WO2006104380A1 - Belt conveyor with curved sections - Google Patents

Belt conveyor with curved sections Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006104380A1
WO2006104380A1 PCT/NL2006/000162 NL2006000162W WO2006104380A1 WO 2006104380 A1 WO2006104380 A1 WO 2006104380A1 NL 2006000162 W NL2006000162 W NL 2006000162W WO 2006104380 A1 WO2006104380 A1 WO 2006104380A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
curvature
section
radius
bend
conveying device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2006/000162
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lodewijk Stephanus Margaretha Joseph Van Den Borg
Original Assignee
Kaak, Johan, Hendrik, Bernard
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kaak, Johan, Hendrik, Bernard filed Critical Kaak, Johan, Hendrik, Bernard
Publication of WO2006104380A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006104380A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G21/00—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors
    • B65G21/16—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors for conveyors having endless load-carriers movable in curved paths
    • B65G21/18—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors for conveyors having endless load-carriers movable in curved paths in three-dimensionally curved paths
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
    • B65G17/06—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms
    • B65G17/08—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms the surface being formed by the traction element
    • B65G17/086—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms the surface being formed by the traction element specially adapted to follow a curved path

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a conveying device, particularly a conveying device comprising a conveyor belt adapted for passing through bends in the horizontal and the vertical plane and for instance having an open supporting structure.
  • Such device having conveyor belts are usually used in the food industry, and particularly for conveying bakery products along a conveyance path.
  • An example of such devices are so-called spiral towers for cooling or heating, proofing etc., wherein the conveyor belt passes through a helical path, engaged at its inside for driving.
  • the conveyance path Prior to and connecting to the helical path, the conveyance path is provided with straight sections for supplying and discharging, respectively, the products.
  • a problem with the known conveyor belts is, that particularly at the transition from a straight path to a circular bend, large forces are exerted on the conveyor belt. As a result the course of the conveyor belt may become irregular at least near said transition. Due to this irregular course the products on the conveyor belt may be subjected to shocks and/or vibrations.
  • shocks and/or vibrations may adversely affect the proofing process and thus the product.
  • shocks and/or vibrations may adversely affect the position and/or orientation of the products on the conveyor belt and thus the conveying process.
  • a conveying device comprising a conveyor belt for in a conveyance direction conveying products, wherein the conveying device comprises a first section having a first radius of curvature and a second section having a second radius of curvature, wherein the conveying device comprises a run-in bend placed between the first and second section, said bend having a first and second end connecting to the first and second section, respectively, and wherein the run-in bend comprises a run-in bend section having a radius of curvature deviating from the first and second radius of curvature for adapting the curvature of the conveyor belt for leading the conveyor belt from the first section into the second section.
  • the transition from the first to the second section constitutes an abrupt change of the curvature of the conveyor belt, which abrupt change disrupts the smooth course of the conveyor belt.
  • the run- in bend provides the conveyor belt with a curvature adaptation for leading the conveyor belt from the first section into the second section.
  • a further advantage of this smoother course of the conveyor belt is that, if desired, it can be passed through the conveying device at a higher speed. As a result the conveying capacity of the conveying device can be increased.
  • a further advantage of using a run-in bend in the conveying device according to the invention is that wear of the conveyor belt can be reduced. After all, when leading the conveyor belts in a bend, large forces are exerted on the former. Particularly the sections of the conveyor belt situated at the outside bend are loaded by tensile forces and the sections of the conveyor belt situated at the inside bend are loaded by compressive forces. Due to these compressive and/or tensile forces the conveyor belt is subjected to wear, resulting in the conveyor belt or parts thereof having to be replaced frequently.
  • the run-in bend results in a more gradual transition between the first and second section of the conveying device, because of which the forces on the conveyor belt, at least at the transition from the first to the second section, at least build up more gradually and preferably are reduced.
  • the wear of the conveyor belt can be reduced and the conveying device according to the invention need not be serviced or repaired as often as was the case before.
  • the radius of curvature of the run-in bend ranges substantially between the first and second radius of curvature.
  • the device according to the invention provides at least two transitions for the conveyor belt wherein the original change of curvature is divided over the at least two transitions. This will result in a less abrupt change of the curvature of the conveyor belt at each of the at least two transitions, as a result of which a smoother course of the conveyor belt can be achieved.
  • the run-in bend comprises several run-in bend sections having different radiuses of curvature.
  • a transition has been placed having a substantially gradually, and preferably substantially smoothly changing radius of curvature.
  • the conveyor belt is subjected to a change of curvature in the run-in bend, and said change of curvature can be divided over a number of run-in bend sections. In this way the change of curvature can be divided step-wise over the length of the run- in bend.
  • the radius of curvature of the run-in bend changes substantially continuously as a function of the distance to the first end of the run-in bend. In this way the curvature of the conveyor belt may change substantially continuously over the length of the run-in bend, or a section thereof.
  • a radius of curvature of the run-in bend near the first end substantially equals the first radius of curvature. At the transition from the first section to the run-in bend substantially no change of the curvature of the conveyor belt will thus take place.
  • a radius of curvature of the run-in bend near the second end substantially equals the second radius of curvature. Also at the transition of the run-in bend to the second section no substantial change of the curvature of the conveyor belt will thus take place. It is particularly advantageous here for a smooth course of the conveyor belt when the radius of curvature of the run-in bend changes substantially smoothly over the length of the run-in bend from a value substantially equalling the first radius of curvature to a value substantially equalling the second radius of curvature.
  • the radius of curvature of the run-in bend section is oriented substantially transverse to the conveyance direction.
  • the run-in bend is substantially situated in the plane of the conveyor belt.
  • the first section forms a substantially straight section of the conveying device and the second section forms a substantially circular bend of the conveying device, or vice versa.
  • the first section has a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature
  • the second section has a constant radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the circular bend
  • the run-in bend has a radius of curvature that substantially deviates from the first and second radius of curvature for adapting the curvature of the conveyor belt for leading the conveyor belt from the straight section into the circular bend, or vice versa.
  • the conveyor belt comprises a series of elongated support members or links for supporting the products to be conveyed, which links extend substantially transverse to the conveyance direction and have been provided with coupling means for mutual coupling of the links, wherein the coupling means comprise a clearance space situated substantially in the plane of the conveyor belt within which space the links are moveable with respect to each other in conveyance direction. Due to the links moving towards each other at least near the inside bend and/or the links moving apart near the outside bend, they can be passed through a bend that is situated substantially in the plane of the conveyor belt.
  • An example of such a conveyor belt is described and shown in applicant's European patent application 427337.
  • the invention provides a conveying device comprising a conveyor belt for conveying products in a conveyance direction, wherein the conveying device comprises a first section having a first radius of curvature and a second section having a second radius of curvature, wherein the conveying device comprises a transition curve placed between the first and second section, said curve having a first and a second end connecting to the first and second section, respectively.
  • the transition curve provides an adaptation, preferably a smooth and/or continuous adaptation, of the curvature of the conveyor belt for leading the conveyor belt from the first section into the second section.
  • the invention further provides an installation for subjecting products, particularly bakery products such as dough, to a treatment, comprising a conveying device according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a section of a conveying device according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a section of a conveying device according to the invention
  • Figure 3 shows a top view of a third exemplary embodiment of a section of a conveying device according to the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a top view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a section of a conveying device according to the invention.
  • Said top view shows a first section 111 of the conveying device 11 having a constant, substantially infinitely large first radius of curvature and a second, circular section 112 of the conveying device 11 having a constant second radius of curvature R2.
  • a run-in bend 13 having a radius of curvature R has been placed, wherein the radius of curvature R is larger than R2, for instance twice as large as shown in figure 1.
  • the original transition from an infinite radius of curvature to R2 is split by the run-in bend 13 into a first transition from an infinite radius of curvature to R and a second transition, spaced apart from the first transition, from a radius of curvature R to a radius of curvature R2.
  • a second exemplary embodiment of a conveying device 21 according to the invention is shown in figure 2.
  • Said conveying device 21 comprises a conveyor belt 22 for conveying products in a conveyance direction A.
  • the conveying device 21 comprises a first straight section 211 having a constant, substantially infinitely large first radius of curvature and a second, circular section 212 having a constant second radius of curvature R2.
  • a run-in bend 23 has been placed, wherein the run-in bend 23 considered in conveyance direction A, comprises a changing radius of curvature R, R', R".
  • the conveyance direction A' of the first end 213 of the first section 211 facing the second section is placed at an angle a to the conveyance direction A" of the second end 214 of the second section 212 facing the first section.
  • the radius of curvature R of the first end 231 of the run-in bend 23 placed near the first section 211 substantially equals the radius of curvature of the first section 211.
  • the radius of curvature R" of the second end 232 of the run-in bend 23 placed near the second section 212 substantially equals the radius of curvature R2 of the second section 212.
  • the radius of curvature R' of the run-in bend 23 changes substantially gradually, and preferably substantially smoothly, from value R to value R".
  • the radius of curvature R' of the run-in bend 23 changes substantially continuously as a function of the distance to the first end 231 of the run-in bend 23.
  • the run-in bend 23 gives the conveyor belt 22 in the device according to the invention a slight angle adjustment (some degrees) before the circular bend 212 in order to lead the conveyor belt 22 into the bend 212. Due to this gradual leading of the conveyor belt 22 into the bend 212 considerable less force is exerted on the conveyor belt 22 at the moment that it actually enters the bend.
  • a run-in bend 24 having a radius of curvature which over the length of the run-in bend 24 continuously changes from a value which substantially equals R2 near a first end 241 of the run-in bend, to a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature near a second end 242 of the run-in bend 24.
  • the exemplary embodiment of the conveying device 21 as shown in figure 2 comprises a circulating infinite conveyor belt 22, wherein the device 21 at its end comprises circulating rollers 25, 26 for the conveyor belt 22.
  • the circulating roller 25 is connected to a drive, for instance in the form of an electromotor 27.
  • Said top view shows a first circular section 311 of the conveying device 31 having a constant first radius of curvature R1 and a second, circular section 312 of the conveying device 31 having a constant second radius of curvature R2.
  • the radiuses of curvature R1 and R2 are substantially equal, however the direction of the bends of the sections 311 and 312 are opposite.
  • a run-in bend 33 having a radius of curvature which changes considered in conveyance direction A, which radius of curvature over the length of the run-in bend continuously changes from a value substantially equalling R1 near a first end 331 of the run-in bend, via a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature in the middle 332 of the run-in bend, to a value substantially equalling R2 near a second end 333 of the run-in bend.
  • a fourth exemplary embodiment of a conveying device 41 according to the invention is shown in figure 4.
  • Said top view shows a first straight section 411 and a second straight section 412 of the conveying device 41.
  • the radiuses of curvature of the first and the second section are both substantially infinitely large.
  • the conveyance direction A' of the first section 411 is placed at an angle ⁇ to the conveyance direction A" of the second section 412. Between the first section 411 and the second section 412 a run-in bend 43 has been placed.
  • the radius of curvature of the run-in bend changes continuously over the length of the run-in bend from a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature near a first end 431 of the run-in bend, via a substantially finite radius of curvature R in the middle 432 of the run-in bend 43, to a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature near a second end 433 of the run-in bend.
  • a circular section 112, 212, 311 , 312 may be a helical path of a so-called spiral tower.

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveying device (11) comprising a conveyor belt for in a conveyance direction conveying products, wherein the conveying device comprises a first section (111) having a first radius of curvature and a second section(112) having a second radius of curvature (R2) , wherein the conveying device (11) comprises a run-in bend (13) placed between the first (111) and second section (112) , said bend(13) having a first and second end connecting to the first and second section, respectively, and wherein the run-in bend comprises a run-in bend section having a radius of curvature (R) deviating from the first and second radius of curvature for adapting the curvature of the conveyor belt for leading the conveyor belt from the first section (111) into the second section (112) .

Description

Conveying device
The invention relates to a conveying device, particularly a conveying device comprising a conveyor belt adapted for passing through bends in the horizontal and the vertical plane and for instance having an open supporting structure.
Such device having conveyor belts are usually used in the food industry, and particularly for conveying bakery products along a conveyance path. An example of such devices are so-called spiral towers for cooling or heating, proofing etc., wherein the conveyor belt passes through a helical path, engaged at its inside for driving. Prior to and connecting to the helical path, the conveyance path is provided with straight sections for supplying and discharging, respectively, the products.
A problem with the known conveyor belts is, that particularly at the transition from a straight path to a circular bend, large forces are exerted on the conveyor belt. As a result the course of the conveyor belt may become irregular at least near said transition. Due to this irregular course the products on the conveyor belt may be subjected to shocks and/or vibrations.
For instance in case of conveying proofing dough, said shocks and/or vibrations may adversely affect the proofing process and thus the product.
In addition said shocks and/or vibrations may adversely affect the position and/or orientation of the products on the conveyor belt and thus the conveying process.
It is an object of the invention to improve on this. To that end the invention from one aspect provides a conveying device comprising a conveyor belt for in a conveyance direction conveying products, wherein the conveying device comprises a first section having a first radius of curvature and a second section having a second radius of curvature, wherein the conveying device comprises a run-in bend placed between the first and second section, said bend having a first and second end connecting to the first and second section, respectively, and wherein the run-in bend comprises a run-in bend section having a radius of curvature deviating from the first and second radius of curvature for adapting the curvature of the conveyor belt for leading the conveyor belt from the first section into the second section.
Due to the first and second section of the conveying device having a different radius of curvature, the transition from the first to the second section constitutes an abrupt change of the curvature of the conveyor belt, which abrupt change disrupts the smooth course of the conveyor belt. By placing a run-in bend between the first and the second section of the conveying device, wherein the radius of curvature of the run-in bend substantially deviates from the first and second radius of curvature, the run- in bend provides the conveyor belt with a curvature adaptation for leading the conveyor belt from the first section into the second section. As a result a more gradual change of the curvature, and as a result a smoother course of the conveyor belt can be achieved. Thus generating shocks and/or vibrations, at least at the transition from the first to the second section of the conveying device, can at least be partially prevented.
A further advantage of this smoother course of the conveyor belt is that, if desired, it can be passed through the conveying device at a higher speed. As a result the conveying capacity of the conveying device can be increased.
A further advantage of using a run-in bend in the conveying device according to the invention is that wear of the conveyor belt can be reduced. After all, when leading the conveyor belts in a bend, large forces are exerted on the former. Particularly the sections of the conveyor belt situated at the outside bend are loaded by tensile forces and the sections of the conveyor belt situated at the inside bend are loaded by compressive forces. Due to these compressive and/or tensile forces the conveyor belt is subjected to wear, resulting in the conveyor belt or parts thereof having to be replaced frequently. As described above the run-in bend results in a more gradual transition between the first and second section of the conveying device, because of which the forces on the conveyor belt, at least at the transition from the first to the second section, at least build up more gradually and preferably are reduced. As a result the wear of the conveyor belt can be reduced and the conveying device according to the invention need not be serviced or repaired as often as was the case before.
In an embodiment wherein the first radius of curvature is larger or smaller than the second radius of curvature, the radius of curvature of the run-in bend ranges substantially between the first and second radius of curvature. Instead of one transition from the first section to the second section where the conveyor belt is subjected to a change of curvature, the device according to the invention provides at least two transitions for the conveyor belt wherein the original change of curvature is divided over the at least two transitions. This will result in a less abrupt change of the curvature of the conveyor belt at each of the at least two transitions, as a result of which a smoother course of the conveyor belt can be achieved.
In an embodiment the run-in bend comprises several run-in bend sections having different radiuses of curvature. Preferably between the run-in bend sections having different radiuses of curvature a transition has been placed having a substantially gradually, and preferably substantially smoothly changing radius of curvature. In this embodiment the conveyor belt is subjected to a change of curvature in the run-in bend, and said change of curvature can be divided over a number of run-in bend sections. In this way the change of curvature can be divided step-wise over the length of the run- in bend. Preferably the radius of curvature of the run-in bend changes substantially continuously as a function of the distance to the first end of the run-in bend. In this way the curvature of the conveyor belt may change substantially continuously over the length of the run-in bend, or a section thereof.
In an embodiment a radius of curvature of the run-in bend near the first end substantially equals the first radius of curvature. At the transition from the first section to the run-in bend substantially no change of the curvature of the conveyor belt will thus take place. Preferably a radius of curvature of the run-in bend near the second end substantially equals the second radius of curvature. Also at the transition of the run-in bend to the second section no substantial change of the curvature of the conveyor belt will thus take place. It is particularly advantageous here for a smooth course of the conveyor belt when the radius of curvature of the run-in bend changes substantially smoothly over the length of the run-in bend from a value substantially equalling the first radius of curvature to a value substantially equalling the second radius of curvature.
In an embodiment the radius of curvature of the run-in bend section is oriented substantially transverse to the conveyance direction. Preferably the run-in bend is substantially situated in the plane of the conveyor belt.
In an embodiment the first section forms a substantially straight section of the conveying device and the second section forms a substantially circular bend of the conveying device, or vice versa. In that way the first section has a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature, the second section has a constant radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the circular bend, and the run-in bend has a radius of curvature that substantially deviates from the first and second radius of curvature for adapting the curvature of the conveyor belt for leading the conveyor belt from the straight section into the circular bend, or vice versa.
In a further embodiment the conveyor belt comprises a series of elongated support members or links for supporting the products to be conveyed, which links extend substantially transverse to the conveyance direction and have been provided with coupling means for mutual coupling of the links, wherein the coupling means comprise a clearance space situated substantially in the plane of the conveyor belt within which space the links are moveable with respect to each other in conveyance direction. Due to the links moving towards each other at least near the inside bend and/or the links moving apart near the outside bend, they can be passed through a bend that is situated substantially in the plane of the conveyor belt. An example of such a conveyor belt is described and shown in applicant's European patent application 427337. From a further aspect the invention provides a conveying device comprising a conveyor belt for conveying products in a conveyance direction, wherein the conveying device comprises a first section having a first radius of curvature and a second section having a second radius of curvature, wherein the conveying device comprises a transition curve placed between the first and second section, said curve having a first and a second end connecting to the first and second section, respectively. The transition curve provides an adaptation, preferably a smooth and/or continuous adaptation, of the curvature of the conveyor belt for leading the conveyor belt from the first section into the second section.
The invention further provides an installation for subjecting products, particularly bakery products such as dough, to a treatment, comprising a conveying device according to the invention.
The invention will be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a top view of a first exemplary embodiment of a section of a conveying device according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a section of a conveying device according to the invention;
Figure 3 shows a top view of a third exemplary embodiment of a section of a conveying device according to the invention; and
Figure 4 shows a top view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a section of a conveying device according to the invention.
A first exemplary embodiment of a conveying device 11 according to the invention, at least a section thereof, is shown in figure 1. Said top view shows a first section 111 of the conveying device 11 having a constant, substantially infinitely large first radius of curvature and a second, circular section 112 of the conveying device 11 having a constant second radius of curvature R2. Between the first section 111 and the second section 112 a run-in bend 13 having a radius of curvature R has been placed, wherein the radius of curvature R is larger than R2, for instance twice as large as shown in figure 1.
In this way the original transition from an infinite radius of curvature to R2, is split by the run-in bend 13 into a first transition from an infinite radius of curvature to R and a second transition, spaced apart from the first transition, from a radius of curvature R to a radius of curvature R2.
A second exemplary embodiment of a conveying device 21 according to the invention is shown in figure 2. Said conveying device 21 comprises a conveyor belt 22 for conveying products in a conveyance direction A. The conveying device 21 comprises a first straight section 211 having a constant, substantially infinitely large first radius of curvature and a second, circular section 212 having a constant second radius of curvature R2. Between the first section 211 and the second section 212 a run-in bend 23 has been placed, wherein the run-in bend 23 considered in conveyance direction A, comprises a changing radius of curvature R, R', R".
Because the run-in bend 23 has been placed between the first section 211 and the second section 212, the conveyance direction A' of the first end 213 of the first section 211 facing the second section is placed at an angle a to the conveyance direction A" of the second end 214 of the second section 212 facing the first section.
The radius of curvature R of the first end 231 of the run-in bend 23 placed near the first section 211 substantially equals the radius of curvature of the first section 211. The radius of curvature R" of the second end 232 of the run-in bend 23 placed near the second section 212 substantially equals the radius of curvature R2 of the second section 212.
Between the first end 231 and the second end 232 the radius of curvature R' of the run-in bend 23 changes substantially gradually, and preferably substantially smoothly, from value R to value R". In the exemplary embodiment as shown in figure 2 the radius of curvature R' of the run-in bend 23 changes substantially continuously as a function of the distance to the first end 231 of the run-in bend 23. The run-in bend 23 gives the conveyor belt 22 in the device according to the invention a slight angle adjustment (some degrees) before the circular bend 212 in order to lead the conveyor belt 22 into the bend 212. Due to this gradual leading of the conveyor belt 22 into the bend 212 considerable less force is exerted on the conveyor belt 22 at the moment that it actually enters the bend.
Likewise the transition from the circular bend 212 to a next straight section 215 is provided with a run-in bend 24 having a radius of curvature which over the length of the run-in bend 24 continuously changes from a value which substantially equals R2 near a first end 241 of the run-in bend, to a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature near a second end 242 of the run-in bend 24.
The exemplary embodiment of the conveying device 21 as shown in figure 2 comprises a circulating infinite conveyor belt 22, wherein the device 21 at its end comprises circulating rollers 25, 26 for the conveyor belt 22. For driving the conveyor belt 22 at least the circulating roller 25 is connected to a drive, for instance in the form of an electromotor 27.
A third exemplary embodiment of a conveying device 31 according to the invention, at least a section thereof, is shown in figure 3. Said top view shows a first circular section 311 of the conveying device 31 having a constant first radius of curvature R1 and a second, circular section 312 of the conveying device 31 having a constant second radius of curvature R2. In this example the radiuses of curvature R1 and R2 are substantially equal, however the direction of the bends of the sections 311 and 312 are opposite. Between the first section 311 and the second section 312 there is a run-in bend 33 having a radius of curvature which changes considered in conveyance direction A, which radius of curvature over the length of the run-in bend continuously changes from a value substantially equalling R1 near a first end 331 of the run-in bend, via a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature in the middle 332 of the run-in bend, to a value substantially equalling R2 near a second end 333 of the run-in bend.
A fourth exemplary embodiment of a conveying device 41 according to the invention, at least a section thereof, is shown in figure 4. Said top view shows a first straight section 411 and a second straight section 412 of the conveying device 41. In this example the radiuses of curvature of the first and the second section are both substantially infinitely large. The conveyance direction A' of the first section 411 is placed at an angle β to the conveyance direction A" of the second section 412. Between the first section 411 and the second section 412 a run-in bend 43 has been placed. The radius of curvature of the run-in bend, considered in conveyance direction A, changes continuously over the length of the run-in bend from a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature near a first end 431 of the run-in bend, via a substantially finite radius of curvature R in the middle 432 of the run-in bend 43, to a substantially infinitely large radius of curvature near a second end 433 of the run-in bend.
It will be clear that the exemplary embodiments of the invention described above are intended to illustrate the invention and not to limit the invention. An expert will certainly be capable of designing alternative embodiments that fall within the scope of protection of the attached claims.
Particularly a circular section 112, 212, 311 , 312 may be a helical path of a so-called spiral tower.

Claims

Claims
1. Conveying device comprising a conveyor belt for in a conveyance direction conveying products, wherein the conveying device comprises a first section having a first radius of curvature and a second section having a second radius of curvature, wherein the conveying device comprises a run-in bend placed between the first and second section, said bend having a first and second end connecting to the first and second section, respectively, and wherein the run-in bend comprises a run-in bend section having a radius of curvature deviating from the first and second radius of curvature for adapting the curvature of the conveyor belt for leading the conveyor belt from the first section into the second section.
2. Conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the first radius of curvature is larger or smaller than the second radius of curvature, and wherein the radius of curvature of the run-in bend ranges substantially between the first and second radius of curvature.
3. Conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the run-in bend comprises several run-in bend sections having different radiuses of curvature.
4. Conveying device according to claim 3, wherein between the run-in bend sections having different radiuses of curvature a transitional section has been placed having a substantially gradually, and preferably substantially smoothly changing radius of curvature.
5. Conveying device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the radius of curvature of the run-in bend changes substantially continuously as a function of the distance to the first end of the run-in bend.
6. Conveying device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein a radius of curvature of the run-in bend near the first end substantially equals the first radius of curvature.
7. Conveying device according to claim 6, wherein a radius of curvature of the run-in bend near the second end substantially equals the second radius of curvature.
8. Conveying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first section forms a substantially straight section of the conveying device and the second section forms a substantially circular bend of the conveying device, or vice versa.
9. Conveying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of curvature of the run-in bend section is oriented substantially transverse to the conveyance direction.
10. Conveying device according to claim 9, wherein the run-in bend is substantially situated in the plane of the conveyor belt.
11. Conveying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a series of elongated support members or links for supporting the products to be conveyed, which links extend substantially transverse to the conveyance direction and have been provided with coupling means for mutual coupling of the links, wherein the coupling means comprise a clearance space situated substantially in the plane of the conveyor belt within which space the links are moveable with respect to each other in conveyance direction.
12. Conveying device comprising a conveyor belt for conveying products in a conveyance direction, wherein the conveying device comprises a first section having a first radius of curvature and a second section having a second radius of curvature, wherein the conveying device comprises a transition curve placed between the first and second section, said curve having a first and a second end connecting to the first and second section, respectively.
13. Installation for subjecting products, particularly bakery products, to a treatment, comprising a conveying device according to any one of the preceding claims.
14. Conveying device provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.
15. Method for conveying products, particularly conveying bakery products, comprising one or more of the characterising steps described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.
PCT/NL2006/000162 2005-03-31 2006-03-30 Belt conveyor with curved sections WO2006104380A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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NL1028665A NL1028665C2 (en) 2005-03-31 2005-03-31 Transport device.
NL1028665 2005-03-31

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WO2006104380A1 true WO2006104380A1 (en) 2006-10-05

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WO (1) WO2006104380A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3834408A (en) * 1972-09-13 1974-09-10 Detrex Chem Ind Apparatus for cleaning small items
US4203512A (en) * 1977-08-12 1980-05-20 Ammeraal Nederland B.V. Helical conveyor
US20020129481A1 (en) * 2001-03-16 2002-09-19 Kvp Falcon Plastic Belting Method for radius limit adjustment on radius conveyor belts
US20050029078A1 (en) * 2004-09-27 2005-02-10 Formigoni Jonathan E. Food grade conveyor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3834408A (en) * 1972-09-13 1974-09-10 Detrex Chem Ind Apparatus for cleaning small items
US4203512A (en) * 1977-08-12 1980-05-20 Ammeraal Nederland B.V. Helical conveyor
US20020129481A1 (en) * 2001-03-16 2002-09-19 Kvp Falcon Plastic Belting Method for radius limit adjustment on radius conveyor belts
US20050029078A1 (en) * 2004-09-27 2005-02-10 Formigoni Jonathan E. Food grade conveyor

Also Published As

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NL1028665C2 (en) 2006-10-03

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