With Fabric Or Tread Stock Feeding Means Patents (Class 156/405.1)
  • Patent number: 12122113
    Abstract: A sipe forming assembly is provided. The sipe forming assembly includes a plunge cutting assembly, a leading roller assembly positioned upstream of the plunge cutting assembly, and a trailing roller assembly positioned downstream of the plunge cutting assembly. The plunge cutting assembly includes a blade and a linear actuator configured to actuate the blade to cut a sipe in a tire tread. The leading roller assembly includes a first leading roller and a second leading roller positionable relative to the first leading roller. The second leading roller and the first leading roller are configured to cooperate to clamp the tire tread between the first leading roller and the second leading roller. The trailing roller assembly includes a first trailing roller and a second trailing roller configured to cooperate to clamp the tire tread between the first trailing roller and the second trailing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag, LLC
    Inventors: Troy A. Kost, Jim L. Jones, Robert G. Otting, Logan M. Koepke
  • Patent number: 12053947
    Abstract: A first ply and then a second ply, which is superposed on the first ply, are produced on a hoop-type first support. The hoop-type first support has a first receiving surface, to form a laminate. The first and second plies forming the laminate are transferred onto an annular second receiving surface of a core so that the laminate is wrapped on the core until each ply is closed on itself and the laminate is thus closed on itself in a ring about the central axis of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Clément Dubois, Olivier Fuchs, Yvan Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 11745455
    Abstract: In a method for producing an unvulcanized ring-shaped rubber member a front edge portion of a band-like rubber member conveyed by a conveyor is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of a forming drum, and the forming drum is rotated to wind a length of the band-like rubber member on the outer circumferential surface and a rear edge portion is held by rear edge holding portions arranged side by side in a width direction. Using distribution data on a length of the band-like rubber member in the width direction, an amount of movement of movement portions in a front-rear direction is controlled to adjust the degree of elongation around the held portion of the rear edge portion in the front-rear direction that is held by each of the rear edge holding portions, and the front and rear edge portions are bonded to produce a ring-shaped rubber member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatomo Kondo, Chihiro Zenyoji, Teruaki Kunimori, Jyumpei Oishi, Haruhisa Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10940653
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels includes the step of building, on a forming support, a belt structure including at least one reinforcing structure of the so-called zero-degree type. The reinforcing structure is formed by depositing a continuous elongated reinforcing element on a deposition surface arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the forming support. The aforementioned deposition includes the step of exerting, through at least one element made from magnetic material, a magnetic attraction on a portion of the continuous elongated reinforcing element arranged at at least one pressing member and moving said at least one pressing member toward the forming support until the continuous elongated reinforcing element is brought into contact with the deposition surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Antonio Badolato, Pietro Dale′, Gianni Portinari
  • Patent number: 10011448
    Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus according to an embodiment includes a roller having a surface formed from an elastic material. The roller transports a sheet. A rotation mechanism rotated the roller around an axis of the roller. A twist mechanism selectively twists the roller with respect to the axis. When the roller is twisted and the rotation mechanism rotates the roller, a sheet transported by the roller is transported in a first direction perpendicular to the axis and in a second direction parallel to the axis. When the roller is not twisted and the rotation mechanism rotates the roller, a sheet transported by the roller is transported in the first direction and not in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9403333
    Abstract: An automatic zipper device having a pair of bevel gears for biting and joining joint end portions of a sheet member wound around a periphery of the molding drum and having a plurality of magnet attractive metallic cords, and the device is provided with an inclined portion following cylinder which is attached to a lateral movement device laterally moving on the molding drum so as to be laterally movable and which adjusts a height of the bevel gear in accordance with an inclined surface of the sheet member to be joined, a clamping cylinder for adjusting a bitten amount of the bevel gears, and introduction magnet rollers for taking in the sheet member, and a member contact position stabilizing magnet for maintaining a constant position of the sheet member so that the sheet member to be joined can be brought into contact with the bevel gear at a constant angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Yazawa
  • Patent number: 9248618
    Abstract: In a process for producing self-sealing tires for vehicle wheels, a continuous sealing assembly, including a self-supporting thermoplastic film and a layer of polymeric sealing material, is wound from a reel holder on which is stocked, separated by a protective film associated with the layer of polymeric sealing material, cut to size and then wound around a forming drum. Winding the sealing assembly cut to size includes: feeding the sealing assembly cut to size onto a chute from top to bottom up to the forming drum; depositing a leading end of the sealing assembly cut to size on a radially outer surface of the forming drum; locking the leading end on the forming drum by means of a locking bar; setting the forming drum in rotation with the locking bar dragging the sealing assembly cut to size and winding it on the forming drum up to overlapping; and sealing a trailing end of the sealing assembly cut to size on the leading end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Pierelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco D'Oria, Enrico Sabbatani
  • Publication number: 20150041067
    Abstract: An apparatus cuts and applies a component to a tire during a tire building process. The apparatus includes an application head rotatable about a vertical axis and fitted to an X-Y table such that the component is applied to a curved tire profile spinning on a drum of a tire building machine. The application head feeds the component vertically downward to a predetermined position coincident with an intersection of the vertical axis of the application head and a horizontal plane defined by a horizontal axis of rotation of the drum of the tire building machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Olivier Lescaud, Thierry Royer, Frederic Marie Bernard Marechal, André Marie Raymond Louis Christian Richir, Thierry Ballet
  • Publication number: 20140352872
    Abstract: The belt ply feeder and a feeding method thereof comprise: when a belt ply is conveyed to the front end of a conveying forming board, a force is exerted by a perpendicular adjustment device to drive a conveying forming board bracket to swing upward and rotate around a pivot shaft of a rack to positions at which the upper surface of the conveying forming board is tangential to the periphery of a belt ply drum. According to this arrangement, the belt ply is tangential to the belt ply drum all the time and a belt ply is in firm contact with a belt ply drum regardless of the size of the belt ply drum when wrapping the belt ply around the belt ply drum. Accordingly, the quality of tire shaping can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: ZHONGXUE YUAN
  • Patent number: 8871045
    Abstract: A method for controlling the winding of an elongated element onto a collection reel with the interposition of a service fabric, includes rotating the collection reel and simultaneously winding the elongated element and the service fabric onto the collection reel, wherein the simultaneous winding includes determining the actual winding diameter of the collection reel and preferably, the actual unwinding diameter of a storage reel of the service fabric. The rotation speed of the collection reel is adjusted according to the actual winding diameter and preferably, also to the variation in length of the portion of elongated clement about to be deposited onto the collection reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Davide Conti, Francesco Broggi
  • Patent number: 8821972
    Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and apparatus for applying a layer of cushion gum to a tire casing in preparation for the retreading of the tire casing, the steps of the methods including selecting one of a plurality recipes for applying cushion gum based on one of a size, model and shape of the tire casing; pressurizing the tire casing to a predetermined pressure based on the recipe; crushing the tire casing by an extruder head a predetermined percentage of the tire casing radius or a predetermined distance, the predetermined percentage based on the recipe; and extruding the cushion gum from the extruder head. The extruder head may be translatable by way of a screw drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: David Allen Crowe, William Edward Cheek, Jr., Robert Young, Stephen Manuel
  • Patent number: 8800629
    Abstract: The invention provides in a first aspect an applier apparatus for applying a sheet of flexible material to a cylindrical body such as a tire building drum. The apparatus includes a support frame; a conveyor table having one or more conveyor belts mounted thereon; said conveyor table further comprising a plurality of support legs, each support leg having an outer leg portion and an inner leg portion, wherein each inner leg portion is mounted to the support frame, said conveyor table being connected to each of the outer leg portion of the support legs; the outer leg portion of each support leg having a first end slidably received over the inner leg portion and a second end connected to a nut; and wherein the nut is mounted onto a linear screw which is rotatably mounted onto a second end of the inner leg portion; said linear screw being driven by a motor wherein the nut is raised and lowered by operation of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: George Michael Stoila, Dale Eugene Wells, Thomas Alan Sells, Thierry Royer
  • Patent number: 8726961
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a reinforcing ply N by assembling lengths of strip cut at an angle, comprising: a feed means (300) for delivering a strip (B), an assembly belt (101), a transfer means (200) for conveying onto the assembly belt a given length of straight-grain strip in a direction (AA?) comprising a retaining wall (211), parallel to the planes of the assembly belt (101) and of the feed means, and a first face (211a) of which is intended to come into contact with the surface of the strip, in which device the feed means (300), the transfer means (200) and the assembly belt (101) are fitted with magnetic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Michel Druet, Jacques Lauper, Antoine Filiol, Pascal Martin, Nicolas Jaunet, Gerard Buvat
  • Patent number: 8714222
    Abstract: On a building drum, anchoring structures to beads, carcass plies, a belt structure and/or other annular composite components are sequentially assembled with a liner, sidewalls, sidewall inserts, under-belt inserts or other annular elastomer components. Each of the sidewall inserts, sidewalls, or under-belt inserts is made as a one piece construction in a service station operating far away from the building drum for storage on a movable storing device. Actuating members operating on the movable storing device carry the annular elastomer components from the service station to the building drum. A transfer member picks up the annular elastomer components from the movable storing device to transfer them to the building drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Mancini
  • Publication number: 20130192764
    Abstract: The invention provides in a first aspect an applier apparatus for applying a sheet of flexible material to a cylindrical body such as a tire building drum. The apparatus includes a support frame; a conveyor table having one or more conveyor belts mounted thereon; said conveyor table further comprising a plurality of support legs, each support leg having an outer leg portion and an inner leg portion, wherein each inner leg portion is mounted to the support frame, said conveyor table being connected to each of the outer leg portion of the support legs; the outer leg portion of each support leg having a first end slidably received over the inner leg portion and a second end connected to a nut; and wherein the nut is mounted onto a linear screw which is rotatably mounted onto a second end of the inner leg portion; said linear screw being driven by a motor wherein the nut is raised and lowered by operation of the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: George Michael Stoila, Dale Eugene Wells, Thomas Alan Sells, Thierry Royer
  • Patent number: 8454777
    Abstract: The present invention can transfer a belt member on a supply conveyor onto a building drum from an inclined distal end portion while holding on both side edge portions in the width direction thereof and can efficiently adhere the belt member according to the rotation of the building drum. As a means for such building, using a supply conveyor (5) which places the belt member (B1) thereon and a hand device (10) which includes holding members (17a), (17b) having press plates (16a), (16b) extending in the feeding direction of the supply conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Takatsuka, Taizo Yamamoto, Makoto Koumo, Yu Hatayama
  • Publication number: 20120312451
    Abstract: A process for building tyres for vehicle wheels includes feeding to at least one work station an elongated element provided with two service fabrics and wound on a storage coil. The aforementioned feeding includes unwinding the elongated element from the storage coil, removing the two service fabrics from the elongated element, and collecting each of the two service fabrics on a respective collecting member. Each service fabric can thus be subsequently used independently from the other. For example, one service fabric can be reused while the other can be disposed. The removal and collection of the two service fabrics occurs simultaneously with the unwinding of the elongated element, so as not to increase the overall building time of the tyre being processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Portinari, Francesco Stegagno, Pietro Dale'
  • Patent number: 8221569
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a tire component member, which method allows rubber strip pieces to be sequentially attached without forming a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8182634
    Abstract: There is provided a belt member producing method including forming a strip piece 17 of a predetermined width W by cutting a strip material 12 including a plurality of reinforcement cords 11 to a regular size, conveying the strip piece 17 to a transfer conveyor 22 in such a manner that cut sides 19 of the strip piece 17 are in parallel with a traveling direction B of the transfer conveyor 22 and overlapping continuously an integral number Nint of strip pieces 17 on each other on the transfer conveyor 22 in such a manner that the strip pieces 17 are overlapped on each other by an overlapping amount P along non-cut sides 18 thereof, so as to produce a belt member 30 having a desired length equal to a predetermined length L of a belt layer of a pneumatic radial tire, the belt member producing method being characterized by including selecting a desired cutting angle ?pre relative to a traveling direction A of the strip material 17 when the strip material 12 is cut to the regular size, calculating a number Ncal of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Tatara, Tomoyuki Takatsuka, Hirokatsu Mizukusa, Osamu Fujiki
  • Patent number: 7905969
    Abstract: The feeding apparatus is provided with a first feeding section for feeding a long-formed sheet in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, a second feeding section for feeding the long-formed sheet delivered from the first feeding section in a direction intersecting obliquely with the feeding direction of the first feeding section and a control section for controlling the first feeding section and the second feeding section so that the second feeding section starts to operate before the leading end of the long-formed sheet delivered from the first feeding section is in contact with the second feeding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyahara, Jiro Agawa, Makoto Tachibana, Yoshinori Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7694709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tread (1) application device for applying a tread on a building drum (20) for a tire, comprising a tread conveying device (15) for conveying a tread to a building drum, from a feed side (12) of the tread conveying device to a discharge side (13) of the tread conveying device in a conveyance direction, and a positioning device for positioning the tread on the building drum, wherein the positioning device comprises measuring means (17) for determining the position of a segment of the tread and generating a position value, displacement means for displacing a segment of the tread with a displacement directional component parallel to the axis (21) of rotation of the building drum, and control means (28), connected to the measuring means and the displacement means, for on the basis of the position value controlling the displacement device during the application of the tread on the building drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: VMI Epe Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Mattheus Jacobus Kaagman, Franciscus Johannes Wilhelmus Kooiman
  • Publication number: 20090242102
    Abstract: The feeding apparatus is provided with a first feeding section for feeding a long-formed sheet in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, a second feeding section for feeding the long-formed sheet delivered from the first feeding section in a direction intersecting obliquely with the feeding direction of the first feeding section and a control section for controlling the first feeding section and the second feeding section so that the second feeding section starts to operate before the leading end of the long-formed sheet delivered from the first feeding section is in contact with the second feeding section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyahara, Jiro Agawa, Makoto Tachibana, Yoshinori Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20090223637
    Abstract: A feed unit for feeding elastomeric material, extruded by at least one extruder, to at least one user unit, and wherein a variable-length conveyor is supported by a first and a second supporting device located at an input end and an output end of the conveyor respectively; and wherein the first supporting device is connected to the conveyor to allow the conveyor to rotate about a vertical first axis and a horizontal second axis, both crosswise to a travelling direction of the elastomeric material along the conveyor; the second supporting device is extensible vertically and connected to the conveyor by a first releasable joint; and the conveyor is connectable to the user unit by a second releasable joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Giorgio Marangoni
  • Patent number: 7537821
    Abstract: A winding liner for an unvulcanized rubber material includes a belt-shape inextensible loading member for loading an unvulcanized rubber material and spacers provided at both widthwise direction sides of one surface of the loading member along a lengthwise direction of the loading member. The loading member and the spacers are made of metal and are formed into a plate shape having flexibility. The spacers have protruding portions protruding from the one surface of the loading member, the protruding portions being disposed at predetermined intervals in the lengthwise direction of the loading member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignees: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Nippon Light Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kashima, Takeshi Moriyama, Goichi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 7524398
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Daniel Ray Downing, James Alfred Benzing, II
  • Patent number: 7524554
    Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic board involves the step of heat-pressing a mixture. The mixture includes lignocellulosic material containing lignocellulose and polybutylene succinate-based resin serving as an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichi Prefecture
    Inventors: Yasuo Takasu, Isoko Takahashi, Isamu Terasawa, Junichi Noguchi, Kazunori Tsuneoka
  • Publication number: 20080314503
    Abstract: A machine (1) and method for applying a tread (2) to a carcass (3) of a tire (4); the machine (1) has a rotary drum (5) supporting the carcass (3), a feed conveyor (6) for feeding the tread (2) to the rotary drum (5), a pressure roller (7) contacting the tread (2), an actuating device (8) for pushing the pressure roller (7) against the tread (2) with a force (F) of adjustable intensity, and a control unit (9) for regulating the intensity of the force (F) as a function of an error variable (E) calculated as the difference between the length (RCC) of the remaining portion of the circumference of the carcass (3), and the length (RTL) of the remaining portion of the tread (2); and the control unit (9) regulates the intensity of the force (F) by means of a proportional control block (12) having a gain (Kp) varying as a function of the value of the error variable (E) and as a function of the rate of change of the error variable (E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Alfonso Di Egidio, Roberto Pontone
  • Patent number: 7431786
    Abstract: In an apparatus for affixing a tire component member, a capacity of a driving means for a traveling head is decreased, and start end positions of affixing the tire component member are aligned in a peripheral direction of a drum and a widthwise overlap amount between the tire component members is made constant as is expected, and also a cycle time is shortened, in which the apparatus comprises a traveling head 2 moving forward and rearward in an axial direction of a drum 1, a clamp means 9 pushing a front end portion of the tire component member 3 protruded ahead from the traveling head 2 onto the peripheral face of the drum, a cutting means 12 arranged at one end side of the drum apart from the clamp means 9, guide rolls 5 arranged on the traveling head 2 and specifying a widthwise position of the tire component member 3, and a chuck means pulling the tire component member 3 to the clamp means 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Suda
  • Publication number: 20080149259
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Ray Downing, Matthew Todd Kent, Stephen Michael Baumboer, William Robert Porter
  • Patent number: 7351299
    Abstract: A device for storing and transferring strip sections of rubber produced intended for making a tire cover, includes a storage cylinder mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis of revolution on a frame which is in turn mounted on a support. A flexible strip forming a closed loop is movable around part of the cylinder. The cylinder and the flexible strip are suitable for clamping a strip section between one another. The frame is mounted to rotate on the support about a second axis oriented perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the storage cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Fidel Aitor Bardaji Zuriarrain, Tomas Saez De Ibarra Ortiz De Landaluce
  • Publication number: 20070209760
    Abstract: An apparatus is invented for forming a tire tread on the surface of a prototype tire that is pre-fabricated during the tire manufacturing processes. The apparatus for forming the tire comprises six forming devices disposed above the circular rotary base for securing the prototype tire, a transporting compression ring disposed around the rotary base for supplying and compressing an iron core belt onto the prototype tire of the forming device, and a first extruder, a second extruder, a third extruder, and a fourth extruder for extruding a ribbon-shaped rubber band to form a tire tread on the surface of the prototype tire. Accordingly, by constructing a plurality of extruders around the circular rotary base, the installation space can be smaller than the conventional prototype tire forming apparatus, the device fabricating cost can be reduced, and various shaped tires can be fabricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Goo Yeon Hwang
  • Patent number: 7182834
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling multiple tire components onto one or more tire building drums at a work station of a tire building system is disclosed. A first inner set of measuring drums is located at a first loading position between a second outer set of measuring drums at a second loading position. Tire components are loaded onto the first and second sets of measuring drums at the first and second loading positions. The first and second sets of measuring drums are alternatively moved from the first and second loading positions into first and second ready positions, respectively. Then the first and second sets of measuring drums are alternatively moved from the first and second ready positions into first and second transfer positions, respectively, where the tire components are transferred to the one or more tire building drums. Then the first and second sets of measuring drums are retracted away from the first and second transfer positions, respectively, to the first and second ready positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
    Inventor: Marie-Laure Bénédicte Josette Cavalotti
  • Patent number: 7135080
    Abstract: A strip member is wound by a tire building machine having a building drum for taking up a strip member of predetermined length without discrete ends and a transfer conveyor for feeding the strip member to the building drum. The winding-start end of the strip member transferred from the transfer conveyor to the building drum and the winding-finish end of the strip member are detected by means of end sensors, measuring the angle through which the building drum has rotated from the output of a winding start signal to the output of a winding finish signal in response to output signals from the sensors by means of an angle detector. A lapping margin between the winding start end and the winding finish end of the strip member is calculated based on the rotational angle and diameter of the building drum by means of an operational means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Shimizu, Osamu Fujiki, Mitsuru Hitotsuyanagi
  • Patent number: 7037404
    Abstract: A false drum servers used in the manufacture of tires having a hollow cylindrical drum with a perforated surface on the drum through which air is drawn. The drawn air creating a suction surface for holding flat or sheet materials that are to be cut before transferring onto a tire building drum. When smaller pieces of flat materials are being held on the drum, the perforations that are not covered allow air to flow freely into the drum, thereby reducing the suction adhering effect of the perforated surface. The present invention provides methods and apparatus for varying the amount of perforated area through which air can be drawn into the drum, thereby changing the amount of suction adhering surface area of the perforated drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Marie-Laure Bénédicte Josette Cavalotti, John Kolbjoern Roedseth
  • Patent number: 6994140
    Abstract: Device for conveying and preparing belt construction strip having parallel reinforcing members embedded in belt construction material includes first and second conveying devices, successively positioned in the feed direction without lateral stops for belt construction strip, to laterally align belt construction strip. Drive device laterally moves first conveying device relative to feed direction, sensor device has at least two sensors to detect position of side edges of belt construction strip, and holding device holds a front tip of belt construction strip in controlled manner in region of second conveying device. First conveying device positioned upstream of second conveying device relative to feed direction, and sensor device positioned to determine alignment of edge of belt construction strip and/or alignment of center of belt construction strip. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Kölker, Horst Sergel
  • Patent number: 6938850
    Abstract: To obtain a storing method for an elongated plastic deformation member in which the elongated plastic deformation member and a liner are overlapped and wound around a reel for storing the elongated plastic deformation member, whereby partial deformation or deformation nonuniformity of the elongated plastic deformation member can be suppressed. In the present invention, when a liner and an unvulcanized tread member are wound on a reel 72 and stored, the reel 72 is supported by a driven roll 40 and a driving roll 30. The reel 72 is intermittently rotated by alternately repeating normal rotation and inverse rotation, and rotational angles of the reel 72 are caused to be different before and after rotation of the reel 72 is stopped, whereby, during storing, a load due to the tread member itself can be imparted more uniformly to the entire circumference of the wound tread member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 6911113
    Abstract: An apparatus for recapping tires which includes a frame made up of two associated support structures, a first support structure including a mandrel for support of the tire, which mandrel rotates on a shaft, the mandrel being mounted for translation on the first support structure, and a second support structure to support tools for recapping of the tire, which tools are mounted for translation on the second support structure in a direction approximately perpendicular to the translation of the mandrel, characterized in that the direction of translation of the mandrel is parallel to the rotational shaft of the said mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Recamic S.A.
    Inventor: Emil Willi Reppel
  • Patent number: 6899778
    Abstract: An apparatus for retreading tires is disclosed. The apparatus has a rotatable hub for the mounting of a buffed tire casing. The apparatus also has a cushion gum applicator that is configured to stretch a length of cushion gum onto a tire casing. Further, the apparatus has a tread dispenser that is configured to automatically dispense a length of tire tread based on the circumference of at least one of the tire casing and the tire casing plus the cushion gum. Further still, the apparatus includes a tread applicator that is configured to stretch the length of tire tread onto the cushion gum. The entire apparatus including the cushion gum applicator, the tread dispenser, and the tread applicator are integrated into a single tire bench machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Bandag Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason L. Gridley, Estes M. Daugherty, Paul J. Conder
  • Patent number: 6834823
    Abstract: Supply device for supplying rubber material (11) to a cutting device (3). In the direction away from the cutting device the supply device contains a supplying table (3) having a supplying mechanism (4), an unwinding trestle (7) containing a stock of rubber material, a space between the unwinding trestle (7) and the supplying table (3), which space is suitable for taking up a loop of rubber material forming a stock buffer. Between the unwinding trestle (7) and the supplying table (3), preferably at a distance above the supplying table, a first conveyor (5) having a drive is placed. Preferably at a distance above the unwinding trestle a second conveyor (8) having a drive is placed, in which the space for taking up the loop of rubber material is formed between the second (8) and the first (5) conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Vmi Epe Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Klaas Nauta, Adrianus Theodorus Hendrikus De Keijzer
  • Publication number: 20040256057
    Abstract: An apparatus for retreading tires is disclosed. The apparatus has a rotatable hub for the mounting of a buffed tire casing. The apparatus also has a cushion gum applicator that is configured to stretch a length of cushion gum onto a tire casing. Further, the apparatus has a tread dispenser that is configured to automatically dispense a length of tire tread based on the circumference of at least one of the tire casing and the tire casing plus the cushion gum. Further still, the apparatus includes a tread applicator that is configured to stretch the length of tire tread onto the cushion gum. The entire apparatus including the cushion gum applicator, the tread dispenser, and the tread applicator are integrated into a single tire bench machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Bandag Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason L. Gridley, Estes M. Daugherty, Paul J. Conder
  • Patent number: 6773530
    Abstract: A method for simultaneously building a plurality of tire carcasses includes the tire building steps of establishing a sequence of work stations, each at a predefined location along a working axis extending through the work stations. Disconnected tire building drums are advanced along the working axis extending through the work stations. The tire building drums are coupled to an intake server at each of the work stations for operating the tire building drums. One or more tire components are applied to the tire building drums at each of the work stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ronald Bert Zeh, John Kolbjoern Roedseth, Michel Lemaire, Bryan John McCoy, Francesco Sorce, Fabrice Harry Martin
  • Publication number: 20040140056
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling multiple tire components onto one or more tire building drums at a work station of a tire building system is disclosed. A first inner set of measuring drums is located at a first loading position between a second outer set of measuring drums at a second loading position. Tire components are loaded onto the first and second sets of measuring drums at the first and second loading positions. The first and second sets of measuring drums are alternatively moved from the first and second loading positions into first and second ready positions, respectively. Then the first and second sets of measuring drums are alternatively moved from the first and second ready positions into first and second transfer positions, respectively, where the tire components are transferred to the one or more tire building drums. Then the first and second sets of measuring drums are retracted away from the first and second transfer positions, respectively, to the first and second ready positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Marie-Laure Benedicte Josette Cavalotti
  • Patent number: 6758931
    Abstract: An apparatus for retreading tires is disclosed. The apparatus has a rotatable hub for the mounting of a buffed tire casing. The apparatus also has a cushion gum applicator that is configured to stretch a length of cushion gum onto a tire casing. Further, the apparatus has a tread dispenser that is configured to automatically dispense a length of tire tread based on the circumference of at least one of the tire casing and the tire casing plus the cushion gum. Further still, the apparatus includes a tread applicator that is configured to stretch the length of tire tread onto the cushion gum. The entire apparatus including the cushion gum applicator, the tread dispenser, and the tread applicator are integrated into a single tire bench machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Bandag, Incorporated
    Inventors: Estes M. Daugherty, Steven W. Mory
  • Patent number: 6736932
    Abstract: A cutting segment for a False Drum (100,200,300) having a cylindrical outer surface (202,306) comprises a slot (204,224,330) extending generally axially from end-to-end of the cylindrical surface, a door panel (322) having substantially the same size and shape as the slot; and a mechanism (320) for opening and closing the door panel. The mechanism for selectively opening and closing the door panel includes an elongate lever (324), one end of which supports the door panel, the other end of which is pivotally attached to a stationary portion (point) of the drum, a spring (326) extending between an inner surface of the door panel and another stationary portion of the drum; and an inflatable pneumatic tube (328) disposed between the lever and yet another stationary portion of the drum. There is thereby provided a method of supporting material overlying the cutting slot of the False Drum, by opening the slot when cutting the material, and closing the slot when not cutting the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Marie-Laure Bénédicte Josette Cavalotti, John Kolbjoern Roedseth
  • Publication number: 20040089422
    Abstract: A false drum servers used in the manufacture of tires having a hollow cylindrical drum with a perforated surface on the drum through which air is drawn. The drawn air creating a suction surface for holding flat or sheet materials that are to be cut before transferring onto a tire building drum. When smaller pieces of flat materials are being held on the drum, the perforations that are not covered allow air to flow freely into the drum, thereby reducing the suction adhering effect of the perforated surface. The present invention provides methods and apparatus for varying the amount of perforated area through which air can be drawn into the drum, thereby changing the amount of suction adhering surface area of the perforated drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Marie-Laure Benedicte Josette Cavalotti, John Kolbjoern Roedseth
  • Publication number: 20040055711
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for laying a strip for the manufacture of a tire by extruding uncured rubber through a die to form a rubber tube on a rotary support and flattening the tubular form to form a band which is adhered to a receiving surface on the rotary support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Remy Martin, Olivier Dailliez
  • Patent number: 6695949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding device for strip-shaped tire components. The inventive device is situated in a conveying device for a tire construction drum. The feeding device comprises one or several storage means, feeding and cutting devices pertaining thereto as well as transport devices by means of which the cut tire components are transported to the tire construction drum. The transport devices which withdraw the tire component from the storage means and position said tire component under the cutting device and the transport devices which transport the cut tire component to the tire construction drum are configured as an interconnected one-piece transport system in a transport line. The transport system can be displaced between a rear cutting and feeding position and a support position that is moved to the front. The conveying devices are arranged in such a way that the one-piece transport system engages with the cutting devices in the rear position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesselschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Jungk, Gerd Morig, Hubert Ringhoff
  • Patent number: 6676787
    Abstract: A false drum servers used in the manufacture of tires having a hollow cylindrical drum with a perforated surface on the drum through which air is drawn. The drawn air creating a suction surface for holding flat or sheet materials that are to be cut before transferring onto a tire building drum. When smaller pieces of flat materials are being held on the drum, the perforations that are not covered allow air to flow freely into the drum, thereby reducing the suction adhering effect of the perforated surface. The present invention provides methods and apparatus for varying the amount of perforated area through which air can be drawn into the drum, thereby changing the amount of suction adhering surface area of the perforated drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Marie-Laure Bénédicte Josette Cavalotti, John Kolbjoern Roedseth
  • Patent number: 6623598
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying tread material onto a tire is provided and applies uncured tread material to the carcass of a tire having a tread surface and a flank. The apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a selected one of a rubber and a synthetic material mixture and a first applicator device orientable toward the tread surface of the carcass. The apparatus also includes a second applicator device disposed adjacent the first applicator device and orientable toward the flank of the carcass. The apparatus further includes an extrusion nozzle extending between the first applicator device and the second applicator device for passage therethrough of the mixture extruded by the extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: A-Z Formen- und Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Fischer
  • Patent number: 6602367
    Abstract: A strip member is wound by a tire building machine having a building drum for taking up a strip member of predetermined length without discrete ends and a transfer conveyor for feeding the strip member to the building drum. The winding-start end of the strip member transferred from the transfer conveyor to the building drum and the winding-finish end of the strip member are detected by means of end sensors, measuring the angle through which the building drum has rotated from the output of a winding start signal to the output of a winding finish signal in response to output signals from the sensors by means of an angle detector. A lapping margin between the winding start end and the winding finish end of the strip member is calculated based on the rotational angle and diameter of the building drum by means of an operational means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Shimizu, Osamu Fujiki, Mitsuru Hitotsuyanagi