A process and apparatus for the advancing of band-like conveying means with reduced friction

The underside of band-like transport devices or conveyor belts are placed at least in part on a liquid layer and steps are taken to prevent the carrier surface of the transport device from coming into communicating contact with the liquid layer. In one form of apparatus there is provided a continuous transport belt 1, supporting plates 31 intermittently supporting the belt 1, and a driving device for driving the belt. The supporting plate 31 has a central inlet duct 21 in communicating connection with a source of liquid and its surface is closely adjacent to the underside of the belt 1 so as to form a moving liquid film 11 therebetween. In another apparatus the continuous transport band 1 is concave and is placed on a liquid layer 12 disposed in a liquid reservoir 33. The transport belt may be provided with U-shaped transverse ribs 81 on the carrier surface, the base of the U-shape preferably having bores into which longitudinally extending stiffening members 82 are threaded. In a further alternative the belt is formed from transversely sectioned rubber tyres united at their end faces.