Claims:1. A method (200) for splicing an adjoining conveyor belt (100), the method (200) comprising:
removing, a first portion of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), from a first major surface (16) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), to expose a first portion of metal strands (13) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100);
removing, a second portion of the adjoining conveyer belt (100), normally with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), from a second major surface (17) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100) opposite to the first major surface (16), to expose a second portion of metal strands (14); and
interweaving, the exposed first portion of metal strands (13) with the second portion of metal strands (14) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), to splice the first portion of metal strands (13) and the second portion of metal strands (14).

2. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein angle (15) of obliquely removing the first portion ranges from about 15 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100).

3. The method (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
positioning a plurality of rubber strands (9) between the first portion and the second portion of metal strands (13, 14); and
positioning at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (8a, 8b) on a first side and a second side of each of the first portion and the second portion of metal strands (13, 14).

4. The method (200) as claimed in claim 3, comprises, positioning a layer of metal breaker (7) between the first and the second portions of metal strands (13, 14) and the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (8a, 8b) positioned on one of the first side and the second side.

5. The method (200) as claimed in claim 4, comprises, positioning a layer of textile breaker (6) between the first and the second portions of metal strands (13, 14) and the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (8a, 8b) positioned on an other of the first side and the second side.

6. The method (200) as claimed in claim 3, comprising a vulcanization of the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (8a, 8b) positioned on the first side and the second side of each of the first and the second portions of metal strands (13, 14), for splicing the adjoining conveyor belt (100).

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vulcanization comprising:
heating, the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strip, at a temperature in the range 100 °C to 180 °C; and
applying pressure, to the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strip, in a pressure range of 8 kg/cm2 to 20 kg/cm2.

8. A conveyor belt (100) manufactured by a method (200) as claimed in claim 1.

Dated this 25th March 2021
GOPINATH A S
IN/PA – 1852
OF K&S PARTNERS
AGENT OF THE APPLICANT(S)
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of manufacturing engineering. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to maintenance and servicing of conveyor belts. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for splicing or joining of adjoining conveyor belts.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Conveyor belts are commonly employed in industries for transport of materials from one point to another. Conveyor belts are usually made up of multiple layers including a top cover, a carcass, and a bottom cover. In case of conveyor belts employed in industries including, but not limited to, mining industries, steel plants, cement plants, and the like, where material are to be shipped across long distances, the top cover and the bottom cover may be made of rubber or synthetic polymer, while the carcass may made of metal cords or strands embedded therein. The carcass is configured to provide reinforcement along lengthwise direction of the conveyor belt, to retain shape of the conveyor belt.

Further, conveyor belts employed in industries usually have a length ranging from several hundred meters to kilometers. Installation and fabrication of such industrial application conveyor belts involves significant costs and replacing such conveyor belts is time consuming, labor intensive and an expensive exercise. With advent of technology, instead of replacing the conveyor belts upon breakage, the conveyor belts are spliced, to extend service life of the conveyor belt and make them reusable.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrates a perspective view and a top view of a commonly known conveyor belt (10), where adjoining ends (1, 2) of the conveyor belt (10) is joined or spliced by a conventional method of splicing. The conventional method of splicing includes removing material from a portion of the top cover and the bottom cover of the conveyer belt (10), to expose a plurality of metal cords (3) embedded beneath a layer of bonding rubber in the top cover and the bottom cover. Some of the conventional conveyor belts ((10) may include a textile breaker which is positioned above the metal cords (3), a metal breaker which is positioned below the metal cords (3), while a protective layer of rubber may be disposed above and below the textile breaker and the metal breaker, respectively. In the conventional method, material is removed normally with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the conveyor belt (10) (i.e., perpendicular with respect to the axis of conveyor belt). Subsequent to removal of material from the conveyor belt (10), the exposed metal cords (3) are interwoven and arranged as depicted in figure 1. The conventional method further includes disposing a layer of unvulcanized rubber strip on a top side and a bottom side of the interwoven metal cords and further subjecting such layer of rubber to vulcanization for splicing of the conveyor belt.

The above-described conventional method of splicing results in creation of a spicing joint that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the conveyor belt. As depicted in Figure 3a, such splicing joint may result in formation of a crack (4) on a top surface and/or a bottom surface of the conveyor belt (10) along the joint and about the width of the conveyor belts. For the purpose of illustration, the crack (4) may be assumed to be formed on the top surface of the conveyor belt (10). The crack (4) may originate from at least one of a fabric breaker discontinuity, a metal breaker discontinuity, voids in rubber layers and the like. However, the crack (4) may also formed by improper handling of the conveyor belt (10) during operation, wear due to prolonged usage, by a sharp object that may come in contact with the conveyor belt (10), improper idler arrangement, pulley lagging, wear off from rollers or idlers, and the like. Such cracks (4) are usually formed at the center of the conveyor belt (10) and along the spliced joint, that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the conveyor belt (10). As depicted in Figure 3b, the crack (10) may propagate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the conveyor belt (10). Further, as depicted in Figure 3c, width of the crack (4) may increase during propagating towards the edges of the conveyor belt (10). Such increase in length and width of the crack (4) may lead to spilling of mass being transported by the conveyor belt (10), which inherently may result in breakage of the conveyor belt (10).

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional method of splicing of conveyor belts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional methods of splicing are overcome by a method as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for splicing an adjoining conveyor belt is disclosed. The method includes removing, a first portion of the adjoining conveyor belt, obliquely (relative to a vertical axis of the conveyor belt) with respect to a longitudinal axis (A-A) (defined along the length of the conveyor belt) of the adjoining conveyor belt. The first portion is removed from a first major surface of the adjoining conveyor belt, to expose a first portion of metal strands of the adjoining conveyor belt. The method further includes removing, a second portion of the adjoining conveyer belt, normally with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt. The second portion is removed from a second major surface of the adjoining conveyor belt opposite to the first major surface, to expose a second portion of metal strands. The method further includes interweaving, the exposed first portion of metal strands with the second portion of metal strands of the adjoining conveyor belt, to splice the first portion of metal strands and the second portion of metal strands.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an angle of obliquely removing the first portion ranges from about 15 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes positioning a plurality of rubber strands between the first portion and the second portion of metal strands. The method further includes positioning at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip on a first side and a second side of each of the first portion and the second portion of metal strands.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes positioning a layer of metal breaker between the first and the second portions of metal strands, and the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip positioned on one of the first side and the second side.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes positioning a layer of textile breaker between the first and the second portions of metal strands, and the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip positioned on an other of the first side and the second side.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes vulcanization of the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip positioned on the first side and the second side of each of the first and the second portions of metal strands, for splicing the conveyor belt. The method of vulcanization includes heating, the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strip, at a temperature in the range 100 °C to 180 °C. The method of vulcanization further includes applying pressure, to the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strip, in a pressure range of 8 kg/cm2 to 20 kg/cm2.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conveyor belt joined or spliced by a conventional method of splicing.

Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of the conveyor belt of Figure 1.

Figures 3a to 3c illustrate formation, growth and expansion of a crack on a surface of the conveyor belt, joined or spliced by a conventional method of splicing.

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of an adjoining conveyor belt in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the adjoining conveyor belt being spliced in accordance with a method in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure 6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the adjoining conveyor belt being spliced in accordance with the method of the present disclosure.

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the adjoining conveyor belt including splicing joints, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating sequence of steps involved in a method for splicing the adjoining conveyor belt, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and the method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by the way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device, assembly, mechanism, system, method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method for splicing adjoining conveyor belts or adjoining portions of the conveyor belt. The method includes removing, a first portion of the adjoining conveyor belt, obliquely (relative to a vertical axis of the conveyor belt) with respect to a longitudinal axis (A-A) (defined along the length of the conveyor belt) of the adjoining conveyor belt. The first portion is removed from a first major surface of the adjoining conveyor belt, to expose a first portion of metal strands of the adjoining conveyor belt. The method further includes removing, a second portion of the adjoining conveyer belt, normally with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt. The second portion is removed from a second major surface of the adjoining conveyor belt opposite to the first major surface, to expose a second portion of metal strands. The method further includes interweaving, the exposed first portion of metal strands with the second portion of metal strands of the adjoining conveyor belt, to splice the first portion of metal strands and the second portion of metal strands.

The term ‘conveyor belt’ (also referred to as ‘belt’ hereinafter) as used herein refers to a conveyor belt having metal cords for reinforcement and a polymer as a support material, where the metal is preferably steel and the polymer is preferably rubber, either natural or synthetic. The conveyor belt may generally be dimensioned with length substantially greater than width and thickness so that, mass such as, but not limited to, metal, ore, and other materials, may be traversed from one place to an other through the conveyor belt.

The term ‘splicing’ as used herein refers to a procedure or process of forming a joint between at least two adjoining ends of the conveyor belt, by interweaving metal cords or strands at the ends of the belt. Splicing may be performed by untwisting/unraveling of the strands/cords included in adjoining ends the conveyor belt, followed by interweaving of the strands/cords.

The term ‘metal breaker’ and ‘textile breaker’ as used herein refers to transverse reinforcements provided in the conveyor belt. The term ‘metal breaker’ as used herein refers to a fabric/weft made of metal strands. Metal breaker may be made from strands of metal including, but not limited to, steel, copper, aluminum, and the like, that may be chosen for a particular conveyor belt, depending on the application, and working conditions in which the conveyor belt is intended to be employed. The term ‘textile breaker’ as used herein refers to a fabric/weft made of natural and/or synthetic fibers. Textile breaker may be made from fibers including, but not limited to, nylon, polyamide/polyester (EP), polyester/polyester (EE), polyamide/polyamide (PP) and the like, that may be chosen for a particular conveyor belt, depending on the application, and working conditions in which the conveyor belt is intended to be employed.

The term ‘vulcanization’ as used herein refers to processes independently or collectively employed for hardening of a top and a bottom cover of the conveyor, which may be made of natural or synthetic polymer. Polymers included within the rubber undergo curing during vulcanization, leading to formation of cross-links between sections of polymer chains, which further results in amplification of rigidity and durability of the rubber. Further, vulcanization may also enhance and induce changes in mechanical and electrical properties of the rubber.

The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 4 to 8. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, only a portion of conveyor belt is illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the method as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used in any conveyor belt including, but not limited to, cord conveyor belts, steel cord conveyor belts, metal cord conveyor belts, nylon fabric cord conveyor belts, polyester fabric cord conveyor belts and the like.

Figure 4 is an exemplary embodiment illustrating a sectional view of a conveyor belt (100) in accordance with the present disclosure. The conveyor belt (100) includes a plurality of metal strands (13, 14) positioned in between a plurality of intermediate strands (9). The intermediate strands (9) may be made of polymers, preferably made of rubber. The plurality of metal strands (13, 14) and the plurality of intermediate strands (9) may be arranged in a coplanar manner. The plurality of metal strands (13, 14) and the plurality of intermediate strands (9) may be arranged alternatively, such that each of the plurality of metal strands (13, 14) is neighbored by at least two intermediate strands (9). At least one intermediate strand (9) may be positioned at edges of the conveyor belt (100), such that the plurality of metal strands (13, 14) does not get exposed. The plurality of metal strands (13, 14) and the plurality of intermediate strands (9) form a central layer of the conveyor belt (100). In the embodiment, the plurality of metal strands (13, 14) may be preferably made of steel.

The conveyor belt (100) further includes an upper bonding layer (8a) positioned above the layer of plurality of metal strands (13, 14) and the plurality of intermediate strands (9). The conveyor belt (100) also includes a lower bonding layer (8b), positioned below the layer of plurality of metal strands (13, 14) and the plurality of intermediate strands (9). The plurality of intermediate strands (9), the upper bonding layer (8a) and the lower bonding layer (8b), may be preferably made of rubber. In an embodiment, the plurality of metal strands (13, 14), the plurality of intermediate strands (9), the upper bonding layer (8a) and the lower bonding layer (8b), may be bonded together, to form a core layer of the conveyor belt (100). A textile breaker (6) may be positioned above the upper bonding layer (8a), and a metal breaker (7) may be positioned below the lower bonding layer (8b). The conveyor belt (100) further includes a top cover (5a) positioned above the textile breaker (6), and a bottom cover (5b) positioned below the metal breaker (7).

In an embodiment, the plurality of metal strands (13, 14) may have a diameter of at least 1mm and may preferably be about 2.5mm to about 5 mm. The plurality of intermediate strands (9) may have a thickness of at least 6 mm and a width of at least 2mm that may extend from about 2.5mm to about 4 mm. Further, thickness of the upper bonding layer (8a) and the lower bonding layer (8b) may be at least 1 mm. In an embodiment, thickness of the textile breaker (6) may be at least 2.2 mm, while thickness of the metal breaker (7) may be at least 1.6 mm. Further, thickness of the top cover (5a) may be at least 4.3 mm, while the bottom cover (5b) may have a thickness of at least 4.0 mm. Overall, when all the layers of the conveyor belt (100) are bonded together, the conveyor belt (100) may have a nominal thickness of at least 20 mm. The width and depth of the intermediate strands (9), the plurality of metal strands (13, 14) may be selected such that sum of each of the dimension results to width of the conveyor belt and in turn width of the top cover (5a) and the bottom cover (5b) of the conveyor belt (100). Also, number of intermediate strands (9) and the plurality of metal strands (13, 14) may be suitably varied to add up to dimension resembling width of the conveyor belt (100).

Figures 5a and 5b are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure which illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the conveyor belt (100) being spliced with an adjoining conveyor belt. The term ‘adjoining conveyor belt (100)’ (also referred to conveyor belt (100) and/or belt (100) hereinafter) refers to a conveyor belt, of which the ends need to be spliced or joined therewith, while the conveyor belts may be homogenous [i.e., having same material composition] or heterogenous [i.e., having same material composition] based on requirement. In the illustrative embodiment of Figure 5a a homogenous conveyor belt (100) being spliced is explicated for simplicity. Here, a first portion of material may be removed from ends of the conveyer and adjoining ends (11, 12) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The first portion of material is removed obliquely (relative to a vertical axis of the conveyor belt) with respect to a longitudinal axis (A-A) (defined along the length of the conveyor belt) of the conveyer belt (100) and that of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The material may be removed by employing at least one a knife, a cutter, a cobbler’s knife, a saddler knife, an electric knife, a laser, and any non-conventional material removal process. The first portion is removed from a first major surface (16) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). By obliquely removing the first portion of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), a first portion of metal strands (13) may be exposed. In an embodiment, an angle (15) of obliquely removing the first portion ranges from about 15 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100).

Further, as illustrated in Figure 5b, a second portion of the adjoining conveyer belt (100) is removed, by performing at least one of cutting, slicing, tearing or any other lattice material removal process. The second portion may be removed normally with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The term ‘normally removing’ as used herein refers to removal of the second portion in a perpendicular alignment or a substantially perpendicular alignment, with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The second portion may be removed from a second major surface (17) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). In an embodiment, the second major surface (17) may be positioned opposite to the first major surface (16). By normally removing the second portion of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), a second portion of metal strands (14) may be exposed. Subsequent to removal of material from the first major surface (16) and the second major surface (17), the exposed first portion of metal strands (13) may be interwoven with the second portion of metal strands (14). By interweaving the first portion of metal strands (13) with second portion of metal strands (14), adjoining ends of the conveyor belt (100) may be spliced. Further, while interweaving the first portion of metal strands (13) with second portion of metal strands (14), a plurality of intermediate strands (9) may be positioned between the first portion of metal strands (13) with second portion of metal strands (14).

Figure 6 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a perspective view of the adjoining conveyor belt (100) being spliced in accordance with the method (200) for splicing the adjoining conveyor belt (100). As depicted in the figure, at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (i.e., the upper bonding layer (8a)) may be positioned on a first side of the first portion of metal strands (13). In the embodiment, positioning on the first side may include positioning above the first portion of metal strands (13). Further, at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (i.e., the lower bonding layer (8b)) may be positioned on a second side of the second portion of metal strands (14). In the embodiment, positioning on the second side may include positioning below the second portion of metal strands (14). Furthermore, a layer of textile breaker (6) may be positioned between the first portion of metal strands (13) and the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (i.e., the upper bonding layer (8a)) positioned on the first side of the first portion of metal strands (13). A layer of metal breaker (7) may be positioned between the second portion of metal strands (14) and the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (i.e., the lower bonding layer (8b)) positioned on the second side of the second portion of metal strands (14). The top cover (5a) may be positioned above the textile breaker (6), while the bottom cover (5b) may be positioned below the metal breaker (7).

In an embodiment, the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strips (i.e., the upper bonding layer (8a) and the lower bonding layer (8b)) may be vulcanized, for splicing the adjoining ends of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), including splicing joints formed on the first major surface (16) and the second major surface (17), subsequent to vulcanization. In an embodiment, vulcanization may include heating of the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strips (8a, 8b), at a temperature in the range of about 100 °C to about 180 °C. Vulcanization parameters, such as, but not limited to mold temperature, mold pressure, heating duration, curing duration, cooling attributes and the like, may be chosen based on type of rubber included in the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strips (8a, 8b) and operational requirements. For instance, for the conveyor belt (100) made of ultra-high resistant (UHR) rubber, the mold temperature may be preferably in the range of 160 °C. Further, for the conveyor belt (100) made of heat resistant (HR) rubber, the mold temperature may be preferably in the range of 150 °C. For the conveyor belt (100) made of super abrasive resistant (SAR) rubber, the mold temperature may be preferably in the range of 145 °C. In the embodiment, vulcanization may include application of pressure over the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strips (8a, 8b). The pressure applied may be in the range of 8 kg/cm2 to 20 kg/cm2.

Referring now to Figure 8 which is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a flow chart of the method (200) for splicing the adjoining conveyor belt (100). In an embodiment, the method (200) may be implemented on any conveyor belt including, but not limited to, cord conveyor belts, steel cord conveyor belts, metal cord conveyor belts, nylon fabric cord conveyor belts, polyester fabric cord conveyor belts and the like.

The order in which the method (200) is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in any order to implement the method (200). Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method (200) without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.

As depicted at block 201, the method (200) includes removing, a first portion of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), obliquely (relative to a vertical axis of the conveyor belt) with respect to a longitudinal axis (A-A) (defined along the length of the conveyor belt) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The first portion is removed from the first major surface (16) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), to expose a first portion of metal strands (13) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). In an embodiment, an angle (15) of obliquely removing the first portion ranges from about 15 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100).

As depicted at block 202, the method (200) includes removing, a second portion of the adjoining conveyer belt (100), normally with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The second portion is removed from a second major surface (17) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100) opposite to the first major surface (16), to expose a second portion of metal strands (14).

As depicted at block 203, the method (200) includes interweaving, the exposed first portion of metal strands (13) with the second portion of metal strands (14) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). By interweaving the first portion of metal strands (13) with second portion of metal strands (14), adjoining ends of the conveyor belt (100) may be spliced.

In an embodiment, the method (200) includes positioning a plurality of rubber strands (9) between the first portion and the second portion of metal strands (13, 14). The method (200) further includes positioning at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (8a, 8b) on a first side and a second side of each of the first portion and the second portion of metal strands (13, 14). In an embodiment, the method (200) includes positioning a layer of metal breaker (7) between the first and the second portions of metal strands (13, 14), and the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (8a, 8b) positioned on one of the first side and the second side of metal strands (13, 14). In an embodiment, the method (200) includes positioning a layer of textile breaker (6) between the first and the second portions of metal strands (13, 14), and the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (8a, 8b) positioned on an other of the first side and the second side of the metal strands (13, 14).

In an embodiment, the method (200) includes vulcanization of the at least one layer of unvulcanized rubber strip (8a, 8b) positioned on the first side and the second side of each of the first and the second portions of metal strands (13, 14), for splicing the conveyor belt (100). The method of vulcanization includes heating, the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strip (8a, 8b), at a temperature in the range 100 °C to 180 °C. The method of vulcanization further includes applying pressure, to the at least one layer of unvulcanised rubber strip (8a, 8b), in a pressure range of 8 kg/cm2 to 20 kg/cm2.

In an embodiment, the method (200) may include removing, a first portion of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), normally with respect to a longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The first portion may be removed from the first major surface (16) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), to expose a first portion of metal strands (13) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The method (200) may further include removing, a second portion of the adjoining conveyer belt (100), obliquely (relative to a vertical axis of the conveyor belt) with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) (defined along the length of the conveyor belt) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). An angle (15) of obliquely removing the second portion ranges from about 15 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The second portion is removed from a second major surface (17) of the adjoining conveyor belt (100) opposite to the first major surface (16), to expose a second portion of metal strands (14).

In an embodiment, the method (200) of the present disclosure increases strength of splicing joint in conveyor belts. By obliquely removing material from a top surface of the adjoining conveyor belt (100) and by normally removing material from a bottom surface of the adjoining conveyor belt (100), the method (200) reduces overlap of stress concentration zones in the adjoining conveyor belt (100). The method (200) of the present disclosure enables better stress distribution in conveyor belts and reduces fatigue induced crack formation. In comparison with the conventional method of splicing, the method (200) increases operational life of the adjoining conveyor belt (100) from 6 months to 14 months and above.

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (100) having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system (100) having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERICALS
Particulars Numerical
Adjoining ends of the conveyor belt 10 1, 2
Metal cords 3
Crack 4
Top cover
5a
Bottom cover 5b
Textile breaker 6
Metal breaker 7
Unvulcanized rubber strips 8a, 8b
Upper bonding layer 8a
Lower bonding layer 8b
Intermediate strands/ Rubber strands 9
Conveyor belt (Prior art) 10
Adjoining ends of the adjoining conveyor belt 11, 12
Plurality of metal strands 13, 14
First portion of metal strands 13
Second portion of metal strands 14
Angle 15
First major surface 16
Second major surface 17
Method for splicing an adjoining conveyor belt 200
Steps included in method 200 201-203
Longitudinal axis of conveyer belt A-A