Title: Integral hinged food conveyor belt construction with levitation means

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to sanitary conveyor belts of polypropylene or other suitable plastic material having an integrally hinged construction defined by spaced notches which define the hinge points as well as drive engagement points between the belt and the sprockets having teeth which mate with the spaced notches. The belt construction also has one or more longitudinal notched grooves which defines a tracking and aligning groove which mates with a multi-faceted aligning member arranged polygonally about the perimeter of the sprockets which support the conveyor belt to preserve its alignment with the drive sprockets. The conveyor belt is used with an air levitation means in the form of a plenum chamber having openings to direct low pressure air against the underside of the belt to reduce friction drag when the belt is loaded.

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Inventors: Lapeyre, James M. (New Orleans, LA, US)

Application Number: 488899
Filing Date: 1974-07-16
Publication_date: 1976-03-02
Assignee: The Laitram Corporation (New Orleans, LA)
Primary Class(es): 198/811 198/635, 198/842
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2832228	Apr, 1958	Lorig	198/202.
3245518	Apr, 1966	Reibel et al.	198/198.
3666085	May, 1972	Folkes	198/193.
3717241	Feb, 1973	Arieh	198/184.
3734271	May, 1973	Dolgolenko et al.	198/184.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Marbert, James B.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Wilkinson, Mawhinney & Theibault