KR20160045688A - System and method for electropolishing or electroplating conveyor belts - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical polishing or electroplating system and method of metal conveyor belts are described. In contrast to conventional polishing processes in which the product is guided around rollers that move the product into and out of the electrolyte bath, embodiments of the present invention allow the product to pass through the housing through which the continuous directional flow of electrolyte is supplied. Thus, electroplating or electropolishing can be targeted to specific areas of the product, such as the edges and / or the center of the conveyor belt, and straight products can pass through the housing without deformation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for electropolishing and electroplating a conveyor belt,

Embodiments of the present invention relate to electropolishing and electroplating, and more particularly to systems and methods for electropolishing and electroplating localized areas of successive assemblies of interconnected components, such as conveyor belts .

Conveyor belt systems are used in a variety of industries for the purposes of material handling and processing. For example, conveyor systems are used in food processing systems where foods are placed on the support surface of the conveyor belt and processed while being transported from one location to another. There are various types of conveyor belts, including modular conveyor belts, which are particularly common in food processing systems. Conveyor systems have also been used in helical accumulators as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,070,999 to Layne et al., Which allows a large quantity of products to be stored in a conveyor system.

In the food processing industry, the hygiene of the conveyor belts is of paramount importance. To accomplish this, the conveyor belts are periodically wiped, cleaned, and steamed. However, the conveyor belts are so long that they are often extended by hundreds of feet or even thousands of feet. In this case, the belts may be difficult to clean, and durability may deteriorate over time due to the thorough handling required to maintain their sanitary condition.

Electrical polishing and electroplating have already been used in numerous applications. Seto et al., US Patent No. 4,895,633, discloses a conventional molten salt electroless plating apparatus for forming a plating on steel strips, sheets, and wires. The steel strip is continuously loosened by a pay-off reel, passed through a looper, and sent to a pretreatment device. The surface of the steel strip is then plated by passing it between electrodes that are immersed in the electroplating solution. The steel strip is then cleaned and dried, passed through a looper and a shearing machine, and wound onto a tension reel.

US Patent No. 7,407,051 to Farris et al. Discloses a stainless steel sprocket support shaft and sprocket cleaning device for a nozzleless conveyor belt. The stainless steel sprocket may be a surface finished by electropolishing. US Patent No. 5,491, 036 to Carey et al. Discloses an electrolytic process for applying a tin coating on a generally carbon steel.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 5,070,999 (Dec. 10, 1991) US Patent No. 4,895,633 (January 23, 1990) US Patent Registration No. 7,407,051 (Aug. 5, 2008) U. S. Patent No. 5,491, 036 (Feb. 13, 1996)

The patents described above provide various methods for electropolishing or electroplating various materials. However, there is still a need for a system and method for electropolishing and electroplating metal conveyor belts that improve product release characteristics and sanitary conditions, especially for conveyor belts used in food processing. There is also a need for a system and method for electropolishing and electroplating metal conveyor belts that reduce wear and friction on conveyor belts. There is also a need for a system and method for electropolishing and electroplating localized areas of metal conveyor belts.

With respect to the foregoing, one aspect of the present invention provides a continuous electrical polishing and / or electroplating process for local areas of metal conveyor belts. This treatment offers advantages such as improved hygiene conditions, improved product release characteristics, brighter exterior aesthetics, elimination of weld discoloration, and reduced wear and tear, particularly important in conveyor belts used in food processing .

In contrast to conventional polishing processes in which the product is guided around rollers that move the product into and out of the electrolyte bath, embodiments of the present invention allow the product to pass through the housing through which the continuous directional flow of electrolyte is supplied. Thus, electroplating or electropolishing can be targeted to specific areas of the product, such as the edges of a conveyor belt, and because straight products are not deformed (i.e., guidance by rollers into and out of the bath is not required) It can pass through the housing. This reduces the amount of electrolyte required in the system; Reduce human exposure of the electrolyte during operation; Reduce evaporation of electrolyte and environmental pollution; Reducing the set-up time in that the electrolyte can be removed quickly from the polishing area; Optimize fluid flow and current to improve efficiency over conventional processes. Further, for more effective electric polishing or electroplating, a clean electrolyte solution can be concentrated in the polishing position without the solution in the bath of the used electrolyte solution.

The belts may be separated into smaller portions, typically 50 to 100 feet long, for ease of shipping and handling. These portions may be sequentially connected so that the leading edge of the new roll of the belt is connected to the end of the previous roll of the belt to maintain a continuous process. These portions can be released after processing and placed on separate take-up rolls. Leader chains may also be used to guide the ends of the belt into and out of the bass while maintaining tension. The materials used in the process, such as plate material and electrolyte material, may be of any suitable type currently used or may be developed for electropolishing and electroplating.

According to one embodiment, a system for electropolishing or electroplating a conveyor belt is described. The system includes a housing having a conductor and an opening configured to receive a portion of the conveyor belt therein; A seal provided in the opening; An inlet configured to supply an electrolyte to the housing; And an electrical contact configured to apply a current to the conveyor belt.

According to yet another embodiment, a method for electropolishing or electroplating a conveyor belt is described. The method includes directing a portion of the conveyor belt through a housing having a conductor and a seal; Applying a current to the conveyor belt with an electrical contact; And supplying the electrolyte through the inlet to the housing, electroplating or electropolishing portions of the conveyor belt.

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, by way of illustration of numerous example embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention will be. The present invention may also be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Without further restricting the invention to the specific embodiments, it is believed that the invention will be more fully understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of various embodiments of the invention, for a description and understanding thereof.
1 is a perspective view of a system for electropolishing or electroplating a continuous assembly of interconnecting components in accordance with one embodiment.
2 is a perspective view of a system for electropolishing or electroplating a continuous assembly of interconnecting components in accordance with one embodiment.
3 is a perspective view of a system for electropolishing or electroplating a continuous assembly of interconnecting components according to one embodiment.

A system and method for electropolishing or electroplating successive assemblies of interconnecting components is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with any equivalent construction.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for electropolishing or electroplating successive assemblies of interconnecting components in accordance with one embodiment . In this embodiment, the successive assembly of interconnecting components is a conveyor belt 105. As shown in FIG. 1, two housings 115A and 115B, respectively, are disposed at the edge of the conveyor belt 105 to electropolish or electroplate the edge links 120A and edge links 120B. However, in some embodiments, only a single housing 115A or 115B may be disposed at the edge of the conveyor belt 105 to electropolish or electroplate only one of the edge links 120A and 120B have. It will be appreciated that although the housing 115B is cut in Fig. 1 for purposes of illustration only, in reality the housing 115B is similar in appearance to the housing 115A. It will also be appreciated that the interior of the housing 115A is similar to that shown for the housing 115B. Although not shown in FIG. 1, other configurations of the conveyor belt, such as edge guards or lane dividers, may be used for edge links 120A and edge links 120B, or edge links 120B, It may be polished or electroplated in place of the edge links 120A and 120B.

Electrical contacts 110A and 110B located on the conveyor belt 105 allow the conveyor belt 105 to be an anode (in the case of electropolishing) or a cathode (in the case of electroplating). Force is applied to either or both of the electrical contactor 110A and the electrical contactor 110B to ensure continuous contact with the conveyor belt 105 and a constant current. Such force may be applied by one or more of a spring, a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, gravity and similar means. In one embodiment, either or both of the electrical contactor 110A and the electrical contactor 110B are movable or floating to accommodate a variation in the size of the conveyor belt 105. [

In this embodiment, the conductor 125B is disposed in the housing 115B to function as a cathode (in the case of electrical polishing) or as an anode (in the case of electroplating). In a similar manner, a conductor (not shown) is disposed in the housing 115A (in the case of electrical polishing) and functions as a cathode or anode (in the case of electroplating). In this embodiment, the conductor 115B is disposed adjacent the edge of the edge links 120B to target polishing or plating to the weld 135B of the conveyor belt 105. However, it should be considered that the conductor 115B may be disposed at any position adjacent to any particular area to be electro-polished or electroplated.

In one embodiment, the housing 115A and the housing 115B are made of copper or another conductive material and can be self-contained (without electrical conductors) or with conductors within the housing 115A or housing 115B (In the case of electroplating) or an anode (in the case of electroplating). The housing 115A, the housing 115B and the conductors (i.e., the conductors and conductors 125B within the housing 115A) are configured such that the surfaces of the conductors are connected to the edge links 120A and the edge links 120B. ≪ / RTI > The nonconductive wear surfaces can be disposed in the housing 115A and the housing 115B in any practical configuration such as a bushing or perforated liner so that the conveyor belt 105 and the conductor & It is possible to prevent contact between the conveyor belt 105 and conductors while a current flows between them.

It should be considered that the housing 115A and the housing 115B may be any shape or size suitable for achieving electric polishing or electroplating as described herein. In addition, the housing 115A and the housing 115B may be constructed as a unitary body, or may be comprised of detachable components such as a body and a removable lid.

The electrolytic solution may be introduced at any point along the longitudinal direction of the housings 115A and 115B. In this embodiment, the electrolyte is introduced into the housing 115A through the inlet 130A. It should be understood that the electrolyte is introduced into the housing 115B through a similar inlet (not shown). The electrolytic solution is supplied to the conveyor belt 105 through the housings 115A and 115B, that is, the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 105 through the housings 115A and 115B and the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 105 through the housings 115A and 115B. It may flow in any one of directions opposite to the moving direction.

In one embodiment, the housings 115A and 115B are open at their ends to allow the electrolyte to flow out and allow the conveyor belt 105 to pass. In yet another embodiment, a separate orifice is provided for electrolyte efflux. The outflow orifices may be disposed upwards to facilitate removal of gases generated during the electropolishing or electroplating process. The orifices are sized to limit the outflow and the housings 115A and 115B each have seals 140A and 140B so that the housings 115A and 115B provide effective electrical polishing or electroplating Level. The seals 140A and 140B do not need to completely block the flow of fluid, but are rather limited enough to lock the housing. Exemplary seals may be made of rubber sheeting or brushes.

2 is a perspective view of a system for electropolishing or electroplating successive assemblies of interconnecting components according to yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, a continuous assembly of interconnecting components is a conveyor belt 205 having a plurality of central links 220 to be electro-polished or electroplated. The center links 220 are any links disposed between the edges of the conveyor belt 205 and need not be centrally located between the edges of the conveyor belt 205. The center links 220 are laterally arranged to control the expansion and collapse of the edge links of the conveyor belt 205 and to produce the required turning radius. A single housing 215 is disposed along the width of the conveyor belt 205 for electropolishing or electroplating the center links 220. It should be understood that in FIG. 2 the housing 215 is only cut for illustrative purposes, and that the housing 215 has a rectangular shape in use. Although not shown in FIG. 2, other configurations of the conveyor belt, such as edge guards or lane dividers, may be polished or electroplated with or instead of the center links 220 Should be considered. It should also be appreciated that although a single housing 215 and a single row of central links 220 have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that a plurality of other arrangements to be electropolished or electroplated, as well as their associated housings, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 220 < / RTI >

The electrical contacts 210A and 210B are disposed on the conveyor belt 205 in a manner similar to that described for the electrical contacts 110A and 110B of FIG. The conductor 225 is disposed in the housing 215 (in the case of electrical polishing) and functions as a cathode (in the case of electroplating) or an anode. In this embodiment, the conductors 225 are disposed under both the welded edges 235A and 235B of the lower ends of the housing 215, the center links 220. However, it should be considered that the conductor 225 may be disposed at any location adjacent to any particular area to be polished or electroplated.

1, the housing 215 may be made of copper or another conductive material and may or may not include conductors within the housing 215, and may be self-contained (in the case of electrical polishing) Plating) can function as an anode. The housing 215 and the conductor 225 may be sized and arranged such that the surface of the conductor 225 is equidistant from all the surfaces of the central links 220 even in the case of polishing. The nonconductive protective surfaces may be secured to the housing 225 in any practical configuration, such as a bushing or perforation liner, to prevent contact between the conductors and the conveyor belt 205 while allowing current to flow between the conductors and the conveyor belt & As shown in FIG.

It should be considered that the housing 215 may be of any shape or size suitable for achieving electrical polishing or electroplating as described herein. In addition, the housing 215 may be constructed as a unitary body, or may be comprised of detachable components such as a body and a removable lid.

The electrolyte is introduced through the inlet 230 at a central location with respect to the length and width of the housing 215, as described for FIG. The electrolytic solution is supplied to the electrolytic bath 200 through any one of the direction through the housing 215, that is, the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 205 through the housing 215 and the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 205 through the housing 215 Direction.

In this embodiment, the housing 215 is open at its ends to allow the electrolyte to flow out and allow the conveyor belt 205 to pass. As described above for FIG. 1, a separate orifice may be provided instead for electrolyte efflux. The housing 215 has a seal 240 so that the housing 215 is locked to a level that provides effective electrical polishing or electroplating while minimizing electrolyte leakage. In this embodiment, the seal 240 is disposed on both sides of the center links 220. Although described and illustrated in separate embodiments, it should be appreciated that by combining the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the embodiment of FIG. 2, both the center links and the edge links of the conveyor belt can be polished simultaneously.

3 is a perspective view of a system for electropolishing or electroplating a continuous assembly of interconnecting components according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the successive assembly of interconnecting components is a conveyor belt 305. To create a continuous electrical polishing or electroplating process, the conveyor belt 305 is unwound from an in-feed roll 340 to a cleaning station 345, moving in direction A . The cleaning station 345 cleans the edge links of the conveyor belt 305, for example, degreases them. The conveyor belt 305 is then cleaned in a rinse station 350.

Electroplating or electropolishing is performed at electroplating / electropolishing stations 355. Although shown as two electroplating / electropolishing stations 355, only one electroplating / electropolishing station 355 is provided, or a plurality of electroplating / electropolishing stations 355 may be provided in series Should be considered. Electroplating / electropolishing stations 355 include housings 315A for polishing one edge of the conveyor belt and housings 315A opposite to the housing 315A for polishing the opposite edge of the conveyor belt 355 ). It should be noted that the housings 315A and the opposite housings may be the same or similar to the housings 115A and 115B of Fig. 1, respectively. It should also be noted that although the housings 315A have been described and illustrated herein, similar or identical processing may be performed for the opposite housings. Although not shown in FIG. 3, other configurations of the conveyor belt, such as edge guards or lane dividers, may be electropolished or electroplated with edge links of the conveyor belt 305, or instead of edge links Points should be considered.

The electrical contacts located on the conveyor belt 305 allow the conveyor belt to be an anode (in the case of electropolishing) or a cathode (in the case of electroplating). The conductors are disposed in the housings 315A (in the case of electrical polishing) and serve as the cathode (in the case of electroplating) and the anode. The electrolyte is provided through the inlets 330A to the housings 315A and causes the edges of the conveyor belt 305 to be immersed in the electrolyte in the housings 315A.

In electroplating, current is applied to the conductor, which oxidizes the metal atoms that make up the conductors and allows them to dissolve into the electrolyte. The dissolved metal ions are transferred to the conveyor belt 305 by an electric field, coating the conveyor belt 305 and depositing a layer of metal on the surface of the conveyor belt 305.

In electrical polishing, current is applied to the conveyor belt 305 to oxidize the metal atoms on the surface of the conveyor belt 305 and allow them to dissolve into the electrolyte. The metal ions dissolved in the electrolyte move to the conductors by the electric field. Thus, a smoother, polished surface is formed on the conveyor belt 305. [

Once the conveyor belt 305 is electropolished or electroplated, it is moved into a post-treatment station 360 (e.g., undergoing nitric acid cleaning) and then subjected to a final rinse at the cleaning station 365 . Optionally, the conveyor belt 305 can be moved through a dryer (not shown). The conveyor belt 305 moves onto a take-up roll 370. It should be considered that the conveyor belt 305 can move from the in-feed roll 340 to the take-up roll 370 by any suitable means, such as, for example, a system drive or a motor. Although described and illustrated with respect to electrical polishing or electroplating of edge links, it should be considered that, if present, alternatively or additionally, FIG. 3 may be altered to electropolish or electroplate the central links.

Although described herein with respect to conveyor belts, the systems and methods described herein may include any rollable / or conductive material, including chains or other continuous assemblies of interconnecting components It should be taken into consideration that the present invention can be applied to the < / RTI > Such electropolishing or electroplating applied in accordance with the described embodiments improves sanitary conditions, reduces friction and wear in the treated areas, and improves product release characteristics, particularly for food processing applications.

The invention has been described in connection with specific examples, for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different combinations of components and materials will be suitable to practice the present invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The various aspects and / or components of the described embodiments may be used alone or in any combination. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims (29)

A housing having a conductor and an opening for receiving a portion of the conveyor belt;
A seal provided in the opening;
An inlet configured to supply an electrolyte to the housing; And
And an electrical contact configured to apply a current to the conveyor belt. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the electrical contact is secured in place relative to the conveyor belt by at least one of spring tension, air pressure, hydraulic pressure and gravity. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising an outlet configured to remove electrolyte from the housing. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 31. < / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
Wherein said housing is elongated. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 13 > The method according to claim 1,
RTI ID = 0.0 > 1, < / RTI > wherein the portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. 6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a second conductor and at least one second housing each having a second opening for receiving a second portion of the conveyor belt,
Each second opening having a second seal,
Each second housing having a second inlet configured to supply the electrolyte to the second housing,
Wherein each second portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 13 > The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the portion of the conveyor belt comprises first edge links. 8. The method of claim 7,
A second housing having a second conductor and a second opening for receiving a second portion of the conveyor belt;
A second seal provided in the second opening; And
Further comprising a second inlet configured to supply an electrolyte to the second housing. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the second portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. 10. The method of claim 9,
Further comprising a third conductor and at least one third housing each having a third opening, each receiving a third portion of the conveyor belt,
Each third opening having a second seal,
Each third housing having a third inlet configured to supply the electrolyte to the third housing,
Wherein each third portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 13 > 9. The method of claim 8,
And wherein the second portion of the conveyor belt comprises second edge links. 12. The method of claim 11,
A third housing having a third conductor and a third opening for receiving a third portion of the conveyor belt;
A third seal provided in the third opening; And
Further comprising a third inlet configured to supply an electrolyte to the third housing. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the third portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. 14. The method of claim 13,
Further comprising at least one fourth housing having a fourth conductor and a fourth opening, each receiving a fourth portion of the conveyor belt,
Each fourth opening having a second seal,
Each fourth housing having a fourth inlet configured to supply the electrolyte to the fourth housing,
Wherein each fourth portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 13 > Guiding a portion of the conveyor belt through a housing having a conductor and a seal;
Applying current to the conveyor belt with an electrical contact; And
Wherein the step of supplying electrolytic solution to the housing through the inlet comprises electroplating or electropolishing a portion of the conveyor belt. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the electrical contact is secured in place with respect to the conveyor belt by at least one of spring tension, air pressure, hydraulic pressure and gravity. 16. The method of claim 15,
Further comprising the step of removing electrolyte from the housing through the outlet. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein said housing is elongated. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 8. < / RTI > 16. The method of claim 15,
Further comprising the step of cleaning said conveyor belt. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 20 > 16. The method of claim 15,
RTI ID = 0.0 > 1, < / RTI > wherein the portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. 21. The method of claim 20,
Guiding at least one second portion of the conveyor belt through at least one second housing having a second conductor and a second seal, respectively;
Applying current to the conveyor belt with at least one second electrical contactor; And
And supplying electrolytic solution to the at least one second housing through at least one second inlet, wherein the at least one second portion of the conveyor belt is electroplated or electropolished. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the portion of the conveyor belt comprises first edge links. ≪ RTI ID = 0.0 > 11. < / RTI > 23. The method of claim 22,
Guiding a second portion of the conveyor belt through a second housing having a second conductor and a second seal;
Applying a current to the conveyor belt with the electrical contact; And
Wherein the step of supplying electrolytic solution to the second housing through a second inlet comprises electroplating or electropolishing the second portion of the conveyor belt. 24. The method of claim 23,
Wherein the second portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. 25. The method of claim 24,
Guiding at least one third portion of the conveyor belt through at least one third housing having a third conductor and a third seal, respectively;
Applying current to the conveyor belt with at least one third electrical contactor; And
Wherein the step of supplying electrolytic solution to the at least one third housing through at least one third inlet further comprises electroplating or electropolishing at least a third portion of the conveyor belt. 24. The method of claim 23,
Wherein the second portion of the conveyor belt comprises second edge links. 27. The method of claim 26,
Guiding a third portion of the conveyor belt through a third housing having a third conductor and a third seal;
Applying a current to the conveyor belt with the electrical contact; And
And supplying an electrolytic solution to the third housing through a third inlet, wherein the third portion of the conveyor belt is electroplated or electropolished. 28. The method of claim 27,
Wherein the third portion of the conveyor belt comprises center links. 29. The method of claim 28,
Guiding at least one fourth portion of the conveyor belt through at least one fourth housing having a fourth conductor and a fourth seal, respectively;
Applying current to the conveyor belt with at least one fourth electrical contactor; And
Wherein the step of supplying electrolytic solution to the at least one fourth housing through at least one fourth inlet comprises electroplating or electropolishing at least a fourth portion of the conveyor belt.

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