Spiral conveyor, spiral conveyor belt, and conveyor belt module.

Abstract

Spiral conveyor, spiral conveyor belt, and conveyor belt module. A spiral conveyor having a positively driven self-stacking conveyor belt in a helical path upwards or downwards on a drive drum. Stacker supports on opposite sides of the belt support the rows above. The locking structure on the outer stacker supports consecutive rows of interlocking. Drive elements on the drive drum have a belt entry segment and a positive drive segment. The positive drive segment has ribs that engage on the inner side of the belt without slippage. The entry segment provides a smooth reduction in drum diameter without drive ribs for multiple rows entering the helical path.

Description

Spiral conveyor, spiral conveyor belt, and conveyor belt module. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[01] The invention relates generally to motor-driven conveyors and, more particularly, to spiral belt conveyors.

[02] Conveyor belts are typically used to transport bulk material, such as foodstuffs or other materials, that must be transported through a chilled or refrigerated environment. Typical conveyor belts have the advantage that relatively little energy is required to transport the bulk material across horizontal surfaces. The transport of bulk material, however, is limited by such systems to horizontal routes or routes with only relatively small inclines. To overcome greater heights or inclines, it is necessary to transfer the bulk material to another conveyor system, for example, a bucket chain conveyor. In the transport of material to be chilled, it is often desirable to maximize the transport time within the chilled environment. It is desirable to provide a conveyor belt system that transports goods along an extended path.

[03] Spiral belt conveyors, in which a conveyor belt follows a helical path, are used in certain applications because they allow for an extended path with minimal floor space. For example, spiral belt conveyors are frequently used in freezers and ovens to provide a long transport path with a small footprint. Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 10 / 34 2 / 14

[04] Self-stacking spiral belts are used to form a helical path with minimal structure. A self-stacking conveyor belt uses side plates or side guards attached to the lateral edges of the conveyor belt to form a self-supporting stack. The belt travels in a straight path until it enters a spiral or helical configuration at a tangent feed point. When aligned in the helical configuration, the lowest row of the belt is supported by a drive structure or system, while the upper rows are supported by the lower rows. The interface between adjacent rows is designed to keep the belt supported and laterally aligned. The rows are laterally aligned by resting the upper edge of a lower side guard against the lower lateral edge of the belt in a row above.

[05] Some self-stacking spiral belts are positively driven without slippage by vertical drive bars on the periphery of a drive drum whose diameter is larger at the tangent feed point to reduce belt tension. The lower ends of the drive bars are recessed slightly above the level of the tangent feed point. But until the belt reaches the level of the drive bars, it is pulled only by belt tension and frictional contact between its inner edge and the drive drum. To keep the belt tension as low as possible, the distance between the tangent feed point and the level of the lower ends of the drive bars has to be small. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 11 / 34 3 / 14

[06] A version of a spiral conveyor incorporating features of the invention comprises an arrangement of drive elements extending lengthwise from top to bottom and defining a cylinder having a vertical axis around which the arrangement of drive elements is rotatable and a conveyor belt arranged to follow a helical path in multiple rows up or down the drive elements. The conveyor belt extends in thickness from an upper side to a lower side and in width from an inner side on the drive elements to an outer side and includes inner side supports that rise from the upper side on the inner side and outer side supports that rise from the upper side on the outer side to support the lower side of the conveyor belt on the inner and outer sides in the row above in the helical path.The outer side supports have a first locking structure, and the conveyor belt has a second locking structure on the outer side on the underside that engages with the first locking structure on the row below to lock the rows together. The drive elements have an outer face along which the conveyor belt runs in the helical path, and whose distance from the vertical axis is greater at the bottom of the drive element than at the top for an ascending conveyor belt in the helical path, or is greater at the top of the drive element than at the bottom for a descending conveyor belt in the helical path. The drive elements include ribs that extend radially outward from the outer faces along a portion of the length of the drive elements for actuation. Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 12 / 34 4 / 14 positively the conveyor belt without slipping along the helical path.

[07] Another version of a spiral conveyor comprises a conveyor belt extending in width from a first side to a second side and includes first side supports rising from the first side supports and second side supports rising from the second side and including a locking structure. Drive elements each include a first segment and a second segment and extend in length in a generally vertical direction and rotate about a vertical axis. At least part of the plurality of drive elements is arranged to positively engage the conveyor belt only on the first segment and drive the conveyor belt without slippage in a helical path in rows locked together by the locking structure.The drive elements are arranged to space the conveyor belt from the vertical axis, so that the distance of the conveyor belt from the vertical axis varies along the length of the drive elements.

[08] Yet another version of a spiral conveyor comprises a spiral stacking belt having a plurality of first and second supports on the first and second sides of the stacking belt capable of traveling up or down in a helical path of multiple spaced rows and supported by the first and second supports in the row below. Drive elements extending in length in a generally vertical direction are rotatable about a vertical axis. At least some of the drive elements each include a drive segment. Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 13 / 34 5 / 14 positive having drive ribs and an entry segment devoid of drive ribs. The entry segment is below the positive drive segment for an ascending spiral stacker belt and is above the positive drive segment for a descending spiral stacker belt. The spiral stacker belt enters a helical path around the plurality of drive elements along the entry segment and is positively driven without slipping up or down the helical path by the drive ribs in the positive drive segment. Multiple rows of the spiral stacker belt wind around the entry segment before engaging the positive drive segment.

[09] In another aspect, a conveyor belt module incorporating features of the invention comprises a central portion extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, laterally from a first side to a second side, and in thickness from an upper side to a lower side. A side support rises from the upper side on the second side. A distal end of the side support has a locking structure facing laterally inward or outward. A locking structure facing laterally on the lower side of the second side engages with the locking structure of the side support of another such conveyor module below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[10] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a self-stacking spiral conveyor incorporating features of the invention.

[11] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a module Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 14 / 34 6 / 14 of belt used to construct a self-stacking belt for a spiral conveyor as in FIG. 1.

[12] FIG. 3 is an enlarged axonometric view of an external side support with locking structure for the belt module of FIG. 2.

[13] FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the outside of the belt module of FIG. 2 with the side support removed.

[14] FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom isometric view of the outside of the belt module of FIG. 2 with the side support of FIG. 3 installed.

[15] FIG. 6 is an axonometric view of two external side supports as in FIG. 3 locked together.

[16] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a two-row portion of a self-stacking belt made of belt modules as in FIG. 2 locked together on the outside of the belt.

[17] FIG. 8 is an axonometric view of a portion of a spiral drive drum usable in a self-stacking spiral conveyor as in FIG. 1.

[18] FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical elevation view of the drive drum inlet portion of FIG. 8.

[19] FIG. 10 is a vertical elevation view of the drive drum inlet portion of FIG. 8 showing the engagement of the lower conveyor belt rows with the drive drum.

[20] FIG. 11 is an axonometric view of another version of an external side locking support for a belt module as in FIG. 2. Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 15 / 34 7 / 14

[21] FIG. 12 is an axonometric view of external side supports as shown in FIG. 11 interlocked from course to course.

[22] FIGS. 13A and 13B are enlarged views of the outer side supports of FIG. 12 just before and after the interlocking engagement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[23] A self-stacking spiral conveyor system is shown schematically in FIG. 1. The spiral belt conveyor 10 transports items vertically along a substantially helical path. The spiral belt conveyor includes a conveyor belt 12—a self-stacking spiral belt, or stacker—arranged in a helical stack 11, comprising rows 13 of the belt stacked in series and directly one upon the other. The belt travels around several pick-up, idle, and feed sprockets 22 as it makes its way from the exit at the top of the stack back to the entry at the bottom. Alternatively, the belt may enter at the top and exit at the bottom of the stack.The spiral belt conveyor 10 can be used inside a refrigerator or cooler, for example, providing the items being transported with an extended route for cooling, or inside a heating system for baking, tasting or heating products.

[24] The conveyor belt 12 is constructed of a series of rows, each comprising one or more belt modules 14, such as the belt module in FIG. 2. A row may comprise a single module spanning the width Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 16 / 34 8 / 14 of the belt or a series of side-by-side modules. The exemplary belt module 14 includes a central portion 16 that extends longitudinally in a belt travel direction 15 from a first end 18 to a second end 19, laterally from an inner side 20 to an outer side 21, and in thickness from an upper side 22 to a lower side 23. A first set 24 of hinge elements is formed along the first end 18 of the module; a second set 26, along the second end 19. The rod openings 28, 29 in the hinge elements align to form lateral passages through the first and second sets 24, 26 of hinge elements. The passages admit a hinge rod (not shown) that connects a row of side-by-side modules similar to an adjacent row of modules on a conveyor belt.The first set of hinge elements 24 along a row of modules is interleaved with the second set of hinge elements 26 from a longitudinally adjacent row to form a hinge with the hinge rod. The rod openings 28, 29 through one or both of the lead and trail hinge elements may be elongated in the direction of belt travel to allow the belt to collapse within one turn while the outer edge expands.

[25] Belt modules 14 are preferably injection molded from a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, acetal, nylon or a composite resin. Belt modules may have any suitable configuration and are not limited to the exemplary embodiment.

[26] The side supports 30, 32 are coupled Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, p. 17 / 34 9 / 14 at each lateral edge of the conveyor belt row. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a single module 14 spans an entire row, with side supports 30, 32 rising from each side of the module. Alternatively, a conveyor belt row may comprise a plurality of modules arranged side by side, with an inner side support 32 coupled to the inner side 20 of an inner module and an outer side support 30 coupled to the outer side 21 of an outer module. The side supports may be integrally formed with the module or may be coupled to the module using screws, dowels, ultrasonic welding, a press-fit connection or other suitable fastening means. The side supports facilitate stacking of the belt in a helical configuration, as each module rests on a side support in a lower row.

[27] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer side support 30 has a locking structure 34 on the upper edge and a complementary locking structure 36 on the lower part. The outer support 30 has a base 35 from which two legs 38, 39 extend upwards to a bridge 40 at the top. The complementary locking structure 36, together with a guide 42, is formed at the bottom of the base 35. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer side support 30 fits into place in an opening 44 on the outer side 21 of the belt module 14. The complementary locking structure 36 of the outer support 30 extends downwards from the module to engage with the upper locking structure of the row below. The locking structure shown in this example is in the form of rounded teeth, but it can be made with different interlocking geometries, such as sawtooth, triangular or Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 18 / 34 10 / 14 any other suitable interlocking geometry.

[28] The external side support 30 shown in FIG. 3 has a large opening 46 bounded by the base 35, the two legs 38, 39 and the bridge 40. But for strength, the external side support 30 may include a diagonal support 48 as in FIG. 2, or the external side support may be a plate without an opening. If the external side support 30 is integral with the module 14, the lower locking structure 36 and the guide 42 would instead be formed on the lower side 23 of the module.

[29] FIG. 6 shows the engagement of the upper locking structure 34 of the outer support 30 of a lower row with the complementary locking structure 36 of a higher row. When the two rows are interlocked, they do not slide relative to each other in the direction of belt travel 15, as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, the upper locking structure 34 is also restrained against lateral displacement by laterally spaced dependent guides 50, 52 extending longitudinally on the underside of the belt. As shown in FIG. 5, guide 52 and guide 42 on the underside of the outer side support 30 together form a bilateral guide.

[30] A drive drum 54 for a self-stacking spiral conveyor is shown in FIGS. 8-10. The drum 54 has an arrangement of parallel drive elements 56 that extend lengthwise generally vertically from the upper parts 58 to the lower parts 59 and define a cylinder. The drum 54 is conventionally rotated by a drum drive including a motor and a gear train (not shown). The drum 54 and the drive elements 56 on its periphery rotate about Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 19 / 34 11 / 14 of a vertical axis 60 (as also shown in FIG. 1). The vertical axis of rotation 60 is also the axis of symmetry of the cylinder, whose diameter varies. The drive elements 56 have external faces 62 that contact the inner side 20 of the belt at the end of the driven protrusions, such as the drive eyes 64 (FIG. 2), projecting radially inwards towards the vertical axis from the inner side to adjust the distance between the vertical axis and the stacking belt 12.

[31] The drive elements 56 are divided into input segments 74 and positive drive segments 72 which have ribs 68 extending radially outward from the outer faces 62. The ribs 68 have drive faces 70 which engage the driven protrusions on the inner side of the stacking belt 12 and drive it in the helical path without slipping. In the example of FIGS. 8-10, the ribs 68 are formed on the positive drive segments 72 of the drive elements 56 for which the outer faces 62 are at a constant distance from the vertical axis 60. The belt entry segments 74 are devoid of ribs and provide flat outer faces 62 that contact the inner side 20 of the stacker belt 12. The belt 12 makes initial contact with the drive drum 54 at a tangent entry feed point 76 on the entry segment 74.As belt 12 enters the input portion tangentially in its helical path, the lower row 78 engages with the lower part of the second row 80. The inner and outer supports 30, 32 of the lower row move into support contact with the underside of the row above. And the upper locking structure of the outer support 32 of the row. Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 20 / 34 The lower 12 / 14 row interlocks with the lower locking structure of the row above. Due to the interlocking, the upper layers help drive the lower rows in the entry segment 74, even though the lower rows are not positively driven by the ribs 68 in the positive drive segment 72. This allows multiple belt rows to be in contact with the entry portion before they gradually advance along the helical path for positive engagement with the ribs 68.

[32] To reduce belt tension, the entry segment 74 has a transition portion, or segment 82, in which the distance from the outer face 62 of the vertical axis 60 varies from a maximum distance at a lower distal end 86 to a smaller minimum distance at a proximal end 87 to the positive drive segment 72. The entry segment 74 may also include a lower entry portion 88 whose outer face 62 is a constant distance, i.e., the maximum distance of the transition portion 82 from the vertical axis 60. The gradual reduction in the effective diameter of the cylindrical drum, i.e., the distance from the vertical axis 60 to the inner side 20 of the stacking belt 12 in the entry segment 74, helps to lower the belt tension when it enters the positive drive segment 72 and first engages the drive ribs 68.Although the input segment 74 contacts multiple rows, it is still shorter than the positive drive segment 72, which engages more rows around the drum.

[33] Another version of an external locking side support usable in a belt module as in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 11. Support 90 differs from support 30 of Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 21 / 34 13 / 14 FIG. 3 where its locking structure is not facing upwards. Instead, its locking structure 92, as shown in FIG. 12, faces sideways toward an upper bridge 94 at the ends of two legs 96, 97 extending upwards from a base 98. The locking structure 92 faces inwards on supports 90 in even (or odd) belt rows and outwards on supports 90' in odd (or even) belt rows. Extending downwards from the base 98 are two dependent guides 100, 101. The guides 100, 101 have sideways facing locking structures 102, 103 shown in this example as rows of triangular teeth that correspond to triangular teeth on the upper locking structure 92 on the bridge riser of the outer side support 30 of FIG. 3. The side support can be a replaceable part or it can be integrally formed with the module body.Alternatively, the base may be formed integrally with the module body and the legs and bridge made to attach to the module body. Also formed on the base 98 is a plow 104 that projects downwards into a gap 106 between the facing locking structures 102, 103. The plow 104 is shown as an elongated triangular wedge with angled faces extending the length of the base 98.

[34] FIG. 13A shows two adjacent external supports 90, 90' immediately before locking engagement with the locking structure facing laterally 102, 103 from the belt row above. The chamfered faces 108, 109 on the guides 100, 101 direct the bridges 94 of the lateral supports 90, 90' to the clearance 106.

[35] When bridges 94 reach the apex of plow 104, the side support bridge 90' ​​with the structure of Petition 870240002269, dated 09 / 01 / 2024, page 22 / 34 The 14 / 14 outward-facing locking mechanism is pushed outward by the angled outer face of the plow 104 to engage with the complementary locking structure 103 on the inward-facing face of the row above, as shown in FIG. 13B. And the side support bridge 90 with the inward-facing locking structure is pushed inward by the angled inner face of the plow 104 to engage with the complementary locking structure 102 on the outward-facing face of the row above. In this way, the plow 104 wedges the two consecutive side supports 90, 90' separately and in interlocking engagement with the row above. The lateral interlocking engagement of the rows allows the outer side supports 90, 90' to move with less vertical displacement than with the side supports of FIG. 6.

[36] Although the features of the invention described in detail are for an ascending spiral stacking belt, the same features can be used in a descending spiral. For a descending spiral, the entry segment would be inverted and would reside on the drive drum above an inverted positive drive segment from which the stacking belt would exit at its lower end. It would also be possible for the ribs to extend to the entry portion for either an ascending or descending spiral conveyor.

Claims

1. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), comprising: an arrangement of drive elements (56) extending lengthwise from top (58) to bottom (59) and defining a cylinder having a vertical axis (60) around which the arrangement of drive elements (56) is rotatable; a conveyor belt (12) arranged to follow a helical path in multiple rows (13) up or down the drive elements (56); wherein the conveyor belt (12) extends in thickness from an upper side (22) to a lower side (23) and in width from an inner side (20) in the drive elements (56) to an outer side;wherein the drive elements (56) have an outer face (62) along which the conveyor belt (12) runs in the helical path and whose distance from the vertical axis (60) is greater in a second segment (74) at the bottom of the drive element (56) than in a first segment (72) extending from the second segment (74) to the top (58) for an ascending conveyor belt (12) in the helical path or is greater in a second segment (74) at the top (58) of the drive element (56) than in a first segment (72) extending from the second segment (74) to the bottom (59) for a descending conveyor belt (12) in the helical path;characterized by: the conveyor belt including inner side supports (32) that rise from the upper side (22) on the inner side (20) and outer side supports (30) that rise from the upper side (22) on the outer side (21) to support the Petition 870260053905, dated 03 / 06 / 2026, page 6 / 26 2 / 8 underside (23) of the conveyor belt (12) on the inner and outer sides (20, 21) in the row above in the helical path; wherein the outer side supports (30) have a first locking structure (34) and the conveyor belt (12) has a second locking structure (36) on the outer side (21) on the underside (23) that engages with the first locking structure (34) in the row below to lock the rows together; wherein the distance from the vertical axis (60) to the outer faces (62) of the first segments (72) is constant in a first distance;wherein the drive elements (56) include ribs (68) only in the first segment (72) that extend radially outward from the outer faces (62) along a portion of the length of the drive elements (56) to positively drive the conveyor belt (12) in the first segment (72) without slipping along the helical path.

2. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance from the outer face (62) of the second segments (74) to the vertical axis (60) varies from the first distance to a second, greater distance.

3. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive elements (56) include third segments (82) in which the distance from the outer face (62) to the vertical axis (60) is constant in the second distance.

4. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 1, characterized by the second locking structure being formed in the outer side support (30) on the underside (23) of the conveyor belt (12).

5. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 1, characterized by the first locking structure (92) on the outer side supporting (90) faces alternately inward and outward along the length of the conveyor belt (12).

6. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 5, characterized in that the second locking structure comprises two rows of laterally facing teeth (102, 103) through a gap (106) and a wedge (104) projecting into the gap (106) between the two rows of laterally facing teeth (102, 103) to push the first locking structure (92) of the row below laterally for locking engagement with the second locking structure.

7. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), comprising: a conveyor belt (12) extending in width from a first side (20) to a second side (21); a plurality of drive elements (56), each including a first segment (72) and a second segment (74) and extending in length in a generally vertical direction and rotating around a vertical axis (60), wherein the first segment (72) is continuous with the second segment (74); wherein the plurality of drive elements (56) is arranged to space the conveyor belt (12) from the vertical axis (60) so that the distance of the conveyor belt (12) from the vertical axis (60) varies along the length of the drive elements (56); Petition 870260053905, dated 03 / 06 / 2026, page.8 / 26 4 / 8 wherein the second segment (74) includes a first portion (82) having an outer face (62) whose distance from the vertical axis (60) is constant to a first distance and a second portion (88) having an outer face (62) whose distance from the vertical axis (60) varies from the first distance to a second distance smaller than the first segment (72); characterized by: the plurality of drive elements (56) each including first side supports (30) rising from the first side (20) and second side supports (32) rising from the second side (21) and including locking structure; wherein at least some of the plurality of drive elements (56) are arranged to engage the first side (20) of the conveyor belt (12) in the first and second segments (72, 74) in a positive engagement only in the first segment (72) and drive the conveyor belt (12) without slippage in a helical path in rows locked together by the locking structure.

8. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 7, characterized in that the first and second segments (72, 74) have outer faces (62) spacing the conveyor belt (12) from the vertical axis (60) and in that the first segments (72) have ribs (68) extending radially away from the vertical axis (60) to engage with the conveyor belt (12) and in that the second segments (74) are devoid of ribs (68) that engage with the conveyor belt (12).

9. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), comprising: a spiral stacking belt (12) being capable of Petition 870260053905, dated 03 / 06 / 2026, page 9 / 26 5 / 8 traveling up or down in a multi-row helical path of the stacking belt (12); a plurality of drive elements (56) extending in length in a generally vertical direction and being rotatable about a vertical axis (60), at least some of which include: a positive drive segment (66); and an entry segment (74), wherein the entry segment (74) extends upward to the positive drive segment (66) below the positive drive segment (66) for an ascending spiral stacking belt (12) and extends downward to the positive drive segment (66) above the positive drive segment (66) for a descending spiral stacking belt (12);wherein the input segment (74) keeps the first side of the spiral stacking belt (12) further from the vertical axis (60) than the positive drive segment (66); characterized in that: the spiral stacking belt (12) having a plurality of first and second supports (32, 30) on the first and second sides of the spiral stacking belt (12) to space and support the multiple rows in the helical path; wherein the positive drive segment (66) of at least some of the plurality of drive elements (56) includes a drive rib (68);wherein the spiral stacking belt (12) enters a helical path around the plurality of drive elements (56) along the entry segment (74) devoid of drive ribs (68) and is positively driven without slipping up or down the helical path by the drive ribs (68) in the positive drive segment (66); wherein the entry segment (74) is long enough that multiple rows of the spiral stacking belt (12) can wind around the entry segment (74) before engaging the drive rib (68) of the positive drive segment (66).

10. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 9, characterized in that the length of the positive drive segment (66) is greater than the length of the input segment (74).

11. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 9, characterized in that the positive drive segments (66) have external faces (62) whose distance from the vertical axis is constant along the drive elements (56).

12. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 9, characterized in that the input segments (74) include first and second portions (82, 88) and external faces (62) whose distance from the vertical axis (60) is constant in a first distance in the first portion (88) of the input segments (74) and whose distance from the vertical axis (60) varies from the first distance to a second smaller distance in the second portion (82).

13. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 12, characterized in that the second portion (88) of the input segment (74) is adjacent to the positive drive segment (82).

14. SPIRAL CONVEYOR BELT (10), according to Petition 870260053905, dated 03 / 06 / 2026, page 11 / 26 7 / 8 with claim 9, characterized by the spiral stacking belt (12) including driven protrusions (64) on the first side (20) that are engaged by the drive ribs (68) in the positive drive segment (66) of the drive elements (56).

15. SPIRAL CONVEYOR (10), according to claim 9, characterized in that the second supports (30) on the second side (21) include a locking structure that locks one row of the spiral stacking belt (12) to the row above in the helical path.

16. CONVEYOR BELT MODULE (14), characterized by comprising: a central portion (16) extending longitudinally from a first end (18) to a second end (19), laterally from a first side (20) to a second side (21) and in thickness from an upper side (22) to a lower side (23); a lateral support (90) rising from the upper side (22) on the second side (21), wherein a distal end of the lateral support (30) has a locking structure (92) having the first tooth facing laterally inwards or outwards; second tooth facing laterally (102, 103) forming a locking structure on the lower side (23) of the second side (21) to engage the first tooth in the locking structure (92) of the lateral support (90) of another such conveyor belt module (14) below.

17. CONVEYOR BELT MODULE (14), according to claim 16, characterized in that the side support (90) comprises two legs (96, 97) extending upwards from the second side (21) of the conveyor belt module (14) to a bridge (94) connecting the distal ends of the legs, wherein the locking structure (92) is formed on a side of the bridge (94).

18. CONVEYOR BELT MODULE (14), according to claim 17, characterized in that the side support (90) comprises a base (98) that is removablely attachable to the second side (21) and from which the two legs (96, 97) extend upwards.

19. CONVEYOR BELT MODULE (14), according to claim 18, characterized by the side-facing locking structure (102, 103) on the lower side (23) being formed at the base (98) of the side support (90).

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