A sandwich belt conveyor uses two conveyor belts, face-to-face, to gently but
firmly contain the product being carried, hence making steep incline and even
vertical-lift runs easily achievable. The Snake Sandwich Belt Conveyor was
created in 1979. The study was conceived by Joseph A. Dos Santos, P.E.,
President of Dos Santos International, with the help of a grant from the U.S.
Bureau of Mines. The study was to develop a means of moving and elevating large
quantities of bulk materials, including coarse products such as rocks,
aggregate, coal, etc. at the steepest possible inclines. The intent was to use
only existing and generally available hardware in order to achieve the most
economically feasible and easily maintained steep-angle conveyor design. Snake
Conveyors are available in widely ranging profiles of C and S Shape. In any
case, a long bottom belt approach is possible to the sandwich entrance, and
discharge may be on the high incline or may be after the extension of the
carrying belt beyond the mouth of the sandwich. Snake Sandwich conveyors offer
several advantages. First unlimited conveying capacity, a system suitable for
the most rugged mine applications and gentle on sensitive and friable materials,
high availability and low operating and maintenance costs, smooth surfaced belts
allowing continuous belt cleaning by scrapers and plows. This also facilitates
intermediate material discharge by belt plows, as appropriate, before and/or
beyond the sandwiched part of the Snake profile. All conventional conveyor
hardware insures economy and fast delivery of replacement parts.