Self-stacking spiral belt with a leading bend and ribbed drive chains

A spiral conveyor belt system, comprising:

• a plurality of interconnected links and rods in which the conveyor belt extends helically along part of its length such that upper edge portions of the lateral plate elements of the links in an underlying belt tier bear against lower edge portions of the lateral plate elements of the links in an overlying belt tier, the lateral plate element of the link comprising:
• an outer abutment arranged to engage the upper portion of the underlying lateral plate element, wherein the outer abutment surface limits inward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative the underlying lateral plate element;
• and
• a drive chain including a plurality of chain links, each chain link including an upper plate;
• the upper plate including an upwardly projecting rib extending along a length of the link;
• wherein the outer abutment includes a notch on an underside of the outer abutment, wherein the notch is configured to receive the upwardly projecting rib of the drive chain.

A lateral plate element for a link of a self-stacking endless conveyor belt, comprising:

• an outer plate section, an inner plate section and a connection bend section connecting said outer and inner plate sections;
• a resting surface arranged to engage a lateral plate element of an underlying tier of the self-stacking endless conveyor belt when it extends helically;
• and
• an outer abutment including an underside bend and a downwardly extending tab configured to limit inward lateral movement of the lateral plate element relative an underlying lateral plate element.