Conveyor belt module with a relatively narrow surface area

Abstract

A conveyor belt module for a sideflexing modular conveyor belt is presented, in which the width ratio of the eye between the width of the longitudinal surface and the centrally located maximum width along the longitudinal direction is less than the width ratio of the eyes located on either side of the centrally located eye. Also presented are a modular conveyor belt, a conveyor belt system, a method of conveying one or more elements, and a use of the modular conveyor belt for conveying one or more elements.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to conveyor belt modules, more particularly to conveyor belt modules for side-flexing modular conveyor belts, and further to corresponding conveyor belts, modular conveyor belt systems, methods for conveying one or more elements, and the use of conveyor belts. [Background technology]

[0002] Modular conveyor belts may generally be considered advantageous because they are durable, arranged to avoid or reduce contaminants, and / or arranged to be easily and / or effectively cleaned.

[0003] In general, contamination may be almost unavoidable, especially when transporting food products such as fish, poultry, or meat, but it should preferably be reduced or avoided.

[0004] The need for cleaning conveyor belts assembled from multiple modular conveyor belts is increasing, especially when the assembled conveyor belts are used for food products such as meat or vegetables. Properly cleaning assembled modular conveyor belts is difficult, even with commonly used high-pressure washers, because such belts have cavities, gaps, corners, or edges that can collect food or other unwanted materials such as debris.

[0005] Therefore, the use of improved conveyor belt modules and corresponding conveyor belts, modular conveyor belt systems, methods for conveying one or more elements, and modular conveyor belts may be beneficial, particularly in terms of improved durability, reduced contaminants, and / or improved cleanability, such as cleanability when cleaning with a high-pressure washer or water jet. [Overview of the project]

[0006] The object of the present invention may be considered to be to provide a conveyor belt module and corresponding conveyor belt, a modular conveyor belt system, a method for conveying one or more elements, and the use of a conveyor belt that overcomes the above-mentioned problems. A further object of the present invention may be to provide an alternative to the prior art. Accordingly, the above object and several other object are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the present invention by providing a conveyor belt module for a side-flexing modular conveyor belt, the conveyor belt module is A series of first eye portions defining the first axis, A series of second eye parts defining the second axis and It has, The eye area is, The first group, the eye section, A second group of eye portions having eye portions positioned on both sides of the first group of eye portions along an axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis. It has, In a cross-sectional plane that is perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis, and perpendicular to a line that intersects both the first and second axes, The first width ratio of any eye section is, With respect to the maximum width of the eye portion in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, The width of the surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the first direction along an axis perpendicular to the first axis and / or second axis in the cross-sectional plane, in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or second axis. Given as the ratio, The second width ratio of any eye section is, With respect to the maximum width of the eye portion in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, The width of the surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the second direction opposite to the first direction, in the direction parallel to the first and / or second axis. Given as the ratio, The first width ratio and / or second width ratio of the eye portion within the eye portion of the first group is smaller than that of the eye portion within the eye portion of the second group.

[0007] A potential advantage of the present invention is that, by having a first width ratio and / or second width ratio in the eye portions of the first group of eye portions smaller than in the eye portions of the second group of eye portions, i.e., having at least one smaller width ratio in the eye portions of the first group of eye portions sandwiched between the eye portions of the second group of eye portions, the objects conveyed by the eye portions of the first group of eye portions may have a contact surface area of ​​the conveying eye portions relative to a given width that is relatively small compared to the relatively large contact surface area of ​​the second group of eye portions acting on the operating means for driving the conveyor. It is known that width can correspond to strength. Thus, it is achieved that a relatively small surface area (relative to a given width or strength) exists in the middle / central / sandwiched portion of the conveyor belt module affected by contaminants (such as fish, meat, or chicken), while allowing a relatively large surface area (relative to a given width or strength) to act on the operating means. As a result, this may have the advantage of allowing only a small amount of contaminant deposition due to the relatively low width ratio, making cleaning easier and / or more effective due to the relatively low width ratio (in the eye of the first group) which facilitates solvents (such as water) to enter between the eye parts, and may be more durable due to the relatively large width area (in the eye of the second group) which results in lower friction and wear by creating a smaller steady load.

[0008] A module may be understood as a "conveyor belt module" that is connected to other modules, such as other similar or identical modules, by rods passing through the first and second axes, to form some or all of a modular conveyor belt such that the surfaces of one or more modules form the loading surface of the conveyor belt.

[0009] The central plane spans an axis parallel to the first and / or second axis, and an axis perpendicular to the first and / or second axis and intersecting the first and second axes.

[0010] A conveyor belt module has a loading support surface, such as a loading support surface, that is substantially parallel and / or planar with respect to the central plane. The central loading support surface of a conveyor belt module (such as between the outermost eyelets) may be coplanar with one or both loading support surfaces of the outermost eyelets. Conveyor belt modules may be connected to the same conveyor belt module such that the loading support surfaces of connected conveyor belt modules (directly, without intermediate elements) have a planar loading support surface that is uninterrupted in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the first and / or second axes.

[0011] The conveyor belt module may have an elongated central beam (oriented in the direction of the first and / or second axes), a series of first eye sections extending from the central beam in a first transverse direction (perpendicular to the first and / or second axes in the central plane), and a series of second eye sections extending from the central beam in a second transverse direction that is substantially opposite to the first transverse direction (e.g., antiparallel to the first transverse direction) (perpendicular to the first and / or second axes in the central plane).

[0012] A "conveyor belt" may generally be understood as an endless conveyor having multiple traction elements, each provided by a conveyor belt module. The surface of the conveyor belt may be formed by the surfaces of the traction elements. The conveyor belt may follow a two-dimensional or three-dimensional curved path.

[0013] A "side-flexing modular conveyor belt" is generally understood in the art as a conveyor belt in which multiple arbitrarily similar or identical conveyor belt modules are combined, and the conveyor belt allows bending within the plane of the conveyor belt with a bending radius of at least 100m or less, 10m or less, 1m or less, etc. (for a conveyor belt having a horizontal plane that allows bending around a vertical axis, etc.). That is, side flexing may be permitted by having flexibility such as having a portion of the conveyor belt module made of an elastic material, and / or having a series of first eye sections and / or a series of second eye sections consisting of elongated eye sections, etc. A modular conveyor belt that can follow a curved path may be generally understood as a side-flexing modular conveyor belt.

[0014] The “series of first eyelets” or “series of second eyelets” are understood to be straight, rigid or flexible, and are common in the art to allow a rod to pass through the series of first or second eyelets.

[0015] "Defining a first axis" or "defining a second axis" may be understood as defining an axis, such as an axis passing through the center of a series of first or second eye parts, by a series of first or second eye parts. The first and / or second axes may be curved. The first and / or second axes may be straight. The first and second axes may be parallel or substantially parallel.

[0016] The series of first eye sections and / or the series of second eye sections may have elongated holes, such as elongated holes having the longest extension in a direction parallel to the lines intersecting the first and second axes in a plane perpendicular to the first and / or second axes (for example, in the case of a conveyor belt module where the first and second axes are in the same horizontal plane, holes having a horizontal major axis in the cross-sectional plane).

[0017] The "first group of eye portions" is understood to be a group of eye portions sandwiched between the eye portions of the second group of eye portions along an axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis. The first group of eye portions may be arranged at the center, such as on both sides of a central plane perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis at the center of the conveyor belt module (and optionally surrounded by substantial symmetry). The first group of eye portions may span an area of the conveyor belt module suitable for conveying an object during the use of the modular conveyor belt.

[0018] The "second group of eye portions" is understood to be eye portions arranged on both sides of the first group of eye portions along an axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis so as to be suitable for acting with the driving means during the use of the modular conveyor belt.

[0019] The "width ratio" is understood to be the ratio between the width of the surface distal to the central plane and the maximum width of the eye portion in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis. The "first" and "second" surface width ratios are like "upper" and "lower" for a horizontally oriented conveyor belt module. an axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, an axis perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersecting both the first axis and the second axis In each direction away from the central plane spanning them, it refers to the surface width ratio in each direction.

[0020] Surface width is understood to be the width of the flat portion parallel to the first axis and / or second axis. However, for practical significance (depending on actual large irregularities, tool radius, etc.), it may also be understood as the width measured at a position closer to the center plane than to the furthest point relative to the center plane. For example, the surface width may be obtained at a position closer to the center plane than to the furthest point, such as when the approach distance is 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, etc., of the total distance from the center plane to the furthest point of the eye (for example, 99% of the distance between the center plane and the furthest point corresponds to a position away from the center plane). For example, the surface width may be obtained at a position closer to the center plane than to the furthest point, such as when the approach distance is 1mm, 2mm, 5mm, 10mm, 20mm, etc., of the total distance from the center plane to the furthest point of the eye.

[0021] The width ratio is such that the aforementioned width ratio is equal to the surface width w s / maximum width w i The molecule is given by s and the denominator lol i It is understood that it can be given by.

[0022] A low width ratio may be advantageous for a relatively small surface width (and therefore area), thereby minimizing the contact area between the eye and the object being conveyed, and / or maximizing access for a cleaning fluid (such as water) to the space between the eye with a given maximum width (and therefore strength of the eye). A high width ratio may be advantageous for having a relatively large surface width (and therefore area) with a given maximum width (and therefore strength of the eye), thereby reducing wear on the actuator driving the conveyor and / or on the eye that comes into contact with the actuator. A low width ratio of the eye may be achieved, for example, by having an inclined side, such as a 45° inclined side.

[0023] "The first width ratio and / or the second width ratio of the eye part within the first group of eye parts is smaller than that of the eye part within the second group of eye parts", it is understood that the first width ratio of the eye part within the first group of eye parts is smaller than the first width ratio of the eye part within the second group of eye parts, and / or the second width ratio of the eye part within the first group of eye parts is smaller than the second width ratio of the eye part within the second group of eye parts. That is, in one or both of the central planes, the width ratio within the eye part of the first group (being sandwiched) can be smaller than that of the eye part of the second group (doing the sandwiching).

[0024] By "B is smaller than A", it may be generally understood that A is 101% or more, such as 102% or more of B, 105% or more of B, 110% or more of B, 125% or more of B, 150% or more of B, 200% or more of B, 500% or more of B, 1000% or more of B, etc., and / or (when the unit is length) A is at least 1 mm larger than B, such as at least 2 mm larger than B, at least 5 mm larger than B, at least 10 mm larger than B, at least 25 mm larger than B, at least 50 mm larger than B, at least 100 mm larger than B, at least 500 mm larger than B, at least 1000 mm larger than B, etc.

[0025] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented in which the duty ratio (similar to a duty cycle which is the ratio of the time a signal or system is active in one period, the ratio of the pulse duration or pulse width (PW) to the total period (T) of the waveform, etc.) within the eye part of the first group is smaller than the duty ratio within the eye part of the second group. The duty ratio of the eye part of the group is w s / w ep-ep etc., between the surface width (w s ) of the eye part within the group of eye parts and the distance (w ep-ep ) between adjacent eye parts within the group, and / or w i / w ep-ep etc., between the surface width (w i) and the distance between adjacent eye parts within the group (w ep-ep ) between It can be understood as the ratio of .

[0026] In one embodiment, the first distance is along a line perpendicular to the first axis and / or second axis in the cross-sectional plane, The surface at the distal end of the eye portion in the first direction, The position of the maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis and The distance between them is given by an arbitrary eye part, The second distance is measured along a line perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis in the cross-sectional plane. The surface at the distal end of the eye portion in the second direction, The position of the maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis and The distance between them is given by an arbitrary eye part, A conveyor belt module is presented in which the first distance and / or second distance between eye sections in the first group are greater than those between eye sections in the second group.

[0027] A potential advantage may be that a larger distance inevitably entails more space for the cleaning agent to enter the volume between the eye portions. In other words, the first and second distances can be described as the (shortest) difference in distance from each distal surface to the widest portion of the eye portion in a direction perpendicular to the central plane.

[0028] In one embodiment, the first distance is along a line perpendicular to the first axis and / or second axis in the cross-sectional plane, The surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the first direction, The maximum width position of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis and The distance between them is given by an arbitrary eye part, The second distance is measured along a line perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis in the cross-sectional plane. The surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the second direction, The maximum width position of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis and The distance between them is given by an arbitrary eye part, A conveyor belt module is presented in which the first and / or second distances between eye sections within the first group are 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 5 mm or more, 10 mm or more, etc., and 1 mm or more.

[0029] A potential advantage of a relatively large distance may be that it creates more space for the cleaning agent to enter the volume between the eyelets.

[0030] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented in which the first distance and / or second distance between eye sections in the first group of eye sections is greater than the first distance and / or second distance between eye sections in the second group of eye sections. "A is greater than B" may generally be understood to mean that A is 101% or more of B, such as 102% or more of B, 105% or more of B, 110% or more of B, 125% or more of B, 150% or more of B, 200% or more of B, 500% or more of B, 1000% or more of B, etc., and / or (when the unit is length) A is at least 2 mm larger than B, at least 5 mm larger than B, at least 10 mm larger than B, at least 25 mm larger than B, at least 50 mm larger than B, at least 100 mm larger than B, at least 500 mm larger than B, at least 1000 mm larger than B, etc., and at least 1 mm larger than B.

[0031] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented in which one or more eye sections are attached to a central beam, and the thickness of these one or more eye sections attached to the central beam in directions parallel to the first and / or second axes increases in the direction away from the central beam. A potential advantage may be that it creates more space for the cleaning agent to enter the volume between the eye sections.

[0032] In one embodiment, the conveyor belt module is The first beam section and, A second beam section is positioned on both sides of the first beam section along an axis parallel to the first and / or second axis. It has a central beam having, A conveyor belt module is presented in which the area of ​​the first flat surface and / or the area of ​​the second flat surface per unit length in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or second axis at the distal ends of the second beam section in the first and second directions, respectively, is larger than that of the first beam section. Potential advantages, similar to those for the eye section described above, may include a smaller surface area to be contaminated in the first beam section and / or better access for cleaning agents, and a larger surface area that may reduce wear when the second beam section comes into contact with the drive mechanism. The smaller surface area per unit length in the direction parallel to the first and / or second axis may be understood as a smaller length in the direction perpendicular to the first and / or second axis.

[0033] In one embodiment, one or both ends of the eye portion of the first group in the cross-sectional plane are Triangles such as symmetrical triangles, where the furthest vertex is (effectively) a right angle, and symmetrical or asymmetrical triangles, A semicircle and Quarter circle and, A pointed, bow-shaped design, A curved, bow-like shape, Polygons with more than three sides and A conveyor belt module having a shape selected from the group including the following is presented. Any of these shapes may be selected such that the end of the smaller shape results in a relatively narrow surface contour of the corresponding eye portion.

[0034] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented in which, in the eye portion of the second group, one or both ends of the eye portion in the cross-sectional plane have a rectangular shape with surfaces parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis. Either of these shapes may be selected such that the end of the smaller shape results in a relatively narrow surface contour of the corresponding eye portion.

[0035] In one embodiment, the eye portion of the first group occupies a first distance of the conveyor belt module that is 10-100 cm, such as 20-50 cm or less in the direction toward the center, along the first axis and / or second axis. and / or The second group presents a conveyor belt module in which the eye portion occupies a second distance from each side of the conveyor belt module, which is along the first axis and / or second axis and is within 2-10 cm, 3-5 cm, 4 cm, etc., in the direction toward the center, and is within 1-20 cm.

[0036] A potential advantage may be that these values ​​are suitable for a modular conveyor belt having an object transport section corresponding to a first distance, and / or a modular conveyor belt having a section that drives the modular conveyor belt corresponding to a second distance.

[0037] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented, and the conveyor belt module is, An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, An axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis, An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, An axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis. Axes perpendicular to each of them and A conveyor belt module having twofold rotational symmetry about one or more of its axes is presented. A potential benefit may be that the conveyor belt module can be rotated, for example, upside down, and nevertheless be able to be correctly attached to the modular conveyor belt (so that it is "impossible to make a mistake" during installation). The rotational symmetry may be twofold rotational symmetry, such as rotational symmetry in which the same or identical shape appears when rotated 180°. A potential benefit of twofold rotational symmetry (for example, around an axis that is orthogonal to the first and / or second axis and intersects the first and second axes) may be that it may be possible to rotate the conveyor belt upside down, etc., and as a result it may be beneficial to allow the conveyor belt module to be rotated 180° so that wear is allowed on one side as much as possible compared to the other side, such as when the upper side is worn, and thus the original, unworn lower side becomes the new, ready-to-use upper side, that is, substantially doubling the life of the conveyor belt, which has benefits potentially associated with resource, economic and environmental considerations.

[0038] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented, which comprises an integral element having at least a series of first eye portions, a series of second eye portions, and a portion of a physical element.

[0039] One potential advantage is that the strength may be increased due to the absence of weak connections. Another potential advantage is that it may be more hygienic because there are no connections where dust, bacteria, etc., could adhere. The integrated conveyor belt module may be supplied, for example, by injection molding.

[0040] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented which is made of a polymer material such as a single type of polymer material.

[0041] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented which is made of a polymer material such as a single type of polymer material.

[0042] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module is presented, and the conveyor belt module is, The first axis of a conveyor belt module and the second axis of the same conveyor belt module are coaxial. The positions of the conveyor belt modules along the first axis of the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt modules are the same or identical. By arranging the conveyor belt module and the same conveyor belt module in this manner, Insert the rod into the first eye portion of the conveyor belt module and the second eye portion of the same conveyor belt module. Therefore, they can be connected to the same conveyor belt module.

[0043] In one embodiment, a conveyor belt module for a side-flexing modular conveyor belt is presented, the conveyor belt module being: A series of first eye portions defining the first axis, A series of second eye parts defining the second axis and Equipped with, A cross-sectional plane that intersects the first outermost eye portion, which is the outermost eye portion located at the first end of the conveyor belt module, in the dimension defined by the first axis and / or the second axis, and is perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis, and / or, A second cross-sectional plane that intersects the second outermost eye, which is the outermost eye located at the second end of the conveyor belt module opposite to the first end of the conveyor belt module in the dimension defined by the first and / or second axes, and is perpendicular to the first and / or second axes. In, The conveyor belt module is An axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, In the cross-sectional plane, the axes intersecting the first and second axes and On both sides of the central plane that spans across, A line, such as a straight line, that is perpendicular to the central plane and passes through the first eye portion, and a plane having a first intersection with the cross-sectional plane, A line, such as a straight line, that is perpendicular to the central plane and passes through the second eye portion, and a plane that has a second intersection with the cross-sectional plane. It comprises a part of a physical element having a location on each of its two sides that has a portion.

[0044] Furthermore, mounting units for attachment to modular conveyor belts, etc., are disclosed, and said mounting units are, In the vertical direction, The first horizontal direction is perpendicular to each of the vertical directions, The second horizontal direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first horizontal direction, and It defines, The mounting unit is, Flight section for slowing down or hindering elements, A mounting portion having a series of first protrusions having one or more protrusions and a series of second protrusions having one or more protrusions It is equipped with, Each of the protrusions extends from the flight section in a first lateral direction, Each of the series of first projections and the series of second projections has one or more projections, and each of the one or more projections has one or more bumps and / or cavities extending in the longitudinal and / or second transverse directions, respectively, such as hooks that engage with recesses in modular conveyor belts such as conveyor belt modules. A series of first projections are offset along the second lateral direction.

[0045] According to one embodiment, a conveyor belt module system is presented, comprising a conveyor belt module and mounting units that are arbitrarily connected to each other with a conveyor belt module system, etc., wherein one or more bumps and / or cavities of one or more mounting units engage with one or more recesses and / or extensions of one or more conveyor belt modules.

[0046] A second aspect presents a modular conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt modules relating to the first aspect. The surfaces of one or more optionally integrated conveyor belt modules may be the loading support surfaces of the modular conveyor belt.

[0047] According to one embodiment, a modular conveyor belt is presented that is suitable for conveying food and / or sticky products, such as unpackaged food, unpackaged food containing animal protein, or unpackaged food which is either fish, meat, or poultry. "Suitable for conveying food" can generally be understood to mean that the modular conveyor belt does not transfer to food in amounts that could endanger human health, cause unacceptable changes to food components, or cause deterioration of their organic properties under normal or predictable usage conditions, and / or that the modular conveyor belt is easily cleaned and sanitized by continuous or discontinuous technology. "Sticky products" may be understood in this context to mean products that may remain attached to the surface of the conveyor belt module even when placed on a surface with a horizontal normal.

[0048] A modular conveyor belt system is presented, comprising a modular conveyor belt relating to the second aspect, means such as rails or guides for controlling the path of the modular conveyor belt, and actuators arranged to drive the modular conveyor belt.

[0049] According to one embodiment, a modular conveyor belt system is presented, the modular conveyor belt system having a portion in which the modular conveyor belt is side-flexing. The phrase "the conveyor belt is side-flexing" can generally be understood to mean that the modular conveyor belt follows a curved path, such as a curved path in a plane spanning the conveying direction and the first and / or second axes.

[0050] A fourth aspect presents a method for transporting one or more elements, the method comprising placing one or more elements on or on a modular conveyor belt relating to the second or third aspect, and transporting one or more elements on the modular conveyor belt.

[0051] According to one embodiment, a method is presented for transporting one or more elements that include food and / or sticky products, such as unpackaged food, unpackaged food containing animal protein, or unpackaged food which is either fish, meat, or chicken.

[0052] According to the fifth aspect, the use of a conveyor belt according to the second or third aspect for transporting one or more elements is presented, wherein the one or more elements include food and / or sticky products such as unpackaged food, unpackaged food containing animal protein, etc.

[0053] The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention may be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and will be described by referring to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0054] Next, conveyor belt modules, and corresponding conveyor belts and modular conveyor belt systems, methods for conveying one or more elements, and the use of conveyor belts according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate one way of carrying out the present invention and should not be construed as limiting to other potential embodiments that fall within the scope of the accompanying claims.

[0055] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a conveyor belt module not included in the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a conveyor belt module comprising the outermost eye section and physical elements. [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows a side-flexing modular conveyor belt. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows how the top of the water jet can clean the conveyor belt. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a non-exhaustive list of potential peaks. Detailed description of the invention

[0056] Figure 1 shows a conveyor belt module not included in the present invention, which may be assembled with other similar or identical conveyor belts to form a side-flexing modular conveyor belt. This conveyor belt module cannot provide a conveyor belt module that enables excellent durability (because the width ratio of the central eye portion, for example, the central eye portion referenced in the inserted enlarged view, appears not to be smaller than the width ratio of the outer eye portions) while simultaneously reducing contaminants caused by the conveyed material and being easy to clean. Because the center width ratio is not smaller than the outer width ratio, the conveyor belt module of Figure 1 cannot ensure (for a given eye portion strength) a reduction in contaminants in the central conveying eye portion, excellent cleanability of the central conveying eye portion, and excellent durability of the outer eye portion (for a given eye portion strength) (in the second group of eye portions).

[0057] Figure 2 shows a conveyor belt module 10 having a first group of eye portions 40 with a top portion 42. The conveyor belt module 10 is made to be assembled into a side-flexing modular conveyor belt 100 (see Figure 3) which includes multiple conveyor belt modules 10. The conveyor belt module 10 is A series of first eye parts that define the first axis 20, A series of second eye portions that define the second axis 30, The eye section has, The eye section 40 of the first group, A second group of eye portions having eye portions arranged on both sides of the first group of eye portions 40 along an axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, It has, In a cross-sectional plane that is perpendicular to the first axis 20 and / or the second axis 30 and perpendicular to a line that intersects the first axis 20 and the second axis 30 (for example, the cross-sectional plane shown in sub-figure B in Figure 2, including axis 20 or axis 30), The first width ratio of any eye section is, With respect to the maximum width of the eye portion in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, The width of the surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the first direction along the axis perpendicular to the first axis and / or second axis in the cross-sectional plane (for example, the upper end in sub-figure B in Figure 2) (for example, the horizontal direction in sub-figure B in Figure 2), Given as the ratio, The second width ratio of any eye section is, With respect to the maximum width of the eye portion in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, The width of the eye portion surface in the direction parallel to the first and / or second axis at the distal end in the second direction opposite to the first direction (for example, the lower end in subfigure B in Figure 2), Given as the ratio, The first width ratio and / or second width ratio of the eye portion within the eye portion of the first group is smaller than that of the eye portion within the eye portion of the second group.

[0058] For example, in the sub-figure within Figure 2, the widths on both sides of the distal end of the eye portion (within the eye portion of the first group) in the horizontal direction are substantially 0, and the maximum width is not 0. Therefore, the apex inevitably results in a substantially 0 ratio of the first to second widths in the eye portion of the first group. The (outer) eye portion of the eye portion of the second group does not have an apex and rather has a rectangular cross-section, so the ratio of the first to second widths in the eye portion of the second group is approximately 1.

[0059] The conveyor belt module section 10 shown in Figure 2-4 is designed to be assembled into a side-flexing modular conveyor belt 100 having multiple conveyor belt modules. (See Figure 3)

[0060] The conveyor belt module 10 shown in Figure 2-4 may have a series of eye sections for first eye sections and a series of eye sections for second eye sections, each offset from the others, so that when two similar or identical conveyor belt modules are positioned such that they face the same direction, their first and second axes are coaxial, and their positions along the coaxial axis are equal, the two similar or identical conveyor belt modules can overlap. In this way, the conveyor belt modules 10 can form a row in a side-flexing modular conveyor belt.

[0061] The conveyor belt module 10 shown in Figure 2-4 may be a modular conveyor link that is about to form a single row of side-flexing conveyors. This is shown in Figure 3.

[0062] The conveyor belt module 10 shown in Figure 2-4 includes a central beam 12.

[0063] The conveyor belt module 10 shown in Figure 2-4 has a series of first eye sections extending from the beam 12. The series of first eye sections has a first opening for receiving rods along a first rod axis. The conveyor belt module 10 shown in Figure 2-4 has a series of second eye sections extending from the beam 12 in the opposite direction to the series of first eye sections and offset laterally from the series of first eye sections. The series of second eye sections has a laterally elongated second opening for receiving rods along a second rod axis. The laterally elongated second opening enables the conveyor belt module 10 to be used with a side-flexing belt.

[0064] The first group of eye sections 40 from a series of first and second eye sections have a top 42 extending along at least a portion of the eye section 44 of the group of eye sections to the conveying support surface 14 and the lower surface 16. This allows the conveyor belt module 10 to be more easily cleaned by a water jet, as the top 42 creates a gap best shown in Figure 4, where the modular conveyor belt section 10 is used as part of the modular conveyor belt 100.

[0065] In embodiments of the present invention, the eye portion 40 of the first group has a tapered shape (with a vertical axis passing through the center of the eye portion in the cross-sectional plane shown in Figure 5, and 45° inclined sides on both sides of the center). However, other shapes may also be used; see Figure 5.

[0066] In subfigure C within Figure 2, it is disclosed that the central beam 12 has a curved surface extending between eye portions 40 having one or more adjacent apex portions 42 on the transport support surface 14 and (due to mirror symmetry) the lower surface 16.

[0067] The eye portion 40 of the first group of the present invention is sandwiched between eye portions within the eye portion of the second group, which has a flat surface on its lower surface and on the conveying support surface.

[0068] Figure 3 shows a conveyor belt 100 assembled from at least three conveyor belt modules 10I, 10II, and 10III.

[0069] The conveyor belt 100 is assembled using rods that pass through the axis of the eye sections of adjacent conveyor belt modules that are aligned coaxially.

[0070] Figure 4 shows how the water jet can clean the conveyor belt 100 by the top 42 of the eye portion 40 of the first group, by forming a gap indicated by the dashed ellipse at the top 42.

[0071] In other words, the water jet may attack the conveyor belt 100 at an angle that allows an unobstructed water jet to enter the first or second opening. This is particularly possible when the opening is elongated horizontally, as shown in Figure 4.

[0072] Figure 5 shows a non-exhaustive list of potential apex shapes for another eye portion 44.

[0073] In summary, a conveyor belt module for a side-flexing modular conveyor belt is presented, wherein the width ratio between the longitudinal surface width and the maximum width of the centrally located eye along the longitudinal direction is smaller than the width ratio of the eye sections located on either side of the centrally located eye. Furthermore, a modular conveyor belt, a modular conveyor belt system, a method for conveying one or more elements, and the use of a modular conveyor belt for conveying one or more elements are presented.

[0074] While the present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, it should not be construed as being limited to the examples presented. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. In the context of the claims, the terms “includes” or “including” do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Nor should references such as “a” or “an” be construed as excluding plurals. The use of reference symbols in the claims relating to elements shown in the drawings should also not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, individual features described in different claims may be advantageously combined, and describing these features in different claims does not preclude the combination of features from being impossible or disadvantageous.

Claims

1. A conveyor belt module for a modular side-flexing conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt module is A series of first eye portions defining the first axis, A series of second eye parts defining the second axis and It has, The eye portions in the series of first eye portions and the series of second eye portions are, The first group's eye section, A second group of eye portions having eye portions arranged on both sides of the first group of eye portions along an axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, It has, In a cross-sectional plane that is perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis and perpendicular to a line that intersects both the first axis and the second axis, The first width ratio of any eye section is, With respect to the maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, In the cross-sectional plane, the width of the surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the first direction along the axis perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, Given as the ratio, The second width ratio of any eye section is, With respect to the maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, The width of the surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the second direction opposite to the first direction in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis, Given as the ratio, The first width ratio and / or second width ratio of the eye portion within the first group is smaller than that of the eye portion within the second group. Conveyor belt module.

2. The first distance is along an axis perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis in the cross-sectional plane, The surface at the distal end in the first direction of the eye portion, The position of the maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis and The distance between any eye parts is given for each eye part, The second distance is along an axis perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis in the cross-sectional plane, The surface at the distal end in the second direction of the eye portion, The position of the maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis The distance between any eye parts is given for each eye part, The first distance and / or second distance between eye portions within the first group are greater than that between eye portions within the second group. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1.

3. The first distance is along an axis perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis in the cross-sectional plane, The surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the first direction, The position of the maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis and The distance between any eye parts is given for each eye part, The second distance is along an axis perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis in the cross-sectional plane, The surface of the eye portion at the distal end in the second direction, The position of the maximum width of the eye portion in a direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis The distance between any eye parts is given for each eye part, The first distance and / or second distance between eye portions within the eye portion of the first group is 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 5 mm or more, 10 mm or more, etc., 1 mm or more. The conveyor belt module according to claim 1 or 2.

4. One or more eyelets are attached to the central beam, and the thickness of these one or more eyelets attached to the central beam in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis increases in the direction away from the central beam. A conveyor belt module according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned conveyor belt module is The first beam section and A second beam section is positioned on both sides of the first beam section along an axis parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis. It has a central beam having, The area of ​​the first flat surface and / or the area of ​​the second flat surface per unit length in the direction parallel to the first axis and / or the second axis at the distal ends of the second beam portion in the first and second directions, respectively, is larger than that of the first beam portion. A conveyor belt module according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In the eye portion of the first group, one or both ends of the eye portion in the cross-sectional plane are, Triangles such as symmetrical or asymmetrical triangles, A semicircle and Quarter circle and, A pointed, bow-shaped design, A curved, bow-like shape, Polygons with more than three sides, A shape selected from the group including, A conveyor belt module according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The aforementioned conveyor belt module is Having two rotational symmetries about an axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and / or the second axis and intersects both the first axis and the second axis, A conveyor belt module according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A modular conveyor belt comprising a plurality of conveyor belt modules as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Suitable for transporting food and / or sticky products, such as unpackaged food, unpackaged food containing animal protein, and unpackaged food that is either fish, meat, or chicken. The modular conveyor belt according to claim 8.

10. The modular conveyor belt according to claim 8 or 9, Means such as rails or guides for controlling the path of the modular conveyor belt, An actuator arranged to drive the aforementioned modular conveyor belt and A modular conveyor belt system equipped with [features / equipment].

11. The modular conveyor belt system includes a portion in which the modular conveyor belt is side-flexible. The modular conveyor belt system according to claim 10.

12. One or more elements are placed on or on the modular conveyor belt described in any one of claims 8 to 11. The one or more elements are transported by the modular conveyor belt. A method for transporting one or more elements, including the act of transporting one or more elements.

13. The aforementioned one or more elements include food and / or sticky products such as unpackaged food, unpackaged food containing animal protein, and unpackaged food which is either fish, meat, or chicken. A method for transporting one or more elements according to claim 12.

14. Use of a modular conveyor belt according to any one of claims 8 to 11 for conveying one or more elements, wherein the one or more elements include food and / or sticky products such as unpackaged food, unpackaged food containing animal protein, or unpackaged food which is either fish or meat or chicken.

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