Patent ID: 11858752
Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A modular transfer system comprising:
a main belt comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of spherical balls, the spherical balls having an upper portion that protrudes above the upper surface and a lower portion that protrudes below the lower surface, the spherical balls configured to rotate relative to the upper and lower surfaces, the main belt configured to travel in a first direction;
a diverter belt configured to travel in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction, the diverter belt in contact with the protruding lower portion of the spherical balls such that relative movement of the main and diverter belts causes the spherical balls to rotate; and
a main belt drive unit configured to drive the main belt in the first direction, the main belt drive unit comprising a motor and a motorized drive roller, the motorized drive roller comprising:
a longitudinal axis;
a radially outer surface that is configured to engage with the lower surface of the main belt to provide frictional driving force on the main belt; and
a plurality of recesses configured to receive the lower portion of a respective one of the spherical balls; and

a filler element positioned between the motorized drive roller and a lateral edge of the diverter belt, the filler element comprising concave sides configured to receive the lower portion of a respective one of the spherical balls.