Sprocket For Easy Cleaning

Abstract

A drive sprocket for driving a modular belt having a plurality of belt modules with intercalated link ends connected by transverse pivot members to form hinges. The belt modules may have transverse ribs. The drive sprocket is driven by a shaft. The drive sprocket has a central opening for receiving the shaft. The body has a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs along a periphery of the body. The body has a first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth and extending toward the center of the sprocket to provide access to the hinge area, when the belt engages with the sprocket, for application of cleaning fluid.

1 . A drive sprocket for driving a modular belt having a plurality of belt modules with intercalated link ends connected by transverse pivot members to form hinges, the belt modules having transverse ribs, the drive sprocket being driven by a shaft, the drive sprocket, comprising:
 a body having an opening in the center for receiving the shaft; the body having a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs along a periphery of the body, the body having at least one first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth, the first opening extending toward the center of the sprocket to provide access to the hinge area, when the belt engages with the sprocket, for application of cleaning fluid.   
   
   
       2 . The drive sprocket of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening in the body is disposed adjacent to a curved, recessed portion. 
   
   
       3 . The drive sprocket of  claim 1 , wherein each pair of teeth has a space therebetween sized to receive the transverse rib of the belt module when the belt is engaged with the sprocket. 
   
   
       4 . The drive sprocket of  claim 1 , wherein each pair of the teeth have walls that are facing and angled opposite each other. 
   
   
       5 . The drive sprocket of  claim 1 , wherein the teeth are disposed in pairs that are offset with respect to the circumference of the sprocket. 
   
   
       6 . The drive sprocket of  claim 1 , wherein the teeth are disposed in pairs with each tooth on opposite sides of a central axis. 
   
   
       7 . The drive sprocket of  claim 1 , wherein the teeth are disposed in a single row extending from a first side of the sprocket to the opposite side of the sprocket. 
   
   
       8 . The drive sprocket of  claim 1 , wherein the curved, recessed portion is oriented radially with respect to the sprocket. 
   
   
       9 . The drive sprocket of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one opening disposed between the central opening and the at least one first opening. 
   
   
       10 . The drive sprocket of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings disposed around the central opening. 
   
   
       11 . A drive sprocket, comprising:
 a body having a central opening, the body having a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs along a periphery of the body, the body having at least one first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth, the first opening extending toward the center of the sprocket.   
   
   
       12 . The drive sprocket of  claim 11 , wherein the first opening in the body is disposed adjacent to a curved, recessed portion. 
   
   
       13 . The drive sprocket of  claim 11 , wherein each pair of teeth has a space therebetween sized to receive the transverse rib of the belt module when the belt is engaged with the sprocket. 
   
   
       14 . The drive sprocket of  claim 11 , wherein each pair of the teeth have walls that are facing and angled opposite each other. 
   
   
       15 . The drive sprocket of  claim 11 , wherein the teeth are disposed in pairs that are offset with respect to a central axis. 
   
   
       16 . The drive sprocket of  claim 11 , wherein the teeth are disposed in a single row extending from a first side of the sprocket to the opposite side of the sprocket. 
   
   
       17 . The drive sprocket of  claim 11 , wherein the curved, recessed portion is oriented radially with respect to the sprocket. 
   
   
       18 . The drive sprocket of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one opening disposed between the central opening and the at least one first opening. 
   
   
       19 . The drive sprocket of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings disposed around the central opening. 
   
   
       20 . A system for cleaning a modular belt having a plurality of belt modules with intercalated link ends connected by transverse pivot members to form hinges, the belt modules having transverse ribs, the drive sprocket being driven by a shaft, the system comprising:
 a drive sprocket with a body having an opening in the center for receiving the shaft; the body having a plurality of teeth disposed in pairs along a periphery of the body, the body having at least one first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth, the first opening extending toward the center of the sprocket to provide access to the hinge area, when the belt engages with the sprocket, for application of cleaning fluid;   a manifold disposed adjacent to a position where the sprocket engages with the belt;   at least one spray head in fluid communication with the manifold for delivering a cleaning fluid to the hinge when the belt engages with the drive sprocket.