EP4149865A1

EP4149865A1 - An apparatus for conveying products along a respective path

Info

Publication number: EP4149865A1
Application number: EP21730281.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tienno Bettati
Original assignee: BETT SISTEMI Srl
Current assignee: BETT SISTEMI Srl
Priority date: 2020-05-12
Filing date: 2021-05-07
Publication date: 2023-03-22
Also published as: WO2021229390A1

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for conveying products along a respective path comprises means, in particular a frame, (12) to support a corresponding conveyor belt (14), said conveyor belt (14) comprising a plurality of mutually aligned meshes (16), according to the forwarding direction of the same conveyor belt (14) and forming means to support said products, which meshes (16) are connected to one another in an articulated manner through corresponding connecting pins, or small rods, (18) and in which the respective pin, or small rod, (18) inserts into a corresponding hole means (165) provided for in corresponding adjacent meshes (16, 16) to be connected of said conveyor belt (14). Means (20) for holding the respective articulating pin, or small rod, (18) in an inserted connecting condition between adjacent meshes (16, 16) are provided, which holding means (20) comprise a portion (20) of the respective mesh (16) that is elastically movable between a normal position in which said movable portion (20) is adapted to engage said articulating pin, or small rod, (18) to prevent the sliding thereof out of said hole means (165), and an elastically recessed position that allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod, (18) into the same hole means (165) of the adjacent meshes to be connected (16, 16).

Description

DESCRIPTION

AN APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING PRODUCTS ALONG A RESPECTIVE PATH. Field of application of the present invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for conveying products along a respective path.

State of the art Apparatuses for conveying products along a respective path are known, which generally comprise means, in particular a frame, to support a corresponding conveyor belt.

In particular, according to a known type, said conveyor belts comprise a plurality of meshes, made of rigid plastic material, which are mutually aligned, according to the forwarding direction of the same conveyor belt and forming corresponding means to support the products to be conveyed.

In this kind of already known conveyor belts, the meshes are connected to one another in an articulated manner through corresponding connecting pins, or small rods, preferably having an elongated shape and in particular being made of a respective plastic material, which insert into corresponding hole means that are provided for in corresponding adjacent meshes to be connected of the same conveyor belt.

A felt problem regarding these meshes of a known type relates to the unsafe and not reliable restraint of the pin or small rod in the connecting position between respective adjacent meshes.

In fact, in use, said pin, or small rod, has a tendency to escape from the holes of the meshes, resulting in a detachment risk between the same meshes and the consequent disassembling of the conveyor belt, which entails at least a need to block the operation of the same belt. However, a need that is particularly felt in the art is also to provide a conveyor belt available the respective constitutive meshes of which are easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Summary of the invention.

By the present invention, a new and alternative solution to the solutions known so far is proposed, and in particular it is proposed to overcome one or more of the drawbacks or problems referred to above and/or to satisfy one or more needs referred to above, and/or in any case felt in the art, and in particular inferable from what is reported above.

Therefore, an apparatus for conveying products along a respective path is provided; said apparatus comprising means, in particular a frame, to support a corresponding conveyor belt; said conveyor belt comprising a plurality of mutually aligned meshes, according to the forwarding direction of the same conveyor belt, and forming means to support said products, which meshes are connected to one another in an articulated manner through corresponding connecting pins, or small rods, and in which the respective pin, or small rod, inserts into corresponding hole means provided for in corresponding adjacent meshes to be connected of said conveyor belt; characterized in that are holding means of the respective articulating pin, or small rod, in an inserted connecting condition between adjacent meshes provided for, which holding means comprise a portion of the respective mesh that is elastically movable between a normal position, in which said movable portion is adapted to engage said articulating pin, or small rod, to prevent the sliding thereof out of said hole means, and an elastically recessed position, which allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod, into the same hole means of the adjacent meshes to be connected.

In this manner, a safe and reliable restraint of the pin or small rod in the connecting position between respective adjacent meshes is obtained. Brief description of the drawings

This and other novel aspects are anyhow set forth in the attached claims, the technical characteristics of which can be found, together with corresponding achieved advantages, in the following detailed description, illustrating a merely exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, and which is given with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective, schematic view of a preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic top plan view of a part of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic top plan view of a mesh of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective, schematic view of a part of the mesh of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective, schematic view, partially in cross-section, of a part of the mesh of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective, schematic view, partially in cross-section, of a part of the mesh of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 illustrates a different a perspective, schematic view, partially in cross- section, of a part of the mesh of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention; - Fig. 8 illustrates a further perspective, schematic view of a part of a first mesh, partially in cross-section, and of a part of a second mesh of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention, and illustrating a condition before the insertion of the articulating pin;

Fig. 9 illustrates a further perspective, schematic view of a part of a first mesh, partially in cross-section, and of a part of a second mesh of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention, and illustrating an insertion step of the articulating pin into the respective mesh;

Fig. 10 illustrates a further perspective, schematic view of a part of a first mesh, partially in cross-section, and of a part of a second mesh of the conveyor belt of the preferred implementation of apparatus according to the present invention, and illustrating the articulating pin in an inserted condition into the respective mesh, however without illustration the further mesh to be connected through the same pin. Detailed description of preferred implementations of the invention

A preferred implementation 10 of an apparatus for conveying products along a respective path is illustrated in the attached figures.

As illustrated, said apparatus 10 comprises means, in particular a frame, 12 to support a corresponding conveyor belt 14. As illustrated, the conveyor belt 14 comprises a plurality of meshes 16, preferably made of rigid plastic material, which, in the belt, are mutually aligned, according to the forwarding direction of the same conveyor belt 14, and which form, in particular on the whole, corresponding means to support said products to be conveyed. As illustrated, such meshes 16 are connected to one another in an articulated manner through corresponding connecting pins, or small rods, 18, preferably having an elongated shape and in particular made of respective plastic material, and in which the respective pin, or small rod, 18 inserts into a corresponding hole means 165 provided for in corresponding adjacent meshes 16, 16 to be connected of said conveyor belt 14.

Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures, holding means 20 of the respective articulating pin, or small rod, 18 in an inserted connecting condition between adjacent meshes 16, 16 are provided, which holding means comprise a portion 20 of the respective mesh 16 that e elastically movable between a normal position, in which said movable portion 20 is adapted to engage said articulating pin, or small rod, 18, to prevent the sliding thereof out of said hole means 165, and an elastically recessed position, which allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 into the same hole means 165 of the adjacent meshes to be connected 16, 16.

In this manner, a safe and reliable restraint of the pin or small rod in the connecting position between respective adjacent meshes is obtained.

In practice, the coming out, in use, of the same articulating pin, or small rod, and the consequent detachment of the connected meshes is avoided. As can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, in a particularly advantageous manner, said hole means are in the form of transversally extending and through hole means 165.

As can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, with advantage, said hole means 165 comprise, on the respective mesh 16, a plurality of transversal through holes 165 provided for, in particular provided at the respective longitudinal projections of the mesh 161, 162.

Advantageously, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 10, said elastically movable holding portion 20 of said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, engages said outermost face 181 of the same articulating pin, or small rod, 18 in an inserted condition into the hole means 165.

In particular, as illustrated, said outermost face 181 of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 in an inserted connecting condition between adjacent meshes 16, 16, is in the form of a planar, or substantially planar, face, oriented, in use, according to the longitudinal extension direction of the respective mesh 16. Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures and in particular from Fig.

10, said elastically movable holding portion 20 of said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, has a respective outermost face 201 that engages the outermost face 181 of the same articulating pin, or small rod, 18 in an inserted condition into the hole means 165. In particular, as illustrated, said outermost face 201 of said elastically movable holding portion 20 of said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, is in the form of a planar, or substantially planar, face, oriented, in use, according to the longitudinal extension direction of the respective mesh 16.

As can be seen from the figures 8 to 10, in an advantageous manner, said articulating pin, or small rod, 18, in order to be inserted in the connecting position between adjacent meshes 16, 16 of said conveyor belt 14, forces said elastically movable holding portion 20 from said normal position, in which said movable portion 20 is adapted to engage said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 to prevent the sliding thereof out of said hole means 165, to said elastically recessed position, which allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 into the same hole means 165 of the adjacent meshes to be connected 16, 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from the figures 8 to 10, said articulating pin, or small rod, 18, in order to be inserted in the connecting position between adjacent meshes 16, 16 of said conveyor belt 14, forces, by frictionally sliding, against a corresponding side surface 202 of said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures, said meshes 16 of the conveyor belt 14 each have corresponding pluralities of longitudinal projections 161, 162, respectively anteriorly and posteriorly extended with respect to the same mesh 16, which front and rear longitudinal projections 161, 162 are offset with respect to one another, and are transversally mutually spaced apart, so as to form respective longitudinally extended gaps 163, 164 which are adapted to receive corresponding longitudinal projections of the longitudinally adjacent meshes. Preferably, as illustrated, each projection 161, 162 has a respective longitudinally extended upper face, 160a, a respective longitudinally extended lower face, 160b, a perpendicular outermost face 160c and opposite longitudinal side faces 160d, 160e, and is joined to the adjacent projections 161, 162 on the same side through a perpendicular surface 160f defining, with opposite longitudinal side faces 160d, 160e of adjacent projections, a respective longitudinally extended space 163 or 164.

In particular, as illustrated, the respective projection 161 is connected to the adjacent projections 162 on the other side of said mesh 16 through corresponding, preferably oblique, connecting lengths, 160o, 160o defining on the whole a transversally extended central block of said mesh 16.

As can be seen from said Figures, in a particularly advantageous manner, the respective front and rear longitudinal projections 161, 162 of the mesh 16 have corresponding transversally through holes 165, preferably oblong in a longitudinal direction with respect to the mesh, which holes 165 are adapted to receive said articulating pin, or small rod, between adjacent meshes 18, which inserts into said through holes 165 of transversally side-by-side projections 161, 162 of meshes of the belt 14 that are longitudinally adjacent, preferably so as to allow the relative rotation of the meshes one with respect to the other in the plane of the belt and with respect to the same transversal articulating pin, or small rod 18, in particular for a transition from the upper length of transport of the product to the lower length for the return thereof, and vice versa.

In practice, the mesh has a transversally elongated and zigzag-shaped solid block 160, from which the respective projections 161, 162 extend; the respective projection having a corresponding upper branch 160s and a lower branch 160i that are connected at the free end libera through a corresponding front branch 160t, defining, together with said upper and lower lengths 160s, 160i, the corresponding, preferably longitudinally oblong, hole 165 of the respective projection 161, 162.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, is provided at the transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh comprises a through hole 165ya, preferably having a circular configuration, for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16.

As can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, with advantage, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, is provided at said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said pin, or small rod, 18 for the articulation of adjacent meshes 16, 16, which is obtained in said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, in particular the respective side surface 202 thereof, defines part of the profile, in particular the circumferential profile, said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16 which is obtained in said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, in the normal position in which the same movable portion 20 is adapted to engage said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 to prevent the sliding thereof out of said hole means 165, extends while slightly projecting, and/or radially projecting inwardly, with respect to the profile, in particular the circumferential profile, 165za which defines said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16.

As can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, in an advantageous manner, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, in the elastically recessed position that allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 into the same hole means 165 of the adjacent meshes to be connected 16, 16, is aligned, in particular circumferentially aligned, to at least part of the profile, in particular the circumferential profile, 165za, which defines said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18, of adjacent meshes 16, 16 of the respective plurality of longitudinal projections 161, is transversally aligned, in particular to a corresponding part preferably close to the central part of the mesh, i.e., to said transversally extended central block 160o, 160o of said mesh 16, of the same longitudinally oblong through holes 165 that are provided for in said longitudinal projections 161 of the mesh 16. Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, extends in a cantilevered manner, from the respective attachment point to said mesh 16, i.e., the mesh body, in the direction of the internal edge 160e of the respective said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16, i.e. to the direction of the internal side edge of the respective transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16.

As can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, in a particularly advantageous manner, in practice said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, extends in a cantilevered manner, from the respective attachment point to said mesh 16, or mesh body, according to the direction transversal to the mesh, in particular in the direction of the centre line of the same mesh 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, extends substantially across the entire, or by an extent slightly lower than the, transversal width of said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said mesh 16, or said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16, posteriorly to said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, has a cavity 17 for the free movement, in particular the free inflection, preferably in the radial direction, of the same elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, into said elastically recessed position that allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 into the same hole means 165 of the adjacent meshes to be connected 16, 16.

In this manner, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, can freely deflect and return elastically, allowing the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 into the same hole means 165 of the adjacent meshes to be connected 16, 16.

As can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, with advantage, said cavity 17 for the free movement, in particular the free inflection, preferably in the radial direction, of the same elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, into said elastically recessed position that allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 into the same hole means 165 of the adjacent meshes to be connected 16, 16, has an oblong configuration and substantially corresponding, or transversally aligned, to the outermost, or longitudinally outermost, part of said oblong holes 165 that are provided for in the longitudinal projections 161 that are located side by side. Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, is defined by slits, in particular elongated slits, 19, 19, which transversally extend in said mesh 16, i.e. in said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16, and which are provided for at opposite ends, or flanks, of the same said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin, or small rod, 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, and which are adapted to separate said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin, or small rod, 18, from the corresponding profile 165za defining said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, has a generally arched profile for wrapping a corresponding part of the side surface of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16.

As can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, in an advantageous manner, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, has an angular extension that is lower than 180° and that in any case is larger than 90°, and which is preferably of about 125°.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, has a surface 202 for engaging said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16, which is at least partially planar-shaped, i.e., in particular, which has a circumferentially central part 202’ that is planar-shaped, and side parts 202”, opposite said circumferentially central part 202’, that are configured as projecting from the same circumferentially central part 202’ towards the opposite face of said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16. Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16, has a thickness that is slightly decreasing towards the free end 201 of the same elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes 16, 16. As can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, in a particularly advantageous manner, said side parts 202” of said insertion engaging side surface 202, of said elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, are planar-shaped and oriented oblique or inclined by an angle with respect to the circumferentially central part 202’ of the same insertion engaging side surface 202. Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures da 5 a 10, in said cavity 17 for the free movement of the same elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18, a corresponding stiffening rib 22 is provided.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures da 5 a 10, said stiffening rib 22 extends perpendicularly between opposite longitudinal, in particular horizontal in use, faces, defining the same cavity 17 for the free movement of the same elastically movable portion 20 for holding said articulating pin 18.

As can be seen from said Figures da 5 a 10, with advantage, said stiffening rib 22 is substantially at the longitudinal centre line of the same cavity 17 for the free movement of the same portion 20 elastically movable for holding said articulating pin 18.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures, said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16 has a perpendicularly extended side plate, 24, preferably obtained in one piece with the remaining part of the transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16, and the perpendicular outer face 241 of which is adapted to slidably rest against a corresponding perpendicular guide surface of said supporting means, or frame 12.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures, said through hole 165ya, for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16, extends into said perpendicularly extended side plate, 24 opening to the outside at said perpendicular outer face 241 of the same side plate 24, in particular at a longitudinal end thereof.

As can be seen from said Figures, in an advantageous manner, said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16 has a horizontal plate 26 defining opposite resting and guiding upper 261 and lower 262 faces against corresponding surfaces of the supporting means, or frame 12, the same horizontal portion 26 preferably extending from said perpendicularly extended side plate, 24 of said transversally outermost longitudinal projection 161xa of the respective mesh 16.

Advantageously, as can be seen from said Figures 4 to 10, said through hole 165ya for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod, 18 of adjacent meshes 16, 16 opens just above, in particular at respective longitudinal end, of said horizontal plate 26, i.e., of the upper face 261 of said horizontal plate 26.

In a preferred manner, the mesh 16 is obtained by moulding a corresponding plastic material.

In practice, as is evident, the technical characteristics illustrated above allow, singularly or in a respective combination, to achieve one or more of the following advantageous results:

- a safe and reliable restraint of the pin or small rod in the connecting position between respective adjacent meshes is obtained; and

- a mesh for conveyor belt that is easy and cheap to manufacture is provided. The present invention is susceptible of evident industrial application. The person skilled in the art can also devise a number of modifications and/or variations to be made to the same invention, while still remaining within the scope of the inventive concept, as widely explained. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will be able to devise further preferred implementations of the invention, which comprise one or more of the characteristics illustrated herein above of the preferred implementation. Furthermore, it must also be understood that all the details of the invention can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for conveying products along a respective path; said apparatus (10) comprising means, in particular a frame, (12) to support a corresponding conveyor belt (14); said conveyor belt (14) comprising a plurality of mutually aligned meshes (16), according to the forwarding direction of the same conveyor belt (14), and forming means to support said products, which meshes (16) are connected to one another in an articulated manner through corresponding connecting pins, or small rods, (18) and in which the respective pin, or small rod, (18) inserts into corresponding hole means (165) provided for in corresponding adjacent meshes (16, 16) to be connected of said conveyor belt (14); characterized in that means (20) for holding the respective articulating pin, or small rod (18) are provided for, in an inserted condition for a connection between adjacent meshes (16, 16), which holding means comprise a portion (20) of the respective mesh (16) that is elastically movable between a normal position, in which said movable portion (20) is adapted to engage said articulating pin, or small rod (18), to prevent the sliding thereof out of said hole means (165), and an elastically recessed portion, which allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) into the same hole means (165) of the adjacent meshes to be connected (16, 16).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), engages said outermost face (181) of the same articulating pin, or small rod (18) in an inserted condition into the hole means (165).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), has a respective outermost face (201) that engages the outermost face (181) of the same articulating pin, or small rod (18) in an inserted condition into the hole means (165).

4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hole means provided for in the respective mesh are in the form of transversally extended and through hole means (165).

5. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hole means (165) comprise, on the respective mesh (16), a plurality of transversal through holes (165) provided for at the respective longitudinal projections of the mesh (161, 162).

6. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said articulating pin, or small rod (18), in order to be inserted in the position for a connection between adjacent meshes (16, 16) of said conveyor belt (14), forces said elastically movable holding portion (20) from said normal position, in which said movable portion (20) is adapted to engage said articulating pin, or small rod (18) to prevent the sliding thereof out of said hole means (165), to said elastically recessed portion, which allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) into the same hole means (165) of the adjacent meshes to be connected (16, 16

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said articulating pin, or small rod (18), to be inserted in the position for a connection between adjacent meshes (16, 16) of said conveyor belt (14), forces, by frictionally sliding, against a corresponding side surface (202) of said elastically portion movable (20) for holding said articulating pin (18).

8. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said meshes (16) of the conveyor belt (14) have each corresponding pluralities of longitudinal projections (161, 162), respectively anteriorly and posteriorly extended with respect to the same mesh (16), which front and rear longitudinal projections (161, 162) are offset with respect to one another, and are transversally mutually spaced apart so as to form respective longitudinally extended gaps (163, 164) that are adapted to receive corresponding longitudinal projections of the longitudinally adjacent meshes.

9. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective front and rear longitudinal projections (161, 162) of the mesh (16) have corresponding transversally through holes (165), which are preferably oblong in a direction longitudinal to the mesh, which holes (165) are adapted to receive said articulating pin, or small rod between adjacent meshes (18), which inserts into said through holes (165) of transversally side-by-side projections (161, 162) of meshes of the belt (14) that are longitudinally adjacent, preferably so as to allow the relative rotation of the meshes one with respect to the other in the plane of the belt and with respect to the same transversal articulating pin, or small rod (18), in particular for a transition from the upper length of transport of the product to the lower length for the return thereof, and vice versa.

10. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), is provided for at the transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh.

11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh comprises a through hole (165ya), preferably having a circular configuration, for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16).

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), is provided for at said through hole (165ya) for the insertion of said pin, or small rod, (18) for the articulation of adjacent meshes (16, 16), which is obtained in said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16).

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that elastically movable said portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), in particular the respective side surface (202) thereof, defines part of the profile, in particular the circumferential profile, said through hole (165ya) for the insertion of articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16,

16) which is obtained in said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16).

14. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), in the normal position in which the same movable portion (20) is adapted to engage said articulating pin, or small rod (18) to prevent the sliding thereof out of said hole means (165), extends while slightly projecting, and/or radially projecting inwardly, with respect to the profile, in particular the circumferential profile, (165za) which defines said through hole (165ya) for the insertion of the articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16).

15. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), in the elastically recessed portion that allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) into the same hole means (165) of the adjacent meshes to be connected (16, 16), is aligned, in particular circumferentially aligned, to at least part of the profile, in particular the circumferential profile, (165za), which defines said through hole (165ya) for the insertion of the articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16).

16. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 11 to 15, characterized in that said through hole (165ya) for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod (18), of adjacent meshes (16, 16) of the respective plurality of longitudinal projections (161), is transversally aligned, in particular to a corresponding part, preferably close to said transversally extended central block (160o, 160o) of said mesh (16), of the same through holes, in particular longitudinally oblong through holes (165) that are provided for in said longitudinal projections (161) of the mesh (16).

17. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), extends in a cantilevered manner from the respective attachment point to said mesh (16), according to the direction transversal to the mesh, in particular in the direction of the centre line of the same mesh (16).

18. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), extends in a cantilevered manner from the respective attachment point to said mesh (16), in the direction of the inner edge of said respective through hole (165ya) for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16), i.e., in the direction of the side inner edge (160e) of the respective transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16).

19. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), extends substantially across the entire, or by an extent slightly lower than the, transversal width of said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16).

20. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mesh (16), or said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16), posteriorly to said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), has a cavity (17) for the free movement, in particular the free inflection, preferably in the radial direction, of the same elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), into said elastically recessed portion that allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) into the same hole means (165) of the adjacent meshes to be connected (16, 16).

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that said cavity (17) of free movement, in particular free inflection, preferably in the radial direction, of the same elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), into said elastically recessed portion that allows the passage of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) into the same hole means (165) of the adjacent meshes to be connected (16, 16), has an oblong configuration and substantially corresponding, or transversally aligned, to the outermost, or longitudinally outermost, part of said oblong holes (165) that are provided for in the longitudinal projections (161) that are located side by side.

22. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18) in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), is defined by slits, in particular elongated slits, (19, 19), which transversally extend in said mesh (16), i.e. in said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16), and which are provided for at opposite ends, or flanks, of the same said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), and which are adapted to separate said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), from the corresponding profile (165za) defining said through hole (165ya) for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16).

23. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), has a generally arched profiled for wrapping a corresponding part of the side surface of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16).

24. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), has an angular extension that is lower than 180° and larger than 90°, and which is preferably of about 125°.

25. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), has a surface (202) for engaging said articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16), which is at least partially planar-shaped, i.e., in particular, which has a circumferentially central part (202’) that is planar-shaped, and side parts (202”) opposite said circumferentially central part (202’) that are configured as projecting from the same circumferentially central part (202’) towards the opposite face of said through hole (165ya) for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16).

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that said side parts

(202”) of said insertion engaging side surface (202), of said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), are planar-shaped and oriented oblique or inclined by an angle, with respect to the circumferentially central part (202’) of the same insertion engaging side surface (202).

27. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16), has a thickness that is slightly decreasing towards the free end of the same elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), in a connecting condition of adjacent meshes (16, 16).

28. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 20 to 27, characterized in that in said cavity (17) for the free movement of the same elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18), is provided with a corresponding stiffening rib (22).

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that said stiffening rib

(22) extends perpendicularly between opposite longitudinal, in particular horizontal in use, faces, defining the same cavity (17) for the free movement of the same elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18).

30. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 28 and 29, characterized in that said stiffening rib (22) is substantially at the longitudinal centre line of the same cavity (17) for the free movement of the same elastically movable portion (20) for holding said articulating pin (18).

31. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16) has a perpendicularly extended side plate (24), preferably obtained in one piece with the remaining part of the transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16), and the perpendicular outer face (241) of which is adapted to slidably rest against a corresponding perpendicular guide surface of said supporting means, or frame (12).

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that said through hole (165ya), for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16), extends into said perpendicularly extended side plate (24) opening to the outside at said perpendicular outer face (241) of the same side plate (24), in particular at a longitudinal end thereof.

33. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16) has a horizontal plate (26), projecting laterally outwardly of the mesh 16, defining opposite resting and guiding upper (261) and lower (262) faces against corresponding surfaces of the supporting means, or frame (12), the same horizontal portion (26) preferably extending from said perpendicularly extended side plate (24) of said transversally outermost longitudinal projection (161xa) of the respective mesh (16).

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that said through hole (165ya) for the insertion of said articulating pin, or small rod (18) of adjacent meshes (16, 16) opens just above, in particular at respective longitudinal end, of said horizontal plate (26), i.e., of the upper face (261) thereof.

35. A conveyor belt (14), characterized in that it comprises at least such a mesh (16) according to any of the corresponding preceding claims.

36. A mesh (16) for a conveyor belt (14), characterized in that it is produced as provided for in any of the corresponding preceding claims.

37. An apparatus, a belt, and a mesh, each being respectively characterized in that it is produced according to any of the preceding claims and/or as described and illustrated with reference to the attached drawings.