Patent ID: 7178665

Claim:
A belt conveyor converted from a pre-existing conveyor frame to accommodate a modular conveyor belt, the belt conveyor comprising: a pre-existing conveyor frame extending in length from a first end to a second end, in width from a first side to a second side, and in height from a top to a bottom and having support frames at the bottom at spaced apart locations along the length of the conveyor frame; at least one U-shaped pan mounted atop the top of the pre-existing conveyor frame, the at least one U-shaped pan including a pair of side walls flanking a base; a carryway extending the length of the pre-existing conveyor frame fastened to the base of the at least one U-shaped pan; a modular conveyor belt comprising a plurality of articulated rows of individual belt modules connected into a loop, wherein a portion of the loop is supported at a level atop the carryway.