Laitram, L.L.C.

A conveyor system for conveying lightweight electrically conductive containers, such as empty aluminum cans. Magnetic fields to prevent the cans from tipping over as they are conveyed on a conveying surface. Coil sets on opposite sides of the conveying surface produce the magnetic fields in response to tip-sensor detections of tipping cans. The magnetic fields interact with the electrically conductive cans to right them.

A shaft-mounted conveyor assembly ( 10 ) comprises a series of scroll modules ( 100, 102 ) arranged in series on a shaft ( 12 ) to form a helix having a peripheral surface for contacting a conveyor belt. Each scroll module includes an open hub ( 120 ) for receiving the shaft and a webbed scroll portion ( 110 ) defining the peripheral surface. The shaft includes L-shaped mounting slots ( 30 ) in mounting regions for mounting the scroll modules. A snap-on locking collar ( 200 ) prevents axial movement of the scroll modules after installation on the shaft.

A fastening system for joining two ends of a conveyor belt segment includes hinge members having tapering noses for controlling movement of the ends relative to each other. A reinforcing link connects the tips of at least two outermost hinge members. A solid side edge encapsulates a hinge rod securing the two conveyor belt ends together, while a viewing window and lateral slot provide a pathway through the conveyor belt segment.

A method for closing modular belts and a belt closer having two clamps for clamping to a side edge of a modular flat-top conveyor belt. A ratchet strap or other pulling tool is connected between the two clamps of the belt closer. Once the clamps are clamped to unconnected end sections of a belt, the ratchet strap is used to pull the two sections together so that they can be joined by a hinge rod to form an endless belt.

A split sprocket for conveyor belts or chains comprises a first section and a second section that mates with the first section to form a sprocket with drive teeth distributed about the periphery and a central hub for retaining a shaft. The second section is inserted into a space in the first section and rotated into an engaged position to form a complete sprocket.

A system and method for detecting disengagement of a modular articulating conveyor belt from a toothed pulley with a laser beam. A laser transmitter and a laser detector are positioned at opposite sides of the modular conveyor belt wrapped around a toothed pulley. The laser beam is directed from the laser transmitter to the laser detector along a line that is intermittently intersected by radially outer structure on the belt as it advances fully engaged with the pulley. When the belt stretches with wear or when debris is trapped between the belt and the pulley, the belt starts to ride higher on the pulley in position to block the laser beam for longer time periods indicating disengagement of the belt from the pulley.

Apparatus and method for activating conveyor belt roller assemblies by lowering and extending wearstrips to selectively lower the conveyor belt to place the conveyor belt roller assemblies into contact with actuating rollers. A wearstrip module housing the wearstrips includes an upper support upon which the wearstrips are mounted that is longitudinally and vertically movable relative to a lower support fixed relative to the actuating rollers. Mounting brackets rotatably mount the lower support and actuating rollers in a fixed position and orientation.

Metal-link conveyor belt modules and belts made of such modules. The belt modules have a crossbar. Links extend from opposite sides of the crossbar and terminate in loops. The links have regions of different widths tailored to various operational requirements.

A closed-loop vacuum conveyor controlling the pressure in a plenum. Pressure sensors in the plenum send pressure signals to a processor that controls the speed of a blower motor sucking air from the plenum and through openings in a foraminous conveyor belt against which conveyed aluminum cans are held by air pressure. The processor controls the blower speed with a variable-frequency drive to adjust the pressure in the plenum to accommodate a varying product density or the shape, size, or weight of conveyed products on the outer surface of the conveyor belt. The plenum may be divided into separate chambers by partitions or adjustable dampers. The pressure in the chambers can be controlled by adjusting each chamber's blower speed or the opening of its dampers.

Conveyor belt modules and a modular conveyor belt constructed of those modules. The belt modules comprise a plurality of thin metal links attached to a crossbar at spaced locations. The metal links extend along lines oblique to the length of the crossbar from a first loop to a second loop. Belt rows include one or more of the belt modules sandwiched between tension links. Hinge rods connect adjacent belt rows together through aligned first and second loops and first and second rod holes in the tension links of adjacent belt rows to form the conveyor belt. The links can be formed of bent wire or stamped and bent sheet metal. Intermediate portions of the links can be planar or curved.