Abstract: A spiral overlay for a conveyor belt includes a plurality of wire spirals assembled together in intermeshing relationship on connecting rods to provide a conveying surface and an opposing surface with a belt thickness extending in the vertical direction. Each of said wire spirals formed of a single length of wire and forming a helix extending laterally across the belt, said spiral comprising opposed arcuate linking bends at a forward end and a rearward end along the longitudinal axis, and at least one intermediate loop formed between said opposed arcuate linking bends and disposed within the belt thickness, said spirals arranged relative to one another such that said linking bends of one spiral are intermeshed with linking bends of an immediately adjacent one of said spirals and said intermeshed linking bends of adjacent spirals are adapted to receive one of the connecting rods to operatively connect said spirals.

Abstract: A spiral overlay for a conveyor belt includes a plurality of wire spirals assembled together in intermeshing relationship on connecting rods to provide a conveying surface and an opposing surface with a belt thickness extending in the vertical direction. Each of said wire spirals formed of a single length of wire and forming a helix extending laterally across the belt, said spiral comprising opposed arcuate linking bends at a forward end and a rearward end along the longitudinal axis, and at least one intermediate loop formed between said opposed arcuate linking bends and disposed within the belt thickness, said spirals arranged relative to one another such that said linking bends of one spiral are intermeshed with linking bends of an immediately adjacent one of said spirals and said intermeshed linking bends of adjacent spirals are adapted to receive one of the connecting rods to operatively connect said spirals.

Abstract: An electropolishing or electroplating system and method for metal conveyor belts is described. In some embodiments, the system has a metal conveyor belt held in constant tension; a tank for holding an electrolytic fluid, the tank having an interior space suitable to contain the fluid, a metal plate and the metal conveyor belt; and an electrical current supply. In an electropolishing application, the current passes from the metal conveyor belt, through the fluid and into the metal plate. In an electroplating application, the current passes from the metal plate, through the fluid and into the metal conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a first link having a first protrusion with a first mating surface that is curved. The first protrusion is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture of the first link. The belt also includes a second link having a second protrusion with a second mating surface that is curved. The second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture of the second link. The first mating surface receives and abuts the second mating surface. The second link is restrained against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link due to abutment of the first and second mating surfaces. The first and second rod receiving apertures are aligned when the first and second mating surfaces abut. Additionally, the belt includes a connecting rod extending through the first and second rod receiving apertures.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a first link having a first protrusion with a first mating surface that is curved. The first protrusion is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture of the first link. The belt also includes a second link having a second protrusion with a second mating surface that is curved. The second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture of the second link. The first mating surface receives and abuts the second mating surface. The second link is restrained against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link due to abutment of the first and second mating surfaces. The first and second rod receiving apertures are aligned when the first and second mating surfaces abut. Additionally, the belt includes a connecting rod extending through the first and second rod receiving apertures.

Abstract: A link member having a curved bearing surface and a conveyor belt comprising a link member having a curved bearing surface are described. The link member can be comprised in any type of conveyor belt, including a grid-type conveyor belt, a smaller-radius grid-type conveyor belt or a flat-wire conveyor belt. The link member eliminates the objectionable noise caused by pivot rods jumping the corner of conventional links having curved bearing surfaces. According to one embodiment, the link member comprises a pair of leg portions, each leg portion comprising a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end, and a connecting portion that connects the pair of leg portions, the connecting portion comprising a curved bearing surface between first and second side surfaces. The first and second side surfaces extend in a direction toward the proximal end of the leg portions.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a first link having a first protrusion with a first mating surface that is curved. The first protrusion is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture of the first link. The belt also includes a second link having a second protrusion with a second mating surface that is curved. The second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture of the second link. The first mating surface receives and abuts the second mating surface. The second link is restrained against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link due to abutment of the first and second mating surfaces. The first and second rod receiving apertures are aligned when the first and second mating surfaces abut. Additionally, the belt includes a connecting rod extending through the first and second rod receiving apertures.

Abstract: A conveyor belt configured to contact a drive surface is disclosed including a substantially U-shaped link having an outermost portion with a contact surface configured to face the drive surface. The outermost portion of the link may be more resistant to wear due to contact with the drive surface than other portions of the link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a first link having a first protrusion with a first mating surface that is curved. The first protrusion is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture of the first link. The belt also includes a second link having a second protrusion with a second mating surface that is curved. The second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture of the second link. The first mating surface receives and abuts the second mating surface. The second link is restrained against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link due to abutment of the first and second mating surfaces. The first and second rod receiving apertures are aligned when the first and second mating surfaces abut. Additionally, the belt includes a connecting rod extending through the first and second rod receiving apertures.

Abstract: A link member having a replaceable wear component and a conveyor belt comprising a link member having a replaceable wear component are described. One aspect of the present invention provides a sacrificial or replaceable wear component that is attached to a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can be any type of conveyor belt, such as a grid-type or flat-wire conveyor belt. The wear component is attached by mechanical or other means to allow its removal after a certain wear limit has been achieved. A new component can be installed to bring the conveyor belt to nearly new condition. This will extend belt life because only the wear component needs to be replaced, rather than the entire belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that includes a link having a leg formed of a link leg material, wherein the leg includes an outer link surface configured to face the drive surface, the link leg being configured to receive a rod. The conveyor belt may include an aperture extending through the leg, wherein the rod is disposed within the aperture. Also, the conveyor belt may include a first weld that attaches the free end of the rod to the outer link surface, the first weld comprising a first weld material and a second weld made of a second weld material, wherein the second weld covers at least a portion of the first weld and forms an outermost surface of the conveyor belt. The second weld material may be different from the first weld material, and may be more resistant to wear than the first weld material.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.

Abstract: A link member having a curved bearing surface and a conveyor belt comprising a link member having a curved bearing surface are described. The link member can be comprised in any type of conveyor belt, including a grid-type conveyor belt, a smaller-radius grid-type conveyor belt or a flat-wire conveyor belt. The link member eliminates the objectionable noise caused by pivot rods jumping the corner of conventional links having curved bearing surfaces. According to one embodiment, the link member comprises a pair of leg portions, each leg portion comprising a first opening at a distal end and a second opening at a proximal end, and a connecting portion that connects the pair of leg portions, the connecting portion comprising a curved bearing surface between first and second side surfaces.

Abstract: A link member having a replaceable wear component and a conveyor belt comprising a link member having a replaceable wear component are described. One aspect of the present invention provides a sacrificial or replaceable wear component that is attached to a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt can be any type of conveyor belt, such as a grid-type or flat-wire conveyor belt. The wear component is attached by mechanical or other means to allow its removal after a certain wear limit has been achieved. A new component can be installed to bring the conveyor belt to nearly new condition. This will extend belt life because only the wear component needs to be replaced, rather than the entire belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt configured to contact a drive surface is disclosed including a substantially U-shaped link having an outermost portion with a contact surface configured to face the drive surface. The outermost portion of the link may be more resistant to wear due to contact with the drive surface than other portions of the link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that includes a link having a leg formed of a link leg material, wherein the leg includes an outer link surface configured to face the drive surface, the link leg being configured to receive a rod. The conveyor belt may include an aperture extending through the leg, wherein the rod is disposed within the aperture. Also, the conveyor belt may include a first weld that attaches the free end of the rod to the outer link surface, the first weld comprising a first weld material and a second weld made of a second weld material, wherein the second weld covers at least a portion of the first weld and forms an outermost surface of the conveyor belt. The second weld material may be different from the first weld material, and may be more resistant to wear than the first weld material.

Abstract: An electropolishing or electroplating system and method for metal conveyor belts is described. In some embodiments, the system has a metal conveyor belt held in constant tension; a tank for holding an electrolytic fluid, the tank having an interior space suitable to contain the fluid, a metal plate and the metal conveyor belt; and an electrical current supply. In an electropolishing application, the current passes from the metal conveyor belt, through the fluid and into the metal plate. In an electroplating application, the current passes from the metal plate, through the fluid and into the metal conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is provided that may include a first link having a first protrusion. The first protrusion may include a first mating surface and may be disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link. The conveyor belt may include a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link. The second protrusion may include a second mating surface, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link. The first mating surface of the first protrusion may be disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface of the second protrusion. Further, the conveyor belt may include a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.