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    gfdgsd

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    8 views12 pages

    FGDG

    Uploaded by

    Eduardo Fernandez Daza
    gfdgsd

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    US 2017036925241 cu») United States 2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2017/0369252 Al oy oy ey @y (86) G0) De Balk HELICAL CONVEYOR Applicant: AMBAFLEX INTERNATIONAL BBY, AN Zovsag (NL) Inventor: Wouter Balk, Baambnigge (NL) Appl. Now 151538,590 PCT Filed: Dee. 24, 2015 PCT'No: — PCTINE.2015/050908 $371 (€X)) (2) Date" Jun. 21, 2017 Foreign Application Priority Data 24,2014 (NL) 2014054 Publication Classification (2005.01) (2005.01) (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 28, 2017 (62) US.CL coc B6SG 21/18 (2013.01); BOSG 17/08 (201301), on ABSTRACT A conveyor comprises a helical conveying path having an vpright central axis, # frame and an endless conveying ‘member for transporting # product through the conveying path which coaveving member i displaceable wis respect {o the frame. In central portion of the conveying path as soen in radial direction frm the central axis, the conveying member is provided with an upwardly directed supporting surface for Supporting a product. The width ofthe Suppor ing surface in radial direction from the central axis i smaller than 10% ofthe distanee between the central axis and the supporting surface. At opposite sides of the supporting sturlace the conveying path is fee from obstacles at the height level of the supporting surfece. ‘The conveyor is provided with a helical guide for guiding the conveying ‘member slong the guide Patent Application Publication Dec. 28, 2017 Sheet 1 of 7 US 2017/0369252 AL Patent Application Publication Dec. 28,2017 Sheet 2 of 7. US 2017/0369252 AL Fig.3 Fig.4 Fig.6 Patent Application Publication Dec. 28, 2017 Sheet 3. of 7. US 2017/0369252 AL Patent Application Publication Dec. 28, 2017 Sheet 4 of 7. US 2017/0369252 AL t Fig.12 Patent Application Publication Dec. 28, 2017 Sheet Sof 7. US 2017/0369252 AL SS i Fig.15 kom cS : a = ee ' Fig.16 oy tH ! Ch Cc : 7 Fig.17 i Fig.18 Patent Application Publication Dec. 28, 2017 Sheet 6 of 7. US 2017/0369252 AL Fig.19 — i 4 4 SS ee t Fig.20 — to ‘ | = ay 1 i Fig.21 c 1 Fig.22 Patent Application Publication Dec. 28, 2017 Sheet 7 of 7 US 2017/0369252 AL Fig.23 _— | 1 nd Fig.25 + SS Fig.26 US 2017/0369252 Al HELICAL CONVEYOR, (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a national stage fling of International patent application Serial No, PCT/NL 2015) (050908, filed, Dee. 24, 2015 and published as WO 2016! 105201 Al in English BACKGROUND 10002] The discussion helow is merely provided for gen- ‘eral background information and is not intended to be wed ‘a8 an aid in determining the scope ofthe claimed subject matter 10003] The present disclosure relates 1 a conveyor, com prising a helical conveying path having an upright cestral axis, # frame and an endless conveying member for trans- Porting « product through the conveying path which con- eying member is displaceable with respoet to the frame, Wherein in a central portion of the conveying path as seen ia radial direction from the entra axis the conveying membee Js provided with an upwardly directed supporting surface for supporting a produc. 10003) | Known conveyors are provide with slat belt as ‘an endless conveying member, which eas transport products in vonical direction, In case of tensporting weak, block- shaped products, these will be twisted somewhat during travelling through the helical conveying path. For tansport- jing relatively long, wide and rigid, block-shaped product the conveyor will preferably be provided with a conveying path including a relatively lange radius and/or a small Inclination, since this type of products tend to rest on the slat belt through only Wo corners located opposite o each ‘ther in diagonal direetion of the prod; more spscifically: the highest omer at the inner bend and the lowest comer at the otter bend of the helical conveying path. The inlination Jn the inner bend is steeper than the inclination inthe outer bend. In practice, a product will seck a third supporting location, such that it may wobble or even turn over Another slisadvantage is that atthe comers ofthe product relatively high forces may locally aet on the conveying member, SUMMARY, 10005] _Aconveyorhas a width of the supporting surface in ‘radial direction From the central axis that is smaller tha 10% of the distance between the central axis and. the supporting surface and in that at opposite sides of the supporting surface the conveying path is foe from obstacles ‘at the height level of the supporting surfice, wherein the ‘conveyor is provided with a helical guide for guiding the ‘conveying member along said guide. Furthermore, a narrow supporting surface provides the possibility of « relatively Jow-cost conveying member, while experiments have showa that a narrower supporting surfice Teads to improved grip between the conveying member and the products that must be transported. Since at opposite sides of the narrow sup- Porting surlace the conveying path atthe height level of the Supporting surface is free from obstacles, the supporting surface forms the highest point ofthe conveying member, such that a product having a lat bottom and being supported by the supporting surface and extending beyond the con- veying member in lateral direction only contacts the men- tioned supporting surface, Under operating conditions @ Dee. 28, 2017 product having flat bottom is oaly supported by the Supporting suave in the central portion of the conveying path, [0006] The widkh ofthe supporting surface can possibly bo smaller than 5% and preferably he smaller than 29% of the stance between the central axis and the supporting surface. [0007] Preferably, the conveying member is adapted such ‘that the supporting surface is substantially infinitely narrow as seen in cross section. In practice, infinitely narrow does ‘ot oecur, but it means that when a block-shaped product having a’ substantially rigid bottom is supported by the conveying member, there is a series of at last three point contacts Iying on a curved line or a line contact between the bottom and the supporting surface [0008] For example, the supporting surfiee is narrower than 10% ofthe width of the conveying path and preferably narrower than 58% and more preferably smaller than 2% of the width of the conveying path, It s possible that at the height level of the supporting surfce there is an obstacle, Dut in that ease it Joes not forma part of the conveying path ‘Such obstacles can be formed by vertical side walls st the inner bend or outer bead of the conveying path, fr example The width ofthe conveying path is defined by the distance between the vertical side walls in tha ease [0009] An advantage of the conveyor according to the disclosure is that due to the relatively nar supporting strface the outer sides of relatively wide, blocksbaped products project outside the supporting surfice and the iferenee of distance between the respective contact loca- ‘ions ofthe product and the supporting surface to the eental axis becomes relatively small, Reducing this difference of ‘stance will increase the chance a instability of the product fon the eonveying member. In an ideal case the supporting surface forms an infinitely narow line, such that a line centaet or 2 series of at least three point contacts between the supporting surface and a at bottom is approached, which point contacts lie on a curved line [0010] ‘The supporting surface may be adapted such, that 8 substantially rigid, lat bottom of @ product being’ sup- ported by the conveying member and being wider than the Supporting sueface, hi at least thre contact points with the supporting surface, which contact points lie on a curve line and at a distance feom each other [O11] ‘The supporting surface may be adapted such, that 8 substantially rigid, flat bottom of @ prodict being. sup- ported by the conveying member has atleast three contact locations with the supporting surface, which contact loca- tions Tie on a curved line. As long as the product to be Imunsporied has a center of gravity which lies within the triangle of the at least three eontact locations, there is a sable condition, [012] Preferably, the supporting surface is spherical, as soci in a plane in which the cenial axis Hes. since this allows tha the mentioned line contaet oF a series oat last {hee point contacts wth he supporting surface, which point contacts Tie on a curved line, is approached. As seen from above, the supporting surface forms a curve line, possibly ‘broken line. Contrary to a straight line contac, 3 curved line contact provides a stable support fora product having a ‘lat bottom. [0013] The conveyor may be provided with a bearing Surface for bearing a product which i iting with respect 10 the supporting surface, wherein the bearing surface is Tocated ata distance from the supporting surface in radial US 2017/0369252 Al direction from the central axis, Although a curved line ‘contact may provide a stable support, an unstable situation il arise due to a leaning mass distribution of & “The bearing surface stops a product which tends to 0013) located below the supporting surface, as scen ina plane in The hearing surfice may be directed upwardly and Which the central axs Ties. In that case the bearing surface ‘does aot form the obstacle as meationed above, The bearing surface may be located at opposite sides of the supporting surface and may be formed by two separate portions, 10015] In an alternative embodimest, the bearing surface js located atthe inner bead of the conveying path and is sirccted outwardly with expect to the contal axis andlor the bearing srfice is located a the outer bend of the conveying path and is directed to the central axis [0016] The bearing surfoce may be located above the Supporting surface in a plane in which the contal axis His This is typically suitable for relatively tall products, In this ‘ease the bearing surface may be formed by vertical walls at the inner bend! and the outer bend of the conveying path, [0017] The beating surfice may form a pae ofthe frame, but it could alsa he part of the conveying member. In the Jatter case the bearing surface travels with the product through the conveying path under operating conditions. It is noted thatthe bearing surface is primarily meant as a safety measure and not as @ conventional guide, since the nareow supporting surface tse basically provides a stable support. AAs deseribed above a product having a substantially Mat rigid bottom is supported by at least three points of the supporting surface Which Iie on a curved Hine. If the center ‘of gravity lies outside these three points, an unstable situae tion arises and the bearing surface can stabilize the product. 10018] Tho upwardly directed supporting surface may be Tomed by upper sides of pmijections of the conveying member, wherein the conveying member may comprise & slat belt and each of the slats may be provided with 2 projection, The projections may he spherical and may be located atthe centerline of the slat bel 10019] In an sltemative embodiment the conveyor com- Prises a helical conveying path having an upright central ‘axis, a frame and an endless conveying member for trans Porting & product through the conveying path which con- eying member is displaceable with respect to the frame, wherein the conveying member is provided with an upwardly directed supporting surface for supporting a prod- uct, wherein the supporing surface, as seen in radial diree- tion from the central axis, is provided with a central portion and lateral portions which are located at lateral sides of the ‘central portion in radial direction ofthe central axis, where the lnteal portions are resiliently connected to the central portion sueh, that the lateral portions can spring with respect to the central portion by more than 2% of the pitch of the helical conveying member, as seen in plane in which the ‘ceniral axis les. Preferably the lateral portions can spring by ‘more than 5% and more preferably by more than 10% of the pitch, 10020] The disclosure is also related to @ conveyor com- prising helical eonveying path including an upright central axis, frame and an endless eonveying member inthe Form, ‘ofa slat belt for transporting @ product through the convey ing path which conveying member is displaceable with respect to the frame, swhercin the conveying member is provided with an upwardly directed supporting surlsee for Dee. 28, 2017 supporting product, wherein the supporting surface is {ormed by slats and ean be twisted about a helical centerline of the slat belt. Tis is advantageous in a situation when 3 block-shaped product is placed on the slat belt and is supported by a plurality of slats, the suppomting surface ean ‘adap itself To the shape of the bottom of the product suck ‘hat the product doesnot rest on the slat belt through only ‘so comers which are located diagonally opposite to each other [021] The slats may be tlle about the helical eenter- Tine of the slat belt of bendable in vertical direction with respect tothe helical centerline of the slat belt in order t0 ‘obtain a twistable supporting surface. 0022} It is noted thatthe word helical indicates that the ‘conveying path in this portion of the conveyor is climbing jonny. BRIEE DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] The disclosure will hereafter he elucidated further ‘with reference to drawings showing embodiments of the disclosure very schematically [0024] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the jconveyor according to the disclosure. [0025] FIG. 2 isa plan view ofthe embodiment seconing to FIG. 1, including some products that are transported [0026] FIGS. 3-6 are cross-sectional views along. the respoctive lines HIM, IVAV, V-V and VI-VT in FIG. 2 [0027] FIGS, 7-10 are cross-sectional views similar to FIGS, 36 of an altemative embodiment. [0028]. FIGS. 11-14 are cross-sectional views similar to FIGS, 346 of smother alternative embodiveat, [0029] FIGS. 18-18 are cross-sectional views similar to FIGS, 36 of sill another alternative embodiment [0030] FIGS. 19.22 are cross-sectional views similar to PIGS, 18-18 of still another alternative embodiment, [0031] FIGS. 23.26 are cross-sectional views similar 10 FIGS, 18-18 of sill another alternative embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0032] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a conveyor 1 ‘cording to the disclosure, The conveyor 1 has a helical conveying path 2, which runs about an upright central axis 3. Furthermore, the conveyor { has a frame 4 which com- prises a central column 5, feet 6 and a helical guide trough 7. The feet 6 and the guide trough 7 are mounted to the column 5, [0033] Tae conveyor 1 is provided with an endless con- ‘eying member, in this case a slat belt 8, which is driven by motor and is guided along the guide trough 7. The slats of the slat belt 8 have a longitudinal direction in transverse direction of the conveying direction ofthe slat belt 8. The ‘ats ace manually connected through a chain, for example a sice-bow chain. The slat bet 8 follows the helical conveying path 2 in vertical direction and is guided back through reverse rollers 9 and 10 at the ends ofthe helical conveying path 2 via @ return seotion I by the shortest path to the helical conveying path 2 [0034] Fach of the slats ofthe slat belt & is provided with a spherical projection 12 in its centerline, inthis case atthe centerline where the chain is located, as well. The upper ides of the projections 12 together Torm an upwarlly Girocted supporting surface 13 for supporting a predict. FIGS. 1 and 2 show thatthe supporting surface 13 is located US 2017/0369252 Al in a central portion of the conveying path 2, a seen in @ plan in whieh the cent sis 3 les ofa radial pane with Fespec othe central ans 3, Produc like pie woods G ean be placa onto the conveying member 8 and can be sup- ported and conveyed by the supporting surface 13. The Supporting surface 13 ean also be fanned alternative manners, for example without sing the sls. 10038] FIGS. 3-6 show cross-sections of the eonveyor 1 scconing (0 FIG, 2 ata product G which son he conveying path 2. The figures show that the width ofthe sopporing Surface 13 in a rail direction ofthe conta ais 3s much snail than the distance botecen the central as 3 andthe Supporting. surice 13, for example smaller Unan 1% thereolh moreover, the conveying path 2 is fe fom ‘obstacles at opposite sides ofthe supporting surface 18 tthe hight level of the supporting surface 13 10036) Irthe supporting surface was formed by Nat upper Sides ofthe slats, a bloekshaped product having a lt snd Fini bottom would basically rest on the sat belt through ‘only two diagonally opposite comers, more speifcaly the highest comer atthe inner bead and the Fowest comer atthe ‘outer bend of the lial conveying path 2, This is eased by the fact hat he inclination at he ier bens steeper than the inclination atthe outer bed. In practice, proc will seek a tid supporting cation, sich hati can wobble or 10037] The narrow supporting surface 13 being forme by the spherical projections 12 inthe embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-6 is approached by a line contaet between the bottom of the prodct G and the supporting surface 13 in cease of a block-shaped product G having 8 lt and rigid bortom. Since in this case thore is @ space between neigh- boring projections 12 ofthe slats in the conveying dretion there will bea broken ine a een Irom above inlet eres ‘of point conlits on 2 curved ine. If he Tine contacto the series of point contacts wovild form a staight line, tore ‘would sot be a stable supporting capacity, bul since ther s 2 line contact ith » curved line, an atomic suppor of at least hrc points which are not on a single sit line 8 created 10038] FIG. S shows that inthe rail plane with respect tothe cote axis 3 the Mat ortom of the product G inthe riddle ofthe product G extends nearly horontally. Inthe conveying dieetion, th product G is angled with respect to the horn plane which angle almost qual the were inclination of the eonveying path 2. The cross-sections in ‘other radial planes, a shows in FIGS. 3,4 and 6, show tt the bottom of the product G have deviating angles ith respect othe frame 4 than inthe eross-section second to FIG. Its note, that if eross-sections are drawn of planes Which extend parallel 10 that ay shown in FIG. §, the ‘orientation of the produetG would be alias the same inthe “rawings 10039] FIGS, 346 make char that if the slats ia the eal rection wih respect to the central as 3 ata distance Bom the supporting siriace 14 would have an obstale at the hight level of the supporting surface 13, these obstacles ‘woul form an extra contact surface ouside the approached Tine contact and the itended elfet would be destroyed Thus, basically in FIGS. 3-6 the slats on which the projec- tions 12are applied have no funeton sn fora eason they ane depict a dash lines. {040} FIGS. 2,3, 4 and 6 illsrate thatthe lack of ‘obstacles at opposite sides of the supporting sriace 13 Dee. 28, 2017 peans that a block-shaped product whieh is wider than the supporting surface 13 and even wider than the slat bel 8, and having a length of 10-20% of the length of a single revo- Ition of the helical conveying path, for example, or is supparted by for example 5:10 sats, the dimensions of the slat belt 8 are such that the block-shoped product only contacts the supporting surface 13 and not the remainder of the slats outside the supporting surface 13, [0041] Akough the approximated curved Tine contacts «an transport block-shaped products having a rigid bottom, in peti there will be a demand to avoid possible silting fof a product with respect to the line contact. This might ‘cur, for example in ease oF uneven weight distbution of the product G of placing the prodict Gout of center on the conveying path 2. In onder t prevent a product from tuning ‘over, an allemative embodiment is provided with bearing stefaces 14, see FIGS. 7-10, In tis embodiment, the bearing surfaces 1d are formed by upper sides of small blocks which fare provided on the sls, Hence, the bearing surfaces 14 ‘move together with the supporting surfoce 13. However, it js also conceivable thatthe Dearing surfaces 14 havea fixed positon on the frame 4. When the procuct G tends to tit, the bearing surtaces 14 will eatch the product G. [0042] In the embodiment, according to FIGS. 7-10 the Dearing surfaces 14 are directed upwardly and are located below the supporting surface 13, a8 sen in a plane which extends radially with respect tothe central axis 3. In another allemative embodiment, the bearing surlaces 14 are located atthe ianer bend and outer bend of the conveying path 2 This is shown in FIGS. 11-14, in which the slats are also sma nareower in onder to ilusrate that they do not have @ function in this ease. The bearing surface atthe inner bend ‘of the conveying path 2 is indicated by 18 inthe figures and fs directed outwardly with respect tothe contal axis 3. The ‘bearing surface at the outer bend of the conveying path 2 is indicated by 16 in the figures and directed to the central axis 3. The bearing suefaces 15, 16 aeconding wo this embodiment ‘ill specifically be applied for transporting relatively tall products. The bearing surfaces 15, 16 are located above the Supporting surface 13 in this case, as seen in a plane which extends rally with respect to the central axis 3. Although the bearing surfaces 18, 16 are part ofthe frame 4 in this ‘embodiment, its also conceivable to lengthen the slats and to provide their ends with upright supports having hearing surlaces 15, 16 thereon. [0043] FIGS. 15-18 show another alternative embodiment In this case the supporting surface is formed by slats each faving # central portion 17 and two Isteral portions 18. The Jateral portions 18 of the supporting surface are located radial direction with respect tothe central axis 3 a opposite Sides remote from the central portion 17. The lateral portions 18 are resiliently connected to the central portion 17 via the slats Invest, as shown in FIG, 18 the lateral portions 18 may Tie ata higher level than the eental portion 17 as seen in a radial plane through the central axis 3. This means that in case ofa rebound the product may alsa be supported by one fof the lateral portions I8, as can be soen at the right side of FIG. 16 and the left side of FIG. 18, for example. [0044] Preferably, the lateral portions 18 may rebound in vertical direction with respect to the ceateal portion 17 by ‘more than 10% of te pith of the helieal conveying path 2 as can be seen in a plane in which the central ais 3 lies [0045] Te lateral portions may be all kinds of spring elements, such a pel-filled spring. members US 2017/0369252 Al 10046] FIGS, 19-22 show sill another sltemative embod ‘ent, In this case the slats of the slat belt are tiltable about the helical centerline othe slat belt 8, such that a twistable supporting surface oan be oblained, The helial centerline ies close tothe chain inthe center of the conveying path in this embodiment. Each of the slats has a Hat upperside. Ia the eross-sections as shown in FIGS, 19-22 jt ean be seen thatthe slats take a position which corresponds tothe bottom ‘of the block-shaped product G. In such & ease, neighboring, slats have dillerent orientations with respect the horizn- tal, Due to the helical conveying path this means that the supporting surface ie wisted locally. [0047] "FIGS, 23-26 show still another altemative emboxt- ‘ent, In this case each ofthe slats has at upperside and the slats are bendable in the veriea direction in order 10 ‘obtain a twistable supporting surface. The slats are only fixed to the chain at the helical centerline. In the eross- sections as show in FIGS. 23-26 it can be seen that the sats take a position which corresponds to the bottom of the block-shaped product G. FIGS. 23, 24 and 26 show that the non-loaded parts of the slats do not rebound [0048] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinbefore, which may be varied in different ‘manners within the scape of the claims. The projection on a slat may have a different shape than spherical, for example 4 pyramid shape, or a semi-cylindrical shape having its Jongitudinal direction in the conveying direction. In the Tater ease @ curved Tine contaet will be approsehed 1. Aconveyor, comprising a helical conveying path hav- ‘ng an upright central axis, frame and an endless conveying member configured t transport a product (G) through the ‘conveying path which conveying member is displaceable With respect to the fame, wherein ia a central portion ofthe ‘conveying path as seen in radial direction from the central axis the conveying member provided ith an upwanily directed supporting surface for supporting a product (G), ‘wherein the width of the supporting surface in the radial

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