Platform-top radius belt and modules

A modular conveyor belt suitable for following curved paths, the conveyor belt comprising:

• a series of rows of belt modules, each row including:
• at least one belt module extending from a first end to a second end in the direction of belt travel and including:
• a first plurality of hinge elements disposed along the first end and forming first aligned apertures therethrough and having an upper surface;
• a second plurality of binge elements disposed along the second end and forming second aligned apertures therethrough and having an upper surface;
• wherein apertures through at least one of the first and second pluralities of hinge elements are elongated in the direction of belt travel;
• intermediate structure from which the first and second pluralities of hinge elements extend in opposite directions;
• and
• a product support platform attached to the intermediate structure and defining a generally continuous conveying surface elevated relative to the upper surfaces of the first and second pluralities of binge elements with a gap formed between the product support platform and the upper surfaces of the first plurality of binge elements;
• a plurality of binge pins;
• wherein the first plurality of hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the second plurality of hinge elements of an adjacent row wit the apertures aligned to form passageways between adjacent rows for receiving hinge pins that pivotably connect adjacent rows into a conveyor belt.

A nodular conveyor belt suitable for following curved paths, the conveyor belt comprising:

• a series of rows of belt modules, each row including:
• at least one belt module extending from a first end to a second end in the direction of belt travel and including:
• a first plurality of hinge elements disposed along the first end and forming first aligned apertures therethrough;
• a second plurality of hinge elements disposed along the second end and forming second aligned apertures therethrough;
• wherein apertures through at least one of the first and second pluralities of hinge elements are elongated in the direction of belt travel;
• intermediate structure from which the first and second pluralities of binge elements extend in opposite directions;
• and
• a product support platform attached to the intermediate structure and including a first edge overlying the first plurality of hinge elements across a gap and an opposite recessed second edge extending onto the second plurality of hinge elements and contoured to receive the first edge of an adjacent row;
• a plurality of hinge pins;
• wherein the first plurality of hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the second plurality of hinge elements of an adjacent row wit the apertures aligned to form passageways between adjacent rows for receiving hinge pins tat pivotably connect adjacent rows into a conveyor belt.

A conveyor belt module comprising:

• a first plurality of hinge elements forming aligned apertures defining a lateral passageway trough the first plurality of hinge elements;
• a second plurality of hinge elements forming aligned apertures defining a lateral passageway through the second plurality of hinge elements;
• intermediate structure from which the first plurality of hinge elements extends toward a first end of the module and from which a second plurality of hinge elements extends toward an opposite second end of the module;
• a product support platform attached to the intermediate structure, the product support platform including:
• a conveying surface elevated relative to the hinge elements and having an overhang extending the conveying surface above the first plurality of hinge elements across a gap.