Patents Assigned to VMI
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Patent number: 9950994Abstract: Methods and compositions for pest control, and more particularly for control of ants, e.g., of the subfamily Myrmicinae, using tyramides.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignees: VMI Foundation, The United States of America, as represented by the secretary of agricultureInventor: Tappey H. Jones
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Patent number: 9950485Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of forming an annular apex filler for tire beads. Said apparatus comprises a cylindrical former (2) for supporting a cut length of an apex filler strip (91) of elastomeric material, wherein said cylindrical former (2) comprises a hollow rotary shaft (21) and a plurality of rigid, circumferentially spaced apart fingers (22). The fingers (22) are movably connected to support members (24) for flipping the apex filler when wound on the cylindrical former. The support members (24) are movable connected to substantially radially extending guiding members (25). The guiding members (25) are connected to a hollow rotary shaft (21). The fingers (22) are connected via linkages (27) to a driving member (281) which is connected to a push/pull shaft (28) which extends at least partially through the hollow rotary shaft (21).Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Marco Slot, Gerard Johannes Van Laar
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Patent number: 9902584Abstract: Provided is a foil removal device and a method for removing a foil from a tire tread in a removal direction, wherein the foil removal device includes a foil collection unit with a winding element, a winding drive for receiving the foil at or near one of the ends of the foil, a gripper for engaging the foil prior to the removal of the foil and a gripper drive for moving the gripper from the gripping position towards the foil collection unit to partially remove the foil from the tire tread. The gripper is arranged for releasing the foil when the foil collection unit has received the foil. The winding drive is arranged for driving the winding element to engage and subsequently remove the foil. The removal device includes a displacement drive for moving the foil collection unit simultaneously with the winding drive driving the winding element.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventor: Roel Kramer
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Patent number: 9849644Abstract: Provided is a device and method for butt-splicing strip members for tire components, having a first clamp and a second clamp arranged for clamping a first end of a first strip member and a second end of a second strip member, respectively, wherein at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp is movable along a butt-splice direction into a butt-splicing position opposite to the other of the first clamp and the second clamp for butt-splicing the ends, wherein the first clamp includes a first upper clamp member and a first lower clamp member, wherein the second clamp includes a second upper clamp member and a second lower clamp member, wherein the first lower clamp member projects beyond the first upper clamp member over a first overlap distance and wherein the second upper clamp member projects beyond the second lower clamp member over a second overlap distance.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventor: Gerrit Roy Nijland
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Patent number: 9776367Abstract: Provided is an unloading system and a method for unloading a tire tread carrier, wherein the tire tread carrier includes a plurality of plates, wherein each plate is arranged for supporting at least one tread for a tire, wherein the unloading system includes an arm with a retaining device for picking up and retaining treads, wherein the arm is provided with a lifting device that is arranged to move together with the arm for lifting one of the plates, wherein a control system is arranged for controlling a drive system to position the arm in a starting position in which the lifting device extends at least partially underneath said one plate and to subsequently move the arm upwards such that the lifting device is moved towards a lifting position, thereby lifting said one plate; from the closed position towards the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Henk-Jan Grolleman, Roel Kramer
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Publication number: 20170239901Abstract: Provided is a device and method for butt-splicing strip members for tire components, having a first clamp and a second clamp arranged for clamping a first end of a first strip member and a second end of a second strip member, respectively, wherein at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp is movable along a butt-splice direction into a butt-splicing position opposite to the other of the first clamp and the second clamp for butt-splicing the ends, wherein the first clamp includes a first upper clamp member and a first lower clamp member, wherein the second clamp includes a second upper clamp member and a second lower clamp member, wherein the first lower clamp member projects beyond the first upper clamp member over a first overlap distance and wherein the second upper clamp member projects beyond the second lower clamp member over a second overlap distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventor: Gerrit Roy NIJLAND
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Patent number: 9688037Abstract: A tire layer application assembly and a method for applying a tire layer around a substantially circular circumferential surface of an object. The assembly is provided with a drive which, during application, is coupled to the object for driving the object in a driven rotation about a concentric axis of rotation with respect to the circumferential surface, wherein the assembly includes a tracking device which, during application, is arranged to be fixed to a part of the tire layer that is applied to the circumferential surface, wherein the tracking device is rotatable in a tracking rotation about the axis of rotation of the object, independent of the driven rotation of the object about the same axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Florian Fischer, Cornelis Wouteres Janszen
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Publication number: 20170158449Abstract: Provided is a foil removal device and a method for removing a foil from a tire tread in a removal direction, wherein the foil removal device includes a foil collection unit with a winding element, a winding drive for receiving the foil at or near one of the ends of the foil, a gripper for engaging the foil prior to the removal of the foil and a gripper drive for moving the gripper from the gripping position towards the foil collection unit to partially remove the foil from the tire tread. The gripper is arranged for releasing the foil when the foil collection unit has received the foil. The winding drive is arranged for driving the winding element to engage and subsequently remove the foil. The removal device includes a displacement drive for moving the foil collection unit simultaneously with the winding drive driving the winding element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2015Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventor: Roel Kramer
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Patent number: 9533459Abstract: A stitcher (1) for connecting strips of rubber material (4, 5) into a substantially continuous strip according to this invention comprises a surface (3), a stitching head (6) placed over it having a stitch unit (7) for stitching the strips of rubber material together along a stitch line, which stitch line includes an angle ? having a longitudinal direction (L) of the continuous strip, a drive mechanism for driving a relative movement of the stitching head with respect to the surface along a first (X) and a second (Y) direction, wherein the second direction is oriented transverse to the first direction, and a control device (11) for controlling the drive mechanism such that the stitch unit follows the stitch line. In one embodiment the stitching head is rotatably connected to the drive mechanism wherein the axis of rotation extends transverse to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Marco Johan Put, Cornelis Wouteres Janszen
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Patent number: 9527255Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly and a method for manufacturing a green tire and/or a green air spring. The device comprises a template having a shaping surface (2) for placing a tire component thereon comprising a layer of unvulcanized rubber for the green tire and/or green air spring. The shaping surface (2) is provided with an attachment surface (9) for at least temporarily retaining at least a leading section of the tire component. The attachment surface (9) comprises a number of adhering surface sections (3) with non-adhering surface sections (4) placed in between them, wherein the non-adhering surface sections (4) are at least partially receded with respect to the adhering surface sections (3). In one embodiment the attachment surface (9) comprises a substantially saw-tooth-shaped cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Martin De Graaf, Jan Kornelis Grashuis, Johan Gerard Van Beek
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Publication number: 20160229139Abstract: The invention relates to a method for picking up and placing a tire components, wherein the method includes the steps of picking up a supplied first tire component with a transfer drum, rotating the transfer drum in a first direction for winding a predetermined length of the continuous length of the first tire component, rotating the transfer drum in the opposite second direction, while at the same time moving the transfer drum downstream into a cutting position, wherein a part of the predetermined length of the first tire component is unwound from the transfer drum, cutting the unwound part, thereby obtaining a cut-to-length first tire component, and rotating the transfer drum again in the first direction for winding up the unwound part of the cut-to-length first tire component up to the trailing end.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Henk-Jan Grolleman, Luuk van Tienen
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Publication number: 20160151990Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a building drum (1) for manufacturing a package of a belt layer (6) and a tread layer (7) into a substantially cylindrical tire component, wherein the drum is rotatable about a drum centre line (2) and comprises a rigid support surface (3) for the tire component situated at the outward facing circumferential surface of the drum, wherein the drum comprises two support members (4, 5) which are arranged spaced apart in a substantial longitudinal direction of said drum, wherein the support members (4, 5) each comprises a tread support surface (41, 51) which faces away from the drum centre line and which tread support surfaces are radially movable between a retracted position wherein the tread support surface is arranged at or near the rigid support surface, and a raised position wherein the tread support surface is arranged in a radially outward position with respect to the rigid support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: René DIJKSTRA, Henk-Jan GROLLEMAN
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Patent number: 9283722Abstract: The invention provides a building drum for building an unvulcanized tire or air spring using rubber components. The building drum comprises a central shaft and a casing that can be slid onto the shaft. The casing is detachably attached to the shaft via a coupling pin that can be moved to a coupled position for mutually coupling the shaft and the casing and into an uncoupled position in which the casing can be removed from the central shaft. The casing further comprises a locking device with a locking pin, wherein the locking pin is adapted for, in the coupled position of the coupling pin, engaging thereon for substantially blocking a movement of the coupling pin. The locking device comprises a locking member that in a condition in which the locking pin does not engage onto the coupling pin, is placed such that it prevents a connection of lines to the casing, and/or provides an indication of the casing being mounted incorrectly.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventor: Martin De Graaf
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Publication number: 20150352798Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of forming an annular apex filler for tire beads. Said apparatus comprises a cylindrical former (2) for supporting a cut length of an apex filler strip (91) of elastomeric material, wherein said cylindrical former (2) comprises a hollow rotary shaft (21) and a plurality of rigid, circumferentially spaced apart fingers (22). The fingers (22) are movably connected to support members (24) for flipping the apex filler when wound on the cylindrical former. The support members (24) are movable connected to substantially radially extending guiding members (25). The guiding members (25) are connected to a hollow rotary shaft (21). The fingers (22) are connected via linkages (27) to a driving member (281) which is connected to a push/pull shaft (28) which extends at least partially through the hollow rotary shaft (21).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: VMI Holland B.V.Inventors: Marco Slot, Gerard Johannes Van Laar
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Patent number: 9199423Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for manufacturing a breaker ply package for a green tire, wherein a rubber band is supplied by a supply device (35) that can be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the supply device can be moved between a first position in which the supply device is set for supplying the continuous rubber band at a supply direction which with the conveyance direction includes a first angle that equals the first cord angle, and a second position in which the supply device is set for supplying the continuous rubber band at a supply direction which with the conveyance direction includes a second angle that equals the second cord angle, wherein the second angle is not equal to the first angle.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Jan Kornelis Grashuis, Wiebe Herman Ten Wolde, Erik Harm Jan Teule, Kees Janszen
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Patent number: 9193485Abstract: Folding device for making a fold in a first direction in a foldable material, wherein the folding device comprises a clamping unit and a folding unit, the clamping unit comprising first and second clamping fingers, which with respect to each other can be moved apart and towards each other for clamping the material in between them, the folding unit being placed next to the clamping unit in a direction transverse to the first direction, and comprising a first and a second folding arm, which with respect to each other can be moved apart and towards each other, the first folding arm comprising two first folding fingers that extend in a direction of the first folding arm and are spaced apart from each other transverse to the first direction, the second folding arm comprising at least one second folding finger that extends in the direction of the first folding arm, the second folding finger being movable to between the first folding fingers.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Gert De Gooyer, Aalf Wijnia, Peter Drost, Ton De Boer
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Publication number: 20150083307Abstract: A tyre building machine for applying an apex to a bead to form a bead-apex assembly for a green tyre, including a bead holder for holding the bead, wherein the tyre building machine includes a first gripper and a second gripper for engaging and moving the apex in a direction of conveyance towards the bead, wherein the first gripper is moveable between a first start position and a first end position and the second gripper is moveable between a second start position and a second end position, wherein the tyre building machine is provided with wedges, wherein the grippers are biased to a closed state in which the grippers are arranged to engage the apex, and wherein the wedges are arranged for countering the bias of the grippers when the grippers are at one of the start positions or the end positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Marco Slot, Gerard Johannes Van Laar
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Publication number: 20150083301Abstract: A tyre layer application assembly and a method for applying a tyre layer around a substantially circular circumferential surface of an object. The assembly is provided with a drive which, during application, is coupled to the object for driving the object in a driven rotation about a concentric axis of rotation with respect to the circumferential surface, wherein the assembly includes a tracking device which, during application, is arranged to be fixed to a part of the tyre layer that is applied to the circumferential surface, wherein the tracking device is rotatable in a tracking rotation about the axis of rotation of the object, independent of the driven rotation of the object about the same axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: VMI HOLLAND B.V.Inventors: Florian Fischer, Cornelis Wouteres Janszen
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Patent number: 8960993Abstract: A blender device including a rotor designed to engage with a motor device to be rotated; and an annular ring enclosing the rotor and having at least one axial orifice and a plurality of radial orifices for the passage of the blend. The blender also includes an admission duct for admitting particles intended to be incorporated into the blend, leading into the interior of the annular ring. The blender also effectively dispenses particles in a blend by introducing the particles with a high flow and decreasing product losses.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: VMIInventors: Jose Cheio De Oliveira, Henri Daheron, Pascal Ricard
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Patent number: 8932420Abstract: Method for transferring and placing beads for tires, providing: a bead storage unit in which a number of beads are vertically stacked placing spacers between them, a collection unit for empty spacers, a tire building machine for receiving the beads thereon, a bead retaining provided with engagement jaws that are arranged at equal angular distance in a circumferential direction on the bead retaining means, wherein the engagement jaws are driven or withdrawn in radial direction, a spacer retaining means for picking up and retaining a spacer, and arranging the bead retaining means and the spacer retaining means on a common transfer means. The spacer retaining means acts in a radial direction and is provided with at least two spacer engagement jaws that are arranged circumferentially at equal angular.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: VMI Holland B.V.Inventors: Cornelis Wouteres Janszen, Gerrit Mulder, Wubbo Pieter De Vries, Pieter Cornelis Meijers, Ronald Theodoor Noppers