Abstract:
A prestressed tubular belt has variable prestressing forces located along its width to provide control overt the shape of the belt, while at the same time providing the proper forces in order to maintain the integrity of the belt shape. Various methods and systems are utilized in the manufacturing of such a tubular belt. One such methods involves stretching and affixing one portion of a belt layer to a non-stretched layer in a stepwise manner. Another system and appertaining method involves utilizing anchor strips affixed to a layer of the belt and then stretching the belt in a stepwise manner using ribs on a tool that mate with the anchor strips to hold the layer in varying degrees of tension prior to affixing a second layer to it. Other mechanisms for applying variable prestressing forces are also considered.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This Application is a divisional of parent application Ser. No. 10/782,655, filed Feb. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,868. The parent application is herein incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to tubular belt conveyors and, in particular, to a prestressed, self-closing tubular conveyor belt and to the components and to the overall construction of the production line which is used for making such prestressed tubular belt. 
   In my previous inventions, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,823,941 and 5,836,440, it was suggested that the lateral prestressing of the multi-layer tubular belt of two or more layers can be secured when the layers are prestressed laterally and then joined together by gluing, welding, or by reinforcing the belt with a prestressed flexible spring-like carcass, or by a combination of these two approaches. Longitudinal edges are fabricated, respectively, as a tongue on one side and as a mating grove on another side. In one aspect, this belt comprises elastic inner and outer layers which are permanently joined together so that the inner layer is in tension across its width before and after fabrication, and the outer layer was not prestressed before fabrication but is in compression across its width after fabrication. 
   In this configuration, the inner prestressed forces wind the flat belt into a tubular configuration after the multi-layer belt is cured. The inner bending moment is large enough to bend the belt laterally through 360° so that the edges are always under compression, no matter what the configuration of the conveyor path is, what the speed of movement is, or what the loading condition of the conveyor belt is. 
   This known method of fabrication, as described above, requires preparing two flat layers of elastic material of different width. The inner layer (smaller width) is prestressed in the lateral direction by tensile forces distributed along longitudinal edges of the layer; it is stretched to the larger width of the outer layer. Next, the two layers are tied together by applying pressure perpendicular to the plane of the layers, and simultaneously gluing or welding them to form the composite two-layered tubular belt. Then the tensile forces along longitudinal edges of the inner layer and the pressure perpendicular to the layers&#39; plane are removed, allowing the released belt to shrink to its normal tubular configuration. 
   The technology of fabricating the prestressed tubular belt addressed the fundamental principle of forming a tubular shape using the above-described stressing mechanism. However, when creating the shape of the tube, a problem results when trying to balance the shape of the tube with providing a compression force across the belt longitudinal joint. For example, for having a circular cross section after prestressing and for a compression force across the belt longitudinal joint, one might have either a circular shape with nearly no compression forces along the belt joint, or, by increasing the constant lateral stress for achieving the predetermined compression in the joint, one might achieve a distorted shape of the cross section, usually resulting in the edges curling inside toward the center of the tube. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the above discussion, it is one objective of the present invention to provide any desired cross-sectional shape of the prestressed tubular belt with predetermined compression forces at the longitudinal joint of the belt. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a production line construction which guarantees the final shape and compression force at the longitudinal joint of the belt. The above and other objectives of the present invention are achieved in a conveyor belt that is prestressed along its transverse width to provide a flexible, openable, normally closed tubular configuration. 
   Various embodiments of the invention are envisioned. An embodiment relates to a self-closing prestressed tubular belt with a longitudinal joint, comprising: a first layer having tension forces that are variable along its width; and a second layer that is attached to the first layer having compression forces that are variable along its width, so that the belt will curl around an axis defined by a length of the belt with a predetermined shape and a predetermined force at the longitudinal joint. 
   Another embodiment relates to a self-closing prestressed tubular belt with a longitudinal joint, comprising: a first layer that is prestressed; and a second layer having a depressed central portion that is filled with the first prestressed layer. 
   Another embodiment relates to a self-closing prestressed tubular belt with a longitudinal joint, comprising: a first layer that is prestressed; and a second layer having a central region, wherein the first layer is joined to the second layer only in the central region so that the central region of the two joined layers is thicker than a peripheral region. 
   Another embodiment relates to a self-closing prestressed tubular belt with a longitudinal joint, comprising: a split zone on a lower portion of the belt wherein the belt is divided into one or more flaps along a dividing plane parallel to a surface of the belt. 
   Another embodiment relates to a self-closing prestressed tubular belt with a longitudinal joint, wherein a bending stiffness of the belt in a plane lying through an interlock of the joint and a centroid of a section of the belt is equivalent to a similarly constructed tubular belt having no longitudinal joint. 
   Another embodiment relates to a self-closing prestressed tubular belt with a longitudinal joint, the belt being configured to be operable when bent along its longitudinal axis having a curvature radius of less than three hundred times a diameter of the belt. 
   Another embodiment relates to a method for manufacturing a self-closing tubular belt with predetermined compression forces at a longitudinal joint, comprising: producing a first stressed layer having tension forces that are variable along its width; producing a second unstressed layer having no forces along its width; and joining the first layer to the second layer. 
   Another embodiment relates to a method for manufacturing a self-closing tubular belt with predetermined compression forces at a longitudinal joint, comprising: providing a first nonstressed layer having a depressed central region; stretching the depressed central region of the first layer by applying a force to the ends of this region; and placing a second nonstressed layer into the depressed central region and fastening the second nonstressed layer to the first layer. 
   Another embodiment relates to a method for manufacturing a self-closing tubular belt with predetermined compression forces at a longitudinal joint, comprising: providing a first layer having one or more attached anchor strips; contacting the first layer with a bottom surface of a tool comprising one or more rib protrusions configured to mate with the one or more attached anchor strips; applying a force along a width of the belt to bring the one or more anchor strips in a position to engage in a tension relationship the respective one or more rib protrusions, thereby holding a portion of the belt in tension; and fusing a second layer that is nonstressed to the first layer after applying the force to the first layer. 
   Another embodiment relates to a system for manufacturing a prestressed tubular belt with a longitudinal joint, comprising: a first elastic layer of a tubular belt comprising one or more attached anchor strips; a tool comprising one or more rib protrusions configured to mate with the one or more attached anchor strips when the first elastic layer is in contact with the tool. 
   Another embodiment relates to a system for manufacturing a prestressed tubular belt with a longitudinal joint, comprising: a first elastic layer of a tubular belt; an array of flat spring elements generally forming a herring-bone structure and configured to provide a variable bending inner moment across the width of the belt, the spring elements being connectable to the first elastic layer; and distribution rods connected to the spring elements at their end points and midpoints. 
   Another embodiment relates to a method for manufacturing a self-closing tubular belt with predetermined compression forces at a longitudinal joint, comprising: providing a cylindrical small mandrel having a spiral rib, spirals of the spiral rib having spacers; winding a plastic material onto the small mandrel having a spiral rib, such that the plastic material thickness is not more than the height of the spiral rib; curing the plastic material; removing the plastic material from the small mandrel, resulting in the plastic material being in a form of a spiral rubber spring having gaps between its twists; winding the rubber spring on a larger mandrel such that widest sections of the spring are associated with one end of the mandrel diameter, and narrowest sections of the spring are associated with an opposite end of the mandrel diameter, thereby forming winding gaps; filling the winding gaps with a raw filler material; processing the rubber spring and the raw material so that all turns of the rubber spring are joined together monolithically; and removing the processed rubber spring with filler from the mandrel by making a longitudinal split spring along a line through the narrowest sections of the spring, thereby producing the tubular belt in the spring, thereby producing the tubular belt having prestressed regions formed by the spring, and resisting portions formed by the filler material. 
   Additional objectives and features of my invention are evident from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1 . is a schematic view of the cross-section of the preferred embodiment of the prestressed tubular belt; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-section view depicting the schematic force arrangement of outer and inner forces acting on the random cut off edge portion of the tubular belt; 
       FIGS. 3A-D  are cross-section views showing an initial position and the three stages of production of the prestressed tubular belt with variable prestressing along the width of the belt; 
       FIG. 3E  is a cross-section view showing a process for producing a prestressed tubular belt with two stages of production, with the last stage shaping the designed configuration of the portion of the belt without prestressing; 
       FIGS. 4A-C  &amp;  5  are cross-section views depicting an initial shape of four possible versions of the outer (non-prestressed) layer of the belt; 
       FIGS. 6A-C  are cross-section views showing the process for producing a prestressed tubular belt with a single stage production; 
       FIGS. 7A-C  &amp;  8  are cross-section views showing a final shape of three possible versions of the prestressed tubular belt corresponding to  FIGS. 4A-C  and  5 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-section view showing initial arrangement of the inner layer with attached anchor strips and the multi-step prestressing device; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-section view showing the inner layer that is stretched out with the help of a guided grip. The first attached anchor strip is in the proper position to be engaged with the multi-step prestressing device. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-section view showing the second stretch (first release) of the inner layer with help of a guided grip. The first attached anchor strip is in its final position and the second attached anchor strip is in a position to be engaged with the multi-step prestressing device; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-section view showing the third stretch (second release) of the inner layer with help of a guided grip. The first and second attached anchor strips are in their final positions and the third attached anchor strip is in a position to be engaged with the multi-step prestressing device; 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-section view showing the finishing stretch of the inner layer. Once the guided grip is released, the end of the inner layer and all attached anchor strips are in their final positions; 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-section view showing a final part of a process for making a prestressed tubular belt in a single step utilizing a multi-step prestressing device. The outer layer with longitudinal edges is applied in full length to the multi-step prestressed inner layer. The area of the belt along the longitudinal edges is shaped to the designed configuration without prestressing; 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-section view showing the guided grip device for stretching the inner layer; 
       FIG. 16  is a plan view of the guided grip device shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a section view along line  1 - 1  of  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a schematic plan view illustrating the generation and constancy of various prestressed zones at various portions of the inner belt width; 
       FIGS. 19-22  schematically depict side elevation views and transverse cross-sections of reinforcement bands for the tubular belt; 
       FIG. 23  is a transverse cross-section view of an embodiment of the tubular belt, which can incorporate the reinforcements of  FIGS. 19-22 ; 
       FIG. 24  is an elevation view of a simplified auger mandrel used for creating a vulcanized spiral spring-like product; 
       FIG. 25  is an elevation view showing a vulcanized spiral spring-like product resulting from the use of the auger mandrel of  FIG. 24 ; 
       FIG. 26  is an elevation view showing special fillers installed on the auger mandrel of  FIG. 24  used by a method according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 27  is an elevation view showing the first stage product resulting the use of the auger mandrel of  FIG. 26 ; 
       FIG. 28  is a plan view of a flattened first stage product resulting the use of the auger mandrel of  FIG. 26 ; 
       FIG. 29  is an elevation view showing a second stage of the process of making a tubular belt on mandrel using a first stage product made on the auger mandrel of  FIG. 26 ; and 
       FIG. 30  is a cross section view of the round shape tubular belt resulting from the use of mandrels of  FIG. 26 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Overview 
   Various embodiments of the invention discussed above are described in more detail below. According to one embodiment of my invention, the belt is comprised of elastic inner and outer layers that are joined together so that the inner layer is in variable tension along its whole width and the outer layer is in variable compression along its width, with the result that internal bending moments maintain the belt in a desirable cross sectional shape and secure a normally closed tubular configuration. 
   In an embodiment of my invention, the desired combination of compression and tension is provided using elastic inner and outer layers, having an unstressed width that are, respectively, less than and greater than the nominal belt width, and an inner layer has variable prestressing along the whole width of the belt. In another embodiment, only a central portion of the inner layer has a variable prestressing and the peripheral portion of the inner layer width does not have any prestressing. Another embodiment considers a premolded tubular belt (the outer layer) with a depressed central portion, which is filled with a prestressed inner layer to achieve the same goal of maintaining both the design cross sectional shape of the tubular belt and the design compression force between closed edges of the tubular belt. Yet another embodiment of my invention is the solid premolded design shape of the tubular belt with an inner prestressed layer, which is attached to the central portion of the mold, thus increasing the total thickness of the belt in this portion. 
   The invention is broad enough to encompass any belt in which its cross section is closed and prestressed in a circumferential direction, and where longitudinal edges are in contact against each other and the fulfillment of a desirable interlock leads to an increase of the thickness of the belt in this area. 
   The bending stiffness (a product of the modulus of elasticity and moment of inertia) of this suggested tubular belt in the plane which lies through the interlock and centroid of the section is equal to a solid section, despite a “crack” in the interlock. These features bring a qualitative difference between known conveyor belts and the belts described herein. In a normal belt conveyor, the belt is a flexible membrane stretched between end pulleys and supported by idler rollers; its working condition (sag between rollers) is secured only with stretching forces and physically is described with catenary equations. The suggested tubular belt, due to its bending stiffness factor, behaves as a continuous beam on multiple supports; it does not need stretching in a longitudinal direction for functioning. 
   Only a tubular belt constructed by this invention may be routed to make, for example, a continuous 360° turn having a radius as little as only ten times its diameter, and be operational in such a configuration. This construction permits turns having radii as small as 200, 100, 50, 30, 20 or even 10 times the diameter of the belt, which is significantly smaller than turns having a radii that are 300 times the diameter for belts according to the prior art. For example, using the designs incorporated herein, it has been demonstrated that a belt 6″ in diameter are operable in a curve having a radius of 6′. 
   Inventively, a self-closing prestressed tubular belt may be provided with a longitudinal joint wherein a bending stiffness of the belt in a plane lying through an interlock of the joint and a centroid of a section of the belt is equivalent to a similarly constructed tubular belt having no longitudinal joint. 
   This can be illustrated by the following, based on exemplary configurations. Known values used below have been obtained from “Belt Conveyor for Bulk Materials”, Conveyer Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA), Fifth Addition (BCBM reference). 
   Assume the following: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               material: 
               rice (rough) 
             
             
               average weight: 
               36 lbs/cu ft (Table 3-3, BCBM reference) 
             
             
               angle of repose: 
               30° (Table 3-3, BCBM reference) 
             
             
               belt width: 
               30 in 
             
             
               belt weight − Wb: 
               6.5 lb/ft 
             
             
                 
               Belt is 20° troughed with 20° surcharge angle 
             
             
               cross section of load: 
               0.522 sq. ft. (Table 4-2, BCBM reference) 
             
             
               weight of material − Wm: 
               0.522 * 36 = 18.79 lb/ft 
             
             
               total weight Wb + Wm: 
               6.5 + 18.79 = 25.29 lb/ft 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The BCBM reference, Chapter 6, p. 114, provides the basic equation for the sag in a catenary:
 
Sag, ft=( W   b   +W   m )* S   i   2 /8 T  
 
where T—tension in belt, lbs.; and
 
   S i —idler spacing, ft. 
   The BCBM reference (p. 115) suggests sag as 3% of the span of the belt to prevent spillage from the conveyor belts operating over 200 troughing idlers and suggests (Table 5-2, p. 64) a normal spacing of
 
S i =5.0 ft.
 
   The tension in the belt to satisfy the example data is T=(W b +W m )*S  i /(8*0.03)=526.9 lbs. 
   One can realize that if such a belt conveyor would be arranged to make a 45° turn, the horizontal force for holding the belt in place should be 402 lbs. and equal to 2*526.9=1053.8 lbs. in case such an imaginary turn would be arranged for 180° turn. 
   A tubular belt based on an embodiment of the invention (for purposes of equal productivity, as an example) would have
         inner diameter D i =10″;   outer diameter D o =11.5″;   W b =10.5 lb/ft;   W m =15.7 lb/ft;   moment of inertia of circular tubular belt I=367.7 in 4 ; and assumed modulus of elasticity E=250 psi;       

   The formula for sag in the middle of the multispan beam is
 
Sag=( W   b   +W   m )* Si   4 /384 EI  
 
   Assuming the same allowance for the sag as 3% (i.e., 0.03S i ) span, the allowable span is:
 
 S   i =(0.03*384 EI /( W   b   +W   m )) 1/3  
 
   Putting in the data of this example, S i =79″, which is 30% more than for open belt and does not require any tension in the belt. 
   Thus, one can arrange any form of conveyor path, in any direction. It should be noted that 3% sag was used in this example for “equal comparison” purposes. The tubular belt of my invention will not spill any material due to its closed prestressed shape, therefore, the sag restriction of an open belt conveyor does not apply and can be allowed as 6% instead of 3%. The span between idlers in this case would be Si=99″, which is 65% more than for an open belt and does not require any tension in the belt. 
   Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a cross section view of a tubular belt according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the tubular belt  10  has a length, width and thickness having two layers: an inner layer  11  which is prestressed in direction of its width before bonding to the outer layer and subjected to tension stresses all the time, and outer layer  12 , which is in neutral state before bonding to the inner layer and subjected primarily to compression stresses along its thickness. Outer layer  12  may have a cord material  13  incorporated within. 
     FIG. 1  depicts four zones of the cross section of the tubular belt: 
   zone  14  with bending radius R 1  from center  0   1  within central angle α 1 , 
   zone  15  with bending radius R 2  from center  0   2  within central angle α 2 , 
   zone  16  with bending radius R 3  from center  0   3  within central angle α 3 , 
   zone  17  with bending radius R 4  from center  0   4  within central angle α 4 . 
   Parameters of zones are determined from design requirements. They may be equal or not equal to each other. It is desirable however to have one zone on both sides of the longitudinal edges connection  18 . 
     FIG. 2  depicts all forces (inner and outer) acting on the cut off portion of the tubular belt including the longitudinal edge. The cut off section A-A is randomly located as shown on  FIG. 1 . The outer forces are P &amp; W. The force P is a compression force (a reaction) between closed longitudinal edges of the tubular belt. Force P is determined at the design stage depending on the conveyor route, material properties of the transported product, dimensions of the tubular belt, etc. Force W is the resultant of all gravity forces (including material weight, where appropriate). 
   There are four nodes along the total thickness of the belt at the section A-A. Distance  1 - 2  is a thickness ti of the inner layer  11  and distributed tension stresses σ t  have a resultant tension force T located at the centroid of tension stresses. Span  2 - 3  is a thickness of the outer layer  12  and distributed compression stresses σ c  have a resultant compression force C located at the centroid of compression stresses. Node  4  is located at the neutral flexural axis of the combined section  1 - 2 - 3 . Resultants T &amp; C are located at distances d t  &amp; d c  from the neutral axis respectively. Force P has an arm “a” relative to the node  4  and the force W has an arm “b” relative to the node  4 . The total bending moment M tot , which is applied to the section A-A produces the curvature of the belt and a radius of the elastic curve is determined as:
 
 R=EI/M   tot   (1)
         where   E—modulus of elasticity of belt material; and   I—moment of inertia of the combined section.       

   The total bending moment M tot  is the sum of bending moment due to external forces M e  and bending moment due to internal forces M i  
 
 M   e   =W*b−P*a   (2)
 
 M   i   =T*d   t   +C*d   c   =T *( d   t   +d   c )=σ t   *t   i *( d   t   +d   c )  (3)
 
   Finally, the general expression for initial prestressing and radius of curvature in any given section is
 
σ t =( EI/R−W*b+P*a )/( t   i *( d   t   +d   c ))  (4)
 
   Equation (4) illustrates a simple fact that the bigger the arm of the desirable thrust between longitudinal edges of the tubular belt and the section in consideration is, the more prestressing force is required in this section. Additionally, the “steeper” the curvature required (the smaller the radius R is) in the section of consideration, the larger the prestressing force shall be. In other words, in order to design any final tubular belt shape with the help of prestressed inner layer(s) of the belt, that prestressing shall be variable along the cross-sectional perimeter of the belt, with reduced prestressing toward the longitudinal edges of the belt. 
   It should be noted that the cord material layer  13  serves not only to withstand longitudinal driving forces acting along conveyors, and to diminish longitudinal elongation of the belt, but also plays an important role as a reinforcing element and should be considered either in tension or in compression stress distribution in its vicinity and always taken into account in securing either minimal stretch or contraction deformation of the outer layer or of the whole section of the tubular belt for various technological purposes. Cord material layer  13  may be located at any place of the belt cross section, in part or as a whole, where it can serve as a resisting element that interacts with the active prestressing element (inner layer(s)) and affects the final shape of the tube and final thrust/force between longitudinal edges. 
   In practice, it is very difficult to maintain “smooth” change of variable prestressing along the width of the belt while manufacturing. Therefore, the width of the belt is broken into equal or unequal portions with different but constant prestressing at each portion. This produces an easily achievable stepwise way of prestressing with steps of maximum prestressing in the middle portion of the belt and steps of lower prestressing (or no prestressing) close to longitudinal edges of the belt. The value of prestressing at the last step along the longitudinal edges of the belt may be rounded to zero, with a shaping of the joined layer into a design configuration during the gluing/welding/fusion process. 
   Tubular Belt  10  and Methods of Construction 
   The tubular belt  10 , alternative embodiments of the belt, and methods of constructing the various embodiments are depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 3 through 14 . As previously mentioned, a primary advantage of the belt  10  and its alternatives is the inherent ability to maintain a tubular configuration. This configuration results from both stresses that are incorporated into the belt during its fabrication and a compression force of thrust between longitudinal edges of the tubular belt. A multi-layer belt construction of two or more layers, in which the inner layer is prestressed, then joined together with outer layer by fusion or adhesion, develops the prestressed forces. 
     FIGS. 3A-D  depict the principal method of making the tubular belt in three steps. 
     FIG. 3A  shows the initial configuration of inner layer  11  having a width L′ 0  between anchors  20  on both longitudinal edges. Outer layer  12  (with a cord layer  13 ) has an initial reference width L″ 0  between longitudinal edges  21  and  22 . Longitudinal edges  21  and  22  have special shapes that match one another. 
     FIG. 3B  depicts the first step of production of the tubular belt. The inner layer  11  is stretched to the width L′ 1  between anchors  20  due to force T a , which is applied to anchors  20 . The reference width L″ 0  of the outer layer  12  remains constant. The central portion of the layers  11  and  12 —the joint width L J1 —is covered with glue or primer/activator or both and press-forms  23  are applied producing fusion of layers  11  and  12  with the help of a predetermined pressure P a  and temperature. 
     FIG. 3C  depicts the second step of manufacturing of the tubular belt. Forces T b &lt;T a  are applied to anchors  20 . As a result, the width L′ 2 &lt;L′ 1 . The press-forms  23  release the central portion of the belt, the fused width L J1  is shortened to the width L′ J1 &lt;L J1 , and the reference width L″ 0  of the outer layer  12  is shortened to L″ 2 &lt;L″ 0 . The middle portions of the layers  11  and  12 —the joint widths L J2 —are covered with glue or primer/activator or both and press-forms  24  are applied producing fusion of layers  11  and  12  with help of predetermined pressure P b  and temperature. 
     FIG. 3D  demonstrates the third step of fabrication of the tubular belt. Forces T c &lt;T b  are applied to anchors  20 . As a result, the width L′ 3 &lt;L′ 2 . The press-forms  24  release the middle portion of the belt, the fused width L′ J1 +2 L J2  is shortened to the width L′ J1 +2 L′ J2 &lt;L′ J1 +2 L J2 , and the reference width L″ 2  of the outer layer  12  is shortened to L″ 3 &lt;L″ 2 . The outer portions of the layers  11  and  12 —the joint widths L J3 —are covered with glue or primer/activator or both and press-forms  25  are applied producing fusion of layers  11  and  12  with help of predetermined pressure Pc and temperature. 
     FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 E depict the principal method of making prestressed tubular belt in two steps. 
     FIG. 3E  shows the second step of fabrication of the tubular belt. Anchors  20  are released after first step and forces Ta are no longer active. The fused width L J1  is shortened to the width L′ J1 &lt;L J1  and the reference width L″ 0  of the outer layer  12  is shortened as well. The outer portions of the layers  11  and  12  are covered with glue or primer/activator or both and located along the outer surface of the molds  26 . That surface corresponds to the required design shape of the final product. Molds  26  are positioned in space with help of support/bracing construction  27 . The press-forms  28  having the inner surface matching the outer surface of molds  26  are producing fusion of layers  11  and  12  with help of predetermined pressure P d  and temperature. The shape of molds  26  and press-forms  28  is designed with consideration of the final distribution of outer and inner forces and stresses in any section due to actions of final vertical and horizontal forces as indicated in detailing of  FIG. 2 . 
     FIGS. 4A through 8  present other embodiments of the tubular belt with stepwise and variable prestressing along the width of the belt and the principal method of making prestressed tubular in one step. 
     FIG. 4A  shows an initial nonstressed mold of a tubular belt  30  having longitudinal edges  21  and  22  (in free open mode), cord layer  13 , and depression inner zone  31  in the central portion of the mold. The width and depth of the zone  31  are determined by the same method as described for the first step of prestressing shown in  FIG. 3B  and correspond to dimensions of the prestressed inner layer  11 . 
     FIG. 5  displays an initial nonstressed mold of a tubular belt  32  having longitudinal edges  21  and  22  (in free open mode), cord layer  13 , and thickness corresponding to sum of the thickness of the inner layer  11  and outer layer  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     FIG. 4B  depicts an initial nonstressed mold of a tubular belt  30   a  having longitudinal edges  21  and  22  (in free open mode), cord layer  13 , and outer depression zone  31   a  in the central portion of the mold. Mold  30   a  has cord strip outlets  13   a  on both sides of the outer depression zone  31   a  and the anchor devices  20  connected to the cord strip outlets  13   a . The inner portion of the cord strip  13   a  may be implanted inside of the mold  30   a  separately of the outer cord  13  and be considered as an independent resisting element. The width and depth of the zone  31   a  are determined by the same method as described for the first step of prestressing shown in  FIG. 3B . However, in this embodiment, the prestressed element of the belt is the portion  31   a  of the mold  30   a , and the infill for the depression outer zone is nonprestressed portion  11   a , which is designed and corresponds to the dimensions of the prestressed inner layer  11  ( 31   a ). 
     FIG. 4C  depicts an initial nonstressed mold of tubular belt  30   b  having longitudinal edges  21  and  22  (in free open mode), cord layer  13 , and split zone  31   b / 31   c  in the central portion of the mold. Mold  30   b  has cord strip outlets  13   a  on both sides of the split zone  31   b / 31   c  and the anchor devices  20  connected to the cord strip outlets  13   a . The inner portion of the cord strip  13   a  may be implanted inside of the mold  30   b  separately of outer cord  13  and be considered as independent resisting element. The width and thickness of the zone  31   b / 31   c  are determined by the same method as described for the first step of prestressing shown in  FIG. 3B . However, in this embodiment, the prestressed element of the belt is the portion  31   b  of the mold  30   b , and the compressed component for generation of the inner bending moment are the nonprestressed split portion  31   c  and additional complement  11   c ; stretched element  31   b  and its counterpart—compressed element  31   c + 11   c  are designed and correspond to dimensions of the prestressed inner layer  11  ( 31   b ). 
     FIG. 6A  depicts the single step production of the tubular belt for embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4A and 5 . The inner layer  11  is stretched to the width L′ 1  between anchors  20  due to force T 6 , which is applied to anchors  20 . The central portion of the layer  11  and the depression zone  31  of the mold  30  (or the central zone of the mold  32 )—the joint width L J1 —is covered with glue or primer/activator or both and press-forms  33  and  34  produce the fusion of layers  11  and  31  ( 32 ) with help of predetermined pressure P 6  and temperature. 
     FIG. 6B  depicts the single step production of the tubular belt for embodiments shown in  FIG. 4B . The depressed portion  31   a  of the mold  30   a  is stretched to the width L′ 1  between anchors  20  due to force T 6a , which is applied to anchors  20 . The depression zone  31   a  of the mold  30   a —the joint width L J1 —is covered with glue or primer/activator or both and press-forms  33   a  and  34   a  produce the fusion of layers  31   a  and nonprestressed infill  11   a  with help of predetermined pressure P 6a  and temperature. 
     FIG. 6C  depicts the single step production of the tubular belt for embodiments shown in  FIG. 4C . The stretchable portion  31   b  of the split zone  31   b / 31   c  is stretched to the width L′ 1  between anchors  20  due to force T 6b , which is applied to anchors  20 . The stretchable portion  31   b  of the split zone  31   b / 31   c —the joint width L J1 —is covered with glue or primer/activator or both and press-forms  33   a  and  34   a  produce the fusion of the stretchable portion  31   b  and nonprestressed split portion  31   c  and complement infill  11   c  with help of predetermined pressure P 6b  and temperature. 
     FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 8  show a final prestressed embodiment of the tubular belt comprising initial molds  31  and  32  and prestressed portion of the inner layer  11 . Longitudinal edges  21  and  22  are constantly closed due to predetermined thrust, which is a result of the inner bending moment (interaction between layers  11  and  31  or  32  in the prestressed area L J1 . The residual portion of the inner layer  11  as shown in  FIG. 6A  is cut out after a release of anchors  20 . 
     FIG. 7B  depicts a final prestressed embodiment of the tubular belt comprising initial molds  30   a , a portion of which has prestressed and nonprestressed infill  11   a  at the outer indentation zone of the mold  30   a . Longitudinal edges  21  and  22  are constantly closed due to predetermined thrust, which is a result of the inner bending moment (interaction between layers  11   a  and  31   a  in the prestressed area L J1 ). The residual portion of the outer cord strip  13   a , as shown in  FIG. 6B , is cut out after a release of the anchors  20 . 
     FIG. 7C  depicts a final prestressed embodiment of the tubular belt comprising initial molds  30   b  with split zone  31   b / 31   c , a portion of which has prestressed ( 31   b ) and nonprestressed components  31   c  and infill  11   c  at the outer zone of the mold  30   b . Longitudinal edges  21  and  22  are constantly closed due to predetermined thrust, which is a result of the inner bending moment (interaction between layers  31   b  and  31   c + 11   c ) in the prestressed area L J1 . The residual portion of the outer cord strip  13   a , as shown in  FIG. 6C , is cut out after a release of the anchors  20 . 
   Alternately, although not shown, it may be possible to have the flap structure on the top surface of the belt and provide prestressing by cutting away a portion of a flap and stretching the upper flap portions. 
   It should be noted that the radii of curvatures of different portions of the initial molded shapes as shown in  FIGS. 4A-C  and  FIG. 5  are designed with consideration of the final distribution of outer and inner forces and stresses in any section due to actions of the final vertical and horizontal forces as indicated in the description of  FIG. 2 . Thus, initial radius R i  that is shown on  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 4C  is less than final radius radius R i  of  FIG. 7B  and  FIG. 7C . 
     FIG. 9  shows an initial arrangement of the preferred embodiment of the single step production of the tubular belt with a multi-step prestressed inner layer  11 . The width of the layer  11 , as is shown in  FIG. 9 , corresponds to the initial width of one half of the layer  11  as presented in  FIG. 3A  (before prestressing). Anchor strips  35  through  38  are attached to the inner surface of the layer  11  with the desired spacing. 
   Anchor strips  35 - 38  are made of elastic material and comprise a base  40 , sloped web  41  and upper influx  42 . The influx  42  has a curved smooth lower surface tangent to lower side of the sloped web  41 , a flat upper surface parallel to direction of the sloped web  41 , and a step-like jump into the upper surface of the sloped web  41 . Base  40  is firmly attached to a predetermined place of the inner layer. The angle between base  40  and the sloped web  41  with the innermost point  43  corresponds to a wedge angle of the rib cast  61  through  64  of a device/tool  50 . 
     FIG. 9  depicts one half of the cross section of the device/tool  50  for multi-step prestressing of the inner layer  11 . Device  50  comprises vertical webs  51  through  56 , joined together with a stiffener  58  at, e.g., a 12″ space. The central web  51  is located at the vertical symmetry line of the device. The bottom of the web  51  and bottom of the next web  52  are connected with a plate  60 . The bottom surface of the plate  60  is engineered as an arc of the large radius R L  significantly larger than any radii of the designed tubular belt shape. 
   The rib cast  61  is located on the other side of the bottom of the web  52 . Rib casts  61  through  64  are typical for each of the vertical webs  52  through  55 . A typical rib cast has a wedge-like cross section, with an indent  65  on the bottom side of the rib, which corresponds to the section of the bottom  40  of the anchor strips  35  through  38 . Another typical detail of the rib casts are apexs  66  through  69 . The bottom surfaces of the cast ribs  61  through  64  (including bottom surface of the indents) are made as an arc of the same radius R L  as plate  60 . Also, the heights of the webs  52  through  55  vary in such a way that all of the rib casts generate one arc of radius R L . The rib  56  is connected to the arc plate  57 , whose radius is equal to the design radius of the future tubular belt in the vicinity of the longitudinal edge (R 2  in  FIG. 1 ). A stiffener  59  joins the rib  56  and the plate  57  and is located in the same space as the stiffener  58 . 
     FIG. 10  shows the first stretch of the inner layer  11  with the help of a guided grip  70 . The inner layer  11  is stretched until the influx  42  of the anchor strip  35  is located between an apex  66  and the rounded heel of the rib  53 . One can presume that this stretching will be the maximal one. 
     FIG. 11  presents the second stretch (first release) of the inner layer  11 . As a result of that release, the influx  42  of the second anchor strip  36  is located between an apex  67  and the rounded heel of the rib  54 . The first anchor strip  35  thus finds its final position on the rib cast  61 . 
     FIG. 12  depicts the third stretch (second release) of the inner layer  11 . As a result of that release, the anchor strip  37  is in close proximity of apex  68  of the rib cast  63 , and the influx  42  of the fourth anchor strip  38  is located between an apex  69  and the rounded heel of the rib  56 . The second anchor strip  36  thus finds its final position on the rib cast  62 . 
     FIG. 13  presents the final stretch (complete guided grip release) of the inner layer  11 . As a result of that release, all anchor strips  35  through  38  are in their final positions on the rib cast  61  through  64 . The rest of inner layer  11  is in its natural, no-stressed state. 
     FIG. 14  demonstrates the final stage of the preferred embodiment of the single step production of the tubular belt with a multi-step prestressed inner layer  11 . The outer no-stressed layer  12  with longitudinal edge  21  is covered with glue or primer/activator, or both, and installed in the proper position for fusing in a single step with inner layer  11 . The supporting press-form, similar to  28  of  FIG. 3E  is not shown for clarity. In an embodiment of the invention, the anchor strips  35  through  38  are ultimately cut off in the final manufacturing stages, although it is possible that the anchor strips would remain in place. 
     FIGS. 15 ,  16  and  17  show a cross section, plan and a longitudinal section of the technological suggestion for fulfillment of the preferred embodiment of this invention—a guided grip device  70 . 
   The guided grip device  70  is used to stretch the inner layer(s)  11  of the tubular belt to the design proportions, and to hold it in that stretched (prestressed) position during the technological time of bonding inner and outer layers together into one monolithic entity. The guided grip device  70  incorporates a guide portion and a grip portion. The guide portion of guided grip device  70  comprises a special profile guide  71  with welded strips  72 —inside of the profile  71 —and strip  72  outside of the profile  71 . 
   The grip portion of the guided grip device comprises the upper jaw  74  and lower jaw  75 . The upper jaw  74  has four bearings  76  as shown at Section  1 - 1 , and the lower jaw  75  has four bearings  77 . The shaft  78  connects the upper and the lower jaws and all eight bearings  76  and  77  into a rotating mechanism with the center of rotation being in the center line of the shaft  78 . The shaft  78  is secured in its proper position with pins  79  on both ends of the shaft  78 . The three sets of fasteners  80  comprise a bolt, nut and washers; they tighten jaws  74  and  75 ; as a result, the edge of the inner layer  11  is firmly gripped between jaws. Upper jaw  74  has two dowels  93 ; those dowels together with the link plate  94  make a flexible connection (in the plane of the stretched inner layer  11 ) between guided grip devices  70 . 
   The guided grip device  70  has two shafts  85  connecting the guide portion with its grip counterpart. Each shaft  85  is connected on one side to a bulge bearing  92 , which is rotating around a journal of the shaft  78  in the grip portion of the device. Shaft  85  supports two vertical rollers  90  and  91 , which secure the position of the shaft  85  and a grip portion of the device in the vertical plane. The shaft  85  has in its middle part a square bearing enlargement  86  that is housing the bearing  87  and the vertical axis  88  which in turn secures two horizontal rollers  84  and  89 . Thus, when the whole system of chains of the guided grip devices  70  is pulled together with layer  11  in the direction of movement as designated in  FIG. 16 , and the distance between guide shapes  71  increases, the grip portion of the device  70  is stretching the layer  11 . Each device  70  has stability in the vertical plane and has enough flexibility in a horizontal plane that some stress concentration at the ends of jaws&#39; grip, due to non uniform stretching of the belt  11 , does not reach significant values and diminish (by the Sun-Venoun principle) within a distance of two gaps between jaws  74  ( 75 ). Guided grip devices  70  are arranged in alternate order as shown in  FIG. 16 , for maximum uniformity of the tension stresses in the layer  11 . 
     FIG. 18  depicts a schematic plan view of the generation and constancy of various prestressed zones at various portions of the inner belt width. Line O-O is the central (symmetry) line of the inner layer  11  along its length. Lines C and C′ represent longitudinal edges of the inner layer  11 , lines A, A′, B, and B′ are boundaries of the zones with different prestressing. A portion of the initial arrangement serves as a place where the guided grip device  70  is attached to the longitudinal edges of the inner layer  11 . No other forces or stresses are applied to the layer at this portion. 
   Grip devices  70  together with the attached inner layer  11  are propelled from left to right (in the direction of movement) and, in the portion Transition  1 , grip devices  70  are guided apart to reach the degree of maximum design stretch for the central zone A-A′ of the inner layer  11 . Obviously, all zones of the inner layer  11  have the same degree of stretch or stress throughout the portion of the first stretch arrangement, where the stretch (stress) of zone A-A′ is made constant with help of plastic anchor strips  35  ( FIG. 10 ) or any other technique or process. 
   When the grip devices  70  together with the attached inner layer  11  reach portion Transition  2 , the grip devices  70  on the longitudinal edges are guided toward the center. As a result, in the portion of the Second Stretch Arrangement, stretch (stress) in zones A-C and A′-C′ reach the design value of zones A-B and A′-B′, and the value of stretch (stress) in zone A-A′ remains constant. While being propelled through this portion, the stretch (stress) of zones A-B and A′-B′ is made constant with the help of plastic anchor strips or any other technique or process. Actions in the portion Transition  3  are similar to those in the portion Transition  2 , and stretch (stress) of zones B-C and B′-C′ in the region Final Stretch Arrangement reaches its design value of zero after release of grip devices, in this case. However, stretch (stress) of zone A-A′ remains the same as it came up to in the First Stretch Arrangement region, and stretch (stress) of zones A-B and A′-B′ remains constant after the Second Stretch Arrangement portion. 
   Thus, the stretch (stress) distribution in the inner layer  11  at the time when fusion with outer layer  12  should take place is as follows: the central zone A-A′ has a maximum value of stretch (stress), the neighbor zones have less and less value of stretch (stress), and the zones which include longitudinal edges, should have minimal or zero stretch (stress), no matter what technique or process is used in approaching the fusion stage. The number of zones may vary, however, there is always at least one zone with prestressing in the middle portion of the belt width and zones, which include longitudinal edges, with less, minimal, or no stress. 
   The process of variable prestressing along the width of the tubular belt can be achieved with the use of a herring-bone like reinforcement made of steel, plastic, or other materials as well. 
     FIGS. 19 and 20  show a possible use of a flat spring reinforcement mechanism to accomplish the main idea of my invention: to assure variable (stepwise) prestressing of the tubular belt in order to maintain a predesigned shape of the belt&#39;s cross-section, and to secure a predetermined value of thrust between longitudinal edges of the tubular conveyor belt. There is an array of flat spring elements s 1  through s 4  joined into a herring bone structure with the help of distribution rods “a” through “e”; the rods a-e are connected to the spring elements s 1 -s 4  at their ends and middle points as shown in  FIG. 20 . An arrangement of connection points of spring elements to the distribution rods may be based upon the technological process to be used for belt production. Parameters of the spring array: number, lengths, radii of initial curve(s), etc., should be set up using the design procedure as described herein. 
     FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrate an embodiment that is operatively similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , in that the variable stress is induced across the width of the belt by the structure s of material. However, according to this embodiment, a single element is used that is made from an elastic material and that may have holes f cut (to reduce the amount of material required and minimize the weight and mass of the structure s) to achieve the variable stress. 
     FIG. 23  illustrates the spring and rod configuration described by  FIGS. 19 and 20  as incorporated into the tubular belt. A similar configuration is used to incorporate the configuration shown by  FIGS. 21 and 22  into the tubular belt as well. 
   It is important to realize that any structure or configuration of material is contemplated by the invention, provided it involves the principle of having an actively prestressed portion of the belt operating in conjunction with a resistive portion of the belt in a variable force manner to achieve the desired belt shape. 
   Prestressing can be achieved not necessarily with direct linear stretching of the part of the semi product as it is shown in  FIG. 3  through  FIG. 8 . 
   As an example, such prestressing can be accomplished with a way shown in  FIG. 24  through  FIG. 28 , as illustrated by the use of mandrels. The general use of mandrels is known in the hose production industry—however, it is not known to use mandrels to form the variable prestressed and resistive elements of a tubular belt having a longitudinal slit according to the present invention. 
   In general, according to this embodiment, a partial product is made on the small diameter mandrel having a helicoidal rib. Then, after vulcanizing, the vulcanized hose (the finished partial product) from the small mandrel is transferred onto a larger mandrel in order to achieve prestressing and become an active prestressing element by winding onto the large mandrel. 
   Then, a new layer of raw material is applied on the prestressed layer of the finished partial product and the vulcanization process is repeated. Some resisting element is used to achieve variable or stepwise prestressing. In this case, special shape fillers are installed during a first step and a second step bringing variable prestressing on the large mandrel. All gaps are then filled with a raw material, forming the resisting element, and a further vulcanization/bonding process secures the final product—a tubular belt with variable prestressing, when the new “hose”/“tube” is cut along the neck line and a tongue-and-groove are made on the butt contact surface of longitudinal edges, as shown on  FIG. 30 . 
     FIGS. 24 and 25  show a simplified version of a mandrel implementation that is used solely for illustrative purposes here. 
     FIG. 24  shows auger-like mandrel  101  comprising central pipe  102  with outer radius R 5  and spiral rib  103  having pitch “m”. When a plastic material, i.e., raw natural rubber, is wound up on the mandrel  101  on the surface of the pipe  102  with a thickness not more than the height of the spiral rib  103 . It then goes through the vulcanization process, say in the autoclave, and, after curing, is taken off the mandrel, when it will then have a shape of the flat spiral rubber spring  104   a  with some gaps between its twists, which correlate to the tension force “P” applied as shown in  FIG. 25 . The inner radius of the rubber spring  104   a  is equal to the outer radius R 5  of the central pipe  102 . The spring  104  as shown in these figures would have a rectangular shape if uncoiled (i.e., straight edges). 
   The embodiment shown in  FIG. 26 , differs from this simplified version in that fillers  105  are provided which ultimately produce a spring  104   b  having curved edges. 
   Such fillers  105  may be installed adjacent to the spiral rib  103  at equal intervals, e.g., every 720° down the spiral (around the mandrel  101 ), as it is shown in  FIG. 26 . Additional material is then added into the gap region remaining on the mandrel similar to the manner described with the simplified construction, which ultimately becomes a part of the spring  104   b . The material is then cured, e.g., in an autoclave. 
   The shape of the rubber spring  104   b  after winding at the open space of the auger mandrel  101  and after curing is depicted in  FIG. 27  (fillers  105  are not shown for clarity—if the fillers  105  were present, the outer surface of  FIG. 27  would reflect a relatively smooth cylindrical surface). As can be seen in  FIG. 27 , the spring  104   b  has a spiral shape that repeats every 720° down the mandrel  101 . 
   The flattened shape of the rubber spring  104   b  after unwinding from the auger mandrel  101  ( FIG. 27 ) is shown in  FIG. 28 . This shape differs from the uncoiled shape that would be produced by hypothetical spring  104   a  in that the belt  104   b  varies in width as one travels down a longitudinal axis of the belt  104   b . The shape is of variable width and has equal spaces “C” between the places with the most narrow width—necks  106 ; obviously, the same distance “C” is accounted for between the centers of the widest places  107 . It should be noted that the maximum width  107  of the rubber spring  104   b  is less than pitch “m” of the initial mandrel  101  on the thickness of the spiral rib  103 . The flat shape of the fillers  105  is shown in  FIG. 28  as shaded areas  108 . 
   One can select a regular mandrel  110  ( FIG. 29 ) with radius R 6 &gt;R 5 , and approximately R 6 =“C”/(2π). Then, when rubber spring  104   b  of  FIG. 28  is wound on the mandrel  110  with pitch “m”, all of the widest sections  107  of the rubber spring  104   b  of  FIG. 28  appear on one end of the mandrel diameter, and all necks  106  appear on the other end of the same diameter, as shown in  FIG. 29 . In other words, the pattern on this larger mandrel repeats every 360° (instead of 720°) on the new mandrel. Three turns of the rubber spring  104   b  on the left side of the mandrel  110  depict a constant gap  111  between portions of maximum width (equal to the thickness of the spiral rib  103 ) and variable, figured shape gaps  112  between the other part of the rubber spring  104   b.    
   The gaps  112  are filled with raw rubber or with other material  113 , which, after processing, will join monolithically all turns of the rubber spring  104   b  into one tubular shape, as shown on the right portion of  FIG. 29 . Following equation (1), it can be derived that the elastic rubber spring  104   b , which was made with radius R 5  and then wound up with radius R 6 , possessed, after manufacturing on mandrel  110 , the inner bending moment
 
 M   i   =EI ( R   6   −R   5 )/ R   5   R   6   (5)
 
   The inner bending moment is proportional to the difference between initial and final radii and to the moment of inertia of the bent section. Clearly, in order to decrease the bending moment in a direction from the center of the open belt toward its longitudinal edges, the moment of inertia of the acting bent section should be reduced. This is why the fillers  105  in  FIG. 26  are installed. The presence of the fillers  113  in  FIG. 29  also contribute to diminish the inner bending moment effect in the zone close to longitudinal edges of the tubular belt. One can call a wound rubber spring  104   b  (and even its neck  106 ) as the active bending elements, and fillers  113  as the resisting elements. The combination of active and resistant elements secure a proper distribution of the inner bending moment across the width of the tubular belt for achieving a designed cross-sectional shape and thrust between closed edges. 
   In this case, a spiral-like partial product of an elastic material, i.e., rubber, is produced on the auger mandrel having a small size (diameter). The auger mandrel has special shape fillers arranged on the calculated intervals along the helical line in such a way that the molded product, being unwound, has a particular shape, e.g., an area  113  similar to that shown in  FIG. 28 . 
   When this partial product is wound around a larger mandrel, it possesses a prestressing “memory”. The size (diameter) of the larger mandrel and intervals of the “necks” between fillers are in certain proportions. For example, a diameter of the large mandrel may be “π” times less than intervals of the narrowest distances between fillers on the small auger mandrel. This secures the appearance of the “necks” of the partial product on the same generation line of the large mandrel after winding if the maximum wide zones of the partial product are contacting each other while wound. 
   Gaps between wound partial product are filled with raw material, and the outer layer and plies are applied. After fusion, the second step partial product is cut along the “neck” line, and edges details with an interlocking shape are applied to the sides. The main idea of the described version of technology and a version of the product is that it does not matter how the prestressing effect is generated; it is important however to secure variable or stepwise prestressing forces and variable or stepwise breaking forces; more over, the maximum breaking forces should be located along the edges of the tubular belt and the maximum active forces should be located in the central portion of the tubular belt. 
   For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of my invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of my invention is intended by this specific language, and my invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The present invention may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, the present invention may employ various processing elements which may carry out a variety of functions. Furthermore, the present invention could employ any number of conventional techniques for processing and the like. 
   The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of my invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of my invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional elements and functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of systems) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended the represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of my invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.