DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a guide structure for guiding one or more chains of an article conveyor.

Prior-Art Discussion

An article conveyor typically comprises a movable closed-loop support element adapted to support the articles to be conveyed, and drive elements (for example, electric motors, pinions and cogwheels) for moving the support element along a predefined path (thereby allowing the articles supported thereon to be conveyed).

A common type of conveyor makes use of one or more chains as support element, which typically is configured in such a way to flex/bend upward and downward (for example, so as to be moved around pinions and cogwheels), and to curve rightward and leftward along conveying path.

Along specific sections of the conveying path, such as non-rectilinear forward and/or return sections of the conveying path (for example, along a curve), the article conveyors are typically provided with forward and/or return guide structures for guiding the chain/chains in a smooth and stable manner. Each guide structure typically comprises one or more guide channels, each guide channel being intended to guide a respective chain.

In view of the great variety of the required number of guide channels it is currently common to mill a slab of a low-friction, wear resistant plastic material, such as for example UHMWPE, so that the required guide channels remain.

EP0903307 discloses a magnetic guide for a chain conveyor comprising a U-shaped member made of a low-friction, wear resistant plastic material, having a guide channel, and a base member, made of a relatively low cost material, on which the U-shaped member is assembled.

Summary of the Invention

The Applicant has noticed that the known solutions of guide structures, although saving on material costs, require significantly increased costs for assembly and machining.

Considering for example EP0903307, the Applicant has found that the need of reinforcing members, in the form of teeth, intended to prevent bending of the U-shaped member upon screwing on the base member, involves complex and costly machining. In fact, in order to manufacture the U-shaped member and the teeth, the solution of EP0903307 requires multiple positioning and complex machining of the slab of material at both top and bottom sides thereof.

In addition, since the U-shaped member and the teeth are made by removal of material from a slab, waste of material is significant. This issue is exacerbated by the fact that a relatively expensive material is used for the U-shaped member.

The Applicant has devised a solution of guide structures for chains for article conveyors able to overcome the above-mentioned, as well as other, issues.

In particular, one or more aspects of the present invention are indicated in the independent claims, with advantageous features of the same invention that are indicated in the dependent claims, whose text is incorporated herein verbatim by reference.

More specifically, an aspect of the present invention proposes a guide structure for a chain for an article conveyor. The guide structure comprises a guide portion for guiding the chain along a first direction identifying a direction of movement of the chain. The guide portion has a guide portion first surface that, in use, faces the chain, and a guide portion second surface opposite the guide portion first surface. The guide portion comprises at least two rails each one extending, along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, from the guide portion first surface to a guide portion third surface that, in use, faces the chain, each pair of rails delimiting, along a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, a respective guide channel for at least partly accommodating the chain. Each guide channel has side walls formed by side walls of said pair of rails and a bottom wall forming said first surface. The guide structure also comprises a base portion for supporting the guide portion. The base portion has a base portion first surface that, in use, faces the guide portion second surface, and a base portion second surface opposite said base portion first surface. The base portion is made of a first material and the guide portion is made of a second material different from the first material. The guide structure further comprises fastening means for fastening the guide portion and the base portion to each other at one or more of said at least two rails.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide portion comprises holes extending, along the second direction, into the rails between the first and third surfaces of the guide portion. Said fastening means is preferably adapted to be fitted into said holes and into the base portion for allowing the guide portion to be fastened to the base portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base portion comprises holes extending into the base portion between the base portion first and second surfaces. Preferably, upon superposition of the guide portion second surface to the base portion first surface, holes of the guide portion match respective holes of the base portion. More preferably, said fastening means is adapted to be fitted further into the holes of the base portion for allowing the guide portion to be fastened to the base portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the holes of the guide portion comprise through holes opening to both said first and third surfaces of the guide portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said holes of the base portion comprise through holes opening to both said first and second surfaces of the base portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base portion comprises at least one seat for housing magnetic interaction means of the guide structure adapted in use to magnetically interact with magnetic interaction means of the chain to cause a magnetic attraction of the chain to the guide structure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide structure is a return guide structure for guiding the chain along at least a portion of a return section of the conveyor path of the article conveyor. Said at least one seat preferably extends from the base portion first surface towards the base portion second surface. More preferably, upon fastening of the guide portion to the base portion said guide portion covers the at least one seat thereby preventing liquids, sludge and dirt from contacting the magnetic interaction means housed therein.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said magnetic interaction means of the guide structure comprises at least one pair of permanent magnets magnetically coupled to a plate in ferromagnetic material. Each pair of permanent magnets and the respective plate in ferromagnetic material preferably define a horseshoe magnet.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide structure is a forward guide structure for guiding the chain along at least a portion of a forward section of the conveyor path of the article conveyor. Said at least one seat preferably extends from the base portion second surface towards the base portion first surface. Preferably, the guide structure further comprises at least one lid, preferably a removable lid, for closing the at least one seat thereby preventing liquids, sludge and dirt from contacting the magnetic interaction means housed therein and the magnetic interaction means housed therein from falling down.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said magnetic interaction means of the guide structure comprises at least one pair of permanent magnets. Said lid is advantageously made of ferromagnetic material, each pair of permanent magnets and the lid of ferromagnetic material preferably defining a horseshoe magnet.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide structure further comprises a further guide portion, preferably made of the second material, having a further guide portion first surface that, in use, faces the chain, and a further guide portion second surface opposite the further guide portion first surface. The further guide portion preferably comprises at least two rails each one extending, along the second direction, from the further guide portion first surface to a further guide portion third surface that, in use, faces the chain. Each pair of rails preferably delimit, along the third direction, a respective guide channel for at least partly accommodating the chain. Preferably, the base portion is also arranged for supporting the further guide portion, the base portion second surface facing, in use, the further guide portion second surface. More preferably, the guide structure comprises further fastening means for fastening the further guide portion and the base portion to each other at said at least two rails of the further guide portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base portion comprises at least two further rails each one extending, along the second direction, from the base portion second surface to a base portion third surface. Each pair of rails preferably delimit, along the third direction, a respective guide channel for at least partly accommodating the chain. Said at least two further rails are preferably formed in a single piece with the base portion. The fastening means preferably fasten the guide portion and the base portion to each other at said at least two rails of the guide portion and at said at least two further rails of the base portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second material has a coefficient of friction lower than the coefficient of friction of the first material, and/or a wear resistance higher than the wear resistance of the first material.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the guide portion second surface is a flat surface.

Brief Description of the Figure

One or more embodiments of the present invention, as well as further features and the related advantages, will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description, given purely by way of non-limitative example only, to be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures (wherein corresponding elements are indicated with the same or similar references and their explanation is not repeated for the sake of brevity). In particular:

Figure 1A shows a perspective exploded view of a forward guide structure for an article conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 1 B, 1C and 1D show a perspective view, a close-up perspective partially-exploded view and a sectional front view, respectively, of said forward guide structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 1E and 1F show bottom and top perspective views, respectively, of a guide portion of said forward guide structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 1G and 1H show top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a base portion of said forward guide structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2A and 2B show a perspective view and a close-up perspective exploded view, respectively, of a return guide structure for an article conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2C and 2D show bottom and top perspective views, respectively, of a base portion of said return guide structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2E shows top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a guide portion of said return guide structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3A and 3B show a perspective partly exploded view and a perspective exploded view, respectively, of a forward and return guide structure for an article conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3C show a perspective sectional view of said forward and return guide structure;

Figure 3D shows a perspective sectional view of a base portion of said forward and return guide structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 4A and 4B show a perspective view and a perspective exploded view, respectively, of a forward and return guide structure for an article conveyor according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4C shows a perspective view of a base portion of said forward and return guide structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 4D shows a perspective sectional view of said forward and return guide structure.

Description of Embodiments of the Invention

With references to the drawings, guides structures for an article conveyor according to embodiments of the present invention are shown.

In the following, directional terminology (for example, top, bottom, upper, lower, side, central, longitudinal, transverse, vertical) associated with the guide structures and components thereof will be used in relation to the intended orientation of use {i.e., the orientation upon installation and operation of an article conveyor comprising such guide structures). The article conveyor, not shown, typically comprises one or more movable chains, briefly discussed later on by referring only to functional elements deemed relevant for the understanding of the present invention, drive elements (for example, electric motors, pinions and cogwheels, not shown) for moving/driving the chain(s) along a predefined path (i.e. along a respective forward - for example, upper - section that allows the articles to be conveyed, and/or along a respective return - for example, lower - section), and a guide structure for guiding the chain(s) along said path.

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be discussed by making explicit reference to curved guide structures. This exemplification descends from the fact that typically the guide structures are intended to perform their functions in path portions in which chain instability is expected, such as, for instance, in curved path portions. In any case, the principles of the present invention equivalently apply to straight guide structures.

With reference first to Figure 1A, it shows a perspective exploded view of a guide structure 100 for guiding chains along the forward section (thus referred to as forward guide structure hereinafter), according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following, for ease of description, Figure 1A will be discussed jointly with Figures 1 B, 1C and 1 D, which show a perspective view, a close-up perspective partially-exploded view, and a sectional front view, respectively, of the forward guide structure 100.

As visible in the figures, the forward guide structure 100 comprises a guide portion 105 for guiding a number H of chains Ch (ft=1 , ...H, with H≥ 1 , H = 4 in the example at issue), illustrated in Figure 1 D, along a longitudinal direction X identifying the direction of movement of the chains Ch, and a base portion 110 for supporting (from below) the guide portion 105. For the purposes of the present disclosure, in the examples at issue wherein curved guide structures are considered, the longitudinal direction X corresponds, for each point of the curve, to the tangential component of the curve passing for that point (as also graphically represented in Figures 1A and 1B).

The guide portion 105 and the base portion 110 are adapted to be fastened to each another, preferably in a reversible manner (as better discussed below).

The guide portion 105 and the base portion 110 are preferably made of reciprocally different materials. More preferably, the guide portion 105 and the base portion 110 are made of materials having different characteristics of wear resistance and friction.

Even more preferably, the guide portion 105 is made of a material having a coefficient of friction lower than the coefficient of friction of the material of the base portion 110. Additionally or alternatively, the material of the guide portion 105 has a wear resistance higher than the wear resistance of the material of the base portion 110. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the material of the guide portion 105 comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), also known as high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) or high-performance polyethylene (HPPE), which ensures both low coefficient of friction and high wear resistance - in any case, other plastic materials may be used for the purpose.

Therefore, costs are reduced since material with characteristics of high wear resistance and/or low friction (which typically determine high costs) is used only for the guide portion 105 (which is the portion that, in use, is actually in contact with the chains Ch), whereas the material of the base portion 110 can instead be a relatively low cost, cheaper material (such as a conventional thermoplastic material) having no specific constrain on characteristics of wear resistance and/or friction.

In the following, for ease of description, reference will be also made to Figures 1 E and 1 F, which show bottom and top perspective views, respectively, of the guide portion 105 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and to Figures 1 G and 1 H, which show top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of the base portion 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As can be better appreciated in Figures 1A, 1 G and 1 H, the guide portion 105 comprises a surface 105u that, in use, faces (and preferably contacts) the chains Ch and is oriented upwards, thus referred to as upper surface hereinafter, and a surface 105L, opposite the upper surface 105u, that, in use, faces the base portion 110 and is oriented downwards, thus referred to as lower surface hereinafter.

The guide portion 105 preferably comprises a number / of rails 115/ (/=1 , ... , /, with / > 2), each one extending, along a vertical direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, from the upper surface 105u of the guide portion 105 upwards. Each pair of rails 115/ delimits, along a transversal direction Z orthogonal to the longitudinal X and vertical Y directions, a guide channel 120; (/=1 , J, with J = /-1 ) for receiving or accommodating a respective chain Ch, or a portion (preferably a lower portion) of the chain Ch, thereby allowing each chain Ch to be guided along the forward section.

In the example at issue, five rails 115i-115s are provided, which delimit four guide channels 120i- 1204, the guide portion 105 thus identifying a multi-channel guide portion. In any case, as will be understood from the following discussion, the present invention is not limited to a specific number of guide channels - for example, the present invention equivalently applies to a guide portion formed as a single- channel guide portion for moving a single chain.

Preferably, the rails 115i-115s extend, along the longitudinal direction X, over the entire length of guide portion 105 (preferably, as illustrated, opening directly to its ends), and, along the transversal direction Z, parallel to each other (such that rails 115ι-115 ₂ delimit the guide channel 120i, rails 1152-1163 delimit the guide channel 120 ₂ , rails 1153-1154 delimit the guide channel 1203, and rails 1154-115s delimit the guide channel 120 ₄ ). More preferably, the rails 115i -115s extend, along the transversal direction Z, parallel to each other at substantially same distances (such that the guide channels 120i-120 ₄ -have substantially same width).

Each rail 115/ comprises an upper wall 115™ parallel to the upper surface 105u of the guide portion 105, and vertical side walls 115/si ,115/s2 extending, along the vertical direction Y, from opposite side ends of the respective upper wall 115™, to the upper surface 105u, with each pair of vertical side walls 115/si ,115/S2 facing each other that delimit a respective guide channel 120; (in the example at issue, the vertical side wall 115is2 of rail 115i and the vertical side wall 115 ₂ si of rail 1152 delimit the guide channel 120i , the vertical side wall 1152S2 of rail 1152 and the vertical side wall 1153si of rail 1153 delimit the guide channel 1202, the vertical side wall 1153S2 of rail 1153 and the vertical side wall 115 ₄ si of rail 1154 delimit the guide channel 1203, and the vertical side wall 115 ₄ s20f rail 115 ₄ and the vertical side wall 115ssi of rail 115s delimit the guide channel 120 ₄ ).

Preferably, all the vertical side walls 115/si ,115/s2 (and, hence, all the rails 115/) have substantially same extension in height (i.e. , along the vertical direction Y), the upper walls 115™ thus identifying, as a whole, an uppermost surface of the guide portion 105 and the height of the vertical side walls 115/si ,115/s2 identifying a depth of the respective guide channels 120;. In any case, nothing prevents from manufacturing rails 115/ having properly different extensions in height, so as to have guide channels 120; with different depths for receiving structurally different chains.

As can be appreciated in Figures 1A and 1C, the guide structure 100 preferably (although not necessarily) comprises magnetic interaction means adapted in use to magnetically interact with magnetic interaction means of the chain Ch to cause a magnetic attraction of each chain Ch within the respective guide channel 120; (i.e. , substantially along the vertical direction Y). In this way, due to this magnetic attraction, each guide channel 120; is adapted to slidably receive within it the lower portion of the respective chain Ch, with the upper walls 115/w of the rails 115/ delimiting such guide channel 120; (i.e. , the uppermost surface 115™,) that face the chain Ch and preferably form a slide abutment for an upper portion of the chain

Ch - as visible in Figure 1 D.

Preferably, although not necessarily, the magnetic interaction means of the forward guide structure 100 comprises one or more magnetic field generation elements (for example, electromagnets or, as herein assumed, permanent magnets - in the following, magnets) 125, whereas the magnetic interaction means of the chains Ch comprises one or more elements of the chains Ch (such as, just as an example, coupling pins intended to couple links of each chain Ch to each other) made in ferritic steel or other ferromagnetic material so as to be responsive to the magnetic fields. Preferably, the magnets 125 are arranged in the base portion 110, and, more preferably, run below each guide channel 120; (so as to determine the magnetic attraction of each chain C/, to the respective guide channel 120;).

The magnets 125 are preferably arranged in appropriate seats 130;,/, (visible in Figure 1 C) formed in the base portion 110 at preferably but not necessarily regular intervals, such that each guide channel 120; is associated with a number N (e.g. , A/=12) of seats 130;,/, below it (see, in the example at issue, the N seats 130i, _n below the guide channel 120i , the N seats 1302,n below the guide channel 120 ₂ , the N seats 13θ3,η below the guide channel 1203 and the N seats 130 ,n below the guide channel 120 ₄ ).

Each seat 130;,/, preferably extends from a surface 110L of the base portion 110 that, in use is oriented downwards, thus referred to as lower surface hereinafter, towards (without opening to) a surface 110u that, in use, faces the lower surface 105L of the guide portion 105 and is oriented upwards, thus referred to as upper surface hereinafter (the upper 110u and lower 110L surfaces of the base portion 110 being thus opposite to each other). The seats 130;,/, are preferably formed by removal of material from the base portion 110 (for example by means of numerical control mechanical processing techniques). The seats 130;,/, are therefore accessible from below when the forward guide structure 100 is installed to the rest of the article conveyor.

In this way, in use, the same guide structure 100 acts as a shield, that is as an "umbrella", that avoids that liquid and slurry (for example, liquids used for periodic cleaning of the article conveyor, or slurry that may escape from the transported articles) penetrate into the seats 130;,/, thereby stagnating therein, thus making removal for hygienic reasons difficult and promoting instead the proliferation and spread of bacteria.

According to the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the magnets 125 are accommodated within respective seats 130;,,,. The seats 130;,,, are preferably closable, from below, by respective lids or caps 135;,,,, for example removable lids or caps 135;,,,, which advantageously avoid both penetration of liquid and slurry into the seats 130;,,, and the fall by gravity of the magnets 125 from the respective seats 130;,,, when the forward guide structure 100 is in use.

Preferably, as illustrated, the magnets 125 are arranged in pairs, each pair of magnets 125 being for example accommodated within a respective seat 130;,,,. Each seat 130;,,, preferably comprises a median septum 133;,/, (shown in Figures 1 C and 1 E) that essentially divides the respective seat 130;,/, in two parts (hereinafter, seat parts), with each magnet 125 of the pair that is preferably accommodated within a respective seat part.

According to the preferred embodiment herein considered, each lid 135;,/, is made of a ferromagnetic material, each pair of permanent magnets and the respective plate in ferromagnetic material defining a horseshoe magnet for increasing the magnetic attraction of the chains Ch into the respective channels 120; - in any case, lids 135;, _n made of ferromagnetic material may also be associated with seats housing single magnets (instead of magnet pairs).

Each lid 135;, _n is preferably fixed to the body of the base portion 110 by fixing means, such as one or more (preferably two) screws 140 screwed into threaded holes preferably formed in the septum 133;, _n . The use of screws 140 for fixing the lids 135;, _n , together with free accessibility thereof from below, makes assembly and disassembly operations feasible and easy.

According to the present invention, the forward guide structure 100 further comprises fastening means for fastening the guide portion 105 and the base portion 110 to each other at one or more rails 115/. Preferably, although not necessarily, in order to allow said fastening, the guide portion 105 and/or the base portion 110 comprises holes or through holes for the fitting of the fastening means, as discussed herebelow.

As visible in the figures, the guide portion 105 preferably comprises one or more holes 145GP, preferably a plurality of holes 145GP, extending, along the vertical direction Y, into one or more of the rails 115/ (preferably, as illustrated, all the rails 115,), i.e. between the upper 105u and uppermost 115™ surfaces of the guide portion 105, for allowing the guide portion 105 to be fastened to the base portion 110. Broadly speaking, fastening of the guide portion 105 to the base portion 110 is achieved by means of fastening means fitted into the holes 145GP of the guide portion and into the base portion 110.

As visible in the figures, the base portion 110 advantageously but not necessarily comprises one or more holes 145BP, preferably a plurality of holes 145GP, extending into the base portion 110 between the lower 110L and upper 110u surfaces thereof.

Preferably, the holes 145GP,145BP are arranged such that, upon superposition of the lower surface 105L of the guide portion 105 with the upper surface 110u of the base portion 110, each hole 145GP of the guide portion 105 matches a corresponding hole 145BP of the base portion 110 thereby allowing fastening means to be received in the holes 145GP of the guide portion 105 and in the holes hole 145BP of the base portion 110 (thus allowing the guide portion 105 to be fastened to the base portion 110).

According to the considered embodiment, the holes 145GP of the guide portion 105 are through holes opening both to the upper walls 115™ of the rails 115/ (or, equivalently, to the uppermost surface 115/w Of the guide portion 105) and to the lower surface 105L of the guide portion 105), and the holes 145BP of the base portion 110 are through holes opening to both upper 110u and lower 110L surfaces of the base portions. Without losing generality, in order to allow fastening of the guide portion 105 to the base portion 110, holes instead of through holes can be used in the guide portion 105 or in the base portion 110. For example, through holes 145GP in the guide portion 105 and holes in the base portion 110 might be envisaged when fastening from above is desired (in which case the holes in the base portion 110 would extend towards, without opening to, the lower surface 110L thereof), or through holes 145BP in the base portion 110 and holes in the guide portion 105 might be envisaged when fastening from below is desired (in which case the holes in the guide portion 105 would extend towards, without opening to, the upper wall 115™ of the rails 115/ (or, equivalently, to the uppermost surface 115™ of the guide portion 105).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figure 1A, the fastening means comprises metric screws 150s adapted to be fitted into the through holes 145GP of the guide portion 105 and coupled to threaded inserts 150B fitted into the holes (or through holes) 145BP of the base portion 110— in any case, the metric screws 150s may also be fitted into holes or threaded holes of the base portion 110 and coupled to threaded inserts fitted into the holes (or through holes) of the guide portion 105 when, for example, fastening from below is desired.

Preferably, as illustrated, said threaded inserts 150B comprise bushings, each bushing being for example threaded both externally (so as to allow firm anchoring of the bushing into the respective hole (or through hole) of the base portion 110 (or of the guide portion 105) and internally (so as to allow the metric screw 150s to be threaded in the bushing).

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the fastening means comprises self-tapping screws, in which case the holes or through holes 145BP of the base portion 110 (fastening from above) or the holes or through holes 145GP of the guide portion (fastening from below) may also be omitted (due to the capability of a self-tapping screw of tapping its own hole as it is driven into the material) or used as (or replaced by) aligning means for allowing easy and correct alignment between the guide portion 105 and the base portion 110.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the fastening means may comprise, additionally to the metric screw/bushing pairs or to the self-tapping screws, a gasket or sealing and/or mastic or silicone layer at the interface between the guide 105 and base 110 portion (i.e., between the lower surface 105L of the guide portion 105 and the upper surface 110u of the base portion 110), preferably at one or more side edges (such as a perimeter part) thereof, in order to provide additional protection against penetration of liquid and slurry into the seats 130;, _n .

Therefore, irrespective of the presence of holes or through holes in the guide portion 105 or in the base portion 110, according to the present invention fastening between the guide portion 105 and the base portion 110 is achieved by fastening means fitted into the rails 115/ (i.e., passing through them either completely or partially) and, by arranging the respective holes, or through holes, 145GP (when provided) in the rails 115/.

As rails 115/ are locations of the guide portion 105 that offer high structural strength, an effective fastening between the guide 105 and base 110 portions can be achieved.

Moreover, fitting the fastening means (and arranging the holes, or through holes, 145GP, when provided) in the rails 115/ allows achieving easy manufacturing of the guide portion 105, in that the use of complex and costly machining for making reinforcing members (such as the teeth disclosed in EP0903307) intended to prevent bending of the guide portion 105 upon application of the fastening means, is avoided. In fact, with reference for example to EP0903307, multiple positioning and machining of the U-shaped member, at both top and bottom sides thereof, are required for manufacturing reinforcing members in form of teeth. On the contrary, the structural simplicity of the guide portion 105 according to the present invention translates in a reduced number of positioning and machining. Even more importantly, the absence of teeth or of other reinforcing members results in a flat (i.e., planar) surface of the lower surface 105L of the guide portion 105, such that positioning and machining are advantageously performed at a single side only (i.e. the upper surface 105u of the guide portion 105).

In addition, avoidance of the reinforcing members averts waste of material of the guide portion 105 (which is particularly beneficial when, as in the present invention, the material of the guide portion 105 is a relatively expensive material).

With reference now to Figure 2A, it shows a perspective exploded view of a guide structure 200 for guiding chains along the return section (thus referred to as return guide structure hereinafter), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the return guide structure 200 is shown upside down with respect to its orientation of use.

In the following, for ease of description, Figure 2A will be discussed jointly with Figure 2B, which shows a close-up perspective exploded view of the return guide structure 200, with Figures 2C and 2D, which show bottom and top perspective views, respectively, of a base portion of the return guide structure 200, and Figure 2E, which shows a top perspective view of a guide portion of the return guide structure 200.

As visible in the figures, the return guide structure 200 comprises a guide portion 205 for guiding the chains Ch along the longitudinal direction X, and a base portion 210 for supporting (from above) the guide portion 205. The guide portion 205 and the base portion 210 are adapted to be fastened to each another, preferably in a reversible manner (as better discussed below). As for the guide 105 and base 110 portions discussed above, the guide portion 205 and the base portion 210 are preferably made of reciprocally different materials. More preferably, the guide portion 205 and the base portion 210 are made of materials having different characteristics of wear resistance and friction.

Even more preferably, the guide portion 205 is made of a material having a coefficient of friction lower than the coefficient of friction of the material of the base portion 210. Additionally or alternatively, the material of the guide portion 205 has a wear resistance higher than the wear resistance of the material of the base portion 210. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the material of guide portion 205 comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which ensures both low coefficient of friction and high wear resistance (in any case, other plastic materials may be used for the purpose), whereas the material of the base portion 210 is a low cost material (such as a conventional thermoplastic material) having no specific constrain on characteristics of wear resistance and/or friction.

As can be better appreciated in Figures 2A and 2B, the guide portion 205 comprises a surface 205L that, in use, faces (and preferably contacts) the chains Ch and is oriented downwards, thus referred to as lower surface hereinafter, and a surface 205u, opposite the lower surface 205L, that, in use, faces the base portion 210 and is oriented upwards, thus referred to as upper surface hereinafter.

Similarly to the guide portion 105 discussed above, the guide portion 205 preferably comprises a number / of rails 215/ (/=1 , /, with / > 2), each one extending, along the vertical direction Y, from the lower surface 205u of the guide portion 205 downwards, with each pair of rails 215/ that delimits, along the transversal direction Z, a guide channel 220; (/=1 , J, with J = /-1 ) for receiving or accommodating a respective chain Ch, or a portion (preferably a lower portion) of the chain Ch (thereby allowing each chain Ch to be guided along the return section).

In the example at issue, five rails 215i-215s are provided, which delimit four guide channels 220i- 2204, the guide portion 205 thus identifying a multi-channel guide portion. In any case, as will be understood from the following discussion, the present invention is not limited to a specific number of guide channels - for example, the present invention equivalently applies to a guide portion formed as a single- channel guide portion for moving a single chain.

Preferably, the rails 215i-215s extend, along the longitudinal direction X, over the entire length of guide portion 205 (preferably, as illustrated, opening directly to its ends), and, along the transversal direction Z, parallel to each other (such that rails 215i-215 ₂ delimit the guide channel 220i, rails 2152-2153 delimit the guide channel 220 ₂ , rails 2153-215 ₄ delimit the guide channel 22Ο3, and rails 2154-215s delimit the guide channel 220 ₄ ). More preferably, the rails 215i-215s extend, along the transversal direction Z, parallel to each other at substantially same distances (such that the guide channels 220i-220 ₄ -have substantially same width).

Each rail 215/ comprises a lower wall 215™ parallel to the lower surface 205L of the guide portion 205, and vertical side walls 215/si ,215/s2 extending, along the vertical direction Y, from opposite side ends of the respective lower wall 215™, to the lower surface 205L, with each pair of vertical side walls 215/si ,215 S2 facing each other that delimit a respective guide channel 220; (in the example at issue, the vertical side wall 215is2 of rail 215i and the vertical side wall 215 ₂ si of rail 215 ₂ delimit the guide channel 220i , the vertical side wall 215 ₂ s2 of rail 215 ₂ and the vertical side wall 2153si of rail 2153 delimit the guide channel 220 ₂ , the vertical side wall 2153S2 of rail 2153 and the vertical side wall 215 ₄ si of rail 215 ₄ delimit the guide channel 2203, and the vertical side wall 215 ₄ s2 of rail 215 ₄ and the vertical side wall 215ssi of rail 215s delimit the guide channel 220 ₄ ).

Preferably, all the vertical side walls 215/si ,215/s2 (and, hence, all the rails 215/) have substantially same extension in height, the lower walls 215™, thus identifying, as a whole, a lowermost surface of the guide portion 205 and the height of the vertical side walls 215/si ,215/s2 identifying a depth of the respective guide channels 220;. In any case, nothing prevents from manufacturing rails 115/ having properly different extensions in height, so as to have guide channels 220; with different depths for receiving structurally different chains.

The return guide structure 200 preferably comprises magnetic interaction means adapted in use to magnetically interact with magnetic interaction means of the chain Ch to cause a magnetic attraction of each chain Ch within the respective guide channel 220; {i.e., substantially along the vertical direction Y). In this way, due to this magnetic attraction, each guide channel 220; is adapted to slidably receive within it the lower portion of the respective chain Ch, with the lower walls 215/w of the rails 215/ delimiting such guide channel 220; {i.e., the lowermost surface 215™,) that face the chain Ch and preferably preferably form a slide abutment for an upper portion of the chain Ch.

Preferably, although not necessarily, the magnetic interaction means of the return guide structure

200 comprises one or more magnetic field generation elements (for example, electromagnets or, as herein assumed, permanent magnets - in the following, magnets) 225, whereas the magnetic interaction means of the chains Ch comprises one or more elements of the chains Ch (such as, just as an example, coupling pins intended to couple links of each chain Ch to each other) made in ferritic steel or other ferromagnetic material so as to be responsive to the magnetic fields.

Preferably, the magnets 225 are arranged in the base portion 210, and, more preferably, run below each guide channel 220; (so as to determine the magnetic attraction of each chain Ch to the respective guide channel 220;).

The magnets 225 are preferably arranged in appropriate seats 230;, _n (visible in Figures 2B and 2C) formed in the base portion 210 at preferably but not necessarily regular intervals, such that each guide channel 220; is associated with a number N (e.g., A/=12) of seats 230;, _n above it (see, in the example at issue, the N seats 230i,„ above the guide channel 220i , the N seats 2302,n above the guide channel 220 ₂ , the N seats 2303,n above the guide channel 2203 and the N seats 2304,n above the guide channel 220 ₄ ).

Each seat 230;, _n preferably extends from a surface 21 OL of the base portion 210 that, in use is oriented downwards and faces the guide portion 205 {i.e., the upper surface 205u thereof), thus referred to as lower surface hereinafter, towards (without opening to) a surface 210u that, in use, is oriented upwards, thus referred to as upper surface hereinafter (the upper 210u and lower 210L surfaces of the base portion 210 being thus opposite to each other). The seats 230;, _n are preferably formed by removal of material from the base portion 210 (for example by means of numerical control mechanical processing techniques). The seats 230;,/, are therefore accessible from below when the return guide structure 200 is installed to the rest of the article conveyor.

In this way, in use, the guide 205 and base 210 portions act themselves as shields that avoid that liquid and slurry (for example, liquids used for periodic cleaning of the article conveyor, or slurry that may escape from the transported articles) penetrate into the seats 230;, _n from above and from below, respectively, thereby stagnating therein and making removal for hygienic reasons difficult. Therefore, with respect to the forward guide structure 100, no lids for the seats 230;, _n are required for the embodiment of return guide structure 200 herein discussed, in that the function avoiding penetration of liquid and slurry and the fall by gravity of the magnets 225 is carried out by the guide portion 205 - however, the presence of lids may be envisaged when forming seats extending from (and opening to) the upper surface 210u of the base portion 210 towards (without opening to) the lower surface 210L.

Preferably, as illustrated, the magnets 225 are arranged in pairs, each pair of magnets 225 being for example accommodated within a respective seat 230;, _n . According to the exemplary considered embodiment, each pair of magnets 225 is magnetically coupled to a plate 225p in ferromagnetic material, preferably space apart from each other. In this way, each pair of magnets 225 and the respective plate 225p in ferromagnetic material define a horseshoe magnet.

According to the present invention, the return guide structure 200 further comprises fastening means for fastening the guide portion 205 and the base portion 210 to each other at one or more rails 215/.

Preferably, although not necessarily, in order to allow said fastening, the guide portion 205 and/or the base portion 210 comprises holes or through holes for the fitting of the fastening means, as discussed herebelow.

The guide portion 205 preferably comprises one or more holes 245GP, preferably a plurality of holes 245GP, extending, along the vertical direction Y, into one or more of the rails 215/ (preferably, as illustrated, all the rails 215/), i.e. between the lower 205L and lowermost 215/w surfaces of the guide portion 205, for allowing the guide portion 205 to be fastened to the base portion 210. Broadly speaking, as discussed above, fastening of the guide portion 205 to the base portion 110 is preferably achieved by means of fastening means fitted into the holes 245GP of the guide portion and into the base portion 210.

As visible in the figures, the base portion 210 advantageously but not necessarily comprises one or more holes 245BP, preferably a plurality of holes 245GP, extending into the base portion 210 between the lower 210L and upper 210u surfaces thereof.

Preferably, the holes 245GP,245BP are arranged such that, upon superposition of the upper surface 205u of the guide portion 205 with the lower surface 210L of the base portion 210, each hole 245GP of the guide portion 205 matches a corresponding hole 245BP of the base portion 110 thereby allowing fastening means to be received in the holes 245GP of the guide portion 205 and in the holes hole 245BP of the base portion 210 (thus allowing the guide portion 205 to be fastened to the base portion 210).

According to the considered embodiment, the holes 245GP of the guide portion 205 are through holes opening both to the lower walls 215™, of the rails 215/ (or, equivalently, to the lowermost surface 205/w of the guide portion 205) and to the upper surface 205u of the guide portion 205), as visible in Figures 2B and 2E.

The holes 245BP of the base portion 210 may for example be through holes opening to both upper

210u and lower 210L surfaces of the base portion 210, or, as exemplary illustrated in Figures 2C and 2D, holes opening only to the lower surface 210L of the base portion 210 (the upper surface 210u of the base portion 210 being thus flat and free from machining).

Similarly to the above discussion, depending on whether fastening from above or from below is desired, holes instead of through holes can be used in the guide portion 205, and/or through holes instead of holes can be used in the base portion 210.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, not shown, the fastening means comprises metric screws 250s adapted to be fitted into through holes of the guide portion 205 and coupled to threaded inserts (e.g., externally and/or internally threaded bushings), not visible in the figures, fitted into the holes (or through holes) of the base portion 210 - in any case, the metric screws 250s may also be fitted into holes or threaded holes of the base portion 210 and coupled to threaded inserts fitted into the holes (or through holes) of the guide portion 205 when, for example, fastening from above is desired. According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention the fastening means comprises self-tapping screws, not shown, in which case the holes or through holes 245BP of the base portion 210 (fastening from below) or the holes or through holes 245GP of the guide portion 205 (fastening from above) may also be omitted (due to the capability of a self-tapping screw of tapping its own hole as it is driven into the material) or used as (or replaced by) aligning means for allowing easy and correct alignment between the guide portion 205 and the base portion 210.

Therefore, irrespective of the presence of holes or through holes in the guide portion 205 or in the base portion 210, according to the present invention fastening between the guide portion 205 and the base portion 210 is achieved by fastening means fitted into the rails 215/ {i.e., passing through them either completely or partially), and by arranging the respective holes, or through holes, 245GP (when provided) in the rails 215/.

The advantages of fitting the fastening means (and arranging the holes, or through holes, 245GP, when provided) in the rails 215/ of the guide portion 205 of the return guide structure 200 are the same as those discussed in connection with the forward guide structure 100, and are not repeated for the sake of conciseness.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the fastening means may comprise, additionally to the metric screw/bushing pairs or to the self-tapping screws, a gasket or sealing and/or mastic or silicone layer at the interface between the guide 205 and base 210 portion {i.e., between the upper surface 205u of the guide portion 205 and the lower surface 210L of the base portion 210), preferably at one or more side edges (such as a perimeter part) thereof, in order to provide additional protection against penetration of liquid and slurry into the seats 230;, _n .

Similarly to the above discussion, the absence of teeth or of other reinforcing members in the guide structure 200 results in a flat {i.e., planar) surface of the upper surface 205u of the guide portion 205, such that positioning and machining are advantageously performed at a single side only {i.e. at the lower surface 205L of the guide portion 205) .

With reference now to Figure 3A, it shows a perspective partly exploded view of a forward and return guide structure 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of description ease, such a figure will be discussed jointly with Figures 3B and 3C, which show a perspective exploded view and a perspective sectional view, respectively, of the forward and return guide structure 300, and with Figure 3D, which shows a perspective view of a base portion of the forward and return guide structure 300.

The forward and return guide structure 300 comprises a guide portion 305, a further guide portion 305', and a base portion 310 between the guide portion 305 and the further guide portion 305' along the vertical direction Y.

The guide portion 305 and the further guide portion 305' of the forward and return guide structure 300 are equivalent to the guide portion 205 of the return guide structure 200 and to the guide portion 105 of the forward guide structure 100, respectively, and the base portion 310 of the forward and return guide structure 300 is similar to the base portion 210 of the return guide structure 200.

In the following, elements of the guide portion 305, of the further guide portion 305', and of the base portion 310 that are equivalent to those of the guide portion 105, of the guide portion 205, and of the base portion 210, respectively, will not be discussed again (in any case, they are denoted in the figures by corresponding number references properly differentiated by the first digit). Moreover, all the embodiments, alternatives and considerations discussed in connection with the guide portion 105, the guide portion 205 and the base portion 210 are intended to apply mutatis mutandis to the guide portion 305, the further guide portion 305' and the base portion 310, respectively.

As visible in the figures, the guide portion 305 is fastened to the base portion 310 (with the lower surface 310L of the base portion 310 that faces the upper surface 305u of the guide portion 305), preferably by fastening means comprising, for example, metric screws 350s adapted to be fitted into through holes 345GP of the guide portion 305, and threaded inserts (e.g., internally and, preferably, externally threaded bushings), not visible in the figures, fitted into the holes 345BP of the base portion 310 for being coupled to the metric screws 350s. Similarly, the further guide portion 305' is fastened to the base portion 310 (with the upper surface 310u of the base portion 310 that faces the lower surface 305'L of the further guide portion 305'), preferably by fastening means comprising, for example, metric screws 350's adapted to be fitted into through holes 345'GP of the further guide portion 305', and threaded inserts (e.g., internally and, preferably, externally threaded bushings), shown in Figure 3B, fitted into the holes 345'BP of the base portion 310 for being coupled to the metric screws 350's. In any case, nothing prevents for forming through holes in the base portion 310, not shown, such that each pair of metric screws 350s,350's (or other fastening means) are fitted into a same through hole (from opposite sides) - in which case, a single threaded insert (e.g., bushing) may for example be provided in each through hole.

As visible in the figures, the holes 345BP opening to the lower surface 305L of the base portion 310 (and, hence, the through holes 345GP of the guide portion 305) and the holes 345'BP opening to the upper surface 305'u of the base portion 310 (and, hence, the through holes 345'GP of the further guide portion 305') are staggered to each other, preferably, as illustrated, along the longitudinal direction X (i.e., along the rails 315/,315'/.). In this way, fastening of the guide portion 305 and of the further guide portion 305' on the same base portion 310 does not interfere each other, while ensuring the above-discussed advantages determined by fastening at the rails 315 ,315',.

Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 3B, 3C and 3D, each seat 330;,„ accommodates four magnets. More preferably, each seat 330;, _n accommodates two pairs of magnets, namely a pair of magnets 325 for attracting the chains CH downwards in the guide portion 305 (forward path) and a pair of magnets 325' for attracting the chains CH upwards in the further guide portion 305' (forward path). Even more preferably, each pair of magnets 325,325' is magnetically coupled to a plate 325p in ferromagnetic material, preferably from opposite (e.g., top and bottom) sides thereof. In this way, each pair of magnets 325,325' and the respective plate 325p in ferromagnetic material define two horseshoe magnets accommodated in a same seat 330;,„.

With reference now to Figures 4A and 4B, they show a perspective view and a perspective exploded view, respectively, of a forward and return guide structure 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of description ease, such figures will be discussed jointly with Figure 4C, which shows a perspective view of a base portion of the forward and return guide structure 400, and with Figure 4D, which shows a perspective sectional view of the forward and return guide structure 400.

The forward and return guide structure 400 comprises a guide portion 405 and a base portion 410.

The guide portion 405 of the forward and return guide structure 400 is for example equivalent to the guide portion 105 of the forward guide structure 100, whereas the base portion 410 of the forward and return guide structure 400 is similar to the base portion 210 of the return guide structure 200.

In the following, elements of the guide portion 405 and of the base portion 410 that are equivalent to those of the guide portion 105 and of the base portion 210, respectively, will not be discussed again (in any case, they are denoted in the figures by corresponding number references properly differentiated by the first digit). Moreover, all the embodiments, alternatives and considerations discussed in connection with the guide portion 105 and the base portion 210 are intended to apply mutatis mutandis to the guide portion 405 and the base portion 410, respectively,

As visible in the figures, the guide portion 405 is fastened to the base portion 410 (with the upper surface 410u of the base portion 410 that faces the lower surface 405L of the guide portion 405), preferably by fastening means comprising, for example, metric screws 450s adapted to be fitted into the through holes 445GP of the guide portion 405, and threaded inserts (e.g., externally and/or internally threaded bushings) 445B, fitted into the holes 445BP of the base portion 410 for being coupled to the metric screws 450s.

According to this embodiment, the base portion 410 comprises a number / of rails 415'/ (/=1 , ..., /, with / > 2), similar to the rails 215/ of the return guide structure 200, but formed in a single piece with the base portion 410. Similarly to rails 415/, each rail 415'/ extends, along the vertical direction Y, from the lower surface 41 OL of the base portion 410 to a lowermost surface 415' w of the base portion 410, and each pair of rails 415'/ delimits, along the transversal direction Z, a respective guide channel 420';.

Preferably, each seat 430;,„ advantageously extends from the upper surface 410u of the base portion 410 towards the lower surface 410L of the base portion 410 in order to be accessible form above (since the guide portion 405 is, in this embodiment, the only removable component).

Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 4B and 4D, each seat 430;, _n accommodates four magnets. More preferably, each seat 430;, _n accommodates two pairs of magnets, namely a pair of magnets 425 for attracting the chains CH downwards in the guide portion 405 (forward path) and a pair of magnets 425' for attracting the chains CH upwards in the guide channels 420'; (return path). Even more preferably, each pair of magnets 425,425' is magnetically coupled to a plate 425p in ferromagnetic material, preferably from opposite (e.g., top and bottom) sides thereof. In this way, each pair of magnets 425,425' and the respective plate 425p in ferromagnetic material define two horseshoe magnets accommodated in a same seat 430;, _n .

Naturally, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art may introduce the present invention many modifications and logical and/or physical changes. More specifically, although the present invention has been described with a certain level of detail with reference to one or more embodiments thereof, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details as well as other embodiments are possible. In particular, various embodiments of the present invention may be put into practice even without the specific details (such as the numerical examples) set forth in the description to provide a more complete understanding thereof; on the contrary, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the description with unnecessary details. Moreover, it is expressly intended that specific elements described in relation to each embodiment of the present invention may be incorporated in any other embodiment as a normal design choice.

Similar considerations apply if the guide structure comprises equivalent components. In any case, any component may be separated into more elements, or two or more components may be combined into a single element; furthermore, each component may be replicated to support the execution of the corresponding operations in parallel. It is also pointed out that (unless otherwise specified) any interaction between different components generally does not need to be continuous, and may be direct or indirect through one or more intermediaries.