A conveyor system and drive element for same include a chain including a plurality of links that hinge with respect to each other and a plurality of moving elements such as balls that freely move in the links. A drive element drives the chain in a conveying direction and includes an elongated body with a surface that has a plurality of planar facets arranged around the longitudinal axis of the body. The facets extend along the body and engage respective links of the chain as the body is rotated to drive the chain. Relief elements are located in each facet and are configured for receiving the moving elements of the chain links engaging the facets so the links lie generally flat on the facets when the chain is driven. Other versions of the drive element are faceted for driving a chain with links but without relief elements.

A friction drive wheel for conveyor systems includes a cylindrical central disk formed of aluminum. Joined to the curved outer surface of the aluminum disk is a base layer that is cylindrical and sleeve-like and coaxial with the disk. The base layer is formed of a hard polymer (like polyurethane) material, with a hardness in the range of 75 Shore D, to eliminate torsional stress and flexure at the mechanical interface between the base layer and the central disk. A tread layer is secured about the base layer, formed of a softer polymer (like polyurethane) that is more yielding and compliant in contact with the trolley to maximize the frictional engagement. The base layer serves as a thermal insulator between the outer tread layer and the central disk, protecting the bond at the base/central disk interface.

A friction drive wheel for conveyor systems includes a cylindrical central disk formed of aluminum. Joined to the curved outer surface of the aluminum disk is a base layer that is cylindrical and sleeve-like and coaxial with the disk. The base layer is formed of a hard polymer (like polyurethane) material, with a hardness in the range of 75 Shore D, to eliminate torsional stress and flexure at the mechanical interface between the base layer and the central disk. A tread layer is secured about the base layer, formed of a softer polymer (like polyurethane) that is more yielding and compliant in contact with the trolley to maximize the frictional engagement. The base layer serves as a thermal insulator between the outer tread layer and the central disk, protecting the bond at the base/central disk interface.

A transfer module assembly includes a frame, a conveyor belt with internal rotating elements, where the conveyor belt is supported by the frame, conveyor drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the conveyor belt, a flat transfer belt mounted beneath the conveyor belt and configured to contact undersides of the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt in operation, and flat transfer belt drive rollers supported by the frame and configured to drive the flat transfer belt. The conveyor drive rollers are friction-based and operate without use of a sprocket, and comprise depressions for receiving the internal rotating elements of the conveyor belt.

The invention relates to a method and guide system for the transport of containers or container components, in particular, preforms and/or closure caps, in industrial systems for container production and/or product filling, wherein the containers/container components are transported along at least one guide element. By generating an air cushion between the guide element and the containers/container components by flowing through a microporous layer formed on the guide element, even container components which are lightweight and/or do not slide well can be reliably slidingly transported along the guide elements, and containers can be reliably supplied to dividing worms or similar using dynamic pressure.

The invention relates to a method and guide system for the transport of containers or container components, in particular, preforms and/or closure caps, in industrial systems for container production and/or product filling, wherein the containers/container components are transported along at least one guide element. By generating an air cushion between the guide element and the containers/container components by flowing through a microporous layer formed on the guide element, even container components which are lightweight and/or do not slide well can be reliably slidingly transported along the guide elements, and containers can be reliably supplied to dividing worms or similar using dynamic pressure.

An acoustic apparatus and method for using a combination of low-frequency and high-frequency vibration of dried food, grain being an example, such that there are a large number of collisions among the individual grain particles for destroying microorganisms that reside on the surface or just below the surface of the grain, are described. Embodiments of the invention permit bulk and continuous processing of the food. It is expected that such collisions do not produce any chemical changes in the food, nor should it have any adverse effects on the taste thereof. Embodiments of the apparatus are applicable to destruction of airborne microorganisms.

The present disclosure concerns a belt conveyor roller wear liner superposable against an outer peripheral surface of a roller cylindrical body, the roller wear liner comprising: a shock-absorbing matrix; and a plurality of inserts, spaced-apart from one another and embedded in the shock-absorbing matrix with external surfaces of the inserts and the shock-absorbing matrix, extending between the inserts, being exposed outwardly, the roller wear liner being substantially ring-shaped. It also concerns a corresponding belt conveyor roller assembly, a corresponding belt conveyor and a corresponding method.

A tire may comprise a hub and a plurality of discrete traction elements coupled to the hub. Each of the traction elements may comprise a backing plate and an elastomeric material bonded to the backing plate. Circumferentially adjacent traction elements may axially overlap.

A tire may comprise a hub and a plurality of discrete traction elements coupled to the hub. Each of the traction elements may comprise a backing plate and an elastomeric material bonded to the backing plate. Circumferentially adjacent traction elements may axially overlap.