Method for joining the ends of a linear belt in order to form an endless belt for the transport of foodstuffs

A method of joining longitudinal ends of a linear belt to form an endless belt configured to be mounted in an ascending conveyor for transporting foodstuffs,

• the linear belt comprising two lateral edges, two longitudinal ends, a top face intended to receive the foodstuffs to be transported, hereinafter referred to as a product face, and an opposite bottom face, intended to cooperate with conveyor drive means, hereinafter referred to as a drive face,
• the linear belt being deformable transversely between a flat configuration, at rest, and a tubular or at least substantially tubular configuration, wherein the two lateral edges are positioned edge to edge,
• the linear belt comprising an upper layer made of a material having a first hardness and forming the product face, and a lower layer made of a material having a second hardness, greater than the first hardness, and forming the drive face,
• the linear belt comprising a plurality of longitudinal reinforcing members, arranged in its thickness, adapted to limit its longitudinal elongation during the use thereof,
• the method for joining comprising steps of:
• rigidly connecting the longitudinal ends of the linear belt,
• forming at least one recess in a first longitudinal end and in a second longitudinal end of the linear belt so as to uncover at least one reinforcing member,
• rigid connecting of a connecting element in the recess, the connecting element comprising additional reinforcing members and having a shape complementary to the recess,
• wherein the recess is formed from the product face of the linear belt.