PLATTENBANDFOERDERER

1. A steel plate conveyor comprising an endless strand of consecutive troughs (1) provided with cross rods (2), which are fastened to two flat link chains (3, 3a) located at each side, characterized in that the upper strand (4), the lower strand (5) and the reversing stations (6, 6a) are disposed in a closed conveyor duct (7), the bottoms of the troughs (1) are connected by spacer fixings (16) to the cross rods (2), the cross rods (2) of the troughs (1) extend on each side through an endless slot (8, 8a) within the sidewall of the conveyor duct (7), the slot (8, 8a) is sealed by nontouching gap seals (9, 9a) which are located on the cross rods (2), the endless slot (8, 8a) is covered gastight throughout its length by gas chambers (10, 10a) on both sides of the conveyor duct (7), the flat link chains (3, 3a), idlers (12, 12a) and rails (11, 11a) are accommodated in the gas chambers (10, 10a), the pressure in the gas chambers (10, 10a) is higher than the pressure in the conveyor duct (7), and a feeding device (13) and a discharge device (14) for the bulk to be handled communicate directly with the conveyor duct (7).