Patent ID: 12195280

It is noted that the figures are merely schematic representations of a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the figures, identical or corresponding parts are represented with the same reference numerals.

FIGS.1-3show a module1for a modular conveyor mat2which is represented inFIGS.4and5. Referring toFIGS.1-5, the module1comprises a body part4extending transversely to a conveying direction P between two sides3A,3B along a main axis A. The body part has a top5for carrying products to be conveyed and a bottom6for cooperation with a conveyor track, not represented. The body part4is provided with coupling elements9at the front7and rear8as viewed in the conveying direction P. The coupling elements9at both the front7and the rear8comprise a series of successive hinge parts10and receiving spaces11alternating transversely to the conveying direction. Opposite coupling elements9at the front7and the rear8of the body part4form a pair12of a hinge part10and a correspondingly formed receiving space11. Hinge parts10and receiving spaces11can interdigitate with receiving spaces11′ and hinge parts10′ of a similar module1′ successive in conveying direction. Successive modules1,1′ can be hingedly coupled with the aid of hinge pins14extending transversely to the conveying direction and reaching through hinge bores13provided in the hinge parts10. Successive modules can thus pivot relative to each other about an axis parallel to the conveying surface T formed by the tops of successive modules and transverse to conveying direction P, so that the conveyor mat for instance can circulate in an endless loop around a set of gears.

The body part4is provided in the middle with a dividing plane D extending parallel to the sides, and along which the module is divisible into two module halves1A,1B. In the front view ofFIG.3it can be properly seen that the top5on both sides of the dividing plane D slopes down obliquely in order to counteract sharp edges after division coming to lie in the conveying surface.

The pairs of coupling elements9zlocated on the sides3A,3B are implemented, as viewed in the direction of the main axis A, with a greater width B than the width b of neighboring coupling elements9of the body part4. Further, pairs of coupling elements9dlocated on either side of the dividing plane D of the module1are also implemented with the same width as the coupling elements9zlocated on the sides with the greater width B mentioned. The width b of the other coupling elements9is chosen to be mutually equal to that of the neighboring coupling elements; the series of coupling elements9between the wide coupling elements9zon the sides3A,3D and the wide coupling elements9dwhich border on the dividing plane have an equal and hence narrower width b.

The coupling elements9z,9dimplemented with greater width have, in this example, double the width of the other coupling elements9, specifically a twice as large a width along the main axis A.

The hinge parts10XL of greater width on the side3A of the module lie diametrically with respect to both the hinge parts10B on the opposite side3B of the body part4and the side surface15A, located on the same module half1A, and bordering on the dividing plane D. This also applies to the receiving spaces11XL. Both the modules1themselves and the module halves1A,1B resulting after division are 180° reversible about an axis Z transverse to the top of the body part, so that the front7and rear8can be interchanged for coupling with a next module1′.

Both hinge parts located on a side of the body part comprise a locking provision16for locking the hinge pin against migration transverse to the conveying direction P. The locking provision is implemented as a blocking element adjustable between a release position and a blocking position and which in the release position leaves the hinge bore of the hinge part clear, and in the blocking position extends into the hinge bore and hinders passage of a hinge pin14through the hinge bore.

The locking provision16in this example is implemented as a receiving provision for a detachable closing element, in particular a closing clip17. This receiving provision has as an advantage that it can be applied on both sides of the module, and that, when on a side no closing element is arranged, it does not hinder passage. The hinge parts10XL bordering on the dividing plane D each comprise two hinge part halves10A and10B separated by a notch18. The body part4is further provided, at the bottom6of only one of the module halves1A bordering on the dividing plane D, with a guide element19for cooperation with guide strips of the track on which the conveyor mat is supported. The guide element19in this exemplary embodiment is integrally formed with the body part4and is implemented with two spaced-apart downwardly extending guide surfaces20which extend parallel to the side3A of the module. Only the module half1A has a guide element.

The body part4is further provided, at the bottom on both sides of the dividing plane D, with a drive chamber21for cooperation with teeth of a driving gear, so that both module halves1A,1B have a drive chamber21. The drive chamber extends in the longitudinal direction along main axis A, along three unwidened coupling elements9.

The body part4is further provided with through openings22extending between the top5and bottom6, for cleaning the conveyor mat and/or products to be conveyed thereon.

The receiving spaces11are provided, near the body part4, with cutout22which, when, as can be seen inFIG.4, a coupling element10is received in the receiving space11, forms an additional opening23extending between the top and bottom to make an extra portion of the conveying surface T of the conveyor mat2liquid-transmissive. InFIG.3it can be properly seen that the openings and additional openings towards the bottom remain the same or increase in size, for the sake of cleanability.

The body part4is further provided with two main ribs24A,24B extending in a corrugated fashion along the main axis A, each carrying hinge parts10, and which are spaced apart with a mutual intermediate distance with respect to the main axis A. The pointed, parallel main ribs24A,24B are connected via longitudinal ribs25extending in conveying direction P between opposite coupling elements10,11. The body part4is further provided with a central rib26extending over the main axis, and connecting the longitudinal ribs. The longitudinal ribs25and the central rib26in this example have a wall thickness of 0.5 times the wall thickness of the main ribs. The longitudinal ribs25and the central rib26form, at least at the top5of the body part, a lattice27between which the openings22are formed. InFIG.5it can be properly seen that the lattice27also forms the top of the drive chamber21, so that the latter is open at the top and hence is properly cleanable.

The body part4, at the location of the dividing plane D, has been left free of longitudinal ribs26, so that the module can be relatively simply sawn into two halves. The body part4is provided with guide elements28extending in the conveying direction P, bordering on the dividing plane D, and which can guide a band saw upon dividing of a module into module halves1A,1B, and which after division form relatively smoothly formed side surfaces15A,15B of the respective module halves1A,1B.

The body part4has, in a direction transverse to the conveying direction P, a dimension of 17 cm, in particular a nominal specification dimension of 69.8 mm and the divided module halves each have a dimension of 8.5 cm, in particular a nominal specification dimension of 84.8 mm.

FIGS.4,5and6show a modular conveyor mat2, comprising a number of in conveying direction successive, alternating rows29and29′ of modules1which are coupled with the aid of hinge pins extending transversely to the conveying direction P across the width of the conveyor mat2. In conveying direction P, successive modules are staggered with respect to each other according to a brick pattern. In the rows29′, at longitudinal edges30of the conveyor mat2, a module1has been included whose body part has been divided along the dividing plane into two module halves1A,1B which have been rotated 180° relative to each other about an axis Z transverse to the top5of their body parts4. With both module halves1A,1B of the divided module1, the hinge part10xlwhich borders on the longitudinal edge30of the conveyor mat2is provided with a locking provision16for locking the hinge pin against migration transverse to the conveying direction. The intermediate rows29comprise two undivided modules1which have, or have not, been turned 180° relative to each other about an axis Z transverse to the top5of their body parts4. InFIG.5it is shown that the hinge parts10xlof greater width at the longitudinal edge30of the conveyor mat2are provided with a locking provision16which is formed by a receiving provision having a detachable closing clip17received therein.

The wide hinge parts10xlare received in corresponding wide receiving spaces11xl. With successive modules1,1′, which in the brick pattern are staggered with respect to each other transversely to the conveying direction, the additional wider coupling elements9dbordering on the dividing plane D accommodate the wider coupling elements9zlocated on the sides. With both modules1, the hinge part10xllocated on the side3A or3B of the body part4and bordering on the longitudinal edge30of the conveyor mat2is provided with a locking provision16for locking the hinge pin14against migration transverse to the conveying direction P.

The maximum dimension of the opening and additional openings in a conveying surface T formed by the tops5of successive modules1,1′ is in this example about 3 mm and the conveying surface T is about 55% open.

As shown inFIG.6, the conveyor mat2is made up of two kinds of long modules1, namely long modules with guide elements and long modules without guide elements19. If desired, the conveyor mat may be assembled from one kind of long modules, for example when no guide elements19are needed, or when the guide elements are detachably connected with the modules.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment represented here. In particular, at the location of the dividing plane a break provision may be arranged. In addition, the top of the body part may be of closed design, i.e. substantially without openings. Also, the coupling elements, in particular the hinge parts may be designed differently.

Such variants will be clear to the skilled person and are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1Module1A,1B Module half2Conveyor mat3A,3B Side4Body part5Top6Bottom7Front8Rear9Coupling elements9zCoupling element at side9dCoupling element at dividing plane10Hinge part10xlWider hinge part10A,10B Hinge part half11Receiving space11xlWider receiving space12Pair of coupling elements13Bore14Hinge pin15A,15B Side surface16Locking provision17Closing clip18Notch19Guide element20Guide surface21Drive chamber22OpeningAdditional opening/Cutout24Main rib25Longitudinal rib26Central rib27Lattice28Guide surface29Row30Longitudinal edgeA Main axisb Width normal coupling elementB Width wider coupling elementD Dividing planeT Conveying surfaceZ Rotation axis