A pin and bush pivot coupling and a modular conveyor comprising numerous modules connected by means of such pivot couplings

Abstract

A pin and bush pivot coupling (2, 2') for mutually connecting a pair of longitudinal modules (1, 1', 1"), each having two ends (1a, 1b), said modules (1, 1', 1") being rotatably connected around a vertical pin (6, 6'). The pivot coupling (2, 2') is formed by one end of one module (1, 1', 1") placed on top of one end of the other module (1, 1', 1") and by said pin (6, 6'). Inside the modules (1, 1', 1") and inside the pin (6, 6') there is an array of channels enabling flow of a pneumatic or hydraulic medium in every rotational mutual position of the modules (1, 1', 1"). A modular conveyor movable along a horizontal loop path, including a plurality of longitudinal modules connected by means of the pin and bush pivot couplings according to the invention.

Description

[0001] A PIN AND BUSH PIVOT COUPLING AND A MODULAR CONVEYOR COMPRISING NUMEROUS MODULES CONNECTED BY MEANS OF SUCH PIVOT COUPLINGS

[0002] The invention concerns a pin and bush pivot coupling and a modular conveyor comprising numerous longitudinal modules connected by means of such pivot couplings. On the modules, trays with working cavities are located. The couplings and the modules connected by them comprise internal channels enabling to convey a pneumatic or / and hydraulic medium, in particular vacuum and / or compressed air to the working cavities of the trays. The conveyor according to the invention is movable along an endless horizontal loop. Due to such configuration the conveyor of this type may be used for performing various technological operations needed for manufacturing or processing products located in the working cavities. For example, it may be used in the manufacture of dishwasher or laundry capsules containing cleaning products packaged in a water-soluble film. The vacuum is used for maintaining products within individual modules and forming the products, e.g. thermoforming the preheated film. Compressed air or a hydraulic medium may be used as a driving means for the clamps holding the products on individual modules. Compressed air may also be used for pressing the products in order to assist the process of thermoforming the foil or removing the products from the conveyor modules, while the hydraulic medium may be used for heating or cooling the products in the working cavities. The current invention may be applied in various types of machines in which modular conveyors are installed.

[0003] A similar conveyor of the above described type is described in the patents PL 235583 and EP 3611102. The conveyor disclosed therein moves along a loop-shaped path, the axes of the curved sections of the path being horizontal. The described exemplary conveyor comprises several identical modules and one main module through which the medium is conveyed from an external source to the conveyor. Each exemplary module comprises two working cavities. The medium is conveyed through one pipe, one end of which being fixedly connected to the main module and the other end thereof being connected to a manifold connected with the external source by a flexible hose. During operation of the conveyor, the manifold moves along the conveyor in a reciprocating motion within said loopshaped path. All the modules are connected to one another by pin and bush pivot couplings, through which the medium introduced to the main module is fed continuously to all the other modules.

[0004] Due to the above described orientation of the conveyor movement path, only the modules located at a given moment in the upper part of the conveyor are available for carrying out technological processes of the product manufacture. The modules located at a given moment in the lower part of the conveyor and in its two curved sections connecting the upper part with the lower part are not used at that time. Considering that the dimensions of the working stations performing technological operations in the upper side modules are typically larger than those of the individual modules, not all the upper side modules may be utilized at the given moment. In practice, the modules utilization rate of the state of art module conveyors ranges from about 20% to 40%. In the production of small items such as dishwasher or laundry capsules, about 100 working cavities are installed on each module of the conveyor, while each working cavity may contain 1 to 4 or more separate chambers for different substances. Therefore, the manufacture of such a module is very laborious and hence expensive. Considering that the state of art machines have typically 50 to 200 modules, it would be very advantageous to find a solution allowing to reduce the percent of the momentarily unused modules and consequently the number of the modules. Such a solution would allow to substantially limit the use of raw materials and energy required for the production of the modules. Energy savings would also appear during exploitation of the machines because a conveyor with a lower number of modules requires installation of less powerful drives, in particular in the machines operating intermittently.

[0005] It was the aim of the invention to provide a modular conveyor as well as the pivot couplings connecting its modules, which would be devoid of the above described disadvantages of the state of art conveyors of this type.

[0006] In particular, the aim of the invention was to provide a modular conveyor in which none of modules would comprise working cavities, but instead enabling trays with working cavities to be installed thereon in such a way that at a given moment all the trays with working cavities would be available for use, their number being reduced to the bare minimum defined by a required technology for a given product.

[0007] According to the invention pin and bush pivot coupling is provided for mutually connecting a pair of longitudinal modules, each module having two ends, said modules being rotatably connected around a vertical pin, each module having a bush at each end, each module further comprising at least one internal channel communicating with the respective bush in order to enable flow of a pneumatic or hydraulic medium, the pivot coupling being formed by one end of one module placed on top of one end of the other module and by said pin passing through the bushes located at the ends of the modules.

[0008] The pivot coupling according to the invention is characterized in that the pin comprises an array of internal channels enabling flow of a pneumatic or hydraulic medium, said array comprising at least one vertical channel of the pin and at least two horizontal channels of the pin, at least one of the horizontal channels communicating with the vertical channel at its lower end and at least one of the horizontal channels intersecting the vertical channel near its upper end, wherein the pin further comprises two peripheral chambers that are open on the external side of the pin, the chambers being tightly connected with respective external ends of the horizontal channels of the pin, and on said external side of the pin the chambers being tightly connected with the respective internal channels of the two interconnected modules so as to enable a tight pneumatic-hydraulic communication between said modules in their every rotational mutual position.

[0009] The bushes of the modules are preferably provided with sliding bearings facilitating the rotation of the modules relative to the pin.

[0010] The bushes of the modules may also be provided with sealings ensuring a tight connection of the internal channels of the modules with the respective chambers.

[0011] Preferably, the vertical channel of the pin is closed at its upper end.

[0012] According to the invention, a modular conveyor is also provided, including a plurality of longitudinal modules comprising internal channels enabling flow of a pneumatic or hydraulic medium, the conveyor having a form of an endless chain of the module.

[0013] The conveyor according to the invention is characterized in that the modules are movable around a horizontal loop and they are rotatably connected to each other by means of the pin and bush pivot couplings according to the invention located at their ends, at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium being supplied from at least one external source to the conveyor via at least one module.

[0014] Preferably, each pivot coupling of two modules is mounted through its pin to one carrier that is movable along a track extending along said horizontal loop.

[0015] The conveyor preferably includes trays with working cavities, the trays being located on top of the conveyor and each tray comprises at least one inlet channel communicating with at least one outlet channel supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities, the outlet channels being advantageously provided with valves.

[0016] Preferably, each pivot coupling comprises a pin the vertical channel of which is open on top, each pin being adapted to have the tray with working cavities mounted on top, the tray comprising at least one inlet channel communicating with at least one outlet channel supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities, so that each inlet channel of the tray communicates tightly with the respective vertical channel of the pin, the length of each tray being less than the distance between the axes of the neighboring pins of the pivot couplings.

[0017] According to a modification, the conveyor preferably comprises alternating pivot couplings having their vertical channels of the pins open on top and pivot couplings having their vertical channels of the pins closed on top, each pin of the pivot coupling having its vertical channel open on top being adapted to have the tray with working cavities mounted on top, the tray comprising at least one inlet channel communicating with at least one outlet channel supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities, so that each inlet channel of the tray communicates tightly with the respective vertical channel of the pin.

[0018] In another variant of the invention, the conveyor comprises first type modules the at least one internal channel of which has only the end openings communicating with the bushes, the first type modules alternating with second type modules having on its upper side at least one internal channel outlet, the first type modules being connected with the second type modules by means of the pivot couplings having their vertical channels of the pins closed on top, so that the ends of said second type modules are located in the pivot couplings on top of the ends of the first type modules connected thereto, wherein each internal channel outlet of the second type modules is adapted to have the tray with working cavities mounted on top, the tray comprising at least one inlet channel communicating with at least one outlet channel supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities, so that each inlet channel of the tray communicates tightly through said internal channel outlet with the respective internal channel of the respective second type module, the length of each tray being less than the double distance between the axes of the neighboring pins of the pivot couplings.

[0019] According to still another variant of the invention, the conveyor may also comprise first type modules the at least one internal channel of which has only the end openings communicating with the bushes, second type modules having on its upper side at least one internal channel outlet and third type modules having a stepped shape, all the modules being connected by means of the pivot couplings having their vertical channels of the pins closed on top, so that one end of said third type module is located in the pivot coupling on top of the end of the first type module connected thereto, and its other end is located in the pivot coupling below the end of the second type module connected thereto, wherein each internal channel outlet of the second type modules is adapted to have the tray with working cavities mounted on top, the tray comprising at least one inlet channel communicating with at least one outlet channel supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities, so that each inlet channel of the tray communicates tightly through said internal channel outlet with the respective internal channel of the respective second type module, the length of each tray being less than the triple distance between the axes of the neighboring pins of the pivot couplings.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium is supplied to the at least one module via at least one flexible hose and at least one inflow pipe.

[0021] The at least one inflow pipe may be rotationally connected with the flexible hose by means of a manifold that is movable in a reciprocating motion within said horizontal loop around which the conveyor is movable.

[0022] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the appended drawings, in which:

[0023] Fig. la shows a vertical cross-section of the pin and bush pivot coupling according to the invention;

[0024] Fig. lb shows a vertical cross-section of a variant of the pin and bush pivot coupling according to the invention with its vertical channel closed; Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c show vertical cross-sections of three different variants of the modules of a conveyor according to the invention;

[0025] Fig. 3a shows a vertical cross-section of a fragment of a first embodiment of the conveyor according to the invention, with trays;

[0026] Fig. 3b shows a vertical cross-section of a fragment of a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 3a;

[0027] Fig. 4a shows a side view of the first embodiment of the conveyor according to the invention, with trays;

[0028] Fig. 4b shows a view from above of the conveyor shown in fig. 4a;

[0029] Fig. 5 shows a vertical cross-section of a fragment of a second embodiment of the conveyor according to the invention, with trays;

[0030] Fig. 6a shows a side view of a second embodiment of the conveyor according to the invention, with trays;

[0031] Fig. 6b shows a view from above of the conveyor shown in fig. 6a;

[0032] Fig. 7 shows a vertical cross-section of a fragment of a third embodiment of the conveyor according to the invention, with trays;

[0033] Fig. 8a shows an axonometric view of the third embodiment of the conveyor according to the invention, without trays;

[0034] Fig. 8b shows an axonometric view of the conveyor shown in fig. 8a, with trays;

[0035] Figs. 9a and 9b show axonometric views respectively from above and from below, of the third embodiment of the conveyor according to the invention, without trays, in which two media or one medium may be fed from two sources or from one source.

[0036] The conveyors 13, 13a, 13', 13" shown in the figures comprise various combinations of modules 1, 1', 1" connected with one another by means of the pin and bush pivot coupling according to the invention. The modules 1, 1', 1" form an endless chain moveable along a horizontal loop. On the chain of the connected modules 1, 1', 1" trays 3 comprising working cavities 4 are placed. The products to be treated are placed in the working cavities 4. The treatment of the products requires that a pneumatic medium, e.g. vacuum and / or compressed air is supplied to the working cavities 4 depending on whether at a defined stage the product should be held and / or thermoformed in the cavity (vacuum) or removed from the cavity (compressed air). Over the cavities a lower film, preferably a water-soluble film is disposed. Then the lower film is pre-heated and vacuum is applied into the cavities which results in the thermoforming of the film that adheres to the cavity walls. The vacuum causes the film to be shaped and maintained so during the whole process of creating the product. Then the cavities are filled with a laundry or washing powder, gel or liquid. In the next step a second film is disposed, preferably a water-soluble film and the lower film is thermo-sealed with the upper film so as to enclose the packaged substance. Typically, there are many working cavities in one module, each cavity containing one type of a substance - e.g. a powder, gel or liquid. An individual product may be formed of one or more chambers disposed next to each other. There is one common sealing process for the whole module, so in order to separate the individual products the film is cut therebetween. In order to remove the products from the working cavities the vacuum must be cut off and preferably compressed air is applied so as to push the products out of the working cavities. The possibility of application of a hydraulic medium advantageously increases the usefulness of the conveyor according to the invention. For example, the products may be rapidly cooled by applying specific cooling liquids operating in low temperatures to the working cavities, or rapidly heated with the use of hot liquids. It also becomes possible to apply pressurized oils used in power hydraulics, and hence to use hydraulic actuators in the technological processes requiring application of great forces to the products in the trays. Accordingly, each module 1, 1', 1" comprises at least one internal channel 5 enabling to supply vacuum and / or compressed air and / or hydraulic medium to the working cavities 4 from an external source. The medium is supplied via at least one flexible hose and at least one inflow pipe in pneumatic communication with at least one of the modules defined herein as a powered module. In the case where each module 1, 1', 1" comprises more than one internal channel 5 (not shown in the figures) it is possible to supply different media at the same time which may be advantageous in some technological processes.

[0037] Fig. la shows a vertical cross-section of a pin and bush pivot coupling 2 according to the invention. The pivot coupling 2 comprises a pin 6 and two modules 1 the ends la, lb of which are positioned one on top of the other. The pin 6 comprises an array of channels enabling the flow of a pneumatic or hydraulic medium. Said array comprises at least one vertical channel 7 of the pin 6 and at least two horizontal channels of the pin 6, i.e. a lower channel 8a and an upper channel 8b, the lower channel 8a being connected with the vertical channel 7 at its lower end 7a and the upper channel 8b intersecting with the vertical channel 7 near its upper end 7b. In this variant of the pivot coupling 2 the upper end 7b of the vertical channel 7 of the pin 6 is open. Due to such arrangement, trays 3 with working cavities 4 may be installed on the pin and bush pivot couplings 2 as described above, the medium being supplied through the vertical channel 7 with its upper end 7b open. This will be described in detail in the following text. There may be more vertical channels 7 and more horizontal channels, both the upper and the lower ones. The pin 6 further comprises two peripheral chambers - a lower chamber 9a and an upper chamber 9b. The chambers 9a and 9b are open on the external side of the pin 6 and on the opposite side they are tightly connected with respective external ends of the horizontal channels 8a, 8b of the pin 6. On said external side of the pin 6, each chamber 9a, 9b is tightly connected with the internal channels 5 of the two modules 1 joined by the pivot coupling 2, so as to enable tight pneumatic-hydraulic communication between said modules 1 in their every rotational mutual position.

[0038] The chambers 9a and 9b are formed by means of a reduction of the pin 6 diameter on the level corresponding to the horizontal channels 8a and 8b.

[0039] Fig. lb shows a vertical cross-section of a pin and bush pivot coupling 2' according to a variant with the upper end 7b of the vertical channel 7 of the pin 6' closed. In this case the trays 3 with working cavities 4 are not installed on the pivot couplings 2' but on the modules 1' to be described in the following text.

[0040] Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c show vertical cross-sections of three different variants of modules 1, 1', 1" of the conveyor 13, 13a, 13', 13" according to the invention.

[0041] In fig. 2a, a first type of the module 1 is shown, comprising one internal channel 5 and two bushes 10a and 10b on the respective ends la and lb of the module 1, the end openings of the internal channel 5 connecting with said bushes 10a and 10b. The module 1 does not have any other openings. The pin and bush pivot coupling 2 or 2' according to the invention is formed by placing the pins 6 or 6' in the bushes 10a and 10b of said first type modules 1. The bushes 10a and 10b are provided with sliding bearings 11 facilitating the rotation of the modules 1 relative to the pin 6 or 6'. Besides, the bushes 10a and 10b have sealings providing a tight pneumatic- hydraulic connection of the internal channels 5 with the respective chambers 9a and 9b. In fig. la an exemplary medium flow direction from right to left is shown, but it may obviously be the opposite from left to right.

[0042] In fig. 2b, a second type of the module 1' is shown which - besides communicating with the bushes 10a and 10b - has in its upper side an additional internal channel outlet lc communicating with the internal channel 5. Consequently, the trays 3 with the working cavities 4 may be installed on the module 1' so that the medium is supplied through the internal channel outlet lc which will be described in detail in the following text. If there are more than one channel 5, then each of them has at least one internal channel outlet lc.

[0043] In fig. 2c, a third type of the module 1" is shown which has a stepped shape in side view. Its internal channel 5, extending as in the other types of the modules along the module 1", also has a stepped shape and its openings connect with the bushes 10a and 10b, the module 1" having no other openings. One end la of the third type module 1" is located lower than its other end lb. The use of the third type module 1" will also be described in the following text.

[0044] The distance between the axes of the pin and bush pivot couplings 2, 2' is indicated as Y, it is defined by the length of the modules 1, 1', 1".

[0045] Fig. 3a shows a vertical cross-section of a fragment of a first embodiment of the conveyor 13 according to the invention. It is constructed by means of the pin and bush pivot couplings 2 as shown in fig. la and of the first type modules 1 shown in fig. 2a with the pins 6 in which the vertical channel 7 is open from above. There are two horizontal channels 8a, 8b. In this embodiment of the conveyor 13 the trays 3 with the working cavities 4 are installed on each pin and bush pivot coupling 2. The trays 3 may be installed rigidly or, for example, pivotally. Each tray 3 comprises an inlet channel 14 and outlet channels 15 for supplying the pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities 4. The outlet channels 15 are equipped with valves 16 allowing to turn on or turn off the medium supply to the working cavities 4 at any time. The trays 3 are installed on the pivot couplings 2 in such a way that their inlet channels 14 are tightly connected with the open from above vertical channels 7 of the pins 6 so as to enable the medium flow from the pivot couplings 2 to the trays 3 and the working cavities 4. In an optional embodiments (not shown), with more than one vertical channel 7 in each pin

[0046] 6, the number of the inlet channels 14 of the trays 3 corresponds to the number of the vertical channels

[0047] 7.

[0048] Considering that the conveyor 13 moves along the curved sections of the horizontal loop, the trays 3 must not come into contact with each other. Hence, in the conveyor 13 according to this embodiment with a tray 3 installed on each pin and bush pivot couplings 2, the length X of the tray 3 must be less than the distance Y between the axes of the neighboring pin and bush pivot couplings 2. Consequently, in this case it is possible to install as many trays 3 as the number of the pin and bush pivot couplings 2, but the length X of the trays 3 is limited by the length of the first type modules 1.

[0049] Fig. 3b shows a vertical cross-section of a fragment of a conveyor 13a that is a modification of the conveyor 13 of fig. 3a. According to this modification, the conveyor 13a is constructed of the first type modules 1 shown in fig. 2a, having internal channels 5 communicating with the bushes 10a and 10b, the modules 1 being connected by means of the pin and bush pivot couplings 2 as shown in fig. la and with the pins 6 in which the vertical channel 7 is open from above as well as by the pin and bush pivot couplings 2' having the pins 6' in which the vertical channel 7 is closed from above. However, the trays 3 are only installed on the pin and bush pivot couplings 2 with the pins 6 in which the vertical channel 7 is open from above. Due to the fact that some of the modules are connected by the pin and bush pivot couplings 2' with the pins 6' in which the vertical channel 7 is closed from above having no trays installed thereon, the in trays 3 installed on the pivot couplings 2 may be longer, i.e. their length X does not have to be less than the distance Y between the axes of the neighboring pin and bush pivot couplings 2, 2'.

[0050] Fig. 4a shows a side view of the first embodiment of the conveyor 13 and fig. 4b shows a view of the same conveyor as seen from above. As explained with reference to fig. 3, each pin 6 of a pin and bush pivot coupling 2 has a tray 3 installed thereon. On the other hand, each pin 6 is centrally mounted to a carriage 17. All the carriages 17 are moved along a track extending along the horizontal loop comprising two curved track sections 18 connected by two straight track lengths 19. An exemplary direction of movement of the carriers is indicated as V. Also shown is an medium supply assembly supplying the medium to any chosen first type module 1, defined herein as a powered module 1, via the inflow pipe 20. One end of the pipe 20 is fixed to said powered module 1 and the other end of the pipe 20 is rotationally coupled to a sliding-pivoting manifold 21 which is supplied with the medium through a flexible hose 22. The medium is delivered from an external source (not shown in the figures) to a fixed end 22' of the flexible hose 22. During the operation of the conveyor 13, the powered module 1, with the rigid inflow pipe 20 fixed thereto, drives a reciprocating movement of the manifold 21 by means of said rigid pipe 20. The reciprocating movement of the manifold 21 takes place between two guides 23 from a turning point 23' to a turning point 23" through which the vertical axes of the curved sections 18 of said track pass. When the manifold 21 has reached the turning point 23', the powered module 1 driven by the rigid pipe 20 ends its straight-line movement along the first straight track length 19 and starts its movement along a first curved track section 18 turning by 180° together with the rigid pipe 20 fixed thereto. During the turning movement the manifold 21 remains stationary at the point 23' and the end of the pipe 20 which is rotationally mounted therein, turns by 180°. Next, the powered module 1 and the rigid pipe 20 enter the second straight track 19 moving the manifold 21 to the turning point 23". Then the powered module 1 and the rigid pipe 20 start to turn on the other curved section 18, the manifold 21 remaining stationary at the point 23" until the powered module 1 and the rigid pipe 20 re-enter the first straight track section 19 to continue the straight-line movement until the manifold 21 has reached the turning point 23' again.

[0051] Fig. 5 shows a vertical cross-section of a fragment of a second embodiment of the conveyor 13' according to the invention. It is constructed of the first type modules 1 shown in fig. 2a alternating with the second type modules 1' shown in fig. 2b. In this embodiment the conveyor 13' is connected by means of the pin and bush pivot couplings 2' as shown in fig. lb, in which the vertical channels 7 of the pins 6' are closed from above. There are two horizontal channels 8a, 8b. As shown in fig. 5, each second type module 1', the ends la and lb of which are located in the pivot coupling 2' on top of the ends la and lb of the neighboring first type modules 1, has on its upper side the internal channel outlet lc communicating with the internal channel 5. The trays 3 (the same as those described with reference to the first embodiment of the conveyor 13) are installed only on the second type modules 1' having the internal channel outlet lc, so that the inlet channel 14 of each tray 3 tightly communicates through said internal channel outlet lc with said internal channel 5 of the respective second type module 1'. The trays 3 may be installed rigidly or, for example, pivotally. Also in this embodiment, there may be more than one vertical channel 7 in each pin 6', the number of the inlet channels 14 of the trays 3, as well the number of the internal channels 5 in the modules 1, 1' corresponding to the number of the vertical channels 7. Fig. 6a shows a side view of the second embodiment of the conveyor 13' according to the invention, and fig. 6b shows a view from above of the same conveyor 13'. As may be seen, in this second embodiment the conveyor 13' is constructed similarly to that of the first embodiment, only here the trays 3 are not mounted on the pins 6' of the pin and bush pivot couplings 2' but - as described above - on the upper second type modules 1', the vertical channels 7 of the pins 6' being closed from above. Furthermore - the same as in the first embodiment - each pin 6' is centrally mounted to a carriage 17 and all the carriages 17 are moved along the track extending along the horizontal loop. The way of supplying the medium to the powered module is also analogous to that of the first embodiment of the conveyor 13.

[0052] In this case, considering their movement along the curved sections, the trays 3 must also not come into contact with each other. Hence, the length X of the trays 3 must be less than the double distance 2 x Y between the axes of the neighboring pin and bush pivot couplings 2'. Consequently, in this embodiment the number of the trays 3 installed on the conveyor 13' must not be greater than half the number of the pin and bush pivot couplings 2', but instead it is possible to install trays 3 the length X of which is greater than the length of the modules 1, 1' although not greater than the length of two modules 1, 1'.

[0053] Fig. 7 shows a vertical cross-section of a fragment of a third embodiment of the conveyor 13" according to the invention. It is constructed of the first type modules 1 shown in fig. 2a, the second type modules 1' shown in fig. 2b and the third type modules 1" shown in fig. 2c. Every third module is a stepped shape third type module 1" which is connected at one side (right side in fig. 7) with the first type module 1 and on the other side (left side in fig. 7) with the second type module 1'. As may be seen in fig. 7, due to the stepped shape of the third type module 1", its upper end lb is adapted to be connected with the pin 6' in the upper part thereof and to be located in the pivot coupling 2' on top of the end la of the other connected first type module 1. On the other hand, the lower end la of the third type module 1" is adapted to be connected with the pin 6' in the lower part thereof and to be located in the pivot coupling 2' under the end la of the other connected second type module 1. In this embodiment, all the pivot couplings of the conveyor 13" are the pin and bush pivot couplings 2' according to the variant shown in fig. lb, with the vertical channels 7 closed from above and there are two horizontal channels 8a, 8b. Further, as shown in fig. 7, each second type module 1', the ends la and lb of which are located in the pivot coupling 2' on top of the ends la and lb of the neighboring modules 1, 1" has on its upper side the internal channel outlet lc communicating with the internal channel 5. The trays 3 (the same as those described with reference to the first and second embodiment of the conveyor 13, 13a, 13') are installed only on the second type modules 1' having the internal channel outlet lc, so that the inlet channel 14 of each tray 3 tightly communicates through said internal channel outlet lc with said internal channel 5 of the respective second type module 1'. The trays 3 may be installed rigidly or, for example, pivotally.

[0054] Fig. 8a shows an axonometric view of the third embodiment of the conveyor 13" according to the invention, without the trays and fig. 8b shows the same view of the conveyor 13" shown in fig. 8a, with the trays 3. As shown, in this third embodiment, the conveyor 13" comprising the first type modules 1, the second type modules 1' and the third type modules 1", connected by the pin and bush pivot couplings 2', the trays are installed only on the second type modules 1' and the vertical channels 7 of the pins 6' are closed from above. Furthermore - the same as in the previously described embodiments - each pin 6' is centrally mounted to a carriage 17 and all the carriages 17 are moved along the track extending along the horizontal loop. The way of supplying the medium is also analogous to that of the first and second embodiments of the conveyor 13, 13'. The same as in the previously described embodiments, there may be more than one vertical channel 7 in each pin 6', with a the corresponding number of the inlet channels 14 of the trays 3.

[0055] The same as in the previously described embodiments, the trays 3 must also not come into contact with each other. Hence, their length X in the transporter 13" must be less than the triple distance 3 x Y between the axes of the neighboring pin and bush pivot couplings 2'. In this embodiment the number of the trays 3 installed on the conveyor must not be greater than one third of the number of the pin and bush pivot couplings 2', but instead it is possible to install trays 3 the length of which is even greater than the length of two modules 1, 1' although not greater than the length of three modules 1, 1'.

[0056] Figs. 9a and 9b show axonometric views respectively from above and from below, of the third embodiment of the conveyor 13" according to the invention, without trays, in which medium is fed from two sources to two powered third type modules 2", via two flexible hoses 22, 22" and two pipes 20, 20' connected respectively by the manifolds 21, 21'.

[0057] The pneumatic medium may be chosen from vacuum and compressed air, and the hydraulic media may be used for cooling or heating the working cavities or to drive other dedicated mechanisms installed in the working cavities. As mentioned above, if the conveyor is fed with the medium from e.g. two different sources as in the embodiment shown in figs. 9a and 9b, then these two media may be delivered simultaneously. In the case where one medium is fed from one source, it may be advantageous to use two powered modules in order to improve the efficiency of medium delivery to the modules furthest away from the powered modules.

[0058] The pin and bush pivot couplings according to the invention enable connection of modules rotating relative to each other while ensuring a tight flow of a pneumatic / hydraulic medium through the internal channel of these modules. Due to this, the medium may be fed from an external source to just one module of the conveyor which simplifies its design and allows to control the delivery of medium to individual modules.

Claims

Patent Claims1. A pin and bush pivot coupling (2, 2') for mutually connecting a pair of longitudinal modules (1, 1', 1"), each module (1, 1', 1") having two ends (la, lb), said modules (1, 1', 1") being rotatably connected around a vertical pin (6, 6'), each module (1, 1', 1") having a bush (10a, 10b) at each end, each module (1, 1', 1") further comprising at least one internal channel (5) communicating with the respective bush (10a, 10b) in order to enable flow of a pneumatic or hydraulic medium, the pivot coupling (2, 2') being formed by one end of one module (1, 1', 1") placed on top of one end of the other module (1, 1', 1") and by said pin (6, 6') passing through the bushes (10a, 10b) located at the ends of the modules, characterized in that the pin (6, 6') comprises an array of internal channels enabling flow of a pneumatic or hydraulic medium, said array comprising at least one vertical channel (7) of the pin (6, 6') and at least two horizontal channels (8a, 8b) of the pin (6, 6'), at least one of the horizontal channels (8a, 8b) communicating with the vertical channel (7) at its lower end (7a) and at least one of the horizontal channels (8a, 8b) intersecting the vertical channel (7) near its upper end (7b), wherein the pin (6, 6') further comprises two peripheral chambers (9a, 9b) that are open on the external side of the pin (6, 6'), the chambers (9a, 9b) being tightly connected with respective external ends of the horizontal channels (8a, 8b) of the pin (6, 6'), and on said external side of the pin (6, 6') the chambers (9a, 9b) being tightly connected with the respective internal channels (5) of the two interconnected modules (1, 1', 1") so as to enable a tight pneumatic-hydraulic communication between said modules (1, 1', 1") in their every rotational mutual position.

2. The pivot coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the bushes (10a, 10b) of the modules (1, 1', 1") are provided with sliding bearings (11) facilitating the rotation of the modules (1, 1', 1") relative to the pin (6, 6').

3. The pivot coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bushes (10a, 10b) of the modules (1, 1', 1") are provided with sealings (12) ensuring a tight connection of the internal channels (5) of the modules (1, 1', 1") with the respective chambers (9a, 9b).

4. The pivot coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical channel (7) of the pin (6') is closed at its upper end (7b).

5. A modular conveyor including a plurality of longitudinal modules (1, 1', 1") comprising internal channels (5) enabling flow of a pneumatic or hydraulic medium, the conveyor (13, 13a, 13', 13") having a form of an endless chain of the modules (1, 1', 1"), characterized in that the modules (1, 1', 1") are movable around a horizontal loop and they are rotatably connected to each other by means of the pin and bush pivot couplings (2, 2') according to anyone of claims 1-4 located at their ends, at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium being supplied from at least one external source to the conveyor (13, 13a, 13', 13") via at least one module (1, 1', 1").

6. The conveyor according to claim 5, characterized in that each pivot coupling (2, 2') of two modules (1, 1', 1") is mounted through its pin (6, 6') to one carrier (17) that is movable along a track extending along said horizontal loop.

7. The conveyor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it includes trays (3) with working cavities (4), the trays being located on top of the conveyor (13, 13a, 13', 13") and each tray (3) comprises at least one inlet channel (14) communicating with at least one outlet channel (15) supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities (4), the outlet channels being advantageously provided with valves (16).

8. The conveyor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that each pivot coupling (2) comprises a pin (6) the vertical channel (7) of which is open on top, each pin (6) being adapted to have the tray (3) with working cavities (4) mounted on top, the tray (3) comprising at least one inlet channel (14) communicating with at least one outlet channel (15) supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities (4), so that each inlet channel (14) of the tray (3) communicates tightly with the respective vertical channel (7) of the pin (6).

9. The conveyor according to claim 8, characterized in that the length (X) of each tray (3) is less than the distance (Y) between the axes of the neighboring pins (6) of the pivot couplings (2).

10. The conveyor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises alternating pivot couplings (2) having their vertical channels (7) of the pins (6) open on top and pivot couplings (2') having their vertical channels (7) of the pins (6') closed on top, each pin (6) of the pivot coupling (2) having its vertical channel (7) open on top being adapted to have the tray (3) with working cavities (4) mounted on top, the tray (3) comprising at least one inlet channel (14) communicating with at least one outlet channel (15) supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities (4), so that each inlet channel (14) of the tray (3) communicates tightly with the respective vertical channel (7) of the pin (6).

11. The conveyor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises first type modules (1) the at least one internal channel (5) of which has only the end openings communicating with the bushes (10a, 10b), the first type modules (1) alternating with second type modules (1') having on its upper side at least one internal channel outlet (lc), the first type modules (1) being connected with the second type modules (1') by means of the pivot couplings (2') having their vertical channels (7) of the pins (6') closed on top, so that the ends (la, lb) of said second type modules (1') are located in the pivot couplings (2') on top of the ends (la, lb) of the first type modules (1) connected thereto, wherein each internal channel outlet (lc) of the second type modules (1') is adapted to have the tray (3) with working cavities (4) mounted on top, the tray (3) comprising at least one inlet channel (14) communicating with at least one outlet channel (15) supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities (4), so that each inlet channel (14) of the tray (3)communicates tightly through said internal channel outlet (lc) with the respective internal channel (5) of the respective second type module (1').

12. The conveyor according to claim 11, characterized in that the length (X) of each tray (3) is less than the double distance (Y) between the axes of the neighboring pins (6') of the pivot couplings (2').

13. The conveyor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises first type modules (1) the at least one internal channel (5) of which has only the end openings communicating with the bushes (10a, 10b), second type modules (1') having on its upper side at least one internal channel outlet (lc) and third type modules (1") having a stepped shape, all the modules (1, 1', 1") being connected by means of the pivot couplings (2') having their vertical channels (7) of the pins (6') closed on top, so that one end (lb) of said third type module (1") is located in the pivot coupling (2') on top of the end of the first type module (1) connected thereto, and its other end (la) is located in the pivot coupling (2') below the end of the second type module (1') connected thereto, wherein each internal channel outlet (lc) of the second type modules (1') is adapted to have the tray (3) with working cavities (4) mounted on top, the tray (3) comprising at least one inlet channel (14) communicating with at least one outlet channel (15) supplying the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium to the individual working cavities (4), so that each inlet channel (14) of the tray (3) communicates tightly through said internal channel outlet (lc) with the respective internal channel (5) of the respective second type module (1').

14. The conveyor according to claim 13, characterized in that the length (X) of each tray (3) is less than the triple distance (Y) between the axes of the neighboring pins (6') of the pivot couplings (2').

15. The conveyor according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one pneumatic or hydraulic medium is supplied to the at least one module (1, 1', 1") via at least one flexible hose (22) and at least one inflow pipe (20).

16. The conveyor according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one inflow pipe (20) is rotationally connected with the flexible hose (22) by means of a manifold (21) that is movable in a reciprocating motion within said horizontal loop around which the conveyor (13, 13a, 13', 13") is movable.

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