method includes engaging a biased cleaning blade with a front surface portion of the guard to scrape the front surface portion of the guard. The method includes moving the cleaning blade against the biasing force applied to the cleaning blade as the cleaning blade engages the front surface portion of the guard and deflecting the guard and the belt portion as the cleaning blade moves while in biased engagement with the front surface portion of the guard. The method also includes re-engaging the cleaning blade with the belt portion of the belt guard conveyor belt downstream of the guard as the front surface portion of the guard passes beyond the cleaning blade due to the biasing force applied to the cleaning blade. The engagement of the cleaning blade with the guard allows the cleaning blade to both clean the guard and travel over the guard during operation of the belt guard conveyor belt.

[0012] The present disclosure also provides a cleaner blade for a baffle belt cleaner. The cleaner blade includes a one-piece body having opposing lateral sides and a length extending therebetween, an upper belt scraping portion of the body for engaging a baffle belt, and a lower mounting portion configured to form a snap-fit connection with an elongate support. The lower mounting portion has a lower portion for extending beneath the elongate support and a forward portion of the lower mounting portion extending upward from the lower portion toward the upper belt scraping portion. The forward portion is configured to be positioned forward of the elongate support with the lower mounting portion connected with the elongate support. The lower mounting portion includes a plurality of rear gripping portions extending upward from the lower portion spaced rearward of the forward portion to allow the elongate support to be received between the forward portion and the rear gripping portions. The lower mounting portion also includes at least one spacing between the rear gripping portions extending along the length of the body and facilitating deflection of the rear gripping portions when the lower mounting portion is connected with the elongate support. The at least one spacing between the rear gripping portions increases flexibility of the gripping portions and enables an installer to easily connect or disconnect the cleaner blade to / from the elongate support.

[0013] In another aspect, a baffle belt cleaning system is provided. The baffle belt cleaning system includes a baffle belt cleaner and a baffle belt conveyor. The baffle belt cleaner includes a cleaner blade for engaging the baffle belt conveyor, an elongate support for the cleaner blade, and a carriage for orienting the elongate support to extend across the baffle belt conveyor and allow the cleaner blade to engage the baffle belt conveyor. The carriage is configured to allow the cleaner blade to move out of the way of the baffle belt conveyor by disengagement between the cleaner blade and the baffle belt. The carriage includes a biasing member configured to bias the cleaner blade back toward the baffle belt conveyor after the cleaner blade disengages from the baffle belt and re-engage the cleaner blade with the baffle belt conveyor. Thus, the carriage allows the cleaner blade to move out of the way of the baffle belt and re-engage the cleaner blade with the baffle belt conveyor once the baffle belt travels past the cleaner blade. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a conveyor system including a baffle belt conveyor and a baffle belt cleaner;

[0015] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1 , showing a cleaner blade of the baffle belt cleaner engaged with an outer surface of the baffle belt conveyor;

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a baffle belt cleaner; Figure 1A front view of one of the frames of a conveyor belt cleaner with baffles, showing the torsion springs of the frame that cause the cleaning disc to engage with the conveyor belt;

[0017] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken by line 4-4 shows the arm of the seat, one end of which is connected to the shaft of the seat, and the other end is connected to the corner bar that extends laterally across the conveyor belt and supports the cleaning sheet.

[0018] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A side view of a conveyor belt cleaner with baffles, showing the leaf-shaped mounting plate of the conveyor belt cleaner extending radially from the drive pulley of the conveyor system;

[0019] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 The cross-sectional view taken by line 6-6 in the figure shows a large lateral extension opening between the seats of the conveyor belt cleaner with baffles downstream of the cleaning sheet, which allows objects removed from the conveyor belt by the cleaner to travel through the opening and between the seats without getting stuck on the cleaner.

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of the area circled in the middle shows the arm, the axis connecting the interlocking angle rods and the base;

[0021] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the cleaning sheet shows the concave portion of the cleaning sheet, which forms a recess to receive the free end of the baffle when the cleaning sheet scrapes the conveyor belt.

[0022] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged view of the area indicated by the dashed circle shows the distal end face of the cleaning sheet where it engages with the conveyor belt with baffles.

[0023] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a baffled conveyor belt cleaner being removed from a baffled conveyor belt, showing an optional cover for a movable component to cover the seat.

[0024] Figures 11-16 yes Figure 10 A perspective view of a conveyor belt cleaner with baffles for another conveyor belt system shows: the cleaning plate engages with the outer surface of the conveyor belt; deflection occurs as the cleaning plate engages, cleans, and deflects one of the baffles; and the baffle returns to engagement with the outer surface of the conveyor belt after traveling past the cleaning plate.

[0025] Figures 17-20 yes Figures 11-16Perspective view of one of the housings of the belt cleaner with a baffle, showing in sequence the angle lever pivoted away from the conveyor belt in a first rotational direction to allow the cleaning blade to travel over the baffle ( Figure 17 and 18 ), and the torsion spring returning the angle lever and the cleaning blade thereon in an opposite rotational direction to engage the outer surface of the conveyor belt ( Figure 19 and 20 );

[0026] Figures 21-27 is a perspective view of the underside of the conveyor belt system of Figures 11-16 showing the cleaning blade scraping the outer surface of the conveyor belt ( Figure 21 and 22 ), scraping the front surface of the baffle ( Figure 23 and 24 ), disengaging from the baffle ( Figure 25 ) and rebounding to engage the outer surface of the conveyor belt ( Figure 26 and 27 );

[0027] Figure 28 is a perspective view of the belt cleaner with a baffle of Figure 11 having a bumper to stop the movement of the cleaning blade when it pivots back into engagement with the belt portion of the belt cleaner with a baffle of the conveyor belt;

[0028] Figure 29 is a perspective view of the belt cleaner with a baffle of Figure 10 having an adjustable bumper to stop the movement of the cleaning blade when it pivots back into engagement with the belt portion of the belt cleaner with a baffle of the conveyor belt;

[0029] Figure 30 is a plan view of a pneumatic damper of the belt cleaner with a baffle to slow the movement of the cleaning blade when it pivots back into engagement with the belt portion of the belt cleaner with a baffle of the conveyor belt; Figure 10

[0030] is a perspective view of a coil spring brake for stopping the rotation of the shaft of one of the tensioners of the belt cleaner with a baffle. Figure 31 Figure 10 is a schematic view of the coil spring brake of

[0031] showing the operation of the coil spring brake when the scraper blade moves away from the belt portion of the conveyor belt through the baffle and the scraper blade back into engagement with the belt portion; Figures 32-38 Figure 31 is a perspective view of another housing that can be used with the belt cleaner with a baffle of

[0032] Figure 39 Figure 1 is a perspective view of another housing that can be used with the belt cleaner with a baffle of

[0033] ​​Figure 40 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 40-40 in Figure 39 , showing the torsion spring of the seat frame, which retracts and tightly engages the seat frame's tensioning hub and open collar when the spring is tensioned;

[0034] Figure 41 is a perspective view of the tensioning hub of Figure 40 , showing the sleeve of the tensioning hub, which is sized to fit over the first end portion of the torsion spring;

[0035] Figure 42 is a perspective view of the collar of Figure 40 , showing the sleeve of the open collar, which is sized to fit over the second end portion of the torsion spring;

[0036] Figure 43 is a plan view of another torsion spring that can be used with the seat frame of Figure 39 , showing the ends of the spring, which have axial protrusions to engage corresponding recesses of the tensioning hub and collar;

[0037] Figure 44 is a perspective view of one of the ends of the spring of Figure 43 , showing one of the protrusions that axially protrude from the end ring of the spring;

[0038] Figure 45 is a perspective view of the end of the spring of Figure 43 , showing the axial protrusion of the spring end that extends into the slot of the open collar of the seat frame. Figure 39

[0039] Figure 46 is a perspective view of the end of another torsion spring, which has a radial protrusion to engage a recess in the tensioning hub or collar;

[0040] Figure 47 is a perspective view of the end of another torsion spring, which has a radial protrusion to engage a recess in the tensioning hub or collar;

[0041] Figure 48 is a rear perspective view of a baffle-equipped conveyor belt cleaner having a seat frame with a bracket that depends from a bearing of a drive pulley of a conveyor belt system;

[0042] Figure 49 is an elevation view of the baffle-equipped conveyor belt cleaner of Figure 48 , showing the retainer of the angle bar of the baffle-equipped conveyor belt cleaner on both sides of the cleaning blade to prevent movement of the cleaning blade along the angle bar during operation of the baffle-equipped conveyor belt cleaner;

[0043] Figure 50 is an elevation view of the baffle-equipped conveyor belt cleaner of Figure 49 ​rear perspective view of a cleaning blade showing a pair of rear gripping portions of the cleaning blade having a spacing therebetween;

[0044] Figure 51 is Figure 50 side view of a cleaning blade showing a recess of the cleaning blade for receiving a corner bar;

[0045] Figure 52 is a perspective view of another cleaning blade having three gripping portions and two spacings therebetween; and

[0046] Figure 53 is a perspective view of a belt cleaner with apron having a seat frame including a mounting plate having a flange extending laterally inward mounted between a pillow block bearing and a conveyor frame of a conveyor system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Referring to Figure 1 , a conveyor system 10 is shown including a belt apron 12 having belt segments or portions 14 and associated aprons 16 for conveying objects 18 in a downstream longitudinal direction 20. The conveyor system 10 includes a belt apron cleaner 30 having a cleaning blade 32 positioned to scrape an outer surface 34 of the belt 12 and a front surface 74 of the apron 16 to remove the objects 18 from the belt apron 12 and the front surface 74 of its apron 16. The cleaning blade 32 is connected to an elongated support or mounting member, such as a corner bar 36, which extends laterally across the belt apron 12. The belt apron cleaner 30 has seat frames 40, 42 which support the corner bar 36 and the cleaning blade 32 thereon. The seat frames 40, 42 are configured to securely engage the cleaning blade 32 with the belt apron 12 while allowing the cleaning blade 32 to be deflected and pivoted away from the apron 16, such as when the apron 16 travels around a drive pulley 46 (see Figure 2 ) of the conveyor system 10.

[0048] The conveyor system 10 includes a conveyor frame 50 to support the belt apron 12 and the belt apron cleaner 30. The conveyor frame 50 can include upper skirt walls 52, 54 and lower skirt walls 56, 58, where the upper skirt walls 52, 54 are operable to hold the conveyed objects 18 on the belt 12 as they travel in the downstream direction 20. The conveyor system 10 also includes drive means for effecting movement of the belt apron 12, such as a motor 62 and a gearbox 64 connecting the motor 62 to the drive pulley 64. The motor 62 is operable to cause rotation of the drive pulley 46, which in turn drives the belt apron 12 in the downstream direction 20.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, baffle 16 protrudes or stands upright from the outer surface 34 of belt 14, extending substantially vertically therefrom. The conveyor belt 12 with baffle is inclined, and baffle 16 can support object 18 to prevent object 18 from sliding or rolling upstream and downward away from drive pulley 46. Baffle 16 and object 18 travel approximately in the direction of rotation 60 around drive pulley 46 until object 18 falls off conveyor belt 12 with baffle under the influence of gravity. As conveyor belt 12 with baffle travels around drive pulley 46, the outer surface 34 of conveyor belt 12 with baffle has a curved portion 70 along the curvature of drive pulley 46. When object 18 reaches a position near or below the equator or horizontal centerline 71 of drive pulley 46, object 18 may fall off the curved portion 70 of outer surface 34. For example, object 18 may fall into a container or onto another conveyor belt.

[0050] The baffle 16 has a tapered or outwardly radiating front surface portion 72 of the base portion 82 of the baffle 16, a front surface 74 extending upward from the surface portion 72, a free end 76, a rear surface 78 parallel to the front surface 74, and a tapered or outwardly radiating rear surface portion 80 of the base portion 82 of the baffle 16 (see also...). Figure 1 In some conveyor belts with baffles, the baffles may not have a base with a tapered front surface portion and a tapered rear surface portion.

[0051] The cleaning plate 32 has: an upper scraping tip 90 configured to engage with the outer surface 34 of the belt 14; a lower mounting base portion 92 configured to be secured to the corner bar 36; and an intermediate portion 94 extending therebetween. The cleaning plate 32 has a concave upstream surface portion 96 of the intermediate portion 84 configured to form a recess 98. The recess 98 provides a clearance for the free end 76 of the baffle 16 to extend therein when the cleaning plate 32 engages at the junction between the outer surface 34 of the conveyor belt and the outwardly flared front surface portion 72 of the baffle 16, as discussed further below.

[0052] refer to Figure 2 The object 18 may adhere to or be attached to the baffled conveyor belt 12 and travel together with the baffled conveyor belt 12 below the centerline 71 of the drive pulley 46 toward the return 61 of the baffled conveyor belt 12. For example, the object 18 may include one or more pieces of meat, baked goods, corn, peas, fasteners (such as bolts or screws), ball bearings or other items.

[0053] To ensure that the object 18 is removed from the belted conveyor 12 rather than travelling on the return run 61, the belted conveyor cleaner 30 positions the scraping tip 90 to scrape the outer surface 34 of the belt portion 14 below the centreline 71 of the drive pulley 46. If the object 18 is scraped off the outer surface 34 by the cleaning blade 32, the object can slide down the upstream surface 350 of the cleaning blade 32 in the direction 99 and into a waiting receptacle or downstream conveyor thereunder. In this way, the cleaning blade 32 operates to remove the object 18 from the belted conveyor 12 and direct the object 18 to a desired location after removal of the object 18.

[0054] With continuing reference to Figure 2 As the belted conveyor 12 moves in the downstream direction 20, the scraping tip 90 scrapes the outer surface 34 of the belt portion 14 of the belted conveyor 12 until the scraping tip 90 encounters the tapered front surface portion 72 of the baffle 16. Notably, the concave side surface portion 96 of the blade 32 provides clearance for the baffle 16 to extend into the recess 98, allowing the scraping tip 90 to engage and clean the tapered surface portion 72 of the baffle 16 without interference from the baffle 16 itself. The tapered front surface portion 72 provides a smooth transition between the outer surface 34 of the belt portion 14 and the front surface 74 of the baffle 16.

[0055] Continued movement of the belted conveyor 12 in the downstream direction 20 causes the scraping tip 90 to tightly engage and scrape the front surface 74 of the baffle 16. As the conveyor 12 moves downstream of the drive pulley 46, the engagement of the scraping tip 90 with the front surface 74 deflects the baffle 16 in the back direction 100 and simultaneously causes the cleaning blade 32 and the angle lever 36 to pivot in the direction 110. In one form, the baffle 16 has a one-piece construction integral with the belt portion 14 and can be formed by moulding the belted conveyor 12 and the belt portion 14 with a food-grade plastic material. The baffle 16 and / or the belt portion 14 are resilient, allowing the baffle 16 to resiliently deflect or pivot in the direction 100 relative to the belt portion 14 as the cleaning blade 32 travels underneath.

[0056] Continued movement of the belted conveyor 12 in the downstream direction 20 causes the scraping tip 90 to travel past and off the free end 76 of the baffle 16 to disengage from the baffle 16 (see, for example Figures 25-26 When the cleaning blade 32 is no longer displaced by the baffle 16, the seat frames 40, 42 resiliently urge the angle lever 36 and the cleaning blade 32 mounted thereto back in the rotational direction 112 to bring the scraping tip 90 back into engagement with the belted conveyor 12. In this way, the cleaning blade 32 can deflect the baffle 16 as the conveyor 12 moves to allow the baffle 16 to travel past the cleaning blade 32 without damaging the baffle 16.

[0057] The seat frames 40, 42 cause the scraping tip 90 to rebound into engagement with the belted conveyor 12 despite one or more objects (e.g., a scraped piece of meat) on or adhered to the upstream surface 350 of the cleaning blade 32 that can reduce the return force urging the cleaning blade 32 back into engagement with the belted conveyor 12. By reducing the return speed of the cleaning blade 32, the one or more objects on the upstream surface 350 also reduce the impact force that the scraping tip 90 exerts onto the belt portion 14 when the scraping tip 90 re-engages the belted conveyor 12.

[0058] Reference will be made to Figure 3 , although the seat frame 42 is generally a mirror image thereof, only the seat frame 40 will be discussed. The seat frame 40 has an arm 180 that supports the clevis 36 and cleaning blade 32 to overhang from the shaft 150. The seat frame 40 has a tensioner 130 that applies a resilient biasing force to the clevis 36 and cleaning blade 32 mounted thereon to urge the cleaning blade 32 into engagement with the belted conveyor 12. The tensioner 130 is adjustable to cause the cleaning blade 32 to engage the belt portion 14 of the belted conveyor 12 with a desired amount of force.

[0059] The seat frame 40 has a transverse outer frame assembly 41 that includes a side plate 140 that is interconnected with a bracket (e.g., an elongated leaf-shaped transverse inner mounting plate 126) of the seat frame 40 via support members in the form of support bars 142, 144, 146. In one embodiment, two of the three support bars 142, 144, 146 are used. The seat frame 40 includes a shaft 150 having an end portion 155 that is rotatably supported in an opening of the side plate 40 via a shaft sleeve 152. In addition, the seat frame 40 has a bearing 154 adjacent the mounting plate 126 that rotatably supports an opposite end portion 156 of the shaft 150.

[0060] The tensioner 130 includes a tensioning disk or hub 160, a biasing member (e.g., a torsion spring 162), and a collar 164. The torsion spring 162 has an end portion 166 that is fixed to the tensioning hub 160 and an opposite end portion 170 that is fixed to the collar 164, with a spring coil 336 (see Figure 7 ) disposed between the spring end portions 166, 170. The end portions 166, 170 of the torsion spring 162 are secured and fixed to the respective tensioning hub 160 and collar 164 via, for example, welding, interlocking portions, or fasteners. The collar 164 and arm 180 are secured to the shaft 150 via, for example, a clamping engagement, mating portions, welding, brazing, and / or fasteners. Due to the fixed connection between the collar 164, arm 180, and shaft 150, rotation of the shaft 150 causes rotation of the collar 164 and arm 180. In contrast, the tensioning hub 160 can rotate or spin relative to the shaft 150.

[0061] The tensioner 130 also includes a set screw 174 that extends through an arcuate slot 176 (see Figure 1 , Figure 7 ) of the tensioner hub 160 and into an aligned threaded opening of the side plate 140 for securing the tensioner hub 160 against rotation relative to the side plate 140. More specifically, during installation of the belt cover conveyor belt cleaner 30, the user loosens the set screw 174 and rotates the tensioner hub 160 in the rotational direction 113 (see Figure 5 ) to bring the cleaning blade 32 into contact with the belt portion 14 of the belt cover conveyor belt 12. Rotating the tensioner hub 160 in the direction 113 causes the shaft 150 to rotate in the corresponding rotational direction 112 via the connection between the tensioner hub 160, the torsion spring 162, the collar 164, and the shaft 150 as described above. Rotating the shaft 150 in the direction 112 causes the arm 180 secured to the shaft 150 to pivot in the direction 112, thereby bringing the cleaning blade 32 into contact with the belt portion 14 of the belt cover conveyor belt 12.

[0062] Once the scraping tip 90 contacts the belt portion 40, the user continues to rotate the tensioner hub 160 in the direction 113 (see Figure 5 ) to apply the desired force to the cleaning blade 32. More specifically, once the cleaning blade 32 contacts the belt portion 14 of the belt cover conveyor belt 12, further rotating the tensioner hub 160 in the direction 113 causes the tensioner hub 160 to rotate relative to the collar 164 and load the torsion spring 162 by tensioning the torsion spring 162. The torsion spring 162 resists the load and applies a torque to the shaft 150 via the collar 164 secured to the shaft 150. The torque applied to the shaft 150 causes the arm 180 and the clevis 36 to move in the direction 112, thereby applying a force to the cleaning blade 32. Once the user has applied the desired force to the cleaning blade 32, the user tightens the set screw 174 to secure the tensioner hub 160 against rotation relative to the side plate 140.

[0063] Referring to Figure 3 , the drive pulley 46 has a shaft 120 that is rotatably mounted to the skirt 52 via a bearing 122. The bearing 122 is secured to the skirt 52 via fasteners 124 that extend through arcuate upper and lower slots 127 and 128 (see Figure 4 ) of a mounting plate 126. In this manner, the mounting plate 126 is sandwiched between the bearing 122 and the skirt 52. In other embodiments, the mounting plate 126 can be mounted to different conveyor frame elements, such as in cases where the bearing of the drive pulley of the conveyor belt is not removable.

[0064] Referring to Figure 4The arm 180 has an arcuate end portion 189 with an opening 190 that receives the shaft 150, and a pair of arm portions 192, 194 extending from the arcuate end portion 189. The opening 190 and the shaft 150 are sized so that the arm 180 can be pivoted about the shaft 150 during installation and before the arm 180 is secured to the shaft 150.

[0065] The arm portions 192, 194 have end clamping portions 196, 198 that define an opening 183 therebetween for receiving the angle bar 36. The clamping portions 196, 198 are configured to clamp onto the angle bar 36 and secure the angle bar 36 against movement relative to the arm 180. The clamping portions 196, 198 include alternating teeth 200 and recesses 202 for receiving and engaging the ends 204, 206 and the corner 208 (see FIG. 3) of the angle bar 36. Figure 5 ) The angle bar 36 has two leg portions 210, 212 that are oriented at approximately 90° relative to each other. In other versions, the leg portions 210, 212 can have different relative angular orientations, or the angle bar 36 can be replaced with, for example, a post or bar having a rectangular cross-section.

[0066] The alternating teeth 200 and recesses 202 of the clamping portions 196, 198 allow the angle bar 36 to be pushed into the opening 183 and clamped into place at any one of a plurality of angular orientations of the angle bar 36 relative to the arm 180. The plurality of angular mounting orientations of the angle bar 36 and the pivoting of the arm 180 allow the apron-equipped conveyor belt cleaner 30 to be installed to conveyor belt systems having different conveyor frame configurations and sizes.

[0067] The arm 180 has a bolt 220 with a head 222 that is non-rotatably received in a recess of the arm portion 194, and a threaded shank 223 that engages a nut 224 that is positioned against the arm portion 192. To secure the arm 180 against pivoting on the shaft 150 and to secure the angle bar 36 against movement relative to the arm 180, the user turns the nut 224 to push the nut 224 toward the bolt head 222 and urge the arm portions 192, 194 together, thereby moving the clamping portions 196, 198 to tightly clamp onto the angle bar 36. In addition, urging the arm portions 192, 194 together by tightening the nut 224 also reduces the size of the opening 190 so that an arcuate inner surface 230 of the arcuate portion 199 extending around the opening 190 closely engages the cylindrical outer surface of the shaft 150 to secure the arm 180 against pivoting relative to the shaft 150. In one approach, welding or brazing is used to further secure the arm 180 to the shaft 150. The welding or brazing can be applied during installation or manufacture of the apron-equipped conveyor belt cleaner 30.

[0068] With respect to Figure 4 and Figure 5The slots 127, 128 of the mounting plate 126 are elongated and allow the mounting plate 126 to rotate in opposite rotational directions 240, 242 to orient the axis 248 of the mounting plate 126 relative to the axis of the drive pulley 46 at a desired angle before the bearing 122 is fully secured to the skirts 52, 54. The slots 127, 128 of the mounting plate 126 thus allow the conveyor belt cleaner 30 with baffles to be installed on conveyor belt systems with different constructions and sizes. In one installation technique, the fastener 124 is loosened to allow the mounting plate 126 to rotate in directions 240, 242, while the fastener 124 extends into the slots 127, 128. Furthermore, the mounting plate 126 operably mounts the shaft 150 thereto, wherein the pivot axis 246 of the shaft 150 is aligned with the axis 248 of the mounting plate 126. Axis 248 extends radially from the central rotation axis 250 of shaft 120 of drive pulley 46 to pivot axis 246 of shaft 150. Since arm 180 and angle bar 36 can rotate together with shaft 150, pivot axis 246 of shaft 150 operates as pivot axis of mount 40 during operation of conveyor system 10, with angle bar 36 and cleaning plate 32 thereon pivoting about pivot axis 246. It should be understood that mounting plates 126 of different configurations can be used for different conveyors with different installation limitations.

[0069] To provide additional adjustability during installation, mounting plate 126 has a pair of parallel, linearly extending slots 260, 262 (see...). Figure 4 Furthermore, support rods 142, 144, and 146 are cylindrical components, with threaded holes 264 at both ends to receive bolts 143A (see [link to documentation]). Figure 11 Bolts extend from the inner lateral ends of support rods 142, 144, and 146 and pass through slots 260 and 262 for securing support rods 142, 144, and 146 to mounting plate 126, and extend from the outer lateral ends of support rods 142, 144, and 146 for securing to side plate 140. Support rods 142, 144, and 146 may include a wrench face for engaging a wrench during installation of the conveyor belt cleaner 30 with baffles.

[0070] Bearing 154 is connected by, for example, bolt 154A (see...) Figure 11 Fasteners are secured to the mounting plate 126, extending through openings 274 of flange 154B of bearing 154 into slots 260, 262, wherein the nut (see...) Figure 17 Tightened to the end of the bolt. The bolts for support rods 142, 144, and 146 and the fasteners for bearing 154 are not in place. Figures 1-5 The image shown is a less obstructed view of the component with baffle and cleaner 30. However, Figures 11-20 The bolt is shown in the image.

[0071] With respect to Figure 4 Prior to tightening the bolts 143A of the support rods 142, 144, 146 and the bolts 154A of the bearings 154 of the mounts 40, 42, the mounts 40, 42 can be moved along the axis 248 in opposite linear directions 270 or radial directions 272 to position the pivot axis 246 of the elastic support 40, 42 at a desired radial distance from the rotational axis 250 of the drive pulley 46. Once the mount 40 has been moved to the desired radial position along the mounting plate 126, the bolts 143A of the support rods 142, 144, 146 and the bolts 154A of the bearings 154 extending in the slots 260, 262 are tightened.

[0072] As Figure 6 As best shown, the belted conveyor cleaner 30 has a double crank arm configuration that supports the angle bar 36 and the cleaning blade 32 mounted thereto. Specifically, the angle bar 36 has an end portion 290 that is fixed to an arm 180 of the mount 40, which in turn is fixed to the shaft 150. The angle bar 36 has an opposite end portion 292 that is fixed to an arm 180A of the opposite mount 42. The arm 180A is fixed to the shaft 150A of the tensioner 130A of the mount 42. The arms 180, 180A operate as crank arms to apply the torsion spring 162, 162A torque to the angle bar 36. In addition, the rigid connections between the angle bar 36, the arms 180, 180A and the shafts 150, 150A balance the forces applied by the arms 180, 180A to the angle bar 36 and prevent twisting of the angle bar 36 and restrict the angle bar 36 and the cleaning blade 30 thereon to pivot movement about the axis 246.

[0073] The arms 180, 180A space the angle bar 36 from the pivot axis 246 of the mounts 40, 42 by an offset distance 293 to form a laterally enlarged opening 300 between the mounts 40, 42 and that is generally aligned with the downstream direction of travel of the cleaning blade 32 to allow the dislodged or scraped objects to travel through. For example, referring to Figure 2 , the objects 18 can be removed by the cleaning blade 32 and travel in the direction 99 through the opening 300 away from the cleaning blade 32 and into the container without engaging and / or getting caught on the structure of the belted conveyor cleaner 30. In other words, the belted conveyor cleaner 30 does not have a cross bar or other structure that extends laterally across the belted conveyor 12 at the location where the conveyed objects are diverted off the belted conveyor 12. In this manner, the enlarged opening 300 between the mounts 40, 42 allows the belted conveyor cleaner 30 to remove objects and debris from the belted conveyor 12 without causing unnecessary accumulation of the conveyed objects that would reduce the throughput of the conveyor system 10.

[0074] like Figure 7 As shown, shaft 150 extends through bushing 152, through the interior 330 of spring coil 336 of torsion spring 162, through opening 332 of collar 164, through opening 190 of arm 180, and into bearing 154. Spring coil 336 extends around shaft 150 and is elastically loaded or unloaded as shaft 150 and collar 164 to which it is attached pivot relative to tension hub 160.

[0075] Cleaning tablet 32 ​​has Figure 8 The cross-section shown is substantially uniform along its lateral extension length. The cleaning pad 32 can be made, for example, of a plastic material (e.g., ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)). In other embodiments, the cleaning pad 32 can be made of two or more materials, such as UHMWPE and stainless steel, or urethane and PVC. As an example, one material can be used for the scraping tip 90, while another, more flexible material can be used for the rest of the cleaning pad 32.

[0076] The lower mounting base portion 92 of the cleaning plate 32 has a recess 340 and lips 342, 344. The recess 340 is configured to receive the angle rod 36, and the lips 342, 344 latch the ends 204, 206 of the angle rod 36 (see...). Figure 4 On the other hand, in one embodiment, lips 342, 344 allow the cleaning disc 32 to snap-fit ​​onto the angle bar 36. Additionally or alternatively, fasteners, mating portions, or other retaining methods can be used to attach the cleaning disc 32 to the angle bar 36. The cleaning disc 32 may include two or more cleaning discs 32 secured to the angle bar 36.

[0077] The cleaning pad 32 has an upstream surface 350 that extends from the mounting base portion 92 along the intermediate portion 94 to the scraping tip 90. The cleaning pad 32 also includes a downstream surface 352 opposite to the upstream surface 350. The upstream surface 350 includes a concave upstream surface portion 96 forming a recess 98 to approach the scraping tip 90 at the base portion 82 of the baffle 16 (see [link]). Figure 22 When the baffle 16 is at its free end 76 (see...), it is free end 76. Figure 1 The cleaning pad 32 provides a gap. Conversely, the downstream surface 352 of the cleaning pad 32 has a convex portion 356 that converges upward along the cleaning pad 32 toward the concave upstream surface portion 96 as it extends toward the scraping tip 90.

[0078] refer to Figure 9The scraping tip 90 includes an end face portion 360 oriented to engage with the outer surface 34 of the belt portion 14 of the baffled conveyor belt 12. The end face portion 360 has a slightly convex curvature. The end face portion 360 scrapes along the outer surface 34 of the belt portion 14 and the front surface 74 of the baffle 16 to remove objects, debris, and / or residues from the baffled conveyor belt 12. Furthermore, the end face portion 360 provides a larger contact area between the cleaning plate 32 and the outer surface 34 to reduce peak stress in the belt portion 14 caused by the bias of the scraping tip 90 returning to engagement with the belt portion 14 after the baffle 16 has moved past the cleaning plate 32.

[0079] The scraping tip 90 also includes inclined surface portions 362, 364 that gradually narrow towards each other as they extend toward the end face portion 360. The inclined surface portions 362, 364 narrow the scraping tip 90 and provide additional clearance to the end face portion 360, such that along the outer surface 34 of the band portion 14 and along the front tapered surface portion 72 of the baffle 16 (see...). Figure 4 As it travels and reaches the front surface 74 of the baffle 16, it maintains contact with the conveyor belt 12 with the baffle. More specifically, the inclined surface portion 362 is oriented to avoid or limit contact with the belt portion 14 as the scraping tip 90 scrapes it, and the inclined surface portion 364 is oriented to avoid or limit contact with the front surface 74 of the baffle 16. The scraping tip 90 has an engagement, such as edges 366, 368, connecting the inclined surface portions 362, 364 and the end face portion surface 360. By limiting the contact between the inclined surface portions 362, 364 and the conveyor belt 12 with the baffle, the force from the seats 40, 42 that causes the cleaning blade 32 to engage with the conveyor belt 12 with the baffle is concentrated at the end face portion 360 and the edge 368, which provides a strong scraping engagement between the scraping tip 90 and the conveyor belt 12 with the baffle.

[0080] about Figure 10 , Figure 1 The conveyor belt cleaner 30 with baffles is shown removed from the conveyor frame 50. The conveyor belt cleaner 30 with baffles has openings 370, 370A of mounting plates 126, 126A to receive both ends of the shaft 120 of the drive pulley 46 in the gaps through which it passes.

[0081] exist Figure 10 The conveyor belt cleaner 30 with baffles is shown with optional covers 380, 382 on seats 40, 42. Covers 380, 382 have a resilient structure and pivot in direction 390 to an open position, as shown on seat 40. Conversely, covers 380, 382 can pivot in direction 392 to a closed position, as shown on cover 382 of seat 42. ReferenceFigure 12 The covers 380, 382 are pivotally connected to the support bars 146, 146A of the carriages 40, 42 and have a lip 383 (see Fig. 6) that resiliently snaps under the support bars 142, 142A to hold the covers 380, 382 in the closed position. Figure 10 ).

[0082] The covers 380, 382 redirect objects or other debris removed by the belt 12 away from the tensioners 130, 130A and prevent the tensioners 130, 130A from jamming or having a limited range of motion due to objects sticking in moving parts of the tensioners 130, 130A. In this way, the covers 380, 382 increase the durability of the belt guard conveyor cleaner 30 in environments where objects can fall laterally outward from the belt guard conveyor 12 over the skirt walls 52, 54, 56, 58 (e.g., in the case of a meat product being conveyed, and in cases where the pieces of the meat product can flail laterally as they fall from the belt guard conveyor 12). The covers 380, 382 also prevent portions of the conveyed product or other material from entering the tensioners 130, 130A, which makes the belt guard conveyor cleaner 30 easier to clean. In addition, the covers 380, 382 block access to the moving parts of the tensioners 130, 130A, thereby preventing a user from reaching into the tensioners 130, 130A during operation of the conveyor belt and causing a user’s glove to get stuck in the pinch point of the tensioners 130, 130A.

[0083] With reference to Figure 11 , the belt guard conveyor cleaner 30 is shown integrated into another conveyor system 400 that includes a belt guard conveyor 402. The belt guard conveyor 402 has a belt portion 404 formed of belt links or segments 406 that are pivotally connected via hinge connections 410. Some of the belt segments 406 have upstanding guards 412, 412A to support objects as they are conveyed by the belt guard conveyor 402. The tensioners 130, 130A of the carriages 40, 42 push the angular bars 36 and the cleaning blades 32 mounted thereto in the rotational direction 420 to put the scraping tips 90 in scraping engagement with the outer surface 422 of the belt portion 404. When the scraping tips 90 encounter the hinge connections 410, the tensioners 130, 130A allow the cleaning blades 32 to pivot slightly backward in the rotational direction 452 against the biasing force provided by the tension springs 130, 130A, but otherwise bias the cleaning blades 32 in the rotational direction 420 to maintain the scraping tips 90 in engagement with the outer surface 422 of the belt 404. As Figure 11As shown, the objects (e.g., meat carried on the outer surface 422) can be removed by the cleaning sheet 32 and travel in the direction 430 away from the flighted belt 402 generally along the upstream surface 350 of the cleaning sheet 32. The removed objects can then fall through the opening 300 between the mounting plates 126, 126A of the flighted belt cleaner 30 and land on or into a downstream device (e.g., conveyor, grinder) or container (e.g., cart).

[0084] With respect to Figure 12 , the flight 412 approaches the cleaning sheet 32 as the flighted belt 402 is driven in the downstream longitudinal direction 440. Figure 21 The scraping tip 90 is shown engaging the outer surface 422 of the flighted belt 402 prior to the flight 412 reaching the cleaning sheet 32.

[0085] With respect to Figure 13 , the scraping tip 90 is shown scraping the outer surface 422 of the flighted belt 402 up to and onto the base 442 of the flight 412. Figure 22 The scraping tip 90 is shown scraping the tapered front surface portion 443 (see Figure 23 ) of the base 442. The concave upstream surface portion 96 (see Figure 2 ) of the cleaning sheet 32 and the associated recess 98 avoid contact between the flight 412 and the cleaning sheet 32 except for the scraping tip 90 abutting the base 442 of the flight 412. This avoidance of contact between the flight 412 and the cleaning sheet 32 allows the cleaning sheet 32 to scrape the outer surface 422 of the belt portion 404 up to the flight 412 without the flight 412 deflecting the cleaning sheet 32 and possibly reducing the force with which the scraping tip 90 engages the belt portion 404 or moving the scraping tip 90 completely out of engagement with the outer surface 422.

[0086] With respect to Figure 14 and Figure 23 , the scraping tip 90 is shown scraping along the front surface 444 of the flight 412. The flight 412 has a straight up configuration from the belt portion 404 such that when the cleaning sheet 32 engages the flight 412, the tension applied to the cleaning sheet 32 by the tensioner 130, 130A causes the flight 412 to pivot in the upstream direction 450. The flight 412 is rigidly straight up from the associated belt segment 406A such that the belt segment 406A moves or deforms to accommodate the pivoting of the flight 412. More specifically, in Figure 23 , the front end 406B of the belt segment 406A moves downward and the rear end 406C moves upward via the hinged connection 410 to the adjacent belt segment 406 to allow the flight 412 to pivot in the direction 450. The pivoting of the flight 412 in the upstream direction 450 orients the upstream surface 444 of the flight 412 to operate as a ramp or slope for the cleaning sheet 32 as the flight 412 travels in the downstream direction 453 (seeFigure 23 ). At the same time, as the cleaning sheet 32 travels over the sloped upstream surface 444 of the deflector 412 and the deflector 412 travels in the downstream direction 453, the tensioner 130, 130A allows the cleaning sheet 32 to pivot against its biasing force in the direction 452 away from the belt portion 404, thereby preventing the cleaning sheet 32 from hanging on the deflector 412.

[0087] Specifically, the sloped upstream surface 444 of the deflected deflector 412 moves in the downstream direction 453 (see Figures 23-25 ) and cams the cleaning sheet 32 away from the belt portion 404 of the belt deflector 412. The camming engagement between the sloped upstream surface 444 of the deflected deflector 412 and the cleaning sheet 32 causes the cleaning sheet 32 to urge the horn 36 away from the belt portion 404. Since the horn 36 is constrained to pivot about the pivot axis 246, the cleaning sheet 32 pivots in the direction 452 away from the belt portion 404. The pivoting of the horn 36 in the direction 452 causes the rotation of the shaft 150, 150A and further loads the torsion spring 162, 162A.

[0088] With respect to Figure 15 , 24 and 25, the scraping tip 90 is shown scraping along the front surface 444 of the deflector 412 and reaching the free end 470 of the deflector 412. The cleaning sheet 32 has pivoted in the direction 452 to a maximum distance away from the belt portion 404, and the deflector 412 has deflected in the direction 450 to extend at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the undeflected portion of the belt portion 404.

[0089] With respect to Figure 16 , 26 and 27, the scraping tip 90 is shown falling from the free end 470 of the deflector 412 and elastically returning to engagement with the belt portion 404 of the belt deflector 402 via the biasing force exerted by the tensioner 130, 130A. More specifically, once the cleaning sheet 32 disengages from the deflector 412, the tensioner 130, 130A pivots the cleaning sheet 32 back in the direction 480, which partially unloads the torsion spring 162, 162A. The tensioner 130, 130A returns the scraping tip 90 of the cleaning sheet 32 to engagement with the outer surface 422 of the belt 404 to continue to scrape objects, debris, and / or residue off the belt 404. Once the cleaning sheet 32 disengages from the deflector 412, the belt segment 406A including the deflector 412 moves back in the direction 481 (see Figure 26 ). The process repeats as the cleaning sheet 32 encounters the next deflector 412A, 412B (see Figure 16 ).

[0090] With respect to Figures 17-20The bracket 40 is shown as the cleaning blade 32 scrapes the belt portion 404, encounters the baffle 412, travels on the baffle 412, and subsequently re-engages the belt portion 404. More specifically, refer to Figure 17. The arm 180 and shaft 150 are in their initial positions, wherein the spring 162 applies torque to the arm 180 and an initial force to the cleaning blade 32 due to the initial load applied to the spring 162 during the installation of the conveyor belt cleaner 30 with baffle.

[0091] When the scraping tip 90 of the cleaning disc 30 engages with the base 442 of the baffle 412 (see...) Figures 21-23 As the cleaning plate 32 resists the applied torque, it moves away from the belt portion 404, causing the arm 180 to pivot in direction 452. Due to the fixed connection between the arm 180, shaft 150, and collar 164, when the cleaning plate 32 is pushed away from the belt portion 404 by the baffle 412, the pivoting of the arm 180 in direction 452 causes the shaft 150 and collar 164 to also pivot or rotate in direction 452. Due to the end 170 of the torsion spring 162 (see... Figure 3 The end 170 is fixed to the collar 164, and pivoting the collar 164 in direction 452 also causes the end 166 to move in direction 452, while the end 166 of the torsion spring 162 remains stationary and fixed to the tension hub 160 (see...). Figure 3 The rotational movement of end 170 relative to end 166 of torsion spring 162 reduces the diameter of coil 336 of torsion spring 162, thereby applying a load to torsion spring 162 that exceeds the initial load applied during the installation of conveyor belt cleaner 30 with baffles.

[0092] about Figure 19 The image shows the holder 40 when the scraping tip 90 of the cleaning blade 30 has reached the free end 470 of the baffle 412 (see [reference]). Figure 15 and Figure 25 Arm 180 has been pivoted in direction 452 to a position that allows the cleaning plate 32 to travel above the baffle 412 and to maximize the diameter of the coil 336 of the torsion spring 162.

[0093] As the baffle 412 moves in the downstream direction 453, the scraping tip 90 slides off the baffle 412, and the baffle 412 no longer deflects the cleaning disc 32 away from the belt portion 404. Regarding Figure 20 When the torsion spring 162 partially removes the load from the shaft 150, collar 164, arm 180, angle bar 36, and cleaning plate 32 and returns it to its original position... Figure 17 In the initial position shown, the tensioner 130 elastically pushes the arm 180 back in the direction 480.

[0094] Although baffle 412 is shown in its initial configuration at 90 degrees relative to the belt portion 404 (see...) Figure 11) to a deflected configuration of approximately 45 degrees relative to the belt portion 404 (see Figure 25 ), the initial configuration and the deflected configuration of the flaps 412 will vary for different conveyor belts, and the belt-flap conveyor cleaner 30 accommodates different amounts of deflection of the flaps. For example, when the cleaning blade 32 scrapes the front surface of a rigid flap, the flaps of the conveyor belt can not pivot upstream. The belt-flap conveyor cleaner 30 can still be installed to scrape a belt-flap conveyor belt having flaps that do not pivot upstream, with the installer adjusting components of the belt-flap conveyor cleaner 30 to allow the cleaning blade 32 to pivot further in the direction 452 to travel over the rigid flaps. As one example of this, the cleaning blade 32 can engage the belt-flap conveyor belt, where the belt-flap conveyor belt is supported by a drive pulley or other sprocket such that the belt segment associated with each flap is unable to move or deform to allow the flaps to pivot upstream.

[0095] Referring to Figure 28 , in one embodiment, the belt-flap conveyor cleaner 30 includes a damper 500 to resist movement of the cleaning blade 32 as the cleaning blade 32 travels back into engagement with the belt portion 404 after the cleaning blade 32 has been deflected by the flaps 412 (see Figures 25-27 ). In this way, the damper 500 reduces the force with which the cleaning blade 32 contacts the belt portion 404 to reduce wear on the belt-flap conveyor belt 402 and to reduce noise caused by the cleaning blade 32 bouncing back into engagement with the belt portion 404.

[0096] In one embodiment, the damper 500 can be configured to provide a stop for the cleaning blade 32 that spaces the scraping tip 90 a predetermined distance from the belt portion 404 of the belt-flap conveyor belt 402. In this way, the damper 500 resists movement of the cleaning blade 32 by limiting movement of the cleaning blade 32, including preventing the scraping tip 90 from moving into contact with the belt portion 404 of the belt-flap belt 402.

[0097] The cleaning blade 32 returns in the direction 480 (see Figures 25-26 ) until the horn 36 abuts the damper 500. The damper 500 absorbs the impact force from the horn 36 as the tensioner 130, 130A resiliently pushes the horn 36 in the direction 480 after the cleaning blade 32 has been deflected by the flaps 412, 412A, 412B. Although the scraping tip 90 is spaced apart from the belt portion 404 when the horn 36 abuts the damper 500, the scraping tip 90 is positioned to scrape the front surface 414 of the flap 412, 412A, 412B.

[0098] With respect to Figure 28The damper 500 includes a seat 502 for securing to the mounting plate 126, a support 504, and a bumper 501 connected thereto. In one embodiment, the support 504 includes a threaded bore, and the bumper 501 includes a resilient member 508 connected to a threaded rod 506. The resilient member 508 can be made of a resilient material, such as rubber, and the threaded rod 506 can be made of a metallic material. Rotation of the resilient member 508 and the threaded rod 506 connected thereto in directions 510, 512 moves the resilient member 508 away from or toward the support 504. By adjusting the resilient member 508 further away from the support 504, the resilient member 508 can be positioned to abut the corner bar 36 and prevent further movement of the corner bar 36 in the direction 480 before the cleaning blade 32 engages the belt portion 404.

[0099] Conversely, moving the resilient member 508 toward the support 504 allows the resilient member 508 to be positioned to abut the cleaning blade 32 when the cleaning blade 32 contacts (e.g., slightly contacts) the belt portion 404. The resilient member 508 can thereby operate as a stop to prevent the cleaning blade 32 from impacting the belt portion 404 with the full force applied by the tensioner 130, 130A, while allowing the cleaning blade 32 to perform some cleaning of the belt portion 404 and the flapper 412, 412A, 412B. Figure 28 The side plate 140 of the belt flapper conveyor cleaner 30 shown has an offset configuration that positions the shaft 150 toward one end of the side plate 140, the other end of the side plate 140 being supported by 142 and 146.

[0100] With respect to Figure 29 In another embodiment, the belt flapper conveyor 30 includes a damper 550 having a resilient bumper 552 with a stop surface 554 to contact the arm 180 and limit movement of the arm 180 in the direction 480. The belt flapper conveyor cleaner 30 can have two dampers 550, one contacting the arm 180 and the other contacting the arm 180A. In Figure 29 In the embodiment, the bumper 552 has a cylindrical stop surface 554 that abuts the nut 224 or bolt 220 of the arm 180 to limit movement of the arm 180 and the corner bar 36 secured thereto in the direction 480. The bumper 552 is made of a resilient material, such as plastic, rubber, or a composite material.

[0101] The bumper 552 has an off-center pivot connection 556 to the mounting plate 126 that is off-center from the center of the cylindrical stop surface 554. During installation of the belted conveyor cleaner 30, the bumper 552 can be pivoted about the off-center pivot connection 556 to impart the desired dampening of the return of the cleaning blade 32 in the direction 480. The off-center pivot connection 556 can include a bolt that extends through an opening of the bumper 552 and a nut / washer assembly that secures the bumper 552 to the bolt. The bumper 552 includes an arcuate slot 560, a thicker portion 562, and a thinner portion 564.

[0102] The damper 550 includes a clamping handle 570 having a threaded rod that extends through the arcuate slot 560 and engages a threaded hole of the mounting plate 126. The clamping handle 570 can be pivoted in the direction 572 to clamp the bumper 552 between the clamping handle 570 and the mounting plate 126 and secure the bumper 552 against rotation relative to the mounting plate 126. The clamping handle can be pivoted in the direction 574 to release the bumper 552 and allow the user to rotate the bumper 552 about the off-center pivot connection 556 relative to the mounting plate 126.

[0103] The user can pivot the bumper 552 in the direction 575 to orient the thicker portion 562 to abut against the arm 180, which causes the return of the cleaning blade 32 in the direction 480 to be further away from the belt portion 404, such that the cleaning blade 32 is spaced apart from the belt portion 404 when the thicker portion 562 abuts against the arm 180. Conversely, the user can pivot the bumper 552 in the direction 577 to orient the thinner portion 564 to abut against the arm 180, which causes the cleaning blade 32 to contact (e.g., slightly contact) the belt portion 404 when the thinner portion 564 abuts against the arm 180. Once the desired portion of the bumper 552 is oriented to abut against the arm 180, the user pivots the clamping handle in the direction 572 to clamp the bumper 552 in place. In one embodiment, the bumper 552 can be rotated to a gap position in which the bumper 552 does not interfere with the arm 180 and allows the cleaning blade 32 to have an unrestricted range of motion such that the cleaning blade 32 engages the belt portion 404.

[0104] Reference Figure 30A damper 600 is provided that can be used to slow the movement of the cleaning blade 32 in the direction 480. The damper 600 includes a cylinder 602 having a bracket 604 that is mounted to the mounting plate 126 of the baffle belt cleaner 30 and a bumper 606 that engages the horn 36 as it returns in the direction 480. The damper 600 includes a spring 612 that resists movement of the piston 610 in the direction 614 while providing a biasing force to push the piston 610 back in the direction 616. The damper 600 includes an air inlet 620 having an inlet opening 622 and a check valve 624. The check valve 624 allows air to enter the air inlet 620 but resists air from flowing out of the air inlet 620.

[0105] As the horn 36 pivots in the return direction 480 to contact the bumper 604, the horn 36 moves the bumper 604 and the piston 610 in the direction 614. The piston 614 drives air out of the cylinder 602 into the fitting 630, through the tube 632, and out through the outlet, e.g., the orifice 634 of the fitting 636. Because the check valve 624 resists air from leaving the inlet opening 622, the air driven from the cylinder 602 by the piston 610 moving in the direction 614 exits the damper 600 via the orifice 634. The orifice 634 is sized to limit the flow of air from the cylinder 602 and provide sufficient resistance to the movement of the piston 610 in the direction 614. The resistance to movement of the piston 610 in the direction 614 by the air in the cylinder 602 dampens the movement of the horn 36 and reduces the speed at which the cleaning blade 32 returns to engagement with the belt portion 404 of the baffle belt 402 in the direction 480.

[0106] Once the cleaning blade 32 returns to engagement with the belt portion 404 of the baffle belt 402, the horn 36 keeps the piston 610 moving in the direction 614 until the cleaning blade 32 and the horn 36 are deflected away from the belt portion 404 by the baffle 41 in the direction 452 (see Figures 22-23 ). Pivoting of the horn 36 in the direction 452 moves the horn 36 out of engagement with the bumper 604 and allows the spring 612 to move the piston 610 and the bumper 604 thereon in the direction 616. As the piston 610 moves in the direction 616, the piston 610 draws air into the cylinder 602 via the air inlet opening 622 of the check valve 624.

[0107] With regard to Figure 31 and Figure 32The baffled conveyor belt cleaner 30 may include a damper, such as a coil spring brake 650, for slowing the rotational speed of the shaft 150 as it rotates in direction 480 and the cleaning blade 32 returns to engagement with the belt portion 404 of the baffled conveyor belt 402. The coil spring brake 650 includes a coiled spring 652 with a coil 654, a clockwise (CW) control handle 656, and a counterclockwise (CCW) control handle 658. The coil spring brake 650 also includes a spring tension stop 660, a CW control handle stop 662, and a CCW control handle stop 664, which are mounted to a fixed portion of the baffled conveyor belt cleaner 30, such as a mounting plate 126 or a side plate 140. Stops 660, 662, and 664 may include rods, protrusions, flat portions, or other components configured to restrict movement of the end portions 670 and 672 of the CW control handle 656 and CCW control handle 658, as discussed in more detail below.

[0108] about Figure 31 The coil 654 of the coiled spring 652 has a central opening 676 through which the shaft 150 extends. The shaft 150 has an outer cylindrical surface 677, the outer diameter of which is slightly larger than the undeflected inner diameter of the coil 654. Therefore, when the shaft 150 is positioned in the central opening 676 of the coiled spring 652, the coil 654 is slightly deflected and tightly engages the outer cylindrical surface 677 of the shaft 150. When the CW control lever 656 abuts against the CW control lever stop 662 and the shaft 150 rotates in direction 452, the coil 654 is wound to increase the inner diameter (see...). Figures 33-34 As the inner diameter of the coil 654 increases, the coil allows the cylindrical outer surface 677 of the shaft 150 to rotate relative to the coil 654. Similarly, when the CCW control handle 658 abuts against the CCW control stop 664 and the shaft 150 rotates in direction 480, the coil 654 is wound to increase its diameter (see...). Figures 37-38 Furthermore, when the CW control handle 656 abuts against the spring tension stop 660 and the shaft 150 rotates in the direction 480, the spring coil 654 is wound to maintain its inner diameter.

[0109] More specifically, see reference Figure 32 The coil spring brake 650 is shown in its initial configuration, corresponding to the engagement of the cleaning plate 32 with the belt portion 404 of the conveyor belt 402 with baffles. In the initial configuration, the coil spring 652 is in a 0° rotational position, the shaft 150 is in a 0° rotational position, and the end portions 670, 672 of the coil spring 652 are close to the spring tension stop 660 and the CCW control handle stop 664. The coil spring 652 is tightly bound to and fixed relative to the shaft 150.

[0110] about Figure 32 and Figure 33, the cleaning tab 32 encounters the baffle 412, which causes the arm 180 and shaft 150 connected to the tab 32 to rotate in the direction 452. The shaft 150 rotates in the direction 452 from the position Figure 32 The rotation of the shaft 150 in the direction 452 from the position of the center of the shaft 150 causes the wrap spring 652 to rotate in the direction 452 because the coils 654 of the wrap spring 652 are tightly bound to the shaft 150. The shaft 150 and the wrap spring 652 rotate together in the direction 452 causes the CW control handle 656 to come into contact with the CW control handle stop 662, as shown in Figure 33

[0111] With respect to Figure 33 and Figure 34 , as the cleaning tab 32 is pushed further by the baffle 412 along the belt portion 404, the shaft 150 continues to rotate in the direction 452. Because the CW control handle 656 is already engaged with the CW control handle stop 662, the wrap spring 652 remains stationary as the shaft 150 continues to rotate in the direction 452. As described above, the winding of the coils 654 increases the inner diameter of the coils 654 as the shaft rotates in the direction 452 and the CW control handle 656 abuts the CW control handle stop 662. The increase in the inner diameter of the coils 654 allows the cylindrical outer surface 677 of the shaft 150 to slide relative to the coils 654 and causes the shaft 150 to rotate in the direction 452 while the wrap spring 652 remains stationary.

[0112] With respect to Figure 33 and Figure 34 , as the CW control handle 656 abuts the CW control handle stop 662, the rotation of the shaft 150 in the direction 452 relative to the wrap spring 652 causes the notch 680 in the cylindrical outer surface 677 of the shaft 150 to rotate an angle 681 (e.g., 5°) so that it is not radially aligned with the notch 682 on the radially inner surface of one of the coils 654 of the wrap spring 652. In Figure 34 , the shaft 150 has rotated relative to the coils 654 of the wrap spring 652 so that the shaft 150 is in a +30° position and the wrap spring 652 is in a +25° position.

[0113] With respect to Figure 35 , the torsion spring 162 begins to rotate the shaft 150 in the direction 480 to return the cleaning tab 32 into engagement with the belt portion 404 of the belt 402 with the baffle. Because neither the CW control handle 656 nor the CCW control handle 658 is in contact with the CW control handle stop 662 and the CCW control handle stop 664, the coils 654 can partially unload and bind back into engagement with the shaft 150 as the shaft 150 rotates in the direction 480. In this way, the wrap spring 652 rotates together with the shaft 150 in the direction 480, but because of the unbinding of the wrap spring 652 that occurred in Figures 33-34 , its rotational orientation is -5° from the rotational orientation of the shaft 150. In​Figure 35 In this position, the wrap spring 652 is at a +20° rotational position and the torque shaft 150 is at a +25° rotational position.

[0114] With respect to Figure 36 , the shaft 150 continues to rotate in the direction 480 and the CW control handle 656 moves into abutting contact with the spring tension stop 660. The coil 654 is still tightly bound on and fixed relative to the outer cylindrical surface 677 of the shaft 150. In this position, the wrap spring 652 is at a 0° rotational position and the shaft 150 is at a 5° rotational position. Figure 36

[0115] With respect to Figure 37 , the cleaning tab 32 will re-engage the belt portion 404 of the belted conveyor 402. The shaft 150 continues to rotate in the direction 480, but the CW control handle 656 abuts the spring tension stop 660 while the CCW control handle 658 begins to engage the CCW control stop 664. The coil 654 is still tightly bound on and fixed relative to the shaft 150 and the CW control handle 656 is bent as Figure 37 illustrated. When the coil 654 is fixed relative to the shaft 150, the bending of the CW control handle 656 elastically resists rotation of the shaft 150 in the direction 480, which slows the rotation of the shaft 150 and the movement of the cleaning tab 32 back into engagement with the belt portion 404 of the belted conveyor 402. In this manner, as the cleaning tab 32 approaches the belt portion 404, the wrap spring brake 650 slows the rotation of the shaft 150 and the associated pivoting of the cleaning tab 32 in the direction 480 (see Figure 26 and Figure 27 ).

[0116] With respect to Figure 37 , the CCW control handle 658 has just begun to engage the CCW control stop 664. As the shaft 150 rotates in the direction 480 and is slowed by the bent CW control handle 656, the CCW control handle 658 is pressed more firmly against the CCW control stop 664. Due to the winding of the coil 654, the combination of the rotating shaft in the direction 480 and the CCW control handle 658 engaging the CCW control handle stop 664 causes the inner diameter of the coil 654 to increase and allows the shaft 150 to rotate -5° in the direction 480 relative to the wrap spring 652.

[0117] With respect to Figure 38 , the shaft 150 and the wrap spring 652 have returned to the initial configuration, where both the shaft 150 and the wrap spring 652 are at 0°. The CCW control handle 658 has disengaged from the CCW control handle stop 664, which causes the inner diameter of the coil 654 to decrease and become tightly bound on the shaft 150. At this point, the wrap spring brake 650 is ready for the cleaning tab 32 to contact another flapper 412A, 412B.​

[0118] Referring next to Figure 39 and Figure 40 , a carrier 700 is shown, which is similar in many respects to the carriers discussed above for the belt guard conveyor belt cleaner. The carrier 700 includes a bracket, such as a mounting plate 702, having an upper mounting portion 704 to be secured to the conveyor structure, a side plate 706, and a support bar 708 connecting the mounting plate 702 and the side plate 706. The carrier 700 includes a bushing 710 and a bearing 712 rotatably supporting opposite end portions 714, 716 of a shaft 718 of the carrier 700. The carrier 700 includes an arm 720 having an arcuate end portion 722 having an opening 722A for receiving an angular bar supporting a cleaning blade. The arm 720 is configured to be secured to the shaft 718 so that as the cleaning blade engages and travels along and around the belt guard, the arm 720 and the shaft 718 pivot together in directions 721, 725 (see Figure 39 as previously described herein.

[0119] Continuing to refer to Figure 40 , the carrier 700 includes a tensioning member, such as a tensioning hub 730, a spring carrier member, such as an open collar 732, and a torsion spring 734. The tensioning hub 730, the open collar 732, and the torsion spring 734 can be made of one or more metallic materials. For example, the torsion spring 734 can be made of 17-7 hardenable stainless steel. The torsion spring 734 can have a wire diameter of 0.207 inches, an outer diameter of 2.0 inches, and an inner diameter of 1.586 inches, which is configured to form a close fit over a similarly diametered rod. The length of the torsion spring 734 can be 6.3 inches, 15 turns, and the pitch between turns is 0.4 inches. The torsion spring 734 can have different winding directions depending on whether the carrier 700 is on the left or right side of the belt guard conveyor belt cleaner.

[0120] The tensioning hub 730 has a cylindrical sleeve 764 (see Figure 41 ) to receive an end portion 740 of the spring 734, and an adjustment slot 740 to receive a set screw (e.g., set screw 175) to secure the tensioning hub 730 in a desired orientation relative to the side plate 706. The open collar 732 has a cylindrical sleeve 766 (see Figure 42) to receive an end portion 742 of the spring 734 opposite the end portion 740 and to be clamped to the shaft 718 as described below. The spring 734 has a coil 735 with an initial inner diameter 752 that is less than the outer diameters 760, 762 of the sleeves 764, 766 of the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732 prior to loading of the spring 734 to allow the spring end portions 740, 742 to initially grip the sleeves 764, 766. As described below, relative rotation of the tensioner hub 730 and the split collar 732 loads or tensions the spring 734 to thereby constrict the spring end portions 740, 742 tightly around the sleeves 764, 766. The sleeves 764, 766 have tapered lead-in surfaces 800, 849 to radially expand the end portions 740, 742 of the spring 734 as the end portions 740, 742 are positioned on the sleeves 764, 766 during assembly of the carriage 700.

[0121] As the cleaning sheet associated with the carriage 700 engages the conveyor belt guard and travels therearound, the arm 720, the shaft 718 and the collar 732 rotate together in the direction 721 while the tensioner hub 730 remains stationary and fixed to the side plate 706. Rotation of the collar 732 in the direction 721 relative to the tensioner hub 730 elastically loads the spring 734 and causes the inner diameter 752 of the spring 734 to decrease. The decreased inner diameter 752 of the spring 734 at the spring end portions 740, 742 constricts the spring end portions 740, 742 around the sleeves 764, 766 to form frictional constricting connections 736, 738 between the spring end portions 740, 742 and the sleeves 764, 766. More specifically, the constriction of the spring end portions 740, 742 around the sleeves 764, 766 is accomplished via the end coils 735A, 735B of the coil 735 of the torsion spring 734, the diameters of which decrease during loading such that the radially inner surface portions 790, 792 of the end coils 735A, 735B firmly engage and tightly clamp against the outer annular surfaces 780, 782 of the cylindrical sleeves 764, 766. During operation of the belt cleaner, the frictional engagement between the spring radially inner surface portions 790, 792 and the sleeve outer surfaces 780, 782 firmly secures the end coils 735A, 735B of the spring 734 to the sleeves 764, 766 of the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732. In this manner, the constriction of the coil 735 of the spring 734 both elastically absorbs the energy generated by the movement of the cleaning sheet around the conveyor belt guard and secures the spring 734 to the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732 when the spring 734 is loaded.

[0122] During installation of the baffle belt cleaner including the carrier 700, the installer sets the carrier 700 to the desired pre-load level by first loosening the set screws extending in the circumferentially extending adjustment slots 740 of the tensioner hub 730. Next, the installer turns the tensioner hub 730 in the direction 723 (see Figure 39 ) to bring the cleaning blade into contact with the baffle belt. Referring to Figure 40 , the outer surfaces 780, 782 of the sleeves 764, 766 are sufficiently rough, e.g., have a textured surface, to provide an initial lower level of clamping engagement of the end coils 735A, 735B on the sleeves 764, 766 as the installer begins to turn the tensioner hub 730 in the direction 723.

[0123] Once the cleaning blade is engaged with the belt, continued turning of the tensioner hub 730 in the direction 723 rotates the tensioner hub 730 and the spring end portion 740 secured thereto relative to the collar 732 and the spring end portion 742 secured thereto. Rotation of the end portion 740 relative to the end portion 742 loads the spring 734 by decreasing the inner diameter of its coil 735 and causes the end coils 735A, 735B of the end portions 740, 742 to contract around and into tight engagement with the sleeves 764, 766 of the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732. Once the installer has applied the desired pre-load to the carrier 700, the installer tightens the set screws extending in the adjustment slots 740 of the tensioner hub 730 to secure the tensioner hub 730 relative to the side plates 706 and maintain the desired pre-load in the carrier 700.

[0124] During operation of the baffle belt, as the associated cleaning blade engages and travels over the baffle belt, the pivoting of the arm 722 and the shaft 718 in the direction 721 (see Figure 39 ) further tensions or loads the spring 734 beyond the pre-load and even more tightly contracts the end coils 735A, 735B around the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732. As a result, as the torsional load in the spring 734 increases, the end coils 735A, 735B of the spring end portions 740, 742 more tightly contract and engage the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732. The contracting force of the end coils 735A, 735B simultaneously increases as the torsional load in the spring 734 increases, which allows the end coils 735A, 735B to remain secured to the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732 even as the spring 734 experiences high torsional loads.

[0125] The spring 734 has a free coil 749 (see Figure 40), which is spaced apart from the tensioner hub 730 and collar 732, and is capable of further contraction and generation of increasing torque to elastically resist pivoting of the arm 720 in the direction 721 while the end coils 735A, 735B are prevented from further contraction by the outer diameters 760, 762 of the sleeves 764, 766. The overall length of the spring 734 and / or the pitch of the coils of the spring 734 are selected to provide a desired number of free coils 749 and a desired number of end coils 735A, 735B that engage the tensioner hub 730 and collar 732. The number of free coils 749 is selected to allow the spring 734 to elastically deflect and accommodate a desired amount of angular displacement of the shaft 714 and arm 720, with a greater number of free coils 749 generally allowing a greater amount of angular displacement of the shaft 714 and arm 720. For a given angular displacement of the shaft 714 and arm 720, a greater number of free coils 749 can reduce the peak stress experienced by each coil 749 because each coil 749 is less elongated to compensate for the angular displacement of the shaft 714 and arm 720. As another consideration, the pitch of the free coils 749 is selected to provide sufficient spacing between the free coils 749 to allow the free coils 749 to contract and expand as the shaft 714 and arm 720 pivot in the directions 721, 725. The pitch of the free coils 749 is also selected to provide sufficient spacing between the coils to facilitate cleaning of the cradle 700.

[0126] Referring to Figure 41 , the sleeve 764 of the tensioner hub 730 includes a tapered lead-in surface 800 that centers and radially expands the spring end portion 740 as the spring end portion 740 is slid onto the sleeve 764 in the axial direction 802 during assembly of the spring 734 and tensioner hub 730. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 8, the sleeve 766 of the collar 732 has a tapered lead-in surface 849 that centers and radially expands the spring end portion 742 as the spring end portion 742 is slid onto the sleeve 766 in the axial direction 860. Figure 42

[0127] Referring to Figure 42 ​The open collar 732 includes two half-collar portions 810, 812 connected by an upper arcuate connection portion 814. There is an opening 814 extending through the collar 732 to receive the shaft 718. The collar 732 has lower tabs 820, 822 with through openings 824 to receive the shaft of a bolt, with the head of the bolt positioned against one of the tabs 820, 822 and the associated nut positioned against the other of the tabs 820, 822. Moving the nut toward the bolt head (e.g., by tightening the nut) pushes the tabs 820, 822 together, reducing the gap 825 between the tabs 820, 822 to draw the half-collar portions 810, 812 toward each other and clamp the collar 732 onto the shaft 718.

[0128] The collar 732 includes a slot 844 that bisects the sleeve 766 and forms two sleeve half portions 830, 832. The sleeve half portions 830, 832 have respective outer surface portions 840, 842 thereon that cooperate to form the outer surface 782 of the sleeve 766. The sleeve half portions 830, 832 also have tapered lead-in surface portions 850, 852 that cooperate to form the tapered lead-in surface 849 of the sleeve 766. In addition, there are an upper gap 851 and a lower gap 853 between the sleeve half portions 830, 832 that narrow when the collar 732 is clamped onto the shaft 718.

[0129] In some embodiments, in addition to relying on the contraction of the end loops 735A, 735B of the spring 734 around the tensioning hub 730 and the collar 732 to achieve this purpose, the spring 734 can include one or more fixtures to inhibit movement of the end portions 740, 742 of the spring 734 relative to the tensioning hub 730 and the collar 732. As one example of this, Figure 43 and Figure 44 A spring 900 is shown in FIGS. 9A-9B that can be used in place of the spring 734 and form the appropriate mating features in the tensioning hub 730 and the collar 732. More specifically, the spring 900 includes end loops 902, 904 that have axial protrusions, such as beads 906, 908 that protrude axially a distance 910 from the ends 912, 914 of the end loops 902, 904. As another example, the beads 906, 908 can be welded to the end loops 902, 904 or can be formed by deforming a portion of the end loops 902, 904.

[0130] The beads 906, 908 are configured to extend into mating openings of the tensioning hub 730 and the collar 732. Referring to FIG. 9A, the tensioning hub 730 includes a mating opening 910 that is configured to receive the bead 906 of the spring 900. The collar 732 includes a mating opening 912 that is configured to receive the bead 908 of the spring 900. Figure 45The bead 906 is shown extending into the gap 825 between the tabs 820, 822 of the collar 732. The bead 906 is positioned to contact the tabs 820, 822 and inhibit rotation of the spring 900 relative to the collar 732. The bead 908 will extend into the mating opening of the tensioner hub 730 in a similar manner.

[0131] Referring to Figure 46 The spring 950 is provided with another example of a securing member to inhibit movement of the spring 950 relative to the tensioner hub 730 and / or the collar 732. The securing member of the spring 950 cooperates with the contraction of the coils 951 of the spring 950 around the tensioner hub 730 or the collar 732. More specifically, the spring 950 includes a radial protrusion, such as a bead 952, that protrudes from a radially inner surface portion 954 of the terminal coil 956 of the spring 950. The opposite terminal coil of the spring 950 can have a similar bead 952. The bead 952 can be positioned along the terminal coil 956, such as in a middle position, as shown, or at an end portion 960 of the end coil 956 similar to the beads 906, 908. The terminal coils of the spring 950 can each have two or more beads 952 for engaging recesses on the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732. Figure 45

[0132] Referring to Figure 47 The spring 1000 has an end coil 1002 with a radial protrusion, such as a bead 1004, at an end 1006 of the end coil 1002. The bead 1004 is configured to extend into an opening of one of the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732 to resist rotation of the spring 1000 relative to the one of the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732. The opposite terminal coil of the spring 1000 can have a similar radial protrusion to extend into an opening of the other of the tensioner hub 730 and the collar 732. In one embodiment, the carriage 700 is provided with a spring that includes a radial protrusion similar to the protrusions 952 and 1004 at one or both ends of the spring.

[0133] With regard to Figure 48 A baffle belt cleaner 1100 is provided that is similar in many respects to the baffle belt cleaners discussed above. The baffle belt cleaner 1100 includes carriages 1102, 1104 each including a shaft 1106 and an arm 1108 secured to the shaft 1106, and a torsion spring 1110 for biasing the arm 1108 and the horn 1112 connected thereto in a direction 1114. The baffle belt cleaner 1100 has a cleaning blade 1120 and a releasable connection 1122 between the cleaning blade 1120 and the horn 1112. The releasable connection 1122 includes gripping portions 1124, 1126 spaced along the horn 1112, as discussed in more detail below. ​

[0134] The belt guard 1100 includes one or more stops 1130 that prevent the angle bar 1112 from pivoting beyond a predetermined rotational position in the direction 1114. In one embodiment, the stops 1130 include the edges 1132, 1134 of the brackets (e.g., mounting plates 1136, 1138) of the housings 1102, 1104. To replace the cleaning blade 1120, the user stops operation of the associated conveyor belt and manually pivots the angle bar 1112 in the direction 1115 to disengage the cleaning blade 1120 from the conveyor belt, and then disconnects the cleaning blade 1120 from the angle bar 1112. The user then gradually releases the angle bar 1112 and allows the torsion spring 1110 to pivot the angle bar 1112 in the direction 1114 until the angle bar 1112 contacts the mounting plate edges 1132, 1134. The mounting plate edges 1132, 1134 prevent further pivoting of the angle bar 1112 in the direction 1114 and complete unloading of the torsion spring 1110. In this way, the mounting plate edges 1132, 1134 maintain tension in the torsion spring 1110 and avoid the need for the user to retension the belt guard 1100 each time the cleaning blade 1120 is replaced.

[0135] To install a new cleaning blade 1120, the user manually pivots the angle bar 1112 in the direction 1115 to provide space between the angle bar 1112 and the conveyor belt for the user to attach a new cleaning blade 1120. Once the new cleaning blade 1120 has been attached to the angle bar 1112, the user gradually releases the angle bar 1112 and allows the torsion spring to pivot the angle bar 1112 in the direction 1114 until the new cleaning blade 1120 engages the conveyor belt. The user can then restart operation of the conveyor belt. In this way, the one or more stops 1130 provide a temporary rest position for the angle bar 1112 when the cleaning blade 1120 is replaced, and maintain tension in the torsion spring 1110. The mounting plates of other embodiments of belt guards discussed herein likewise provide stops for the associated angle bars. For example, referring to Figure 11 , the belt guard 30 has mounting plates 126, 126A that are configured to limit pivoting movement of the angle bar 36 in the direction 420 when the cleaning blade 32 is removed.

[0136] The brackets 1136, 1138 each include an opening 1140 for receiving a shaft of a drive pulley and a slot 1142 through which a fastener supporting a flat bearing of the shaft of the drive pulley is installed. In this way, the flat bearings are positioned laterally outward on the surfaces 1150, 1152 such that the brackets 1136, 1138 are each sandwiched between one of the flat bearings and the conveyor structure.

[0137] With respect to Figure 49The corner bar 1112 has one or more retainers, such as protrusions 1160, 1162, disposed to contact lateral side portions 1164, 1168 of the cleaning blade 1120. The protrusions 1160, 1162 can be positioned on either or both legs of the corner bar 1112. For example, each leg of the corner bar 1112 can have a pair of protrusions on the corner bar 1112 to provide a total of four restriction points to prevent lateral movement of the cleaning blade 1120.

[0138] Contact between the protrusions 1160, 1162 and the lateral side portions 1164, 1168 prevents lateral movement of the cleaning blade 1120 along the corner bar 1112 in directions 1170, 1172. In this manner, the protrusions 1160, 1162 hold the cleaning blade 1120 in a predetermined lateral position along the corner bar 1112 such that the cleaning blade 1120 is longitudinally aligned with and fully engaged with the conveyor belt. The protrusions 1160, 1162 maintain a lateral distance 1180, 1182 of the cleaning blade 1120 from the mounting plates 1136, 1138. In one embodiment, the distances 1180, 1182 are equal and the protrusions 1160, 1162 center the cleaning blade 1120 along the corner bar 1112.

[0139] Further, the protrusions 1160, 1162 maintain a spacing 1174, 1176 between the cleaning blade 1120 and the conveyor structure associated with the mounting plates 1138, 1136. By maintaining the spacing 1174, 1176, the protrusions 1160, 1162 prevent the cleaning blade 1120 from striking the conveyor structure and / or the mounting plates 1136, 1138 as the cleaning blade 1120 pivots in directions 1114, 1115 during operation of the belt-guarded conveyor belt cleaner 1100.

[0140] With regard to Figure 50 and Figure 51 The cleaning blade 1120 has an upper belt scraping portion 1200, a lower mounting portion 1202, and an intermediate portion 1204. The upper belt scraping portion 1200 has an upper scraping tip 1209 similar to the upper scraping tip 90. The upper scraping tip 1209 includes an end face portion 1206 and inclined surface portions 1208, 1210 for engaging a conveyor belt. The intermediate portion 1204 includes a concave surface 1212 forming a recess 1214 for receiving a free end portion of a guard that is scraped by the cleaning blade 1120. The lower mounting portion 1202 has a recess 1230 to receive the corner bar 1112 and a front lip 1220 and a rear lip 1222 configured to form a snap-fit engagement with the corner bar 1112. The rear lip 1222 includes gripping portions 1124, 1126.

[0141] The lower mounting portion 1202 includes a front portion 1240, a lower portion 1242, and grip portions 1124, 1126 upstanding from the lower portion 1242. The middle portion 1204 has a lower middle portion 1250 extending upwardly from the front portion 1240.

[0142] With reference to Figure 50 , the grip portions 1124, 1126 have a lateral spacing 1260 therebetween. This spacing 1260 extends a lateral distance 1262 along a length 1264 of the cleaning blade 1120. The spacing 1260 removes material from the lower mounting portion 1202 to increase the flexibility of the grip portions 1124, 1126. In this manner, the grip portions 1124, 1126 can more easily deflect in directions 1270, 1272 when the user connects and removes the cleaning blade 1120 to and from the horn 1112.

[0143] With reference to Figure 52 , a cleaning blade 1300 is provided that is similar in many respects to the cleaning blade 1120. One difference is that the cleaning blade 1300 has a rear lip 1302 with three grip portions 1304, 1306, 1308 and two spacings 1310, 1312 therebetween. The number of grip portions and spacings of a particular cleaning blade used with a flighted belt cleaner discussed herein can be selected to provide the desired connection rigidity and ease of removal of the cleaning blade.

[0144] With reference to Figure 53 , a flighted belt cleaner 1400 is provided that is similar in many respects to the flighted belt cleaners discussed above. The flighted belt cleaner 1400 has saddles 1402, 1404 with brackets, such as mounting plates 1406, 1408. The mounting plates 1406, 1408 have flanges 1410, 1412 extending laterally inwardly toward each other to be positioned between a conveyor frame and an upright belt stand bearing that supports a drive pulley associated with a conveyor belt. Specifically, surfaces 1412, 1414 are used to be positioned against the conveyor frame while surfaces 1416, 1418 are used to receive the upright belt stand bearing. The flanges 1410, 1412 have openings 1413, 1415 for receiving fasteners to secure the upright belt stand bearing to the conveyor frame. The mounting plates 1406, 1408 have openings 1430, 1432 to receive ends of a drive pulley shaft supported by the upright belt stand bearing.

[0145] The use of singular terms, such as "a," "one," "an," will be taken to include plural referents unless otherwise indicated by the context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms. The phrase "at least one" as used herein is intended to be interpreted in the disjunctive sense. For example, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to encompass A, B, or both A and B.

[0146] While particular embodiments of the present application have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application and it is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A conveyor belt cleaner for cleaning a belt flight of a conveyor belt, the conveyor belt cleaner comprising: The conveyor belt has a flight projecting from a belt portion of the conveyor belt, the belt flight having a conveyor belt cleaner comprising: a cleaning blade for engaging the conveyor belt; an elongate support for the cleaning blade; a seat frame configured to orient the elongate support to extend across the conveyor belt and allow the cleaning blade to engage the conveyor belt and its flight; the seat frame including a biasing member configured to exert a biasing force, by allowing the cleaning blade and elongate support to move away from the belt portion against the biasing force during engagement of the cleaning blade with the flight, to maintain the cleaning blade in biased engagement with the flight as the flight and belt portion deflect, and to bias the elongate support back towards the belt portion and the cleaning blade back into engagement with the conveyor belt after disengagement of the cleaning blade from the conveyor belt flight.

2. The belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, the cleaning blade having a belt-engaged position in which the cleaning blade engages the belt portion of the conveyor belt flight upstream of the flight, and a clearance position in which the cleaning blade has a clearance from the belt portion, wherein the cleaning blade is in biased engagement with the flight, the clearance being of a size to allow the flight to travel downstream of the cleaning blade; and wherein the seat frame is configured to allow the cleaning blade to move from the belt-engaged position to the clearance position through the flight against the biasing force from the biasing member.

3. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, the elongate support being operatively connected to the biasing member and configured to load the biasing member to increase the biasing force of the biasing member as the cleaning blade engages the flight and the elongate support moves away from the belt portion, the biasing member being configured to release the applied load and to push the elongate support back towards the belt portion at the increased biasing force in response to disengagement of the cleaning blade from the flight.

4. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, the seat frame being configured to allow the cleaning blade and elongate support to pivot in a first direction away from the conveyor belt when the cleaning blade is in biased engagement with the flight; and wherein the biasing member includes a spring configured to bias the elongate support in an opposite second direction with the biasing force to return the cleaning blade into engagement with the conveyor belt after disengagement of the cleaning blade from the conveyor belt flight.

5. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, the seat frame being configured to allow the elongate support to pivot away from the belt portion about a pivot axis when the cleaning blade is in biased engagement with the flight of the conveyor belt, the seat frame being configured to space the elongate support from the pivot axis in a radial direction, and the cleaning blade extending from the elongate support in a linear direction perpendicular to the radial direction.

6. The belt cleaner of claim 5, wherein, the cleaning blade including: a lower intermediate portion for extending from the elongate support in the linear direction perpendicular to the radial direction; and an upper scraping tip portion extending obliquely to the lower intermediate portion for scraping an upstream surface of the flight. the cleaning blade including: a lower intermediate portion for extending from the elongate support in the linear direction perpendicular to the radial direction; and an upper scraping tip portion extending obliquely to the lower intermediate portion for scraping an upstream surface of the flight.

7. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, The cradle includes a first pivot and a second pivot, each pivot pivots about a common pivot axis and the elongate support is fixed to the pivots, the first and second pivots have a spacing therebetween along the common pivot axis, the spacing is aligned with the conveyor belt.

8. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, The cleaning blade has a mounting base portion and a free end portion opposite the mounting base portion, the elongate support and the cradle support the cleaning blade such that the free end portion extends upstream of the mounting base portion for engaging a base of the apron, and the cleaning blade has an intermediate portion connecting the free end portion and the mounting base portion, the intermediate portion includes a concave region to receive a free end of the apron when the free end portion of the cleaning blade engages the base of the apron.

9. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, The cleaning blade has a scraping tip portion, the scraping tip portion has an end face portion configured to extend across and scrape the conveyor belt with which it engages.

10. The belt cleaner of claim 9, wherein, The scraping tip portion includes a beveled surface portion and a junction connecting the end face portion and the beveled surface portion, the beveled surface portion gradually narrows toward each other as the beveled surface portion extends toward the end face portion.

11. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, The cleaning blade is configured to be releasably connected to the elongate support, the biasing member includes a pair of springs, and The cradle includes: a pair of arms that support the elongate support; a pair of springs disposed to apply the biasing force to the arms and elongate support; and a stop configured to limit movement of the arms and elongate support due to the biasing force if the cleaning blade is disconnected from the elongate support.

12. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, The cradle includes a cover movable between a closed position in which the cover prevents objects being conveyed from becoming jammed in the cradle and an open position in which the cover allows access to the cradle.

13. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 1, wherein, It further includes a damper disposed to control movement of the cleaning blade as it returns into engagement with the conveyor belt due to the biasing force of the biasing member.

14. A conveyor belt cleaner for cleaning a belt apron of a conveyor belt, the conveyor belt cleaner comprising: The conveyor belt has a belt portion and an apron projecting therefrom, the conveyor belt cleaner of the belt apron includes: a cleaning blade; an elongate support for the cleaning blade; a pair of spring tensioners mounted on either side of the conveyor belt, the spring tensioners are configured to orient the elongate support to extend laterally along a support axis that extends across the conveyor belt and to allow the elongate support to pivot about a pivot axis that is parallel to the support axis and longitudinally offset therefrom and extends between the spring tensioners, the pivoting of the elongate support is in response to biased engagement of the cleaning blade with the apron; and an opening that extends longitudinally from the cleaning blade and elongate support to the pivot axis and laterally between the spring tensioners, the opening provides space for an object removed from the conveyor belt to travel through the opening and away from the conveyor belt.

15. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 14, wherein, The cleaning blade has an upstream surface, the cleaning blade is mounted to the elongate support and is configured to orient the upstream surface obliquely toward the flight to allow objects dislodged from the conveyor belt by the cleaning blade to slide off the conveyor belt along the upstream surface of the cleaning blade.

16. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 14, wherein, The spring tensioners each include a pivot and an arm interconnecting the elongate support and the pivot about the pivot axis.

17. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 14, wherein, The spring tensioners each include a pivot that pivots about the pivot axis, an arm that pivotally connects the elongate support and the pivot, and a torsion spring that biases the respective pivot to pivot about the pivot and biases the cleaning blade into engagement with the conveyor belt.

18. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 17, wherein, Each torsion spring has a first end portion secured to the pivot and a second end portion secured to the support of the spring tensioner, the first end portion of the torsion spring moving relative to the second end portion with pivoting of the elongate support and pivot about the pivot axis.

19. The flighted belt cleaner of claim 14, wherein, The flighted conveyor belt cleaner further includes a pedestal including a mounting plate configured to be secured to a conveyor structure to position the pivot axis below and downstream of a drive pulley of the conveyor belt; and wherein the opening extends transversely between the mounting plates of the pedestal to allow the dislodged objects to fall through the opening between the mounting plates.

20. A cleaner sheet for a belt cleaner of a belt guard, characterized by: The flighted conveyor belt cleaner has an elongate support for extending across a flighted conveyor belt, the cleaner blade including: a one-piece body having opposite lateral sides and a length extending between the lateral sides; an upper belt scraping portion of the body for engaging the flighted conveyor belt; a lower mounting portion configured to form a snap-fit connection with the elongate support, the lower mounting portion including: a lower portion for extending below the elongate support; a forward portion extending upwardly from the lower portion toward the upper belt scraping portion, the forward portion configured to be positioned forward of the elongate support with the lower mounting portion connected with the elongate support; a plurality of rear gripping portions extending upwardly from the lower portion and spaced rearwardly from the forward portion to allow the elongate support to be received between the forward portion and the rear gripping portions; and at least one spacing between the rear gripping portions extending along the length of the body and facilitating deflection of the rear gripping portions when the lower mounting portion is connected with the elongate support.

21. The cleaner sheet according to claim 20, wherein The at least one spacing includes a plurality of spacings extending between adjacent ones of the rear gripping portions.

22. The cleaner sheet according to claim 20, wherein The upper belt scraping portion includes a scraping tip having an end face portion for engaging the conveyor belt.

23. The cleaner sheet according to claim 22, wherein The scraping tip includes an inclined surface portion and a junction connecting the end face portion and the inclined surface portion, the inclined surface portion tapering toward each other as the inclined surface portion extends toward the end face portion.

24. The cleaner sheet of claim 20, wherein The body has an integral one-piece construction.

25. The cleaner sheet according to claim 24, wherein The body is made of a polymeric material.

26. A conveyor belt system characterized by: The conveyor belt system comprises: a belt guard conveyor belt having a belt portion and a guard projecting from the belt portion; a belt guard conveyor belt cleaner comprising: a cleaning blade for engaging the belt guard conveyor belt; an elongate support for the cleaning blade; a seat frame orienting the elongate support to extend across the belt guard conveyor belt and allowing the cleaning blade to engage the belt guard conveyor belt; the seat frame is configured to allow the cleaning blade to move away from the belt portion by engagement between the cleaning blade and the guard; and a biasing member of the seat frame configured to bias the cleaning blade back towards the belt portion after the cleaning blade disengages from the guard of the conveyor belt and return the cleaning blade into engagement with the conveyor belt.

27. The conveyor system of claim 26, wherein, the biasing member is configured to apply a biasing force to maintain the cleaning blade in biasing engagement with the guard when the cleaning blade moves away from the belt portion by engagement between the cleaning blade and the guard.

28. The conveyor system of claim 26, wherein, the cleaning blade has a belt engaging position in which the cleaning blade engages the belt portion of the belt guard conveyor belt upstream of the guard and a clearance position in which the cleaning blade has a clearance from the belt portion, wherein the cleaning blade is in engagement with the guard, the clearance being of a size to allow the guard to travel downstream of the cleaning blade; and wherein the seat frame is configured to allow engagement between the cleaning blade and the guard to move the cleaning blade from the belt engaging position to the clearance position.

29. The conveyor system of claim 26, wherein, the seat frame is configured to allow the cleaning blade to pivot away from the belt portion in a first direction by engagement between the cleaning blade and the guard; and wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the cleaning blade in a second direction opposite the first direction and return the cleaning blade into engagement with the belt portion after the cleaning blade disengages from the guard.

30. The conveyor system of claim 26, wherein, a drive pulley rotatable about a central axis is also included; wherein the belt guard conveyor belt extends around the drive pulley; and wherein the cleaning blade has a scraping tip portion extending in a radial direction towards the central axis and into engagement with the conveyor belt.

31. The conveyor system of claim 26, wherein, a drive pulley having a horizontal centreline is also included; wherein the belt guard conveyor belt extends around the drive pulley; and wherein the seat frame orients the cleaning blade to engage the belt guard conveyor belt below the horizontal centreline of the drive pulley.

32. The conveyor system of claim 26, wherein, the guard comprises a plurality of guards; wherein the conveyor belt comprises a plurality of connected belt segments, each of the belt segments comprising: one of the guards; an upstream portion of the belt portion extending upstream of the one guard; and a downstream portion of the belt portion extending downstream of the one guard.

Images