A segmented articulating conveyor is provided that is articulable between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration. The segmented articulating conveyor has a plurality of conveyor segments forming a conveyor system. The conveyor segments are pivotally connected to one another to permit manual articulation of the conveyor system between straight and articulated configurations. A belt is operably engaged with the conveyor segments, the belt being configured to accommodate an arc of the conveyor system when in the articulated configuration. A motor is operatively engaged with the belt and configured to move the belt. An associated method is also provided.

An apparatus/method for a conveyor belt lifter apparatus that can be manually-configured to accommodate differently-sized conveyor belts of conveyor systems. The apparatus includes a pair of lifts in between which a trough-shaped adjustable conveyor belt support arm is releasably-secured. An adjustable shaft coupler connects the lifts to allow simultaneous activation and movement of both lifts by an operator engaging only one lift. An adjustable base also allows the apparatus to be adjusted for the conveyor system size. These adjustable components comprise segments that can be releasably secured using quick-release pins. The height of the ends of the conveyor belt support arm can also be manually adjusted to eliminate any gap between the conveyor belt and the support arm before lift activation. Each lift comprises a manually-controlled screw jack with an extender formed thereon to allow the lifter apparatus to raise or lower the particular conveyor belt once the lifter apparatus is installed.

An apparatus/method for a conveyor belt lifter apparatus that can be manually-configured to accommodate differently-sized conveyor belts of conveyor systems. The apparatus includes a pair of lifts in between which a trough-shaped adjustable conveyor belt support arm is releasably-secured. An adjustable shaft coupler connects the lifts to allow simultaneous activation and movement of both lifts by an operator engaging only one lift. An adjustable base also allows the apparatus to be adjusted for the conveyor system size. These adjustable components comprise segments that can be releasably secured using quick-release pins. The height of the ends of the conveyor belt support arm can also be manually adjusted to eliminate any gap between the conveyor belt and the support arm before lift activation. Each lift comprises a manually-controlled screw jack with an extender formed thereon to allow the lifter apparatus to raise or lower the particular conveyor belt once the lifter apparatus is installed.

Telescopic conveyor with integrated indexing and measuring conveyor is described, the telescopic conveyor having a frame, at least one telescopic segment mounted so as to be extendable with respect to the frame and a transport conveyor, the transport conveyor is driven at a first conveying speed (v.sub.1) and is supported on the at least one telescopic segment and on the frame and wherein the indexing and measuring conveyor is arranged on a delivery side of the transport conveyor. The telescopic conveyor enables the packet items located thereon to be automatically separated while taking up as little space as possible. The indexing and measuring conveyor is mounted on the same frame and is driven at a second conveying speed (v.sub.2), the second conveying speed (v.sub.2) being greater than the first conveying speed (v.sub.1).

Trough belt conveyor having a flexible conveyor belt loop (6) tensioned around end pulleys (3, 4). Trough forming surfaces (12) are provided under opposite side edge portions (11) of a transport section (7) of the belt (6) and are inclined upward from the transport deck (9) in a laterally outward direction transverse to the transport path (8). The transport section (7) of the belt (6) rests on the transport deck (9) and on the trough forming guide surfaces (12) so as to form a trough extending along the transport path (8). Passages (14) are provided at least in the trough forming guide surfaces (12) or in zones of the transport deck (9) along the trough forming guide surfaces (12), for allowing material caught between the conveyor belt (6) and the trough forming guide surfaces (12) to drop through the guide surfaces (12) or the transport deck (9).

A vertical dough conveyor includes a base frame, and a vertical conveyor assembly pivotably connected to the base frame for pivoting movement between a use position and an access position. The vertical conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor belt unit and a second conveyor belt unit, wherein the second conveyor belt unit is pivotably connected to the first conveyor unit such that, when the vertical conveyor assembly is in the access position, the first conveyor belt unit is pivotably movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a belt of the second conveyor belt unit is positioned in opposed relation to a belt of the first conveyor belt unit to define a dough feed gap therebetween. In the second position, the belt of second conveyor belt unit is pivoted away from the belt of the first conveyor belt unit.

A conveyor belt unit (100) has a configuration-changing mechanism useful for switching between a ready-to-operate configuration and a not-ready-to-operate configuration. A specific embodiment uses a rotating joint element (150) with a thin material bridge (152) that defines a rotary axis. Used with a dynamic checkweigher, the conveyor belt unit has a carrier frame (110) and a belt body (130) connected to it. Rollers (132, 134) are arranged at the ends in transport direction (T) and contrary to the transport direction, with a conveyor belt (136) tensioned across the conveyor rollers. A motor drives the conveyor belt (136) by means of one of the rollers (132, 134). The configuration-changing mechanism is effective between the belt body and the carrier frame.

An assembly for use with a power and free conveyor comprises a track member adapted to be slidingly received by a receiver portion of a power and free conveyor power track. The track member is slidingly moveable from a first position to a second position such that, when in the first position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and the distal end is proximate to a connection portion. When in the second position, the proximal end is retained within the receiver portion and there is a gap between the distal end and the connection portion. A power and free conveyor comprising the assembly is also provided. A method of servicing a power and free conveyor comprising a sliding track member is also provided.

A conveyor belt maintenance system and methods of use thereof are disclosed herein. The conveyor belt maintenance system comprises a support structure for supporting a portion of a belt of a conveyor the support structure comprising a frame, an idler roller supported on the frame, and one or more connectors coupled to the frame. The support structure further comprises a track coupled to the connectors. The idler roller is configured to engage and support the portion of the belt. The connector coupled to the track is configured to facilitate movement of the support structure along the track in a direction parallel to the belt of a conveyor.

A conveyor belt maintenance system and methods of use thereof are disclosed herein. The conveyor belt maintenance system comprises a support structure for supporting a portion of a belt of a conveyor the support structure comprising a frame, an idler roller supported on the frame, and one or more connectors coupled to the frame. The support structure further comprises a track coupled to the connectors. The idler roller is configured to engage and support the portion of the belt. The connector coupled to the track is configured to facilitate movement of the support structure along the track in a direction parallel to the belt of a conveyor.