Snap On Slat For A Chain Conveyor Belt And Conveyor Belt System Comprising Same
A conveyor belt system provides a continuous flat support surface for a food item that moves the food item through a food preparation device. The conveyor belt system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of spaced apart rods and a plurality of slats that are removably attached to the conveyor belt with a snap on mechanism. The slats are easily assembled and provide enhanced field service and/or replacement capability.
1 . A conveyor belt, the conveyor belt comprising:
a plurality of slats, a first slat having a flat base portion for carrying an item, the flat base portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge, relative to a direction of conveyance, the leading edge and the trailing edge being substantially perpendicular to the direction of conveyance travel of the conveyor belt; and
a snap on connection element extending away from a top surface of the flat base portion of the first slat.
2 . The conveyor belt of claim 1 , wherein the snap on connection element removably secures the first slat to a rod of the conveyor belt.
3 . The conveyor belt of claim 1 , wherein the snap on connection element leaves the leading edge and the trailing edge of the first slat free of any attachment.
4 . The conveyor belt of claim 1 , wherein the snap on connection element comprises two spaced apart legs that are separated by one another by a gap.
5 . The conveyor belt of claim 4 , wherein each leg comprises a notch.
6 . The conveyor belt of claim 5 , wherein the notch is sized and shaped to receive a portion of a rod of the conveyor belt.
7 . The conveyor belt of claim 6 , wherein a first rod is seated within the notch.
8 . The conveyor belt of claim 4 , wherein the legs are deformable relative to one another so that the legs deflect to receive a rod of the conveyor belt when the slat is pressed onto the conveyor belt.
9 . A food preparation device comprising:
a housing;
a heating element located within the housing; and
a conveyor belt assembly, the conveyor belt assembly comprising:
a plurality of slats, a first slat having a flat base portion for carrying an item, the flat base portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge, relative to a direction of conveyance, the leading edge and the trailing edge being substantially perpendicular to the direction of conveyance travel of the conveyor belt; and
a snap on connection element extending away from a top surface of the flat base portion of the first slat.
10 . The conveyor belt of claim 9 , wherein the snap on connection element removably secures the first slat to a rod of the conveyor belt.
11 . The conveyor belt of claim 9 , wherein the snap on connection element leaves the leading edge and the trailing edge of the first slat free of any attachment.
12 . The conveyor belt of claim 9 , wherein the snap on connection element comprises two spaced apart legs that are separated by one another by a gap.
13 . The conveyor belt of claim 12 , wherein each leg comprises a notch.
14 . The conveyor belt of claim 13 , wherein the notch is sized and shaped to receive a portion of a rod of the conveyor belt.
15 . The conveyor belt of claim 14 , wherein a first rod is seated within the notch.
16 . The conveyor belt of claim 12 , wherein the legs are deformable relative to one another so that the legs deflect to receive a rod of the conveyor belt when the first slat is pressed onto the conveyor belt.