CA1137743A - Apparatus for transporting a tire from a loading station to an unloading station - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An apparatus for transporting a tire from a loading station to an unloading station while simultaneously rotating the tire abouts its axis is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for carrying a plurality of tires in side-to-side adjacency with their axes essentially coaxial from the loading station to the unloading station, and means is also provided for simulta-neously rotating the tires about their axes.

Description

~13~7~L3 Summary of the Invention The cleaner of this invention affords highly effective, yet economical tire cleaning by moving tires with respect to stationary or fixed position tire clean-ing means which are insertable wi-thin the tire casing by appropriate movement of the tire while simultaneously spreading the tlre beads, if necessary, to admit the cleaning means into the tire interlor. The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant applica tion station toward a tire unloading station. The rol-lers simultaneously rotate a series of tires about a common axis with one end tire adjacent a tire sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent a tire unloading station. Following unloading of the latter end tire, the rollers advance each tire toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof so that, upon arrival at a predetermined posi-tion of advancement, preferably -the unloading station, sealant applied to each tire is properly cured and dis-tributed. After each tire advancement, a fresh tire may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. According to further aspects of the invention, the tires are ro-tated coaxially in side-by~side engagement with one another and, in this way, form a coaxial passageway through which air flow can be established in order to extract evaporating solvent produced during the sealan-t curing process.
~ ccorcling to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a tire is movable vertically with respect to -1~

the cleaning means by an elevator which supports and rotates the tire adjacent the cleanin~ means duriny the cleaning process. At the beginning of each clean-ing cycle, a horizontal conveyor receives a fresh tire and moves it into position to be lifted by -the elevator.
At the termination of each cleaning cycle, the conve~or receives a cleaned tire from the elevator and discharges it prior to receiving a fresh tire for a subsequent cleaning cycle.
Accorcling to further aspects of the invention, the cleaning means includes a powered brush which is mounted from a fixed position support frame ~or trans-verse movement within the tire at a selected contact pressure with an interior tire surface, together with fluid application and removal apparatus. i~ovable spreader rollers engage and spread the tire beads to admit the brush into the tire interlor during elevation of the ti~e~by the elevator. Fixed guide rollers engage i the tire when completely elevated and assist the spreader rollers in maintaining the -tire vertical and in proper alignment with the brush during rotation by the elevator.
The elevator further provides a flat tire support sur-face corresponding in width to the width of the -tire tread and underlying the brush contact area. The sup-port surface preferably is movable and is constituted by the outer surface of an endless belt which, when ro-tated, imparts rotational motion to the tire with re-spect to the brush. In this instance, the spreader and guide rollers maintain the tire in fixed transla-tional position with respect to the helt, while simul-taneously therewith permitting the tire to rotate with _ ~_ . : . . . ~ . . . .

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- ~L3~ 3 , respect to -the brush during cleaning.
The applicator further includes a movable sealant applicator for effecting airless spray appli-cation of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling -the position thereof. While preferably the tires are unloaded automatically by a . kicker assembly and fresh -tires are positioned manu-,~ ally at the application station, either or both oper-ations could be ef~ect~d automa-tically or manually, as the case may be, for use in a fully or partially ,;
automated fabrication of self-healing tires.
, In system for producing self-healiny tires, !' this invention utilizes -the aforementioned tire cleaner s in combination with the tire sealant applicator. The `1 system may further include appropriate heating means for heating a tire after cleaning and before sealant application, after sealànt application, or both, de-pending upon the type of cleaniny agent used, sealant used, temperature conditions and other factors.
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Brief Descri~tion of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a rear side perspective view of the system for producing self-healing tires according to this invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tire cleaner with parts broken away;
Fig. 3 is a front end elevation of the Fiy.

2 cleaner;
Fiy. 4 is a rear side perspective view in enlarged scale of the cleaning head of the Fig. 2 cleaner;
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Fig. 5 is a rear slde elevation of the Fig. 4 cleaning head, depicting a tire in position for cleaning;
Fig. 6 is a schematic outline of the Fig. 2 cleaner, depicting the tire drawer open and supporting a ` fresh tire, with the elevator lowered;
Fig. 7 is a schematic outline generally siMilar to Fig. 6, depicting the tire drawer closed, and supportiny a fresh tire in coaxial alignment with th-? cleaning head, wi th the elevator lowered;
~; Fig. 8 is a schematic outline c~enerally similar to Fig. 6, depicting the tire drawer closed, with the ele-vator raised and supporting a tire in position for clean-. ,, iny with the cleaning head admitted into the tire between spread apart tire beads.
Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the con-trol system of the Fig. 2 cleaner;
Fig. 10 is a timing diagram depicting operation of the Fi~. 2 cleaner.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the tire sealant applicator of this invention with parts broken away, together with a block diagram represen-tation of the system for pro-ducing self-healing tires according to this invention;
Fiy. 12 is a side elevation of the Fig. 11 appli cator, with parts hroken away;
Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation generally ` similar to Fig. 12 but partially in section and on enlarged scale;
Fig. 14A is a fragmentary perspective on an enlarged scale of the spray applicator of the Fig. 11 applica-tor, depicting the spray applicator in its lowered advanced appli-cation position;
~ Fig. 14B is a fragmentary perspective generally ~ - -'1-. "

; similar to Fig. 14A, depictin~ the spray applicator in its raised advanced position;
E`ig. 14C is a fragmentary perspective generally similar to Fig. 14A, depicting the spray applicator in i.ts raised retracted rest position;
-i Fig. 14D is a fragmentary perspective generally ; similar to Fig. 14A, depicting the spray applicator in its lowered retracted purge position;
Fig. 15 is a section taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 12;

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Fig. 16 is a schematic block diagram of the con-trol system of the Fig. 11 applicator;
Fig. 17 is a timing diagram depicting operation of the Fig. 11 applicator.
Detailed Description of the Drawings The system and method for producing self-healing tires according to this invention, together with the tire cleaner for use therewith, are illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The Fig. 1 cleaner removes mold release agents, band ply lubricants and other contaminants from the interior surface or surfaces of a tire in preparation for subsequent sealant application. In the illustrated example, tires are manually loaded into a horizontally mov-able tire drawer (generally referenced by numeral 10~ in which a tire is supported vertlcally between opposed ver-: I .
tical support plates 12, 14 and rests upon fixed horizon-tal support member 16 and retractable horizontal stop 18.

` (The tire drawer is illustrated in Fig. 1 in its open or , retracted position, and is illustrated in Fig. 2 with parts ; broken away in its closed or advanced position.) In the p~n position of dr~wer 10, th~ tire is sp~ced from but ;! aligned coaxially with a stationary cleaning head (gener-.,,, r~9~3 ally referenced by numera] 20) as depicted schematically in Fig. 6; in the closed position of drawer 10, the clean-ing head is inserted within the tire wheel opening in coax-ial alignment therewith and is spaced radially from the tire beads and adjacent interior surfaces. Although the drawer is movable manually between its open and closed positions, it could be moved correspondin~31y by suit~ble automatic drive means if desired.
Following loading of a fresh tire and closure of the tire drawer as illus-tra-ted schematically in Figs. 6 and 7, an elevator (generally referenced by numeral 22) lifts the tire from the tire drawer and moves it vertically toward the stationary cleaning head, as depicted schema-ti-cally in ~ig. 8. 'rhe cleaning head 20 is mounted in fixed vertical alignment with elevator 22. It includes two mov-able spreader rollers 24, 26 (Fig. 4) for engaging and spreading the tire beads a distance sufficie~nt to admit a powered cleaning brush 2~, along with cleaning fluid appli-cation and removal apparatus, into the tire interior dur-ing such vertical movement of the tire by the elevator.
(The spreader rollers are illustrated in Fig. 4 in posi-tion ready for engagement with a tire and are illustrated in Fig.
5 in their spread apart position.) The elevator further supports and rotates the tire with respect -to the brush during cleaning while the spreader rollers, together with four additional fixed guide rollers, 3~, 32, 34, 36, main-tain the tire vertical and in alignment with the brush while preventing translational movement of the tire along the elevator. Following tire cleaning, the elevator lowers the cleaned tire and repositions it upon the tire drawer which thereupon rnay be moved back toward its open or retracted position of Fig. 1. The tire then may be discharged by .

~1377~3 retracting stop 18 manually and al~owing the tire to drop upon an inclined discharge ramp 38 (partially shown in Fig.
2) along which the tire rolls downward (to the right as illus-trated in Fig. 2) and out the rear discharge end of the cleaner. To accommodate -tires of different sizes, the posi-tion of stop 38 may be varied along elongated slot 39. The stop 18, of course, could be retracted au-tomatically, or a~ropriately automated tire unloading apparatus substituted for stop 18, or ramp 38, or bo-tll.
In a system for producing self-healing tires, the Fig. 1 cleaner may be combined ~i.th appropriate sealant application apparatus 40. If required by the type of clean-ing agent used, sealant used, temperature conditions and other factors, of course, aPpropriate heating apparatus 41 may be provided for heating the tires subsequent to cleaning and prior to sealant application. Likewise, addi- ;
tional heating apparatus 43 may be provided for heating the tire subsequent to sealant application. The applicator pro-vides a sealant application station adjacent one end thereof, a tire unloading station adjacent the other end thereof, and an intervening sealant cure station. The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers 210, 212 arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from the application station toward the unloading station. These rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires (referenced Tl-T10 in Fi~s. 11, 12~ in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement ~ith one end tire adjacent the application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A movable - -sealant applicator (generally referenced by numeral ~14) is located adjacent the application station for effecting air-less spray application of a suitable tire sealant to end tire Tl during rotation thereof. A movable tire unloader ~37 ~

or kicker assemhly (~3enerally referenced bynumeral 216) is located adjacent the unloading station for unloading end -tire ~10 by engagin~ and movlngit transversely to the com-mon tire axis out of coaxial alignment with remaining tires Tl-T9. Following unloadin~ of tire T10, tires Tl~T9 advance in series toward the position previously occupied by tire T10 and in this way make room aloncJ side now-advanced tire Tl for loadin~ of a fresh tire ad~acent the application station in the position formerly occupied by tire Tl. In the example, fresh tires are positioned or loaded manually at the application station, although automatic loading appar-atus could be used, if desired.
Thus, it will be appreciated that the sealant applied to the respective tires Tl-T10 will be in various sta~esofset-up or cure, depending upon the position of a certain tire between the sealant application station and the unloading station during passaqe thereo throug}l the sealant cure station. It is possible, therefore, by unload-ing tires Tl-T10 at predetermined time intervals, to efEec-tively control the time during which each tire is advanced from the sealant application station to the unloadin~ sta-tion through the sealant cure station. In the illustrated example, the tires are conveyed from the application station to the unloadin~ station for a time period which is suffi-cient to allow the sealant applied to set~up or substan-tially cure and which preferably represents a certain mul-tiple of the time required to effect sealant application and advancement with respect to each tire. In the example, ten tires are treated simultaneously for a period of about ;`
ten (10) minutes -- sealant application and tire advance-ment each consuming about thirty (30) seconds elapsed time.
In other instances, of course, these time periods could ~' ~3 ,~ .

vary, depending upon tire size, sealant application tirne required, type of sealant and other factors.
In a system for producing self-healing tires, the applicator may be combined with the tire cleaning apparatus and, if required by the type of cleaning apparatus or seal-ant used, appropriate pre-heat apparatus ~1. In this in-stance, each tire may be maintained under coaxial rotation-al conditions therein with respect to a series of tires us-ing conveyor rollers 210', 212' generally similar to rollers 210, 212. For use with liquid cleaning apparatus, the ap-paratus 40 effects removal of residual water and cleansers from the now cleaned tire in preparation for sealant appli-cation. The preheated cleaned tire is thereupon delivered by suitable means to the sealant application station. Upon completion of the aforementioned sealant application, cure and unloading operations, each tire may be delivered to an additional heating apparatus 43, depending upon the condi-tion of the sealant upon completion of the aforementioned operations and maintained under coaxial rotational condi-tions therein with respect to a series of -tires using con-veyor rollers 210, "212" generally similar to rollers 210, 212.
In the illustrated example, the applicator ad-ditionally maintains the tires in side-by-side engagement, as shown ~Figs. 11, 12), except during the advancement following unloading of end tire T10. During such advance-ment, the remaining tires Tl-T9 undulate transversely and, in effect, "walk" down the inclined rollers 210, 212 toward . . .

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~3~3 the unloadlng station. At other times, therefore, the tires define a coaxial gas passage for axial alignment with duct 222 through which evaporated solvent, if any may be extrac-ted, discharged and/or recovered by suit-able solvent recovery apparatus 226 (Fig. 11). Such solvent recovery additionally may be effected with respect to heating apparatus ~1, as indicated schema-tically.
In the illustrated example, the tire sealant or fluid air barrier is formed by a two component cata-lyzed sealant, the components being referenced generally in Fig. 11 as sealant A and sealant B. These components are routed via separate control valves 228, 230 and mani-fold 232 to a mixing chamber 234 in which -they are mixed immediately prior to spray application. The now mixed sealant components are then fed by a high pressure hose 235 via spray valve 236 (Fig. 14A) to applicator 21g which effects airless spray application thereof. Follow-in~ application to the tire interior, the sealant is main-tained in position until it gels by centrifugal force pro-duced by tire rotation, thereby yielding a uniform coating inside the tire which does not tend to alter tire balance.
The rotational velocity of the tire during such sealant application, of course should be selected to maintain the sealant in position until it ~els and, in the illus-trated example, the tire is therefore rotated through mul~
tiple revolutions during each spray cycle. Consequently, multiple thin coats of sealant are applied to the tire interior surfaces. Although a two component or two-part sealant is depicted in the illustrated example, it will be reco~nized that other appropriate sealants or licluid air barriers may be used in this invention, if desired.
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In those applications in which one or both com-ponents of the sealant util:ized require application of heat thereto prior to mixing or application -thereof to a tire, a heat exchanger or o-ther appropriate heating means may be provided. In the illustrated example, a tubular heat ex-changer 237 of conventional design and construction is positioned adjacent the Fig. 11 applicator with its cutput end adjacent the application station. The illustrated heat exchanger causes heat to be transferred from in~u-t steam to sealant component A in conventional fashion. Sealant component A first is delivered under pressure to the heat exchanger input indicated and, followinq passage through the heat exchanger, is in turn routed to valve 228, as shown (Fig. 12). In those applications requiring solvent and/or air purge, an additional input valve 239 may be pro-vided in communication with manifold 232 for receipt of solvent and/or a'ir for purging the sealant system made up of the manifold 232, mi~er 234, hose 234, and applicator 214l -~
as will be described presently.
Referring now in particular to Figs. 2 and 3, the cleaner includes a base structure made up of two re-duced helght vertical corner members 40, 42; two full-height vertical corner members 44, 46; and horizontal transverse brace members 47 therebetween. Upper and lower horizontal mounting members 49, 51 are secured between corner members 44, 46 and support a mount 48 which mounts the cleaning head 20 in the fixed position illustrated.
The upper end of ramp 38 is mounted from L-shaped member 49 secured to the base structure, as shown (Fi~s. 2, 3). The lower end of ramp 38 (not shown) is similarly supported.
Still referring to Figs. 2 and 3, tire drawer 10 includes a tire supporting frame made up of vertical mem-~ L~3~ 3:
bers 52, 54, 56, 58; upper and lower horiæontal side members 60, 62; member 16; and upper horizontal encl members 64, 66 respectively projecting toward one another from the upper ends of members 54 and 56, as shown (Fig. 2). End members 64, 66 terminate at sufficient transverse spacing that a tire may pass therebe-tween as it rolls down and off the rLIml 38. The ~ire support Lra~ is rlluunted upon low~r hori-zontal drawer slide members 68, 70 secured to the lower ends of members 52, 59, 56 and 58, as shown (Fig. 2). Horizon-tal V-guides 72, 74 are respectively secured by bolt con-nectors 76 or other appropriate means to members 68, 70.
Horizontal roller mounting members 78, 80 project trans-versely from the aforementioned base structure and mount opposed pairs of V-type guide rollers 82 which engage and rotatively support the guide rails for horizonkal recipro-cative movement of the drawer.
Still reerring to Figs. 2 and 3,-the elevator is constituted by a movable endless belt 84, the upper run of which forms a horizontal tire support surface corres-ponding in width approximately to the width of the tire tread, as shown (Fig. 5). The belt is mounted by and is movable rotatively by two horizontally spaced guide rollers 86, 88. The guicle rollers 86, 88 are supported rotatively , for rotational movement abou-t respective transverse hori-zontal axes by mounting shafts 90, 92, the ends of which are mounted between two transversely spaced apart horizon-tal elevator support members 94 (one member not shown) by opposed pairs of pillow blocks 96. The belt 84 is driven about rollers 86, 88 by drive motor 97 which is connected with roller 86 by a drive belt 99, as shown (Fig. 2). A
suitable pneumatic clutch controls the driving effort ap-plied by motor 97 to belt 84.

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The elevator belt and attendant suppor-t rnembers are movable vertically bet~7een a lowered position (Fig. 7) and an elevated position (Fig. 8). The support rnernbers 94 ; are mounted by intermediate inc]ined connector structure 95 from a movable carriage made up of vertical members 98, 100, 102, 104; lower horizontal members 105, 107; upper inclined members 106, 103; and connecting hrace member 110 secured to structure 95. ~embers 105, 106, 107, 108 rotatively support appropriate V-type guide rollers 112. These rollers ride up and down along respective vertical V-type guide i~ rails 114, 116 which are mounted by vertical elevator slide mem~)ers 118, 120 upstanding from members 78 and 80. The upper ends of members 113, 120 are secured to members 44, 46 by braces 122, 124. The belt and i-ts attendant support members are movablevertically along guide rails 114, 116 by a double acting reciprocative actuator 126 (Fig. 3) mounted vertically by the base frame underneath and connected to member 110. At the elevated position of Fiy. 8, the upper surface of member 110 engages and is positioned by a stationary stop 128 (E`ig. 2) threadably mounted by member 122, as shown (Fig. 2). Stop 128 limits and, hence, effec-~ tively determines the elevated position of the elevator. `
In order to accommodate tires of varying sizes, this stop is adjustable vertically in order to adjust the elevated position of the elevator accordingly.
During cleaning, the tire is rotated by the drive belt at a selected rotational velocity, depending upon the type and size of the tire being cleaned. The spreader rol-;~ lers, in combination with the guide rollers, maintain the tire vertical and in proper alignment with the brush during cleaning. These rollers further maintain the tire in a fixed translational position with respect to -the cleaning head brush 28; yet perrnit the tire -to rotate with respect to the brus~ during cleanlng. The tire support surface for-med by the illustrated belt constuction further affords stable support for the tire in underlying relation to the point of contact of brush 28 with the tire interior sur-face being cleaned.
The cleaning head of this invention wlll now be described in further detail with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Referring first to Fig. 4, the movable spreader rollers 24, 26 are suppor-ted by a scissors linkage made up of sup-port arms 130, 132 respectively secured rotatively thereto.
The upper ends of-these arms are pivotally mounted adjacent the rear interior face of mount 48 by respective pins 13g and associated pivot blocks 135 secured to mount 48 by bolts 137 through slots 144 (mount associated with arm 132 not shown). Arms 130, 132 are thus movable relatively about spaced apart pivot points along respeçtive substan-tially coincident vertical planes. The intermediate por-tions of these arms include elongated slots 136, 138. A
pin connector 140 extends through these slots and maintains them in adjacent reqistry so that, when rollers 24, 26 are subjected to respective vertical forces in response to . .~ . .
engagement with respective opposed tire beads during ele-./ vation of a tire, the rollers and their respective support :ij arms will swing oppositely about connector 140 along respec-tive arcuate paths, thereby spreading the tire beads toward -~ the fully spread position illustrated in Fig. 5. At this ~i position, the guide rollers 30, 32, 34, 36 engage the upper edges of the tire beads and positively position the tire - adjacent the cleaning head. These rollers are supported in pairs from the end faces of mount 48 by fixed double arm supports 142 secured to mount 48 by bolts 143 (Fig. 5).

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~3'7~3 To accommodate tires of varying sizes, the spreader roller support pins 134 may be secured at selec-ted positions by adjustment of blocks 135 and bolts 137 along slots 144 ~one slot not shown) in order to vary the arcuate paths travelled by rollers 24, 26, or the guide rollers may be secured at selected verticalpositions along vertical slots 146 by adjustment of supports 142 and bolts 143.
The brush ~8 i9 suspended p:ivotally below nlount 48 to swing with respect thereto about a horizontal pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of a tire adjacent the cleaning head. A motor 148 drives the brush about a rotational axis below and parallel to this pivot axis. In the illustrated example, the brush is so suspended by a double acting reciprocative actuator 150.
The upper end of actuator 150 is pivotally supported from the top surface of mount 48 by a horizontal pivot shaft 152, the ends of which are supported rotatively by pillow .
blocks 154, 156. The actuator 150 extends vertically down-ward through an appropriate opening (no~ shown) in mount 48 and is secured to the brush motor 148. This actuator applies a downward force to the brush for selectively con-trolling the brush scrubbing or contact pressure applied to the interior tire surface being cleaned. The brush is moved arcuately about the pivot axis of shaft 152 by a double acting reciprocative actuator 158 mounted underneath mount 48 in transverse alignment with and connected to actuator 150. In the illustrated example, actuators 15D
and 158 are constituted by double acting reciprocative air .
cylinders, and rnotor 148 is constituted by a reversible - air motor. Actuators 150 and 158 and motor 148 are sup-plied with pressuriæed air by lines 159 (Fig. 1).

Referring now to Fig. 5 in particular, the brush .

r~ L3 as thus supported can be swung transversely by actuator 158 within a tire along the aforementioned arcuate path in con--tact with the tire interior surface at a contact pressure which is selectively controllable by appropriate operation of actuator 150. The brush is swung back and forth within the tire as depicted in Fig. 5. To this end, actuator 158 is extended and contracted in alternate sequence. A piston rod position indicator 160 (~ig. 3) is mounted for conjoint movement by~arm 162 with the actuator piston rod. Spaced apart sensors 164, 166 depend from mount 48 and sense the position of the indicator 160 and, in combination with the Fig. 9 control system, cause the aforementioned operation of actuator 158. To control or adjust the extent of such arcuate movement of the brush, the positions of sensors, 164, 166 may be adjustable with respect to actuator 158 by securing them to mount 48 at selected positions using slot-ted bolt attachments 168, as shown (Fig. 3) ~-- the greater the spacing between sensors 164, 166, the greater the arc ;
travelled by the brush, and vice versa.
In the illustrated example, the brush further is driven alternately in opposite directions of rotation, depending upon the direction in which the brush is moving within the tire. Preferably, the brush is driven in a di-.:
rection of rotation which corresponds to the direction ofmovement of the brush within the tire so that the brush in effect "walks" along the interior tire surface. Upon com-pletion of each~transverse brush path, the limits of which are depicted in broken lines in Fig. 5, the direction of brush rotation is reversed and the brush is "walked" in a reverse direction towards the opposite side of the tire.
The cleaning fluid application and removal appar-atus first applies a detergent-water solution to the inter-.-~ -16--77~L3 ior tire surface prior to initiation of the scrubbing pro-cess by brush 28. This solution suspends the material be-ing removed from the -tire interior and at the same time provides brush lubrication. The apparatus further, upon completion of the scrubbing process, removes the now diJ:ty solution and then automatically rinses the tire interior with fresh water. Both fluids are removed from the tire interior by vacuum application.
Referring now in partiuclar to Figs. 4 and 5, the detergent-water solution is delivered -to the tire interior via a detergent addition llne 170. Rinse water is deliv-ered to the tire interior via line 172 and is applied there-to by spaced apart nozzles 17~, 176 adjacent the brush.

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The aforementioned detergent-water solution and rinse water are stored in appropriate containers (not shown) which are connected with lines 170 and 172, respectively.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the detergent-water solution or rinse wate~, as the case may be, is evacuated from the tire interior via a vacuum nozzle 178 and four vacuum lines 180 (two lines not shown) which are attached to motor 148 by support 182 and mounting bolts 184 for con- -joint movement with the brushes. The vacuum nozzle is posi-tionable at appropriate vertical spacing with the tire in-terior surface and preferably is positioned at close clear-ance therewith by appropriate adjustmen-t of the vacuum line s~pport 182 along vertical adjustment slots 186 with respect to mounting bolts 184. In the illus-trated example, there-fore, the vacuum nozzle can sweep transversely inside the tire along an arcuate path generally parallel to the path o~ the brush 28 described previously by operating actuator 15~ in a generally similar manner. During such movement of the vacuum nozzle, tire rotation is continued so that the ~
vacuum noæzle removes fluid as it collects at the bottom of the tire by gravity. In this instance, the brush is sta-tionary but may rub along the in-terior tire surface as the vacuum nozzle sweeps back and forth inside the tire, al-though additional retraction means could be provided for lifting the brush out of contact with the interior tire surface during operation of the vacuum nozzle.
The automatic control system of the Fig. 2 clea-ner will now be described with reference to Figs. 6-10 ;~ of the drawings. Appropriate position sensors sense the position of the tire drawer, and presence of a tire adja-cent the cleaning head, while additional sensors monitor other system conditions and produce appropriate fault in-dications, if necessary. The control system depicted schematically in Fig. 9 is made up of conventional pneu-matic and electrical components. Certain of the sensors depicted in Fig. 6 are further illustra-ted in further de-tail in Figs. 2 and 4, wi-th the remaining sensors and other schematically represented control system components being illustrated generally in schematic block diagram form and described hereinafter.
The FigO 9 control system includes a sequence ~ll control logic circuit which provides sequential multiple j channel output signals at appropriate time intervals dur-ing the cleaning cycle, as depicted in Fig. 10. In the l illustrated example, the sequence control logic circuit l~ accomplishes one operational control cycle on a thirty ~'j (30) second basis, although the actual cycle time is some-~`~ what longer than thirty (30) seconds due to a dwell time period during certain steps. In the illustrated ex-:
ample, the control system is semi-automatic in na-ture, al-though the system could be fully automated if desired. In :

3rt'~43 the example, therefore, the tire drawer ls first withdrawn manually to its Fig. 6 positlon and a tire is loaded there- ,~
on. The tire drawer then is advanced to its Fig. 7 closed position, at which an appropriate drawer position or fault sensor produces a signal indica~ive that -the tire drawer is closed. Following is a brief description of the channel out~
put signal logic functions effectecl by the sequence control logic circuit which will be further understood wi-th refer- ;
ence to Fig. 10 of drawings.
Channel l -_Fault Check: A sequence control logic circuit 190 now receives signals from -the drawer position sensor, together with signals from additional system condi-;
tiOII or fault sensors 192. Among these additional signals are signals indicative of detergent solution and rinse water f supplyO The tire drawex position sensor is illustra-ted sche-matically at 192 and is illustrated in further detail in ig. 2 in which it is referenced by numeral 194. Sensor 194 responds to the proximity of probe 196 which projects from the end of the mounted drawer slide. If any of the aforementioned sensors present a fault indication, a fault lo~ic circuit 193 is actuated in response to delivery of an appropriate logic signal from the sequence control logic circuit. The fault logic circuit in turn operates an ap-propriate fault indicator 200, or causes the logic circuit .~ .
to proceed through a fault loop and return to channel 1 without actuation of any system components. The circuit will remain in this fault loop un-til the fault condition -~
is corrected. If the fault sensors all provide a no-fault ~f indication, the sequence control logic circuit proceeds !' ~ automatically through remalning channels 2-8 in sequence.
Channel 2 - Elevator: The sequence control lo~ic circuit now causes the elevator to be raised to its Fig. 8~
, ~3~ 3 position by appropriate actuation of cylinder 126.
Channel 3 - Tire Position Check: The sequence control logic circuit repeats -the aforementioned fault test with respect to sensor 202 (Fig. 4) to determine whether a tire is in position adjacent the cleaning head. Thls sen-sor responds to the posi-tion o~ arm 130 and produces a sig-nal indicative of the pre-;~nce o~ a tire when tha~ ~rm has been swung to its elevated position during spreading o~ the tire beads. A fault indication at this point, indicative that a tire is not in the proper position, will produce an appropriate fault indication and again cause the sequence control logic circuit to enter into its fault loop. In this instance, circuit 190 further causes the elevator to be lowered to its Fig. 7 position.
Channel 4 - Belt Drive: The circuit 190 causes the drive belt to begin rotational movement by appropriate actuation of motor 97 and clutch 101.
Channel 5 - Soap: The clrcuit 190 causes the detergent-water solution to be applied to the tire inter-ior surface via inlet line 172 by opening valve 204. This valve controls flow of the deteryent-water solution through line 172.
Channel 6 - A~pl~_Scrub Pressure: The circuit 190 causes the brush to be engaged with the tire interior surface at a selected contact pressure by appropriate actu-ation of cylinder 150 and simultaneously causes the brush to begin rotating by appropriate actuation of motor 148.
Channel 7 - Scrub Cycle Start: The circuit 190 now causes the brush to begin to sweep arcuately within the tire by appropriate actua-tion of cylinder 158.
Channel ~ - ~utomatlc Sequence Stop: Circuit 190 thereupon stops the automatic control sequence as indicated --~0--; ` 1~;~77~3 in ~ig. 10. A timing control circui-t 206 (Fig. 9) controls the time duration of the ensuing scrub, vacuum, rinse and vacuum operations as Eollows. Circuit 206 causes the brush motor 97 to shut down at the end of the desired scrub time period. Thereupon, vacuum is applied to the tire interior via nozzle 178 by opening valve 20~ associated therewi-th for a second time period in order to remove the now dirty deter-gent solution while cylinder 158 continues to sweep noæzle 178 transversely within the still rotating tire. At the end of the second time period, rinse water is applied -to the tire interior surface via nozzles 179, 176 by opening valve 210 associated therewith for a third time period. At the end of the third time period, the vacuum procedure is repeated in order to remove rinse water.
Channel 9 - ault Reset: Circuit 190 resumes sequencing upon completion of the aforementioned time opera-tions and routes an appropriate reset logic signal to the fault logic circuit 198 The fault logic circuit alter-nately may be reset by curing the fault condition, or manual reset by means is now shown.
Channel 10 - Manual Se~uence Stop: The circui-t 190 causes the elevator and the nowclean tire to be lowered to the Fig. 7 position.
To adjust the Fig. 9 control system for tires which require varying cleaning -time, circuit 206 may be adjusted so that the four time periods determined thereby afford the desired scrub time, first vacuum time, rinse time, and second vacuum time, as the case may be. , The applicator of this invention will now be des-cribed in additional detail, first with reference to Figs.
1l and 12. The applicator includes an applicator end sec-tion constituted by a sup2orting end fraoe structure made .

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up of four vertical corner support members 238, 240, 242, 244; upper, imm~diate and lower transverse side members 246, 247, 248; upper, immediate and lower transverse end members 250, 251, 252; vertical end panels 254, 256; and horizontal end panel 258, as shown tFig. 11). The appli-cator further includes an unloading end section constituted by a second supporting end frame made up of vertical inver-ted U-shaped members 260, 262; and transverse side and end members 264 and 266. Longitudinal side rails 268, 270 (side rail 270 shown in ~ig. lS) connect the aforementioned end frame structures.
The conveyor rollers 210 and 212 are supported rotatively at their ends by respective journal blocks 272 mounted by the aforementioned end frame structures, as shown (Figs. 11, 15). A variable speed drive motor 273 (Fig. 11) is operatively connected by means not shown to drive roller 210 while roller 212 acts as an idler. The rollers are of suffici~nt lengths to support and simultan-eously rotate a predetermined number of tires, the number depending upon sealant cure or set-up time, sealant appli-cation time, tire size, type of the kicker assembly used, and other factors. In a specific practical example, the conveyor rollers are of sufficient length to support and ~`
simultaneously rotate ten automotive tires in side-by-side contact in a clockwise direction as indicated hy the arrow in Fig. 11. In this example, the conveyor rollers are dri-ven at sufficient rotational velocity that the tires are rotated simultaneously at about 30-40 RPM. For use with a specific sealant which has a gel time of about three to four minutes and which requires the application of about sixteen coats to achieve desirable results, the spray appli-cation process with respect to a tire Tl consumes approxi-~1~377~3 .
mately thirty (30) seconds of -time. Consequently, upon advancement of the Tl to the position occupied by tire T5 in the drawings, the sealant applied to tire Tl should be set-up or gelled. With continued advancement toward the unloading station, the sealant, of course, will continue to cure and should be substantially or completely cured upon arrival at the unloading stati.on, depending upon tem-perature, sealant used and other factors. ~t will be under-stood, of course, that the Fi~. 11 applicator may be util-lzed with a fewer number of tires while achieving the desired result. The total number o tires which are treated simul-taneously by the Fig. 11 applicator, of course, should not cause an excessive force to be applied to the end tire T10 which could tend to overload the kicker assembly.
Still referring to the Fig. 11 and 12, conveyor rollers 210, 212 -- in the illustrated example -- are in-clined about 3 toward the unloading station- with respect to horizontal, although this angle may be varied, depending upon the tire size and other factors. For example, if this angle is too small, tire Tl tends to fall backwards against the spray applicator. If this angle is too large, proper alignment and positioning of the applicator 214 could be affected adversely. The roller angle fuxther should be selected to encourage tire undulation during advancement.
It will be recognized, of course, that other conveyor means could be utilized to convey the tires from the application station toward the unloading station in order to achieve desired results. For example, the conveyor rollers could be horizontal and utilized in combination with a ram device for applying a force parallel to the common tire axis in a direction toward the unloading sta-tion, or one or both rollers could be formed with appropriate auger threads for applying .. . . .
.

7~

a force to the tires in a direction toward the unloading ~ station, or the rollers could be positioned in divergent -~ relationship to one another proceeding toward the unload-ing station. The illustrated parallel and inclined roller construction, however, is pre~erred in many practical appli-cations because that construction prevents or substantially . . .
~ minimizes relative movement between the tires during inter-~ vals between tire unloading cycles yet allows the tires ~o undulate transversely during tire advancement while pre-venting ox substantially minimizing the likelihood tllat : tire Tl will fall backward against the applicator.
; Referring now to Figs. 11 and 15, the kicker . .
assembly includes a kicker arm 278, one end of which is supported pivotally by transverse members 277, 279 mounted between rails 268, 270 by opposed pairs of mounting members ~ 285, 287 as shown (Fig. 15). A double acting reciprocative .~ actuator 280, preferably a double acting air cylinder, is mounted by members 281, 283 below members 277, 279 for sel-ectively moving the kicker arm. Members 285, 287 are secured ~l to end frame members 260, 262, by slot and pin adjus-tment ' 289 (Fig. 12) which permit the kicker assembly to be secured at selected positions along the common tire axis with the kicker arm in underlying relation to tire T10. Members 285, ~i~ 287 further mount a vertical backplate 274 which includes , ~ .
a central aperature in coaxial communication with duct 224.
., .
Duct 224 is supported by end frame members 260, 262, as shown (Fig. 12). The backplate 276 rotatively mounts a plur-ality of support rollers 276 which are adapted to bear against the face of the adjacent end tire T10. Consequently, the backplate, in combinatlon with the support rollers 276, serves to fix the position of the end tire T10 with respect to the common tlre axis, while permitting rotational move-.

~l~3~ 3 "', ment thereof, in order to main~ain the tires in their lllus-trated side-by-side engagement when rotated by rollers 210, 212. To accommodate varying numbers of tires, or tires of varying widths, or bo~h, the positions of the kicker assem-bly and backplate are adjustable conjointly along the tire axis by adjustment 289 (E'ig. 12).
Still referring to Fig. 15, the kicker arm 278 is rotatable by actuator 280 between a horizontal retracted position (depicted in solid lines) and an upright advanced position (depicted in broken lines) at whlch it engages and is positioned by L-shaped stop 291 mounted by members 277, 279. During movement from its retracted position toward its advanced position, arm 278 engages and lifts the T10 toward roller 212. Tire T10 thereupon rolls over roller 212 and is unloaded. If the direction of rotation o rollers 210, 212 is reversed, of course, the kicker arm should be mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot point adjacent roller 210.
The sealant applicator of this invention will now be described in deta-il with reference to Figs. 11, 13 and 14A-14D. Referring first to Fig.ll, the applicator includes a spray arm 282, the upper end of which depends from a trans~
verse pivot member 284, the ends of which are pivotally mounted by frame members 238 and 242, respectively. A carr-iage assembly 286 is mounted for reciprocative movement with respect to the arm by opposed rollers 287, as shown ~Fig. 13).
The carriage mounts a transverse roller support arm 288 and a perpendicular nozzle support arm 290. Arm 288 mounts in-clined tire positioning rollers 292 (F`ig. 14A). Arm 290 mounts a spray applicator 293, together with inclined spreader rollers 294, 295. The carriage assembly is movable reciprocatively with respect to arm 282 by a double acting reciprocative actuator 296 attached between member 284 ~nd :

`~

~3 assembly 286. The arm 282 is movable pivotally in a ver~i-cal plane with respect to the supporting frame (sometimes referred to hereinafter as "sweep" movement) by a double acting reciprocative actuator 298 attached between trans-verse member 250 and arm 282, as shown (Fig. 11). The act-uators 296, 298 are generally simi:Lar and preferably are constituted by double acting air cylinders. ~he applicator assembly is thereby movable between a lowered advanced application position (Fig. 14A), a raised advanced position (Fig. 14B), a raised retracted rest position (Fig. 14C), and a lowered retracted purge posi-tion (Fig. 14D). In the Fig. 1~, 14B positions, a U-shaped stop 299 mounted by panel 258~engages and positions the lower end of arm 282.
In the Fig. 14D position, the applicator 293 registers with the upper end of an inclined purge tube 300 for purposes of ;~
purging the sealant system, as will be described presently.
The lower end of tube 300 is insertable within an appropri~
ate receptacle 302 for ~eceiving the purge and contents of the applicator via tube 300.
The spray applicator is illustrated in Fig. 13 in its lowered advanced application position. In this position, the spreader rollers 294, 295 engage and spread respective sidewalls of the tire Tl. The nozzle 293 is adjustably positiona~le by adjustable connector 304 at sufficient height from the lower interior surface of the tire in order i to obtain the desired sealant distribution. In most practi- -cal applications, the nozzle is so positioned that sealant is applied heaviest adjacent the tread area with gradual feathering into the sidewalls of the tire. In the illustra-ted example, the nozzle effects airless spray application of li(~uid se~lant by ejecting the sealant composition at high ~j i pressure against a deflector plate 306. The nozzle height 3L37'7~3 `
.
with respect to the tire surface is therefore selected with respect to the spray pattern obtained and may be varied, depending upon tire size, in order to obtain desired seal-ant distribution. If the nozzle is positioned too high, for example, it tends to spray the tire sidewalls exces-sively so that, in order to obtain the desired sealant thickness adjacent the tread area, it is necessary to apply .;
' uneconomical amounts oP sealant. Conversely, if the nozzle , . .
is positioned too low, sealant tends to build up adjacent the center of the tread area. It will be recognized, of course, that instead of adjusting the nozzle to accommodate r~ various tire sizes, specific nozzles could be correlated for each tire size and these nozzles substituted for one another and mounted at a corresponding fixed position with respect to the tire surface.
Referring now to Figs. 14A-14D, 16 and 17, the ,. ,1 l Fig. 11 spray applicator is automatically moved between .~;
the position illustrate~d in Figs. 14A-14D by the automatic control system depicted schematically in Figs. 16 and 17.
Appro~riate position sensors sense the position of the arm and carr~a~Je while additonal sensors monitor other system conditions and produce appropriate fault indications, if necessary. The control system additionally effects auto-matic purge of the sealant system if a sealant application is not effected within a predetermined time period corres-ponding to the sealant gel time period. The control system depicted schemat:ically in Fig. 16 is made up of conventional pneumatic and electrical com~onents. Certain of the sensors depicted in Fig. 16 are illustrated in further detail in Figs. 14A-14D, with the remaining sensors and other schem-atically represented con-trol system components beiny illus-trated generally in schematic block diagram form and des-a3~ 3 ., .

cribed hereinafter.
~The Fig. 16 control system includes a sequence ;~control logic circuit which provides sequential multiple channel output signals at appropriate time intervals dur-ing the application and curing cycles, as depicted in Fig.
17. In the illustrated example, the sequence control logic circuit accomplishes one operational control cycle on a thirty (30) second basis, although the actual cycle time is somewhat longer than thirty (30) seconds due to a dwell time period during sealant application. Following is a brief description of the channel output signal logic func-.;, tions effected by the sequence control logic circuit which will be further understood with reference to Fig. 17 of the drawings.
Channel l-Fault Test: The sequence control logic circuit 306 receives signals from appropriate system condi-tion or fault sensors 308 during the time interval 0;0-1.5 seconds of the aforementioned sequence or cycle. In the example, circuit 306 receives and processes siynals from sensors res~onsive to steam temperature, sealant temperature, sealant supply, spray applicator carriage position, spray applicator arm position, sealant B supply, solvent recovery air flow, and tire presence. Sensors responsive to carri age position and arm position are illustrated in further detail in Fig. 14A-14D and are referenced respectively by numerals 310, 312. An additional sensor 315 (Fig. 14A-14D) detects the presence of a fresh tire at the application sta-tion. If any of the aforementioned sensors present a fault indication, a fault logic circuit 314 is actuated in response to delivery of an appropriate logic signal from the se~uence control logic cixcuit. The fault logic circuit in turn operates an appropriate fault indicator 316, or causes the .

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, , , Fig. ll sealant valves 228, 230 ancl actuators to be de- ' ,., energized, or both. At the same time, -the sequence con-trol logic circuit initiates an idle mode whereby no fur~ l ther control functions are effectecl until the fault con~ , dition is corrected. If the fault sensors all provide a no fault indication, the sequence control logic circui-t proceeds to the remaining channels in sequence.
Channel 2-Arm In and Down: The sequence con-trol circuit, during the time period 6.35-9.0 seconds, repeats the aforementioned fault test with respect to sen-sor 310 to aetermine whether -the spray applicator is in its lowered advanced application position of Fig. 14A.
fault indication at this point, indicative that the spray applicator is at some other position, will produce an ap-propriate fault indication and again cause the sequence control lo~ic circuit to assume its idle mode.

, .
Channel 3-Oven Position Clear: The sequence con-trol logic circuit, duriny the time 9.75-11.25 seconds, re-ceives logic sigllals from an appropriate sensor operatively associated with the post dry oven or heat apparatus (refer-enced43 in Fig. 1) in order to determine whether the oven is clear to accept a tire for completion of sealant cure.
If the logic signals from that sensor indicate that the oven is not clear to accept a fresh tire, the sequence con-trol logic circuit will repeat the aforementioned fault in-dication and idle functions until the fault condition is corrected.
Channel 4-Start Sealant Spray: The sequence con-I trol logic circuit 306 automatically assumes its idle mode at time 7.75 seconds and will remain in its idle mode until the sealant application process is completed, in the illus-trated example after about thirty (30) seconds elapsed time ~ 3 .:
`:, The circuit 306 now routes appropriate logic signals to valves 228, 230 which thereupon are opened to admit seal~
ant components A and B into the chamber 234 (Fig. 11).
Simultaneously therewith circuit 306 routes an appropri-ate logic signal to 236 which, when opened, allows the now-mixed sealant components ~ and B to be applied in spray form to the tire, as described previously.
Channel 5-Vertical Actuation: Upon comple-tion of the spray application cycle, circuit 306 resumes sequencing and causes the carriage to be moved from its Fig. 14A position to its Flg. 14B position by appropriate actuation of cylinder 296.
Channel -Sweep Actuation: The circuit 306 now causes the spray applicator arm to swing from its 14B to 14C position by appropriate actuation of thesweepcylinder 298.
Channel 7-Tire Eject: During the~time period 15-16 seconds, circuit 306~causes the eject cylinder 280 to move the Fig. 15 kicker arm to its upright position in order to eject tire T10.
Channel 8-Fault Circuit Reset: The circuit 306 __ now routes an appropriate reset logic signal to the Eault logic circuit 314. The fault logic circuit alternatively may be reset by curing -the fault condition, or manual reset by means not shown.
Channels 9-l_--Purge: The circuit 306 further effects automatic purging of the sealant system by forcing solvent and then air through the sealant fluid system men-tioned previously if sealant application is not effected within a predetermined time period after completion of the previous spraying cycle. In the example, this time period is less than the sealant gel time. Consequently, the chan-; -30-. , ~'A.
~'~L3~3 nels 9-12 effect a purge operation only at machine shutdown or in the event of a mishap. A purge timer 318 is started each time sealant valves 228, 230 are opened and presents logic signals indicative of elapsed t'ime from initiation of sealant application to a purge control logic circuit 320.
This circuit in turn delivers appropriate logic signals to the sequ~rlce control logic circuit to effect operation of channeli3 9-12, as follows.
Channel 9 con-trols operation of the spray valve 236 (Fig. 14A) by opening that valve from time period 15-24.5 seconds.
Channel 10 controls operation of the Fig. 11 sol-vent valve 239 (Fig. 11) to allow solvent flushing of the system from an appropriate supply of solvent (not shown).
Channel 11 controls operation of an air valve which delivers dry air for purging solvent from the system.
Channel 12 resets the Fig. 16 cont-rol system fol-lowing purge after it has been established that all system faults are corrected and that the next operational step of the process will be that of sealant application. Operation of Channel 12 further causes an appropriate reset signal to be routed to the purge timer.

Claims (16)

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for transporting a toroidal article from a loading station to an unloading station while simultaneously rotating the article about its axis, said apparatus comprising means for carrying a plurality of toroidal articles in side-to-side adja-cency with their axes essentially coaxial from the loading station to the unloading station, and means for rotating each article about its axis simultaneously with the carrying of the plurality of articles from the loading station to the unloading station, and with the rotating of the other articles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for carrying the articles includes a conveyor assembly comprising two spaced apart elongated rollers extending between the loading station and the unloading station for supporting the plurality of articles in side-to-side adjacency, and wherein the means for simultaneously rotating the articles comprises drive means for at least one of the rollers.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for carrying the articles includes means for moving the articles laterally along the conveyor assembly toward the unloading station.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rollers are inclined downwardly with respect to the horizontal in the direction of the unloading station.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, further com-prising unloading means for engaging an article posi-tioned at the unloading station and unloading the article from the conveyor assembly.

6. An apparatus for transporting a plurality of toroidal articles from a loading station to an unloading station while continuously rotating said articles, comprising:
frame means;
at least two generally parallel inclined elongated rollers rotatably mounted to said frame means for supporting a plurality of such articles in generally coaxial side-to-side relation;
drive means for rotating at least one of said rollers;
support means located at said unloading station for supporting one such article located at said unloading station against further displacement along said rollers;
unloading means connected to said frame means and positioned at said unloading station for unloading one such article from said rollers while permitting continuous rotation of remaining articles supported by said rollers; whereby a plurality of said articles are rotated in place until such time as one such article is unloaded from the unloading station permitting the remaining articles to un-dulate along the rollers to successively occupy the location vacated by the preceding article.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further in-cluding control means for actuating said unloading means at predetermined intervals.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said articles have been coated with a curable substance in flowable form and further comprising means for effecting gas flow along an axial passage formed by a plurality of such articles when supported in side-to-side relation by said apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the angle of inclination of said rollers is sufficient to prevent said articles from falling in a direction opposite to the direction of movement thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said rollers rotate said articles at an angular velocity sufficient to maintain said fluid in position while said articles are rotated.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rollers rotate said articles at an angular velocity sufficient to maintain said fluid in position while said articles are rotated.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said unloading means and said support means are adjustable along a portion of the length of said rollers whereby said apparatus may be configured to accommodate changes in the number and width of articles to be transported and rotated.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said unloading means and said support means are adjustable along a portion of the length of said rollers whereby said apparatus may be configured to accommodate changes in the number and width of articles to be transported and rotated.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said unloading means includes arm means pivotally connected to said frame means for lifting an article located at the unloading station in the direction of rotation of the upper surface of said rollers and over one of said rollers.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said unloading means includes arm means pivotally connected to said frame means for lifting an article located at the unloading station in the direction of rotation of the upper surface of said rollers and over one of said rollers.

16. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the incline of said rollers is approximately three de-grees and said rollers are rotated at an angular velocity sufficient to cause said articles to rotate at from 30 to 40 rpm, inclusive.