Conveyor belt

Abstract

A thermoplastic endless belt has a smooth outer surface substantially free of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teeth at a given belt pitch. The teeth are adapted to engage a sprocket with circumferentially spaced sheaves at a sprocket pitch greater than the belt pitch. The belt is slightly stretchable so that the sprocket can drive the endless belt when engaging the teeth within a range of load on the belt. The belt is preferred for use in conveyors in food processing industries where the smooth outer surface can transport food items and is easier to clean and keep free of impurities.

1 . A conveyor belt system comprising: (a) a drive pulley having a plurality of pulley teeth thereon, said drive pulley having an axis of rotation; and (b) a closed belt having a pulley side which faces said drive pulley, wherein: (i) said closed belt has a plurality of belt teeth and a plurality of recesses on said pulley side, each of said recesses having two sides and one base; (ii) said drive pulley is configured to rotate about said axis of rotation in order to propel said belt in a drive direction by at least one of said pulley teeth pushing a corresponding one of said sides of one of said recesses; and (iii) in a cross-sectional view of said drive pulley and said closed belt taken in a plane which is perpendicular to said axis of rotation, said one pulley tooth only partially fills said one recess.  
   
   
       2 . The conveyor belt system of  claim 1 , wherein: (a) each of said pulley teeth has a pulley tooth width; (b) each of said recesses has a recess width; and (c) said pulley tooth width is less than said recess width.  
   
   
       3 . The conveyor belt system of  claim 1 , wherein: (a) each of said pulley teeth has a pulley tooth height; (b) each of said belt teeth has a belt tooth height; and (c) said belt tooth height is less than said pulley tooth height.  
   
   
       4 . The conveyor belt system of  claim 1 , wherein when said closed belt is not loaded, only one of said pulley teeth is in contact with one of said belt teeth.  
   
   
       5 . The conveyor belt system of  claim 1 , wherein: (a) said pulley teeth have a pulley pitch; (b) said belt teeth have a belt pitch measured when said closed belt is flat; and (c) when said closed belt is not loaded said pulley pitch is greater than said belt pitch.  
   
   
       6 . The conveyor belt system of  claim 1 , wherein said closed belt is made of a material having a low bacterial count.  
   
   
       7 . The conveyor belt system of  claim 1 , wherein said closed belt is made of plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The conveyor belt system of  claim 1 , wherein said closed belt is made of non-reinforced plastic.