A low cost and low air resistance belt support structure for an endless belt conveyor of an inkjet printer can be achieved with the belt support structure being provided over a suction chamber. The belt support structure includes a plurality of longitudinal, narrow support beams positioned spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another in a transport direction of the belt to define a flat support plane for the belt. The support beams provides a relatively small contact area with the belt, which results in low friction The support beams further allow for a relatively large open area between them to achieve a low air resistance.

A low cost and low air resistance belt support structure for an endless belt conveyor of an inkjet printer can be achieved with the belt support structure being provided over a suction chamber. The belt support structure includes a plurality of longitudinal, narrow support beams positioned spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another in a transport direction of the belt to define a flat support plane for the belt. The support beams provides a relatively small contact area with the belt, which results in low friction The support beams further allow for a relatively large open area between them to achieve a low air resistance.

A multi-angle sorter having an omnidirectionally endless conveyor belt surrounding a polygonal frame to form a belt-frame assembly supported atop a roller drive including multiple pairs of diagonally opposite roller sets. Each pair of roller sets is arranged to drive the belt in a corresponding angular direction. A grid sorter comprises a grid of intersecting conveyor lines composed of multi-angle sorters at the intersections in line with conventional bidirectional conveyors.

A low-profile, high-capacity elevator conveying system that is operably able to reduce spatial requirements for the elevating system to not less than about one third (⅓) of the overall lift height, and preferably having a height to base ratio in a range of between 4:1 to 8:1. The present invention also relates to a high capacity elevator conveying system which can elevate both fine and coarse materials through a range of between 300 μm and 300 mm, while limiting belt side travel to 150 mm maximum, or +/−75 mm as required to prevent edge damage to the conveyor belts.

A low-profile, high-capacity elevator conveying system that is operably able to reduce spatial requirements for the elevating system to not less than about one third (⅓) of the overall lift height, and preferably having a height to base ratio in a range of between 4:1 to 8:1. The present invention also relates to a high capacity elevator conveying system which can elevate both fine and coarse materials through a range of between 300 μm and 300 mm, while limiting belt side travel to 150 mm maximum, or +/−75 mm as required to prevent edge damage to the conveyor belts.

A modular deflection unit includes a supporting part extending in a transverse direction, at least one module support positioned along the supporting part and at least two roller modules. Roller axles of the roller modules are received and supported by the at least one module support such that the deflection unit as a whole can be modularly exchanged.

A carrier roller for a conveyor belt may be configured to be rotatable about an axis of rotation and may include a roll element with a rolling support region that is configured to provide rolling support for the conveyor belt. The rolling support region is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation of the carrier roller and has different diameters along its axial extension, including a maximum diameter and a minimum diameter. The minimum diameter of the rolling support region is at least 95% and at most 99.8% of the maximum diameter of the rolling support region. Carrier roller stations and belt conveyor systems may employ such carrier rollers.

A carrier roller for a conveyor belt may be configured to be rotatable about an axis of rotation and may include a roll element with a rolling support region that is configured to provide rolling support for the conveyor belt. The rolling support region is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation of the carrier roller and has different diameters along its axial extension, including a maximum diameter and a minimum diameter. The minimum diameter of the rolling support region is at least 95% and at most 99.8% of the maximum diameter of the rolling support region. Carrier roller stations and belt conveyor systems may employ such carrier rollers.

A belt conveyor conveys discrete articles. The belt conveyor includes: a conveyor frame having a top side, a bottom side, and a length extending in the conveying direction for the discrete articles; a conveying belt configured to revolve around the conveyor frame during operation of the belt conveyor; and a belt-guide mounted to the bottom side of the conveyor frame between the conveyor frame and the conveying belt. The belt-guide includes at least two rolling-element bearings. The inner races of the rolling-element bearings are respectively mounted on axles. The axles are parallel to each other and stationary relative to the conveyor frame. The outer races of the rolling-element bearings have direct contact with the conveying belt.

A belt conveyor conveys discrete articles. The belt conveyor includes: a conveyor frame having a top side, a bottom side, and a length extending in the conveying direction for the discrete articles; a conveying belt configured to revolve around the conveyor frame during operation of the belt conveyor; and a belt-guide mounted to the bottom side of the conveyor frame between the conveyor frame and the conveying belt. The belt-guide includes at least two rolling-element bearings. The inner races of the rolling-element bearings are respectively mounted on axles. The axles are parallel to each other and stationary relative to the conveyor frame. The outer races of the rolling-element bearings have direct contact with the conveying belt.