Roller modular conveyor belt module and modular conveyor belt formed by a plurality of such modules

A roller modular conveyor belt module for motorized continuous conveyors includes, first and second hinge elements extending from a main body along opposite directions orthogonal to the first direction and spaced from each other. Each of the hinge elements has a through hole with axis parallel to the first direction and being coaxial to each other to receive a respective hinge pin. The first hinge elements are adapted to interpose to second hinge elements of another module with through holes coaxial to each other to receive a hinge pin articulating therebetween. In the space between adjacent hinge elements, there is at least one roller passed through by an axial hole arranged coaxially with the through holes of the adjacent hinge elements delimiting the space. The module includes at least one bushing having an end portion inserted in the through hole, and extending through the roller axial hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims the benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102020000029087, filed on Nov. 30, 2020, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a modular roller conveyor belt module, in which the rollers are mounted on hinge pins articulating successive modules, for motorized continuous conveyors.

In particular, the present disclosure relates to a modular conveyor belt module with a roller transport surface, in which the rollers are mounted on hinge pins articulating successive modules and defining the transport surface on which the products to be transported rest.

The present disclosure also relates to a modular conveyor belt comprising a plurality of such modules.

BACKGROUND

In the field of motorized continuous conveyors, conveyor belts are known which are formed by a plurality of modules hinged to each other by means of hinge pins and whose transport surface or support surface on the support frame is defined by a plurality of rollers, in which the rollers are mounted on the hinge pins articulating successive modules to each other.

Each of such modules consists of a main body which, at a front surface and a rear surface with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt, is provided with one or more hinge elements extending parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. Each of such hinge elements is passed through by a respective through hole to accommodate a hinge pin articulating the module with a successive module. The hinge pins extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt.

A space is defined between two or more such adjacent hinge elements to accommodate at least one respective roller which is mounted directly on the hinge pin articulating such a module with another module adjacent thereto.

The rollers are thus embedded in the thickness of the main body of the module, projecting above and/or below it, and are mounted coaxially and rotatably on the hinge pins which articulate such a module with successive modules.

The assembly and disassembly of conveyor belts made with this type of module is particularly laborious and costly in terms of time and labour.

In fact, during assembly each roller must be arranged and held between the hinge elements of successive modules until the respective hinge pin has been inserted into the through holes of the hinge elements and the axial holes of each roller arranged therebetween. Similar problems occur if the conveyor belt must be disassembled or even if only a single module thereof must be replaced.

A solution to such problems is provided by a module as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,146 (EP1842806). According to what is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,146 (EP1842806), from at least one of the two faces facing each other of two hinge elements delimiting a space in which at least one respective roller is accommodated, a projecting extension is obtained in a single piece, which extension engages by elastic deformation in the axial hole of the respective roller when the latter is pushed into the respective space until it is aligned with the through holes of the two hinge elements delimiting such a space.

Such a solution makes it possible to hold the rollers on the main body of the module coaxially to the through holes of the hinge elements in the absence of the hinge pins, i.e., when the module is not hinged to other modules to form a conveyor belt.

In use, however, anomalies may arise when products are transported on the rollers or when the rollers come into contact with the support frame of the conveyor belt.

In fact, each roller holding extension extends into the axial hole of the respective roller only by a section at the end of the roller, which is specially made for this purpose.

When the modules are articulated with the hinge pins to form a conveyor belt, the rollers are mounted in a rotating manner directly (i.e., in direct contact) on the hinge pins.

As a result of wear and tear and deformation of the hinge pins, abnormal contact and sliding can occur between the holding extensions and the rollers themselves with the consequent friction which alters the correct rolling motion of the rollers and, therefore, the transport of the products or the sliding of the conveyor belt.

Furthermore, the construction of the holding extensions projecting from the facing faces of adjacent hinge elements in a single piece with the module main body requires the use of complex moulds.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure therefore provides a roller modular conveyor belt module for motorized continuous conveyors of the type with rollers mounted on hinge pins and a modular conveyor belt formed by a plurality of such modules which overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

Within this advantage, the present disclosure provides a module which allows to hold the rollers on the main body of the module even in the absence of the hinge pins in a manner which is easy to achieve and assemble and which, at the same time, allows to ensure, in use, a correct rolling of the rollers in contact with the products resting thereon or with the support frame of the conveyor belt, eliminating the occurrence of localized and undesired friction.

The present disclosure further provides a module which allows to obtain conveyor belts having a substantially continuous roller transport surface, increasing the density of the rollers.

The present disclosure also provides a roller modular conveyor belt module and a modular conveyor belt formed by a plurality of said modules which are particularly simple and functional, at a low cost.

These advantages according to the present disclosure are achieved by providing a roller modular conveyor belt module, of the type with rollers mounted on hinge pins, and a modular conveyor belt as set forth in the independent claims.

Further features are comprised in the dependent claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the appended drawings, a roller11modular conveyor belt module is indicated by10and a modular conveyor belt is indicated by100, the modular conveyor belt100being made by a plurality of modules10placed side by side in successive rows and in which the modules10of adjacent rows are articulated with each other to form a closed ring (not shown in its entirety in the appended drawings, in whichFIGS.2and10show only a portion of the conveyor belt100).

It should be noted that in this description adjectives such as “first” and “second” are for the sole purpose of clarity of exposition and should in no way be understood in a limiting sense. Equal numbers are used to designate corresponding elements.

Furthermore, in the present description, adjectives such as “front” and “rear”, “upper” and “lower” refer to the usual conditions of use of the module10to form a closed-loop belt100driven in motion by a pair of gears and forming an upper branch for transporting products and a lower return branch.

The module10is used to make conveyor belts100which, for example, are used to transport bottles, cans or cartons individually or in groups.

The module10is used to make conveyor belts100in which the rollers11are mounted coaxially to the hinge pins12articulating adjacent modules10to each other in the direction of movement S of the conveyor belt100.

The rollers11can form the transport surface of the products to make so-called LBP (Low Backline Pressure) conveyor belts100. Such belts100are used, for example, to transport products and, at the same time, to make so-called buffers or accumulation zones for the products along the transport lines, leading them through successive stations of a processing and/or packaging plant. For example, such conveyor belts100(LBP) are used to make buffers or accumulation zones along the transport line between a packaging station and a palletising station.

Alternatively, the rollers11can form the support surface of the belt100on the support frame of the continuous conveyor belt.

The appended drawings refer to modules10for making conveyor belts100with conveying belt surface made up of rollers11(LBP).

Reference will first be made to the first embodiment of the module10shown inFIGS.1to8.

The module10comprises a main body13extending in length along a first direction D1.

The first direction D1is transverse, or rather orthogonal, to the direction of movement S of the conveyor belt100.

A plurality of first hinge elements14extend from the main body13along a second direction D2substantially orthogonal to the first direction D1. The second direction D2is parallel to the direction of movement S.

The first hinge elements14are spaced apart and each has a through hole15with an axis parallel to the first direction D1. The through holes15of the first hinge elements14are coaxial to each other in order to receive therethrough a respective hinge pin12articulating the module10with another said module to form a conveyor belt100.

A plurality of second hinge elements16extend from the main body13along a direction D3parallel to and opposite the second direction D2. The second hinge elements16are spaced apart and each has a through hole17with an axis parallel to the first direction D1. The through holes17of the second hinge elements16are coaxial to each other in order to receive therethrough a respective hinge pin12articulating the module10with another said module to form a conveyor belt100.

As is known, the first hinge elements14of a module10are adapted to interpose themselves between the second hinge elements16of another said module10adjacent thereto with respective through holes15and17coaxially aligned therebetween to accommodate a hinge pin12articulating the two subsequent modules to one another.

Between at least two adjacent first hinge elements14and/or between at least two adjacent second hinge elements16, a respective space18,19is defined in which at least one respective roller11is arranged.

In the appended drawings there is a single roller11in each space18,19. However, two or more coaxial rollers11can be accommodated in each space18,19.

Each roller11has an axial hole20which is aligned respectively with the axial holes15of the two adjacent first hinge elements14delimiting the space18in which it is accommodated or with the axial holes17of the two adjacent second hinge elements16delimiting the space19in which it is accommodated.

For each roller11or each set of rollers11accommodated in a respective space18,19, the module10comprises at least one respective bushing21adapted to retain the respective roller11or set of rollers11on the main body13in the absence of the respective hinge pin12, i.e., when the module10is not hinged to other modules10adjacent thereto to form a conveyor belt100.

In the following description, reference will be made to the embodiments shown in the appended drawings, where only one roller11is present in the spaces18,19. However, as mentioned above, two or more rollers11can be present in the space18,19delimited by two first hinge elements14or by two second hinge elements16; in such a case, as it is immediately understandable to the skilled person, the same bushing21can be used to support the two or more rollers11received in the same space18,19.

Each bushing21retains the at least one respective roller11with the respective axial hole20aligned respectively with the through holes15of the adjacent first hinge elements14or with the through holes17of the adjacent second hinge elements16delimiting the space18,19in which it is accommodated.

Each bushing21is passed through by a respective axial hole22which, as will be seen, is capable of receiving a respective hinge pin12with clearance.

Each bushing21consists of a cylindrical tubular body and has a constant transverse section along its longitudinal length, except for the countersink at the opposite ends of its axial hole22.

Each bushing21has a first end portion21aand a second end portion21baxially opposite each other.

Each bushing21has a first end portion21awhich is inserted into the through hole15,17of one of the two adjacent first hinge elements14and/or the two adjacent second hinge elements16delimiting the space18,19in which the respective at least one roller11is arranged and extends through the axial hole20of the respective at least one roller11.

Advantageously, each bushing21has the second end portion21bwhich is inserted in the through hole15,17of the other of the two adjacent first hinge elements14and/or two adjacent second hinge elements16delimiting the space18,19in which the respective at least one roller11is arranged.

Advantageously, each bushing21passes through the axial hole20of the respective at least one roller11and has the first end portion21aand the second end portion21bwhich are inserted in the through holes15,17of the two adjacent first hinge elements14and/or of two adjacent second hinge elements16delimiting the space18,19in which the respective at least one roller11is arranged.

The axial hole22of each bushing21accommodates the hinge pin12which articulates successive modules10with clearance. Clearance is defined as the difference between the maximum diameter of the hinge pin and the minimum diameter of the hole of the bushing21, which allows the free articulation of the modules10and also enables easy assembly.

In the first embodiment shown inFIGS.1to8, the first end portion21aand the second end portion21bof each bushing21is interference fit coupled in the respective through hole15,17of the two adjacent first hinge elements14and/or two adjacent second hinge elements16delimiting the space18,19in which the respective at least one roller11is arranged. Interference fit coupling is defined as the condition whereby the bushing21is joined to the modules13.

Between the axial hole20of each roller11and the respective bushing21, a coupling clearance is defined so that each roller11is assembled on the respective bushing21in a rotatable manner with respect thereto. Coupling clearance is defined as the difference between the maximum external diameter of the bushing21and the minimum internal diameter of the roller11allowing the free mutual rolling thereof.

Next to at least one of the two first hinge elements14and/or at least one of the two second hinge elements16delimiting each space18,19there is a compartment, respectively a first compartment23and a second compartment24, adapted to respectively accommodate at least one second hinge element16or at least one first hinge element14of another said module10.

In order to enable the assembly of the module10(i.e., the rollers11on the respective main body13), each bushing21has a length B greater than the length L of the respective at least one roller11and less than or equal to the width V, measured parallel to the axis of the through holes15,17(i.e., parallel to the first direction D1), of the respective first compartment23or second compartment24.

Furthermore, each bushing21has a length B greater than the length L of the respective at least one roller11and less than or equal to the distance C between the opposite faces of the two adjacent first hinge elements14and/or the two adjacent second hinge elements16delimiting the space18,19in which the respective at least one roller11is accommodated, in which the distance C is measured parallel to the axis of the through holes15,17(i.e., parallel to the first direction D1).

Each roller11is fully supported along its entire length L by a respective bushing21.

The length L of the at least one roller11is less than the distance H between the faces facing each other of the two adjacent first hinge elements14and/or the two adjacent second hinge elements16delimiting the space18,19in which it is received, in which the distance H is measured parallel to the axis of the through holes15,17(i.e., parallel to the first direction D1).

Each bushing21is made as a separate and distinct element from the main body13, to which it is coupled when the rollers11are assembled on the latter, so as to make a module10complete with rollers11. Once assembled, each module10comprises the main body13on which the rollers11are supported by means of the respective bushings21. The rollers11are thus supported by the main body13of each module10in the absence of the hinge pin12which articulates the latter to other modules10to form a conveyor belt100.

The hinge pins12are accommodated in the bushings21. The hinge pins12are then received in the through holes15,17of the first hinge elements14and the second hinge elements16with interposition of the bushings21which hold the rollers11on the main body13.

In more detail, the main body13has an upper surface130and a lower surface131which are connected to each other by a pair of lateral surfaces132,133, a front surface134and a rear surface135.

The two lateral surfaces132,133extend along planes substantially orthogonal to the first direction D1.

The front surface134and the rear surface135extend along the longitudinal extension of the main body13.

The first hinge elements14are obtained projecting from the front surface134.

The second hinge elements16are obtained projecting from the rear surface135.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to8, the main body13and the rollers11are shaped and dimensioned so that the rollers11project with a portion thereof above the upper surface130of the main body13so as to act as support elements for the products to be transported with a conveyor belt100(LBP).

In a possible embodiment, the first hinge elements14are distributed in pairs along the first direction D1. The first two hinge elements14of each of said pairs delimits a respective space18in which at least one respective roller11supported by a respective bushing21is arranged.

Successive pairs of first hinge elements14are spaced apart from each other by a respective first compartment23adapted to accommodate at least one second hinge element16of another adjacent module10.

Similarly, in a possible embodiment the second hinge elements16are distributed in pairs along the first direction D1. The two second hinge elements16of each of said pairs delimit a respective space19in which at least one respective roller11supported by a respective bushing21is arranged. Successive pairs of second hinge elements16are spaced apart from each other by a respective second compartment24capable of accommodating at least a first hinge element14of another adjacent module10.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to8, both the first hinge elements14and the second hinge elements16are distributed in pairs as defined above, in which the pairs of the first hinge elements14and the pairs of the second hinge elements16are staggered from each other.

However, alternative embodiments are not excluded. For example, only some of the first hinge elements14and/or the second hinge elements16could be spaced so as to delimit a respective space18,19in which at least one respective roller11is accommodated.

The main body13is made of plastic, obtained for example by injection moulding.

The bushings21are made of thermoplastic material. Alternatively, the bushings21are made of metallic material, for example steel.

The hinge pins12can be made of plastic or metal.

As it is immediately understandable to the skilled person, the assembly of the module10occurs:placing each roller11(or set of rollers11) in the respective space18or19, aligning the axial hole20with the through holes15or17respectively of the first hinge elements14or the second hinge elements16delimiting the space18or19;arranging for each roller11(or set of rollers11) a corresponding bushing21in the first compartment23or in the second compartment24immediately adjacent to the space18or19in which it is accommodated, aligning it coaxially with the through holes15or17of the first hinge elements14or the second hinge elements16delimiting the space18or19;exerting an axial thrust action on each bushing21so as to insert it by axial sliding in the through holes15or17of the first hinge elements14or of the second hinge elements16delimiting the space18or19passing through the axial hole20of the roller11arranged in said space18or19, as long as the first end portion21aand the second end portion21bof each bushing21are inserted in the through holes15or17of the first hinge elements14or of the second hinge elements16delimiting the space18or19, so that each roller11(or set of rollers11) is rotatably supported by a respective bushing21holding it on the main body13in the absence of the hinge pin12.

Once assembled, each bushing21has the respective first end21aand second end21bextending outside the roller11assembled thereon and inserted in the through holes15,17of the two first hinge elements14or the two second hinge elements16delimiting the space18,19in which the respective roller11is accommodated.

The assembly of the conveyor belt100occurs by arranging the modules10one in succession to the other with the first hinge elements14or pairs of first hinge elements14interspersed with the second hinge elements16or pairs of second hinge elements16of an adjacent module10so that the through holes15of the first, and along with them the axial holes22of the bushings21inserted therein, are coaxially aligned with the through holes17of the second hinge elements, and along with them the axial holes22of the bushings21inserted therein, and by inserting a hinge pin12in the axial holes22of the bushings21so aligned so as to articulate successive modules10two by two.

Along the first direction D1, two or more modules10, even of different lengths, can be arranged side by side to form a row of conveyor belt100. In this case, the hinge pins12extend between modules10side by side.

As can be seen inFIGS.2and10, the hinge pins12are accommodated in the axial holes22of the bushings21supporting the rollers11.

The bushings21of two successive modules10follow each other along the first direction D1in a substantially continuous manner.

Under operating conditions, the rollers11rotate with respect to the bushings21, while the hinge pins12rotate with respect to the bushings21. There is no direct contact between the hinge pins12and the rollers11.

Each roller11is fully supported along its entire length L by a respective bushing21, any contact anomalies which may arise between the bushings21and the hinge pins12—anomalies which, for example, may result from wear or deformation of the hinge pins12—do not affect the rotatable coupling of the rollers11on the bushings21and, in particular, the coefficient of friction between the rollers11and the bushings21. This means that there are no anomalies in the transport of the products on the rollers11or in the sliding of the conveyor belt on the frame.

Disassembly occurs by reversing the operations described above.

The second embodiment shown inFIGS.9to16differs from the first embodiment in the dimensions of the module10and in the fact that in this case each bushing21has a respective first end portion21aand/or a respective second end portion21bwhich is coupled with clearance in the respective through hole15,17of the two first hinge elements14and/or the two second hinge elements16delimiting each space18,19in which at least one respective roller is accommodated.

Clearance is defined as the condition whereby the bushing21is not held in position by interference with the holes15,17.

In such a case, at least one radial projection25is formed on the internal lateral surface of the axial hole20of the at least one roller11, which is coupled to a corresponding recess26obtained on the external lateral surface of the respective bushing21or vice versa to block the relative axial sliding of the roller11and the bushing21.

In the embodiment shown in the appended drawings, the projection25comprises an annular collar and the recess26comprises an annular groove, the former engaging in the latter upon the axial sliding insertion of the bushing21in the axial hole20of the respective roller11.

Otherwise, the module10of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In practice, the roller modular conveyor belt module and the modular roller conveyor belt comprising a plurality of such modules have been found to achieve the proposed advantages.

In fact, the rollers11are held on the main body13of the module10in a manner aligned with the hinge holes (through holes15,17) even in the absence of the hinge pins12, which allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the conveyor belt100.

The bushings21by means of which the rollers11are held on the main body13are interposed between the hinge pins12and the rollers11along their entire length; thereby, any abnormal contacts or frictions which may be generated between the bushings21and the hinge pins12, for example as a result of wear or deformation of the latter, do not directly affect the rotatable coupling of the rollers11on the bushings21and, therefore, the rolling friction between the rollers11and the products they carry or the frame on which they roll.

The moulds for obtaining the main body13are also simpler than the known art identified.

The roller modular conveyor belt module and the modular conveyor belt thus conceived are susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all of which are within the scope of the disclosure; furthermore, all details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as their dimensions, can be of any type according to the technical requirements.