An improved self-stacking spiral conveyor belt that includes a plurality
of interconnected links each including two side plates connected together
with two transverse rods. A flexible support structure is disposed around
the rods which connect the links together. Each side plate includes a
laterally extending foot with an abutment edge formed or attached thereto
a design to limit lateral movement of the upper link over a lower link
when the belt is aligned in a helical configuration. The abutment edge is
formed by at least one downward extending step structure. The step
structure is offset with the vertical surface of the side plate thereby
forming a rest surface that the upper edge of the lower link supports.
Formed on the side plates is a guide tab that includes a beveled inner
surface that prevents the upper edge of the lower side plates from moving
inward and prevents or limits stretching along the direction of the belt.
In one embodiment, the edge arc on the elongated slots are reduced and
approximately equal to the diameter of the transverse rod thereby
increasing the contact area between transverse rod and the elongated
slot.