Abstract: Material-handling apparatus is illustrated in a tire-recapping plant where tires of various sizes are automatically fed to a cluster of recapping machines by a feed conveyor in proper sequence for loading each machine with a tire of the proper type and size. The tire is automatically centered for engagement by the gripping arms of a transfer apparatus which transfers the tire from the feed conveyor to the proper recapping machine. At the completion of the recapping operation in each machine, the recapped tire is picked up by the transfer mechanism and is deposited on the dicharge conveyor, and the transfer mechanism then automatically reloads the machine with a tire of the proper size and type which is centered on the feed conveyor. The machine is controlled automatically to eliminate manual handling of the tires in the immediate vicinity of the recapping machine.

Abstract: Material-handling apparatus is illustrated in a tire-recapping plant where tires of various sizes are automatically fed to a cluster of recapping machines by a feed conveyor in proper sequence for loading each machine with a tire of the proper type and size. The tire is automatically centered for engagement by the gripping arms of a transfer apparatus which transfers the tire from the feed conveyor to the proper recapping machine. At the completion of the recapping operation in each machine, the recapped tire is picked up by the transfer mechanism and is deposited on the discharge conveyor, and the transfer mechanism then automatically reloads the machine with a tire of the proper size and type which is centered on the feed conveyor. The machine is controlled automatically to eliminate manual handling of the tires in the immediate vicinity of the recapping machine.