Method and apparatus for cleaning conveyor belts

Claim 2

The combination in an apparatus for cleaning a conveyor belt having particulate matter retained thereon which comprises means for directing a fluid stream across the width of the conveyor belt to dislodge said retained matter, first conduit means disposed transverse to the conveyor belt and in proximate relation thereto, said first conduit means including an elongated open portion disposed adjacent and transverse to said conveyor belt and also including a second conduit means disposed within said first conduit means such as to define an annular chamber therebetween, said second conduit means including aperture means for communicating via suction with said annular chamber, and means for producing a suction within said second conduit means for collecting matter dislodged by said fluid directing means via said elongated opening and collected in said annular chamber.

Claim 3

The combination as in claim 1 further comprising means for extending the conveyor belt in proximate relation to the opening of said first conduit means.

Claim 4

The combination as in claim 1 further comprising a conveyor belt and apparatus for moving said conveyor belt.

Claim 5

The combination as in claim 1 wherein said fluid directing means comprises a source of compressed air, plural nozzles oriented toward and across the width of said conveyor belt, and additional means coupling said air source and said nozzles.

Claim 6

The combination as in claim 1 wherein said first conduit means further includes at the opening thereof outwardly extending flange portions.

Claim 7

In a conveyor belt-cleaning apparatus comprising conveyor means including an endless conveyor belt consisting of a material delivery belt portion and a return belt portion with particulate matter retained thereon, an improved belt-cleaning assembly located below said return belt portion comprising a first conduit located adjacent and transversely of said return belt portion, said conduit having an elongated opening running transverse and in proximate relation to the surface of said return belt portion, a second conduit located within said first conduit such as to define an annular chamber therebetween, a plurality of fluid nozzles disposed along the outer surface of said second conduit and transversely to the surface of said return belt portion, fluid-conducting means coupled to said nozzles for feeding high pressure fluid thereto, aperture means in said second conduit communicating with said annular chamber, and suction means coupled to said second conduit for producing suction therein and in said annular chamber via said communicating apertures, such that as high pressure fluid is directed to the surface of said return belt to dislodge particulate matter therefrom, said matter is withdrawn by suction into the annular chamber and then through the communicating apertures for removal through said second conduit.

Claim 8

In a conveyor belt-cleaning apparatus comprising conveyor means including an endless conveyor belt consisting of a material delivery belt portion and a return belt portion with particulate matter retained thereon, an improved belt-cleaning assembly located below said return belt portion comprising a first conduit located adjacent and transversely of said return belt portion, said conduit having an elongated opening running transverse and in proximate relation to the surface of said return belt portion, a second conduit located within said first conduit such as to define an annular chamber therebetween, a plurality of fluid nozzles disposed along the outer surface of said second conduit and transversely to the surface of said return belt portion, fluid-conducting means coupled to said nozzles for feeding high pressure fluid thereto, aperture means in said second conduit communicating with said annular chamber, and suction means coupled to said second conduit for producing suction therein and in said annular chamber via said communicating apertures, such that as high pressure fluid is directed to the surface of said return belt to dislodge particulate matter therefrom, said matter is withdrawn by suction into the annular chamber and then through the communicating apertures for removal through said second conduit.

Claim 9

The conveyor belt-cleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first conduit includes outwardly extending flange portions at each side of the opening thereof.