Snap On Slat For A Chain Conveyor Belt And Conveyor Belt System Comprising Same

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.