GB882397A - Improvements relating to the manufacture of pneumatic tyres - Google Patents

Abstract

882,397. Storing and supplying tread stock. DUNLOP RUBBER CO. Ltd. March 14, 1958 [March 21, 1957], No. 8196/58. Class 144(1). For maturing, prior to being cut to length for application to a tyre carcase, extruded tread stock 1 is wound directly from the extruder on to a drum simultaneously with a flexible liner 4 of stainless steel strip, of a width and length at least equal to the tread stock. As shown, the liner 4 has its ends secured one to the drum 3 and the other to an auxiliary drum 5 mounted parallel to and above the drum 3 in a common portable frame 6, the drums 3, 5 having separate chain-and-sprocket drives 7, 8, 9 and 13, 14, 15 respectively which are connectable to driving or braking means as desired. The liner 4 is maintained close-coiled on the take-up drum 5 by a spring-loaded pressure roller 19 which bears against the outer convolution of the liner on the drum 5. The convolutions on the drum 3 are likewise maintained close-coiled during winding or unwinding by a strap 22 partially encircling the coils at the underside of the drum and maintained pressed thereagainst by a lever 26 under the action of a adjustable spring 28. To prevent plastic flow of the upper portions of the tread coils during storage, under the weight of the coils, the coils are supported by a rigid cylindrical cradle 32 carried at each end on eccentric levers 34 below the drum 3 whereby the cradle can be raised to a predetermined position. The tread stock is delivered from the drum 3 on to a table 39 comprising rollers 41 and lateral guides 43, the table having a roller 42 at its end to bear on the outermost coil of liner 4 and a small roller 44 slightly in advance of the roller 42 to separate the tread stock 1 from the liner 4. The position of roller 44 is adjustable by a lever system 45, 46, 47 and may be driven. From the table 39 the tread stock passes on to a table 57 below a cutter 58 and thence to a table 63 which is pivotable about a pedestal 64 to present the cut tread length to a tyre building drum. To ensure correct location of the drums 3, 5, the frame 6 has formations on its feet to locate in complementary formations adjacent the extruder and the other associated apparatus.