Wear-resistant connector for a modular link conveyor

• US 8,522,962 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2010
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Span Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Span Tech LLC
• Inventors: Russell, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DOUGLAS A
• Application Number:
  US12/951,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20110120839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 198850-853, 198/957, 474/214, 427/248.1, 384/907, 384/907.1, 24/33.R, 24/33.L, 24/33.A
• 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. 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,

wherein the core comprises stainless steel, and the powder coating forming the outer shell prevents wear particles from embedding in the plurality of the links.

2. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the outer shell and links comprise a polymer.

3. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises nylon and the links comprise acetal.

4. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the outer shell substantially covers the entirety of the connector without a gap between the outer shell and the connector in which food particles or debris may become trapped.

5. The conveyor belt of claim 1, whereby the outer shell lies at least partially between the core and the links.

6. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the powder coating comprises a germicidal, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, or anti-fungal agent.

7. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the powder coating comprises titanium oxide.

8. The conveyor belt of claim 1, wherein the outer shell is translucent.

9. A conveyor belt comprising:

a plurality of links arranged in interdigitated rows;

an elongated connector for connecting the links, said connector comprising a core and an outer surface; and

a powder coating applied to the outer surface of the connector forming an outer shell for frictionally engaging a surface of the links,

wherein the links comprise acetal and the outer shell comprises nylon.

10. The conveyor belt of claim 9, wherein the outer shell substantially covers the entirety of the connector without a gap between the outer shell and the connector in which food particles or debris may become trapped.

11. The conveyor belt of claim 10, wherein the core comprises stainless steel.

12. The conveyor belt of claim 11, wherein the powder coating comprises a germicidal, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, or anti-fungal agent.

13. The conveyor belt of claim 9, wherein the powder coating comprises titanium oxide.

14. The conveyor belt of claim 9, wherein the outer shell is translucent.

15. A method of using a connector for connecting a plurality of interdigitated links to form a conveyor belt comprising:

providing a connector comprising an electrically conductive material;

coating an outer surface of the connector with a powder coating to form an outer shell on the connector; and

connecting the interdigitated links with the coated connector.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the providing step comprises spraying nylon in powder form to the outer surface of the connector and heating the powder to cure the powder into form the outer shell.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the coating step further comprises forming the outer shell without a gap between the outer shell and the connector in which food particles or debris may become trapped.