Abstract: A conveying device has a support frame and a conveying member with at least two driven conveying belts that circulate in parallel to one another and with a conveying fabric having at least one support surface and being arranged between the at least two conveying belts. The at least two conveying belts have inner sides facing one another; the inner sides have recesses. The conveying fabric has lateral edges inserted into the recesses. Support parts are attached in an overlapping area or an abutting area where the lateral edges of the conveying fabric and the at least two conveying belts overlap or abut one another. The support parts project upwardly past a plane of the support surface.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt for an air conditioning plant, in which the conveyor belt extends helically along part of its length, comprising transverse rods (4) and lateral elements (3). The conveyor belt is characterized in that the lateral elements (3) are connected in pairs to only two rods (4), which are fixedly connected to said lateral elements (3) and form, with these, a link means (2), and adjoining link means (2) are articulated to each other by a coupling element (5) arranged therebetween and connected to neighboring rods (4) of the adjoining link means (2).

Abstract: A installation for transporting goods has a conveyor belt with supporting bars carried thereon transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. Two vertically spaced-apart supporting tracks are formed in each case by two supporting cables. Running rollers that are disposed at the lateral ends of the supporting bars can be moved along the two or more supporting cable pairs. The supporting cables are connected to one another by spaced-apart retaining frames, on which the supporting cables for the running rollers are fastened. At least one further supporting cable, on which the retaining frames are likewise fastened, is provided above the upper pair of supporting cables for the running rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly including a flexible belt body with a plurality of spaced flexible teeth and at least one hardened tooth coupled to the belt body. The flexible belt body and flexible teeth comprise a resilient material. The hardened tooth comprises hardened plastic or metal. The flexible belt body also includes at least one reinforcing member within the belt body. A guide member is coupled to the flexible belt body and the hardened tooth to assist in transporting objects on the conveyor belt assembly. A pivotable clamping device clamps the ends of the belt body together to form a continuous belt. The clamping device clamps the reinforcing member to ensure a strong connection.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying glaze to warmed doughnuts includes a base, an oven supported on the base, a food finishing area located below the oven, and a discharge area at an output of the food finishing area. A drive mechanism includes first couplings positioned in the food finishing area and discharge area. Supports, fixed to the base, project outward adjacent to each of the drive mechanism first couplings. Two conveyor units are included, each conveyor unit including a chassis and a driving component having a second coupling and supporting belt. Each conveyor unit chassis is mounted on the supports so that the second coupling engages one of the first couplings to provide power from the drive mechanism to the conveyor units' driving components. The conveyors are releasable as a unit from the supports to facilitate cleaning of the apparatus.

Abstract: A conveyor belt including a series of predefined sections and elevated support structures at the edges of each section for supporting items on the belt above the belt at each section.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt comprising a plurality of interconnected segments forming a conveying surface to convey at least one article from one point to another. The conveying surface preferably has first and seconds ends and a plurality of openings. A splicing member preferably connects the first end of the conveying surface to the second end of the conveying surface to form an endless conveyor belt. The splicing member preferably includes at least first and second sections, a connecting member and at least one sealing member. The connecting member has first and second ends. A portion of the first section is connected to the first end of the connecting member thereby forming a first exposed area. A portion of the second section is connected to the second end of the connecting member thereby forming a second exposed area. The at least one sealing member is deposed relative to the connecting member and the first and second sections to seal at least one of the first and second exposed areas.

Abstract: An improved endless conveyor belt made of a plurality of interconnected links, each including two rods with two side plates perpendicularly aligned and attached to their opposite ends. The improvement comprising the addition of an internal buttress-type welded joint located between the inside surface of each side plate and one or both transverse rods with at least one bendable section. During use, the transverse rod is allowed to bend so that the side plates may deflect when force is exerted on them. By adding the welded joint and by adding the bendable section to the transverse rod, the number of cracks or breaks in the conveyor belt is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A flexible chain conveyor, comprising at least one mutually parallel chain having links whereon rod-like elements are fixed transversely; the links that constitute the at least one chain being inclined by a preset angle with respect to an imaginary plane which is perpendicular to the advancement plane of the conveyor.

Abstract: A wire belt comprising having a plurality of wire strands, each of the plurality of wire strands being linked with at least one adjacent wire strand in the wire belt. Each of the plurality of wire strands includes a first end, a second end, and a plurality of linking portions between the first and second ends. The plurality of linking portions are linked with respective linking portions in at least one adjacent wire strand so as to form a plurality of joints in the wire belt. Each of the plurality of linking portions includes a compound Z-shape formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveying system comprising a drive chain and at least one conveying carrier. Such a conveying system is to be made more flexible for the most different goods to be conveyed. To this end the conveying carrier can be brought into detachable engagement with the drive chain, the drive chain comprising chain links arranged in a row and interconnected via a chain joint, a chain joint being formed by a sleeve pertaining to a first chain link and by a bolt passed through the sleeve and pertaining to a second chain link, at least part of the bolts projecting laterally at both sides and a transporting sleeve being arranged on each of the projecting end portions and the conveying carrier comprising an engaging means which can be brought into detachable engagement at least with both transporting sleeves of a bolt. The invention further relates to a drive chain for such a conveying system.

Abstract: A conveyor belt including a series of predefined sections and elevated support structures at the edges of each section for supporting items on the belt above the belt at each section.

Abstract: Device for conveying objects comprising a large numbers of rods. The device has opposite edges. Each rod has a first and a second end, adjacent rods being mutually connected at their ends by connection elements. Each connection element is substantially S-shaped in top view and is provided with a first free end which is situated directed to a centre between the first and second end of the rod, with a second free end which is situated directed to an edge concerned of the device, with a first transverse member and a second transverse member, with a first connection member which connects the first free end to the first transverse member, with a second connection member which connects the first transverse member to the second transverse member, and with a third connection member which connects the second transverse member to the second free end. The second free end of the connection element is situated at a distance from the second connection member.

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: An endless conveyor for conveying tuberous agricultural products has at least two parallel and spaced apart, pull-resistant, flexible belts, extending in the conveying direction of the conveyor. Spaced apart and parallel followers extend perpendicularly to the conveying direction. The followers are connected to the at least two belts. A web is provided that has portions extending between the followers for supporting the tuberous agricultural products. The web has flexible web elements extending angularly to one another and having crossing points. The web elements are connected fixedly to another at the crossing points.

Abstract: The conveyor belt includes a plurality of links having alternating wide linking portions and narrow linking portions. The wide and narrow linking portions preferably form an undulating shape. In one embodiment, the conveyor belt is a flat wire conveyor belt having linking rods extending through apertures in the alternating wide and narrow linking portions. In another embodiment, the conveyor belt is a balanced weave belt having wire links woven around linking rods to form the wide and narrow linking portions.

Abstract: A module for a modular conveyor mat is provided with front hinge loops and rear hinge loops and the front hinge loops of one module are adapted to be joined to rear hinge loops of an adjacent module by a hinge pin extending transversely to the conveying direction, a recess in the module accommodates a retaining member having a closing part rotatable between a first position for retaining the hinge pin and a second position for releasing the hinge pin.

Abstract: A conveyor belt with rods and connective links that engage one another so as to resist lateral and rotational movement about the rods during conveyor operation. The links are affixed on the rods by resistance welding the rod to the link apertures. In addition to the resistance weld, the rods include diametrically enlarged protrusions or swells that are placed proximate the link apertures to constrain the links from lateral movement on the rod. At the ends of the rod, this protrusion is in the form of an upset or button head. Alternative embodiments also include rotational constraints of the links relative to the rod. The additional fixation steps such as manual welding used in conventional belt manufacture are thus eliminated. By affixing the links and rods together in the manner disclosed, repeated movements of the link legs relative to the rods are eliminated thereby significantly reducing the chances of fatigue failure of the links.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for conveying tuberous agricultural products has at least two parallel and spaced-apart, pull-resistant, flexible belts extending in the conveying direction of the conveyor. Spaced-apart and parallel followers extend perpendicularly to the conveying direction. The followers are connected to the belts and have projections arranged in the transverse direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. A web having portions extending between the followers for supporting the tuberous agricultural products is provided. The web has flexible, pull-resistant, elongate web elements extending angularly to one another and having crossing points. The web elements are connected fixedly to one another at the crossing points and define mesh openings. The mesh openings in the area of the followers are penetrated by the projections.

Abstract: To provide a conveyor belt which is light in weight, easy to clean, free from rust, and easy to manufacture, a plastic conveyor belt is formed in an endless shape, by sequentially coupling belt constituent units, each of which comprises a cranked connection piece formed by joining horizontal portions of two plates each having an L-shaped cross section such that vertical portions of the two plates are not located on the same side, a rod which is connected integrally with an inner vertical portion of the connection piece, and has a core-sheath structure consisting of a metal core portion and a plastic sheath portion, a connection shaft provided on one portion of the connection piece, and a connection piece having a connection hole formed in a portion of the connection piece where the connection shaft is not provided.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for conveying tuberous agricultural products has at least two parallel and spaced apart, pull-resistant, flexible belts circulating in the conveying direction of the conveyor and followers distributed over the entire length of the endless conveyor. The followers are arranged transversely to the conveying direction and project from the conveying plane of the endless conveyor. The followers have rigid rods with end portions connected to the belts. The followers have posts extending to essentially a projecting height of the followers. The followers have a flexible strip essentially extending between the at least two belts. The flexible strip consists of a web and has ends connected to the posts.

Abstract: The present invention provides an open web (10) suitable for use in conveying bodies such as root crops and stones and clods, comprising at least two elongate belts (11) extending parallel to each other in spaced apart relation, and a plurality of rods (12) mounted in parallel spaced apart relation across the belts (11). Connecting portions (13) of the rods (12) are enclosed and embedded within the body of the belts (11), and tensile reinforcing (20) extend longitudinally in the body of at least one of the belts (11) so as to provide a tensile load support therefor.

Abstract: A wire link connection system includes at least first and second wire connection links that connect a first wire link to a second wire link, for example, as a splice connection in a wire conveyor belt. The wire connecting links include linking portions that link the first and second wire links. One of the wire connecting links includes a female coupling portion such as a coupling loop at or proximate one end, while the other wire connecting link includes a male coupling portion, such as a coupling hook, at or proximate one end. The male coupling portion engages the female coupling portion in a "snap" fit to couple the first and second wire connecting links. The female coupling portion or coupling loop defines an aperture and the male coupling portion or coupling hook includes a flared head such that the male coupling portion is received in the aperture and the flared head engages and locks with the coupling loop.

Abstract: An endless belt for supporting a continuous web of filter media and moving it through liquid filtration apparatus where a pressure differential is applied across the belt and media. The belt may be fabricated at relatively low cost while retaining the required tensile strength. The belt is formed from a plurality of unique, unitary portions termed "hinge members" which are arranged in longitudinal columns and lateral rows, a plurality of links between each pair of laterally adjacent hinge members and connecting rods extending the full width of the belt through aligned openings in looped portions of the hinge members and openings in the links. The hinge members are preferably formed from a continuous strip of sheet metal by stamping and bending operations, with the links providing added tensile strength.

Abstract: A conveyor belt with rods and connective links that engage one another so as to resist lateral and rotational movement about the rods during conveyor operation. The links are affixed on the rods by resistance welding the rod to the link apertures. In addition to the resistance weld, the rods include diametrically enlarged protrusions or swells that are placed proximate the link apertures to constrain the links from lateral movement on the rod. At the ends of the rod, this protrusion is in the form of an upset or button head. Alternative embodiments also include rotational constraints of the links relative to the rod. The additional fixation steps such as manual welding used in conventional belt manufacture are thus eliminated. By affixing the links and rods together in the manner disclosed, repeated movements of the link legs relative to the rods are eliminated thereby significantly reducing the chances of fatigue failure of the links.

Abstract: Drive and related travel tension is decreased at selected locations in special purpose travel paths for woven-wire conveyor belts enabling decrease in tensile strength requirements of metal wire components as assembled into a woven-wire belt. Connector rod configurations with varying depth seats, at selected locations for individual helically-wound loops of interacting spiral wires, provide for expansion of belt length at selected locations where needed to decrease or eliminate metal wire component strain.

Abstract: A roll, along with methods of fabricating and using such roll, for driving a woven-wire conveyor belt, provide substantially-uniform drive across belt width, avoid disruption of belt drive, provide unidirection tracking of such belt, and avoid disruption of conveyed product during treatment of conveyed product at temperatures other than ambient. During conveyance of product for heating or cooling treatment, woven-wire conveyor belts and rolls driving such belts are often at differing temperatures, especially during start-up and shutdown of operations. Such temperature differentials can cause dimensional changes in a belt which change the relative location of belt recesses with respect to the roll surface. Selective shaping and dimensioning of roll protrusions from the widthwise center of a roll toward each lateral end of the roll eliminates mismatching of belt recesses due to changes in belt width during product processing at temperatures other than ambient.

Abstract: A wire belt having increased belt strength includes a plurality of wire links having alternating wide linking portions and narrow linking portions interlocked with respective linking portions of an adjacent wire link. The assembly of the wire belt includes interlocking the wire links, for example, by placing the wide linking portions into an engagement with wide linking portions of an adjacent wire link. The width of the wide linking portions is about equal to the minimum width that will allow the wire link to be interlocked with an adjacent wire link without bending the wire link in excess of the yield strength of the wire link. The width of the narrow linking portions is less than the width of the wide linking portions, and preferably, dimensioned to receive a sprocket for driving the wire belt. The wire links preferably have an undulating shape and include first and second end loops that interlock with adjacent wire links.

Abstract: A wire belt splice edge connector is used to connect a wire link to a splice link in a wire belt splice connection proximate an edge of a wire belt. The splice edge connector includes first and second edge connector leg portions, a wire link receiving portion disposed between first ends of the first and second edge connector leg portions, and first and second splice link receiving portions disposed proximate a second end of the first and second edge connector leg portions. The splice link receiving portions, such as loops, receive and interlock with a splice link, and the wire link receiving portion receives and interlocks with a wire link in the wire belt. The edge connector leg portions are substantially parallel to one another forming a U shape with the wire link receiving portion. The wire link receiving portion forms an obtuse angle with respect to the edge connector leg portions.

Abstract: A mesh belt is stretched in an annealing lehr and a plurality of fine mesh elements, which constitute a fine mesh having gas-permeability and elasticity, formed by weaving a heat-resistant wire, are fixed onto the mesh belt so as to be arranged along the moving direction of the mesh belt with predetermined spaces in the direction of the width of the mesh belt whereby a flaw which may be produced in a glass product to be annealed when it is placed on the mesh belt in the annealing lehr, is prevented.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprises a plurality of side links at each side of the conveyor belt, a plurality of transverse rods connecting the side links in pairs, and a wire mesh forming a conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The wire mesh further comprises a plurality of wire spirals each spiral having loops encircling two of the transverse rods. At least some of the wire spirals have a varying pitch along the length of the rods.

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse rods. A plurality of side links at both lateral edges of the conveyor belt are connected in pairs by the successive transverse rods. Each side link is movable relative to adjoining side links about two axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. A wire netting is supported by the transverse rods and extends substantially over the whole width of the conveyor belt. The wire netting comprises a plurality of wires. A separate one of the wires forms a joint intermediate the lateral edges of the conveyor belt between each pair of adjoining transverse rods, each transverse rod in the pair connecting a separate pair of side links. Thereby, the joint takes up tractive forces at least along straight paths of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A splice for a fabric reinforced conveyor belt comprising a fabric layer having mating ends cut as an arc of a circle having a radius whose length is greater than the width of the fabric. There is also provided a fabric reinforced conveyor belt comprising: a) a pulley cover; b) at least one layer of fabric reinforcement; and (c) a top cover, wherein the fabric layer has a splice as described immediately above.

Abstract: A food processing system comprises a food processor, a food product conveyor belt associated and constructed of segments that are longitudinally displaceable relative to one another and linked together to form an endless conveyor belt that extends through the food processor. The conveyor belt is arranged to travel from a lineal course into and through an arcuate course. A conveyor drive drivingly engages with the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A screen conveyor belt for farming equipment has a plurality of flat belt members having a longitudinal extension in the direction of travel of the screen conveyor belt and being arranged parallel to one another. Rod members extend perpendicular to the direction of travel and are spaced from one another in the direction of travel so as to form therebetween openings of the screen conveyor belt. The rod members have a first and a second flat end section and a central operative portion located between the first and second flat end sections. The first and second flat end sections of each one of the rod members are positioned on adjacent ones of the belt members, respectively. Fasteners for connecting the flat end sections to the flat belt members are provided and the fasteners penetrate the flat end sections. A thickness of the flat end sections is greater adjacent to the central operative portion than at the free end of the flat end sections.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for a conveying device is movable in a longitudinal direction thereof on the conveying device and includes at least two pull-resistant, parallel belts extending in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. Bending-resistant rods are connected perpendicularly to the at least two parallel belts so as to be spaced apart from one another. Follower members, including a base with an upper portion and a lower portion, are provided for entraining goods to be conveyed on the conveyor belt. The follower members are connected with the base to the rods such that the upper portion is positioned above the conveying plane of the rods and the lower portion is positioned below the conveying plane. The upper portion and the lower portion are connected to one another with an interlocking hook connection.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for a conveying device has pull-resistant, flexible belt loops extending in a direction of movement of the conveyor belt. Rods having opposed, flat ends are provided with bores. The rods extend perpendicularly to the belt loops and rest with the opposed flat ends on the belt loops. Fasteners for securing the flat ends to the belt loops by penetrating the bores of the flat ends and the belt loops are provided. The flat ends have a leading edge and a following edge in the direction of movement. The leading and the following edges have rounded projections in the area of the bores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an open web (10) suitable for use in conveying and separating bodies such as root crops and stone sand clods. The web (10) comprises at least two elongate belts (11) extending parallel to each other in substantially spaced apart relation, and a plurality of rods (12) mounted in parallel spaced apart relation across the belts (11) with connecting portions (13) of the rods (12) secured to the belts (11). The connecting portions (13) are substantially embedded within the body of the belts (11) and secured thereto by bonding the belts (11) to the connecting portions (13).

Abstract: A conveyor device comprises at least two training chains, which adjoin and support a plurality of rod-like elements, arranged between the chains and transversely of the driving direction, so as to define a supporting surface for the articles to be conveyed, the rod-like elements being spaced from one another and made of thermally insulating material.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing, assembling and fabricating a woven-wire belt with unitary vertically-oriented lateral edge flattened-wire helically-wound surfaces along each lateral edge for dynamic-frictional drive of the belt by a rotatable substantially-cylindrical drive surface in a helically-curved path, free of any mechanical drive connection while in the helical path. Lengthwise-directed tension control of the belt is exercised, while the belt is exterior to the helically-curved path, to achieve desired frictional drive contact within the drive surface. An exterior travel path for the belt between exit from and return to the helically-curved path provides an endless belt travel array.

Abstract: A conveyor belt, particularly suited to the food processing industry, includes a tension-bearing framework of transversely extending rods connected to tension bearing interconnected links into which is attached a series of loose-fitting modular product support members. The product support modules include forwardly and rearwardly extending link ends such that successive modules are interfitted with one another. Each of the forwardly and rearwardly extending link ends are provided with slotted longitudinal openings through which the transverse rods extend. The distance between a front wall portion defining the slot in a forwardly extending link end and a rear wall portion defining the slot in an associated rearwardly extending link end is greater than the fixed longitudinal spacing spanned by adjacent transverse rods so as to permit some relative longitudinal movement between the conveyor modules and the rods.

Abstract: A spiral overlay having multiple variations, but generically, comprised of wire spirals intermeshed together by connecting rods extending across the conveyor in the transverse direction. Broadly, a first overlay is made up of spirals which may be tapered and afford pitch control by incorporating elongated loops in the spirals to limit the movement of the rods therein. The elongated loops also provide for collapsibility of the spirals relative to one another. A second overlay is made of integral or modular spirals such that the overlay includes upstanding spiral elements on its conveying surface to provide traction and separation of the articles being conveyed.

Abstract: A spiral overlay having multiple variations, but generically, comprised of wire spirals intermeshed together by connecting rods extending across the conveyor in the transverse direction. Broadly, a first overlay is made up of spirals which may be tapered and afford pitch control by incorporating elongated loops in the spirals to limit the movement of the rods therein. The elongated loops also provide for collapsibility of the spirals relative to one another. A second overlay is made of integral or modular spirals such that the overlay includes upstanding spiral elements on its conveying surface to provide traction and separation of the articles being conveyed.

Abstract: A wire conveyor belt includes a plurality of interlocked wire elements having closed ends. The interlocked wire elements have U-shaped regions which are interlocked with corresponding U-shaped regions of adjacent wire elements to form the conveyor belt. The closed end regions are formed after the wire elements have been interlocked. Each closed end region is formed by bending the end of each wire element around the adjacent interlocked wire element so that the end is adjacent to and overlapping the wire element forming a region having a substantially triangular, circular, or square shape. Each closed end region forms a space which is less than the diameter of each wire element for preventing other portions of the wire conveyor belt or other wire conveyor belts from catching on the closed end regions. A method of making such a wire conveyor belt requires first interlocking the wire elements and subsequently forming the closed end regions.

Abstract: Fabricating method for an elongated woven-wire belt for direct-contact dynamic-frictional-drive along an inner perimeter lateral edge portion when the belt is moving in a path which is curved in a lateral direction with respect to its lengthwise direction. A curved path structure for support of such belt is disclosed along with methods of assembly and operation of curved path support structures. Lengthwise collection and extension uniformly across the width of the woven-wire belt is provided, along with selection of direction of movement providing for reversing direction of movement without requiring modification of the belt structure or curved path support structure. Provision is made for selectively controlling rates of movement of the woven-wire belt in a curved path support structure and for controlling rate of movement of the belt when exterior to a multi-layer curved-path tower structure.

Abstract: In a materials treating furnace, a belt is provided for transporting articles to be treated through a high temperature treatment zone. The belt comprises a succession of interwoven links, each of which is made up of a length of tungsten wire which has been heated and wound around an elliptical mandrel to provide a link which is in the form of a slightly flattened helix having no sharp bends. The interweaving of the helical links provides a large number of interlocking contact points between successive links.

Abstract: A removable conveyor flight formed of a flight body 12 having downwardly extending arcuate clamp arms. A pair of opposing arcuately shaped rigid clamps (14) and (16) are embedded within the flight body. Formed integrally with clamps (14) and (16) are compression tabs (20) which extend upward into the flight body to a fulcrum point (22). Bolts (28) are provided to draw the clamps together, thereby clamping the resilient clamp arms of flight body (12) against the cross bar or rod (34) of draper chain (32).

Abstract: A belt includes a plurality of rows of endless chains and can body conveying sections each defined between adjacent ones of the chains. Each of the endless chains are formed includes a plurality of U-shaped unit members each having a bottom fitted in an open end portion of a preceding one in the row, the engaged portions of the preceding and succeeding unit members being connected together by a plurality of rotatable connecting rods common to the chains. Intermediate rods having a length a little greater than the can body diameter are each provided between adjacent ones of the rods of the chains and also being opposed unit members of adjacent chains. The intermediate rods are disposed at a common elevation as the connecting rods beneath the top of the chains. Thus, the conveyer belt can convey can bodies in a plurality of rows in which the can bodies will not touch each other at the open ends of these can bodies.

Abstract: Wire stock for connecting rods is run through the nip of a pair of obliquely toothed rolls having teeth which taper from one face of the roll towards the other, and have a larger radius at the tip than along the portions flanking the tip. The angle of obliqueness matches the angle that a turn of a spiral wire will traverse the connecting rod. Round wire stock for the single-faceted spiral wires is run through the nip of a pair of rolls one of which has a cylindrical surface (i.e., a flat longitudinal profile), and the other of which has a circumferential groove with a slightly larger diameter than the round wire stock. As the wire is flattened on one side, its curved side is broadened. As the resultingly single-faceted round wire is wound into flattened spiral form, it is spatially orientationally guided, so that the facet becomes located facing outwards.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises at least one roller with a plurality of recesses in its peripheral surface, mounted on the drive and trailing assemblies of a conveyor system. The recesses of each roller are angularly disposed relative to the central axes of their respective drive or trailing assemblies and are sized to receive a portion of an endless conveyor belt contacting the rollers. The bottom and size 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. The recesses are preferably distributed in circumferential rows about the periphery of the roller and, in multi-row rollers, in a parallel relation across the width of 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.