Abstract: In at least some implementations, a device for filling a fuel gas storage tank includes a nozzle body having an inflow passage arranged to communicate a fuel gas source with the storage tank and an outflow passage arranged to receive an outflow of fuel gas from the storage tank. The inflow passage may be communicated with an inlet passage to admit fuel gas into the storage tank and the outflow passage may be communicated with an outlet passage through which fuel gas exits the storage tank. The outflow passage may be communicated with a downstream component for treatment of the outflow fuel gas, such as filtering, drying, and/or cooling. The outflow fuel gas may be rerouted into the fuel gas storage tank through the inflow passage and inlet passage, if desired. The disclosure also relates to a fitting for a storage tank and a method of filling a storage tank.

Abstract: A rapid-connect gas coupler is shown and described herein. In an embodiment, the rapid-connect gas coupler includes a spring-loaded probe within a probe cavity, which is defined by a housing and one or more latch segment. The probe can engage with a gas connector, which causes the latch segment to engage and couple with the gas connector.

Abstract: Method of calendering the continuous ply of reinforcing threads, during which: said ply of reinforcing threads is positioned between a continuous upper sheet of rubber and a continuous lower sheet of rubber, said sheets of rubber having a width greater than the width of the ply of reinforcing threads, so that the two lateral parts of said sheets of rubber which are not vertically aligned with the ply of reinforcing threads form selvedges. The assembly formed in the preceding step is introduced into the nip of a calendering comprising at least two rolls, so as to cause the rubber to penetrate the spaces between the reinforcing threads. Prior to the ply of reinforcing threads and the sheets of rubber being introduced into the nip of the calender, the two selvedges of one of the sheets of rubber are turned up on themselves.

Abstract: A triangular-shaped can be held in an upright posture to be stuck to an outer peripheral surface of a bead core and a leading end and a trailing end can be butted against each other a crack. A filler rubber is held uprightly to be wound around an outer peripheral surface of a bead core supported by a rotary support body, and in joining a leading end and a trailing end of the filler rubber cut to a predetermined length, the neighborhood of the leading end and the neighborhood of the trailing end, respectively, are interposed by first and second interposing means and one of the interposing means is displaced toward the other from a state, in which the leading end and the trailing end are opposed to each other whereby end surfaces of the leading end and the trailing end are butted against each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for manufacturing an object closed onto itself, which machine comprises first means for guiding and carrying a tire material to be arranged round the first means, characterized in that the first means can change form in controlled manner between a first form and a second form. The invention also relates to a machine for manufacturing an object closed onto itself, which machine comprises first means for guiding and supporting a tire material to be arranged round the first means, characterized in that the machine also comprises sixth means for folding the tire material arranged round the first means, for which purpose the sixth means comprise a number of folding members movable relative to each other, which folding members can engage on the tire material for folding and can therein move inside recesses provided for this purpose in the first means.

Abstract: For attaching at least one flat supplementary product to a printed product, one leaf of the printed product is brought from a folded configuration into an essentially horizontal orientation. A supplementary product is attached, especially by an adhesive, to this horizontal leaf, preferably from above. Supplementary products can be attached to the front side and to the rear side of the printed product. The supplementary product is, for example, a commercial sample or a card.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a press fabric for a paper machine includes the attachment of a strip of top laminate layer material to a base fabric using a heat-activated adhesive film. The top laminate layer material may be a woven fabric, a nonwoven mesh, or a thermoplastic sheet material, and, in any case, has the heat-activated adhesive film bonded to one of its two sides. The strip of top laminate layer material and heat-activated adhesive film together form a multi-component strip, which is spiralled onto the outer surface of the base fabric, with the side of the strip of top laminate layer material having the heat-activated adhesive film against the outer surface, in a closed helix, and bonded thereto with heat and pressure. The portions of the multi-component strip overhanging the lateral edges of the base fabric are then trimmed, and a staple fiber batt is needled into and through the top laminate layer formed by the multi-component strip to firmly attach it to the base fabric.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for single-wire bead provided with a winding device winding a wire onto a drum to form a formed bead, a thread winding device winding a thread to both ends of the wire on approximately same position in a circumferencial direction of the formed bead to form an intermediate bead, an apex fitting device fitting an apex to the intermediate bead to form a finished bead, and having a transfering device reciprocating between a first position and a second position. On the first position, the formed bead is taken out of the winding device and the intermediate bead is taken out of the thread winding device. And, on the second position, the formed bead is transferred to the thread winding device and the intermediate bead is transferred to the apex fitting device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a press fabric for a paper machine includes the attachment of a strip of top laminate layer material to a base fabric using a heat-activated adhesive film. The top laminate layer material may be a woven fabric, a nonwoven mesh, or a thermoplastic sheet material, and, in any case, has the heat-activated adhesive film bonded to one of its two sides. The strip of top laminate layer material and heat-activated adhesive film together form a multi-component strip, which is spiralled onto the outer surface of the base fabric, with the side of the strip of top laminate layer material having the heat-activated adhesive film against the outer surface, in a closed helix, and bonded thereto with heat and pressure. The portions of the multi-component strip overhanging the lateral edges of the base fabric are then trimmed, and a staple fiber batt is needled into and through the top laminate layer formed by the multi-component strip to firmly attach it to the base fabric.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a ribbon-like coating structure to the outer surface of a tire bead core. A bead core (2) is coaxially placed around a support drum (6) carrying an inflatable air bag (7) disposed in a deflated condition. Clasping sectors (14) circumferentially distributed in the drum are radially moved close to the inner surface of the bead core (2) to make a central portion of a ribbon-like coating structure (3) arranged about the inflatable air bag (7), adhere against the bead core itself. The air bag is inflated so as to form, on opposite axial sides relative to the bead core (2), two lobes (17, 18) each of them being enclosed between the outer surface of the drum (6) and a respective annular opposition bell (19, 20) coaxially encircling the drum. By axially moving the opposition bells (19, 20), a first and a second side flap of the coating structure (3) are applied to respective surfaces of the bead core (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a ribbon-like coating structure to the outer surface of a tire bead core. A bead core (2) is coaxially placed around a support drum (6) carrying an inflatable air bag (7) disposed in a deflated condition. Clasping sectors (14) circumferentially distributed in the drum are radially moved close to the inner surface of the bead core (2) to make a central portion of a ribbon-like coating structure (3) arranged about the inflatable air bag (7), adhere against the bead core itself. The air bag is inflated so as to form, on opposite axial sides relative to the bead core (2), two lobes (17, 18) each of them being enclosed between the outer surface of the drum (6) and a respective annular opposition bell (19, 20) coaxially encircling the drum. By axially moving the opposition bells (19, 20), a first and a second side flap of the coating structure (3) are applied to respective surfaces of the bead core (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a ribbon-like coating structure to the outer surface of a tire bead core. A bead core (2) is coaxially placed around a support drum (6) carrying an inflatable air bag (7) disposed in a deflated condition. Clasping sectors (14) circumferentially distributed in the drum are radially moved close to the inner surface of the bead core (2) to make a central portion of a ribbon-like coating structure (3) arranged about the inflatable air bag (7), adhere against the bead core itself. The air bag is inflated so as to form, on opposite axial sides relative to the bead core (2), two lobes (17, 18) each of them being enclosed between the outer surface of the drum (6) and a respective annular opposition bell (19, 20) coaxially encircling the drum. By axially moving the opposition bells (19, 20), a first and a second side flap of the coating structure (3) are applied to respective surfaces of the bead core (2).

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: According to the present invention, a bead assembly consisting of a combination of a ring shaped bead core, a bead filler and a flipper is manufactured by continuous automated steps, whereby productivity is greatly improved. The present invention is characterized by the steps of providing bead locking drums on the free end portions of a plurality of rotary arms arranged radially around the center of rotation thereof, and turning and stopping these rotary arms sequentially so as to set a bead core on a bead locking drum stopped in a first stopping position A, wind a bead filler around the bead core set on the bead locking drum stopped in a second stopping position B to form a bead assembly, and then take out the bead assembly formed on the bead locking drum stopped in a final stopping position D. A third stopping position C is set between the second and final stopping positions, and a flipper is pasted on the bead assembly stopped in this stopping position C.

Abstract: A method and a device for applying an apex (13) to the outer peripheral surface of a bead ring (12) prior to assembling a bead portion with a tire carcass in manufacture of an air-filled tire, wherein the apex is fed from one end thereof to the outer peripheral surface of the bead ring (12) and applied thereto as it is wound with rotation of the bead ring (12), the rotation is interrupted to clamp the rear portion of the apex and cut to length, the rotation is resumed to apply the remainder and the rear end of the apex is then move along a circular arc convex toward the bead ring to form the joint portion.

Abstract: A methods and an apparatus for applying the belt-shaped bead filler on the bead core with apex. The method comprises the the steps of: rotating a bead core with an apex together with a belt-shaped bead filler; mounting the bead filler on the internal circumferential surface in an approximately cylindrical shape so as to form an overlapping portion; joining at least a part of the overlapping portion; folding up the cylindrical bead filler on both sides of apex and bead core and press-fitting so as to unify them.

Abstract: A method for making a knotless bead bundle, a bead bundle made according to the method, and a tire made using the knotless bead bundle are provided. In the method a bead ring is made using a plurality of annular turns of wire as is conventional in the art, and the annular turns of wire are wrapped with cord, tape, or other conventional wrapping material which is held on the bead ring without using knots. The wrap is held on the bead ring by using a tie down area that is made by forming a loop in the wrapping material, holding the loop in place by a number of close turns of wrap on the bead ring while leaving a first end of the wrapping material free, wrapping the bead ring 360.degree. around the ring, passing a second end of the wrapping material through the loop, closing the loop by pulling the first end of the wrapping material whereby closing the loop pulls the second end of the wrapping material under the close turns of wrapping material.

Abstract: The described device for practicing a method of splicing the ends of a tire bead filler strip comprises two primary pliers systems (2, 2a) arranged to engage through respective gripping elements (25, 26) the opposite ends of an elastomeric filler (45) applied on the radial outer peripheral of a bead core (46). The pliers systems are pivoted around an axis spaced from the center of the bead core, with respect to the convergence point of the V-shaped opening formed by the ends of the filler and are angularly moveable upon carrying out their movement, the pliers systems rotate with respect to the other according to an angulation greater than the value of the angle from by the ends of the filler and that the gripping means (25, 26) are shaped in such a way that in a radial outer zone of the filler, the apices of the triangular shaped filler strip are overlapped during the action of the pliers systems. An ancillary pliers system (24) compresses laterally the overlapped ends to effect the final splicing.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying the belt-shaped bead filler on the bead core with apex. The method comprises the the step of: rotating a bead core with an apex together with a belt-shaped bead filler; mounting the bead filler on the internal circumferential surface in an approximately cylindrical shape so as to form an overlapping portion; joining at least a part of the overlapping portion; folding up the cylindrical bead filler on both sides of apex and bead core and press-fitting so as to unify them.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming an apex filler (13). The invention also provides a method and apparatus that is uniquely adapted for applying an apex filler (13) onto a bead ring sub-assembly (14) without the introduction of stresses at the outer edge (50) of the apex filler (13). The apex filler forming apparatus (10) works in conjunction with an extruder (43) which presents a linear strip (42) of elastomeric material having a pre-determined cross-section. A pair of opposed, forming rollers (33) present a nip (35) therebetween. Means (36) are provided to rotate the rollers (33). Rotation of the forming rollers (33) causes the nip (35) frictionally to engage the elastomeric strip (42). The interaction between the elastomeric strip (42) and the nip (35) effects rotary motion of the elastomeric strip (42) and increases the circumferential length of the elastomeric strip (42) proportionally to the radial distance outwardly from the base (49) thereof.

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: The described device includes a bearing element positioned to engage a bead core and subjected to the action of a friction wheel acting in such a way as to make the bead core rotate around its own axis. Two pressure discs arranged specularly with respect to the lying median plane of the bead core act on opposite sides of a filler to apply the same on the outer peripheral chafer of the bead core while this latter is rotating. The pressure discs lie according to respective planes convergent toward the bead core and divergent in the sense of rotation of the bead core to favor the release of the filler from the pressure discs. The pressure discs are thrust on the filler through a pneumatic cylinder which exerts a constant force on an oscillating support according to an axis parallel to the bead core axis and bearing the discs themselves.

Abstract: In manufacture of an automobile tire, a method and a device for making a bead apex/bead ring assembly. More particularly, a method and a device for automatically applying an extruded belt-like rubber material generally referred to as "bead apex" or "bead filler" onto a core material referred to as "bead ring" which is previously mounted on a circular holding device referred to as "former" to make a bead ring/bead apex assembly. In the proposed method and device, the "apex" is drawn out from an extruder or a roll and fed to the "bead ring" and, then it is wound around and bonded to the outer periphery of the "bead ring" with rotation of the "former", and at least the leading end of the apex is caught and restrained by a holding device during at least a period from the start to the end of the apex applying process.

Abstract: A rotatably supported annular tire bead is rotated by drive rollers held in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the bead, and during rotation of the bead a tape is fed and stuck onto the inner circumferential surface of the bead. The opposite side edge portions of this tape extending from this bead are stuck onto the opposite side surfaces of the bead by being pinched from the opposite sides by flange portions of the drive rollers and flange members opposed thereto, subsequently the opposite side edge portions of the tape are folded back onto the outer circumferential surface of the bead by means of scraper members, and thus the bead is perfectly covered by the tape. The above-mentioned flange members are fitted around the drive rollers so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and they are biased to reduce the intervals between the flange members and the flange portions of the drive rollers. Furthermore, there is provided expanding means for expanding the above-mentioned intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a bead filler material to a bead wherein the bead filler material may be applied to the bead at an offset position to compensate for the stretching of the filler material as it is applied to the bead to afford a proper splice of the leading and trailing ends of the bead filler material.

Abstract: The positioning of fabric wrapped rubber insulation between a steel bead and a radial steel body ply eliminates failures in the bead areas of tires due to the direct contact of the steel body ply and bead bundle wires.

Abstract: During the winding of the layers of the wires of a tire bead ring, a piece of ribbon is interposed at least twice per revolution between two consecutive layers of wires, the ribbon being formed of a thin flexible support bearing on each of its faces a layer of a material which adheres both to the support and to the wires.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for applying an envelope-type wrapping to tire bead rings. The apparatus and method are particularly useful when the wrapping material is to be applied directly over a lubricant coating on the bead ring. The apparatus includes a radially expansible drum, and an inflatable bladder that covers the drum and is interposed, along with the wrapping material, between the bead ring and the drum. According to the method of the invention, the bladder is inflated and rolled over in a desired sequence of steps to apply an envelope wrapping to the bead ring.

Abstract: A continuously operating bead filler assembly system for forming filler material on top of a tire bead includes a multiple station assembly machine having at least one station for placing the bead and positioning the filler material in cylindrical form adjacent the bead and at least one station for forming and rotating the filler material on top of the bead. The multiple station assembly machine is used in conjunction with a rubber extruder, which continuously extrudes the filler material onto an accumulator, which delivers the filler material to a cutting and measuring device which cuts the filler material in predetermined lengths for deposit of the filler material in cylindrical form onto accumulator station.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically filling a vehicle tire bead-core with an elastomeric filler having one or more drums, for encasing the bead-core in which the filler is applied when the drum rotates around its own axis.The apparatus is provided with means suitable for stretching the filler when it is pulled into rotation with the bead-core on the drum to stiffen the filler and resist bending, and therefore maintain the filler substantially in the drum midline.The apparatus is further provided with means for discharging the bead-core/filler assembly in a plane unchanged with respect to that determined by the stretching means in order to permit the collection of the various filler/bead-core assemblies one after the other.

Abstract: The method of shaping and securing an uncured tire bead filler material to a tire bead ring consisting of initially placing a piece of bead filler material over one of the peripheral surfaces of the bead ring; stitching a filler material first portion to this surface; folding, juxtaposing and thereby adhering a part of a filler material second portion over and on at least the filler material first portion; and adjusting the final angular position of the remainder of the filler material relative to the bead ring. Several embodiments of this method are presented.

Abstract: A device for automatically loading a bead core to an apparatus which associates an elastomeric filler with the bead core and for unloading the bead core with the filler.The device has two jaws for loading the bead core and means for controlling the opening of the jaws. The jaws are opened when the bead core is locked in the apparatus and the jaws are moved from the apparatus towards the loading position of a new bead core.

Abstract: An apparatus for associating an elastomeric filler with a bead core of a vehicle tire has a fixed frame and two discs which contact each other and rotate together. Each disc has an annular groove with one for encasing the core and the other for applying the base of the filler to the core. The apparatus has means for blocking the opposite sides of the filler in proximity of each end of the "V" and for butt-splicing the ends of the filler strip.

Abstract: A tire bead ring machine for applying a filler gum onto a tire bead ring slightly ahead of a flipper cloth which is thereafter wrapped around the tire bead and filler gum to completely encompass the filler gum and tire bead ring to make a tire bead ring assembly.

Abstract: An annular wedge suitable for use in a tire bead assembly preparation apparatus. The annular, resilient, flexible, compressible wedge has a generally T-shaped axial cross-section with an outer head portion, an inner trunk portion and an inner-connecting throat portion with a generally triangular cross-section therebetween, and a continuous reinforcing annular textile fabric strip integral with said head, throat and trunk portions, said wedge being of a continuous structure having a core of especially prepared microcellular polyurethane and an outer densified relatively smooth skin.

Abstract: A tire bead assembly of a bead core, apex and gum tie strip is made by laying the gum tie strip about a non-inflatable annular member of triangular cross-section and across the slant surface of the member. The apex is wrapped then about the tie strip and about the slant surface of an annular inflatable bag. After the core is pressed coaxially on the tie strip so as to indent the member and thus preform the tie strip, the bag is inflated to turn the apex and underlying tie strip about the core and against an annular forming member to shape the assembly suitably for the tire carcass in which it is to be inserted. A bladder is then inflated to wrap the tie strip on the second side of the core and apex. The member bridges the gap between the adjacent edges of the bag and the bladder. An apparatus for carrying out the steps is also described. The resulting bead assembly is tightly cohered and free of wrinkles and air pockets.

Abstract: A machine for spirally wrapping a continuous element, such as a cord or tape, around an annular tire bead. The machine is provided with a mechanism for holding a tire bead and rotating it in a fixed plane and at a predetermined speed, while a device with the element rotates about the rotating bead to wrap a portion of the continuous element around the bead at a speed which is correlated to the rotational speed of the tire bead so that the finished tire bead has a predetermined spiral wrap which can be varied by changing the relative rotational speeds of the tire bead and element about the tire bead. The machine is supplied with a braking mechanism which is designed to cushion the stop of the bead wrapping mechanism, rather than bringing it to an abrupt halt, and to bring the bead wrapping mechanism always to a halt at a desired position for beginning the wrapping of another bead. A knife is furnished for cutting the continuous element after the bead wrapping operation is completed and the machine is stopped.

Abstract: An apex is cohered to the bead wire bundle or core to form a unitary bead assembly. The core is supported on a rigid continuous planar surface. The apex strip in endless form is supported on the uninflated inflatable cylindrical surface of a turn-up bladder arrangement. Inflation of the bladder arrangement turns or rolls the apex angularly outward to surround the bead core and into an appropriate radial orientation and shape. The bladder action is found to cohere the apex-core so strongly together that conventional roller stitching is not required.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying an elastomeric cover stock to an annular tire bead including a lower carriage for supporting the tire bead, an upper carriage mounted for movement to clampingly engage the tire bead against the lower carriage, a drive roller for rotationally moving the tire bead, rollers on the upper carriage for adhering the cover stock to the tire bead adjustably positioned with respect to the tire bead and adjustably resiliently biased thereat, and a stock feed and severing mechanism supplying a length of the cover stock sufficient for wrapping about the circumference of the tire bead.

Abstract: A tire bead flipping apparatus where a flipper cloth is gradually folded around a tire bead in a manner to remove internal stress from the flipper cloth which would otherwise be developed therein due to dimensional discrepancy between the inner and outer diameters of the tire bead, by cooperation of various moving components which are positioned inside and outside the tire bead.