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A unitary modular link or link section for use in forming a rodless conveyor belt or a section thereof is provided. The link section includes a plurality of laterally-repeating link-shaped portions, each including an apex portion and a pair of leg portions. Each apex portion includes a receiver for

A unitary modular link or link section for use in forming a rodless conveyor belt or a section thereof is provided. The link section includes a plurality of laterally-repeating link-shaped portions, each including an apex portion and a pair of leg portions. Each apex portion includes a receiver for receiving an integral first connector extending between the leg portions of a next-adjacent link or link section, preferably in snap-fit engagement, such that relative pivoting movement is established. A second integral connector maybe provided between the leg portion of each adjacent apex portion to create an engagement surface for a tooth of a drive or idler sprocket. The underside surface of each link section may also be specially contoured or curved to facilitate smooth passage over a guide structure.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A modular link section for coupling with an adjacent link or link section to form a part of a continuous rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a first link comprising a unitary body including a plurality of laterally repeating first link-

The invention claimed is: 1. A modular link section for coupling with an adjacent link or link section to form a part of a continuous rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a first link comprising a unitary body including a plurality of laterally repeating first link-shaped portions, each having a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, a pair of first leg portions, at least one first integral connector interconnecting the first leg portions of each link-shaped portion, and at least one second integral connector interconnecting one leg portion of each adjacent link-shaped portion; and a second link including a plurality of laterally repeating second link-shaped portions, each having a receiver capable of receiving the first integral connector of the first link in snap-fit engagement, whereby the snap-fit engagement allows for the easy and secure assembly of the first and second links to form the part of the conveyor belt. 2. The link section according to claim 1, wherein the receiver and first integral connector are arranged so as to provide the link section with a micropitch. 3. A unitary modular link for coupling with an adjacent link to form a part of a rodless continuous conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a plurality of laterally repeating apex portions, each including a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed; a pair of leg portions extending from each said apex portion; and at least one integral connector interconnecting the leg portions associated with each apex portion; wherein each apex portion includes a receiver capable of receiving a portion of the adjacent link in snap-fit engagement, whereby the snap-fit engagement allows for the easy and secure assembly of the link with the adjacent link to form the part of the conveyor belt. 4. The link according to claim 3, wherein the receiver and first integral connector are arranged so as to provide the link section with a micropitch. 5. The link according to claim 3, wherein the receiver in each apex portion includes an oversized entryway and a pair of opposed inwardly sloping sidewalls forming a neck, whereby the portion of the next-adjacent link passes through the oversized entryway, along the sloping sidewalls, and snaps past the neck to become captured in the receiver and form the desired snap-fit engagement. 6. The link according to claim 3, wherein the leg portions of each apex portion include an outer sidewall and a second integral connector is provided between the outer sidewall of one leg portion of a first apex portion and the adjacent outer sidewall of one leg portion of a second, adjacent apex portion. 7. The link according to claim 3, wherein: each apex portion includes a pair of outer sidewalls, each having a taper in the vertical plane; each leg portion includes an inner sidewall having a slope that corresponds to the taper. 8. A modular link conveyor belt section for forming a part of an endless, rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a plurality of unitary link sections, each including a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, and each having a surface for engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products, a pair of leg portions, and at least one first integral connector; wherein each link-shaped portion on a first one of said link sections includes a receiver for receiving the first integral connector of a second, adjacent link section in snap-fit engagement such that the first link section is capable of pivoting movement relative to the second link section, said receiver and first integral connector arranged so as to provide the adjoining link sections with a micropitch; whereby the snap-fit engagement allows for the easy and secure assembly of the link sections to form the conveyor bell section. 9. The belt section according to claim 8, wherein the underside surfaces of said first and second link sections are specially contoured or curved such that when the link sections are pivoted a preselected amount, the contoured or curved underside surfaces correspond to the contour of an adjacent guide structure, whereby smooth travel of the belt section over the guide structure is facilitated. 10. The belt section according to claim 8, wherein each link-shaped portion includes an apex portion having a generally arcuate or rounded nose and a matching recess, whereby the nose of each apex portion on the first link section cooperates with the recess of each apex portion on the second link section during relative pivoting movement. 11. The belt section according to claim 8, wherein each leg portion includes a generally arcuate or rounded leading recess and a matching trailing surface, whereby the trailing surface of each leg portion on the first link section cooperates with the leading recess of each leg portion on the second link section during relative pivoting movement. 12. A unitary modular link section for intended use in coupling with an adjacent link or link section to form a part of a continuous rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions interfitting in snap-fit engagement, each having a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, wherein a ratio of the height of each link-shaped portion to the width of each link-shaped portion is about 3.75; whereby the snap-fit engagement allows for the easy and secure assembly of the link section with the next-adjacent link or link section to form the part of the conveyor belt. 13. A unitary modular link section for intended use in coupling with an adjacent link or link section to form a part of a continuous rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, each having a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, wherein a ratio of the height of each link-shaped portion to the width of each link-shaped portion is about 2.5; whereby the snap-fit engagement allows for the easy and secure assembly of the link section with the next-adjacent link or link section to form the part of the conveyor belt. 14. A unitary modular link for intended use in coupling with first and second adjacent links to form a part of a continuous rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: at least one link-shaped portion having a receiver for receiving the first adjacent link in snap-fit engagement, a connector for connecting with the second adjacent link, a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, and a height of about six millimeters or less; whereby the snap-fit engagement allows for the easy and secure assembly of the link section with the next-adjacent link or link section to form the part of the conveyor belt. 15. The link according to claim 14, wherein the height of the link-shaped portion is about four millimeters and a width of the link-shaped portion is about fifteen millimeters. 16. The link according to claim 15, wherein four laterally-repeating link-shaped portions are provided. 17. The link according to claim 15, wherein eight laterally-repeating link-shaped portions are provided. 18. A unitary modular link section for coupling with an adjacent link or link section to form a part of a continuous rodless conveyor belt driven by a drive sprocket for conveying articles or products, comprising: a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, each having a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, a pair of leg portions, at least one first integral connector extending between the leg portions, and a receiver capable of receiving a portion of the adjacent link section in snap-fit engagement, wherein a second integral connector adapted for engaging the drive sprocket extends transverse to the conveying direction, parallel to the first connector and between the leg portions of adjacent link-shaped portions and defines at least a portion of the article support surface; whereby a substantially continuous or uninterrupted article support surface is provided. 19. A link for intended use in coupling with first and second adjacent links in snap-fit engagement to form a part of a continuous rodless conveyor belt or chain for conveying articles or products, comprising a body including a receiver capable of receiving a portion of the first adjacent link in snap-fit engagement, a connector adapted for being received by the second adjacent link, and a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, wherein a ratio of the height of the body to a pitch of the link is about 1.0. 20. The link according to claim 19, wherein the ratio is about 0.8 to about 1.2. 21. The link according to claim 19, wherein the pitch is measured from substantially the center of the receiver to substantially the center of the connector. 22. The link according to claim 19, wherein the height of the link is between about 4-6 millimeters and the pitch of the link is about 5 millimeters. 23. A link for intended use in coupling with first and second adjacent links in snap-fit engagement to form apart of a continuous rodless conveyor belt or chain for conveying articles or products, comprising a body including a receiver capable of receiving a portion of the first adjacent link in snap-fit engagement, a connector adapted for being received by the second adjacent link, and a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, wherein a ratio of the height of the body to a pitch of the link is greater than about 0.8. 24. The link according to claim 23, wherein the ratio is less than about 1.2. 25. A continuous rodless conveyor belt or chain, comprising: a plurality of links, each adapted for engaging one another in snap-fit engagement and including a body having a receiver capable of receiving a portion of a first adjacent link in snap-fit engagement, a connector adapted for being received by a second adjacent link, and a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, wherein a ratio of the height of the body to a pitch of each link is about 1.0. 26. The conveyor belt according to claim 25, wherein the ratio is between about 0.8 and about 1.2. 27. A micropitch conveyor link for conveying articles or products, comprising: a unitary body including a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, each having an apex portion defining a conveying surface, a pair of leg portions connected to the apex portion, at least one first integral connector extending between and interconnecting the leg portions, and a receiver formed in the apex portion capable of receiving a portion of the adjacent link section in snap-fit engagement; whereby the snap-fit engagement allows for the easy and secure assembly of the link with the adjacent link or link section without the need for a removable transverse connector rod whereby the links are intended to be coupled to form a continuous loop. 28. The link section of claim 27, wherein the pitch of the link is about 5 millimeters. 29. A modular link section coupling with an adjacent link or link section to form a part of a continuous conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a unitary body including a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, each having a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, a pair of leg portions, at least one first integral connector extending between the leg portions, and a receiver capable of receiving a portion of the adjacent link section in snap-fit engagement, wherein the leg portions of each link-shaped portion include an outer sidewall and a second integral connector is provided between the outer sidewall of one leg portion of a first link-shaped portion and the adjacent outer sidewall of one leg portion of a second, adjacent link-shaped portion, whereby the second integral connector is adapted for engaging a tooth on a chive or idler sprocket for driving or guiding the belt, and the snap-fit engagement allows for the easy and secure assembly of the link section with the adjacent link or link section to form the part of the conveyor belt. 30. A modular link section for coupling with an adjacent link or link section to form a part of a continuous rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a unitary body including a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, each having a surface capable of engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products being conveyed, a pair of leg portions, at least one first integral connector extending between the leg portions, and a receiver capable of receiving a portion of the adjacent link section in snap-fit engagement, wherein the receiver includes an oversized entryway and a pair of opposed inwardly sloping sidewalls forming a neck, whereby the portion of the adjacent link section may pass through the oversized entryway, along the tapered sidewalls, and past the neck to become captured in the receiver and form the desired snap-fit engagement. 31. A modular link conveyor belt section for forming a part of an endless, rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a plurality of unitary link sections, each including a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, and each having a surface for engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products, a pair of leg portions, and at least one first integral connector; wherein each link-shaped portion on a first one of said link sections includes a receiver for receiving the first integral connector of a second, adjacent link section in snap-fit engagement such that the first link section is capable of pivoting movement relative to the second link section; and further wherein: the first integral connector extends between the leg portions of each link-shaped portion of the second link section; and the receiver of each link-shaped portion on the first link section includes an oversized entryway and a pair of opposed inwardly sloping sidewalls forming a neck, whereby each first integral connector of the second link section passes through the oversized entryway, along the inwardly sloping sidewalls, and snaps past the neck to become captured in the receiver and form the desired snap-fit engagement. 32. A modular link conveyor belt section for forming a part of an endless, rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a plurality of unitary link sections, each including a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, and each having a surface for engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products, a pair of leg portions, and at least one first integral connector; wherein each link-shaped portion on a first one of said link sections includes a receiver for receiving the first integral connector of a second, adjacent link section in snap-fit engagement such that the first link section is capable of pivoting movement relative to the second link section; and further wherein: the leg portions of each link-shaped portion on one or both of the first and second links include an outer sidewall; and a second integral connector is provided between the outer sidewall of one leg portion of a first link-shaped portion and the adjacent outer sidewall of the leg portion of a second, adjacent link-shaped portion, whereby the second integral connector provides a surface for engaging a tooth on a drive or idler sprocket for driving or guiding the belt. 33. A modular link conveyor belt section for forming a part of an endless, rodless conveyor belt for conveying articles or products, comprising: a plurality of unitary link sections, each including a plurality of laterally repeating link-shaped portions, and each having a surface for engaging or assisting in supporting the articles or products, a pair of leg portions, and at least one first integral connector; wherein each link-shaped portion on a first one of said link sections includes a receiver for receiving the first integral connector of a second, adjacent link section in snap-fit engagement such that the first link section is capable of pivoting movement relative to the second link section; and further wherein: each link-shaped portion of the first link section includes an apex portion having a pair of outer sidewalls, each having a taper in the vertical plane; each leg portion of the second link section includes an inner sidewall having a slope that matches the taper of the corresponding outer sidewall, wherein the matching sidewalls facilitate relative pivoting movement to a limited degree between the first and second link sections.