Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to conveyor apparatuses and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a conveyor apparatus comprises a conveyor frame including a plurality of opposing sidewalls extending in a length direction and a bottom panel comprising a hinged configuration relative to the opposing sidewalls such that the bottom panel is configured for movement throughout a range of rotational motion between a closed position and an open position; and a bottom panel positioning assembly comprising: a mounting bracket secured to one of the opposing sidewalls; a positioning element slidably engaged relative to the mounting bracket and configurable between a nominal position and an engaged position; and a retention element configured to bias the positioning element towards the nominal position; wherein the bottom panel positioning assembly is configured to facilitate selective arrangement of the bottom panel based at least in part on an arrangement of the positioning element.

Abstract: Provided is a conveyor belt that has sufficient stretchability and elasticity, and sufficient strength, and is capable of reliably conveying an object to be conveyed even in inclined conveyance. The conveyor belt includes: a stretchable knitted fabric 15; an elastic layer 14 that is provided on an upper surface of the knitted fabric 15 and is made of a first thermoplastic material; and a surface resin layer 20 that is provided on an upper surface of the elastic layer 14, is made of a second thermoplastic material having hardness lower than hardness of the first thermoplastic material, and the surface resin layer 20 includes a conveying surface 21 having unevenness. Tensile strength of the conveyor belt is 3.5 to 35 MPa, and a coefficient of static friction of the conveying surface 21 is 0.5 to 1.0.

Abstract: A conveyor belt system provides a continuous flat support surface for a food item that moves the food item through a food preparation device. The conveyor belt system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of spaced apart rods and a plurality of slats that are removably attached to the conveyor belt with a rod connection mechanism. The slats also include a lateral connection mechanism for lateral removable attachment to an adjacent slat. The slats are easily assembled and provide enhanced field service and/or replacement capability.

Abstract: A mesh-like conveyor belt is capable of varying in width and shape as it travels. The conveyor belt comprises a plurality of links, joints, and control elements. The joints connect the links to each other and allow the links to change their orientation within the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The plurality of links and joints allow the conveyor belt to vary in width, shape, trajectory, and surface speed while in motion. The conveyor belt also includes control elements, built into the structure of the belt that are capable of engaging with external guides. When the conveyor belt is in motion, the control elements engage with and follow the paths determined by external guides thereby controlling the shape of the belt.

Abstract: A high temperature conveyor belt is provided having a non-metallic conveying surface which will not scratch, abrade or otherwise mar the surface of a product being carried on the belt through a furnace and which will not contaminate the product. In one embodiment, the conveyor comprises a high temperature fabric belt attached to a metal belt which may be a conventional woven metal conveyor belt. In another embodiment, the conveyor is composed of a non-metallic high temperature strand which is woven or threaded through a metal belt to provide a non-metallic conveying surface. In a further embodiment, the non-metallic product support elements are coupled to roller chains at each side of the furnace chamber and which are cooperative with a drive mechanism to transport the conveyor through the furnace. The roller chains can be located outside of the furnace chamber to avoid exposure to the high temperature of the furnace chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a rubber composition for conveyor belts capable of satisfying both energy efficiency and durability. Concretely provided is a rubber composition for conveyor belts comprising (A) 100 parts by mass of a dienic polymer, and (B) from 25 to 55 parts by mass of carbon black including carbon black (b-1) having a nitrogen-adsorbing specific surface area of from 60 to 100 m2/g and a dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of less than 110 ml/100 g, and carbon black (b-2) having a nitrogen-adsorbing specific surface area of less than 60 m2/g and a dibutyl phthalate oil absorption of at least 110 ml/100 g. Further provided are a conveyor belt obtained using the rubber composition for conveyor belts, and a belt conveyor having the conveyor belt mounted thereto.

Abstract: A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having an underside sculpted with concave indentations to match the shape and positions of the elongated support rails forming a carryway. The support rails may be circular in cross section, and the indentations may be complementary portions of circular cylinders to receive the rails along an extended contact area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber composition for a conveyor belt that enables the provision of a conveyor belt having sufficiently good tensile strength, tear resistance, abrasion resistance, and cut resistance and, more specifically, to a rubber composition for a conveyor belt that contains, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a rubber component containing 40 to 70 mass % of natural rubber, 10 to 25 mass % of styrene butadiene rubber, and 15 to 35 mass % of butadiene rubber, 1 to 5 parts by mass of a resin component.

Abstract: A conveyor belt configured to contact a drive surface is disclosed including a substantially U-shaped link having an outermost portion with a contact surface configured to face the drive surface. The outermost portion of the link may be more resistant to wear due to contact with the drive surface than other portions of the link.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising knit fabric of high practicality, and an apparatus which uses such a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes weft knit fabric. Suction of air from below belt(s) is used to convey sheet-like and/or small thing(s) which are object(s) to be conveyed that are placed. The strength of filament(s) of knit fabric at side end(s) is adequately maintained. Loops exhibit mutual intertwining of filament(s) Pitch Ps of loops in width direction is formed so as to be smaller than pitch Pg of loops in conveying direction. Adjacent loops are mutually flattened and filament(s) of loop(s) are entangled, mutual intertwining of filament(s) causes knit fabric to have suppressed percentage elongation and increased strength in conveying direction, fraying of filament(s) at side end(s) of belt(s) is prevented, and strength is adequately increased.

Abstract: Low-noise rollers in modular plastic conveyor belts. Energy-absorbing elements formed on belt rollers or in roller support structure is used to absorb the energy of impacts between rollers and the support structure. The energy-absorbing elements include resilient roller sections sandwiched between rigid sections, spring-like bent tabs on the end faces of rollers, hinged bumpers or flexible fingers between the end faces of the rollers and the roller support structure, and flexible structure protruding from the module into circumferential grooves in the outer cylindrical surface or circular grooves formed in the end faces of the rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided which is particularly suited for use in a helical conveyor path where limited footprint space is available. The conveyor includes belt (4) with flights comprised of conveying portions (41) and holding portions (41a). Each of the portions has forward projections and rear projections, the forward projections being staggered relative to the rear projections so that adjacent flights can be interconnected by connection between staggered projection of the adjacent flight. The holding portions (41a) are provided with an upstanding projection (47) which serves to retain product placed on the conveyor in a desired orientation as the conveyor travels along the helical path.

Abstract: A hinge rod retainer for a modular conveyor belt. The retainer retains a hinge rod within a passageway, while allowing room for rod expansion or contraction relative to the belt width. The retainer comprises a flexible portion and a support forming an outside edge of the modular conveyor belt. The flexible portion comprises a flexible hook including an opening for allowing passage of the hinge rod into the passageway. The flexible hook defines a trapping region between the passageway and outside edge of the modular conveyor belt for trapping a hinge rod end.

Abstract: A belt as traction mechanism for conveyor bands of agricultural machines. A belt member of polymer reinforced with fabric plies has an upper step and a lower step that are interconnected in a region of overlap via connection locations that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the belt. An inwardly disposed polymer layer is entirely absent in the region of overlap. The inner fabric plies of lower step and/or upper step extend into the region of overlap in a partial region that includes at least one connection location. The remaining fabric plies of upper step and lower step extend over the entire region of overlap, so that in the partial region the lower step and/or the upper step is provided with all of the fabric plies. Complementary tooth elements are provided on fabric plies that are disposed directly opposite one another in the region of overlap, and mesh with one another to effect interconnection of upper step and lower step.

Abstract: A conveyor belt has a carrying side cover plate and a running side cover plate each of a polymer material having elastic properties. The conveyor belt defines a conveyor belt longitudinal direction (X) and has an embedded reinforcement and at least one of the cover plates is provided with a hybrid conductor loop. The hybrid conductor loop communicates in a contactless manner with an interrogation station in the form of a transmitter/receiver pair. The hybrid conductor loop has a flattened conductor cross section and runs in the conveyor belt obliquely at an angle (?) relative to the conveyor belt transverse direction (Y) to form a diagonal direction (Z). The transverse direction (Y) is at right angles to the longitudinal direction (X). The arrangement of the transmitter/receiver pair is adapted to the diagonal direction (Z) to so increase the mutual spacing of the transmitter and the receiver.

Abstract: Provided are media vacuum transport systems including media vacuum transport members, methods of making media vacuum transport members, and method of transporting media. In accordance with various embodiments, there is a media vacuum transport system including a vacuum plenum one or more transport members configured to rotate around the vacuum plenum and wherein at least one of the one or more transport members can include a substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of holes extending from a first side proximate to the vacuum plenum to a second side proximate to the media, and a top coat layer disposed over the substrate, wherein the top coat layer can include a plurality of particles dispersed in a resin to provide an average surface roughness Ra of about 2 ?m to about 100 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are media vacuum transport systems including media vacuum transport members, methods of making media vacuum transport members, and method of transporting media. In accordance with various embodiments, there is a media vacuum transport system including a vacuum plenum one or more transport members configured to rotate around the vacuum plenum and wherein at least one of the one or more transport members can include a substrate, the substrate comprising a plurality of holes extending from a first side proximate to the vacuum plenum to a second side opposite the first side, and a top coat layer disposed over the substrate, wherein the top coat layer can include a plurality of particles dispersed in a polymer blend to provide an average surface roughness Ra of about 2 ?m to about 100 ?m.

Abstract: A belt (2), forming a conveyor or a transmission belt, comprising at least one, but possibly a plurality of substantially inextensible but elastically flexible planar strips, typically of spring steel, rigidly fixed together lengthwise to form an endless belt. The belt is typically provided with drive slots for accurately driving the belt. The belt may support carriers such as buckets (to form a bucket conveyor) or scrapers (to form a scraper conveyor).

Abstract: A high temperature conveyor belt is provided having a non-metallic conveying surface which will not scratch, abrade or otherwise mar the surface of a product being carried on the belt through a furnace and which will not contaminate the product. In one embodiment, the conveyor comprises a high temperature fabric belt attached to a metal belt which may be a conventional woven metal conveyor belt. In another embodiment, the conveyor is composed of a non-metallic high temperature strand which is woven or threaded through a metal belt to provide a non-metallic conveying surface. In a further embodiment, the non-metallic product support elements are coupled to roller chains at each side of the furnace chamber and which are cooperative with a drive mechanism to transport the conveyor through the furnace. The roller chains can be located outside of the furnace chamber to avoid exposure to the high temperature of the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A transport belt for a food processing machine and a manufacturing method thereof is provided. The transport belt comprising a first portion comprising a first elastomeric material having a first durometer of hardness; and a second portion comprising a second elastomeric material having a second durometer of hardness. The first durometer of hardness is different than the second durometer of hardness. The first portion provides a surface for food materials to be processed.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt assembly is provided with telescoping housing sections and a tension system for extending and retracting the sections relative to one another to maintain a selected tension on the conveyor belt. The assembly also has a lower end with a stepped profile matching the stepped profile of the cleated belt, so as to pick up and discharge fallen seeds or material and eliminate gaps where fallen seeds and material may collect. One or more scrapers are provided adjacent the lower track of the belt to push stray seeds and material off the lower track for pick up by the cleated belt at the lower end of the assembly.

Abstract: A belt conveyor (1) includes a conveyor bed (6) on which belt rollers (13, 14) are arranged, respectively, at both the leading end and the trailing end relative to the transport direction T, and it also includes a conveyor belt (5) which is arranged to be movable over the conveyor bed (6, 106) and around the belt rollers (13, 14). The conveyor belt (5) is arranged and pulled tight over the conveyor bed (6) and the belt rollers (13, 14) in such a way that a sealing effect is achieved between the outside borders (7) of the conveyor belt (5) and the conveyor bed (6), wherein the outside borders (7) of the conveyor belt (5) are set back from the edges (16) of the conveyor bed (6) by a distance (d) equal to at least the maximum sweep of a lateral variation in the movement of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An on-machine-seamable industrial belt and method of forming an on-machine-seamable industrial belt including the steps of providing a base structure having first and second edges, providing a seam connecting the first and second edges, and laminating a layer onto the base structure and the seam.

Abstract: A cleanable belt conveyor and a method for making a cleanable belt conveyor having an underside sculpted with concave indentations to match the shape and positions of the elongated support rails forming a carryway. The support rails may be circular in cross section, and the indentations may be complementary portions of circular cylinders to receive the rails along an extended contact area.

Abstract: A peat moss harvesting apparatus includes a supporting structure attachable to a carrier vehicle, and a conveyor mechanism mounted to the supporting structure. The conveyor mechanism includes first and second pulleys and a belt assembly. The belt assembly includes at least one flexible drive element, a plurality of transverse supports mounted to the drive element, and a plurality of cover members mounted to the transverse supports. The cover members define a support surface for conveying material. The transverse supports may be longitudinally spaced apart from one another along the drive element. Each of the cover members may be fixed to a respective one of the transverse supports.

Abstract: The present invention provides a belt excellent in mechanical properties at high temperatures. The belt of the present invention comprises a cross-linked fluororubber layer obtainable by cross-linking a fluororubber composition containing a fluororubber (A) and a carbon black (B). The cross-linked fluororubber layer has a loss modulus E? of 400 kPa or higher and 6,000 kPa or lower determined by a dynamic viscoelasticity test (measurement temperature: 160° C., tensile strain: 1%, initial force: 157 cN, frequency: 10 Hz).

Abstract: Material transport systems including a radiation-resistant transport belt and methods of cutting substrates transported in the material transport systems are provided. An exemplary material transport system includes a continuous transport belt entrained on at least a first roll and a second roll. The transport belt includes at least a first layer and a second layer over the first layer. The first layer includes an inner surface of the transport belt and the second layer includes an outer surface of the transport belt. The second layer can be comprised of copper, copper-based alloys, aluminum, aluminum-based alloys or nickel.

Abstract: A link module suitable for use in a conveyor chain intended for travel along an intended direction on a given path. The module includes a first eye and a second eye adjacent the first eye. The eyes define a space therebetween. A roller assembly extends into the space and is detachably mounted between the first and second eyes.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.

Abstract: An annular baler for agricultural use including at least one annular baler belt made of rubber or rubber-like materials with an embedded core defining a reinforcement. The annular baler belt has ventilation bores which are distributed in a regular or irregular pattern around the periphery thereof and extend through the annular baler belt.

Abstract: A two-material conveyor belt module and a method for making it. A conveyor belt module comprises a rigid thermoplastic link substrate topped with a high-friction layer made of a resilient material. A dense array of teeth protrudes upward from the link substrate. The resilient material is overmolded onto the link substrate at a temperature high enough to melt the ends of the teeth. The melted ends of the teeth mix with the resilient material to form a bond firmly retaining the high-friction layer atop the substrate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rubber-metal composite, the method including a process of bringing a metal material into contact with a buffer solution having a pH of from 5 to 7.2, followed by a process of causing the metal material and rubber to adhere to each other.

Abstract: A conveyor has a belt arranged to be urged around conveyor rollers, and a belt cover formed of an endless loop of fabric material and is in frictional communication over the belt. The belt cover is formed of a polyester carcass that has a monofilament weft that is transverse to the direction of travel, and maintains alignment with the belt. The belt cover is installed to a tensile force of between 1 and 1.5 pounds/inch, corresponding to an overall elongation of approximately 0.1%, which allows frictional communication between cover and belt for load transmission without binding. The communication between the belt cover and the belt has a coefficient of friction of ?0.50. A message is printed on the belt cover. In addition, an antimicrobial material is disposed on the belt cover, and is formed of silver nanoparticles embedded in a polyurethane film having a thickness of ?0.5 mil.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device transfer apparatus which has an excellent capacity of transferring DUTs between trays. An electronic device transfer apparatus, which transfers DUTs between trays, includes a device conveying unit. The device conveying unit includes a plurality of shuttles which hold the DUTs, an endless first guide rail which guides the shuttles, and first to third feeders which move the shuttles on the first guide rail. The shuttles are movable on the first guide rail over the entire circumference of the rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport apparatus (1), comprising an endless conveyor belt (2) which is drivable by drive means (3), of which conveyor belt (2) at least the outer side (4) is embodied in a material which can withstand irradiation by the infrared laser radiation used to cut flat, thin materials such as textile, non-woven, sandpaper, cardboard, plastic film material present on the active upper part of the conveyor belt (2) and carried along by this part. The invention further relates to a cutting device (20), comprising said transport apparatus (1). The invention also related to a method for cutting flat, thin materials such as textile, non-woven, sandpaper, cardboard, plastic film material. A good choice of such a material is Werkstoff “S”®.

Abstract: A draper assembly for a crop pick-up has an endless draper belt assembly wrapped around a smaller front roller and a larger rear drive roller where the endless draper belt assembly is formed by four endless belts connected side by side at spaced positions along their length for common movement around the rollers. A tracking guide device is defined by a plurality of plastic guide elements mounted in a row on an inside surface of one belt at longitudinally spaced positions along the belt length which cooperates with a groove in the drive roller so that there are least two guide elements in the groove at any point in time. The guide elements are wider than their length and can be fastened through the belt so as to connect to the mounting of some of the fingers on the exterior of the belt.

Abstract: An elastic spreading belt with an elastic fabric tape, a coating applied thereon, and perforated strips arranged in longitudinal direction on both sides thereof, into each of which a plate link chain engages, characterized in that the coating is made from polyurethane.

Abstract: Belting for use in a conveyor belt that includes a fabric base and a rubber coat. The fabric base has an upper surface and a lower surface. At least one of the upper surface and the lower surface has a plurality of depressions formed therein. The rubber coat is applied to at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface having the plurality of depressions formed therein.

Abstract: An environmentally controlled conveyor system including a sensor-instrumented conveyor belt conveying products continuously through a thermal-treatment process and a method for determining the instantaneous position of the sensors. Temperature or other sensors are embedded in the conveyor belt across its width and along its length to advance with the product through the thermal-treatment process, such as through a pasteurizer tunnel. The sensor measurements are transmitted wirelessly from the belt to a remote system controller for monitoring or controlling the system. Data from sensors measuring environmental or belt conditions are used to determine the instantaneous positions of the sensors to coordinate the sensor data with sensor position.

Abstract: One problem with weighing conveyors is that the tension of the conveyor belt, needed to allow the belt to be driven, inadvertently reduces the degree of sagging of the belt caused by the mass of the product on the belt, which affects weighing accuracy, as this pre-tensioning of the belt inadvertently supports some of the weight of the product being transported, and this tension supported fraction of the weight cannot be sensed by the load cell supporting the middle section of the belt. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible transition area is formed in-between the outer edges of the belt and the middle, product transport area, wherein the transition area comprises openings that serve to weaken the belt locally, such that a pre-tensioning of the middle part of the conveyor belt is reduced; this allows the middle part of the conveyor belt to hang substantially slack even as the outer edges of the conveyor belt are driven.

Abstract: The present invention provides a belt excellent in mechanical properties at high temperatures. The belt of the present invention comprises a cross-linked fluororubber layer obtainable by cross-linking a fluororubber composition containing a fluororubber (A) and a carbon black (B). The cross-linked fluororubber layer has a loss modulus E? of 400 kPa or higher and 6,000 kPa or lower determined by a dynamic viscoelasticity test (measurement temperature: 160° C., tensile strain: 1%, initial force: 157 cN, frequency: 10 Hz).

Abstract: A conveyor system may include a pipe conveyor with a head end, a tail end, and an inclined section. The conveyor system may also include a conveyor belt comprising a first portion and a second portion, and the conveyor belt may be configured to form a pipe shape when the first and second portions of the conveyor belt are overlapped. In some embodiments, the first portion may include a first type of longitudinal reinforcement elements and the second portion may not include any of the first type of longitudinal reinforcement elements. In some embodiments, the conveyor system may include a material plug configured to circumferentially engage at least a portion of an internal surface of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a link (2-4) for a link conveyor (1), particularly for a transport link conveyor, having at least one plug element (5, 6) for positively latching to a complementary plug element (5, 6) of a further adjacent link (2-4) of the link conveyor (1).

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of interconnected parallel slats defining an endless web that travels in a longitudinal direction. The web has upper and lower runs and transition sections between the upper and lower runs. An upper surface of the upper run of the web defining an article-conveying surface. A plurality of pusher shoes travels along at least one of the slats in order to laterally divert articles on the conveying surface. Each of the shoes has a diverting member extending below the conveying surface. A plurality of diverting rails below the conveying surface is capable of engaging the diverting member to cause the associated shoe to travel laterally to divert an article. A plurality of diverters selectively diverts at least one of the diverting members from a non-diverting path extending longitudinally along the sorter to one of the diverting rails in a diverting state. A propulsion system propels the web.

Abstract: A conveyor belt having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first roller being movable into contact with the second roller so that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction.

Abstract: Metal-coated thermo-plastic conveyor belt components and methods for their manufacture. Hinge rods, sprockets, and belt modules are coated with metal to increase their stiffness or wear resistance or to improve other performance characteristics.

Abstract: Provided are a heat resistant laminated conveyor belt and manufacturing method thereof by which a belt surface pressure when a liner and corrugated core paper are pressed and bonded together can be increased to thereby enhance a bonding performance. The heat resistant laminated conveyor belt comprises a belt core layer 11 made by a heat resistant non-metallic fiber substrate being impregnated with a fluororesin dispersion and then dried and sintered and a surface layer 13 (plain weave wire, etc., for example) formed on the belt core layer 11 via an adhesive layer 12 made by a fluororesin film, the surface layer having a fabric structure using an element wire or wires made of a ferrous metal or having a structure in which the element wire or wires are arranged together.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating a reinforcement cord, comprising the steps of A) atomizing a mixture of at least one polymerizable monomer, a halogenated saturated hydrocarbon, and a carrier gas to form an atomized mixture; B) generating an atmospheric pressure plasma from the atomized mixture; and C) exposing the reinforcement cord to the atmospheric pressure plasma under conditions suitable to form a polymer strongly bonded to the tire cord and capable of bonding to rubber.

Abstract: A conveying device including: a rotating body that rotates; a conveying belt that rotates while nipping a conveyed member between the conveying belt and the rotating body, thereby conveying the conveyed member; a pressing member that is disposed at an inner periphery of the conveying belt along a conveying belt rotation axis direction and presses the conveying belt towards the rotating body; a pair of support members that are respectively disposed at each of two rotation axis direction edge sides of the conveying belt and that support the pressing member; and a contact member that is disposed at the inner periphery of the conveying belt along the conveying belt rotation axis direction, makes sliding contact with the rotating conveying belt, and is supported so as to be independently displaceable relative to the pressing member.

Abstract: A TPU composition comprising two or more TPU polymers is disclosed. The TPU composition gives a broad process window for melt coating applications. The blend of TPUs give better processing than either of the individual TPU polymers used in the blend alone. This results in melt coating which gives less matt and glossy streaks and allows faster coating speeds along with lower coating weight. The two or more TPU polymers used in the blend have a different soft segment. The different soft segment is created by using different molecular weight polyol for the TPU polymers or by using chemically different polyols.