Abstract: Handling means for the transportation of flexible sheet material comprises two work stations and a carrier (15) movable between the two work stations. The carrier is provided with means (12, 13) securely to support flexible sheet material (9) during its transport by the carrier between two work stations. The carrier preferably is flexible in a first direction whereby it may be deformed to follow a curved path (26) around a mandrel (25) at one work station. The carrier is thereby suited to receiving reinforced sheet material from a first mandrel (14) and applying it transposed, say through 90 degrees, around a second mandrel (25).

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a reinforced tubular article involves forming at a first work station (14) a first flexible reinforced tubular structure in which at least one reinforcing element extends generally circumferentially, e.g. helically. The first tubular structure is cut transversely to form cut edges (17, 18) and then transported, typically as a flat sheet, by means of a carrier (15) to a second work station (25, 26) at which it is formed into a second reinforced tubular structure in which the cut edges (17, 18) extend generally circumferentially. Thus there is provided, by the method of the invention, a second reinforced tubular structure in which the reinforcing element(s) of the first tubular structure is or are re-orientated to extend in a substantially longitudinal direction of the tubular structure.

Abstract: A tire is manufactured by assembling a tread package into a pattern ring and molding a tread thereon while partially precuring the package. The tire is further assembled by positioning an uncured carcass within the pattern ring so that the carcass contacts an uncured portion of the tread package. Finally, the assembled tire is separated from the pattern ring and subsequently heated in a mold devoid of a tread pattern to bond and cure the complete tire.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the manufacture of an annular uncured elastomeric component for a tire. The component (11) is formed on a disc-like mandrel (10) comprising a flexible support (12) having a frustoconical surface on which a strip of unvulcanized elastomeric material is wound to form the component, and a rigid carrier (13) on which the support (12) is mounted. The carrier (13) is adapted for mounting on a turning head (31) for rotation of the mandrel as the strip is laid onto said receiving surface. The flexible support (12) is used as a carrier to transfer the formed component to another tire building location.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a tubular article such as a component for deformation into the shape of a pneumatic tire utilizes a flexible carrier (15) for transfer and deformation of sheet material (9) to extend in a tubular form between the carrier and a former (25). The carrier (15) may extend around the former and support the sheet material between the former (25) and carrier (15) particularly if the former is of a type expansible to press the sheet material outward against the carrier. The axial ends (35) of the carrier (15) when in a tubular form around the former may be used axially to space and support a pair of tire beads (36). The sheet material (9) may have an axial length sufficient for it to extend beyond each axial end of the carrier whereby it may be turned radially outward around the respective tire beads.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a tire in which an annular component (11) is placed onto a flexible annular support (12) and the support (12) with component (11) insitu is brought into proximity with a shaped-up tire carcass for assembly of the component to the carcass. The insitu component (11) is assembled to the shaped-up carcass by applying a load through the flexible support (12) to press said component against the carcass. The annular support (12) is locatable on an operating head (34) which includes an applier means (81) which acts on the flexible support causing it to distort and thereby transfer the component (11) to the shaped-up tire carcass.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacture of a pneumatic tire in which an annular component, such as a tread/breaker assembly, is accurately located in a supporting box (30)(15). Other tire components such as sidewalls, and carcass, are assembled to said annular component while it is held in the box. The box (15) (30) is a transfer box which is detachable from a rotatable conveyor (11) for relocation in turn at each of a number of tire building stations (16)(26)(36) to pick a respective component(s) at each station. After picking up the respective component(s) at a station the box (15)(30) returns to the conveyor (11) for movement of the box to the next building station.

Abstract: In the feeding of sheet material to a machine such as a tire building former a sheet is first placed on a table and one edge of the sheet is aligned with a first datum line, preferably by tilting the table and supplying floatation air under the sheet. The sheet is then picked up and moved transversely through a predetermined distance by a gripping device to align one edge with a second datum line so as to enable the sheet to be fed in appropriate alignment to a machine.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a pneumatic tire in which an annular component, such as a tread/breaker assembly, is accurately located in a supporting box (30)(15). Other tire components such as sidewalls, and carcass, are assembled to said annular component while it is held in the box. The box (15) (30) is a transfer box which is detachable from a rotatable conveyor (11) for relocation in turn at each of a number of tire building stations (16)(26)(36) to pick a respective component(s) at each station. After picking up the respective component(s) at a station the box (15)(30) returns to the conveyor (11) for movement of the box to the next building station.

Abstract: In the feeding of a strip of tire building material to a former, it is desirable to achieve a butt-joint between the ends of the strip when it has been wrapped fully around the circumference of the former (which may already have some material which has been wrapped around its surface in a previous operation). As the strip is fed to the former, its length is measured and the diameter of the former is adjusted if necessary to match the circumference of the former (and any existing material thereon) to the length of the strip.

Abstract: Tire building apparatus in which a former is mounted on a first rotatable turret, and a component carrier of tubular form is mounted on a second rotatable turret adjacent the first turret. The former and the component carrier are arranged to be relatively movable at a turret station to enable the former to be surrounded by the component carrier so as to permit transfer of a tire building component between the former and the component carrier.

Abstract: In the feeding of sheet material to a machine such as a tire building former a sheet is first placed on a table and one edge of the sheet is aligned with a first datum line, preferably by tilting the table and supplying floatation air under the sheet. The sheet is then picked up and moved transversely through a predetermined distance by a gripping device to align the edge with a second datum line so as to enable the sheet to be fed in appropriate alignment to a machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use at the stage of a radial tire building process at which a tread and breaker, and sidewall rubbers, are added to the expanded carcass. A tread assembly is built, comprising tread rubber breaker and sidewall rubbers and is then located around the carcass which is then expanded into the tread assembly. A tread assembly former has a central portion expansible to bring side portions to a frusto-conical shape.

Abstract: A tire breaker comprising at least two breaker plies is assembled on a carrier ring which is movable between ply fitting stations.The ring is mounted on an arm which swings the ring through 90.degree. to each fitting station where the ply is supported on a table. Each end of the ply is then moved from the table on to the ring by means of grippers, and rollers then traverse the ring to ensure that the ply is positioned accurately. The joints formed in successive plies are diametrically opposed to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of manufacture for discrete elastomeric material components comprising extending material through a die onto the surface of a component holding member, securing the leading end of the extrudate to said member, effecting relative movement to lay the extrudate on the holding member so that the component is produced on said member. The invention also provides for transfer of the component from the member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use at the stage of a radial tire building process at which a tread and breaker, and sidewall rubbers, are added to the expanded carcass. A tread assembly is built, comprising tread rubber breaker and sidewall rubbers and is then located around the carcass which is then expanded into the tread assembly. A tread assembly former has a central portion expansible to bring side portions to a frusto-conical shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in the manufacture of pneumatic tires, in which a pair of tire bead assemblies are held in accurately spaced relationship against opposite ends of a tube. Tire carcass material carried on an expansible former is located within the tube and expanded to engage the bead assemblies, projecting ends of the carcass material being turned radially outwardly around the bead assemblies while the bead assemblies are supported by the tube.

Abstract: In the moulding of the tread portion of a pneumatic tire the radially inner surface of the mould cavity is defined by the radially outer surface of an annular former of elastomeric material. The former is contracted, a breaker assembly is built onto it and it is allowed to expand to stress the breaker. In the mould the former is further expanded and is held in compression between mould parts and the breaker to withstand moulding pressure. The former may have inflatable pockets to throw the breaker edges into contact with tire sidewall reinforcements.

Abstract: In molding the tread portion of a pneumatic tire to have a breaker structure incorporated therein the breaker is built in an annular mold cavity to have a radially outermost 90.degree. ply consisting of parallel cords extending axially of the cavity, and uncured rubber is introduced into the cavity through an annular gate surrounding the cavity so as to spread axially of the cavity. As the introduced uncured rubber does not move circumferentially of the cavity it has no tendency to displace the breaker cords.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is moulded using a mould core of cured rubber the radial sectional shape of which is the same as the internal radial sectional configuration of the finished tire. The opposite sides of the core are supported by fitting plates while a tread portion of tire is moulded onto the exposed outer periphery of the core. Thereafter the side plates are removed in turn and replaced by sidewall mould halves enabling sidewalls to be moulded against the core in contact with the tread portion.