US 12,404,109 B2
Conveyor belt and modules
Gilbert J. MacLachlan, Harahan, LA (US); and David Aaron van Schalkwijk, Metairie, LA (US)
Assigned to Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, LA (US)
Appl. No. 18/272,506
Filed by Laitram, L.L.C., Harahan, LA (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 4, 2022, PCT No. PCT/US2022/015319
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 14, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/182497, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 1, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/197,022, filed on Jun. 4, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/154,289, filed on Feb. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0158177 A1, May 16, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 17/08 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 17/086 (2013.01) [B65G 2207/30 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conveyor belt module extending in length from a first end to a second end, in width from a first side to a second side, and in thickness from a top to a bottom, the conveyor belt module comprising:
an intermediate portion;
a plurality of first hinge elements extending outward in a first length direction from the intermediate portion to a distal end at the first end of the conveyor belt module and each having a first side wall and a second side wall and a first rod hole extending in a width direction from the first side wall to the second side wall;
a plurality of second hinge elements extending outward in a second length direction opposite to the first length direction from the intermediate portion to a distal end at the second end of the conveyor belt module and each having a first side wall and a second side wall and a second rod hole extending in the width direction from the first side wall to the second side wall;
wherein the first and second rod holes each define a central plane parallel to the first and second length directions and to the width direction;
wherein the first and second side walls of at least some of the first hinge elements and the second hinge elements each define an upper region between the central plane and the top of the conveyor belt module and a lower region between the central plane and the bottom of the conveyor belt module;
wherein the first and second side walls are closer together in a narrowed portion of the lower region than in the upper region or else are closer together in a narrowed portion of the upper region than in the lower region;
wherein weld lines are formed in the upper or lower regions having the narrowed portion.