Abstract:
A conveyor with enhanced cleanability includes a belt for conveying objects above a floor and having a forward run and a return run. A conveyor bed for supporting the belt provides an upper support for supporting the forward run of the belt and a lower support for supporting a return run of the belt. The upper support is adapted for moving toward and away from the lower support, including when the conveyor belt is sectioned into first and second portions corresponding to the forward run and the return run. A conveyor is also mounted in a cantilevered fashion, such as by embedding posts in a curable material forming a base for supporting the conveyor. Related methods are also disclosed.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/505,331, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the conveyor arts and, more particularly, to a conveyor with the ability to be cleaned in a more efficient and effective manner. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conveyors may be used in a multitude of applications for transporting objects, including in connection with the conveyance of food products and other products from which particles or debris may shed and become trapped in nooks or crevasses. This can lead to unsanitary conditions and deleterious results if left unabated. Cleaning and removing unwanted debris may involve removing portions of the conveyor system to access otherwise inaccessible portions of the conveyor. Depending on the location and volume of the debris, this process may involve shutting down the conveyor system for a long period of time and possibly even necessitate disassembling the system, which results in costly inefficiencies. 
     Accordingly, a need is identified for an improved conveyor that allows for easy removal of debris, improved maintenance of sanitary conditions, and general ease of access to the moving parts of the conveyor. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an apparatus for supporting a conveyor belt for conveying objects in a conveying direction above a floor. The belt may include an upper forward run and a lower return run forming a conveying path extending in the conveying direction. The apparatus comprises a conveyor bed for supporting the conveyor belt, and includes a first support for supporting the forward run of the belt and a second support connected to the first support for supporting the return run of the conveyor belt. The first support for the forward run of the conveyor belt is adapted for being raised relative to the second support for the return run of the conveyor belt. 
     In one embodiment, the first support is adapted for pivoting movement relative to the second support about an axis aligned with the conveying direction such that the first support forms an acute angle relative to the first support. The apparatus may also include at least one hinge for connecting the first support to the second support. A support post may be provided for supporting the bed above the floor. The support post may be connected to the hinge, which may be provided along a major or longitudinal axis of the bed. 
     The apparatus may further include an actuator for raising the first support relative to the second support. The actuator may comprise a turnbuckle adapted for manually raising and lowering the first support relative to the second support. Alternatively, a non-manual actuator may be used. 
     The bed may be cantilevered above the floor. This may be achieved by providing support posts along one side of the conveyor only. The posts may be embedded in a base, which may form part of the floor underlying the conveyor. 
     The first and second supports may each comprise a plurality of spaced, generally parallel longitudinal members connected together by a plurality of spaced, generally parallel transverse support members. The longitudinal members may have a generally circular cross section, which helps to maintain cleanliness by preventing the pooling or accumulation of liquids on the outer surfaces thereof. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a conveyor including at least one post for supporting the conveyor above a floor. The post is embedded in a curable material forming a base for supporting the conveyor in a cantilevered position relative to the post. The curable material may comprise concrete. 
     A further aspect of the disclosure is a conveyor bed comprising a frame including support rails adapted for supporting a conveyor belt that do not include horizontal, flat surfaces on which liquid may accumulate during cleaning. The bed includes a post for supporting the frame. The post may have a tapered top face to also prevent liquid accumulation. 
     Still a further aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus for conveying objects above a floor in a conveying direction, comprising: a conveyor belt including a forward run and a return run; and a bed for supporting the conveyor belt, the bed having an upper support for engaging the forward run of the belt and a fixed lower support for engaging the return run of the belt. The upper support is connected to the lower support by at least one hinge for allowing the upper support to pivot relative to the lower support. 
     The hinge may be adapted to pivot the upper support at an angle of at least about 45 degrees relative to the lower support. The hinge may be arranged to pivot the upper support about an axis aligned with the conveying direction. An actuator may be provided for causing the upper support to pivot relative to the lower support. The belt may comprise a modular link chain including a plurality of rows of links connected together by at least one removable connector. 
     Yet a further aspect of the disclosure pertains to a method of handling a conveyor including a conveyor belt for conveying objects in a conveying direction and having a forward run along an upper support and a return run along a fixed lower support connected to the upper support, including raising the upper support relative to the lower support. The raising step may comprise pivoting the upper support about an axis aligned with the conveying direction. The raising step may further comprise raising the upper support including a first section of the belt relative to the fixed lower support including a second section of the belt disconnected from the first section of the belt. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conveyor according to the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of the conveyor of  FIG. 1 , including a conveyor chain; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a plan view of an exemplary conveyor belt for possible use with the conveyor of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an opposite end view of the conveyor of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the conveyor of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the conveyor of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the conveyor of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an end view showing the conveyor including upper and lower sections that are movable relative to each other; and 
         FIG. 8  is an end view showing the chain of  FIG. 2 a    associated with the upper conveyor section. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the perspective view of  FIG. 1 , an apparatus for conveying objects comprises a conveyor  10 , which is illustrated without a conveyor belt or chain for ease of reference. As will be better understood upon reviewing the description that follows, the conveyor  10  is specially adapted with several independent features that, alone or together, allow for enhanced and efficient cleaning, and also provide general ease of access to the moving parts. Consequently, the ability to clean the conveyor  10  is enhanced, which may not only improve efficiency but also lower the cost of operation. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the conveyor  10  is supported above the ground or floor F in a cantilevered fashion. This may be achieved using supports, such as generally vertical or upright posts  12  and an associated support structure connected to the posts for supporting the conveyor belt or chain. The support structure in the illustrated embodiment comprises a bed for the conveyor belt or chain, which bed may include a frame  14  connected to the posts  12  and having a major plane generally parallel to the plane of the floor F below the conveyor. To provide the cantilevered support in the proposed manner, the posts  12  are positioned along only one side of the frame  14  forming the bed. Consequently, a gap G exists between the opposite side and the plane P of the floor F, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  (which floor F may also be extended to underlie the frame  14  entirely, but is shown in a limited fashion to illustrate the nature of the support). 
     The posts  12  may be secured to the floor F, or may extend into and beneath the plane P of the floor F for added stability. For example, the lower portions of the posts  12  may be partly embedded in a base B, which may form part of the floor F. This base B may be at least partially fabricated of a material E that can receive or be poured around the posts  12  and then cure or harden to support them, such as for example concrete, resin, or the like. 
     One advantage of this cantilevered configuration is that an operator may easily access the underside of the conveyor and the floor beneath the conveyor from the side opposite the posts  12 . This makes cleaning and maintaining the conveyor  10  and the conveyor area significantly easier than with a conveyor having supports along both sides of the length of the conveyor or other interfering structures that preclude such full access. 
     In one embodiment, the frame  14  includes one or more elongated beams  15 , extending along a single side of a length L of the conveyor  10 , which is aligned with the conveying path extending in the conveying direction (which may be bi-directional). Each beam  15  supports a plurality of transverse members  16  spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction and extending across the full width of the frame  14 . Additionally, a plurality of longitudinal members  18  extend between the transverse members  16  and along the length of the frame  14  to provide support surfaces for engaging and supporting the conveyor belt or chain may travel (including along both a return and a forward run, with the underside of the chain  20  engaging the members  18  along the forward run and the conveying surface S engaging the members  18  along the return run). 
     As noted previously, the conveyor  10  may be used in conjunction with a belt or chain  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As indicated in  FIG. 2 a   , this belt or chain  20  may include modular links  22  (including outer side links  23 ) arranged in spaced apart rows (note rows R 1  . . . R n ) to create a conveying surface S for supporting the objects being conveyed and moving in a conveying direction, as indicated by arrow C. The chain  20  as illustrated is capable of side flexing, but as should be appreciated this capability is optional for use in conveying objects along a linear path. 
     Each link  22  may include a pair of legs  26  and an apex  28 . Special outer side links  23  may also include depending arms and guide tabs, as indicated in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 8 . The links  22 ,  23  may be smooth and free of crevices to prevent accumulation of debris and bacteria. Though not meant to be limiting, the links  22  may be formed of an inexpensive, lightweight, and durable material, such as Acetal, using well-known forming techniques (including possibly co-molding of different materials). A more complete description of one possible conveyor belt or chain  20  is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,693, which is incorporated by reference. 
     Adjacent rows R 1 , R 2  of the links  22 ,  23  are interconnected by transverse rods  24 , which are also referred to in the vernacular as “cross rods,” “hinge pins,” etc. Specifically, a single transverse rod  24  may pass through an aperture in the apex  28  of each link in one row R 1  as well as an aperture in the legs  26  of each link of an adjacent row R 2  in order to hold the rows together and generally form the conveying surface S. Any single transverse rod  24  may be easily removed so that the chain  20  can be divided into sections of essentially any desired length (such as sections  20   a  and  20   b , as shown in  FIG. 7 ). Though not limiting, the rods may take the form of steel rods, which may be mild or stainless steel. Further, the rods may be coated to reduce friction and aid in cleaning. 
     The conveyor  10  may further include sprockets  19  to aid in conveyance of the chain  20 . The sprockets  19  may be positioned at each end of the conveying length L. At one end, the sprockets  19  may be supported by a shaft  30  driven by a motor M carried by the frame  14 , and at the opposite end by a support shaft  32  adapted for idling. The shafts  30 ,  32  may be supported by transverse members  16 , which are also connected to the respective beams  15 . The sprockets  19  may comprise split sprockets, which may be easily disassembled and removed from the shafts  30 ,  32  while still connected to the conveyor  10 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal members  18  extend beyond the transverse members  16 , spanning any gap between the sprockets  19  and the next-adjacent transverse member (which may support the shafts  30 ,  32 , as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). This prevents any “dip” that the chain  20  may make in this otherwise unsupported region of the conveyor  10 . The leading and trailing ends of the longitudinal members  18  may also be sloped or tapered in the vertical direction to help ensure a smooth transition of the chain from the forward to the return run, or vice versa. 
     The depending arms of the side links  23  may help to provide a guiding function upon engaging the outermost longitudinal member  18  along the corresponding portions of the frame  14 . However, the side links  23  are preferably arranged so as to not engage any structure during the usual mode of usage. This advantageously means that the chain  20 , once divided into sections, may simply be lifted from the frame  14  since no guide rail or like structure captures the links  22 ,  23  in the illustrated embodiment. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, and referring to  FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 , the frame  14  forming the conveyor bed may comprise an upper support  14   a  for supporting the chain  20  along a forward or upper run and a lower support  14   b  for supporting the chain along a return or lower run. The upper and lower supports  14   a ,  14   b  may be connected such that one may be moved (e.g., raised and lowered) relative to the other in a controlled manner (such as like a clam shell), and without being fully disconnected from the conveyor  10 . As should be appreciated, and as discussed further here, this allows the supports  14   a ,  14   b  to separate (thus facilitating cleaning and repair), and then return to the operative position with a minimal amount of effort. 
     As perhaps best understood with reference back to  FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 , this may be accomplished by providing one or more hinges  40  for pivotally interconnecting the portions of the frame  14  forming the upper and lower supports  14   a ,  14   b . For example, a hinge  40  may be associated with each post  12  and connected to a pivot member  42  along the major or longitudinal axis of the conveyor  10 . The hinge  40  may include a hinge pin  44  forming a pivot point between the upper and lower supports  14   a ,  14   b . As should be appreciated, this hinge  40  thus allows for the lower and upper supports  14   a ,  14   b  to be moved apart (such as from the normal or home, generally parallel condition as shown in  FIG. 1 ) in a pivoting manner about the longitudinal axis corresponding to length L, as depicted in  FIG. 7  (and with the corresponding upper portion or section  20   a  of the chain  20  when disconnected, as well as the sprockets  19 , shafts  30 ,  32 , and motor M when connected to the upper support  14   a  of frame  14 ). 
     The hinge  40  may also be adapted for being moved to and held in a desired position, such as when the lower support  14   a  is separated from the upper support  14   b . For example, a manual actuator, such as turnbuckle  46  may be used. The turnbuckle  46  may be fixedly attached to the post  12  and the pivot member  42  at opposite ends, and advantageously is simple in construction and thus easy to clean. Alternatively, other manual or automatic means for actuating and holding the position of a hinged object once actuated (e.g., a jack, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, screw, or the like) may be used. For example, a linear actuator (not shown) may be provided for moving (e.g., raising and lowering) the lower support  14   b  relative to the upper support  14   a  about the hinges  40 , which may then be held in place (including possibly using manual force). Spacers  48  may be associated with the post  12  or pivot member  42  to maintain a level condition despite the presence of the hinges  40 , which introduces a gap between the hinged structures (and may be used to alter the relative planar alignment of the supports  14   a ,  14   b ). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the upper support  14   a  is fixedly attached to the pivot member  42 , while the lower support  14   b  is fixedly attached to the post  12 . This allows the upper support  14   a  to move relative to (e.g., up and away from) the lower support  14   b , as can be seen in  FIG. 7 . In other words, the conveyor is capable of being positioned in at least a raised configuration and a lowered configuration (such as, for example, at a fixed angle α, which may be in the range of 1-90 degrees from the horizontal, and possibly about 30-45 degrees, and specifically about 45 degrees in one embodiment). This operation may be accomplished by sectioning the chain  20 , such as by removing a transverse rod  24  and forming a generally transverse separation line in the chain (note sections  20   a  and  20   b  in  FIG. 7 ). This dividing of the chain  20  may be performed in the vicinity of the sprockets  19  on each end of the conveyor  10  (which frees the upper support  14   a  from the lower support  14   b ), so that the chain does not interfere with the pivoting movement. 
     This embodiment offers the added advantage of allowing access to all sides of the chain  20  and the supports  14   a ,  14   b . Such ease of access makes cleaning the conveyor  10  significantly easier than traditional conveyors, including by allowing for ready access to portions of the conveyor between the forward and return runs that are normally enclosed and difficult to reach. The open nature of the architecture allows for cleaning fluids to easily penetrate hard-to-reach areas associated with typical conveyors, such as the surfaces of the support rails. This can be particularly important in environments where sanitary conditions are important, such as the food industry, where food and/or debris must be periodically addressed to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination. 
     In a further embodiment, the conveyor  10 , and especially the frame  14 , is substantially free of horizontal or flat surfaces which are parallel to the plane P of the floor F. For example, the posts  12  and pivot member  42  comprise angled surfaces as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . Further, the beam  15 , transverse members  16  and longitudinal members  18  avoid flat, horizontal surfaces. For example, the longitudinal members  18  are generally circular in cross section, and the beams  15  include angled upper surfaces (which may be created by simply reorienting a beam having a square cross section). In any situation where an element includes a surface parallel to the floor by necessity, the edges of that surface are rounded to aid in liquid run-off, such as the upper edges of the transverse members  16 . This prevents accumulation of liquid, such as water, and thus helps to control the proliferation of bacteria and maintain sanitary conditions. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged end view to show that the chain  20  may be provided in a manner such that the side links  23  are not captured. This facilitates lifting of the disconnected segments or sections of the chain  20  relative to the upper or lower supports  14   a ,  14   b . Lateral tracking of the chain  20  is generally controlled by the engagement with the sprockets  19 , rather than an associated guide rail. 
     The foregoing description of several aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein is presented for purposes of illustration and description. The embodiments described are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. An optional feature is to provide energy to one or more components of the conveyor in order to provide a more sanitary environment, as discussed in the provisional patent application incorporated herein by reference. Also, the conveyor belt may take the form of a fabric material or the like, which may be adapted for being divided into sections to allow for the separation of the supports  14   a ,  14   b  in the desired manner and then spliced back together. The embodiments described were chosen to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which it is fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.