Patent ID: 6360878
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A conveyor system, comprising:a tube having a lumen, an intake end and a discharge end, wherein said lumen has a lower portion and an upper portion; an endless belt having an outer surface and an inner surface positioned about said tube, wherein a delivery portion of said endless belt is positioned within said lumen and wherein a return portion of said endless belt is positioned outside said lumen; a drive assembly mechanically connected to said endless belt for rotating said endless belt; a plurality of paddle members attached to said outer surface of said endless belt; each of said plurality of paddle members includes at least one cutout; and a wind skirt attached to a lower exterior portion of said tube for slidably receiving said return portion, wherein said wind skirt is comprised of a pair of elongate side walls that are comprised of a solid structure for preventing wind from engaging said return portion of said endless belt and wherein said pair of elongate side walls each have a longitudinal axis parallel to said return portion of said endless belt and wherein said pair of elongate side walls have a lower edge that extends past a distal end of each of said plurality of paddle members.