Abstract: A method for estimating the extent of a friction interaction between a transport surface of an article conveyor and articles transported on the transport surface by providing a representative test article, associating an acceleration sensor with the test article so that the acceleration sensor is capable of measuring acceleration along a direction lying in a plane parallel to a support plane of the test article, placing the test article on the transport surface and having it transported by the article conveyor, so that the acceleration sensor measures at least an acceleration experienced by the test article along a direction lying in a plane parallel to the transport surface on which the test article rests, acquiring measurements of the acceleration along the direction, and estimating the extent of the friction interaction between the transport surface and the test article on the basis of the acquired measurements of the acceleration.

Abstract: A link for a chain for an article conveyor includes first and second link elements formed as coupleable separate parts. The first link element may be configured to support articles, and the second link element may be adapted to support the first link element and to allow the chain to be moved when in use. The link includes a hinging region in the second link element for hinging the link to a further link of the chain. The hinging region may be adapted to the insertion within it of a hinging element for hinging the link to another link of the chain. The link includes confining means provided in the first link element and adapted, when the first and second link elements are coupled, to confine the hinging element within the hinging region, thereby preventing the hinging element to escape from the hinging region.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a transport chain with a sequence of interconnected chain links, a guide structure for slidingly supporting the transport chain so that chain links of the transport chain define a substantially flat support surface for supporting articles to be transported, and a motor for causing the transport chain to move with respect to the guide structure along a first direction parallel to the support surface. The motor comprises an electric linear motor including a plurality of magnets, each one located in a respective chain link, and a plurality of propulsion electromagnets located on the guide structure.

Abstract: A method for estimating the extent of a friction interaction between a transport surface of an article conveyor and articles transported on the transport surface by providing a representative test article, associating an acceleration sensor with the test article so that the acceleration sensor is capable of measuring acceleration along a direction lying in a plane parallel to a support plane of the test article, placing the test article on the transport surface and having it transported by the article conveyor, so that the acceleration sensor measures at least an acceleration experienced by the test article along a direction lying in a plane parallel to the transport surface on which the test article rests, acquiring measurements of the acceleration along the direction, and estimating the extent of the friction interaction between the transport surface and the test article on the basis of the acquired measurements of the acceleration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for monitoring and removing contaminants from a conveyor surface based upon predicted frictional engagement qualities detected on a conveyor surface. In some examples, the methods may include monitoring the conveyor surface with at least one sensor configured to sense a condition on the conveyor surface. The sensor may detect the presence of a contaminant, and communicate the location of the detected contaminant to a processor. A treatment cycle may then be initiated to remove or displace the contaminant from the conveyor surface after the presence of a contaminant has been detected.

Abstract: A link for a chain for an article conveyor includes first and second link elements formed as coupleable separate parts. The first link element may be configured to support articles, and the second link element may be adapted to support the first link element and to allow the chain to be moved when in use. The link includes a hinging region in the second link element for hinging the link to a further link of the chain. The hinging region may be adapted to the insertion within it of a hinging element for hinging the link to another link of the chain. The link includes confining means provided in the first link element and adapted, when the first and second link elements are coupled, to confine the hinging element within the hinging region, thereby preventing the hinging element to escape from the hinging region.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a transport chain with a sequence of interconnected chain links, a guide structure for slidingly supporting the transport chain so that chain links of the transport chain define a substantially flat support surface for supporting articles to be transported, and a motor means for causing the transport chain to move with respect to the guide structure along a first direction parallel to the support surface. The motor means comprises an electric linear motor including a plurality of magnets, each one located in a respective chain link, and a plurality of propulsion electromagnets located on the guide structure.

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 guide structure for a chain for an article conveyor is disclosed. The guide structure includes a guide for guiding the chain along a direction of movement of the chain and having at least two rails each delimiting a respective guide channel for at least partly accommodating the chain. An accompanying means for supporting the chain and accompanying it into the guide channel, wherein the accompanying means comprises a contact surface adapted to be in contact with the chain while the chain is accompanied into the guide channel. A fixing means for keeping the accompanying means in fixed position with respect to the guide. And, an adjusting means for adjusting a position of the accompanying means generally orthogonal to the direction of movement of the chain to adjust the angular position of the accompanying means with respect to the guide in at least a first and a second angular positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for monitoring and removing contaminants from a conveyor surface based upon predicted frictional engagement qualities detected on a conveyor surface. In some examples, the methods may include monitoring the conveyor surface with at least one sensor configured to sense a condition on the conveyor surface. The sensor may detect the presence of a contaminant, and communicate the location of the detected contaminant to a processor. A treatment cycle may then be initiated to remove or displace the contaminant from the conveyor surface after the presence of a contaminant has been detected.

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: 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: A guide structure for a chain for an article conveyor is disclosed. The guide structure includes a guide tor guiding the chain along a direction of movement of the chain and having at least two rails each delimiting a respective guide channel for at least partly accommodating the chain. An accompanying means for supporting the chain and accompanying it into the guide channel, wherein the accompanying means comprises a contact surface) adapted to be in contact with the chain while the chain is accompanied into the guide channel. A fixing means for keeping the accompanying means in fixed position with respect to the guide. And, an adjusting means for adjusting a position of the accompanying means generally orthogonal to the direction of movement of the chain to adjust the angular position of the accompanying means with respect to the guide in at least a first and a second angular positions.

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: A guide for a chain (105) for an articles conveyor (100) is proposed. Said guide comprises a return guide (110R;210R;310R) being adapted to guide the chain (105) along at least a portion of a return section of a conveyor path of the articles conveyor (100). The chain (105) comprises a plurality of links (115) each one having a first link element (1151) for supporting the articles to be conveyed and a second link element (1152) for supporting the first link element (1151). The return guide (110R;210R;310R) comprises a return chain guide channel (125R;225R;325R) along the return guide (110R;210R;310R), said return chain guide channel (125R;225R;325R) extending within the return guide (110R;210R;310R) from a surface (110RB;210RB;310RB) of the return guide (110R;210R;310R) that, in use, defines a lower outer surface of the guide.

Abstract: A guide for a chain (105) for an articles conveyor (100) is proposed. Said guide comprises a return guide (110R;210R;310R) being adapted to guide the chain (105) along at least a portion of a return section of a conveyor path of the articles conveyor (100). The chain (105) comprises a plurality of links (115) each one having a first link element (1151) for supporting the articles to be conveyed and a second link element (1152) for supporting the first link element (1151). The return guide (110R;210R;310R) comprises a return chain guide channel (125R;225R;325R) along the return guide (110R;210R;310R), said return chain guide channel (125R;225R;325R) extending within the return guide (110R;210R;310R) from a surface (110RB;210RB;310RB) of the return guide (110R;210R;310R) that, in use, defines a lower outer surface of the guide.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting the movement of a transport chain (105, 405) in correspondence of a curve of a transport path of an articles conveyor (100, 400) is proposed. The transport chain comprises a plurality of modules (120i?1, 120i, 120i+1; 420i?1, 420i, 420i+1); each module being coupled to adjacent modules in order to form a loop. Moreover, top surfaces (122; 422) of the coupled modules define a transport surface (124; 424) for supporting the articles to be transported and a side surface (315; 540) define a chain side surface of the chain. The apparatus comprises at least one auxiliary chain (135, 435) arranged in a curvilinear running region (130, 430) corresponding to the transport path curve. In the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, said auxiliary chain comprises a plurality of contact elements (235, 535).

Abstract: A transport chain for transporting articles includes a sequence of links. Each link defines a substantially flat support surface for the articles to be transported, and wherein each link is hingedly coupled with a previous link in the sequence. Each link includes a respective first link element defining a first portion of the support surface of the link and a respective second link element defining a second portion of the support surface of the link. The first link element and the second link element are hingedly coupled with each other through mechanical coupling allowing the first link element to rotate with respect to the second link element, and vice versa, about a rotation axis perpendicular to the support surface of the link. The mechanical coupling is spaced from the rotation axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor module for a conveyor mat and/or conveyor chain for conveying articles. The module (1) comprises a conveying face (2) for supporting articles to be conveyed, a supporting face arranged to be supported by a support member of a conveyor system and connectors (6) arranged such that front and rear sides of successive conveyor modules (1) can be hingedly coupled to each other. Furthermore, the module (1) comprises at least one marking body (10) for marking the conveyor module (1), wherein the marking body (C1-C2) extends from an inside (100) of the module at least towards an outer face (11) of the module.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting the movement of a transport chain (105, 405) in correspondence of a curve of a transport path of an articles conveyor (100, 400) is proposed. The transport chain comprises a plurality of modules (120i?1, 120i, 120i+1; 420i?1, 420i, 420i+1); each module being coupled to adjacent modules in order to form a loop. Moreover, top surfaces (122; 422) of the coupled modules define a transport surface (124; 424) for supporting the articles to be transported and a side surface (315; 540) define a chain side surface of the chain. The apparatus comprises at least one auxiliary chain (135, 435) arranged in a curvilinear running region (130, 430) corresponding to the transport path curve. In the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, said auxiliary chain comprises a plurality of contact elements (235, 535).