Abstract: An improved self-cleaning drive mechanism for driving a conveyor belt including a rotatable drive gear having a plurality of receiving grooves adapted to engage and drive the conveyor belt, the plurality of receiving grooves being disposed along a periphery of the rotatable drive gear, and a rotatable cleaning wheel having a plurality of cleaning members positioned to engage the plurality of receiving grooves as the rotatable drive gear is rotated. The plurality of cleaning members are sized to engage the plurality of receiving grooves and displace debris in the plurality of receiving grooves when the plurality of receiving grooves are engaged by the plurality of cleaning members. In one embodiment, the plurality of cleaning members may include a plurality of cleaning teeth disposed along a periphery of the rotatable cleaning wheel, the plurality of cleaning teeth extending radially outwardly from the rotatable cleaning wheel to engage the rotatable drive gear.

Abstract: A conveyor belt (1) is composed of a number of identical links in the formation of an endless belt, where each link comprises at least one axle (3) arranged transversely in relation to the direction of travel (2), and an outer link (4) at each side in engagement with the axle. Each outer link comprises an elongated hole for the adjacent link's axle, so that the belt can be driven in a curve in the plane of the belt. Each outer link has at least one securing hole for a transverse axle, where the coupling-together between the axle (3 and the outer link (4) is effected by a separable snap-lock. The outer link is moulded as a one-piece unit in a suitable plastic material, preferably by injection moulding. The outer links (4) can also be configured in a larger version for the construction of conveyor belts for operation in self-stacking helical systems.

Abstract: A conveyor belt with rods and connective links that engage one another so as to resist lateral and rotational movement about the rods during conveyor operation. The links are affixed on the rods by resistance welding the rod to the link apertures. In addition to the resistance weld, the rods include diametrically enlarged protrusions or swells that are placed proximate the link apertures to constrain the links from lateral movement on the rod. At the ends of the rod, this protrusion is in the form of an upset or button head. Alternative embodiments also include rotational constraints of the links relative to the rod. The additional fixation steps such as manual welding used in conventional belt manufacture are thus eliminated. By affixing the links and rods together in the manner disclosed, repeated movements of the link legs relative to the rods are eliminated thereby significantly reducing the chances of fatigue failure of the links.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt is provided including an overlay element with a variable loop count over at least a portion of a transverse width of the belt, and preferably with a variable loop count from one side edge of the conveyor belt to the other side of the conveyor belt, thereby minimizing the frictional contact between the overlay elements and minimizing the excess loop density on the side of the belt defining the inner radius of the turn. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of overlay elements, each of the overlay elements including a plurality of linking bends, and a plurality of transverse rods extending laterally across the conveyor belt. Each of the overlay elements are positioned relative to one another such that their linking bends are intermeshed with linking bends of immediately adjacent overlay elements and the intermeshed linking bends receive one of the transverse rods thereby operatively connecting the adjacent overlay elements.

Abstract: A conveyor belt with rods and connective links that engage one another so as to resist lateral and rotational movement about the rods during conveyor operation. The links are affixed on the rods by resistance welding the rod to the link apertures. In addition to the resistance weld, the rods include diametrically enlarged protrusions or swells that are placed proximate the link apertures to constrain the links from lateral movement on the rod. At the ends of the rod, this protrusion is in the form of an upset or button head. Alternative embodiments also include rotational constraints of the links relative to the rod. The additional fixation steps such as manual welding used in conventional belt manufacture are thus eliminated. By affixing the links and rods together in the manner disclosed, repeated movements of the link legs relative to the rods are eliminated thereby significantly reducing the chances of fatigue failure of the links.

Abstract: A conveyor belt with rods and connective links that engage one another so as to resist lateral deflection and rotational movement about the rods during conveyor operation. The rods have a large diameter through most of their length, and a smaller diameter at their ends where they are attached to the connective links. The transition between the large diameter and the smaller diameter is a chamfered section which is captured within an aperture of the links to constrain the links from lateral movement along the rod. The links are further constrained on the rods by forming an upset or buttonhead at the ends of the rod and resistance welding the rod to the link apertures. The additional fixation steps used in conventional belt manufacture are thus eliminated. By affixing the links and rods together in the manner disclosed, repeated movements of the link legs relative to the rods are eliminated thereby significantly reducing the chances of fatigue failure of the links.

Abstract: A conveyor belt having a direction of travel includes a plurality of pivotal transverse rods extending laterally across the belt and having inner and outer ends along inner and outer edges of the belt and a plurality of connecting links disposed in a pair of spaced rows at the inner and outer ends of the rods. Each of the connecting links has a base portion and a pair of spaced legs rigidly connected to the outer ends of the base portion and each of the legs has at least one stepped portion parallel to the direction of travel. The stepped portions on opposing legs are spaced apart a relatively narrow distance at the base portion and a relatively wide distance at the opposite end thereof. The stepped portions include a substantially straight segment at the narrower stepped portion, a substantially straight segment at said wider stepped portion, and an angled segment therebetween connecting the substantially straight segments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor belt for traveling along both straight and laterally curved paths. A plurality of rods extend across the belt and are pivotally connected together by tractive links which are at least longitudinally expandable. The orientation of one edge link is reversed such that the terminal end thereof leads in the direction of travel of the belt in order to prevent damage to the links and/or the cage drive system when the belt is driven by the cage drive in a spiral system.

Abstract: An overlay for use in a conveyor system having at least one ware transport section and made up of a succession of overlays for transporting articles, wherein each overlay is supported and moved along by a belt of spaced rod members extending transversely of the direction of travel of the belt. Each overlay includes a plurality of laterally spaced substantially longitudinally disposed longitudinal members and a plurality of transversely disposed connecting means each connecting adjacent ones of the longitudinal members. Adjacent ones of the connecting means connect opposite end portions of the longitudinal members forming a plurality of alternating oppositely opening nestable segments, giving the overlay a zig-zag shape, which allow nesting thereof overlays immediately ahead and behind it on the belt. Each of the longitudinal members have a first and second support means which are opposed and longitudinally spaced from each other.

Abstract: An end fixation for a ceramic conveyor belt, including a plurality of ceramic bars interconnected by a plurality of interconnecting rods disposed through holes formed in the ceramic bars such that each bar is interconnected by two rods is disclosed. The end fixation holding the bars on the rods comprises an indentation formed about both ends of the interconnecting rods, and a ceramic edge link disposed adjacent the outermost of the ceramic bars. The edge links have a longitudinal channel disposed therethrough, the channel being defined by a ledge and including an enlarged opening through which the ends of the interconnecting rod may be passed to allow the edge links to be disposed on the rod. The ledge fits within the indentation to retain the edge links on the rods. Also provided is a structure for preventing the enlarged opening from aligning with the rods after the edge links are disposed on the rods to preclude the edge links from falling off of the rods.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and conveying system designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is kept substantially the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is allowed to expand to a second greater pitch. In one embodiment support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt and provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a worked hardened bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: An overlay for use in a conveyor system having at least one ware transport section and made up of a succession of overlays for transporting articles, wherein each overlay is supported and moved along by a belt of spaced rod members extending transversely of the direction of travel of the belt which slides upon at least one rail. Each overlay includes a upper overlay surface upon which articles are supported. The upper overlay surface has an overlay leading portion with a leading edge and a trailing portion with a trailing edge.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a product conveyor belt adapted to be driven over an endless path having an upward helical portion and a return portion. The conveyor belt includes rods and spacer plates having portions and upper belt support tabs at the top of the plate portions. The exit rail assembly guiding the conveyor belt off of the upward helical portion to the return portion has a pair of rails engaging underneath the tabs to thereby lift the conveyor belt off of the upward helical portion.

Abstract: A spacer plate for a conveyor belt having transverse rods and support links. The spacer plate has a longitudinal portion having upper and lower sections, a pair of tab portions extending in opposite transverse directions from upper ends of the upper section, and a pair of through holes through lower ends off the lower sections for receiving ends of the transverse rods. The lower section has a member extending generally out from the plane of the upper section and bent to define a C-shape in a member plane perpendicular to the plane of the upper section. The C-shape member has a pair of arms through which the through holes pass.

Abstract: A conveyor belt designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. The links along at least one transverse edge are dual pitch links. The links along the other transverse edge are preferably U-shaped single pitch links for connecting adjacent rods. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is held the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is expanded to a second greater pitch by pivoting motion of the dual pitch links. In one embodiment single pitch links and support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt to provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a work-hardened curved bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and conveying system designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is kept substantially the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is allowed to expand to a second greater pitch. In one embodiment support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt and provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a worked hardened bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tractive link member for connecting adjacent rods of an endless conveyor belt and for assuming tractive load. The links include a substantially flat piece of metal formed into a general U-shape with a pair of spaced leg portions joined by a connecting portion. Each of the leg portions have at least one hole for receiving adjacent rods of a conveyor belt. The substantially flat piece of metal along the length of the connecting portion has both a first thickness area and a second, reduced thickness area. The reduced thickness area is a compressed work-hardened area of the metal. The reduced thickness area in the connecting portion can form a curved bearing surface against which a rod can bear. A middle section of the link leg can diverge outwardly from an inner section of the link leg to form a single offset between the slotted portions of the link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and conveying system designed to operate about lateral curves in a single direction is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is kept substantially the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is allowed to expand to a second greater pitch. In one embodiment support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt and provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a worked hardened bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A helical conveyor system is disclosed. A conveyor belt 11 is positively driven by drive cage 212 around a plurality of vertically spaced helical loops. A pair of supplemental positive drives 25 and 26, which are driven at the same speed and synchronized with the drive cage, engage the belt 11 near its entry into and exit from the helical portion of its endless path. Vertical driving bars 45 on the drive cage 21 positively engage the cross rod heads 14 of the belt 11 in its helical path. The driving surfaces of the bars 45 are relieved at 61 and 62 to prevent driving engagement with the rod heads 14 over an inlet section of the first loop and an exit section of the last loop. The driving bars 45 also engage the ends of the rod heads 14 to limit the penetration of the driving bars past the edge of the belt. The driving bars include means which may comprise gates 105 or ramps 121 to permit controlled intermittent slip-backs of the rod heads at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A flat wire conveyor belt comprising a plurality of tractive pickets, a plurality of connecting cross rods and a plurality of bar links is disclosed. Elongate openings in several of the wedge-shaped segments of each tractive picket adjacent the outer edge define a gap between the connecting rod and the adjacent surface of the openings during straight and lateral travel of the belt. Elongate openings in the remainder of wedge-shaped segments are in contact with the connecting rod in straight travel. Openings in the bar links define a gap between the connecting rod and an adjacent surface of the opening during straight travel of the belt. The remainder of the wedge-shaped segments thus carry a substantial tractive load during substantially straight travel of the belt, the bar links carry a substantial tractive load during travel around lateral curves, and the wedge-shaped segments adjacent the outer convex edge of the belt never carry a substantial tractive load.