Patent ID: 6318223
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: B26D,B29C,F16G,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making an endless flexible seamed belt from belt material stock comprising the steps of:positioning a die assembly below the belt material stock and positioning a punch assembly above the belt material stock;applying a cutting force to the punch and die assemblies to form a first patterned end and a second patterned end on the belt stock material;removing the cutting force;the step of positioning the die assembly includes positioning a die with a first die cutting edge having a first puzzle cut die pattern with a series of alternating nodes with diameters from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, wherein the nodes of the first puzzle cut die pattern form a body portion and a neck portion such that the width of the body portion is larger than the width of the neck portion, and a second die cutting edge opposite the first die cutting edge having a second puzzle cut die pattern with a series of alternating nodes with diameters from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm, wherein the nodes of the second puzzle cut die pattern form a body portion and a neck portion such that the width of the body portion is larger than the width of the neck portion;the step of positioning the punch assembly includes positioning a punch with a first punch cutting edge having a first puzzle cut punch pattern that is complementary to the first puzzle cut die pattern and a second punch cutting edge opposite the first punch cutting edge having a second puzzle cut punch pattern that is complementary to the second die puzzle cut die pattern; andwherein the cutting force is applied by a force generating assembly to a force receiving surface on the punch assembly so that the die and punch cut the belt material stock to form a first patterned end on a first end of the belt material stock and a second patterned end formed on a second end of the belt material stock whereby the first and second puzzle cut patterned ends are able to mate to form an endless belt.