A spiral conveyor system may include a cage associated with a motor; a conveyor belt traveling helically about the cage; the cage including a plurality of drive elements formed of vertically oriented cage bars; a cage bar cap mounted on at least one of the cage bars; the cage bar cap including a vertically oriented rib extending radially from a surface of the cage bar cap; wherein the rib includes at least one drive face; wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face; wherein the cage includes a ring that extends between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the cage; wherein the surface of the cage bar cap from which the rib extends defines a first diameter; and wherein the ring has a ring diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

A spiral conveyor system may include a cage associated with a motor; a conveyor belt traveling helically about the cage; the cage including a plurality of drive elements formed of vertically oriented cage bars; a cage bar cap mounted on at least one of the cage bars; the cage bar cap including a vertically oriented rib extending radially from a surface of the cage bar cap; wherein the rib includes at least one drive face; wherein the conveyor belt includes at least one belt surface configured to engage the at least one drive face; wherein the cage includes a ring that extends between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the cage; wherein the surface of the cage bar cap from which the rib extends defines a first diameter; and wherein the ring has a ring diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

An apparatus for conveying an object in a conveying direction includes a conveyor comprised of a plurality of modular links adapted for interconnecting to form a chain. At least one of the links comprises a rounded upper portion forming an apical region for contacting and supporting the article for conveyance along at least a forward run in the conveying direction. The at least one link further including a forwardly projecting portion associated with a first transverse connector forming a part of the upper portion and a rearwardly projecting portion associated with a second transverse connector forming part of the upper portion. The first and second connectors may be staggered in the conveying direction and a direction transverse to the conveying direction. Further aspects pertain to a link with an apical engaging structure, and a sprocket with a removable tooth.

An apparatus for conveying an object in a conveying direction includes a conveyor comprised of a plurality of modular links adapted for interconnecting to form a chain. At least one of the links comprises a rounded upper portion forming an apical region for contacting and supporting the article for conveyance along at least a forward run in the conveying direction. The at least one link further including a forwardly projecting portion associated with a first transverse connector forming a part of the upper portion and a rearwardly projecting portion associated with a second transverse connector forming part of the upper portion. The first and second connectors may be staggered in the conveying direction and a direction transverse to the conveying direction. Further aspects pertain to a link with an apical engaging structure, and a sprocket with a removable tooth.

A drive or tracking apparatus for a non-metal endless conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced apart traction cleats molded from a polymer material and each extending outward from a surface of the endless conveyor belt. The cleats correspond to cup depressions formed in rollers for a conveying apparatus to provide positive drive and anti-slip features for the belt.

A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.

A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.

A motorized transfer apparatus is described, comprising: a conveyor belt movable along a predetermined feeding direction and comprising a plurality of modular elements arranged in closed loop; a support structure comprising a sliding surface having a substantially cross-sectional triangular shape, so as to form in sequence: a first flat portion, which is substantially horizontal and which defines a transport plane for the objects transported by said conveyor belt, a second flat portion, which defines a descent path for the conveyor belt, and a third flat portion, which defines an ascent path for said the conveyor belt. The apparatus further comprises a motorized actuator device for the conveyor belt and a drive unit, inserted inside the support structure and arranged to transmit the motion generated by the motorized actuator device to the conveyor belt. Each modular element has a length, measured along the feeding direction, which is between 1.5% and about 6% of the overall length of the conveyor belt. The third flat portion connects the second flat portion with the first flat portion.

Provided are an abnormality detection system, an abnormality detection device, an abnormality detection method, a computer program, and a chain that enable detecting of an abnormality not only in a chain but also in equipment using the chain while distinguishing the location at which the abnormality occurs. The abnormality detecting system comprises a sensor unit comprising a sensor, to be fixed to a chain that is to be attached to equipment, and transmitting an output from the sensor, a detection section which detects an abnormality of the chain or the equipment based on the output, and a determining section which determines a location of the abnormality in the equipment, based on a position of a part fixed with the sensor unit in the equipment, the position changes in each time point with moving of the chain.

Provided are an abnormality detection system, an abnormality detection device, an abnormality detection method, a computer program, and a chain that enable detecting of an abnormality not only in a chain but also in equipment using the chain while distinguishing the location at which the abnormality occurs. The abnormality detecting system comprises a sensor unit comprising a sensor, to be fixed to a chain that is to be attached to equipment, and transmitting an output from the sensor, a detection section which detects an abnormality of the chain or the equipment based on the output, and a determining section which determines a location of the abnormality in the equipment, based on a position of a part fixed with the sensor unit in the equipment, the position changes in each time point with moving of the chain.