Patent ID: 11939171
Assignee: MOTOVEYO CORPORATION
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A conveyor system comprising:
a chain including a plurality of flat links that are coupled together in a loop and hinged with respect to each other at hinge points;
the chain including a plurality of balls that freely rotate in at least one flat link to define a row of balls of the flat link;
a drive element configured for engaging the chain and rotating to drive the chain around the drive element in a conveying direction, the drive element including:
an elongated body configured for rotating about a longitudinal axis, the elongated body including an outer surface;
the outer surface formed by a plurality of generally parallel and planar facets that are arranged side by side and angled with respect to each other around the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, each of the planar facets extending along the elongated body and configured for lying generally flat against a respective flat link of the chain as the elongated body is rotated to drive the chain;
a plurality of relief elements formed into each planar facet, the plurality of relief elements configured for receiving the balls of a respective flat link that is engaging the planar facet so the link lies generally flat on the planar facet to be driven by the planar facet when the drive element is rotated to drive the chain.