A system for automatic organization, hanging and driving of slaughtered animals installed at the outlet of a slaughtered animals processing station such as a chiller. The system comprises a receiving and aligning means of slaughtered animals in longitudinal position, which is previously disposed to an accumulator device of slaughtered animals positioned longitudinally. The system further comprises a suspension and movement assembly of each slaughtered animal from the axial alignment assembly to a driving guide of each slaughtered animal to a hanging transfer device of each animal slaughtered in the hanging line.

A spiral conveyor having a self-stacking conveyor belt positively driven on a helical path up or down a drive drum. Stacker supports at opposite sides of the belt support the tiers above. Locking structure on the outer stacker supports interlock consecutive tiers. Drive members on the drive drum have a belt entrance segment and a positive-drive segment. The positive-drive segment has ridges that engage the inner side of the belt without slip. The entrance segment provides a smooth reduction in drum diameter without drive ridges to multiple belt tiers entering the helical path.

A spiral conveyor having a self-stacking conveyor belt positively driven on a helical path up or down a drive drum. Stacker supports at opposite sides of the belt support the tiers above. Locking structure on the outer stacker supports interlock consecutive tiers. Drive members on the drive drum have a belt entrance segment and a positive-drive segment. The positive-drive segment has ridges that engage the inner side of the belt without slip. The entrance segment provides a smooth reduction in drum diameter without drive ridges to multiple belt tiers entering the helical path.

A spiral conveyor is described. The spiral conveyor provides an extremely open design. The open design creates and defines a very sanitary design. The combination of a cantilever frame construction (with no side frames) and the edge/side driven belting allows for superior access and cleanability. This access and cleanability are of paramount importance to the food market, where sanitation requirements are stringent to maintain food safety by preventing bacteria growth.

A spiral conveyor is described. The spiral conveyor provides an extremely open design. The open design creates and defines a very sanitary design. The combination of a cantilever frame construction (with no side frames) and the edge/side driven belting allows for superior access and cleanability. This access and cleanability are of paramount importance to the food market, where sanitation requirements are stringent to maintain food safety by preventing bacteria growth.

A thermal processing apparatus (20) includes a spiral conveyor system (22) configured into an ascending spiral stack (26). An inner mezzanine (40) is disposed within the circular interior of the stack (26) and an exterior mezzanine (42) encircles the spiral stack. The mezzanines divide the processing chamber (32) into a plurality of processing zones. A sealing system (90) seals the interior mezzanine (40) relative to the spiral stack (26). A sealing system (130) seals the outer mezzanine (42) relative to the exterior of the spiral stack, and a seal system (132) seals the outer mezzanine relative to the walls (56, 58) of the housing, thereby to limit the leakage of the processing fluid between the mezzanines and the spiral stack (26) and housing walls so that as much as the thermal processing medium is possible is forced through the spiral stack for processing work products carried on the conveyor system (22).

A conveyor belt (36) is arranged in tiers at spiral stack conveyor unit (32) and/or (34). A ceiling or top sheet (58) is positioned over the spiral stack(s). A circulation fan (60, 62) draws thermal processing medium laterally from the tiers of the spiral stack, up the exterior of the stack and across the top of the stack above the ceiling or top sheet and through a heat exchanger (64). The treated thermal processing medium is then routed across the remainder of the diameter of the spiral stack and then down the side of the spiral stack diametrically opposite to the circulating fan thereby to enter the spiral stack in a lateral direction diametrically toward the circulating fan. At least one opening (70) is formed in the ceiling downstream of the heat exchanger and into the interior of the conveyor drive hub. The outer wall of the drive hub is partially open thereby to provide an alternative flow path for the thermal processing medium to enter the spiral stack from the interior of the drive hub.

A conveyor belt (36) is arranged in tiers at spiral stack conveyor unit (32) and/or (34). A ceiling or top sheet (58) is positioned over the spiral stack(s). A circulation fan (60, 62) draws thermal processing medium laterally from the tiers of the spiral stack, up the exterior of the stack and across the top of the stack above the ceiling or top sheet and through a heat exchanger (64). The treated thermal processing medium is then routed across the remainder of the diameter of the spiral stack and then down the side of the spiral stack diametrically opposite to the circulating fan thereby to enter the spiral stack in a lateral direction diametrically toward the circulating fan. At least one opening (70) is formed in the ceiling downstream of the heat exchanger and into the interior of the conveyor drive hub. The outer wall of the drive hub is partially open thereby to provide an alternative flow path for the thermal processing medium to enter the spiral stack from the interior of the drive hub.

A spiral conveyor has a drum extending from a bottom to a top and having a transition height. The drum includes a plurality of drive bars, each having a drive side parallel to an axis of rotation of the drum. The drive side extends in length from the transition height to the top or the bottom of the drum (depending on configuration). The drive bars are spaced apart around a circumference of the drum. The drum includes a plurality of transition members, each having a drive surface. At least a portion of each drive surface is at an angle to the axis of rotation of the drum such that over an infeed distance, the circumferential location of the drive surface of each transition member is advanced by a collapsing distance of a corresponding modular belt. The spiral conveyor further includes a helical support around a circumference of the drum.

A helical conveyor for conveying piece goods comprises a frame and an endless conveyor belt which is drivable with respect to the frame along a helical track which extends about a centerline. The conveyor belt comprises discrete supporting members each comprising a substantially rigid slat and a roller. The slats follow a first helical path including a first inclination angle along the first helical path with respect to a base plane extending perpendicularly to the centerline and a second helical path including a second inclination angle along the second helical path with respect to the base plane. Each of the rollers is mounted to the corresponding slat such that the difference of an angle between the rolling direction and the base plane and the second inclination angle is smaller than the difference between the first and second inclination angles.