U.S. patent application number 15/933400 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-26 for adhesion aging protection in corded rubber articles.
This patent application is currently assigned to ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH. Invention is credited to Katja Henning, David J. Maguire.
Application Number | 20190291958 15/933400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65763249 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-26 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190291958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henning; Katja ; et
al. |
September 26, 2019 |
ADHESION AGING PROTECTION IN CORDED RUBBER ARTICLES
Abstract
A conveyor belt including a carry cover layer, a reinforcement
layer which is situated below the carry cover layer, and a pulley
cover layer which is situated below the reinforcement layer, where
the reinforcement layer is comprised of steel cordage and rubber
matrix, and wherein the rubber matrix includes zinc oxide in an
amount greater than 5 phr. In some cases the rubber the matrix
includes zinc oxide in an amount of 11 phr or greater, or even in
an amount of 16 phr or greater. In some aspects, the rubber matrix
is devoid of lead oxide. In some aspects, the steel cordage is zinc
coated steel cords.
Inventors: |
Henning; Katja; (Goettingen,
DE) ; Maguire; David J.; (Hudson, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH |
Hannover |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
ContiTech Transportbandsysteme
GmbH
Hannover
DE
|
Family ID: |
65763249 |
Appl. No.: |
15/933400 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 15/06 20130101;
C08K 3/014 20180101; B32B 2307/54 20130101; C08K 3/22 20130101;
C08K 2003/2296 20130101; B65G 15/36 20130101; B32B 25/12 20130101;
B32B 27/06 20130101; B65G 2201/06 20130101; B32B 27/40 20130101;
B32B 2433/02 20130101; B65G 15/38 20130101; B32B 2307/3065
20130101; C08K 3/22 20130101; B32B 2307/554 20130101; C08L 21/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65G 15/36 20060101
B65G015/36; B65G 15/38 20060101 B65G015/38; B32B 27/06 20060101
B32B027/06; B32B 27/40 20060101 B32B027/40; B32B 15/06 20060101
B32B015/06; B32B 25/12 20060101 B32B025/12 |
Claims
1. A conveyor belt which is comprised of a carry cover layer, a
reinforcement layer which is situated below the carry cover layer,
and a pulley cover layer which is situated below the reinforcement
layer, wherein the reinforcement layer is comprised of steel
cordage and rubber matrix, wherein the rubber matrix comprises zinc
oxide in an amount of 16 phr or greater, and wherein the steel
cordage has a pullout force value of at least 191 N after exposure
to a 10% NaCl salt water bath for 14 days.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The conveyor belt according to claim 1 wherein the carry cover
layer comprises at least one rubbery polymer selected from the
group consisting of styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic
polyisoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber,
polybutadiene rubber styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene
rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber.
5. The conveyor belt according to claim 1 wherein the pulley cover
layer comprises at least one rubbery polymer selected from the
group consisting of styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic
polyisoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber,
polybutadiene rubber styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene
rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber.
6. The conveyor belt according to claim 1 wherein the rubber matrix
comprises at least one rubbery polymer selected from the group
consisting of styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic polyisoprene
rubber, nitrile rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene
rubber styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber and
ethylene-propylene-diene rubber.
7. The conveyor belt according to claim 1 wherein the carry cover
layer includes zinc oxide at a level of greater than 5 phr.
8. The conveyor belt according to claim 1 wherein the pulley cover
layer includes zinc oxide at a level of greater than 5 phr.
9. The conveyor belt according to claim 1 wherein the carry cover
layer is devoid of lead oxide.
10. The conveyor belt according to claim 1 wherein the pulley cover
layer is devoid of lead oxide.
11. The conveyor belt according to claim 1 wherein the rubber
matrix is devoid of lead oxide.
12. A conveyor belt which is comprised of a carry cover layer, a
reinforcement layer which is situated below the carry cover layer,
and a pulley cover layer which is situated below the reinforcement
layer, wherein the reinforcement layer is comprised of zinc coated
steel cords and rubber matrix, wherein the rubber matrix comprises
zinc oxide in an amount of 16 phr or greater, and wherein the steel
cordage has a pullout force value of at least 191 N after exposure
to a 10% NaCl salt water bath for 14 days.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. The conveyor belt according to claim 12 wherein the rubber
matrix is devoid of lead oxide.
16. A rubber article which is comprised of a reinforcement layer,
wherein the reinforcement layer is comprised of steel cordage and
rubber matrix, and wherein the rubber matrix comprises zinc oxide
in an amount greater than 5 phr.
17. The rubber article according to claim 16 wherein the rubber
matrix comprises zinc oxide in an amount of 11 phr or greater.
18. The rubber article according to claim 16 wherein the rubber
matrix comprises zinc oxide in an amount of 16 phr or greater.
19. The rubber article according to claim 16 wherein the rubber
matrix comprises at least one rubbery polymer selected from the
group consisting of styrene-butadiene rubber, synthetic
polyisoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber,
polybutadiene rubber styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene
rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber.
20. The rubber article according to claim 16 wherein the rubber
matrix is devoid of lead oxide.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The field to which the disclosure generally relates is
rubber articles containing metal reinforcements therein, and in
particular, conveyor belts having zinc coated steel reinforcement
cords therein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information to facilitate a
better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It
should be understood that the statements in this section of this
document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of
prior art.
[0003] Many rubber articles, such as conveyor belts, automobile
tires, hoses, power train belts, e.g., transmission belts, and the
like, are usually reinforced with fibrous or metal cords. In all
such instances, the fiber or metal cord must be firmly bonded to
the rubber. This is so whether the fiber or cord is a natural or
synthetic polymer, or metallic, and whether the rubbers are natural
or synthetic.
[0004] Conventional conveyor belts which are used in heavy duty
applications are typically comprised of a cured rubber or polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) based material as a top layer, a cured rubber or PVC
based material as a bottom layer, and one or more reinforcement
layers (a carcass) disposed between the top layer and the bottom
layer. The cured rubber or polyvinyl chloride based material may
also serve to adhere various components of the reinforcing carcass.
For example, individual layers and reinforcing elements included in
the carcass may be encapsulated in a matrix of polymeric
elastomeric resin, such as a polyvinylchloride based material. The
individual layers are commonly saturated with the liquid
elastomer-forming polymeric resin prior to being joined together,
and the reinforcing elements may be inserted, for example, by
tufting, sewing, or stitch-bonding. In cases where the liquid
saturate is a polyvinylchloride plastisol, the resin is gelled, or
otherwise cured, by application of heat.
[0005] Some conveyor belts contain reinforcement elements which
include zinc coated steel cords. Conveyor belts of these types can
offer excellent performance characteristics and a relatively long
service life. However, under some conditions where the conveyor
belts are exposed to repeated high temperatures and/or humidity
over long periods of time, the zinc coated steel cord
reinforcements can delaminate, or otherwise lose adhesion, from the
rubber matrix of the conveyor belt.
[0006] For bonding the rubber to the zinc coated steel cord
surface, special rubber formulations have been known to be used in
the form of adhesion compounds. One solution to provide protection
against aging/corrosion and loss of adhesion has been addition of
lead oxide (PbO). However, PbO is considered a hazardous substance
and is rated as SVHC substance in the REACH regulation, which could
ultimately be banned for use. Also, currently available alternative
compounds without PbO can achieve good adhesion to the cord
surface, but the generated bonding is more susceptible to
aging/corrosion than with compounds containing PbO.
[0007] Thus, there is an ongoing need for conveyor belts including
zinc coated steel cordage with improved bonding between the zinc
coated steel cord surface and rubber matrix, while be exposed to
thermal and/or humidity aging conditions, such need met, at least
in part, with embodiments according to the following
disclosure.
SUMMARY
[0008] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not necessarily a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope
or all of its features.
[0009] In a first aspect of the disclosure, a conveyor belt
includes a carry cover layer, a reinforcement layer which is
situated below the carry cover layer, and a pulley cover layer
which is situated below the reinforcement layer, where the
reinforcement layer has steel cordage and rubber matrix, and
wherein the rubber matrix includes zinc oxide in an amount greater
than 5 phr. In some cases the rubber matrix includes zinc oxide in
an amount of 11 phr or greater, or even in an amount of 16 phr or
greater. In some aspects, the rubber matrix is devoid of lead
oxide. In some embodiments, the steel cordage is zinc coated steel
cords.
[0010] In yet other aspects of the disclosure, a rubber article
includes a reinforcement layer, where the reinforcement layer has
steel cordage and rubber matrix, and where the rubber matrix
comprises zinc oxide in an amount greater than 5 phr. In some
further aspects, the rubber matrix includes zinc oxide in an amount
of 11 phr or greater, or even in an amount of 16 phr or greater. In
some aspects, the rubber matrix is devoid of lead oxide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood,
however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various
implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the
scope of various technologies described herein, and:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt having a
carry cover layer, a reinforcement layer which is situated below
the carry cover layer, where the reinforcement layer includes steel
reinforcing elements, and a pulley cover layer which is situated
below the reinforcement layer, according to an embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt having a
carry cover layer, a reinforcement layer which is situated below
the carry cover layer, where the reinforcement layer includes three
layers of reinforcements, and a pulley cover layer which is
situated below the reinforcement layer, according to another
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt having a
carry cover layer, a second layer in the cover, which is situated
immediately below the carry cover layer, a reinforcement layer
which is situated below the cover, and a pulley cover layer which
is situated below the reinforcement layer, according to another
embodiment of the disclosure; and,
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt having a
carry cover layer, a second layer in the cover, which is situated
immediately below the carry cover layer, a reinforcement layer
which is situated below the cover, a pulley cover layer which is
situated below the reinforcement layer, and another layer situated
immediately adjacent the pulley cover layer, before the
reinforcement layer, according to another embodiment of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following description of the variations is merely
illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope
of the disclosure, its application, or uses. The description and
examples are presented herein solely for the purpose of
illustrating the various embodiments of the disclosure and should
not be construed as a limitation to the scope and applicability of
the disclosure. While the compositions of the present disclosure
are described herein as comprising certain materials, it should be
understood that the composition could optionally comprise two or
more chemically different materials. In addition, the composition
can also comprise some components other than the ones already
cited. In the summary of the disclosure and this detailed
description, each numerical value should be read once as modified
by the term "about" (unless already expressly so modified), and
then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in
context. Also, in the summary of the disclosure and this detailed
description, it should be understood that a concentration or amount
range or dimension listed or described as being useful, suitable,
or the like, is intended that any and every concentration or amount
or dimension within the range, including the end points, is to be
considered as having been stated. For example, "a range of from 1
to 10" is to be read as indicating each and every possible number
along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if
specific data points within the range, or even no data points
within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to only a few
specific, it is to be understood that inventors appreciate and
understand that any and all data points within the range are to be
considered to have been specified, and that inventors had
possession of the entire range and all points within the range.
[0017] Unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an
inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A
or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or
present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not
present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or
present).
[0018] In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe
elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done
merely for convenience and to give a general sense of concepts
according to the disclosure. This description should be read to
include one or at least one and the singular also includes the
plural unless otherwise stated.
[0019] The terminology and phraseology used herein is for
descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in
scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having,"
"containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended
to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter,
equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited.
[0020] Also, as used herein any references to "one embodiment" or
"an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances
of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the
specification are not necessarily referring to the same
embodiment.
[0021] Conveyor belts according to the disclosure typically include
an elastomeric body having a load carrying surface atop a carry
cover layer, a parallel pulley engaging pulley cover layer, and a
reinforcement containing carcass disposed within the elastomeric
body of the belt. The reinforcement carcass typically includes one
or more reinforcement layers, with optional intermediate layers
disposed thereon. In some embodiments, the conveyor belts are
formed as a continuous belt, and the ends cut and shaped in such
way to enable splicing among the plurality of layers. In some
aspects, stepped splice are used which insure that all layers in
the splice seam do not approach a drive pulley simultaneously.
These features, although not required, can improve the splice joint
in some applications.
[0022] Now referencing FIG. 1 which illustrates an embodiment
according to the disclosure. A conveyor belt 1 embodiment includes
a carry cover layer 2 which is comprised of a synthetic and/or
natural rubber based composition, a reinforcement layer 4 which
situated below the carry cover layer 2, and a pulley cover layer 7
which is situated below the reinforcement layer 4. The pulley cover
layer 7 is comprised of a synthetic and/or natural rubber based
composition. In this embodiment, the reinforcement layer 4 includes
a plurality of steel reinforcing elements 6 which are embedded
within the rubber matrix 8 of the reinforcement layer 4, and
disposed in an orientation essentially parallel with the
longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 1. The plurality of
steel reinforcing elements 6 may, in some cases, be zinc-coated
steel cords.
[0023] In some other embodiments, as depicted for conveyor belt 10
in FIG. 2, the reinforcement layer 4 may include a first layer of
reinforcement 5A, a second layer of reinforcement 5B reinforcement
layer including a plurality of steel reinforcing elements in a
rubber matrix, and a third layer of reinforcement 5C. However, in
alternative embodiments the reinforcement layer 4 can contain two
layers of reinforcement, or four or more layers of
reinforcement.
[0024] In embodiments of the disclosure, one or more of the carry
cover layer 2, the pulley cover layer 7, or rubber matrix 8 of the
reinforcement layer(s) contain zinc oxide (ZnO) in amounts greater
than conventional levels. By significant increasing the amount of
zinc oxide, either alone or in combination with other additional
ingredients, the resistance of the bonding to the zinc coated steel
cord against aging processes (i.e. thermal and/or humidity
exposure) is improved. Such discovery is counter to previous
teachings where negative effects on rubber adhesion to brass-plated
steel cord surface at higher ZnO concentrations were found (see
"Effect of ZnO contents at the surface of brass-plated steel cord
on the adhesion property to rubber compound" by Gyung Soo Jeon, Min
Hyeon Han and Gon Seo, Korean J, Chem. Eng., 16(2), 248-252 (1999),
incorporated herein by reference thereto).
[0025] While FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a carry cover layer and pulley
cover layer which are each formed of one layer of material, it is
within the scope of this disclosure that any of the carry cover
layer and pulley cover layer could be formed of multiple layers of
materials. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in one embodiment of this
disclosure, the conveyor belt 20 is reinforced with steel cords,
and has a carry cover layer 2, a second layer 3 in the cover, which
is situated immediately below the carry cover layer 2, a
reinforcement layer 4 which includes steel cords 6 which are
embedded in a rubber matrix, and a pulley cover layer 7 which is
situated below the reinforcement layer 4. Similarly, as shown in
FIG. 4, the pulley cover layer 7 may have another layer 9 situated
immediately adjacent the pulley cover layer 7, before the
reinforcement layer 4.
[0026] In accordance with the disclosure, in some cases, the amount
of zinc oxide incorporated is greater than about 5 phr of the
composition forming the particular layer(s). In some other cases,
the amount of zinc oxide is about 11 phr or greater, of the
composition forming the particular layer(s), and in some other
embodiments, the amount of zinc oxide is about 16 phr or greater,
of the composition forming the particular layer(s). In some
embodiments, the amount of zinc oxide incorporated is from greater
than about 5 phr to about 15 phr, of the composition forming the
particular layer(s). In general, any suitable amount of zinc oxide
may be incorporated at levels greater than about 5 phr of the
composition forming the particular layer(s).
[0027] Any of a variety of natural or synthetic elastomeric
materials suitable for conveyor belt applications may be used to
form the carry cover layer 2, rubber matrix 8, and pulley cover
layer 7, including, but not limited to elastomeric materials with
resilient properties. In some aspects, the elastomeric material is
a rubber selected from the group consisting of natural rubber (NR)
and/or butadiene rubber (BR) and/or chloroprene rubber (CR) and/or
styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and/or nitrile rubber (NBR, HNBR)
and/or synthetic polyisoprene rubber and/or butyl rubber (IIR)
and/or ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM) and/or
ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and/or polyacrylate rubber
(ACM) and/or isoprene-butadiene rubber and/or polybutadiene rubber
and/or styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber and/or
ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and/or epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO)
and/or chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber (CSM) and/or silicone
rubber (MVQ) and/or fluoro rubber (FPM).
[0028] The elastomeric materials used in forming conveyor belts in
accordance with the disclosure may also include additives for
enhancing flame retardancy, wear and chunk resistance, rolling
resistance, aging resistance (e.g., ozone and UV resistance), and
the like. Vulcanization aids, cross-linking agents, oils,
accelerators, or other formation aids may also be used. Other
polymers may also be included to obtain certain properties, such as
polyacrylates, polyurethanes, melamine formaldehydes, polyesters,
polyethers, and the like.
[0029] The reinforcing layers may also include any of a variety of
other materials, in additional to steel cordage, either woven or
non-woven, in any desirable weight and orientation, and is
comprised of multiple individual plies separated by appropriate
elastomeric or adhesive layers. Such materials may include a wide
variety of wires, or even synthetic and manmade fibers, including
polyester, nylon, aramid (e.g., Kevlar), glass, polypropylene,
cellulose, wool, or others. The fibers may be multi-filament,
monofilament, or staple fibers. In one embodiment, the reinforcing
layer further includes one or more plies of polyester and/or
nylon.
[0030] In some cases, the reinforcement layer(s) may include
textile layers with filaments which are disposed in a direction
transverse to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt.
Referring again to FIG. 2, such textile layers may be incorporated
in reinforcement layers 5A, 5C, or both 5A and 5C.
Examples
[0031] The following experimental data was generated for the
purpose of further illustrating the nature of some of the
embodiments and aspects of the disclosure, and are not intended as
a limitation on the scope thereof. The following examples, shown in
Table 1, were prepared to illustrate that embodiments of the
disclosure provided improved bonding between a zinc coated steel
cord surface and rubber matrix, while be exposed to thermal and
humidity aging conditions. As a model system, zinc coated steel
cords were embedded in rubber matrix adhesion compounds, containing
different amounts of zinc oxide, and subjected to different aging
conditions. In order to test the behavior of different compounds,
the zinc coated steel cords embedded in the rubber matrix adhesion
where formed into 10.times.10 mm T-Test-Block (with hot-dip
galvanized steelcord 3.times.3.times.0.15 mm) and subjected to the
following aging conditions: [0032] a) Exsiccator for 14
days/70.degree. C./95% humidity [0033] b) Salt water (10% NaCl)
submergence for 14 days [0034] c) Autoclave water steam for 5
days/105.degree. C.
TABLE-US-00001 [0034] TABLE 1 Compound no. Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4
Ex. 5 Ex. 6 SBR 1500 81 81 81 81 81 81 BR high cis 19 19 19 19 19
19 Silica 35 35 35 37 37 37 TESPT 50% on carbon black 4 4 4 4 4 4
Styrene resin (a) 11 11 11 11 11 11 Nytex 4700 (plasticizer) 16 16
16 16 16 16 carbon black N339 13 13 13 13 13 13 carbon black N330
11 11 11 11 11 11 zinc oxide 5 11 16 5 11 16 stearic acid 1.1 1.1
1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 Manobond 680 C 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 resorcinol
80% in SBR 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 sulfur 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9
Sulfur, unsoluble 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 retarder CTP 0.4 0.4 0.4
0.4 0.4 0.4 accelerator CBS 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 HMMM 50% on
carrier (b) 7.1 7.1 7.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 HMMM 65% on carrier (b) 0.0 0.0
0.0 5.5 5.5 5.5 6PPD (antioxidant) 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 phr in
total: 218.2 223.6 229.0 217.7 223.1 228.5 a) Hot polymerized
emulsion high styrene resin with a typical styrene/butadiene ratio
of 82.5/17.5%.. ca. 3.4% resin/fatty acid mixture b) Methylated
melamine formaldehyde resin, on an inert silica base (50% or 65%
active ingredient)
[0035] The above example compounds were mixed with a standard
mixing procedure (3-step process) in a laboratory mixer (Shaw K1
mark 4 Intermix). Resorcinol was added in the second pass at
moderate dump temperature.
[0036] T-Test-Block test samples were prepared from two batches at
each zinc oxide level, and each exposure/test was conducted 10
times for each batch at each zinc oxide level. Zinc coated steel
cord pullout testing was performed by a 10 kN universal tensile
test machine (Zwick) with a pre-tension of 5 N/mm and a test speed
of 125 mm/min. The force at pullout was recorded in newtons (N).
Samples exposed to the aging conditions were measured in comparison
to control samples which were not exposed to any aging conditions.
Pullout force results are shown in Table 2, as an average of the 20
pullout tests conducted for each, and the values are expressed in N
units.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Rubber Salt Water Bath Warm Humidity
Autoclave Matrix (14 d @ 10% (14 d @ (5 d @ ZnO phr Control NaCl)
70.degree. C./95%) 105.degree. C.) 5 phr 364 147 148 69 11 phr 356
175 203 231 16 phr 362 191 293 263
[0037] As illustrated in Table 2, increasing the zinc oxide in the
rubber layer, to levels above 5 phr, provides significant increase,
and thus improvement in requisite pullout force of zinc coated
steel cord from a rubber matrix, after exposure to the aging
conditions.
[0038] While the foregoing embodiments described refer to conveyor
belt embodiments, it is within the spirit and scope of the
disclosure that the embodiments may also include any type of rubber
article requiring improved adhesion between a rubber matrix and
steel cordage, such as, but not limited to, hose, tires, power
transmission belts, endless tracks, and the like.
[0039] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. Example
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
sufficiently thorough, and will convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. It will
be appreciated that it is within the scope of the disclosure that
individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are
generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where
applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected
embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same
may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
disclosure.
[0040] Also, in some example embodiments, well-known processes,
well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not
described in detail. Further, it will be readily apparent to those
of skill in the art that in the design, manufacture, and operation
of apparatus to achieve that described in the disclosure,
variations in apparatus design, construction, condition, erosion of
components, gaps between components may present, for example.
[0041] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0042] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner", "adjacent",
"outer," "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the
like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one
element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or
feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms
may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device
in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the
figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,
elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or
features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an
orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the
spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly.
[0043] Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been
described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without
materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure.
Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within
the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0044] 1 Conveyor belt [0045] 2 Carry cover layer [0046] 3 Second
Layer [0047] 4 Reinforcement layer [0048] 5A First layer of
reinforcement [0049] 5B Second layer of reinforcement [0050] 5C
Third layer of reinforcement [0051] 6 Steel reinforcing
elements/steel cords [0052] 7 Pulley cover layer [0053] 8 Rubber
matrix [0054] 9 Another layer [0055] 10 Conveyor belt [0056] 20
Conveyor belt [0057] 30 Conveyor belt
* * * * *