GB2220903A

GB2220903A - Endless conveyor with curved region

Info

Publication number: GB2220903A
Application number: GB8812009A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Barry Langham
Original assignee: Conveyor Systems Inc
Current assignee: Conveyor Systems Inc
Priority date: 1988-05-20
Filing date: 1988-05-20
Publication date: 1990-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2008-05-20
Also published as: GB8812009D0; GB2220903B

Abstract

A conveyor for conveying delicate articles such as biscuits (11) comprises a continuous loop of material (15) entrained about at least tow spaced apart guide means (16, 17) to provide a conveying run (18) and a return run, the conveying run (18) providing a conveying surface on which in use an article (11) is conveyed, at least a region (20) of the conveying run (18) including a curve. Two or more continuous loops may be provided side-by-side, each including a curved region, the speeds of the loops being different. The loop of material (15) is preferably of round or polygonal cross-section and the guide means (16, 17) each comprise a grooved pulley wheel. The loop (15) is preferably guided in the curve region (20) by auxiliary pulley wheels (21). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Conveyor Description of Invention This invention relates to a conveyor and more particularly but not exclusively to a conveyor for conveying delicate articles such as biscuits and to a method of conveying.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a conveyor comprising a continuous loop of material entrained about at least two spaced apart guide means to provide a conveying run and a return run, the conveying run providing a conveying surface on which in use an article is conveyed, at least a region of the conveying run including a curve.

The conveyor may include a support means to quide articles being conveyed on the conveying run around the curve. Thus using suitahle support means the articles may be supported on a single continuous loop of material enabling a simple conveyor construction to be adopted. However if desired the conveyor may comprise two or more continuous loops of material side by side, each entrained about spaced apart guide means and each providing a conveying surface and each having a conveying run which includes a curve.

Preferably in such a construction, the conveying surface of the loop which is on the inside of the curve moves at a different linear speed to the conveying surface of the loop on the outside of the curve so that articles being conveyed do not twist relative to the conveying surfaces as they are conveyed around the curve.

In a preferred example, the or each continuous loop of material comprises a flexible belt having a cross section which is generally round or polygonal, the guide means about which the loop is entrained each comprising a pulley wheel each having a circumferential groove of an appropriate configuration to receive the flexible belt.

The axes of rotation of the spaced guide means may be generally horizontal so that the conveying run of the continuous loop comprises an upper run and the return loop a lower run.

The conveying and return runs of the continuous loop are preferably parallel so that the return run also includes a curve although other arrangements are possible where only the conveying run is curved.

Preferably an auxiliary guide means is provided to maintain the continuous loop in a curved configuration. For example the auxiliary guide means may comprise one or more pulley wheels which engage with the continuous loop but do not in use contact an article being conveyed.

For example, the auxiliary guide means may comprise one or more pulley wheels each rotatable about a respective generally vertical axis, each pulley wheel having a circumferential groove to receive the continuous loop, the continuous loops standing proud of the groove and being of a configuration so that only the continuous loop is engaged by an article beinq conveyed.

The continuous loop may be driven to convey articles, by rotatinq one or both of the guide means about which the loop is entrained. Where a plurality of continuous loops are provided side by side, the respective guide means may be rotated at different speeds to achieve differential sensing surface speed around the curve.

The conveyor may comprise a conveyor bed along which the or each continuous loop extends.

The invention is particularly applicable to conveying delicate articles such as biscuits. The articles may make a point contact only with the or each conveying surface and where the or each conveying surface is provided by a flexible belt for example, the articles are cushioned as they are conveyed, by belt movement.

The conveyor of the invention may comprise part of a larger conveying system which includes straight conveying sections.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a method of conveying delicate articles using a conveyor system including a conveyor according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprisinq the steps of placing articles onto the conveying system, conveying the articles around the curve, and removing articles from the conveying system.

It will be appreciated that in continuous production of articles it is desirable to provide for accumulation of articles being conveyed for example to facilitate packing.

It has been found that by utilising a conveyor comprising a continuous loop which makes a point contact only with each article conveyed, friction between the articles and the conveying surface can be easily overcome without causing damage to the delicate articles to provide for accumulation.

The method may include placing along the conveyor bed a spacer means onto which articles are conveyed, the articles when in engagement with the spacer means being out of contact with the continuous loop.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a plan view of part of a conveyor in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is a section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a plan view of part of another conveyor in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 4 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 3, and, FIGURE 5 is a side view of port of a conveying system incorporating a conveyor in accordance with the invention.

Referrinq to figure 1 of the drawings, a conveyor 10 for conveying delicate articles comprising biscuits 11, comprises a conveyor bed 12 from which extends upwardly guide supports 13 which carry rails 14 which extend along the conveyor 10 either side of the biscuits 11. The guide supports 13 and rails together provide a support means for the biscuits II. Thus as the biscuits II are conveyed along the conveyor bed 12, they are supported by the rails 14 in the upright condition shown.

The conveyor 10 further comprises a continuous loop of material 15 which is entrained about a first guide means ló and about a second guide means 17 so as to provide an upper conveying run 18 above the conveyor bed 17, and a lower return run 19 below the conveyor bed.

The first and second guide means 16,17, comprise pulley wheels which each have a groove in the circumference thereof to receive the loop 15 of material.

A major part of the upper run 18 includes a curve 20, the flexible belt 15 being constrained to the curved configuration by a plurality of auxiliary guide means 21 (seven in this example) which also each comprise a pulley wheel which is arranged to rotate about a respective generally vertical axis, and have grooves 23 in their peripheries. The grooves 23 and configuration of the loop 15 which is circular in cross section in this example, are such that the loop 15 stands proud of the upper surfaces of the pulley wheels 21 so that the biscuits Ii are conveyed on a conveyinq surface of the upper run I of the continuous loop, and not by the auxiliary guide means 21.

In the example in the drawings, the continuous loop 15 of material is of circular cross section although could be of other cross sections as required such as polygonal. Preferably however, the loop comprises a strand which may be of plastic or any other suitable material.

It will be appreciated from figure 2 that each of the biscuits II form only c point contact with the continuous loop 15 of material on their lower surfaces, and are otherwise simply guided in an upright orientation by the support rails 14.

Thus as will be appreciated from figure 1, biscuits can be conveyed around the curve 20 of the conveyor, as the continuous loop 15 moves.

To impart drive to the conveyor, the first 1 and/or second 17 guide means may be driven, for example from a suitable motor although other drive means may be possible.

As shown, the upper and lower runs 18,19, of the continuous loop 15 are generally parallel i.e. the lower run 19 also provides a curve, the lower run 19 being guided by roller or further pulley wheels for examples. However, in another arrangement (not shown) the lower run 19 may follow a different path between the guide means 16,17, to the upper run 18.

Referring now to figures 3 and 4, a similar arrangement is shown and similar parts are labelled with the same reference numeral but with a prime sign added.

In this example, the conveyor 10' comprises a conveyor bed 12' which is wider than the conveyor bed 12 of the figures I and 2 versions. This is to permit a pair of continuous loops 15' and 15a each to provide a conveyinq surface on an upper run 18',1 8a thereof. The loops 15' and 15a are each guided around a curve 20' by an auxiliary guide means ?1',21a in exactly the same manner as the loop 15 in figures 1 and 2. The loops 15' and I So are each entrained about respective guide means I ' and 17', 16a and 17a and the auxiliary guide means 21',21a are provided to maintain the upper run 18',1Ra of each loop 15,1 So in the curved configuration.

It will be appreciated that if the guide means 16',17',16a,17a are rotated at the same speeds, differential movement will occur between the conveying surface of the inner loop 15' around the curve 20' and the conveying surface of the loop ISa on the outside of the curve which normally would impart twisting to articles being conveyed around the curve 20' relative to the conveying surfaces.

Hence in this example, the loop 15' is driven at a slower speed than the loop I Sa so that no twisting is imparted to articles. This differential movement may be achieved by, for example, driving only guide means 16', guide means 16a idling at a different speed to driving guide meons 17a, guide means 17' idling. Drive may be imparted via a suitable transmission from for example a motor.

In the example of figures 3 and 4, the articles comprise envelopes II' but could be any other delicate articles such as biscuits.

The conveyors 10,10' shown in figures I to 4 may each comprise part of a larger conveyor system. In figure 3, parts of further straight conveyor sections 25 and 26 are shown which adjoin the conveyor 10', each of the sections 25,26, comprising continuous loops 27,28,29 and 30 to allow articles placed on the conveyor system to be conveyed onto the conveyor 10' and from the conveyor 10' to a remote position where for example the articles conveyed by the conveyor system may be removed.

The conveyors 10,10' described are particularly suitable for conveying fragile articles such as biscuits. The continuous loops 15,15',15a will cushion the articles as they are conveyed although as shown in fiqures 2 and 4 if desired, a support block 30,30',30a, may he provided beneath the upper runs 18,18a of the conveyor 10,10' to support the upper run 18,18',1so of the respective loops and limit cushioning.

In a conveyor system incorporating a conveyor such as 10 or 10' it may be desirable to provide for accumulation of articles conveyed by the conveyor.

This may simply be achieved by inserting an accumulation block 32 on the conveyor bed 12,12' as shown in figure 5, the blocks 32 being of a configuration so as to move articles conveyed onto them out of contact with the upper surface of conveying loop 15. Articles such as biscuits 11 will be conveyed onto the accumulation blocks 32 by virtue of articles downstream urging articles adjacent the block onto the block.

A conveyor in accordance with the present invention can convey articles not only horizontally, but uphill and downhill within limits. Conveyors 10, 10' are of a generally simple construction.

It will be appreciated that in the drawings, the configurations of the support rails 14 and conveyor bed 12, are chosen so as to suit the particular application of the conveyor 10,10'. For example, from figure 2 if can be seen that the support rails 14 are spaced apart a distance only slightly greater than the maximum width of biscuits between the support rails 14 and in figure 4 the support rails 14' are spaced apart only slightly wider than the lengths of envelopes 11'. Of course, in other applications conveyors 10,10' of other configuration can be chosen to suit the particular articles being conveyed.

If desired, the support rails 14 could incorporate rollers for example to facilitate passage of articles along the conveyor 10,10' or with a multi strand arrangement such as shown in figure 3, no support rails 14 may be required if articles can be adequately retained simply by engagement with the upper conveying surfaces of the upper runs 18',18a of the loops 15',15a.

Although in figures I and 3 it can be seen that the curves extend around substantially 900, conveyors can be provided to enable articles to be conveyed around curves of any angle as required. A further advantage of the invention is that by reversing the direction which the upper run 1R,18',18a of the conveyors 10,10' move, the direction in which articles are conveyed can simply be reversed.

Although as described, the conveyors 10,10' have been for conveying biscuits II or envelopes 11', any other fragile or delicate article can be conveyed.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

I. A conveyor comprising a continuous loop of material entrained about at least two spaced apart guide means to provide a conveying run and a return run, the conveying run providing a conveying surface on which in use an article is conveyed, at least a region of the conveying run including a curve.
2. A conveyor according to claim I which includes a support means to guide articles being conveyed on the conveying run around the curve.
3. A conveyor according to claim I or claim 2 wherein a single continuous loop of material only is provided.
4. A conveyor according to claim I or claim 2 wherein two or more continuous loops of material are provided side by side, each entrained about spaced apart guide means and each providing a conveying surface and each having a conveying run which includes a curve.
5. A conveyor according to claim 4 wherein the conveying surface of the loop which is on the inside of the curve moves at a different linear speed to the conveying surface of the loop on the outside of the curve.
ó. A conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each continuous loop of material comprises a flexible belt having a cross section which is generally round or polygonal, the guide means about which the loop is entrained each comprising a pulley wheel each having a circumferential groove of an appropriate configuration to receive the flexible belt.
7. A conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the axes of rotation of the spaced guide means are generally horizontol so that the conveying run of the or each continuous loop comprises an upper run and the return loop a lower run.
8. A conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the conveying and return runs of the continuous loops are parallel.
9. A conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an auxiliary guide means is provided to mointain the curved region of the continuous loop in a curved configuration.
10. A conveyor according to claim 9 wherein the auxiliary guide means comprises one or more pulley wheels which engage with the continuous loop but do not in use contact an article being conveyed.
II. A conveyor according to claim 10 wherein the auxiliary guide means comprises onr or more pulley wheels each rotatable about a respective generally vertical axis, each pulley wheel having a circumferential groove to receive the continuous loop, the continuous loops standing proud of the groove and being of a configuration so that only the continuous loop is engaged by an article being conveyed.
12. A conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the continuous loop is driven to convey articles, by rotating one or both of the guide means about which the loop is entrained.
13. A conveyor according to claim 12 where appendant to claim S wherein the respective guide means are rotated at different speeds to achieve differential linear speed around the curve.
14. A conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the conveyor comprises a conveyor bed along which the or each continuous loop extends.
IS. A conveyor according to any one of the preceding- claims wherein an article being conveyed, makes a point contact only with the or each conveying surface.
16. A conveyor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the conveyor comprises part of a conveying system which includes at least one straight conveying section.
17. A method of conveying delicate articles using a conveyor system including a conveyor according to any one of claims I to 16, the method comprising the steps of placing articles onto the conveying system, conveying the articles around the curve, and removing articles from the conveying system.
18. The method of claim 17 which includes the steps of placing along the conveyor bed a spacer means onto which articles are conveyed, the article when in engagement with the spacer means being out of contact with the continuous loop.
19. A method of conveying substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
20. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein defined and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.