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 spiral conveyor system may include a drum and a conveyor belt traveling helically about the drum from an entrance end to an exit end of the drum, and a rib associated with the drum, wherein the rib extends radially from a surface of the drum. A length of the rib extends along the length of the drum from a first end of the rib to a terminus of the rib proximate the entrance end of the drum. In addition, a height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along the length of the rib. Further, 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, and wherein the drum includes a smooth ribless portion between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the drum.

A spiral conveyor system may include a drum and a conveyor belt traveling helically about the drum from an entrance end to an exit end of the drum, and a rib associated with the drum, wherein the rib extends radially from a surface of the drum. A length of the rib extends along the length of the drum from a first end of the rib to a terminus of the rib proximate the entrance end of the drum. In addition, a height of the rib above of the surface of the drum varies along the length of the rib. Further, 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, and wherein the drum includes a smooth ribless portion between the terminus of the rib and the entrance end of the drum.

A dual-layer linear sorter includes a delivery mechanism, a first feeding mechanism, a second uploading mechanism, a slewing mechanism, and a driving mechanism, the delivery mechanism is ring-shaped and includes upper and lower layers; the running direction of the upper layer is a first direction, the running direction of the lower layer is a second direction; the second direction is opposite to the first direction; the first feeding mechanism is close to the upper layer, and is docked with one end of the delivery mechanism; the second feeding mechanism is close to the lower layer and is docked with the other end of the delivery mechanism; the driving mechanism can drive the delivery mechanism to run; a part of the goods can be delivered to the upper layer via the first uploading mechanism; another part of goods can be delivered to the lower layer via the second uploading mechanism.

A dual-layer linear sorter includes a delivery mechanism, a first feeding mechanism, a second uploading mechanism, a slewing mechanism, and a driving mechanism, the delivery mechanism is ring-shaped and includes upper and lower layers; the running direction of the upper layer is a first direction, the running direction of the lower layer is a second direction; the second direction is opposite to the first direction; the first feeding mechanism is close to the upper layer, and is docked with one end of the delivery mechanism; the second feeding mechanism is close to the lower layer and is docked with the other end of the delivery mechanism; the driving mechanism can drive the delivery mechanism to run; a part of the goods can be delivered to the upper layer via the first uploading mechanism; another part of goods can be delivered to the lower layer via the second uploading mechanism.

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.

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 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 split drive sprocket assembly includes: a first sprocket portion and a second sprocket portion configured to be joined along an opposing mating surface to form a cylindrical sprocket body; a series of teeth extending radially from a circumferential end of the first sprocket portion and the second sprocket portion; a first shoulder connected to the first sprocket portion and extending radially so as to extend from an axial further than the teeth extends from the axial and spaced axially apart from the teeth; a second shoulder connected to the second sprocket portion and extending radially so as to extend from the axial further than the teeth extends from the axial and spaced axially apart from the teeth. The first sprocket portion and the second sprocket portion are configured to engage a belt with the teeth and the first and second shoulder are configured to overlap with the belt while the teeth are engaged with the belt.