Abstract: Disclosed are conveyors and methods for making and using a conveyor. In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a modular conveyor belt that includes at least one mat-top chain having at least one cavity and at least one first roller disposed in the cavity of the mat-top chain. The conveyor further includes a longitudinal second roller that operatively couples to the first roller such that the longitudinal second roller and the first roller are rotating as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller. In another embodiment, the method for making a conveyor may comprise the steps of linking a plurality of mat-top chains together to form a modular conveyor belt; disposing a first roller into a cavity of the mat-top chain; and placing a longitudinal second roller underneath the conveyor belt such that as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller, the first roller operatively couples to the longitudinal second roller causing the second roller and the first roller to rotate.

Abstract: A skate-wheel conveyor converted into a belt conveyor, a kit including components for the conversion, and a method for carrying out the conversion. C-shaped collars having an open neck are slipped onto the skate wheels of an existing skate-wheel conveyor. The gap across the neck is narrower than the diameter of the skate wheel. Support surfaces at the ends of the C-shaped collars across the gaps support the bases of wear surfaces, such as wear strips, that form a conveyor carryway to support a conveyor belt. Fasteners retain the wear strips in place, bridging the gaps in the collars to surround the skate wheels in a secure connection.

Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyor belt with article-supporting rollers selectively rotated to direct conveyed articles toward one side of the conveyor or the other. The belt rollers are arranged in longitudinal columns and can rotate on axes parallel to the direction of belt travel. Salient portions of the belt rollers protrude through the thickness of the belt. An array of powered rollers, each powered roller underlying a column of belt rollers, is selectively moved into and out of contact with the belt rollers to cause them to rotate to direct articles conveyed atop the belt rollers toward or off one side of the conveyor when the conveyor belt is stopped.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt with a self-adjusting edge for bearing against a conveyor side rail. An edge pad, which can be made of a durable material for long wear life, pivotably attaches to the side edge of a belt row. The pivotable attachment allows the pad to adjust itself to maximize its contact area with the side rail.

Abstract: A conveyor system and associated method for conveying tires received from a multiplicity of tire presses. The conveyor system shown comprises a main, or trench, conveyor flanked on opposite sides by opposing groups of tire presses. Discharge conveyors deliver tires from the tire presses to the main conveyor at multiple positions along the length of the main conveyor. The tires are delivered from both sides of the main conveyor, which conveys them downstream. An open-loop sequencer activates each discharge conveyor to deliver tires to the main conveyor according to a schedule including the sequence of activating each of the discharge conveyors so as to avoid collisions between tires on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with embedded spherical rollers retained in the module and a belt constructed of such modules. The module includes a module body forming a cavity, a spherical roller in the cavity, and a retainer retained in the cavity to hold the spherical roller rotatably in place. A salient portion of the roller extends outward from the cavity through the retainer past an outer surface of the module. The retainer is attached to the module body by ultrasonic welding, epoxy- or solvent-bonding, spin welding, electromagnetic welding, staking, screwing, or locking.

Abstract: A conveyor having rollers supported above the conveying surface of a belt to prevent conveyed articles from being stranded atop flights or other positioning elements. The rollers may be passive or driven actively either directly by rolling contact with a carryway or indirectly through a transmission linked to accelerating rollers in direct contact with a supporting carryway. Accelerating rollers extend through the belt past the conveying surface to support conveyed articles and past an opposite surface of the belt into rolling contact with the carryway. The accelerating rollers may be axle-mounted, in-line or oblique, or freely rotatable roller balls. As the belt advances, the accelerating rollers propel conveyed articles forward over any supported roller the article is leaning on into a registration position against a flight, frictional area, or other registration element.

Abstract: A conveyor system in which a modular belt or chain is driven by a drive element rotated at a predetermined variable angular speed to compensate for speed fluctuations due to chordal action. A speed signal generator generates a speed signal generally inverse to the uncompensated linear speed of a belt driven by drive elements rotated at a constant angular speed. The speed signal generator detects an encoded pattern rotating in known relationship to the drive element. The encoded pattern represents a predetermined speed profile that is used to compensate for belt speed fluctuations or to provide custom belt speed performance.

Abstract: A conveyor constructed of a single belt or a plurality of abutting belts arranged side by side in the conveyor, in which the belt or belts have rollers arranged to rotate on axes oriented at multiple angles oblique to the direction of belt travel. A gradual or monotonic, stepped change in the axes of the rollers across the width of the conveyor can be used to make a conveyor capable of converting a mass flow of articles into a single stream of separated articles.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods for cleaning residual visceral matter from the belly cavity of a gutted fish. The cleaning apparatus includes a scraper attached at the mouth of a suction tube by a hinge. An actuator pivots the scraper about the hinge between an extended position biased into contact with the interior wall of the belly cavity and a retracted position out of contact with the wall. In the retracted position, the scraper covers the mouth of the suction tube to prevent dislodged visceral matter from falling back into the belly cavity. In the extended position, the scraper uncovers the mouth of the suction tube to allow scraped visceral matter to be sucked from the belly cavity.

Abstract: A kit and associated methods for converting a pre-existing conveyor frame into a belt conveyor. The converted conveyor comprises a U-shaped pan mounted to the top of a pre-existing conveyor frame. The U-shaped pan has a pair of side walls flanking a base. A carryway is fastened to the base of the pan to support a modular conveyor belt. Liners extending from the top of the side walls extend into the pan to act as low-friction side rails. Inverted-U-shaped guides attached to the bottom portion of the pre-existing frame at periodically spaced frame supports guide the belt in the returnway beneath the carryway. Spacers interposed between the frame supports and the frame provide vertical and lateral clearance for the belt along the returnway. The kit provides parts for converting a pre-existing conveyor frame into a belt conveyor.

Abstract: A horizontally traveling water screen for filtering debris from a wide flowing stream. The water screen, which may be realized by a foraminous modular plastic conveyor belt, is formed in an endless loop trained between drive and idle sprockets rotatable on generally vertical shafts. The upstream face of the water screen is oriented transverse to the flow and advances horizontally across the stream to drag debris to a cleaning and discharge station. Horizontally spaced hold down tabs extending outward of the inner surface of the loop hook onto and ride along a horizontal guide attached to a support frame for the water screen to prevent the screen from sagging.

Abstract: A conveyor system in which a modular belt or chain is driven by a drive element rotated at a predetermined variable angular speed to compensate for speed fluctuations due to chordal action. A speed signal generator generates a speed signal generally inverse to the uncompensated linear speed of a belt driven by drive elements rotated at a constant angular speed. The speed signal generator detects an encoded pattern rotating in known relationship to the drive element. The encoded pattern represents a predetermined speed profile that is used to compensate for belt speed fluctuations or to provide custom belt speed performance.

Abstract: A conveyor system and associated method for conveying tires received from a multiplicity of tire presses. The conveyor system shown comprises a main, or trench, conveyor flanked on opposite sides by opposing groups of tire presses. Discharge conveyors deliver tires from the tire presses to the main conveyor at multiple positions along the length of the main conveyor. The tires are delivered from both sides of the main conveyor, which conveys them downstream. An open-loop sequencer activates each discharge conveyor to deliver tires to the main conveyor according to a schedule including the sequence of activating each of the discharge conveyors so as to avoid collisions between tires on the main conveyor.

Abstract: An easy-to-clean conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having lateral depressions forming channels across the width of the belt along which water can be sprayed to flush debris off the side edge of the belt. Lateral ridges between the depressions and hinge eyes at the ends of each module serve as levees that prevent debris being flushed through the channels from draining into hinge joints between consecutive belt rows.

Abstract: An easy-to-clean conveyor with sprockets that reveal the hinge area of a modular conveyor belt to a fluid spray. A conveyor includes a modular belt constructed of rows of belt modules hingedly linked together in series by hinge pins into an endless belt loop. A sprocket, mounted on a shaft for rotation, engages an inner surface of the belt in driving or driven contact. The sprocket extends from a central bored hub to an outer periphery, which is arranged to engage the inner surface of the belt along an area of contact that varies laterally across the inner surface of the belt in each rotation of the sprocket.

Abstract: A bidirectional sorter using an automated guide to selectively divert articles off a transverse roller-top conveyor belt. A sorting station forms a segment of a conveying line conveying articles in a conveying direction. The sorting station includes a transverse roller-top belt having rollers protruding above an outer surface of the belt. The rollers are arranged to rotate about axes in the conveyor direction to provide a low-friction rolling surface to articles being pushed sidewise on the belt. A guide suspended above the belt is positionable over the belt at positions to intercept conveyed articles and guide them atop the rollers off one side of the belt or the other. The guide is also movable to a bypass position that allows conveyed articles to pass freely through the sorting station.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt and belt attachment members that are retained by hinge rods. The attachment members have a body with opposite outer and base surfaces. Interaction elements, such as high-friction surfaces, plates, or holddown wings, extend from the outer surface. The base surface mounts flush against a conveying surface or an opposite surface of the belt. Legs extend directly from the base surface into gaps between hinge elements extending longitudinally outward of conveyor belt modules forming the belt. Feet at distal ends of the legs hook under hinge rods to retain the attachment member firmly in place. The lateral spacings between the legs are related to the geometry of the hinge elements to register the attachment element with respect to the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate on oblique axes to urge articles toward a side guide. The conveyor includes an oblique-roller belt supported on a carryway for running in a direction of belt travel. Rollers extend above an outer conveying surface of the belt without contact with the carryway. Each roller rotates on an axis oblique to the direction of belt travel and intersects the side guide downstream of the roller's position. A retractable stop is movable to and from a blocking position along the carryway. In the blocking position, the stop blocks the conveyed articles from advancing in the direction of belt travel. The rollers underlying the blocked articles rotate as the belt runs by contact with the articles. The rotating rollers provide a component of force to the blocked articles directed toward the side guide to push the articles against the side guide or other articles as they accumulate under low pressure upstream of the stop.

Abstract: Roller return and holddown shoes for a modular-belt conveyor. The shoes have a body that extends in height from a base to a convex outer face. Cavities in the body open onto the base and the outer face. Rollers rotatably received in the cavities have salient portions protruding past the outer face of the shoe to bear in rolling contact against the outer surface of a belt draped over the shoe. Optional edge guides upstanding from the outer face of the shoe may be used to restrain the side edge of a belt supported on the shoe and prevent the belt from wandering laterally.