Abstract: A turn-up device, comprising a building machine main shaft, an outer sleeve device, a ply down finger assembly, a bladder device, a bead setting device, and a bead locking device. The outer sleeve device, the ply down finger assembly and the bladder device are all sleeved on the building machine main shaft. The outer sleeve device is located on the outer sides of the ply down finger assembly and the bladder device along the radial direction of the building machine main shaft. The bead setting device is located on the outer sleeve device. A tire building method using the turn-up device can improve the building quality of tire beads, improve the service life of capsule, and provide promising precision of carcass.

Abstract: In a winding method of a sheet member for winding a sheet member having an inclined side portion 7a inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction at least on one side in the longitudinal direction around a winding cylinder 50 in more than one turn from a tip end of the inclined side portion 7a as a winding start tip, winding of the sheet member is started in a small-diameter portion 51a of the winding cylinder 50 to which a radial difference is given by providing a step 54 to make a diameter smaller on one side in an axial direction and larger on the other side in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The method of building the tire carcass includes the steps of applying one or more tire building components onto a drum forming a cylindrically shaped tire carcass. A first and second bead is placed onto a respective bead pocket. Then the carcass is inflated under low pressure into engagement with a belt and tread package while the bead pockets are moved axially inward. The beads are continued to move axially inward to the axial width of the widest breaker position. Then the outer lateral ends of the cylindrically shaped tire carcass are turned up about a respective first and second bead.

Abstract: A method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The method of building the tire carcass includes the steps of applying one or more tire building components onto a drum forming a cylindrically shaped tire carcass. Placing a first and second bead onto the tire building components on the drum so that the tire carcass ends of the tire carcass extend laterally between the beads. Radially expanding a first and second bead lock mechanism into engagement with a respective first and second bead. Inflating the carcass under low pressure into engagement with a belt and tread package while moving the beads axially inward. Moving the beads axially inward to the axial width of the widest breaker position; Turning up the outer lateral ends of the cylindrically shaped tire carcass about a respective first and second bead.

Abstract: The curing bladder for a tire has a shape of revolution around a central axis and comprises a flexible wall made of crosslinked rubber. The surface of the wall is covered with a coating film made of a non-stick composition. When the bladder is non-inflated, the coating film has a variable thickness over the surface.

Abstract: A rubber composition of the present technology comprises: from 0.5 parts by mass to 1.5 parts by mass of sulfur, from 0.2 parts by mass to 0.6 parts by mass of a thiuram vulcanization accelerator, from 0.2 parts by mass to 0.6 parts by mass of a guanidine vulcanization accelerator, from 0.15 parts by mass to 0.8 parts by mass of a sulfenamide vulcanization accelerator, and from 0.1 parts by mass to 1.5 parts by mass of a thiourea vulcanization accelerator per 100 parts by mass of a diene polymer containing a chloroprene rubber.

Abstract: A method for building a radial tire on a tire-building machine that has an expandable carcass drum with a cylindrical external circumference and two bellows supports with inflatable bellows. A tire inner liner and a carcass ply have projections and project beyond the edges of the carcass drum are laid and spliced on the carcass drum. The bead cores with core profiles are positioned and the projections of the carcass ply are turned up around the outsides of the bead cores by the inflation of the bellows. Expandable bellows supports are provided that are expanded for the placing and splicing of tire components so that the external surfaces of the bellows together with the external surface of the expanded carcass drum form at least essentially a uniform cylindrical load-bearing surface.

Abstract: A shaping drum for a tire blank comprising bottom zones formed of a circular reinforcement ring which is moved in rotation about an axis XX?, comprising bead-holding means (2a, 2b) mounted opposite one another on a central spindle. Each of the bead-holding means comprises a support (5a, 5b) mounted to be axially movably relative to the spindle. An assembly of return segments (9a, 9b) is distributed circumferentially around the axis XX?, which circulate radially between two circular rings (6a, 7a, 6b, 7b) fixed on the support (5a, 5b), and comprises a bead-receiving seat (10a, 10b). A turn-up membrane (12a, 12b) can slide over the bead-receiving seat, anchored in an airtight manner by its two ends (121a, 122a, 121b, 122b) on the radially outer circumference of the circular rings (6a, 7a, 6b, 7b) and anchored mechanically by appropriate means (14a, 14b) on the return segments (9a, 9b) along a circumferential anchoring line (90a).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for positioning bead cores during a building of a radial tire carcass in a tire-building machine. The method includes positioning first and second bead cores on respective first and second core-centering devices, on a first side of a carcass drum and centering the first and second bead cores. Further, the method includes grasping, with a second core-setting device, the second bead core and transporting the second core-setting device and the second bead core to a second side of the carcass drum. Additionally, the method includes grasping, with a first core-setting device, the first bead core; and setting the first and second bead cores onto the tire carcass by the first and second core-setting devices.

Abstract: A method is provided for securing a fluid meter to a fluid collection bag. The method includes the steps of providing a meter ha6 ving a housing defining a fluid receptacle and at least one drain opening, providing a collection bag defining a fluid reservoir and having at least one inlet opening and securing the meter to the bag using an RF welding device to allow fluid communication between the fluid receptacle and the fluid reservoir. In one embodiment, the housing includes a raised surface positioned about the at least one drain opening to which the collection bag is welded.

Abstract: There are provided a method and a drum for building a tire in which residual air can be effectively removed by enhancing a pressing force of a carcass band to a bead filler in the turning of the carcass band around a bead core, wherein a cylindrical green case is arranged on an outer peripheral side of a building drum, and a central portion of the green case is expansion-deformed in a radial direction while approaching both the bead cores to each other under a restraint of the bead core through the building drum, and the green case is pressed onto an inner peripheral face of a belt-tread band, and thereafter both the end portions of the carcass band are turned around the bead cores so that the carcass band is pushed onto rigid support members disposed at an inner peripheral side of the carcass band together with the bead cores and bead fillers.

Abstract: Using a core manufacturing method, a green tire is obtained in which edge portions of a carcass ply are turned up at bead cores. An inner liner 40 is set on an external surface of a hard core 12, and a carcass 46 is formed thereon. A bladder 36 disposed inside the core is inflated, whereby edge portions of the carcass 46 can be turned up. Thereafter, conventionally known tire structural members such as a belt, a side tread and a top tread are set on, and a green tire is completed on the external surface of the hard core 12.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radially expandable assembly drum (1) for the manufacture of tires, said drum having a body mounted on a central shaft (2) having a generally cylindrical central surface for receiving the products to be assembled and ends of different diameters, the drum comprising a lifting device (20, 21) located at each end of the body of the drum having a cylindrical outer receiving surface (221, 231) for products to be assembled, characterized in that the lifting device (21) arranged close to the end of lesser diameter is radially displaceable relative to the body (10) of the drum (1) between a position wherein its surface (231) has substantially the same diameter as that of the central surface of the body (10) and a position wherein its surface (231) has a diameter less than that of the central surface of the body (10), the radial displacement of this lifting device (21) being synchronized with the radial expansion of the drum (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacture of a tire, the apparatus including a drum with shoulder having a generally cylindrical main receiving surface to receive the products to be assembled, the main receiving surface being radially retractable. The drum has a shoulder axially to the side edges of said main receiving surface. The drum is mounted on a shaft. At least one associated axially movable side crown is mounted coaxially with the drum. The drum has a lateral protuberance coaxially juxtaposed to at least one of its shoulders. The side crown is axially slidable at least partly under the lateral protuberance, the lateral protuberance forming a quasi-cylindrical support surface whose outside diameter is smaller than the diameter of the main receiving surface. The side crown has a substantially cylindrical outer surface capable of passing axially outside of the lateral protuberance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radial tire forming apparatus capable of being applied to the formation of a carcass band having a large folding length. On a housing for a rollover device of the tire forming apparatus, a plurality of sets of straight rail bearers are fixed at appropriate places, so that a frame provided with rails is advanced toward or retreated from a second forming point on the carcass forming former side by a cylinder fixed to the housing. The diameter of a first rollover ring is slightly smaller than the diameter of a second rollover ring. When the rollover rings are brought closest to each other, the cylindrical portions of the rings enter and lap on each other.

Abstract: The disclosed bladder (10) is useful in ambient temperature fabrication of rubber parts and components. Due to the particular combination of construction materials used, the bladder has excellent release properties and results in improved manufacturing uniformity. At least one portion of the bladder (10) is formed from a lack tack, high abrasion resistant polyurethane. The polyurethane may comprise a ring-shaped portion (26) of the bladder surface or an entire end (20) of the bladder.

Abstract: A drum (1) for building tires (2), the drum (1) having two half-drums (12), each of which has an expandable bead clamping device (20), and at least one shaping bladder (27) and a turn-up bladder (33) fixed to an outer tubular body (16) of the half-drum (12) on opposite sides of the respective bead clamping device (20); each turn-up bladder (33) having an outer annular lip (34) extending, at rest, along the respective half-drum (12) and covering the respective bead clamping device (20) and substantially the whole respective shaping bladder (27).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for shaping a tire wherein an outboard pocket assembly (26) and an inboard pocket assembly (24) are radially movable outwardly into engagement with preshaped bead/apex assemblies (60, 76) of a tire band (74) and are movable axially to a cured tire width of the bead/apex assemblies for shaping other tire components to a cured tire shape and for positioning the ply edges at predetermined cured tire positions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing pneumatic tires, wherein a green case comprised of at least one inner liner rubber member and a carcass ply member is formed on a first drum and transferred to a position around a second drum. The green case is the fixedly secured to the second drum by axially moving a pair of centering elements in opposite directions into pressure contact with opposite inner sides at the bead portions of the green case, and urging the inner peripheries of the bead portions by a pair of lock elements. The second drum is then caused to expand and undergo a width reduction, thereby expanding the green case into a toroidal shape. Sidewall rubber members, which have been previously wound on a pair of side bladders on the outer side of the lock elements, are expanded and reversed by inflating the side bladders and joined to the toroidal green case to thereby form a green tire.

Abstract: A bladder with an anti-tack rubber having suitable curing properties to turn up plies in manufacturing pneumatic tires is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-tack rubber comprises 50 to 45 parts natural rubber cured with 50 to 60 parts chlorosulfonated polyethylene, 0.9 to 1.1 benzothaizyl disulfide and 0.9 to 1.1 phenylenediamine. A method of making the anti-tack rubber comprises mixing a first rubber and an anti-tack composition and blending curing agents to form a workable anti-tack rubber with suitable curing properties. An improved and simplified method to form a bladder with suitable anti-tack and curing properties, and a method for using a bladder to turn plies in manufacturing pneumatic tires, wherein the bladder is made from an anti-tack rubber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bladder with an anti-tack rubber having suitable curing properties to turn up plies in manufacturing pneumatic tires is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-tack rubber comprises 50 to 45 parts natural rubber cured with 50 to 60 parts chlorosulfonated polyethylene, 0.9 to 1.1 benzothaizyl disulfide and 0.9 to 1.1 phenylenediamine. A method of making the anti-tack rubber comprises mixing a first rubber and an anti-tack composition and blending curing agents to form a workable anti-tack rubber with suitable curing properties. An improved and simplified method to form a bladder with suitable anti-tack and curing properties, and a method for using a bladder to turn plies in manufacturing pneumatic tires, wherein the bladder is made from an anti-tack rubber is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to expandable butyl rubber bladders for use in curing presses for hydrocarbon rubbers such as pneumatic tires. The bladders are a crosslinked elastomer comprising isobutylene repeat units and the bladder composition contains lecithin, particularly a modified lecithin, preferably in liquid form, dispersed within the bladder composition. The bladder composition may also contain castor oil, corn oil and/or soya-bean oil. The bladder composition may also contain at least one of graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene powder. The invention also relates to a method of curing tires by utilizing such butyl rubber bladder.

Abstract: An elastomeric member for a tire-building machine, such as an inflatable bead turn-up bladder, center sleeve or bead lock sleeve, includes at least one base layer or sleeve of elastomeric material which terminates in a pair of end members for mounting the sleeve on the tire-building machine. A plurality of reinforcing cords may be embedded within the sleeve to provide internal reinforcement. A strip of an abrasion-resistantmaterial is bonded to all or a portion of the inner or outer surfaces of the sleeve to protect those areas of the sleeve that are subject to abrasion when contacting various portions of the tire or tire-building machine during assembly of a green tire carcass. A coating of an adhesion-release material may be applied to portions of the strip of abrasion-resistant material to reduce adhesion of the sleeve to the tacky elastomeric portions of the green tire carcass when contacted by expansion or movement of the sleeve during assembly of the green tire.

Abstract: A tire manufacturing method enabling a tire to maintain a high quality and a tire manufacturing machine of a simple construction and low cost by which improvement of productivity, saving of energy and reduction of maintenance man-hour are possible is provided.

Abstract: Expandable bladders for use in curing presses for hydrocarbon rubbers, such as pneumatic tires, are a crosslinked elastomer composition comprising isobutylene repeat units and including a fluorinated ethylene polymer added in particulate form and thereafter dispersed throughout the bladder. These fluorinated ethylene polymer may or may not form fibers. The bladders may further comprise graphite. A preferred isobutylene elastomer is a brominated copolymer of from 80 to 99 weight percent isobutylene and from 1 to 20 weight percent paramethylstyrene. The bladders have enhanced lubricity, reduced adhesion to cured tire innerliners, better resistance to cracking during flexing, and have lower tension set than similar compositions without fluorinated ethylene polymers. The above enhancements allow hydrocarbon rubbers such as tires to be molded with fewer defects caused by abraded or deformed bladders. They also enhance the useful life of the bladder reducing the cost of tire curing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tire-building process in which a so-called "shaping" building drum is used and in which a ply turn-up bladder (2) is clamped on the outside of each bead recess (6) by an assembly of pallets (11) which can open in fan shape and cover the turn-up bladder completely in circumferential direction and in part in axial direction. The axial displacement of the said pallets (11), controlled by the axial displacements of two pistons (7) and (8), makes it possible to modify the shape of the ply turn-up bladder (2).

Abstract: Microporous material comprising water insoluble thermoplastic organic polymer and particulate amorphous precipitated silica not only exhibits low particulate emissions during handling and use, but also has a low extactable alkali metal content. Microporous material having these characteristics is especially useful in clean rooms where electronic devices such as integrated circuits are manufactured. Such microporous material may be produced by employing amorphous precipitated silica particles having low alkali metal content as all or a substantial proportion of the amorphous precipitated silica particles constituting the microporous material.

Abstract: Expandable bladders for use in curing presses for hydrocarbon rubbers such as pneumatic tires are a crosslink elastomer comprising isobutylene repeat units and include graphite. A preferred isobutylene elastomer is a brominated copolymer of isobutylene and p-methylstyrene. The bladders have enhanced lubricity, low adhesion to tire innerliners, and lower hot tension set. The above enhancements allow hydrocarbon rubbers such as tires to be molded with fewer defects caused by abraded or deformed bladders. They also enhance the useful life of the bladder reducing the cost of tire curing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tire-building process in which a so-called "shaping" building drum is used and in which a ply turn-up bladder (2) is clamped on the outside of each bead recess (6) by an assembly of pallets (11) which can open in fan shape and cover the turn-up bladder completely in circumferential direction and in part in axial direction. The axial displacement of the said pallets (11), controlled by the axial displacements of two pistons (7) and (8), makes it possible to modify the shape of the ply turn-up bladder (2).

Abstract: A shoulder bladder used to make green tires has an inflatable portion including an inner-rubber member encased in body-ply and cover-rubber layers. Steel cords fixedly mounted relative to and projecting away from the cover-rubber layer have a first edge close to a lower corner of the uninflated bladder and approximately aligned with aligned ends of the cover-rubber and body ply layers. A cord-rubber composition extends (a) from and is adhered to a bottom portion of the cover-rubber layer, (b) around and adhered to the steel cords, (c) around two aligned corners on lower and upper surfaces of the bladder, and (d) along a top surface of the cover-rubber layer. The cord-rubber composition is adhered to the cover-rubber layer where the cord-rubber composition extends from the steel cord to the top surface of the cover-rubber layer.

Abstract: A ring-like band with both ends in which beads are wrapped is formed in the following procedure: A forming drum 11 mounted with a band 1 is expanded up to an intermediate diameter, and right and left bead lock segments 65 are positioned with specified intervals. Then, right and left fingers 54 are positioned outside edge portions 1a in the expanding state. Thus, right and left beads 2 are located at specified positions, and the fingers 54 are contracted to reduce the diameters of the edge portions 1a. Subsequently, the bead lock segments are expanded for supporting the beads 2 together with the edge portions 1a from the inner side. Finally, the bead lock segments 65 are brought close to the forming drum side while the forming drum 11 is expanded to the maximum diameter, and the edge portions 1a are folded by the swelling of folding bladders, to thus wrap the beads 2.

Abstract: A green tire building apparatus includes a plurality of bead locking segments arranged in a circle concentric with the main body of the shaping drum of the apparatus. A resilient annular member is mounted in an annular groove in the outer periphery of the bead locking segments, and the bead locking segments and annular member are moved radially outward for pushing a layer of tire material on the shaping drum against a bead which is disposed thereon. The movement is accomplished by a piston/cylinder and link mechanism. A turn-up bladder is arranged over, but separate from, the resilient annular member.

Abstract: The device comprises a ply turn-up bladder 1 capable of moving axially tods the center of the drum 3 in the manner of a caterpillar. It's movement is controlled by the inflation of a thrust bladder 2.

Abstract: A tire building drum has a pair of drum sections axially movable along a center shaft which form an internal tire inflation chamber for inflating the carcass of a green tire when mounted between the drum sections. Each of the drum sections has a plurality of bead lock segments controlled by a plurality of straight links moved by an annular piston. The piston is mounted in an annular cylinder surrounded by an annular manifold ring, an annular sealing ring and an annular bladder ring. The annular manifold provides for the distribution of pressurized air to various components of the drum and functions as an air seal for the tire inflation chamber. A plurality of air passages are formed in the manifold ring and connect to a source of pressurized air for supplying the control air from a remote source to an inflation turn-up bladder mounted on each of the drum sections and to a control assembly mounted within each of the drum sections for actuating the bead lock segments.

Abstract: A method of forming a bead assembly for use in a pneumatic tire includes extruding a strip of green elastomeric material onto a split or pair of steel supporting guide ring where the ends of the extruded strip are cut at a bias angle and then spliced together to form an annular elastomeric member. The extruded strip and formed annular member has a pair of tapered longitudinal end members joined by a central recess. An annular tire bead is placed in radial alignment about the central recess of the annular member. Next, a segmented mandrel carrying inflatable turnup bladders is expanded outwardly, afterwhich the split guide ring is axially withdrawn. The mandrel and bladders then provide the support for the elastomeric member previously provided by the split annular ring, and traps the bead within the central recess. The two longitudinal end members of the extruded strip are then turned up about the bead by inflating the bladders to form the bead assembly, afterwhich the assembly is placed in a shaping mold.

Abstract: A tire ply end turn-up device comprising an inflatable first rubbery polymer bladder body, a second non-stick rubbery polymer layer on at least a portion of the surface of the bladder body, and fabric between the bladder body and the non-stick surface. The ply turn-up bladder is made by forming an uncured rubbery polymer bladder body, forming a composite of fabric calendared on one side with an uncured non-stick rubbery polymer and on the other with a rubbery polymer that will bond with the bladder body upon curing, applying the composite to at least a portion of the bladder body, and curing the bladder body and composite to form an integral turn-up bladder with a non-stick rubber surface. A rubbery polymer that will bond with the uncured bladder body upon curing is used on the fabric side that contacts the bladder body.

Abstract: A green tire forming apparatus including a belt forming mechanism, a transferring mechanism, a green tire forming mechanism, and bead setting mechanisms. The bead setting mechanisms function to carry beads to their designated positions on the green tire forming apparatus and to push ply turn-up bladders as the green tire is formed. The transferring mechanism transfers one of the beads and a belt assembly on the green tire forming apparatus thereby simplifying the device's structure. As a result, the number of elements required for forming a tire can be minimized.

Abstract: A bead locking apparatus for a tire building machine comprises a slider (1) in a form of an axially reciprocable sleeve disposed on a shaft (Fs) of a tire building machine. A plurality of bead locking segments (2) are circumferentially arranged on an outer surface of the slider (1), and the slider (1) has a tapered surface (3) on its outer face. The bead locking segments (2) each have an inclined inner surface (21) on which inner surface (21) the bead locking segment (7) slides on the slider tapered surface (3) to change its radial position according to reciprocation of the slider (1).

Abstract: A tire ply end turn-up device comprising an inflatable first rubbery polymer bladder body, a second non-stick rubbery polymer layer on at least a portion of the surface of the bladder body, and fabric between the bladder body and the non-stick surface. The ply turn-up bladder is made by forming an uncured rubbery polymer bladder body, forming a composite of fabric calendared on one side with an uncured non-stick rubbery polymer and on the other with a rubbery polymer that will bond with the bladder body upon curing, applying the composite to at least a portion of the bladder body, and curing the bladder body and composite to form an integral turn-up bladder with a non-stick rubber surface. A rubbery polymer that will bond with the uncured bladder body upon curing is used on the fabric side that contacts the bladder body.

Abstract: Mechanism for supporting and retaining the beads when building at least a portion of a pneumatic tire on a building drum, said mechanism comprising radially expandable and retractable means for laterally supporting at least a part of each bead, wherein a large number of rocker arms is arranged in a ring shape about the center line of the building drum, and means serve to shift and swivel all of these rocker arms simultaneously to an expanded position and to retract them again, said swivelling action of each rocker arm being performed in an imaginary plane extending radially through the center line of the drum and said shifting action including a component directed along the center line of the building drum.

Abstract: A turnup bladder for use in tire making as an outside surface coating which is a release coating that also imparts improved durability and cut resistance. This outside surface coating is an elastomeric polymer blend containing from about 10 to about 60, preferably from about 40 to about 60 parts by weight of polyvinyl chloride and from about 40 to about 90, preferably about 40 to about 60 parts by weight of an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber per 100 parts of polymer wherein the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber comprises from about 25 to about 40 parts by weight of acrylonitrile and from about 60 to about 75 parts by weight of butadiene per 100 parts of said acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for cylindrical members, including a trolley movable toward and away from a forming drum, a pair of movable members movably supported on the trolley, bead holding units mounted on inner ends of the movable members for holding beads, grasping units mounted on outer ends of the movable members for grasping axial ends of a cylindrical member on its outside, respectively, and toward and away driving units for moving the movable members equal distances toward and away from each other. With the arrangement, if sizes of tires to be produced are changed, bead set positions and grasping positions of the cylindrical member can be easily changed with high efficiency. Even if a cylindrical member has a low rigidity, it can be grasped and transferred with little deformation of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An improved inflatable bead turn-up bladder for a tire building drum which reduces or elminates cord length variation in a reinforced tire carcass by stabilizing the bladder in the area utilized for lifting the reinforced cord fabric into contact with the tire bead on the tire building drum. The elastomeric inflatable bladder is formed with an integral annular rib which is seated in complementary shaped grooves or slots formed in the radially movable segments of the tire drum bead locks. When the bead lock segments are actuated, the adjacent portion of the bladder and overlying tire carcass is prevented from axial movement by the engagement of the bladder rib in the bead lock segment groove. A stretch zone is provided in the bladder between the rib and one end of the bladder by eliminating reinforcing material from that area of the bladder.

Abstract: A tire carcass building drum is provided adjacent its ends with a shoe movable axially thereto which comprises a main shoe and a secondary shoe rotatably mounted by bearings on the main shoe. The secondary shoe is provided with turn-up bladders thereon, which bladders function to turn over extended ply ends around bead assemblies placed on other components of a tire carcass being assembly on the drum. The secondary shoe further includes a toe surface engageable with the ends of the drum to thereby render the bladder members rotatable with the drum surface. These bladders also provide a support for ply ends against which the consolidating and stitching rollers can act to smooth and press together the ply materials.

Abstract: Elastomer structures having exposed controlled surface release characteristics can be made by coating at least a portion of their surface with a releasing composition comprising (a) a chlorosulphonated polymer; (b) a reinforcing filler and (c) a green tackifying agent. Optionally, these compositions can also contain a chemical curing system and one or more volatile solvent/diluent viscosity-reducing vehicle. In a specific example, the coating are applied to flexible structures used in machines for the manufacture of articles having natural tack due to their rubber or elastomer content.

Abstract: A method for forming an automobile bead assembly comprises three series of steps. The first series includes placing a bead ring onto the smaller-diameter side surface of a taper drum, winding a bead filler around the peripheral surface of the taper drum such that the thick-walled portion thereof projects over the smaller diameter surface of the drum, bonding the ends of the filler together, bending the thick-walled portion along the smaller-diameter side edge to join it to the bead ring, and separating the front end portion of the filler from the peripheral surface of the drum. The second series includes winding a side ply around the outer periphery of a cylindrical forming drum, bonding the ends together, winding a bead flipper around the side ply while part of the flipper overlaps the side ply, and joining the ends of the flipper together.

Abstract: An improved machine for fabricating tire carcasses.

Abstract: A method of bending back a tire component, comprising a step in which the diameters of a pair of cylindrical bodies, whose diameters can be increased and decreased, are decreased to a minimum value to hold beads by the bodies, respectively, and the beads are set in prescribed positions on the component wound on a forming drum; a step in which the diameters of the bodies are increased to an intermediate value and the bladders of the drum are inflated so that the component is pinch-held at both side edges thereof by the bladders and the bodies; a step in which the bodies are moved to positions located nearly outside the beads in the radial directions of the bodies, so that both the side edges of the component are moved outward in the radial directions of the bodies as the component remains in pressure contact with the beads near the side edges; and a step in which the diameters of the bodies are increased to a maximum value and the bodies are thereafter moved toward the longitudinally central portion of the dru

Abstract: A segmental drum (1) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced drum segments (28) radially movable by a set of links (36) pivotally connected to a pair of axially movable hub assemblies (34) slidably mounted on a drum shaft (12). Each of the segments (28) has a cylindrical center portion (30) and end portions (32) with recesses providing pockets (68) for the tire bead portions. The links (36) are positioned between the end portions (32) providing space for large bead portions in the pockets (68) and at the same time the segments (28) are retractable to a small diameter to facilitate placing of a tire band (64) over the drum (10).

Abstract: A tire building apparatus includes a forming drum to which tire constituting members are attached, annular bead setting rings movable in axial directions of the forming drum for grasping beads on their inner circumferential sides and driving the tire beads into predetermined positions on a tire constituting member, and annular turning-up holders movable in the axial directions of the forming drum for turning up parts of the tire constituting member on axially outer sides of bead driven positions about the tire beads with the aid of bladders. The bead setting rings and the turning-up holders are divided into a plurality of arcuate segments circumferentially spaced.