Seal system and method for bolted track used in conveyorized baking ovens

A seal system and method for a bolted track such as a baking system conveyor track. The seal system provides a seal between a pair of track pieces being coupled end-to-end to one another. The seal system includes flanges attached near the ends of the track pieces and a gasket compressed between the flanges when the track pieces are coupled to form a seal. In example embodiments, the gasket is attached to a track plate. The track plate is coupled between the flanges and is configured to shield the gasket from heat and direct flame. The seal system optionally also includes a joint cover affixed to the bottom of the coupled flanges to form a secondary seal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of commercial baking equipment, and more particularly to a seal system and method for a bolted track used in conveyorized backing ovens.

BACKGROUND

Commercial baking systems often use a continuous conveyor track to move products through the different baking apparatuses such as proofers and ovens in a baking system. The continuous conveyor track can be constructed from a modular track system. The track is commonly constructed from a series of track pieces coupled end to end to form the desired track shape. The track pieces are typically directly coupled together, usually by welding each track piece together, end-to-end. However, this process can be time consuming and suffer from issues with quality. Further, welding the track pieces together may make it hard to change or replace track pieces after the initial construction. As a result, a bolted track system has been developed wherein the track pieces are bolted to one another, instead of welded, end-to-end.

In the bolted track system, a flange is typically attached to each end of the individual track pieces. The flanges of each track piece can be bolted or fastened to one another using a variety of attachment methods. Often, the flanges of each track piece are attached to a track support beam designed to support the track above a support surface. Caulk may be applied between the flanges and the track support to create a seal. While the bolted track system may be considered an improvement over the direct attachment track system, it can still suffer from issues including leaks. These leaks are especially problematic in the baking application as it can create a food safety hazard.

The leaks generally result from one of two main issues. First, the flanges on the track pieces are not always attached at the correct dimensions. When the flanges are attached too close to the ends of the track it creates a gap between the two track pieces, which can allow oil or other lubricant to leak through. When the flanges are attached too far from the ends of the track it creates a gap between the flanges or between the flange and the track support which can prevent a proper seal. The second issue stems from the application of the caulk to create a seal. When applied, the caulk often needs time to cure in order to create a seal. Movement of the joint after application of the caulk can hinder the curing process. It is not uncommon for a track piece to be moved or adjusted during the construction of a modular track. This movement often prevents the caulk from forming a proper seal.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for an improved sealing system and method for a bolted track that will result in a more uniform and consistent seal.

It is to the provision of a sealing system and method for a bolted track meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY

In example embodiments, the present invention provides a seal system and sealing method for a bolted track such as a baking system conveyor track. The seal system is configured to create a seal between a pair of track pieces being coupled end-to-end. The seal system generally includes flanges attached near the ends of the track pieces and a gasket compressed between the flanges when the track pieces are coupled to form a seal. In example embodiments, the gasket is attached to a track plate. The track plate is coupled between the flanges and is configured to shield the gasket from heat and direct flame. The seal system can also include a joint cover affixed to the bottom of the coupled flanges to form a secondary seal.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a seal system for coupling two track pieces in a conveyor system. The seal system includes a flange attached adjacent to an end of each of the track piece and a gasket compressed between the flanges.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a seal system for coupling two track pieces in a modular conveyor system. The seal system includes a track plate including a gasket and a flange attached adjacent to an end of each of the track pieces. The track plate is held in between the two flanges.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a method of sealing a joint between two track pieces. The method includes attaching a flange adjacent to an end of each of the track pieces. The flange is attached a distance from the end of each track pieces. The method also includes positioning a track plate between the flanges of each track piece. The track plate includes a cut-out dimensioned to accommodate the ends of the track pieces. The gasket is configured to sit within the cut-out. The method also includes coupling the flanges to one another with the track plate in between the flanges. The gasket is positioned such that the flanges compress the gasket to form a seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views,FIGS. 1-8show a seal system10for a bolted track such as a conveyor track for moving items through an oven, a proofer, and/or other components of a commercial baking system. The seal system10generally includes a gasket20configured to fit between the flanges40of the track pieces T. The gasket20is configured to form a seal at the seam between the ends of adjacent track pieces T. The track pieces T can contain oil or other lubricant to facilitate movement along the conveyor track. The gasket seam20is configured to help prevent the oil or lubricant from leaking through the seam between adjacent track pieces T. This function is particularly important in conveyor systems, like commercial baking systems, where oil can contaminate the product.

FIGS. 1-3show a seal system10for a bolted track according to an example embodiment of the invention. The seal system includes a gasket20and a track support or track plate30, as shown inFIG. 2. The track support30is formed from a plate with a first side32, a second side34, and a thickness defined between the first and second side. The track support30includes a cut-out36extending through the first side32and the second side34. The cut-out generally creates an opening at the top of the track plate30. The cut-out36is configured to receive the track pieces T, as shown inFIG. 3. In the depicted embodiment, the cut-out36has a rectangular cross section in order to couple with a track piece T with a similarly shaped cross section. In other embodiments, the cut-out36can have any shaped cross section that accommodates the desired track pieces T. The track support30can also include holes38for bolting the track support to the flanges40of the track piece T. The track support30can be formed from a composite, polymer, metal including aluminum or stainless steel, or other material(s).

The gasket20is configured to fit around and sit inside the cutout32in the track support30. The gasket20can have a thickness generally equal to the thickness of the track support30. In the depicted embodiment, the gasket20has a first end22and a second end24with a generally U-shaped cross section. The first and second ends22,24of the gasket20can include a raised ridge26that protrudes from the ends of the gasket. In the depicted embodiment, the raised ridge26extends around both legs and the cross member of the U-shaped ends22,24of the gasket. In alternate embodiments, the raised ridge26may only be on a portion of the legs and/or cross member of the U-shaped ends. The gasket can be formed from a high-temperature resistant silicon, gortex, graphite, or other deformable, resilient material.

The track support30and gasket20are fitted between the flanges40of two track pieces T to form a seal. The flange40of a first track piece T is positioned to abut the first side32of the track support30. The flange40of a second track piece T is positioned to abut the second side34of the track support30. The flanges40are generally attached a distance behind the end of the track piece T such that when the flange40abuts an end of the track support30, the end of the track piece extends within the cut-out36of the of the track support30. The distance between each flange40and the end of the respective track piece T should allow the ends of the first and second track pieces to meet, or come close to meeting, when the flange of each track piece abuts the track support30. Therefore, the distance between each flange40and the end of the respective track piece T is generally less than the thickness of the track support30. In example embodiments, the distance between the flange40and the end of the track piece T is approximately one half the thickness of the track support30. As shown inFIG. 3, the end of the track piece T can abut the gasket20. In example embodiments, the gasket20covers at least a portion of the seam between the two track pieces T. The flanges40generally include holes42configured to align with the holes38on the track support30. The holes38,42allow the flanges40and track support30to be bolted together using conventional bolts50or another fastening means. When the flanges40are bolted to the track support30the flanges compress the raised ridges26on each end of the gasket20to create a seal. The gasket20is configured to sit inside the track support30to help prevent damage to the gasket caused by its proximity to heat and flame within a baking system through which the track traverses. The gasket20is also configured to be able to be unbolted and rebolted multiple times without damaging the gasket. In other words, unbolting and rebolting two track pieces generally does not prevent the gasket20from being able to reform a seal when rebolted.

FIGS. 4-6show an alternate embodiment of the seal system100. In this embodiment, in addition to the track support130and gasket120, the system100optionally also includes a joint cover160. The joint cover160is configured to form an additional seal to support the seal created by the gasket120and provide additional protection of the gasket120from heat and direct flame present in the baking process. The joint cover160includes a bottom plate162and side walls164extending upward from the periphery of the bottom plate. The bottom plate162is configured to have a similar cross section to the cross section created when the flanges140and track support130are bolted together. The joint cover160is configured to fit over the bottom of the bolted together flanges140and track support130, as shown inFIG. 4. The joint cover160can be filled with caulk or other adhesive material180, for example high temperature silicone caulk. The caulk180helps to form a secondary seal and the joint cover160holds the caulk in place while it cures or dries. The joint cover160can be formed from stainless steel or another metal material.

In example embodiments, the joint cover160includes a coupling wall166configured to engage with the bolts150or other coupling apparatus that couples the flanges140to the track support130.FIG. 5shows a joint cover160with a coupling wall166including two slots168configured to fit around the bolts150that are extending beyond the flange140of one of the track pieces. The bolts150are then tightened over the portion of the coupling wall166adjacent to the slots168in order to hold the joint cover160coupled to the bottom of the flanges140and track support130. In alternate embodiments, the coupling wall168can include holes or other features to couple the joint cover160to the flange140. The joint cover160can also include openings170in the sidewalls164at the ends of the bottom plate162. The openings170are configured to accommodate a track support130that extends beyond the bottom plate162of the joint cover160.

In example embodiments, the seal system100includes a track support130that is only attached to the track pieces T being bolted together, as shown inFIGS. 7and8. In the depicted embodiments, the track support130of the seal system100is generally the same dimension as the flanges140of the track pieces T being coupled. In other embodiments, the seal system100′ includes a track support130′ configured to help support the track pieces T above a support surface. In this embodiment, the track support130′ is formed from a beam that extends beyond the flanges140of the track pieces T bolted together to intersect or couple with another part of the conveyor system. In this embodiment a single track support130′ can include a plurality of cut-outs and gaskets to couple a plurality of pairs of track pieces along the length of the track support.

The invention also includes a method of coupling track pieces, for example pieces of a conveyor track within a commercial baking system, to form a reusable seal. The method generally includes attaching flanges140to the abutting or adjacent ends of the track pieces T to be coupled, making a cut-out136in a track support130with a similar cross section to that of the track piece and fitting a gasket around the periphery of the cutout such that the gasket sits within the cutout. In example embodiments of the method, the gasket can include a raised ridge126. The method further includes bolting the track support130between the flanges140of the track pieces T to be coupled. The flanges140can be positioned to compress the gasket120in between the flanges to form a seal. In alternate embodiments, the method further includes fitting a joint cover160over the bottom the bolted together flanges140. The joint cover160can be bolted to at least one of the flanges140. The method can further include filling the joint cover160with caulk to form a secondary seal. This secondary seal assists the gasket seal120in preventing oil or lubricant within the track pieces T from leaking through the seam between adjacent track pieces and onto the items conveyed by the track.

While the invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. For example, while this invention is described for application in a conveyorized baking oven or baking system, the seal system and method according to the disclosed embodiments can be adapted for use in various other modular conveyor systems for which a seal between adjacent track pieces would be advantageous.