A CUTTING DEVICE FOR CUTTING A STRIP OF UNVULCANIZED RUBBER

Abstract: A cutting device for cutting strips of unvulcanized rubber to proper lengths for building a pneumatic tyre, in particular a radial tyre, said device comprising at least one conveyor and a cutting apparatus working crosswise with respect to said conveyor for cutting a strip of unvulcanized rubber, wherein said apparatus for cutting said strip comprises means to vibrate a knife longitudinally to and fro with high frequency e.g. ultrasonic frequency and means to move the knife vibrating longitudinally to and fro along a track crosswise with respect to said strip.

Description: The invention relates to a cutting device of the type as indicated in the preamble of claim 1. Each radial pneumatic tyre consists of a carcass having at least one airtight layer on the inside of the carcass to prevent the air pumped into the tyre from escaping. Furthermore, strips are applied on said carcass to form the side walls of the tyre, to form chafers to protect the heels of the tyre and to form the belt, the tread and other portions of the tyre. In additon, a strip of white rubber mixture with a covering strip on top of it can be mounted in a thick strip, which forms a side wall of the tyre, then, after vulcanizing, the covering strip is ground away so that a white decoration strip decorates the completed tyre. All these strips or plies should each be cut off from a long strip-shaped supply of unvulcanized rubber to such a length that the ends of each strip or ply situated on a building drum of a tyre building machine, connect to one another. This connection is necessary in all above-mentioned types of strip-shaped material in order to homogenize the tyre as much as possible so that said tyre rolls smoothly and is uniformly strong, which is only possible when each strip at the splice shows no slit between its both ends. Such a slit in the above-mentioned white strip is, moreover, disadvantageous as the white strip is then interrupted by black smudges on the site of the slit. Besides, this connection is especially necessary for constructing the above-mentioned airtight layer in order to splice the ends of the strip or strips to each other in an airtight way over their entire width. It is known from DE-A-2,805,870 to cut strips to length according to an inclined cut by means of drawing a cutting disc, which rotates at high speed, through each strip at low speed. The friction between the unvulcanized rubber and the cutting disc heats said cutting disc, because of which the disc becomes fouled by the rubber, which causes a rough and irregular cut, and/or because of which the unvulcanized rubber is vulcanized through contact with the heated disc. If the disc could be cooled, however, the cut in the unvulcanized rubber would become rough and irregular in using a disc that is too cold. In practice, however, the maintenance of the discs accurately at the right temperature turned out to be hardly possible. An ultrasonic vibrating blade is known from GB-A-2,178,686, though this blade is not used for cutting unvulcanized rubber. Practice showed that this type of knives does not produce the desired result with unvulcanized rubber as the fresh cut rubber elements stick together again. In order to cut strips or plies of unvulcanized rubber in the proper way, the present invented device is characterized by the features shown in the characterizing portion of the accompanying main claim. By clamping the strip by said clamping means at both sides of the cut to be produced and by subsequently stretching the clamped portion of said strip, by said cutting beam in its high position, the cut surfaces of unvulcanized rubber are immediately pulled away from each other at the moment of being cut, so that adhesion of said cut surfaces to one another is not possible in spite of the use of a vibrating cutting blade. Possible embodiments of the invented device are indicated in the dependent claims. These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be further described in the following description of an embodiment of the invented device and wherein it is referred to the enclosed drawings. It will be apparent that the invention is not restricted to the described embodiment as shown in the drawings, because said embodiment is only an example. In the drawing is: Figure 1 a schematical side view of the invented device in the conveying condition. Figure 2 a side view as in figure 1 but the device is in the cutting condition. Figure 3 a schematically indication of the phases of the work cyclus of the device according to figure 1. Figure 4 a schematical top view of the device according to figure 1. The invented device comprises according to figure 1 in principle a supply conveyor 1, an intermediate conveyor 2 and a discharge conveyor 3. The phases of the work cyclus of the invented device are shownin figure 3. In phase I a strip 4 of unvulcanized rubber is conveyed from a storing reel (not shown) over these three conveyors from the right to the left. As soon as a piece 5 of strip with the desired length is situated with its rear end 6 above the intermediate conveyor 2, all conveyors are stopped. Subsequently in phase II in figure 3 a clamping roller 7 cooperating with the supply conveyor 1 is moved downwardly from the position shown in figure 1 to the position shown in figure 2, as a result of which the strip 4 is forced against the supply conveyor 1 and thereby it cannot be moved forward any more. Simultaneously also in phase II in figure 3 a clamping roller 8 cooperating with the discharge conveyor 3 is moved downwardly from the position shown in figure 1 to the position shown in figure 2, as a result of which the piece strip 5 is forced against the discharge conveyor 3 and is not movable any more. Subsequently, in phase III shown in figure 3 the intermediate conveyor 2 is pivoted downwardly from the position shown in figure 1 to the position shown in figure 2. Afther that, in phase IV shown in figure 3 a cutting beam 9 is moved upwardly from the position according to figure 1 to the position shown in figure 2. In the position shown in figure 2 the top of the cutting beam 9 lies higher than the upper courses of the conveyors 1 and 2, so that the rubber strip 4 of rubber is stretched as on the one hand the strip is clamped between the clamping roller 7 and the supply conveyor 1 and on the other hand between the clamping roller 8 and the discharge conveyor 3. Subsequently the above, in phase V shown in figure 3 the knife 10 is moved crosswise with respect to the strip 4 and simultanuously the knife is vibrated longitudinally to and fro with high frequency, e.g. ultrasonic frequency. After the strip 4 has been cut, the cutting beam 9 is moved downwardly in phase VI shown in figure 3 from the position shown in figure 2 to the position shown in figure 1. Subsequently, in phase VII shown in figure 3 the intermediate conveyor 2 is moved upwardly from the position shown in figure 2 to the position shown in figure 1 to fill up the gap between the supply conveyor 1 and the discharge conveyor 3 as much as possible. Finally, in phase VIII shown in figure 3 the clamping rollers 7 and 8 are moved upwardly from the position shown in figure 2 to the position shown in figure 1, so that the strip 4 and the length 5 cut off from the strip are free with respect to the clamping rollers. After that first the cut off length 5 is discharged to the building drum for pneumatic tyres (not shown) by means of the discharge conveyor 3 for further processing, and subsequently the strip 4 is supplied further from a storing reel (not shown) to the discharge conveyor 3 by means of the supply conveyor 1 via the intermediate conveyor 2 in the phase I shown in figure 3, after which the remaining, above described phases shown in figure 3 can be executed again. The storing reel and the building drum are not shown in the drawings and not described here, because they are known. It will be apparent that the supply conveyor 1 shown in figure 1 comprises a reversing roller 11 and a supporting roller 12 and where preferably, as shown in figure 4, endless strings 13 run over these rollers. Besides, these endless strings run over supporting rollers situated outwardly from figure 1 and 4 and a driven, second reversing roller. Said strings are from elastic material which moreover can be resiliently. The reversing roller 11 and the supporting roller 12 are rotatably secured in a frame 14 as shown in figure 4 and are situated close to each other in such a way that when the clamping roller 7 (figure 2) has been moved into a downward position a strip 4 of unvulcanized rubber on the strings 13 is sufficiently clamped between the strings 13 and the clamping roller in its downward position as shown in figure 2. The means for moving the clamping roller 7 (figure 1 and 2) downwardly and upwardly again are not indicated in the drawings and also not discussed, because for this movement means are used which are obvious for an expert. Preferably the one reversing roller of the intermediate conveyor 2 is at the same time the reversing roller 11 of the supply conveyor 1 as shown in figure 2. Endless strings run over said reversing roller 11 and also over the other reversing roller 15 of the intermediate conveyor 2. The means for pivoting the intermediate conveyor 2 about the axis of the reversing roller 11 downwardly and upwardly again (figure 1 and 2) are neither indicated in the drawings nor discussed, because these means are obvious for experts. Also the discharge conveyor 3 shown in figure 1 comprises a reversing roller 16 and a supporting roller 17, where e.g. endless strings 13 run over said rollers as shown in figure 4. These endless strings run moreover over supporting rollers and a driven, second reversing roller, all these rollers being situated outwardly from figure 1 and 4. The reversing roller 16 and the supporting roller 17 are rotatably secured in a frame 14 as shown in figure 4 and are situated close to each other in such a way that when a clamping roller 8 (figure 2) has been moved into a downward position the piece 5 of the strip of unvulcanized rubber on the strings 13 is sufficiently clamped between the strings 13 and clamping roller 8 moved downwardly as shown in figure 2. The means for moving the clamping roller 8 (figure 1 and 2) downwardly and upwardly again are neither indicated in the drawings nor discussed, because for this means may be used which are obvious for an expert. The cutting beam 9 is preferably made of Teflon and the upper side of the cutting beam shown in figure 1 is composed of two crossectionally sloping surfaces 18 and 19 which join each other via a rounded off surface 20. Each sloping surface 18 and 19 is joined via a rounded off surface 21, 22 respectively to a side 23, 24 respectively of the cutting beam. The rounding off 21 is such that the knife 10 can be positioned with an angle between 10 and 90 degrees with respect to the strip 4 of unvulcanized rubber while the knife blade bears on the cutting beam. The means for moving the cutting beam 9 (figure 1 and 2) upwardly and downwardly again are neither indicated in the drawings nor discussed, because for this means may be used which are obvious for an expert. The apparatus 25 for vibrating the knife 10 with high frequency, e.g. ultrasonic frequency, longitudinally to and fro (consequently in the plane of the drawings) is only schematically indicated in figure 1 and 2 and is not discussed further, because such an apparatus is known per se for cutting film of synthetic material. Means for moving the apparatus 25 with the knife 10 from the right to the left and back over the width of the strip 4 in figure 4 are neither indicated in the drawings nor discussed, because for this movement means may be used which are obvious for an expert. It is important that the knife 10 with the drive apparatus 25 is pivotably mounted such, that the knife in the strip 4 of unvulcanized rubber can make a cut with an angle of inclination, which can be selected between 10 and 90 degrees with respect to the length of the strip. Also these pivotable securing means for the drive apparatus 25 are neither indicated in the drawings nor discussed, because for this means may be used which are obvious for an expert. It is also important that the free, pointed end of the knife 10 is free and remains free with respect to the cutting beam 9 and also that it does not contact with other members, but the knife blade should bear on the cutting beam. By clamping the strip 4 of unvulcanized rubber between the clamping rollers 7 and 8 and the supply conveyor 1, the discharge conveyor 3 respectively it is prevented that the strip can move, because when it moves irregular cuts are the result. The cutting beam 9 moved upwardly as shown in figure 2 stretches the strip 4, resulting in that the cut surfaces facing each other move away from each other immediately on the movement of being cut by the knife 10. The result is that the adhesion to each other of cut surfaces of unvulcanized rubber is prevented. Besides, the strip 4 is supported by the cutting beam 9 with as a result that a cut without irregularities is produced in the strip. Finally, the conveyor 2 in its normal position as shown in figure 1 causes a non disturbed conveyance of the strip 4 from the supply conveyor 1 to the discharge conveyor 3. Because the knife according to the invention is vibrated with high frequency, e.g. ultrasonic frequency, longitudinally to and fro, it is avoided that the knife has to be kept moistened with high-grade alcohol, which is consumed rapidly and therefore should be applied in large quantities in known cutting machines with fastly rotating cutting discs or sawing discs. Using large quantities of high-grade alcohol for reducing the friction between unvulcanized rubber and cutting discs or sawing discs is therefore expensive and is consequently avoided by the invention. Also heating of the knife is avoided according to the invention, because a too hot knife causes vulcanisation of unvulcanized rubber at the cut and/or contamination of the knife, while a too cold knife causes an irregular cut. Keeping the knife constantly at the right temperature has appeared to be hardly possible in practice, so that the invention offers a solution for this problem. Besides, the invented device is completely adjusted to the knife vibrating to and fro with high frequency. That is why the time necessary for realising a cut is less than the time necessary for building a pneumatic tyre. Furthermore, the invented construction makes the optimum use of a knife vibrating to and fro with high frequency possible. Finally, by clamping the strip by means of the clamping rollers during cutting and by stretching the strip by means of the cutting beam during cutting, the fresh cut faces of unvulcanized rubber do not have the opportunity of adhere to each other. Besides, the strip is supported by the cutting beam during cutting with a result that the cut is regular. Finally, the strip is well conveyable from the supply conveyor to the discharge conveyor by means of the intermediate conveyor.

Claims: 1. Device for cutting strips of unvulcanized rubber to the required length for the purpose of building pneumatic tyres, in which the device comprises conveying means (1, 2, 3) having mutually parallel endless strings (13) along reversing rollers (11, 15, 16) and supporting rollers (12, 17), a cutting beam (9) extending transversely to the strings (13), and being upwardly displaceable from a retracted position (fig. 1) to a stretching position (fig. 2) in order to stretch the strip (4, 5) to be cut and vice versa, means (7, 8) for keeping the strip (4, 5) to be cut stationary when the cutting beam (9) is displaced upwardly, and a knife (10, 25) which is displaceable along the upwardly displaced cutting beam (9), characterized by means (25) for reciprocating the knife (10) at a high, e.g. ultrasonic frequency in the direction of its cutting edge, and by conveying means which consists of a supply conveyor (1), an intermediate conveyor (2) and a discharge conveyor (3), whereby the intermediate conveyor (2) can be swung away from the position in which it conveys the strip (4, 5) (fig. 1) into a position for providing space for the upward displacement of the cutting beam (9, fig. 2) and vice versa. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (7, 8) for keeping the strip (4, 5) to be cut stationary consist of a pressure element (7) for the supply conveyor (1) and another pressure element (8) for the discharge conveyor (3), both pressure elements (7, 8) being downwardly displaceable and vice versa from a retracted position (fig. 1), said pressure element (7, 8, respectively) forcing down, in its lower position (fig. 2), the portion of the strip (4, 5) to be cut positioned between a reversing roller (11, 16, respectively) and a supporting roller (12, 17 respectively), by which the strip (4, 5, resp.) is kept stationary. 3. A cutting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate conveyor (2) consists of endless strings (13) running over two reversing rollers (11, 13). 4. A cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each clamping member is a pressure roller (7, 8). 5. A cutting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper side of the cutting beam (9) is shaped such, that cutting angles between 10 and 90 degrees can be realised by adjusting the angle of inclination of said knife (10). 6. A cutting device according to claim 5, characterized in that in cross section the upper side of the cutting beam (9) substantially consists of two sloping surfaces (18, 19), which join each other by a cross sectionally curved surface (20) and which each join a side wall (23, 24) by a cross sectionally curved surface (21, 22). 7. A cutting devicevaccording to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the cutting beam (9) is situated in its high position (fig. 2), the knife (10) with the blade bears on the cutting beam (9), whereas the point of the knife (10) is situated beyond said cutting beam (9) and the knife (10) extends cantilevered from the knife holder (25).

Inventors: OLDEMAN, ROBERT-COEN
Applicants: VMI EPE HOLLAND BV
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B29D30
IPC codes: B26D7, B29D30