Abstract: The system and method for using flights and fasteners with compact-grid conveyor belts. The J-fasteners of rivet-type fasteners secure angled and vented metal flights to compact-grid conveyor belts. The fasteners attach a flight via embossed areas spaced to avoid guide and drive pulleys. Specially adapted sprockets are also used to accommodate the attachment of flights using fasteners.

Abstract: A wire belt conveyor system having an extended belt life. The system having flat faces, or facets, formed by flat-rolling a round wire along the horizontal dimension. The system provides for less stretch along the length of the belt when assembled to provide for lower maintenance costs and extended belt life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a wire conveyor belt with a buildup shedding sprocket. When driving a belt in any application in which material is added to articles on the belt, excess material accumulates on the support shelves between the sprocket teeth. A relief cut is made between the sprocket teeth providing a channel through which the excess material can be pushed away.

Abstract: The flat wire conveyor belt comprises multiple part connecting rods used to incrementally extend the length of the flat wire conveyor belt and provide ease of repair and installation. The flat wire conveyor belt comprises U-shaped connecting rods. The multiple part connecting rods can be connected in a series of two or more to span the width of the flat conveyor belt. The flat wire connecting rods can connect to the picket, to each other, or via and intermediate connecting rod. The flat wire conveyor belt provides strengthened edges.

Abstract: The flat wire conveyor belt comprises multiple part connecting rods used to incrementally extend the length of the flat wire conveyor belt and provide ease of repair and installation. The flat wire conveyor belt comprises U-shaped connecting rods. The multiple part connecting rods can be connected in a series of two or more to span the width of the flat conveyor belt. The flat wire connecting rods can connect to the picket, to each other, or via and intermediate connecting rod. The flat wire conveyor belt provides strengthened edges.

Abstract: A wire belt includes a plurality of interconnected links that form a belt having a small mesh size, large percent open-area, and high strength, without the use of transverse rods or complex weaving patterns. Each of the links includes a hinge portion and hanger portion. The hinge portion includes a first and a second section. The first section is disposed at an angle relative to the hanger portion. The second section includes two loops sized and shaped to fit around at least a portion of the hanger portion of an adjacent link such that the two links are rotatably interconnected to form a continuous belt without the use of transverse rods or complex weaving patterns. The second section may have a “U” or “V” shape, and may include an elongated section such that the hinge portion extends beyond a transverse axis of the hanger portion.

Abstract: The conveyor belt includes a plurality of links having alternating wide linking portions and narrow linking portions. The wide and narrow linking portions preferably form an undulating shape. In one embodiment, the conveyor belt is a flat wire conveyor belt having linking rods extending through apertures in the alternating wide and narrow linking portions. In another embodiment, the conveyor belt is a balanced weave belt having wire links woven around linking rods to form the wide and narrow linking portions.

Abstract: A wire link connection system includes at least first and second wire connection links that connect a first wire link to a second wire link, for example, as a splice connection in a wire conveyor belt. The wire connecting links include linking portions that link the first and second wire links. One of the wire connecting links includes a female coupling portion such as a coupling loop at or proximate one end, while the other wire connecting link includes a male coupling portion, such as a coupling hook, at or proximate one end. The male coupling portion engages the female coupling portion in a "snap" fit to couple the first and second wire connecting links. The female coupling portion or coupling loop defines an aperture and the male coupling portion or coupling hook includes a flared head such that the male coupling portion is received in the aperture and the flared head engages and locks with the coupling loop.

Abstract: A wire belt having increased belt strength includes a plurality of wire links having alternating wide linking portions and narrow linking portions interlocked with respective linking portions of an adjacent wire link. The assembly of the wire belt includes interlocking the wire links, for example, by placing the wide linking portions into an engagement with wide linking portions of an adjacent wire link. The width of the wide linking portions is about equal to the minimum width that will allow the wire link to be interlocked with an adjacent wire link without bending the wire link in excess of the yield strength of the wire link. The width of the narrow linking portions is less than the width of the wide linking portions, and preferably, dimensioned to receive a sprocket for driving the wire belt. The wire links preferably have an undulating shape and include first and second end loops that interlock with adjacent wire links.

Abstract: A wire belt splice edge connector is used to connect a wire link to a splice link in a wire belt splice connection proximate an edge of a wire belt. The splice edge connector includes first and second edge connector leg portions, a wire link receiving portion disposed between first ends of the first and second edge connector leg portions, and first and second splice link receiving portions disposed proximate a second end of the first and second edge connector leg portions. The splice link receiving portions, such as loops, receive and interlock with a splice link, and the wire link receiving portion receives and interlocks with a wire link in the wire belt. The edge connector leg portions are substantially parallel to one another forming a U shape with the wire link receiving portion. The wire link receiving portion forms an obtuse angle with respect to the edge connector leg portions.

Abstract: A wire conveyor belt includes a plurality of interlocked wire elements having closed ends. The interlocked wire elements have U-shaped regions which are interlocked with corresponding U-shaped regions of adjacent wire elements to form the conveyor belt. The closed end regions are formed after the wire elements have been interlocked. Each closed end region is formed by bending the end of each wire element around the adjacent interlocked wire element so that the end is adjacent to and overlapping the wire element forming a region having a substantially triangular, circular, or square shape. Each closed end region forms a space which is less than the diameter of each wire element for preventing other portions of the wire conveyor belt or other wire conveyor belts from catching on the closed end regions. A method of making such a wire conveyor belt requires first interlocking the wire elements and subsequently forming the closed end regions.

Abstract: A splicer for wire mesh belts of a plurality of individual zigh-zag strands, adjacent strands interlocked and the belt having first and second ends joined by the splicer to form a continuous web, consists of an elongated wire having a plurality of generally U-shape splicer elements. The splicer elements have a base and upstanding legs at each end lying at obtuse angle to the base, and are arranged in alternating sequence, the base and legs of first elements directed toward the first belt end and the base and legs of adjacent second elements directed toward the opposed second belt end. The splicer also has connectors with arcuate segments adjoining the ends of adjacent legs. First splicer elements engage through and interlock with adjoining links of the first belt end, and second splicer elements engage through and interlock with adjoining links of the second belt end, thereby joining the ends of the belt in a continuous web.