Modular roller-top conveyor belt
First Claim
1. A modular conveyor belt comprising a series of rows of belt modules and hinge pins hingedly interlinking consecutive belt rows end-to-end to form a conveyor belt, each row including at least one module comprising a body section extending from a first end to a second end in the direction of belt travel, a first plurality of hinge elements along the first end, and a second plurality of hinge elements along the second end, the first plurality of hinge elements of a row being interleaved with the second plurality of hinge elements of an adjacent row and pivotally joined by a hinge pin in a hinged connection between consecutive rows of belt modules, wherein the body section of at least some of the modules includes an upper surface, a plurality of cavities disposed across the width of the row and opening onto the upper surface, and a roller rotatably disposed in each of the cavities with a salient portion of each roller protruding above the upper surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling contact.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
85 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A modular conveyor belt comprising a series of rows of belt modules and hinge pins hingedly interlinking consecutive belt rows end-to-end to form a conveyor belt, each row including at least one module comprising a body section extending from a first end to a second end in the direction of belt travel, a first plurality of hinge elements along the first end, and a second plurality of hinge elements along the second end, the first plurality of hinge elements of a row being interleaved with the second plurality of hinge elements of an adjacent row and pivotally joined by a hinge pin in a hinged connection between consecutive rows of belt modules, wherein the body section of at least some of the modules includes an upper surface, a plurality of cavities disposed across the width of the row and opening onto the upper surface, and a roller rotatably disposed in each of the cavities with a salient portion of each roller protruding above the upper surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling contact.
- 12. A modular conveyor belt comprising a series of rows of belt modules and hinge pins hingedly interlinking consecutive belt rows end-to-end to form a conveyor belt, each row including at least one module comprising a body section extending from a first end to a second end in the direction of belt travel, a first plurality of hinge elements along the first end, and a second plurality of hinge elements along the second end, the first plurality of hinge elements of a row being interleaved with the second plurality of hinge elements of an adjacent row and pivotally joined by a hinge pin in a hinged connection between consecutive rows of belt modules, wherein the body section of at least some of the modules includes an upper surface, a plurality of cavities disposed across the width of the row and opening onto the upper surface, and a roller assembly disposed in the cavities, wherein the roller assembly includes a support and a roller rotatably mounted thereto with a salient portion of each roller protruding from the support to engage conveyed articles in rolling contact.
- 16. A modular conveyor belt comprising a series of rows of belt modules and hinge pins hingedly interlinking consecutive belt rows end-to-end to form a conveyor belt, each row including at least one module comprising a body section extending from a first end to a second end in the direction of belt travel, a first plurality of hinge elements along the first end, and a second plurality of hinge elements along the second end, the first plurality of hinge elements of a row being interleaved with the second plurality of hinge elements of an adjacent row and pivotally joined by a hinge pin in a hinged connection between consecutive rows of belt modules, wherein at least some of the modules include a sloping upper surface, at least one cavity opening onto the sloping upper surface, and a roller rotatably disposed in the cavity with a salient portion of the roller protruding from the cavity to engage conveyed articles in rolling contact.
Specification