U.S. patent application number 14/403444 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for laboratory automation system with coating tape interposed between an automatic conveyor belt and a sliding profile, and a method of applying said coating tape.
The applicant listed for this patent is Inpeco Holding Ltd.. Invention is credited to Gianandrea Pedrazzini.
Application Number | 20150129394 14/403444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46262198 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150129394 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pedrazzini; Gianandrea |
May 14, 2015 |
LABORATORY AUTOMATION SYSTEM WITH COATING TAPE INTERPOSED BETWEEN
AN AUTOMATIC CONVEYOR BELT AND A SLIDING PROFILE, AND A METHOD OF
APPLYING SAID COATING TAPE
Abstract
A laboratory automation system is described, comprising an
automatic conveyor belt sliding within a sliding profile of a lane,
and a coating tape interposed between the automatic conveyor belt
and the sliding profile. The profile includes a first region onto
which a coating tape is applied by gluing.
Inventors: |
Pedrazzini; Gianandrea;
(Paradiso, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Inpeco Holding Ltd. |
Qormi |
|
MT |
|
|
Family ID: |
46262198 |
Appl. No.: |
14/403444 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
May 22, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/060535 |
371 Date: |
November 24, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
198/804 ;
156/249 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 37/144 20130101;
G01N 2035/0484 20130101; B65G 45/00 20130101; B65G 15/62 20130101;
B32B 38/10 20130101; B65G 15/28 20130101; B65G 15/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/804 ;
156/249 |
International
Class: |
B65G 15/30 20060101
B65G015/30; B32B 38/10 20060101 B32B038/10; B65G 15/28 20060101
B65G015/28; B32B 37/14 20060101 B32B037/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2012 |
IT |
MI 2012 A 000901 |
Claims
1. A laboratory automation system comprising an automatic conveyor
belt sliding within a sliding profile of a lane, and a coating tape
interposed between the automatic conveyor belt and the sliding
profile, wherein it includes application means of the coating tape,
the shape of which is complementary to the sliding profile and
sliding therein.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sliding profile
includes a first region onto which a coating tape is applied by
gluing.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the sliding profile
includes a second region where a coating tape is attached to a
first end of said second region by means of a spring and to a
second end by means of clamps.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the spring is coupled
on one side to a bracket and on the other side to a pair of flanges
screwed to each other and supporting the coating tape.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said application means
comprise two side recesses.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the coating tape is
made of stainless steel.
7. A method of applying an adhesive coating tape interposed between
an automatic conveyor belt and a sliding profile in a laboratory
automation system, wherein it comprises applying the adhesive
coating tape onto a region of the sliding profile by means of
application means which are longitudinally slid over said adhesive
coating tape over the whole length of said region without ever
being lifted until the opposite end of the region is reached;
simultaneously, while said application means moves forward, a
silicone-treated paper film being gradually removed from said
adhesive coating tape which is gradually glued to the region.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a laboratory automation
system with coating tape interposed between an automatic conveyor
belt and a sliding profile, and to a method of applying said
coating tape.
[0002] In laboratories for testing biological material specimens,
the use of automated systems for automatically identifying,
conveying and directing such specimens towards different points of
the laboratory itself is typical.
[0003] The system comprises lanes along which the biological
product containers travel, each in a transport device (also called
"carrier"), on conveyor belts to be suitably directed to the
various pre-testing, testing or post-testing modules which
interface with the automation system.
[0004] The automation system is almost continuously operating
during the day, according to the often high operating volumes of a
testing laboratory, and it is understood that problems occur with
time due to the deposition of dust or dirt in general, related to
the use of the belts which, in addition to being damaging from the
aesthetic point of view, may in some cases impair the functionality
of some mechanical or electronic components arranged along the
automation system, besides preventing a smooth sliding of the belts
and of the transport devices on the belts.
[0005] Moreover, the continuous use of the automation system
generally subjects the motors which drive the belts themselves to a
considerable strain, due to the friction that is generated in the
contact between belts and profile, typically made of aluminum, of
the automation system.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,830 and JP2003312823 describe conveyor
belts for automatic laboratory systems.
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an
automation system with conveyor belts along lanes, in which the
sedimentation of dust or dirt of any type along the system is
prevented and which simultaneously ensures a smoother sliding of
the belts compared to the known solutions, by decreasing the
friction between the conveyor belts and the aluminum profile on
which they slide.
[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
automation system with conveyor belts along lanes, in which the
motors that drive the belts are subjected to a lower stress, thus
reducing the risk of failure and/or breakage.
[0009] In accordance with the invention, this and other objects are
achieved by an automation system as described in claim 1.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
method of applying a coating tape interposed between an automatic
conveyor belt and a sliding profile in an automatic laboratory
system.
[0011] In accordance with the invention, said further object is
achieved by a method of applying an adhesive coating tape
interposed between an automatic conveyor belt and a sliding profile
in a laboratory automation system, characterized in that it
comprises applying the adhesive coating tape onto a region of the
sliding profile by means of application means which are
longitudinally slid over said adhesive coating tape over the whole
length of said region without ever being lifted until the opposite
end of the region is reached, and while said application means
moves forward, a silicone-treated paper film is simultaneously
gradually removed from said adhesive coating tape which is
gradually glued to the region.
[0012] These and other features of the present invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description of an
embodiment thereof, shown by way of non-limiting example with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of the
automation system;
[0014] FIG. 2 again shows a perspective view of a portion of the
system, including the elements required for carrying out the first
application step;
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the view shown in FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view according to line IV-IV in
FIG. 3, with an enlarged portion;
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a view similar to that in FIG. 3, once the
first application step has been completed;
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a first end of the
system, including the elements required for carrying out the second
application step;
[0019] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a second end of the
system without motor-driven means.
[0020] A laboratory automation system comprises primary lanes 2 and
secondary lanes 3 parallel to one another, which accommodate
parallel motor-driven conveyor belts 4 made of polyurethane, having
the function of carrying tube transport devices 5.
[0021] The transport devices 5 are usually diverted to the
secondary lane 3 for allowing them to reach or go over pre-testing,
testing or post-testing modules or stations.
[0022] The system consists of modules 1 (FIG. 1) assembled to one
another in a variable number and according to different
configurations for meeting the different requirements of testing
laboratories.
[0023] A pair of belts 4 sliding in one direction and a pair of
belts 4 sliding in the opposite direction (FIG. 1) are provided for
each rectilinear stretch of the system (angle and T-joints are
further provided, as will be described hereafter).
[0024] Each pair of lanes 2, 3 is obtained from a sliding profile 6
of belt 4, suitably shaped and advantageously made of aluminum
(FIGS. 2 and 3, where profile 6 is shown with reference to a single
pair of lanes).
[0025] Each belt 4 is made of cell-like polyurethane coated with
impregnated fabric which ensures a low friction coefficient with
the resting surface of the transport device 5 while moving.
[0026] A motion inversion device 11 (FIG. 6) is arranged at each
end of the transport system in order to allow the transport device
5 to reverse the motion direction, which motion inversion device
has the function of transferring each transport device 5 moving
from the pair of belts 4 sliding in one direction to the pair of
belts 4 sliding in the opposite direction. Said motion inversion
device 11 comprises a thin plastic disc 110 driven by a motor 111
which is present at each end of the transport device and which, in
addition to generating the rotation of disc 110, also has the
function of moving one of the two pairs of belts 4. In fact, the
movement is transmitted by means of a first belt 112 and a second
belt 113 to a pulley 114 which, by rotating, generates the movement
of the pair of belts 4.
[0027] Therefore, each pair of conveyor belts 4 has a rotational
motion about pulleys 114 which support it at the ends. In FIG. 7,
belts 4 have been removed for convenience.
[0028] When the transport device reaches the end of belt 4, the
rotational motion of disc 110 allows the transport device 5 to move
to belt 4 in the opposite direction, in turn driven by the
respective pulley (not shown in FIG. 6) at the other end of the
system portion.
[0029] As mentioned, the transport system is a modular structure
comprising a variable number of transport modules 1. This feature
allows the transport system to be adapted to the different testing
laboratories where it is installed, meeting the logistical
requirements (in terms of space and/or number of analyzers) of any
laboratory. Such an object is also achieved by using angular
L-shaped modules, where the trajectory of the automation system
bends by 90.degree., or of T-shaped turning modules which serve as
side branches of the system. For a detailed description thereof, as
well as for other structural details of a known laboratory
automation system, reference will be made to patent EP-2225567
already filed by the Applicant.
[0030] The method of the present invention consists in applying a
thin coating tape 7, 8 made of stainless steel (having a thickness
of about one tenth of millimeter) for each lane 2, 3 which coating
tape is interposed between the sliding profile 6 and the conveyor
belts 4, so that, in contact with the belts themselves, it favors a
smoother sliding thereof compared to the known solutions, while
considerably reducing the formation of dust and dirt related to the
continuous use of the system.
[0031] In particular, as regards the part of belts 4 that is
visible along the automation system, the application is obtained by
pressing, by means of a special tool 9 provided with a handle 10,
two strips 7 of such a stainless steel coating tape at the side
ends of each lane 2, 3, i.e. along a first region 61 of the sliding
profile 6 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4).
[0032] In any case, such strips 7 do not exceed the width of region
61 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and are adhesive on the contact side with such a
region, so that the pressure exerted with tool 9 thereon favors its
gluing to profile 6; likewise, as is obvious, strips 7 must cover
the whole length of the region 61 of profile 6 (FIG. 4, where the
upper profile 60 of profile 6 has been removed for favoring the
full view of a section of tool 9).
[0033] It should be noted that the application of such strips 7 one
at a time takes place without interruption; in fact, once such an
operation has begun, tool 9 is longitudinally slid over the whole
first region 61 and is never lifted, until the opposite end of
region 61 itself is reached. At the same time, while tool 9 moves
forward, the silicone-treated paper film is gradually removed from
the adhesive strip 7, which is then gradually glued along region
61.
[0034] Moreover, as is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, tool 9 cannot
even lift during such an operation because, being inserted from the
side of profile 6, it is then vertically locked by the presence of
the upper profile 60.
[0035] Moreover, this meets the precise requirement of applying the
adhesive strip 7 on system portions already assembled, without the
need of removing the upper profile 60.
[0036] To this end, it should be noted that recesses 90 (FIGS. 2
and 3) of tool 9 allow the impact of tool 9 with any stopping
gates, laterally protruding from lanes 2, 3 towards their interior,
to be prevented when applying strip 7.
[0037] At the end of the application of strips 7, when the
polyurethane conveyor belts 4 are then laid along lanes 2, 3,
strips 7 are interposed between belts 4 and profile 6 (FIG. 5).
[0038] As regards the part of belts 4 which, when wound again about
pulley 114, is inserted in a second region 62 of profile 6 (i.e. in
a non-visible part of the system), lightly touching the top wall
thereof, a third strip 8 (FIGS. 6-7) of the stainless steel coating
tape, which is much wider than the previous two but has the same
thickness of about one tenth of millimeter, is applied for each
lane 2, 3.
[0039] It also travels the whole length of the rectilinear stretch
of the system and is attached to the ends on one side by means of a
spring 12 (FIG. 6) and on the other side by means of clamps 13
(FIG. 7, where the part of profile 6 hidden from view by pulley 114
is shown).
[0040] The choice about which of the two ends in length of profile
6 should be used for fixing by means of spring 12 or clamps 13 may
vary according to the cases (rectilinear, L-shaped or T-shaped
module) and according to different design choices.
[0041] In the first case, spring 12 is coupled on one side to a
bracket 14 and on the other side to a pair of flanges 15a, 15b
screwed to each other and trapping the steel strips 8 of a pair of
lanes 2, 3 which protrude from the bottom wall of the second region
62.
[0042] In the second case, the steel strips 8 are instead directly
clamped to the bottom wall of region 62 by means of clamps 13.
[0043] Each steel strip 8 is not adhesive, unlike the two strips 7
described above, and exerts a cleaning action on belt 4 in the
central sliding part thereof along a rectilinear stretch of the
system; in fact, in such a sliding region hidden from view, the
tension that belt 4 has in the surface part is missing, and thus
belt 4 rubs against the steel strip 8, thus being cleaned. It is
again noted that belts 4 are not shown in FIG. 7 since a depiction
thereof would hinder the view of strips 8.
[0044] The innovative aspect of the invention is therefore given by
the application of coating tapes 7, 8 made of stainless steel,
aimed to contact the polyurethane belts 4 which move the transport
devices 5 along the automation system; the application of such
tapes 7, 8 is intended to decrease the friction caused, in the
known solutions, by the sliding movements of belts 4 directly in
contact with the aluminum profile 6.
[0045] The decrease in the friction reduces the strain exerted by
the motors driving the conveyor belts 4, and accordingly, it is
more unlikely that the motor themselves show wear problems due to
their operation day after day.
[0046] Moreover, as previously mentioned, the application of the
coating tapes 7, 8 is intended to carry out a cleaning action on
the conveyor belts 4, considerably reducing the sedimentation of
dust and dirt along the automation system, also related to the
continuous use of the system itself.
[0047] Several changes and variations may be made to the invention
thus conceived, all falling within the scope of the inventive
concept.
[0048] In the practice, the materials used as well as shapes and
sizes, may be any, according to the requirements.
* * * * *