Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Verdigets
Christopher J. Verdigets has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 7147099Abstract: An easy-to-clean conveyor with sprockets that reveal the hinge area of a modular conveyor belt to a fluid spray. A conveyor includes a modular belt constructed of rows of belt modules hingedly linked together in series by hinge pins into an endless belt loop. A sprocket, mounted on a shaft for rotation, engages an inner surface of the belt in driving or driven contact. The sprocket extends from a central bored hub to an outer periphery, which is arranged to engage the inner surface of the belt along an area of contact that varies laterally across the inner surface of the belt in each rotation of the sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin W. Guernsey, Christopher J. Verdigets
-
Patent number: 6964332Abstract: A two-material plastic sprocket for modular plastic conveyor belts and an associated method for molding such a sprocket. The sprocket is made of a first plastic material forming the exterior skin and a second plastic material forming the interior core. The sprocket is preferably molded in a co-injection molding process.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Christopher J. Verdigets, Richard J. Sofranec
-
Patent number: 6926134Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module having an embedded high-strength fastener for securely fastening an assortment of attachment elements. A fastener, such as a nut, or threaded insert, is press-fit into a countersunk hole that extends through the thickness of the module and opens onto top and bottom surfaces. Attachment hardware, such as a bolt or screw, extends from the attachment element into the embedded fastener to secure the attachment to the module.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Christopher J. Verdigets, Kevin W. Guernsey, David C. Weiser
-
Patent number: 6857516Abstract: An edge module for a modular plastic conveyor belt providing a self-closing retention system for retaining headless hinge rods in modular plastic conveyor belts. The edge module has an opening in an outer edge portion of the module that receives a rod retention member. The rod retention member is movable from a blocking position occluding a hinge rod passageway through interleaved hinges of consecutive rows of belt modules to an unblocking position clear of the passageway. The rod retention member is hook-shaped with a flexible shank extending from a bend at one end to an enlarged head at the other end. The bend serves as a clip for attaching to a post formed in the opening. The head occludes the passageway in the blocking position. By flexing the shank, the head is moved out of the way to admit a rod into the passageway. Once the rod clears the head, the shank springs the head back into the blocking position.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Christopher J. Verdigets
-
Publication number: 20040238329Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module having an embedded high-strength fastener for securely fastening an assortment of attachment elements. A fastener, such as a nut, or threaded insert, is press-fit into a countersunk hole that extends through the thickness of the module and opens onto top and bottom surfaces. Attachment hardware, such as a bolt or screw, extends from the attachment element into the embedded fastener to secure the attachment to the module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Christopher J. Verdigets, Kevin W. Guernsey, David C. Weiser
-
Publication number: 20040222072Abstract: A two-material plastic sprocket for modular plastic conveyor belts and an associated method for molding such a sprocket. The sprocket is made of a first plastic material forming the exterior skin and a second plastic material forming the interior core. The sprocket is preferably molded in a co-injection molding process.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2003Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventors: Christopher J. Verdigets, Richard J. Sofranec
-
Patent number: 6814223Abstract: An edge module for a modular plastic conveyor belt providing a self-closing retention system for retaining headless hinge rods in modular plastic conveyor belts. The edge module has a chamber in an outer edge portion of the module that slidably receives a rod retention member, such as a plug. The plug slides along the chamber from a closed position occluding a hinge rod passageway through interleaved hinges of consecutive rows of belt modules to an open, unoccluding position. A spring in the chamber urges the plug back toward the closed position. The plug is moved to the open position in two ways: by the force of a hinge rod against an oblique face during insertion of the rod into a belt; or manually by a tool engaging an easily accessible indentation in the plug.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Christopher J. Verdigets, David C. Weiser, Ryan Lemaire
-
Patent number: 6644466Abstract: A platform-top modular radius belt capable of conveying articles along a conveying path that includes straight and curved segments. The belt is constructed of a series of rows of belt modules hingedly interconnected by hinge pins received in aligned apertures formed in interleaved hinge elements of adjacent belt rows. A product support platform is attached to intermediate belt module structure to form a generally continuous article-conveying surface. An overhang forms an extension of the conveying surface and extends over hinge elements along one end of the row to form a gap between the overhang and the hinge elements. An edge portion of the product support platform extends from and is recessed below the level of the conveying surface. The recessed edge of a belt row is received in the gap of an adjacent row below the overlying overhang without interference to allow the inside edge of the modular platform-top belt to collapse at the inside of a turn.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: The Laitram CorporationInventors: Errol P Knott, Christopher J Verdigets, R. Scott Dailey
-
Publication number: 20030136647Abstract: A platform-top modular radius belt capable of conveying articles along a conveying path that includes straight and curved segments. The belt is constructed of a series of rows of belt modules hingedly interconnected by hinge pins received in aligned apertures formed in interleaved hinge elements of adjacent belt rows. A product support platform is attached to intermediate belt module structure to form a generally continuous article-conveying surface. An overhang forms an extension of the conveying surface and extends over hinge elements along one end of the row to form a gap between the overhang and the hinge elements. An edge portion of the product support platform extends from and is recessed below the level of the conveying surface. The recessed edge of a belt row is received in the gap of an adjacent row below the overlying overhang without interference to allow the inside edge of the modular platform-top belt to collapse at the inside of a turn.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Inventors: Errol P. Knott, Christopher J. Verdigets, R. Scott Dailey
-
Patent number: 6554129Abstract: A conveyor belt and an attachment element that firmly interlocks into a row of the conveyor belt. In one version, the attachment element includes a base from which two sets of hook-shaped appendages extend. The appendages each include a shank portion extending from the base and a hook portion angling from the shank portion to a distal end. The hook portions of the first set extend in different directions from the hook portions of the second set. Belt modules in the interconnected rows of the conveyor belt have receptacles that open onto an outer surface of the belt. The receptacles are shaped to receive the differently-directed appendages. Blocking surfaces bounding the receptacles constrain the differently-directed appendages against removal. In another version, the attachment element includes a flange that extends outward in a different direction from a set of appendages.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: The Laitram CorporationInventors: Michael R. Straight, Richard M. Klein, Christopher J. Verdigets
-
Publication number: 20020125108Abstract: A conveyor belt and an attachment element that firmly interlocks into a row of the conveyor belt. In one version, the attachment element includes a base from which two sets of hook-shaped appendages extend. The appendages each include a shank portion extending from the base and a hook portion angling from the shank portion to a distal end. The hook portions of the first set extend in different directions from the hook portions of the second set. Belt modules in the interconnected rows of the conveyor belt have receptacles that open onto an outer surface of the belt. The receptacles are shaped to receive the differently-directed appendages. Blocking surfaces bounding the receptacles constrain the differently-directed appendages against removal. In another version, the attachment element includes a flange that extends outward in a different direction from a set of appendages.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Michael R. Straight, Richard M. Klein, Christopher J. Verdigets
-
Patent number: 5904241Abstract: A modular link of a conveyor belt is provided with belt edge structure for retaining in the belt so that it may not escape or protrude from a belt edge a headless pivot rod journalled in apertures in interdigitated link ends interconnecting adjacent links. The retention structure provides a shuttling plug movable into two bistable positions within a mating shuttle cavity having an open end and a blind end. The cavity extends transversely in the link between two link end pivot rod journalling apertures to intersect only one journalling aperture. The two bistable states for the shuttle plug respectively (1) lock the headless pivot rod in place in a stable pivot rod occluding position extending into said journalling aperture, and (2) permits the headless pivot rod to enter or leave the journalled position by movement of the shuttle plug out of the occluding position into a second stable position.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1996Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: The Laitram CorporationInventors: Christopher J. Verdigets, James O. Gundlach
-
Patent number: 5598916Abstract: Modular conveyor belt links have edge structure for occluding exit of pivot rods from the edge of the belt during operation of conveyor belts formed from pivotably connected end-to-end links. The links feature belt edge structure with an outer pivot rod entry aperture offset from the axis of aligned link end pivot rod holes in one set of link ends thereby forming a pivot joint axis. When the pivot rod is forced from the belt edge into the offset aperture and headed toward the pivot joint the plastic link is elastically deformed enough to permit entry of the rod. For example, an occlusion barrier wall disposed near the belt edge retains the rod in the pivot joint. A matrixing nest for the end of the pivot rod resident in its axial joint site is formed in the link material. From this nest the rod can be removed only by forced distortion of a rod end by a force greater than those forces encountered in the course of normal belt operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1994Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: The Laitram CorporationInventors: Paul L. Horton, Christopher J. Verdigets