Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: VERTICAL CONVEYOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of packing
systems, with common but by no means exclusive application to conveyors used
in the food industry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For the food industry, as for other industries, plant floor space is at
a premium.
[0003] Certain types of forming and processing machines discharge their
product at well above head-height (often 3 metres or more) above the floor
level
of the plant. The product typically must be lowered from this height to about
waist-height (approximately 1 metre) above floor level for packing into boxes
or
other shipping containers.
[0004] Accordingly, the inventors have recognized a need for an effective
conveyor system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention is directed toward a conveyor system.
[0006] Specifically, the subject invention is directed towards a conveyor
system comprising an inlet, an outlet, a first endless conveying element
having a
contact surface and configured to transport at least one object along a
transportation path from proximate the inlet to proximate the outlet and
securing
means for securing the at least one object to the contact surface along a
secured
portion of the transportation path.
[0007] The invention is further directed towards a conveyor system
comprising an inlet, an outlet, a first endless conveying element having a
first
contact surface and configured to transport at least one object along a
transportation path from proximate the inlet to proximate the outlet, and a
second
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endless conveying element having a securing surface positioned adjacent the
contact
surface along a secured portion of the transportation path so that the at
least one object
is secured between the first and second conveying elements, along the secured
portion of the transportation path.
[0008] Preferably, the conveyor system includes at least one main guide
element for directing the first and second endless conveying elements along
said secured
portion of the transportation path. The main guide element typically includes
a plurality
of main guide rollers.
[0008A] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a conveyor system
for moving solid objects from a first height to a second height, comprising:
(a)
an inlet at a first select position and disposed at said first height;(b) an
outlet
at a second select position which is different from the first select position
and
disposed at said second height; (c) a generally curvilinear transportation
path
disposed between said first select position and said second select position
and in conveying communication from proximate the.inlet to proximate the
outlet where said curvilinear path is defined by a first generally laterally
disposed segment, a second arcuate segment including a vertical component
extending between said first and second heights, and a third generally
laterally disposed segment substantially parallel to and spaced from said
first
segment; (d) a first endless conveying element to transport said solid objects
having a contact surface defining a portion of said curvilinear transportation
path; (e) a main cylindrical guide element having a diameter generally
corresponding to a simple fraction of the difference between the first and
second heights including a generally arcuate perimetric surface dimensioned
for minimizing bending force delineating said second arcuate segment of said
curvilinear transportation path; and (f) a second endless conveying element
that positions and retains at least one of said objects on the contact surface
along said second arcuate segment of said the curvilinear transportation path;
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where said first and second conveying elements overlap along said second
segment
and are driven by said cylindrical guide element and where said at least one
object is
inverted as a result of travel between said first and third segments, where
said inlet and
said outlet are separated by a select vertical distance, said inlet facing a
first direction
and said outlet facing a second, opposite direction, and where said
curvilinear
transportation path is serpentine, said conveyor system further comprising a
second
main cylindrical guide element for directing the first and second endless
conveying
elements along said serpentine transportation path.
[0008B] In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a conveyor
for food
products, comprising: (a) means for receiving at least one food product in a
select
orientation, said receiving means being located at a first select height; (b)
means for
dispensing said at least one food product in said select orientation said
dispensing
=h
means being located at a second select height that is different from said
first select
height; (c) means for establishing a serpentine transport path between said
receiving
means and said dispensing means; (d) means for conveying said at least one
food
product maintaining said select orientation between said means for receiving
and said
means for dispensing; (e) means for securing said at least one food product at
least in
respect to said curvilinear transport path, said means for securing
overlapping said
means for conveying along the curvilinear transport path and being driven by
said
means for establishing a curvilinear transport path; and (f) where the
receiving means
faces a first direction and the dispensing means faces a second, opposite
direction.
[0008C] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a conveyor system
for
conveying solid objects of limited structural strength generally having a
substantially
uniform size, from a first height to a second height comprising: a first
cylindrical roller of
a select diameter generally corresponding to a whole number fraction of the
difference
between the first and the second heights, said first roller defining a
generally
continuous and smooth first arcuate annular surface having a select curvature;
a
second cylindrical roller of a select diameter generally corresponding to a
whole
number fraction of the difference between the first and the second heights,
said second
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roller defining a generally continuous and smooth second arcuate annular
surface
having a select curvature; a first endless conveyor element disposed between
an inlet
and an outlet and traveling over a path including a first generally
semicircular portion of
said first annular surface and a second generally semicircular portion of said
second
annular surface where said first endless conveyor element is driven by said
roller; and
a second endless conveyor element dimensioned to overlie said first endless
conveyor
at least substantially along said first and said second generally semicircular
portions,
said second endless conveyor element being driven with said first endless
conveyor,
where said second conveyor positionally secures and positionally stabilizes
the at least
a select one of said solid objects disposed between said first endless
conveyor at said
overlying second endless conveyor.
[0008D] In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a conveyor
system
comprising: (a) an inlet; (b) an outlet; (c) a first endless conveying element
having a
sterilizable, unitary contact surface in contact with a guide cylinder
defining a part of
a transportation path and being driven thereby, said first conveying element
configured to transport at least one object along a transportation path from
proximate the inlet, through an intermediate arcuate path with a vertical
component,
to proximate the outlet; and (d) a second endless conveying element having a
sterilizable, unitary securing surface positioned adjacent the contact surface
and
along a secured portion of the transportation path extending at least through
said
intermediate arcuate path so that the at least one object is secured between
the first
and second conveying elements, along the secured portion of the transportation
path, where the transportation path is serpentine and the inlet faces a first
direction
and the outlet faces a second, opposite direction.
[0008E] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a conveyor system
comprising: (a) an inlet; (b) an outlet; (c) a first endless conveying element
having a
sterilizable, unitary contact surface in contact with a guide cylinder
defining a part
of a transportation path and being driven thereby, said first conveying
element
configured to transport at least one object along a transportation path from
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proximate the inlet, through an intermediate arcuate path with a vertical
component, to proximate the outlet; and (d) a second endless conveying element
having a sterilizable, unitary securing surface positioned adjacent the
contact
surface and along a secured portion of the transportation path extending at
least
through said intermediate arcuate path so that the at least one object is
secured
between the first and second conveying elements, along the secured portion of
the
transportation path.
2. [0008F] In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a
conveyor system comprising: an inlet; an outlet; a first endless conveying
element
having a sterilizable, unitary contact surface in contact with a guide
cylinder defining
a part of a transportation path and being driven thereby, said first conveying
element
configured to transport at least one object along a transportation path from
proximate the inlet, through an intermediate arcuate path with a vertical
component,
to proximate the outlet; and a second endless conveying element having a
sterilizable, unitary securing surface positioned adjacent the contact surface
and
along a secured portion of the transportation path extending at least through
said
intermediate arcuate path so that the at least one object is secured between
the first
and second conveying elements, along the secured portion of the transportation
path, further comprising a tensioner for maintaining tension in the first
conveying
element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference
numerals refer to
like parts and in which:
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[0010] FIGURE 1 is a side view of a conveyor system made in accordance
with the present invention.
[0011] FIGURE 2 is a side view of the conveyor system of Figure 1 with
the housing removed.
[0012] FIGURE 3 is a side view of the conveyor system of Figure 1 with
the housing and drive mechanism removed.
[0013] FIGURE 4 is a top schematic view of the conveyor system of Figure
[0014] FIGURE 5 is an end cross-sectional view of a portion of an endless
conveying element of an alternate configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring simultaneously to Figures 1, 2, 3 & 4, illustrated therein is
a preferred embodiment of the conveyor system of the subject invention. The
conveyor system, shown generally as 10, comprises a housing 12, a structural
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framework 13, an inlet 14 for receiving objects 16 such as frozen hamburger
patties, and an outlet 18 for discharging the objects 16 from the system 10.
[0016] As can be seen in Figure 4, typically the inlet 14 and the outlet 18
are in substantial alignment with each other. The inlet 14 and the outlet 18
are
substantially aligned with a vertical plane extending through line 21 and at
900 to
the substrate on which Figure 4 is displayed. However, as shown in Figures 1 -
3, the inlet 14 and the outlet 18 are positioned proximate different vertical
heights, a first height 22 and a second height 24 above the plant floor 25.
[0017] The conveyor system 10 also includes a first endless conveying
element 20. Typically, the conveying element 20 is in the form of a belt,
although
other material such as webbing or a series of cables may also be used. The
system 10 also includes securing means, shown generally as 29, for securing
the
objects 16 to the first endless conveying element 20. The securing means will
typically take the form of a second endless conveying element 30, often in the
form of a belt, although other material such as webbing or a series of cables
may
also be used.
[0018] The conveyor system 10 also includes a plurality of guide rollers to
guide the conveying elements 20, 30 over their respective circuits. First
conveying element 20 travels in sequence over guide roller 50, then in
serpentine
manner clockwise over first main guide element in the form of a first main
guide
roller 52 and counterclockwise over a second main guide element in the form of
a
second main guide roller 54, before passing over guide rollers 56, 58 and 60
and
back to guide roller 50. Guide roller 56 is provided with a biasing mechanism
such that the guide roller 56 functions as a conveyor tensioner in known
manner
to maintain the tension of the conveying element 20.
[0019] The second conveying element 30 travels in sequence over pinch
roller 70, and then in serpentine manner clockwise over main guide roller 52
and
counterclockwise over main guide roller 54, before passing over guide rollers
72,
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74, 76 and back to pinch roller 70. Guide roller 76 is provided with a biasing
mechanism such that the tension guide roller 76 functions in known manner as a
conveyor tensioner to maintain the tension of the conveying element 30.
[0020] The first conveying element 20 has a contact surface 26 on which
the objects 16 are transported along the transportation path A-B which
commences at about position A (which extends laterally across substantially
the
width of the first conveying element 20) proximate the inlet 14 and follows
the
direction of travel of the first endless conveying element 20 and ends about
position B (which extends laterally across substantially the width of the
first
conveying element 20) proximate the outlet 18. As will be understood,
proximate
the inlet 14, the contact surface 26 is typically the upper surface of the
first
conveying element 20.
[0021] The second conveying element 30 has a securing surface 32 which
secures the objects 16 to the contact surface 26 while the objects 16 are
transported along a substantially curvilinear secured portion C-D of the
transportation path A-B commencing from about position C (which extends
laterally across substantially the width of the first conveying element 20)
proximate the pinch roller 70 and following the direction of travel of the
first
endless conveying element 20 to about position D (which extends laterally
across
substantially the width of the first conveying element 20) proximate the
bottom of
the second main guide roller 54.
[0022] As will also be understood, commencing about position C, the
second conveying element 30 (and accordingly the securing surface 32) is
guided into close and typically overlapping proximity with the first conveying
element 20 (and correspondingly the contact surface 26) by pinch roller 70
such
that objects 16 are positioned or sandwiched between the securing surface 32
and the contact surface 26. The proximity between the securing surface 32 and
the contact surface 26 is maintained over the secured portion C-D of the
transportation path A-B.
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(00231 As should also be apparent, the tension of the conveying elements
20, 30 and their proximity to each other over the secured portion C-D of the
transportation path A-B should be configured to secure and maintain the
position
of the objects 16 on the first conveying element 20.
[0024] The system 10 is also provided with a drive mechanism, shown
generally as 80, for driving the first and second conveying elements 20, 30 at
approximately the same speed. In the example illustrated, the drive mechanism
80 includes a variable speed electric motor unit 82 configured for driving a
sprocket gear 84. The electric motor unit 82 is mounted to the structural
framework 13. The second main guide roller 54 is fixed to an axle 86, to which
is
also fixed a sprocket gear 88, typically by welding the gear 88 to the axle
86. 'A
first drive chain 90 connects the sprocket gears 84, 88, and transfers
rotational
power from sprocket gear 84 to drive the main guide roller 54.
[0025] A spur gear 92 is also fixed to the axle 86 of the main guide roller
54. A cooperative spur gear 94 is mounted to an idler shaft axle 96, and the
axle
96 and spur gear 94 are positioned such that the spur gear 92 engages the spur
gear 94. As a result, the spur gear 92 is able to drive the spur gear 94. A
sprocket gear 98 is also fixed to the idler shaft axle 96. A third sprocket
gear 100
is fixed to the axle 102 of the first main guide roller 52. A second drive
chain 104
connects the sprocket gears 98, 100, and transfers rotational power from
sprocket gear 98 to drive the first main guide roller 52.
[0026] As will be understood, each of the axles 86, 96, 102 is rotatably
mounted to the structural framework 13.
[0027] For ease of configuration, preferably sprocket gears 84, 88, 98 and
100 are of substantially identical configuration (including having the same
number of teeth). Spur gears 92 and 94 are also preferably of identical
configuration (including having the same number of teeth). The main guide
rollers 52, 54 are also preferably of approximately the same size. With the
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configuration of the various components as described above, the drive
mechanism 80 is able to drive the main guide rollers 52, 54 at approximately
the
same speed and in opposite directions. Correspondingly, the first and second
conveying elements 20, 30 are also driven at approximately the same speed.
[0028] Preferably, the conveying elements 20, 30 are selected to be
somewhat elastic, to accommodate the shape of the objects 16 which are being
transported over the secured portion C-D of the transportation path A-B. In
situations in which the conveyor system 10 is to be used to convey food
products, as will be understood the conveying elements 20, 30 should be
selected to be safe for use with food and also sterilizable.
[0029] As should also be apparent, at around points E and F of the
secured portion of the transportation path A - B, such portion is
substantially
vertical. As a result, the tension of the conveying elements 20, 30 and the
securing force of the securing surface 32 relative to the contact surface 26
should be sufficient to hold the objects 16 in position on the contact surface
26
particularly at such vertical portions E, F.
[0030] As will also be understood, the size of the main guide rollers 52, 54
should be selected to be sufficiently large relative to the size of the
objects 16
(and particularly in the case of objects 16 with limited structural strength,
such
that the bending force applied to the objects 16 as they are transported
around
the circumference of the main guide rollers 52, 54 is low enough to avoid
breaking or otherwise damaging the objects 16. In the design depicted in
Figures 1 and 2, the diameter of the main guide rollers 52, 54 is
substantially one
half of the difference between the height 22 proximate the inlet 14 and the
height
24 proximate the outlet 18.
[0031] However, different sizes and configurations of the main guide
rollers 52, 54 may be used. For example, while the conveyor system 10 has
been illustrated and described as having two main guide rollers 52, 54, it
should
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be understood that only one, or three or more main guide rollers may be used.
If
a plurality of guide rollers are used with the conveying elements 20, 30
travelling
in serpentine fashion around them, it will typically be expected that the
direction
of travel of objects 16 entering the inlet 14 and the direction of travel of
objects
16 leaving the outlet 18 will be substantially the same (but with the inlet 14
and
outlet 18 on opposite sides of the conveyor system 10) if an even number of
main guide rollers is used (ie. from left to right in Figure 4), and
substantially
opposite if an odd number of main guide rollers is used (but with the inlet 14
and
outlet 18 on the same side of the conveyor system 10). Similarly, if only a
single
main guide roller is used, it will typically be expected that the direction of
travel of
objects 16 entering the inlet 14 and the direction of travel of objects 16
leaving
the outlet 18 will be substantially opposite (but with the inlet 14 and outlet
18 an
the same side of the conveyor system 10).
[0032] Referring more specifically to Figure 4 (which has been
schematically adjusted to show the outlet 18 which would not otherwise be
visible
from a top view of the configuration shown in Figures 1 - 3), feeding 120 and
receiving 122 endless conveyors may also be provided for loading and unloading
objects 16 to and from the system 10, respectively. Objects 16 which enter the
inlet 14 in a registered (or organized) manner, also exit the outlet 18 in a
registered manner, which facilitates the packing of the objects 16 after
exiting the
conveyor system 10.
[0033] As well, while the embodiment of the present invention has been
illustrated and described herein as utilizing large main guide rollers 52, 54,
alternatively, it should be understood that the main guide elements might
include
a series of opposing and flexibly biased pinching rollers to define and guide
the
conveying elements 20, 30 along a transportation path, while at the same time
providing sufficient securing force to secure the objects 16 to the contact
surface
26 of the first conveying element 20.
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[0034] Alternatively, provided that bearings, rollers or other means are
used to minimize friction, a fixed curvilinear surface could be substituted in
place
of one or each main guide roller 52, 54, for guiding and maintaining
sufficient
tension and securing force of the conveyor elements 20, 30. With such a
configuration, as will be understood, the drive mechanism 80 would require
alteration to enable it to drive the conveyor elements 20, 30 at approximately
the
same speed.
[0035] Referring now to Figure 5, illustrated therein is an end cross-
sectional view of an alternate configuration of a first endless conveying
element
shown generally as 20'. The endless conveying element 20' includes a contact
surface 26' on which objects 16 may be positioned. The conveying element 20'
M
also includes a securing means 29' which includes a securing portion 31 of the
endless conveying element 20'. The portion 31 includes a securing surface 32'.
The portion 31 (and corresponds to the securing surface 32') may be moved or
folded over into overlapping proximity to contact surface 26' such that
objects 16
are positioned or sandwiched between the securing surface 32' and the contact
surface 26'. Such an alternate embodiment avoids the need for the use of a
second endless conveying element 30 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, but the
remaining elements of the system 10 remain substantially unchanged.
[0036] Thus, while what is shown and described herein constitute
preferred embodiments of the subject invention, it should be understood that
various changes can be made without departing from the subject invention, the
scope of which is defined in the appended claims.
