Patent ID: 8440047

Claim:
A method for improving the stretch-resistance of an endless belt, comprising the steps of: providing a thermoplastic jacket material having a modulus of elasticity, wherein the jacket material is polyurethane or polyester elastomer or polyether block amide; providing an elongated stretch reduction element having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the jacket material; exposing the stretch reduction element to a bath of a reactive fluid in an oxidizing atmosphere for a time sufficient to provide an at least 25 percent reduction of the tendency of the belt to stretch under a predetermined tensile load as compared with a belt formed from the same jacket material and from a length of the stretch reduction element that is not exposed to a bath of reactive fluid in an oxidizing atmosphere; forming the jacket material into a belt jacket around the stretch reduction element to form a length of belt material having a first end and a second end; and connecting the first end to the second end to create a continuous belt; and wherein the step of exposing the stretch reduction element precedes the step of forming the jacket material into a belt jacket around the stretch reduction element.