Easy-clean antibacterial food grade conveyor belt

Abstract

The utility model relates to an easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveying belt, in particular to the technical field of conveying belt, the utility model discloses a belt body, the belt body includes base layer, the composite antibacterial layer on base layer and the surface microstructure layer of located antibacterial layer outer surface, be equipped with transition layer between antibacterial layer with base layer, the first corrugated structure is provided with one side of base layer with transition layer meets, the second corrugated structure is provided with one side of antibacterial layer with transition layer meets, the transition layer material fills in between first corrugated structure with second corrugated structure, antibacterial layer contains inorganic antibacterial agent, can last effectively inhibit and kill the bacteria on the surface.The surface microstructure layer includes a plurality of papilla structures that are evenly arranged on the outer surface of the antibacterial layer. This microstructure can effectively reduce the actual contact area of dirt and the surface of the conveyor belt, making it difficult to adhere, while forming a hydrophobic effect, facilitating cleaning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of conveyor belt technology, and in particular to an easy-to-clean, antibacterial, food-grade conveyor belt. Background Technology

[0002] In the food industry, conveyor belts are crucial equipment connecting various production processes, coming into direct contact with food. Therefore, the hygiene of conveyor belts is paramount. Traditional food-grade conveyor belts are mostly made of materials such as polyurethane and silicone. While they meet food contact safety standards, they still face the following problems during long-term use:

[0003] 1. Prone to bacterial growth: Food residues, juices and other contaminants can easily adhere to the surface of the conveyor belt, providing a breeding ground for the growth of microorganisms (such as bacteria and mold), posing a risk of food contamination.

[0004] 2. Difficult to clean: The surface of the conveyor belt is usually smooth or has a simple texture, making it easy for contaminants to adhere. Cleaning requires a lot of water, cleaning agents and labor, and it is difficult to completely remove dirt from the crevices.

[0005] 3. The antibacterial properties are not long-lasting: Some conveyor belts achieve antibacterial properties by spraying or adding organic antibacterial agents on the surface, but this method has poor wear resistance and the antibacterial effect will quickly decay with use and cleaning.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a food-grade conveyor belt that is durable and highly effective in preventing bacteria, easy to clean thoroughly, and has a robust structure. Utility Model Content

[0007] (1) Technical solution

[0008] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides an easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveyor belt, comprising a belt body. The belt body includes a base layer, an antibacterial layer laminated on the base layer, and a surface microstructure layer located on the outer surface of the antibacterial layer. A transition layer is provided between the antibacterial layer and the base layer. The base layer serves as the skeleton of the conveyor belt, providing the main mechanical strength and tensile properties. A first corrugated structure is provided on the side of the base layer that contacts the transition layer, and a second corrugated structure is provided on the side of the antibacterial layer that contacts the transition layer. The transition layer material fills the space between the first and second corrugated structures. The antibacterial layer contains an inorganic antibacterial agent, which can effectively and persistently inhibit and kill bacteria on the surface. The surface microstructure layer includes a plurality of papillary structures uniformly disposed on the outer surface of the antibacterial layer. This microstructure effectively reduces the actual contact area between dirt and the conveyor belt surface, making it less prone to adhesion, and simultaneously creates a hydrophobic effect, facilitating cleaning.

[0009] Preferably, the belt is a one-piece molded structure, which eliminates interface defects between layers, resulting in high bonding strength and long service life.

[0010] Preferably, the base layer is made of food-grade polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane, which have excellent abrasion resistance, tear resistance and mechanical properties.

[0011] Preferably, the substrate material of the antibacterial layer is food-grade silicone or polyurethane to ensure safety in contact with food.

[0012] Preferably, the inorganic antibacterial agent is one or more of nano silver ions, nano zinc ions, and titanium dioxide photocatalyst. These antibacterial agents have the characteristics of high temperature resistance, long-lasting effect, and safety.

[0013] Preferably, the size of the papillary structure is 10 μm, and the spacing between each two adjacent papillary structures is 10-12 μm. This size range is the optimal scale for simulating the lotus leaf effect (superhydrophobicity) and can minimize the adhesion of pollutants.

[0014] Preferably, each of the papillary structures has a number of protrusions evenly distributed on its outer surface. The size of the protrusions is 1 μm. This micro-nano secondary structure can further enhance the superhydrophobicity and easy-to-clean effect, so that the droplets exist on the surface in an almost spherical shape and can carry away all dirt when they roll off.

[0015] (2) Beneficial effects

[0016] This invention provides an easy-to-clean, antibacterial, food-grade conveyor belt. Compared with the prior art, this invention has the following advantages:

[0017] 1. Inorganic antibacterial agents (such as nano silver ions) are incorporated into the antibacterial layer, rather than as a surface coating, thus avoiding antibacterial failure due to wear and tear, resulting in a long-lasting and stable antibacterial effect.

[0018] 2. The surface microstructure layer mimics the micro-nano structure of lotus leaves, significantly reducing the adhesion of dirt. It has superhydrophobic and oleophobic properties, and most pollutants can be easily removed by rinsing with water, saving cleaning costs.

[0019] 3. By setting the first and second corrugated structures and forming a mechanical interlock with the transition layer material, the bonding force between the functional layers is greatly enhanced, preventing delamination and peeling during use and extending the product's service life.

[0020] 4. All materials that come into contact with food meet food-grade standards and are safe and reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 For this Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a front view of the mastoid structure of this utility model.

[0024] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1-base layer, 2-first corrugated structure, 3-transition layer, 4-second corrugated structure, 5-antibacterial layer, 6-surface microstructure layer, 61-papillary structure, 62-protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0026] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the present invention discloses an easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveyor belt, comprising a belt body, the belt body including a base layer 1, an antibacterial layer 5 composited on the base layer 1, and a surface microstructure layer 6 located on the outer surface of the antibacterial layer 5. A transition layer 3 is provided between the antibacterial layer 5 and the base layer 1. A first corrugated structure 2 is provided on the side of the base layer 1 in contact with the transition layer 3, and a second corrugated structure 4 is provided on the side of the antibacterial layer 5 in contact with the transition layer 3. The material of the transition layer 3 fills the space between the first corrugated structure 2 and the second corrugated structure 4. The material of the transition layer 3 can be an adhesive polymer with good compatibility with both the base layer 1 and the antibacterial layer 5. During the molding process, it exhibits a molten or flowing state, fully filling the space between the first corrugated structure 2 and the second corrugated structure 4, and forming a strong anchoring effect after curing. The antibacterial layer 5 contains an inorganic antibacterial agent, and the surface microstructure layer 6 includes a plurality of papillary structures 61 uniformly disposed on the outer surface of the antibacterial layer 5.

[0027] The belt is a one-piece molded structure, and the base layer 1 is made of food-grade polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0028] The substrate material of the antibacterial layer 5 is food-grade silicone or polyurethane, and silicone with good flexibility and meeting food-grade standards can be selected. Inorganic antibacterial agents, such as nano silver ion antibacterial agents, are uniformly dispersed in the silicone substrate.

[0029] The diameter and height of the papillary structure 61 are approximately 10 μm, and the spacing between any two adjacent papillary structures 61 is 10-12 μm.

[0030] To achieve an even more thorough cleaning effect, such as Figure 3 As shown, each of the papillary structures 61 has several finer nanoscale protrusions 62 evenly distributed on its outer surface. The size of each protrusion 62 is 1 μm, forming a micro-nano secondary composite structure similar to the surface of a lotus leaf.

[0031] The conveyor belt can be manufactured using a one-step compression molding or co-extrusion molding process. For example, the prepared materials (such as TPU granules, silicone rubber containing antibacterial agents, etc.) are sequentially placed into a mold. Under certain temperature, pressure, and time conditions, the materials are melted, cross-linked, and bonded together. Simultaneously, the micro-nano structure on the surface of the mold cavity is precisely replicated to the outer surface of the antibacterial layer 5, forming a surface microstructure layer 6. Finally, the belt is cooled and demolded to obtain a one-piece molded conveyor belt body.

[0032] Working Principle: When the conveyor belt is in operation, its micro-nano secondary structure (papillary structures 61 and protrusions 62) makes the actual contact area between contaminants (such as water, oil, and food residue) and the conveyor belt surface extremely small. Droplets on this surface form a near-spherical shape with a very large contact angle and a very small roll-off angle. Therefore, during cleaning, a small amount of water flow can cause the droplets to roll off quickly, carrying away solid contaminants from the surface, achieving highly efficient self-cleaning. Simultaneously, antibacterial agents such as nano-silver ions in the antibacterial layer 5 are continuously and slowly released to the surface, destroying the cell membranes of bacteria attached thereto and inhibiting their reproduction, thus providing long-lasting antibacterial protection. The reinforced bond between the base layer 1 and the antibacterial layer 5 through the corrugated structure and transition layer 3 ensures that the functional layer will not peel off under complex bending and stretching working environments, guaranteeing the product's durability.

[0033] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are described in a relatively specific and detailed manner. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements made without departing from the spirit of the present invention fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An easy-to-clean, antibacterial, food-grade conveyor belt, comprising a belt body, characterized in that, The tape includes a base layer (1), an antibacterial layer (5) composited on the base layer (1), and a surface microstructure layer (6) located on the outer surface of the antibacterial layer (5). A transition layer (3) is provided between the antibacterial layer (5) and the base layer (1). A first corrugated structure (2) is provided on the side of the base layer (1) that is in contact with the transition layer (3). A second corrugated structure (4) is provided on the side of the antibacterial layer (5) that is in contact with the transition layer (3). The material of the transition layer (3) is filled between the first corrugated structure (2) and the second corrugated structure (4). The antibacterial layer (5) contains an inorganic antibacterial agent. The surface microstructure layer (6) includes a plurality of papillary structures (61) uniformly disposed on the outer surface of the antibacterial layer (5).

2. The easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveyor belt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The belt is a one-piece molded structure.

3. The easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveyor belt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base layer (1) is made of food-grade polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane.

4. The easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveyor belt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate material of the antibacterial layer (5) is food-grade silicone or polyurethane.

5. The easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveyor belt according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the papillary structure (61) is 10 μm, and the distance between each two adjacent papillary structures (61) is 10-12 μm.

6. The easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveyor belt according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the said papillary structures (61) has a number of protrusions (62) evenly distributed on its outer surface.

7. The easy-to-clean antibacterial food-grade conveyor belt according to claim 6, characterized in that, The size of the protrusion (62) is 1 μm.

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