Abstract: A spiral conveyor system may include a cage associated with a motor; a conveyor belt traveling helically about the cage; the cage including a plurality of drive elements formed of vertically oriented cage bars; a cage bar cap mounted on at least one of the cage bars; the cage bar cap including a vertically oriented rib extending radially from a surface of the cage bar cap; wherein the rib includes at least one drive face; wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face; wherein the cage includes a ring that extends between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the cage; wherein the surface of the cage bar cap from which the rib extends defines a first diameter; and wherein the ring has a ring diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor system may include a drum and a conveyor belt traveling helically about the drum from an entrance end to an exit end of the drum, and a rib associated with the drum, wherein the rib extends radially from a surface of the drum. A length of the rib extends along the length of the drum from a first end of the rib to a terminus of the rib proximate the entrance end of the drum. In addition, a height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along the length of the rib. Further, the rib includes at least one drive face, wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face, and wherein the drum includes a smooth ribless portion between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the drum.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor system may include a drum associated with a motor, wherein the drum extends from a drum bottom to a drum top. In addition, the system may include a conveyor belt traveling helically about the drum from an entrance end of the drum to an exit end of the drum. Further, the system may include a rib associated with the drum, wherein the rib extends radially from a surface of the drum, and at least one drive face positioned on the rib. The conveyor belt may include at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face. The length of the rib extends along the length of the drum from a first end of the rib to a terminus of the rib proximate the entrance end of the drum. In addition, the drum includes a ring that extends between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the drum.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor system with a positive drive system includes a rotating drum with at least one rib that is attached to drum. The rib includes a drive face for engaging a conveyor belt. The height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along a length of the drive element. The rib may be directly attached to the drum or may be a part of a drive element attached to the drum. The conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face, such as a protruding tab with a flat surface.

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 system for anticipating low-speed bearing failure triggers a notification when a noise generated by the low-speed bearing exceeds a threshold. The system predicts failure far in advance of the actual failure. The system includes an accelerometer for detecting the noise generated by the bearing. The signal produced by the accelerometer is processed using a band pass filter, an amplifier/rectifier, an averaging filter, and a voltage to current converter. The signal and raw data are transmitted to a remote monitoring system, such as a computer. The signal is further analyzed, such as to produce a best-fit line. When the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as when the amount or the slope of the best-fit line exceeds a value, the remote system notifies a monitor to schedule maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, transporting and dispensing conveyor belts is described. The apparatus, in the form of a crate, has top and bottom conventional pallets, allowing for easy handling and strength for additional stacked crates. The center of the crate holds a hub assembly that moves rotationally, and allows smooth transition from consecutive layers of the conveyor belt wrapped thereon. During shipment, the roll of conveyor belt lies on its side. In one embodiment, a center pipe axle of the spool passes through holes in the top and bottom pallets. Alternatively, the center pipe axle passes through channels created between planks of the top and bottom pallets. These configurations secure the roll in the crate, and allow it to turn freely when loaded or unloaded.

Abstract: A spiral conveyor system with a positive drive system includes a rotating drum with at least one rib that is attached to drum. The rib includes a drive face for engaging a conveyor belt. The height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along a length of the drive element. The rib may be directly attached to the drum or may be a part of a drive element attached to the drum. The conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face, such as a protruding tab with a flat surface.

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 self-supporting linkage assembly and a plurality of transverse elements configured to travel along a longitudinal direction. The transverse elements are interconnected by the linkage assembly. The conveyor belt also includes a biasing member. The linkage assembly includes a first link and a second link. The first and second links are configured to move relative to each other between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The biasing member is configured to bias the first and second links toward the engaged position. The first and second links, when in the engaged position, are constrained against rotation relative to each other. The first and second links, when in the disengaged position, are configured to rotate relative to each other.

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: An electropolishing or electroplating system and method for metal conveyor belts is described. As opposed to conventional polishing processes in which the product is guided around rollers which direct the product into and out of an electrolyte bath, embodiments of the present invention pass the product through a housing supplied with a continuous directional flow of electrolyte. Thus, the electroplating or electropolishing can be targeted to specific areas of the product, such as the edges and/or the center of a conveyor belt, and straight products can pass through the housing without deformation.

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 link for a modular conveyor belt may include a supporting structure and a bearing structure covering at least a portion of the supporting structure. The supporting structure may have a tensile strength that is higher than the bearing structure, and the bearing structure may be more resistant to wear than the supporting structure.

Abstract: An electropolishing or electroplating system and method for metal conveyor belts is described. As opposed to conventional polishing processes in which the product is guided around rollers which direct the product into and out of an electrolyte bath, embodiments of the present invention pass the product through a housing supplied with a continuous directional flow of electrolyte. Thus, the electroplating or electropolishing can be targeted to specific areas of the product, such as the edges and/or the center of a conveyor belt, and straight products can pass through the housing without deformation.

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 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 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.