Abstract: Disclosed is a transport device, an applicator and a method for transporting a tire component in a transport direction. The transport device includes at least three conveyors extending mutually parallel in the transport direction and side-by-side in a lateral direction perpendicular to the transport direction to form a combined conveying surface for conveying the tire component in the transport direction, wherein the at least three conveyors include an intermediate conveyor, a first side conveyor on a first side of the intermediate conveyor in the lateral direction and a second side conveyor on a second side of the intermediate conveyor in the lateral direction, opposite to the first side, wherein the intermediate conveyor, the first side conveyor and the second side conveyor are movable at different speeds with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the transport direction.

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.

Abstract: An object is to provide a tire reinforcing layer forming device which can form, by a single device, plural reinforcing layers whose cord directions intersect one another. A reinforcing material piece 12A, which is distributed to an upper conveying path 72U, is affixed from a left end side of a drum 16 toward a right side, while the drum 16 is rotated in a direction of arrow CW. In this way, the reinforcing material piece 12A, which is affixed to an outer peripheral surface of the drum 16, falls to the right, i.e., rises to the left. Thereafter, similarly, the reinforcing material pieces 12A are successively affixed without gaps, and a first reinforcing layer is formed. Next, the reinforcing material piece 12A, which is distributed to a lower conveying path 72D, is affixed from the left end side of the drum 16 toward the right side, while the drum 16 is rotated in an opposite direction.

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.

Abstract: A two-stage building method and apparatus for making an uncured tire including winding on shoulder wedge and sidewall components from strip material on a first stage building drum, winding on gum cushion on a band building drum and making up sequential breaker packages for second stage application to the tire.

Abstract: A plant for assembling elastomeric pneumatic tires having a plurality of assembling drums (2) moveable along a predetermined assembling path. Each drum encounters, according to a pre-established sequence, a number of primary work stations (10, 11, 12, 13) each intended for the application of a respective main component (4, 5, 6, 7) common to a plurality of carcass types included in a predetermined production range. Alongside the primary stations are auxiliary work stations (14, 15) intended for applying specifically provided accessory components (8, 9), each being designed for a particular carcass type. Each auxiliary station can be removed and replaced by a different station depending on the type of process to be carried out and is movable between a rest position in which it is perpendicularly moved away from the assembling path and a work position in which it is operatively disposed along the assembling path, in order to execute the application of the respective accessory component.

Abstract: A ply server for applying a preselected length of ply material drawn from a supply roll thereof onto a tire carcass building drum. The desired length of ply material is measured by a programmable mechanism, then severed at the length desired. The incoming ply material is center guided onto the ply conveyor, or (optionally) a transverse scanner device is used to determine the location of the longitudinal centerline of the length of ply material. The carcass building drum is precisely located with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the ply material. At the opposite end of the server, there is a receptor arrangement into which a cart bearing the supply roll can be brought to the server and the ply material fed into the server, with the separator for the rolled uncured ply material being rewound as part of the material pay-out process.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for accurately delivering rubberized sheets from a supply roll of stock material containing an intervening liner to an assembly station for subsequent assembling into an air spring or similar article of manufacture by eliminating the heretofore formation of a "free loop" therein. The supply roll and a liner take-up reel are rotatably mounted on a carriage transversely movable with respect to the longitudinal motion of the stock material. A hugger device has a plurality of timing belts which frictionally engage the liner at the take-up reel and winds the liner onto the reel at a constant linear speed regardless of the diameter of the reel and collected liner to move the rubberized sheet at a controlled rate toward the assembly station. The motion profile of the timing belts is controlled by a servo drive motor and the belts engage an arcuate portion of the circumference of the take-up reel to provide positive frictional drive engagement therewith.

Abstract: In an apparatus for introducing a belt-shaped material to a cutting machine, stationary conveyors are laid vertically in such a manner as to form different angles with respect to the cutting machine and combined respectively, with lift conveyors which are also laid vertically to convey belt shaped materials to the cutting machine. The lift conveyors are moved vertically by lifting means unit a desired one of the lift conveyors comes to the belt-shaped material introducing position of the cutting machine.

Abstract: A controller for winding an unvulcanized rubber sheet suitable for the formation of tires, transmitting belts and the like comprises a cylindrical drum rotated by a motor for winding the unvulcanized rubber sheet thereon, a conveyer for feeding the unvulcanized rubber sheet on the drum, a data processor for calculating a ratio of peripheral velocities of the drum and the feeding conveyer and a feeding quantity of the unvulcanized rubber sheet on the basis of previously inputted data and a sequence control unit responsive to an output of the data processor for controlling the sequence of operation of the movable portions of the controller, i.e. the sequence according to which each element of the controller for winding the unvulcanized rubber sheet and the motors are operated, which sequence is established according to a predetermined order.

Abstract: To "set" the relative angular disposition of cords in plural inextensible belts on an inflated green tire carcass before it is cured in a mold, a roller is provided which momentarily presses a belt upon the carcass, thus "printing" the belt thereon at a fixed distance from the longitudinal axis of the carcass, and thereafter releases the belt. The carcass is inflated into a toroidal shape so that a point on the circumference of the carcass is at a predetermined inflated distance from the longitudinal axis of the carcass. The roller is placed on each belt to be "set" so that the roller contacts each belt prior to printing it on the carcass. The roller biases each belt on the carcass toward its (the carcass') longitudinal axis, and it is essential that the distance between the bottom surface of the roller and the longitudinal axis of the inflated carcass is maintained constant while each belt is in contact with the roller.

Abstract: A tire assembly means employing a conveyor (12) which is used to transport a plurality of tire building drums (14) to a plurality of applicator stations (11) wherein various components are applied to the tire building drums (14) at the various applicator stations (11) in order to fabricate a tire when the tire building drums have made a complete traversal of the conveyor (12), wherein the tire building drums (14) are maintained in an angled relationship with respect to the conveyor (12) and the applicator stations (11).

Abstract: When feed stock is pulled from storage and a portion cut off for use by an operator, such as a builder of tires, the remaining portion of feed stock not used by the operator for the tire he is building ("unused stock"), interferes with the tire building process. Therefore, the tire builder must take the time, and make the additional effort to move the unused stock out of his way, usually by pulling the end of the unused stock into a retaining clip on the tray of the `servicer` which presents appropriate stocks to the tire builder. To avoid the inconvenience to the tire builder who must move the unused stock out of his way, and to save the time required for him to do so, a spring actuated cam roller is used to release the feed stock to the tire building machine when the operator pulls on the stock. After the operator cuts off a predetermined portion, a controlled reverse rotation of the cam is automatically spring actuated so as to retract the end of the unused stock and keep it out of the operator's way.

Abstract: A tire building machine servicer including carcass component supply rolls and a plurality of vertically aligned extensible servicer trays arranged to be pivotable into and out of servicing position with respect to the tire carcass being assembled on a tire building drum. Anyone of said servicer trays may be extended telescopically and then rotated about its pivot axis to permit the delivery extremity of said tray to interface tangentially with the surface of the tire carcass being built. In this manner, the web or strip of tire component is precisely oriented and confined, by guide means on said trays, to a point immediately adjacent to the tangential point of contact where said web or strip contacts the carcass being built.

Abstract: A modular tire building machine servicer for use with a tire component building drum is characterized by a plurality of stackable servicer modules stacked substantially along an arcuate path struck substantially about the axis of the drum, each module being capable of supplying and dispensing tire components to a tire building drum, such providing adaptability of the servicer for different applications, as well as facilitating loading and transportation of the same from one location to another, without changing the construction of the basic servicer module. Several banks of stacked servicer modules may be mounted on a shuttle module for multistation operation. Each servicer module has provision for supporting stock and liner take-up rolls and includes fixed and hingedly mounted component dispensing trays which when the modules are arcuately stacked, are all located proximate the tire building drum for application of components thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates generally as indicated to a servicer and more particularly to a servicer for supplying tire components to a building drum or shaper for the construction of tires, or more particularly for the construction of tire components such as belt and tread assemblies.

Abstract: An expandable carrier apparatus for transferring a tread and a radial tread ply band from a first work station to a further work station in a tire building machine includes an annular support member and a fluid expandable annular tube element having an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion. The lower wall portion of the tube element is movable radially away from the upper wall portion upon expansion of the tube element and is movable radially toward the upper wall portion upon contraction of the tube element. The upper wall portion includes an annular peripheral surface which is bonded along a portion of the width thereof to the support member and the lower wall portion includes an annular outer peripheral surface having a plurality of gripper means disposed in an annular array supported thereon which are operable to engage and grip tread and a radial tread ply band upon expansion of the tube element.