Wear-resistant connector for a modular link conveyor belt

• US 20070051588A1
• Filed: 09/05/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Span Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Span Tech LLC
• Inventors: Russell, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,837,029 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/851
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 17/086 specially adapted to follow a curved path for individual load carriers B65G17/22
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/12 Chain pin retainers
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/26 Hygienic features, e.g. easy to sanitize
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2207/48 Wear protection or indication features
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/03 Powdery paints
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/033 characterised by the additives
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1628 Overlapped belt ends
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A connector for connecting modular conveyor links to form a belt includes a rod-like core and a powder coating forming a protective shell. The core may be stainless steel and the powder coating may be nylon.

Claims

1. In a system having a first part with a surface subjected to wear as the result of sliding frictional contact with a second part, the improvement comprising a powder coating applied to the surface of the first part to reduce friction between the first and second parts, provide enhanced wear resistance to the first part, and improve cleanability of the first part.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first part comprises metal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first part comprises stainless steel.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the powder coating comprises a polyamide.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the powder coating comprises nylon.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second part comprises a polymer material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second part comprises acetal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the second part comprises a link of a chain and the first part comprises a connector for engaging the link such that sliding friction results.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the link includes an opening for receiving the connector such that the surface of the connector including the polymer powder coating frictionally engages a corresponding surface of the link within the opening.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the first or second parts is fixed and the other is moving.

11. A connector for connecting links of a conveyor belt, comprising an elongated core and a powder coating forming a shell on a surface of the core.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the core comprises steel.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein the core comprises stainless steel.

14. The connector of claim 11, wherein the shell comprises nylon.

15. The connector of claim 11, wherein the shell comprises a material selected from the group consisting of PROTECH CHEMICAL LTD. Mercury Blue hybrid, SHERWIN WILLIAMS Whitewater polyester, SHERWIN WILLIAMS Antique White hybrid, THERMOCLAD White DURALON 12 (Nylon 12), THERMOCLAD Clear DURALON 12 (Nylon 12), SHERWIN WILLIAMS Furniture White polyurethane, and RILSAN nylon.

16. The connector of claim 11, wherein the shell is generally clear or white in color.

17. The connector of claim 11, wherein the shell comprises a polymer material and includes an anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, or germicidal agent.

18. The connector of claim 11, wherein the core comprises a generally cylindrical rod having a diameter of about 4 millimeters.

19. The connector of claim 11, wherein the shell has a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.005 inches.

20. The connector of claim 11, wherein the core includes at least one notch.

21. An elongated connector for connecting links in a conveyor belt comprising a rigid, solid mild or stainless steel rod and a nylon coating on a surface of the core.

22. The connector of claim 21, wherein the coating comprises an extruded tube.

23. The connector of claim 21, wherein the coating comprises a powder coated shell.

24. A conveyor belt section comprising a plurality of links interconnected by an elongated connector with a rod-like body including a core and a powder coating forming a shell on a surface of the core.

25. The belt section of claim 24, wherein the links comprise acetal, the core comprises stainless steel, and the powder coating comprises nylon.

26. The belt section of claim 24, wherein the shell comprises a material selected from the group consisting of PROTECH CHEMICAL LTD. Mercury Blue hybrid, SHERWIN WILLIAMS Whitewater polyester, SHERWIN WILLIAMS Antique White hybrid, THERMOCLAD White DURALON 12 (Nylon 12), THERMOCLAD Clear DURALON 12 (Nylon 12), SHERWIN WILLIAMS Furniture White polyurethane, and RILSAN nylon.

27. A conveyor belt, comprising:

a plurality of links arranged in interdigitated rows; and

an elongated connector for connecting the links, the connector comprising a core and a powder coating forming an outer shell on the core.

28. The conveyor belt of claim 27, wherein the core comprises metal, and the shell and links comprise a polymer.

29. The conveyor belt of claim 27, wherein the core comprises metal, the shell comprises nylon, and links comprise acetal.

30. A method of forming a connector for the links in a conveyor belt, comprising powder coating an elongated rod to form an outer protective shell on a surface of the rod.

31. The method of claim 30, comprising powder coating nylon on a steel rod.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the rod is stainless steel and the method comprises electrostatically applying nylon powder to a surface of the stainless steel rod and then heating the rod to cure the powder and form a protective shell.

33. A method of manufacturing a conveyor belt section from a plurality of interdigitated links, comprising:

providing a surface of a connector with a powder coating; and

connecting the interdigitated links with the coated connector.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the providing step comprises electrostatically applying a nylon powder to a surface of the connector and then heating the connector.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the heating step is for a period greater than about 15 minutes and at a temperature greater than about 400°

F.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the providing step comprises placing nylon over an entire outer surface of the connector.

37. A method of manufacturing a conveyor belt section from a plurality of interdigitated links, comprising:

providing an outer surface of a connector with a nylon coating; and

connecting the interdigitated links with the coated connector.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the coating step comprises electrostatically applying a nylon powder to a surface of the connector and then heating the connector.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the heating step is for a period greater than about 15 minutes and at a temperature greater than about 400°

F.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the coating step comprises placing an extruded nylon tube over the connector.