By Conveyor Contacting Scraper Patents (Class 198/497)
  • Patent number: 7461736
    Abstract: A method for forming a one-piece integral multi-durometer scraper blade for a conveyor belt cleaner. The scraper blade includes a body extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end and extending transversely between a base and a tip. The body includes a first body portion comprising a first elastomeric material having a first durometer of hardness, and a second body portion comprising a second elastomeric material having a second durometer of hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Waters, Mark Strebel, Brian Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7441647
    Abstract: A tensioning system for a cleaning blade having a frame, a blade support, and a ratchet system. The blade support is movable around a first axis in a first direction to increase cleaning blade pressure and an opposite second direction. The ratchet system has (a) a first ratchet assembly with at least one ratchet surface facing in a first circumferential direction and (b) a second ratchet assembly having a first plurality of ratchet surfaces facing in a second circumferential direction. At least a part of one of the first and second ratchet assemblies is deformable to allow the blade support to pivot in the first direction to cause the one ratchet surface to (a) move past each of the ratchet surfaces of the blade support moves in the first direction and (b) abut one of the ratchet surfaces to block movement in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Argonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Wiggins, Robert J. Airaudi, Robert L. Welker, III, Alan J. Henderson, Jeremy R. Nylund, Gregory W. Cappaert
  • Publication number: 20080251357
    Abstract: A bean sprouts-like articles transfer conveyor is provided in which bean sprouts-like articles are uniformly delivered from a delivery end of a transfer conveyor without loss and in a dispersed state. The transfer conveyor device comprises a transfer conveyor (3) and an air supply means. The transfer conveyor (3) has a permeability and turns at its both ends so as to run endlessly and also has its outer surface provided with needle members (5). The air supply means leads air to an inner side of the transfer conveyor (3) at a delivery end (15) thereof so that the air ejected from an air ejecting port (25) is blown out from the surface of the transfer conveyor (3) provided with the needle members (5) through the transfer conveyor (3) having the permeability. Thereby, bean sprouts on the surface of the transfer conveyor (3) at the delivery end (15), sticking to or being caught on the needle members (5) of the transfer conveyor (3), are separated and removed to be delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Sanji Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7431144
    Abstract: A temporary storage system (1) of belt type for lightweight hollow bodies (C), said system being particularly suitable for use with empty plastic containers (C) and of the type comprising a storage buffer vessel (2) provided with a feed entry opening (3) in its upper part and a discharge exit (4) in its lower part, said exit (4) being situated above conveyor means (5) for removal from the buffer vessel (2), said system comprising at least one movable storage belt (6a, 6b, 6c) positioned substantially horizontally in the interior of said buffer vessel (2), said storage belt (6a, 6b, 6c) being arranged to receive a falling plurality of desired volumes (D) of said hollow bodies (C), while advancing during the fall of said hollow bodies (C) by a distance sufficient to maintain said volumes (D) separate, said volumes (D) being made to advance towards the discharge exit (4) and allowed to fall onto the removal conveyor means (5) when said stored hollow bodies (C) are required to be withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Zeccheiti S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mauro Giovanelli
  • Patent number: 7428960
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning system being a torsion blade holder assembly having a mounting sub-assembly and a blade support sub-assembly. The mounting sub-assembly has a first hollow member and a second member situated at least partially therein with torsion elements in the plurality of spaces or cavities between the first hollow member and the second member. The blade support sub-assembly, in which a scraper blade is secured, is attached to the second member such that when the scraper blade meets resistance while scraping the surface of a conveyor belt, the torsion elements are compressed and the blade support sub-assembly with the scraper blade rotates away from the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: John Hall
  • Patent number: 7424946
    Abstract: A roller cleaning system (10) for an oven (20) equipped with a series of motorized rollers (21) each of which is in turn connected to a relative motor-reducer (24) for rotation activation, in turn connected to a relative frequency converter (25) driven by a respective control and activation device (26), said roller cleaning system (10) comprising a control and regulation unit (14) to independently control the rotation rate and direction of each roller of the series of motorized rollers (21) for the advancing of one or more flat blooms (40) and for cleaning at least one roller (34) causing the detachment of the flakes of oxide therefrom by scraping it against a flat bloom (40) with a variation in the rotation rate and/or direction of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Techint Compagnia Tecnica Internazionale S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Filippi, Gabriele Pastorini
  • Patent number: 7424945
    Abstract: A removable scraper blade tip and reusable pocket for a conveyor belt cleaner comprises a scraper blade with leg portions adapted to be releasably received by receiving compartments in a pocket member that is permanently affixed to a support frame. The scraper blade tip is press fit into the pocket and secured with the use of a self-locking mounting pin. Removal of the scraper blade tip requires removal of the mounting pin and applying a force to the scraper blade tip to break the press fit. A new scraper blade tip may be inserted with the pocket and secured with the mounting pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: Robert Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 7387197
    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: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 7383940
    Abstract: A primary conveyor belt scraper blade has a hardened edge molded within a resilient blade body. The hardened edge has a Mohs hardness of at least 8.9. The hardened edge is retained within the blade body by chemical bonds, so that the hardened edge and the blade body form a solid, one-piece unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventors: Adolph J Stumpf, Jr., Carl L. Suttle
  • Patent number: 7370750
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner system and method of manufacturing the same comprising a common component support frame, and key components of: mounting bar, blade support and scraper blade wherein the scraper blade is removably secured within a reusable blade support so as to allow replacement of the scraper blade. The mounting bar is adapted to be deformable along at least one of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. The scraper blade flexes in cooperation with the deformed mounting bar to maintain scraping engagement with a belt across a range of belt contours, including variations resulting from the use of crown pulleys, and variations caused by the presence of worn belts, in the conveyor belt system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: Robert Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 7367443
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner system and method of manufacturing the same comprising a common component support frame, and key components of: mounting bar, blade support and scraper blade wherein the scraper blade is removably secured within a reusable blade support so as to allow replacement of the scraper blade. Key components are manufactured at a first manufacturing location in long, standardized lengths and incorporated with the common component at a second location for assembly. The key components included standardized guide markings for cutting the key components into segments and aligning key components with one another. A plurality of apertures consisting of holes and slots are uniformly displaced along the key components to facilitate alignment of the components during assembly and securing of the components with fixing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventor: Robert Todd Swinderman
  • Patent number: 7347315
    Abstract: A two piece scraper blade is provided that includes a scraper member that is releasably connected to a base member. The scraper member can be of a different material than the base member to provide various advantages including with respect to its wear resistance. Further, in one form, a toolless interconnection is provided for ease in attaching the scraper member to the base member. In another form, the scraper member and base member are provided with engaging surfaces with one of the surfaces including teeth for gripping into the other surface when the scraper member is connected to the base member. In this form, the forces for inserting and removing the scraper member from the base member are greater than the form in which a toolless interconnection is provided, and thus a more robust connection between the scraper and base members is provided thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: James M. Kolodziel, Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Publication number: 20080017479
    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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Arthur C. Ostman
  • Patent number: 7314129
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes two tension rollers; a conveyor belt movably supported at the two tension rollers; a plurality of transfer parts that are arranged on the back surface side of the conveyor belt and between the two tension rollers, that contact one surface of the back surface of the conveyor belt, and that form a predetermined clearance with an opposite portion of the back surface of the conveyor belt; and a cleaning blade for removing residual toner remaining on the conveyor belt. The cleaning blade has the front end contacting the conveyor belt at a predetermined pressure. The cleaning blade is arranged at a position where the back surface of the conveyor belt distorted by the front end does not contact the tension roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Suganuma
  • Patent number: 7308980
    Abstract: A method of distributing and assembling a conveyor belt cleaner comprises manufacturing a first key component at a first point of fabrication in a longer than needed standard length, obtaining a first common component at a second point of fabrication, cutting the first key component to a desired length, and assembling the first key component with the first common component at the second point of fabrication. The method further comprises manufacturing a second key component at the first point of fabrication and assembling the second key component with the first common component at the second point of fabrication. In another aspect of the invention, the key components are manufactured into desired lengths and are sold as part of kit to be assembled to by the end user of the conveyor belt cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Edwin H. Peterson, Robert Todd Swinderman
  • Publication number: 20070261937
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes two tension rollers; a conveyor belt movably supported at the two tension rollers; a plurality of transfer parts that are arranged on the back surface side of the conveyor belt and between the two tension rollers, that contact one surface of the back surface of the conveyor belt, and that form a predetermined clearance with an opposite portion of the back surface of the conveyor belt; and a cleaning blade for removing residual toner remaining on the conveyor belt. The cleaning blade has the front end contacting the conveyor belt at a predetermined pressure. The cleaning blade is arranged at a position where the back surface of the conveyor belt distorted by the front end does not contact the tension roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Suganuma
  • Patent number: 7284658
    Abstract: A conveyor system having a conveying belt trained around a plurality of guide rollers for movement in an endless travel path to convey articles and materials in a travel line. A first roller is mounted in an operative position on a support to bear against the conveying belt. A roller safety support system has a wall assembly that confines downward movement of the first roller in the event that the first roller becomes disengaged from the operative position. The roller safety support system further includes a frame assembly. The wall assembly is mounted to the frame assembly so that an upwardly facing surface on the wall assembly bears supportingly against the first roller in the event that the first roller becomes disengaged from the operative position. The upwardly facing surface bounds a receptacle in which the first roller is confined by the wall assembly in the event that the first roller disengages from the operative position. The receptacle has a variable configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Argonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Wiggins, Robert J. Airaudi, Robert L. Welker, III, James L. Flinn
  • Patent number: 7281625
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for a street sweeper having a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly has a pair of rollers and a conveyor belt connected therebetween. The conveyor assembly is provided with debris skirts to lift the edge of the conveyor belt to prevent debris from traveling over the edge of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is formed into a concave orientation. The debris skirts is also connected to a rub rail to provide a dynamic seal along the length of the conveyor belt edges. The conveyor assembly is also provided with a roller scraper for removing debris accumulated upon the rollers. The roller scraper is adapted to envelop a portion of the roller. The conveyor assembly is also provided with a liquid delivery system for assisting in the removal of debris from the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Tennant
    Inventors: Michael Steward Wilmo, Joseph Kenneth Krueger
  • Patent number: 7275634
    Abstract: An improved belt scraper assembly for use in a conveyor belt system to scrape debris off of a conveyor belt comprises a support bar having scraper blade attached thereto that is biased against the conveyor belt by a spring at both ends of the support bar. Ends of the support bar pivotally attach to brackets mounted on spaced apart frame members. A second bracket is mounted on a side of each frame member. One end of each spring attaches to an end of the support bar. The other end of the spring attaches to the second bracket to bias an edge of the scraper blade against the conveyor belt. When this edge wears down, the operator flips the support member over to utilize the opposite edge of the scraper blade without stopping the conveyor system. When both edges are worn down, the operator replaces the blade without stopping the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Michael D. Hinson
  • Patent number: 7225916
    Abstract: A belt cleaner device is provided in which assembling of a frame and a cleaner head may be performed easily and quickly. A belt cleaner device comprises a frame 3 and one or more cleaner heads 1. The frame 3 includes a support face (3a) on its upper surface, and a support hole (33) through the frame. The cleaner head (1) includes a contact face (14) on its undersurface, and an anchor (16) projecting downward from the contact face (14). The cleaner head (1) is supported so as not to be rotated about the running direction of the belt by contacting the contact face (14) and the support face (3a) with each other. The cleaner head (1) is fixed to the frame (3) by fixedly inserting the anchor (16) in the support hole (33). The cleaner head (1) further provides a concave (21) in at least one of the front and rear walls (13) (15) to form a strike seat (22) at the bottom of the concave (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Tsusho Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kageyoshi Yoshizako, Masahiro Uchida, Nobuyoshi Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 7204365
    Abstract: An assembly and method for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for removing liquids and solids from an endless conveyor belt, the assembly includes a plurality of laterally extending liquid absorbent material sheets disposed adjacent the belt, with the sheets collectively defining a contact face that is engageable with the belt for wiping liquids from the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lance E. Behymer, Smarajit Mitra, Jerald W. Hall, Jr., Alexander C. Tsuei
  • Patent number: 7159706
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for a street sweeper having a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly has a pair of rollers and a conveyor belt connected therebetween. The conveyor assembly is provided with debris skirts to lift the edge of the conveyor belt to prevent debris from traveling over the edge of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is formed into a concave orientation. The debris skirts is also connected to a rub rail to provide a dynamic seal along the length of the conveyor belt edges. The conveyor assembly is also provided with a roller scraper for removing debris accumulated upon the rollers. The roller scraper is adapted to envelop a portion of the roller. The conveyor assembly is also provided with a liquid delivery system for assisting in the removal of debris from the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Michael Steward Wilmo, Joseph Kenneth Krueger
  • Patent number: 7131525
    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 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Patent number: 7114610
    Abstract: An assembly and method for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for removing liquids and solids from an endless conveyor belt, the assembly includes a plurality of laterally extending liquid absorbent material sheets disposed adjacent the belt, with the sheets collectively defining a contact face that is engageable with the belt for wiping liquids from the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lance E. Behymer, Smarajit Mitra, Jerald W. Hall, Jr., Alexander C. Tsuei
  • Patent number: 7093706
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett Edwin DeVries, John H. Winkelman, Mark L. Walde
  • Patent number: 7083040
    Abstract: A tensioner comprises inner and outer collars engaging a blade holder and a housing. A torsion spring between the collars tensions a blade. One of the collars engages the housing, such as by a locking handle, for fixing the spring tension. The housing may serve to shield the tensioner from debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: ASGCO Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E Finger, George T. Mott
  • Patent number: 7073661
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for a street sweeper having a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly has a pair of rollers and a conveyor belt connected therebetween. The conveyor assembly is provided with debris skirts to lift the edge of the conveyor belt to prevent debris from traveling over the edge of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is formed into a concave orientation. The debris skirts is also connected to a rub rail to provide a dynamic seal along the length of the conveyor belt edges. The conveyor assembly is also provided with a roller scraper for removing debris accumulated upon the rollers. The roller scraper is adapted to envelop a portion of the roller. The conveyor assembly is also provided with a liquid delivery system for assisting in the removal of debris from the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Tennant
    Inventors: Michael Steward Wilmo, Joseph Kenneth Krueger
  • Patent number: 7051862
    Abstract: A scalper blade assembly for cleaning a conveyor belt. The assembly includes an adjustment structure for adjusting a force applied against the blades for biasing the blades into engagement with the conveyor belt. The adjustment structure includes a ratchet mechanism for incrementally adjusting the biasing force and a clamping structure for maintaining the position of blades and resisting forces applied against the blades from the conveyor. In addition, a blade support assembly is provided for facilitating mounting and replacement of scalper blades. The support assembly includes a support member and a locking member located within the support member, where movement of the locking member relative to the support member is operable to engage and disengage engagement members associated with the blades in locking engagement with the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Richwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Smith, Richard Davis Stoll, Glenn Edward Farrow
  • Patent number: 7014035
    Abstract: A conveyor system having a conveying belt trained around guide rollers for movement in a travel path, a first roller which is mounted in an operative position on a support to bear against the conveying belt, and a roller support system. The roller support system has at least one wall which confines downward movement of the first roller in the event that the first roller becomes disengaged from its operative position. The roller support system defines at least one opening through which foreign matter separated from the first roller can pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Argonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Wiggins
  • Patent number: 7007794
    Abstract: A one-piece integral multi-durometer scraper blade for a conveyor belt cleaner. The scraper blade includes a body extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end and extending transversely between a base and a tip. The body includes a first body portion comprising a first elastomeric material having a first durometer of hardness, and a second body portion comprising a second elastomeric material having a second durometer of hardness. The body also includes a transition portion located between the first body portion and the second body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Waters, Mark Strebel
  • Patent number: 6986418
    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: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Patent number: 6971503
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning apparatus includes a debris-removal stage, a washing stage, a rinsing stage, and a water removal stage all positioned in a multi-chambered drawer with each of the four stages is provided with an isolated bin within that drawer. The various stages within the conveyor belt cleaning apparatus provide for the continuous or on-demand cleaning of a conveyor belt in order to remove any debris and fluids from the belt thereby providing a clean belt surface for use by the grocery store customer. The device may be installed as a new element in a check stand, or it may be retrofitted to an existing check stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Cynthia Thompson
  • Patent number: 6968940
    Abstract: A mounting system for a cleaning blade for a conveying belt. The mounting system has a mounting assembly with a) a first connecting portion through which a cleaning blade can be joined to the mounting assembly and b) a mounting portion which can be attached to a support to maintain the mounting assembly in a desired operative position relative to a conveying belt that is to be cleaned so as to situate a cleaning belt joined to the mounting assembly in a first operative position. The mounting assembly has a second connecting portion that can be used in place of the first connecting portion and through which a cleaning blade can be joined to the mounting assembly so as to situate a cleaning blade joined to the mounting assembly in a second operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Argonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Wiggins
  • Patent number: 6948609
    Abstract: Belt cleaning apparatus includes a scraper blade mounted to a blade holder and urged against a belt for moving and/or removing material carried thereby. The blade includes a pair of flexible legs or skirts that engage the blade holder in snap-on/snap-off fashion. A tensioner includes inner and outer collars engaging the blade holder and a housing and a torsion spring between the collars tensions the blade. The housing engages one of the collars such as by a locking handle for fixing the spring tension and also serves to shield the tensioner from debris. The apparatus may be easily and quickly disassembled and assembled without tools, may be constructed of food-grade materials, and is “open” for ease of cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Asgco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E Finger, George T. Mott
  • Patent number: 6929112
    Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaning system being a torsion blade holder assembly having a mounting sub-assembly and a blade support sub-assembly. The mounting sub-assembly has a first hollow member and a second member situated at least partially therein with torsion elements in the plurality of spaces or cavities between the first hollow member and the second member. The blade support sub-assembly, in which a scraper blade is secured, is attached to the second member such that when the scraper blade meets resistance while scraping the surface of a conveyor belt, the torsion elements are compressed and the blade support sub-assembly with the scraper blade rotates away from the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: John Hall
  • Patent number: 6926133
    Abstract: A two piece scraper blade is provided that includes a scraper member that is releasably connected to a base member. The scraper member can be of a different material than the base member to provide various advantages including with respect to its wear resistance. Further, a toolless interconnection is provided for ease in attaching the scraper member to the base member. When worn, the scraper member can be replaced with a new scraper member in an easy and quick fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: James M. Kolodziej, Brett Edwin DeVries
  • Patent number: 6860378
    Abstract: A conveyor belt scraper tensioning device including a support member mounted to at least partially rotate about a first axis, the support member being radially spaced apart from the first axis and having a scraper blade bracket for securing a scraper blade thereto. The device also includes a torsion bar located substantially along the first axis for imparting a torsional bias to the support member, the torsion bar having a first portion connected to the support member and a further portion spaced apart from and at least partially rotatable relative to the support member. A lever member is connected to the further portion of the torsion bar at at location spaced apart from the first portion for imparting torsional bias on the torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Thor Global Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Thor J. Johannsen
  • Patent number: 6843363
    Abstract: Apparatus for stripping a belt in conveyor belt assemblies includes a stripping element on a system carrier, the stripping element having a stripping lamella on a lamella holder, the stripping lamella contacting the belt in a peeling position, wherein the stripping element has a swivel mount coupled to the lamella holder and a swivel axis parallel to a plane of the belt, a spring for pressing the stripping lamella against the belt such that the lamella holder in the peeling position is swiveled about the horizontal axis, and when obstructions adhering to the belt impact the stripping lamella, the lamella holder deflects and returns a working position, wherein the stripping lamella is swivel mounted at the lamella holder by a swivel mount having an axis parallel to a plane of the belt and is held and spring biased by a top spring is counter to the bottom swivel mount spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Hans-Otto Schwarze
  • Publication number: 20040222065
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a wire rope type cleaning device for a conveyor belt, the device having extended service life, improved cleaning efficiency, and reduced maintenance needs. The belt cleaning device comprises a wire rope and a plurality of wear-resistant removing chips fitted to the rope so that they are adjacent to each other and contact the conveyor belt, running the full width of the conveyor belt. The belt cleaning device is disposed at the front part of the conveyor head pulley at an inclination angle &thgr; relative to the axis of the head pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Kinki Estate Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiharu Meguro
  • Patent number: 6766896
    Abstract: A scraping device for cleaning a conveyer belt, which has an upper forwarding section and a lower returning section includes an elongated positioning member and a plurality of scraping plates. The positioning member is mounted under the lower returning section in a transverse direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the conveyer belt. Each of the scraping plates includes a mounting part mounted on the positioning member, and at least one web part having a free edge distal from the mounting part. The web part extends between the mounting part and the free edge, and is inclined with respect to the transverse and longitudinal directions. The web part further has a top scraping edge adapted to scrape the conveyer belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: China Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Jui-Shan Lee, Ming-Shui Pan, Sheng-Tuan Chu
  • Publication number: 20040134757
    Abstract: In one form, a conveyor belt cleaner is provided that is particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. The cleaner includes a blade mount that has a layback arm mounting the cleaning blade and which can simultaneously deflect horizontally and vertically via changes in the radius of curvature of a lower arcuate portion connected thereto so as to minimize stress on the blade mount. The layback arm extends toward the conveyor belt at an acute layback angle relative to the immediately upstream belt surface. In another aspect, a belt cleaning system is provided including a plurality of resilient blade mounts that absorb the energy of impacts with the cleaning blade so as to allow for controlled release of the impact energy upon bringing the blade quickly back into scraping engagement with the belt. Preferably, two of these resilient mounts are associated with each blade in the belt scraping area and the others at ends of an elongate support laterally spaced from the scraping area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Flexible Steel Lacing Company
    Inventors: Brett Edwin DeVries, John H. Winkelman, Mark L. Walde
  • Publication number: 20040108187
    Abstract: An assembly for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for a conveyor belt system with the type having first and second endless belts which each traverse a separate belt travel path and together define a generally upright article transport path between opposed top faces of the belts. The cleaning assembly includes a belt wiping blade assembly for moving liquids and debris from a belt, an absorbent material downstream from the blade assembly for wiping excess liquid from the belt, and belt edge seals disposed between the opposed top faces of the belts along the article transport path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lance E. Behymer, Smarajit Mitra, Jerald W. Hall, Alexander C. Tsuei
  • Patent number: 6733407
    Abstract: A belt-driving apparatus has a belt in the shape of an endless loop. The belt has an outside surface and inside surface, and a guide belt that is formed on the inside surface. The belt is entrained about a roller with the inside surface in contact with the roller. A pulley is mounted at least on one axial end of the roller, the pulley having a circumferential groove formed therein that receives the guide belt therein. A resilient member that urges the first surface of the belt in such a direction that the guide belt enters the groove. The roller may have a circumferential groove formed therein to receive the guide belt, thereby eliminating the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: OKI Data Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Wakana
  • Patent number: 6695123
    Abstract: A scraper blade assembly which is configured to provide a rigid material scraping edge supported on a resiliently compliant material such that the scraping edge is adapted to move in response to irregularities in an associated conveyor belt. Further, supporting structure for the resiliently compliant material is configured so as to promote an upward deformation of the resiliently compliant material when a compressive force is applied to the rigid material scraping edge to thereby form the resiliently compliant material as a supporting surface above the scraping edge when such a force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Richwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Stoll
  • Publication number: 20040031664
    Abstract: The present invention departs from an apparatus for stripping dirt off belts in conveyor belt assemblies in the area of a drive and/or head pulley of the belt
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Hans-Otto Schwarze
  • Publication number: 20040026214
    Abstract: A cleaning doctor (1) for conveyor belts (N) is disclosed, comprising a fixed casing (2) supporting one or more frames (3; 21), each frame being provided with a doctor blade (5) in contact with the surface (S) to be scraped of the conveyor belt (N). The doctor blade (5) is arranged in a groove (6) which is made in a blade holder (7; 20) associated to said frame (3; 21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Dal Ferro Bortolo Giulio
  • Publication number: 20030230466
    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: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Pablo F. Perez, Phillip E. Dietsch
  • Patent number: 6619469
    Abstract: A scraper blade has at one end a scraper tip and at the other end a mounting base. The scraper tip is outwardly tapered. The scraper blade has at least two layers of different materials. The layer of material which is facing forward, i.e. that first meets the surface to be scraped, and which is adapted to form the actual scraper tip is made of a material which is both softer and more abrasion resistant that said other layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Svedala Trellex AB
    Inventor: Mats Anders Malmberg
  • Patent number: 6612419
    Abstract: A low-profile tensioner for a conveyor belt scraper that utilizes an elastomeric collar having a force storing means in the form of a series of spokes, wherein the elastomeric collar is tensioned and then connected to the rotatable shaft of the conveyor belt scraper assembly to bias the scraper against the surface of the conveyor belt while providing adequate space around the tensioner to allow for the easy adjustment or maintenance of the tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Arch Environmental Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory K. Watson
  • Patent number: 6591969
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Martin Engineering Company
    Inventors: R. Todd Swinderman, Andrew J. Waters, Shawn D. Lay, Pablo F. Perez, Brian K. Kaiser, Phillip E. Dietsch