Modular solid top plastic conveyor belt

A plastic modular conveyor belt of the type assembled of modules and having a series of interdigited link ends extending in rows in forward and rearward directions from each module and positioned for interdigited connection from module to module, the link ends having aligned transverse openings and being secured at link end junctures by connecting rods passing through the openings in a lateral direction to form the conveyor belt with pivot junctures along the lines of the connected link ends, comprising,

• each module including a central deck structure between and connecting link ends of the module, comprising an arched top deck surface which is generally arcuate longitudinally through the module and essentially flush and coextensive with tops of the link ends, and the central deck structure having a bottom surface,
• the link ends extending downwardly from said top deck surface and below the level of the bottom surface of the central deck structure, so as to define a driving recess between the forward and rearward rows of link ends of a module, the upper side of the recess being defined by the bottom surface of the central deck structure, such that a tooth of a driving sprocket can engage between the rows of link ends below the central portion to drive the belt, and
• tracking means on the bottom surface of the central deck structure of each module serving only for guiding the belt in a straight path to prevent lateral belt movement.

A plastic modular conveyor belt of the type assembled of modules and having a series of interdigited link ends extending in rows in forward and rearward directions from each module and positioned for interdigited connection from module to module, the link ends having aligned transverse openings and being secured at link end junctures by connecting rods passim through the openings in a lateral direction to form the conveyor belt with pivot junctures along the lines of the connected link ends, comprising,

• each module including a central deck structure between and connecting link ends of the module, comprising a top deck surface essentially flush and coextensive with tops of the link ends, and a bottom surface,
• the link ends extending downwardly from said top deck surface and below the level of the bottom surface of the central deck structure, so as to define a driving recess between the forward and rearward rows of link ends of a module, the upper side of the recess being defined by the bottom surface of the central deck structure, such that a tooth of a driving sprocket can engage between the rows of link ends below the central portion to drive the belt,
• the link ends being generally triangular as viewed generally in the plane of the conveyor belt in a forward direction, the link ends having a maximum lateral width at their top surfaces and a minimum lateral width at a bottom side extending below the central deck structure, with sides of the link ends smoothly transitioning from said top surface to said bottom side, and with the central deck structure having an edge between link ends which slopes inwardly of the module from top to bottom, such that the link ends when interdigited together from module to module form a substantially closed top surface at the pivot junctures but are openly spaced apart at the lower side of the modules, and such that, when the modules travel over a driving sprocket, bending at the pivot junctures, substantial spaces open up between the generally triangular link ends, exposing the connecting rod, facilitating cleaning of the connecting rod and of the spaces between link ends.