Abstract: A bin sweep system for moving particulate material in a bin may comprise an elongated sweep apparatus having a particulate sweep structure configured to move particulate material on the floor beneath the sweep apparatus toward one end of the elongated sweep apparatus. The particulate sweep structure may include a plurality of interconnected paddles movable in a succession on a path along at least a portion of a length of the sweep apparatus and an endless loop member on which the paddles of the plurality of paddles are mounted at spaced locations for moving the paddles along the path. The path of the paddles on the endless loop may generally lie in a movement plane, and an orientation of the movement plane may be tilted such that the movement plane is not in a vertical orientation and not in a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A chip conveyor includes a pair of endless chains arranged in parallel, a drive mechanism turning the endless chains, a cover body having a chip receiving port and a chip discharge port at a beginning and an end of a forward path of the endless chains, respectively, scrapers connected to the endless chains therebetween, and a chip guide plate disposed along the endless chains to be in sliding contact with the scrapers. The chip guide plate is composed of a forward path corresponding part extending from the receiving port to the discharge port and a return path corresponding part bent toward a return path at the receiving port and extended along the return path. The scrapers are in sliding contact with both the return path corresponding part and a surface of the cover body facing the return path corresponding part when in sliding contact with the return path corresponding part.

Abstract: A version of a conveyor chain that comprises: a plurality of side link assemblies, each said side link assembly comprising: two connecting pins and two side straps, wherein each side strap has a base and two side strap bosses extending from the base and wherein each side strap boss is capable of receiving one of said connecting pins; a plurality of connector assemblies; a plurality of flight arm assemblies, each said flight arm assembly comprising: two flight pins and two flight arms, wherein each flight arm has an elongated portion having a flat, planar bottom surface, and a base portion, wherein said base portion has a vertical sprocket opening and two flight arm attachment apertures, each flight arm attachment aperture configured to receive one of said flight pins; wherein each universal connector assembly is adapted to be connected to a side link assembly and a flight arm assembly, to form an endless chain.

Abstract: A grain drying apparatus includes a housing for receiving grain. The housing has a bottom wall and a plurality of supports being attached to and extending downwardly from the bottom wall. An outer wall is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. An inner wall is positioned within the outer wall. A receiving space is located between the inner and outer walls and receives grain emptied into the housing. The inner wall has a bottom edge spaced from the bottom wall to define a release aperture that allows grain to flow outwardly from the receiving space under the inner wall. A heating assembly is mounted within the housing to heat the grain. An agitator is mounted on the housing adjacent to the bottom wall. The agitator extends under the inner wall and through the release aperture to agitate grain positioned in the receiving space.

Abstract: A technique for the conveyance of solid combustible material, having at least one conveying means, wherein the conveying means is supported at least partially by bearing means and/or drive means, in particular on a stand, and the apparatus having at least one collecting space located below the conveying means and having a height, at least one deflecting means for the deflection of solid combustible material towards the collecting space being located below at least one bearing means and/or below at least one drive means. Such an apparatus is suitable most especially for the conveyance of solid materials presenting a fire and/or explosion hazard.

Abstract: A conveyor chain and system includes a conveyor chain having of side link assemblies and flight arm assemblies to form an elongated chain. The flight arm assemblies include an opposing flight arm that has an elongated body and an integral base formed with the body. A vertical sprocket opening is formed in the integral base and extends vertically through the integral base to engage a tooth of a drive sprocket to drive the flight arm. The side link assemblies include opposing side straps that include a base and a pair of side strap bosses extending outwardly from the base. The side strap bosses engage a tooth of a drive sprocket to drive the side strap. A driving member includes a pair of sprockets to engage the link and flight arm assemblies from both sides of the chain. An alternative embodiment incorporates a third sprocket located between the other sprockets.

Abstract: A chain driven by two sprockets spaced a short distance apart along their common axial centerline. The chain includes elongated pins that extend beyond the outer surfaces of the chain link plates, on both sides, by a distance about equal to the width of the spaced apart sprockets. The chain is aligned midway between the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth drive on the extended portion of the chain pins. Where a flight is attached to the chain links, the pins are extended still further, to fit into the indentations or holes in the flights. This provides an exposed length of each pin in alignment with the sprocket on each side for driving purposes. The chain has a piece extending between the plates to reduce the likelihood of a pin extending further outside of one side plate or the other. A shoulder on the pin further reduces the likelihood of this happening.

Abstract: An arrangement for processing disks provides a continuous loop, such as a roller drive chain, to which a plurality of disk securing elements, such as chain fingers, are attached at varying distances from one another. The chain fingers have a center line on an outwardly extending portion that is non-perpendicular with respect to the plane of the roller drive chain when viewed in a top view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transporting apparatus for transporting products, which includes a linear drive mechanism, a continuous conveyor system, having two parallel straight conveyor regions and two curved conveyor regions each connecting one end of the straight conveyor regions, and a plurality of conveyor elements. The conveyor elements extend along the continuous conveyor system and convey the products to be conveyed along at least a portion of the conveyor system while being guided along a guide path. The linear drive mechanism includes a first linear segment and a second linear segment, which are disposed parallel to the straight conveyor regions. The curved conveyor regions of the conveyor system are advantageously embodied as driveless.

Abstract: A steel conveyor chain link having a polymeric flight is produced by obtaining a flightless steel conveyor chain link, obtaining a threaded stud, obtaining a polymeric flight having a mounting base, positioning the threaded stud against the link in a latitudinal orientation, welding the threaded stud onto the link, and fastening mounting base of the polymeric flight onto the stud.

Abstract: A metering conveyor adapted to move a controlled volume of grain. The conveyor incorporates a series of carriers that can each be switched between a scooper assembly and a blocker assembly. The ratio of scooper assemblies to blocker assemblies determines the volume of grain that is metered for a predetermined conveyor speed. The conveyor is modular and is especially suited for a modular rectangular grain dryer. The conveyor further includes a paddle that is adapted to move grain to a discharge chute.

Abstract: A pusher dog assembly is provided for the transportation of products on hangers in a conveyer system. The pusher dog assembly may be designed to directly engage hangers on a series of interconnected rails. A system for transporting products on hangers is also provided. The system may include a series of interconnected rails, an enclosed track, a chain and a pusher dog assembly. The chain may be disposed within the enclosed track, which may, in turn, be disposed parallel to, and above, the series of interconnected rails. The pusher dog may be engaged to the chain and may be designed to directly engage hangers and push them along the series of interconnected rails.

Abstract: A cascaded disk scrubbing system and method are provided. The cascaded disk scrubbing system includes an array of rows of brush pairs. Each row includes a plurality of counter-rotating brush pairs that are arranged horizontally and longitudinally, and configured to receive and process a disk in a vertical orientation through disk preparation zones defined by each pair of brushes. Below and between the pairs of brushes is a track that is configured to apply a rotation to the disk and to transition the disk in a vertical orientation through the brush pairs. Nozzles dispense fluids on and over the brush pairs, and the brush pairs are configured such that fluids are dispensed through the brush pairs. Nozzles dispense a curtain of fluid between each disk preparation zone, and the cascaded disk scrubbing system is configured to progress from dirtiest to cleanest as the disk transitions through each disk preparation zone.

Abstract: An arrangement (1) of a conveyor section (2) is provided for containers (10, 11, 12) that are conveyed on said conveyor section and that are in a filling position. The containers are to be filled with items (3) or with a bulk material in a filling station (4) by means of a filling funnel (5). The conveyor section (2) is provided on at least one side immediately before, in and after the filling station (4) with a continuous toothed belt or a chain belt (6) and with a pertaining intermitting actuator (7) and spaced apart container carrying plates (8). The plates can be positively engaged with the containers (10, 11, 12) that are open towards the top and that arrive on the conveyor section (2). The plates supply the containers to the filling position one by one and return the containers once they are filled from the filling position to the conveying section (2), preferably in an accelerated clocked manner and optionally at the outlet thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting separated electronic components by advancing along a guide electronic components located in said guide using a pusher member mounted on an endless transporter. The invention also provides a device for transporting electronic components, comprising: a guide, at least one endless transporter disposed on the sides of the guide, and at least one pusher member coupled to the endless transporter for engaging electronic components for displacing along the guide.

Abstract: A cascaded wafer scrubbing system and method are provided. The cascaded wafer scrubbing system includes an array of rows of brush pairs. Each row includes a plurality of counter-rotating brush pairs that are arranged horizontally and longitudinally, and configured to receive and process a wafer in a vertical orientation through wafer preparation zones defined by each pair of brushes. Below and between the pairs of brushes is a track that is configured to apply a rotation to the wafer and to transition the wafer in a vertical orientation through the brush pairs. Nozzles dispense fluids on and over the brush pairs, and the brush pairs are configured such that fluids are dispensed through the brush pairs. Nozzles dispense a curtain of fluid between each wafer preparation zone, and the cascaded wafer scrubbing system is configured to progress from dirtiest to cleanest as the wafer transitions through each wafer preparation zone.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an overhead pusher finger guide system, preferably for use with a sheet handling apparatus. The guide system prevents the lower conveyor run from sagging or otherwise moving out of the proper feed plane. Accordingly, superior sheet handling is achieved.

Abstract: A drag conveyor for particulate material is provided with an upwardly-curved bend section for conveying the material with paddles mounted on a continuous chain from a first level to a second, higher level. The paddles are provided with angled portions on opposite sides thereof which, together with the bottom of the trough of the conveyor and correspondingly angled portions of the conveyor above the trough, confine the paddles while traveling through the bend section. The angled portions of the paddles constitute a bearing surface in cooperation with the angled portions of the conveyor in the inside curvature of the bend section to maintain chain tension and keep the paddles in self-cleaning contact with the trough bottom.

Abstract: A collector flight for use in a sewage settling or sedimentation tank includes an elongated, generally C-shaped, one-piece, extruded aluminum body defined by top and bottom, hollow, rectangular heads connected together at one corner by a planar web. Slots extend the length of each side of the heads to receive brackets used to connect the flight to chains which move the flights through a sedimentation tank. The slots are also used to mount accessories such as shoes and a combination wiper/skimmer strip on the flights.

Abstract: A drag conveyor consists of a uniquely-configured trough and correspondingly-shaped outer edges of chain-driven paddles which enable the trough construction to provide physical support for a return run of the chain. The cross-sectional shape of the trough further restricts the paddles from tending toward lifting above the trough bottom and climbing or twisting as they carry material toward the outlet end of the conveyor. The paddle shape results in a self-cleaning conveyor, even enabling handling of materials heretofore not feasible with conventional U-shaped trough conveyors. Elimination of obstructing idler sprockets and cross shafts of the prior art enables a productivity increase of as much as 15% for the same designated size of conveyor.

Abstract: An overhead flight conveyor assembly for use with a continuous motion packaging machine to erect four-sided tapered paperboard cartons is disclosed. The packaging machine has an elongate carton transport conveyor supported on a framework of the packaging machine, and moving along a path of travel. The overhead flight conveyor assembly has a housing supported on the framework of the packaging machine spaced above, and in alignment with the carton transport conveyor. A trailing lug assembly is supported on the housing and extends at least partially along the length thereof, the trailing lug assembly having at least one elongate conveyor chain with a series of spaced trailing lugs affixed thereto and being moved in the direction of the path of travel in timed relationship with the carton transport conveyor.

Abstract: For use in underground mining, in particular coal mining, a chain belt is provided, which consists of the standard vertical links and horizontal links which preferably have double helical surfaces. These horizontal links with the double helical surfaces are connected to a symmetrically constructed pusher, whereby either the base and the guide shoes, or only the base are shaped symmetrically. The symmetry plane is exactly in the center, when viewed in conveying direction, so that such a pusher can be reversed either in relation to the base or in its entirety, or together with the entire chain belt. This results in much higher lifespans.

Abstract: A wear shoe holder is provided for allowing the easy removal and replacement of wear shoes from sludge collector flights in a sludge collecting tank. The wear shoe holder is a retaining plate fastened to a sludge collecting flight. The inside surface of the retaining plate has detents that become axially aligned with the apertures in a wear shoe when the wear shoe is in its proper operating position. The detents hold the wear shoe securely in place during operation and allow for the easy replacement of a worn wear shoe.

Abstract: Can selector bar assembly including one or more can selector flight bars, each having an angled tip comprised of a rubber or plastic-like material for non-scoring or scratching separation of product.

Abstract: A self-cleaning en-masse conveyor comprising an elongated conveyor housing having a removable bottom panel which defines an arc of approximately 90.degree.. Vertically disposed wall sections extend upwardly from the upper edges of the bottom panel and have a lid or cover extending across the upper ends thereof. A conveyor chain is mounted in the conveyor and includes a plurality of flat flights positioned thereon which have a rounded edge which conforms in shape to the cross-section of the bottom panel.

Abstract: Chain webs for chain conveyors, which are primarily used in underground mining and in tunnel building for the transport of large quantities of materials, consist of mutually engaging horizontal and vertical chain links in which the horizontal links of the two adjacent chains are joined by a one or two-piece bracket running across their longitudinal direction, sufficiently raised above them and having a reversible tooth shape. This results in a kind of toothed chain providing the optimum power transmission from the chain wheel to the chain web, where both chains run exactly in the middle of the belt, as is usual in double-centered chain conveyors. The special shape of the reversible teeth makes it possible to use such a chain web on both sides and to move it forwards and backwards without any risk.

Abstract: A device for identifying and sorting objects includes a low-friction surface for supporting parcels to be identified and sorted, each provided with a bar code on at least one side thereof, a dragging mechanism capable of conveying parcels from a staging area to a sorting area via a readout station which identifies each parcel by means of its bar code, and a plurality of trap doors, responsive to the readout station and located at predetermined positions on the low-friction surface, through which the identified parcels are selectively discharged and thereby routed to a corresponding plurality of intermediate or final destinations. The dragging mechanism comprises a pair of pulleys between which a flexible cable is operatively engaged which in turn pulls a plurality of drag arms over the low-friction surface.

Abstract: An improved combine feeder assembly including a conveyor and a feeder housing which envelopes the conveyor. The conveyor is comprised of a plurality of endless driving chains and a plurality of feeder slats driven by the chains. Each feeder slat is secured at opposite ends to the chains by connectors allowing for endwise movement of the feeder slats in response to impact loading thereagainst. Moreover, each feeder slat has an outer profile providing an extended reach at the center of the slat as compared to the reach provided toward opposite ends. The feeder housing preferably includes a bottom wall configured to compliment the outer profile of the feeder slats and enhance combine operation.

Abstract: An inverted horizontal wrapping machine is provided with an article infeed system which includes a horizontal feed trough with an open exit end positioned closely adjacent the inlet end of the wrapping material tube being continuously formed by the machine's forming box. Offset to one side of the trough is a looped drive chain structure which is rotated in an essentially horizontal plane. A spaced series of flag-type pusher members are pivotally secured to the chain structure for movement therewith, the flag portions of the pusher members along the inner side of the chain structure being swept through the trough to slide articles therein sequentially into the tube inlet. As each pusher flag reaches the exit end of the trough, a first cam element upwardly and rearwardly pivots the flag to disengage it from its associated article, and the pivoted flag is then moved horizontally away from the trough .

Abstract: An inverted horizontal wrapping machine is provided with an article infeed system which includes a horizontal feed trough with an open exit end positioned closely adjacent the inlet end of the wrapping material tube being continuously formed by the machine's forming box. Offset to one side of the trough is a looped drive chain structure which is rotated in an essentially horizontal plane. A spaced series of flag-type pusher members are pivotally secured to the chain structure for movement therewith, the flag portions of the pusher members along the inner side of the chain structure being swept through the trough to slide articles therein sequentially into the tube inlet. As each pusher flag reaches the exit end of the trough, a first cam element upwardly and rearwardly pivots the flag to disengage it from its associated article, and the pivoted flag is then moved horizontally away from the trough.

Abstract: A flight for collecting sludge by sweeping comprises a roller shoe, comprising (a) a frame having a substantially U-shaped cross section and having a pair of side plates, (b) a shaft having a diameter-enlarged portion at one end and a threaded portion at the other end, and fixed to the side plates, and (c) a roller rotatably supported by the shaft between the side plates, wherein the frame is constituted by an injection-molded synthetic resin, and the roller is made of a synthetic resin.

Abstract: A device for positioning fitments in a perforated film. The device according to the invention includes a transporting member that brings the fitments into the vicinity of a perforated film, preferably below the latter, a member for positioning the fitments perpendicular to the perforations in the film, and an engaging member for pushing the ports through the perforations of the film so that at the exit of the device the film is equipped with fitments.

Abstract: A saw mechanism for logs convolutely wound on cores and method wherein the upstream end of the log has its core supported on a support member attached to a log-advancing pusher, the chain carrying the pushers being equipped with stripper plates immediately downstream of the pushers to strip trim annuli from the pusher support members incident to arcuate movement of the stripper plate around the chain tail sprocket.

Abstract: An inverted horizontal wrapping machine is provided with an article infeed system which includes a horizontal feed trough with an open exit end positioned closely adjacent the inlet end of the wrapping material tube being continuously formed by the machine's forming box. Offset to one side of the trough is a looped drive chain structure which is rotated in an essentially horizontal plane. A spaced series of flag-type pusher members are pivotally secured to the chain structure for movement therewith, the flag portions of the pusher members along the inner side of the chain structure being swept through the trough to slide articles therein sequentially into the tube inlet. As each pusher flag reaches the exit end of the trough, a first cam element upwardly and rearwardly pivots the flag to disengage it from its associated article, and the pivoted flag is then moved horizontally away from the trough.

Abstract: A conveyor flight for a conveyor assembly has an overlayment of a non-elastomeric flexible member on its front or loadbearing surface, which flexible member has a memory such that it recovers to its unloaded reference condition, thus assisting in discharge through an underlying chute or port of the materials transported by the conveyor and avoiding recycling material through the conveyor assembly. The flexible member recovery dislodges adherent material, such as compactible earth, from the conveyor flights. A cleaner assembly may optionally be provided downstream of the discharge port to insert a cleaner blade in proximity to the conveyor flight front surface to dislodge any particularly adherent residual materials that might still be attached to the front surface of the flexible member.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising at least one endless conveyor element, and a plurality of pushers (7, 8, 9) which are carried by the conveyor element and which are adapted to push objects on the conveyor. The pushers (7, 8, 9) have at least two different cross sectional shapes that vary from pusher to pusher lengthwise of the conveyor, for pushing different types of solid objects along the conveyor. These different shapes of pushers (7, 8, 9) are arranged in predetermined fixed positions and in sequential order along the conveyor element (2, 3, 4), and the distance along the conveyor element (2, 3, 4) between a pusher (7, 8, 9) and the next pusher of the same cross sectional shape is the same for all types of pushers (7, 8, 9).

Abstract: A chip conveyor moves material through a conduit using plates of substantially oval shape, the axis of symmetry of which coincides substantially with the axis of the drive chains. The plates consist of two identical half-plates joined together and mounted on the drive chain. The conveyor is especially useful for transporting chips from machine tools.

Abstract: A chain scraper conveyor having at least one conveyor chain circulating in the conveyor includes drivers which are secured to the chain and which extend from both sides thereof. The drivers include guides that are received in trough channels adjacent the bottom plate of the conveyor. Rollers are provided to support the drivers and to reduce friction.

Abstract: A loading conveyor for a mobile concrete mixing machine is disclosed wherein the conveyor is provided with a receiving hopper for receiving a supply of material from an external source of supply. The chain and slat conveyor is provided with an elevating portion that conveys the material from the hopper to a delivery portion which permits selective delivery to one of two aggregate supply bins. The floor of the conveyor is disposed between an upper delivery run and a lower return run and is provided with a movable section actuated by hydraulic cylinders to selectively create an opening in the floor over one or the other of the aggregate supply bins. The return run is operable to redistribute piled material within the supply bin during operation of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing concrete at a job site is disclosed wherein the machine is provided with separate aggregate supply bins and a cement supply bin which are arranged in a generally linear fashion on a mobile frame and sized to hold at least a standard truck load of material. Delivery conveyors in operative communication with the supply bins convey material from the bins into a mixing auger where the materials are combined with water to produce concrete. A loading conveying is operable to receive different aggregates from delivery trucks and convey the aggregates to the respective supply bins while the machine continues forward movement along a path of travel. As a result, the concrete production machine can produce and discharge concrete in a continuous manner along its path of travel without stopping for frech supplies of materials.

Abstract: A material magazine for automatically feeding material such as long steel bars to a metal working machine including at least two parallel chain-conveyers, material guide rollers, a material arrival detecting means, and a material feed roller. The chain-conveyers are driven by a hydraulic motor which runs with a predetermined rotating force continuously produced when overloaded and have material push rollers with the axes vertically upward of the carrying faces of the chain-conveyers. The material push rollers are not only spaced in the direction of the conveyers but also arranged to form straiaght rows in the direction perpendicular to the conveyers, forming material holding spaces between them in the direction perpendicular to the conveyors. The material guide rollers are provided at or near one end of each of the conveyers with the axes kept vertical so that the material guide rollers may be arranged straight and parallel to the rows of the material push rollers.

Abstract: A wrapping machine wherein article units are wrapped by a shrinkable web to form a package. The machine includes a conveyor which includes an upper article supporting run. The conveyor has regularly spaced openings and associated with the rear of each opening is a web pulling bar. Article units are fed to the conveyor run in timed relation to conveyor movement and a series of retarder bars, moving at a slower rate, pull the web in front of each article unit to be wrapped with the article unit then bearing against the retarder bar and being slowed to the speed of the retarder bar with the conveyor moving therebeneath. A clamp bar moves down behind each article unit, draws the web down behind the article unit and then clamps the web to the article unit. In advance of this, and before the clamp bar engages the article unit, web drawing means engages the web between two adjacent article units and draws the same down into the associated conveyor opening and engages the web with the article pulling means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for washing of eggs in order to remove adhering dirt in which egg transport means and egg guiding means are present. The egg transport means and egg guiding means cooperate and form egg rotation means which cause an egg to rotate substantially around its shortest main axis; dirt removal is achieved with use of one or more brushes and a washing liquid. The egg's longest main axis thereby remains substantially in a plane parallel to the direction of transport of the eggs, said plane being perpendicular to the plane going through the centerlines of the egg guiding means.

Abstract: A flight has a wing with an elongated support rod embedded in said wing along a fixed edge thereof. To flight or wing has two free ends that are not affixed to said support rod. A metal cable is embedded in each of the free ends and extends from the free ends to the support rod. The metal cable in affixed to the support rod to reduce the possibility of the free ends breaking off from the remainder of the wing.

Abstract: A hollow, polymeric sludge collector flight is provided having a sigma-shaped cross-section, including a wedge-shaped transverse indentation on its forward face, a vertically extending wear lip on its scraping edge, and a transverse gap on its rear face. The gap allows free circulation of liquid within the non-buoyant flight. The indentation structurally stiffens the mid-span section of the flight. Where additional stiffness is required, filler blocks may be placed between mounting blocks.

Abstract: A wear shoe and guide lug assembly for guiding a sludge collector flight along a return elevated rail is shown. Each wear shoe provides a readily replaceable member attached to the flight and providing alternative planar faces for bearing engagement with stationary rails on which the flight is dragged during operation. A guide lug is separably attached to the return wear shoe to extend below the wear face and adjacent one side of the wear shoe to define a lip for maintaining the flight against excessive lateral movement as the flight moves along the elevated rail.

Abstract: A driver for a chain conveyor which is adapted to run in a conveyor trough which has side guide walls comprises a driver arm portion having outer side edges which terminate in a polygonal pin portion which tapers inwardly in lateral and longitudinal directions toward its outer end. A guide shoe has an inner side face with a recess into which the pin portion of the arm extend and the guide shoe is pivotally supported on the arm pin portion by a pin or sleeve element. The guide shoe includes an inwardly extending nose portion which rides between side edges of a U-shaped recess of the arm portion. Surfaces of the nose portion and the U-shaped recess of the arm defining recesses and stops for limiting the pivotal movement of the shoe.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor has a scraper-chain assembly composed of a pair of outboard chains with scapers therebetween. The assembly passes along upper and lower runs and the lower run is enclosed. Each scraper has an upstanding front face and a lower foot face perpendicular thereto. The foot face slides along a floor of the conveyor and a scraping edge between the front and lower faces transfers material in the upper run. To prevent fine material building up in the lower run, the scraper has a further scraping edge formed between the front face and an upper face generally parallel to the lower face. This further scraping edge slides along the base of the lower run.

Abstract: A two part scraper for a chain conveyor has upper and lower parts joined along a horizontal dividing surface. The surface contains bar and groove interlocking means and at least a pair of chain beds for securing the scraper to a link of the chain.

Abstract: A drag conveyor consists of a uniquely-configured trough and correspondingly-shaped outer edges of chain-driven paddles which enable the trough construction to provide physical support for a return of the chain. The cross-sectional shape of the trough further restricts the paddles from tending toward lifting above the trough bottom and climbing or twisting as they carry material toward the outlet end of the conveyor. The paddle shape results in a self-cleaning conveyor, even enabling handling of materials heretofore not feasible with conventional U-shaped trough conveyors. Elimination of obstructing idler sprockets and cross shafts of the prior art enables a productivity increase of as much as 15% for the same designated size of conveyor.