An improved modular chute comprising a stanchion comprising a plurality of rib connection points; a plurality of rib assemblies extending from the stanchion, each of the rib assemblies comprising at least a first rib, a second rib, and a tie rod connecting the first rib to the second rib; and a lining disposed within one or more of the rib assemblies, wherein the lining comprises a plurality of lining sections.

The present invention refers to an enclosed conveyor (10) for bulk material (100), comprising an enclosure (2) having on its interior a roller (43) capable of supporting a transport portion (31) of a conveyor belt (30) and an air support system capable of supporting a return portion (32) of said conveyor belt (30). Thus, such enclosed conveyor (10) can move bulk material (100) without damaging the transport portion (31) of the conveyor belt (30), due to a higher pressure enforced by an unequal distribution of said material (100) over said transport portion (31), and also reduce the friction between the return portion (32) and a bottom plate (23) of the enclosed conveyor (10), in order to enable the proposed conveyor (10) to be manufactured at a longer length and with a smaller traction engine if compared to a conventional enclosed conveyor.

The present invention refers to an enclosed conveyor (10) for bulk material (100), comprising an enclosure (2) having on its interior a roller (43) capable of supporting a transport portion (31) of a conveyor belt (30) and an air support system capable of supporting a return portion (32) of said conveyor belt (30). Thus, such enclosed conveyor (10) can move bulk material (100) without damaging the transport portion (31) of the conveyor belt (30), due to a higher pressure enforced by an unequal distribution of said material (100) over said transport portion (31), and also reduce the friction between the return portion (32) and a bottom plate (23) of the enclosed conveyor (10), in order to enable the proposed conveyor (10) to be manufactured at a longer length and with a smaller traction engine if compared to a conventional enclosed conveyor.

A slat conveyor belt includes connected drive modules that can be easily disassembled and assembled. Each drive module comprises a slat portion connected to a drive portion forming a drive chain. A conveyor frame for the conveyor belt includes a dust cover for the drive chain and a separator for selectively separating a slat portion from an associated drive portion. A magazine automatically removes and stores separated slats.

A slat conveyor belt includes connected drive modules that can be easily disassembled and assembled. Each drive module comprises a slat portion connected to a drive portion forming a drive chain. A conveyor frame for the conveyor belt includes a dust cover for the drive chain and a separator for selectively separating a slat portion from an associated drive portion. A magazine automatically removes and stores separated slats.

Food process-line coating apparatus for coating a stream of food product in a food process line are provided with the improvement of a permanently-installed internal cleaning-fluid circuit and a plurality cleaning-fluid distribution devices. The cleaning-fluid distribution devices are any of a rotary spray head, a spherical spray nozzle, a rotary frame or a tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold. The rotary spray head optionally has a multitude of flat spray nozzles mounted along the arms. The spherical spray nozzle might be mounted on a columnar base, and a plurality of those might stand like pickets and aimed a laterally-extending target, like a conveyor belt's nose roller. The rotary frame might have a spaced pair of parallel manifold tubes that rotate about a common axis. The tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold preferably has a multitude of ports or nozzles distributed at spaced locations on its outer sidewall.

Food process-line coating apparatus for coating a stream of food product in a food process line are provided with the improvement of a permanently-installed internal cleaning-fluid circuit and a plurality cleaning-fluid distribution devices. The cleaning-fluid distribution devices are any of a rotary spray head, a spherical spray nozzle, a rotary frame or a tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold. The rotary spray head optionally has a multitude of flat spray nozzles mounted along the arms. The spherical spray nozzle might be mounted on a columnar base, and a plurality of those might stand like pickets and aimed a laterally-extending target, like a conveyor belt's nose roller. The rotary frame might have a spaced pair of parallel manifold tubes that rotate about a common axis. The tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold preferably has a multitude of ports or nozzles distributed at spaced locations on its outer sidewall.

A conveyance device can include a conveyance surface and a conveyance constraint. The conveyance surface can receive a container and advance the container along the conveyance pathway. The conveyance constraint can be positioned across the conveyance pathway and include an opening. The conveyance constraint can block containers having a width or height larger than the respective width or height of the opening.

An unloading conveyor system for unloading grain through the floor of a grain bin. A removeable cover is vertically supported by the plurality of ribs to cover the span of the midpan to allow maintenance. The midpan comprises a plurality of slots and ledges to receive and support the ribs to allow easy installation and maintenance. A central pit having an internal portion and an access support wall also provides easy installation and maintenance. The first bearing mount, second bearing mount, and roller are all accessible for service through the internal portion of the central pit.

An unloading conveyor system for unloading grain through the floor of a grain bin. A removeable cover is vertically supported by the plurality of ribs to cover the span of the midpan to allow maintenance. The midpan comprises a plurality of slots and ledges to receive and support the ribs to allow easy installation and maintenance. A central pit having an internal portion and an access support wall also provides easy installation and maintenance. The first bearing mount, second bearing mount, and roller are all accessible for service through the internal portion of the central pit.