U.S. patent application number 11/672568 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for sprocket for easy cleaning.
This patent application is currently assigned to HABASIT AG. Invention is credited to Dieter Guldenfels, Marco Lucchi.
Application Number | 20080190462 11/672568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39198206 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080190462 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guldenfels; Dieter ; et
al. |
August 14, 2008 |
Sprocket For Easy Cleaning
Abstract
A drive sprocket for driving a modular belt having a plurality
of belt modules with intercalated link ends connected by transverse
pivot members to form hinges. The belt modules may have transverse
ribs. The drive sprocket is driven by a shaft. The drive sprocket
has a central opening for receiving the shaft. The body has a
plurality of teeth disposed in pairs along a periphery of the body.
The body has a first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth
and extending toward the center of the sprocket to provide access
to the hinge area, when the belt engages with the sprocket, for
application of cleaning fluid.
Inventors: |
Guldenfels; Dieter;
(Pfeffingen, CH) ; Lucchi; Marco; (Munchenstein
(BL), CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HODGSON RUSS LLP;THE GUARANTY BUILDING
140 PEARL STREET, SUITE 100
BUFFALO
NY
14202-4040
US
|
Assignee: |
HABASIT AG
Reinach
CH
|
Family ID: |
39198206 |
Appl. No.: |
11/672568 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/44 ; 474/155;
74/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 17/40 20130101;
B65G 17/08 20130101; F16H 55/30 20130101; B08B 3/02 20130101; B65G
2207/26 20130101; B65G 23/06 20130101; Y10T 74/19516 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/44 ; 474/155;
74/384 |
International
Class: |
B08B 13/00 20060101
B08B013/00; F16H 7/06 20060101 F16H007/06; F16H 1/02 20060101
F16H001/02 |
Claims
1. A drive sprocket for driving a modular belt having a plurality
of belt modules with intercalated link ends connected by transverse
pivot members to form hinges, the belt modules having transverse
ribs, the drive sprocket being driven by a shaft, the drive
sprocket, comprising: a body having an opening in the center for
receiving the shaft; the body having a plurality of teeth disposed
in pairs along a periphery of the body, the body having at least
one first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth, the first
opening extending toward the center of the sprocket to provide
access to the hinge area, when the belt engages with the sprocket,
for application of cleaning fluid.
2. The drive sprocket of claim 1, wherein the first opening in the
body is disposed adjacent to a curved, recessed portion.
3. The drive sprocket of claim 1, wherein each pair of teeth has a
space therebetween sized to receive the transverse rib of the belt
module when the belt is engaged with the sprocket.
4. The drive sprocket of claim 1, wherein each pair of the teeth
have walls that are facing and angled opposite each other.
5. The drive sprocket of claim 1, wherein the teeth are disposed in
pairs that are offset with respect to the circumference of the
sprocket.
6. The drive sprocket of claim 1, wherein the teeth are disposed in
pairs with each tooth on opposite sides of a central axis.
7. The drive sprocket of claim 1, wherein the teeth are disposed in
a single row extending from a first side of the sprocket to the
opposite side of the sprocket.
8. The drive sprocket of claim 1, wherein the curved, recessed
portion is oriented radially with respect to the sprocket.
9. The drive sprocket of claim 1, further comprising at least one
opening disposed between the central opening and the at least one
first opening.
10. The drive sprocket of claim 9, wherein the at least one opening
comprises a plurality of openings disposed around the central
opening.
11. A drive sprocket, comprising: a body having a central opening,
the body having a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs along a
periphery of the body, the body having at least one first opening
formed between adjacent pairs of teeth, the first opening extending
toward the center of the sprocket.
12. The drive sprocket of claim 11, wherein the first opening in
the body is disposed adjacent to a curved, recessed portion.
13. The drive sprocket of claim 11, wherein each pair of teeth has
a space therebetween sized to receive the transverse rib of the
belt module when the belt is engaged with the sprocket.
14. The drive sprocket of claim 11, wherein each pair of the teeth
have walls that are facing and angled opposite each other.
15. The drive sprocket of claim 11, wherein the teeth are disposed
in pairs that are offset with respect to a central axis.
16. The drive sprocket of claim 11, wherein the teeth are disposed
in a single row extending from a first side of the sprocket to the
opposite side of the sprocket.
17. The drive sprocket of claim 11, wherein the curved, recessed
portion is oriented radially with respect to the sprocket.
18. The drive sprocket of claim 11, further comprising at least one
opening disposed between the central opening and the at least one
first opening.
19. The drive sprocket of claim 18, wherein the at least one
opening comprises a plurality of openings disposed around the
central opening.
20. A system for cleaning a modular belt having a plurality of belt
modules with intercalated link ends connected by transverse pivot
members to form hinges, the belt modules having transverse ribs,
the drive sprocket being driven by a shaft, the system comprising:
a drive sprocket with a body having an opening in the center for
receiving the shaft; the body having a plurality of teeth disposed
in pairs along a periphery of the body, the body having at least
one first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth, the first
opening extending toward the center of the sprocket to provide
access to the hinge area, when the belt engages with the sprocket,
for application of cleaning fluid; a manifold disposed adjacent to
a position where the sprocket engages with the belt; at least one
spray head in fluid communication with the manifold for delivering
a cleaning fluid to the hinge when the belt engages with the drive
sprocket.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to modular conveying
apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sprockets for driving modular belts are usually made from
stainless steel or plastic that is machined or molded. In food
processing applications, sprocket drives are a particularly
critical area for cleaning. It is important to be able to
periodically remove the residual matters totally from the sprockets
and on the rear side of the belt, in order to avoid bacteria growth
and spoilage of the food processed on the belt. For this purpose
sprockets have been designed with large openings to allow cleaning
fluid to pass from the side and reach the critical areas to be
cleaned. Such sprockets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 38,607.
Typically, the sprocket rim and teeth are covering the hinges and
hinder the fluid from reaching the hinge area for proper cleaning.
Therefore the sprocket disclosed in the patent further provides
pairs of teeth in a double row such that the teeth of a pair are
offset. This arrangement allows better cleaning access to the rear
belt side and easier release of residual matters collected on the
rear belt side. But this design is only partially solving the
problem since the critical hinge areas are still covered by the
sprocket rim to a certain extent, when engaged on the sprocket.
Therefore good access to these hinges is of primary importance.
[0003] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0222072 proposes to solve
this problem by using a sprocket with an oblique shape as
illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B of the publication. With this design,
the teeth will laterally change their position on the rear side of
the belt and regularly expose another place on the belt for better
cleaning access. Although this is improving cleanability, the
proposed solution is still having the shortcoming of periodically
covering the hinge completely in a certain position. Another
typical feature of the disclosed sprocket is the tracking on the
belt by additional teeth engaging in the hinge gaps (FIG. 3B,
reference no. 74). During sprocket engagement these teeth enter
into the hinge gap between two links and thus push residual matter
into this gap, making it again difficult to clean. Also, the drive
pockets (reference 72 as shown in FIG. 3A of the publication) of
the sprocket are engaging closely over the drive faces which are
identical with the center cross bar on the rear side of the belt.
The drive surfaces totally covered by the enclosing drive pocket
are another place where residuals are physically squeezed in
between thus making cleaning more difficult.
[0004] Another patent proposing a similar solution is U.S. Pat. No.
6,740,172. The patent does not disclose the drive engagement but
discloses sectional sprockets used to laterally shift the
engagement area periodically. Accordingly, there is a need for an
improved sprocket for easy cleaning that avoids the above described
shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention meets the above described need by
providing a drive sprocket for driving a modular belt having a
plurality of belt modules with intercalated link ends connected by
transverse pivot members to form hinges. The belt modules may have
transverse ribs. The drive sprocket is driven by a shaft. The drive
sprocket has a central opening for receiving the shaft. The body
has a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs along a periphery of the
body. The body has a first opening formed between adjacent pairs of
teeth and extending toward the center of the sprocket to provide
access to the hinge area, when the belt engages with the sprocket,
for application of cleaning fluid.
[0006] The sprocket may also be provided with a curved recessed
portion adjacent to the first opening. A plurality of second
openings may be disposed in the body of the sprocket between the
central opening and the first opening.
[0007] The pairs of teeth may be arranged in offset fashion with
respect to a central axis or the teeth may extend for the entire
with of the sprocket.
[0008] A cleaning system may be arranged proximate to the sprockets
such that cleaning fluids are sprayed through the curved recessed
portion into the opening disposed adjacent to the hinge of the belt
when the belt engages with the sprocket. The cleaning system may
include a manifold in combination with spray heads pointed toward
the sprocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like
reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout
the figures of which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a sprocket according to
a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the sprocket shown in
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the sprocket shown in
FIG. 1 with a modular belt engaged thereon;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof;
[0014] FIG. 5 is another perspective view thereof;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of the sprocket of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of another alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the sprocket shown in
FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the sprocket shown in FIG. 7
with a belt engaged thereon;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of another alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the sprocket of FIG.
10;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the sprocket of FIG.
11 with a modular belt engaged thereon;
[0022] FIG. 13 is perspective view thereof;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of sprockets of the present
invention in combination with a spraying system; and,
[0024] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of another alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 16 is an end elevational view of the sprocket shown in
FIG. 15; and,
[0026] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the sprocket of FIG. 15
with a belt engaged thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a drive sprocket 20 has a
plurality of sprocket teeth 23, 26 disposed in pairs 27 around the
periphery of the sprocket 20. The sprocket 20 also has a central
opening 29 that is formed in the shape of a square. The square
shaped opening 29 is sized to receive a square shaft 30 (FIG. 14)
for rotating the sprocket 20 to drive a modular belt 32 (FIG. 3).
The central opening 29 may be formed in other shapes to accommodate
different shaft geometries as will be evident to those of ordinary
skill in the art based on this disclosure. A large first opening 35
which may be oval-shaped as shown is formed in the body of the
sprocket 20. The first opening 35 is located between adjacent pairs
27 of teeth and is arranged such that it aligns with the hinge area
of the module belt 32 when the belt 32 is engaged with the sprocket
20 as best shown in FIG. 3. As shown the teeth 23 are formed by a
pair of side walls 38, 41 (opposite to wall 38); a pair of end
walls 44, 47; and a top wall 50. The teeth 26 are formed by a pair
of side walls 53, 56 (opposite to wall 53); a pair of end walls 59,
62; and a top wall 65. The top walls 50 and 65 are angled relative
to their respective side walls such that the top walls 50 and 65
are disposed in spaced apart relation and somewhat aligned with
respect to their planar top surfaces. The sprocket 20 also has
recessed curved portions 68 extending from the end of the first
openings 35 toward the center of the sprocket 20. The curved
recessed portions 68 extend toward the teeth 23, 26 and terminate
at a shelf-like portion 71 between the respective teeth.
[0028] Turning to FIG. 2, the teeth 23, 26 are disposed in two rows
along the periphery of the drive sprocket 20. The teeth 23, 26 are
offset along the circumference of the sprocket and are disposed on
opposite sides of a central axis 28 such that during driving of the
modular belt 32 one of the teeth engages with one of the link ends
33 of the belt 32 and another tooth engages with the transverse rib
34 on the belt 32. The shelf portion 71 extends between adjacent
teeth 23, 26 and is bordered on opposite sides by the curved
recessed portions 68.
[0029] Turning to FIG. 3, the sprocket 20 is shown engaged with the
modular belt 32. The teeth 23, 26 engage with the link ends 33 and
transverse rib 34 of the respective belt modules 36. The teeth 23,
26 fit on opposite sides of the transverse rib 34 and provide
tracking for the belt 32. Also, the first openings 35 provide large
openings and improved access to the hinge areas for cleaning when
the belt 32 passes over the drive sprocket 20. The curved recessed
portions 68 also provide room near the hinge and guide the cleaning
fluid into the critical hinge area.
[0030] Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, the end wall 47 of the tooth 23
may be disposed at an angle such that the face of the tooth 23
reduces the contact surface to the belt 32 and "squeezes" away
residuals that may become trapped between the belt 32 and the
sprocket 20.
[0031] In FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the sprocket 20 is
shown. Sprocket 60 has the same design for the teeth 23, 26 and the
first openings 35 and curved, recessed portions 68 but also
includes openings 63 which are relatively large and are positioned
around the periphery of the central shaft opening. The openings 63
may be desired to improve the accessibility for water jets applied
from the sides of the sprocket 60. This alternate design does not
necessarily improve the cleaning of the hinge areas.
[0032] Turning to FIGS. 7-9, an alternate embodiment of the
sprocket body that is particularly suitable for molding is shown.
Sprocket 80 has a central opening 81 and has larger curved,
recessed portions 83 that follow the offset (with respect to the
circumference as best shown in FIG. 8) arrangement of the sprocket
teeth pairs 86, 89. The teeth are disposed in pairs 91 with each
tooth on opposite sides of a central axis 94. The curved recessed
portion 83 extends from the end wall 92 of one tooth 86 to the end
wall 95 of the next tooth 86 on the same side of the sprocket 80. A
first opening 98 formed between adjacent teeth 86, 89 provides an
opening around the hinge area. The pairs 91 of sprocket teeth 86,
89 provide for engagement of the transverse rib 34 and link end 33
of belt 32 as shown in FIG. 9. The recessed portion 83 is disposed
at an angle .beta. with respect to the radial axis 93. The angle
.beta. may be altered as necessary to improve the flow of cleaning
fluid.
[0033] Turning to FIGS. 10-13, an alternate embodiment of the
sprocket is shown. Sprocket 110 has a central opening 114. Sprocket
110 increases the open space between the sprocket 110 and the hinge
of the belt 32. The sprocket 110 may be used where tracking is not
needed such as where the belt 32 is guided by guiding profiles on
the edge of the belt 32. As best shown in FIG. 11, the sprocket 110
has a single row of teeth pairs 113, 116 without any offset. Due to
the wider teeth 113, 116 and the closed V-shape of the space 118
between the teeth 113, 116, the sprocket 110 contact area is larger
and may negatively effect the cleaning properties of the sprocket
110. The sprocket 110 also includes a curved, recessed portion 121.
The recessed portion 121 extends to a first opening 124 that aligns
with the hinge area of belt 32 as shown in FIG. 12.
[0034] FIG. 14 illustrates an arrangement of a spraying system
include a manifold 150 with spray heads 153 arranged adjacent to
sprockets 20 such that cleaning fluid 156 can be sprayed through
the curved recessed portions 68 into the first openings 35 below
the hinge areas of the modular belts 32 as they pass over the drive
sprocket 20.
[0035] Turning to FIG. 15, another embodiment of the sprocket is
shown. A drive sprocket 200 has a plurality of sprocket teeth 203,
206 disposed in pairs 207 around the periphery of the sprocket 200.
The sprocket 200 also has a central opening 209 that is formed in
the shape of a square. The square shaped opening 209 is sized to
receive a square shaft 30 (FIG. 14) for rotating the sprocket 200
to drive a modular belt 32 as shown in FIG. 17. A plurality of
first openings 215 are disposed around the periphery of the
sprocket 200 between the pairs 207. The first openings 215 extend
inward toward the center of the sprocket 200 and terminate along a
curved inner wall 218. A plurality of second openings 221 are
disposed between the first openings 215 and the central opening
209. The second openings 221 may be desired to improve the
accessibility of water jets applied from the sides of the sprocket
200. Sprocket 200 does not include recessed portions or grooves
below the first opening 215. The sprocket 200 is intended to have
smooth surfaces with large openings to provide access to the hinge
area of the belt and to allow easier cleaning of the sprocket
itself.
[0036] In FIG. 16, the teeth 203, 206 are disposed in two rows
along the periphery of the drive sprocket 200. The teeth 203, 206
are offset along the circumference of the sprocket 200 and are
disposed on opposite sides of a central axis 230. During driving of
the modular belt 32 one of the teeth engages with one of the link
ends 33 of the belt 32 and another tooth engages with the
transverse rib 34 on the belt 32. The transverse rib 34 on the belt
32 fits in the space 238 between the teeth 203, 206.
[0037] Turning to FIG. 17, the sprocket 200 is shown engaged with
the modular belt 32. The teeth 203, 206 engage with the link ends
33 and transverse rib 34 of the respective modules 36. The teeth
203, 206 fit on opposite sides of the transverse rib 34 and provide
tracking for the belt 32. Also, the first openings 215 provide
large openings and improved access to the hinge areas for cleaning
when the belt 32 passes over the drive sprocket 200. As indicated
by arrow 250 the first openings 215 align with the hinge areas of
the belt 32 as the belt 32 passes over the sprocket 200.
[0038] While the invention has been described in connection with
certain embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary,
it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *