Abstract: A conveyor system for a self-checkout apparatus including a first side support rail having an inner side and an outer side and a second side support rail spaced apart from said first side support rail and positioned parallel thereto, where the second side support rail includes an inner side and an outer side. The system also includes a first motor mount affixed to the first side support rail at a first end, a second motor mount affixed to the second side support rail at the first end, and a drive roller having a knurled surface. The drive roller transmits a driving force from a drive motor and positioned at one end of the first side support rail and the second side support rail. The system further includes a return roller positioned at a second end of the first side support rail and the second side support rail, a pair of first tracking guides provided adjacent both ends of the driver roller, a pair of second tracking guides provided adjacent both ends of the return roller and a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor pulley is configured to revolve about an axis of rotation and includes a cylindrical shell and first and second bushing portions supported within the shell. First and second shaft portions are in torque-transmitting engagement with the first and second bushing portions, respectively. Such first and second shaft portions are restrained from axial movement with respect to the first and second bushing portions, respectively, and the first and second shaft portions are spaced from one another. For repair, the shaft portions and related bearings are independently removable without removing the entire pulley from the conveyor system.

Abstract: Products can be surely conveyed even if the endless belt is loosening. Since the endless belt 35 is sandwiched in between the product and the rollers 6 which are driven when products are supplied to the conveyor system 1, the slip is not generated between the endless belt 35 and the rollers 6 and the rotation of the rollers 6 can be surely transmitted to the endless belt 35, so that the products can be surely conveyed.

Abstract: A device for conveying printed products through a printing-related machine includes at least one endless conveyor belt running over deflecting rollers and having at least one printed product resting thereon during a conveying operation, and a rotating frictional element provided for driving the conveyor belt, the frictional element being in contact with the conveyor belt on a side thereof whereon the printed product is transported.

Abstract: A conveyor idler includes a sleeve having an outer surface and an inner surface, a shaft about which the sleeve can rotate in a forward direction, a locking mechanism for preventing the sleeve from rotating in a reverse direction, but which locking mechanism permits rotation of the sleeve in the forward direction, the locking mechanism being located within the sleeve and having a shaft member fixed to the shaft, with at least one locking member which can move between an unlocked position in which the sleeve can rotate in the forward direction and a locked position in which the locking member locks the sleeve to the shaft member to prevent rotation of the sleeve in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A conveyor roller drive device is provided to mechanically prevent conveyed goods from falling down on a conveyor system. The conveyor roller drive device includes a power generator for generating rotational power and a coupling portion which is coupled to a conveyor roller. A traction roller transmission mechanism is disposed in the rotational power transmission path between the power generator and the coupling portion. The traction roller transmission mechanism includes a sun roller, planetary rollers disposed on the periphery of the sun roller to roll in contact with the sun roller, a ring roller for allowing the planetary rollers to roll in contact with the inner periphery surface of the ring roller, and a carrier being in phase with the revolution component of the planetary rollers.

Abstract: A metallic conveyor belt arrangement for transporting bulk material comprises a metallic conveyor belt closed in itself and extending along a longitudinal axis. The metallic conveyor belt forms at least two ends, such as a slack end and a tight end, and at least a first and a second deflector loop connecting said ends. The metallic conveyor belt has first and second surfaces, each on one side thereof, of which one surface serves for loading the bulk material to be conveyed on it. A tensioning device for said metallic conveyor belt is arranged in the range of a second loop. At least one V-belt is secured to the engagement surface of the metallic belt. A roller-shaped drive wheel subdivided into at least two adjacent parts is secured to the drive shaft. The parts form a circumferential groove between them for receiving the V-belt. An axial tightening device is on the drive shaft for tightening the parts together in the direction of the shaft axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying articles, especially sweets to be covered with a chocolate mass or a similar mass, includes a grid belt (1) including a plurality of straight bar portions (8) extending in a transverse direction with respect to a conveying direction (2). A plurality of meshes (9) interconnects the straight bar portions (8). A drive shaft (3) includes a plurality of gear wheels (4) being designed and arranged to engage the straight bar portions (8) and including disk-like enlargements (11) being located in a transverse direction with respect to the conveying direction (2) and in the region of the meshes (9). The disk-like enlargement (11) are designed and arranged to support the meshes (9). A motor is operatively connected to the drive shaft (3), and it is designed and arranged to drive the drive shaft (3) and to move the grid belt (1) in the conveying direction (2).

Abstract: A dead shaft or motorized conveyor pulley in which a drum is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation on a shaft mounted against rotation, has the shaft mounted in a pivot sphere. The sphere is mounted in a complementarily socketed block against rotation around the axis of rotation but to permit angular movement in response to misalignment of the shaft from one of the drum to the other end during installation.

Abstract: A bearing structure has first and second support members in which first and second stepped small-diameter portions of drive and nip rollers are rotatably mounted by bearings. The first and second support members are disposed in respective first and second holes defined in a side wall and have respective first and second inner engaging teeth and respective first and second outer engaging flanges which are held against respective opposite surfaces of the side wall to retain the first and second support members on the side wall against removal. The first and second support members thus firmly retained in position on the side wall can reliably bear thrust forces from the drive roller and the nip roller. The drive roller and the nip roller and the bearings can be assembled and serviced with ease.

Abstract: Sorting devices are successively guided along a sorting line and driven by means of a conveyor system. Each sorting device has a running carriage with running rollers guided in the sorting line's guide rails. In addition, the sorting device contains a means for receiving and ejecting individual parceled articles sent from a loading station. The conveyor system comprises a chain having chain links with flat undersides which are movably connected to each other. The chain links are rigidly connected to each running carriage of the sorting devices and project beyond these sorting devices in a transport direction. The joints between successive chain links are each bridged on their underside by a pre-tensioned leaf spring. The driving means is a friction wheel drive with a friction wheel engaging the chain links on their undersides. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, one chain link is rigidly connected to each of the running carriages of the sorting devices.

Abstract: An improved delivery section of a folder of a printing press in which the bucket assemblies and side guides are adjustable to accommodate varying widths of signatures.

Abstract: A device for conveying printing substrates includes a frame, a plurality of spaced-apart and axially parallel cylindrical rollers supported on the frame, one of the rollers being a rotatably drivable drive roller, and the other rollers being freely rotatably supported, and an endless conveyor belt wrapped around all of the rollers and in operation being in frictional contact with the drive roller, two of the rollers being relatively closely adjacent one another, being spaced apart from one another a distance selected from the group thereof consisting of less than and not considerably greater than the diameter of the drive roller; the drive roller being movable in a direction towards and away from the two spaced apart rollers; and including a retaining device for firmly retaining the drive roller in an operating position wherein an outer side of the conveyor belt rests on the drive roller, the conveyor belt being wrapped around the drive roller over an angle on the order of magnitude of 180°, while the oth

Abstract: A press roll unit for a roll-up of a paper cutter has two adjacent rolls. A belt or plurality of belts is wound around the rolls to operatively interconnect them. An electric motor inside at least one roll drives the roll unit. The belt or plurality of belts have at least one aperture for cooling the electric motor and the roll surrounding it.

Abstract: A lining for a driving or return drum of a conveyor belt includes an elastic material based on natural or synthetic rubber or a polyurethane containing ceramic particles whose dimensions lie between about 10 and about 2000 microns.

Abstract: A conveyor construction includes a frame, a drive section stationarily mounted to the frame, and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The drive and tensioning sections each include a spindle, and a belt is engaged with the spindles. The frame defines an upper support surface disposed below the upper run of the belt, and mating engagement structure is provided on the belt and the upper support surface for preventing lateral movement of the belt relative to the upper support surface. The drive and tensioning sections include spaced side members, each of which defines an inwardly opening cavity for receiving a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the spindle. The bearing-receiving cavity faces the spindle, and each side member defines outer wall structure which engages and supports the belt outwardly of the spindle.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided in which the belt or a plurality of bands (2-36) forming a composite belt extend between free running guide rollers (38, 40). A. Drive shaft (50) runs adjacent the belt or bands and one or more pinch wheels are movable by actuators to cause the belt or bands to be driven from the drive shaft.

Abstract: Lining for driving or return drums or pulleys for conveyor belt. A lining for driving or return drums or pulleys for conveyor belts and all surfaces subjected to wear by friction includes an elastic material 2 incorporated in which are porous ceramic elements 4 projecting from the surface of the lining.

Abstract: In a rotation transfer device, a paper feeding apparatus and an image forming apparatus, transfer projections are disposed on coupling members provided on the ends of a driving shaft and a driven shaft, so that the movement of one transfer projection in the peripheral direction can be constrained by the other transfer projection and a positioning member. Thus, rotation irregularity caused by reverse rotation torque applied by a function from the side of paper can be prevented.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveyor for packages, especially a conveyor for flexible packages such as newspapers, textiles or sacks. The conveyor includes a plurality of sequential, parallel and spaced rollers, which form a conveying surface and are perpendicular to a direction of conveyance. Along their length, the rollers have alternating cylindrical sections and narrowing sections. The narrowing sections narrow to both sides of a highest point along the length of the roller toward the cylindrical sections. A plurality of continuous belts are guided around groups of sequential rollers and run in the direction of conveyance to bridge gaps between the spaced rollers. The belts are positioned around the narrowing sections at the maximum diameter thereof.

Abstract: A steerable rotatable member such as a pulley, sprocket or timing gear which can be mounted on a shaft so that the plane of the rotatable member may be positioned at selected angles other than a 90.degree. angle to the axis of rotation of the shaft. A torque transmitting member, commonly in the shape of a planar disc, is used to operatively connect the shaft and the rim of the rotatable member. The disc radially elongates and laterally flexes as the rotatable member rotates. A sleeve member may be used to connect the disc to the shaft. When used as a driver, a key may be used to transmit power from the shaft to the sleeve. The use of an elongated groove in the shaft permits the rotatable member to be adjustably moved to different locations along the axial length of the shaft.

Abstract: A curved conveyor includes an outer circumferential frame supported by L-shaped legs. An inner circumferential frame is supported in a cantilevered manner from the outer circumferential frame by means of horizontally extending beams connected between the inner circumferential frame and the outer circumferential frame. A drive-side tapered roller is rotatably supported at one end of the inner and outer circumferential frames and a lift-up section carrying a driven side tapered roller is pivotally supported at the opposite end of the inner and outer circumferential frames.

Abstract: A reversible drive system for a conveyor includes a belt, a drive wheel and an idler wheel, where the drive wheel and the idler wheel are mounted for rotation on spaced apart axes to define a nip between the drive wheel and the idler wheel, with the belt being pulled through the nip by the rotation of the drive wheel. Also included is a support on which the drive wheel is mounted, the support being mounted to enable a rocking motion, where rocking the support to cause the support to rotate in a first arcuate direction moves the drive wheel and the idler wheel closer to each other, thereby increasing the pinching on the belt passing through the nip. Increased tension on the belt causes rocking of the support which moves the drive wheel and the idler wheel closer to each other to increase the pinch on the belt.

Abstract: A chain drum arrangement for a central or double central scraper chain conveyor which includes a divided chain wheel and shell-type chain wheel segments which are attached and locked in rotation to or detachably from the shaft. The chain wheel is secured in its installed position on the shaft by ring parts disposed on both sides of the chain wheel, and at least one of these ring parts has a divided locking ring which can be taken off radially from the shaft in order to take off the divided chain wheel from the shaft.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided including a modular link conveyor belt forming an endless loop and requiring no inverted return run. The conveyor belt is comprised of a plurality of modular links with at least one of the modular links having an angled cleat depending downwardly therefrom. A screw driving means is provided for engaging the angled cleat(s). Specifically, the screw driving means includes a screw having a thread wherein the thread advantageously engages the angled cleat(s) for providing a positive driving force to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An automated conveyor sortation and item discharge system for sorting items of varying sizes and weights to designated output destinations along a conveyor.

Abstract: The belt driving device of the present invention has left and right frames (5, 15) which upper ends are connected by a slide bed (16), an endless belt (20) being latched by a head pulley (21) which is disposed on a head end of frames (5, 15) and a tail pulley (21) disposed on a tail end thereof, and an actuator unit (12) of the belt detachably mounted on the frame under side. A drive pulley (30) is disposed in the actuator unit (12) and is supported by a frame body with a rubber spring so as to contact with an outer surface on the return side belt and inner pulleys (23, 24) are disposed on the frame under side at the actuator unit attaching position so as to contact with the return side belt inner surface. The drive pulley (30) is always pressed and energized to the inner pulley side by the rubber spring and the belt supported between the inner pulley and the drive pulley (30) is friction actuated by pressing the drive pulley from the belt outside.

Abstract: A belt turn conveyor includes a sliding belt frame having first and second generally stationary vertical bearing surfaces and first and second generally stationary horizontal bearing surfaces. An endless belt is rotationally supported by the sliding belt frame and includes means for engaging the vertical bearing surfaces for retaining the endless belt on said sliding belt frame. Endless belt includes a strip of or a plurality of segments of low friction flexible material which is secured to the endless belt for engaging the horizontal surfaces of the sliding belt frame to restrain vertical movement of said endless belt.

Abstract: A belt turn conveyor includes a conveyor support having first and second generally stationary vertical bearing surfaces and first and second generally stationary horizontal bearing surfaces. An endless belt is rotationally supported by the conveyor support and includes bearing assemblies for engaging the vertical bearing surfaces for retaining the endless belt on the conveyor support. An elongated strip of low friction flexible material is secured to the endless belt for engaging the horizontal surfaces of the conveyor support to restrain vertical movement of the endless belt.

Abstract: A belt conveyance baking furnace which can reduce the weight and size of a belt and can raise and lower the furnace temperature to desired levels in a shorter time. A workpiece is baked while it is on a conveyor belt and conveyed through the furnace therewith. A table roller (31) for driving a conveyor belt (30) is disposed at least one of an entry section and a delivery section of the furnace. A plurality of furnace bed rollers (15) supporting the lower surface of the conveyor belt (30) and driven at the same circumferential speed as the table roller (31) are arranged side by side in the furnace in the longitudinal direction. Since the conveyor belt (30) runs while rolling over the furnace bed rollers (15), the friction force between the conveyor belt and the furnace bed rollers is practically negligible. It is hence possible to considerably reduce the weight and heat capacity of the conveyor belt as compared with a conventional conveyor belt.

Abstract: A belt fixing device of a type gripping and transporting a recording member bearing an unfixed toner image between an endless belt and a back-up member to fuse the unfixed toner image on the surface of the recording member and comprising a fixing/drive roller, heating/driven roller heated by a heater, a heated endless belt wound around the drive roller and driven roller, and a back-up member pressed against the drive roller through the endless belt. The belt fixing member is capable of transporting a recording member so as to cause the least damage possible, e.g., wrinkling and the like, to the recording member, and precisely maintaining the belt transport speed and transport member transport speed at a predetermined speed so as to produce excellent fixed images. The drive roller has a surface layer of elastic material which is treated by a polishing process along the exterior and in a direction opposite the direction of powered rotation of the drive roller.

Abstract: A high speed, normally closed tubular belt conveyor system operable over long distances and through relatively short radius horizontal and vertical turns, is described. The belt conveyor is prestressed at fabrication to provide a normally closed tubular configuration. Profiled end pulleys are provided which open the belt for loading and unloading with minimum strain and distortion. A distributive drive system provides reduced longitudinal tensile stresses in the belt and facilitates high speed operation. A feeder-accelerator system loads granular-type material into the tubular belt at a rate and velocity which are conformed to the capacity and velocity of the belt.

Abstract: A reversible conveyor belt system has, on at least one surface of the belt, projections arranged preferable in a plurality of asymmetrical rows and columns thereby forming a matrix engagable with an offset mating tracking surface glued to the surface of the pulley. The projections are truncated geometrical solids, pyramids, extending outwardly from the surface of the belt. When the truncated solids of the belt intermesh in the tracks provided between the rows of truncated solids on the pulley, positive alignment without creep, improved timing and increased drive force are achieved. The projections may be used on both sides of the belt, and a second belt with interlocking projections may be mounted around a second pulley and positioned beneath the main conveyor belt for heavy impact loads. The drive system includes an easily removable hub assembly wherein the shaft of the pulley defines a flat area which engages a hardened dowel wedge for providing positive drive with reduced shear.

Abstract: A stabilizer unit for material on a moving conveyer surface comprises a framework mounted over the surface with a drive pulley making driving engagement therewith. A drum is rotatably supported in the framework and carries a stabilizer surface thereon. The drive pulley is coupled to the drum to rotate the drum with its peripheral velocity substantially equal to that of the drive pulley, thus imparting the corresponding velocity to the stabilizer surface. The stabilizer surface can be a belt loosely carried on the drum, which follows a path with a first section overlaying the conveyer surface, a second section in engagement with a segment of the drum surface, and third and fourth sections extending between the drum surface and the respective points of separation of the stabilizer belt from the conveyer surface. Movement of the conveyer surface rotates the drive pulley and thereby the drum to advance the stabilizer belt around its path at a speed equal to the speed of the conveyer surface.

Abstract: A reversible drive system for a conveyor includes a belt, a drive wheel, and an idler wheel, where the drive wheel and the idler wheel are mounted for rotation on spaced apart axes to define a nip between the drive wheel and the idler wheel, with the belt being pulled through the nip by the rotation of the drive wheel. A first arm extending toward a first direction of travel of the belt is mounted for rotation about a first hinge point and linked to the drive wheel so that rotation of the first arm causes the drive wheel and the idler wheel to move closer to each other, thereby increasing the pinching on the belt passing through the nip, wherein increased tension on the belt causes rotation of the first arm which moves the drive wheel and the idler wheel closer to each other to increase the pinch on the belt.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor is connected to the belt of an apparatus for receiving the full bobbins and delivering the empty bobbin cores to both sides of a spinning or twisting machine. The microprocessor control unit has a memory which stores the restarting positions of the belt and, based upon the count in this control unit of the pulses from the sensor, the motor driving the belt is brought to a standstill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for stabilizing a thin, relatively frictionless conveyor belt against lateral movement. The typical belt is made of fiberglass and Teflon-coated and is mounted on rollers, one of which is a drive roller. The drive roller is equipped with at least one ridge disposed circumferentially adjacent an end thereof and the belt forms a track which receives the ridge as the roller rotates. The track, in turn, has mutually spaced holes along its length. The holes are disposed at least so that two contact the roller during each revolution, and the diameter of the ridge is less than one-half of the diameter of the hole. This tracking device then will maintain the belt during operation against lateral movement relative to the rollers.

Abstract: A tobacco band apparatus for a cigarette manufacturing machine includes a tobacco band passed around a head pulley and a tail pulley, a plurality of guide rollers arranged between the head pulley and the tail pulley for guiding the tobacco band, a tension pulley for applying a predetermined tensile force to the tobacco band, a change-direction pulley for increasing the angle by which the tobacco band is wound around the head pulley, and a power transmission path for transmitting a driving force input to the head pulley to the tail pulley, the guide rollers, the tension pulley and the change-direction pulley to rotate these pulleys and rollers synchronously with each other at an identical peripheral speed.

Abstract: A belt conveyor having an endless conveyor belt with an upper run and a lower run. A frictional wheel frictionally engages the lower belt run opposite a belt support roller acting as a counterpressure roller and a pivot arm carrying the friction wheel. A spring urges the wheel against the lower belt run so that, on driving of the wheel in clockwise sense, the lower belt run is frictionally driven in corresponding direction. The pivot axis of the pivot arm is at a downstream--with respect to the drive direction of the lower belt run--side of a plane containing the axes of the friction wheel and counterpressure roller. The contact pressure force between lower belt run and friction wheel varies proportionally to change in the peripheral force to be transmitted to the belt run for drive thereof.

Abstract: A tandem drive unit (24) on a flexible conveyor belt (12) comprises a primary drive pulley (20) and a secondary drive pulley (22) driven by a primary drive motor (26, 28) and a secondary drive motor (34) respectively. The primary drive motor (26, 28) has a predetermined full-load speed and the secondary drive motor (34) has a full-load speed which is not greater than a theoretical speed value for the secondary drive pulley (22) obtained by calculating the speed differential between the primary and secondary pulleys as a function of the horsepower applied to the first and secondary drive pulleys and the modulus of elasticity of the conveyor belt (12). Alternatively, a secondary drive motor with a predetermined full-load speed may be selected and the required full-load speed of the primary drive motor may be determined. A method of non-mechanically coupling a primary and a secondary drive pulley in a tandem conveyor drive of a conveyor belt is also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises at least one and preferably a plurality, of rollers provided with recesses which are mounted on the drive and trailing assemblies of a conveyor system. The recesses of each roller include abutment surfaces angularly disposed relative to the central axes of their respective drive or trailing assemblies and are sized to receive, support and align the belt. Alternative embodiments employing polygonal rollers, rollers with a single wall forming two angled abutment surfaces and rollers with support surfaces disposed to receive multiple belt segments are also provided. The rollers, in addition, may include sets of the recesses distributed in circumferential rows about their periphery, including an odd number of sets of recesses to reduce wear on the roller. A method for estimating the optimum size and configuration of the rollers of the invention for helical woven wire endless belts is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved escalator handrail drive system. The system includes a drive wheel with an uphill and downhill side, an escalator handrail wrapped around a portion of the drive wheel, and two pressure rollers. One pressure roller is positioned adjacent to the downhill side of the drive wheel and forms a first nip therebetween and the other pressure roller is positioned adjacent to the uphill side of the drive wheel and forms a second nip therebetween. The escalator handrail is driven by the drive wheel with the assistance of the uphill pressure roller and the downhill pressure roller applying pressure to the handrail as it passes through each of the first and second nips so as to ensure sufficient contact area between the drive wheel and the handrail. There are also at least two guide rollers with at least one positioned adjacent to the downhill side of the drive wheel and at least one positioned adjacent to the uphill side of the drive wheel.

Abstract: A potato harvester having an infeed conveyor and a discharge conveyor includes a curved-path corner conveyor for conveying harvested potatoes along a continuously curved path from the infeed conveyor to the discharge conveyor. The corner conveyor includes an endless arcuate belt with upper and lower flights. A corner frame supports and guides the upper flight of the endless belt in an arcuate path from an infeed end which receives potatoes from the infeed conveyor to an outfeed end which delivers potatoes onto the discharge conveyor. Upstream and downstream lower idler assemblies are positioned to support the lower flight of the endless belt at spaced locations along its length, while allowing a belt loop to form between and beneath the lower idler assemblies. A drive wheel assembly within the belt loop is downwardly biased to frictionally engage and drive the endless belt.

Abstract: A number of card feeders comprise a feed belt underlying a friction wheel operated by a pulsed drive. A continuously rotating drive shaft may be coupled to a selected feeder by an air cylinder which retracts under control of a controller to translate a guide wheel of the feed belt of the selected feeder so that the feed belt moves into contact with a drive wheel rotated by the continuously rotating drive shaft. The pulsed friction wheel rotates through an arc in order to drop a card from a stack of cards partially supported by the friction wheel onto the now moving feed belt. A downstream card sensor, when sensing that a card has been delivered, signals the controller so that the controller operates the air cylinder to extend it to decouple the feed belt from the drive shaft.

Abstract: An improved stacker apparatus for the formation of aligned stacks of signatures from one or more incoming streams of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form. The stacker has an outer framework having an input end and an output end. A stream of partially overlapping signatures in shingled form is accepted at the input end and is passed to a compression conveyor. The compression conveyor has two conveyor belts in compressed opposition to one other which follow an upward arcuate path along a series of idler rollers. The series of idler rollers is mounted to the outer framework by a quick release inner framework. The conveyor transfers the signatures to a receiving station which guides successive signatures into aligned stacking registry with one another. When a conveyor belt breaks, the inner frame is quick released from the outer frame, a new belt is wound around the inner frame, and the inner frame re-mounted.

Abstract: An improved mechanical donut and donut assembly in which donuts made of plastic materials are formed in segments that facilitate installation, removal and/or replacement for manufacture and maintenance. The donuts of the preferred embodiments are made of urethanes, especially polyurethane, while fastening members such as threaded bolts are made of nylon. The relative characteristics of the urethanes and nylon are such as to facilitate a self-tapping feature for the nylon bolt.

Abstract: A flat belt transport for conveying flat item seriatim. The transport includes: an upstream pulley and a downstream pulley; a flat belt mounted on the upstream and downstream pulleys; a nested timing belt mounted on the central sections of the upstream and downstream pulleys, wherein for each pulley the diameter of the central section is smaller than the diameter of the outer sections; and a device for transmitting drive to the central section of the upstream pulley, whereby drive is transmitted from the timing belt to the downstream pulley and to the flat belt.

Abstract: An endless belt conveyor has vertically spaced, oppositely moving, upper and lower load carrying runs having entrance and exit ends, with the entrance end of one run being adjacent to the exit end of the other run. A first series of rollers disposed between the exit end of the upper run and the entrance end of the lower run direct the belt downwardly, around a drive roller driven by a first drive unit, around a dynamic takeup roller, toward the entrance end of the lower run along a first depressed section of belt travel below the level of the lower run, and upwardly to the entrance end of the lower run from a static takeup installed below the lower run.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises at least one, and preferably a plurality, of rollers provided with recesses in their peripheral surfaces and mounted on the drive and trailing assemblies of a conveyor system. At least one side wall of each recess is angularly disposed relative to the central axes of the respective drive or trailing assemblies and the recesses are sized to receive therein a portion of the belt contacting the rollers. The bottom and side walls of the recesses act against the engaged portion of the belt to propel the belt through the system, support the belt and maintain the belt in proper tracking alignment. Alternative embodiments employing polygonal rollers, alternately slotted rollers and rollers with "single sided" recesses are also provided.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for endless conveyor belt systems is laid in tight curve radii because the belt and the guide bar, which is attached to the underside of the belt, consist of highly elastic rubber. The belt is reinforced by preferably diagonally placed fabric inserts and can be pre-stretched in the longitudinal direction by means of a traction beam attached only at individual points so that it can do an optimum job in performing its transport function. The reversing rollers and the roller blocks are divided or are made up of individual units in order not to influence the guide bar, which runs in the middle, during the overrun. In this way, the necessary drive forces can attack at many corresponding places depending on the curve radius, without the conveyor as a whole, with a length of 100 meters and more, being subject to the so-called flip-arc effect.