Module for a perforated flat top belt with hinge gap for better fluid flow

A belt module, comprising:

• a) an intermediate section having a top surface;
• b) a first plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the first link ends with a first transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a first proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt travel to a first distal portion at the link ends, wherein the first link ends have a first opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls, the first opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• c) a second plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the second link ends with a second transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a second proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction opposite to the first link ends to a second distal portion at the link ends, wherein the second link ends have a second opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls, the second opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• and,
• d) wherein one of the first plurality of link ends, the second plurality of link ends, and the intermediate section, has a vent defined therein;
• wherein a portion of the intermediate section bordering a space between adjacent link ends has a vent defined therein such that the vent is capable of aligning with a link end vent on an adjacent module when the modules are intercalated.

A modular belt, comprising:

• a) a plurality of belt modules having an intermediate section with a top surface;
• a first plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the first link ends with a first transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a first proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt travel to a first distal portion at the link ends, wherein the first link ends each have a first opening through the thickness and extending to and between the opposed side walls, the first opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• and a second plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the second link ends with a second transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a second proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction opposite to the first link ends to a second distal portion at the link ends, wherein the second link ends have a second opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls, the second opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• wherein one of the first plurality of link ends, the second plurality of link ends and intermediate section has a vent defined therein;
• and,
• b) a pivot rod disposed through the transverse openings in the first and second link ends of adjacent belt modules, wherein the intercalated link ends provide the modular belt with a continuous upper conveying surface of the top surfaces of intercalated belt modules.

A modular belt, comprising:

• a) a plurality of belt modules having an intermediate section with a top surface;
• a first plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the first link ends with a first transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a first proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt travel to a first distal portion at the link ends, wherein the first link ends each have a first opening through the thickness and extending to and between the opposed side walls, the first opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• and a second plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the second link ends with a second transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a second proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction opposite to the first link ends to a second distal portion at the link ends, wherein the second link ends have a second opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls, the second opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• wherein one of the first plurality of link ends, the second plurality of link ends and intermediate section has a vent defined therein;
• and,
• b) a pivot rod disposed through the transverse openings in the first and second link ends of adjacent belt modules, wherein the intercalated link ends provide the modular belt with a continuous upper conveying surface of the top surfaces of intercalated belt modules;
• wherein a portion of the intermediate section bordering a space between adjacent link ends on the same module has a vent defined therein such that the vent is capable of aligning with a link end vent on an adjacent module when the modules are intercalated.

A method of configuring a modular belt, comprising:

• providing a plurality of belt modules having an intermediate section with a top surface;
• a first plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the first link ends with a first transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a first proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt travel to a first distal portion at the link ends, wherein the first link ends each have a first opening through the thickness and extending to and between the opposed side walls, the first opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• and a second plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the second link ends with a second transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a second proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction opposite to the first link ends to a second distal portion at the link ends, wherein the second link ends have a second opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls, the second opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• wherein one of the first plurality of link ends, the second plurality of link ends, and the intermediate section, has a vent defined therein;
• and,
• placing a pivot rod through the transverse openings in the first and second link ends of adjacent belt modules, wherein the intercalated link ends provide the modular belt with a continuous upper conveying surface of the top surfaces of intercalated belt modules.

A method of configuring a modular belt, comprising:

• providing a plurality of belt modules having an intermediate section with a top surface;
• a first plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the first link ends with a first transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a first proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction of belt travel to a first distal portion at the link ends, wherein the first link ends each have a first opening through the thickness and extending to and between the opposed side walls, the first opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• and a second plurality of link ends having opposed side walls providing the second link ends with a second transverse thickness connected to the intermediate section at a second proximal portion and extending from the intermediate section in a direction opposite to the first link ends to a second distal portion at the link ends, wherein the second link ends have a second opening through the thickness between and to the opposed side walls, the second opening being disposed transverse to the direction of belt travel;
• wherein one of the first plurality of link ends, the second plurality of link ends, and the intermediate section, has a vent defined therein;
• and,
• placing a pivot rod through the transverse openings in the first and second link ends of adjacent belt modules, wherein the intercalated link ends provide the modular belt with a continuous upper conveying surface of the top surfaces of intercalated belt modules;
• wherein a portion of the intermediate section bordering a space between adjacent link ends on the same module has a vent defined therein such that the vent is capable of aligning with a link end vent on an adjacent module when the modules are intercalated.