Abstract: A bead-apex assembly system comprising a bead forming system and an apex application system. In one embodiment, a supporting assembly is located at least partially between the bead forming system and the apex application system, and the supporting assembly is adapted to move an annular bead ring from the bead forming system to the apex application system.

Abstract: In one general aspect, the present disclosure provides a bead-apex assembly for a vehicle tire. The bead-apex assembly may include a bead with an outer diameter surface, and an apex with a first layer and a second layer, the first layer having an inner diameter located adjacent to the outer diameter surface of the bead, and the second layer having an inner diameter located adjacent to an outer diameter of the first layer.

Abstract: A bead wire payoff system is provided having a first coil mount configured to receive a first coil of bead wire and a second coil mount configured to receive a second coil of bead wire. The first and second coil mounts are configured to continuously pay-off a bead wire, first from the first coil of bead wire, and then from the second coil of bead wire upon exhaustion of the first coil of bead wire.

Abstract: A bead-apex assembly system comprising a bead forming system and an apex application system. In one embodiment, a supporting assembly is located at least partially between the bead forming system and the apex application system, and the supporting assembly is adapted to move an annular bead ring from the bead forming system to the apex application system.

Abstract: A system for handling a bead apex comprises a first jaw having open and closed states, which is configured to engage a first surface of a bead apex in the closed state. The system further comprises a second jaw having open and closed states, and a plurality of grippers coupled to the second jaw. Selected ones of the plurality of grippers are configured to engage a second surface of the bead apex in the closed state of the second jaw. Further, at least one of the plurality of grippers comprises a tapered end surface.

Abstract: A system for handling a bead apex comprises a first jaw having open and closed states, which is configured to engage a first surface of a bead apex in the closed state. The system further comprises a second jaw having open and closed states, and a plurality of grippers coupled to the second jaw. Selected ones of the plurality of grippers are configured to engage a second surface of the bead apex in the closed state of the second jaw. Further, at least one of the plurality of grippers comprises a tapered end surface.

Abstract: A hinge adapter is described, providing a new construction for hanging a door in a door frame. The hinge adapter of the invention comprises two major components, the first being a hinge-to-door adapting member and the second being a hinge-to-jamb adapting member. These two adapting members each have at least two mortises for receiving a hinge plate. Preferably, these adapting members also each have a plurality of holes for use in attaching the respective adapter to either a door, or to a doorjamb. Attaching the two adapting members to the door and to the door jamb, with at least two hinges between them, allows the hanging of the door upon the doorjamb with the attachment of the door to the jamb being made over a larger area of the jamb and the door, than if the at least two hinges were attached directly to the door and the door jamb.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for sealing an edge region of a planar material ply includes a central controller and at least one platform. The automated apparatus and method further employs a mechanism for picking a single planar material ply in addition to a mechanism for moving the single planar material ply to the platform. The automated apparatus and method includes a sealing device which seals the edge region of the planar material ply where the sealing device provides a fluid to a predetermined focused region within the edge region. The fluid substantially shrinks and melts strands in the focused region of the planar material ply.

Abstract: A weft straightener assembly for an automated weft straightener system. The weft straightener system includes proximity sensors, a power roller, and an idler roller rotating on a rotation axis. A biased woven textile planar material is fed to the weft straightener assembly where the assembly stretches the woven planar textile material in a predetermined direction to eliminate or substantially reduce any bias present in the woven planar material.