Patent ID: 6371283
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A modular sanitary conveyor, comprising:a longitudinal conveyor bed unit having longitudinal side panels on laterally opposed sides extending from a forward end to a tail end, said side panels having a first pair of longitudinal slots extending inwardly from said forward end in laterally opposed relation and a second pair of slots extending inwardly a distance from said tail end in laterally opposed relation; a pair of unitary drive roller support bearing members removably mounted on said side panels at said forward end in laterally opposed relation and each having a transverse aperture therethrough; a pair of unitary end roller bearing members slidably and removably mounted on said side panels at said tail end in laterally opposed relation and each having an aperture at an outer end; a drive roller having shafts extending from opposed ends in axial alignment, said drive roller shafts slidably received and rotatably supported in respective said drive roller support bearing apertures, and one of said shafts extending laterally outward a distance from one of said side panels; an end roller having shafts extending from opposed ends in axial alignment, said end roller shafts sidably received and rotatably supported in respective said end roller support bearing apertures; an endless loop conveyor belt entrained around said drive roller and said end roller; and manually operable belt tensioning and release means mounted on each of said longitudinal side panels operatively connected with each of said end roller bearing members for slidably moving said end roller bearing members and said end roller away from said drive roller whereby tension is applied to said conveyor belt, and toward said drive roller whereby tension in said conveyor belt is released and said belt is slackened sufficient to allow said belt to be cleaned or removed laterally from said conveyor bed unit.