Patent ID: 12202677

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

InFIG.1is shown a conveyor roller tube, generally designated by the numeral1, which includes a plurality of co-extruded layers of polymer material.

In particular, the conveyor roller tube1includes an inner layer2, and an outer layer3.

The roller tube1may incorporate one or more additional intermediate layers provided between the inner layer2and the outer layer3.

The roller tube1is typically a component part of a conveyor system, which may incorporate a plurality of such roller tubes1. As shown inFIG.2, the roller tube1may be part of a conveyor roller4, which, along with various other components, enable it to be attached to a roller bearing housing5. As the details of these parts are well known to persons skilled in the art, they will not be further explained herein.

A plurality of rollers4are typically arranged together as shown inFIG.3to form an idler6. Plurality of idlers6are typically provided in spaced apart configuration to form an overall conveyor system.

The conveyor roller tube1, incorporating the inner layer2and the outer layer3is preferably manufactured such that the inner layer2and the outer layer3, are formed by a co-extrusion process.

The outer layer3is preferably formed to have superior wear resistant properties, as well as other desirable physical characteristics, including, but not limited to, UV stability, fire resistance, and/or antistatic properties.

The outer layer3is preferably formed of a polymer material. The polymer material may typically be polyethylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE), ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), nylon, or any other similar type of polymer material which has the desired characteristics of the roller tube.

The outer layer may optionally include an additive, such as, glass fibres, to improve the wear resistance of the outer layer3. Other additives may be included to enhance other desired characteristics of the layer3.

The inner layer2, is typically formed to have different characteristics to the outer layer3. For example, the inner layer2is formed to have characteristics which may include any one or combination of high flexible strength, high flexible modulus, high elongation under tensile load, and/or, high tensile strength.

The inner layer2may also be formed of a polymer material. Being of similar base material to that of the outer layer3ensures that it bonds well to the outer layer3during the co-extrusion process.

The inner layer2maybe formed of any suitable polymer material, such as, but not limited to, high density polyethylene, nylon, and polyethylene.

The inner layer2may also include an additive, such as, but not limited to, glass fibres. Any additive may be selectively chosen to improve the desired properties of the inner layer2.

In practice, the conveyor roller tube1of the present invention is preferably formed such that each of the layers2and3are of a different color. This enables the wearing of the outer layer to be easily visually observed by a user. Once wear is noticed, the roller may then be replaced.

It will be appreciated that each layer may be formed of any desired thickness, according to the application and desired wear resistance of the roller tube. As such, during the manufacturing process, the thickness may be pre-determined, and the manufacturing process set accordingly.

As previously mentioned, one or more an intermediate layer may be provided between the inner layer2and the outer layer3.The or each intermediate layer may optionally include any one or combination of a polymer material of different color, to provide a further visual indication of the wear the roller tube.

The intermediate layer may also optionally incorporate a bonding material, to facilitate bonding in between the adjacently positioned layers.

The intermediate layer may also optionally incorporate a strengthening material, to improve the strength of the roller tube.

It will be appreciated that the roller tube of the present invention is preferably co-extruded to create a plurality of layers of different polymer materials.

An outline of an exemplary co-extraction process is illustrated inFIG.4.

Prior to commencement of the production process, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the various dimensions of the desired roller tube1may firstly be determined, including, the wall thickness of each layer2and3.

Once the appropriate preparations are performed prior to initiation of the co-extraction process, the co-extrusion process can then commence by extracting the appropriate polymer materials and additives from respective hoppers and feeding these materials to the extruder.

As will be appreciated by person skilled in the art of co-extrusion, the mixing ratio, time, temperature and other characteristics may be varied, depending upon the materials being used, and, the desired properties and characteristics of the layers of the roller tube1being manufactured.

In the forgoing description of preferred embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “front” and “rear”, “inner” and “outer”, “above”, “below”, “upper” and “lower” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

In this specification the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the invention(s), and alterations, modifications, addition and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

Furthermore, invention(s) have been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s). Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments. e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realise yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.