Other

Kvp Systems, Inc.

Eric K Palmaer

Karl V Palmaer

A modular plastic conveyor belt of heavy duty construction has a solid top with closely fitted together interdigited link ends or projections on the modules for minimizing dropping of particles, liquids, etc. from conveyed objects through the belt. The link ends extending in both directions from the belt are sharply tapered, generally triangular in shape so as to expose large gaps between the link ends and a large proportion of each connecting rod when the belt modules travel around a sprocket, making the gaps and the connecting rods more easily cleaned. The spacing between adjacent link ends is wide, minimizing the number of link ends and thus the number of gaps for cleaning. In addition, the link ends and the connecting rods are relatively heavy in dimension, providing for high tensile strength in the conveyor belt. The belt is driven by engagement of sprocket teeth between the generally cylindrical barrels of the link ends, at the underside of each module. Protruding nipples may be included on the underside of the modules, for tracking the belt against lateral movement.

Modular solid top plastic conveyor belt

A plastic conveyor belt formed of a large number of plastic belt modules includes plastic connecting rods, serially connecting belt modules, which are discontinuous in length. The discontinuous rods are made up of several coaxial pieces held in place by press fitting at the outer ends. Integral sideplates are disclosed for plastic conveyor belts, eliminating the need for separate tension-accepting sideplates secured to the outside edges of radius belts.

Connecting rod retention in a plastic conveyor belt

A method for transferring conveyed articles to and from a plastic conveyor belt involves a flat transfer plate positioned directly adjacent to the end run of a plastic open-link modular conveyor belt. The belt is of the type with interdigited projections of modules connected by transverse rods, and driven by sprocket wheels. Either a straight belt or a belt capable of travel around lateral curves can be used. For the smooth transfer of conveyed articles onto and off the belt, the plastic belt modules have arched upper surfaces, each defining a short segment of a cylinder, so that when the belt passes over a sprocket wheel or roller at the end run, the upper surfaces of adjacent modules define a smooth half cylinder. A fixed preferably fixed transfer plate is positioned against the defined cylindrical surface, at or slightly below the level of the belt's upper surface. The open link or foraminous belt allows free passage and circulation of liquids and gases through the belt for processing of products conveyed and to facilitate cleaning and sterilization of the belt.

Transfer method for plastic conveyor belts

A plastic conveyor belt formed of a large number of plastic belt modules includes outer belt modules having integral sideplates. The sideplates are of heavier material and higher strength, for withstanding stress around the outside of curves and for withstanding edge wear in certain types of conveyor systems. In a preferred embodiment, each sideplate has a depending guide member which may include a hold down tab. In one embodiment, plastic connecting rods which serially connect belt modules are discontinuous in length, made up of several coaxial pieces which are held in place by press fitting at the outer ends. This enables the rod to be of high shear strength in areas of high pulling force, e.g. at the outside of a radius conveyor belt in a curve, but of lower strength extruded construction elsewhere.

Plastic conveyor belt

Plastic conveyor belt with integral sideplate

Plastic conveyor belt with enhanced edge strength for travel on curves

In a low tension spiral conveyor belt system, driving assistance is provided between the driving cage or capstan and a plastic conveyor belt via ridges formed generally vertically on the bars or caps on the cage bars. These ridges, preferably rounded at their exterior surfaces, interact with grooves provided in inner edge members of the belt, or with gaps between successive edge members. As the belt progresses up the spiraling incline of the system, the drive capstan ridges seat in belt grooves or gaps for a short period of time, assisting in driving engagement, then advance forward out of the groove due to the overdrive relationship of the capstan to the belt.

Spiral conveyor belt with ridged drive capstan

A plastic conveyor belt, formed of plastic modules having rows of first and second projections extending in opposite directions, is adapted to optionally receive one or more rollers for reducing backline pressure on the belt. The rollers are positioned directly on the connecting rods which extend transversely through the belt, by occupying positions where projections in a row of projections would otherwise occur. A module having one or more of such openings or voids may be a part of a set of component modules, some having voids for receiving rollers and some not having such voids. A belt may be formed of mixtures of said modules, with or without any rollers on the belt. In one preferred embodiment the modules are for a radius type conveyor, with the second projections having elongated, slotted openings to allow the modules to angularly collapse together at curves.

Low back pressure plastic conveyor

A plastic conveyor belt formed of a large number of plastic belt modules includes outer belt modules having integral sideplatges. The sideplates are of heavier material and higher strength, for withstanding stress around the outside of curves and for withstanding edge wear in certain types of conveyor systems. In a preferred embodiment, each sideplate has a depending guide member which may include a hold down tab. In one embodiment, plastic connecting rods which serially connect belt modules are discontinuous in length, made up of several coaxial pieces which are held in place by press fitting at the outer ends. This enables the rod to be of high shear strength in areas of high pulling force, e.g. at the outside of a radius conveyor belt in a curve, but of lower strength extruded construction elsewhere.

A side plate for a modular plastic conveyor belt for use in a spiral conveyor belt system has one or more generally vertical grooves formed in its outer side, for engagement with protruding structure of cage bars of a spiral conveyor driving cage. At least one of the grooves is positioned on a common center with a countersink bore which receives a plastic rod head of a connecting rod in the modular conveyer belt. In cooperation with the side plate grooves are bumps or protrusions on the cage bars of the driving cage. These may be formed in cage bar caps which are assembled onto the exterior of the cage bars. At least some of the bumps on the cage bars are at any one time engaged in side plate grooves, providing assistance in the driving of the spiral conveyor belt by the driving cage.

Side plate for a plastic spiral conveyor belt system

An all-plastic conveyor belt of the type that is collapsible on curves is used in a low tension system, progressing in a helical path around a drive cage or tower. The modules making up the belt have end members with recesses for receiving the heads of plastic rods which hold the modules together. The heads are thus recessed and will not wear against bars or other components of the drive cage or tower of the low tension system. The end members of the belt modules in one embodiment are slightly concave for better conforming to the surfaces of the driving tower or cage.

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Rancho Cordova, CA, United States of America

Eric K Palmaer