Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire (500) comprises a tread (510), a belt structure (512), and a carcass (514). The carcass (514) has a radial ply (518) and two bead sections (530A, 530B). Each bead section (530A, 530B) has a bead (532) and a component apex (534) with a inner apex (534A), a middle apex (534B) and an outer apex (534C).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying and applying a strip component (11) such as a tire tread is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the strip component on a belt conveyer (16), determining a guideline (52) of the strip component (11) at an exit end (20) of the belt conveyor (16), and laterally adjusting the exist end (20) of the belt conveyor (16) to align the guideline (52) of the strip component (11) with a predetermined guideline such as the guideline of a tire building drum (12). The apparatus includes a belt support transverse housing (76) which is laterally moveable by a motion controller (64) in response to a sensor (58) which detects the guideline (52) of the strip component (11). Guides on the transverse housing (76) move the belts of the conveyor (16) on slider plates without physically touching the conveyed strip component (11), thereby preventing damage to the component material.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly and method for conveying and storing a strip material in a conveyor system that is subject to changes in length of the strip material due to intermittent operation includes an upper conveyor (16), an adjustable substantially horizontal center conveyor (22) for receiving the strip material (34) from the upper conveyor, and a lower conveyor (28) for receiving the associated strip material from the center conveyor. A computer (94) controls the movement and rotation of the center conveyor, and loop detecting apparatus on the center conveyor may also detect a loop (90) in the strip material carried by the center conveyor and thereby detecting changes in length of the strip material not predetermined by the computer. A servomechanism (100) activated by signals from the computer or the loop detecting apparatus moves the center conveyor in a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: An extruder for extruding an associated material includes an extruder housing that has a feed section, a center section that includes a throttle section, and an outlet section with an extruder screw disposed in the extruder housing. The extruder also includes a throttle at the throttle section. The throttle has a plurality of pins that extend radially into the housing. The pins are adjusted by a cam extending around the extruder housing. The cam has an inner wall that has a plurality of cam surfaces engageable by pins. The radius of each of the cam surfaces gradually decreases from a maximum radius to a minimum radius distance. The pins have springs that urge the pins radially outward to contact the inner wall of the cam. The cam is rotated by a piston and cylinder assembly. The extruder further includes sensors for temperature, gauge, weight, and other properties of the material.