The present invention is directed to a conveyor belt system for transporting materials by directly driving a conveyor belt. A plurality of continuous cables are disposed generally parallel one to the other. A continuous conveyor belt is disposed between the continuous cables which includes a plurality of unitary, open top, pocket-like receptacles for transporting the materials. The receptacles are located so that they extend above and below the plane of travel of the continuous cables whereby the materials can be transported within the confines of the receptacles in both a horizontal path of travel and a vertical path of travel, respectively, until the materials are conveyed to the point of travel where they are discharged from the conveyor system for further subsequent processing. This results in the continuous, uninterrupted transportation of the materials carried by the conveyor belt for extended periods of time.