WO2002090060A2

WO2002090060A2 - Tyre cutter

Info

Publication number: WO2002090060A2
Application number: PCT/GB2002/002065
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Greenlees
Original assignee: Alexander Greenlees
Priority date: 2001-05-05
Filing date: 2002-05-03
Publication date: 2002-11-14
Also published as: GB0111129D0; WO2002090060A3

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus (10 ; 100) for cutting up tyres. In particular, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating the tread (30c ; 132c) from the side walls (30a, 30b ; 132a, 132b) of a tyre (30 ; 132).

Description

TYRE CUTTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for cutting up tyres .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transporting discarded or used vehicle tyres for- disposal suffers from the disadvantage that only a limited number of tyres can be loaded into a truck or trailer. As tyres are substantially hollow objects, each tyre takes up a large volume relative to its mass. Due to the restricted number of tyres which can be loaded into a truck or trailer this significantly increases transportation and disposal costs .

It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this problem.

It is a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for cutting up discarded or used vehicle tyres into substantially flat sections . It is a yet further object of embodiments of the present invention to reduce transportation costs for discarded or used tyres .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for separating a tyre into sections, the apparatus comprising: a tyre locating member; means for separating the side walls and the tread of a tyre mounted on the tyre locating member; and means for further separating the tread into a plurality of sections .

The tyre locating member may be rotatable.

The tyre locating member may also be driven by an electric motor. The tyre locating member may be moveable between an extended tyre locating configuration and a retracted configuratio .

The tyre locating member may in its extended configuration be adapted to engage the inside surface of a tyre. Alternatively, the tyre locating member in its extended configuration is adapted to engage the inner wall of a tyre.

The tyre locating member may have extendable arms . The tyre locating member may be pneumatically extendable. Alternatively, the tyre locating member is hydraulically extendable. The tyre locating member may include double acting pistons. In a further alternative, the tyre locating member is spring-operated. Alternatively, the tyre locating member has at least three substantially axially extending arms adapted to engage the inner rims of a tyre. Preferably, the axially extending /arms are substantially L-shaped. Preferably, at least one part of the axially extending arms have ribs. The ribs are intended to prevent axial movement of the tyre during cutting. The arms may be mounted on pivot members, such that the arms may be pivoted into engagement with a tyre. The arms may be hydraulically pivoted.

In an alternative embodiment, the tyre locating member is a truncated cone.

The means for separating the side walls and the tread may comprise a first cutting device. Preferably, the means for separating the side walls and the tread comprises spaced blades . The blades may be adapted to remain stationary during the cutting process.

Alternatively, the means for separating the side walls and the tread comprises a laser, or may comprise a cryogenic technique .

The means for separating the side walls and the tread may be attached to the inside surface of a cover adapted to fit over a tyre when engaged on the tyre locating member. The means for separating the side walls and the tread are adjustable to accept a range of tyre widths, so that the cuts occur at the transitions between the side walls and the tread. The means for further separating the tread into sections may comprise a second cutting device. Preferably, the means for further separating the tyre into sections comprises a blade. Preferably, the blade is rotatable. Alternatively, the means for further separating the tyre into sections may comprise a laser or a cryogenic technique .

In a further alternative embodiment, there are first means for cutting through the tread of a tyre from one side wall to the -other. Preferably, the first means for cutting comprises a rotatable blade. - The first means for cutting may traverse across a member such as a rail. Second cutting means may then separate the side walls from the tread of a tyre. The second cutting means may be a pair of rotatable blades forming a cut at the transitions between the side walls and the tread. The spacing between the rotatable blades may be altered so that different widths of tyre may be cut .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cutting a tyre into sections comprising: separating the side walls and the tread of a tyre; and cutting open the tread to form an elongate strip. Preferably, the method further comprises cutting or otherwise separating the elongate strip into a plurality of shorter sections. Preferably, the shorter sections are substantially planar.

Preferably, the cutting procedure which cuts the elongate strip into snorter sections uses the same cutting device which cuts open the tread to form the elongate strip.

Preferably, the separation of the side walls and the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE,26) tread occurs prior to the opening of the tread.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cutting a tyre into sections comprising: forming a number of cuts through the tread of a tyre from one side wall to the other; and then separating the side walls from the tread of a tyre.

Preferably, at least three cuts are formed through the tread.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective part cutaway view of a cutting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view of part of the cutting device shown in Figure 1 with a tyre attached; Figure 3 is a sectional front view of part of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2 with a tyre in engagement with cutting blades to perform a first cutting procedure;

Figure 4 is a perspective part cutaway view of the cutting device shown in Figures 1 to 3 , with a tyre which has undergone a first cutting procedure in position to undergo a second cutting procedure; Figure 5 is a fragmentary part cutaway view of the cutting device shown in Figures 1 to 4 which shows the second cutting procedure;

Figure 6 is a perspective cutaway view of the cutting device shown in Figures 1 to 5 wherein a tyre section is being fed into the- cutting device for a third cutting procedure; Figure 7 is a sectional view from above of the cutting device shown in Figures 1 to 6 wherein the tyre is undergoing the third cutting procedure; Figure 8 is a side view of part of a cutting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a perspective part cutaway view of a cutting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective part cutaway view of the cutting device shown in Figure 9 with a tyre attached; Figure 11 is a side view of an arm of a tyre locating member according to the cutting device shown in Figures 9 and 10; ^;

Figure 12 is a front view of a tyre locating member according to the cutting device shown in Figures 9 and 10 in a retracted position; and

Figure 13 is a front view of the tyre locating member shown in Figure 12 in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Shown in Figures 1 to 7 there is a tyre cutting device, generally designated 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cutting device 10 includes: a housing 12; a tyre locating member 14 mounted to the side of the housing 12; an arcuate cover 16 for location over the tyre locating member 14 and a rotatable blade 22 within the housing 12.

As shown in Figure 1, the tyre locating member 14 has three arms 16, 18, 20. The arms 16, 18, 20 have an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, and are illustrated in the extended configuration. The arms 16, 18, 20 comprise outer sections 16a, 18a, 20a which are telescopically received within inner tubular sections 16b, 18b, 20b, respectively. The outer 16a, 18a, 20a and inner 16b, 18b, 20b tubular sections are spring-urged towards the extended configuration. On the outer end of the outer tubular sections 16a, 18a, 20a, there are arcuate members 24, 26, 28 which are used to engage the inside surface of a tyre .

Figure 2 shows - a tyre 30 mounted on the tyre locating member 14. As the outer sections 16a, 18a, 20a and their respective arcuate members 24, 26, 28 are spring-operated there is a radial force exerted on the inside surface of the tyre 30. The tyre locating member 14 therefore tightly engages the tyre 30.

Situated over the tyre locating member 14, there is the arcuate cover 16 which acts as a safety screen during rotation of the tyre locating member 14 and tyre 30. The arcuate cover 16 is pivotable about hinge 40 to the open position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3 , there are two cutting blades 32, 34 situated on the inside surface at the apex of the arcuate cover 16 and located to engage a tyre mounted on tyre locating member 14. The separation between the blades ^' is adjustable so that when cutting starts the cutting occurs at the transition between the side walls 30a, 30b and the tread 30c of the tyre 30.

As shown in Figure 3, the blades 32, 34 are mounted on a bolt 36 extending through each side of the arcuate cover 16, with a spring 38 located between the blades 32, 34 enables the distance between the blades to be altered. Figure 1 also shows the rotatable blade 22. The blade

22 is connected via a shaft 38 to a motor (not shown) and is movable transversely on runners (not shown) within the housing 12 to enable cutting to take place.

Figures 4 and 5 show two hook members 42 , 44 which are used to mount the separated tread 30c within the housing 12.

The use of the tyre cutting device 10 will now be described.

First of all, as shown in Figure 1, by the dotted line, the arcuate cover 16 is moved to the open position. The tyre 30 is then fitted over the arms 16, 18, 20 of the locating member 14 by retracting and then releasing the tubular sections 16a, 18a, 20a.

The separation between the blades 32, 34 is then adjusted so that when cutting starts, the two side walls 30a, 30b are separated from the tread 30c.

The arcuate cover 16 is then rotated back around the hinge 40 so that the cover 16 fits over the tyre 30. The arcuate cover 16 is then firmly pressed down onto the tyre 30 so that the two blades 32, 34 pierce through the rubber at the transition between the side walls 30a, 30b and the tread 30c of the tyre 30.

The tyre locating member 14 is then rotated, and this rotates the tyre 30, such that the blades 32, 34 (which are stationery) cut around the whole of the circumferential part of the tyre 30. On completion of a full revolution (that is 360°), and by contracting the tubular sections 16a, 18a, 20a, the tyre 30 can be removed from the tyre locating member 14. The tyre 30 is thus cut into three sections: two side wall sections 30a, 30b and a tread section 30c. This is the first cutting procedure.

As shown in Figure 4, the tread 30c cut from the tyre

30 is then placed on the two hook members 42, 44. Once the tread 30c is secured on the hooks 42, 44, the rotatable blade 22 cuts through the tread 30c. This is the second cutting procedure and is shown in Figure 5.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cut tread 30c is then cut into smaller sections using the same rotatable blade 22 used in the second cutting procedure . An end of the cut tread 30c is fed into^' an opening 46 in the cutting device 10 and pushed inside until the end of the cut tread 30c extends beyond the rotatable blade 22.

As shown in Figure -7, the rotatable blade 22 cuts through the tread 30c to provide substantially small flat sections of rubber, which fall into a large drawer provided in the lower part of the housing 12. This is the third cutting procedure. Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment wherein a truncated cone 48 acts as a tyre locating member on which a tyre 30 is attached. In use, the tyre 30 is pushed onto the truncated cone 48 and secured thereon using an annular plate 50. The truncated cone 48 is then rotated, as before, to perform the first cutting procedure.

Shown in Figures 9 and 10 there is a tyre cutting device, generally designated 100, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The cutting device 100 includes: a housing 112; a frame 114 situated inside the housing 112; and a tyre locating device generally designated 116. Access to the inside of the housing 112 is obtained via a safety screen 118 which may be opened and closed. In Figure 9 the safety screen 118 has been removed.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the frame 114 onto which the different parts of the tyre cutting device 100 are mounted comprises two main sections: a box-like frame section 120 and a substantially vertically mounted frame section 122. On top of the box-like frame section 120 there are two rails 126, 128 onto which the tyre locating device 116 is mounted. The tyre locating device 116 is attached to a hydraulic piston 130 which on activation is able to move the tyre locating device 116 along the rails 126, 128. The tyre locating device 116 also has sensors 130 (not shown) to monitor the rotation of a tyre 132 and an electronic control module 134 (not shown) to control the operatio ' of the tyre locating device 116 and the actual cutting. The tyre locating device 116 includes a tyre locating member 136 mounted on the front face of the tyre locating device 116. The tyre locating member 136 comprises three substantially L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142. A first member 138a, 140a, 142a of the L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142 is located adjacent the tyre locating device 116 whereas a second member 138b, 140b, 142b extends perpendicularly away from the tyre locating device 116 towards the centre of the housing 112. As shown in Figure 11, along the second member 138b of the L-shaped arm 138 there, is a series of circumferential ribs 143 which, in use, engage side wall sections 132a, 132b of a tyre 132. The ribs prevent axial movement of the tyre 132 during the cutting operation. The other L-shaped arms 140, 142 have the same construction.

The L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142 are connected via pneumatic lines 144 (not shown) to an air compressor 146 (not shown) which on activation rotates the L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142 are rotatable between a retracted position (Figure 12) and an extended position (Figure 13) . In the second extended position, the second members 138b, 140b, 142b of the L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142 engage and grip with the inner rim of side wall sections 132a, 132b of a tyre 132.

On the vertically mounted frame section ^'122 there are two horizontally mounted rails 148, 150. On rail 148 there are two vertically mounted circular blades 152, 154 connected to electric motors 156, 158, respectively. The first blade 152 and respective motor 156 are permanently fixed to the rail 148. The position of the second blade 154 and motor 158 is manually adjustable along the length of the rail 148 to accommodate different widths of tyres. On rail 150 there is a horizontally mounted circular blade 160 connected to an electric motor 162. The electric motor 162 is connected to a further hydraulic piston 164. The horizontally mounted blade 160 and motor 162 may be moved along the length of the rail 150 on operation of the hydraulic piston 164. The electric motors 156, 158, 162 operate at 6000 rpm. The circular blades 152, 154, 160 are steel blades with tungsten tips.

The .use of the tyre cutting device 100 will now be described.

First of all, the safety screen 118 is opened and a tyre 132 is placed on top of the tyre locating member 136 so that the side wall sections 132a, 132b of the tyre 132 fit onto at least one of the second members 138b, 140b; 142b of the L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142. The outer surface 5 of two of the ribs 143 will either abut or be in close proximity to the side wall sections 132a, 132b of the tyre 132. The ribs 143 prevent the tyre 132 from sliding on the arms 138, 140, 142 during the cutting procedure.

The tyre 132 is mounted on the tyre locating member 10 136 so that the side wall section 132a is lined up so that the blade 152 will cut through the transition between the side wall 132a and the tread 132c of the tyre 132. The position of blade 154 is then manually adjusted on rail 148 so that the blade 154 will cut through the transition 15 between the side wall 132b and the tread 132c of the tyre 132.

After mounting the tyre 132 onto the tyre locating member 136, the safety screen 118 is closed.

The tyre cutting device 100 is then switched on. The 20 air compressor 146 first of all activates and rotates the L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142 about a pivot member (not shown) from the retracted position shown in Figure 12 to the extended position shown in Figure 13. The L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142 rotate until all three second members ^'25 138b, 140b, 142b tightly engage and grip the rim of the side wall sections 132a, 132b of the tyre 132.

The hydraulic piston 130 is then activated so that the tyre 132 is moved towards the blades 152, 154, 160. On completion of this movement the electronic control module 30 134 switches motor 162 on which rotates the horizontally mounted blade 160. The motor 162 and the blade 160 are then moved across the rail 150 by piston 164 so that blade 160 cuts through part of the side wall sections 132a, 132b and the tread 132c of the tyre 132. Blade 160 is then 35 moved back across the rail 150 to its starting position.

The arms 138, 140, 142 are then rotated by 120° to rotate the tyre 132. The blade 160 is then moved back across the rail 150 to make a second cut through the tyre 132. This procedure is then repeated to make a third cut. The piston 130 is then activated again so that the tyre 132 is moved towards the two blades 152, 154 whereupon on rotation of the L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142 the blades 152, 154 separate the tread 132c from the side wall sections 132a, 132b of the tyre 132. On rotation of about 120° a separate section of tread 132c is formed which merely falls to the floor. The L-shaped arms 138, 140, 142 rotate at a rate of one revolution every three minutes.

On completion of one full revolution (i.e.360°) the tread 132c is fully removed from the side wall sections 132a, 132b of the tyre 132. ^■ The electronic control module 134 then sends a signal to the air compressor 146 to rotate the arms 138, 140, 142 in the opposite direction so that they are configured in their retracted position (Figure 12) . On opening the safety screen 118 the two side wall sections 132a, 132b may then be removed from the arms 138, 140, 142.

Producing flat sections of rubber from tyres is highly advantageous for transporting as this enables a greater number of tyres to be transported in a truck or trailer. Using the procedure as described above, four cut tyres may be fitted into the space occupied by one uncut tyre. This is highly advantageous as this substantially reduces transport costs when disposing of tyres .

The flat sections of tyre may be used, for example, as car mats, mattresses, walking surfaces such as floor tiles, safety surfaces for childrens' playgrounds and roof tiles.

Claims

1. Apparatus for separating a tyre into sections, the apparatus comprising: a tyre locating member; means for separating the side walls and the tread of a tyre mounted on the tyre locating member; and means for further separating the tread into a plurality of sections.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tyre locating member is rotatable.

3. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2 wherein the tyre locating member is driven by an electric motor.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tyre locating member is moveable between an extended tyre locating configuration and a retracted configuration.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the tyre locating member in its extended configuration is adapted to engage the inside surface of a tyre.

6. Apparatus according to claim^' 4 wherein the tyre locating member in its extended configuration is adapted to engage the rim of a wall of a tyre.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tyre locating member has extendable arms .

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tyre locating member is pneumatically extendable.

9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the tyre locating member is hydraulically extendable.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tyre locating member is spring-operated.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tyre locating member includes double acting pistons.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tyre locating member has at least three substantially axially extending arms adapted to engage the rims of a tyre.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the axially extending arms are substantially L-shaped.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 or 13 wherein at least one part of the axially extending arms have ribs .

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the arms are mounted on pivot members, such that the arms are- pivoted into engagement with a tyre.

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the arms are hydraulically pivoted.

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the arms are pneumatically pivoted.

18. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the tyre locating member is a truncated cone .

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the means for separating the side walls and the tread comprise a first 'cutting device.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the means for separating the side walls and the tread comprises spaced blades .

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the blades are adapted to remain stationary ^' during the cutting process .

22. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18 wherein the means for separating the side walls and the tread comprises a laser or a cryogenic technique.

23. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the means for separating the side walls and the tread are attached to the inside surface of a cover adapted to fit over a tyre when engaged on the tyre locating member.

24. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the means for separating the side walls and the tread are adjustable to accept a range of tyre widths, so that the cuts occur at the transitions between the side walls and the tread.

25. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the means for further separating the tread into sections comprises a second cutting device.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the means for further separating the tyre into sections comprises a blade .

27. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the blade is rotatable.

28. Apparatus according to any of claim 1 to 25 wherein the means for further separating the tyre into sections comprises a laser or a cryogenic technique.

29. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 17 wherein there are first means for cutting through the tread of a tyre from one side wall to the other.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the first means for cutting comprises a rotatable blade.

31. Apparatus according to any of claims 29 or 30 wherein the first means for cutting may traverse across a member.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the member is a rail.

33. Apparatus according to any of claims 29 to 32 wherein second cutting means separate the side walls from the tread of a tyre.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the second cutting means are a pair of rotatable blades forming a cut at the transitions between the side walls and the tread.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the spacing between the rotatable blades is alterable so that different widths of tyre may be cut .

36. A method of cutting a tyre into sections comprising: separating the side walls and the tread of a tyre; and cutting open the tread to form an elongate strip.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein the method further comprises cutting or otherwise separating the elongate strip into a plurality of shorter sections.

38. A method according to claim 37 wherein the shorter sections are substantially planar.

39. A method according to any of claims 36 to 38 wherein the separation of the side walls and the tread occurs prior to the opening of the tread.

40. A method of cutting a tyre into sections comprising: forming a number of cuts through the tread of a tyre from one side wall to the other; and then separating the side walls from the tread of a tyre.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein at least three cuts are formed through the tread.

42. A method according to any of claims 40 or 41 wherein the sections are substantially planar.