Zero tension system conveyor

A multiple conveyor belt system, the system comprising:

• a first conveyor belt system configured to convey a product that includes at least one of an article of manufacture or a food component along a first pathway;
• and
• a second conveyor belt system configured to convey the product along a second pathway that is different from the first pathway including to receive the product from the first conveyor belt system after the product has been conveyed along the first pathway, wherein second conveyor belt system including:
• a drum assembly that includes a plurality of drum bars;
• a block chain configured to engage at least one of the plurality of drum bars and to be driven by the drum assembly in a direction when the drum assembly rotates about an axis in a rotational direction;
• and
• a conveyor belt configured to:
• be driven based on the direction at or during a time period when in continuous contact with at least one portion of the block chain when the block chain engages the at least one of the plurality of drum bars and is driven by the drum assembly in the direction;
• a motor configured to rotate the drum assembly;
• and
• the block chain including a plurality of links, wherein at least one of the plurality of links has a hook or protrusion configured to engage the at least one of the plurality of drum bars directly so that the block chain is driven in the direction by the drum assembly when the drum assembly rotates about the axis in the rotational direction.

A method for execution by a multiple conveyor belt system, the method comprising:

• operating a first conveyor belt system configured to convey a product along a first pathway;
• and
• operating a second conveyor belt system configured to convey the product along a second pathway that is different from the first pathway including to receive the product from the first conveyor belt system after the product has been conveyed along the first pathway, wherein second conveyor belt system including:
• rotating a drum assembly that includes a plurality of drum bars;
• engaging at least one of the plurality of drum bars by a block chain to drive the drum assembly in a direction when the drum assembly rotates about an axis in a rotational direction;
• and
• driving a conveyor belt:
• based on the direction at or during a time period when in continuous contact with at least one portion of the block chain when the block chain engages the at least one of the plurality of drum bars and is driven by the drum assembly in the direction.