Patent ID: 9381454
Filing Date: 2016-07-05
CPC Classification: B01D,B30B,B65G

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for performing an operation on a material, comprising: an endless belt structure adapted to circulate around a path incorporating guide roller structures around which the belt structure passes, the belt structure defining one or more elongate sheets movable along the path, the one or more elongate sheets being adapted to be releasably connected together along longitudinal edges thereof to assemble a movable tubular structure within which at least part of the operation is to be performed, wherein the tubular structure can be continuously assembled at one end thereof and continuously disassembled at the other end thereof during movement of the belt structure, the belt structure comprising a belt portion and two endless funicular elements being adapted to support the belt portion therebetween, wherein each guide roller structure comprises two wheels each having an outer periphery configured to guidingly receive a respective one of the funicular elements whereby the funicular elements are supported on the guide roller structure and the belt portion is supported between the funicular elements, and wherein the belt portion comprises two connected belt sections, both belt sections extending along the entire length of the belt portion, wherein one of the belt sections is foldable and split so as to create two releasably interconnectable opposite longitudinal edges.