GB2168645A

GB2168645A - Apparatus for applying an edge strip to a moving ribbon

Info

Publication number: GB2168645A
Application number: GB08529282A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Georges Nicolas Scheer
Original assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
Current assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
Priority date: 1984-11-28
Filing date: 1985-11-28
Publication date: 1986-06-25
Also published as: FR2573698A3; JPS6195513U; DE8524881U1; LU86167A1; GB8529282D0; BR6501169U; FR2573698B3

Abstract

An apparatus for wrapping an edge strip (12) around the edge margin of a ribbon or belt (21), comprises a fixed folding means (32), edge strip guide rolls (26), and edge strip applier roller (27), and a support means (31) on which the applier roller (27) is mounted. The support means (31) is a pivoting arm and the applier roller (27) is positioned below the guide rolls (26) so that the advancing belt (21) and edge strip (12) cause the arm to pivot and thereby cause the roller (27) to press the edge strip against the upper surface of the belt. The belt (21) is guided for longitudinal movement by guide-rollers (36) mounted on a chassis member (37). The edge strip guide rolls (26), applier roll (27), and folding means (32) are also mounted on the chassis member (37). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for applying an edge strip to a moving ribbon This invention relates to an apparatus for wrapping an edge strip around an edge of a longitudinally advancing ribbon, and in particular to a method of wrapping an elastomeric gum strip around the edge of a radial tire breaker belt.

Prior art devices for applying a continuous length of edge strip to a continuously advancing ribbon are known. In one prior art apparatus, edge strips are placed in position on the lower edge margins of an advancing ribbon and are then turned up around the edge of the ribbon by movement past a shaped surface on a folding device. In another prior art apparatus the edge strip is fed vertically down onto the upper edge margin of an advancing strip and is pressed into place by a fixed roller. The edge strip is then turned around the edge of the advancing ribbon by movement past a shaped guide surface on a longitudinally extending bladder.

In the production of modern radial tires it is common to apply a layer of gum strip around the cut-edge of a tread reinforcing breaker belt, so as to help to prevent so-called 'breaker edge separation' during service of a tire.

The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus for improved assembly of the gum strip to the breaker belt.

Accordingly there is provided an apparatus for wrapping an edge strip around an edge margin of a longitudinally advancing flat ribbon and including: a fixed folding means adjacent an edge of the ribbon for folding the edge strip around the edge margin thereof; an applier roller for pressing the edge strip onto the upper edge margin of the ribbon, said applier roller being located in advance of the folding means and having its rotational axis transverse to the surface to the flat ribbon; a guide roll for delivery of the edge strip towards the applier roller, said guide roll being arranged above the applier roller and having its rotational axis substantially aligned with the edge of the ribbon;; and a support means on which the applier roller is mounted, said support means being free to rotate through an arcuate plane parallel with the edge of the ribbon, so that the advancing ribbon and delivery of the edge strip bias the supporting means in a rotational direction to cause the applier roller to press the edge strip onto the ribbon.

Preferably the apparatus is a gum strip applier for placing an elastomer edging strip around the edge of a breaker belt, and conveniently the applier comprises two of said apparatus for simultaneous application of a gum strip to each edge of the belt.

Also according to this invention there is provided apparatus for wrapping an edge strip around an edge margin of a longitudinally advancing ribbon and including: a guide means for guiding said edge of the ribbon; a longitudinally extending chassis member on which the guide means are mounted, said chassis member being operable for adjustment of its lateral position; a folding means for folding the edge strip around the edge of the ribbon said folding means being mounted on the chassis member downstream of the guide means; an edge strip applier roller for pressing the edge strip onto the upper edge margin of the ribbon, said applier roller being mounted on the chassis member and being located between the folding means and the guide means;; and an edge strip guide roll for delivery of the edge strip to the applier roll, said guide roll being arranged above the applier roll, and also being mounted on the chassis.

For the purpose of this invention the terms 'longitudinal' and 'longitudinally' refer to displacements along the path of the advancing ribbon, and the terms 'lateral' and 'laterally' refer to displacements normal to the path of the advancing ribbon.

The edge strip guide roll, applier roll, and folding means being on the same chassis as the ribbon guide produces an apparatus which can be very conveniently reset for different width ribbons.

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of an apparatus for applying an edge strip to a continuously advancing ribbon and which is according to this invention; Figure 2 is a detailed elevation of a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing the ribbon guide means, the edge strip guide rolls, the edge strip applier roller, and fold means; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectionai view taken on the line IV-IV in Figure 2; Figure 5 (A), (B), and (C) are sections through the edge margin of the belt and gum strip taken on the lines (A), (B), and (C) in Figure 2; Figure 6 is an elevation of the edge strip folding means of Figure 1 and Figure 2;; Figure 7 is an plan view of the folding means of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-section through a ribbon and edge strip assembly as it is approaching the folding means; Figure 9 and Figure 10 show an alternate folding means; Figure 11 is a detailed elevation of the conveyor table in Figure 1; Figure 12 is a plan view of the conveyor table of Figure 11; and Figure 13 is a plan view showing a ribbon guide means, and a pair of edge strip appliers mounted on a chassis member supported by the side plates of the conveyor table of Figure 11 and Figure 12.

With reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated in schematic form an apparatus according to this invention. The apparatus has a hollow parallelapiped frame 10, in the upper right hand corner of which is located a feed roll 11 of edge strip 12. In this case the edge strip is an elastomeric strip known in the tire industry as a gum strip, and the feed roll 11 has two parallel gum strips wound thereon and the two strips are taken off the roll together. The two edge strips 12 pass from the feed roll 11 which rotates to pay-out the strip and pass over a roller 13, which is mounted on the frame 10.

The edge strips 12 undergo a charge in direction and are fed downwards towards the point of application of the strips to the edge portions of an advancing ribbon 21. It is at this point that the edge strip are separated.

Each of the two edge strips 12 goes separately to a respective edge of the advancing ribbon 21 and therefore the process will be described for one edge only, it being understood that preferably the process is simultaneously applied to both edges. In the present example, the advancing ribbon 21 is a continuous breaker belt for the manufacture of radial tires. The breaker belt 21 is fed over a conveyor table 22 located at the center of the frame and which comprises a plurality of spaced freely rotatable horizontal rollers 23.

The belt 21 then passes over a take-off roll 24 and continues for perhaps further processing which is not part of the present invention.

Located between the conveyor table 22 and the take-off roll 24 is an edge strip assembly means 25 by which the gum strip 12 is wrapped around an edge of the belt to form a belt/gum strip assembly 21A.

Now with reference also to Figures 2, 3, and 4, the belt 21 advances along the conveyor table 22 shown in dotted lines, such that it is advancing up a surface having an inclination of between 20 -30 , formed by the horizontal rollers 23. The gum edge strip 12 is fed substantially vertically downwards to the gum strip assembly means 25 including an edge strip guide roll 26, and more preferably a pair of guide rolls 26 which are mounted at the end of a support frame 29. The axis of rotation of the guide rolls 26 is substantially horizontal and is substantially aligned with the edge of the belt 21. The strip 12 passes between the rolls 26 and then is twisted through 90" to pass over an edge strip applier roller 27 which is locate substantially vertically beneath the guide rolls 26.

The applier roller 27 is an idler roller with a knurled surface that has its axis of rotation extending transversally of the flat belt 21. The applier roller 27 is mounted at one end of a pivoting support arm 31 whose other end is pivoted to the support frame 29. The support arm 31 is pivoted for arcuate movement in a plane parallel with the edge of the belt so that it is free to move downwards towards the belt 21. When the applier roller 27 is in contact with the belt the roller 27 is located substantially vertically below the guide rolls 26.

The support frame 29 is a substantially 'U' shaped member lying on its side with its open end facing in the upstream direction of the advancing belt 21 and has an upper arm 29A and a lower arm 29B. The upper arm 29A provides at its free end the support for the strip guide rolls 26, and for the pivoting support arm 31. The lower arm 29B supports a strip folding means 32 secured at the free end portion thereof, and an applier wheel 34 which is located downstream of the folding means near the base of the 'U'.

The edge strip 12 passes clockwise around the applier roller 27 and adheres to the upper edge margin of the advancing belt 21, so that belt 21 and strip 12 move simultaneously towards the strip folding means 32. The advancing movement of the belt 21 and gum strip 12, relative to the applier roller 27, cause the pivoting support arm 31 to move clockwise and thereby bias the roller 27 to press the strip 12 onto the upper edge margin of the belt. The advancing movement past the folding means 32 wraps the strip around the edge of the belt and then the applier wheel 34 presses the edge strip against the under side of the belt 12 (see Figures 4-8).

The belt 21 is guided for movement up the inclined conveyor table 22 by a plurality guide rollers 36 whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the inclined surface formed by the rollers 23 of the conveyor table 22. The guide rollers 36 are longitudianally aligned in a straight line to provide a guide surface for the edge of the belt 21. The rollers 36 are supported on a longitudinally elongated chassis member 37 on the downstream end portion of which the support frame 29 is mounted.

Now with reference to Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7 the folding means 32 comprises a shaped wire structure having a pair of supporting arms 51 and 52 for attachment to the lower arm 29B of the support frame. The upstream arm 52 is longer than the downstream arm 51 and in elevation (Fig. 6) the middle portion 53 of the wire structure between the arms 51 and 52 presents a flat plane which crosses the path of the advancing belt 21 and is inclined relative to the belt by an angle A of between 15 to 30 , and more preferably 20 .

From the plan view in Figure 7 it can be seen that the wire structure at its upstream end overlaps the belt 21, and then curves outwards so that the outermost part of its locus is adjacent with the belt edge, and then the downstream end extends back under the belt 21. This smooth curve forms a folding surface 58 having a locus at its upstream end portion 57, that describes a straight line that extends from the upstream arm 52, downstream and laterally outward of the belt making an angle ss relative to the edge of the belt 21. Preferably the angle ss is equal to the angle A between the belt 21 and the plane defined by the middle portion 53 of the folding member.The locus of the wire then has a curved portion 56 describing an arc which curves around to finish at its downstream portion, in a projection 55 which is substantially normal to the edge of the belt 21.

With reference to Figure 8, when the belt 21 and edge strip 12 advances towards the folding means 32, the edge 20 of the belt passes under the upstream arm 52 and through the curved portion 56 of the folding surface 58. The edge strip 12 encounters the straight portion 57 of the folding surface which is extending downstream and also outwardly and downwardly, and as the edge strip passes through the folding surface 58, it is wrapped around the edge 20 of the belt.

The belt/edge strip assembly then passes over the applier wheel 34 (see Figures 2, 3, 4) which presses the underneath portion of the edge strip 12 against the underside of the belt 21. The applier wheel 34 is free to rotate and has a conical portion 60 and the axis of rotation of the wheel 34 is tilted so that the portion of conical surface 60 located under the belt 21 is parallel with the under surface thereof.

The applier wheel also has a reverse conical abutment surface 61 thereon which is normal to the conical surface 60 and which acts as a guide surface for the edge of the belt/edge strip assembly.

In Figure 9 and Figure 10 there is illustrated an alternative folding means 132. In this case the middle portion 53 of the wire structure is replaced by a flat plate 133 and the folding surface 58 follows the same locus as described for the wire structure with a substantially identical straight portion 57 and arcuate portion 56. In order to achieve the correct angular orientation A relative to the advancing belt the plate 133 is mounted on a support plate 134 having an angled surface 135.

It is to be understood that the folding means for the other edge of the belt has a folding surface 58 which is a mirror image of the surface described with reference to Figures 6, 7, 9, and 10.

With reference now to Figures 11, and 12, there is illustrated the conveyor table 22 utilized for the advancement of the belt 21 towards the edge strip assembly means 25, and the take-off roll 24. The conveyor table 22 comprises a pair of spaced side plates 61 held in spaced relationship by four tie bars 65. Each side plate 61 has its top edge 62 inclined to the horizontal (shown by dotted lines). Six freely rotatable horizontal rollers 23 extend between the side plates 61 and are located along the top edge 62 portion of the plates 61 thereby forming an inclined surface along the tops of the rollers 23. The upper portion of side plates 61 provides a support for a pair of pivoting arms 64 which have an idler roller 66 extending between the free ends thereof. The idler roller 66 is a guide roller to help feed the belt/edge strip assembly around the take-off roll 24.

With reference now to Figure 13, a pair of chassis members 37 with the belt guide rollers 36 thereon, are mounted on the tie bars 65 extending between the two conveyor table side plates 61. The two chassis members 37, have a respective support frame 29 at their downstream end portions whereby the edge strip guide rolls 26, the edge strip applier roller 27, folding means 32, and edge strip applier wheel 34 are mounted on the respective chassis member 37.

The chassis members are laterally moveable along the tie bars 65 extending between the side plates 61, and the guide rollers 36 project through the spaces between adjacent horizontal conveyor rollers 26 (see Figure 2).

Two of the tire bars 65A and 65B have oppositely threaded portions 66 and 67 thereon on each side of the longitudinal center line of the conveyor table 22. The tie bars 65A and 65B thereby make a screw threaded engagement with each of the chassis members 37 so that the lateral positions of the two chassis members 37 can be adjusted by rotation of the tie bars 65, which are mounted in bearing 68 in the side plate 61. The two tie bars 65A and 65B are linked for simultaneous rotation by a chain 69 so that rotation of one bar causes the other bar to also rotate thereby keeping the chassis members 37 longitudinally aligned during adjustment.

The oppositely threaded portions 66 and 67 cause the two chassis members to move simultaneously towards or away from each other during the adjustment of their lateral positions.

Whilst certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for wrapping an edge strip (12) around an edge margin of a longitudinally advancing flat ribbon (21) and including: a fixed folding means (32)(132) adjacent an edge of the ribbon for folding the edge strip (12) around the edge margin thereof; an applier roller (27) for pressing the edge strip (12) onto the upper edge margin of the ribbon, said applier roller (27) being located in advance of the folding means (32) and having its rotational axis transverse to the surface of the flat ribbon;; a guide roll (26) for delivery of the edge strip (12) towards the applier roller (27), said guide roll (26) being arranged above the applier roller and having its rotational axis substantially aligned with the edge of the ribbon characterized in that there is provided a support means (31) on which the applier roller (27) is mounted, said support means (31) being free to rotate through a plane parallel with the edge of the ribbon (21), so that the advancing ribbon and delivery of the edge strip (12) bias the supporting means in a rotational direction to cause the applier roller to press the edge strip onto the ribbon.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 characterized in that the guide roll (26) is mounted on a support frame (21), and the support means (31) for the applier roller (27) is a swinging arm (31) pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the support frame, and having the applier roller mounted at the free end thereof.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized in that the advancing ribbon (31) is guided along its edge by rollers (36) whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the plane of the ribbon, said rollers (36) being mounted on a longitudinally extending chassis member (37), the lateral position of which is adjustable, and said chassis member (37) is contiguous with the support frame (29).

4. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 3, characterized in that there is provided an applier wheel (34) mounted on the support frame (29) and which has a conical surface (60) thereon, the wheel (34) being tilted so that the conical surface (60) is parallel with the underneath surface of the ribbon to press the underneath edge margin of the edge strip into position, and the wheel (34) is also provided with abutment surface, which is normal to the conical surface (60) and provides a guide for the edge of the ribbon and strip assembly.

5. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the folding means (32)(132) comprises a folding surface (58) describing a locus in a plane inclined relative to the ribbon and making an angle (a) of between 15 -30 therewith, said locus describing a smooth curved surface having an upstream straight line portion (52) extending downstream and laterally outwardly of the ribbon and making an acute angle (p) with the edge of the ribbon and having an arcuate portion (56) which finishes substantially normal to the edge of the ribbon at its downstream end.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 characterized in that the folding (132) means comprises a flat plate (133) with the curved surface (58) thereon, said plate being inclined at an angle of between 15 -30 with the ribbon.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 characterized in that the angle (p) between the straight portion (57) of the folding surface and the edge of the ribbon is substantially equal to the inclined angle (a) of said plane and the ribbon (31).

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, and anyone of Claims 4, 5, 6 and 7, when depending from Claim 3, characterized in that the ribbon (31) passes over a conveyor (22) comprising a pluralit, of spaced horizontal rollers (23), and the chassis member (37) is mounted on screw threaded adjusters (65) and is located beneath the horizontal rollers (23) of the conveyor (22) and the rollers (36) mounted on the chassis member (37) are arranged to protrude upwards through the spaces between adjacent horizontal rollers (23).

9. A gum strip applier for placing an elastomeric edging strip (12) around the edge of a breaker belt (21) and including an apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims.

10. A gum strip applier as claimed in Claim 9 having two of said apparatus for simultaneous application of a gum strip to each edge of the belt.