Abstract: A spiral conveyor has a drum extending from a bottom to a top and having a transition height. The drum includes a plurality of drive bars, each having a drive side parallel to an axis of rotation of the drum. The drive side extends in length from the transition height to the top or the bottom of the drum (depending on configuration). The drive bars are spaced apart around a circumference of the drum. The drum includes a plurality of transition members, each having a drive surface. At least a portion of each drive surface is at an angle to the axis of rotation of the drum such that over an infeed distance, the circumferential location of the drive surface of each transition member is advanced by a collapsing distance of a corresponding modular belt. The spiral conveyor further includes a helical support around a circumference of the drum.

Abstract: An edge-drive system for a conveyor is provided. The system comprises a drive motor and a first drive belt operably connected to the drive motor. The first drive belt includes a plurality of mating portions configured to interdigitate with corresponding mating portions of a first edge of a conveyor belt. In this way, advancing the drive belt using the drive motor will propel the conveyor belt by way of engagement of the mating portions at the edge of the conveyor belt. The mating portions of the first drive belt may be, for example, teeth affixed to the first drive belt. The system may include a second drive belt to engage the conveyor belt from a second edge, which is opposite the first edge.