AU2021421335A1 - Sealing arrangement for a conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

A sealing arrangement for a conveyor, the sealing arrangement comprising: a seal strip; and one or more magnetic securement devices adapted to fasten the seal strip to a rigid structure of the conveyor. In addition, a securement device for fastening a seal to a conveyor, the securement device comprising a body portion with one or more magnetic members disposed therein.

Description

Sealing Arrangement for a Conveyor

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing arrangement for a conveyor. More preferably, the sealing arrangement of the present invention is intended to allow for the quick adjustment and replacement of the seal.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] In order to transfer bulk materials a conveyor system is often used. Such conveyor systems comprise a belt that extends in a continuous loop around rollers and pulleys. The upper portion of the loop can be referred to as a transfer area and the lower portion of the loop can be referred to as a return run. Bulk material is loaded onto the transfer area and is carried along by the conveyor system.

[0004] As the bulk material is typically particulate in nature, it is also common to heap the bulk material near the centerline of the belt, while keeping such bulk material from spilling off of the edges of the belt. To prevent such spillage, most conveyor systems comprise rigid skirts that are provided along each edge of the transfer area for purposes of redirecting stray bulk material and maintaining such material on the belt.

[0005] Because many types of bulk materials are abrasive, it is also common practice to attach wear liners to the skirts, which prevent the skirts from direct contact with the bulk material. Over time, the wear liners degrade from direct contact with the moving bulk material and periodically must be replaced.

[0006] In order to retain as much material on the conveyor belt as possible, the position of the wear liners on the skirts is adjusted to provide as small as gap as possible between the conveyor belt and the bottom edge of the wear liners. There is however a limit to how small the gap can be. The wear liners are constructed from strong, rigid materials designed to withstand the abrasive forces. If the conveyer belt was to impact such a material during operation, it would cause significant damage to the conveyor belt. As such, the wear liners are positioned such that a minimum gap between the wear liner and the conveyor belt is maintained. This means that a total seal along the sides of the conveyor is not established, resulting is dust and small particles being permitted to travel under the wear liners and the skirts and out of the conveyor. This not only leads to debris forming around the conveyor, but also a health and safety issue for the operators.

[0007] Seals are commonly used to minimize the dust that generates from the gap between the skirts and the conveyor belt. Such seals typically comprise a seal strip that is fastened to exterior face of the skirt such the bottom edge of the seal strip depends from the bottom edge of the skirt to form a barrier across the area between the bottom edge of the skirt and the conveyor belt. Such seal strips are constructed from rubber or another flexible material and commonly have a thickness between 12 mm - 25 mm. The most common means of attachment is by way of a clamping mechanism that is used to hold the top portion of the seal to the exterior face of the skirts. The clamps typically comprise an elongate metal bar which is held in position using a locking wedge and pin configuration. Other arrangements make use of levers to lock the clamps into position.

[0008] The seals are a consumable and need to be replaced often, particularly where there is significant contact between the seal and the conveyor belt. In order to change out the seal, the conveyor operation is halted, the old seal in unfasted from the skirt and a new seal is positioned next to the skirt and is fastened in place. Whilst prior art fastening arrangements have been designed to allow for the clamping mechanisms to be quickly released, the actual changeover remains a relatively time-consuming process. This is because long seal strips are often used, and these must be hand fed under the clamps and be accurately positioned before the clamps can be engaged. This often requires multiple operators to hold the seal strip in place to before the clamps can be engaged. Furthermore, the complex clamping mechanism have been found to foul and seize as a result of the often dusty environment they are operated in.

[0009] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sealing arrangement for a conveyor, the sealing arrangement comprising: a seal strip; and one or more magnetic securement devices adapted to fasten the seal strip to a rigid structure of the conveyor.

[0011] Preferably, there is a magnetic attraction between the one or more magnetic securement devices and the rigid structure of the conveyor.

[0012] In order for the seal strip to be fastened, the seal strip is positioned against the rigid structure of the conveyor and the magnetic securement device is moved into position over the seal strip. Preferably, the magnetic attraction between the one or more magnetic securement devices and the rigid structure of the conveyor will retain each magnetic securement device in place, with the seal strip being clamped between the magnetic securement devices and the rigid structure of the conveyor. Where multiple magnetic securement devices are used, these may be positioned along the length of the seal strip to provide a clamping force along the length of the seal strip. When the seal strip requires replacement, each magnetic securement device is removed, thereby unfastening the seal strip from the rigid structure of the conveyor.

[0013] Preferably, the rigid structure of the conveyor is a skirt of the conveyor. In one form of the present invention, the magnetic securement devices are adapted to secure the steel strip to an exterior face of the skirt.

[0014] The sealing arrangement of present invention allows for the seal strip to be quickly fastened to the skirt of the conveyor. In order for the seal strip to be fastened, the seal strip is positioned against the exterior face of the skirt of the conveyor and the magnetic securement device is moved into position over the seal strip. The magnetic attraction with the skirt will retain the magnetic securement device in place, with the seal strip being clamped between the skirt and the magnetic securement device. Where multiple magnetic securement devices are used, these may be positioned along the length of the seal strip to provide a clamping force along the length of the seal strip. When the seal strip requires replacement, each magnetic securement device is removed, thereby unfastening the seal strip from the skirt.

[0015] In one form of the present invention, the sealing arrangement for a conveyor at least partially seals the gap between the skirt and the conveyor belt.

[0016] The inventors have found that the use of magnetic securement devices avoids the need for the operator to use any tools to fasten/unfasten the seal strip from the skirt. The magnetic securement devices can instead be simply manipulated by hand to move them to the desired position. A further advantage of this arrangement is that the position of the seal strip on the skirt can be easily adjusted by hand.

[0017] In one form of the present invention, the magnetic securement devices are magnets. In an alternative form of the present invention, each magnetic securement device comprises a body portion with one or more magnetic members disposed therein.

[0018] In one form of the present invention, the body portion is planar. Preferably, it is constructed from steel plate.

[0019] In one form of the present invention, the body portion is provided with one or more recesses adapted to receive a magnetic member.

[0020] In one form of the present invention, each magnetic member is bonded within the recess. In an alternative form of the present invention, each magnetic member is releasably fastened within the recess. Preferably, each magnetic member is releasably fastened within the recess by way of screw or twist lock mechanism.

[0021] In one form of the present invention, each magnetic securement device is fastened to the conveyor. Preferably, each magnetic securement device is fastened to the conveyor by way of a flexible tether. More preferably, the flexible tether is secured to both the conveyor and the magnetic securement device.

[0022] In one form of the present invention, each magnetic securement device comprises an attachment means. In embodiments where the magnetic securement device is fastened to the skirt, the attachment means provides a point at which the flexible tether may be fixed to the magnetic securement device. Preferably, the attachment means is fastened to the body portion. [0023] In one form of the present invention, the attachment means comprises an anchoring point. Preferably, the attachment means is an eye bolt or shackle.

[0024] In one form of the present invention, the seal strip is constructed from a flexible material.

[0025] In one form of the present invention, the seal strip has a thickness between 1 mm and 5 mm. Preferably, the seal strip has a thickness between 1 mm and 4 mm. More Preferably, the seal strip has a thickness between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0026] In accordance a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a securement device for fastening a seal to a conveyor, the securement device comprising a body portion with one or more magnetic members disposed therein.

[0027] In one form of the present invention, the body portion is planar. Preferably, it is constructed from steel plate.

[0028] In one form of the present invention, the body portion is provided with one or more recesses adapted to receive a magnetic member.

[0029] In one form of the present invention, each magnetic member is bonded within the recess. In an alternative form of the present invention, each magnetic member is releasably fastened within the recess. Preferably, each magnetic member is releasably fastened within the recess by way of screw or twist lock mechanism.

[0030] In one form of the present invention, each magnetic securement device is fastened to the conveyor. Preferably, each magnetic securement device is fastened to the conveyor by way of a flexible tether. More preferably, the flexible tether is secured to both the conveyor and the magnetic securement device.

[0031] In one form of the present invention, each magnetic securement device comprises an attachment means. In embodiments where the magnetic securement device is fastened to the skirt, the attachment means provides a point at which the flexible tether may be fixed to the magnetic securement device. Preferably, the attachment means is fastened to the body portion.

[0032] In one form of the present invention, the attachment means comprises an anchoring point. Preferably, the attachment means is an eye bolt or shackle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front on view of the sealing arrangement of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an upper perspective view of the sealing arrangement of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a profile view of the sealing arrangement of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of a magnetic securement device used in the sealing arrangement of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] In Figures 1 - 3, there is shown a sealing arrangement 10 in accordance with the present invention. The sealing arrangement 10 is adapted to be used in associated with a conventional conveyor 12. As shown in Figure 1 , conveyors 12 typically comprise a belt 14 that extends in a continuous loop around rollers (not shown). As shown, the side edges of the belt 14 are canted upwardly by side support idler rollers 16, which are inclined as shown. The upper portion of the loop can be referred to as a transfer area 18. Bulk material (not shown) is loaded onto the transfer area 18 and is carried along the conveyor 12 by the belt 14. The conveyor 12 is typically supported on a framework 20.

[0035] As the bulk material is typically particulate in nature, it is necessary to ensure that the bulk material does not spill off the edge of the belt 14. To prevent such spillage, the skirt system 10 is positioned on the sides of the transfer area 18. The skirt system 10 acts to prevent or at least inhibit the migration of the bulk material outwardly from the transfer area 18. [0036] The skirt system 10 comprises a series of skirts 20. As shown in Figure 1 , the skirts 20 are positioned such that a bottom edge 22 of each skirt 20 is above the belt 14. Each skirt 20 has an interior face 26 directed towards the transfer area 18. Similarly, each skirt 20 has an opposed exterior face 28. A wear liner 30 is mounted to the interior face 26 of each skirt 20. The wear liner 30 is positioned such that the bottom edge 32 of the wear liner 30 is above the belt 14.

[0037] As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, whilst the skirts 20 and/or the wear liners 30 may be positioned close to the conveyor belt 14 to prevent the majority of the bulk material from spilling out of the transfer area 18. However, the proximity between the wear liners 30 and the conveyor belt 14 is limited by a number of factors. The main limitation is the potential damage that the rigid skirts 20 and/or the wear liners 30 could do to the conveyor belt 14 should the it impact the conveyor belt 14 during the conveyor operation. Natural variation in the conveyor height during use must be accounted for and so a sizable gap is often left between the skirts 20 and/or the wear liners 30 and the conveyor belt 14. This provides an area in which fine particles and dust may escape from the conveyor transfer area 18. The sealing arrangement 10 of the present invention is adapted to seal the gap between the skirts 20 and the conveyor belt 14.

[0038] The sealing arrangement of the present invention comprises a seal strip 34 which is secured to the exterior face 28 of the skirt 20 by way of one or more magnetic securement devices 36.

[0039] The seal strip 34 is an elongate strip of flexible material which will bridge the gap of between the skirt 20 and the conveyor belt 14. Importantly, the seal strip 34 is constructed from a material that allows for contact with the conveyor belt 14 without inflicting damage to the conveyor belt 14. The seal strips 34 are typically constructed from a natural rubber or a synthetic rubber but may be made of other suitable materials.

[0040] In one embodiment of, the thickness of the seal strip 34 is between 1 mm and 5 mm. In one embodiment of, the thickness of the seal strip 34 is between 1 mm and 4 mm. In one embodiment of, the thickness of the seal strip 34 is between 1 mm and 3 mm. The thicker the material, the more weight it has, and so larger or more magnetic securement devices 36 are required. [0041] The seal strip 34 may be in one piece or in several sections.

[0042] The magnetic securement devices 36 comprise at least one magnetic member 38 that will have a magnetic attraction to the skirt 20. As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the magnetic securement devices 36 are positioned along the seal strip 34 such that the seal strip 34 is located between the magnetic securement devices 36 and the skirt 20. The attraction between the magnetic securement devices 36 and the skirt 20 will exert a clamping force onto the seal strip 34, thereby fastening the seal strip 34 in place.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic securement devices 36 are magnets. In an alternative form of the present invention, the magnetic securement devices 36 comprise one or more magnetic members 38 disposed within a body portion 40. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, many magnetic materials are brittle and are susceptible to cracking under stress. By disposing these materials in a body portion 40 constructed from a stronger material, the magnetic members 38 may be protected from such stress. The body portion 40 can advantageously be made from a ferrous material such that magnetic flux from the magnetic members 38 readily transfers through the material of the body portion 40. This extends the clamping force along the length of the magnetic securement device 36.

[0044] The magnetic members 38 are preferably planar in shape. Where the magnetic members 38 are disposed within a body portion 40, the planar surface of the magnetic members 38 are preferably positioned co-planer to the body portion 40.

[0045] The magnetic members 38 can be any suitable type of magnet, such as neodymium, ferrite (ceramic) magnets and the like, as these magnets have a strong holding force holding force. Alternative magnetic materials may be used.

[0046] In Figure 4, there is shown a magnetic securement device 36 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the magnetic securement device 36 comprises a body portion 40 in which two magnetic members 38 are disposed. The body portion 40 is constructed from a unitary steel plate or steel flat bar. Two recesses 42 are provided through the body portion 40 to accept the magnetic members 38. It will be appreciated that the recesses 42 are appropriately sized to fit the particular magnetic members 38 used. In an alternative form of the present invention, the magnetic members 38 may be fixed directly to the surface of the body portion 40.

[0047] The shape of the body portion 40 is preferably generally planar with the magnetic members 38 spaced along the elongate length of the body portion 40. This is considered desirable for distributing the clamping force of the magnetic members 38 across a wide area of the seal strip 34. The shape and size of the body portion 40 may be altered to fit a particular application.

[0048] The magnetic members 38 may be retained with the recesses 42 by any appropriate means available to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the magnetic members 38 are fixed within the recess 42 by way of an adhesive or a welded joint. In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic members 38 may be releasably fastened within the recesses 42. This will allow for the magnetic members 38 to be swapped out as required. It is envisaged that the recesses 42 may be threaded with a cooperating thread being provided on the magnetic member 38. This will allow for the magnetic member 38 to be threaded into position.

[0049] Whilst the embodiment shown in Figure 4 comprises two magnetic members 38, it envisaged that a single magnetic member 38 may also be utilised. Alternatively, three or more separate magnetic member 38 may be used to achieve a similar result. The size and shape of each magnetic member 38 may also be altered to accommodate the specifications of the application. Larger magnetic members 38 or a greater number of small magnetic members 38 may be used with heavier seal strips 34 or where the spacing between multiple magnetic securement devices 36 is large.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic securement devices 36 are fastened to the conveyor, preferably by way of flexible tethers. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, short chains 44 are used to fasten the magnetic securement devices 36 to skirt 20 itself. Other suitable fastening arrangements known to those skilled in the art may also be employed. It is envisaged that one end of the flexible tether may be fastened to the skirt 20 with the other end being fastened to a magnetic securement device 36. The fastening of the magnetic securement devices 36 has been found to assist with the mounting of the seal strip 34 to the skirt 20 as it ensures that the magnetic securement devices 36 are always available to an operator. It also prevents the magnetic securement devices 36 from being lost when the seal strip 34 is removed. Each magnetic securement device 36 may be fitted with an attachment point for the flexible tether. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, each magnetic securement device 36 is fitted with an eye bolt 46. In a preferred embodiment each flexible tether terminates at a shackle which may be used to engage with the attachment point on the magnetic securement device 36.

[0051] In order to install the sealing arrangement of the present invention onto a conveyor, the seal strip 34 is moved into a position along the exterior face 28 of the skirt 20. One or more magnetic securement devices 36 are then positioned along the seal strip 34 at positions that overlay the skirt 20. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic securement devices 36 and the skirts 20 will hold the magnetic securement devices 36 in position, which will in turn fasten the seal skirt to the skirt 20.

[0052] The magnetic securement devices 36 of the present invention do not rely on complex mechanisms to fasten the seal strip 34 to the skirt 20. Prior art fastening systems have sought to use lever or twist lock systems to speed up the mounting process. Such systems however rely on multiple moving parts which have been found to seize in the dusting environments that accompany conveyors. By eliminating the need for any moving part, the magnetic securement devices 36 of the present invention are not susceptible to such problems

[0053] In preferred embodiment of the present invention, the seal strip 34 is has a thickness of only about 1 mm to 3 mm. This makes the seal strip 34 much lighter than prior art seals which are typically around 12 mm - 25 mm thick. This allows for the simple positioning of the seal strip 34 in place. The thinner seal strip 34 of the present invention has the further advantage that a single operator may be used to position the seal strip 34 into place. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, prior art seal strip 34 are generally quite rigid and so multiple operators are required to position and mount the seals in place. This is a slow process that can render the conveyor inoperable for great lengths of time.

[0054] The height of the seal strip 34 on the skirt 20 may then be adjusted to ensure that the gap between the bottom edge 22 of the skirt 20 and the conveyor belt 14 is adequately sealed. The adjustment is facilitated by simply removing the magnetic securement devices 36 by hand and making adjustments to the height of the seal strip 34 on the skirt 20. The ease in which the seal strip 34 may be adjusted is particularly advantageous as the initial position of the seal strip 34 does not necessarily need to be accurate, simplifying the mounting process.

[0055] Once installed and the conveyor is operated, the seal strip 34 will wear due to frictional contact with the conveyor belt 14 or the material itself. The position of the seal strip 34 may be periodically adjusted to be in contact with or almost in contact with the conveyor belt 14. At times the seal strip 34 may need to be replaced. In order to replace the seal strip 34, the magnetic securement devices 36 are removed which will unfasted the used seal strip 34 from the skirt 20. The seal strip 34 is then removed and replaced with a new seal strip 34.

[0056] Advantageously, the sealing arrangement of the present invention may easily be retrofitted to existing conveyors without the need for any parts to be replaced. The only possible alteration that may be required would be to attach the flexible tethers to skirts 20. This can be completed by simply fastening eye bolts or similar anchoring points to the conveyor skirts 20.

[0057] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

Claims (9)

1 . A sealing arrangement for a conveyor, the sealing arrangement comprising: a seal strip; and one or more magnetic securement devices adapted to fasten the seal strip to a rigid structure of the conveyor.

2. A sealing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein there is a magnetic attraction between the one or more magnetic securement devices and the rigid structure of the conveyor.

3. A sealing arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic attraction between the one or more magnetic securement devices and the rigid structure of the conveyor will retain the magnetic securement device in place, with the seal strip being clamped between the magnetic securement devices and the rigid structure of the conveyor

4. A sealing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid structure of the conveyor is a skirt of the conveyor.

5. A sealing arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic securement devices are adapted to secure the steel strip to an exterior face of a conveyor skirt.

6. A sealing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic securement devices are magnets.

7. A sealing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each magnetic securement device comprises a body portion with one or more magnetic members disposed therein.

8. A sealing arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the body portion is planar.

9. A sealing arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the body portion constructed from steel plate.

. A sealing arrangement according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the body portion is provided with one or more recesses adapted to receive a magnetic member. .A sealing arrangement according to claim 10, wherein each magnetic member is bonded within the recess. . A sealing arrangement according to claim 10, wherein each magnetic member is releasably fastened within the recess. . A sealing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each magnetic securement device is fastened to the conveyor. . A sealing arrangement according to claim 13, wherein each magnetic securement device is fastened to the conveyor by way of a flexible tether. . A sealing arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, wherein each magnetic securement device comprises an attachment means. . A sealing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal strip is constructed from a flexible material. . A sealing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal strip has a thickness between 1 mm and 5 mm. . A sealing arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal strip has a thickness between 1 mm and 3 mm. . A securement device for fastening a seal to a conveyor, the securement device comprising a body portion with one or more magnetic members disposed therein. . A securement device according to claim 19, wherein the body portion is provided with one or more recesses adapted to receive a magnetic member. .A securement device according to claim 20, wherein the magnetic securement device comprises an attachment means.