Side-flexing conveyor chain with pivoting slats and related methods

A modular link conveyor chain capable of assuming a compressed and an expanded condition in the conveying direction and moving along a forward run and a return run in an endless path, comprising:

• a plurality of links arranged in rows spaced apart in the conveying direction, each link including first apertures and second oversized apertures for aligning with the first apertures of an adjacent link;
• a first connector associated with the first and second apertures;
• a first elongated slat pivotally supported by the first connector;
• and
• a second elongated slat arranged to overlap with the first slat at least along the forward run when the chain is in the compressed condition.

A modular link conveyor chain capable of side flexing and moving along a forward run and a return run in an endless path, comprising:

• a plurality of links arranged in rows spaced apart in a conveying direction, the links in each row including first apertures and second, oversized apertures for aligning with the first apertures of an adjacent link when interdigitated;
• a plurality of connectors, each associated with the first and second apertures of each row of links;
• and
• a plurality of elongated slats mounted for pivoting movement between the links, at least one of said slats arranged to at least partially nest within a recess formed in the next-adjacent slat when the chain side flexes or undergoes longitudinal compression.