Patent ID: 12006156

Abstract:
A machine for processing tubing includes a chamber, a heater, a conveyor belt that passes through an interior space of the chamber, each of twenty or more links of the conveyor belt further comprising a generally planar outer-facing surface, each adjacent to a generally planar outer-facing surface of at least one other link, forming a generally planar composite surface along a substantially linear sub-path, and wherein a first link and a second link each comprises a first longitudinally-extending barricade adjacent a first side and a second longitudinally-extending barricade adjacent a second side of the at least one generally planar outer-facing surface, the barricades separated by a transverse distance that is less than one-half of the width of the conveyor belt, and wherein when the first and second link are in the substantially linear sub-path, a distance between the distal end of the first link and the proximal end of the second link is less than a total length of the substantially linear sub-path, such that an elongate member resting on and extending along the generally planar composite surface is transversely restricted from migrating more than one-half of the width of the conveyor belt.