U.S. patent application number 13/185361 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-24 for conveyor belt cleaning assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to JOHN BEAN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Troy O. Baumgardner, Scott M. Kane. Invention is credited to Troy O. Baumgardner, Scott M. Kane.
Application Number | 20130020177 13/185361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47427792 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130020177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baumgardner; Troy O. ; et
al. |
January 24, 2013 |
CONVEYOR BELT CLEANING ASSEMBLY
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.
Inventors: |
Baumgardner; Troy O.;
(Huron, OH) ; Kane; Scott M.; (Sandusky,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Baumgardner; Troy O.
Kane; Scott M. |
Huron
Sandusky |
OH
OH |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
JOHN BEAN TECHNOLOGIES
CORPORATION
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
47427792 |
Appl. No.: |
13/185361 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/495 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 45/22 20130101;
B65G 45/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/495 |
International
Class: |
B65G 45/24 20060101
B65G045/24; B65G 45/18 20060101 B65G045/18; B65G 45/22 20060101
B65G045/22; B65G 45/12 20060101 B65G045/12 |
Claims
1. A belt cleaning assembly for a continuous conveyor belt having a
pervious belt assembly and top and bottom belt surfaces, the
assembly comprising: (a) a contact cleaning assembly, including at
least one brush assembly and at least one scraper assembly, wherein
the contact cleaning assembly has mechanical contact with both the
top and bottom surfaces of the conveyor belt and wherein the at
least one brush assembly and the at least one scraper assembly are
generally co-linear; and (b) a non-contact cleaning assembly
including a high pressure water spray directed to the conveyor
belt, wherein the non-contact cleaning assembly has non-mechanical
contact with at least one of the top and bottom belt surfaces of
the conveyor belt.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one brush assembly
and one scraper assembly are positioned at an angle relative to the
linear direction of the conveyor belt.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one brush assembly
is stationary.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one brush assembly
includes brush having brush bristles and a water delivery system
manifold for delivering water to the brush bristles.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one brush assembly
is positionable in engaged and retracted positions.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one scraper
assembly is positionable in engaged and retracted positions.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the contact cleaning assembly
includes a plurality of brush assemblies and scraper
assemblies.
10. A continuous conveyor belt system having a belt cleaning
assembly, the system comprising: (a) a continuous conveyor belt
having a pervious belt assembly and first and second belt surfaces;
and (b) a belt cleaning assembly including a contact cleaning
assembly including at least one brush and at least one scraper,
wherein the contact cleaning assembly has mechanical contact with
both the top and bottom surfaces of the conveyor belt and wherein
the at least one brush and the at least one scraper are generally
co-linear, and a non-contact cleaning assembly including a high
pressure water spray directed to the conveyor belt, wherein the
non-contact cleaning assembly has non-mechanical contact with the
conveyor belt.
11. A method of cleaning a continuous conveyor belt, the method
comprising: (a) mechanically cleaning the first and second surfaces
of the conveyor belt using a contact cleaning assembly including at
least one brush assembly and at least one scraper assembly, wherein
the at least one brush assembly and the at least one scraper
assembly pinch the conveyor belt; and (b) hydraulically cleaning
the conveyor belt using a non-contact cleaning assembly including a
high pressure water spray directed to the conveyor belt, wherein
the non-contact cleaning assembly has non-mechanical contact with
the conveyor belt.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising supplying rinse
water to the at least one brush assembly.
13. A belt cleaning assembly for a continuous conveyor belt having
a pervious belt assembly and top and bottom belt surfaces, the
assembly comprising: (a) a contact cleaning assembly, including at
least one brush assembly and at least one scraper assembly, wherein
the contact cleaning assembly has mechanical contact with both the
top and bottom surfaces of the conveyor belt and wherein the at
least one brush assembly has brush bristles and a water delivery
system manifold for delivering water to the brush bristles; and (b)
a non-contact cleaning assembly including a high pressure water
spray directed to the conveyor belt, wherein the non-contact
cleaning assembly has non-mechanical contact with at least one of
the top and bottom belt surfaces of the conveyor belt.
14. A continuous conveyor belt system having a belt cleaning
assembly, the system comprising: (a) a continuous conveyor belt
having a pervious belt assembly and first and second belt surfaces;
and (b) a belt cleaning assembly including a contact cleaning
assembly including at least one brush and at least one scraper,
wherein the contact cleaning assembly has mechanical contact with
both the top and bottom surfaces of the conveyor belt and wherein
the at least one brush has brush bristles and a water delivery
system manifold for delivering water to the brush bristles, and a
non-contact cleaning assembly including a high pressure water spray
directed to the conveyor belt, wherein the non-contact cleaning
assembly has non-mechanical contact with the conveyor belt.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Various belt cleaning assemblies for continuous conveyor
belts designed for food processing are commercially available.
However, the inventors have found that these previously designed
belt cleaning assemblies have not been optimized to remove residue
that accumulates on pervious conveyor belts in continuous food
processing systems. Therefore, there exists a need for an improved
belt cleaning assembly.
SUMMARY
[0002] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to
be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0003] In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,
a belt cleaning assembly is provided. The belt cleaning assembly is
for a continuous conveyor belt having a pervious belt assembly and
top and bottom belt surfaces. The assembly generally includes a
contact cleaning assembly, including at least one of a brush
assembly and a scraper assembly, wherein the contact cleaning
assembly has mechanical contact with at least one of the top and
bottom surfaces of the conveyor belt. The assembly further includes
a non-contact cleaning assembly including a high pressure water
spray directed to the conveyor belt, wherein the non-contact
cleaning assembly has non-mechanical contact with at least one of
the top and bottom belt surfaces of the conveyor belt.
[0004] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a continuous conveyor belt system having a belt
cleaning assembly is provided. The system generally includes a
continuous conveyor belt having a pervious belt assembly and first
and second belt surfaces. The system further includes a belt
cleaning assembly including a contact cleaning assembly including
at least one of a brush and a scraper, wherein the contact cleaning
assembly has mechanical contact with at least one of the first and
second belt surfaces of the conveyor belt, and a non-contact
cleaning assembly including a high pressure water spray directed to
the conveyor belt, wherein the non-contact cleaning assembly has
non-mechanical contact with the conveyor belt.
[0005] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a method of cleaning a continuous conveyor belt is
provided. The method generally includes mechanically cleaning at
least one of the first and second surfaces of the conveyor belt
using a contact cleaning assembly including at least one of a brush
assembly and a scraper assembly. The method further includes
hydraulically cleaning the conveyor belt using a non-contact
cleaning assembly including a high pressure water spray directed to
the conveyor belt, wherein the non-contact cleaning assembly has
non-mechanical contact with the conveyor belt.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this disclosure will become more readily appreciated by
reference to the following detailed description, when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a continuous conveyor belt
system including a belt cleaning assembly;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the belt cleaning assembly of
FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the belt cleaning
assembly of FIG. 1, including a contact cleaning assembly and a
non-contact cleaning assembly;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a close-up isometric view of a portion of the
conveyor belt of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the non-contact
cleaning assembly of FIG. 3;
[0012] FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional side views of the
contact cleaning assembly of FIG. 3; and
[0013] FIGS. 7 and 8 are top and bottom views of the belt cleaning
assembly through respective section line indicators 7-7 and 8-8
shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings where like numerals reference like elements
is intended as a description of various embodiments of the
disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only
embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is
provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The
illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms
disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be
interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in
order to achieve the same or substantially similar result.
[0015] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one
skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present
disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific
details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been
described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various
aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated
that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any
combination of features described herein.
[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to
conveyor belt cleaning assemblies for continuous conveyor belt
systems, for example, in food processing assemblies. In the
illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, a continuous conveyor belt
system 10 having a belt cleaning assembly 20 is shown. The belt
cleaning assembly 20 is designed and configured to clean a conveyor
belt 22 and includes a contact cleaning assembly 24 (see also FIGS.
6A and 6B) and a non-contact cleaning assembly 26 (see also FIG.
5).
[0017] Although shown and described as including one contact
cleaning assembly 24 and one non-contact cleaning assembly 26
following the contact cleaning assembly 24 in series, it should be
appreciated that other configurations are also in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a belt cleaning
assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure
may include a first non-contact cleaning assembly, followed by a
contact cleaning assembly, followed by a second non-contact
cleaning assembly. Further, while particularly useful in food
processing systems, it should be appreciated that conveyor belt
cleaning systems in accordance with embodiments of the present
disclosure are not limited to food related systems.
[0018] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the continuous
conveyor belt system 10 may be configured to support and transport
workpieces, such as food products, in an exemplary cooking oven
system. The conveyor belt 22 moves in both spiral and linear
patterns in the exemplary cooking system. For example, the conveyor
belt 22 may move in a spiral or helical pattern in the cooking oven
when in a spiral stack 30, and in a linear pattern at the in-feed
and out-feed 36 and 38 of the spiral stack 30 and through the belt
cleaning assembly 20. A frame (not shown) may be used to guide the
conveyor belt 22 into the formation of the spiral stack 30 and
provides support for the spiral stack 30.
[0019] In this example, a gaseous cooking medium circulation system
(not shown) delivers cooking medium to food products disposed on
the spiral stack 30. In that regard, the spiral stack 30 is
contained within an oven chamber (not shown), and the circulation
system (not shown) circulates cooking medium within the oven
chamber. Although described with respect to an exemplary cooking
oven system, it should be appreciated that freezing systems or
other food processing systems are also within the scope of the
present disclosure. It should further be appreciated that the
conveyor belt need not travel in a spiral pattern in the oven
cooking chamber; for example, linear belt patterns in oven cooking
chambers are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0020] Still referring to FIG. 1, when formed as a spiral stack 30,
the conveyor belt 22 is configured into a plurality of superimposed
tiers 32 that are stacked on top of each other (i.e., known in the
art as a "self-stacking" conveyor belt). In that regard, each tier
32 of the stack 30 forms a pervious annulus, though which gaseous
cooking medium may travel. When formed in a spiral stack 30, the
plurality of tiers 32 creates an inner cylindrical channel 34,
through which the heated gaseous medium may also travel. Food
products (not shown) travel on the conveyor belt 22 and are heated
by gaseous cooking medium. Exemplary spiral stacks 30 may have any
number of tiers 32, typically in the range of about 8 to about 25
tiers.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, the conveyor belt 22 is a pervious belt
formed by a plurality of transverse rods 40 interconnected by a
mesh 42, such as a wire mesh, and by a linking system. The linking
system including intermediate links 44 (e.g., pulling links), as
well as inner and outer links 46 and 48 positioned at the ends of
the transverse rods 40. The inner and outer links 46 and 48 are
designed to expand and collapse upon each other to enable spiral
stacking for the belt tiers 32. When the conveyor belt 22 is
configured as a spiral stack 30, heated gaseous cooking medium may
travel in a substantially vertical direction through the pervious
mesh 42 of each superimposed tier 32. Because of high cooking
temperatures and hygiene requirements for food processing
equipment, the components of the conveyor belt 22 are typically
made from stainless steel. However, other suitable materials that
meet the food processing requirements may also be used.
[0022] Suitable embodiments of spiral stacking belts are shown and
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,651, issued to Alfred et al., and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,232, issued to Frodeberg, the disclosures of
which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. However, it
should be appreciated that other suitable spiral belt assemblies
are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0023] As food products are conveyed through a cooking chamber on
the conveyor belt 22 (see FIG. 1), they are exposed to a specific
cooking environment for a specific period of time to achieve the
parameters for each specific product being cooked. In cooking
proteins of animal sources (such as beef, fish, and poultry),
juices that perspire from the food products may contain a wide
range of organic and inorganic by-products, including, but not
limited to, blood, fats, water, sugars, enzymes, and seasoning
solutions and coatings. These by-products come in contact with the
rod 40 and mesh 42 surfaces on the conveyor belt 22, and tend to
accumulate as a residue on the conveyor belt 22 as they dry,
reduce, concentrate, and caramelize on various surfaces.
[0024] Such residue accumulation on the conveyor belt 22 can result
in significant process inefficiencies. For example, the residue can
become sticky, which may have the effect of binding food products
to the rod 40 and mesh 42 surfaces (see FIG. 4). Such binding can
lead to damage of the food products, for example, damage to protein
tissues and top coatings, as the food products are discharged from
the belt mesh 42 at the food product discharge zone 50 (see FIG.
1). Moreover, residue build-up may reduce the belt mesh 42 open
area, and in effect, reduce the air passage for the substantially
vertical air flow in the cooking oven. Air flow reductions reduce
total heat transfer in the system, which results in elongated
cooking time to reach target food temperatures, decreasing oven
through-put and yield.
[0025] While some cooking processes can accommodate residue
accumulation until periodic system shut-downs for full system
cleaning, other processes require continuous belt cleaning during
the cycling of the conveyor belt 22. Regarding the latter, enhanced
cleaning assemblies and processes that are incorporated into the
cycle of the continuous conveyor belt 22, as described herein,
improve both food quality and yield to maximize oven
performance.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the contact cleaning assembly 24
will now be described in greater detail. The purpose of the contact
cleaning assembly 24 is to mechanically loosen and remove any
debris that has collected on the belt 22. The contact cleaning
assembly 24 is a mechanically operated cleaning assembly which
makes contact with at least one of a first surface 60 (e.g., a top
surface as labeled in FIG. 1) and a second surface 62 (e.g., a
bottom surface as labeled in FIG. 1) of the conveyor belt 22, and
which may penetrate into the wire mesh 42, for example, with
brushing bristles. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact
cleaning assembly 24 includes a plurality of stationary brush
assemblies 54 and scraper assemblies 56 for mechanically cleaning
the conveyor belt 22. Although shown as including a plurality of
assemblies 54 and 56, it should be appreciated that in another
embodiment of the present disclosure, the contact cleaning assembly
24 includes at least one of a brush assembly 54 and scraper
assembly 56 for making mechanical contact with at least one of the
first and second surfaces 60 and 62 of the belt 22. In yet another
embodiment, the contact cleaning assembly 24 includes one brush
assembly 54 and one scraper assembly 56 for making mechanical
contact with both the first and second surfaces 60 and 62 of the
belt 22.
[0027] As seen in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the belt 22
flips after reaching the food product discharge zone 50 and prior
to reaching the belt cleaning assembly 20, so that it travels in
the upside down position as it returns to the in-feed 36 to spiral
stack 30. The brush assemblies 54 and scraper assemblies 56 are
positioned relative to the belt 22, with the brush assemblies 54
positioned above the belt 22 to contact the second surface 62 of
the belt 22 and the scraper assemblies 56 positioned below the belt
22 to contact the first surface 60 of the belt 22. Although the
belt 22 in the illustrated embodiment flips prior to reaching the
belt cleaning assembly 20, it should be appreciated that in
accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure, the
belt 22 may not be in an upside down position when it enters the
belt cleaning assembly 20. For example, the cleaning assembly 20
may be located adjacent the in-feed 36 or the out-feed 38 opening
of the cooking chamber. In these configurations, the brush
assemblies 54, positioned above the belt 42, would contact the
first surface 60 of the belt 22, and the scraper assemblies 56,
positioned below the belt 22, would contact the second surface 62
of the belt 22.
[0028] The number of brush assemblies 54 and scraper assemblies 56
is selectable to be any optimal number, and the brush assemblies 54
and scraper assemblies 56 are each independently adjustable. In the
illustrated embodiment, the brush assemblies 54 and scraper
assemblies 56 are configured to be substantially aligned to be
co-linear. In that regard, the contact areas of the brush bristles
70 and scraper edges 84 meet the belt 22 at substantially the same
line or position along the belt 22. The advantage of being
co-linear is that co-linear action creates a pinching effect on the
belt 22 between the brush bristles 70 and the scraper edge 84. In
that regard, the scraper edge 84 provides a resistance force that
allows the brush bristles 70 to press and penetrate the belt 22
resulting in enhanced debris removal and rod 40 and mesh 42
cleaning.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, respective brush assemblies 54
and scraper assemblies 56 may be positioned at an angle relative to
the linear direction (indicated by arrow A) of the conveyor belt
22. In the illustrated embodiment, the brush assemblies 54 and
scraper assemblies 56 are positioned at about a 15 degree angle
relative to an orientation that would be perpendicular to the
linear direction of the conveyor belt 22. In another embodiment,
the brush assemblies 54 and scraper assemblies 56 are preferably
positioned at an angle in the range of about 15 to about 30 degrees
relative to an orientation that would be perpendicular to the
linear direction of the conveyor belt 22.
[0030] The advantage of angular positioning is two-fold. First, in
an angled position, the brush 64 and scraper 66 act like plows for
loosing residues. In that regard, residues that have been removed
are pushed sideways instead of accumulating in front of the brush
64 or scraper 66. Second, the angular positioning reduces the load
of traveling debris against the brush 64 or the scraper 66 as
compared to perpendicular positioning. However, it should be
appreciated that other angular positioning is also within the scope
of the present disclosure. Although not optimal positioning, the
brush assemblies 54 and scraper assemblies 56 may also be
positioned to be substantially perpendicular to the linear
direction of the conveyor belt 22.
[0031] Each brush 64 includes a brush head 68 and a plurality of
brush bristles 70 that extend from the head 68. The bristles 70 are
configured to make contact with at least the top surface of the
conveyor belt 22 to clean using mechanical action. It should be
appreciated, however, that the bristles 70 may also penetrate into
the conveyor belt 22 to also clean the rods 40 and the pervious
mesh 42. As the conveyor belt 22 runs, the brush assemblies 54
brush the various surfaces of the conveyor belt 22 to clean residue
from the belt 22.
[0032] As a non-limiting example, a suitable brush design may
include bristles made from crimped nylon having a diameter of about
0.036 inches and ends that are deburred. An exemplary brush may
further have a length to cover the span of the conveyor belt 22,
and a height of about 4 inches. The brush head 68 may be a channel
made from a suitable non-corrosive material, such a 7/16 inch
stainless steel. However, it should be appreciated that other brush
designs are also within the scope of the present disclosure and may
depend on the specific application for the cleaning assembly
20.
[0033] Each brush 64 is held in place by a brush holder 78, which
also serves as a manifold. The brush holder 78 is an elongate
cylindrical sleeve having a slot 86 for receiving the brush
bristles 70. The brush 64 is received in the brush holder 78 such
that the brush head 68 is received in the sleeve and the bristles
extend outwardly from the slot 86.
[0034] The brush assembly 54 is coupled to a frame 72 by a coupling
device 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling device 74 is
adjustable to adjust the height of the brush assembly 54 relative
to the conveyor belt 22 between engaged and retracted positions
(compare FIGS. 6A and 6B). In that regard, the coupling device 74
is positioned in a track or channel 76 for movement between
retraced and engaged positions (see arrow B in FIG. 6A). When in
the appropriate position, the coupling device 74 can be secured. In
the engaged position (see FIG. 6B), the brush bristles 70 make
contact with the conveyor belt 22. In the retracted position (see
FIG. 6A), the brush bristles 70 do not make contact with the
conveyor belt 22, thereby disabling the brushing function of the
contact cleaning assembly 24.
[0035] The cleaning operation of the contact cleaning assembly 24
may be further enhanced by the introduction of water into the
brushing action. Referring to FIG. 2, a water delivery system 80
delivers potable water to the brush manifold 78, which not only
holds the brush 64 in place, but also delivers water to the brush
bristles 70 through the slot 86. Such water delivery keeps the belt
22 wet during the cleaning process and, when combined with brushing
action, allows for effective scrubbing of the surfaces of the
conveyor belt 22. The pressure of the water delivered to the brush
manifold 78 may be variable, but is preferably low pressure in the
range of 30 to 60 psi.
[0036] The continuous running water has two functions in the
contact cleaning assembly 24: (1) to wet, soften, and help to wash
away the residues from the belt mesh; and (2) to keep the brush
assemblies 54 and scraper assemblies 56 clean and cool. Regarding
the latter point, if the cleaning system is in use when the oven is
operating in cooking mode, the belt mesh 42 may be hot when it
enters the contact cleaning assembly 24, potentially damaging the
brush bristles 70 and the scraper edges 84. Cool water delivery to
the brush bristles 70 and to the scraper edges 84 helps prevent
damage to these components. When the brush assemblies 54 are
lowered in the channels 76 on the frame 72, bringing the brush
bristles 70 in contact with the belt mesh 42, a lever mechanism may
be configured to automatically open a potable water supply valve,
ensuring that water is fed to the brush bristles 70 keeping them
wet and cool.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, the water that runs through the brush
bristles 70 and over the moving mesh belt 22 and the scraper
assemblies 56 may be collected in a collection tank 82. The
collection tank 82 may be sloped to drain discharge water and the
food product debris to a drain or to another collection tank.
[0038] The scrapers 66 may be razor scrapers having razor edges 84
that contact the bottom surface of the mesh belt 42. As a
non-limiting example, a suitable razor scraper may have a length to
cover the span of the conveyor belt 22, an height of about 3
inches, and a width of about 0.5 inches. Moreover, the razor edges
may have about a 45 degree edge. However, it should be appreciated
that other scraper designs are also within the scope of the present
disclosure, and may depend upon the specific application for the
cleaning assembly 20. Scrapers may be made from any suitable
non-corrosive materials, such as stainless steel, or other stiff
plastics, for example, 30% carbon-filled PTFE.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the scraper assemblies 56,
like the brush assemblies 54, may be fixed in retracted or engaged
positions (compare FIGS. 6A and 6B). In that regard, the scraper
assemblies 56 include a retraction arm 110 (for retraction to a
retracted position), as well as a plurality of adjustable couplings
88 (for fine adjustments and leveling of the scraper 64 relative to
the belt 22). When engaged, the scraper assemblies 56 are fixed
within the contact cleaning assembly 24 and do not move relative to
the belt 22. When retracted, the scraper assemblies 56 do not make
contact with the conveyor belt 22, thereby disabling the scraping
function of the contact cleaning assembly 24.
[0040] In the illustrated application, a brush assembly 54 is not
used for the bottom surface of the conveyor belt 22 because an
upside down brush tends to collect debris, whereas an upside down
scraper does not collect debris. However, it should be appreciated
that complementary top and bottom brush assemblies are within the
scope of the present disclosure. Likewise, complementary top and
bottom scraper assemblies are also within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0041] As seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the brush assemblies 54 and
scraper assemblies 56 in the illustrated embodiment are fixed in an
orientation that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the
horizontal path of the belt 22. However, it should be appreciated
that the brush assemblies 54 and scraper assemblies 56 may be fixed
in a position that is tilted relative to the belt 22. Moreover, if
configured with a drive assembly, the brush assemblies 54 may be
configured to rotate back and forth relative to the belt 22.
[0042] Now referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the non-contact cleaning
assembly 26 will now be described in greater detail. The purpose of
the non-contact cleaning assembly 26 is to remove residue remaining
after contact cleaning and rinsing the belt 22 in preparation for
receiving uncooked food products at the in-feed 36 to the spiral
stack 30. The non-contact cleaning assembly 26 is a high pressure
water cleaning assembly. As best seen in FIG. 5, the non-contact
cleaning assembly is contained in a housing 90 having a belt inlet
92 and a belt outlet 94. In the housing 90, one or more high
pressure water jet nozzles 98 are positioned either above or below
the belt or both to deliver high pressure water to the belt 22.
[0043] Depending on the application and the degree of cleaning
required, the number of jet nozzles 98 can vary, water pressure can
be adjusted, and jet nozzle 98 location can be selected or
configured. Moreover, the water may be delivered at its unheated
temperature, or it can be heated, for example, to 160.degree. F.
(71.degree. C.), to improve the efficiency for particularly
difficult residues. In one embodiment of the present disclosure,
the jet water is pressurized to at least about 700 psi by a high
pressure pump before being impinged toward the belt rods 40 and
belt mesh 42.
[0044] The impingement of water onto the belt 22 may be enhanced by
the type of high pressure water nozzles used in the system. In the
illustrated embodiment, precession nozzles create a flow pattern
having circular coverage with a center three dimensional parabolic
void. As can be seen in the water pattern shown in FIG. 5,
precession nozzles allow for belt cleaning at two different
locations 100 and 102 on the belt 22. Likewise, two nozzles (as
seen in FIG. 8), allow for belt cleaning at four different
locations 100, 102, 104, and 106. As a non-limiting example, one
suitable nozzle has a 3 orifice and 1/4 NPT inlet. The spray
pattern of the nozzle may be about 25 degrees or greater, with a 0
degree pressure angle. The pressure maximum for such a nozzle is
3000 psi.
[0045] In addition, the impingement of water onto the belt 22 may
be enhanced by the arrangement of water nozzles in a matrix pattern
located above and below the belt 22 so that the high pressure water
stream hits the belt mesh from both sides removing all residues
that may have accumulated on the wires. In certain configurations,
the non-contact cleaning assembly 26 may be configured such that
only the top or bottom matrix of spray nozzles is connected to the
pump. Such a configuration would be desirable in a case in which
light residue has accumulated on the belt, therefore not requiring
both top and bottom high pressure water impingement streams. In
this case, water will be conserved.
[0046] The housing 90 contains water mist as a result of the impact
of the water jet streams against the belt 22. The housing 90 may
also include an access door 96 for inspection and cleaning, shown
as an openable top door in the illustrated embodiment. In that
regard, the housing 90 may include seal plates at the inlet and
outlet 92 and 94 to and from the housing 90. The housing 90
preferably includes a sloped bottom wall 108 to drain discharge
water and the food product debris to a drain or to another
collection tank.
[0047] It should be appreciated that embodiments of the belt
cleaning assembly described herein are configured such that the
contact and non-contact cleaning assemblies 24 and 26 may be
enabled or disabled to result in three different system options:
contact cleaning, non-contact cleaning, and combination contact and
non-contact cleaning.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, the belt 22 reenters the oven chamber
(not shown) when traveling from the belt cleaning assembly 20 to
the infeed 36 of the oven chamber. If the belt cleaning assembly 20
is operating during production, the high temperature of the oven
chamber dries the belt 22 before it arrives at the infeed 36 to
receive new food product, without requiring a separate drying
apparatus in the system. A clean, dry belt for receiving new food
product preserves the quality of the food product to be cooked. It
should be appreciated, however, that in other embodiment a separate
drying apparatus may be used to dry the belt 22 before entry into
the oven chamber.
[0049] While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure.
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