DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to material handling systems, particularly to a conveying system used to transfer materials across points located at same or different floors with capability to travel on routes consisting of horizontal, curved or inclined paths or their combinations thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conveyor systems are generally known in the art. Conveyors are used in multiple industries to move and transport material from one place to another. And their type depends on the nature of its use.

It is well known in the prior art that the existing conveying systems need separate drive setup for each transition, like horizontal straight to curve, inclination or spiral and vice versa, which results in more number of motors and control elements. Known belt or modular belt conveyor systems need to have a sliding structure or rollers underneath for supporting the belts, that causes a higher friction between belts and supporting structure, which leads to higher torque and power requirements for the motors. Also, a conventional conveyor needs to have return belt same length as forward belt.

The sliding structures, multiple number of heavy driving assemblies and motors make the conventional conveyors bulky and they occupy lot of ground space resulting in wastage of valuable floor space.

So, as to overcome the above issues, the present invention discloses a flexible, light weight conveyor belt leaf, and a flexible and simple conveyor system that can transfer materials across points located at same or different floors with capability to travel on routes consisting of Horizontal Curved and Inclined paths without needing additional support structure underneath.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention to provide a flexible, sturdy but light weight conveyor belt leaf.

It is yet another object of the invention to disclose a conveying system for transferring materials across points located at same or different floors with capability to travel on routes consisting of Horizontal, Curved and Inclined paths without needing additional support structure underneath.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To meet the objects of the invention and overcome the drawbacks of the prior art it is disclosed here, a belt leaf for use in a conveying system comprises of a flat leaf having an upper surface and bottom surface, each surface having a first forward part and second rear part, characterised in that, in both surfaces of the leaf the first forward part is curved towards the outside and slightly raised than the second rear part which is curved towards the inside of the leaf; and a means to engage and be engaged by another leaf.

Also disclosed here, a conveying system to transfer materials across points located at same or different levels, the conveying system comprising of: a plurality of flat leaves adapted to be fitted with rollers; a guiding track to engage and move the rollers; characterized in that, the said belt leaf comprises of a flat leaf having an upper surface and bottom surface, each surface having a first forward part and second rear part, in both surfaces of the leaf the first forward part is curved towards the outside and slightly raised than the second rear part which is curved towards the inside of the leaf; and a means to engage and be engaged by another leaf; and a drive system to engage and push the belt leaves on the track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig.1 shows the image of a Belt Leaf in an embodiment of the invention.
Fig.2 shows the bottom view of the Belt Leaf
Fig.3 shows the rear view of the Belt Leaf
Fig.4 shows the side view of the Belt Leaf.
Fig.5 represents the image of a belt section.
Fig.6 is the schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention
Fig.7 is the schematic representation of the Belt Section and Sprocket in an embodiment of the invention.
Fig.8 shows the side view of the Belt section.
Fig.9 shows the bottom view of the Belt section.
Fig.10 is the schematic representation of the wall mountable embodiment of the invention.
Fig.11 is the schematic representation of the floor mountable embodiment of the invention.
Fig.12 shows the image of a sample loop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGs 1-4, a belt leaf (100) for use in a conveying system is disclosed. The belt leaf is generally made of hard and strong material. The leaf may be moulded or 3-D printed or made in a mechanical or chemical process. The leaf (100) comprises of a flat leaf (1) having an upper surface and bottom surface. Each surface having a first forward part (2) and second rear part (3). In both surfaces of the leaf (100) the first forward part (2) is curved towards the outside and slightly raised than the second rear part (3) which is curved towards the inside of the leaf (100). In the bottom side, a means (4) to engage and be engaged by another leaf is provided. There may be provision to provide one or more rollers (5) on either end of the leaf (100) to engage in channels and tracks.
Referring to FIGs.5-9, a conveying system (200) to transfer materials across points located at same or different levels is disclosed. The conveying system (200) comprises of a plurality of belt leaves (100) adapted to be fitted with rollers (5) to engage and move on a guiding track (6). The belt leaf (100) comprises of a flat leaf (1) having an upper surface and bottom surface. Each surface having a first forward part (2) and second rear part (3). In both surfaces of the leaf (100) the first forward part (2) is curved towards the outside and slightly raised than the second rear part (3) which is curved towards the inside of the leaf (100). In the bottom side, a means (4) to engage and be engaged by another leaf is provided. There may be provision to provide one or more rollers (5) on either end of the leaf (100) to engage in channels and tracks. A power drive system (7) may engage and push the belt leaves (100) on the track.

The system (200) of the present invention is used to transfer material across points located at same or different floors with capability to travel on routes consisting of Horizontal Curved and Inclined paths. The conveyor system (200) comprises of single molded or 3D printed Modular Heavy-duty belt leaf (100) structure with assembled rollers (5) to carry loads on side guide rails without needing additional support structure underneath, wherein channels or profiles used as guiding tracks (6).

It is further disclosed that the top layer of belt section shifted backward to overlap with next section for additional support, and to reduce gaps on curved paths. And curved bottom layer provides space between two sections. This type of two-layer design supports turning on curved paths.

Bottom ribs for providing additional strength to the belt section to carry loads without needing support structures. As the belt sections are completely moving on rollers (5), wear sheets are not required unlike other modular conveyors which in turn reduces friction considerably. A plurality of belt leaves (100) may be linked in series for forming belt section to required length. Return sections also could be used for conveying unlike conventional conveyors. Drive sprockets are used to move the belt section.

Referring to FIGs.10-12, the present system is flexible to create complicated loops with any combination of orientations such as straight, curve and inclination and also can be mounted on floor, walls, and overhead and storage racks of warehouses. Instead of using additional drive setup, S- Bends may be used to switch levels.

Advantages
• Simple & scalable architecture with higher flexibility
• Unique design and higher reduction in self weight
• Does not require additional sliding structure and wear sheets for supporting the movement
• Higher capability to create complicated horizontal & vertical loops
• Each transition –Horizontal straight to curve / inclination / spiral and vice versa does not require a separate drive setup
• System with rolling friction and reduced number of motors provides higher savings in power
• Installable on walls/ overhead or on storage racks without wastage of valuable floor space
• Unlike conventional systems, the return belt sections also can be effectively used for conveying
• Less maintenance and wears also unique values with less cost of ownership
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A belt leaf (100) for use in a conveying system comprises of a flat leaf (1) having an upper surface and bottom surface, each surface having a first forward part (2) and second rear part(3), characterised in that, in both surfaces of the leaf (100) the first forward part (2) is curved towards the outside and slightly raised than the second rear part (3) which is curved towards the inside of the leaf (100); and a means (4) to engage and be engaged by another leaf.

2. The belt leaf (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said belt leaf (100) may comprise of one or rollers (5) to roll on a track (6).

3. A conveying system (200) to transfer materials across points located at same or different levels, the conveying system (200) comprising of:
a plurality of belt leaves (100) adapted to be fitted with rollers (5);
a guiding track (6) to engage and move the rollers (5);
characterized in that, the said belt leaf (100) comprises of a flat leaf (1) having an upper surface and bottom surface, each surface having a first forward part (2) and second rear part(3), in both surfaces of the leaf (100) the first forward part (2) is curved towards the outside and slightly raised than the second rear part (3) which is curved towards the inside of the leaf (100); and a means (4) to engage and be engaged by another leaf; and
a drive system (7) to engage and push the belt leaves (100) on the track (6).

4. The conveying system (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the guiding track (6) may be channel or profiles.

5. The conveying system (200) as claimed in claims 3 or 4, wherein the belt leaves (100) moves completely on the rollers (5) which reduces friction.

6. The conveying system (200) as claimed in claims 3, 4, or 5 wherein the levels of the system can be switched by fixing a S-bend at any part the system.