Abstract: A machine for packaging soft products, including a conveyor defining a ring-shaped path having an active linear lower branch facing a feed plane and a non-active linear upper branch Each of a plurality of carriages supports a tooth, projecting towards the feed plane during the passage on the lower branch. A transfer device moves one group of products at a time, with a corresponding sheet of wrapping material folded around the group, towards the feed plane and to a receiving compartment defined by a first and a second tooth, along a second direction transversal to a first direction. Along the lower linear branch there are a number of teeth equal to the number of groups positioned or arrived on the feed plane. Each tooth is configured to define simultaneously a pushing tooth and a tooth containment when the tooth is interposed between two groups along the feed plane.

Abstract: A conveyor belt monitoring system may utilize one or more ultrasonic sensors to identify variations in the position of the conveyor belt. These variations may be minor variations in belt position, which can be identified by the belt monitoring system well before they would be readily perceptible by a user. The monitoring system may be operated in conjunction with one or more belt adjustment mechanisms which can be used to correct the path of the conveyor belt based on information gathered by the monitoring system.

Abstract: A mix dispenser (14) comprises a hopper (24) with a top opening (26) for filling the hopper with a predetermined amount of mix and a bottom opening (28). The dispenser comprises a conveyor (30) which forms the bottom of said hopper (24) and is designed to extract the mix from the hopper (24) and convey it towards an end from where it falls into a mould. The dispenser is characterized in that said conveyor (30) comprises a supporting meshwork (32) made of a material resistant to the vapours of solvents such as styrene and operated by an electric motor (34). Furthermore a plant comprising such as dispenser is also described.

Abstract: A modular eye link conveyor belt and method of assembling a modular eye link conveyor belt includes (a) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one first module row; (b) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one second module row; connecting the first module row and the second module row with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets and thereby forming a first module; repeating steps (a) and (b) and forming a second module; and connecting the first module and the second module with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a conveyor belt slat that is coupled to a side carrier by a locking connection between the slat and the carrier at least along the side edges of the conveyor belt slat.

Abstract: A modular eye link conveyor belt and method of assembling a modular eye link conveyor belt includes (a) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one first module row; (b) welding a plurality of eyelets and bar links to a cross wire having a predetermined module width to form at least one second module row; connecting the first module row and the second module row with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets and thereby forming a first module; repeating steps (a) and (b) and forming a second module; and connecting the first module and the second module with a cross rod extending through the plurality of eyelets.

Abstract: A conveyor belt having a plurality of spaced tractive rods including opposing inner and outer ends, and a support surface transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, wherein at least one of the inner and outer ends of at least some of the plurality of spaced tractive rods includes a cone shaped end portion.

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 variable spaced flat wire conveyor belt system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods; a plurality of rows of flat wire wickets defining a plurality of drive links and a plurality of support links, the drive links including at least a plurality of first drive links, a plurality of second drive links, and a plurality of third drive links; and at least one drive sprocket configured to engage the plurality of drive links; wherein the first drive links have a first height and a first transverse spacing defining a first drive opening, the second drive links have a second height and a second transverse spacing defining a second drive opening, and the third drive links have a third height and a third transverse spacing defining a third drive opening; wherein the second drive opening and the third drive opening are progressively greater, respectively, than the first drive opening.

Abstract: Rod belt for rod belt conveyors for agricultural machinery includes rods arranged transversely with respect to the running direction and parallel to one another. At least one of the rods has flattened and perforated end areas with which it rests on tensile stress-resistant, elastic, continuous belts which revolve in parallel to one another, and is connected by rivets or similar fastening elements which pass through the end areas and the belts. The rod belt may be produced with a rod division that differs from, and in particular is smaller than, the division of the fastening points on the belts. This is achieved by providing that at least one additional rod is fixedly connected to the at least one rod which is connected to the belts, and the at least one additional rod is free of contact with the belts.

Abstract: A flat wire conveyor belt and system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods and a plurality of rows of pickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, each of the rows of pickets including a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links, the plurality of first links have a first spacing and the plurality of second links have a second spacing, the first spacing being less than the second spacing. The system further includes a sprocket, wherein the plurality of spaced tractive rods terminate with clinched ends within the plurality of first links disposed on the outer edges of the flat wire conveyor belt, and the first links are dimensioned for receiving the clinched ends and the sprocket teeth therewithin.

Abstract: A woven wire conveyor belt having a plurality of spiral wires and a plurality of connecting wires operably associated with the plurality of spiral wires to form a conveying surface with a plurality of openings formed therein. Each of the plurality of spiral wires has a first side wall and a second side wall that are substantially flat. The connecting wires can be crimped or straight wires. The spiral wires can be left spiral wires, right spiral wires or a combination of left and right spiral wires. The spiral wires and the connecting wires are preferably formed from round wire. Preferably, the woven wire conveyor belt is an endless belt. The conveyor belt can be a balanced weave wire belt, a double weave wire belt, a rod reinforced weave wire belt, a chevron weave wire belt, a double balance weave wire belt, and a single weave wire belt.

Abstract: Rod belt for rod belt conveyors for agricultural machinery includes rods arranged transversely with respect to the running direction and parallel to one another. At least one of the rods has flattened and perforated end areas with which it rests on tensile stress-resistant, elastic, continuous belts which revolve in parallel to one another, and is connected by rivets or similar fastening elements which pass through the end areas and the belts. The rod belt may be produced with a rod division that differs from, and in particular is smaller than, the division of the fastening points on the belts. This is achieved by providing that at least one additional rod is fixedly connected to the at least one rod which is connected to the belts, and the at least one additional rod is free of contact with the belts.

Abstract: A woven wire conveyor belt having a plurality of spiral wires and a plurality of connecting wires operably associated with the plurality of spiral wires to form a conveying surface with a plurality of openings formed therein. Each of the plurality of spiral wires has a first side wall and a second side wall that are substantially flat. The connecting wires can be crimped or straight wires. The spiral wires can be left spiral wires, right spiral wires or a combination of left and right spiral wires. The spiral wires and the connecting wires are preferably formed from round wire. Preferably, the woven wire conveyor belt is an endless belt. The conveyor belt can be a balanced weave wire belt, a double weave wire belt, a rod reinforced weave wire belt, a chevron weave wire belt, a double balance weave wire belt, and a single weave wire belt.

Abstract: A compound balanced woven-wire conveyor belt including a plurality of interwoven helically-wound spirals and connector rods, and a plurality of spiral wires forming protruding tangs on a surface of the woven-wire belt. A conveyor system further includes at least one rotatable member including an outer cylindrical surface symmetrically disposed relative to a central axis of rotation of the rotatable member and a plurality of cavities on the outer cylindrical surface for engaging the protruding tangs of the woven-wire belt, each of the protruding tangs substantially corresponding to the cavities of the rotatable member.

Abstract: A lateral plate element (106) for a link for a self-stacking endless conveyor belt includes an outer plate section (110); an inner plate section (120); and a bridging plate section (130) bridging the outer and inner plate sections. A resting surface (141) engages a lateral plate element of an underlying tier of the self-stacking endless conveyor belt (1). An upper portion with an associated upper edge (7) engages the resting surface of a lateral plate element of an overlaying tier of the self-stacking endless conveyor belt when it extends helically. An inner abutment surface (126) engages the upper portion of the underlying lateral plate element to limit outward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element. An outer abutment surface (142) engages the upper portion of the underlying lateral plate element to limit the inward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element.

Abstract: A lateral plate element (6, 6?) for a link means (4, 4?) for a self-stacking, helical endless conveyor belt (1), the lateral plate element, comprises an outer plate section (10), an inner plate section (20) and a bridging plate section (30) bridging the outer and inner plate sections (10, 20). The outer plate section (10) comprises a top subsection (11) extending in a first plane and wherein the inner plate section (20) comprises a top subsection (21) extending in a second plane, the second plane being offset, in an inward direction (A). The outer plate section (10) further comprises a bottom subsection (12) arranged in a bottom part of the outer plate section (10) and extending in a third plane being offset in the inward direction (A) with regard to the first plane. The lateral plate element further comprises a reinforcement (13) extending between the top subsection (11) and the bottom subsection (12) of the outer plate section (10).

Abstract: A hinge rod retainer for a modular conveyor belt. The retainer retains a hinge rod within a passageway, while allowing room for rod expansion or contraction relative to the belt width. The retainer comprises a flexible portion and a support forming an outside edge of the modular conveyor belt. The flexible portion comprises a flexible hook including an opening for allowing passage of the hinge rod into the passageway. The flexible hook defines a trapping region between the passageway and outside edge of the modular conveyor belt for trapping a hinge rod end.

Abstract: An process for cooking bacon includes the steps of continuously feeding bacon strips in three or more rows to an inlet of a spiral cooking oven, moving the bacon strips along a spiral path inside the spiral oven, applying a cooking fluid into the spiral oven and through the spiral path, and cooking the bacon strips in the spiral oven to a yield percentage having a mean bandwidth variation not greater than 4.5%. A conveyor belt having variable weaving includes belt openings that are initially larger through an inner side of the belt than through an outer side of the belt, when the belt is straight. When the belt collapses into the spiral configuration, the openings adjust so that the areal size of the openings is similar on both lateral sides of the belt, resulting in more even distribution of cooking fluid and more uniform cooking.

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: Provided is a belt-driving roller that can be manufactured at low cost for driving a wire mesh belt used as a conveyor belt in a circulating manner, and also provided is a food manufacturing apparatus using the driving roller. A belt-driving roller comprises: a rotation shaft; and toothed rollers concentrically attached to the outer circumference of the rotation shaft. The toothed roller comprises: a cylindrical base part on the outer circumference of which teeth are provided in a plurality of rows to engage with a wire mesh belt; and an attachment means for attaching the base part to the rotation shaft. The belt-driving roller is used in a food manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods related to cleaning during manufacture of radio-frequency (RF) modules. Such modules can be manufactured in an array on a panel. At one or more stages, it can be desirable to perform cleaning operations for such panels. In some embodiments, a cleaning system can include a first belt transport apparatus configured to support a first surface of the panel and move the panel during a cleaning process. The cleaning system can further include a second belt transport apparatus configured to engage a second surface of the panel to keep the panel on the first belt transport apparatus during the cleaning process. At least the second belt transport apparatus can include a mesh, with the mesh having a coating configured to reduce the likelihood of damage to the second surface of the panel and to provide desired electrostatic discharge protection for the panel.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a number of coupling elements, each having two links which are present on either side of a coupling element and which are each coupled to a link of an adjacent coupling element; a pin which extends between the two coupling elements and is connected to each of the two links; such that two mutually adjacent coupling elements can be moved out of the main plane and are mutually rotatable in the main plane. The conveyor belt has the feature that at least the most outward lying leg of a link has a third hole; the pin is inserted with its free end into the third hole of the link or a link of an adjacent coupling element; and the pin is substantially fixed relative to each link on the sides of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A nested end protector link for capturing first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain that includes a first link segment having an outer wall in a first vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing convex face, and a rearward-facing concave face and a first pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing convex face and the rearward-facing concave face. A second link segment is integrally-formed with the first link segment and has an outer wall in a second vertical plane defining a protective bearing surface having a forward-facing concave face. A rearward-facing convex face is provided and has a second pin access bore extending perpendicularly through the link between the forward-facing concave face and the rearward-facing convex face.

Abstract: A bar conveyor belt includes two parallel longitudinal chains and a plurality of bars forming the conveying surface and fixed at their ends to the successive links of the two chains. Each chain link consists of a metal plate bent in the form of a U with its arms disposed to define a space intended to partially house that adjacent link positioned upstream with reference to the chain advancement direction, the arms being provided with a longitudinal slot for passage of that bar connected to the downstream link, the outer arm presenting an appendix engageable by the teeth of a drive sprocket. The appendix of each link is bent in the chain advancement direction to form a tooth with a complete involute profile, and the end of each bar extends into the appendix and is fixed to the top thereof, after passing through two holes provided in the arms of the link and the slots provided in the arms of the upstream link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of successive belt elements (2), each belt element (2) comprising at least one transverse rod (4) and two opposing side members (3) connected to each other by the at least one transverse rod (4), and a link (6) forming a joint intermediate the lateral edges (7a, 7b) of the conveyor belt between the adjoining transverse rods (4) of each pair of adjoining belt elements (2). Each link (6) comprises a plate (11) in which two successive rod receiving holes (12) are formed, wherein the rod receiving holes (12) have an offset (O) towards a first side (13) of said plate (11) and wherein a recess (16) is formed in said first side (13) of the plate (11), between said rod receiving holes (12).

Abstract: A conveyor belt is made with a series of spaced apart buttonless rods. The buttonless rods are connected to each other with a plurality of links. The buttonless ends of the rods are welded or otherwise affixed to the links so that the ends of the rods are substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the links. This forms a relatively smooth link surface, which is readily cleaned and sanitized. Additionally, wear and tear is reduced on driving grip surfaces that frictionally grab onto the links.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a plurality of spaced rods transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and a plurality of plate elements overlying at least some of the rods so as to provide a support surface which imparts a predetermined marking or lack of marking to the product being conveyed.

Abstract: A flat wire conveyor belt system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods and a plurality of rows of pickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, each of the rows of pickets including a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links, the plurality of first links have a first spacing and the plurality of second links have a second spacing, the first spacing being less than the second spacing. The system further includes a sprocket, wherein the plurality of first links are configured to engage the sprocket teeth thereof.

Abstract: A conveying device and a packaging machine for beverage containers are disclosed. The beverage containers are grouped as packs and wrapped with film, comprising a horizontal conveying device including an endlessly circulating conveyor chain whose movable members and/or meshes each have a supporting structure and contact areas for the packs and/or coatings that include significant portions of PTFE plastic. The contact areas of plastic have a thickness corresponding to at least 10% of the thickness of the supporting structure covered and/or coated therewith.

Abstract: An end protector link for capturing and retaining first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain is provided. The end protector link includes an outer wall defining a protective bearing surface defining a pair of openings for allowing ingress and egress of respective enlarged heads of the first and second link pins, and an inner wall carried in spaced-apart relation to the outer wall and having a pair of retainer apertures generally aligned with respective ones of the pair of openings for capturing and retaining respective enlarged heads of the first and second link pins between facing surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall. The protective bearing surface of the outer wall is adapted for being engaged by wearing surfaces past which the conveyor moves and thereby protecting the enlarged heads of the link pins from exposure to said wearing surfaces.

Abstract: A belt of a chain conveyor wherein the belt is composed of transverse bars, containment sidewalls, slide guides and drive chains, each chain being formed by a succession of modules, each one composed of an appropriately shaped link for fixing, without preventing axial rotation thereof, the transverse bar which forms the support surface for the products and for engaging the mechanical drive members, made in a form which has a lateral appendage shaped according to a profile suitable for engaging the motor members.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for coating, topping, and conveying foods. The apparatus includes a first frame, spring assemblies, a vibrating assembly including an upper pan, a middle pan, a lower pan, and a second frame mounted to the lower pan with the spring assemblies. The second frame is an excited frame and the upper pan, the middle pan, the lower pan are vibrationally connected. The apparatus also includes a vibratory drive unit mounted and adapted to impart energy to the second frame. In addition, the apparatus has a wire conveyor belt assembly including a wire conveyor belt, and a housing that receives the wire conveyor belt. The wire conveyor belt assembly is suspended inside of the vibratory assembly by the first frame such that the wire conveyor belt assembly is isolated from the vibratory assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is made with a series of spaced apart buttonless rods. The buttonless rods are connected to each other with a plurality of links. The buttonless ends of the rods are welded or otherwise affixed to the links so that the ends of the rods are substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the links. This forms a relatively smooth link surface, which is readily cleaned and sanitized. Additionally, wear and tear is reduced on driving grip surfaces that frictionally grab onto the links.

Abstract: A conveying device and a packaging machine for beverage containers are disclosed. The beverage containers are grouped as packs and wrapped with film, comprising a horizontal conveying device including an endlessly circulating conveyor chain whose movable members and/or meshes each have a supporting structure and contact areas for the packs and/or coatings that include significant portions of PTFE plastic.

Abstract: A conveyor belt system includes a splice rod having a j-shaped hook on each end thereof and a plurality of links for receiving the splice rod therethrough. The links further include a specially modified link end for securing the rods.

Abstract: A hybrid mesh belt having a mesh portion with side edges attached to modular plastic chains. The chains are provided with cavities on the bottom side. The cavities are suitable for engaging with driving sprockets that engage with the chains.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt comprises a number of links which are each coupled to an adjacent link by means of a hinge. Added to each link is a carrier which has a discrete, flat first carrying surface which consists of the outer surfaces of a number of mutually coupled plates extending with second mutual intermediate spaces in longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, wherein corresponding plates of adjacent links lie in the same plane. In the second intermediate space there fits a row, extending in transverse direction, of fixedly disposed fingers which extend in longitudinal direction and form a discrete, flat second carrying surface which, at the position of co-action with the first carrying surface, lies in the same plane as this first carrying surface, which fingers are disposed at the end of the active part of the conveyor belt and can take over for further transport objects fed by this conveyor belt in sliding manner while being pushed by objects fed by this conveyor belt.

Abstract: An end protector link (60) captures and retains first and second elongate link pins of a multi-link conveyor chain, and includes an outer wall (41) defining a protective bearing surface, a spacer wall (62) carried by the outer wall, and an inner wall (63) carried by the spacer wall in spaced-apart relation to the outer wall and having a retainer aperture (75) for capturing and retaining respective enlarged heads (13) of the first and second link pins (12) between facing surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall. The protective bearing surface of the outer wall is adapted for being engaged by wearing surfaces past which the conveyor moves to protect the enlarged heads (13) of the link pins to exposure to the wearing surfaces.

Abstract: A rotatable member, for use with an elongated woven-wire belt assembled from spiral wires and connector rods which define recesses, of preselected uniform cross-sectional configurational and dimensional characteristics and having a preselected depth dimension for confronting a rotatable member. The rotatable member includes a hollow tubular member defining an outer cylindrical surface symmetrically disposed in relation to a central axis of rotation for the rotatable member, a plurality of rows of uniformly radially-oriented protrusions on the cylindrical surface for use in engaging recesses presented by interwoven spiral wires and connector rods of a woven-wire belt, and a plurality of slotted opening formed between the adjacent rows of protrusions.

Abstract: A conveyor belt including a plurality of link elements, and a pivot rod with a button head at one end. The button head is sized to pass through an outer opening and be received in a first edge extension when in a particular orientation. The pivot rod is retained with the button head received in the first edge extension by rotating the button head so that the button head is misaligned with respect to the first dimension of the outer opening. A method for assembling a conveyor belt is also provided.

Abstract: A variable spaced conveyor belt includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods and a plurality of rows of wickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, each of the rows of wickets including a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links, the plurality of first links have a first spacing and the plurality of second links have a second spacing, the first spacing being less than the second spacing.

Abstract: A rotatable member, for use with an elongated woven-wire belt assembled from spiral wires and connector rods which define recesses, of preselected uniform cross-sectional configurational and dimensional characteristics and having a preselected depth dimension for confronting a rotatable member. The rotatable member includes a hollow tubular member defining an outer cylindrical surface symmetrically disposed in relation to a central axis of rotation for the rotatable member, a plurality of rows of uniformly radially-oriented protrusions on the cylindrical surface for use in engaging recesses presented by interwoven spiral wires and connector rods of a woven-wire belt, and a plurality of slotted opening formed between the adjacent rows of protrusions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connective link for a conveyor belt, which comprises legs extending in a longitudinal direction from a lateral cross-member at a closed first end and to an open second end, and defining laterally aligned first apertures on each of said legs at said closed end for reception of a rod, and laterally aligned second apertures at said open end for reception of a rod, wherein at least one leg is extended in longitudinal direction over a distance from the second aperture. The invention further relates to a conveyor belt comprising said connective links.

Abstract: The present invention is featured in that a plurality of transfer pieces composing a transfer conveyer are connected to be able to be piled vertically spirally, the transfer pieces having pairs of spacer members each of which is formed to have an inside-part and an outside part continuing to the inside-part and offsetting outward in lateral direction perpendicular to the transfer direction, an engaging part having a contact face extending in the direction parallel to the transfer direction being formed at the upper and lower end part of the outside-part of the spacer member; the transfer pieces can be piled such that vertically adjacent spacer members contact to each other with the contact face of the upper and lower engaging part; an inside chain and an outside chain are provided for allowing the inner side and outer side spacer members to ride on respective chain to advance the transfer conveyer; and the inside chain and outside chain are driven by a single motor.

Abstract: A spiral-link belt for use as, for example, a conveyor belt comprising a belt body formed of a series of cross-machine direction (CD) spiral coils linked by pintles in the CD to form an endless loop and a plurality of CD drive bars. Each CD drive bar is formed of linked spiral coils integrated into the belt body.

Abstract: A rod for rotating rod-bands for agricultural machines, and a method of making the same, are provided. The rod comprises a rod body and metallic securement pieces serving for placement on flexible, pull-resistant belts. The securement piece has a first, flat length section secured to one of the belts by rivets or the like, and a second length section with a sleeve-like configuration for accommodating the rod body.

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: An improved self-stacking spiral conveyor belt that includes a plurality of interconnected links each including two side plates connected together with two transverse rods. A flexible support structure is disposed around the rods which connect the links together. Each side plate includes a laterally extending foot with an abutment edge formed or attached thereto a design to limit lateral movement of the upper link over a lower link when the belt is aligned in a helical configuration. The abutment edge is formed by at least one downward extending step structure. The step structure is offset with the vertical surface of the side plate thereby forming a rest surface that the upper edge of the lower link supports. Formed on the side plates is a guide tab that includes a beveled inner surface that prevents the upper edge of the lower side plates from moving inward and prevents or limits stretching along the direction of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt including a plurality of interconnected wire segments forming a conveying surface to convey at least one article from one point to another. The conveying surface has first and second outermost edges. Preferably, each of the plurality of wire segments has open end regions permitting interlocking of adjacent wire elements without subsequent forming or reforming of the end regions. The outermost edges of the conveyor belt are formed to reduce the likelihood of snagging and/or injury.