Modular belt conveyor, in particular a curving or helical conveyor
A modular belt conveyor ( 12 ), in particular curving or helical conveyor, including a number of mutually interconnected modular belt conveyor links ( 14 ) that together form a common curving or helical conveyor with an inner and outer belt edge, respectively, of which at least one belt edge, preferably the inner belt edge, interacts by inter-spaced, preferably vertical curve guides, wherein at the belt edge or edges interacting with the curve guide, each of the belt conveyor links ( 14 ) are either provided with an edge reinforcement or are fitted with an edge element ( 20 ), the edge reinforcement or edge element ( 20 ), respectively, together with the corresponding adjacent belt conveyor link ( 14 ) forming a substantially closed guide surface ( 34 ) at the belt edge in question. In a simple way and by means of simple technical means are hereby achieved the possibility of counteracting the said problems of lateral incisions or apertures at the inner or outer belt edge.
1. A modular belt conveyor ( 12 ), in particular curving or helical conveyor, including a number of mutually interconnected modular belt conveyor links ( 14 ) that together form a common curving or helical conveyor with an inner and outer belt edge, respectively, of which at least one belt edge, preferably the inner belt edge, interacts by inter-spaced, preferably vertical curve guides, characterised in that at the belt edge or edges interacting with the curve guide, each of the belt conveyor links ( 14 ) are either provided with an edge reinforcement or are fitted with an edge element ( 20 ), respectively, such that the edge reinforcements or edge elements at the front and rear outer sides are designed with projecting parts, said parts project in the intended travelling direction and/or in the opposite direction of the intended travelling direction of the modular conveyor, such that the projecting parts project in under and across, respectively, complementary projecting parts of corresponding edge reinforcements or edge elements mounted on adjacent belt conveyor links, such that together with the corresponding adjacent belt conveyor link ( 14 ) a substantially closed guide surface ( 34 ) at the belt edge in question is formed.
2. Modular belt conveyor according to claim 1 , wherein the edge element is designed with engagement means which are adapted to be passed down over and grip firmly around an outer link part of the belt conveyor link.
3. Modular belt conveyor according to claim 2 , wherein the engagement means include a downwardly open, semicircular cutout in an inner side of the edge element, the cutout adapted to surround a connecting axis between the belt conveyor links.
4. Modular belt conveyor according to claim 2 , wherein the engagement means include lower inwardly projecting edge parts adapted for gripping at an underside edge of the outer link part of the belt conveyor link.
5. Modular belt conveyor according to claim 1 , wherein the edge element is provided as two laterally reversed designs for mounting at opposing outer guide side edges of each belt conveyor link.
6. Modular belt conveyor according to claim 1 , wherein each edge element constitutes a separate wearing part which is made by a suitable plastic material containing a suitable reinforcement material, Kevlar and/or carbon fibres.
7. Modular belt conveyor according to claim 1 , wherein the edge reinforcement is formed by making the belt conveyor link, where the edge reinforcements are established by inserting separate wearing parts when in a mould for simultaneously establishing an outer, predominantly closed guide surface of the active outer guide edge of the individual belt conveyor links.