Systems and methods are provided for conveyor operation and maintenance that employ one or both of a smart shoe technology where one or more conveyor shoes incorporate features, such as an RFID tag, and a missing pin detection technology where one or more pin components of conveyor shoes incorporate features, such as an RFID tag, allowing selective wireless tracking and identification capability. A conveyor system comprises a shoe management system allowing interactions directly with one or more RFID readers, which can detect, store and/or monitor information associated with smart shoe and/or missing pin detection RFID tags, where interface between this application and the reader can be implemented via a socket interface. System and method also or optionally provide for unique slat installation and removal.

A snap-in dual-pronged retaining device for a conveyor component includes two parallel prongs extending from an integral base. The prongs may form axles for rollers, hinge rods for coupling two conveyor belt modules together, or retaining shafts for retaining a component relative to the conveyor belt. A fastener secures the retaining device and conveyor component in place.

A conveyor belt having a plurality of spaced tractive rods including opposing inner and outer ends, and a support surface transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, wherein at least one of the inner and outer ends of at least some of the plurality of spaced tractive rods includes a cone shaped end portion.

A conveyor belt is provided that includes a series of linked elongated support members, which extend transverse to the conveyor belt and are arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a first and a second support member, which are adjacent and partially inserted into each other. The first support member includes a first part and a second support member includes two second parts, wherein the first part is inserted between the two second parts. The first part includes a through-opening that extends transverse to the conveyor belt. At least one of the second parts includes a pin which extends transverse to the conveyor belt, and which is arranged in the through-opening. The pin is integrally formed with the second support member. The adjacent support members have been manufactured in a coupled state, preferably using an additive manufacturing process.

A conveyor belt having a plurality of spaced tractive rods including opposing inner and outer ends, and a support surface transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, wherein at least one of the inner and outer ends of at least some of the plurality of spaced tractive rods includes a cone shaped end portion.

A conveyor belt having a plurality of spaced tractive rods including opposing inner and outer ends, and a support surface transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, wherein at least one of the inner and outer ends of at least some of the plurality of spaced tractive rods includes a cone shaped end portion.

A snap-in dual-pronged retaining device for a conveyor component includes two parallel prongs extending from an integral base. The prongs may form axles for rollers, hinge rods for coupling two conveyor belt modules together, or retaining shafts for retaining a component relative to the conveyor belt. A fastener secures the retaining device and conveyor component in place.

A belting connection for attaching a first end and a second end of belting. The belting has a thickness. The belting connection mechanism includes a first stepped region, a second stepped region and a first fastener. The first stepped region is proximate the first end. The first stepped region has a first aperture formed therein. The first stepped region has a first thickness. The second stepped region is proximate the second end. The second stepped region has a second aperture formed therein. The second stepped region has a second thickness. The first fastener extends through the first aperture and the second aperture to attach the first end to the second end. The first stepped region at least partially overlaps the second stepped region when the first end is attached to the second end. When the first end is attached to the second end, the first stepped region and the second stepped region have a combined thickness that is no greater than the thickness of the belting.

A conveyor belt is provided that includes a series of linked elongated support members, which extend transverse to the conveyor belt and are arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a first and a second support member, which are adjacent and partially inserted into each other. The first support member includes a first part and a second support member includes two second parts, wherein the first part is inserted between the two second parts. The first part includes a through-opening that extends transverse to the conveyor belt. At least one of the second parts includes a pin which extends transverse to the conveyor belt, and which is arranged in the through-opening. The pin is integrally formed with the second support member. The adjacent support members have been manufactured in a coupled state, preferably using an additive manufacturing process.

A conveyor belt module includes a laterally-extending protrusion to prevent misorientation of the module during assembly. In a proper orientation, the laterally-extending protrusion extends into a recess of an adjacent conveyor belt module, with clearance between the protrusion and the nadir of the recess. Reversal of the conveyor belt module prevents the conveyor belt module from fitting into a row of modules.