Lifting conveyor belt

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevating conveyor belt (1) suitable for facilitating the handling of a substance (M), comprising a support structure (2), a first conveying element (3) having a first flat surface (4) fixed to the structure (2) and intended for supporting a substance (M), said first flat surface (4) extending continuously along a longitudinal extension direction (L) between a loading area (Zc) and a discharge area (Zs), and handling means (9) fixed to the support structure (2) for facilitating a controlled movement of the first conveying element (3) along a travel direction (A) substantially parallel to said longitudinal extension direction (L). During the operation of the handling means (9) the substance (M) is loaded / unloaded to / from the first conveying element (3) in the loading area Zc and in the discharge area (Zs), respectively. There is a second conveying element (14) arranged on at least a portion of the first conveying element (3), said second conveying element (14) being provided with a plurality of substantially short cross bars (15) suitable for being arranged on the first flat surface (4) of the first conveying element (3) for interacting with and guiding the material (M) during its transport from the loading area (Zc) to the unloading area (Zs).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of conveyor belts, and more particularly to elevating conveyor belts suitable for facilitating the movement of solid and semi-solid materials, including those with large particle sizes and high flow rates, from mineral deposits, underground excavation sites, or mechanized tunnel excavation sites with TBM, quarries, port facilities for loading and unloading ships, manufacturing process plants in the food industry, waste to energy plants, cement plants, sugar mills, steel mills, biomass processing plants, oil refineries and general process industries. [Background technology]

[0002] As is known, conveyor belts are widely used in many technical fields to facilitate the continuous and automated movement of material along a predetermined travel direction.

[0003] Most conveyor belts available on the market are provided with a flat, continuous surface suitable for supporting material being transported between a collection point and an unloading point.

[0004] The belt is operatively connected to one or more drive drums, the latter configured to rotate by a mechanical device for transmitting motion (e.g., a belt pulley system or a device with gears) coupled to one or more electric motors.

[0005] Activation of the motor produces selective motion of the transmission device, which in turn imparts motion to the belt, causing it to advance along a predetermined direction.

[0006] Elevator belts are a specific type of conveyor belt.

[0007] Typical applications for these particular belts are in connection with the disposal of excavations formed during the excavation of underground passages, shafts, substations and / or tunnels, general material movement for the filling of silos, tanks and storage domes, loading and unloading of holds used to transport bulk materials such as coal, sulphur, clinker, ores, petroleum coke, urea, etc., as well as the filling of industrial furnaces. More generally, all such applications require the movement of material up to a considerable height in a vertical or near vertical direction.

[0008] One of the many examples of applications for elevating conveyor belts relates to the disposal of earth or rock material formed during the construction of subways, underground tunnels or other underground passageways.

[0009] In this type of belt, the excavated material is handled from a collection point, generally located below the earth's surface near the excavation area, to an unloading point, generally located above the outer earth's surface.

[0010] The movement of the excavations therefore follows a substantially vertical direction of movement and for this reason the surface of the belt is steeply inclined relative to the horizontal in order to facilitate the upward movement of the excavations from very deep areas to the earth's surface.

[0011] The conveying surfaces used in these devices include a number of rungs designed to prevent the excavated material from dropping or sliding downwardly while the belt is moving.

[0012] These rungs are generally hardened to the flat outer surface of the belt.

[0013] More specifically, the cross bars extend along a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel of the belt and are distributed along the entire extension of the belt.

[0014] The rungs are generally substantially uniform and therefore staggered relative to one another at a constant pitch.

[0015] This particular configuration of conveyor belts has a number of drawbacks that make it difficult to use them to transport sticky and very dense materials, as is the case in the particular technical field of underground mining.

[0016] In fact, the excavations are very often wet and their physical properties are similar to those of mud (a mixture of water, soil and rock).

[0017] During the transport from bottom to top, the part of the excavation that is in contact with the surface of the belt has a high ability to stick to that surface itself. In other words, the excavation "sticks" to this surface, and an "adhesive" action is essentially created between these two elements.

[0018] This makes it difficult to remove the latter from the belt surface when it arrives at the unloading point.

[0019] In fact, it is known that the separation of the excavations from the conveyor belt is carried out by gravity, but the high adhesion capacity, which characterizes the muddy excavations, prevents them from falling off by themselves at the collection point, on the contrary, keeps them attached to the belt even during the return path (i.e. from the unloading point to the collection point).

[0020] This fact is quite inconvenient, as the increasing accumulation of collected material on the outer surface of the belt limits the latter's capabilities and forces the operator to schedule frequent maintenance to clean the belt.

[0021] The presence of the rungs makes it more difficult (if not impossible) to install continuous belt cleaning devices, such as stripping systems or rotating brushes that act on the outer surface of the belt to strip the material adhering thereto.

[0022] The above drawbacks make it difficult to properly clean lift belts, which can limit the use of these belts in applications that require transporting materials with moderate and high adhesive capabilities, such as on construction sites where underground excavations are performed.

[0023] Lifting belts designed in this way have the further disadvantage of not offering adequate protection from falling objects during their transport at height.

[0024] In fact, due to their inherent moderate to high adhesive properties, some of the materials that remain "attached" to the returning portion of the belt may subsequently fall downward during operation, a situation that is not only potentially dangerous for operators in the vicinity of the belt, but may also cause the material to accumulate along the area below the lifting belt at a point different from the collection point.

[0025] However, this material must then be transported to a collection point resulting in increased costs associated with disposing of the material that falls downward along the return portion of the belt as well as increased time required to thoroughly clean the excavation site.

[0026] DE 2631643, JP 1087044 and US 2008 / 053796 describe conveyor belts with a first flat conveying element and a second conveying element superimposed on the first element and with multiple rungs. The belts described in these documents, however, have rather stiff rungs and can easily cause disturbances or stresses on the flat conveying elements. Furthermore, rungs of this configuration are characterized by their limited ability to adapt their shape to the shape of the material that has to be conveyed by the device. Summary of the Invention

[0027] The present invention aims to overcome the above mentioned technical drawbacks, in particular by providing an innovative and high performance lifting conveyor belt.

[0028] More specifically, the main object of the present invention is to provide an elevating conveyor belt capable of maintaining a high level of cleanliness over a long period of time, thus making it possible to install conventional systems capable of guaranteeing a level of cleanliness typical of conventional conveyor belts.

[0029] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a conveyor belt which allows for an increased amount of material to be moved over a long period of time compared to currently known belts, thus increasing the productivity of the conveyor system.

[0030] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an elevating conveyor belt which has a high degree of flexibility during use and can be used to transport and / or dispose of several types of materials, possibly containing a large amount of liquid in relation to their total weight and having the consistency of materials prone to become liquid, such as sludge and wastewater.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide an elevating conveyor belt that can increase the safety of operators working around the belt itself.

[0032] Another and more particularly important object of the present invention is to provide an elevating conveyor belt which is relatively simple to manufacture and which requires fewer maintenance operations over time.

[0033] These objects, together with others which will be more clearly explained hereinafter, are achieved by a lifting conveyor belt of the kind specified in claim 1.

[0034] Other objects, which will be better explained hereinafter, are achieved by a lifting conveyor belt according to the dependent claims.

[0035] The advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred but non-limiting configurations of an elevating conveyor belt, particularly with reference to the following drawings: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an elevating conveyor belt according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the lifting conveyor belt of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the conveyor belt of FIG. 1 along transverse plane II. [Diagram 5] 2 shows a bottom view of a particular configuration of the components of the belt shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 2 shows a schematic side view of a further part of the belt shown in FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The subject of the present invention relates to an elevating conveyor belt, designated in the remainder of the specification by the reference number 1.

[0038] More specifically, this belt 1 may be suitable for facilitating the handling of various kinds of material M between a loading area Zc and a discharge area Zs.

[0039] In this particular case, the belt 1 is configured to collect the material M in a load area Zc in which said material M has been accumulated or previously conveyed.

[0040] The function of this belt 1 is to transport a substance M from a loading area Zc to a discharge area Zs where said substance M is discharged.

[0041] This belt 1 falls within the category of an elevating belt, meaning a conveyor belt configured to transport material M from a loading area Zc to a discharge area Zs located at a significantly different height relative to the position of the loading area Zc.

[0042] In the configuration of the belt 1 shown in the figure, the unloading area Zs is at a higher height H relative to the level of the loading area Zc, so that during operation of the belt 1 the material M being transported is lifted.

[0043] In particular, this belt 1 is particularly suitable for installation at underground construction sites to facilitate the transport to the surface of material M generated during underground operations.

[0044] For example, the belt 1 can be used to transport excavations M resulting from the construction of a tunnel, underground passage or other similar passage to the surface.

[0045] The excavation material M may be of homogeneous or heterogeneous type.

[0046] As used herein, the term "homogeneous" refers to a material M that consists primarily of a single type of component, such as dry soil, stones, pebbles, or other similar material.

[0047] In most practical cases, however, the excavation material M will be of a "heterogeneous" type, i.e. made up of a number of different components.

[0048] The heterogeneous material M commonly encountered during underground excavation activities consists of a mixture of soil, stone (or other minerals), water and / or other liquids.

[0049] In this case, the drillings M therefore have a substantially mud-like consistency and high viscosity.

[0050] Due to its high viscosity, substance M has a relatively high ability to adhere to surfaces.

[0051] Material M sticking to the surface of the belt can cause serious drawbacks during the latter operation.

[0052] The main objective of the invention described below is to overcome the drawbacks arising from the conveying of highly viscous materials M by providing a lifting belt 1 capable of conveying any kind of heterogeneous material.

[0053] The elevating conveyor belt 1 that is the subject of the present invention comprises a support structure 2 suitable for resting on a ground S and intended to support all the parts of the belt 1.

[0054] A first conveying element 3 fixed to the support structure 2 is also provided.

[0055] The conveying element 3 has a first flat surface 4 extending continuously along a longitudinal extension direction L.

[0056] In particular, the first flat surface 4 can extend seamlessly between a loading area Zc of the material M to be conveyed and a discharge area Zs of the material M conveyed.

[0057] As better shown in FIG. 1, the first conveying element 3 may consist of a substantially closed belt element extending between a loading area Zc and a discharge area Zs.

[0058] In this way, the first flat surface 4 therefore forms a course which is closed at its ends which are located respectively in the loading zone Zc and in the unloading zone Zs.

[0059] The first flat surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 therefore extends on two substantially parallel courses, indicated by P1, P2 in FIGS.

[0060] The upper course P1 defines a path of a first flat surface 4 suitable for supporting material M extending from the loading area Zc to the unloading area Zs.

[0061] The lower course P2 defines the return path of the first surface 4 from the unloading area Zs to the loading area Zc, along which the first surface 4 does not interact with the material M being conveyed.

[0062] The first conveying element 3 may have substantially horizontal (or slightly inclined) portions 5', 5'' located near the loading area Zc and the unloading area Zs as well as a substantially vertical portion 5'''' suitable for connecting the two horizontal portions 5', 5'' to each other.

[0063] This configuration is clearly visible in FIG. 1, where one can notice the difference in height H that separates the loading area Zc from the unloading area Zs.

[0064] From the side view of the belt 1 visible in FIG. 1, the "segmented" shape of the first conveying element 3 can be noticed, since each portion 5', 5'', 5''' is at a different level (height) relative to the vertical direction (or relative to the lowest point on the ground where the first portion 5' is located).

[0065] However, from the top view of the belt 1 visible in FIG. 2, the continuous extension of the first conveying elements 3 along a single longitudinal extent of the extension L can be noticed.

[0066] Although the different parts 5', 5'', 5''' of the belt 1 are located at different heights, the top view makes it possible to define a single longitudinal extension direction L for all these parts, along which the first conveying elements 3 extend between the loading area Zc and the unloading area Zs.

[0067] This configuration can be summarized by stating that the belt portions 5', 5'', 5''' are positioned at different heights relative to a substantially vertical centerline plane (not shown), the longitudinal extension direction L is substantially the same for all portions of the element 5 and, regardless of the height of each portion 5', 5'', 5''', it can lie in a substantially horizontal plane (not shown).

[0068] Advantageously, as better shown in FIG. 4 , which shows a cross-sectional view of the lifting belt 1 , the first surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 can have a central portion 6 suitable for contacting (or interacting with) the material M to be conveyed.

[0069] In other words, the configuration and extension of the first surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 are selected in such a way that the material loaded on the belt 5 can be naturally dispersed (or accumulated) in the central part 6 while leaving the lateral end regions 7 of the first conveying element 3 substantially free.

[0070] Additionally, the first conveying element 3 may be provided with a pair of substantially parallel end edges 8 extending upwardly from the first planar surface 4 .

[0071] These edges 8 may extend along respective transverse directions T substantially perpendicular to the first flat surface 4 and have the same predetermined height h 1

[0043]

[0072] The terminal edge 8 may be positioned in such a way that it delimits a central portion 6 of the first flat surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 .

[0073] The presence of the terminal edges 8 makes it easier to retain (or contain) the material within the central portion 6 during operation of the handling means 9 to prevent the material from slipping out the end 7 of the first planar surface 4.

[0074] Advantageously, as can be better seen in FIG. 4, the central portion 6 of the first surface 4 has a predetermined width w 1

[0043]

[0075] For example, the width of the central part 6 1 can be included between 500 mm and 1000 mm, but the dimensions do not necessarily have to be within the above range, since the belts that are the subject of the invention have a wide range of configurations, in particular with different sizes, and make it possible to provide belt types suitable for adapting to even very large flow rates and particle sizes of the materials to be conveyed.

[0076] Handling means 9 fixed to the support structure 2 is also provided.

[0077] Said handling means 9 are suitable for facilitating a controlled movement of the first conveying element 3 along a predetermined direction of travel A, which is indicated by an arrow in the figure.

[0078] In particular, the handling means 9 are configured to facilitate the movement of the first conveying element 3 along a travel direction A substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension L of the first flat surface 4 .

[0079] The handling means 9 may be provided with a number of electric motors connected to a transmission member (not shown) operatively connected to the flat surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 .

[0080] For example, the transmission member may consist of a number of motor-driven rollers interacting with the first surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 .

[0081] The controlled rotation of said rollers makes it possible to facilitate the progression along direction A of a portion of the first surface 4 constituting an upper course P1 from the loading area Zc to the unloading area Zs.

[0082] The rotation of said rollers also makes it possible to promote the return of a portion of the surface 4 constituting a lower course P2 along a direction opposite to the direction of travel A connecting the unloading area Zs to the loading area Zc.

[0083] Advantageously, the rollers can be replaced by different motion transmission members, such as, for example, reduction gears and chains acting on gears, pulleys and drive belts, kinematic mechanisms with gears and other similar elements.

[0084] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the belt 1 comprises a second conveying element 14 intended to be positioned above at least a part of said first conveying element 3. In the following description, the expression "located above" in relation to the second conveying element 14 must be interpreted as having the same meaning as "coupled to", since the first and second conveying elements are configured to interact with each other.

[0085] In particular, the second conveying element 14 extends along the longitudinal direction L and is adapted to be coupled with a part of the first planar surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 .

[0086] As can be better seen in FIG. 1, the second conveying element 14 can be configured to be coupled with at least the vertical portion 5 ′″ of the first conveying element 3 .

[0087] The horizontal portions 5', 5'' of the first conveying element 3 may instead be free relative to the second conveying element 14 (the second conveying element 14 does not extend over said portions), which means that they may have a limited extension relative to the first conveying element 3 so as to avoid the latter interacting with these portions.

[0088] Indeed, in a configuration of the invention not shown, the extension of the second conveying element 14 can be selected so that it can be coupled with only that part of the first surface 4 suitable for defining the upper course P1, i.e. that part of the first surface 4 intended to facilitate the progression of material along the direction A from the loading area Zc to the unloading area Zs.

[0089] Advantageously, the second conveying element 14 is provided with a number of rungs 15 intended to couple with the upper side of the first flat surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 .

[0090] In this specification, the term "cross bar" denotes a substantially flat and straight element extending along the transverse direction T2, in particular substantially perpendicular to the flat surface 4 of the first conveying element 3.

[0091] Advantageously, the rungs 15 may also be perpendicular to the extension direction T1 of a pair of end edges 8 formed on the first surface 4 of the first conveying element 3. In this way, the rungs 15 are also substantially perpendicular to the first surface 4 of the first conveying element 3.

[0092] In a belt of a different configuration (not shown), the rungs 15 can be coupled to the first surface 4 in such a way as to form a predetermined incidence angle different from a right angle (eg, an incidence angle between 70° and 105°).

[0093] In the embodiment shown in the figures and particularly visible in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, the second conveying element 14 may consist of a corresponding element in the form of a substantially closed belt extending between two ends 22, 23.

[0094] More specifically, the second conveying element 14 may have a second flat surface 17 adapted to define a course in the shape of a substantially closed loop from which the rungs 15 extend.

[0095] The second planar surface 17 of the second conveying element 14 can be positioned above the first planar surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 .

[0096] The rungs 15 can be distributed both evenly and unevenly along the entire closed extension of the second surface 17 .

[0097] More specifically, in the belt configuration shown in the figures, the rungs 15 may be spaced at a substantially constant pitch p along the extension of the second surface 17 .

[0098] Alternatively, the pitch p of the rungs 15 can vary along the extension of the second surface 17 .

[0099] The second surface 17 is capable of moving along two substantially parallel courses P3, P4 both lying above the first conveying element 3.

[0100] The course P4 is the course which is at a shorter distance from the first conveying element 3. Therefore, the connection between the two conveying elements 3, 14 can only take place on said course P4.

[0101] The course P3 is the course at a greater distance from the first conveying element 3. Therefore, no connection occurs between the two conveying elements 3, 14 on said course P3.

[0102] In the remainder of this specification, course P4 will be referred to as the "lower course" and course P3 will be referred to as the "upper course."

[0103] In addition to the above, in course P4, the second surface 17 and the crosspiece 15 move along the traveling direction A, and in course P3, the second surface 17 and the crosspiece 15 move along a direction opposite to the traveling direction A.

[0104] Advantageously, the handling means 9 can be configured to facilitate a controlled movement of the first conveying element 3 as well as the second conveying element 14 .

[0105] Again, suitable motion transmission members may be provided which are suitable for operatively connecting the electric motor to the second conveying element 14. In this way, the handling means 9 is suitable for transmitting simultaneous and synchronized motion to each of the conveying elements 3, 14, which are thus both motor-driven so that they can move independently of each other.

[0106] The handling means 9 may also be suitable for facilitating the movement of the first conveying element 3 and the second conveying element 14 (along their respective courses P1 and P4) at substantially the same speed of progression.

[0107] In other words, the first conveying element 3 and the second conveying element 14 move simultaneously along the direction of travel A with a relative speed which is substantially equal to zero.

[0108] The rung 15 has the function of interacting with the substance M arranged on the central part 6 of the first conveying element 3 in such a way as to prevent it from falling during the progression of the first element 3 along the vertical portion 5''''.

[0109] In this way, the crosspiece 15 functions as a "separation element", i.e. by means of which the substance M arranged on the first surface 4 can be deposited during its gradual upward movement from the loading area Zc towards the unloading area Zs.

[0110] Furthermore, the presence of rungs 15 prevents material M from falling downwards or rolling over during its travel along vertical portion 5''''.

[0111] Conveniently, each rung 15 may have a free edge 18 that lies substantially intersecting and parallel to the first surface 4 .

[0112] In the combined state, the free edge 18 can be positioned close to the first flat surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 .

[0113] In particular, the free edge 18 of the rung 15 can be brought substantially in contact with the surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 .

[0114] The free edge 18 of the rung 15 is capable of interacting with the first surface 4 in such a way as to apply a predetermined pressure thereto.

[0115] Said pressure makes it possible to temporarily increase the mechanical stiffness of the rung 15 and (partially) reduce its elasticity, which allows it to better counteract the force of weight acting on the mass M during its upward movement towards the unloading zone Zs.

[0116] According to the configuration of the invention shown in the figures, the crosspiece 15 is adapted to be connected to the first flat surface 4 at the central portion 6 of the latter.

[0117] For this reason, the overall width w of each rung 15 2 is the width w of the central portion 6 of the first surface 4 1 may be selected to match (i.e., be substantially the same as)

[0118] With respect to the above example referring to the first surface 4, the overall width w of each rung 152 can be included in the range of 500mm to 1000mm.

[0119] In the case where the second conveying element 14 is provided with a second surface 17, the crosspiece 15 can have an edge 19 opposite the free edge and integral with said surface 17 so as to form a single assembly with the latter.

[0120] Each rung 15 may consist of two or more segments 20 arranged side by side, each joined to the second surface 17 via a respective edge 19 opposite the free edge 18 .

[0121] Each segment 20 may be separated from the next by a short cut 25 that extends from the free edge 18 to a point near the opposing edge 19 (joined to the second surface 17).

[0122] In this manner, each segment 20 is free to rotate (deform) slightly about its edge 19 joined to the second surface 17 independently of the segments 20 adjacent to it.

[0123] The division of the rungs 15 into segments 20 makes it possible to obtain a better adaptation to the shape that the material M to be transported may take after it has been placed on the first surface 4. In this way, it is possible to safely and firmly support the material M as it passes through the vertical portion 5'''.

[0124] In the embodiment of the belt 1 shown in FIG. 4 , the cross bar 15 extends substantially along a short direction (i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along which the second conveying element 14 extends) and comprises a pair of segments 20 positioned side by side (along said short direction) but separated from each other by a cut 25.

[0125] According to another configuration of the belt 1, the crosspiece 15 can comprise a pair of segments 20 arranged along an extension direction J, K inclined with respect to the longitudinal extension axis L along which the second conveying element 14 extends.

[0126] More specifically, the extension direction J of a segment 20 may be inclined with respect to the direction L at a first predetermined inclination angle α, and the extension direction K of the other segment 20 may be inclined with a second predetermined inclination angle β.

[0127] The orientation of the directions J, K is selected in such a way that they converge towards the inside of the surface 17 of the second conveying element 14, as is visible in Figure 5. More specifically, these segments 20 define a substantially V-shaped rung 15, which is oriented in such a way as to allow the collection and transport of material M along the direction of advancement A (better shown in Figure 5).

[0128] The first inclination angle α and the second inclination angle β may be the same or different, and typically the values ​​of the angles α, β may be included between 15° and 60°.

[0129] The angled segments 20 do not touch each other, but rather are spaced apart by slits, indicated by reference numeral 26 in FIG.

[0130] These segments are arranged in such a way as to allow the formation of a slit 26. In particular, said slit 26 is obtained by positioning the segments in such a way that the final edge of one of them (for example the final edge 27 of the left-located rung) faces and overlaps the other segment 20 (for example the outer face 28 of the one located to the right).

[0131] Obviously, the arrangement of the segments 20 may be complementary to that described above, meaning that the final edge 27 of a segment 20 arranged on the right faces the outer surface 28 of the other segment 20 arranged on the left, and the final edge 27 may be spaced apart from the outer surface 28.

[0132] This overlap does not define contact between the segments 20 ; rather, the terminal edges 27 of the segments 20 remain spaced apart from the outer surfaces 28 of the other segments 20 , thus creating the slits 26 .

[0133] Thus, by varying the distance between the final edge 27 of a segment 20 and the outer surface 28 of the other segment 20, the width u of the slit 26 can also be varied.

[0134] Also, the length f of the segment 20 defining the crosspiece 15 1 and f 2 may be the same or different from each other.

[0135] The arrangement of the segments along the inclined directions J, K and the presence of the slits 26 make it possible, when the belt is set in operation, to transport the liquid part of the substance M (e.g. water) downwards, i.e. towards the load area Zc.

[0136] However, the substantially V-shaped rung 15 having a slit 26 at its apex defines a forced path for the liquid portion to slow it down while being conveyed downwards.

[0137] In fact, a portion of the liquid flows out of the rung 15 through the slit 26 obtained therein, which is then collected by the rung 15 located directly below, thanks to the fact that the orientation of the "V" defined by said rung 15 positions it so that its widest part faces the liquid (actually acting like a funnel that collects the falling liquid). In this case too, the liquid flows out of the slit 26 and is then collected by the rung positioned deeper than the ground / further down, thus repeating the conveying scheme just described above.

[0138] Thanks to this particular method for conveying the liquid downwards, the velocity and flow rate of the liquid portion associated with the substance M remains limited in order to prevent the liquid itself from exerting such a driving force on the solid portion of the substance M in order to facilitate its separation or detachment from the conveying element 3, 14.

[0139] Conveniently, the height of each rung, h 2 is the height h of the end edge 8 extending from the first surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 1 In this way, when the conveying elements 3, 14 are connected to one another, the free edge 18 of the rung is substantially in contact with (or spaced a reduced distance from) the first flat surface 4.

[0140] Furthermore, the overall width w of the second surface 17 3 is the width w of the central portion 6 of the first surface 4 1 can be chosen to be greater than

[0141] In this way, the second surface 17 is therefore configured to completely cover the terminal edges 8 extending from the first surface 4 of the first conveying element 3. In particular, the second surface 17 associated with the second conveying element 14 contacts the free ends of the edges 8. In this configuration, the second surface entirely covers the central portion 6 of the first conveying element 3 extending between the pair of terminal edges 8.

[0142] The first conveying element 3 and the second conveying element 14 may be made wholly or partly of a flexible material, such as a rubber or polymer material.

[0143] In addition to the above, during activation of the handling means 9 at the section where the two elements 3, 14 are joined, a number of compartments 21 are formed, the extent of each of which is defined longitudinally by two adjacent cross bars 15 and transversely by the terminal edge 8 of the first conveying element 3.

[0144] Furthermore, each compartment 21 is also closed at the top by the second surface 17 of the second conveying element 14 .

[0145] More specifically, these compartments are formed during the passage of the rungs 15 in the lower course P4.

[0146] The formation of the temporary compartment 21 makes it possible to better retain the substance M as it is transported through the vertical portion 5'''.

[0147] The use of flexible materials for the construction of the first conveying element 3 and the second conveying element 14 has the advantage of obtaining compartments 21 with variable volumes which can contain pieces of the substance M to be conveyed having different shapes.

[0148] In particular, the relative compliance and flexibility of the materials for making the first conveying element 3 and / or the second conveying element 14 may ensure that the height of the substance M is greater than the height h of the terminal edge 8 of the first conveying element 3. 1 , the latter is able to at least partially take on the shape of the substance M placed in the compartment 21, even if the latter exceeds the

[0149] In this way, the first conveying element 3 and the second conveying element 14 have relatively large dimensions and a height h 1 It is possible to define a compartment 21 having a variable volume that contains more than one substance M, creating a "bulge" in the compartment 21.

[0150] However, the crosspiece 15 associated with the second conveying element 14 also defines a support for the larger-sized material M and thus prevents it from falling or moving backwards along the longitudinal direction L during the progression of the conveying elements 3, 14 along the direction A.

[0151] As shown diagrammatically in more detail in FIG. 6 , the belt 1 is provided with pressing means 28 suitable for acting on the second conveying element 14 and promoting mutual approach (or contact) of the second surface 17 and the end of the edge 8 of the first conveying element 3.

[0152] The pressing means 28 comprise a roller 29 which rolls about an axis of rotation E which is substantially transverse to and perpendicular to the extension direction L of the second conveying element 14 .

[0153] However, the roller 29 oscillates in such a way as to accommodate a "bulge" (ie a compartment 21 having a variable volume) that can be created when the material M being conveyed is relatively large.

[0154] To enable oscillation of the roller 29, a straight rod 30 is provided which has one end 31 connected to the roller 29 at its axis of rotation E and an opposite end 32 hinged to a point S of the support structure 2.

[0155] The rod can therefore rotate about hinge point S to enable roller 29 to move upwards / downwards along trajectory Y when a bulge on surface 17 of second conveying element 14 passes underneath it.

[0156] To facilitate the descent of the roller 29, a mass 32 is used, which has a predetermined value and is fixed to the rod. The mass 32 acts as a counterweight which facilitates the return movement of the roller 29 downwards, in order to exert a pressing effect on the second conveying element 14 and bring it closer to the first conveying element 3.

[0157] The downward return of roller 29 may also be accomplished through the use of a return element substantially equivalent to a counterweight, such as, for example, a spring, a linear actuator, a cam, or the like.

[0158] In different configurations of the invention, the second surface 17 of the second conveying element 14 can be replaced by other similar elements having the function of supporting the rungs 15 .

[0159] By way of example, the second surface 17 may be replaced by a net and / or a number of longitudinal and / or transverse strips, or the like.

[0160] In this case, the compartment 21 may not be substantially tightly (or nearly so) closed at the top (because it has a mesh structure), but the part replacing the second surface 17 may be defined by an element such as to define an opening having predetermined dimensions selected in such a way as to prevent the substance M from escaping.

[0161] Indeed, one may choose a net having a thicker mesh and space the long and / or short strips apart to obtain a relatively dense pattern.

[0162] It can thus also be ensured in this case that the material M transported along the section 5''' can be handled whilst preventing it from falling.

[0163] Advantageously, the conveyor belt that is the subject of the present invention can be equipped with scraper elements (not shown) intended to interact with the flat surface 4 of the first conveying element 3 in order to remove any residual material M adhering to it even after unloading in the unloading zone Zs.

[0164] In particular, the scraper element can be installed in a horizontal part 5'' of the first conveying element 3. Indeed, in this part the flat surface 4 is free and does not interact with the second conveying element 14, so that it can be accessed from the outside.

[0165] It is therefore possible to provide a scraper element which is suitable for interacting with the entire extent of the flat surface 4 without any interaction of this part with the second conveying element 14 .

[0166] Thanks to this configuration and the fact that there are no protrusions extending from the first conveying element 3, the scraper elements can be installed relatively easily while ensuring a high degree of cleanliness of the surface 4 of the first conveying element 3.

[0167] The invention can be implemented in other variants, all within the scope of the claims and the features of the invention described herein. The technical features can be replaced with different technically equivalent elements and materials. The shape and dimensions of the invention can be any as long as they are compatible with its use.

[0168] The reference numbers and signs contained in the claims and this specification are intended only to make the text clearer for understanding and should not be considered as elements limiting the technical interpretation of the objects or processes identified thereby.

Claims

1. a support structure (2), a first conveying element (3) fixed to the support structure (2) and having a first flat surface (4) intended to support the material (M) to be conveyed, said first flat surface (4) extending continuously along the longitudinal extension direction (L) between a loading area (Zc) for the material (M) to be conveyed and a discharge area (Zs) for the material (M) conveyed; handling means (9) fixed to the support structure (2) and suitable for facilitating a controlled movement of the first conveying element (3) along a predetermined direction of travel (A) substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension (L) of the first flat surface (4); Equipped with During operation of the handling means (9), the material (M) is respectively loaded onto / unloaded from the first transport element (3) in the loading area (Zc) and the unloading area (Zs), A second conveying element (14) is arranged on at least a portion of the first conveying element (3), the second conveying element (14) being provided with a plurality of rungs (15) positioned substantially crosswise in such a way as to interact with and guide the material (M) during its transport from the loading area (Zc) to the unloading area (Zs), and suitable for being arranged on the first flat surface (4) of the first conveying element (3).

1. An elevating conveyor belt (1) suitable for facilitating the handling of a material, preferably a material (M), consisting of heterogeneous elements, characterized in that:

2. 2. The belt according to claim 1, wherein each of the cross bars (15) has a free edge (18) positioned substantially crosswise, the free edge (18) being located near the first flat surface (4) of the first conveying element (3).

3. 3. The belt according to claim 2, characterized in that the free edge (18) of each of the plurality of rungs (15) is in substantial contact with the first flat surface (4) of the first conveying element (3) in order to completely retain the substance (M) placed thereon.

4. 2. The belt according to claim 1, wherein the first flat surface (4) has a central portion (6) suitable for interacting with the material (M) to be conveyed, the central portion (6) having a predetermined width (w1).

5. 5. A belt according to claim 4, characterized in that the crosspieces (15) of the second conveying element (14) are suitable for overlapping the first flat surface (4) in the central portion (6).

6. 5. The belt according to claim 4, wherein each of said plurality of crosspieces (15) has a width (w2) substantially equal to the width (w1) of said central portion (6) of said first flat surface (4).

7. 2. The belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the first conveying element (3) has a pair of substantially parallel end edges (8) extending from the first flat surface (4) along a transverse direction (T1) substantially perpendicular to a transverse extension direction (T2) defined by the cross bars (15).

8. 8. A belt according to claim 7, characterized in that the terminal edge (8) is suitable for delimiting the central part (6) of the first flat surface (4) of the first conveying element (3).

9. 9. The belt according to claim 8, characterized in that the height (h1) of the terminal edge (8) of the first conveying element (3) is substantially equal to the height (h2) of the plurality of one or more rungs (15).

10. 2. The belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the second conveying element (14) has a second flat surface (17) positioned above the first flat surface (4) of the first conveying element (3).

11. 11. Belt according to claim 10, characterized in that said second planar surface (17) is substantially parallel to said first planar surface (4).

12. 12. A belt according to claim 11, characterized in that each of said plurality of rungs (15) is joined at a terminal edge (19) to said second flat surface (17) in such a way as to form a single assembly together with said surface (17).

13. 11. The belt according to claim 10, characterized in that the second flat surface (17) has a predetermined width (w3) greater than the width (w1) of the central portion (6) of the first flat surface (4), and the second surface (17) is suitable to completely cover each of the terminal edges (8) of the first conveying elements (3).

14. 2. A belt according to claim 1, characterized in that the handling means (9) are suitable for facilitating a controlled movement of the second conveying element (14).

15. 15. Belt according to claim 14, characterized in that the handling means (9) are suitable for facilitating the movement of the first conveying element (3) and the movement of the second conveying element (14) at substantially the same speed of advance, the first (3) and the second conveying element (14) being suitable for moving along the direction of advancement (A) at a relative speed substantially equal to zero.

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