Abstract: A method of producing a tire having an outside-in ply construction is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a reinforced elastomeric fabric having a gauge thickness G and a cord spacing S, the apparatus comprising: a die having a plurality of holes for receiving a reinforcement cord, the holes providing a cord spacing of about S/2, a first and second calender roll located adjacent the die, the die having a end plate having a slot wherein the slot is located adjacent a calender roll so that the reinforcement cords are pressed into engagement with a ribbon of elastomeric material, the calender rolls being spaced to provide a gauge thickness of about G/2, the apparatus further comprising a cutter for cutting the ribbon of reinforced elastomeric material into segments having a length L, each segment having a width W, each segment having lateral edges, said apparatus further comprising a pick arm for placing a plurality of segments onto a conveyor so that the lateral ends of adjacent segments are lap spliced together, the lap splice having a width W/2.

Abstract: A tire having an outside-in ply construction is provided which torques the tire bead into the rim of the wheel to which it is mounted. The tire has first and second axially-spaced bead cores, a carcass having at least one belt extending under a tread, and a first ply layer having first and second ends. A first end is located axially outside and adjacent a first bead core, and a second end folds from a position axially outside a second bead core to a position axially inside and around the second bead core. The carcass further comprises a second ply layer having first and second ends, a first end is located axially outside and adjacent the second bead core, and a second end that folds from a position axially outside a first bead core to a position axially inside and around the first bead core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a calendering system is provided to allow for fine gauge adjustment of the product. The calender system has a first and second roller each having a first and second end mounted in opposed end supports. The end supports each have an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one or more internal passages, wherein a heat transfer medium may be circulated through the one or more internal passages. The heat transfer medium may either heat or cool the internal passages of the end supports, resulting in the respective increase or decrease in the gauge of the product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cutting an elastomeric laminate that may include a layer of reinforcement cords, into a desired length without cutting through the cords. The method includes the step of cutting through the gum portion of the elastomeric composite material at a desired skive angle, and then opening up the skived cut. Next, the cord reinforcement layer is cut without severing the reinforcement cords. An elastomeric composite strip cut to the desired length is produced and has cut ends. One of the cut ends has the gum portion cut at a desired skive angle adjacent an overhang portion of the reinforcement layer. The opposite end of the elastomeric composite segment also has a skived portion to mate with the skived portion of the first cut end, and a gap in the cord ply to mate with the cord overhang of the first end, resulting in a splice. An improved anvil having independently controlled vacuum zones is also provided, as well as improved cutting mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a calendering system is provided to allow for fine gauge adjustment of the product. The calender system has a first and second roller each having a first and second end mounted in opposed end supports. The end supports each have an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one or more internal passages, wherein a heat transfer medium may be circulated through the one or more internal passages. The heat transfer medium may either heat or cool the internal passages of the end supports, resulting in the respective increase or decrease in the gauge of the product.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method of cutting a sheet of feed stock comprising: positioning a cutting mechanism having a cutting line positioned between a first conveyor roller and a second conveyor roller; advancing the feed stock to align the feed stock into position over the cutting line; lowering the cutting blade to cut through the feed stock, traversing the cutting blade through the feed stock to cut the feed stock into sheets of a desired length.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a sheet of flexible material to a cylindrical body is disclosed. The apparatus includes an applier frame segment movably mounted on a supporting frame member, a servo arm rotatably connected to said applier frame segment for retracting and extending said applier frame segment towards and away from cylindrical body. The invention provides in a second aspect a method of applying a sheet of elastomer to a cylindrical body comprising the steps of: providing an applier frame movably mounted to a frame assembly, providing the sheet of elastomer to the applier frame, pivoting the applier frame upwards and moving the applier frame towards the cylindrical body, locating the applier frame in an inclined position adjacent the cylindrical body, applying the sheet of elastomer to the cylindrical body, and then retracting the applier frame to its starting position.

Abstract: Method for providing precured innerliners (50) having a predetermined cross sectional profile for use as part of a pneumatic tire assembly used in a bladder-less shaping and vulcanizing mold. The innerliner (50) is formed from a continuous strip of elastomeric material (12) hot formed using a calender assembly (10) with a profiled calender roller (16). The formed strip is cured “in-line” in a press (38) having a profile matching platen (80) before being wound onto a tire building drum (48). After the pneumatic tire assembly is completed, the assembly is shaped and cured in a bladder-less mold, utilizing the precured innerliner as the impervious inner layer. Initially, the center region (62) of the innerliner is at least twice as thick as the lateral regions (72, 74). In the finished pneumatic tire, the innerliner exhibits a uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid heating of calender rolls 350, 352 for a calendering apparatus 200 is disclosed. At a heating area 800, the rolls 350, 352 are preheated, reheated, or maintained at any temperature prior to the rolls 350, 352 being placed into the calendering apparatus 300. The preferred method of heating is by induction heating. The rolls 350, 352 may be delivered to the heating apparatus 802 from an initial storage area 420 or the calendering apparatus 300. The rolls 350, 352 are transported by an overhead transfer mechanism 400. The disclosed method and apparatus greatly facilitate formation of multi-layered laminates and is particularly useful in the tire building art.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid heating of calender rolls 350, 352 for a calendering apparatus 200 is disclosed. At a heating area 800, the rolls 350, 352 are preheated, reheated, or maintained at any temperature prior to the rolls 350, 352 being placed into the calendering apparatus 300. The preferred method of heating is by induction heating. The rolls 350, 352 may be delivered to the heating apparatus 802 from an initial storage area 420 or the calendering apparatus 300. The rolls 350, 352 are transported by an overhead transfer mechanism 400. The disclosed method and apparatus greatly facilitate formation of multi-layered laminates and is particularly useful in the tire building art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid heating of calender rolls 350, 352 for a calendering apparatus 200 is disclosed. At a heating area 800, the rolls 350, 352 are preheated, reheated, or maintained at any temperature prior to the rolls 350, 352 being placed into the calendering apparatus 300. The preferred method of heating is by induction heating. The rolls 350, 352 may be delivered to the heating apparatus 802 from an initial storage area 420 or the calendering apparatus 300. The rolls 350, 352 are transported by an overhead transfer mechanism 400. The disclosed method and apparatus greatly facilitate formation of multi-layered laminates and is particularly useful in the tire building art.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 200 for building a laminate 10A and in forming a subassembly 10 for a pneumatic tire from an assembly of reinforced or unreinforced tire components wherein the method has the steps of providing an apparatus 200 for simultaneously forming, positioning, attaching and conveying a plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components and activating the apparatus simultaneously forming, positioning and attaching the plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components to adjacent strips of tire components as they are conveyed thus forming a laminate 10A of reinforced or unreinforced tire components suitable for use as a subassembly for a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus 200 for building a laminate 10A and in forming a subassembly 10 for a pneumatic tire from an assembly of reinforced or unreinforced tire components wherein the method has the steps of providing an apparatus 200 for simultaneously forming, positioning, attaching and conveying a plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components and activating the apparatus simultaneously forming, positioning and attaching the plurality of continuous strips of elastomeric tire components to adjacent strips of tire components as they are conveyed thus forming a laminate 10A of reinforced or unreinforced tire components suitable for use as a subassembly for a pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A laminate composite structure is provided in continuous lengths or rolls for making an unvulcanized carcass for a radial ply pneumatic tire as an intermediate article of manufacture. The laminate has a ply and a plurality of elastomeric components hot formed and attached directly to the ply. Each component has a predetermined cross-sectional profile. The elastomeric components including, but not limited to, a liner, a sidewall, and a chafer. Additional other elastomeric components for the carcass can be formed and attached to the laminate structure. The laminate forms an intermediate article of manufacture that at a later stage of tire building can be cut to length and spliced along common ends to form a cylindrical carcass structure.