Conveyor apparatus and method
US5377819A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2207/30
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method associated with conveyors for moving items where the conveyor has an endless loop belt, a wear strip for supporting the belt and a way of moving the belt. The endless loop belt comprises a succession of individual components, each component having a first end, a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface such that the first end and the second end comprise a pivot. The apparatus and method of the present invention provide that the second end of each of the components is attached to the first end of at least one of the next components of the succession of components, a longitudinal band of components is formed having a low surface friction characteristic on the inner surface of the belt, the low surface-friction, longitudinal band is engaged with the wear strip for reducing the energy consumption and drive friction and increasing the pulling strength associated with the conveyor, and an effective arrangement of components is determined for optimizing the friction characteristics of the outer surface of the belt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.