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.

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.

Sprocket wheel for use in a conveying structure of the type where a conveyor belt is assembled from a plurality of similar modular belt links, where the sprocket wheels are designed to engage, guide and drive the conveyor belt, wherein the sprocket wheel comprises a central area suitable to be arranged and fastened on a drive axle, and a plurality of drive teeth arranged along and projecting from the periphery of the central area of the sprocket wheel, wherein said sprocket wheel has a peripheral surface area between adjacent drive teeth, where at most 15% preferably only 10% or less of said peripheral surface area in use is in engagement with the conveyor belt.

A modular omnidirectional hygienic conveyor belt constructed of a series of similar conveyor belt modules connected by pivot pins. Each conveyor belt module includes a modular laterally extending body having first spaced apart hinge eyes extending in a first direction and being connected to a first pivot pin and laterally offset second spaced apart hinge eyes extending in an opposed second direction and being connected to a second pivot pin. A plurality of spheres are captured by, engage and rotate omnidirectionally relative to upper and lower arcuate sphere contact surfaces of the body, which define for the spheres openly exposed opposed upper and lower spherical cap regions and openly exposed spherical segment regions therebetween, wherein openings in the body provide access for hygienic cleaning. A directional control system may drive the omnidirectional rotation of the spheres.

A hygienic, cleanable conveyor roller for use in a conveyor includes a segmented hub, a plurality of spokes and a rim for contacting a conveyor belt. The segmented hub comprises a plurality of arcuate segments in different axial planes connected to each other. The conveyor roller is mounted upon and rotatable about a mounting shaft that may axially constrain the roller. During a single revolution of the conveyor roller about the mounting shaft, all surfaces of both the conveyor roller and the mounting shaft are fully exposed, allowing the surfaces to be cleaned in place, without requiring removal of the conveyor roller from the mounting shaft.

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 maceration conveyor assembly feeding into a first mill of a milling tandem, where output from the mill is delivered onto another conveyor and carried to the next mill in the tandem. Low pol maceration liquid is returned to the conveyor via return lines to respective distribution weirs. Weirs include overflows which extend across the conveyor. The conveyor assembly includes an inlet end and an outlet end all supported on a supporting framework so that the assembly is inclined from the inlet end to the outlet end. The frame supports respective side walls of a conveyor trough between which travels an endless plate conveyor. The endless plate conveyor comprises interconnected perforated plates adapted to pivot relative to each other in chain like fashion so that the endless plate conveyor effectively functions as a belt conveyor having rigid plates interconnected in pivotal fashion.

A flash lamp system provides flashes to a bottom side of a conveyor to disinfect the conveyor while the conveyor is transporting products on a top side of the conveyor. The flashes are provided to discontinuous segments of the conveyor such that a portion of the conveyor is treated with each revolution, but a controller causes the entire length of the conveyor to be disinfected over multiple revolutions. The controller can respond to changes in speed and detected levels of disinfection. The disinfection system can be used in many applications, such as the transporting of fresh or frozen food products.

A receiving bin for a sorting machine is movable between an operative configuration and an inoperative configuration. In the operative configuration, the receiving bin is configurable for receiving a rejected product from the sorting machine. In an inoperative configuration, the receiving bin is configurable for servicing and maintenance. The receiving bin has an inlet chute, a transfer chute, and, optionally, a mechanism of altering the configuration connects the inlet chute and the transfer chute. In one arrangement, the inlet chute and the transfer chute are sufficiently exposed to a waterjet during a cleaning event, for maintaining aseptic conditions and a hygienic environment. This is especially useful the sorting machine is commissioned in a production plant where food items such as meat, fish, or dairy products are processed and packaged.

A hygienic, cleanable conveyor roller for use in a conveyor includes a segmented hub, a plurality of spokes and a rim for contacting a conveyor belt. The segmented hub comprises a plurality of arcuate segments in different axial planes connected to each other. The conveyor roller is mounted upon and rotatable about a mounting shaft that may axially constrain the roller. During a single revolution of the conveyor roller about the mounting shaft, all surfaces of both the conveyor roller and the mounting shaft are fully exposed, allowing the surfaces to be cleaned in place, without requiring removal of the conveyor roller from the mounting shaft.