Conveyor equipment and scrap material transport method

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveyor system and scrap transport method that can properly discharge scrap into scrap bags, regardless of whether the scrap is flat or has bent ends, and even if the scrap gets caught on the rails. [Solution] The conveyor equipment 1 transports scrap S in the transport direction on the conveyor 10 and discharges the scrap S into the scrap bag 30 via the chute 20. The conveyor 10 is inclined diagonally upward at a predetermined inclination angle α from the upstream side in the transport direction of the scrap S to the downstream side in the transport direction, and a rail 12 is erected on the upper surface of the conveyor 10 to prevent the transported scrap S from sliding down. The rail 12 comprises an upright portion 12a that rises from the upper surface of the conveyor 10 and an inclined portion 12b that slopes from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the opposite side of the direction of travel of the scrap S.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor facility provided with a conveyor for transporting scrap and a method for transporting scrap.

Background Art

[0002] In a steel plate conveying line such as a cold rolling line in a steel mill, generally, the unsteady part formed at the longitudinal end of the steel plate is cut by a shear or the like. The cut unsteady part is discharged as scrap into a scrap bag. Then, when the scrap accumulates in the scrap bag, the scrap bag is lifted by a handling device such as a crane and the scrap is discharged onto a loading platform such as a truck. Here, the scrap cut by a shear or the like is conveyed by a conveyor such as an apron conveyor and is usually discharged into a scrap bag through a chute having an inclined surface.

[0003] For example, when transporting scrap by an apron conveyor that slopes obliquely upward at a predetermined inclination angle from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the scrap, the scrap is discharged from the tip corresponding to the upper end of the apron conveyor, and a chute provided slightly below in front thereof receives the scrap, and the scrap is discharged from the chute into the scrap bag. Conventionally, for example, as a conveyor facility for transporting steel chips generated when shearing a hot-rolled steel plate, the conveyor facility shown in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

[0004] The conveyor system shown in Patent Document 1 includes multiple conveyors for transporting steel slabs generated when hot-rolled steel sheets are sheared. Between any two adjacent conveyors, namely the upstream and downstream conveyors, a swinging apron is provided to transport the steel slabs from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor. The swinging apron consists of a top plate that supports the steel slabs during transport, brackets that support the top plate, and a rotating shaft member that allows the brackets to swing freely in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the steel slabs.

[0005] According to the conveyor equipment shown in Patent Document 1, when transporting steel scraps in a conveyor system composed of multiple conveyors, it is possible to prevent steel scraps from falling or getting caught between conveyors and to transport the steel scraps smoothly without damaging the equipment.

[0006] Incidentally, in the aforementioned apron conveyor, which is inclined at a predetermined angle diagonally upward from the upstream side in the direction of scrap transport to the downstream side in the direction of transport, there are often rails erected on the upper surface of the apron to prevent the transported scrap from sliding down. By providing rails on the apron conveyor, it is possible to suppress the scrap from sliding down the apron to the opposite side (downstream side) in the direction of transport.

[0007] Non-patent document 1 discloses a conveyor belt that has crossbars at its leading edge that are inclined in the direction of travel of the transported material, in order to smoothly transport the transported material when the conveyor belt is steeply inclined diagonally upward from the upstream side in the transporting direction to the downstream side in the transporting direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-144582 [Non-patent literature]

[0009] [Non-Patent Document 1] Conveyor belt, searched on September 26, 2024, Internet {URL:https: / / urldefense.com / v3 / __http: / / trbeltrack.com / ja / home_jp / menu02 / sub04 / sub04_3 / __;!!J-PZo-PFME_EnXyRkw4iANoYhqQ!kxjaWLjao_VoKPr21cppRgZ0yjBsrIRX3fTWLWe4PzDUrjLhJrAWtQIW2RdvdSe2Pr_8oqw_MvbqGRN0vvCKFQ$} [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Here, it was discovered that in the apron conveyor described above, which is inclined diagonally upward at a predetermined angle from the upstream side in the direction of scrap transport to the downstream side in the direction of transport and has bars installed, if the scrap gets caught on the bars, the scrap will not move to the chute and will fall between the apron conveyor and the chute. When scrap falls between the apron conveyor and the chute, it can cause safety problems such as dangerous manual scrap retrieval work, or the apron conveyor may be damaged when the scrap falls, leading to a decrease in the efficiency of the steel plate transport line and potentially causing significant damage.

[0011] In particular, scrap metal cut on the steel plate conveying line is usually flat, but its edges can bend when they come into contact with stoppers or other components. When the bent portion of the scrap metal gets caught on a support beam, it often falls between the apron conveyor and the chute. Therefore, regardless of whether the scrap is flat or has bent ends, it is desirable that even if the scrap gets caught on the rails, it will move into the chute and be properly discharged into the scrap bags.

[0012] On the other hand, in the case of the conveyor equipment shown in Patent Document 1, the conveyor is inclined at a predetermined angle diagonally upward from the upstream side in the direction of scrap transport to the downstream side in the direction of transport, and there are no rails, so there is no problem of scrap getting caught on the rails. For this reason, regardless of whether the scrap is flat or scrap with bent ends, even if the scrap gets caught on the rails, it does not satisfy the requirement that the scrap will move to the chute and be properly discharged into the scrap bag.

[0013] Furthermore, in the case of the conveyor belt shown in Non-Patent Document 1, the ends of the crossbars provided on the conveyor belt are inclined in the direction of the transported material's movement. As a result, when scrap caught on the crossbars is discharged into the chute, the inclination of the ends of the crossbars in the direction of the transported material makes it easier for the scrap to be pushed downwards rather than horizontally, which presents a problem as the scrap is more likely to fall between the conveyor belt and the chute.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve this conventional problem, and its objective is to provide a conveyor system and a scrap transport method that can properly discharge scrap into scrap bags, regardless of whether the scrap is flat or has bent ends, and even if the scrap gets caught on the rails. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] To overcome the above problems, a conveyor system according to one aspect of the present invention transports scrap in the transport direction by a conveyor and discharges the scrap into a scrap bag via a chute, wherein the conveyor is inclined at a predetermined angle diagonally upward from the upstream side in the transport direction of the scrap to the downstream side in the transport direction, and a strut is erected on the upper surface of the conveyor to prevent the transported scrap from sliding downward, wherein the strut comprises an upright portion rising from the upper surface of the conveyor and an inclined portion that slopes from the tip of the upright portion toward the opposite side of the direction of travel of the scrap.

[0016] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention relates to a scrap conveying method in which scrap is conveyed in the conveying direction using the aforementioned conveyor equipment, and the scrap is discharged into a scrap bag via a chute. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The conveyor equipment and scrap transport method according to the present invention provide a conveyor equipment and scrap transport method that can properly discharge scrap into scrap bags, regardless of whether the scrap is flat or has bent ends, and even if the scrap gets caught on the rails. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a conveyor system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view illustrating the detailed configuration of the apron conveyor in the conveyor system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of the conveyor equipment shown. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a side view of the rails provided on the apron conveyor in the conveyor equipment shown. [Figure 5]Fig. 4 shows the first and second modified examples of the crosspiece. (a) is a side view of the first modified example of the crosspiece, and (b) is a side view of the second modified example of the crosspiece.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below illustrate devices and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention. The technical idea of the present invention does not specify the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of the components as in the following embodiments. Also, the drawings are schematic. Therefore, it should be noted that the relationship between the thickness and the planar dimensions, the ratio, etc. are different from the actual ones, and there are portions where the dimensional relationships and ratios are different between the drawings.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of conveyor equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The conveyor equipment 1 shown in Fig. 1 conveys, as an apron conveyor 10 as a conveyor, the scrap S obtained by cutting an unsteady portion formed at the longitudinal end of a steel sheet in a steel sheet conveying line such as a cold rolling line with a shear or the like in the conveying direction indicated by an arrow A, and discharges the scrap S into a scrap bag 30 through a chute 20.

[0021] The apron conveyor 10 receives the cut scrap S on the upstream side in the conveying direction and discharges it to the chute 20 on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle α obliquely upward from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the scrap S. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the inclination angle α is an angle formed by a center line CL connecting the center of a first sprocket 14a and the center of a second sprocket 14b, which will be described later, and a horizontal line HL.

[0022] The inclination angle α should be in the range of 0° < α ≤ 60°. A greater inclination angle α than 0° is necessary to raise the scrap S cut by the apron conveyor 10 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction. Furthermore, an inclination angle α of 5° or more is preferable because it allows for a more compact conveyor system 1. On the other hand, an inclination angle α of 60° or less prevents the scrap S from sliding down the upstream side in the conveying direction, so the inclination angle α should be 60° or less. An inclination angle α of less than 50° is even more preferable.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apron conveyor 10 has both ends of an apron connecting body 11, which is formed by alternately connecting a plurality of substantially rectangular first apron sections 11a and a plurality of substantially rectangular second apron sections 11b in an endless manner, attached to a pair of chains 13 in the width direction (up and down direction in Figure 2).

[0024] Each first apron section 11a, as shown in Figure 2, is provided with a plurality of upstream connecting sections 11aa that protrude from the upstream edge of the rectangular plate section in the conveying direction at a predetermined pitch along the width direction, and a plurality of downstream connecting sections 11ab that protrude from the downstream edge of the rectangular plate section in the conveying direction at a predetermined pitch along the width direction. Each second apron section 11b, as shown in Figure 2, is provided with a plurality of upstream connecting sections 11bb that protrude from the upstream edge of the rectangular plate section in the conveying direction at a predetermined pitch along the width direction, and a plurality of downstream connecting sections 11ba that protrude from the downstream edge of the rectangular plate section in the conveying direction at a predetermined pitch along the width direction. The downstream connecting portion 11ab of the first apron portion 11a and the upstream connecting portion 11bb of the second apron portion 11b are connected by a pin 13d, and the upstream connecting portion 11aa of the first apron portion 11a and the downstream connecting portion 11ba of the second apron portion 11b are also connected by a pin 13d, thereby forming the apron connector 11. The apron connector 11 is then attached to the chain 13 by attaching each pin 13d to each chain 13.

[0025] Furthermore, each chain 13 is formed by alternately connecting inner plates 13a and outer plates 13b with the aforementioned pins 13d, and a roller 13c is rotatably supported on each pin. Each chain 13 is then stretched between the first sprocket 14a at the lower end on the upstream side of the apron conveyor 10 and the second sprocket 14b at the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10, and rotates in the direction of transport indicated by arrow A, the direction of rotation indicated by arrow C at the second sprocket 14b (see Figure 3), the direction of return indicated by arrow B, and the same direction of rotation as arrow C at the first sprocket 14a. As a result, the apron connecting body 11 of the apron conveyor 10 rotates in the direction of transport indicated by arrow A, the direction of rotation indicated by arrow C at the second sprocket 14b (see Figure 3), the direction of return indicated by arrow B, and the same direction of rotation as arrow C at the first sprocket 14a.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the chute 20 receives the scrap S released from the upper end of the apron conveyor 10 on the downstream side in the conveying direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, and discharges it into the scrap bag 30. As shown in Figure 3, the chute 20 is located slightly below and in front of the second sprocket 14b of the apron conveyor 10 (to the right in Figure 3). The chute 20 is inclined diagonally downward from its rear end (left end in Figure 3) to its front end. A gap is provided between the apron conveyor 10 and the rear end of the chute 20.

[0027] Furthermore, the scrap bag 30 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top, and receives and stores the scrap S discharged from the chute 20 from its top. When the scrap bag 30 is full of scrap S, it is lifted by a crane or other cargo handling device and the scrap S is discharged onto a truck or other cargo bed.

[0028] Here, on the upper surface of a specific first apron section 11a among the multiple first apron sections 11a that constitute the apron connecting body 11 of the apron conveyor 10, as shown in Figure 1, multiple slats 12 are erected over a predetermined span in the direction of conveying the scrap S to prevent the conveyed scrap S from sliding downwards. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slats 12 extend in a long, narrow shape in the width direction (vertical direction in Figure 2) of the apron connecting body 11. The width W of the slats 12 is slightly smaller than the width of the apron connecting body 11.

[0029] Each rail 12, as shown in Figure 4, is equipped with an upright portion 12a that rises from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a, and an inclined portion 12b that slopes from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap movement (the conveying direction indicated by arrow A). The upright portion 12a rises vertically and linearly from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a. The inclined portion 12b slopes linearly from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap movement (the conveying direction indicated by arrow A).

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the scrap S cut in the steel plate conveying line is fed from an upstream conveyor (not shown) via a conveyor chute 2 between the upstream and downstream bars 12 in the conveying direction on the apron connecting body 11 of the apron conveyor 10, or a portion of the scrap S is fed in while caught on the bars 12. As shown in Figure 1, the scrap S fed onto the apron connecting body 11 is usually formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. However, when fed onto the apron conveyor 10, its ends may bend as shown in Figure 3, forming a bent portion S1, due to collision with a fall prevention plate (not shown) or other reasons.

[0031] In this case, the apron conveyor 10 is inclined diagonally upward at a predetermined angle α from the upstream side in the direction of transport of the scrap S toward the downstream side in the direction of transport, and a rail 12 is provided on the upper surface of the apron conveyor 10 to prevent the transported scrap S from sliding downward. If the scrap S gets caught on the rail 12 while being transported, the scrap S may not move to the chute 20 and may fall through the gap between the apron conveyor 10 and the chute 20.

[0032] When the strut 12 is erected vertically from the upper surface of the apron conveyor 10, i.e., from the upper surface of the first apron section 11a, if the scrap S gets caught on the strut 12, regardless of whether it is rectangular or flat and has a bent portion S1 at its end, when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the conveying direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, it becomes easier for a downward pushing force to act rather than the horizontal forward direction (horizontal right direction in Figure 3). As a result, there is a high possibility that the scrap S will not move to the chute 20 and will fall through the gap between the apron conveyor 10 and the chute 20.

[0033] Furthermore, if the inclined portion 12b of the strut 12 is inclined from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the direction of scrap's movement (the conveying direction indicated by arrow A), and the scrap S is in the shape of a rectangular flat plate, then when it gets caught on the strut 12, a downward pushing force will be more likely to act than the horizontal forward direction (horizontal right direction in Figure 3) when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the conveying direction due to the rotation of the second sprocket 14b. As a result, there is a high possibility that the scrap S will not move to the chute 20 and will fall through the gap between the apron conveyor 10 and the chute 20.

[0034] On the other hand, as in this embodiment, if the inclined portion 12b of the strut 12 is inclined toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap's movement (the conveying direction indicated by arrow A) from the tip of the upright portion 12a, when the scrap S gets caught on the strut 12, regardless of whether the scrap S is rectangular flat or has a bent portion S1 formed at its end, when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the conveying direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, a pushing force is more likely to act in the horizontal forward direction than downward. As a result, the risk of the scrap S not moving to the chute 20 is reduced, and the scrap S moves to the chute 20 and can be properly discharged into the scrap bag 30.

[0035] This prevents safety issues such as the scrap S falling between the apron conveyor 10 and the chute 20, which would necessitate dangerous manual scrap collection work, or damage to the apron conveyor when the scrap S falls. In Figure 4, the angle between the upright portion 12a and the inclined portion 12b is preferably set within the range of the following equation (1) or (2), where θ is the angle and α is the predetermined inclination angle of the apron conveyor 10 (see Figures 1 and 3).

[0036] If α < 50°: (90 + α)° ≤ θ ≤ (130 + α)° …(1) If 50°≦α≦60°: (90+α)°≦θ<180° …(2) Note that 0° < α ≤ 60°.

[0037] In equations (1) and (2), if the angle θ is less than (90+α)°, when the scrap S gets caught on the rail 12, whether the scrap S is rectangular flat or has a bent portion S1 formed at its end, when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the conveying direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, an upward pushing force is more likely to act than a horizontal forward force. As a result, the scrap S may be more likely to fall between the apron conveyor 10 and the chute 20.

[0038] On the other hand, if the angle θ in equation (1) is greater than (130+α)°, or if the angle θ in equation (2) is 180° or greater, when the scrap S is caught on the rail 12, regardless of whether the scrap S is rectangular flat or whether a bent portion S1 is formed at the end, when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the conveying direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, a force that pushes it slightly downward rather than horizontally forward is more likely to act. For this reason, there is a slight possibility that the scrap S will fall between the apron conveyor 10 and the chute 20.

[0039] Therefore, the angle θ between the upright portion 12a and the inclined portion 12b is set to the range of equation (1) or (2) described above. This ensures that the scrap S catches on the crossbar 12 whether it is rectangular flat or has a bent portion S1 formed at its end, and when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the transport direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, the horizontal forward pushing action is more effective than the upward and downward directions, allowing the scrap S to be properly discharged by the scrap bag 30.

[0040] In this embodiment, the inclination angle α of the apron conveyor 10 is 20°, and the angle θ between the upright portion 12a and the inclined portion 12b is 120°. It is preferable that this angle θ be set to 110° to 150°. If this angle θ is less than 110°, when the scrap S gets caught on the rail 12, whether the scrap S is rectangular flat or has a bent portion S1 formed at its end, when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the conveying direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, it becomes easier for an upward pushing force to act rather than a horizontal forward force. As a result, there is a risk that the scrap S will easily fall between the apron conveyor 10 and the chute 20.

[0041] On the other hand, if the angle θ is greater than 150°, when the scrap S gets caught on the rail 12, regardless of whether the scrap S is rectangular flat or has a bent portion S1 formed at its end, when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the conveying direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, a force is more likely to act to push it slightly downward rather than horizontally forward. As a result, there is a slight possibility that the scrap S will fall between the apron conveyor 10 and the chute 20.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in Figure 4, the height H from the top surface of the first apron section 11a at the intersection P1 between the outer surface 12aa of the upright section 12a on the scrap travel direction side (conveying direction indicated by arrow A) and the outer surface 12ba of the inclined section 12b on the scrap travel direction side is 120 mm. It is preferable that the height H from the top surface of the first apron section 11a at the intersection P1 is greater than half of the total height TH of the crossbar 12 (the height from the top surface of the first apron section 11a at the intersection P2 between the outer surface 12ba of the inclined section 12b on the scrap travel direction side and the end face). Also, the length L1 between the intersection P1 and the intersection P2 between the outer surface 12ba of the inclined section 12b on the scrap travel direction side and the end face is 40 mm. Furthermore, the vertical length L2 from the intersection point P3 between the inner surface 12bb on the opposite side of the scrap progression direction of the inclined section 12b and the end face to the intersection point P4 between the inner surface 12bb on the opposite side of the scrap progression direction of the inclined section 12b and the inner surface 12ab on the opposite side of the scrap progression direction of the upright section 12a is 35 mm. In addition, the plate thickness of the upright section 12a and the plate thickness of the inclined section 12b are the same, t, which is 6.0 mm.

[0043] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the first and second modified forms of the crossbar shown in Figure 4 will be described. Figure 5(a) is a side view of the first modified form of the crossbar, and Figure 5(b) is a side view of the second modified form of the crossbar. The first modified example of the rail 12 shown in Figure 5(a) is similar to the rail 12 shown in Figure 4, and includes an upright portion 12a rising from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a, and an inclined portion 12b that slopes from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the opposite side of the scrap's direction of travel. The upright portion 12a rises vertically in a straight line from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a. However, unlike the rail 12 shown in Figure 4, the inclined portion 12b of the first modified example of the rail 12 slopes in a curved manner from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the opposite side of the scrap's direction of travel.

[0044] Even in this case, if the scrap S is rectangular and flat, and regardless of whether a bent portion S1 is formed at its end, when it gets caught on the rail 12, when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the transport direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, a pushing force is more likely to act horizontally forward than downward. As a result, the risk of the scrap S not moving into the chute 20 is reduced, and the scrap S moves into the chute 20 and can be properly discharged into the scrap bag 30.

[0045] Furthermore, the second modified example of the rib 12 shown in Figure 5(b) is similar to the rib 12 shown in Figure 4 in that it includes an upright portion 12a rising from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a and an inclined portion 12b that slopes from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap movement. However, in the rib 12 shown in Figure 4, the upright portion 12a rises vertically and linearly from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a, and the inclined portion 12b slopes linearly from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap movement. In contrast, in the second modified example of the rib 12, the upright portion 12a rises in a curved shape from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap movement, and the inclined portion 12b slopes curvedly from the tip of the upright portion 12a toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap movement, continuing from the curved shape of the upright portion 12a. In other words, the crossbar 12 rises from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a and is formed by curving toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap's movement.

[0046] Even in this case, if the scrap S is rectangular and flat, and regardless of whether a bent portion S1 is formed at its end, when it gets caught on the rail 12, when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 in the transport direction as the second sprocket 14b rotates, a pushing force is more likely to act horizontally forward than downward. As a result, the risk of the scrap S not moving into the chute 20 is reduced, and the scrap S moves into the chute 20 and can be properly discharged into the scrap bag 30.

[0047] As described above, according to the conveyor equipment 1 of this embodiment, the apron conveyor 10, which functions as a conveyor, is inclined diagonally upward at a predetermined inclination angle α from the upstream side in the direction of transport of scrap S (direction of arrow A) to the downstream side in the transport direction, and a rib 12 is erected on the upper surface of the apron conveyor 10 (upper surface of the first apron section 11a) to prevent the transported scrap S from sliding down. The rib 12 comprises an upright section 12a that rises from the upper surface of the apron conveyor 10 and an inclined section 12b that slopes from the tip of the upright section 12a toward the opposite side of the direction of travel of the scrap S (transport direction indicated by arrow A).

[0048] This allows the scrap S to be properly discharged into the scrap bag 30, regardless of whether it is flat or has bent ends, even if the scrap S gets caught on the rail. Furthermore, according to the conveyor equipment 1 of this embodiment, the upright section 12a rises vertically and linearly from the upper surface of the apron conveyor 10, which functions as a conveyor, and the inclined section 12b is inclined linearly from the tip of the upright section 12a toward the opposite side of the direction of travel of the scrap S.

[0049] As a result, the existing crossbar 12, which is composed of an upright portion 12a that rises vertically in a straight line from the top surface of the apron conveyor 10, can be configured by welding or other means to the tip of a straight inclined portion 12b made of a separate material to form the crossbar 12, or by preparing a crossbar 12 in which a straight upright portion 12a and an inclined portion 12b that slopes linearly from the tip of the upright portion 12a are integrally formed, and attaching the upright portion 12a of this crossbar 12 vertically to the top surface of the apron conveyor 10. Furthermore, according to the conveyor equipment 1 of this embodiment, the angle between the linear upright section 12a and the linear inclined section 12b is set to the range of equation (1) or (2) above, where θ is the angle and α is the predetermined inclination angle of the apron conveyor 10.

[0050] As a result, whether the scrap S is rectangular or flat, it will catch on the rail 12, and when the scrap S is released from the upper end on the downstream side of the apron conveyor 10 as the second sprocket 14b rotates, the horizontal forward pushing action will work more effectively than the upward and downward directions, allowing the scrap S to be properly discharged by the scrap bag 30. Furthermore, according to the scrap transport method of this embodiment, the scrap S is transported in the transport direction using the conveyor equipment 1, and the scrap S is discharged into the scrap bag 30 via the chute 20.

[0051] This allows the scrap S to be properly discharged into the scrap bag 30, regardless of whether it is flat or has bent ends, even if the scrap S gets caught on the rail.

[0052] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways. For example, the conveyor may not be limited to the apron conveyor 10, but may also be other conveyors such as a belt conveyor capable of transporting scrap S.

[0053] Furthermore, in the crossbar 12 shown in Figure 4, the upright portion 12a rises vertically in a straight line from the upper surface of the first apron portion 11a. Here, "vertical" does not necessarily mean 90° with respect to the upper surface, but rather that it can be within a range of approximately 90° ± 10°. Furthermore, the scrap S transported by the conveyor equipment 1 is not limited to being in the shape of a rectangular flat plate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1. Conveyor equipment 2 Conveyor chutes 10 Apron conveyor (conveyor) 11 Apron connector 11a First Apron Section 11aa Upstream connection section 11ab Downstream connection 11b Second Apron Section 11ba downstream connection 11bb Upstream connection section 12 bars 12a Standing section 12aa outer surface 12ab inner surface 12b Inclined section 12ba outer surface 12bb inner side 13 chains 13a Inner plate 13b Outer plate 13c roller 13d pin 14a First sprocket 14b Second sprocket 20 shots 30 Scrapbags S Scrap

Claims

1. A conveyor system that transports scrap in the transport direction by a conveyor and discharges the scrap into a scrap bag via a chute, wherein the conveyor is inclined at a predetermined angle diagonally upward from the upstream side in the transport direction of the scrap to the downstream side in the transport direction, and a slat is erected on the upper surface of the conveyor to prevent the transported scrap from sliding downward, The conveyor equipment is characterized in that the strut comprises an upright portion that rises from the upper surface of the conveyor and an inclined portion that slopes from the tip of the upright portion toward the opposite side of the direction of travel of the scrap.

2. The conveyor equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the upright portion rises vertically and linearly from the upper surface of the conveyor, and the inclined portion slopes linearly from the tip of the upright portion toward the opposite side of the direction of scrap's movement.

3. The conveyor equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that the angle between the upright portion and the inclined portion is set to within the range of the following equation (1) or (2), where θ is the angle and α is the predetermined inclination angle of the conveyor. If α < 50°: (90 + α)° ≤ θ ≤ (130 + α)° … (1) If 50° ≤ α ≤ 60°: (90 + α)° ≤ θ < 180° … (2) Note that 0° < α ≤ 60°.

4. The conveyor equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conveyor is an apron conveyor.

5. A method for conveying scrap, characterized by using the conveyor equipment described in any one of claims 1 to 3 to convey the scrap in the conveying direction and discharging the scrap into a scrap bag via a chute.

6. A method for transporting scrap, characterized by transporting scrap in the transport direction using the conveyor equipment described in claim 4, and discharging the scrap into a scrap bag via a chute.

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