MXPA99000731A - Transportation mesh and system to transport produce - Google Patents

Abstract

A transport mesh to transport products in a transport direction between at least two driving or diverting wheels. The transport mesh comprises a number of plastic modules that follow each other in the transport direction and extend transversely to the transport direction, which modules, seen in the transport direction, each have front and rear sides provided with articulating rings or hinges. The articulation rings or hinges of the successive modules in the conveying direction cooperate and are coupled by means of hinge pins extending transversely to the transport direction. The upper surfaces of the joints constitute a transport surface. The modules are each provided with openings traversing from one side to the other, extending substantially transverse to the transport surface, and with a substantially flat upper surface on which at least one groove is provided, extending in the direction Of transport. The modules are coupled so that the transport surface comprises a substantially straight slot extending in the transport direction over the length of the transport mesh. The at least one slot is preferably provided with two side walls connected via a ba

Description

- TRANSPORTATION AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTING PRODUCTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a transport mesh for transporting products in a transport direction between at least two bypass wheels, comprising a number of plastic modules which follow each other in the transport direction and extend transversely to the direction of transport, which modules, seen in the direction of transport, each have their front and rear sides provided with hinges or articulation rings, the articulation hinges of the modules succeeding one another in the direction of transport cooperate and engage by means of articulation bolts that extend transversely to the transport direction, which modules are each provided with openings extending substantially transversely to the transport surface and from which modules the upper surfaces together they constitute a surface of transport. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention also relates to a trans-port system, comprising a conveyor belt extending between at least two diverting wheels for transporting products.

REF .: 29368 between the diverting wheels in a transport direction, which transport mesh comprises a number of plastic modules that precede each other in the transport direction and extend transversely to the transport direction, which modules , seen in the transport direction, each comprise hinges or articulation rings on their front and rear sides. The hinges or articulation rings of the modules which follow each other in the transport direction cooperate and are coupled by means of articulation bolts that extend transversely to the transport direction, of which modules the upper surfaces together form a surface of transport and which modules are each provided with openings traversing from one side to another, which extend substantially transversely to the transport surface, and which transport system further comprises a sliding device for transfer, adjacent to the diverting or driving wheel from or to the transport surface, the products transported by the conveyor mesh to or from the diverting or driving wheel. Such conveyor screens and conveyor systems are known and used to transport all kinds of products in a large number of different environments. A particularly accurate application of felling conveyor and such conveyor system refers to the transportation of products through a pasteurizer to pasteurize the products. During pasteurization, products, particularly beverages, after being placed in a package are heated for some time to prolong the shelf life of the beverage or product. To that end, the sealed packages containing the products are placed on a transport track and passed through a coating forming a long tunnel, impervious to water. The transport track often has a length of 25-35 m and a width of 3.5 m. The transport track passes the products inside the tunnel along a number of areas where the hot water that has a different temperature zone is sprayed on the packaging, for example at 20-40-60-80-60- 40 ° C. Such transport tracks transport the products at a speed of approximately 0.5-1 m / sec and have a capacity of approximately 30-70,000 packages per hour. In the temperature zones, approximately 25 m2 of water per hour is sprayed on the products per 2 of runway surface area. In order to use water more efficiently, the transport track is preferably of a double-screen design. The packages transported through the pasteurizer by means of the transport track are usually containers or bottles made of metal, plastic or glass. In the known conveyors, as a transport track, worm conveyors are often used which are constructed of a stainless steel wire mesh or mesh. A disadvantage thereof is that such transport meshes are expensive to buy. In addition, these conveyor belts are not of modular construction, as a consequence of which the repair of a damage in such transport meshes is a time-consuming operation that has to be carried out by a specialist. Another type of conveyor track used to transport products through a pasteurizer is a beam or conveyor beam, where the conveyor track is formed by a number of parallel or odd rows of juxtaposed beams that follow each other in the transport direction , with the juxtaposed rows of beams overlapping each other in the length. By means of rod mechanisms connecting the support, the beams are alternated in such a way that the products are in each case raised by the even rows of beams and deposited in the rows of the odd beams that follow in the direction of transport, and so on. Such an apparatus is not only very expensive to buy and maintain, but also the opportunity for damage to the packaging and / or the product is substantial, because the product is increasingly elevated and deposited inside the pasteurizer. For reasons of cost, attempts have been made to design the transport track as an endless conveyor belt circulating in a transport direction between a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. Such a conveyor is known from US Patent 4,051,949. The conveyor is constructed of up to a large number of interconnected plastic modules, each constructed with up to a number of fins extending in parallel, in side-by-side relationship in the transport address. A number of these fins are provided with a raised flange. The upper sides of these raised ridges together constitute a substantially flanged conveyor surface, constructed of laterally stepped ridges that partially overlap in the direction of transport. Adjacent to the diverting or driving wheels, the products are transferred to or from the transport surface by means of a sliding device comprising a comb having a flat part bearing projections in the form of teeth. The teeth are projected between the raised ridges so that during unloading, the front products are transferred from the transport surface and are pushed towards the flat part of the comb via the teeth by the following products, while the second diverter wheel, the module continues its endless trajectory. During the supply of the products, the leading products are pushed, to the place of the first diverting wheel, from the flat part of the comb to the transport surface via the teeth by the second products. A disadvantage of the plastic, laminar transport mesh known is that due to the high temperatures at which the mesh is exposed in the pasteurizer, and due to the substantial thrust force exerted on the transport mesh, this mesh is insufficiently resistant to use and stretching. Another disadvantage of the known plastic transport mesh and of the known transport system is that they are not suitable for transporting the glass packages through the pasteurizer. As it is, during pasteurization, the pressure in the package increases. This can lead to a breakage of approximately 1% of the glass packages as a consequence of the marks or weak parts in the glass and / or a high degree of improper packaging filling. In the known transport mesh and in the known transport system, fragments of broken packaging glass obstruct the transport track with ridges, that is, between the flanges and / or the fins of the successive modules, causing the modules to damage each other and / or the diverting or driving wheels. In addition, the large, flat fragments of the glass falling through the spaces located between the fins and the modules and on the inner side of the return portions of the transport mesh, such that such fragments, when they reach a diverting wheel, damage the modules and / or the diverting wheel. The sliding device is also damaged. In particular, the teeth of the comb are broken or bent by the fragments of glass that clog between the flanges and / or the fins of the modules are an obstacle to the packaging. In addition, the glass fragments can accumulate under the flat portion of the comb of the sliding device, causing the comb to rise in the transport plane and the teeth forming an obstacle to the products. Hence, in practice, in a pasteurizer for products packaged in glass packaging, plastic meshes are used and / or such transport systems are hardly used as a transport track. This is also the case when plastic transport meshes and / or such transport systems are used in other circumstances where high requirements are placed on temperature resistance, wear resistance and firmness.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a firm, wear-resistant, temperature-resistant carrier mesh and a firm, wear-resistant and temperature-resistant transport system of the type mentioned in the first paragraph, particularly suitable to transport glass packages through the pasteurizer, which transport mesh and which transport system do not have the aforementioned disadvantages. For this purpose, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the modules each comprise a substantially flat upper surface on which at least one groove extending in the transport direction is provided, which at least one The groove has two side walls connected via a base, and the successive modules cooperate in such a way that the upper surfaces constitute a substantially flat transport surface and that the grooves together form at least one substantially straight groove extending in the direction of transport. in the length of the transport mesh on the transport surface and has substantially fused side walls. Thus, they provide among others, that few fragments fall through the module or get stuck in the module, while they are adjacent to the driving wheel, dirt and fragments can be easily, and with a considerably smaller chance of damage, be removed from the slot and discharged along the finger, by means of a spike that cooperates with the fused side walls of the slot. Via the openings through, you can download lots of glass, small dirt and water through the module. It is noted that in this context, "substantially fused" should be understood to mean at least to connect with a slight staggering or discontinuities.

In another embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that each articulation ring or hinge is provided with at least one slot. This allows, among other things, that the hinges of articulation be of a firm design. In addition, it is provided that when the mesh travels around the driving wheel, the breakwater or extension engages with the forwardmost part of the module in the transport direction, adjacent to the rotating shaft between the modules. In yet another embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that transversely to the conveying direction, the at least one groove has a substantially rectangular section 4, preferably that becomes wider towards the upper surface. It is thus provided that the opportunity for the fragments to obstruct the groove is further reduced, while fragments of glass and dirt can easily avoid clogging the grooves by grooves or extensions. In a further embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the base of the at least one slot is curved with a radius such that when the transport mesh travels around a driving wheel, the slot in that location forms a circular arc with the axis of the driving wheel as the center. It is thus provided that the breakwater or extension and / or the associated support body in the location of a driving wheel can rest against the groove and cut the groove against the entry of glass fragments. In addition, this provides that the breakwaters do not move up and down transversely to the transport surface due to the polygon effect or avoid the formation, caused by the polygon effect, of an opening and closing space under the breakwaters. The polygon effect occurs when due to the hardness of the individual modules, the transport mesh at the location of the driving wheel deforms into a polygon. After the rotation, this polygon has a radius that, in relation to the breakwaters, it increases and decreases each time. In another embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that transversely to the transport direction, the section of at least one slot is larger, adjacent to the front and / or rear side of the module adjacent to the center of the module . It is thus provided that the entrance of a breakwater which cooperates with the groove is facilitated if the breakwater is slightly oblique and / or dirt or glass is present in the groove, independently of the back and forth movement of the module in the direction of transport. In the following embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the at least part of the base of the at least one groove is curved with a radius such that when the transport mesh travels around a driving wheel , the groove that location substantially forms a circular arc with the axis of the driving wheel as center. It is thus provided that during that trip, when the modules rotate or tilt a merged base can be formed more quickly, so that the opportunity for the glass fragments to get stuck between the breakwaters and the base of the modules can be further reduced. In another embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the through openings, seen from a plane parallel to the transport surface, have rectangular, ellipsoidal, oval or round sections. It is thus provided that effectively water, dirt and glass portions can be effectively discharged through the openings. In yet another embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the through or through openings are provided in the base of the at least one slot. It is thus provided that water, dirt and portions of glass can flow from the bottom through the openings in the slot. In a following embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the through-through openings are at least provided on a part of the upper surface located next to the at least one groove. It is thus provided that water, dirt and portions of glass can be discharged from the flat upper side of the module. In another embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the module is on its front and rear sides provided with an equal number of hinges or articulation rings, which articulation hinges, in a direction transverse to the transport direction, a distance which is substantially equal to the width of the hinge or articulation ring is separated, so that the articulation hinges on the front and rear sides of the module are staggered in relation to each other by the width of an articulation hinge. It is provided that during the shortening of the transport mesh, minimally only one row of the modules has to be removed. This is particularly advantageous when the transport mesh forms an endless loop and the warpage of the transport mesh has to be avoided on the return side, as in a transport mesh forming a second or next floor in a pasteurizer. In yet another embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the articulation hinges each have a chamfer which touches the upper surface of the modules horizontally, with a radius of a constant magnitude, which extends outwardly. from the centerline of the articulation bolts, parallel to the transport direction, and that the spaces between the articulation rings or hinges are provided with a recess shaped to correspond with the chamfer. It is thus provided that the spaces between the articulation rings or hinges cover the articulation hinges of a module in the coupling location of the module rows. Due to the constant radius, it is further provided that the space between the successive modules remains constant also when the transport mesh is bent at the location of the driving wheels, as a result of which the glass fragments and the glass particles do not get stuck during bending of the transport mesh. This reduces the chance of module damage. In a further embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the hinge rings each comprise a hinge hole for receiving a hinge pin, the centerline of the hinge hole being located in less than half the height of the module. It is provided that when the glass fragments fall to the underlying return side of an endless conveyor belt, the opportunity for these glass fragments to get stuck in the space between the modules during the folding of the transport mesh at the location of the Drive wheel or diverter is reduced. In a further embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the modules each have their lower sides provided with at least one chamber to receive the teeth of the sprocket wheel, which chamber interconnects two rings or hinges of opposing articulations and in a direction transverse to the direction of transport, is located between two articulation hinges. It is thus provided that the modules are provided with a large actuating chamber, so that the opportunity for glass fragments that are stuck there to be small, while the module in the longitudinal direction is hard enough and can be mounted on a wheel catalina in two directions. In a further embodiment, the conveyor mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the chamber, seen from the underside of the module, has a substantial form of Z, the legs of the Z are each located adjacent to a ring or hinged articulation and forms a curved surface along which you can roll a tooth of a wheel catalina. It is provided so that the module can be operated in two directions. In another embodiment, the support mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the modules each have lower sides provided with hardness divisions extending in the transport direction. This increases the hardness in the longitudinal direction of the modules. In a further embodiment, the transport mesh according to the invention is characterized in that the module is made of plastic filled with glass, in particular polypropylene filled with glass. It is provided here that the flexibility of the module is reduced. Surprisingly, by using polypropylene filled with glass, a module sufficiently hard and resistant to fatigue is produced by means of a relatively inexpensive material. Preferably, the plastic of the module is filled with a glass containing at least 30% by volume of glass globules and / or glass fibers.

- - The transport system according to the invention is characterized in that each of the modules comprises a substantially flat upper surface in which at least one slot extends in the direction of transport, which at least one slot has two walls laterally connected via a base, and which successive modules cooperate in such a manner that the upper surfaces constitute a substantially flat conveying surface and that the grooves together form at least one substantially straight groove extending in the direction of transport over the length of the transport mesh on the transport surface and has substantially flexible or bent side walls for cooperation with a breakwater of the displacement device. Additional advantages of the transport mesh and the transport system are described in the subclaims. The invention will be further described with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in a drawing. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the transport system according to the invention; - - Figure 2 shows a cross section of the Figure 1 along line II-II; Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a transport mesh module of the transport system of Figure 1, seen from the top; Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a transport mesh module of the transport system of Figure 1, seen from the bottom; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a support body of the transport system of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a mounting block of the transport system of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a section of the module of Figure 3 along the line VII-VII; Figure 8 shows a section of the module of Figure 3 along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 3; Figure 9 shows a schematic cross section corresponding to Figure 7 of the travel of a transport mesh in successive angular positions; and Figure 10 shows a schematic cross-section corresponding to Figure 8 of the travel of a transport mesh in successive angular positions. The Figures are schematic representations of a preferred embodiment of the invention and serve only as illustrations. In the figures, the identical or corresponding parts are designated by the identical reference numbers. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a detail of the transport system 1 according to the invention is shown there. The transport system 1 comprises an endless transport mesh 2 traveling around the driving or diverting wheels. In Figures 1 and 2, only a portion of the transport mesh 2 is visible, adjacent to the "end" of the transport mesh 2 at the location where the transport mesh 2 travels around a diverting or driving wheel. The transport mesh 2 comprises a number of rows of plastic modules 4, which follow each other in a transport direction 3 and extend transversely towards the transport direction. In Figure 1, of each row, only one module 4 is shown. In the transport direction, the modules 4 each have a front side 6 and a rear side 7. On its front and rear sides 6, 7, the modules 4 are each provided with o-rings 8 of articulation. The articulation rings or hinges 8 of the modules 4 follow one another in the transport direction 3, cooperate and are coupled by means of hinge pins 9 extending transversely to the transport direction 3. The articulation bolts 9 extend transversely to the transport direction 3 through the width of the transport mesh 4 and are preferably manufactured from plastic. The upper surfaces 10 of the modules together constitute a transport surface 11. Preferably, the transport mesh 2 is constructed of rows of modules 4 whose lateral sides 12 are joined together, while the row modules 4 that follow each other in the transport direction 3 are formed in stages in relation to the others , in a pattern in the form of a set of bricks. The modules 4 are each provided with openings 13 passing from one side to the other and extending substantially transversely to the transport surface 11. It is noted that the "openings 13 extend substantially transverse to the transport surface 11" should be understood to include openings extending obliquely from the upper surface 10 to the lower side 37 of the module 4. The modules 4 have a upper surface 10 substantially flat in which the grooves 14 extend in the transport direction 3. The modules 4 are coupled in such a way that the transport surface 11 is substantially flat and comprises a number of substantially straight slots 15 extending in the direction 3 of transport on the length of the transport mesh 2 and which have substantially folding side walls, formed by lateral walls 29, 30 which are bent from the grooves 14 of the successive modules 4. The transport system 1 further comprises a sliding device 16 arranged adjacently to the driving wheel 5, for transferring, from the transport surface 11, products to be transported by the transport mesh 2 in the transport direction 3 to the driving wheel 5. The sliding device 16 comprises a number of substantially flat support bodies 17, each carrying a boom or end 18 at one end thereof and comprising, at an opposite end, a cylindrical holding member 19. By means of its clamping member 19, the support bodies 17 are joined in the adjustment openings 21 in the mounting block 20 in such a way that their respective booms 18 each cooperate with one of the grooves 15, while between bodies 17 of support an interspace 28 is presented. The operation of the transportation system is as follows. The products placed on the transport surface 11 of the transport mesh 2 are moved in the transport direction 3 by driving the driving wheel 5 in the direction of the arrow 22. As a result, the projections 23, 24 provided in FIG. outer circumference of the driving wheel 5 or diverter are coupled with the modules 4 in the chambers 26. In the location of the driving wheel or diverter, the modules 4 of the transport mesh 2 first follows the outer circumference 25 of the wheel 5 derivative or driver about 180 ° and subsequently follows the return side of the endless path. In the diverting or driving wheel 5, the products are transferred from the transport surface 11, via the sliding device 16. Indeed, at the location of the driving wheel 5, the booms or extensions 18 of the sliding device 16 project into the grooves 15, preferably in a position above or below the center line of the driving wheel 5, causing the products are placed in the transport direction 3 are transferred from the transport surface 11 by the following products, and are pushed by them, via the booms 18, on the upper side 27 of the support bodies 17, in the direction of the 20 assembly block. Next, the products are subsequently downloaded in a generally known manner. The products can be placed on a transport surface 11 by a sliding device 17 arranged adjacent to the first driving wheel (not shown), from which the sliding device of the extensions 18 projects in the transport direction 3 to the slots 15. For this purpose, the products are transferred, by products following a transport direction, onto the sides 27 of the upper part of the support bodies 17 and via the extensions 18, to the transport surface 11, while dirt, etc., falls in spaces 28 between support bodies 17. When the products are glass bottles and when the system 1 is used as a transport track in a pasteurizer as described above, a number of bottles will be broken during transport and due to the shape of the modules 2, the glass fragments and large pieces of waste will accumulate on the conveyor belt. The openings 13 passing from one side to the other of the modules 4 allow small parts of dirt and water and pieces of glass to be discharged from the transport surface 11 through the modules 4 during transport. The glass fragments and the larger pieces of dirt are removed from the transport surface by the extensions or fingers 18 and fall via the spaces 28 between the support bodies 17. If the open spaces 28 were obstructed between the support bodies 17, this would be directly noticeable by an observer, so that the open spaces can be cleaned from time to time. When a boom or extension 18 or a support body 17 is damaged or bent, for example due to a piece of glass fragment that has become stuck on the transport surface 11, this is similarly equally directly noticeable. A support body 17 whose extensions 18 are damaged or which is self-damaging, can be replaced by a unit by removing the support body 17 from the mounting block 20 in a manner that will be explained in more detail in the discussion of 20 assembly block. Since the side walls 29, 30 of the slots 14 in the successive modules 4 are connected to form slots 15 having side walls that bend, the fragments and the like can be easily removed by means of the extensions 18 and the risk of Clogging is small. In addition because the grooves connected via a base 31, the opportunity for glass fragments and the like to collapse is further reduced. Also because the bases 31 of the grooves are bent in the direction of transport in such a way that when they travel around, they bend sufficiently, the risk of breakage of the breakwaters caused by the fragments of glass that, during the trip, get stuck between the bases 31 and the breakwaters 18, it is also small. Referring to Figures 3-6, different parts of the transportation system will be discussed in more detail. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a module 4 is shown there. The upper surface 10 of the module 4 is substantially flat, allowing the products to be placed in a stable manner on the parts of the upper surface which are located between the grooves 14. The grooves 14 each have two side walls 29, 30 which are connected via a base 31, so that the opportunity for fragments falling through the module to be reduced. Transverse to the transport direction, the slots 4 have a trapezoidal section, which facilitates cooperation with a breakwater 18. The base 31 of the grooves 14 is at least partially curved with a radius 32 such that when the transport mesh 2 travels around of a driving wheel 5, the slot 15 in that location substantially forms a circular arc with the axes of the driving wheel 5 as center (Figure 2). This prevents the flow of water in the longitudinal direction of the groove 15 and prevents the groynes 18 from moving up and down relative to the transport surface 11 as a consequence of the polygon effect described above, and / or prevents the formation of a closing space and opening between the grooves 18 and the groove 15 The section of the grooves 14 transverse to the transport direction 3 adjacent to the front side 6 and to the rear side 7 of the module 4 is greater than adjacent the center 33 of the module 4, to facilitate the insertion of the breakwater 18 into the groove 14. Through the openings 13 passing from one side to the other are designed as rounded holes provided both in the upper surface 10 of the module 4 and in the base 31 of the slots 14 provided in the upper surface 10. In a direction parallel to the transport surface, the openings 13 passing from one side to the other have a larger dimension of less than 15 mm, preferably less 10 mm, in particular less than 7 mm.

It is thus provided that the opportunity for the fragments of glass to get stuck between the breakwaters and the openings passing from one side to another, is reduced. The module 4 has its front 6 and rear 7 sides provided with an equal number of hinge rings 8. In a direction transverse to the direction 3, the articulation rings 8 are spaced a distance which is substantially equal to the width of a joint ring 9, and on the front side 6 and rear side 7 of the module 4 are placed in a staggered manner in relation to each other by the width of an articulation ring or hinge. Consequently, in particular the cutting of the transport mesh requires the elimination of only one row at least of the modules 4. It is observed that the modules 4 whose articulation rings or hinges 8 are not placed in a staggered manner in relation to each other and / or which have an unequal number of joint rings 8 on the front side 6 and on the rear side 7, it is also possible within the scope of the claims. The articulation rings or hinges 8 are provided with a chamfer or molding 34 that touches the upper surface 10 of the module horizontally, with a -radio of a constant magnitude, extending outwardly from the center line of the hinge pins 9, parallel to the transport direction 3, while the spaces between the articulation rings or hinges 8 are provided with a recess 35 shaped to correspond with the chamfer 34. Thus, the transport mesh 2 also has a flat transport surface 11 in the location of the transitions between the rows of the modules 4. Moreover, during the bending or bending of the transport mesh 2, it avoids that the glass portions of the upper side 10 get stuck in the spaces between the modules 4. The rings or The articulation hinges 8 of the modules 4 have one an articulation hole 36 for accommodating an articulation pin 9. By giving the hinge hole 36 an elongated design, the mounting and dismounting of the hinge pins 9, among others, can be carried out in a simpler manner. The center lines of the hinge holes 36 are located at less than half the height of the modules 4, ie closer to the lower side 37 than to the upper surface 10, to avoid the action of the fractions or portions of glass from the bottom side. Referring to Figure 5, a support body 17 is shown there, which bears a spike 18. The support body 17 is preferably made of plastic. On its opposite side, the support body 17 comprises a fastening member 19. The support body 17 comprises a curved side 43 which cooperates with the curvature of the groove 15 in the transport mesh 2 at the location of the driving wheel 5 (Figure 2).

Preferably, the section of the spike 18 and the curved side 43 transverse to the transport direction 3 is designated to correspond to the slot 14, and is in particular trapezoidal, so that the spike 18 and the curved side 43 projects into the slot 15 against the intrusion of glass. The support body 17 has a flat upper side 27 for the transfer of products from the transport surface 11 in the direction of the mounting block 20. The holding member 19 has a larger diameter in its upper part 44 than in the lower side 45, which will be discussed in more detail in the discussion of the mounting block. The support body 17 further comprises an adjustment spigot 46 for cooperation with a corresponding recess 47 in the mounting block 20. The adjustment spigot 46 comprises a cover 48 which protects the adjustment spike 46 from glass fragments and similar particles falling on it, and which allows the adjustment spike 46 to be blocked in a condition pressed with a screwdriver to facilitate the adjustment. assembly / disassembly of the support body 17 in the assembly block 20. Referring to Figure 6, a mounting block 20 is shown there, having a number of parallel gripping openings 21, spaced apart in a transverse direction from the mounting block 20, comprising an upper row of holes 49 whose diameters are staggered from one large size to one small in a longitudinal direction thereof, a recess 47 and a lower row of holes 50. In the case of a wide transport mesh 2, a number of mounting blocks 20 are placed side by side, transverse to the transport direction 3 . The assembly block 20 is manufactured:preferably plastic. During the assembly of a support body 17 in the mounting block 20, the adjustment spigot 46 of that support body 17 is first fixed in a bent position by the passage of a bar, such as a screwdriver, between the spike 46 of adjustment and the cover 48. Next, the clamping member 19 is passed through one of the holes in the upper row of the holes 49, until the lower side 45 of the clamping member 19 is located in a corresponding hole. of the lower row of the holes 50. After removal of the screwdriver, the adjustment spigot 46 is bent to hold the clamping member 19 through the cooperation with the recesses 47. The disassembly procedure is in reverse order. It is also possible to provide the adjustment spigot 46 with a bevel by means of which, during insertion, the adjustment spigot 46 is bent into contact through an edge of the mounting block 20. In this case, the use of a bar during assembly is not necessary. After assembly of the support bodies 17 to the block 20, the support bodies 17 extend substantially parallel with the mutual interspaces 28, and each has its spike 28 projecting from the sliding device 16 into a slot 15, against transportation address 3 By giving the upper part 44 of the holding member 19 a diameter greater than that of the lower part 45, it is provided that the upper part of the holding member 19 contains sufficient material to create forces in the transport direction 3. By designing the upper row of the holes 49 so as to be in the mounting direction, they have a diameter that decreases in a preferably stepped manner, the material in the transverse direction of the mounting block 20 between the holes 49, 50 furthermore has sufficient strength and allows to cut the mounting block 20 in the transverse direction between the holes 49, 50. In this case, the material next to the hole 49 adjacent the edge is firm enough to support the support body 17 without being bent outward, which is not the case if the diameter is larger through the length of the holes 49. The mounting block 20 is further provided with two opposite slots 51, 52, which extend transversely to the transport direction 3 , so that the mounting block 20 can be mounted on a structure 53. Due to the temperature in the pasteurizer, the transport mesh 2 will expand, for example 10 mm per m at a high temperature? e 60 ° C. The slots 51, 52 have the advantage that after the expansion of the transport mesh 2, the mounting block 20 can slide transversely to the transport direction 3. The slot 51, 52 also allows the expansion of the mounting block 20 relative to the structure 53, due to heating, without the winding of the mounting block 20. Furthermore, through the use of the slots 51, 52, the transverse transport mesh 2 can be adjusted to the transport direction 3 due to the small differences in the width of the articulation rings or hinges 8 and the space between the rings of articulation of a module 4. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, it is shown there that a part 31A of the base 31 that extends over the joint rings 8 is curved with a radius of curvature R2, which compared to the radius of curvature Rl of an additional part of part 31B, is smaller and has a center of curvature P2 that is located closer to joint hole 36 of hinge ring 8 than to the center of curvature Pl of the other part 31B of the base 31. Preferably, the portions 31A, 31B of the base substantially bend with respect to each other. It is noted that the base 31 may comprise a plurality of curved portions. Referring to Figures 9 and 10, it is shown there that when the transport mesh 2 travels around the driving wheel 5 during the movement of the modules 4, a bending base 31 can be formed relatively quickly through the use of part 31B which is curved more strongly, as a result of which the change of damage to breakwater 18 caused by glass fragments stuck between successive modules 4 and breakwater 18 can be reduced. Advantageously, the support body 17 and / or the spurs 18 are provided with a curved edge 43 such that during travel around them, a space S of width is formed between the base 31 and the spike 18. .

This allows fragments that have slid under a first portion 18A of breakwater 18 to travel along with a small chance of damage, and subsequently be discharged. It is noted that the embodiment of the examples only refers to a preferred embodiment and that within the framework of the following claims, a greater number of modalities are possible.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the manufacture of the objects to which it refers.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (23)

1. - A transport mesh for transporting products in a transport direction between at least two driving or diverting wheels, comprising a number of plastic modules that follow each other in the transport direction and extend transversely to the transport direction , which modules, seen in the transport direction, each have front and rear sides provided with articulation rings or hinges, the articulation rings or hinges of the modules which follow each other in the direction of transport cooperate and are coupled by means of articulation bolts extending transversely to the transport direction, which modules are each provided with openings traversing from one side to the other, extending substantially transverse to the transport surface and from which modules the surfaces together, they constitute a transport surface, characterized in that the modules Each one comprises a substantially flat upper surface on which at least one groove extending in the direction of transport is provided, which at least one groove has two side walls connected via a base and the successive modules cooperate in such a way that the upper surfaces constitute a substantially flat conveying surface and that the grooves together form at least one substantially straight groove extending in the transport direction at the length of the transport mesh or mat on the transport surface and having side walls that bend substantially.

2. The transport mesh according to claim 1, characterized in that each articulation ring or hinge is provided with a maximum slot.

3. The transport mesh according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that transversely to the conveying direction, the at least one groove has a substantially rectangular section, preferably becoming wide towards the upper surface.

4. A transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base of the at least one groove is curved in the transport direction, such that during the travel around the driving wheel or diverter, the base of the modules successive are mixed or folded substantially.

5. A transport mesh according to claim 4, characterized in that at least a part of the base of the at least one groove is curved with a radius such that when the transport mesh travels around a driving or diverting wheel, the groove in that location it substantially forms a circular arc with the axis of the driving or diverting wheel as the center.

6. A mesh or transport mat according to claim 5, characterized in that a part of the base extending over the articulation ring or hinge is bent with a radius of curvature which, compared to the radius of curvature of an additional part. of the base, it is smaller and has a center of curvature that is located closer to the articulation hole than the center of curvature of the additional part of the base.

7. A mesh or transport mat according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rings or hinges each have a chamfer or molding that touches the upper surface of the modules horizontally, with a radius of a substantially constant magnitude, which is extends outward from the center line of the hinge pins, parallel to the transport direction, and that the spaces between the hinge rings are provided with a recess shaped to correspond to the chamfer or molding.

8. The transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation rings or hinges each comprise a hinge hole for accommodating a hinge pin, the center line of said hinge hole being located in less than half the height of the module.

9. A transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that transversely to the transport direction, the section of the at least one slot is larger adjacent to the front and / or rear side of the module adjacent to the center of the module.

10. A mesh or transport mat according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base of the at least one groove comprises means that block the flow.

11. A transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings passing from one side to the other, seen in a plane parallel to the transport surface, have a rectangular, ellipsoidal, oval or round section.

12. A transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings passing from one side to the other are provided at the base of the at least one groove.

13. A transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the openings passing from one side to the other are provided at least in a part of the upper surface located near the at least one slot, - -

14. A mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module has its front and rear sides provided with an equal number of articulation rings or hinges, which articulation rings, in a direction transverse to the direction of transport, are separated by a distance which is substantially equal to the width of a hinge ring or hinge, so that the hinge rings on the front and rear sides of the module are staggered relative to each other by the width of a ring or hinge of joint.

15. A transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules each have their lower sides provided with at least one chamber to receive the teeth of the driving or diverting wheel, which chamber interconnects two opposing articulation rings and, in a direction transverse to the direction of transport, it is located between two articulating rings or hinges.

16. A transport mesh according to claim 15, characterized in that the chamber, seen from the lower side of the movement, is substantially Z-shaped, while the legs of the Z are each located adjacent to a ring. of articulation and forms a curved surface along which a tooth of a driving or diverting wheel can be wound.

17. A transport mesh according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the modules each have their lower sides provided with hardening divisions that extend in the transport direction.

18. A transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module is made of glass filled with plastic, in particular polypropylene filled with glass.

19. A module, for use in a transport mesh according to any of the preceding claims.

20. A transport system, comprising a conveyor belt extending between at least two driving wheels or diverters, for transporting products between the driving wheels in a transport direction, which transport mesh comprises a number of plastic modules that they follow one another in the transport direction and extend transversely to the transport direction, which modules, seen in the transport direction, each have their front and rear sides provided with articulating rings or hinges, the rings or articulation hinges of the modules that follow one another in the direction of transport cooperate and are coupled by means of articulation bolts that extend transversely to the direction of transport, the upper surfaces of which modules together constitute a transport surface, and said modules are each provided with openings traversing from one side to the other, extending substantially transverse to the transport surface and the transport system further comprises a sliding or sliding device for transferring, adjacent to the driving wheel or diverter from or to the transport surface, the products transported by the transport mesh to or from the driving or diverting wheel, characterized in that the modules each comprise a substantially flat upper surface on which there is provided at least one slot extending in the transport direction, which at least one slot having two side walls connected via a base, and the successive modules cooperate in such a way that the surfaces superiors constitute a substantially flat transport surface and that the the grooves together form at least one substantially straight groove extending in the direction of transport over the length of the transport mesh on the transport surface and have side walls substantially mixed or bent to cooperate with a groove or extension of the skid device .

21. A transport system according to claim 20, characterized in that each hinge ring or hinge is provided with a maximum slot.

22. A transport system according to claims 20 to 21, characterized in that transversely to the transport direction, the at least one groove has a substantially rectangular section, preferably that becomes wider towards the upper surface.

23. A transport system according to any of claims 20-22, characterized in that the base of the at least one slot is bent in the transport direction, such that during travel around a driving or diverting wheel, the bases of the successive modules are mixed or folded substantially SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A transport mesh to transport products in a transport direction between at least two driving or diverting wheels. The transport mesh comprises a number of plastic modules that follow one another in the transport direction and extend transversely to the transport direction, which modules, seen in the transport direction, each have front and rear sides provided with articulation rings or hinges. The articulation rings or hinges of the successive modules in the conveying direction cooperate and are coupled by means of hinge pins extending transversely to the transport direction. The upper surfaces of the joints constitute a transport surface. The modules are each provided with openings traversing from one side to the other, extending substantially transverse to the transport surface, and with a substantially flat upper surface on which at least one groove is provided, extending in the direction Of transport. The modules are coupled so that the transport surface comprises a substantially straight slot extending in the transport direction over the length of the transport mesh. The at least one slot is preferably provided with two side walls connected via a base.