GB2251667A

GB2251667A - "Spigot for use in forming a framework"

Info

Publication number: GB2251667A
Application number: GB9022630A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Dale
Original assignee: TRIPHASE Ltd
Current assignee: TRIPHASE Ltd
Priority date: 1990-10-18
Filing date: 1990-10-18
Publication date: 1992-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-18
Also published as: GB9022630D0; GB2251667B

Abstract

A framework 22 for a spiral cooler, chiller or freezer comprises a peripheral edge 23 formed from twelve elongate hollow edge members 24 all of substantially the same length and twelve spoke members 25 which extend from a central region of the frame 22 to the peripheral edge 23. The adjacent edge members and adjoining spoke members are connected by spigots 26 which comprises three arms 41, 42, 43 which all lie in the same plane as one another and a fourth arm the axis of which is perpendicular to the plane of arms 41, 42, 43; all four of the arms being connected together via a central portion 50. The arms 41 and 43 are each fittable within an edge member 24 and the arm 42 is fittable within a spoke member 25. The remaining arm is fittable within a length member 32. <IMAGE>

Description

A FRAMEWORK This invention relates to a framework for a cooler, chiller or freezer of the type comprising an endless conveyor which is wound into a spiral configuration for the cooling, chilling or freezing of food or the like, and to a spigot for forming such a framework.

Known machines of this type comprise a central drum which rotates, and a static external framework to which the drum is centrally rotatably mounted to rotate along the axis of rotation of the drum.

The framework carries a spiral rail on which the endless conveyor runs. The conveyor is a metal link type in which the inside edge collapses relative to the outside edge or the outside expands relative to the inside edge to enable it to run along a curved path. The degree of collapsing or expanding is such that a given belt can be wound spirally around a drum having a circumference which is 4.4 times the belt width. The belt is driven by a motor positioned towards the top of the drum and the drum is also driven by a motor and chain drive. In order to ensure that the belt does not become of too great a tension, the drum motor is driven such that the outer peripheral speed of the drum is approximately 10% greater than the linear speed of the belt.

The framework of the known machine is put together either by welding, or by bolting. In the latter case, the various metal portions of the framework have welded pads or cleats mounted on them before bolting together. The known machine will thus be assembled prior to delivery, and is thus transported as a complete unit or the largest possible sections.

A disadvantage of the known weldedframework is that it must be assembled prior to delivery and installation. Even where the framework is bolted together, some welding is required,e.g. of pads, cleats of the like to enable the framework subsequently to be bolted together.

When access to the site where the unit is to be installed is restricted, or welded construction makes it difficult to physically position the unit and the fabrication of the bolted type is relatively costly.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a framework comprising first and second frames spaced apart from one another, and lying substantially parallel to one another, each frame having a peripheral edge, the shape of which is defined by a plurality of hollow edge members, the frames being connected to one another by hollow elongate length members which extend from the first frame to the second frame, characterised in that adjacent edge members of each frame are connected together by a spigot having first and second arms lying within a single plane, angularly spaced apart from one another by an angle determined by the peripheral shape of the frame and connected to each other at a central portion of the spigot, each of which first and second arms is securably fittable within a hollow edge member, and a third arm having an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first and second arms and connected to the first and second arms at the central portion of the spigot , which third arm is securably fittable within a hollow elongate length member.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a spigot for use in forming a framework according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising first and second arms lying in substantially the same plane as each other angularly spaced apart from one another and connected to one another at a central portion of the spigot, and a third arm having an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first and second arms, and connected to the first and second arms at the central portion of the spigot.

A framework according to a first aspect of the invention may be transported in a "flat packed" form. The framework, which may be used to form the framework for a spiral cooler, chiller or freezer unit, allows all the components of such a unit to be "flat packed" for easy shipment and assembly on site. This is particularly advantageous when the site at which the unit is located has restricted access.

When the peripheral edge of each of the frames comprises a twelve sided regular polygon formed from twelve hollow edge members having substantially the same length, the first and second arms are angularly spaced apart by an angle of 1500.

If each of the frames has an octagonal peripheral shape, formed from eight hollow edge members of substantially the same length, the first and second arms will be angularly spaced apart by an angle of 1350.

Preferably, each of the first and second frames comprises a central portion, and a plurality of spoke members which extend from the central portion to the peripheral edge of the frame, characterised in that the spigot comprises a fourth arm lying in substantially the same plane as the first and second arms, equally angularly spaced from the first and second arms and connected thereto at the central portion of the spigot, and in that the frame comprises an equal number of edge members and spoke members, and in that the fourth arm of each spigot is securably fittable within one of the spoke members.

Each of the arms may be securably fitted to a respective framework member by bolting, each arm having a hollow bore receiving portion, and each framework member having two bore receiving holes.

Preferably each spigot is formed from a plastics material such as polyethylene, which is stable down to - 650 Celsius.

Advantageously, the first frame is a top frame and the second frame is a bottom frame, and each spigot used to form the bottom frame comprises a bore within which a foot may be mounted to support the entire framework.

Preferably the central portion of each frame is defined by a substantially circular frame member which is positioned co-axially with the frame, and wherein at least one spoke member is securably attached to the circular frame member by means of a bolt.

Conveniently the edge members, spoke members, length members and circular members are formed from metal, typically stainless steel.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a known framework for a spiral cooler, chiller or freezer; Figure 2 is a frame of the framework according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2a is a detail of an end of a spoke member forming part of the frame of figure 2; Figure 3 is a cross-section of the framework of figure 2.

Figure 4 is a spigot according to the second aspect of the invention and forming part of the framework of figures 2 and 3.

Referring to figure 1, a known framework 1 for a spiral cooler, chiller or freezer is shown. The framework comprises an upper frame 2 and a lower frame 3, which are connected together by length members 4. A rotatable drum 5 is mounted within static framework 1 at a central point 6.

The framework carries a spiral rail 7 on which a conveyor belt 8 runs. The form of the conveyor is a metal link type in which the length of the inside edge changes relative to the outside edge to enable it to run along a spiral path.

The belt is driven by a motor 9, and the drum is also driven by a motor and chain drive 10.

The known framework of figure 1 is put together by either welding or bolting. In the latter case, the frame component have welded pads mounted on to them before bolting together.

Referring now to figure 2, an upper frame 22 of a framework according to the present invention is shown. The upper frame 22 corresponds to the frame 2 of the known framework of figure 1. Frame 22 comprises a peripheral edge 23 formed from twelve elongate hollow edge members 24 all of substantially the same length, and twelve spoke members 25 which extend from a central region of the frame 22 to the peripheral edge 23. The adjacent edge members, and adjoining spoke members are connected together by a spigot 26 according to the second aspect of the invention. The framework according to the first aspect of the invention further comprises a lower frame 31 (figure 3), similar to the upper frame 22, and lying in a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of the upper frame.

The two frames are connected together by hollow length members 32 (figure 3) of the known framework each of which are substantially perpendicular to the planes of frames 23,31. Each frame 23,31 has a central portion defined by circular member 27, which adds strength to the frames 23,31. The spoke members 25 are bolted to circular member 27 as shown in figure 2a. The drum of the spiral unit is fixed to the framework at pivot point 28.

Referring to figure 4 a spigot 26 according to the second aspect of the invention is shown in more detail. The spigot 26 comprises three arms 41,42,43 which all lie in the same plane as one another, and a fourth arm (not shown) the axis of which is perpendicular to the arms 41,42,43.

All the four arms of the spigot 26 are connected together via a central portion 50 of the spigot 26. The arms 41 and 43 are each fittable within an edge member 24, and the arm 42 is fittable within a spoke member 25. The fourth arm is fittable within a length member 32. The four arms may be secured to a respective frame member by means of bolts which pass through holes in the frame members, and holes 44,45,46,47 which pass through respective arms of the spigot 26. The lower and upper frames of the framework are each shaped as a regular twelve sided polygon, and the spigot arms 44, 42,43 are spaced apart by 750.

By means of the spigots 26, a framework for a spiral cooler, chiller or freezer unit may be transported in a "flat pack" form, and assembled at the site in a simple and convenient manner.

Claims

CLAINS

1. A spigot for use in forming a framework which comprises first and second arms lying in substantially the same plane as each other angularly spaced apart from one another and connected to one another at a central portion, and a third arm having an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first and second arms, and connected the first and second arms at the central portion of the spigot.

2. A spigot as claimed in claim 1 in which the first and second arms are angularly spaced apart by an angle of 1500.

3. A spigot as claimed in claim 1 in which the first and second arms are angularly spaced apart by an angle of 1350.

4. A spigot as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 which is formed from a plastics material which is stable down to -650 Celsius.

5. A spigot as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 additionally comprising a fourth arm positioned intermediate the first and second arms in the plane thereof.

6. A framework which comprises first and second frames spaced apart from one another and lying substantially parallel, each frame having a peripheral edge the shape of which is defined by a plurality of hollow edge members, the frames being connected to one another by hollow elongate length members which extend from the first frame to the second frame, characterised in that adjacent edge members of each frame are connected together by a spigot as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein each of the first and second arms are securably fittable within a hollow edge member and the third arm is securably fitted within a hollow elongate length member.

7. A framework as claimed in claim 6 formed of twelve hollow edge members having substantially the same length.

8. A framework as claimed in claim 6 formed from eight hollow edge members of substantially the same length.

9. A framework as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8 in which each of the first and second frames comprises a central portion and a plurality of spoke members which extend from the central portion to the peripheral edge of the frame characterised in that the spigot has a fourth arm and in that the frame comprises an equal number of edge members and spoke members such that the fourth arm of each spigot is securably fitted within one of the spoke members.

10. A framework as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 in which each of the arms is securably fitted to a respective framework member by bolting, each arm having a hollow bore receiving portion and each framework member having two bore receiving holes.

11. A framework member as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 in which the first frame is a top frame and the second frame is a bottom frame and each spigot used to form the bottom frame comprises a bore within which a foot may be mounted to support the entire framework.

12. A framework as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 in which the central portion of each frame is defined by substantially circular frame member which is positioned coaxially with the frame and wherein at least one spoke member is securably attached to the circular frame member by means of a bolt.

13. A framework as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 in which the edge members, spoke members, length members and circular members are formed from metal.

14. A framework member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.