By Conveyor Contacting Scraper Patents (Class 198/497)
  • Patent number: 8528723
    Abstract: A plow for a conveyor belt for efficiently removing debris from the return portion of the conveyor belt. The plow for a conveyor belt generally includes a frame having a pair of front plow blades, wherein the pair of front plow blades define a V-shape oriented toward an upstream direction of travel with respect to the conveyor belt. The frame also generally includes a pair of pivotal wings each including a rear plow blades. A support bracket extends forwardly from the frame to secure the frame to a conveyor structure of the conveyor belt. At least one roller is rotatably connected to the frame and extends beyond a lower end of the plow blades to contact the conveyor belt and to maintain a separation between the plow blades and the conveyor belt as the roller(s) travels along the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Albert G. Schoonover
  • Publication number: 20130206545
    Abstract: Conveying systems and method for detecting the presence and amount of biological contaminants or additives on a conveyor belt. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having embedded biosensors. Transmitters co-located in the belt with the biosensors transmit biosensor signals to a remote controller. The remote controller allows remote monitoring of the contamination level on the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David W. Bogle, Manoj Thomas
  • Patent number: 8443962
    Abstract: A removable unit includes an endless belt-like member; a first contact member that contacts an inner surface of the belt-like member; a second contact member disposed upwardly of the first contact member in a direction of gravitational force when the removable unit is mounted to a body of an image forming apparatus; a first cleaning member disposed between the first contact member and the second contact member; and a second cleaning member disposed between the first cleaning member and the second contact member. The first cleaning member prevents an adherent cleaned off by the second cleaning member from moving downward in the direction of gravitational force along an inner peripheral surface of the belt-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotoshi Kaneyama, Yoshihiro Enomoto, Kazuyuki Yagata, Kenji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130104709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for slicing food products which can have a non-homogeneous structure. The device comprises a supply device, a cutting device, namely the slicer, and a removal device, preferably an endless conveyor belt. It is provided to have the device be designed to be self-cleaning. Sterilization of the device is likewise provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventor: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
  • Patent number: 8393459
    Abstract: A bulk material conveyor belt scraper assembly comprises a support member, at least two scraper members, and a clamping device. The support member has a length that extends along an axis. The scraper members each have a first end portion and an opposite second end portion. The first end portion of each of the scraper members is configured and adapted to engage a bulk material conveyor belt. The second end portion of each of the scraper members connects the scraper member to the support member in a manner such that the scraper member is slidable relative to the support member along the axis of the support member and is otherwise fixed relative to the support member. The clamping device is secured to the support member and is configured and adapted to squeeze the scraper members toward each other relative to the axis of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Adam F. Childs, Andrew C. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 8348046
    Abstract: Belt cleaning assemblies for a continuous conveyor belt having a pervious belt assembly and top and bottom belt surfaces generally include contact and non-contact cleaning assembles. Continuous conveyor belt systems having belt cleaning assemblies and methods for cleaning continuous conveyor belts are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Troy O. Baumgardner, Scott M. Kane
  • Publication number: 20120325625
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a conveyor belt soiled with fluid substances, and in particular for machines used for spraying paint or other products, is disclosed. The conveyor belt has an upper section and a lower return section comprising a (a) reverse roller in contact with the return section of the belt to collect the fluid substances on the belt; (b) doctor blade for scraping the fluid substances collected from the reverse roller; (c) at least one secondary belt conveyor mounted on a pair of supporting rollers and disposed beneath the doctor blade for collecting the fluid substances from the doctor blade and for conveying the fluid substances toward one end of said secondary belt conveyor; and (d) means at the end of the secondary belt conveyor for scraping the fluid substances from the secondary belt conveyor and for conveying the substances to a final collection and/or recycling means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Cefla Societa Cooperativa
    Inventors: Stefano Chiarini, Cristian Pungetti
  • Patent number: 8312986
    Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for faster and easier removal of the belt cleaner blades out from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a biasing surface of one of an elongate support assembly and a channel member configured to be engaged by a securing member and urge distal ends of legs of the channel member into tight engagement with the elongate support assembly and minimize debris accumulation therebetween. In another aspect, the elongate base member and rail member each include lateral portions configured to slidably engage corresponding wedge portions to urge the rail member toward the base member. A method of installing a belt cleaner assembly is also provided which includes camming a rail member downwardly toward the support member upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett E. DeVries, Daniel J. Kuiper, Carl J. Hessler
  • Publication number: 20120241288
    Abstract: An improved bulk material conveyor belt scraper comprises a skirt that shields mounting surfaces from the bulk material dust. By shielding the mounting surfaces from bulk material dust, such dust does not interfere with the replacement of the scraper blade. The belt scraper also comprises an improved securing mechanism for attaching belt scrapers to belt scraper mounts. The improved securing mechanism comprises pegs that have an elongate transverse cross-section that more evenly distributes bearing loads between the belt scrapers and their respective mounts. This eliminates local yielding that can cause belt scrapers to become loose over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Todd Swinderman, Joerg Gauss, Oleg Meister
  • Patent number: 8267239
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper blade. The scraper blade includes a body having a base member adapted to be attached to a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner and a scraping member which extends outwardly from the base member to a scraping tip. The scraper blade includes one or more electrical sensors that are embedded in an insert member. The insert member and the sensors are molded and embedded within the body of the scraper blade. Each of the sensors is adapted to provide an electrical output signal representing a physical condition of the scraper blade sensed by the sensor. A variety of sensor embodiments are described, as well as two embodiments of control and monitoring systems for use in conjunction with the various blade and sensor combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters
  • Publication number: 20120222937
    Abstract: A Layboy machine for the transportation of corrugated boxes including one or more Scrap Separation Means for improved Scrap separation. The Scrap Separation means include a Compliant Scrap Blocker for Loose Scrap, an Opposing Phase Shift Beater for Trapped Scrap and all types of Hanging Chads, a Chad Wall for stripping Lead Edge Trim, Trail Edge Trim and Side Edge Trim Scrap, a Compliant Scrap Blocker-Wedge Roller for harsher scrubbing of the box and motivating Scrap above the Board Line to move to under the Board Line and Side Edge Trim Chad Stripper which is removes Side Edge Trim Chads. The Wheel Assemblies are superior in allowing the proper configuration of the various Scrap Separation Means. The concept of the staggered Wheel Assemblies also leads to reduced Order Setup Time, better board control and reduced Print Damage and Box Size variation out of the Press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel J. Talken, Jonathan R. Ames, Charles K. Benton, David R. Carlberg
  • Patent number: 8240460
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a moving conveyor belt of a conveyor belt assembly. The apparatus includes an enclosed housing connectable to the conveyor belt assembly, wherein the housing has an open portion adjacent to the moving conveyor belt. A hub is rotatably connected to and within the enclosed housing, and a plurality of wipers are releasably connected to and extend outward from the hub. A driving means rotates the hub and the wipers such that the plurality of wipers at least partially engage and wipe the conveyor belt clean, as the wipers rotate through the open portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Michael James Bleau, Jeffrey J. Dellach, Kenneth P. Dellach
  • Publication number: 20120181147
    Abstract: A product removal method that includes providing a blade adjacent a conveyor belt along a path of the conveyor belt and operating the conveyor belt. A product removal system that has a rod oriented generally parallel to a conveyor drum is disclosed. A frame is rotatably carried by the rod and has a first portion extending adjacent a conveyor belt curved path and a second portion extending adjacent a return plane of the conveyor belt. A blade is adjacent the first portion. A product removal system for an oven is disclosed that has scraper assemblies rotationally biased about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Souhel Khanania
  • Publication number: 20120160634
    Abstract: A snap-fit scraper blade is provided for being snap-fit onto a mounting pole. The scraper blade has a blade body including an upper scraping portion and a lower mounting portion. The lower mounting portion has depending legs with inner surfaces that are configured for snap-fitting the scraper blade body onto a square mounting pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Andrew J. Zieger
  • Patent number: 8167114
    Abstract: A product removal method that includes providing a blade adjacent a conveyor belt along a path of the conveyor belt and operating the conveyor belt. A product removal system that has a rod oriented generally parallel to a conveyor drum is disclosed. A frame is rotatably carried by the rod and has a first portion extending adjacent a conveyor belt curved path and a second portion extending adjacent a return plane of the conveyor belt. A blade is adjacent the first portion. A product removal system for an oven is disclosed that has scraper assemblies rotationally biased about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Souhel Khanania
    Inventor: Souhel Khanania
  • Patent number: 8123022
    Abstract: A scraper blade for a conveyor may comprise: a blade body having a scraping edge and a base for mounting the scraper blade on a blade mount of a conveyor, wherein the blade body has a plurality of elongated recessed features extending across the rearward side thereof, wherein the elongated recessed features are spaced apart and are generally parallel to the scraping edge. Additionally, the base of the blade body may be affixed to a scraper blade mount having a shape of a “flattened W” defining a groove that has beveled edges to provide clearance for a fillet weld of a scraper blade support bar to which the scraper blade is mountable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Asgco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: George T. Mott, Aaron T. Gibbs
  • Publication number: 20120031736
    Abstract: A bulk material handling system comprises a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material, and a bulk material handling accessory that aids in the operation of the bulk material handling apparatus. The bulk material handling accessory comprises a controller having one or more sensors. The controller comprises a processor and a computer readable memory capable of: (i) generating a control signal indicative of an operating condition of the bulk material handling accessory during a cycle of operation of the accessory; (ii) storing in the memory of the controller a limit associated with an operating condition of the accessory; (iii) comparing the control signal to the limit; (iv) generating a signal indicative of an abnormal event associated with the operating condition when the control signal is beyond the limit; and (v) generating a response signal when a number of abnormal event signals generated exceeds a predetermined level of abnormal events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Patent number: 8061508
    Abstract: Secondary system for cleaning a belt running between conveyor pulleys comprised of a frame bar on which cleaning blades are mounted, two bracket assemblies to which the frame bar is adjustably mounted, and an adjustment system mounted on the external sides of the bracket assemblies. Bracket assemblies each can include a pair of slotted arms over which two or more clamps are joined together. Each bracket assembly can include an inner tube member that telescopes into two outer tube members and an upper member that can be adjustably clamped to the inner tube and a lower tube member to which the frame bar is mounted and attached to the upper member by the adjustment system. Frame bar and bracket assemblies have rectangular cross-section so that when mounted to each other, rotational movement of frame bar about its longitudinal axis is prohibited. This rotational prohibition is independent from the adjustment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: William Metzner
  • Patent number: 8037997
    Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Publication number: 20110247915
    Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for faster and easier removal of the belt cleaner blades out from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a biasing surface of one of an elongate support assembly and a channel member configured to be engaged by a securing member and urge distal ends of legs of the channel member into tight engagement with the elongate support assembly and minimize debris accumulation therebetween. In another aspect, the elongate base member and rail member each include lateral portions configured to slidably engage corresponding wedge portions to urge the rail member toward the base member. A method of installing a belt cleaner assembly is also provided which includes camming a rail member downwardly toward the support member upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Brett E. DeVries, Daniel J. Kuiper, Carl J. Hessler
  • Publication number: 20110247426
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper blade. The scraper blade includes a body having a base member adapted to be attached to a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner and a scraping member which extends outwardly from the base member to a scraping tip. The scraper blade includes one or more electrical sensors that are embedded in an insert member. The insert member and the sensors are molded and embedded within the body of the scraper blade. Each of the sensors is adapted to provide an electrical output signal representing a physical condition of the scraper blade sensed by the sensor. A variety of sensor embodiments are described, as well as two embodiments of control and monitoring systems for use in conjunction with the various blade and sensor combinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: MARTIN ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters
  • Publication number: 20110192705
    Abstract: A belt scraper (10) includes a blade mount (12) of a stiff resiliency flexible material to which a scraper blade (16) can be mounted or is mounted. The blade mount (12) has a front (18), a rear (20) and two sides (22) and defines at least one securing passage (24) extending transversely through the blade mount (12) through the sides (22) of the blade mount (12) for receiving a securing member to secure the blade mount (12) to a carrier of a belt cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Martin Bulk Handling Solutions (Proprietary ) Limited
    Inventor: Johannes Rohm Kotze
  • Patent number: 7987966
    Abstract: A removable cartridge cleaner assembly is provided that allows for faster and easier removal of the belt cleaner blades out from under a conveyor belt. In one aspect the assembly includes a biasing surface of one of an elongate support assembly and a channel member configured to be engaged by a securing member and urge distal ends of legs of the channel member into tight engagement with the elongate support assembly and minimize debris accumulation therebetween. In another aspect, the elongate base member and rail member each include lateral portions configured to slidably engage corresponding wedge portions to urge the rail member toward the base member. A method of installing a belt cleaner assembly is also provided which includes camming a rail member downwardly toward the support member upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett E. DeVries, Daniel J. Kuiper, Carl J. Hessler
  • Patent number: 7950519
    Abstract: A belt scraper assembly having a blade holder and a scraper blade disposed therein, wherein a stiffener extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the belt is provided in the blade body to resist bending of the blade. A scraper blade having a body with a rigid plate member connected thereto and a stiffener disposed in the body of resilient material above a base portion and below a tip portion of the plate member and extending generally transversely with respect to the length of the scraper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett E. DeVries, Daniel Kuiper, George M. Tramper
  • Patent number: 7938250
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning device which can handle conveyor belts with damaged areas, mechanical joints, and/or head pulleys with profile spaces causing the conveyor belt to run unevenly, is provided. The scraper blade is attached to a plurality of T-shaped elements each of which has pressure applied by an air bladder held within a housing. The T-shaped elements move freely within the housing to permit movement of the scraper blade in a direction tangential to as well as perpendicular to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: McBride Belting & Hose Ltd.
    Inventor: Randy Garth McBride
  • Publication number: 20110100782
    Abstract: A device for stripping material from a conveyor belt of a belt conveyor in the area of a curve of a discharge drum below a discharge location of the belt conveyor, comprising a stripping body provided with a carrying element through which the stripping body is pulled or pullable against the conveyor belt, wherein the stripping body is further provided with a lift-off element which is disposed in the stripping body and offset from the carrying element and supports the stripping body when the latter is displaced in the belt running direction. The stripping body may include a plurality of stripping elements which define stripping edges and which have improved wear resistance compared to a material of the stripping body, wherein the stripping elements are configured and/or arranged, so that the stripping edges of adjacent stripping elements overlap partially overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Wilfried Dunnwald
  • Patent number: 7882943
    Abstract: A plow for a conveyor belt for efficiently removing debris from the return portion of the conveyor belt. The plow for a conveyor belt generally includes a frame having a pair of front plow blades, wherein the pair of front plow blades define a V-shape oriented toward an upstream direction of travel with respect to the conveyor belt. The frame also includes a pair of pivotal wings each including a rear plow blades. A support bracket extends from the frame to secure the frame to a conveyor structure of the conveyor belt. At least one roller is rotatably connected to the frame and extends beyond a lower end of the frame to contact the conveyor belt and to maintain a separation between the frame and the conveyor belt as the at least one roller travels along the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Albert G. Schoonover
  • Publication number: 20110017573
    Abstract: A conveyor includes a frame and a bracket assembly attached to the frame, the bracket assembly including a series of mounting brackets having a slot for receiving a member. The slot releasably secures the member to the bracket. The member may be a side rail, a table or a support rail. The conveyor may include a belt, an actuator for driving the belt, and rollers for guiding the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Karpy
  • Patent number: 7866457
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper blade. The scraper blade includes a body having a base member adapted to be attached to a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner and a scraping member which extends outwardly from the base member to a scraping tip. The scraper blade includes one or more electrical sensors that are embedded in an insert member. The insert member and the sensors are molded and embedded within the body of the scraper blade. Each of the sensors is adapted to provide an electrical output signal representing a physical condition of the scraper blade sensed by the sensor. A variety of sensor embodiments are described, as well as two embodiments of control and monitoring systems for use in conjunction with the various blade and sensor combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Publication number: 20100294623
    Abstract: A reversible belt scraper blade provides two opposed scraping surfaces on an integrally constructed body. Each scraping surface has an elastomeric wear region transitioning to an elastomeric central region. Two integral frame members are integrally joined into the central region. Each integral frame member runs the length of the belt scraper blade and is at least partially exposed at their ends. End mounts attach to the exposed integral frame members and the reversible belt scraper blade is reversible about the end mounts. The wear regions may have sub-regions of different hardness to provide good scraping qualities combined with improved structural rigidity. The central region may also have sub-regions of different hardness to improve structural rigidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Smith, Glenn Edward Farrow
  • Patent number: 7798310
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner for scraping material from a surface comprising a mounting assembly operatively attached to a support frame, the mounting assembly comprising at least one scraper blade, a biasing member associated with each scraper blade and a scraper blade arm extending there between. The biasing member and scraper blade arm are configured such that the conveyor belt cleaner provides for full circle deflection of and a floating point of rotation for the base member, scraper blade arm, and scraper blade. The mounting assembly is further configured to enable material cleaned from the conveyor belt surface to pass freely through the mounting assembly to avoid inhibiting the operation of the conveyor belt cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: Willem D. Veenhof
  • Patent number: 7779987
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a bulk material belt conveyor system and a carryback sampling device. The bulk material belt conveyor system comprises a belt and a structural frame. The belt is supported by the structural frame and has a downwardly facing portion. The belt is configured to traverse relative to the structural frame. The carryback sampling device comprises at least a first support member, a carryback receptacle, and a carryback scraper. The first support member is pivotally attached to the structural frame about an axis. The carryback scraper and the carryback receptacle are attached to the structural frame via the first support member in a manner such that pivotal movement of the first support member about the axis relative to the structural frame brings the carryback scraper into engagement with the downwardly facing portion of the belt with the carryback receptacle positioned therebeneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: Robert Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 7743909
    Abstract: A conveying installation for transporting goods has a conveyor belt that is guided over deflecting drums in a loading station and in an unloading station. The conveyor belt is mounted to the underside of supporting bars which are oriented transversely to the movement direction of the conveyor belt. Supporting rollers mounted in each case at the two lateral ends of the supporting bars roll on two pairs of supporting cables or supporting rails which are provided along the installation and are respectively assigned to the forward strand and the return strand of the conveyor belt. An assembly for cleaning the conveyor belt is formed with a scraper strip or the like which can be moved in the direction of the conveyor belt by way of a closed-loop controller, which is controlled by the position of the supporting bars. The scraper strip is brought more or less into abutment against the conveyor belt between the supporting bars, and it is raised off from the conveyor belt in the region of a supporting bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Berchtold
  • Patent number: 7740126
    Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Patent number: 7726466
    Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor belt scraper (10) which includes blade segments (12) each arranged to scrape a portion of the width of a conveyor belt (22). Each blade segment is supported by a bracket (14) which is mounted to a link (16.1) of a deformable, parallelogram linkage (16). An inflatable hose (30) extends through and acts on the linkages to urge the blade segments against the conveyor belt. The link has a projecting, holed boss (42) and the bracket has a recess (40.3) to receive the boss with the hole of the boss aligned with a hole in the base of the recess to receive a fastener (50) that connects the bracket to the linkage in thermally transmitting relationship. This relationship reduces heat degradation of components of the scraper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Ghislain Justin Marie Mat
  • Publication number: 20100126832
    Abstract: A reinforced conveyor belt cleaning blade is provided. In one form, the reinforced cleaning blade includes a blade body and a metal insert that is of a substantially constant cross-sectional configuration extending between the ends thereof. The ends are surrounded by molded material of the blade body so that the blade body and insert have a secure connection therebetween. The preferred insert is a formed sheet metal member that has smooth surfaces extending along its length without projections or sharp corners. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a conveyor belt cleaning blade is provided including placing a metallic insert for the cleaning blade in a mold and molding the body of the cleaning blade with polymeric material extending completely around ends of the insert. Preferably, the insert is magnetically held in position in the mold such as on a rail on which magnets are mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: FLEXIBLE STEEL LACING COMPANY
    Inventor: Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Patent number: 7669708
    Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Patent number: 7648019
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning device which can handle conveyor belts with damaged areas, mechanical joints, and/or head pulleys with profile spaces causing the conveyor belt to run unevenly, is provided. The scraper blade is attached to a T-shaped element which has pressure applied by an air bladder held within a housing. The T-shaped element moves freely within the housing to permit movement of the scraper blade in a direction tangential to as well as perpendicular to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: McBride Belting & Hose Ltd.
    Inventor: Randy Garth McBride
  • Publication number: 20090294252
    Abstract: A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Patent number: 7584835
    Abstract: An adjustable V-plow apparatus for removing material from a belt may comprise pivotably connected first and second frame arms that may be pivoted at the pivotable connection for adjusting the angle therebetween. A cleaning media is mounted to the first and second frame arms for providing a cleaning edge along the first and second frame arms. A mounting is attached to the first and second frame arms proximate the pivotable connection thereof. The mounting may comprise a base plate and an arm for positioning the adjustable V-plow to engage a belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: ASGCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wimsatt, Brian H. Ritter, George T. Mott
  • Publication number: 20090218196
    Abstract: A scraper blade adapted to scrape off material from a surface has a scraper tip at one end and a mounting base at its other end and is tapered towards the tip at least in the outer end of the scraper blade, its scraper blade portion which extends from the tip and to a point adjacent to or in the mounting base being made with at least two layers, which extend longitudinally along said scraper blade portion, and is characterised in that at least one first layer is made of polyurethane with a lower hardness and a higher abrasion resistance than at least one second layer which is mainly made of polycarbonate plastic, said at least one second polycarbonate plastic layer being adapted to reinforce and stiffen said at least one first layer, which constitutes a main contact surface against said surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Metso Minerals (Wear Protection) AB
    Inventors: Lars Grönvall, Robert Abraham
  • Patent number: 7565962
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner blade (16) having a blade portion (36) with a tip (37) that is to scrap against a conveyor belt (10). The blade (16) also has a mounting portion (38) that mounts the blade (16) on a support beam (17) that is to extend longitudinally transverse of the belt (10). The blade (16) has a transverse passage (41) providing internal abutment services (46) that are engaged by a tool (47) so that an operator may remove a selected one of the blades (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: ESS Engineering Services & Supplies Pty Limited
    Inventor: Terry Thew
  • Publication number: 20090173599
    Abstract: A product removal method that includes providing a blade adjacent a conveyor belt along a path of the conveyor belt and operating the conveyor belt. A product removal system that has a rod oriented generally parallel to a conveyor drum is disclosed. A frame is rotatably carried by the rod and has a first portion extending adjacent a conveyor belt curved path and a second portion extending adjacent a return plane of the conveyor belt. A blade is adjacent the first portion. A product removal system for an oven is disclosed that has scraper assemblies rotationally biased about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: IET COMBUSTION LLC
    Inventor: Souhel Khanania
  • Patent number: 7556140
    Abstract: A bulk material handling accessory such as a conveyor belt cleaner for use in connection with a bulk material handling system. The bulk material handling accessory includes a main frame, a scraping member including an arm and a scraper blade pivotally attached to the main frame, and a damper mechanism coupled at one end to the main frame and at another end to the scraping member. A mounting mechanism is attached to the main frame for providing linear and rotational movement of the main frame and the associated scraping member and damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes a damper having a piston and a housing having a fluid chamber. The viscosity of the fluid within the fluid chamber is selectively changeable to change the damping characteristics of the damper mechanism to accommodate changes in operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Cristian Vava
  • Patent number: 7549532
    Abstract: A wiper blade for removing material from a conveyor belt attached to the conveyor belt frame near the nose roller such that the belt will not have material on the belt during the return portion of the loop. The wiper blade is easily attached to and removed from the conveyor frame for installing and replacing the wiper blades when they become worn. The wiper blade is slid out from its slot on the support bar and a new blade inserted into the slot and slid into a locking position for a quick and low cost change of blades. The support bar is rotatably attached to the conveyor frame to adjust the edge of the wiper blade to be proximate the conveyor belt. The wiper blade is made of an elastomeric material without any metal parts for ease of recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignees: Nelson Williams Linings, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur C. Ostman
  • Publication number: 20090133990
    Abstract: A secondary system for cleaning a belt running between conveyor pulleys. The secondary system is comprised of a frame bar on which cleaning blades are mounted, two bracket assemblies to which the frame bar is adjustably mounted and an adjustment system mounted on the external sides of the bracket assemblies. In one embodiment, the bracket assemblies each include a pair of slotted arms over which two or more clamps are joined together. In another embodiment, each bracket assembly is comprised of an inner tube member that telescopes into two outer tube members, i.e., and an upper member that can be adjustably clamped to the inner tube and a lower tube member to which the frame bar is mounted and that is attached to said upper member by the adjustment system. The frame bar and bracket assemblies have rectangular cross-section so that, when mounted to each other, rotational movement of frame bar about its longitudinal axis is prohibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: William Metzner
  • Patent number: 7516837
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus has rollers, a conveyor belt, a conveyor belt driving mechanism, an ink-jet head, an absorber, a scraper, a supplier, and a supply controller. The conveyor belt spans the rollers. The driving mechanism rotates the rollers to move a record medium disposed on one surface of the conveyor belt in a predetermined conveyance direction. The absorber absorbs cleaning fluid and contacts and applies the cleaning fluid to the one surface of the conveyor belt. The scraper comes into contact with the one surface of the conveyor belt and scrapes the cleaning fluid attached to the one surface. The supplier supplies cleaning fluid to the absorber. The supply controller controls a supply of cleaning fluid from the supplier to the absorber, so that the supply controller makes the supplier supply cleaning fluid to the absorber in response to a print command, for a first period of time before the driving mechanism rotates the rollers to make the conveyor belt start traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Teshima, Atsuhisa Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20090032371
    Abstract: A wiper for a conveyor belt (8) is described having a rubber-elastic wiper strip (4) replaceably inserted into a retainer (3) and possibly assembled from individual strip sections arrayed adjacent to one another, which forms a wiper edge (6) between a rear (9) facing away from the conveyor belt (8) and a flank (10) facing toward the conveyor belt (8) and running out into a free surface (11), and which tapers toward the front ends starting from a central longitudinal section. To lengthen the service life of the wiper strip, it is suggested that the wiper strip (4) be tapered by a flank setback (12) in a wear area adjoining the free surface (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Hoessl
  • Patent number: 7472784
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner scraper blade for cleaning the surface of a conveyor belt and a method of manufacture of the scraper blade. The scraper blade includes a body having a base member adapted to be attached to a cross shaft of a conveyor belt cleaner and a scraping member which extends outwardly from the base member to a scraping tip. The scraper blade includes one or more electrical sensors that are embedded in an insert member. The insert member and the sensors are molded and embedded within the body of the scraper blade. Each of the sensors is adapted to provide an electrical output signal representing a physical condition of the scraper blade sensed by the sensor. A variety of sensor embodiments are described, as well as two embodiments of control and monitoring systems for use in conjunction with the various blade and sensor combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Patent number: RE42844
    Abstract: A pump for transporting particulate material includes an inlet, an outlet, a passageway, a first and second load beam, a first and second scraper seal, and a first and second drive assembly. The inlet introduces the particulate material into the passageway and the outlet expels the particulate material from the passageway. The passageway is defined by a first belt assembly and a second belt assembly that are opposed to each other. The first and second load beams are positioned within the first belt assembly and the second belt assembly, respectively. The first scraper seal and a second scraper seal are positioned proximate the passageway and the outlet. The first drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the first belt assembly and drives the first belt assembly and the second drive assembly is positioned within an interior section of the second belt assembly and drives the second belt assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews