Abstract: A two-material hinge pin for hingedly interconnecting consecutive rows of belt modules together into a modular plastic conveyor belt. The hinge pin includes an interior rod surrounded by an outer tube. The interior rod is made of a rigid material, such as acetal, nylon, polypropylene, PVC, or steel. The outer tube is made of urethane, which provides inherent abrasion resistance in contact with the belt modules and is especially effective in abrasive environments.

Abstract: An article-diverting conveyor belt and modules for constructing such a belt. The conveyor belt includes a series of modules interconnected end to end to other like modules. At least some of the modules include a module body with a positioning belt arranged to move transversely on the module body. A cam follower, attached to the positioning belt, extends below the bottom side of the module. A transport element, also attached to the positioning belt, extends above the top side of the module. The transport element may be a separate piece attached to the positioning belt or an integral outer surface of the positioning belt. The cam follower is guided along a track in the bottom side of the module by a network of guides in a supporting conveyor frame beneath the conveyor belt along the carryway. Because the transport element is attached to the positioning belt on the top side of the module, movement of the cam follower causes the transport element to move by means of the positioning belt.

Abstract: A platform-top modular radius belt capable of conveying articles along a conveying path that includes straight and curved segments. The belt is constructed of a series of rows of belt modules hingedly interconnected by hinge pins received in aligned apertures formed in interleaved hinge elements of adjacent belt rows. A product support platform is attached to intermediate belt module structure to form a generally continuous article-conveying surface. An overhang forms an extension of the conveying surface and extends over hinge elements along one end of the row to form a gap between the overhang and the hinge elements. An edge portion of the product support platform extends from and is recessed below the level of the conveying surface. The recessed edge of a belt row is received in the gap of an adjacent row below the overlying overhang without interference to allow the inside edge of the modular platform-top belt to collapse at the inside of a turn.

Abstract: Structure and method for maintaining side-by-side belt modules aligned in a belt row of a modular conveyor belt in the absence of a hinge pin along at least a portion of one end of the belt row. Mating engagement structure on confronting sides of side-by-side modules maintains the modules in alignment. One version of mating engagement structure includes a protrusion, such as a rectangular pad, extending from a side of a belt module and a mating receptacle formed at the confronting side of an adjacent side-by-side module. The receptacle is defined by discontinuous wall structure forming a gap opening toward the top or bottom surface of the module. The modules are put together by sliding the protrusion into the receptacle through the gap in the wall structure. When modules with the mating engagement structure are interconnected side by side by a hinge pin through the hinge eyes along one end, the modules remain aligned despite the absence of a hinge pin interconnecting the hinge eyes on the opposite end.

Abstract: A belt conveyor with a surface layer transferred onto its article-carrying or other surface to impart certain effective properties to the surface. The belt conveyor comprises a conveyor belt driven by a belt drive along a belt-conveying path. A transfer element transfers a coating material to a belt surface along a section of the belt-conveying path. Metallic bearing surfaces in contact with the belt surface act as transfer elements from which an oxidizable metal is rubbed by the relative motion of the belt to form a high-friction metallic oxide layer on the belt surface. Another transfer element is realized by an applicator with a reservoir for storing a coating material. The applicator is positioned close to the belt surface to dispense a layer of coating material with properties that mask the inherent surface properties of the belt. In yet another version, the conveyed articles themselves serve as transfer elements.

Abstract: A switch conveyor including a modular conveyor belt or mat divided into longitudinal lanes of rollers. All the rollers in a lane are arranged to rotate about axes oriented in a common direction. The rollers in an adjacent lane are arranged to rotate about axes oriented in a different direction. A switch mechanism underlying the conveyor belt along a carryway selectably contacts the bottom side of the belt or mat with bearing surfaces that rotate the rollers in selected lanes along the carryway to propel conveyed articles in one direction or another.

Abstract: An accumulation system for a mass of high-friction articles, such as tires, in which a roller-top belt is used in a transfer conveyor to transfer overflow to an accumulation table. The transfer conveyor forms a segment of a conveyor line. The accumulation table is disposed next to a transfer side of the transfer conveyor to receive overflow from the transfer conveyor as upstream supply exceeds downstream demand. As downstream demand exceeds upstream supply, the accumulation table delivers accumulated articles back to the transfer conveyor. Rollers rotatable about axes in the conveying direction support articles on the transfer conveyors in low-friction rolling contact and direct overflow toward and receive accumulated articles from the accumulation table.

Abstract: A sprocket drive system for a modular conveyor belt that compensates for drive-shaft twist under load. The drive system includes a plurality of belt drive surfaces spaced apart across the width of the underside of each row of a modular conveyor belt. A drive shaft supports a group of sprockets at spaced-apart locations. Sprocket drive surfaces are spaced apart circumferentially around the peripheries of the sprockets and arranged in rows across the sprocket to engage corresponding belt drive surfaces in the belt rows. The belt is wrapped around the sprockets on the drive shaft. The engagement of the sprocket drive surfaces with the belt drive surfaces drives the belt. Either the sprocket drive surfaces or the belt drive surfaces, or both, in each row are arranged in an out-of-phase relationship with each other when the conveyor belt is at no load. Once the conveyor belt is operating at load and the shaft twists, the drive surfaces assume an in-phase relationship for improved belt driving and tracking.

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 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: Modules for plastic conveyor belts may comprise a body and a resilient stop cooperatively arranged with the body. The body has at least one aperture which may receive a pivot rod. The resilient stop is preferably bendable in the direction of insertion of the pivot rod and/or in the direction toward the aperture or the pivot axis. Methods of assembling plastic conveyor modules may include bending a resilient stop in the direction of insertion of the pivot rod, and methods of disassembling plastic conveyor modules may include bending a resilient stop toward a pivot rod. Methods of maintaining pivot rods in position in an aperture of a plastic conveyor module may include reacting a resilient stop against axial outward movement of the pivot rod.

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 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 variable-width spacer for use in a conveying apparatus includes a first link and a second link on opposite widthwise side of the spacer. The links can move relative to each other in a widthwise direction of the spacer to vary its width. The spacer can be used to fill a gap between adjoining members of a conveying apparatus, such as between two conveyor belts.