Patent ID: 6695133
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
The method of splicing the ends (11, 12) of conveyor belts (10) having vulcanized rubber (12) with steel strands (1) embedded in the vulcanized rubber comprising the steps of:exposing a plurality of strands (1); providing at least two unvulcanized strips (20) of rubber, at least one strip (20) being a bottom strip having a plurality of substantially parallel strand receiving grooves (22) located on an upper surface (24), the other at least one strip (20) being a top strip; placing the exposed strands (1) of the belt ends (11, 12) being joined in the grooves (22) of the at least one bottom strip (20); placing the top strip (20) overlying the bottom strip (20) and vulcanizing the strips (20) together and to strands (1) thereby forming the spliced joint, the method characterized in that the step of providing the top or bottom strips (20) with a plurality of grooves (22) includes the steps of calendering the grooves (22) in strips (20), the calenders (350, 352) having a plurality of parallel component forming ridges (356), the ridges (356) forming the strand receiving grooves (22) of an upper surface (24) of the strips (20); and wherein the step of calendering includes the step of applying the top strip (20) onto a strip of top cover rubber compound (4).