WO2022198102A1 - Conveyor module, small fragments of which are magnetically and x-ray detectable - Google Patents
Conveyor module, small fragments of which are magnetically and x-ray detectable Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022198102A1 WO2022198102A1 PCT/US2022/021037 US2022021037W WO2022198102A1 WO 2022198102 A1 WO2022198102 A1 WO 2022198102A1 US 2022021037 W US2022021037 W US 2022021037W WO 2022198102 A1 WO2022198102 A1 WO 2022198102A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- polyketone resin
- powder
- stainless steel
- conveyor module
- steel powder
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 98
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 98
- 229920001470 polyketone Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 92
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 67
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium sulfate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 43
- 230000005291 magnetic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fe2+ Chemical compound [Fe+2] CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 31
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000013329 compounding Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 229920001897 terpolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene Natural products CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 125000004805 propylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 229910000640 Fe alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 2
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 21
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 16
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 14
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 13
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 12
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 12
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 11
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 11
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 11
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 11
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 11
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 8
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 8
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920006324 polyoxymethylene Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 229930182556 Polyacetal Natural products 0.000 description 5
- 229920013716 polyethylene resin Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 5
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000013372 meat Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000010965 430 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 3
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 2
- KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Palladium Chemical compound [Pd] KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- KFSLWBXXFJQRDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Peracetic acid Chemical compound CC(=O)OO KFSLWBXXFJQRDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920013686 Poketone Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
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- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005298 paramagnetic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000011012 sanitization Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000251468 Actinopterygii Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000283690 Bos taurus Species 0.000 description 1
- 101000937129 Drosophila melanogaster Cadherin-related tumor suppressor Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 208000019331 Foodborne disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 241000287828 Gallus gallus Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000005355 Hall effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229930040373 Paraformaldehyde Natural products 0.000 description 1
- KJTLSVCANCCWHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ruthenium Chemical compound [Ru] KJTLSVCANCCWHF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 241000282887 Suidae Species 0.000 description 1
- DHKHKXVYLBGOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetaldehyde Diethyl Acetal Natural products CCOC(C)OCC DHKHKXVYLBGOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000002777 acetyl group Chemical class [H]C([H])([H])C(*)=O 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010775 animal oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052788 barium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- DSAJWYNOEDNPEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N barium atom Chemical compound [Ba] DSAJWYNOEDNPEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000011956 best available technology Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013330 chicken meat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
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- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006355 external stress Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- SZVJSHCCFOBDDC-UHFFFAOYSA-N ferrosoferric oxide Chemical compound O=[Fe]O[Fe]O[Fe]=O SZVJSHCCFOBDDC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002923 metal particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008520 organization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000002524 organometallic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229910052762 osmium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SYQBFIAQOQZEGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N osmium atom Chemical compound [Os] SYQBFIAQOQZEGI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004965 peroxy acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000000864 peroxy group Chemical group O(O*)* 0.000 description 1
- 239000000825 pharmaceutical preparation Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940127557 pharmaceutical product Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000005191 phase separation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000088 plastic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004014 plasticizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012255 powdered metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000021067 refined food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052707 ruthenium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004901 spalling Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011882 ultra-fine particle Substances 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B9/00—Making granules
- B29B9/12—Making granules characterised by structure or composition
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/002—Methods
- B29B7/007—Methods for continuous mixing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/30—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices
- B29B7/58—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/72—Measuring, controlling or regulating
- B29B7/726—Measuring properties of mixture, e.g. temperature or density
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/80—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29B7/88—Adding charges, i.e. additives
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J3/00—Processes of treating or compounding macromolecular substances
- C08J3/20—Compounding polymers with additives, e.g. colouring
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/00—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/02—Elements
- C08K3/08—Metals
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/00—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/30—Sulfur-, selenium- or tellurium-containing compounds
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/30—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices
- B29B7/34—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices
- B29B7/38—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices rotary
- B29B7/40—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices rotary with single shaft
- B29B7/42—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices rotary with single shaft with screw or helix
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B7/00—Mixing; Kneading
- B29B7/30—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices
- B29B7/34—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices
- B29B7/38—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices rotary
- B29B7/46—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices rotary with more than one shaft
- B29B7/48—Mixing; Kneading continuous, with mechanical mixing or kneading devices with movable mixing or kneading devices rotary with more than one shaft with intermeshing devices, e.g. screws
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29B—PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS
- B29B9/00—Making granules
- B29B9/02—Making granules by dividing preformed material
- B29B9/06—Making granules by dividing preformed material in the form of filamentary material, e.g. combined with extrusion
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J2373/00—Characterised by the use of macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a linkage containing oxygen or oxygen and carbon in the main chain, not provided for in groups C08J2359/00 - C08J2371/00; Derivatives of such polymers
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/00—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/02—Elements
- C08K3/08—Metals
- C08K2003/0856—Iron
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/00—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K3/30—Sulfur-, selenium- or tellurium-containing compounds
- C08K2003/3045—Sulfates
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to a conveyor system, and, more particularly, to a conveyor system in which conveyor modules are manufactured from a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer, stainless steel powder, and, optionally, barium sulfate powder, small fragments of which module are X-Ray and/or magnetically detectable.
- Low friction, wear resistant polymeric materials are used in modular plastic conveyor belt modules in numerous industries.
- most conventional modular plastic conveyor belt modules are molded using polypropylene (“PP”), polyethylene (“PE”), or polyoxymethylene (“POM” aka acetal).
- PP polypropylene
- PE polyethylene
- POM polyoxymethylene
- the environment and use conditions of the conveyor dictate which polymer is best suited for a given conveyor.
- Environmental conditions include ambient temperature, temperature swings such as hot to cold, humidity, immersion in liquid treatment baths, and chemical cleaning solutions.
- Use conditions can be described as speed of the conveyor, direction of travel and contact pressure of the conveyor belt module against contact surfaces.
- Conveyor belt modules are exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,545 Bl, issued on November 14, 2006, to Chris Smith, and U.S. Pat. No. 10,773,896 Bl, issued on September 15, 2020, to Chris Smith, both of which patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- Polyamides, polyacetal and polyester have various coefficient of friction ratings which are ideal in sliding or rubbing applications like conveyors depending on product being conveyed.
- the protein market includes processing plants for the conversion of chickens, hogs, cattle, and fish into consumer products. Food safety to prevent foodborne illness and to prevent foreign material contamination is of utmost importance.
- Conveyor modules manufactured from such polymers may, over time, through normal wear, cutting directly on modules, neglect, and/or by incidental impact, degenerate such that small fragments and particulates from the conveyor modules become integrated into the food products. These contaminants can be dangerous as choking hazards. If a piece of belt breaks off and gets into the food chain, the costs to the food processor can be in the 10’s of millions of dollars. All the product from a particular production run must be recalled and disposed at the processor’s expense. Recently, the USDA issued new guidelines for “foreign body contamination” recalls and the steps necessary to comply. The example the USDA used was what would happen if a piece of a modular plastic conveyor belt broke off and got into the food chain. This is a huge issue that is costing food companies billions of dollars each year.
- the plastics may contain organometallic catalysts and plasticizers that can degrade the pharmaceutical product.
- Food contaminates such as wood and cloth and conveyor contaminates can be harmful to humans and/or animals that consume the meat or other food products.
- X-ray Another way to detect conveyor fragments and particulate in meat and food being processed is by X-ray.
- X-ray is only effective if the X-ray image of the conveyor particulate is distinguishable from the meat or food product being conveyed. Therefore, it is necessary to include an X-ray opaque substance in sufficient proportions into the plastic conveyor resin to render a fragment of the conveyor X-ray detectable.
- Barium sulfate is known as an additive for use with polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) resin to render the molded plastic conveyor fragments detectable by X-rays.
- the present invention accordingly, provides a novel thermoplastic polymer that overcomes the serious drawbacks described above in the protein market conveyors.
- This new thermoplastic polymer aliphatic polyketone resin, referred to herein as polyketone resin
- polyketone resin does not swell with moisture, is unaffected by aqueous low pH acids, and withstands exposure to peroxy acids with early immeasurable effect.
- this polymer has frictional properties that are superior to polyacetal, polyamides and polyester in protein market conveyors.
- the physical properties of polyketone resin including melting point, molecular weight, percent mold shrinkage, and degree of crystallinity enable polyketone resin to be used in existing injection molds, avoiding the need for expensive capital investment for new injection molds.
- polyketone resin As is typical with many polymers, polyketone resin is produced in high, medium, and low molecular weight ranges. In the protein market, it has been shown that high molecular weight polyketone resin provides the most desirable performance in friction, wear resistance, toughness retention, and high impact resistance. It is known to those skilled in the art that the melt flow rate of a polymer is inversely proportional to its molecular weight. Specifically, polyketone resin with a melt flow of less than 2 grams/10 minutes, measured at 240°C, performs well in protein conveyors, and a polyketone resin polymer with a melt flow rate of 2 - 4 grams/10 minutes is the most optimal flow and molecular weight.
- polyketone resin does not become brittle after repeated exposure to the acidic peroxy sanitizers now used in the protein market. Therefore, polyketone resin conveyors do not generate small pieces of plastic when they break, which inherently contributes to higher confidence in preventing foreign matter contamination in food.
- a relatively high concentration of stainless steel powder, without barium, when added to the polyketone resin makes the belt modules both X-ray and magnetically (also referred to as “metal”) detectable.
- This “single additive” also reduces the issue of increased brittleness of the belt module.
- the single additive also reduces cost to produce.
- a “1.5 mm ferrous equivalent” may be obtained for belt modules. This means that if a piece of belt breaks off, the detection equipment can detect a piece that is approximately as small as a 1.5 mm metal sphere.
- the polyketone resin in the molding process, is dried prior to molding to properly mold the parts.
- the resin is preferably “compounded” prior to molding instead of being “batch mixed” with the stainless steel powder and possibly colorant in the molding machine.
- “Compounding” entails properly mixing the polyketone resin and the stainless steel powder into homogeneous pellets. Thousands of such pellets are then melted in the injection process to form one or more belt modules. The mold pressure, mold temperature, water temperature, and cycle times are adjusted to properly mold the parts.
- An advantage of the various embodiments of the disclosed invention is that the modules of a conveyor system are both X-ray and magnetically detectable. Another advantage of the disclosed invention is that it is less expensive to manufacture than other products with this capability. Another advantage of the disclosed invention is that it provides a conveyor with a higher modulus of elasticity than other X-ray and magnetically detectable conveyor products.
- Another advantage of the disclosed invention is that it provides a conveyor with a higher impact resistance than other X-ray and magnetically detectable conveyor products, and will therefore resist breaking and spalling on incidental contact.
- Another advantage of the disclosed invention is that it provides a conveyor with a higher chemical resistance than other X-ray and magnetically detectable conveyor products, as such conveyor products are exposed to harsh chemicals during cleaning operations.
- barium sulfate is added to the polyketone resin with the stainless steel powder to enhance X-ray detectability and, surprisingly, to significantly reduce the quantity of stainless steel required to render small fragments of a conveyor module to be magnetically and X-ray detectable.
- barium sulfate is added to the polyketone resin with the stainless steel powder to enhance X-ray detectability and, surprisingly, to significantly reduce the quantity of stainless steel required to render small fragments of a conveyor module to be magnetically and X-ray detectable.
- PP polypropylene
- PE polyethylene
- FIGURE 1 is a flow chart depicting steps at a high level for producing material for forming conveyor modules in accordance with principles of the invention.
- FIGURE 2 is a flow chart depicting, in greater detail, one step of the flow chart of FIG. 1 in accordance with principles of the invention.
- polyketone resin includes the compounds “polyketone”, “POKETONE ® ”, “POK”, and “POK resin”.
- a conveyor module can be produced that is both X-ray and magnetically detectable and that retains superior performance characteristics over conventionally known modules designed for this purpose.
- a conveyer module can be produced by forming the module using a thermoplastic polymer, namely, a polyketone resin, such as produced by Hyosung Chemical in Seoul, South Korea, under the tradename of POKETONE ® , also referred to as “POK”.
- a terpolymer polyketone resin is preferred, or, alternatively, an aliphatic polyketone resin may be used.
- a terpolymer polyketone resin comprising ethylene, carbon monoxide, and propylene in an approximate ratio of 47.5:47.5:5, respectively, in the polymer backbone.
- the propylene preferably constitutes about 2% to 12% of the terpolymer polyketone resin, with the ratio of carbon monoxide to ethylene preferably being approximately 1:1.
- the preferred melt flow rate for the polyketone resin is about 2.5 g/10 minutes measured at 240°C, per ASTM D1238. Such a melt flow rate imparts an optimal balance of processability and mechanical toughness of the final article. Alternatively, the melt flow rate may vary in an operable range of 2.5 - 70 g/10 minutes, measured at 240°C, per ASTM D 1238.
- the magnetic and/or the X-ray susceptibility and detectability of a small fragment of a conveyor module formed from polyketone resin may be enhanced by compounding a mixture of the polyketone resin with a ferrous metal powder, such as iron powder, iron alloys, any 400 series stainless steel powder (preferably 409 or 430 stainless steel), any high nickel content stainless steel powder, such as a 300 series stainless steel ( e.g ., 304, 316, or 320), and the like.
- a ferrous metal powder such as iron powder, iron alloys, any 400 series stainless steel powder (preferably 409 or 430 stainless steel), any high nickel content stainless steel powder, such as a 300 series stainless steel ( e.g ., 304, 316, or 320), and the like.
- Polyketone resin accepts a higher weight percent of stainless steel additive compared to other plastics, and it still retains a higher percentage of mechanical properties with the stainless steel added.
- the amount of ferrous metal powder should be small enough so as not to materially affect properties associated with the function of the polyketone resin, but be large enough to enhance the magnetic and/or X-ray susceptibility and detectability of the conveyor module. Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of 400 series stainless steel powder effective for enhancing both magnetic and X-ray detectability, by weight of the mixture with polyketone resin, is from about 8% to about 60%, typically, from about 12% to about 45%, and preferably, from about 15% to about 30%:
- the X-ray detectability of small fragments of a conveyor module formed from polyketone resin may also be enhanced by compounding a mixture of the polyketone resin with barium sulfate powder, preferably comprising barium sulfate particles having a size from about 0.5 to about 500 microns and, typically, from about 1 to about 100 microns and, preferably, about 1 micron in diameter.
- barium sulfate may be added to the polyketone resin without rendering the polyketone resin brittle, which is surprising since barium sulfate renders polypropylene (PP) resin and polyethylene (PE) resin brittle.
- the amount of barium sulfate powder should be small enough so as not to materially affect properties associated with the function of the polyketone resin, but be large enough to enhance the X-ray detectability of the conveyor module. Accordingly, the amount of barium sulfate powder effective to enhance X-ray detectability, by weight of the mixture with polyketone resin, is from about 2% to about 50%, and typically, from about 10% to about 40%, and preferably, from about 20% to about 26%.
- both the magnetic and X-ray detectability of small fragments of a conveyor module formed from polyketone resin may be further enhanced by compounding a mixture of the polyketone resin with both a ferrous metal powder (e.g., 400 series stainless steel powder) and barium sulfate powder.
- a ferrous metal powder e.g. 400 series stainless steel powder
- barium sulfate powder The amount of stainless steel powder and barium sulfate powder should be small enough so as not to materially affect properties associated with the function of the polyketone resin, but be large enough to enhance the magnetic susceptibility and X-ray detectability of the conveyor module.
- the amount of 400 series stainless steel powder needed for enhancing magnetic detectability, by weight of the mixture with polyketone resin would be from about 4% to about 40%, and typically, from about 6% to about 30%, and preferably, from about 8% to about 20%.
- the 400 series stainless steel powder is preferably 409 stainless steel powder or 430 stainless steel powder.
- the 409 and 430 stainless steel powders are preferred as they allow for the best balance of magnetic detection at the lowest weight percent in the polymer, while providing very good oxidation resistance.
- the 300 series stainless steel powder which is traditionally not attracted to a magnet, could be used, but the loading (weight percent) for metal detectability would need to be increased to an amount ranging from about 15% to about 60% by weight of the mixture and, typically, from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the mixture and, preferably, from about 24% to about 40% by weight of the mixture.
- 300 series would need to be added at 26% by weight. However, at 26% loading, both cost and mechanical performance are adversely affected.
- the amount of 300 series stainless steel powder effective for enhancing magnetic and X-ray detectability, by weight of the mixture with polyketone resin, would be from about 18% to about 60%, and typically, from about 23% to about 43%, and preferably, from about 26% to about 35%.
- Iron powder works extremely well for magnetic detection, but is highly prone to oxidation (rusting) in use and can stain food on a conveyor.
- Iron oxide black (Fe+3) provides magnetic and X-ray detection action, and doesn’t stain food, but it renders the polyketone resin black which is not acceptable by the USDA in food plants.
- Amounts of iron powder effective to enhance magnetic detectability, by weight of the mixture with polyketone resin, are from about 0.3% to about 50%, and typically, from about 0.4% to about 40%, and preferably, from about 0.5% to about 30%.
- the stainless steel powder preferably has a particle size of about 100 mesh or smaller, or, alternatively, in the range of 100 mesh to 325 mesh. Larger particle size powders, e.g ., in the range of 60-80 mesh (170-250 microns), will decrease mechanical impact incrementally compared to 100-325 mesh powders, while still imparting useful detectability qualities in both X-ray and metal detection devices. Alternatively, ultra-fine particle sizes, less than 325 mesh, pose dust explosion and fire hazards for the compounder, as well as higher cost than larger size particles.
- FIGURES 1 and 2 are flow charts 100 and 102 setting forth steps in a method for making a mixture of polyketone resin with an additive for use in forming conveyor modules.
- step 102 a given amount of an additive powder is preferably extrusion compounded into the polyketone resin to form homogeneous, cylindrical pellets, or the like. Extrusion compounding is preferred over injection molding because injection molding machines do not provide the same high degree of homogeneity in distributive mixing of additives into polymer. Also, phase separation readily occurs when trying to blend plastic resin and the considerably more dense additive. Further, injection molding machines do not allow for gravimetric addition of additives, like an extrusion compounder. Step 102 is described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 2.
- step 104 the resin pellets are dried prior to molding. Drying the resin, in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art, prior to molding is necessary for creating a blemish free exterior surface of the molded conveyor module.
- step 106 a number of pellets, sufficient to form a conveyor belt module, are melted in an injection process to form the conveyor belt module.
- the mold pressure, molding temperature, water temperature, cycle times, and other such parameters to perform this step are considered to be well-known to those skilled in the art, and so will not be described in further detail herein.
- step 202 a twin screw, or optionally single screw, continuous compounding extruder is preferably used to melt polyketone resin into a molten polymer. It may be appreciated that other forms of melt mixing, such as batch mixing, may be used in step 202, as known to those skilled in the art.
- step 204 stainless steel powder, in quantities discussed above, is added precisely and gravimetrically, or alternatively, volumetrically, to the molten polymer.
- step 206 barium sulfate powder, in quantities discussed above, is optionally added precisely and gravimetrically, or alternatively, volumetrically, to the molten polymer.
- stainless steel powder and barium sulfate powder may be mixed and added together in step 204, rendering step 206 moot.
- colorant is optionally added to the molten polymer.
- the molten polymer is preferably extruded as strands, which may, for example, be diced into pellets, or directly die-face cut into pellets.
- step 212 the strands are cooled and preferably cut ( e.g ., diced, chopped) into homogeneous pellets, which pellets are preferably cylindrical pellets. Execution then proceeds to step 104 (FIG. I).
- conveyor modules may be formed, small fragments of which are detectable by X-ray and by magnetic sensors (e.g., Hall effect sensor, magnetometer, and the like), meeting a 1.5 mm ferrous calibration standard. Further, compared to the prior art, such modules have been shown to have higher impact resistance, higher abrasion resistance, higher chemical resistance, and a lower coefficient of product release.
- magnetic sensors e.g., Hall effect sensor, magnetometer, and the like
- the additive in steps 204 and 206 may consist of barium sulfate powder (with no stainless steel powder) to thereby enable X-ray detection only.
- the additive in steps 204 and 206 may consist of stainless steel powder (with no barium sulfate powder) to thereby enable magnetic detection only.
- paramagnetic metals may be used in place of stainless steel and other ferrous metals, such as Group 8 metals, including ruthenium and osmium, and Group 10 metals, including the triad of nickel, palladium and platinum. While such other paramagnetic metals are technically susceptible to X-ray and magnetic detection, they are costly and/or pose health issues.
Abstract
Description
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CA3214300A CA3214300A1 (en) | 2021-03-19 | 2022-03-18 | Conveyor module, small fragments of which are magnetically and x-ray detectable |
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US17/206,663 | 2021-03-19 | ||
US17/206,663 US20230416002A1 (en) | 2020-03-19 | 2021-03-19 | Conveyor Module, Small Fragments of Which are Magnetically and X-Ray Detectable |
US17/376,123 | 2021-07-14 | ||
US17/376,123 US20220002517A1 (en) | 2020-03-19 | 2021-07-14 | Conveyor Module Having Magnetically and X-Ray Detectable Fragments |
US17/698,958 | 2022-03-18 | ||
US17/698,958 US20220206183A1 (en) | 2020-03-19 | 2022-03-18 | Conveyor Module, Small Fragments of Which are Magnetically and X-Ray Detectable |
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Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2006069007A2 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2006-06-29 | Meridian Research And Development | Radiation detectable and protective articles |
US20090326114A1 (en) * | 2006-08-25 | 2009-12-31 | Sonja Grothe | Barium sulfate-containing composite |
US20120241589A1 (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2012-09-27 | Martin Robert H | Electromagnetic spectrally detectable plastic packaging components |
WO2016190596A2 (en) * | 2015-05-27 | 2016-12-01 | (주)효성 | Industrial polyketone product comprising polyketone fibers and method for manufacturing same |
US20200080236A1 (en) * | 2017-05-30 | 2020-03-12 | Perlon Gmbh | Polyketone Fibers, Production and Use Thereof |
-
2022
- 2022-03-18 WO PCT/US2022/021037 patent/WO2022198102A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-03-18 CA CA3214300A patent/CA3214300A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2006069007A2 (en) * | 1998-12-07 | 2006-06-29 | Meridian Research And Development | Radiation detectable and protective articles |
US20090326114A1 (en) * | 2006-08-25 | 2009-12-31 | Sonja Grothe | Barium sulfate-containing composite |
US20120241589A1 (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2012-09-27 | Martin Robert H | Electromagnetic spectrally detectable plastic packaging components |
WO2016190596A2 (en) * | 2015-05-27 | 2016-12-01 | (주)효성 | Industrial polyketone product comprising polyketone fibers and method for manufacturing same |
US20200080236A1 (en) * | 2017-05-30 | 2020-03-12 | Perlon Gmbh | Polyketone Fibers, Production and Use Thereof |
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