A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

A plant (100) for producing food products, more particularly chocolate products; a module for a plant of this kind and a method for process changeover on the plant (100). The plant (100) includes a plurality of modules (10) in which the food products, preferably in product carriers (20), can be processed and/or transported. The modules (10) each have a module frame (11) with heights (12), widths (13) and lengths (14, 15, 16). The length is a multiple of a smallest module length (15). The plant preferably has modules (10) with a single smallest module length (15) and modules (10) with a length (16) of a twice the smallest module length. Preferably, the modules (10) are designed such that they can be connected or are connected to adjacent modules in the longitudinal direction, preferably on both sides.

A modular conveyor belt module includes a base body extending along a first direction transverse with respect to the transport direction, between two opposite lateral faces. The module includes upper and lower surfaces; two opposed longitudinal edges; hinge elements projecting respectively from the two edges along a second direction. Each of the first and second hinge elements is crossed by a first and second hole, respectively, the axes of the holes being parallel to the first direction. The holes are each coaxial to each other. The first hinge elements interpose the second hinge elements of another module with the respective holes coaxially aligned. The hinge elements are interposed to each other leaving free spaces to receive a roller. Each roller projects with a portion from the upper surface, the plane parallel with respect to the two directions and tangent to the portion of the rollers projecting from the upper surface.

A belt conveyor includes at least two support elements selected from a group consisting of roller holder elements and core elements for forming a conveyor plane for supporting a belt for conveying the products, in a conveying direction. The at least two support elements are formed separately and the support elements directly adjoining one another are rigidly connected to one another by a fastening device. The support elements adjoining one another in the conveying direction have stop surfaces abutting one another so as to ensure a predefined alignment of adjoining support elements in three mutually orthogonal spatial directions. The first spatial direction lies in the conveying plane in the conveying direction, the second spatial direction lies in the conveying plane transversely to the conveying direction, and the third spatial direction lies perpendicularly to the conveying plane.

A pallet racking system is disclosed, comprising a plurality of pallet shelves connected to a plurality of columns and a plurality of suspension hanging systems coupled to the plurality of columns. Each suspension hanging system is coupled to and configured for supporting a storage unit therebelow. The suspension hanging systems are slidable relative to the plurality of pallet shelves such that the sliding movement of a suspension hanging system relative to an adjacent suspension hanging system defines an aisle space therebetween.

A modular chute system for providing safe convenient access to an inside cavity of the chute system from a variety of locations to enhance safer serviceability features a chute channel formed from a plurality of chute sections. Each chute section is formed from a plurality of rigid structural panels. An edge flange is disposed on each panel edge encompassing an entire panel outer periphery, and the edge flange of one panel is connected to the edge flange of another structural panel. Upon removal of a structural panel or set of adjacent structural panels, the chute channel is self-supporting and non-collapsing. Chute serviceability, such as replacement of interior liners or panels, can be accomplished by removing panels and replacing liners without entering the chute cavity.

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 drive for a transport device, such as a conveyor belt, the drive including an external rotor motor having a stator and a rotor, and a gear unit having a shaft and an input drive gear. A set of drives in which external rotor motors of different sizes, including stators of identical diameter and different heights with corresponding rotors, and/or gear units having different speed-increasing stages or speed-reducing stages, are provided. Also, a method for driving a transport device using the drive.

A roller track includes a base, parallel guides, roller support bars placed into their respective guides, and a plurality of rollers removably disposed between the roller support bars. The roller support bars preferably are removably secured to the base via the respective guides which are affixed to the base. The base also can be provided with connecting elements sidewalls thereof such that a plurality of bases of roller tracks can be connected laterally to accommodate any width of shelf or display planogram. Thus, the roller tracks can be used either separately roller tracks or as a continuous mat (i.e. a plurality of roller tracks affixed to adjacent roller tracks). Additionally, dividers can be removably affixed to each roller track via securing members comprising an upper body portion formed via a living hinge and at least one lower connector that removably connects the securing member to the roller track.

A magnetic conveyor belt module integrates a magnetic element into the body of the module to attract conveyed articles to the body. A magnet seat below the top surface of the body seats the magnetic element, so that the magnetic element is between the top surface and bottom surface of the module body. A retainer engages the magnet seat to retain the magnetic element in the seat.