NL2015696B1 - Chain module, modular conveyor chain, and conveyor system. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a chain module for a modular conveyor chain. The module comprises a hinge structure having a first hinge structure portion at a first side of the module, which first hinge structure portion defines a first hinge pin receiving space for receiving a hinge pin. The hinge structure further comprises a second hinge structure portion and a third hinge structure portion defining a second hinge pin receiving space and a third hinge pin receiving space, respectively. The second and third hinge structure portions are interspaced to receive a first hinge structure portion of a consecutive chain module there between. The first hinge pin receiving space defined by the first hinge structure portion comprises at least two lateral end regions and an intermediate region located there between. At least said intermediate region is at least partly open such that when a hinge pin is extending through said first hinge pin receiving space, at least a part of said hinge pin extending through said intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space is exposed.

Description

Title: Chain module, modular conveyor chain, and conveyor system

The invention relates to a chain module for a modular chain. Such chain modules and such modular chains are known and are utilized in conveyor systems for conveying all sorts of products. A known chain module for a modular conveyor chain comprises a hinge structure for hingedly connecting the chain module with other modules, wherein the hinge structure comprises a first hinge structure portion at a first side of the module, especially at a leading side or front side of the module. Said first hinge structure portion defines a first hinge pin receiving space for receiving a hinge pin, which first hinge pin receiving space is an elongated space extending substantially in the width direction of the chain module. The hinge structure further comprises a second hinge structure portion and a third hinge structure portion, both located at a second side of the module opposite the first side, said second side preferably being the rear or trailing side of the module. Said second and third hinge structure portions define a second hinge pin receiving space and a third hinge pin receiving space, respectively, and said second and third hinge structure portions are interspaced to receive a first hinge structure portion of a consecutive chain module there between.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative chain module for a modular conveyor chain. In particular, it can be an object of the invention to provide a conveyor in which at least one of the disadvantages of prior art chain modules for modular conveyor chains. More in particular, the invention may for instance aim to provide a chain module, which can be connected with a consecutive chain module in a relatively easy, convenient and/or secure manner, which can run over a sprocket having a relatively small diameter, which can counteract that a hinge pen sticks to the module, and/or which can be produced relatively fast and/or cost efficiently.

Thereto, the present disclosure provides for a chain module for a modular conveyor chain, comprising a hinge structure for hingedly connecting the chain module with other modules, wherein the hinge structure comprises a first hinge structure portion at a first side of the module, which first hinge structure portion defines a first hinge pin receiving space for receiving a hinge pin, which first hinge pin receiving space is an elongated space extending substantially in the width direction, or so-called transverse direction, of the chain module, wherein the hinge structure further comprises a second hinge structure portion and a third hinge structure portion, both located at a second side of the module opposite the first side, wherein said second and third hinge structure portions define a second hinge pin receiving space and a third hinge pin receiving space, respectively, wherein said second and third hinge structure portions are interspaced to receive a first hinge structure portion, especially a hinge structure front portion, of a consecutive chain module there between, wherein the first hinge pin receiving space defined by the first hinge structure portion comprises at least two lateral end regions and an intermediate region located there between, wherein at least said intermediate region is at least partly open such that when a hinge pin is extending through said first hinge pin receiving space, at least a part of said hinge pin extending through said intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space is exposed.

It is noted that although the first hinge pin receiving space is thus formed as an elongated space extending substantially in the width direction of the chain module, said first hinge pin receiving space is thus not completely surrounded by material, e.g. plastic material, of the first hinge structure portion. Actually, the first hinge structure portion is of such design that the intermediate region thereof is at least partly open such that a hinge pin extending through said first hinge pin receiving space during use is partly left free by the first hinge structure portion, e.g. left free by material forming the first hinge structure portion. The first hinge pin receiving space can be arranged for receiving a hinge pin inserted into said first hinge pin receiving space substantially in a direction in line with the elongated direction of the first hinge pin receiving space. Further, the first hinge pin receiving space can be arranged to counteract that a hinge pin inserted therein can be removed from said first hinge pin receiving space in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the first hinge pin receiving space. The first hinge pin receiving space and/or the first hinge structure portion can be arranged for facilitating that a hinge pin can be held in and/or confined to said first hinge pin receiving space. For example thereto, at one lateral side, and preferably at both lateral sides, of the intermediate region of said first hinge pin receiving space, a respective lateral end region of said first hinge pin receiving space can be physically delimited by an inner wall part of the first hinge structure portion at least at the side, or at least at one of the sides, at which the intermediate region of said first hinge pin receiving space is open. For example, the intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space can be substantially enclosed by an inner wall part of the first hinge structure portion at one or both of its lateral sides.

By leaving open at least a part of the intermediate region of the first hinge structure portion, a hinge pin connecting the first side of the chain module with the second side of a consecutive chain module, e.g. an intermediate part of said hinge pin, can be left exposed partly. As a result, a hinge pin part extending through the intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space can be accessible, especially from a lateral side of said hinge pin. Hence, it can for instance allow one to install a lock, fastener, or securing means, such as for instance a retaining ring, especially a circlip, C-clip or so-called snap ring, onto the hinge pin then already extending through the first hinge pin receiving space in a relatively easy, reliable and/or controllable manner. This, for instance because said securing means, fastener or lock can be brought to the hinge pin from a lateral side of said hinge pin, and may then be placed onto and/or into said hinge pin, e.g. by installing it at least partly into an aperture, such as a peripheral groove, provided in the hinge pin. The chain module thus can allow relatively easy installation of a lock, fastener or securing means for locking or securing the hinge pin. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the lock, fastener or securing means may for instance substantially lock or secure the lateral position of the hinge pin, e.g. by counteracting lateral movement thereof, but may permit rotation of the hinge pin and/or may permit yaw of the hinge pin, the latter for instance in case the chain module is a side-flexing conveyor chain module.

Besides, the at least partly open intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space can facilitate a visible inspection of the hinge pin, e.g. after installation of the hinge pin and/or after use of a modular chain comprising the chain module. Additionally or alternatively, the at least partly open intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space can facilitate a visible inspection of a securing means, lock or fastener. Although such securing means, lock or fastener, may for instance be formed as a separate member, which for instance can be put onto the hinge pin through an open area where the first hinge pin receiving space is not surrounded by material of the first hinge structure portion, the securing means, lock or fastener may be provided by other means. For example, the securing means, lock or fastener may be an integral part of the first hinge structure portion, and can for instance be formed as protrusion, especially a ridge, that can snap into a an aperture, especially a groove, of the hinge pin.

Furthermore, the at least partly open intermediate region may facilitated unlocking a hinge pin, e.g. in order to replace a broken and/or worn chain module of a modular conveyor chain.

Contrary to prior art chain modules having a first hinge structure portion of which the first hinge pin receiving space is completely surrounded by material of such first hinge structure portion, the at least partly open intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space of the present disclosure can, additionally or alternatively, facilitate a relatively easy, reliable and/or controllable cleaning of the hinge pin and/or the first hinge pin receiving space. Besides, in cases lubrication or greasing is desired, the at least partly open intermediate region can facility a relatively easy, reliable and/or controllable greasing or lubrication of the hinge pin.

Moreover, it is found that the at least partly open intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space can reduce the risk that a hinge pin unintentionally sticks to a portion of a wall surface surrounding said hinge pin at least partly, and can for instance not properly rotate any longer. Not only can the potential contact surface between hinge pin and first hinge structure portion be relatively small, a pollutant, for instance a sticky liquid or an at least partly liquid substance, e.g. a soft drink or a beer, dripping onto the hinge pin, e.g. via a slit between a lateral end of the first hinge structure portion and an adjacent lateral end of a second or third hinge structure portion of a consecutive chain module hingedly connected to said first hinge structure portion, can leave the first hinge pin receiving space relatively easily, because it can drip out of said first hinge pin receiving space at the location where said first hinge pin receiving space is left open. This may for instance be highly advantageous for side-flexing conveyor chain module, because the slit between a lateral end of the first hinge structure portion and an adjacent lateral end of a second or third hinge structure portion of a consecutive chain module will usually be relatively wide in a side-flexing conveyor chain to allow side-flexing. It will be appreciated that this may, additionally or alternatively, be highly advantageous for conveyor chains used to convey products that can drip, e.g. wet products, especially food products, such as for instance meat products, and/or containers containing at least partly liquid products, especially food or drink containers, such as for instance containers for sauce, beer, soft drink, nectar, juice, etc., and/or containers for other at least partly liquid products, such as cleaning solutions, products for personal care, etc.

Alternatively or additionally, especially in embodiments wherein the intermediate region is at least partly open at a front side and/or a rear side, e.g. a side facing towards the interspace between the second and third hinge structure portions of the chain module and/or a side opposite of the side facing towards said interspace, the at least partly open intermediate region can provide open space, which can for instance be used to receive a part for driving the conveyor chain, especially a tooth or cog of a sprocket wheel or so-called sprocket. Especially when the intermediate region is at least partly open at a front side and/or a rear side, the pitch distance, e.g. measured in a conveying direction, between a first hinge pin received in the first hinge pin receiving space of the module and a second hinge pin received in the second and third hinge pin receiving spaces of said module can be relatively short, e.g. in comparison to conventional conveyor chain modules having a first hinge structure portion having completely surrounding the intermediate portion of the first hinge pin receiving space. A relatively short pitch can be highly advantageous, for example because the conveyor chain may then run around a sprocket, wheel, roller or guide, e.g. a nose-over or nose roller, having a relatively small diameter.

In embodiments, the intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space can be partly covered or screened off by a part of the first hinge structure portion, preferably at a side facing away from the second and third hinge structure portions, e.g. a front or leading side, and/or at a side facing towards the module’s supporting surface, e.g. a bottom side. As a result, contamination of the first hinge pin receiving space and/or a hinge pin received therein may be counteracted. This, for instance because liquids or at least partly liquid substances dripping on the module’s supporting surface can at least partly flow off the module, by flowing around the first hinge structure portion, substantially without flowing down into said first hinge pin receiving space.

The disclosure also relates to a modular conveyor chain. Further, the invention relates to a conveyor system.

It is noted that the at least partly open intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space can save material.

In embodiments, the conveyor module may be molded, especially injection molded. In such embodiments, leaving the intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space at least partly open, e.g. by omitting at least a part of a conventional first hinge structure portion, the cooling time, and therefore the complete cycle time, of the molding can be relatively short. Hence, the chain modules, and therefore the conveyor chain and the conveyor system as well, can be produced in a relatively time efficient and/or cost efficient manner.

In embodiments, the chain module can be an injection molded plastic chain module comprising a substantially elongate conveying body defining a supporting surface for supporting products to be transported on said conveying body, and a hinge structure for hingedly connecting the plastic chain module with other modules, wherein the hinge structure is located at a lower side of the plastic chain module, wherein the hinge structure comprises a first hinge structure portion, especially a hinge structure front portion located at the leading side of the module, which first hinge structure portion defines a first hinge pin receiving space for receiving a hinge pin, wherein the hinge structure further comprises a second hinge structure portion and a third hinge structure portion, especially two hinge structure rear portions located at the trailing side of the module, wherein said second and third hinge structure portions define a second hinge pin receiving space and a third hinge pin receiving space, respectively, wherein said second and third hinge structure portions are interspaced to receive a first hinge structure portion, especially a hinge structure front portion, of a consecutive chain module there between, wherein the substantially elongate conveying body comprises a central portion, wherein the substantially elongate conveying body further comprises two wing shaped portions substantially extending away from said central portion in a respective lateral direction, wherein bottom sides of said wing shaped portions are arranged to be supported by a guide track, wherein each of both wing shaped portions comprises a respective top plate portion defining a part of the supporting surface for supporting products to be transported, each of said top plate portions having a thickness being less than 1/3 of the thickness of the respective wing shaped portion, and wherein each wing shaped portion further comprises one or more supporting wall portions for supporting the respective top plate portion, wherein the supporting wall portions extend substantially downwards from the respective top plate portion.

By providing the substantially downwardly extending supporting wall portions, the wing shaped portion of the conveying body can have a relatively large thickness, e.g. about 4, 8.7 or 12.7 mm, without the need of the top plate portion of said wing shaped portion to have such a relatively large thickness itself. By not forming the wing shaped portion of the conveying body as substantially massive plastic module portions, not only the cooling time, and therefore the complete cycle time, of the injection molding can be relatively short, but also relatively little plastic material is needed. Hence, the injection molded plastic chain modules, and therefore the conveyor chain and the conveyor system as well, can be produced in a relatively time efficient and cost efficient manner.

Advantageously, the supporting wall portions of a respective wing portion can comprise multiple, preferably substantially parallel, supporting wall portions that are interspaced with respect to each other such that an interspace between two adjacent, preferably substantially parallel, wall portions is wider than the thickness of each of said two wall portions. For example, the width of the interspace can be at least 150%, preferably at least 200% or even more, of the thickness of the thickest of said two adjacent wall portions. It is noted that both of said two interspaced wall portions preferably may have the same thickness as the other one.

By providing relatively wide interspaces between supporting wall portions for supporting the respective top plate portion, relatively plenty of empty space can be provided within the wing shaped portions, which empty space is free of plastic material.

Advantageously, the wing shaped portions can be formed as substantially hollow wing shaped portions. This is, for instance more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, such as for instance at least 70%, of the total volume of the wing shaped portion may be formed by one or more empty spaces, whereas less than 50%, preferably less than 40%, such as for instance at most 30%, of the total volume of the wing shaped portion is formed by plastic material.

According to another aspect, the wing shaped portion can substantially consist of a plurality of relatively thin plate and/or wall portions. Advantageously, all of said plate portions and/or wall portions can have substantially the same thickness.

In preferred embodiments, the whole injection molded plastic chain module can substantially consist of a plurality of relatively thin plate and/or wall portions, preferably all having a substantially equal thickness.

In the context of this application it is noted that “having substantially the same thickness” and/or “having a substantially equal thickness” may at least be considered as meaning that the thickness of the plate and/or wall portions differ from each other to such a small extent that the thickness of the thickest plate or wall portion is at most 250%, preferably at most 200% or at most 150%, more preferably less than 120%, even more preferably less than 115%, such as for instance at most 110% or 105%, of the thickness of the thinnest plate and/or wall portion.

Alternatively or additionally, “having substantially the same thickness” and/or “having a substantially equal thickness” may be considered as meaning that the diameter of the largest virtual sphere that can be completely enclosed within the material forming the chain module can be at most 300%, preferably at most 250%, more preferably at most 220%, such as for instance about 200%, of the diameter of the largest virtual sphere that can be enclosed within the material at the thinnest wall portion section that is not tapered. The largest virtual sphere or spheres that at a certain position can be completely enclosed within any tapered end sections of plate and/or wall portions of the chain module should then thus be disregarded for determining the diameter of the largest virtual sphere that can be enclosed within the material at the thinnest wall portion section of the chain module.

By arranging at least the wing shaped portions of the module such that all their portions or parts have substantially equal thicknesses, and advantageously by arranging substantially the whole chain module such that substantially all its portions or parts are of substantially equal wall thickness, the cooling time can be relatively short, as a result of which, in the case the chain module is an injection molded chain module, the injection molded chain module can be ejected from its mold relatively quickly, thereby contributing to a relatively short injection molding cycle time.

Advantageous embodiments are described in the appended claims.

By way of non-limiting examples only, embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a chain module for a modular conveyor chain; and

Fig. 2 shows a second schematic perspective view of the chain module of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a modular conveyor chain.

It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs or numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a chain module 1 for a modular conveyor chain 10. The chain module 1 comprises a hinge structure 2 for hingedly connecting the chain module 1 with other modules IA, IB, e.g. one IB in front of the module 1 and one 1A trailing the module 1.

Although the chain module 1 can for instance be formed as a plastic chain module, preferably an injection molded plastic chain module, the module 1 may be made of a different material and/or may be produced in a different manner.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the chain module 1 can comprise a supporting surface 40 for supporting products to be transported. The chain module 1 may comprise a substantially elongate conveying body 4, which can define the supporting surface 40. The supporting surface 40 can he provided at an upper side of the chain module 1 and the hinge structure 2 can be located at a lower side of the chain module 1. It is noted that the upper side may be considered as a side of the chain module 1 located above the lower side during use of the module 1 in an upper run of an endless conveyor chain.

Advantageously, the substantially elongate conveying body 4 can comprise a central portion 4A and two wing shaped portions 4B, 4C substantially extending away from said central portion 4A in a respective lateral direction, wherein bottom sides of said wing shaped portions are arranged to be supported by a guide track of a conveyor system, e.g. by two elongated guides of said guide track.

The hinge structure 2 of the module 1 can be located at a lower side of the chain module 1, e.g. at a side located opposite of a top surface which may define the supporting surface 40 for supporting products to be conveyed during at least a part of a top run of the conveyor chain 10. The hinge structure 2, which can be extending downwardly from a substantially elongate conveying body 4, can be located at least partly between elongated guides of a guide track of a conveyor system and can for instance be arranged to limit lateral movement of the modules 1 and/or the chain 10.

As can be seen best in Figure 2, which shows a second schematic perspective view of the chain module of Figure 1, the hinge structure 2 comprises a first hinge structure portion 21 at a first side of the module 1. For example, the first hinge structure portion 21 is a hinge structure front portion 21 located at the leading side or front side of the module 1. The first hinge structure portion 21 defines a first hinge pin receiving space 31 for receiving a hinge pin 3. The first hinge pin receiving space 31 is an elongated space extending substantially in the width direction WD of the chain module 1.

The hinge structure 2 further comprises a second hinge structure portion 22 and a third hinge structure portion 23. Said second and third hinge structure portions 22, 23 are located at a second side of the module 1, wherein said second side is located opposite the first side of the module 1. Said second and third hinge structure portions 22, 23 can for instance form two hinge structure rear portions 22, 23 located at the trailing side or rear side of the module 1.

The second hinge structure portion 22 defines a second hinge pin receiving space 32, and the third hinge structure portion 23 defines a third hinge pin receiving space 33. Said second and third hinge pin receiving spaces 32, 33 may be located substantially in line with each other. It is noted that the second and third hinge structure portions 22, 23 are interspaced such that a first hinge structure portion 21 of a consecutive chain module 1A can be received in an interspace 6 there between.

It will be appreciated that the interspace 6 is left free by material of the chain module 1 itself, i.e. left free by the material forming the chain module. Such a free or open interspace 6 can be free of any part provided between the second and third hinge structure portions 22, 23 of the hinge structure 2, which hinge structure can extend downwards away from the elongate conveying body 4. The chain module 1 can thus be free of an intermediate hinge structure portion provided between the second and third hinge structure portions 22, 23. Hence, when the chain module 1 is hingedly connecting to a consecutive chain module 1A of equal or similar design, not any intermediate hinge structure portion of the consecutive chain module 1A will be located between lateral end regions 21A, 21B of the first hinge structure portion 21.

The first hinge pin receiving space 31 defined by the first hinge structure portion 21 comprises at least two lateral end regions 31A, 31B and an intermediate region 31C located there between. At least said intermediate region 31C is at least partly open such that when a hinge pin 3 is extending through said first hinge pin receiving space 31, at least a part of said hinge pin 3 extending through said intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 is exposed, as for instance can be seen in Figure 3, which shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a modular conveyor chain 10, wherein three chain modules 1, IA, IB are hingedly interconnecting by means of hinge pins 3A, 3B. It is noted that consecutive chain modules, and preferably all chain modules, of the chain 10 may be of equal or similar design.

As a result of a partly exposed hinge pin 3, the hinge pin 3 may be reachable relatively well, even after inserting said hinge pin 3 into the first hinge pin receiving space 31. Hence, the hinge pin 3 and/or the module 1 may be locked, unlocked, inspected, cleaned and/or lubricated in a relatively easy and/or convenient manner.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least partly open intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 may reduce the risk that a hinge pin 3 unintentionally sticks to the module, e.g. stick to a portion 2IOC of a wall surface 210 surrounding said hinge pin 3 at least partly and defining the first hinge pin receiving space 31 of the first hinge structure portion 21.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least partly open intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 can provide open space 5A, which open space 5A would have been blocked by material of a first hinge structure portion 21 in a conventional chain module. For example, said open space 5A may provide extra space 5A, as a result of which a relatively large room 5, e.g. for receiving a part for driving the conveyor chain, especially a tooth or cog of a sprocket wheel or so called sprocket, can be provided. As can be understood from Figure 3, said relatively large room 5 can have a length L5 that is larger than the length LC of a corresponding room of a conventional chain module of which the intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space is not left open at least partly, as is indicated by a dotted line in Figure 3. Since the length L5 of such a room 5 may be relatively large with respect to the total length LM of the chain module 1, the pitch between two hinge pins 3A, 3B connecting the chain module 1 with two adjacent chain modules IA, IB, e.g. measured from the axis of a first hinge pin to the axis of a consecutive hinge pin, may be relatively short with respect to the length L5 of said room 5.

Advantageously, the length L31C over which the intermediate region 31C is at least partly open can span at least 30%, especially at least 35% or at least 40%, such as at least 45% or at least 50%, of the total length L31 of the elongated first hinge pin receiving space 31 and/or of the total length L21 of the first hinge structure portion 21. Said length L31C over which the intermediate region 31C is at least partly open can be measured substantially in the longitudinal direction of the first hinge pin receiving space 31, substantially in the direction in which the hinge pin 3 will extend during use, and/or substantially in the width direction WD of the chain module 1.

Additionally or alternatively, seen in a cross-section substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongated first hinge pin receiving space 31, wherein said cross-section is located at the open part of the intermediate region 31C, said first hinge pin receiving space 31 can be open over at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 40%, or even at least 50% of the circumference or virtual outline of said first hinge pin receiving space 31.

Advantageously, such as for instance in the cases of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the intermediate region 31C can be at least partly open at a side facing towards the interspace 6 between the second and third hinge structure portions 22, 23 of the chain module 1.

Since, in preferred embodiments, the first hinge structure portion 21 can be provided at a front or leading side of the module 1, the intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 may thus be at least partly open at the rear side or trailing side of the first hinge pin receiving space 31.

Additionally or alternatively, the intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 may be at least partly open at a side facing away from said supporting surface 40. For example, the intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 may be at least partly open at a bottom side of the first hinge pin receiving space 31.

In alternative embodiments, alternatively or additionally, other sides of the intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 may be left open, free or clear, e.g. not covered by material of the first hinge pin structure portion 21.

Although the whole intermediate region 31C may substantially be left open in some embodiments, the intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 may advantageously be partly covered or screened off by a part 21C of the first hinge structure portion 21, preferably at a front or leading side and/or a side facing away from the second and third hinge structure portions 22, 23. Additionally or alternatively, the intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 can for instance be partly covered or screened off by a part 21C of the first hinge structure portion 21 located at a bottom side and/or a side facing towards the module’s supporting surface 40.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the intermediate region 31C of the first hinge pin receiving space 31 can be partly surrounded by a part 21C of the first hinge structure portion 21. A part, e.g. a rear and/or top part, of the intermediate region 31C can be physically delimited by an inner wall part 210C of the first hinge structure portion 21.

In embodiments, at least at one lateral side, and preferably at both lateral sides, of the intermediate region 31C of said first hinge pin receiving space 31, a respective lateral end region 21A, 2IB of said first hinge pin receiving space 31 can be physically delimited by an inner wall part 210A, 21 OB of the first hinge structure portion 21 at least at the side, or at least at one of the sides, at which the intermediate region 31C of said first hinge pin receiving space 31 is left open. For example, in case the intermediate region 31C is left open at its bottom side and/or rear side, the first and/or second later end regions 21 A, 2IB can be covered at least at their bottom sides and/or rear sides. Hence, it can be counteracted or prevented that a hinge pin 3 coupling two consecutive modules 1, 1A can be removed in a lateral direction of said hinge pin 3 unintentionally, i.e. can be unintentionally removed in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin 3.

It is noted that “substantially enclosed” can be understood at least as that the respective inner wall part 210A, 210B is free of a slit or other opening through which a hinge pin 3 can pass in a sideward or lateral manner. Said inner wall part 210 should then thus be free of an opening, e.g. a slit, having a width, seen in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hinge pin 3, equal to or larger than the diameter of the hinge pin 3.

It is noted that, seen in a cross-section substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongated first hinge pin receiving space 31, wherein said cross-section is located at the location of the respective lateral end region 21A, 21B, the first hinge pin receiving space 31 can be surrounded by material of the first hinge structure portion 21 over at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even at least 99% of the circumference or virtual outline of said first hinge pin receiving space 31, and can more preferably be surrounded over the total circumference or outline.

Advantageously, at least one of the lateral end regions 21 A, 2IB of said first hinge pin receiving space 31, and preferably both lateral end regions 21 A, 2IB, can be completely enclosed by an inner wall part 210A, 21 OB of the first hinge structure portion 21.

In embodiments, the chain module 1 may be a side flexing conveyor chain module. As can be seen in Figure 3, the width W6 of the interspace 6 may be substantially larger than the length L21 of the first hinge structure portion 21, e.g. in order to facilitate side flexing of the conveyor chain 10. It is noted that the width W6 of the interspace 6 can be measured parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first hinge pin receiving space 31, in the direction in which a hinge pin 3 will during use extend through the second and third hinge pin receiving spaces 32, 33, and/or in the width direction WD of the chain module 1.

Besides, the hinge structure 2, especially its first, second and third hinge pin receiving spaces 31, 32, 33 defining hinge structure portions 21, 22, 23, can be shaped such as to allow yaw Y of the hinge pin 3, e.g. in order to facilitate side flexing of the conveyor chain 10.

For example thereto, preferably measured substantially in the conveying direction CD, a width W31 of at least the first hinge pin receiving space 31, and/or widths of the other hinge pin receiving spaces 32, 33, may be larger than the height H of the respective hinge pin receiving space, and/or may be substantially larger than the diameter of the hinge pin 3, e.g. more than 10%, more than 20% or even more than 30%, larger than said height H and/or said diameter.

Additionally, or alternatively, the height H of at least the first hinge pin receiving space 31, and additionally or alternatively the heights of the other hinge pin receiving spaces 32, 33, can correspond to the diameter of the hinge pin 3. For example, the height H of the respective hinge pin receiving space 31, 32, 33, which can be measured in a direction substantially transverse to the width direction WD of the module 1 and substantially transverse to the conveying direction CD, may be only slightly larger than the diameter of the hinge pin 3, e.g. less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, less than 2% or even less than 1%, larger than the diameter of the hinge pin 3.

It is noted that for the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Further, it is noted that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

Such and other variants will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within in the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims (15)

A chain module for a modular conveyor chain, comprising a hinge structure for hingedly connecting the chain module to other modules, the hinge structure comprising a first hinge structure portion on a first side of the module, said first hinge structure portion defining a first hinge pin receptacle for receiving a hinge pin, said first hinge pin receiving space being an elongated space extending substantially in the width direction of the chain module, the hinge structure further comprising a second hinge structure portion and a third hinge structure portion, both of which are located on a second side of the module opposite the first side, wherein said second and third hinge structure portions define a second hinge pin receptacle and a third hinge pin receptacle, wherein said second and third hinge structure portions are spaced apart receiving a first hinge structure portion therebetween, in particular a hinge structure front portion, from a successive chain module, the first hinge pin receptacle defined by the first hinge structure portion comprising at least two lateral end regions and an intermediate region therebetween, at least said intermediate region is at least partially open so that when a hinge pin extends through said intermediate region, at least a portion of said hinge pin extending through said intermediate region of the first hinge pin receptacle is exposed. A chain module according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate region is at least partially open on a side that faces the gap between the second and third hinge structure portions of the chain module. 3. Chain module as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the module comprises a bearing surface for carrying products to be transported, and wherein the intermediate region of the first hinge pin receiving space is at least partially open on a side directed away from said bearing surface. A chain module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate region of the first hinge pin receptacle is partially covered or shielded by a portion of the first hinge structure portion, preferably on a side facing away from the second and third hinge structure portions and / or on a side that faces the bearing surface of the module. A chain module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on one lateral side, and preferably on both lateral sides, of the intermediate region of said first hinge pin receptacle, a respective lateral end region of said first hinge pin receptacle through an inner wall portion of the first hinge structure portion is physically limited on at least the side, or on at least one of the sides, to which the intermediate region of said first hinge pin receptacle is open. A chain module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on one lateral side, and preferably on both lateral sides, of the intermediate region of said first hinge pin receptacle, a respective lateral end region of said first hinge pin receptacle is substantially enclosed by a inner wall part of the first hinge structure part. Chain module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the length over which the intermediate area of the first hinge pin receptacle is at least partially open is at least 30% of the total length of the elongated first hinge pin receptacle and / or the total length of spans the first hinge structure portion. A chain module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, viewed in a section that is substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the elongated first hinge pin receptacle, the first hinge pin receptacle is, at the open part of the intermediate region, open over at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 40%, or even at least 50% of the circumference or virtual circumference line of said first hinge pin receptacle. Chain module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain module is a so-called side-flexing (side-bending) chain module. A chain module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain module is a plastic chain module, preferably an injection-molded plastic chain module. A chain module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first hinge structure portion is a hinge structure front portion located at the front of the module, and wherein the second hinge structure portion is a hinge structure rear portion located at the rear of the module. A chain module according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a substantially elongated transport body that defines a bearing surface for carrying products to be transported on said transport body, the hinge structure being located on a lower side of the chain module. A chain module according to claim 12, wherein the substantially elongated transport body comprises a central portion and further comprises two wing-shaped portions extending substantially away from said central portion in a respective lateral direction, the undersides of said wing-shaped portions being arranged to be secured by a to be supported. Modular conveyor chain, comprising a multiple number of chain modules according to one of the preceding claims. A transport system comprising a multiple number of chain modules according to one of claims 1-13 and / or a modular transport chain according to claim 14.