Abstract: An automatic belt biasing device is provided for biasing a drive belt into frictional contact with rollers of a conveyor. The belt biasing device maintains a drive belt in contact with rollers of a live roller conveyor to provide drive for the rollers to propel items or packages along the conveyor. A spring attached to a pivot arm or pair of scissoring pivot arms adjusts a biasing force applied by guide wheels of the belt biasing device to the drive belt due to changes in drive belt tension. The belt biasing device may be selectively adjustable based on required roller pitch distances. The belt biasing device is pivotably coupled to the roller conveyor allowing the guide wheels to apply equal pressure to the drive belt while allowing the pivot arms to actuate and increase or decrease the biasing force provided by the belt biasing device.

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter and method of diverting articles includes a conveying surface configured to convey articles in a longitudinal direction and at least one diagonal take-away lane, extending diagonally from the conveying surface to receive articles being diverted from said conveying surface. A plurality of pushers are configured to move together in a lateral direction in order to displace an item on the conveying surface to the diagonal take-away lane. A rotational system is configured to rotate a leading portion of a diverted article in the direction of the take-away lane. A belt drive system is provided for driving live roller conveyors about a curved section of a roller conveyor of the sorter. The drive belt is guided along a single conical drive plane that maintains the orientation of the drive belt relative to the single conical drive plane and limits twisting and stress in the drive belt.

Abstract: A destacking conveyor and a method for destacking stacked articles, such as parcels and envelopes. The destacking conveyor comprises an inclined array of rollers that are arranged to rotate on axes perpendicular to a conveying direction. The conveyor is divided along its length into continuous roller-activation zones and selectively activated zones. In the continuous zones, the rollers always rotate in the conveying direction. In the selectively activated zones, the rollers are activated to rotate in the conveying direction and deactivated to be freely rotatable and allow articles to slide backward by gravity. The conveyor also includes a lift to change its inclination angle. By regulating the inclination angle and the activation and deactivation of the rollers in the selectively activated zones, piggy-backed articles slide off bottom articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for covering the side rails of a conveyor framework. The apparatus includes a locking tab, grip and living hinge that together allow for a greater likelihood that the cover will remain intact on the rail of a conveyor framework.

Abstract: A conveyor section for transportation or accumulation of articles such as cartons and totes includes a pair of spaced, opposing side rails, vertical frame members attached transversely between the pair of opposing side rails, and live rollers transversely attached for rotation between the opposing side. An upstream end idler and a downstream end idler both having a vertical axis of rotation are attached at respective upstream and downstream ends of the conveyor section. A drive belt is vertically elongate and supported for horizontal looping between the upstream and downstream end idlers. The drive belt supported and guided by the vertical frame members such that a drive loop side and a return loop side are horizontally positioned under the live rollers. The drive loop side of the drive belt is at selectively engageable to an undersurface of the live rollers. A drive motor is operatively coupled to drive the drive belt.

Abstract: A contact guard for a belt drive, in which a filling space formed between two pulleys and the belt is filled by a filling body, which includes two sub-bodies that can be moved relative to one another.

Abstract: A system for monitoring, in real time, relatively large samples as they are caused to pass by an ellipsometer or the like system, and method of its use.

Abstract: A small-diameter-roller conveyor converted from a large-diameter-roller conveyor and a method for the conversion. One or more belts are trained around the power-driven rollers of a roller conveyor. A stationary array of smaller-diameter article-supporting rollers is positioned atop the belts. The article-supporting rollers are in frictional contact with the belts. The rotation of the power-driven rollers advances the belts, which rotate the article-supporting rollers and convey articles supported atop the article-supporting rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor-section bearing element (50) for fitting to a conveyor frame (10) of a roller conveyor (1), wherein the conveyor-section bearing element (50) has at least one bearing site (54) for bearing a conveyor roller (20) on the conveyor frame, wherein the conveyor-section bearing element (50) further has at least one roller axle for bearing a carrier or support roller (32; 33), as well as a retrofit kit and a roller conveyor (1) comprising such a conveyor-section bearing element (50).

Abstract: A curved roller conveyor (1) with a conveyor frame (10) and a plurality of conveyor rollers (20) rotatably supported on the conveyor frame (10), wherein the curved conveyor (1) has a drive system (30) with a drive belt (31) having a round cross-section, wherein several conveyor rollers (20) rest on the drive belt (31) in a floating manner.

Abstract: Various apparatus embodiments include first, second, third and fourth idler shafts, and further include a first movable idler shaft having a first movable axis that is movable between a first axis position and a second axis position, and a second movable idler shaft having a second movable axis that is movable between a third axis position and fourth axis position. At least one linkage connects the first movable idler shaft to the second movable idler shaft. A motor linkage connects the at least one linkage to at least one motor for providing simultaneous movement of the first and second movable idler shafts.

Abstract: A material handling system have the ability for the rollers to slip relative to the drive system, such as a roller bed conveyor used an accumulator conveyor system. The rollers include a slip assembly with a clutch surface, wherein the tube of the roller is configured to act as a heat sink.

Abstract: A dolly and methods for transporting and discharging items. The dolly includes a frame and one or more power conveyer assemblies. The one or more power conveyer assemblies include a set of transfer rollers and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a continuous drive belt, a set of idler pulleys, a plurality of electrical actuation members, and a foot actuation pedal. Engagement of the foot actuation pedal can cause the drive motor to rotate the continuous drive belt around the set of idler pulleys and the plurality of electrical actuation members to move the continuous drive belt into an interference position with the set of transfer rollers. This can result in rotation of the set of transfer rollers and application of a discharge force to items set upon them.

Abstract: An accumulation conveyor for transporting articles includes a plurality of rollers defining a conveying surface, a frame supporting the plurality of rollers, a drive belt selectively couplable with the plurality of rollers to drive the plurality of rollers, and an actuator assembly having at least one piezoelectric actuator assembly configured to selectively urge the drive belt into driving engagement with the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor singulator includes a conveying surface defined by a plurality of lanes, each made up of freely rotatable rollers that are skewed with respect to a longitudinal direction. A drive system for each of the lanes is adapted to driving the rollers in that lane. The drive system includes an endless belt, a motor assembly that is adapted to propel the belt and a plurality of guide assemblies that are each adapted to bias the belt against the rollers. Each guide assembly includes a stationary block of low-friction polymers and a support that is adapted to press the block against an upper run of the belt to press the belt against the rollers in that lane.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes first and second rotatable members for forming a nip for heating therein a toner image on a sheet; an endless belt for contacting an outer surface of the first rotatable member and heat the first rotatable member; first and second rollers provided inside the endless belt and to rotatably support the endless belt; first and second bearings for rotatably supporting the first and second rollers; an elastic member contactable to the first bearing and to the second bearing and for urging the first roller and the second roller in directions away from each other; and a preventing member for preventing the elastic member from moving in directions of expansion and contraction thereof when the elastic member is out of contact with the first bearing and the second bearing.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system is disclosed. The conveyor assembly may generally include a first carriage rail disposed on a drive side of the conveyor assembly and a second carriage rail disposed on an opposite side of the conveyor assembly. Each of the carriage rails may define a plurality of roller positions, with a plurality of the roller positions on the first carriage rail being configured as drive positions. The conveyor assembly may also include a drive pulley positioned at each drive position. Each drive pulley may be configured to rotationally drive a drive device. In addition, the conveyor assembly may include a plurality of rollers extending between the carriage rails at the roller positions. The rollers disposed at the drive positions may be configured to engage the drive devices.

Abstract: A small-diameter-roller conveyor converted from a large-diameter-roller conveyor and a method for the conversion. One or more belts are trained around the power-driven rollers of a roller conveyor. A stationary array of smaller-diameter article-supporting rollers is positioned atop the belts. The article-supporting rollers are in frictional contact with the belts. The rotation of the power-driven rollers advances the belts, which rotate the article-supporting rollers and convey articles supported atop the article-supporting rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor-section bearing element (50) for fitting to a conveyor frame (10) of a roller conveyor (1), wherein the conveyor-section bearing element (50) has at least one bearing site (54) for bearing a conveyor roller (20) on the conveyor frame, wherein the conveyor-section bearing element (50) further has at least one roller axle for bearing a carrier or support roller (32; 33), as well as a retrofit kit and a roller conveyor (1) comprising such a conveyor-section bearing element (50).

Abstract: A curved roller conveyor (1) with a conveyor frame (10) and a plurality of conveyor rollers (20) rotatably supported on the conveyor frame (10), wherein the curved conveyor (1) has a drive system (30) with a drive belt (31) having a round cross-section, wherein several conveyor rollers (20) rest on the drive belt (31) in a floating manner.

Abstract: A power roller conveyor system includes a section having a slide mechanism that engages a loop that is driven by an external motor. The loop slides along a surface of the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism maintains the loop in frictional engagement with surfaces of rollers of the conveyor, whereby the rollers are directly driven by the loop. A wheel may bridge a directly driven roller and another roller that is not driven. The other roller and driven roller bridged by the wheel may be separated by an intermediate roller. The section may be a straight section, a 90 degree curved section, or a 180 degree curved section.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system includes a first carriage rail disposed at a drive side of the conveyor assembly. A roller position is defined along the carriage rail, and a drive wheel is disposed at the roller position and configured for driving engagement against a roller. The drive wheel includes an axial cylindrical extension and an elastomeric sleeve disposed on the cylindrical extension, with the elastomeric sleeve having a defined outer diameter. With this configuration, a roller placed in the roller position rests by gravity on the elastomeric sleeve and is rotationally driven by rotation of the drive wheel such that a substrate conveyed by the roller is displaced a defined distance for each rotation of the drive wheel as a function of the outer diameter of the elastomeric sleeve.

Abstract: A power roller conveyor system includes a section having a slide mechanism that engages a loop that is driven by an external motor. The loop slides along a surface of the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism maintains the loop in frictional engagement with surfaces of rollers of the conveyor, whereby the rollers are directly driven by the loop. A wheel may bridge a directly driven roller and another roller that is not driven. The other roller and driven roller bridged by the wheel may be separated by an intermediate roller. The section may be a straight section, a 90 degree curved section, or a 180 degree curved section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that includes urging members provided at first and second ends in an axial direction of at least one of rollers around which an endless belt is wound, so as to urge the at least one roller and apply a tension to the endless belt. The urging members include a first urging member for applying a first moment about a middle point of a contact portion of a predetermined one roller in the axial direction and a second urging member for applying a second moment about the middle point. The second moment is different from the first moment such that a first-side portion, where a guide is provided to fit into a groove formed on at least one roller, of the endless belt with respect to the middle point is extended by a same length as a second-side portion of the endless belt.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a series of rollers for conveying a product to one or more product operations. A pair of spaced apart side frames support the series of rollers spanning between said the frames. A drive system is associated with one or more rollers of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder, an elastomeric sleeve and a moving belt, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the moving belt against one or more of the rollers for their rotation. A brake system is associated with one or more of the series of rollers and includes a selectively inflatable bladder and a fixed elastomeric band, wherein inflation of the bladder pushes the fixed elastomeric band against one or more of the rollers for stopping its rotation.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system includes a first carriage rail and a second carriage rail disposed at an opposite side of the conveyor assembly. The first and second carriage rails include a plurality of roller positions spaced longitudinally therealong. The carriage rails further include a pair of wheels at each of the roller positions, with the wheels spaced apart so as to define a cradle at the respective roller position. At least one of the wheels at each roller position on is drive wheel. A plurality of rollers extend between the first and second carriage rails. The rollers have ends that drop into the cradles at the roller positions such that the rollers are removable from the carriage rails by being lifted out of the cradles at the roller positions.

Abstract: A roller conveyor includes a drive member whose path and the end of the overlying portions of the rollers sortation conveyor is configured to avoid substantial contact between certain rollers and the drive member. The roller conveyor is depicted in an embodiment as an accumulation conveyor with skewed roller sections.

Abstract: A conveyor having at least one curved portion includes a pair of spaced apart side channels that are curved at the curved portion of the conveyor. A plurality of rollers are supported between the side channels. An endless drive member, which is propelled by a motor, drives the rollers. A guide system made up of a plurality of guide members guides the drive member. Each of the guide members includes a guide surface that provides substantial non-slip engagement with the drive member.

Abstract: A carrying apparatus includes: a carry path which is defined to guide a first carried object and a second carried object; a first pulley; a first roller; a second pulley; a first belt which is wound on the first pulley and the second pulley; a first tensioner; and a first moving mechanism which moves the first roller between a first position and a second position. The first moving mechanism moves the first roller between a first position at which the first roller carries the first carried object and a second position which is farther from the carry path than the first position and at which the first roller carries the second carried object.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system includes a first carriage rail and a second carriage rail disposed at an opposite side of the conveyor assembly. The first and second carriage rails include a plurality of roller positions spaced longitudinally therealong. The carriage rails further include a pair of wheels at each of the roller positions, with the wheels spaced apart so as to define a cradle at the respective roller position. At least one of the wheels at each roller position on is drive wheel. A plurality of rollers extend between the first and second carriage rails. The rollers have ends that drop into the cradles at the roller positions such that the rollers are removable from the carriage rails by being lifted out of the cradles at the roller positions.

Abstract: A spline roller having a cylindrical barrel having a length, a first and second end, a centerline, and a circumferential surface, and at least a first drive portion formed integrally into the circumferential surface, having a first end and a second end, at least a first circumferential recess at the first end, and comprising a plurality of the parallel, radially-disposed, splines about the circumference, each spline extending along the length of the barrel from the first circumferential recess. Each spline has a ridge extending from the first end to the second end, and typically has a crown along the length of the ridge. The ridge can be oriented along a line that is parallel to the centerline of the spline roller, to provide a straight spline roller. The ridge can also be oriented along a line that is angled inwardly at a taper angle toward the centerline of the roller, to provide a tapered spline roller.

Abstract: A roller conveyor is described that includes a frame with spaced, parallel side rails; a plurality of parallel driven rollers, each roller having shaft ends extending through the rails; a shaft pulley affixed to the one shaft end outside of a given rail; a rotary drive means including a rotatable drive pulley mounted outside the given rail; and connector means operably connecting the drive pulley to the shaft pulleys, whereby rotation of the drive means rotates the driven rollers. The drive means can be an electric motor mounted beneath the driven rollers or a motorized drive roller in a plane with the other rollers. One of the rollers can be deflectable downwardly by objects conveyed on the conveyor, with the state of a switch being changed when the roller is deflected.

Abstract: The transport device especially for transporting flat substrates through a coating installation comprises a plurality of transporting rolls, which are arranged transversely in relation to the transporting direction, and supporting rolls are also provided.

Abstract: A power roller conveyor system includes a section having a slide mechanism that engages a loop that is driven by an external motor. The loop slides along a surface of the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism maintains the loop in frictional engagement with surfaces of rollers of the conveyor, whereby the rollers are directly driven by the loop. A wheel may bridge a directly driven roller and another roller that is not driven. The other roller and driven roller bridged by the wheel may be separated by an intermediate roller. The section may be a straight section, a 90 degree curved section, or a 180 degree curved section.

Abstract: A belt guard for a drive belt on a roller conveyor system, that can be positioned adjacent the drive belt and between adjacent conveyor rollers to guard the side edges of the drive belt from inadvertent or intentional entanglement of a person's fingers or other body parts or clothing in the rotating rollers and drive belts. A guard assembly is provided having a first and second belt guard members affixed together and disposed on opposite sides of the drive belt. The invention also includes a roller conveying system that has a plurality of the spaced-apart cylindrical rollers, driven by a plurality of a circular drive belt, and a nip guard system having a plurality of nip guard means that guard the nips and/or sides of the revolving drive belts.

Abstract: A low-pressure accumulation system and a conveyor belt in an accumulation conveyor for the use with the system. The belt, which is flanked on opposite sides by lines of gravity rollers, has a longitudinal lane of article-supporting belt rollers arranged in groups along the length of the conveyor belt. The groups are spaced apart from each at regular intervals. Trays sit atop the gravity rollers until they are lifted slightly higher by one of the slightly elevated groups of article-supporting belt rollers, which engage the bottom of the tray and convey it along toward a discharge end. Retractable stops selectively block the trays from advancing on the accumulation conveyor. The freely rotatable article-supporting belt rollers roll along the bottoms of any blocked and accumulated trays and provide low back pressure. The belt may also include low-friction rollers that ride on bearing surfaces below the belt to help lower friction between the belt and the conveyor structure while the belt is running.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a conveyor may include one or more of the following features: (a) a plurality of driven roller assemblies mounted on said side walls in spaced relationship and at uniform height along the lengthwise direction of said pathway, each said driven roller assembly may include one or more of the following features: i) a center shaft mounted in the side wall so said center shaft is fixed against rotation and projects, perpendicularly inward from the inside surface of the side wall, ii) a driven pulley having an outer flange, an inner axial bore of a size permitting said driven pulley to slide axially over the center shaft, and iii) a roller carried on said driven pulley for rotation therewith to move articles resting on said roller down said pathway, said roller having a recess for engaging a catch on the driven pulley to hold the roller securely.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for moving the drive belt of a roller conveyor system between a first position in which the drive belt engages the rollers to rotate the rollers and a second position spaced from the rollers, the second position permitting conveyed articles to be accumulated on the rollers. The assembly comprises a bracket and at least one pulley having a circumferential groove for seating the drive belt. The pulley is rotatably secured to both the bracket and a first side frame for the conveyor. A guide roller is also secured to the bracket so as to maintain the drive belt seated on the pulley. At least one actuator is provided for our operating on the bracket to move the drive belt between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A roller conveyor installation (1) includes a curved roller conveyor (2) for conveying piece goods, optionally from a first conveying strip to a second conveying strip oriented in a different direction. The first and second conveying strips are roller conveyors (3, 4) with driven rollers (9) that extend at an angle to the conveying strip. The curved roller conveyor (2) includes, at an angle to the conveying strip, radially extending, spaced-apart individual rollers (5) that are driven by a common revolving driving belt. A revolving driving belt is configured as a V-belt (6) which is guided in coaxial drive rollers (13) or coaxial peripheral sections of the individual rollers (5) both at the upper end in the V-belt upper strand (6a) and at the bottom end in the V-belt lower strand (6b) in the same V-belt guide. The V-belt (6) is held in the V-belt guide from above in the V-belt upper strand (6a) and from below in the V-belt lower strand (6b) by floating upper or lower press rollers (14).

Abstract: A conveyor that is powered by a drive unit is disclosed. The conveyor includes a frame, and the drive unit includes a gearless external drive motor that is configured to fit within the footprint defined by the conveyor frame. The conveyor includes a series of conveying members, such as rollers, that are rotatably supported by the frame. The motor includes an output member that is engaged with a driven one of the rollers, and the driven roller is mechanically linked to an adjacent one of the rollers so that the adjacent roller is driven into rotation in response to rotation of the driven roller. The conveyor is constructed as a conveyor section or zone, which is adapted to be used with a series of similarly constructed conveyor sections or zones to form an overall conveyor system.

Abstract: A sheet feed assembly with a pair of rollers (2,3) to feed sheets of media along a feed path. The roller pair has a drive roller 2 and an idler roller 3. The drive roller 2 is mounted between two bearings 4 and 5 for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The idler roller 3 is shorter than the drive roller 2 and is held against the drive roller by two guide formations 7 and 8 at either end. The guide formations bias the idler roller against the drive roller while allowing some lateral displacement of the idler roller from the drive roller.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveying apparatus which guides a conveying target object in the conveying direction while preventing it from falling off from rollers and in which intervals between the adjacent rollers can be narrowed.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for moving the drive belt of a roller conveyor system between a first position in which the drive belt engages the rollers to rotate the rollers and a second position spaced from the rollers, the second position permitting conveyed articles to be accumulated on the rollers. The assembly comprises a bracket and at least one pulley having a circumferential groove for seating the drive belt. The pulley is rotatably secured to both the bracket and a first side frame for the conveyor. A guide roller is also secured to the bracket so as to maintain the drive belt seated on the pulley. At least one actuator is provided for our operating on the bracket to move the drive belt between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A roller conveyor installation (1) includes a curved roller conveyor (2) for conveying piece goods, optionally from a first conveying strip to a second conveying strip oriented in a different direction. The first and second conveying strips are roller conveyors (3, 4) with driven rollers (9) that extend at an angle to the conveying strip. The curved roller conveyor (2) includes, at an angle to the conveying strip, radially extending, spaced-apart individual rollers (5) that are driven by a common revolving driving belt. A revolving driving belt is configured as a V-belt (6) which is guided in coaxial drive rollers (13) or coaxial peripheral sections of the individual rollers (5) both at the upper end in the V-belt upper strand (6a) and at the bottom end in the V-belt lower strand (6b) in the same V-belt guide. The V-belt (6) is held in the V-belt guide from above in the V-belt upper strand (6a) and from below in the V-belt lower strand (6b) by floating upper or lower press rollers (14).

Abstract: A strapping machine feeds strapping material around a load, positions, tensions and seals the material around the load. The machine includes a work surface, a portion of which is upwardly pivotal. A conveyor mounted within the work surface has a friction belt drive. The conveyor roller closest to the strap chute has a middle portion that has a smaller diameter than the end portions. The middle portions are fitted together to rotate as a unitary element. A load compression assembly is mounted at the strap chute. A side squaring assembly aligns the load in the direction transverse to the load direction. A strap guide extends between a pre-feed assembly and the feed assembly and includes a fixed portion and a movable portion forming a guide path that is opened to access the guide path. An interlocked enclosure is mounted to the machine frame below the work surface to access the sealing head and the feed assembly.

Abstract: A machine for producing articles of sheet material, having a conveyor with powered rollers for feeding blanks along a path; pressure devices for holding the blanks in contact with the powered rollers; and operating devices which interact with the blanks to perform operations, in particular folding and gluing operations, on the blanks as the blanks travel along the path. The conveyor has a number of drive members arranged along the path, and to which the pressure devices are connectable by universal transmission assemblies.

Abstract: A conveyor that is powered by a drive unit is disclosed. The conveyor includes a frame, and the drive unit includes a gearless external drive motor that is configured to fit within the footprint defined by the conveyor frame. The conveyor includes a series of conveying members, such as rollers, that are rotatably supported by the frame. The motor includes an output member that is engaged with a driven one of the rollers, and the driven roller is mechanically linked to an adjacent one of the rollers so that the adjacent roller is driven into rotation in response to rotation of the driven roller. The conveyor is constructed as a conveyor section or zone, which is adapted to be used with a series of similarly constructed conveyor sections or zones to form an overall conveyor system.

Abstract: A declined conveyor for conveying articles in a downstream direction, which is parallel to a longitudinal direction, has one or more controlled conveyor sections interposed between gravity conveyors. Each controlled conveyor includes a plurality of driven rollers which are driven by a drive member disposed generally parallel to the longitudinal direction, and is operatively connected to a plurality of the driven rollers through O belts.

Abstract: An accumulation conveyor and method, according to the invention, includes providing a plurality of tandem accumulation zones, each of the zones including a conveying surface and at least one drive roller selectively driving the conveying surface. A drive member below the conveying surface extends a length of the plurality of tandem accumulation zones. Each of the zones includes a clutch roller rotated by the drive member and an electromagnetic clutch. The clutch selectively transfers rotation of the clutch roller to the drive roller to drive the conveying surface. The clutch may be made up of a pair of concentric cylinders aligned in a vertical plane and a force transmission member between the concentric cylinders with the force transmission member transmitting force between the concentric cylinders when the clutch is electrically actuated. The clutch may be a wrapped-spring clutch.

Abstract: A tapered spline conveyor roller, and a curved conveyor roller assembly using a plurality of the tapered spline rollers. The tapered spline roller has a cylindrical barrel and an inner and an outer drive portion that is formed of a plurality of parallel, radially-disposed, tapered splines about the circumference of the barrel portion. The splines can be tapered inwardly at a taper angle toward the center of the roller, along the length of the spline, from the first end toward the second end of the roller. A belt connects and engages the tapered splines of the drive portions of adjacent rollers, for rotationally coupling the rollers. The connecting belt typically has an inner surface having spaced-apart ribs for engaging the slots disposed between the tapered splines. The tapered splines of the two drive portions of adjacent rollers is provided with a taper angle that is one-half of the angle that is formed between the centerlines of the adjacent rollers.