Abstract: An overlay for use in a conveyor system having at least one ware transport section and made up of a succession of overlays for transporting articles, wherein each overlay is supported and moved along by a belt of spaced rod members extending transversely of the direction of travel of the belt. Each overlay includes a plurality of laterally spaced substantially longitudinally disposed longitudinal members and a plurality of transversely disposed connecting means each connecting adjacent ones of the longitudinal members. Adjacent ones of the connecting means connect opposite end portions of the longitudinal members forming a plurality of alternating oppositely opening nestable segments, giving the overlay a zig-zag shape, which allow nesting thereof overlays immediately ahead and behind it on the belt. Each of the longitudinal members have a first and second support means which are opposed and longitudinally spaced from each other.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and conveying system designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is kept substantially the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is allowed to expand to a second greater pitch. In one embodiment support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt and provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a worked hardened bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: An overlay for use in a conveyor system having at least one ware transport section and made up of a succession of overlays for transporting articles, wherein each overlay is supported and moved along by a belt of spaced rod members extending transversely of the direction of travel of the belt which slides upon at least one rail. Each overlay includes a upper overlay surface upon which articles are supported. The upper overlay surface has an overlay leading portion with a leading edge and a trailing portion with a trailing edge.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a product conveyor belt adapted to be driven over an endless path having an upward helical portion and a return portion. The conveyor belt includes rods and spacer plates having portions and upper belt support tabs at the top of the plate portions. The exit rail assembly guiding the conveyor belt off of the upward helical portion to the return portion has a pair of rails engaging underneath the tabs to thereby lift the conveyor belt off of the upward helical portion.

Abstract: A conveyor belt designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. The links along at least one transverse edge are dual pitch links. The links along the other transverse edge are preferably U-shaped single pitch links for connecting adjacent rods. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is held the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is expanded to a second greater pitch by pivoting motion of the dual pitch links. In one embodiment single pitch links and support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt to provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a work-hardened curved bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and conveying system designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is kept substantially the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is allowed to expand to a second greater pitch. In one embodiment support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt and provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a worked hardened bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tractive link member for connecting adjacent rods of an endless conveyor belt and for assuming tractive load. The links include a substantially flat piece of metal formed into a general U-shape with a pair of spaced leg portions joined by a connecting portion. Each of the leg portions have at least one hole for receiving adjacent rods of a conveyor belt. The substantially flat piece of metal along the length of the connecting portion has both a first thickness area and a second, reduced thickness area. The reduced thickness area is a compressed work-hardened area of the metal. The reduced thickness area in the connecting portion can form a curved bearing surface against which a rod can bear. A middle section of the link leg can diverge outwardly from an inner section of the link leg to form a single offset between the slotted portions of the link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt and conveying system designed to operate about lateral curves in a single direction is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is kept substantially the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is allowed to expand to a second greater pitch. In one embodiment support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt and provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a worked hardened bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: A helical conveyor system is disclosed. A conveyor belt 11 is positively driven by drive cage 212 around a plurality of vertically spaced helical loops. A pair of supplemental positive drives 25 and 26, which are driven at the same speed and synchronized with the drive cage, engage the belt 11 near its entry into and exit from the helical portion of its endless path. Vertical driving bars 45 on the drive cage 21 positively engage the cross rod heads 14 of the belt 11 in its helical path. The driving surfaces of the bars 45 are relieved at 61 and 62 to prevent driving engagement with the rod heads 14 over an inlet section of the first loop and an exit section of the last loop. The driving bars 45 also engage the ends of the rod heads 14 to limit the penetration of the driving bars past the edge of the belt. The driving bars include means which may comprise gates 105 or ramps 121 to permit controlled intermittent slip-backs of the rod heads at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A helical conveyor system is disclosed. A conveyor belt 11 is positively driven by drive cage 21 around a plurality of vertically spaced helical loops. A pair of supplemental positive drives 25 and 26, which are driven at the same speed and synchronized with the drive cage, engage the belt 11 near its entry into and exit from the helical portion of its endless path. Vertical driving bars 45 on the drive cage 21 positively engage the cross rod heads 14 of the belt 11 in its helical path. The driving surfaces of the bars 45 are relieved at 61 and 62 to prevent driving engagement with the rod heads 14 over an inlet section of the first loop and an exit section of the last loop. The driving bars 45 also engage the ends of the rod heads 14 to limit the penetration of the driving bars past the edge of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor drive sprocket system for driving a conveyor belt in a conveyor system used in varying ambient temperature conditions within a predetermined range is disclosed. The conveyor belt is formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion different from that of the material forming the sprockets of the drive sprocket system so that the drive sprockets expand and contract at a different rate than the conveyor belt when the ambient temperature varies. The drive sprocket system includes a plurality of sprocket segments spaced from one another along the width of the conveyor belt. Each sprocket segment has a plurality of spaced teeth arranged along the width and circumference of the segment in order to mesh the conveyor belt. Each sprocket segment has a width no greater than that required to have the teeth remain in mesh with the conveyor belt throughout the predetermined range of varying ambient temperature.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveying belt (10) is disclosed. The belt (10) is comprised of a plurality of plastic belt modules (14) releasably connected to one another to form an extended belt. Each module (14) has an upper surface (26), a lower surface (28), a first and a second (16, 18) and extending transversely of the conveying direction of the belt and a pair of opposed sides (22, 24). A plurality of lugs (38), attached to lug bars (30), are disposed along the first end. A plurality of lug receiving elements (32) are disposed along the second end (18) and releasably receive lugs (30) of an adjacent module (14).

Abstract: A small radius conveyor belt for traveling along both straight and laterally curved paths and a conveyor system including such belt is shown. A plurality of rods extend across the belt and are pivotally connected together by tractive central links and inner and outer edge links which are longitudinally expandable and collapsible. The inner links are fully expanded and the outer links are collapsed in the straight path. The inner links collapse and the outer links expand to allow the belt to bend around the curve.