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: A monitoring system for a conveyor of articles includes a reference element located on a transport chain and sensors. Each sensor senses passage of the reference element during the operation of the conveyor. Counting means measures time elapsed between passage of the reference element close to the sensors. Computing means determines transport chain movement speed with respect to the static portion based on the first measured time and the first distance, and determines the length of the chain based on the determined movement speed and based on the second measured time.

Abstract: A transfer modules arrangement (100) for an articles conveyor (110). The transfer modules arrangement includes at least one transfer module (125) in turn comprising a frame (310) housing a plurality of idle rollers (135) for allowing an inertial run of transported articles (140) between consecutive conveyor belt/chain elements (115a, 115b) of the articles conveyor. According to the invention, the transfer modules arrangement includes at least one positioning rod (120). Additionally, the frame of the at least one transfer module further includes a shaped cavity (315) for allowing a sliding insertion of the at least one transfer module on the at least one positioning rod.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a conveyor of articles is provided. The conveyor of articles comprises a static portion and at least one respective endless transport chain adapted to be moved with respect to the static portion when the conveyor of articles is in operation. The system includes a reference element located on the transport chain, a first sensor integral with the static portion and a second sensor integral with the static portion. Said first and second sensors are distant to each other by a first distance; each sensor is configured for sensing the passage of the reference element close to the sensor itself during the operation of the conveyor. The system further includes counting means coupled with the sensors and configured to measure a first time corresponding to the time elapsed between a first passage of the reference element close to the first sensor and a first passage of the reference element close to the second sensor.

Abstract: A modular roller belt (100,200) for transporting articles is proposed. The belt comprises a plurality of modules (105) for transporting the articles, and a plurality of hinge pins (110), each for hinging adjacent modules of the belt about a corresponding geometric axis (GAX). Each module comprises at least one roller (115a,115b,115c,115d) and at least one mounting pin (1201,1202) for mounting the at least one idle roller to the respective module; the at least one roller is freely rotatable about a respective rotation axis (RAX1, RAX2) defined by the corresponding mounting pin.

Abstract: A transfer modules arrangement (100) for an articles conveyor (110). The transfer modules arrangement includes at least one transfer module (125) in turn comprising a frame (310) housing a plurality of idle rollers (135) for allowing an inertial run of transported articles (140) between consecutive conveyor belt/chain elements (115a, 115b) of the articles conveyor. According to the invention, the transfer modules arrangement includes at least one positioning rod (120). Additionally, the frame of the at least one transfer module further includes a shaped cavity (315) for allowing a sliding insertion of the at least one transfer module on the at least one positioning rod.

Abstract: A positioning unit, comprising: a support for a member to be positioned; an actuator for moving the support between a plurality of predetermined working positions; a position selector comprising a plurality of spacers that can be moved into an operative position positioning a stem of the actuator corresponding to a said predetermined working position of the support, wherein the position selector is coupled to the actuator such that movement of the actuator during actuation drives the operation of the position selector. The positioning unit has particular application to the positioning of guides of a conveyor of articles.

Abstract: A conveyor chain (10) for conveying articles is proposed. The chain includes a sequence of links (20), each link defining a support surface (42, 130) for the articles to be conveyed. Each link is hinged to a preceding link in the chain by means of a pin (80) having a first axis and is pivotable with respect to the preceding link by means of a sleeve (90) having a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Said sleeve is coaxially rotatable with respect to a gudgeon (100) which is coaxial to the second axis and crossed by the pin. Said gudgeon is coupled with a plate-like element (120) adapted to be hold into a seat (47) of the link in such a way to be flush with said support surface. The shape of the plate-like elements and the coupling thereof with the respective gudgeons is such that the plate-like element associated with a link extends to cover the gudgeon of the subsequent link in the chain when the chain configuration is substantially planar.

Abstract: A bend segment (1) for a conveyor, having at least one curvedly extending guide track (2, 2) for guiding a conveyor along a curve, the bend segment comprising a base portion (3) and at least two rails (4) forming a guide track, wherein the rails are each fixedly mounted to the base portion as a separate section in a keyed arrangement along a curved mounting path.

Abstract: A positioning unit (132), comprising: a support (139, 137) for a member to be positioned; an actuator (141, 147) for moving the support between a plurality of predetermined working positions; a position selector (143) comprising a plurality of end-run elements that can be moved in an endless sequence into an operative position which determines an end-run position of the actuator corresponding to a said predetermined working position of the support, wherein the position selector is coupled to the actuator such that movement of the actuator during actuation drives the operation of the position selector. For the positioning of the guides of a conveyor of articles.

Abstract: A conveyor chain (10) for conveying articles is proposed. The chain includes a sequence of links (20), each link defining a support surface (42, 130) for the articles to be conveyed. Each link is hinged to a preceding link in the chain by means of a pin (80) having a first axis and is pivotable with respect to the preceding link by means of a sleeve (90) having a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. Said sleeve is coaxially rotatable with respect to a gudgeon (100) which is coaxial to the second axis and crossed by the pin. Said gudgeon is coupled with a plate-like element (120) adapted to be hold into a seat (47) of the link in such a way to be flush with said support surface. The shape of the plate-like elements and the coupling thereof with the respective gudgeons is such that the plate-like element associated with a link extends to cover the gudgeon of the subsequent link in the chain when the chain configuration is substantially planar.

Abstract: A clamp adapted to clamp a bar, particularly supporting components such as guides of conveyors of articles. The clamp includes: a clamp body, adapted to accommodate the support bar for supporting the components, with the possibility of adjusting the relative position of the bar with respect to the clamp by longitudinally sliding the bar; positioning means arranged to have a first working position in which the positioning means are elastically urged in abutment against the bar to engage at least positioning notch, provided on the bar, upon reaching a predetermined position, so as to essentially prevent a further longitudinal sliding of the bar once said predetermined position is reached. The clamp further includes tightening means, distinct from said positioning means and adapted in use to hold the bar in position against displacements with respect to the clamp body.

Abstract: A guide for conveying articles includes a first and a second element for guiding and/or routing the articles along a transport path, the elements both having substantially planar portions, a mounting assembly for mounting the first and the second elements to a support bar, the support bar being connected to a frame of a conveyor, wherein the mounting assembly keeps the first and the second elements together, and wherein the planar portions of the first and the second elements are adapted to clamp the support bar there between.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for a conveyor (130) of articles comprising a plurality of conveyor components, said conveyor components being conceived to undergo a plurality of revolutions in use, the monitoring system comprising at least one sensor device (SM), associated with a corresponding conveyor component, adapted to enable determination of operating data associated with revolutions of the conveyor component; a data collection and processing system (140; 150; 180; 190) operationally coupled to the at least one sensor device, arranged to determine the operating data and efficiency data of the conveyor component based on the operating data. The invention further relates to a method of monitoring a conveyor of articles.

Abstract: A base (110) for a support foot (100) for supporting heavy bodies on a support surface, comprising a cap (115) intended in the use to be mechanically coupled to coupling means (105) of the base to a body to be supported. The cap is made of a first material of mechanical properties such as to guarantee that the cap is able to support, remaining substantially within the limit of elastic deformability, a first significative fraction of a load received by said coupling means to the body to be supported, and has said concavity on the side that, in the use, faces the support surface. A synthetic material mass (210) is arranged in adhesion to the cap and it is adapted to substantially fill the concavity of the cap, forming a contact surface (215) with a support surface.

Abstract: A guide for a conveyor of articles includes a guide element elongated in a longitudinal direction. The guide element includes a substantially planar portion and first and second edges opposed to each other in a transversal direction, transversal to said longitudinal direction. A clamp associable with the guide element includes a back portion and two clamp appendixes opposed to each other in the transversal direction and is adapted to clamp the guide element along the first and second edges. The clamp is tightened to exert an action of traction on the appendixes of the clamp to urge them one towards the other in said first transversal direction, so as to tighten said clamp appendixes against said first and second edges of the guide element.

Abstract: A guide for a conveyor of articles, comprising: a guide element elongated in a longitudinal direction and intended in use to be arranged along a transport path of a conveyor of articles for the containment and/or the routing of the transported articles, said guide element comprising a substantially planar portion and first and second edges opposed to each other in a first transversal direction, transversal to said longitudinal direction; a clamp is associable to said guide element, the clamp comprising a back portion and two clamp appendixes opposed to each other in said first transversal direction and adapted to clamp said guide element along said first and second edges.

Abstract: A clamp adapted to clamp a bar, particularly supporting components such as guides of conveyors of articles. The clamp includes: a clamp body, adapted to accommodate the support bar for supporting the components, with the possibility of adjusting the relative position of the bar with respect to the clamp by longitudinally sliding the bar; positioning means arranged to have a first working position in which the positioning means are elastically urged in abutment against the bar to engage at least positioning notch, provided on the bar, upon reaching a predetermined position, so as to essentially prevent a further longitudinal sliding of the bar once said predetermined position is reached. The clamp further includes tightening means, distinct from said positioning means and adapted in use to hold the bar in position against displacements with respect to the clamp body.

Abstract: One embodiment of a guide incorporating the present invention for conveying articles, comprises a first and a second element for guiding and/or routing the articles along a transport path, the elements both comprising substantially planar portions, a mounting assembly for mounting the first and the second elements to a support bar, the support bar being connected to a frame of a conveyor, wherein the mounting assembly is adapted to force the first and the second elements together, wherein the planar portions of the first and the second elements are adapted to clamp the support bar there between.

Abstract: A base (110) for a support foot (100) for supporting heavy bodies on a support surface, comprising a cap (115) intended in the use to be mechanically coupled to coupling means (105) of the base to a body to be supported. The cap is made of a first material of mechanical properties such as to guarantee that the cap is able to support, remaining substantially within the limit of elastic deformability, a first significative fraction of a load received by said coupling means to the body to be supported, and has said concavity on the side that, in the use, faces the support surface. A synthetic material mass (210) is arranged in adhesion to the cap and it is adapted to substantially fill the concavity of the cap, forming a contact surface (215) with a support surface.