Seam for a belt for recirculation in machines, and method for the manufacture

A seam for joining opposed ends of a belt (1, 21, 41) for recirculation in machines, said seam comprising a reinforcing wire (8, 15) extending in a transverse belt direction and at least two elongated coupling elements (5, 10, 25, 26, 42 through 45) extending in said transverse belt direction, each of said coupling elements comprising first and second sides and a row of coupling loops (9, 12, 31 through 34, 52) along said first side, said reinforcing wire (8, 15) extending through one of said coupling elements adjacent said second side, the coupling loops (9, 12, 31 through 34, 52) of two adjacent coupling elements cooperable such that they may be overlapped to result in a passthrough channel (13, 35, 53) extending in said transverse belt direction and through which a coupling wire (14, 35, 46 through 49) can be inserted;

• wherein each of said coupling elements is configured as a tubular coupling sleeve (5, 10, 25, 26, 42 through 45) having cutouts (5, 27 through 30, 51), said cutouts being configured complementarily to said coupling loops (9, 12, 31 through 34, 52) such that coupling loops (9, 12, 31 through 34, 52) of one coupling element of a pair of adjacent coupling sleeves fit into cutouts of another coupling element of said pair of adjacent coupling elements.