Abstract: Mandrel means for forming tubular tubular articles of an infinitely variable range of sizes by helical winding of strip material (25) around the mandrel means comprises a support surface defined by an endless belt (37) which extends around two support drums (36) the spacing of which is selectively variable. The mandrel means additionally comprises a belt guide assembly (38) (39) which preferably diverts the belt (37) to follow an inwardly extending path between the support drums (36) and thereby results in a peripheral discontinuity in the mandrel means support surface. The belt guide assembly may also incorporate a roller (39) to maintain tension in the belt (37) irrespective of the spacing of the support drums (36). Cutter means may be provided to cut a wound tubular article in the vicinity of the support surface discontinuity.

Abstract: Flexible reinforced polymeric material (30), typically a tape, comprises two elongate flexible support layers (31, 39) and a plurality of lengthwise extending cords (36) secured thereto. The respective edges of the support layers (31, 39) are transversely offset to result in a pair of edge regions and some cords (36) are sandwiched between the support layers while at least one cord (32, 33, 40) and (37, 38, 41) is secured to one of the edge regions. Preferably the two edge regions have corresponding cord arrangements (32, 33, 40) and (37, 38, 41) provided such that the cords (32, 33, 40) of one edge region may be caused to interlock with those (37, 38, 41) at the other edge region.

Abstract: In a method of an apparatus for the manufacture of a flexible reinforced polymeric article, such as a breaker fabric for a pneumatic tire, a layer of polymeric material is fed from feed means to a conveyor and a pair of laying head carriages are arranged to lay to and fro over said polymeric layer two reinforcing cords in an arrangement in which two successive transverse portions of one cord lie interdigitated between two successive transverse portions of the other cord in a manner whereby the two cords are free from overlapping cross-over regions.Means may be provided for applying a second layer of polymeric material whereby the cords are embedded between and consolidated in said polymeric layers.

Abstract: A flexible reinforced polymeric article, suitable for use as a breaker fabric in a pneumatic type, comprising an elongate strip of polymeric material having embedded therein a pair of reinforcement elements (1) and (2) disposed in a zig-zag manner across the width of the strip such that two successive transverse portions of one reinforcement element (1) lie between two successive transverse portions of the other element (2) in a manner in which the two elements (1), (2) are free from overlapping cross-over regions. Preferably a part of the length (6), (8) of each element at an edge region (5), (5') of the strip lies parallel with the length (c--c) of the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for laying a continuous helically wound strip (30) of elastomeric material around a mandrel (11) to form a cylindrical ply thereon. The apparatus comprises a head unit (17) mounted on a carriage (18) for movement during the laying of the strip. The head unit (17) has a body (22) with a pair of calender rolls (24) (25) thereon to receive the strip (30) and produce therefrom a strip of uniform thickness. A support means (28) is pivoted to the body (22) and has an application roller (27) thereon that receives the calendared strip and lays the strip ont the mandrel. The application roller is arranged to exert a light load on the strip as it is wound onto the mandrel.

Abstract: A guide device (11) for feeding cord (2) from a source, such as a reel, to a mandrel (1) via an application roller (8). The device (1) has a body (12) housing a knife (10) for cutting the cord (2), and also houses a cord end retaining means (24) for holding the severed end of the cord from the reel after cutting. The retaining means is a resilient roller (24) which is biased against the application roller (8) to hold the severed cord end between the two rollers. Such a guide device can be used during the manufacture of a cord reinforced elastomeric ply for a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: This invention concerns the manufacture of a layer of elastomeric material to form part of a pneumatic tire, and the manufacture of a reinforced elastomeric layer.According to the invention a layer of elastomeric material is formed as a progressive helical winding along a mandrel. The layer may be transferred in cylindrical form to a tire carcass building former to constitute an inner lining for a tire carcass, or a reinforcement filament may be wound over the layer producing a cylindrical reinforced layer which is cut to produce a ply of coated fabric.

Abstract: A cutting device for slitting a textile material, particularly a textile reinforced elastomeric ply lying on a curved surface (11). The device comprises a guide means (14) and a carriage (13) mounted thereon at a fixed height from the curved surface (11). A serrated rotary knife (12) is mounted on the carriage together with a plough means (15) which lifts the ply (12) off the curved surface (11) permitting the knife to cut the textile material without contacting the surface, and also for raising one of the cut edges off the curved surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing tire breaker fabric comprising a cord feed unit, guide means for guiding a single cord between two sets of retaining means attached one to either edge of an endless belt to form an elongate sheet of parallel closely spaced cords laid in zig-zag fashion such that the edges of the sheet are formed by a series of folded cord edges which are held by the retaining means. Stepwise drive means advances the belt and cord assembly to elastomer applying means for applying elastomer to one surface of the cord assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture for making tire breaker cord fabric comprising a tire cord laying head to lay a zig-zag assembly of a single cord, edge loop holding units and drive means for relatively moving the cord assembly to an elastomeric material coating device.

Abstract: Tire breaker fabric for a pneumatic tire comprising a sheet of tire cords wherein the cords comprise a twisted package of high modulus material filaments having a twist angle of not more than 18.degree. and the cords are formed by one single continuous cord which extends back and forth across the sheet in a zig-zag formation. The cords are preferably closely spaced and held in the sheet by a thin sheet of elastomeric material. The invention provides in addition a tire including breaker fabric of this type.