Abstract: A modular conveyor belt with sturdy edges capable of supporting the weight of the belt along a carryway. The sturdy edges have bearing surfaces, such as the peripheries of wheels or the faces of wear pads, mounted at the sides of the belt to bear the belt's weight when the belt rollers are not supported on a roller-activation system.

Abstract: A conveyor belt module (20) includes a movable hinge rod retainer (220) that can be opened and closed without tools. The movable hinge rod retainer facilitates opening and rejoining of the conveyor belt (100) at one or more dedicated locations. In a first position, the hinge rod retainer locks a hinge rod (130) withing a hinge rod passageway. A user can easily move the hinge rod retainer to a second position in which the hinge rod passageway is open to allow removal of the hinge rod.

Abstract: A dedicated access module inserted between standard conveyor belt modules in a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access module comprises two mating portions, each portion including standard, articulating hinge elements on an outside end and non-articulating connection means on an inside end for connecting to the other, corresponding mating portion.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of article-diverting conveyor belt rollers. An underlying drive roller assembly includes a plurality of pivotable rollers carriers, each having a freely rotatable drive roller that contacts the conveyor belt rollers from below. An actuator engages an orientation device to pivot the carriers and change the orientation of the drive rollers. The drive rollers may also move into and out of engagement with the conveyor belt rollers as their orientation changes. The orientation device is sandwiched between three-dimensional support plates to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers. A top support plate includes corrugated vertical walls forming wearstrip holders. The orientation device may raise or lower the drive rollers during pivoting of the roller carriers. The drive roller assembly may be a modular assembly that can be customized for varying sizes, shapes and configurations.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt with sturdy edges capable of supporting the weight of the belt along a carryway. The sturdy edges have bearing surfaces, such as the peripheries of wheels or the faces of wear pads, mounted at the sides of the belt to bear the belt's weight when the belt rollers are not supported on a roller-activation system.

Abstract: An article conveying system includes an alignment guide that allows larger packages to be spaced inwards from an aligning edge of a conveyor. The alignment guide provides at least two different registration points for packages, depending on the height of the packages. High profile packages, such as large boxes, are inset from an alignment edge of the conveyor, while low profile articles, such as envelopes, are registered against the alignment edge.

Abstract: An article conveying system includes an alignment guide that allows larger packages to be spaced inwards from an aligning edge of a conveyor. The alignment guide provides at least two different registration points for packages, depending on the height of the packages. High profile packages, such as large boxes, are inset from an alignment edge of the conveyor, while low profile articles, such as envelopes, are registered against the alignment edge.

Abstract: A snap-in dual-pronged retaining device for a conveyor component includes two parallel prongs extending from an integral base. The prongs may form axles for rollers, hinge rods for coupling two conveyor belt modules together, or retaining shafts for retaining a component relative to the conveyor belt. A fastener secures the retaining device and conveyor component in place.

Abstract: A snap-in dual-pronged retaining device for a conveyor component includes two parallel prongs extending from an integral base. The prongs may form axles for rollers, hinge rods for coupling two conveyor belt modules together, or retaining shafts for retaining a component relative to the conveyor belt. A fastener secures the retaining device and conveyor component in place.

Abstract: A conveyor for transferring articles off the end of a conveyor belt onto a discharge conveyor. The conveyor comprises a conveyor belt overlain by belt strands along a carryway. The belt strands are received in recesses below the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt travels an inner circuit inside an outer circuit encircled by the belt strands. The outer circuit diverges from the inner circuit at an end of the carryway. The belt strands extend the carryway and strip articles from the conveyor belt to transfer them to a downstream discharge conveyor or receive articles from an upstream infeed conveyor.

Abstract: A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. The conveyor includes at least one toolbar and one or more auxiliary components mounted to the toolbar using a snap clamp having a protrusion that mates with a channel on the toolbar.

Abstract: A conveyor for transferring articles off the end of a conveyor belt onto a discharge conveyor. The conveyor comprises a conveyor belt overlain by belt strands along a carryway. The belt strands are received in recesses below the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt travels an inner circuit inside an outer circuit encircled by the belt strands. The outer circuit diverges from the inner circuit at an end of the carryway. The belt strands extend the carryway and strip articles from the conveyor belt to transfer them to a downstream discharge conveyor or receive articles from an upstream infeed conveyor.

Abstract: An article-diverting modular conveyor belt employs an article mover on a conveyor belt module for selectively moving a conveyed article towards a side of the module. The article mover may be a transversely-extending endless belt for carrying articles across the belt towards a side of the module. Rollers below the conveyor belt are selectively activated to induce movement of the article mover.

Abstract: An article-diverting modular conveyor belt employs an article mover on a conveyor belt module for selectively moving a conveyed article towards a side of the module. The article mover may be a transversely-extending endless belt for carrying articles across the belt towards a side of the module. Rollers below the conveyor belt are selectively activated to induce movement of the article mover.

Abstract: A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having a simplified frame design. The conveyor includes at least one toolbar and one or more auxiliary components mounted to the toolbar using a snap clamp having a protrusion that mates with a channel on the toolbar.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt having extended raised ribs that overlap to prevent the top conveying surface of the belt from opening up as the belt articulates forward around a sprocket at a hinge joint. Protrusions extend from the raised ribs past the ends of the belt modules. When rows of belt modules are connected together at hinge joints, the interleaved protrusions overlap laterally over a range of articulation angles. The modules may include cavities for roller assemblies, such as engaged stacked rollers in which a bottom roller is allowed to float vertically to maintain good contact with the top roller as they wear.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt having extended raised ribs that overlap to prevent the top conveying surface of the belt from opening up as the belt articulates forward around a sprocket at a hinge joint. Protrusions extend from the raised ribs past the ends of the belt modules. When rows of belt modules are connected together at hinge joints, the interleaved protrusions overlap laterally over a range of articulation angles. The modules may include cavities for roller assemblies, such as engaged stacked rollers in which a bottom roller is allowed to float vertically to maintain good contact with the top roller as they wear.