Abstract: The invention may include a series of rows of belt modules. A first one of the rows may have a plurality of hinge elements along an end of the first row. A second one of the rows may have a plurality of hinge elements along an end of the second row. The plurality of hinge elements of the first row may be interleaved with the plurality of hinge elements of the second row. A hinge pin may extend through the plurality of hinge elements of both the first row and the second row so as to pivotally join the first row to the second row. A roller may be supported from a first module of the first row and supported from a second module of the first row, so that the roller resides between the first module and the second module and so that the roller extends above the modules in order to allow an object, which is to be conveyed by the conveyor belt, to be supported on the roller. The modules may be moved in a belt travel direction in order to convey the object from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A rolling element chain is applied to retain and arrange multiple rollers at intervals in a line and has a belt assembly and multiple clamping assemblies. The rollers are cylinders mounted parallelly in the rolling element chain. The belt assembly is resilient and has two parallel bars. The clamping assemblies are formed in pairs between the parallel bars to form multiple roller holes on the belt assembly and each clamping assembly has multiple clamping protrusions. The clamping protrusions of each clamping assembly are formed in a line between the parallel bars and alternately protrude oppositely away from the belt assembly and together hold one corresponding roller in the belt assembly. Each clamping protrusion has a roller surface and at least one apex. The at least one apex is formed on and protrudes from the roller surface, thereby, reduces contact area between the clamping protrusions and the rollers.

Abstract: A belt module with embedded rollers retained in cavities in the module by retention structure insertable into the module. The rollers and cavities are elongated in the direction of belt travel and closely separated by narrow dividers that form outward-facing surfaces that can serve as bearing surfaces for a belt made of the modules when the rollers are inactivated. When activated, the rollers, which rotate on axles parallel to the direction of belt travel, are supported directly on conveyor rolling surfaces. The dividers also carry the belt tension and stiffen the module.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers, and a flight. The rollers have lower surfaces configured to engage a roller-engagement surface, and upper surfaces that substantially form a plane, such that the rollers engage the roller-engagement surface and rotate to move an object supported by the rollers over the plane. The flight includes a cam configured to engage a cam surface below the conveyor belt to impart a moment on the flight, and a projection that responds to the moment by rotating from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: A non-powered roller conveyor for conveying parts along a conveyor path includes a downwardly sloped conveyor support frame with a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted along the frame. The rollers comprise a length of prefabricated roller top conveyor chain mounted along a top surface of the conveyor frame. The conveyor chain includes a plurality of links connected together by pivotal connectors that permit sideways articulation of the links with respect to each other. Transverse rows of rollers are rotatably mounted on the links to permit products to roll along the conveyor. The rollers are easily replaceable when necessary. The conveyor follows a downwardly extending spiral path comprising a series of inclined straight sections interconnected by inclined bend sections. Both the straight and bend sections are inclined so that parts roll along the conveyor path under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A conveyor having a flighted belt and providing a gapless end-off or end-on transfer of articles. The conveyor belt includes segmented flights at spaced intervals along its length. Each segmented flight includes slots dividing the flight into laterally spaced segments, or dogs. A transfer platform allows for a smooth transfer of articles onto or off the end of the belt. Fingers on the transfer platform separated by gaps extend to distal finger tips that are positioned close to the conveying surface of the belt at an end of the conveyor. The transfer platform is laterally aligned with the gaps positioned to coincide with the flight segments to permit them to pass cleanly through as the belt articulates about a sprocket set at the end of a carryway. The transfer platform may be tilted relative to vertical to gain an assist from gravity in transferring articles.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes first and second upstanding posts disposed in longitudinally spaced apart relation to one another. Each post is surmounted by forward and rearward support arms that form a “V”-shape. A forward drive belt is mounted for rotation along a path of travel perpendicular to the forward support arms. A first embodiment cradles a product container between the forward drive belt and a rearward primary support arm. A second embodiment includes the first embodiment structure and adds a rearward secondary support arm. A third embodiment includes the primary but not the rearward secondary support arm, the forward drive belt and a forward secondary support arm. A fourth embodiment includes the rearward primary and secondary support arms, the forward drive belt and a forward secondary support arm. The product container is tilted from vertical so that the conveyor follows a path of travel including curvatures having no guide rails.

Abstract: To simplify repair and maintenance of a link conveyor and link section by providing a link conveyor that can be freely attached and detached to a link section of a drive conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers, and a flight. The rollers have lower surfaces configured to engage a roller-engagement surface, and upper surfaces that substantially form a plane, such that the rollers engage the roller-engagement surface and rotate to move an object supported by the rollers over the plane. The flight includes a cam configured to engage a cam surface below the conveyor belt to impart a moment on the flight, and a projection that responds to the moment by rotating from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor belt includes multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first and second rollers being placed in contact with each other such that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction.

Abstract: A rolling conveying device including guide rails 6, 6?, 5? in which, respectively, at least one rolling body 1, 1?, 8 with a plurality of freely rotatable rollers 2 is arranged in operational interaction with a plurality of conveying bodies 10 which are freely displaceable between the rollers of the rolling body. The rolling body or bodies form tracks closed in themselves, they are not, however, chains because they are neither pulled nor pushed. Solely the conveying bodies are displaced, respectively, driven between the rolling bodies. The invention essentially consists of few components, namely: of guide rails 6, 6?, 5?, in which respectively a rolling body 1, 1?, 8 with a plurality of freely rotatable rollers 2 is arranged, in operational interaction with a plurality of conveying bodies 10, which are freely displaceable between the rollers of the rolling bodies. The rolling bodies form tracks closed in themselves, they are not, however, chains because they are neither pulled nor pushed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system for evenly spacing conveyed objects. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt that includes a conveyor having cavities, rollers in some of the cavities and a positioning component. The conveyor system further includes a conveyor drive coupled to the conveyor system and a roller engagement surface positioned adjacent the conveyor belt and configured to engage the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A conveying device (100) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies (102), which roll on a guidance (101) via several rolls (3), wherein the rolls (3) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body (9). The conveying bodies (102) include means (103; 104, 105) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies (102) out of the guidance (101). A connecting body (9) and allocated rolls (3) form a roll body (2), wherein the roll body (2), on average, includes two or less than two rolls (3) per conveying body (102). A roll body (2) for a conveying device (100) includes a plurality of rolls (3) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls (3) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body (9). In a preferred embodiment, of the invention the connecting body (9) may be bent in at least two directions.

Abstract: An accumulation-and-release conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate in the direction of belt travel. The rollers extend through the thickness of the belt to support conveyed articles. The belt continuously advances along a conveyor carryway from an upstream end to a downstream end. A movable stop divides the carryway into an upstream article-accumulation zone and a downstream article-acceleration zone. In the accumulation zone, the rollers are freely rotatable; in the acceleration zone, the rollers roll on a bearing surface underlying the belt. The stop is selectively moved between a blocking position preventing articles from passing and accumulating them with low back line pressure on the freely rotatable rollers in the upstream accumulation zone and a release position allowing articles to pass to the accumulation zone where they are propelled forward and separated from each other by the rotation of the rollers rolling on the bearing surface.

Abstract: A supporting installation (1) for supporting a number of turns, extending helically one upon the other in a stack, of an at least partly self-supporting conveyor belt (2) comprises at least one bearing element (9) for supporting the conveyor belt (2), and a section (4) for supporting the bearing element (9). The section (4) is extended in an endless loop along which the bearing element (9) is movable. At least one bearing element (9) is a roller bearing element (10).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor belt includes multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first and second rollers being placed in contact with each other such that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction.

Abstract: A conveyor and associated method for diverting closely spaced articles conveyed along the conveyor. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt with belt rollers oriented to rotate on axes oblique to the direction of belt travel. A series of arrays of bearing surface elements are arranged end to end along the length of the conveyor. The bearing surfaces may be static or rotational. Each array defines a roller-control zone in which the array is selectively activated with its bearing surface elements in contract with the belt rollers or deactivated with its bearing surface elements out of contact with the belt rollers. As the belt advances through an activated roller-control zone, the belt rollers rotate to propel a conveyed article toward a side of the belt. The contiguous roller-control zones are sequentially activated and deactivated to direct articles to the side and off the belt or to let them pass straight through.

Abstract: A roller cradle for use in a modular conveying assembly having a direction of travel in which an object is conveyed includes a first half and a second half. Each of the halves include integral hinge members defining a space therebetween. A roller having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel is retained in the space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a conveyor system for evenly spacing conveyed objects are provided. In one embodiment, the conveyor system includes a conveyor belt that includes a conveyor having cavities, rollers in some of cavities, and a positioning component. The conveyor system further includes a conveyor drive coupled to the conveyor system and a roller engagement surface positioned adjacent the conveyor belt and configured to engage the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor system in which a main conveyor is intersected by one or more cross conveyors forming sorting stations at one or more gaps along a main conveying path. The cross conveyor includes a roller-top belt having rollers extending outward of a top article-supporting side and arranged to rotate about axes perpendicular to the main conveying path. The cross conveyor includes a bidirectional drive to selectively advance the roller-top belt in one of two opposite directions to discharge articles transferred onto the cross conveyor in the gap off the side of the main conveying path. The cross conveyor also serves as a low-friction roller-top bridge when the roller-top belt is stopped. The bridge allows articles to cross the gap from an upstream portion of the main conveyor to a downstream portion.

Abstract: A telescoping boom mechanism for deploying an expandable structure, such a hoop-supported antenna, comprises a plurality of concentrically nestable tubular boom sections, that are mutually engageable with one another by way of roller assemblies and helical tracks formed thereon. The tubular boom sections are caused to telescopically expand or retract along a deployment axis by means of a rotational drive motor coupled to an outermost one of the tubular boom sections.

Abstract: An abrasion sensing type conveyor chain, in which a degree of abrasion in a roller rolling surface is easily judged by a visual or a tactile sensing during checking and maintaining of rollers of the conveyor chain so that a maintenance operation can be significantly reduced. An abrasion sensing type conveyor chain in which rollers which travel along a guide surface while rolling on a conveyor line, each comprise a roller rolling surface with a roller outer diameter of a required standard and an abrasion limiting surface with a smaller diameter than the roller outer diameter, the abrasion limiting surface being disposed adjacently and coaxially to the roller rolling surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods using conveyor belts with activated diverting rollers to maintain the leading edge of a conveyed article while changing the direction of conveyance. A first conveyor belt advancing in a first direction abuts a second conveyor belt advancing in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Both conveyor belts have diverting rollers that rotate on axes oblique to the direction of conveyance. The diverting rollers of each are activated by rolling on an underlying bearing surface to rotate in the vicinity of the junction of the two conveyor belts. The diverting rollers in the first conveyor belt direct the article toward the second conveyor belt. The rollers in the second conveyor belt direct the article toward a side of the second conveyor belt. An article lying on both belts simultaneously rotates by the combined action of the two sets of diverting rollers acting on opposite ends of the article.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for receiving, conveying in a conveying direction and delivering rotation-symmetrical products. The conveyor is provided with at least a single endless transport element, as well as with a number of transverse elements extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction. At least a single hourglass-shaped roller is provided on each transverse element, wherein the rollers form a corresponding at least single row and wherein between each two successive rollers in a row there is a conveying position for a product. The conveyor includes a lay-on portion and a successive downstream portion which are situated in different planes, the angle between these planes being greater than 180° as measured from above.

Abstract: A multifunctional conveyance type conveyor chain is disclosed in which ball units and conveyance auxiliary units can be separately and easily attached and detached to a chain link. A multifunctional conveyance type conveyor chain (100) includes a number of chain links (110) which are each integrally molded of an article loading portion (111) on which an article is loaded and a plurality of hinge portions (112). The chain links (110) are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction of the chain through hinge pins (120). A ball unit (130) holds a free ball (131) which rolls in an exposed manner on both a surface and a back surface of the chain link (110). Conveyance auxiliary units 140 mountable in place of ball units (130) are respectively selectively inserted and mounted between every hinge portions (112, 112).

Abstract: A conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate on oblique axes to urge articles toward a side guide. The conveyor includes an oblique-roller belt supported on a carryway for running in a direction of belt travel. Rollers extend above an outer conveying surface of the belt without contact with the carryway. Each roller rotates on an axis oblique to the direction of belt travel and intersects the side guide downstream of the roller's position. A retractable stop is movable to and from a blocking position along the carryway. In the blocking position, the stop blocks the conveyed articles from advancing in the direction of belt travel. The rollers underlying the blocked articles rotate as the belt runs by contact with the articles. The rotating rollers provide a component of force to the blocked articles directed toward the side guide to push the articles against the side guide or other articles as they accumulate under low pressure upstream of the stop.

Abstract: Disclosed are conveyors and methods for making and using a conveyor. In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a modular conveyor belt that includes at least one mat-top chain having at least one cavity and at least one first roller disposed in the cavity of the mat-top chain. The conveyor further includes a longitudinal second roller that operatively couples to the first roller such that the longitudinal second roller and the first roller are rotating as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller. In another embodiment, the method for making a conveyor may comprise the steps of linking a plurality of mat-top chains together to form a modular conveyor belt; disposing a first roller into a cavity of the mat-top chain; and placing a longitudinal second roller underneath the conveyor belt such that as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller, the first roller operatively couples to the longitudinal second roller causing the second roller and the first roller to rotate.

Abstract: A modular conveying assembly for conveying an object. The assembly includes a plurality of chain modules assembled in an edge to edge relation to form a continuous belt. At least one hinge pin joins adjacent chain modules, and pivotally connects the adjacent modules in the direction of belt travel. At least one cradle adjacent at least one of the modules is retained by the at least one pin. A roller is supported by the cradle and, in one embodiment, is engageable with the object to reduce friction between the belt and the object. In one embodiment, the cradle includes a first half including a first hinge element. A second half including a second hinge element is spaced from the first hinge element and defines a space therebetween. A shaft extends between the first and second halves through the space defined by the first and second hinge elements.

Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyor belt with article-supporting rollers selectively rotated to direct conveyed articles toward one side of the conveyor or the other. The belt rollers are arranged in longitudinal columns and can rotate on axes parallel to the direction of belt travel. Salient portions of the belt rollers protrude through the thickness of the belt. An array of powered rollers, each powered roller underlying a column of belt rollers, is selectively moved into and out of contact with the belt rollers to cause them to rotate to direct articles conveyed atop the belt rollers toward or off one side of the conveyor when the conveyor belt is stopped.

Abstract: A link of a conveyor chain comprising a main base body, a supporting element for supporting and retaining at least one supporting shaft with which a plurality of first rollers are rotatably associated, the link being adapted to be articulated to a similar adjacent link so as to form a conveyor chain.

Abstract: Conveyor (1), comprising a number of supporting bodies (10) arranged successively in an array in order to form transporting positions for objects (P) for transporting between two successive supporting bodies (10), wherein the form of the supporting bodies (10) is suitable for urging the objects (P) into a transverse position relative to the direction of movement (B).

Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with embedded spherical rollers retained in the module and a belt constructed of such modules. The module includes a module body forming a cavity, a spherical roller in the cavity, and a retainer retained in the cavity to hold the spherical roller rotatably in place. A salient portion of the roller extends outward from the cavity through the retainer past an outer surface of the module. The retainer is attached to the module body by ultrasonic welding, epoxy- or solvent-bonding, spin welding, electromagnetic welding, staking, screwing, or locking.

Abstract: A conveyor chain having fewer parts is disclosed. The assembly and decomposition of the chain conveyor and the removal of the ball and the like can be easily performed. In a conveyor chain 100 in which chain links 110 having article loading portions 111 on which articles are loaded are adjacently, endlessly connected with each other with connecting pins. Between the hinge portions 113 disposed on one side edge of the article loading portion 111 is formed a U-shaped cutout portion 115 having a ball holding inner peripheral surface 115a, a free ball 130 inserted between a hinge portion 112 of the chain link 110 oppositely adjacent to the U-shaped cutout portion 115 and the U-shaped cutout portion 115 is rotatably held by the ball holding inner peripheral surface 115a and a stopper 140. The upper and lower portions of the free ball 130 are protruded from a surface of the article loading portion 111 and a lower end of the link portion 114, respectively.

Abstract: A split roller including at least two parts joined together forms the roller having a length defined between roller ends. At least two of the at least two parts are joined along a joint extending between the roller ends. A roller cradle assembly and a modular conveying assembly can be assembled including the roller.

Abstract: A conveyor and a method for rotating and registering an article against a rail. The conveyor includes an angled-roller conveyor belt whose article-supporting rollers are arranged to rotate about axes directing conveyed articles toward a side rail. An obstruction is selectively activated to move into a position just above a top article-conveying surface of the belt. In that position, the obstruction intercepts conveyed articles. The obstruction forms a pivot about which the articles rotate as the belt advances and the angled rollers rotate. An electric eye or other sensor sensitive to oversized or misoriented articles controls the positioning of the obstruction to rotate misoriented articles 90° or to let correctly oriented articles pass without contact and reorientation.

Abstract: A device for aligning parcel goods, in particular bottle crates, boxes, trays or the like during conveyance, and having a conveyor device with a roller conveyor belt having two-part freely rotatable rollers, whereby the conveyance takes place in a plane of conveyance and the alignment takes place in an alignment area situated at least partially in the plane of transport, with a plurality of manipulation units that can be operated in a controlled manner and are situated above and/or below the roller chains in the alignment area. The manipulation units are able to alter the speed and/or the direction of rotation of the rollers for rotation of a parcel about an axis perpendicular to the plane of transport, with at least one preferably optical recognition device which detects the aligned position of the parcel and a control device which controls the process of alignment of the parcel.

Abstract: A low back pressure belt module for forming an endless belt for use with a conveyor. The modular conveyor belt is formed of rows of belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods. The belt modules have a plurality of first link ends disposed in the direction of belt travel and a plurality of second link ends disposed in the opposite direction. Transverse holes in the link ends are aligned to accommodate a pivot rod. When the link ends of the consecutive rows of side-by-side modules are intercalated, the pivot rod serves as a hinge pin in a hinged joint between consecutive interlinked rows. The low back pressure belt modules include shafts supported above the top surface of the module. The shafts carry a plurality of rollers to form a low back pressure conveying surface. A pair of intermediate supports may be provided for each shaft.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising an outer roller-top belt loop and an inner drive belt loop inside the outer belt loop for accurate and smooth control of conveyed articles. Rollers on the outer belt loop extend beyond outer and inner sides of the roller-top belt. The inner drive belt has an outer surface that frictionally contacts the rollers beneath the inner side of the outer belt loop along an article-conveying carryway portion of the conveying path. Relative motion between the two belts causes the drive belt to rotate the rollers it contacts. The outer belt loop and the inner belt loop can be driven at different speeds by separate drives. The relative speeds of the two belts determine the direction and speed of rotation of the rollers.

Abstract: To provide a conveyor chain, which easily can laterally discharge articles conveyed by the conveyor chain and easily can make U-turn and in which a count of parts of the chain links forming the conveyor chain can be reduced and the assembly, explosion and parts replacement and the like can be easily performed. A conveyor chain 1 is formed in such a manner that a plurality of chain links 2 each having a plurality of hinge portions 4, 5 respectively formed on both side edges of article loading portions 3, are adjacently, endlessly connected to each other with hinge pins. A gap portion 8 is provided between hinge portions 4, 4 formed on one-side edges in the article loading portions 3, and a ball unit 12 rotatably holding a free ball 16 in a split cover 15 consisting of a upper cover 13 and a lower cover 14 is attached to the gap portion 8.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a pair of roller-top belts arranged side by side, each individually controllable to cause articles conveyed atop both to rotate into preferred orientations. The roller-top belts include rollers that rotate about axes oblique to the direction of belt travel. The rollers on each belt direct conveyed articles toward the other belt as the belts advance in the direction of belt travel and the rollers contact an underlying bearing surface in rolling contact. The rotation of the rollers exerts a force on articles conveyed atop the rollers. The force has a component directed toward the other belt and another component directed downstream. A sensor array senses the footprint of an article at an upstream location and sends signals to a controller that determines the size and orientation of the article to selectively stop one or the other roller-top belt if necessary to rotate the article to change its orientation.

Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with embedded rollers retained in the module and a method for making such a module. The module includes a module body forming a cavity, a roller in the cavity, and a retainer received in the cavity to hold the roller rotatably in place. A salient portion of the roller extends outward from the cavity through the retainer past an outer surface of the module. The retainer is attached to the module body by ultrasonic welding, epoxy- or solvent-bonding, spin welding, electromagnetic welding, staking, screwing, or locking.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting loose tobacco material includes a transporting belt, equipped with a vibratory sub-assembly with independent driving elements and a feeding channel placed over the transporting belt. The vibratory sub-assembly has the form of at least two separate vibratory portions, each having at least one roller with eccentric elements and symmetrically arranged counterweights. Each of the vibratory portions has separate adjusting elements to provide independent adjustment of the magnitude and direction of vibration amplitude vector, and also has separate adjusting elements providing independent adjustment of the frequency of the transporting belt vibrations, independently of speed of the transporting belt. An additional belt conveyor having vibratory portions is mounted over the transporting belt.

Abstract: An apparatus having approximately parallel conveyors (2, 2?) for transporting and rotating an article (G) has multiple longitudinally arranged omnidirectional rollers (24), each omnidirectional roller (24) having multiple individual rollers (240) arranged about its periphery. The conveyors (2, 2?) extend in a transporting direction (T), bear against the bottom of the article (G), and rotate the article about an axis perpendicular to the article bearing plane. At least one conveyor can be driven at a speed different from the other conveyor to transport and rotate the article on the conveyor. The bearing portion of article (G) is subject to direction-dependent coefficients of friction with the transporting direction (T) having a static or sliding coefficient of friction that is higher than the rolling coefficient of friction in the direction perpendicular (S) to the transporting direction (T).

Abstract: Disclosed are conveyors and methods for making the conveyors. In one embodiment, a conveyor comprises a modular conveyor belt that includes a plurality of mat-top chains having a plurality of cavities and a plurality of first rollers disposed in the cavities of the mat-top chains. The conveyor further includes at least one second roller that operatively couples to the first rollers such that the first rollers rotate as the conveyor belt travels along the second roller. The invention can also be construed as providing the method for conveying objects. The method can comprise the steps of driving a modular conveyor belt in a direction of belt travel; rotating a plurality of first rollers disposed into the modular conveyor belt in a manner in which slippage of the first rollers is reduced; and conveying objects on the modular conveyor belt using the rotating first rollers.

Abstract: A sortation system includes a metal frame member and a traveling member having a series of wheels supported by the frame member. The traveling member defines an upper surface that supports articles being sorted. A wear strip is provided between said frame member and the wheels. The wear strip is made up of at least one wheel support strip and a sound deadening material between the at least one wheel support strip and the frame member.

Abstract: A conveyor for orienting and registering articles in a preferred orientation and position for accurate downstream processing. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt running in a conveyance direction next to an orientation belt running parallel in an opposite direction or more slowly in the same direction. The orientation belt has upstanding structure, such as flights, or a high-friction surface. The conveyor belt includes article-supporting rollers on a top side. The rollers are arranged to rotate about axes oblique to the conveyance direction. The rollers also extend below the bottom side of the belt and are rotated by dynamic contact with bearing surfaces supporting the belt as it advances in the conveying direction. The rotating rollers direct conveyed articles toward a side rail.

Abstract: A chain conveyor includes a plurality of load rollers, a plurality of drive rollers, which are arranged in pairs, and a pair of spaced apart rows of interconnecting linkages aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chain conveyor. The load rollers and the drive rollers are rotatably mounted between the linkages with the load rollers positioned between the pairs of drive rollers. The diameter of each load roller is larger than the diameter of each drive roller. The load rollers and the drive rollers are spaced along the longitudinal axis wherein the chain conveyor includes gaps between the outer surfaces of adjacent load rollers and between the outer surfaces of adjacent driver rollers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor chain including modular links interconnected by an elongated transverse connector rotatably supporting article engaging assemblies including rotatably mounted caps. In one embodiment, the caps are provided with a generally spherical outer surface and are mounted for rotation about an axis generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the connector. This arrangement thus allows for article conveyance with low backline pressure while facilitating the smooth and efficient diversion of an article in a direction generally transverse to the direction of chain movement through engagement with the caps. The chain may be of fixed length, or alternatively may be adapted to undergo side-flexing movement to negotiate curves or bends when driven in an endless path over a support structure forming part of a conveyor system, as well as longitudinal expansion and compression. One or more spacers may laterally offset the article engaging assemblies on alternating connectors forming the chain.

Abstract: A tiltable conveyor for offloading conveyed articles over a side of a conveyor belt. The belt is preferably a modular conveyor belt constructed of a series of belt rows hingedly interlinked to form an article-conveying surface. The belt is supported by a carryway, along which the belt is driven in a direction of belt travel by a drive system. The carryway includes one or more tilt sections at which one side of the belt is elevated relative to the other to offload articles across the lower side. The belt may include rollers or be molded of or coated with an inherently slick material to facilitate offloading.

Abstract: A chain link with bushing in a drive chain where the bushing comprises at least one drain bole for draining liquid inappropriately collected in the bushing. In a further development of the invention, especially in connection with conveyor chains, the bushing comprises a bushing insert with contact surface for the chain pin, where the bushing insert is provided with drain holes. The invention is preferably used in connection with conveyor chains, in particular by the production of foodstuffs by freezing temperature.