Continuous linear chain conveyor system operating throughout multiple tiers with dual spaced chains moving directly attached multiple adjacent trays which level to support the conveyed product

A continuous positive travel essentially linear like path dual spaced chain conveyor and temperature treatment system, utilizing essentially standard components of like coefficients of expansion and contraction, operating throughout multiple horizontal tiers to transport on identical horizontally supported movable trays except for possible products discharge, products which are being either cooled, frozen, warmed, heated, or dried, during a retention time within the enclosure, comprising:

• (a) a large temperature treatment enclosure with an access end wall, having an air circulation system,
• (b) a long supporting frame having multiple vertical spaced horizontal linear tier frame components disposed within the enclosure,
• (c) a pair of transversely oppositely spaced uniformly driven chain sprockets arranged at each end of each horizontal linear tier of the conveyor, being mounted on shafts rotatably supported on bearings secured to the supporting frame,
• (d) a cooperating transversely oppositely spaced standard idler chain sprocket which matches each driven chain sprocket and is longitudinally spaced a short distance from the driven sprockets at the end of each horizontal linear tier of the conveyor, the idler sprockets also being mounted on shafts rotatably supported on bearings secured to the supporting frame and driven at the same speed as the driven chain sprockets,
• (e) continuous positive travel essentially linear like path dual spaced chain drive assembly with a chain at each side of the frame, each of which extends throughout the multiple tiers and respectively passes around all of the driven chain sprockets on that one side of the tier,
• (f) multiple, spaced trays pivotally secured at a pivot connection at one of their corner ends on each side to the respective opposite links of the continuous dual spaced chains and at their other corner ends having a cross rod end to engage the idler sprockets,
• (g) a horizontal longitudinal slide on support secured to and extending along the supporting frame at each tier to keep the trays level during their linear travel along their respective tier,
• (h) the idler chain sprockets being mounted in horizontal alignment and longitudinally spaced from the driven chain sprockets by a distance equal to the dimension between the tray pivot connection and the cross rod end,
• (i) the enclosure end wall being positioned close to the supporting frame and having a first horizontal opening adjacent the uppermost tier and a second horizontal opening adjacent the lowermost tier for permitting the dual spaced chains and their associated trays to pass therethrough,
• (j) a pair of take-up sprockets located outside the end wall of the enclosure and aligned with the drive and idler sprockets and around which the dual chains pass and which constitute the loading and unloading portion of the conveyor system,
• (k) the idler chain sprockets of each tier adjacent the end wall being closer to the end wall and disposed outside of the driven chain sprocket while the idler chain sprockets at the other end of the tiers are disposed inside the driven chain sprockets,
• (l) the pivoted end of each of the trays being disposed further away from the end wall when such trays are within the enclosure, so that such trays can pivot downwardly to unload when the tray pass through the second opening in the end wall, and
• (m) support means associated with each idler sprocket, and with the exterior portion of the dual spaced chains for supporting the tray horizontally when moving from one elevation to another.