A conveyor

Abstract

A conveyor (100) comprises supporting wheels (101, 102) and a roller chain (103) extending between the wheels (101, 102). The conveyor (100) comprises lamella plates (105) having length (106) and width (107) and comprising an attaching point (108) from which they are attached to the chain (103). The attaching point (108) divides the length (106) of the lamella plate into first and second portions (106A, 106B) so that the first portion (106A) extends over the second portion (106B) of the next lamella plate (105) and supports on an upper surface of the second portion (106B). The second portion (106B) extends beneath the first portion (106A) of the previous lamella plate (105) and supports on a lower surface of the first portion (106A). The length of the first portion (106A) is longer that the length of the second portion (106B).

Description

[0001] A CONVEYOR

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a conveyor and a method of manufacturing the conveyor. Especially the invention relates to an endless conveyor having plurality of lamella plates.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Conveyor having lamellas are known from prior art, where they are used for conveying a load between first and second ends of the conveyor. The conveyor consists of a series of overlapping plates, called lamellas, which are attached to a chain or cable or the like, hereinafter the chain. The lamellas are usually spaced apart to allow for the material to be conveyed to move between them.

[0006] The lamellas are typically made of metal or plastic and are arranged in a continuous loop, driven by drums or other wheels at either end of the conveyor. As the chain moves, the material is dragged along the conveyor bed by the lamellas.

[0007] There are however some disadvantages relating to the known prior art, such as sealing the sequential lamellas with each other so to prevent any material to get stuck between the lamellas. In particular, if the direction of the conveyor is changed, the gap between the lamella plates typically increases when the lamellas are turning around the supporting wheel, thereby easily allowing material to enter the gap formed between the lamella plates.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially an object of the invention is to provide a lamella conveyor, where the sealing of the sequential lamellas can be achieved effectively and easily without any separate sealing materials.

[0010] The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims.

[0011] The invention relates to a conveyor according to claim 1. In addition, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the conveyor according to claim 13.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention a conveyor comprising of a series of overlapping lamellas is provided. The conveyor comprises at least first and second supporting wheels advantageously and essentially at the ends of the conveyor and an endless roller chain extending between the supporting wheels. Each of the lamella plate has a length and width, and an attaching point to attaching the lamella plates to the endless chain, thereby forming an endless lamella conveyor.

[0013] The attaching point divides the length of the lamella plate into first and second portions so that the first portion of the lamella plate extends over the second portion of the next lamella plate and supports on an upper surface of the second portion thereby forming a first hinge point. The second portion of the lamella plate extends beneath the first portion of the previous lamella plate and supports on a lower surface of the first portion, thereby forming a second hinge point. The first hinge point of the lamella plate locates essentially at a center of the roller of the next roller chain and the second hinge point of the lamella plate locates essentially at a center of the roller of the previous roller chain. Thus, when the hinge points are arranged essentially at the centers of the rollers of the next I previous roller chain, the hinge points always remain in the same position in relation to the lamella plates regardless of the lamella plate's orientation, such as e.g. when turning around the supporting wheel, or regardless of the direction of the conveyor, such as e.g. if the conveyor is driven in the opposite direction. By this arrangement a gap from forming between the sequential lamella plates can be effectively prevent providing thereby even better sealing between the lamella plates.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the length of the first portion is longer that the length of the second portion, whereupon the longer first portion generates greater torque force and thus bends the first portion firmly against the second portion of the next lamella plate. This is case especially when there is any load of material on the conveyor, whereupon the longer first portion has a greater lever arm and thus greater torque can be generated. Thanks to the longer first portion and greater torque, the first portion of the lamella plate leans firmly against the second portion of the next lamella plate, thereby providing very good sealing, and no other sealings, such as separate sealing materials, are needed.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the length, in particular the length of the free end, of the first portion is greater than the the length of the second portion. Advantageously, the length of the first portion is at least 2 times, more advantageously at least 3 times, and most advantageously at least 4 times greater that the length of the second portion. According to an exemplary embodiment, the length of the first portion is e.g. 77 mm, whereas length of the second portion is around 17 mm.

[0016] The present invention offers advantages over the known prior art, such as the conveyor is very easy to manufacture using traditional sheet or lamella bending methods without any special molds or tools. In addition, conveyors with different widths can be easily manufactured, and assembling of the plurality of lamellas is very straightforward.

[0017] In particular, according to the conveyor of the invention, there is no need for separate seals, because the lamellas lean against each other, thereby causing self-sealing due to the gravity of the conveyed material, as is disclosed more specifically elsewhere in this document. Thus, the whole conveyor construction is almost maintenance free, and in addition it is easy to maintain if the conveyor or chain needs to be disassembled. In addition, because the lamellas lean against each other firmly, even when an angle of the moving direction of the conveyor changes, any gaps between the sequential lamellas are very small, thus preventing the conveyed material to enter or get into the gaps between the lamellas. The shape of the lamella can be selected so that when the chain goes up, the lamellas remain tight against to each other, and the conveyed material does not get compressed due to the releasing shape.

[0018] As discussed, the dimensions of the lamella plates can be selected so that the longer first portion, which is above the second portion of the next lamella, bends more easily against the lower second portion of the next lamella, resulting in sealing.

[0019] In addition, the load capacity can be controlled by changing the thickness of the lamella plates. Also, the surface treatment of the lamella plate is freely selectable, comprising e.g. painting or galvanizing or using stainless steel lamella plate. Furthermore, the conveyor according to invention allows the use of chains and chain rollers of different sizes.

[0020] The exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0021] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figures 1-7 illustrate a principle of exemplary conveyor and parts of the conveyor according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figures 1-7 illustrate an exemplary conveyor 100 comprising at least first and second supporting wheels 101 , 102 and an endless roller chain 103 extending between the driving wheels 101 , 102 and around an outer rim 104 of the supporting wheels 101 , 102. The supporting wheels 101 , 102 advantageously comprises gear teeth suitable for the roller chain 103. Further, at least one of the first and second supporting wheels 101 , 102 is a driving wheel, which is used for driving the conveyor. The roller chain 103 may be any suitable roller chain known by the skilled person, such as the roller chain 103 having rollers 115 and link plates 121 , where the links plates are axled 122 to the rollers 115 from the ends of the link plates, as can be seen e.g. in Figures 5-7.

[0027] The conveyor 100 additionally comprises plurality of lamella plates 105 having a length 106 and width 107. Each lamella plate comprises also an attaching point 108 for attaching the lamella plates to the endless chain 103 thereby forming an endless lamella conveyor 100. The chain 103 comprises advantageously a counterpart attaching point 109, such as e.g. a corner iron, to which the lamella plate 105 can be attached to via the attaching points 108. The attaching points 108, 109 divide the length 106 of each lamella plate 105 to first and second portions 106A, 106B and advantageously so that the first and second portions 106A, 106B are not supported by the endless chain 103, i.e. the distal free ends of the first and second portions 106A, 106B are free of contacts with the endless chain 103.

[0028] In addition, the first portion 106A of the lamella plate 105 is configured to extend over the second portion 106B of the next lamella plate 105 in the direction 120 of typical moving of the conveyor. The distal free end 113 of the first portion 106A of the lamella plate 105 is configured to support on an upper surface of the second portion 106B of the next lamella plate 105, as can be seen e.g. in Figures 5-7 thereby forming a first hinge point 118. In addition, the second portion 106B of the lamella plate 105 is configured to extend beneath the first portion 106A of the previous lamella plate 105, or more precisely beneath the free distal end 1 13 of the first portion 106A, and to thus support on a lower surface of the first portion 106A of the previous lamella plate 105, thereby forming a second hinge point 119. The hinge points 118, 119 locates advantageously essentially at the centre of the rollers 115 of the roller chain, whereupon when the conveyor makes any change of direction, the free distal ends 113, 117 of the first and second portions 106A, 106B do not stuck so easily, or even at all, with each other, as is the case in Figure 7.

[0029] Overall, the length of the first portion 106A is selected to be longer than that the length of the second portion 106B, whereupon the longer first portion 106A generates greater torque force and thus bends the free distal end 113 of the first portion 106A of the lamella plate 105 against the second portion 106B of the next lamella plate 105, as can be seen in Figures 5-7. This is case especially when there is any load of material on the conveyor, whereupon the bending of the free distal end 113 of the first portion 106A is caused by gravity. Thus, the free distal end 113 of the first portion 106A of the lamella plate 105 leaning against the second portion 106B of the next lamella plate 105 provides also very good sealing, and no other sealings, such as separate sealing materials, are needed.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the first portion 106A of the lamella plate 105 comprises a bent area 110, where the distal portion of the first portion 106A is bent towards a center 114 of the roller 115 of the next roller chain portion and thus over and against the second portion 106B of the next lamella plate 105. Further, the second portion 106B of the lamella plate 105 comprises first and second bent areas 111 , 112, as can be seen e.g. in Figures 5-7, where the second portion 106A is bent in the first bent area 111 essentially to a level 116 extending between the rollers 115 of the chain portion to which the lamella plate 105 is attached. In addition, the second portion 106A is bent in the second bent area 111 so that the distal free end 117 of the second portion 106B extends beneath the first portion 106A of the previous lamella plate 105, as can be seen again in Figures 5-7.

[0031] According to an embodiment, tension can be arranged on the distal end of the second portion 106B of the lamella plate 105 so that distal end of the second portion 106B supports even better on the lower surface of said first portion 106A of the previous lamella plate due to the spring force caused by said tension.

[0032] In addition, according to an embodiment, the lamella plate 105 may comprise a blade or blades 123 for supporting the material to be transported by the conveyor. The conveyor may also comprise a port 124 with a height, advantageously with an adjustable height so that the blades support and provides the material against the port, thereby crushing the material. The port 124 may comprise also blades or knives and / or the blades 123 may be arranged so that they separately or jointly crushes the material. The material may be e.g. a bale having waste product, like combustible waste.

[0033] The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. For example the apparatus for producing wrapped bales can be a stationary apparatus or a movable apparatus mounted for example on a trailer to be pulled by a tractor. In addition it can be operated in horizontal or vertical directions.

Claims

Claims1 . A conveyor (100) comprising at least first and second supporting wheels (101 , 102) and an endless roller chain (103) extending between the supporting wheels (101 , 102) and essentially around (104) the supporting wheels (101 , 102), wherein the conveyor (100) additionally comprises:- a plurality of lamella plates (105) having a length (106) and width (107), and each lamella plate comprising an attaching point (108), wherein the lamella plates are attached into the endless chain (103) from said attaching points (108) of the lamella plates (105) to form an endless lamella conveyor (100),- wherein the attaching point (108) is configured to divide the length (106) of the lamella plate into first and second portions (106A, 106B) so that o the first portion (106A) of said lamella plate (105) is configured to extend over the second portion (106B) of the next lamella plate (105) and to support on an upper surface of the second portion (106B) thereby forming a first hinge point (118), and o the second portion (106B) of said lamella plate (105) is configured to extend beneath the first portion (106A) of the previous lamella plate (105), and to support on a lower surface of the first portion (106A) thereby forming a second hinge point (119) and wherein- said first hinge point (118) of said lamella plate (105) locates essentially at a center (114) of the roller (115) of the next roller chain and said second hinge point (119) of said lamella plate (105) locates essentially at a center (1 14) of the roller (115) of the previous roller chain.

2. A conveyor according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the first portion (106A) is longer that the length of the second portion (106B)3. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein the length of the first portion (106A) at least 2 times, advantageously at least 3 times, and mostadvantageously at least 4 times greater that the length of the second portion (106B).

4. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein the endless chain (103) comprises a counterpart attaching point (109) to which said lamella plate (105) is attached to via said attaching point (108), and wherein the attaching point (108) and the counterpart attaching point (109) are configured to divide the lengths (106) of the lamella plate so that said first and second portions (106A) are free of contacts with said endless chain (103).

5. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein said first portion (106A) of the lamella plate (105) comprises one bent area (110) to bend a distal portion (113) of the first portion (106A) towards a center (114) of the roller (115) of the next roller chain portion and thus over and against the second portion (106B) of the next lamella plate (105).

6. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein said second portion (106B) of the lamella plate (105) comprises first and second bent areas (111 , 112), wherein the first bent area (111 ) is configured to bend the second portion (106A) of the lamella plate (105) essentially to a level (116) extending between the rollers (115) of the chain portion to which said lamella plate (105) is attached, and the second bent area (112) is configured to bend the second portion (106A) of the lamella plate (105) to extend beneath the first portion (106A) of the previous lamella plate (105) essentially at a center of the roller of the previous roller chain.

7. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein tension is arranged on the distal end (117) of the second portion (106B) of the lamella plate (105) so that distal end (117) of the second portion (106B) supports on the lower surface of said first portion (106A) of the previous lamella plate (105) due to the spring force caused by said tension.

8. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein the distal end (113) of the said first portion (106A) of said lamella plate (105) is configured to bend against the second portion (106B) of the next lamella plate (105)thereby forming a sealed interface between the sequential lamella plates (105).

9. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein the lamella plates (105) are made of steel.

10. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein the lamella plate (105) comprises blades (123) for supporting the material to be transported by the conveyor.

11. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein the conveyor comprises a port (124) with a height, towards which said blades of claim 10 are configured to crush the material.

12. A conveyor according to any previous claims, wherein at least one of said first and second supporting wheels (101 , 102) is a driving wheel driving the conveyor.

13. A method for manufacturing a conveyor (100) of any of previous claims, wherein the method comprises steps of:- arranging plurality of lamella plates (105) sequentially into an endless chain (103) to form said conveyor, wherein each of said lamella plates (105) has a length (106) and width (107), and each lamella plate comprising an attaching point (108) from which they are attached to said endless chain (103)- dividing the length (106) of the lamella plate into first and second portions(106A, 106B) by said the attaching point (108) so that o the first portion (106A) of said lamella plate (105) extends over the second portion (106B) of the next lamella plate (105) and supports on an upper surface of the second portion (106B) thereby forming a first hinge point (118), and o the second portion (106B) of said lamella plate (105) extends beneath the first portion (106A) of the previous lamella plate (105), and supports on a lower surface of the first portion (106A) thereby forming a second hinge point (119), and wherein- wherein said first hinge point (118) of said lamella plate (105) locates essentially at a center (114) of the roller (115) of the next roller chain and said second hinge point (119) of said lamella plate (105) locatesessentially at a center (114) of the roller (115) of the previous roller chain.

14. A method of claim 13, wherein the method comprises additionally providing a bent area (110) to said first portion (106A) of the lamella plate (105) and bend the distal portion (113) of the first portion (106A) towards a center of the roller of the next roller chain portion and thus over and against the second portion (106B) of the next lamella plate (105).

15. A method of any previous claims 13-14, wherein the method comprises additionally providing first and second bent areas (111 , 112) to said second portion (106B) of the lamella plate (105), wherein the first bent area (111 ) bends the second portion (106A) of the lamella plate (105) essentially to a level (116) extending between the rollers (115) of the chain portion to which said lamella plate (105) is attached, and the second bent area (112) bends the second portion (106A) of the lamella plate (105) to extend beneath the first portion (106A) of the previous lamella plate (105) essentially at a center (114) of the roller (115) of the previous roller chain.

16. A method of any previous claims 13-15, wherein the method comprises additionally providing tension on the distal end (117) of the second portion (106B) of the lamella plate (105) so that distal end (117) of the second portion (106B) supports on the lower surface of said first portion (106A) of the previous lamella plate (105) due to the spring force caused by said tension.

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