Abstract:
A conveying device ( 100 ) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies ( 102 ), which roll on a guidance ( 101 ) via several rolls ( 3 ), wherein the rolls ( 3 ) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body ( 9 ) The conveying bodies ( 102 ) include means ( 103; 104, 105 ) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies ( 102 ) out of the guidance ( 101 ). A connecting body ( 9 ) and allocated rolls ( 3 ) form a roll body ( 2 ), wherein the roll body ( 2 ), on average, includes two or less than two rolls ( 3 ) per conveying body ( 102 ). A roll body ( 2 ) for a conveying device ( 100 ) includes a plurality of rolls ( 3 ) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls ( 3 ) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body ( 9 ). In a preferred embodiment, the connecting body ( 9 ) may be bent in at least two directions.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/908,193 filed on Nov. 7, 2007 and which is currently pending. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is in the field of conveying technology and concerns a conveying device and a rolling body as well as a conveying body according to the generic terms of the corresponding independent claims. 
     In particular the invention concerns conveying devices for transport of individual objects or bulk goods in a flowing conveying movement. Among others, the object set hereby is to create conveying devices using simple and cost-efficient means. 
     This object is solved by a conveying device and a roll body as well as a conveying body according to the generic term of the independent claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A conveying device according to the invention comprises several conveying bodies which roll on a guidance via several rolls, wherein the rolls are mutually connected and distances by means of a flexible connecting body. 
     The conveying bodies advantageously include means for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies out of the guidance. Thus it is possible, that less rolls per conveying body are necessary because each conveying body need not be supported by multiple rolls all the time. Conversely at a given distance between rolls shorter conveying bodies may be used, which again allows smaller curve radii of the guidance or the conveying device respectively. Thus especially a connecting body and allocated rolls form a roll body, wherein the roll body on average comprises two or less rolls per conveying body in a conveying direction. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, two roll bodies are arranged on the left and the right respectively of a sequence of conveying bodies in the guidance, and support and guide the conveying bodies. Additionally, a third roll body may run beneath the conveying bodies and absorb a larger load in vertical direction. A drive of the conveying device preferably engages on the conveying bodies, which thus move each other by pushing. Different means for transport of goods to be conveyed may be attached to the conveying bodies. 
     The means for mutual supporting are preferably flexible connections between the conveying bodies, in particular a core leading through a plurality of conveying bodies, i.e. a continuous flexible element. Alternatively, the means for mutual support may be mutually engaging shapings on the conveying bodies. Advantageously, these shapings allow the conveying bodies to be drawn apart to any distance in a conveying direction. This means that the conveying bodies are only loosely connected in a separable manner, that they may only push, but not draw each other respectively. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, mutually fitting shapings of the conveying bodies form a cylindrical joint or a ball-joint. 
     Between the different elements of the conveying device, i.e. guiding rail, conveying body and roll body, as well as inside the roll body, play or the possibility of movement outside the main direction of movement respectively is admissible. The play in connection allows a comparably loose connection of the elements moving against one another and all the same, a clean rolling of loaded rolls. Due to the play of the rolling body the rolls are loosely drawn and guided, such that a low friction and neither a mutual abrasion nor a canting or jamming due to low tolerances occurs. 
     In a different embodiment of the invention, the connecting body comprises: supporting regions in which the rolls are fitted and joint regions, which flexibly connect the supporting regions to each other. 
     The conveying bodies may comprise means for the intermittent support of objects to be conveyed, e.g. clamps or grippers. In a different embodiment of the invention the conveying bodies run around a central body, such that the central body may roll on a counter body. Hereby, the rolls and the conveying body replace a wheel for the central body. The central body may comprise means for the intermittent support of objects to be conveyed. 
     A roll body for a conveying device comprises a plurality of rolls mutually connected and distanced in linear manner, wherein the rolls are connected through a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body. The connecting body, thus, forms a movable bearing cage, also called cage band (cage web). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cage band is bendable in at least two directions. For this purpose, the connecting body preferably comprises holding regions, into which the rolls are fitted and joint regions, which flexibly connect the holding regions to each other. The roll body may, thus, not only move on a flat orbit but also along an orbit which is set on a curved area. In other words: the roll body is reversibly bendable in two directions, wherein both these directions and one movement direction of the roll body respectively are perpendicular to one another. 
     A roll body with this kind of cage band or connecting body may be produced as a standardized mass product of any length and be diversely applied in different conveying devices, roll elements and bearings of manifold kind. By means of the use of one-piece, simply shaped, easily produced components and the allowance of play in the movements, smoothly running roll bodies may be manufactured in a very cost-effective manner. 
     The roll bodies according to the invention are particularly applicable in conveying devices as described in Swiss patent application CH 456/04 dated Mar. 18, 2004 and international application PCT/CH 2005/000144 dated Mar. 11, 2005 and basing on the priority of the first mentioned, as well as in roll elements as described in Swiss patent application CH 884/04 dated May 21, 2004 and international application PCT/CH 2005/000288 dated May 20, 2005 and relying on the priority of the former. 
     A drive of the conveying device may be implemented by a web, which is pressed against the conveying bodies and/or encloses a sequence of conveying bodies along a curve in the conveying line. A drive may also be implemented with e.g. drive cams, which are guided along the conveying bodies over a certain distance and engage on several conveying bodies. This kind of drive may be implemented by a driven roll element as described in Swiss patent application CH 885/04 dated May 21, 2004 and international application PCT/CH 2005/000289 dated May 20, 2005 and relying on the priority of the former. Hereby the rolls or protruding cams of a revolving roll body of the driven roll element engage in the conveying device and in particular in its conveying bodies. 
     The contents of the three cited Swiss and international applications is, thus, incorporated into the present application by reference. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting body is a one-piece body, e.g. made of plastic and the rolls are fitted directly into the connecting body or via a bearing body or a roll ring. 
     In a different preferred embodiment of the invention, the rolls are one-piece (integrally formed) and have a barrel shape and bearing locations facing each other are provided on the respective insides of the supporting areas. On the rolls protruding axis elements, which in particular correspond with the form of the bearing locations, are provided. The rolls are fitted into the bearing locations by means of the axis elements. The term roller shape in particular comprises the form of a circular cylinder with circular cross-section or of a barrel-shaped, embossed cylinder or a cylinder with a slightly concave barrel. The rolls are advantageously made in one piece and made of metal or plastic. 
     On the other hand the insides of the supporting areas may comprise projecting bearing protrusions respectively facing each other and recesses preferably corresponding with the shape of the bearing locations are provided in the rolls. Thus, the rolls may be fitted into the bearing protrusions by means of the recesses. 
     In order to facilitate the fitting of the protruding axis elements or the bearing protrusions, respectively these preferably have a tapered shape, and in particular end in a point. 
     In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the rolls are ball-shaped and snapped in place in the respective bearing bodies, which are fitted into the connecting body. The bearing bodies are in particular roll rings which enclose the rolls, such that the rolls may roll on two opposing sides on a different body. The bearing bodies may, however, also only enclose the rolls partially from one side, such that the rolls may roll on other bodies on three sides. 
     The rolls advantageously form a single linear succession or a line of rolls inside the roll body. It is also possible to arrange two or more lines of rolls next to each other inside the same roll body. 
     Further preferred embodiments emanate from the dependant claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following the subject of the invention is explained in more detail by means of exemplified embodiments which are shown in the enclosed drawings. In diagrammatic manner 
         FIG. 1  shows a conveying device according to the invention in a top view; 
         FIG. 2  shows the same conveying device in a sectional view; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  show a further conveying device in a top view and in a sectional view; 
         FIG. 5  shows a movement of conveying bodies in a curved embodiment of the further conveying device; 
         FIG. 6  shows corresponding conveying bodies; 
         FIG. 7  shows a conveying device with circulating conveying bodies; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  show roll bodies with ball-shaped rolls; 
         FIGS. 10 to 18  show roll bodies with barrel-shaped rolls; and 
         FIGS. 19 to 20  show further embodiments of roll bodies 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The reference numbers used in the drawings and their references are listed in the reference list. In the figures similar parts are in principle designated with identical reference numbers. 
       FIG. 1  shows a conveying device  100  according to the invention in a top view and  FIG. 2  in a sectional view. In a guiding rail  101  several conveying bodies  102  succeeding in a longitudinal direction are guided and supported through roll bodies  2  running on both sides. The conveying bodies  102  comprise a guiding groove  108  on each side, which corresponds with the shape of rolls  3 . The rolling bodies  2  comprise connecting bodies  9  and rolls  3  embedded therein. The conveying bodies  102  are individual blocks or lamellae, wherein in a longitudinal direction several lamellae are provided per roll  3 . The blocks or lamellae are connected by means of a core  103 , i.e. a flexible cord, cable or monofilament running through the conveying bodies  102 . Hereby the core  103  is loosely guided through the conveying bodies  102  or is connected to the conveying bodies, which restricts a torsion of the conveying bodies  102  around core  103 . In both cases, the core  103  supports conveying bodies  102  in the regions in which they are not supported by the roll body  2  itself. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show a further conveying device  100  in a top view and in section. Here the conveying bodies  102  have the shape of blocks. In a longitudinal direction, approximately one conveying body  102  is provided per roll  3 . In order for the conveying bodies  102  not to fall out of the guiding rail  101  they are provided with connecting elements  104 ,  105  for mutual support. Here these are correspondingly shaped joint convexities  104  and joint concavities  105 , as described in detail in the following figures. 
       FIG. 5  shows a movement of conveying bodies  102  in a curved embodiment of the further conveying device  100 .  FIG. 6  shows corresponding differing variants of individual conveying bodies  102  in a mutual side view  6   a  and in differing top views  6   b ,  6   c . The joint convexities  104  and the joint concavities  105  are ball-shaped ( FIG. 6   b ) or cylindrical ( FIG. 6   c ), whereas one respective joint convexity  104  of a conveying body  102  fits into one joint concavity  105  of a subsequent conveying body  102 . The conveying bodies  102  are provided with one guiding groove  108  on each respective side, which groove corresponds with the shape of rolls  3 . 
     The two roll bodies  2  of conveying device  100  or their direction of movement, respectively, thus run in a plane substantially parallel to both sides of conveying bodies  102  and their direction of movement, wherein the means  104 ,  105  for mutual support prevent a relative movement of conveying bodies  102  perpendicular to this plane. With a curved guiding rail  101 , the direction of movement is to be understood as being tangential. 
     In order to, as in  FIG. 5 , enable a movement of the conveying bodies  102  out of this plane they comprise first bevelings  106  between the faces and an inner side  22 . These bevelings begin, as can be seen in a lateral projection as in  FIG. 5  or  FIG. 6   a , in the location of the cylinder axis or the ball center respectively. The first bevelings  106  lead from here to the inner sides  22  of conveying body  102 , such that a succession of conveying bodies  102  may curve in a direction of its inner sides  22 , wherein two respective conveying bodies  102  rotate around the intermediate joint  104 ,  105 . If the conveying bodies  102  are pressed against one another, the upper parts of their faces come to lie against each other in a close fitting manner and prevent a downward buckling of the conveying bodies  102 . 
     In a further preferred embodiment of the invention second bevelings  107  are provided on the face, which allows a curving of a succession of conveying bodies  102  in the same plane, along which plane the conveying bodies  102  and the roll bodies  2  running laterally along the conveying bodies  2  move. For this purpose the second bevelings  107 , in a projection from above, i.e. in a view as in  FIG. 3 ,  6   b  or  6   c , lead from a line through the ball center to the sides left and right of the conveying body  102 . By means of contact along this line the mutual support of the conveying bodies towards the bottom is ensured. Second bevelings  107  are drawn in exemplary manner in  FIG. 3  in broken lines. 
       FIG. 7  shows a conveying device  100  with circulating conveying bodies  102  in a lateral view  7   a  and in a cross-sectional view  7   b . The conveying bodies  102  run in a conveying course  17  and are laterally supported by a roll body  2  with ball-shaped rolls  3  in bearing grooves  14  of the conveying course  17 . Alternatively to the roll body  2  with balls one of the roll bodies  2  with barrels presented further below may be used. In a fixedly installed conveying course  17  or guiding rail the quantity of conveying bodies  102  is usually larger than shown in the drawing and thus forms a conveying band or conveying chain. For this purpose the conveying bodies  102  may e.g. be equipped with grippers. The conveying bodies  102  may transport individual or bulk goods by means of their movement. 
     In a different manner of application, the arrangement according to  FIG. 7  may be designed as a roll element  10 , which can roll on a counter body  5  shown in broken lines, via the conveying bodies  102 , which hereby act as support bodies  82 . A central body  1  of the roll element  10  as well as an object connected to it may thus be conveyed in relation to the counter body  5  as a whole. The support bodies  82  and the roll bodies  2  thus replace a bearing of the central body  1  by means of wheels. 
     In the transition between the straight section and the curved section s 2  with a determined curve radius the guiding rail  101 , preferably, comprises an intermediate section s 1  with a larger curve radius than the first curve radius. Thus it is prevented that a conveying body  102  tilts into the curved region when it is moved into this region and that the succeeding conveying body  102  is lifted away from the central body  1 . 
     In a further preferred embodiment of the invention a guiding protrusion  109 , which limits the guiding groove  108  towards the inside, is curved. Thus the abutting guiding protrusions  109  at least approximately form a segment of circle in the curved region of the orbit  17 , along which segment the rolls  3  may roll in an even movement. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show rolling bodies  2  with ball-shaped rolls.  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show the complete roll bodies  2  in a top view  8   a  and a cross-sectional view  8   b .  FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b  and  9   c  show a connecting body  9  or cage band, a roll ring  83  in cross-section and a ball-shaped roll  3 . The connecting body  9  on the one hand comprises ring-like supporting regions  91 , into which the rolls are fitted by means of the roll rings  83  and on the other hand joint regions  92 , which flexibly connect the supporting regions  91  to each other. The roll rings  83  are e.g. made of plastic and in one piece and comprise an inner area corresponding to a spherical area, such that the balls may be snapped into the rings  83 . The roll rings  83  comprise a circumferential groove on their outer edges by means of which they are fitted into circular openings of supporting regions  91  of the connecting bodies  9 . The connecting body  9  is preferably made of elastic flat material made of plastic or rubber or a blended fabric, e.g. by means of punching or water jet cutting. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting body  9  comprises no narrow joint regions  92  but is a band of constant width, into which the rolls  3  are fitted. 
       FIGS. 10 to 18  show roll bodies with barrel-shaped rolls.  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  show a roll body  2  in a top view  10   a  and a cross-sectional view  10   b .  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  show a connecting body  9  or cage band and a barrel-shaped roll  3 . The connecting body  9  on the one hand comprises ring-like supporting regions  91 , into which the rolls are fitted, and on the other hand joint regions  92 , which flexibly connect the supporting regions  91  to one another. The connecting body  9  is preferably made of one piece and consists of a flexible or elastic, but not soft elastic material e.g. a plastic such as nylon. It is manufactured by means of injection molding or made of a flat material, e.g. by means of punching or jet cutting. The rolls  3  are also made of plastic or of metal, in particular of steel. In this embodiment of the invention the rolls  3  are conical and tapered in an axial direction, by which conical axis elements  95  are created, as may be seen in the detailed view according to  FIG. 12 . On the insides of the supporting regions  91  corresponding respective opposing cavities such as e.g. internal tapers are shaped to form bearings  94 . These inner tapers effect the bearing of rolls  3 . Instead of conical elements naturally a different form may be used for the bearing, e.g. a cylindrical form. The connection through the joint regions  92  is, viewed in the running direction of rolls  3 , at least approximately arranged at the middle of rolls  3 . This kind of cage band  9  may be bent within a plane transverse to the roll axes and in this manner may be used together with a central body  1  e.g. according to  FIG. 7 . 
     Due to the flexible and single connection by means of the joint regions  92  the connecting body  9  may, however, also be bent out of this plane, such that the central body  1  need not have a planar orbit. Furthermore the cage band  9  may be twisted through the joint regions  92  and, thus, the roll body  2  may follow a course, which requires a torsion of the roll body  2 . This kind of roll body, thus, allows a multitude of applications and can additionally be produced in a simple manner in large quantities. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show a further roll body  1  in a top view  13   a  and a cross-sectional view  13   b .  FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  show a corresponding connecting body  9  or cage web and a barrel-shaped roll  3 . These are producible in a similar manner to those in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . For the manufacture of the roll  3  a further simplification is possible, as due to its simple form it may either be manufactured as an individual injection molded part or by cutting it off from a thick-walled tube. In this embodiment of the invention the rolls  3  accordingly comprise two recesses  97  for bearings, wherein these recesses  97  may also be formed by means of a continuous hole along the roll axis. The supporting region  91  of the connecting body  9  comprises opposing bearing protrusions  96 , which snap into the recesses  97  when fitting the rolls. In order to simplify this, the bearing protrusions  96  as well as the axis elements  95  of the previous embodiment are preferably designed to be tapered and in particular acute. 
       FIG. 15  shows a further variant with a bearing protrusion on the support region  91  in a detailed view.  FIG. 16  shows a variant of a roll body  2  of different proportions.  FIG. 17  shows a variant of a roll body  2 , in which the rolls  3  comprise protruding bearing axes  31 , which are bedded in bearing openings of connecting body  9 . In a variant with a top view according to  FIG. 18   a , the connecting body  9  comprises two separate halves or bearing bands, which respectively connect the bearing axes  31  on both sides of the roll body  2 . Accordingly, the roll body  2  as a whole is only bendable in one direction. In order for the roll body  2  not to fall apart and all the same may be assembled, the bearing axes  31  e.g. lie in the bearing bands by means of a press fit and the rolls  3  are loosely rotatable around the bearing axis  31 . In the variant according to  FIG. 18   b , as in the embodiments hitherto, a curve in two directions as well as a torsion or a contortion respectively is possible. Here again the bearing axes  31  may be fitted to the connecting body  9  by means of a press fit. The bearing axes may, however, also be shaped to fit the rolls  3  and lie loosely in the supporting regions  91  of the connecting bodies  9 . 
       FIG. 19  shows a roll element  10  with a roll body  2  similar to the one of  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The roll body  2  circulates in an orbit  17  around a central body  1  and accordingly allows rolling and thus a bearing of roll element  10  with respect to connecting body  9 . 
       FIG. 20  shows a movement of a roll body  2  in a curved guiding rail  101 , e.g. in a curved roll element  10  seen from the movement direction of the roll body  2 , here accordingly the movement of the rolls  3  is curved in two directions perpendicular each other and to the direction of movement. 
     Basically the different shown variants of cage bands  9 , roll shapes, roll bearings, roll elements etc. may be combined and modified in a multiplicity of manners. 
     REFERENCE LIST 
     
         
           1  central body 
           10  roll element 
           12  straight section 
           14  bearing groove 
           16  inner edge of bearing groove 
           17  conveying course 
           2  roll body 
           22  inner side roll 
           3  roll 
           31  bearing axis 
           5  counter body 
           82  support body 
           83  roll ring 
           9  cage band 
           91  support region 
           92  joint region 
           94  bearing 
           95  axis element 
           96  bearing protrusion 
           97  recess, bore 
           100  conveying device 
           101  guiding rail 
           102  conveying body 
           103  core 
           104  joint convexity 
           105  joint concavity 
           106  first beveling 
           107  second beveling 
           108  guiding groove 
           109  guiding protrusion