Abstract:
A hub and belt assembly for driving a poultry de-feathering machine includes multiple bearing heat dissipating hub that includes bearing isolators or spacers associated with each of the drive shaft bearings. The bearing isolators trap vapors, including water and the like that may accumulate from operation of the hub and belt assembly, and prevent this vapor from contacting the bearings.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/615,446, filed Dec. 22, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 10/346,257, filed Jan. 17, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/349,526, filed Jan. 18, 2002. Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of poultry processing equipment, particularly rotational hub and belt assemblies for de-feathering or plucking devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Poultry processing industries commonly use automated lines to kill, eviscerate, pluck and further process birds. Rotational devices are generally employed to facilitate continuity of process and to minimize labor. One of the most common poultry processing machines is a plucker or de-featherer. For many years devices incorporating a number of pliable fingers have been utilized to beat and pull the feathers from bird carcasses. 
         [0004]    In processing facilities, multiple finger-type plucking devices are used in sequence to fully pluck a carcass. Typical plucking processes incorporate opposing pairs of finger-typed pluckers which are sufficiently spaced apart to maneuver a bird carcass therebetween. Initial plucking is completed with a pair of spaced-apart finger-type pluckers having a plurality of rigid, spaced-apart fingers. Subsequent plucking of fine feathers is accomplished by passing the bird between opposed pairs of pluckers having multiple pliable fingers. Automated plucking devices are generally used to suspend and move the bird carcass along a line of opposed pairs of pluckers which depilate the carcass of all feathers from course to fine as the carcass travels along the processing line. 
         [0005]    Typically, the pluckers of a processing line are powered by a motor which provides rotational force to each plucker via a chain or belt drive assembly. Early assemblies utilized a single motor connected to each plucker hub. This method facilitated accurate control of individual hub speed which is necessary to mesh opposing pairs of hubs and to synchronize sequential hubs. Due to the high cost of purchasing and maintaining individual motors, eventually hubs were spaced-apart in sequence so that a single motor could be used to drive multiple pluckers. Single drive hub assemblies eliminated multiple motors but had several inherent problems. 
         [0006]    Either a V-belt or flat belt is used to transfer the rotational force from the motor to each sequentially aligned hub. Hub drives incorporate a smooth pulley commonly used for drive belt applications. The drive belts frequently have to be adjusted to maintain the desired, and necessary pressure and friction between the belt and pulleys to drive the multiple pickers. Problems exist in that the smooth belts stretch and constant maintenance and attention is required to control the drive force. Friction from belt slippage also accelerates wear and tear on hub assemblies, belts and motors. 
         [0007]    Efforts to remediate the stated deficiencies resulted in a drive assembly which utilized drive chains and hub sprockets rather than belts and pulleys. This improvement resulted in constant and consistent force transferal from the drive source to the hub assemblies. However, it is common that the poultry being processed, or the shackles from which bird carcasses are suspended, become entangled or otherwise disrupt the plucker assembly. When, for instance, a shackle becomes entangled in single plucker, continual force of the drive source will cause the chain to shear the sprocket of that plucker. Further, problems in the plucking process can result in the jumping, or unwanted movement of the chain in relation to the sequence of hub gear assemblies. Often, hub gears are made of hardened plastic in an effort to minimize the cost incurred by shearing of sprocket teeth. These inexpensive systems are prone to failure and require significant maintenance due, in large part, to the intrusion of dirt, feathers and fecal matter into the moving parts. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, poultry processing has conventionally relied upon “V” or flat belt technology, or the chain and gear assembly described above. Both of these assemblies require constant maintenance and adjustment. Because of belt slippage and the friction imparted on a hub assembly by the belt, hubs wear very quickly and must be rebuilt or replaced on a regular basis. Gear and chain drives require constant maintenance and because of shackle entanglement in pluckers result in the shearing of teeth from the sprocket. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    A poultry processing machine, particularly a hub and belt assembly such as a feather plucking device, facilitates timed rotation of driven members while diminishing wear and breakage commonly associated with such equipment. More particularly the device is a poultry processing apparatus which comprises a hub having a flange portion, a boss portion, a pulley end and a central bore extending therethrough. A hub plate, attachable to the hub, has a flange portion and a hub plate shaft bore alignable with the central bore of the hub. A drive shaft is mounted transversely through the central bore and hub plate shaft bore; the drive shaft further is provided with a pulley end and a spaced-apart drive end. A first bearing is positioned on the drive shaft at the hub plate and a second bearing is positioned on the drive shaft at the junction of the flange portion and boss portion. 
         [0010]    Seals adjacent each bearing limit intrusion of foreign matter into the workings of the hub assembly. The seals, along with the configuration of pulleys and belts, may limit required maintenance and component replacement. A seal is for example positioned adjacent each bearing and at the hub plate to effectively prevent foreign matter from wearing the drive shaft and bearings. 
         [0011]    A drive belt operatively connects to a pulley fastened to the drive shaft at the pulley end and to a spaced-apart drive source. A poultry defeathering device, such as pliable rubber fingers, attaches to the drive shaft at the drive end and rotation of the drive belt about the pulley spins the drive shaft in the first bearing, second bearing and third bearing within the hub housing, thereby operatively rotating the poultry defeathering device. 
         [0012]    Designed primarily for ganged sets of plucking arms, the hub and belt system may include a heat dissipating hub housing journalled to a drive shaft, preferably with at least two independent sealed bearings, and a timing belt which allows operators to alternate time opposed pairs of plucker arms to avoid entanglement of the process poultry, hangers and the plucking heads. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, a poultry processing apparatus includes at least one hub, and a drive shaft mounted transversely through the at least one hub. The drive shaft has a pulley end and a drive end. At least one sealed bearing is received on the drive shaft and rotationally supports the at least one hub. A pulley attaches to the pulley end of the drive shaft. A drive belt operatively connects the pulley to a drive source. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, a poultry processing apparatus includes a hub having a flange portion, a boss portion, a pulley end and a central bore extending therethrough. A hub plate attachable to the hub has a flare portion and a hub plate shaft bore alignable with the central bore of the hub. A drive shaft, mounted transversely through the central bore and hub plate shaft bore, has a pulley end and a spaced-apart drive end. A first bearing and a seal are positioned on the drive shaft at the hub plate, and a second bearing and a seal are positioned on the drive shaft at the junction of the flange portion and boss portion. A drive belt operatively connects to a pulley fastened to the drive shaft at the pulley end and to a spaced-apart drive source. A poultry defeathering device attaches to the drive shaft at the drive end. Rotation of the drive belt about the pulley spins the drive shaft in the first bearing and second bearing within the hub housing, thereby operatively rotating the poultry de-feathering device. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, a poultry processing apparatus includes at least one hub with a first end and a second end. A hub plate provided at the first end has an annular insert flare for mating to a machine cabinet opening. A drive shaft, having a pulley end and a drive end, mounts transversely through the hub. At least two sealed bearings rotationally support the at least one hub. One sealed bearing is positioned at each end of the hub, to provide a seal between the hub end and the drive shaft. A seal mounts to the first end of the hub at the annular insert flare. A pulley attaches to the pulley end of the drive shaft, and a drive belt operatively connects the pulley to a drive source. 
         [0016]    Another embodiment is directed to a hub and belt assembly for driving a poultry de-feathering machine. This hub and belt assembly includes a multiple bearing heat dissipating hub that includes bearing isolators or spacers associated with each of the drive shaft bearings. The bearing isolators trap vapors, including water and the like that may accumulate from operation of the hub and belt assembly, and prevent this vapor from contacting the bearings. As such, degradation of the bearings is inhibited. 
         [0017]    Another embodiment is directed to a poultry processing apparatus. The apparatus includes at least one hub including a housing, the housing including a first end and a second end and an interior chamber or central bore. There is a drive shaft mounted transversely through the housing. The drive shaft extends through the interior chamber, and has a first end and a second end corresponding to the first end and the second end of the housing. There is at least one, and for example, two sealed bearings received on each of the ends of the drive shaft. The bearings rotationally support the drive shaft in the interior chamber of the hub. For each sealed bearing, there is a bearing isolator received on the drive shaft between each respective sealed bearing and the respective end of the housing, the bearing isolators are least partially within the interior chamber. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Attention is now directed to the drawing figures, where corresponding or like numerals or characters indicate corresponding or like elements  4  or components. The drawing figures are as follows. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of one embodiment of the inventive device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one inventive hub assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the inventive hub assembly taken along line  3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive hub assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive hub assembly. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the inventive hub assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventive hub assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of an alternate hub for a hub assembly, such as that of  FIG. 2 , directly mounted to a machine cabinet. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is cross sectional view of the hub of  FIG. 8  attached to a machine cabinet. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective views of the hub assembly of  FIG. 9  with cut-away portions showing the inside of the housing. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is cross sectional view of the hub of  FIG. 8  in an alternate attachment to a machine cabinet. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 12-14  are cross sectional views of the hub assembly of  FIG. 9  accommodating various pulleys. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    The assembly described herein efficiently rotates a gang of poultry processing equipment. An embodiment of a hub  101  and belt  147  assembly for rotating processing equipment is generally shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , hub  101  includes a hub housing  103  having a flange portion  105 , a boss portion  107  projecting laterally from one side of the flange portion  105  terminating at a pulley end  111 , and a central bore  109  extending through the flange  105  and boss  107  along the general axis of the hub. The flange portion  105  may include a plurality of circumferentially oriented mounting holes  113  for attaching the hub  101  to a machine cabinet  125 , for example with screws or threaded bolts  115 . A separate hub plate  117  is mountable to the hub housing  103  at the flange portion  105  opposite the boss portion  107 . The hub plate  117  has a shaft bore  119  aligned with the central bore  109  and is further provided with a plurality of circumferentially oriented hub plate mounting holes  121  alignable with the mounting holes  113  of the flange portion  105 . Hub housing  103  and hub plate  117  are for example manufactured of material which rapidly and efficiently dissipates heat, such as aluminum. 
         [0033]    Multiple outer bearing races  129  are formed within the central bore  109 , preferably at the pulley end  111  of the boss portion  107 , at the hub plate  117  attachment position and adjacent the junction of the flange portion  105  and boss portion  107 . A drive shaft  131  is positioned through the central bore  109  of the hub  101  and the hub plate shaft bore  119 . Multiple inner bearing races  132  on the drive shaft  131  coincide with the outer bearing races  129  of the central bore  109  and the hub plate shaft bore  119 . Sealed bearings  135  and  137  fit at each inner race  132  and outer race  129  to fasten the drive shaft  131  axially through the central bore  109  and hub plate shaft bore  119 , while allowing the drive shaft  131  to freely rotate within the hub  101 . A first bearing  135  is for example positioned at the pulley end  111  of the hub housing  103 , and a second bearing  137  positioned substantially near the junction of the flange portion  105  and boss portion  107 . Additional bearing positions may be used depending on the size and application of the hub assembly. 
         [0034]    Hub seals  139  are positioned on the drive shaft  131  adjacent each bearing  135  and  137 . A seal  139  may also be mounted adjacent the hub plate  117  to prevent dirt and debris from invading the juncture of the drive shaft  131  and the hub plate  117 . The combination of three seals  139  provides a near hermetic seal which eliminates invasion of feathers, feather parts, dirt, fecal matter and the like into the hub assembly. 
         [0035]    The separate hub plate  117  has an insert flange  123  which has an outer circumference equal to the circumference of a machine cabinet opening  127  where the hub  101  is to be attached. This insert flange  123  for example provides a loose seal between the hub  101  and the machine cabinet  125 , to diminish vibration and wear common in rotating processing equipment. The placement of a seal  139  on the drive shaft  131  at the insert flange  123  limits internal wear caused by the dust, feathers and debris inherent with the depilating process. 
         [0036]    A pulley  141  is fastened, via a pulley attachment device  143 , at a pulley end  133  of the drive shaft  131  adjacent the pulley end  111  of the hub housing  103 . The pulley  141  includes a plurality of spaced-apart timing serrations  145 . A timing belt  147  with a plurality of spaced apart serrations  149 , which mate to the pulley serrations  145 , connects the drive shaft  131  to a drive mechanism  151 . Timing belt  147  and serrated pulley  141  may eliminate belt slippage common with poultry processing equipment powered with a flat or V-shaped belt. A second type of timing belt  147 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , may be used in place of the serrated belt. 
         [0037]    As best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the pulley  141  may be exchanged with a common pulley for use with a flat or V-shaped belt if desired, or in necessary situations such as when a timing belt is not available. If preferred, a user may exchange the pulley  141  with a gear  163  which can be driven with a chain  165  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The user thus has a triple drive option because he or she may drive the rotational device using a timing belt  147 , flat  162  or V-belt  167 , or chain  165  by alternating the drive shaft  131  attachment with a serrated pulley  141 , common “V” pulley  169  or flat pulley  161 . 
         [0038]    A finger plate bore  156  is formed in a drive end  134  of the drive shaft  131  opposite the pulley end  133 . For a defeathering device, a finger plate  155  is bolted into the finger plate bore  156 . The finger plate  155  can be provided with a plurality of plucking fingers, e.g., plucking finger  171  (see  FIG. 3 ), as is common in the industry. 
         [0039]    As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the hub and belt assembly may power a series of driven rotational defeatherers. The drive mechanism  151  and a belt return hub  159  are positioned at opposite ends of a series of substantially aligned hubs  101 . A timing belt  147  encircles the drive mechanism  151  and return hub  159 , and alternates above and below each sequential hub pulley  141 . At least one spring-loaded tension arm and idler pulley  153  may be provided at least at one hub  101  to independently release belt tension should the finger plate  155 , or any part of the plucker assembly, become jammed. 
         [0040]    The series of hub and belt assemblies for example utilizes a timing belt having two sides, each side provided with spaced-apart protruding serrations. The belt (e.g., timing belt  147 ) alternates above and below each of the aligned pulleys. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown an alternate embodiment hub  201  of the hub  101 , shown in  FIGS. 1-7  and described above. In this alternate hub  201 , components similar to these for hub  101  have been increased by “100” (and are numbered similarly in the 200&#39;s). These similar components have been described above, and their descriptions are applicable for the hub  201 . Other components, not part of the hub  101  are numbered differently and detailed below. 
         [0042]    For example, the hub  201  is shown mounted directly to a machine cabinet  202 . The machine cabinet is identical or similar to the machine cabinet  125  detailed above. This cabinet  202  includes an opening  202 ′ for accommodating the drive shaft  231  of the hub  201 . 
         [0043]    The hub  201  includes housing  203  having a flange portion  205 , a boss portion  207  projecting laterally from one side of the flange portion  205  terminating at a pulley end  211 , and a central bore  209  extending through the flange  205  and boss  207  along the general (transverse) axis AA of the hub  201 . The flange portion  205  may include a plurality of circumferentially oriented mounting holes  213  for attaching the hub  201  to a machine cabinet  202  ( FIGS. 9 and 11 ), for example with screws  269  (FIGS.  9  and  11 - 14 ) or threaded bolts. The plurality of mounting holes  213  (that extend into threaded bores  214 ) allows for fits with the cabinet bolt spacing of numerous manufacturers. 
         [0044]    The flange portion  205  and boss portion  207  are typically integral as the housing  203  is, for example, a single piece. For example, the housing  203  is formed by machining an aluminum billet. Aluminum is one of several materials suitable for the housing  203 , as it allows for heat dissipation from the central bore  209  of the housing. The flange portion  205  may also include an open area  205   a , that defines a space between the flange portion  205  and the machine casing  202  ( FIGS. 8 and 11  or the flange portion  205  and the plate  267  ( FIGS. 9 ,  10 A,  10 B and  12 - 14 ). 
         [0045]    Multiple outer bearing races  229  are formed within the central bore  209 , at the pulley end  211  of the boss portion  207 , and at the opposite end  230  of the boss portion  207 , adjacent the junction of the flange portion  205  and boss portion  207 . A drive shaft  231  is positioned through the central bore  209  of the hub  201 . Multiple inner bearing races  232  on the drive shaft  231  coincide with the outer bearing races  229  of the central bore  209  and the hub plate shaft bore  219 . The drive shaft  231  includes axial openings  231   a ,  231   b  at its opposite ends, to accommodate the attachment of, for example, pulleys  310 ,  320 ,  330  ( FIGS. 12-14 ) (via opening  231   a ) and finger plates  332  ( FIGS. 12-14 ) (via opening  231   b ). 
         [0046]    Sealed bearings  235   a ,  235   b  (similar to bearings  135 ,  137 ), for example, of stainless steel, and their respective bearing isolators or spacer  136   a ,  136   b  fit at each inner race  232  and outer race  229  to fasten the drive shaft  231  axially through the central bore  209 , while allowing the drive shaft  231  to freely rotate within the hub  201 . A first bearing  235   a  and bearing isolator  236   a , are for example positioned at the pulley end  211  of the hub housing  203 , and a second bearing  235   b  and bearing isolator  236   b  are positioned substantially near the junction of the flange portion  205  and boss portion  207 . The bearings  235   a ,  235   b  abut against the inward shoulders  229   x  of the outer bearing races  229 , that serve as stop surfaces. Additional bearing positions may be used depending on the size and application of the hub  201 . The bearing isolators  236   a ,  236   b  serve to trap vapors, to prevent these vapors from entering the bearings  235   a ,  235   b  and degrading the bearings  235   a ,  235   b.    
         [0047]    Hub seals  239   a ,  239   b , also known as slinger seals, are positioned on the drive shaft  231  adjacent each bearing isolator  236   a ,  236   b , an in abutment with an outward shoulder  229   y  of the outer bearing races  229 , in which the hub seals  239   a ,  239   b  seat. The hub seals  239   a ,  239   b  prevent dirt and debris from invading the juncture of the central bore  209  and causing degradation of the bearings  235   a ,  235   b . These hub or slinger seals  239   a ,  239   b  provide a near hermetic seal which eliminates invasion of feathers, feather parts, dirt, fecal matter and the like into the hub  201 . The hub seals  239   a ,  239   b  are, for example, made of an elastomeric material. 
         [0048]    Hub seal  239   a  is maintained on its outer (smaller diameter end) by the abutment of a pulley or other retaining structure on the drive shaft  231  (not shown). Hub seal  239   b  is maintained on its outer (smaller diameter end) by the abutment with a protruding ridge  240   x  on the drive shaft  231 . In this mounting arrangement of  FIG. 8 , there is an additional hub seal (slinger seal)  239   c  that is in abutment with the machine cabinet  202 . This hub seal  239   c  is similar in construction and materials to hub seals  239   a ,  239   b  and like hub seal  239   b , is maintained on its outer (smaller diameter end) by the abutment with a protruding ridge  240   y  on the drive shaft  231 . 
         [0049]    The bearing isolators  236   a ,  336   b  are, for example, formed of ring portions  244   a ,  245   a ,  244   b ,  245   b . The ring portions  244   a ,  245   a ,  244   b ,  245   b  are coaxial and movably engaged with each other, as a peripheral tongue  246   a ,  246   b  on the respective ring portion  244   a ,  244   b  is slidably engaged in a correspondingly shaped groove  247   a ,  247   b  in the respective ring portion  245   a ,  245   b . This configuration allows each ring portion  244   a ,  244   b  to be rotatable with respect to the other ring portion  245   a ,  245   b.    
         [0050]    The ring portions  244   a ,  244   b  include an O-ring  248   a ,  248   b  on their outer sides, that frictionally contacts the inner wall  209   a  of the central bore  209 , to serve as a seal against water, condensate and other debris (and also shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ). The ring portions  245   a ,  245   b  include an O-ring on their inner sides  249   a ,  249   b , that frictionally contacts the outer surface of the drive shaft  231 , to serve as a seal against water, condensate and other debris. The ring portions  244   a ,  245   a ,  244   b ,  245   b , are, for example, of a polymeric material or plastic. The O-rings  248   a ,  248   b ,  249   a ,  249   b  are, for example, of an elastomeric material such as silicon or the like. The ring portions  244   a ,  245   a ,  244   b ,  245   b  are such that the portions  244   a ,  244   b  are of a slightly greater diameter than portions  245   a ,  245   b , such that there is a small space  209   b , formed between the O-rings  248   a ,  248   b , ring portions  245   a ,  245   b  and inner wall  209   a  of the central bore  209 , where condensate can accumulate, such that when the hub  201  cools, becomes water. 
         [0051]    For example, a bearing isolator suitable for use in the hub  201  as the bearing isolator  236   a  is commercially available as Part No. JM LWM-0250-0520-AY67 from Parker Hannifin Corporation, EPS Division, Salt Lake City, Utah. For example, a bearing isolator suitable for use in the hub  201  as the bearing isolator  236   b  is commercially available as Part No. JM LWM-0300-0520-AY66 from Parker Hannifin Corporation, EPS Division, Salt Lake City, Utah. 
         [0052]    Weep holes  250   a ,  250   b  in the inner wall  209   a  of the central bore  209 , extend into bores  251   a ,  251   b , that extend through the housing  203 , providing a pathway for water from the spaces  209   b  to outside of the housing  203 . The bores  251   a ,  251   b  are, for example, angled, to facilitate movement of water out of the housing  203 . While two weep holes  250   a ,  250   b  and bores  251   a ,  251   b  are shown, this is exemplary only, as any number of weep holes and bores is permissible. Accordingly, water will not build up in the housing  203 , and thus degradation of the components in the housing  203  is inhibited. 
         [0053]    Turning also to  FIGS. 9 ,  10 A and  10 B, there is shown the hub  201  connected to a machine cabinet  202  (similar to the machine cabinet  125  detailed above). The connection of the hub  201  involves a separate hub plate  267  that is mountable to the hub housing  203  at the flange portion  205  opposite the boss portion  207 . The hub plate  267  has a shaft bore (or opening)  268  aligned with the central bore  209  and is further provided with a plurality of circumferentially oriented hub plate mounting holes  271  alignable with the selected mounting hole of the mounting holes  213  of the flange portion  205 . Screws or bolts  269  extend from openings  202   a  in the cabinet  202  through openings  271  in the hub plate  267  and openings  213  in the flange portion  205  of the housing  203 , such that the hub  201  connects to the machine cabinet  202 . 
         [0054]    The separate hub plate  267  has an insert flange  273  which has an outer circumference equal to the circumference of opening  202 ″ of the machine cabinet  202  where the hub  201  it to be attached. This hub plate  267 , for example, provides a loose seal between the hub  201  and the machine cabinet  202 , for stabilization, and to diminish vibration and wear common in rotating processing equipment. A slinger seal  239   c  (identical or similar to hub or slinger seals  239   a ,  239   b , detailed above) seats on the drive shaft  231  between protruding ridges  240   x ,  240   y  (ridge  240   x  also serves as a stop surface for seal  239   b ). The slinger seal  239   c  seats in an indented portion  273   a  of the insert flange  273 . This seating and connection to the drive shaft  231  of the slinger seal  239   c , limits internal wear caused by the dust, feathers and debris inherent with the depilating process. This plate  267  is made of, for example, aluminum, identical or similar to that of the housing  203 . 
         [0055]    Attention is now directed to  FIG. 11 , which is similar to  FIG. 9 , except that the hub plate  287  (similar to hub plate  267 ) is on the other side of the machine cabinet  202 . This alternate placement occurs when the machine cabinet  202  has an opening  202 ′ of a diameter only slightly greater than the diameter of the drive shaft  231 . The hub plate  287  has a central opening  290  corresponding and coaxial with the opening  202 ′ of the machine cabinet  202 . The hub plate  287  also includes an indented portion  293  in which the slinger seal  239   c  seats. Screws or bolts  269  extend from hub plate  287  (openings  294 ), through the cabinet  202  (openings  202   a ) and the flange portion  205  (openings  213 ) of the housing  203 , such that the hub  201  connects to the machine cabinet  202 . 
         [0056]    Attention is directed to  FIGS. 12-14 , that show exemplary pulleys that may be used with the hub  201  detailed above and the hub assemblies of  FIGS. 9 ,  10 A and  10 B, and  11 . The hub assemblies of  FIGS. 12-14  are those of  FIGS. 9 ,  10 A and  10 B. The pulleys (that are driven by drive sources detailed above) that are utilized may be, for example, a timing belt pulley  310  ( FIG. 12 ), a double V-belt pulley  320  ( FIG. 13 ) or V-belt pulley, and a flat belt pulley  330  ( FIG. 14 ). The pulleys  310 ,  320 ,  330  attach at an end of the drive shaft  231  proximate to the opening  231   a . The other end of the drive shaft  231  is, for example, attached to a finger plate  332  (identical or similar to the finger plate  155  detailed above), by a bolt  333 , screw or the like. 
         [0057]    Additional variations and embodiments other than those specifically enumerated may be made to the hub and belt assembly without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.