Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
  • B65D90/10—Manholes; Inspection openings; Covers therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H23/00—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs
  • B65H23/02—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs transversely
  • B65H23/032—Controlling transverse register of web
  • B65H23/038—Controlling transverse register of web by rollers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H35/00—Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machines; Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers
  • B65H35/02—Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machines; Article or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers from or with longitudinal slitters or perforators
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
  • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
  • B65H2301/41—Winding, unwinding
  • B65H2301/414—Winding
  • B65H2301/4148—Winding slitting
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2403/00—Power transmission; Driving means
  • B65H2403/50—Driving mechanisms
  • B65H2403/52—Translation screw-thread mechanisms
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2601/00—Problem to be solved or advantage achieved
  • B65H2601/30—Facilitating or easing
  • B65H2601/32—Facilitating or easing entities relating to handling machine
  • B65H2601/321—Access
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
  • B65H2801/00—Application field
  • B65H2801/93—Tyres

Definitions

• the present invention regards a process for controlled collection of continuous strip-like elements for building tyres.
• the invention also regards a production line that actuates the aforesaid process.
• this type of strip-like manufactured item can be cut into pieces to form strip-like elements to be employed in the manufacturing of a carcass ply, of a belt layer, or of another component of the tyre.
• a continuous strip-like element can be wound into coils disposed in side by side relationship around the circumferential extension of a tyre being processed, to form a reinforcement layer.
• the manufacturing of the continuous strip-like elements normally takes place by means of a continuous process, starting from cords drawn from respective packages.
• the cords - whose number normally equals a multiple of the quantity provided in a single continuous strip-like element - are guided along paths converging towards a rubberizing unit.
• At the rubberizing unit at least one layer of raw elastomeric material is applied on the set of cords disposed in a coplanar manner, so as to obtain a continuous rubberized band.
• the continuous rubberized band exiting from the rubberizing unit is conducted through a cutting unit comprising one or more knives which divide the band itself into two or more continuous strip-like elements.
• the continuous strip-like elements are moved away from the cutting unit along mutually diverging trajectories by means of suitable drift rollers, before being conducted to respective collection stations.
• the Applicant has perceived the manner of actuating the abovementioned control, by means of timely operations of restoration of the dynamic equilibrium of the lateral thrusts induced on the continuous strip-like elements translating away from the knives in the region of generation of the strip-like elements themselves.
• the Applicant has found that the execution of the restoration operations by means of drive members situated outside the region of generation of the continuous strip-like elements allows actuating an accurate control without interruption or decrease of productivity .
• the invention regards a process for controlled collection of continuous strip-like elements for building tyres.
• feeding a continuous band of elastomeric material comprising reinforcing cords is provided.
• it is provided to modulate said drift forces, by drive members placed externally of said region of generation of continuous strip-like elements.
• it is provided to collect each continuous strip-like element.
• the Applicant deems that it is thus possible to increase the productivity along the production line of the continuous strip-like elements, without having to use sophisticated systems for inhibiting occasional lateral movements of the continuous band that advances at high speed towards the cutting unit.
• the invention regards a production line for controlled collection of continuous strip-like elements for building tyres.
• band feeding devices for feeding a continuous band of elastomeric material comprising reinforcing cords.
• a cutting unit is provided, slidably engaging said continuous band and carrying knives operating through the continuous band for generating continuous strip-like elements therefrom.
• Preferably guiding devices are provided, operating on said continuous strip-like elements to impart respective drift forces, guiding them along mutually diverging trajectories .
• Preferably adjustment devices are provided for modulating said drift forces on said continuous strip ⁇ like elements.
• At least one collection unit is provided for collecting each continuous strip-like element.
• said adjustment devices can be operated by drive members disposed externally of a region of generation of said continuous strip-like elements.
• the action of modulating the drift forces is carried out in response to transverse movements carried out by the continuous band.
• At least one first deviation from the lying plane of the continuous band is preferably imposed to the continuous strip-like elements .
• a second deviation directed laterally relative to the longitudinal extension direction of the continuous band can also be imposed to each continuous strip-like element.
• This lateral deviation causes the desired spreading apart of the trajectories of the continuous strip-like elements along respectively diverging trajectories.
• the first and the second deviations can be imposed simultaneously.
• At least one third deviation towards a lying plane of the continuous band can also be imposed to the continuous strip-like elements.
• the continuous strip-like elements, following the third deviation are brought into mutual-coplanarity relationship .
• the continuous strip-like elements disposed in a coplanar manner with respect to each other and laterally separated from each other, are thus adapted to be simultaneously engaged by a drive unit and to be conducted to successive treatments stations along the production line.
• the drift forces can be preferably generated by the passage of the continuous strip-like elements against drift rollers.
• the generation of the drift forces can thus be attained by means of structurally simple, inexpensive and highly reliable components.
• the action of modulating the drift forces can be carried out by rotating at least one of said drift rollers around a correction axis perpendicular to a rotation axis thereof.
• the action of modulating the drift forces can be carried out in response to a notification signal.
• the following actions can be provided for: comparing the position of a diverging stretch of at least one of said n continuous strip-like elements relative to a preset theoretical reference position; and emitting a notification signal when the difference between the position of the diverging stretch and the theoretical reference position exceeds a predetermined tolerance threshold.
• the cutting action can be preferably executed simultaneously along the respectively opposite edges of the continuous band in order to generate pairs of continuous strip-like elements.
• said pairs of continuous strip-like elements are generated in succession starting from outer side edges of the continuous band.
• the action of laterally translating a carriage carrying knives for following transverse movements of the continuous band can also be preferably executed.
• the action of translating the carriage takes place by effect of transverse thrust forces induced by transverse movements of the continuous band.
• the action of correcting the relative positioning between the continuous band and the knives during translation of the continuous strip-like elements can also be provided. It is thus possible to restore the correct execution of the cutting in case of malfunctioning.
• Said corrections are preferably carried out by imposing transverse movements to said knives with respect to the drift rollers against which the continuous strip-like elements pass.
• the transverse movements can be preferably actuated by means of an actuating arm that is disengaged from the cutting unit when correction has occurred.
• the action of feeding said continuous band can preferably comprise: feeding continuous reinforcing cords longitudinally translating through an extrusion die; applying at least one raw elastomeric layer onto the continuous reinforcing cords translating through the extrusion die.
• each continuous strip-like element is collected on a respective reel separately from the other continuous strip-like elements.
• said continuous band is fed at a speed included between about 1 m/ s and about 3 m/ s .
• said continuous band is fed at a speed included between about 1.5 m/ s and about 2.5 m/ s .
• the guiding devices preferably impose, to said continuous strip-like elements, at least one first deviation from the lying plane of the continuous band.
• the guiding devices preferably impose, to said continuous strip-like elements, at least one second deviation directed laterally relative to the longitudinal extension direction of the continuous band.
• the guiding devices impose, to said continuous strip-like elements, at least one third deviation towards a lying plane of the continuous band.
• the continuous strip-like elements, following the third deviation are preferably brought into mutual- coplanarity relationship.
• the guiding devices preferably comprise drift rollers, provided for operating in contact relationship with said continuous strip-like elements.
• each drift roller can have an operative surface with convex profile operating in contact relationship on the respective continuous strip-like element .
• each drift roller is rotatably idle.
• Each drift roller is rotatably supported according to a rotation axis inclined to a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction of a stretch of the continuous strip-like element upstream of the drift roller itself.
• At least two drift rollers are preferably provided which are mutually aligned along a trajectory diverging from a longitudinal mid-line of the continuous band .
• Each drift roller is preferably positionable around a correction axis perpendicular to a rotation axis thereof.
• each drift roller is rotatably supported by a rod around said correction axis .
• the adjustment devices preferably comprise a transmission lever operating on said rod.
• the transmission lever comprises a lever radially projecting with respect to the correction axis and a drive arm constrained to the lever.
• the drive members preferably comprise a first threaded element rotatably supported externally of said generation region.
• the following can be provided: sensor members for detecting the position of a diverging stretch of at least one continuous strip-like element; and a comparator for comparing the position detected by the sensor members with a preset theoretical reference position.
• at least one actuator can be provided, acting on each first threaded element for automatically adjusting the orientation of the corresponding drift roller around the aforesaid correction axis following an output signal of an electronic control unit.
• Said knives are preferably distributed in respective pairs, mutually spaced along a longitudinal translation direction of the continuous band.
• the knives of each pair are symmetrically disposed relative to a longitudinal mid-line of the continuous band .
• the knives are distributed so as to define a V-shaped configuration with vertex facing the collection unit.
• the knives are preferably carried by a carriage movable in a direction transverse to the feeding direction of the continuous band.
• the knives are removably fixed on a support block removably fixed to the carriage.
• the support block is positioned along a direction substantially parallel to the extension of a cutting edge of each knife.
• the centring guide has a passage opening having width equal to the width of the continuous band.
• the centring guide is preferably fixed with respect to the cutting unit.
• the thrust devices can comprise an actuating arm acting on the cutting unit.
• the actuating arm is carried by a bar that is axially movable for imposing a transverse movement to the cutting unit.
• the band feeding devices can preferably comprise: devices for feeding elastomeric material to an extrusion die; devices for feeding, to the extrusion die, said reinforcing cords that are arranged parallel and adjacent to each other.
• the collection unit comprises a plurality of reels, each dedicated to the winding of a respective continuous strip-like element.
• figure 3 shows a detail of figure 2 in side view
• - figure 4 shows the cutting unit in perspective view
• - figure 5 shows, in interrupted perspective view, a continuous strip-like element obtainable by means of the present invention.
• the production line 1 is provided to obtain and collect a plurality of continuous strip-like elements 2, of which one is represented in detail in figure 5, comprising a plurality of reinforcing cords 3, e.g. made of textile, synthetic and/or metallic material.
• the reinforcing cords 3 are extended parallel to each other, along a longitudinal extension direction of the continuous strip-like element 2, preferably in mutual- coplanarity relationship.
• the reinforcing cords 3 are incorporated in or covered by at least one layer of raw elastomeric material 4.
• Each continuous strip-like element 2 is adapted to be used for the purpose of building tyres for vehicle wheels.
• each continuous strip-like element 2 can for such purpose be cut into pieces of predetermined length, to be used for obtaining carcass plies, belt layers or other components of a tyre being manufactured .
• the production line 1 comprises band feeding devices 5 that supply a continuous band 6 of elastomeric material, comprising said reinforcing cords 3, preferably but not necessarily in a quantity equal to a multiple of a predetermined number of cords present in each of the continuous strip-like elements 2 during manufacturing.
• the band feeding devices 5 comprise cord feeding devices 7 which feed the reinforcing cords 3.
• the cord feeding devices 7 can for example comprise at least one creel 8 which sustains a plurality of packages 8a; from each of the latter, one of the reinforcing cords 3 is drawn to be used for the purpose of forming the continuous strip- like elements 2.
• the continuous band 6 is fed at a speed included between about 1 m/s and about 3 m/s .
• said continuous band 6 is fed at a speed included between about 1.5 m/ s and about 2.5 m/ s .
• a "region of generation" "Z" of continuous strip-like elements 2 comprises a cutting unit 14, and guiding devices 28.
• said generation region “Z” comprises at least a part of adjustment devices 30. Said generation region “Z” nevertheless does not include drive devices 33, and possibly at least one portion of a support structure 23 engaging the drive devices themselves .
• the knives 18 are preferably distributed on one or more pairs, mutually spaced along a longitudinal translation direction "F" of the continuous band 6, preferably defining a V-shaped configuration with vertex facing the collection unit 16.
• the knives 18 of each pair are symmetrically disposed relative to a longitudinal mid-line "L" of the continuous band 6.
• pairs of continuous strip-like elements 2 are generated in succession starting from outer side edges of the continuous band 6 itself.
• a pair of knives 18 is provided at the vertex of the V-shaped configuration.
• the continuous strip-like element 2 that comes to be generated in central position continues straight and the cutting unit 14 gives rise - with its own action - to an odd number of continuous strip-like elements 2, in a number equal to 2n + 1 where n is the number of pairs of knives 18 employed.
• the knives 18 are individually and removably fixed to respective abutment seats 20 provided on the carriage 19, each by means of a respective knife locking member 20a.
• the abutment seats 20 can be conveniently obtained on a support block 21 removably fixed to the carriage 19 by means of a block locking member 22, and positionable along a direction substantially parallel to the extension of a cutting edge 18a of each knife 18.
• centring guide 26 preferably carried by the carriage 19, engages the continuous band 6 at a passage opening 27 having width equal to the width of the continuous band 6 itself.
• the continuous band 6 can thus maintain a centred positioning with respect to the knives 18. Possible lateral movements of the continuous band 6 coming from the band feeding devices 5 are indeed easily followed by corresponding lateral translations induced to the carriage 19.
• the engagement of the continuous band 6 through the centring guide 26 in fact transmits transverse thrust forces to the cutting unit 14, due to the same transverse movements of the continuous band 6.
• At least two drift rollers 29 are provided which are mutually aligned along a trajectory diverging from the longitudinal mid-line "L" of the continuous band 6.
• the drift rollers 29 can be conveniently positioned in a manner so as to impose, to each continuous strip-like element 2, at least one first deviation from the lying plane "P" of the continuous band 6, subsequent to the cutting action of the respective knives 18, and a second deviation opposite the first, i.e. directed laterally relative to the longitudinal extension direction of the continuous band 6.
• the first and the second deviations can also be carried out simultaneously, as components of a single oblique deviation.
• the continuous strip-like elements 2 Before reaching the drive unit 15, at least a part of the continuous strip-like elements 2 is also subjected to a third deviation towards the lying plane "P" of the continuous band 6.
• the continuous strip-like elements 2 are conveniently disposed coplanar to each other upon reaching the drive unit 15.
• the size of the drift forces can be modulated by means of adjustment devices 30 associated with the guiding devices 28. It is thus possible to confer a correct and stable trajectory to the single continuous strip-like elements 2 generated by the cutting action.
• each drift roller 29 can be conveniently supported by a rod 31 rotatably engaged through a base plate 32 carried by the support structure 23 of the cutting unit 14. More particularly, each rod 31 is rotatable around a correction axis "Y", perpendicular to the rotation axis "X" of the roller itself, upon actuation of drive members 33 situated externally of the aforesaid region of generation "Z" of continuous strip-like elements 2.
• the first threaded element 34 operatively engages a second threaded element 40, represented for example by a thread carried by the drive arm 36.
• a second threaded element 40 represented for example by a thread carried by the drive arm 36.
• the modulation action of the drift forces can be manually executed, following a visual control at fairly frequent intervals of the stability of the trajectories carried out by the continuous strip-like elements 2 translating away from the knives 18.
• An operator can in fact manually operate on the first threaded elements 34 for correcting the trajectory imposed on one or more of the continuous strip-like elements 2, upon detection of possible irregularities in the trajectories themselves.
• Such signalling devices 41 can for example comprise sensor members 42 e.g. of optical, mechanical or other type, which detect the position of the diverging stretch of each of the continuous strip-like elements 2, in the generation region "Z".
• a theoretical reference position is stored of the diverging stretch of each of the continuous strip-like elements 2.
• a comparator 44 associated with the electronic control unit 43 compares the position detected by the sensor members 42 with the preset theoretical reference position.
• the emission of the notification signal is enabled by the signalling devices 41.
• At least one actuator acts on each first threaded element 34 by automatically adjusting the orientation of the corresponding drift roller 39 around the aforesaid correction axis "Y" following an output signal of said electronic control unit 43.
• each knife 18 is exerted between two contiguous reinforcing cords 3 of the continuous band 6, in a manner such that each continuous strip-like element 2 has a predetermined number of reinforcing cords 3. Nevertheless, it may occur that due to uncontrolled movements of the continuous band 6 with respect to the knives 18 during manufacturing at high speed, one or more of the knives 18 cuts one of the adjacent reinforcing cords 3 and the system has a new equilibrium condition in which not all of the continuous strip-like elements 2 are formed in accordance with the correct width and/or with the predetermined number of reinforcing cords 3.
• the cutting unit 14 can also be associated with thrust devices 45 which, if necessary, are adapted to correcting the relative positioning between the continuous band 6 and the knives 18 during translation of the continuous strip-like elements 2, by imposing transverse movements to cutting unit 14. More particularly, the thrust devices 45 are adapted to be driven from outside the generation region "Z", in order to impose transverse movements to the knives 18 with respect to the drift rollers 29.
• the thrust devices 45 comprise an actuating arm 46 carried by a bar 47, preferably with circular section, that is axially and rotatably movable through the support structure 23 of the carriage 19.
• a control knob 48 carried by the bar 47 allows moving the actuating arm 46 between a rest condition in which it is disengaged from the carriage 19 and an operative condition in which it engages the carriage 19.
• the actuating arm 46 can be provided for example with a fork-like end 49 in which a grip tab 50 carried by the centring guide 26 is removably insertable .
• the actuating arm 46 In normal functioning conditions of the production line 1, the actuating arm 46 is maintained in rest condition, disengaged from the carriage 19. When a correction operation is required, an operator can intervene on the control knob 48 in order to bring the actuating arm 46 in engagement relationship with the carriage 19, and transmit small strikes or thrust actions to the carriage itself, so as to impose sudden transverse movements to the knives 18.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Tyre Moulding (AREA)
• Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

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• 2013
  • 2013-04-22 RU RU2014147476A patent/RU2637405C2/ru active
  • 2013-04-22 EP EP13729433.6A patent/EP2841360B1/en active Active
  • 2013-04-22 EP EP18201771.5A patent/EP3453642B1/en active Active
  • 2013-04-22 MX MX2014012827A patent/MX356303B/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2013-04-22 WO PCT/IB2013/053162 patent/WO2013160814A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2013-04-22 CN CN201380028201.6A patent/CN104349995B/zh active Active
  • 2013-04-25 AR ARP130101387A patent/AR090839A1/es active IP Right Grant

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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