A cargo conveyor is provided for a vehicle having an interior including a cargo area having a floor, a wall, a reach zone, and a distant zone and configured to transport a cargo item. The cargo conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a motor, and a controller. The conveyor belt is connectable to the cargo area and has a top portion. The motor is connectable to the cargo area, operatively connected to the conveyor belt, and configured to move the top portion of the conveyor belt in a forward direction and in a rearward direction. The controller is in communication with the motor and is configured to control the motor. The cargo conveyor is configured to selectively move the cargo item from the reach zone to the distant zone and from the distant zone to the reach zone.

A cargo conveyor is provided for a vehicle having an interior including a cargo area having a floor, a wall, a reach zone, and a distant zone and configured to transport a cargo item. The cargo conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a motor, and a controller. The conveyor belt is connectable to the cargo area and has a top portion. The motor is connectable to the cargo area, operatively connected to the conveyor belt, and configured to move the top portion of the conveyor belt in a forward direction and in a rearward direction. The controller is in communication with the motor and is configured to control the motor. The cargo conveyor is configured to selectively move the cargo item from the reach zone to the distant zone and from the distant zone to the reach zone.

An end unit (100) for a conveyor (1000) for use in a stage assembly comprises a first frame (110) installable in the stage assembly and a second frame (120). The second frame (120) comprises a rotatable body (130) for supporting a conveyor belt (300), and is arranged to pivot with respect to the first frame (110), so as to open in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the conveyor belt (300). An intermediate unit (200) for a conveyor (1000) for use in a stage assembly is configured to be disposed between a pair of end units (100), and comprises a first frame (210) installable in the stage assembly and a second frame (220) comprising a support surface (223) for supporting a conveyor belt (300). The second frame (220) is pivotally attached to the first frame (210), so as to open in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the conveyor belt (300). A conveyor (1000) comprises a pair of end units (100), and optionally one or more of the intermediate units (200).

An end unit (100) for a conveyor (1000) for use in a stage assembly comprises a first frame (110) installable in the stage assembly and a second frame (120). The second frame (120) comprises a rotatable body (130) for supporting a conveyor belt (300), and is arranged to pivot with respect to the first frame (110), so as to open in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the conveyor belt (300). An intermediate unit (200) for a conveyor (1000) for use in a stage assembly is configured to be disposed between a pair of end units (100), and comprises a first frame (210) installable in the stage assembly and a second frame (220) comprising a support surface (223) for supporting a conveyor belt (300). The second frame (220) is pivotally attached to the first frame (210), so as to open in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the conveyor belt (300). A conveyor (1000) comprises a pair of end units (100), and optionally one or more of the intermediate units (200).

A conveyor comprising a support frame, an inclined tube mounted to the support frame, a hopper at a lower end of the tube for receiving material, a spout at an upper end of the tube for discharging the material, a running plate extending inside the tube, and a cleated belt, supported by the running plate, that conveys the material from the hopper to the spout through the tube. The cleated belt comprises a plurality of spaced-apart cleats and wherein each cleat has a base extending transversely to a direction of travel of the belt and curved sides that curve upwardly and outwardly from the base.

A conveyor comprising a support frame, an inclined tube mounted to the support frame, a hopper at a lower end of the tube for receiving material, a spout at an upper end of the tube for discharging the material, a running plate extending inside the tube, and a cleated belt, supported by the running plate, that conveys the material from the hopper to the spout through the tube. The cleated belt comprises a plurality of spaced-apart cleats and wherein each cleat has a base extending transversely to a direction of travel of the belt and curved sides that curve upwardly and outwardly from the base.

A specially-equipped ship is configured for environmental cleanup to collect plastic waste floating in the ocean. A method of using the ship is described. The specially-equipped ship can retrieve floating plastic waste in the ocean, shred it, melt it, and cool it to form a solidified block that is usefully employed to form an artificial reef on the ocean floor to house aquatic biota. The ship is outfitted with a conveyor belt fixed to the ship; a furnace to make molten plastic; a davit to drop the solidified block into the ocean to form a reef on the ocean floor. Optionally the ship includes a mold to contain molten plastic; a shredder; a storage compartment to receive plastic particles from the shredder; a fish escape; a vertical wall; a boring machine; photovoltaic cells and/or windmills to produce electric energy.

A specially-equipped ship is configured for environmental cleanup to collect plastic waste floating in the ocean. A method of using the ship is described. The specially-equipped ship can retrieve floating plastic waste in the ocean, shred it, melt it, and cool it to form a solidified block that is usefully employed to form an artificial reef on the ocean floor to house aquatic biota. The ship is outfitted with a conveyor belt fixed to the ship; a furnace to make molten plastic; a davit to drop the solidified block into the ocean to form a reef on the ocean floor. Optionally the ship includes a mold to contain molten plastic; a shredder; a storage compartment to receive plastic particles from the shredder; a fish escape; a vertical wall; a boring machine; photovoltaic cells and/or windmills to produce electric energy.

A conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor has a conveyor belt and a plurality of support elements extending outward from the article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt advancing upward along the incline. The support elements prevent conveyed articles from sliding down the conveyor belt on the incline. The article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt may provide a low-friction retention surface to articles leaning away from the conveyor belt on the incline.

A conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor has a conveyor belt and a plurality of support elements extending outward from the article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt advancing upward along the incline. The support elements prevent conveyed articles from sliding down the conveyor belt on the incline. The article-conveying surface of the conveyor belt may provide a low-friction retention surface to articles leaning away from the conveyor belt on the incline.