Abstract: A conveyor belt and an attachment element that firmly interlocks into a row of the conveyor belt. In one version, the attachment element includes a base from which two sets of hook-shaped appendages extend. The appendages each include a shank portion extending from the base and a hook portion angling from the shank portion to a distal end. The hook portions of the first set extend in different directions from the hook portions of the second set. Belt modules in the interconnected rows of the conveyor belt have receptacles that open onto an outer surface of the belt. The receptacles are shaped to receive the differently-directed appendages. Blocking surfaces bounding the receptacles constrain the differently-directed appendages against removal. In another version, the attachment element includes a flange that extends outward in a different direction from a set of appendages.

Abstract: A self-clearing article-transfer plate for a conveyor system. The plate is disposed between an upstream article feeder, such as a conveyor belt supplying a stream of conveyed articles, and a downstream article receiver, such as a takeaway belt or an accumulation table. The plate may have a tapered edge or a fingered edge at a first end for receiving articles from the article feeder. Backpressure from the stream of articles pushes the articles onto, across, and off a second opposite end of the plate onto the article receiver. When the stream of articles stops or is interrupted, the last articles in the stream are urged along the plate from the first end to the second end by vibrations from a vibrator affixed to a support for the plate. In this way, articles are cleared from the plate, without being stranded, even in the absence of backpressure.

Abstract: A two-conductor bidirectional digital telemetry interface between a seismic sensor acquisition/conversion module and a seismic data collection module. The data collection module is configured as a master electronics device and the sensor acquisition/conversion module is configured as a slave electronics device in the telemetry system. The master device provides power to the slave device over the two conductors. The master device transmits portions of commands to the slave device at a first time and the slave device transmits portions of a digital seismic data packet to the master at a different second time in a fixed-duration frame. The frames are transmitted at regular intervals. The outbound commands and inbound data are encoded by block codes. A phase-locked loop in the slave is locked to a master clock in the master by deriving a clock and a sync point from the block-coded commands it receives from the master.

Abstract: A zero-back pressure conveyor in which a transport belt is flanked on opposite sides by two series of inverted roller belt loops. The transport belt forms an upper carryway for transporting articles in a transport direction between the two series of inverted roller belt loops, each of which forms a top supportway. The supportways of corresponding pairs of belt loops are generally coplanar and jointly support an article. The transport belt and each pair of inverted roller belt loops are relatively positionable between a first position in which the upper carryway of the transport belt is generally coplanar with the supportways of the pair of flanking belt loops and a second position in which the carryway is below the plane of the supportways. Thus, in the first position, the transport belt is positioned to contact conveyed articles to move them in the transport direction; and, in the second position, the transport belt is out of contact with the articles.

Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt (20) constructed of a series of rows (24, 25) of belt modules hingedly interlined by tapered oblong hinge pins (22) and suitable for following straight or curved conveyor paths. Aligned slots (30) formed in one set of hinge elements between successive rows are elongated in the direction of belt travel to allow the belt to fan out in turns. Fan-shaped apertures (38) formed in interleaved hinge elements of an adjacent row and aligned axially with the slots to admit a hinge pin (22) allow the belt to pivot at the hinge to articulate about a sprocket (181) or idler (186) or to enter and exit an incline. The oblong hinge pin has a first region at a first end (88) with a constant long axis to share the belt load among hinge elements encompassing the first region on straight runs.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt with pin-retained attachments. The conveyor belt is constructed of a series of rows of side-by-side belt modules hingedly interconnected end to end by hinge pins through interleaved hinge eyes of adjacent rows. Selected modules are base modules that include upstanding members extending from intermediate module structure. Belt attachments, such as flights, include depending connection members with shank portions that interleave with the upstanding members of the base module. One or more aligned apertures through the interleaved connection members and upstanding members form passageways across the base modules for connecting pins that hold the attachment to one or more base modules.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt forming a hinge between consecutive belt rows hingedly connected by a rolling hinge pin pair. Hinge eyes along the forward and rearward ends of each row of belt modules include aligned openings for the hinge pins. The belt rows are arranged end-to-end with the hinge eyes of adjacent rows interleaved. The hinge pin pairs are inserted side by side in the passageway formed by the aligned openings of the interleaved hinge eyes. The hinge pin pairs include first and second hinge pins having outer contact surfaces. The openings in the hinge eyes are characterized by a narrow end with constraining surfaces for positioning the first hinge pin and flaring out to a wider second end bounded by a roll surface that gives the second hinge pin clearance to roll along the roll surface as the belt articulates. During belt articulation, each hinge pin of the pair rolls against the other and along the roll surfaces instead of sliding against the walls of the openings.

Abstract: A chain link conveyor belt carries lateral slats extending from the chain links, upon which are formed integral ribbed finger load carrying platform structure that interdigitates and overlaps their ribbed fingers with leading and trailing chain links in a conveyor belt. Wider belts are feasible when a parallel pair of spaced chains support the lateral slats extending horizontally from the chain links to the belt edges. The chain links are Y-shaped with elongated pivot rod slots in the leg to permit flexibility for laterally pivoting the belt around curved paths. Specially shaped structure on the slats near the belt edges supports long finger tip ribs of adjacent slats, thereby to strengthen the edge portions of the belt. The outermost fingers are reinforced to slide on guide rails. The trailing ribbed fingers diverge inwardly from the belt edges to avoid interference and fracture.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting external devices to specified locations on a marine seismic streamer. Inner collars are clamped to the cable at specified locations along its length. Each inner collar forms a circular race encircling the cable. A cuff attached to an external device is in the form of a C-shaped cylindrical ring with a circular inner surface. A gap in the ring interrupts the inner surface. A throat is formed in the ring by the gap, which extends the full length of the cuff across the ends of the C. The spacing between the ends of the C across the throat defines the width of the gap. The width of the gap is slightly larger than the diameter of the cable so that the cuff can be slipped over the cable through the throat. The width of the gap is smaller than the diameter of the circular race so that, when the cuff is slid into position on the race, the cuff cannot be removed radially from the race. The inner surface of the cuff rides on the race to allow the cable to rotate inside the cuff.

Abstract: A low backline pressure conveyor belt and modules therefor characterized by modules having thin upstanding supports supporting a transverse axle on which article-conveying rollers are rotatably mounted in a closely-spaced relationship.

Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.

Abstract: A belt conveyor whose article-conveying characteristics can be changed as the belt is running. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of movable assemblies supporting an article-supporting element and an adjustable element. The adjustable element coacts with an adjustment control element supported in the conveyor frame as the belt is running. The coaction causes the adjustable element to move the article-supporting element to provide a different article-conveying characteristic to articles supported at the conveying surface of the belt in zones defined by the adjustment control elements.

Abstract: A method for steam-cooking shrimp at reduced temperatures below 100° C. to decrease the loss of shrimp by weight during the cooking process. An exemplary apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention includes a steam cooker with a conveyor belt for continuously transporting shrimp product into and through a cooking chamber open to the atmosphere. Thermostatic controls allow the temperature of the cooking chamber to be adjusted for the proper cooking time depending on the size of the shrimp and their loaded density. The cooking chamber contains a substantially homogeneous gaseous environment of a steam mixture for even cooking. Adjusting the speed of the conveyor belt can control the dwell time of the shrimp in the cooking chamber. Results of testing have shown that, to heat shrimp to an internal temperature of 62.8° C.

Abstract: A conversion kit and a method for inexpensively converting a roller conveyor into a belt conveyor. The converted conveyor is made from a roller conveyor that has a frame with two parallel sides supporting a set of parallel rollers at spaced apart locations. A conversion kit is used to make the conversion. The kit includes attachment collars that fit around selected rollers and wearstrip material that extends outward from the attachment collars and overlies a group of consecutive collars. The wearstrip material and the collars resting on the rollers form a carryway bed on which a conveyor belt or chain is supported.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting external devices to specified locations on a marine seismic streamer. Inner collars are clamped to the cable at specified locations along its length. Each inner collar forms a circular race encircling the cable. A cuff attached to an external device is in the form of a C-shaped cylindrical ring with a circular inner surface. A gap in the ring interrupts the inner surface. A throat is formed in the ring by the gap, which extends the full length of the cuff across the ends of the C. The spacing between the ends of the C across the throat defines the width of the gap. The width of the gap is slightly larger than the diameter of the cable so that the cuff can be slipped over the cable through the throat. The width of the gap is smaller than the diameter of the circular race so that, when the cuff is slid into position on the race, the cuff cannot be removed radially from the race. The inner surface of the cuff rides on the race to allow the cable to rotate inside the cuff.

Abstract: Apparatus for peeling shrimp including powered roller assemblies each made up of a peeling roller and a drive member attached by a releasable connection. Roller connection structure at a first end of each roller assembly mates with reciprocal drive connection structure in the drive member. An adjustable element extending through the drive member allows the connection to be released and the roller assembly separated into a roller segment and a drive member segment. In other versions the roller segment can be composed of a series of segments having the same or different peeling surface characteristics in which the individual roller segments are similarly releasably connected.

Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.

Abstract: This invention provides integrated knuckle drive link conveyor belt systems with improved long wear-high load bearing link coupling joints of a universal joint nature for permitting the belts to travel on straight or curvaceous paths which also feature expedited insertion of spindle rods extending through the knuckles, diverse sprocket drive capabilities and replaceable load conveying platform accessories of the plug-in or snap-in variety. A cylindrical knuckle, when the loaded belt is under tension, has a substantially semi-cylindrical high wear contact surface that handles heavy peak loads. That knuckle is installed expeditiously at a joint between end-to-end connected links constituting a special interfitted jig comprising a seat in the nose end of a link resting the knuckle in a registered operational position to receive the connecting spindle rod through trailing edge bifurcated arms of a leading modular link without a concurrent manual orientation of the knuckle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing fish prior to canning to increase yield. The method includes the steps of first preparing the fish body for further processing by: removing (12) the tail, pectoral, and thoracic fins from a frozen fish body, removing the scales (20) from the frozen fish body, dipping the fish body in a hot bath (24) to thaw the skin and subdermal layer of the fish, dipping the fish body in a cooling bath (28) to stop fixer thawing, skinning (32) the fish body, and finally removing the dorsal and ventral fins (36). The method also includes the steps of preparing separated loin portions of the fish body for canning by: immersing frozen loin pieces in a heated broth bath (84) to coat the pieces with broth and then cooking the pieces in a hot water bath (88) until the internal temperature of the pieces reaches a preferred temperature. A preferred scaling apparatus includes a scaler assembly (42), a holder (44) for the fish body, and means for moving the scaler assembly close to the holder.