Abstract: A conveyor belt system utilizes an idler assembly to support the conveyor belt. The idler assembly includes a pair of legs having a plate suspended therebetween. The plate has slots formed therein parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. A wear bar has an upper surface formed of a material having a relatively low coefficient of sliding friction with the conveyor belt and a shaft extending from a bottom surface thereof. The shaft is received in the slot of the plate by sliding the wear bar laterally between the plate and the conveyor belt. Once received in the slot, a threaded nut is applied to the threads of the shaft and rotated into contact with the plate thereby compressing the plate between the nut and the bottom surface of the wear bar.

Abstract: A conveyor frame supports a chain which rides on small rollers, with a large roller projecting upwardly from the frame. The frame includes rails on which the small rollers roll. The rails are retained in the frame by spring pins, which fit into slots in the frame. The rails can be inserted into the frame from the top and can readily be installed and replaced.

Abstract: A tapered side support for conveyor belts wherein tapered recesses and projections having correspondingly tapered surfaces are selectively provided on the sides of a conveyor support frame assembly and a conveyor belt. The tapered recesses and projections are slidably mounted relative to each other for supporting the conveyor belt. When used on an endless conveyor belt, the load supporting flight and return flight are supported by the tapered side support, which also facilitates the flushing and draining of the side support during the cleaning of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor including: a guide track including a wear strip, the wear strip including a guide surface; a conveyor chain supported for movement relative to the guide track and including a plurality of interconnected links, a plurality of the links each including a thrust surface which rides against the guide surface when the conveyor chain is moved; and a lubrication insert mounted in one of the wear strip and the plurality of links, the lubrication insert including a porous material having an outer portion proximate one of the guide surface and the thrust surface, the lubrication insert including a fluid lubricant impregnating the porous material, such that when the conveyor chain is moved the fluid lubricant is released from the porous material and forms a lubricating film between the guide surface and the thrust surface.

Abstract: A feed/discharge insert for transporting goods at an acute angle with respect to a main conveyor belt. The insert includes an endless loop conveyor belt having an upper segment and a lower segment. Two rigid deflection bars are positioned one above the other parallel to the main conveyor belt. The two bare are solid with a polygonal, or preferably hexagonal, cross-sections. The upper and lower segments are guided and deflected about the two rigid bars. The endless loop conveyor belt is looped around a cylindrical drive drum of a belt drive. The endless loop conveyor belt contacts the drive drum about at least 180.degree. of its circumference. An adjustable deflection roller is used to vary the degree of contact between the endless loop conveyor belt and the drive drum. The invention also comprises a central station for limiting the lateral run-off of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A treadmill (10) having a belt (12) and deck (14) with a relatively long, useful lifetime is disclosed. The belt of this assembly has a tread layer (54) formed of PVC plastic or other material that serves as the layer of the belt upon which a person actually steps, and a fabric layer (62). The fabric layer has weft threads (64) that extend laterally across the belt and that are substantially embedded in the plastic material and warp threads (66) that extend longitudinally along the belt that have exposed sections that extend outside of the plastic material. The fabric layer is woven so that the exposed sections of the warp threads are equal to at least 50% of their overall length. The deck of this treadmill is formed with a plywood substrate (70) and a wax-embedded hardboard (72). The substrate provides structural support for the hardboard and the persons using this treadmill. The hardboard serves as the surface along which the belt rides when a person steps on the treadmill.

Abstract: A low cost, self contained endless conveyor belt assembly includes a flat conveyor bed, an endless conveyor belt and a plurality of frame members mounted thereto. The bed mounted frame members support and house a drive shaft which includes sprockets for engaging the front inside radius of the endless conveyor belt and a remote mounted drive motor. The self contained conveyor belt assembly is adjustably mounted to complemental frame rails, one of which includes the drive motor to which can be coupled the drive pulley of the endless conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor system, particularly for material carriers for use in medical laboratories, includes two endless motor-driven round belts which are guided in the conveying area in a horizontal plane parallel to each other and in the same direction. The conveyor belts are guided on components which extend in conveying direction and have upwardly extending side walls. At the beginning and the end of a conveying path, the conveyor belts are guided around deflection rollers. The conveying path is composed of at least two segments each having two conveyor belts which are guided at segment transfer points over deflection rollers, wherein the deflection rollers of adjacent segments located opposite each other are connected by at least one transfer belt.

Abstract: A system provides support for the underside of a planar object, such as a printed circuit board. The system includes a flexible loop having an outer face from which support elements protrude. A guide positions the flexible loop to align the support elements with one or more selected locations on the underside of the object. The system can also include a device for moving the guide toward or away from the object as desired. A tensioning element can be provided that is responsive to displacement of the guide to maintain a substantially constant tension on the loop.

Abstract: A treadmill having continuous solid lubrication system between the inner surface of the endless belt and the support deck. The treadmill has an endless belt entrained around a drive roller and an idler roller. The belt has a first or upper reach and a second or lower reach extending between the rollers. The belt has an outer surface and an inner surface. The endless belt encircles a support deck so that a user positioned on the outer surface of the upper reach is supported by the top side of the deck. The inner surface of the upper reach is in a sliding relationship with the deck. The continuous solid lubrication system is positioned below the deck in a downwardly orientated position. The solid lubrication system includes a solid wax in an elongated solid lubricant channel. The channel is attached at an angle to the under side of the deck so that the channel and the solid wax engage the inner surface of the lower reach of the belt.

Abstract: An article conveying system including a conveyor belt having a plurality of slats movable along a slider bed. The slats have lower feet which engage a pair of plastic tracks and are removable for cleaning. The system is also provided with an anti-jam device.

Abstract: A dual knife-edge transfer conveyor for transporting small articles from one conveyor to a second conveyor, upper sections of the conveyors being in approximately the same plane, the conveyors being driven in the same transport direction and following each other immediately in the transport direction and thus forming a gap between the two conveyors, the dual knife-edge transfer conveyor comprising: a dual knife-edge plate member, an endless transfer belt, the transfer belt revolving about the dual knife-edge plate member, a transfer conveyor frame, the dual knife-edge plate member being attached to an upper section of the frame, the dual knife-edge plate member also having a pair of edges, each of the edges having a small radius, the frame being positioned in between the two conveyors such that the dual knife-edge plate member lies in approximately the same plane as the two conveyors, the dual knife-edge plate member further having a length slightly smaller than the gap formed between the two conveyors, defle

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus of the type in which an object is transported on a conveyor belt and in which the conveyor belt slidingly engages a guide member, the guide member having a plurality of nodules extending therefrom so as to form a plurality of channels and define a low friction contact surface for reducing drag between the conveyor belt and the contact surface when the conveyor belt is set in motion. The low friction contact surface of the guide member also is slidingly engagable with the object when the guide member is used as a side rail.

Abstract: A high precision feed chain includes multiple support platforms that are each rigidly attached to master links in a drive chain. The master links are pivotally coupled together forming a single continuous drive chain capable of advancing in a longitudinal direction. The support platforms and the drive chain run along a channel in a guide assembly. The guide assembly allows the chain to advance in the longitudinal direction while at the same time maintaining the support platforms in a stable latitudinal and horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A chain return support suitable for use in an en masse grain conveyor has a track with a pair of angle irons extending lengthwise in the interior of a trough and supported by horizontal cross members bridging two side walls of the trough. The angle irons have inwardly facing horizontal edge portions and vertical lower portions. A plastic slide is inserted between the angle irons and is engaged with the angular edge portions by way of grooves extending lengthwise on side surfaces of the plastic slide. Stops on the cross member contact the lower portions of the angle iron for proper positioning of the track. The plastic slide provides a low friction surface for supporting the chain return section.

Abstract: A chain conveyor comprising a conveyor belt having first and second lateral link chain and cross bars connecting the links of one chain to the corresponding links of the other chain. The conveyor belt is supported by the first and second lateral chains which slide along first and second longitudinal slide elements attached to the support structure of the conveyor. The first and second longitudinal slide elements are arranged below respective lateral chains of the belt and each has a flat surface of longitudinal sliding for the lower edges of the vertical links of the belt so as to allow the links to perform also transverse movements. First and second lateral support elements are also provided, each of which can be engaged by a facing engaging surface of the conveyor belt and is arranged distanced from the respective engaging surface of the belt in such a way as to allow the longitudinally sliding conveyor belt to perform also transverse movements.

Abstract: A conveyor system is set forth that includes a track having a generally linear section and a generally curved section. The track further includes a guide channel having sidewalls that engage a guide member that is in fixed positional alignment, for example, with a carrier and/or belt. The guide member engages the sidewalls of the guide channel to facilitate guided movement of the carrier and/or belt along the track. The guide member includes a linear portion that is engaged by the track when the guide member is disposed along the linear section of the track while being generally disengaged from the track when the guide member is disposed along the curved section of the track. The guide member further includes a curved section that engages the sidewalls of the guide channel when the guide member is disposed along the curved section of the track. The radius of curvature of the curved portion of the guide member generally coincides with the radius of curvature of the track about a curved portion of the track.

Abstract: An equilibrium breaking type load carrying means for use in a treadmill, mainly comprising a running belt, a running board, supporting rails, and motion generating devices capable of producing a regular motion. At least one set of the motion generating device is attached to supporting rails of a treadmill for causing a friction media underneath a foot surface of the running belt up move to and down with respect to the running belt. As a result, load carrying means of the invention can disturb the equilibrium of forces between the running board and the running belt, resulting in a decrease in frictional forces. Consequently, the performance of a treadmill is significantly enhanced and the difficulties in design and production are decreased.

Abstract: An impact pillow for resiliently supporting a conveyor belt in an impact zone in a conveyor transfer point. The impact pillow includes a base wall, first and second side walls each extending upwardly from said base wall to a top edge, and first and second end walls each extending upwardly from said base to a top edge and between said side walls. A top wall extends from and between the top edges of the side walls and the end walls forming a support surface over which the conveyor belt slides. The top wall, base wall, end walls and side walls combine to form an integral shell having a closed cushioning chamber adapted to receive and contain a cushioning substance. The cushioning substance may be a gas, a fluid or a resilient solid material. The impact pillow resiliently supports the moving conveyor belt as material is loaded onto the conveyor belt at the transfer point and absorbs the impact forces generated on the conveyor belt during the loading process.

Abstract: A conveyor system is set forth that includes a track having a generally linear A conveyor syspg,1generally curved section. The track further includes a guide channel having sidewalls that engage a guide member that is in fixed positional alignment, for example, with a carrier and/or belt. The guide member engages the sidewalls of the guide channel to facilitate guided movement of the carrier and/or belt along the track. The guide member includes a linear portion that is engaged by the track when the guide member is disposed along the linear section of the track while being generally disengaged from the is engaged by the track when the guide member is disposed along the curved section of the track. The guide member further includes a curved section that engages the sidewalls of the guide channel when the guide member is disposed along the curved section of the track.

Abstract: A chain conveyor, wherein the annular elements of one of the chains are connected to corresponding annular elements of the other chain by means of cross bars directly supported and guided by longitudinal slide elements arranged parallel along the path of the belt; elements are also provided for the lateral centering of the belt, arranged on one side of at least one of the chains of the belt along all or part of the guide path, in particular along curved sections and at drive devices of the chains of the belt.

Abstract: A resilient treadmill deck having a plurality of rigid and elastomeric spacers interconnecting the deck of treadmill with a pair of side members that form the frame of the treadmill to dampen the noise and vibration caused by the operation of the treadmill as well as to dampen the noise created by the user of the treadmill while providing a resilient surface for the user of the treadmill.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a frame, at least two work stations arranged behind each other and carried by the frame and transport means for advancing the packaging material. In order to simplify the manufacture and to reduce the weight of the frame parts the lateral frame parts have a substantially U-shaped cross-section having an upper cross-link and two downwardly directed sidewalls. The free ends of the sidewalls are connected by connecting members.

Abstract: A tandem belt conveyor system comprising an endless primary conveyor belt, an endless support conveyor belt and a synchronous drive for synchronously driving the primary and support conveyor belts. The primary conveyor belt is a flat wire belt having a carrier flight for transport of articles and a return flight. The support conveyor belt has a support flight for supporting the carrier flight of the primary conveyor belt, and a return flight. The support conveyor belt includes a pair of chains interconnected by transverse cross bars for supporting the primary conveyor belt. The synchronous drive includes an AC motor for driving one of the belts, a DC motor for driving the other belt, and a DC motor controller for controlling the AC and DC motors in master-slave relationship to synchronize the speeds of the belts.

Abstract: An endless transport conveyor for sorting tobacco containers, specifically sheets and bales. The tobacco container sorting conveyor includes an endless foraminous belt with top and bottom runs, a slotted support located below the top run, a collecting pan located below the support and a motor for driving the endless belt. A supply conveyor is adjacent one end of the transport conveyor and loads the tobacco containers onto the belt. As the tobacco containers are conveyed, tobacco particles that fall through the belt and support are received on the collecting pan. Diverting assemblies mounted along one side of or above the belt selectively divert the tobacco containers, via the input from sensors, into station chutes mounted along one or both sides of the belt and opposite from each diverting assembly. An end chute and bin may extend from the end of the transport conveyor or opposite the supply conveyor for collecting tobacco waste too large to fall through the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor installation includes an endless belt wound around head and tail pulleys which extends between an impact station wherein material is placed on the belt and a drop off zone wherein the material is removed from the belt. Shock absorbers are disposed beneath the belt at the impact station to dissipate energy imparted on the belt by the material. In one embodiment, the belt is formed of flexible, textile reinforced material and the shock absorbers are in the form of a plurality of rectangular elements having a generally planar upper surface for supporting substantially the entire undersurface of the belt in the impact station. In another embodiment, the belt is formed of rigid steel reinforced material and the shock absorbers are in the form of a plurality of closely spaced rollers. In both embodiments, downstream of the impact station are located idler rollers for supporting the belt at spaced locations.

Abstract: An improved, long-life grate bar for use in the traveling grate bar mechanism of a solid-fuel-burning furnace apparatus and having hard wear pad inserts which are disposed within the end portions of the grate bar which ride along support rails. The wear pad inserts can be fabricated from a hard nickel-steel alloy material and can be integrally formed in the grate bar.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting discrete objects or bulk goods from a first station at a first level to a second station at a second level, which may but need not be above or below the first level, has an endless belt conveyor which is trained about pulleys at the two stations and has an upper reach which is braced from below by a table and defines a straight horizontal or a hilly path for the commodities. The marginal portions of the belt, at least in the region of the upper reach, are guided by pairs of idler rollers whose axes are inclined relative to each other. The rollers are mounted in bearing units which, in turn, are adjustably coupled to elongated bases of a frame.

Abstract: An input station for a belt conveyor of the kind including a continuous conveyor belt that moves in a conveyor run through an input station to a discharge location, around a head pulley, and in a return run around a tail pulley back to the input station and the conveyor run. At the input station the conventional center support rollers are retained but the support rollers along the sides of the belt are replaced by a plurality of elongated, stationary, flat support members that support the sides of the conveyor belt throughout the input station, improving the seal to input station skirtboards and materially reducing or eliminating input leakage while maintaining roller support and flexibility in the center of the belt, with minimal friction increase.

Abstract: An article delivery station alignment apparatus is provided for use with a carousel-type rotary infeed device for articles arranged in stacks of a predetermined length, which infeed device is made of a plurality of carrier pockets each for receiving a stack of articles and movable about a closed chain relative to an article delivery station, located at one end of the chain and defining a vertical axis, wherein articles are to be discharged from the carrier pockets, the carrier pockets and the stacks of articles therein being aligned with respective axes parallel to the vertical axis. The alignment apparatus includes a pair of sprockets, one to either side of the vertical axis of the delivery station and engaging the chain for defining a relatively short, straight segment of chain traversing the article delivery station, and a rigid chain guide located between the sprockets for holding the chain in a relatively straight and rigid condition as it traverses the article delivery station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail for accommodating and guiding a conveyor for transporting goods hanging on hangers. The conveyor may be a roller chain which travels and is guided in a chain channel in the rail. The tips of the hanger hooks rest on the roller chain. The chain channel is recessed with respect to the top side of the rail, which faces the hanger hook, and a conical groove extends upward from the roller chain and opens upward toward the outside of the rail. These features make it possible to transport the hanger hooks on their tips. The bevel which is formed by the conical groove, as well as the shape of the rail and the relative positions of the chain channel and the side edge of the rail, ensure that the hanger hook always slides in a well-defined position and orientation on the roller chain regardless of how it has been placed on the conveyor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a line guiding assembly comprising a line guiding trough and a line assembly guided therein which includes a plurality of ribbon cables held within an encapsulant and reinforcement channels. The line assembly forms a loop with a lower length and an upper length. A ribbon material either in a drum or coil is provided that fits inside the loop wherein the coil of ribbon material is between the upper and lower lengths of the line reinforced assembly and extends and retracts in the same direction as the movement of the loop and lengths of the assembly. The ribbon material is different from the material of the line assembly and is preferably stainless steel. A double ended system with two line assemblies operating in a single trough is also provided.

Abstract: A conveyor frame includes removable rails for supporting a roller chain.

Abstract: A conveyor system guide shoe for guiding a conveyor chain or belt from the catenary sag onto a return way, wherein the guide shoe has multiple and reversible wear surfaces, each of the wear surfaces extending the width of the guide shoe. The guide shoe is reversible so that either one of the multiple wear surfaces can be utilized. The guide shoe also has grooves into which the wear strips of the return way can be inserted end-wise. A square support hole is provided through the center of the guide shoe for supporting the guide shoe while preventing its rotation. Support pins are also provided to secure the wear strips within the grooves of the guide shoe.

Abstract: A conveyor freezer employing a self-supporting conveyor arranged in a helical stack for carrying discrete food items into the freezer, through the helical stack for a predetermined period of time, and out of the freezer. A major portion of the weight of the helical belt stack is supported by a rotatable turntable. A portion of the lowermost tier of the stack is elevated and supported by a ramp structure which preferably comprises a pair of runners engaging lower surfaces of outwardly extending flange portion of side links of the belt. The belt is preferably driven by a single drive unit at a location outside of the freezer enclosure, remote from the stack, by a single pair of sprockets. A timing sprocket is preferably employed to control belt pitch along the infeed section of the belt.

Abstract: A belt travels forwardly upon the upper faces of a pair of laterally spaced, stationary sealing strips. Heat exchange liquid is sprayed against a bottom surface of the belt between the sealing strips to exchange heat with material traveling on the top surface of the belt. The upper faces of the sealing strips are provided with grooves which are inclined obliquely forwardly and inwardly so that moisture tending to migrate laterally outwardly along the belt bottom surface is returned inwardly by the grooves. Hold-down elements press downwardly against the top surface of the belt to press the belt bottom surface against the sealing strips. The hold-down elements contain obliquely inclined grooves for displacing moisture outwardly away from the center of the belt.

Abstract: A tandem belt conveyor system comprising an endless primary conveyor belt, an endless support conveyor belt and a synchronous drive for synchronously driving the primary and support conveyor belts. The primary conveyor belt is a flat wire belt having a carrier flight for transport of articles and a return flight. The support conveyor belt has a support flight for supporting the carrier flight of the primary conveyor belt, and a return flight. The support conveyor belt includes a pair of chains interconnected by transverse cross bars for supporting the primary conveyor belt. The synchronous drive includes an AC motor for driving one of the belts, a DC motor for driving the other belt, and a DC motor controller for controlling the AC and DC motors in master-slave relationship to synchronize the speeds of the belts.

Abstract: A conveyor installation includes an endless belt wound around head and tail pulleys which extends between an impact station wherein material is placed on the belt and a drop off zone wherein the material is removed from the belt. Shock absorbers are disposed beneath the belt at the impact station to dissipate energy imparted on the belt by the material. In one embodiment, the belt is formed of flexible, textile reinforced material and the shock absorbers are in the form of a plurality of rectangular elements having a generally planar upper surface for supporting substantially the entire undersurface of the belt in the impact station. In another embodiment, the belt is formed of rigid steel reinforced material and the shock absorbers are in the form of a plurality of closely spaced rollers. In both embodiments, downstream of the impact station are located idler rollers for supporting the belt at spaced locations.

Abstract: A conveyor is made up from a plurality of module bodies 11. The body 11 includes a restraining member 18 having a portion 20 which extends downwardly from the middle of the body 11 under portion 19 which extends outwardly to either side from the lower end of the portion 20. The restraining member 18 co-operates with a sleeve 23 of a fixed guide member 22 to resist movement to the left (when seen in the Figure) or upwards movement of the conveyor portion when the portion undergoes a left hand turn as illustrated schematically by the arrow B.

Abstract: The invention is addressed to a method for preventing spillage of conveyed materials from the edges of a conveyor by employing sidewalls along the edges of the conveyor bearing upper and lower flanges for tactilely engaging the edge surface of the conveyor. The method includes adjusting replaceable wear plate which are fitted to each of the upper and lower flanges as the wearing plates lose contact with the conveyor surface.

Abstract: With a conveyor, in particular a positioning conveyor, having a driven chain system, higher transporting speeds, together with longer service life and less noise nuisance, are made possible by supporting the chain system on an endless runway.

Abstract: In a tray conveyor for conveying trays carrying spinning bobbins and the like thereon, an elastic member of convex cross section is mounted on the opposite side of a surface of a conveyor belt for conveying trays vertically, extending in the direction of travel of the conveyor.

Abstract: A multifunction return-way system for one or more chains in a conveyor system. U-shaped mounting clips, having U-shaped arm ends, are snapped onto cross members between frame portions of the conveyor system, and are shaped to have snapped therein wear strips that are oriented in serpentine manner as viewed from above. Portions of the wear strips are maintained spaced apart by spacers mounted onto the rods and by spacer pins that are provided on the mounting clips for association with each other or with side frames. The mounting clips are thus trapped in desired locations. Intermediate clips, or pinch clips, are provided to hold central regions of the wear strips close to each other, at regions where there are no cross members.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided comprising conveyor beams, conveyor frame members, conveyor accessory mounting brackets, connectors, wearstrip converters, and various combinations of each. The conveyor beam comprises first and second side walls connected in one piece by an integral web, a first flange disposed along at least the tops of the side walls to support a conveyor, and at least two mounting slots on outer surfaces of each side wall. The conveyor frame members comprise at least three mounting slots formed in sides thereof, at least one of the mounting slots open to each of three different directions, and at least one flange disposed along an edge of the frame member to support a conveying surface. The brackets are for mounting conveyor accessories to the conveyor beams and frame members. The connectors are for connecting conveyor beams or frame members together. And the converters are for altering the location or orientation of wearstrips.

Abstract: An endless chain conveyor system employing modular track units. The track is of a ultra high molecular weight plastic and is of generally horizontal I-shape in transverse cross section. Each side of the track includes a longitudinal slot running the entire, predetermined length of each modular track. Side mounting rails of stainless steel are positioned within each slot. The side rails rigidify and strengthen the plastic track, permitting a smaller cross section track to be used, and also inhibit tearing of the track units of their joined ends. The track units are made of predetermined lengths, such as one foot, two feet, etc., and are used to construct endless conveyors of any desired length. The track units may also be curved to any desired angle.

Abstract: A pin oven stripper for removing can bodies having bases from a moving pin conveyor at a vertical inclined flight of the pin conveyor. The stripper comprises a drive sprocket, an idler wheel and a vacuum conveyor chain composed of plastic links. The chain is trained around the drive sprocket and idler. A carrying way guides the vacuum chain from the idler to the drive sprocket first along a vertical inclined flight parallel to the path of the pin conveyor in close proximity to the bases of the can bodies, then along a vertical flight for effecting removal of cans from the pin conveyor, the can bodies being removably secured to the chain by suction supplied through apertures in the links, and then along a curved flight extending to a horizontal flight terminating at the drive sprocket. The chain further has as a characterizing feature thereof a substantially free hanging return flight extending from the drive sprocket to the idler, which enables high speed operation at speeds in excess of 1500 cans per minute.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and tracking a belt arranged to move in a predetermined path and controlling lateral movement of the belt from the predetermined path includes a stationary non-rotating arcuate tracking shoe with a belt defining surface for supporting a belt including vertically oriented flanges at each side of said path defining surface and extending from said path defining surface outwardly to provide belt edge guides. An unconstrained slip belt is positioned between the tracking shoe and the belt. When driving the belt around the tracking shoe the velocity of the belt in the axial direction of the tracking shoe is zero when the belt touches an edge guide. Therefore, the friction force acting on the belt from the tracking shoe in the axial direction approaches zero, which helps to keep the total system force applied at the edge guide less than the minimum force necessary to produce buckling of the side of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor constructing having a pair of spaced parallel side rails that support a conveyor belt, each of the side rails is provided with a pair of vertically spaced, parallel, longitudinal slots. Each slot is generally T-shaped in cross section and has an open side facing laterally outward of the side rail. The open side of the lower slot is offset laterally outward from the open side of the upper slot of the side rail. End units are associated with each end of the conveyor and each end unit includes a pair of spaced side plates having a belt supporting spindle journalled between the side plates. Slide blocks are mounted in the ends of the slots in the side rail and the side plates are disposed outward of the respective side rails and are connected to the slide blocks. Slide blocks can also be mounted in the slots and serve to connect auxiliary equipment at selected positions to the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor chain guide rail system for a conveyor chain having compartments formed therein for carrying square or rectangular cross-section cartons to be filled with still liquid products. The chain guide rail system includes a polymer Z-shaped elongated segment wherein one leg thereof serves as a wear surface supporting the chain and the associated lugs forming the compartments, and the other leg thereof is slidably confined between stainless steel strips, one of which is supported by support posts on the machine base. The resultant arrangement precludes longitudinal deformation or buckling of the polymer segments.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided including conveyor beams, conveyor frame members, conveyor accessory mounting brackets, connectors, wearstrip converters, and various combinations of each. The conveyor beam includes first and second side walls connected in one piece by an integral web, a first flange disposed along at least the tops of the side walls to support a conveyor, and at least two mounting slots on outer surfaces of each side wall. The conveyor frame members comprise at least three mounting slots formed in sides thereof, at least one of the mounting slots open to each of three different directions, and at least one flange disposed along an edge of the frame member to support a conveying surface. The brackets are for mounting conveyor accessories to the conveyor beams and frame members. The connectors are for connecting conveyor beams or frame members together. And the converters are for altering the location or orientation of wearstrips.