Flat top conveyor chain

A method of minimizing backbend in a conveyor chain, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of toothed links,
• wherein each of the plurality of toothed links comprises a first opening and a second opening,
• wherein each of the plurality of toothed links comprises a first shoulder and a second shoulder,
• wherein the first shoulder and the second shoulder are parallel with respect to one another, and
• wherein the first shoulder of at least one of the plurality of toothed links abuts the second shoulder of at least one of the plurality of toothed links;
• providing a plurality of non-toothed links,
• wherein each of the plurality of non-toothed links comprises a third opening and a fourth opening,
• wherein each of the plurality of non-toothed links comprises a third shoulder and a fourth shoulder,
• wherein the third shoulder and the fourth shoulder are parallel with respect to one another, and
• wherein the third shoulder of at least one of the plurality of non-toothed links abuts the fourth shoulder of at least one of the plurality of non-toothed links;
• providing a plurality of elongate link pins;
• positioning the plurality of toothed links into a toothed link row;
• positioning the plurality of non-toothed links into a non-toothed link row, wherein the non-toothed link row is offset from the toothed link row;
• manipulating the plurality of elongate link pins into the toothed and non-toothed link openings to retain the respective toothed links and non-toothed links in an interconnecting configuration to join the links together to form a chain link conveyor, wherein the shoulders of the toothed and non-toothed links minimize backbend of the chain link conveyor.