Abstract: A chain link for a conveyor chain includes a planar elongate sheet metal conveying body having four outer corners and sides that extend between adjacent outer corners, the sides include long sides and short sides that extend between the long sides, the sides further include side face portions that extend substantially transversely to a conveying plane of the conveying body, and at each of the outer corners, the conveying body may include a corner face portion that extends transversely to the conveying plane and that connects angularly to a side face portion of a short side.

Abstract: An automobile factory planning system and method for controlling a cycle time. The system comprises a conveyor belt configured to transport a plurality of automobiles at a controlled displacement velocity along a manufacturing path through the automobile factory. A feedback device is configured to provide a visual indicator of a designated position at which a next automobile is to be placed on the conveyor belt relative to the position of a previous automobile. The designated position is calculated as a function of the cycle time and the displacement velocity of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveying system, comprising a modular conveyor belt supported on a conveyor track so that top surfaces of the modules of the conveyor belt present a conveying face that in use moves along the track in a conveying direction, and at least one plastic bottle supported at its bottom on the conveying face via one or more textured surfaces at a bottom of the bottle. The disclosure also includes a method of conveying bottles, wherein plastic bottles are supported with their bottoms on a moving conveying face of a conveyor, and wherein the conveying face and the bottom of the bottle are conveyed via one or more textured surfaces at a bottom of the bottle. The disclosure further includes use of at least one textured bottom surface of a plastic bottle for conveying, and a blow mold for blow molding a plastic bottle.

Abstract: A modular conveyor, comprising a plurality of modules successive in transport direction, each comprising a body part with a transport surface for transporting products thereon, which body part during use is hingedly coupled via a hinge pin to the body part of a successive module. The successive modules are adjustable from an assembly position to an operative position. In the working position the hinge pin can be introduced from outside of the body parts into a receiving space formed by the successive modules or can be taken out of that receiving space to outside of the body parts due to that the hinge pin is released by the body parts to move in longitudinal direction and/or transverse direction of its longitudinal axis. In the operative position the hinge pin is retained in the receiving space formed by the body parts of the successive modules due to that the movement of the hinge pin both in longitudinal direction and in transverse direction of its longitudinal axis is limited by the body parts.

Abstract: A conveying system (1), comprising a modular conveyor belt (2) supported on a conveyor track (3) so that top surfaces (4) of the modules (5) of the conveyor belt present a conveying face (6) that in use moves along the track in a conveying direction, and at least one plastic bottle supported at its bottom on the conveying face via one or more textured surfaces at a bottom of the bottle. The disclosure also includes a method of conveying bottles, wherein plastic bottles are supported with their bottoms on a moving conveying face of a conveyor, and wherein the conveying face and the bottom of the bottle are conveyed via one or more textured surfaces (12) at a bottom of the bottle. The disclosure further includes use of at least one textured bottom surface of a plastic bottle for conveying, and a blow mold for blow molding a plastic bottle.

Abstract: Coupling of conveyor belt modules A module (2) for a modular conveyor chain, comprising a link portion (3) made of sheet metal that includes a substantially elongate conveying body (4), the conveying body having a central hinge loop (5A) on one longitudinal side thereof and a pair of offset hinge loops (5B) on an opposite longitudinal side thereof that are interspaced to receive the central hinge loop of a link portion of a consecutive module therebetween. The central hinge loop and/or or the offset hinge loops are distanced with their free end(s) from a bottom face of the conveying body to form a through pass aperture (16) through which a hinge pin (12) held in the hinge receiving space(s) of the hinge loops of other module may pass transversely to its axis into or out of its hinge receiving space.

Abstract: Method and system (10) for transporting products (2). A conveyor surface (1) is moving at a conveyor velocity (VI). Products (2) are provided on the conveyor surface (1) in a measurement zone (M). The products (2) move through the measurement zone (M) with a product velocity (V2) that is at least initially different than the conveyor velocity (VI). A contact between the products (2) and the relatively moving conveyor surface (1) causes the products (2) to accelerate or decelerate (a) in the measurement zone (M) depending on a kinetic friction coefficient (?k) there between. A control signal (S) is indicative of the acceleration or deceleration (a) of the products (2) in the measurement zone (M). The kinetic friction coefficient (?k) is controlled based on the control signal (S) to keep the acceleration or deceleration (a) within a predetermined threshold range.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic chain module comprising a substantially elongate conveying body and a hinge structure located at a bottom side of the module for hingedly connecting a front and a rear side of the module with adjacent modules. The conveying body comprises two wing shaped portions extending laterally away from the hinge structure, and comprising a respective top plate portion that defines a part of a supporting surface for supporting products to be transported, wherein each of said top plate portions has a thickness of less than ? of the total thickness of the respective wing shaped portion. Further, each wing shaped portion comprises one or more downwardly extending supporting wall portions for supporting the respective top plate portion. The module may merely consist of a plurality of relatively thin plate and/or wall portions, preferably all having a substantially equal thickness.

Abstract: A transfer device (19), comprising a carrier (21) including a number of mutually spaced-apart, substantially parallel extending transfer fingers (22) that in use reach into grooves (14) between ribs (13) on a conveying surface of a grooved conveyor belt (2). Back parts (23) of the fingers form a comb shaped part (24) of a substantially planar slide-over surface (25) of the transfer device. The carrier further includes a conveyor guide track (26) that is lowered with respect to the slide over surface and that extends transversely to the fingers, and that in use is provided with a cross conveyor belt (6) movable in a conveying direction transversely to the fingers, so that a conveying surface (9) of the cross conveyor belt forms a conveying part (27) of the slide-over surface that is substantially contiguous to and flush with the comb shaped part (24).

Abstract: A module (1) for a modular conveyor chain (8), comprising a link portion (2) made of sheet metal that includes a substantially elongate conveying body (3), having a centrally located coupling piece (4) on one longitudinal side thereof and a pair of coupling pieces (4) on an opposite longitudinal side thereof, that are inter-spaced to receive the centrally located coupling piece of a link portion of a consecutive module therebetween, wherein the coupling pieces extend from the body part to loop around a receiving space (5) for a hinge pin (7), wherein the coupling pieces form less then a three quarter loop relative to a plane defined by the conveying body.

Abstract: A modular conveyor (1) comprising a conveyor mat or chain (2) constructed of a series of links (3) hingedly connected together into an endless loop arranged to be circulated around two spaced diverting wheel units (4, 5). Each link is positioned at a pitch distance from an adjacent link, which pitch distance is at least substantially the same throughout the conveyor mar or chain. At least one of the diverting wheel units (5) comprises a drive shaft (9), a drive wheel (10) mounted on the drive shaft and drivingly engaging the conveyor mat or chain and further an upper idler wheel (12) mounted on an idler wheel shaft. The upper idler wheel shaft is positioned above the drive wheel shaft, such that intermediate distance between said upper idler wheel shaft and drive shaft equals a distance of (n times the pitch distance+substantially a ½ time the pitch distance).

Abstract: Module (1) for a modular conveyor mat, comprising a body part (2) extending transversely to a conveying direction with a top (3) and a bottom (4), which bottom is provided with a tooth chamber (6) for receiving a driving tooth of a sprocket wheel. The body part, at a front (7) and rear (8), is provided with a series of hinge parts (9) and receiving spaces (10) alternately successive transversely to the conveying direction, so that successive modules (1) are hingedly couplable using hinge pins (11) extending through hinge bores (13) provided in the hinge parts. The front is part of a front body part (2A) of the module and the rear is part of a rear body part (2B) of the module. The front and rear body parts are hingedly connected with each other relative to a pivoting axis (Z), which traverses the tooth chamber (6).

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing such a modular belt link, a mold having a mold cavity is used comprising a number of U-shaped profiles, which are configured and arranged such as to—after injecting polymeric material into the mold cavity—form an aperture in each of the link ends by providing for each link end at least two laterally adjoining, partly overlapping oblong U-shaped recesses which are alternately oriented such that the open end of one of the U-shaped recesses opens in the top support surface and the open end of an immediately adjoining U-shaped recess opens in the bottom surface. The invention relates also to a modular belt link manufactured with such a method and a modular conveyor belt comprising such modular belt links.

Abstract: In a conveyor system, a conveyor having a conveyor surface transports items. An optional lubricant dispensing device dispenses a lubricant composition on the conveyor surface. A friction coefficient measuring device measures a quantity proportional to the friction coefficient of the conveyor surface and provides a signal indicative for the measured quantity proportional to the friction coefficient. A control receives the signal indicative for the measured quantity. In one embodiment, the control provides a further signal when the measured quantity exceeds a threshold value or for regulating the lubricant amount to be dispensed based on the measured quantity in order to maintain the measured quantity proportional to the friction coefficient within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying system. The conveying system comprises a conveying track, an endless conveyor mat for conveying products in a conveying direction, a drive for driving the conveyor mat, and a return guide provided at the conveying track for guiding the conveyor mat upon circulation. The return guide extends substantially transversely to the conveying direction. The conveyor mat comprises a number of plastic modules, which are provided at their bottom side with a track guide surface, while at least a part of the plastic modules at the location of the respective track guide surface comprise at least one chamber extending inwardly with respect to the module for being in a contact with the return guide during circulation of the module around the return guide. The chamber is formed such that the contact upon circulation consists of a first line contact and a second line contact.

Abstract: End drive for a conveyor, comprising a conveying track (6) for, during use, guiding a conveying part of a straight-running modular conveyor mat (2), a return guide (10) extending at a distance along the conveying part for return guidance of a return part of the conveyor mat, and a gear drive (16) located between the conveying track and the return guide for, through engagement of the conveyor mat, drivingly having the conveyor mat round from the conveying track to the return guide. The return guide comprises a guiding envelope (E), linking up with the gear drive and extending along successive rows of modules, in which movement of the return part of the conveyor mat both sideways in the plane of the conveyor mat and transversely to the conveying plane is limited.

Abstract: End drive for a conveyor, comprising a conveying track (6) for, during use, guiding a conveying part of a modular conveyor mat (2) of the side-flexing type, a return guide (10) extending at a distance along the conveying part for return guidance of a return part of the conveyor mat, and a gear drive (16) located between the conveying track and the return guide for, through engagement on the conveyor mat, drivingly having the conveyor mat round from the conveying track to the return guide. The conveying track and the return guide comprise a bend segment where the conveying part and the return part of the conveyor mat, respectively, are guided in their planes through a bend.

Abstract: A sprocket wheel built up from at least two synthetic wheel parts (2, 3), comprising a hub part (4a, 4b), a gear ring (5) and a body part (6) connecting the hub part and gear ring, having a central plane forming a plane of symmetry of the body part, at least one fastener housing (7) divided over the two wheel parts, having a fastener hole (8) extending along a centerline situated in the central plane, for receiving a fastener (9), and, at least one gear ring opening (10) extending through the gear ring, situated in line with the fastener hole, characterized in that the body part comprises a recess (11) accessible from a side of the body part to a fastener, which recess is situated in line between the gear ring opening and the fastener housing and whose passage towards the fastener housing is greater than the passage of the gear ring opening (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a module for a modular conveyor, comprising a body part extending transversely to a direction, having a substantially closed, flat top surface and a bottom. On the top surface, a receiving provision is provided for coupling a mounting frame. The receiving provision is provided with one or more stop elements projecting relative to the top surface, with each stop element provided with a flange. The mounting frame is provided with one or more wings, with each wing configured to engage under a respective flange upon placement of the mounting frame on the receiving provision. The receiving provision and the mounting frame are configured for placement of the mounting frame on the module and removal from the module, respectively, in an insertion direction which is directed substantially transversely to the directions.

Abstract: Modular conveyor mat (1), comprising a number of rows (2) of modules (3), successive in the conveying direction (P) of the conveyor mat, which modules are provided with a body part (4) from plastic extending transversely to the conveying direction, which is provided with an upper surface (5), and which is provided, viewed in conveying direction, at the front (8) and rear (9) with a series of coupling elements (11) spaced apart with mutual interspaces (10). Coupling elements and interspaces of modules successive in conveying direction interdigitate, and are hingedly coupled with the aid of pins (12). The conveyor mat is provided with reinforcing strips (14) included in the body parts of the modules, spaced apart at a mutual intermediate distance transversely to the conveying direction, which extend in conveying direction between successive hinge pins, and which are provided adjacent their ends (15) with recesses (16) in which the hinge pins successive in conveying direction are received.