Segmented belt turn conveyor belt

A belt turn conveyor comprising:

• a frame defining a curved path and including at least one bearing surface;
• an endless belt rotationally supported by said frame and extending along said curved path, said endless belt having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter;
• a plurality of spaced bearing assemblies secured to said outer perimeter of said endless belt, said bearing assemblies engaging said bearing surface on said frame and restraining movement of said endless belt on said frame;
• and
• said endless belt having a curved longitudinal axis and a plurality of fibers generally aligned along said curved longitudinal axis providing directional strength to belt along said curved longitudinal axis whereby said endless belt exhibits substantially uniform stiffness over its length and exhibits substantially reduced variations in forces at said bearing assemblies.

An endless belt assembly for a belt turn conveyor, said belt turn conveyor including a frame having at least one bearing surface and having a curved path, said endless belt assembly comprising:

• an endless belt;
• at least one bearing assembly secured to said endless belt, said at least one bearing assembly for engaging the bearing surface of said frame to retain said endless belt on said frame;
• and
• said endless belt having a curved longitudinal axis for aligning generally coincident with the curved path of said belt turn conveyor and having a curved longitudinal extent, said endless belt including a first plurality of fibers generally aligned along and extending substantially parallel to said curved longitudinal axis of said endless belt and including a second plurality of fibers running generally orthogonal to said first plurality of fibers whereby said endless belt exhibits substantially uniform stiffness over its curved longitudinal extent and exhibits substantially reduced forces at said outer perimeter of said endless belt thereby increasing at least one of the capacity of the endless belt and the longevity of the endless belt.