US 12,240,703 B2
Modular conveyor belt with dedicated access module
Gilbert J. MacLachlan, Harahan, LA (US); Angela Longo Marshall, Harahan, LA (US); Kevin W. Guernsey, Destin, FL (US); Benson Hall, Harahan, LA (US); Matthew Vulpetti, Metairie, LA (US); Jonathan J. Bishop, Amite, LA (US); Jacob Govert Vermeiden, Zwolle (NL); and Andrzej Jacek Gonera, Lodz (PL)
Assigned to Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, LA (US)
Appl. No. 18/029,438
Filed by Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, LA (US)
PCT Filed Sep. 30, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/052781
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 30, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/072581, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 7, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/086,204, filed on Oct. 1, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0356949 A1, Nov. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 17/08 (2006.01); B65G 17/40 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 17/08 (2013.01) [B65G 17/40 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dedicated access module for a conveyor belt, comprising:
a first mating portion having a first set of articulatable hinge elements at an outer end and a first non-articulatable connection element at an inner end; and
a second mating portion having a second set of articulatable hinge elements at an outer end and a second non-articulatable connection element at an inner end configured to engage the first non-articulatable connection element,
wherein the first mating portion engages the second mating portion to form a dedicated access module having a top conveying surface and an opposite bottom surface having a laterally-extending drive element for engaging a drive for the conveyor belt.