Abstract: A conveyor comprises an endless belt and a belt return device. The endless belt comprises an upper run and a lower run and is configured to convey conveying material in a conveying direction. An intermediate space is defined between the upper run and the lower run. The belt return device facilitates transitioning of the endless belt between the lower run and the upper run. The endless belt defines at least one passage opening which allows the exit of at least a portion of an intermediate space material which is formed by a portion of the conveying material which has reached the intermediate space. At least a portion of the endless belt comprises a conveyor track and a passage track. The passage track defines the at least one passage opening. The conveyor track and the passage track are arranged side by side in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A chip discharge conveyor system includes a partition plate disposed below a discharge run of a circulating endless hinged belt in confronted relation to the discharge belt run along the length thereof. Outer cleats are attached to an outer circumferential surface of the hinged belt, and inner cleats are attached to an inner circumferential surface of the hinged belt. At a conveyor tail end where the hinged belt makes an upward turn, small chips, which have been caught on a return run of the hinged belt, are transferred to the partition plate while they are held by and between a cylindrical member and the hinged belt. The small chips are subsequently conveyed along the partition plate and finally discharged outside a used coolant treatment tank.