Patent ID: 7070042

Claim:
A pulley for use with a conveyor belt, the pulley comprising: (a) a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends; (b) a first hub and a second hub positioned at corresponding first and second ends of the pulley, the first and second hubs being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pulley; (c) at least a first orienting member, the first orienting member including: (i) a central portion aligned with the longitudinal axis; and (ii) a plurality of slots radially extending from the central portion; (d) a plurality of blades, each of the blades including: (i) a first end mounted proximate the first hub; (ii) a second end mounted proximate of the second hub; and (iii) an intermediate section located between the first end and the second end, the intermediate section being positioned within one of the plurality of slots of the first orienting member, each of the blades being oriented to radially extend outward from the longitudinal axis of the pulley; and (e) a central volume defined within inner edges of the plurality of blades and the first and second hubs, the central volume being free of obstructions extending between the first hub and the second hub.