Abstract: A conveyor belt of stretchable elastomeric material reinforced by layers of cords which permit an initial stretching of the belt at installation of at least 3 percent. Reinforcing cords are positioned in the belt elastomeric material to generate transverse forces during stretching of the belt which results in the interaction of the material of the belt with the cords. This interaction causes the edge portions of the belt to curl upwardly and form load-retaining walls at the edges. The belt may have a bottom stretchable portion which is reinforced to resist outside transverse forces resulting from the passage of the belt around a curve. A top stretchable portion of the belt has edge portions which bend upwardly to form the load-retaining walls. The edge portions of the belt may curl sufficiently to bring the edges together and they may be connected for enclosing the load on the belt surface.

Abstract: A stretchable U-shaped conveyor belt with reinforcing members extending transversely of the belt and spaced apart longitudinally of the belt. Elastic stretchable material between the reinforcing members permits prestretching the belt so that the edges remain in tension when the belt passes around curves and thereby maintains the molded shape of the belt in horizontal and vertical curves. The conveyor belt is driven by a power belt and guided by guide rollers. The power belt and conveyor belt are carried by support rollers mounted on frames at spaced-apart positions along the belt path. The frames are fastened to a resilient, flexible spine member which provides for positioning of the frames around vertical and horizontal curves. The U-shaped cross section of the belt is also maintained by U-shaped reinforcing members of high modulus material which are positioned in two spaced layers within the molded body of the belt.