Patent Publication Number: US-2022212429-A1

Title: Device and method for producing unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present technology relates to a manufacturing device and method for an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member, and particularly relates to a manufacturing device and method for an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member that can accurately achieve a target length of an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member that contracts. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     When manufacturing a rubber product such as a tire, a step is included in which longitudinal ends of an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member are joined together on an outer circumferential surface of a forming drum to form an annular shape. Various devices for accurately joining the longitudinal ends of the band-shaped rubber member together have been proposed (for example, see Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-136826). 
     In the device proposed in Japan Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-136826, a contracting portion of a leading end of an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member that contracts most is stretched by a stretching device, and then applied to an outer circumferential surface of a forming drum (see paragraphs 0022 to 0024, etc.). The leading end and a trailing end are then joined together with an angle of a trailing end edge of the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member being displaced to be aligned with an angle of a leading end edge of the leading end (see paragraph 0028, etc.). 
     In this proposal, it is assumed that the contracting portion of the leading end of the band-shaped rubber member that contracts most is the thinnest portion of the leading end (see paragraph 0020, etc.). However, the contracting portion that contracts most is not necessarily the thinnest portion. Thus, it is necessary to accurately determine a length of the unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member that contracts. Furthermore, the angle of the leading end edge of the leading end that is applied to the forming drum is not necessarily uniform, and may vary in the width direction. Thus, by simply aligning the angle of the trailing end edge of the trailing edge of the band-shaped rubber member with the angle of the leading end edge of the leading end, it is not possible to obtain a band-shaped rubber member having a length that allows the leading end and the trailing end to be joined together without gaps entirely across the band-shaped rubber member in the width direction of the band-shaped rubber member. Accordingly, there is room for improvement in accurately manufacturing an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member having a target length that enables the leading end and the trailing end to be joined together properly. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present technology provides a manufacturing device and method for an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member that can accurately achieve a target length of an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member that contracts. 
     A manufacturing device for an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member according to an embodiment of the present technology is a manufacturing device configured to elongate a band-shaped rubber member to a target length, including a placement portion onto which an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member cut at a predetermined length is placed in a flat state, a position sensor that detects, across a width direction of the band-shaped rubber member, a leading end and a trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member placed in a flat state, a control unit into which detection data from the position sensor is input, a leading end holding mechanism that holds the leading end, and a trailing end holding mechanism that holds the trailing end, at least one of the leading end holding mechanism and the trailing end holding mechanism including a plurality of holding portions arranged side by side in the width direction of the band-shaped rubber member, and movement portions that each move each of the plurality of holding portions individually in a front-rear direction of the band-shaped rubber member, a displacement of each of the movement portions in the front-rear direction being controlled by the control unit based on the detection data and the target length to adjust a degree of elongation in the front-rear direction at or near a held portion of the band-shaped rubber member held by each of the plurality of holding portions. 
     A method of manufacturing an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member according to an embodiment of the present technology is a method in which an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member cut at a predetermined length is elongated to a target length, the method including detecting across a width direction of the band-shaped rubber member, by a position sensor, a leading end and a trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member placed in a flat state on a placement portion, and inputting detection data from the position sensor into a control unit, and, by configuring at least one of a leading end holding mechanism that holds the leading end and a trailing end holding mechanism that holds the trailing end to include a plurality of holding portions arranged side by side in the width direction of the band-shaped rubber member, and movement portions that each move each of the plurality of holding portions individually in a front-rear direction of the band-shaped rubber member, holding the leading end by the leading end holding mechanism, and holding the trailing end by the trailing end holding mechanism, controlling, by the control unit, based on the detection data and the target length, a displacement of each of the movement portions in the front-rear direction to adjust a degree of elongation in the front-rear direction at or near a held portion of the band-shaped rubber member held by each of the plurality of holding portions. 
     According to embodiments of the present technology, an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member cut at a predetermined length is placed in a flat state on a placement portion, and a leading end and a trailing end thereof are detected across a width direction of the band-shaped rubber member by a position sensor, and thus, distribution data of lengths in the width direction of the band-shaped rubber member (that is, distribution data of contracted lengths in the width direction) can be acquired. Then, at least one of the leading end and the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member is held by a plurality of holding portions arranged side by side in the width direction of the band-shaped rubber member, and based on the detection data from the position sensor and the target length, by controlling, by a control unit, a displacement in the front-rear direction of each of the movement portions that each move each of the holding portions individually in the front-rear direction, the band-shaped rubber member that contracts can be elongated to a target length with good accuracy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a manufacturing device for an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member in a side view, according to an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the manufacturing device of  FIG. 1  in a plan view. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view illustrating a part of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a trailing end holding mechanism in a side view. 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a step of detecting the leading end and the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member in a side view. 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the shape of the band-shaped rubber member detected in plan view. 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a side view, a step of holding the leading end and the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member by a leading end holding mechanism and a trailing end holding mechanism, respectively. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged explanatory diagram of the periphery of the trailing end holding portion of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory diagram illustrating the periphery of the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member of  FIG. 8  in a plan view. 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a plan view, a step of stretching the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an elongated band-shaped rubber member in a plan view. 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a front view, a modified example of a pressing roller disposed above a trailing end of the conveyance conveyor. 
         FIG. 13  is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a front view, a modified example of the trailing end holding mechanism. 
         FIG. 14  is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a side view, a state in which an elongated band-shaped rubber member is wound around an outer circumferential surface of a forming drum. 
         FIG. 15  is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a side view, a step of releasing the hold on the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member of  FIG. 14  to compression bond the trailing end to the leading end. 
         FIG. 16  is an explanatory diagram illustrating, in a side view, a step of further compression bonding the leading end and the trailing end of  FIG. 15 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, a manufacturing device and method for a band-shaped rubber member according to embodiments of the present technology will be described based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. 
     A manufacturing device  1  for an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member according to an embodiment of the present technology (hereinafter referred to as manufacturing device  1 ) illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4  is disposed downstream side of an upstream side conveyance conveyor  14 . A cutter  14 a is disposed at a leading end of the upstream side conveyance conveyor  14 . An unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member R conveyed toward the manufacturing device  1  by the upstream side conveyance conveyor  14  is cut to a predetermined length by the cutter  14 a. 
     Examples of the band-shaped rubber member R include tire components such as tread rubber, side rubber, and the like of a tire formed of unvulcanized rubber. Since the band-shaped rubber member R that is cut contracts over time, the cut band-shaped rubber member R eventually becomes shorter than the predetermined length that is cut. This contraction length is not necessarily uniform in a width direction W of the band-shaped rubber member R, and differs depending on, for example, thickness or the like. The manufacturing device  1  elongates the unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member R cut at a predetermined length to the target length G. 
     The manufacturing device  1  includes a placement portion  2  onto which an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member R cut at a predetermined length is placed in a flat state, a position sensor  13 , a control unit  12  into which the detection data from the position sensor  13  is input, a leading end holding mechanism  4 , and a trailing end holding mechanism  7 . Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pressing roller  13   a  is provided above the trailing end of the conveyance conveyor  2 . 
     In this embodiment, a conveyance conveyor  2  that conveys the band-shaped rubber member R in a flat state is used as the placement portion  2 . The conveyance conveyor  2  includes a conveyor belt  2   a  that is tensioned between the front and back pulleys, and the conveyor belt  2   a  is driven to rotate by a drive source such as a servo motor. It is sufficient for the placement portion  2  to have the band-shaped rubber member R placed in a flat state, and a metal plate, resin plate, or the like can also be used. 
     The direction of the arrow L in the drawings indicates a front-rear direction of the conveyance conveyor  2  and the band-shaped rubber member R placed on the conveyance conveyor  2 . The direction of the arrow W indicates a width direction of the conveyance conveyor  2  and the band-shaped rubber member R placed on the conveyance conveyor  2 . The dot-dash line CL in  FIG. 2  indicates the center position in the width direction W of the frame  3  extending in the front-rear direction L. 
     The movement of the conveyance conveyor  2 , the leading end holding mechanism  4 , the trailing end holding mechanism  7 , and the pressing roller  13   a  are controlled by the control unit  12 . The control unit  12  also determines the speed of the conveyance conveyor  2 , and thus a displacement of the band-shaped rubber member R conveyed by the conveyance conveyor  2  in the front-rear direction L is also determined. 
     In this embodiment, transport conveyors  2  are disposed one on each side at symmetrical positions with each other with the dot-dash line CL interposed therebetween. A leading end holding mechanism  4  and a trailing end holding mechanism  7  disposed above each conveyor belt  2   a  are movably attached to the frame  3 . Also, a position sensor  13  disposed above the trailing end of each of the conveyor belts  2   a,  and a pressing roller  13   a  are attached to the frame  3 . 
     Each of devices (such as, the conveyance conveyor  2 , the leading end holding mechanism  4 , the trailing end holding mechanism  7 , the position sensor  13 , and the pressing roller  13 a) arranged at symmetrical positions with each other with the dot-dash line CL interposed therebetween will be configured and moved in a similar manner, and thus a device arranged on one side with the dot-dash line CL interposed therebetween will be described below. Note that devices such as the conveyance conveyor  2 , the leading end holding mechanism  4 , the trailing end holding mechanism  7 , the position sensor  13 , and the pressing roller  13   a  are not limited to a configuration in which the devices are installed side by side in two rows with the dot-dash line CL interposed therebetween, as in this embodiment, and may be configured to be installed in one row. 
     The leading end holding mechanism  4  includes a leading end holding portion  5 , and in this embodiment further includes a leading end pressing portion  6 . It is sufficient that the leading end holding portion  5  can hold the leading end Ra of the band-shaped rubber member R, and, for example, a suction pad is employed. The leading end holding portion  5  is moved vertically by a cylinder or the like, and moves toward and away from the placement surface of the conveyor belt  2   a.  A plurality of leading end holding portions  5  are arranged side by side in the width direction W. 
     One rod-like body that extends in the width direction W is employed as the leading end pressing portion  6 . The leading end pressing portion  6  can be divided in the width direction W to form a plurality of the leading end pressing portions arranged side by side. The leading end pressing portion  6  is moved vertically by a cylinder or the like, and moves toward and away from the placement surface of the conveyor belt  2   a.  The leading end holding mechanism  4  (leading end holding portion  5  and leading end pressing portion  6 ) is moved in the front-rear direction L by an advancing/retracting cylinder  3   a  installed in the frame  3 . 
     The trailing end holding mechanism  7  includes a plurality of trailing end holding portions  8  arranged side by side in the width direction W, and movement portions  9   a  that each moves each of the trailing end holding portions  8  individually in the front-rear direction L. In this embodiment, a needle-like body  8   b  is employed in addition to the suction pad  8   a  as the trailing end holding portion  8 . The suction pad  8   a  protrudes downward from the lower surface of a block base  9   b  to which the suction pad  8   a  is attached, to approximately 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. The suction pad  8   a  can swing in the width direction W and the front-rear direction L. 
     A needle-like body  8   b  protrudes obliquely rearward from the block base  9   b.  The needle-like body  8   b  may be optionally provided. An electric cylinder is employed as the movement portion  9   a,  but a fluid cylinder can also be used. When the movement portion  9   a  moves the block base  9   b  in the front-rear direction L, thereby the trailing end holding portion  8  moves in the front-rear direction L. 
     In this embodiment, all of the trailing end holding portions  8  arranged side by side in the width direction W are configured to be movable in the front-rear direction L, but only a portion of the trailing end holding portion  8  can be configured to be movable in the front-rear direction L. For example, only two or three trailing end holding portions  8  adjacent in the width direction W may be configured to be moveable in the front-rear direction L. The number of trailing end holding portions  8  arranged side by side is preferably three or more, for example, three or more and eight or less. In this embodiment, the size of the width direction W of each of the trailing end holding portions  8  is identical to each other, but the trailing end holding portion  8  having different sizes in the width direction W can also be mixed. 
     In this embodiment, the trailing end holding mechanism  7  further includes one pressing bar  10  disposed rearward of the trailing end holding portion  8  and extending in the width direction W, and one pressing roller  11  disposed in front of the trailing end holding portion  8 . The pressing bar  10  installed on the block base  9   b  can move vertically independently. The pressing bar  10  can extend at an appropriate length in the width direction W, and in this embodiment, extends from one end side to a halfway position in the width direction W of the six trailing end holding portions  8  arranged side by side. The pressing roller  11  can be divided in the width direction W to form a plurality of the pressing rollers arranged side by side. 
     The trailing end holding portion  8 , the movement portion  9   a,  the block base  9   b,  and the pressing bar  10  are integrally moved vertically by the respective cylinders or the like, and move toward and away from the placement surface of the conveyor belt  2   a.  The pressing roller  11  is also moved vertically by a cylinder or the like, and moves toward and away from the placement surface of the conveyor belt  2   a.  The trailing end holding mechanism  7  (the trailing end holding portion  8 , the movement portion  9   a,  the block base  9   b,  the pressing bar  10 , and the pressing roller  11 ) move in the front-rear direction L along the frame  3  by a servo motor or the like. 
     As described above, the plurality of trailing end holding portions  8  arranged side by side in the width direction W and the movement portions  9   a  that each moves each of the trailing end holding portion  8  individually in the front-rear direction is provided only in the trailing end holding mechanism  7 , but the functions of these trailing end holding portion  8  and the movement portion  9   a  need only be provided on at least one of the leading end holding mechanism  4  and the trailing end holding mechanism  7 . Accordingly, only the leading end holding mechanism  4  or the leading end holding mechanism  4  and the trailing end holding mechanism  7  can be configured to have an identical function to the trailing end holding portion  8  and the movement portion  9   a.    
     The position sensor  13  detects, across the entire width in the width direction W, the leading end and the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member R placed in a flat state on the conveyance conveyor  2 . In other words, the distribution data of the length in the width direction W of the band-shaped rubber member R is detected. Detection data from the position sensor  13  is successively input into the control unit  12 . A non-contact sensor (optical sensor, laser sensor, ultrasonic sensor, or the like) is preferably used as the position sensor  13 . 
     In this embodiment, the position sensor  13  is installed individually for each of the trailing end holding portions  8 . In other words, one position sensor  13  and one trailing end holding portion  8  make one set. There may be a single position sensor  13 , as long as the leading end and the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member R can be detected across the entire width in the width direction W, for example, by making the position sensor  13  moveable in the width direction W. As in this embodiment, when the position sensor  13  is provided with each of the trailing end holding portions  8 , it is not necessary to move the position sensor  13  in the width direction W, which is advantageous in simplifying the device and ensuring the detection accuracy of the position sensor  13 . 
     Data of the target length G of the band-shaped rubber member R is also input into the control unit  12 . The control unit  112  controls the displacement of each of the movement portions  9   a  in the front-rear direction L based on the detection data from the position sensor  13  and the target length G. As a result, the degree of elongation in the front-rear direction L at or near the held portion of the band-shaped rubber member R held by each of the trailing end holding portions  8  is adjusted. 
     Now, an example of procedures of manufacturing a band-shaped rubber member R having a target length G using the manufacturing device  1  will be explained. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , by rotationally driving the conveyor belt  2   a  on which the band-shaped rubber member R cut to a predetermined length is placed, the band-shaped rubber member R is conveyed forward. The band-shaped rubber member R is pressed by the pressing roller  13   a  at the trailing end of the conveyance conveyor  2 . Accordingly, immediately after the band-shaped rubber member R is placed on the conveyance conveyor  2 , the band-shaped rubber member R is placed on the conveyor belt  2   a  in a flat state while being compression bonded to the placement surface of the conveyor belt  2   a.    
     Each of the position sensors  13  detects the leading end and the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member R passing below. As a result, the leading end and the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member R are detected across the width direction W, and the detection data is sequentially input into the control unit  12 . The detection data can be acquired by moving the position sensor  13  in the front-rear direction L without operating the conveyance conveyor  2  on which the band-shaped rubber member R is placed in a flat state. In other words, the detection data may be acquired by moving the band-shaped rubber member R and the conveyor belt  2   a  relative to each other in the front-rear direction. 
     The control unit  12  calculates distribution data of the length in the width direction W of the band-shaped rubber member R based on the detection data from the position sensor  13  and the conveyance speed of the conveyance conveyor  2 . As a result, the shape of the band-shaped rubber member R illustrated in  FIG. 6  is determined. The dot-dash line in  FIG. 6  indicates the shape of the band-shaped rubber member R when cut to a predetermined length. In other words, the distribution data of the contraction length in the width direction W of the band-shaped rubber member R can be acquired by the detection data from the position sensor  13 . In  FIG. 6 , the leading end Ra and the trailing end Rb contract in the front-rear direction L, and the contracted length thereof is not uniform in the width direction W. Note that the band-shaped rubber member R also contracts in the width direction W, but the amount of contraction is significantly smaller and negligible in comparison to that in the front-rear direction L. 
     In cases where it has been found that little contraction occurs at a specific position in the width direction W of the band-shaped rubber member R, the length of the band-shaped rubber member R at the specific position in the width direction W can also be used as a reference length. Then, the length of the band-shaped rubber member R at other positions in the width direction W can be calculated based on the detection data from the position sensor  13  with respect to the reference length at the specific position, and calculate the distribution data of the length in the width direction W of the band-shaped rubber member R (distribution data of the contraction length). 
     Here, for example, each of the trailing end holding portions  8  arranged side-by-side can be configured individually to be movable in the width direction W together with the corresponding movement portion  9   a  and the position sensor  13 . Then, one set of the trailing end holding portion  8 , the movement portion  9   a,  and the position sensor  13  is moved and disposed in the specific position in the width direction W described above. The other sets (of the trailing end holding portion  8 , the movement portion  9   a,  and the position sensor  13 ) are moved and disposed, for example, in the width direction W to have a predetermined spacing between adjacent sets in the width direction W. 
     Incidentally, the band-shaped rubber member R cut to a predetermined length contracts over time in an unconstrained state. In this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , before detecting the leading end and the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member R across the width direction W by the position sensor  13 , a pressing roller  13   a  rolls on the top surface of the band-shaped rubber member R placed in the flat state, and the band-shaped rubber member R is compression bonded to the conveyor belt  2   a.  As a result, contraction of the band-shaped rubber member R during detection by the position sensor  13  is suppressed. Accordingly, distribution data of the length of the band-shaped rubber member R in the width direction W can be acquired with greater accuracy. 
     When the placement surface of the conveyor belt  2   a  is a placement surface onto which the band-shaped rubber member R placed in the flat state is attached without being shifted in the front-rear direction L and which is in a state with no expansion or contraction in the front-rear direction L, it becomes increasingly advantageous to suppress the contraction of the band-shaped rubber member R during detection by the position sensor  13 . For example, since the conveyor belt  2   a  is tensioned between pulleys, the placement surface is in a state with no expansion or contraction. Thus, for the placement surface, a specification is preferably employed in which the band-shaped rubber member R placed in a flat state is attached without being shifted in the front-rear direction L (such as a material or surface treatment having excellent adhesion to the band-shaped rubber member R). 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the leading end holding portion  5  is moved downward and is brought into contact with the top surface of the leading end Ra to adhere the top surface by suctioning the air. Furthermore, the suction pad  8   a  is brought into contact with the top surface of the trailing end Rb by moving the trailing end holding portion  8  downward to adhere the top surface by suctioning the air. 
     With the downward movement of the suction pad  8 a, the needle-like body  8   b  penetrates into a position midway in the thickness direction of the band-shaped rubber member R. In this step, the leading end pressing portion  6  is in an upper position not in contact with the leading end Ra, and the pressing roller  11  is in an upper position not in contact with the trailing end Rb. Note that, in a state where the band-shaped rubber member R is not placed on the conveyor belt  2   a,  the needle-like body  8   b  is set not to contact the conveyor belt  2   a  even when the suction pad  8   a  is moved downward to the position of the conveyor belt  2   a.    
     The thickness of the band-shaped rubber member R is not constant in the width direction W, and is often changed. That is, since the band-shaped rubber member R often has a unique cross-sectional shape (profile) rather than a simple cross-sectional square, the thickness (weight) of the band-shaped rubber member R at the position where each suction pad  8   a  is adhered is different. Thus, the suction force by each suction pad  8   a  is not limited to being set uniformly, and can be set differently depending on the thickness of the band-shaped rubber member R at the position at which each of the suction pads  8 a adheres. For example, for the suction pad  8   a  that adheres at a position where the thickness of the band-shaped rubber member R, the suction force is set to be greater. Similarly, the suction pad of the leading end holding portion  5  can also set the suction force differently depending on the position in the width direction W. 
     In this way, the leading end Ra is held by the leading end holding portion  5 , and the trailing end Rb is held by the trailing end holding portion  8 . The band-shaped rubber member R is separated from at least the trailing end Rb and the periphery thereof above the conveyor belt  2   a.  At this time, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the trailing end Rb is held by a plurality of trailing end holding portions  8  arranged side by side in the width direction W, and each of the trailing end holding portions  8  is individually movable in the front-rear direction L by the movement portion  9   a  corresponding to each of the trailing end holding portions  8 . 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the control unit  12  controls the displacement of each of the movement portions  9   a  in the front-rear direction L based on the detection data from the position sensor  13  and the target length G. For example, the difference between the length of the band-shaped rubber member R and the target length G at the position in the width direction W in which the respective position sensors  13  are disposed is calculated, and the displacement of each of the movement portions  9   a  in the front-rear direction L is controlled by the control unit  12  based on the respective difference. In other words, each of the trailing end holding portions  8  is moved by each of the movement portions  9   a  by the calculated respective difference. 
     As a result, the degree of elongation in the front-rear direction L at or near the held portion of the trailing end Rb held by each of the trailing end holding portions  8  is adjusted. For example, in the trailing end holding portion  8  in the width direction position where the contraction in the front-rear direction L of the band-shaped rubber member R is greater, the displacement in the front-rear direction L is set to be greater. In this embodiment, the higher the upward position of the upper three movement portions  9   a  in the drawing, the greater the displacement, and the displacement of the lower three movement portions  9   a  in the drawing is zero. 
     As a result of such controlling of the displacement, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the length of the band-shaped rubber member R is elongated to the target length G. The dashed line in  FIG. 11  illustrates the trailing end of the band-shaped rubber member R before being elongated. In this embodiment, although only the trailing end Rb side is elongated, and the leading end Ra is not substantially elongated, the length of the band-shaped rubber member R is generally the target length G throughout the entire width in the width direction W. 
     When the suction pad  8   a  that adheres and holds the top surface of the trailing end Rb is employed as the trailing end holding portion  8 , the trailing end Rb is advantageously held without unnecessarily being deformed. By employing the needle-like body  8   b  as in this embodiment, the trailing end Rb is advantageously reliably held, thus making it easier to elongate the trailing end Rb as needed in the front-rear direction L. 
     The movement speed of each of the movement portions  9   a  in the front-rear direction L can be varied, but the speed is preferably set at an identical speed. Setting each movement speed to an identical speed is advantageous in preventing the occurrence of defects, such as damage, without applying an excessive external force to the unvulcanized rubber (trailing end Rb) to be elongated, even when the displacements of each of the trailing end holding portion  8  in the front-rear direction L differ. 
     As described above, since at least one of the leading end Ra and the trailing end Rb of the band-shaped rubber member R is held by a plurality of holding portions  8  arranged side by side in the width direction W, and each of the holding portions  8  is individually moved in the front-rear direction based on the detection data from the position sensor  13  and the target length G, the band-shaped rubber member R that contracts can be elongated to the target length G across the entire width in the width direction W more accurately. Even with the band-shaped rubber member R having a large contraction over time, the target length G can be achieved. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the band-shaped rubber member R often has a unique cross-sectional shape (profile). As illustrated in  FIG. 12(A) , such a band-shaped rubber member R is preferably configured to independently move vertically each of the plurality of pressing rollers  13   a  arranged side by side in the width direction W. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 12(B) , a configuration is preferred in which one of the pressing rollers  13   a  midway in the width direction W has a different outer diameter. That is, the outer diameter of the pressing roller  13   a  is appropriately set in accordance with the cross-sectional shape (profile) of the band-shaped rubber member R. 
     According to the pressing roller  13   a  illustrated in  FIG. 12 , while suppressing deformation of the band-shaped rubber member R, and the band-shaped rubber member is compression bonded to the conveyor belt  2   a.  As a result, it becomes increasingly advantageous to suppress contraction of the band-shaped rubber member R over time. Note that the pressing roller  13   a  may be omitted, and the pressing roller  11  of the trailing end holding mechanism  7  of the above-described embodiment can also be used as the pressing roller  13   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , for the band-shaped rubber member R having a unique cross-sectional shape (profile), a structure is preferred in which the suction pad  8   a  is attached to the block base  9   b  with the height adjustment portion  8   c  such as a shim interposed therebetween. In other words, depending on the cross-sectional shape (profile) of the band-shaped rubber member R, the vertical positions of each of the suction pads  8   a  arranged side by side is appropriately set by interposing the height adjustment portion  8   c.  This is advantageous to suppressed deformation of the trailing end Rb by each of the suction pads  8   a,  and to firmly adhere and hold the trailing end Rb. The holding force by the needle-like body  8   b  can also be increased. 
     The band-shaped rubber member R having achieved the target length G is immediately wound on the outer circumferential surface  15   a  of the forming drum  15  as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , and is used to manufacture the annular rubber member RC. Thus, the band-shaped rubber member R is conveyed toward the forming drum  15  by rotating and driving the conveyor belt  2   a.  At this time, the advancing/retracting cylinder  3   a  advances the leading end holding mechanism  4  at an identical speed by synchronizing the leading end holding mechanism  4  to the band-shaped rubber member R being conveyed. In addition, the trailing end holding mechanism  7  is advanced and moved along the frame  3  at an identical speed synchronously with the band-shaped rubber member R to be conveyed. Next, with the rotation of the forming drum  15  stopped, the leading end holding portion  5  is moved downward, and the leading end Ra, which has been unheld, is disposed on the outer circumferential surface  15   a  of the forming drum  15 . Here, the leading end pressing portion  6  is moved downward, and the leading end Ra is firmly attached to the outer circumferential surface  15   a.  The position where the leading end Ra is disposed on the outer circumferential surface  15   a  of the forming drum  15  is preferably the top portion of the forming drum  15  in the drum circumferential direction. As a result, the leading end Ra is more stably positioned and easily attached to the outer circumferential surface  15   a.    
     Next, the forming drum  15  is rotated, and the conveyor belt  2   a  is rotationally driven in synchronization with this rotation, the band-shaped rubber member R is conveyed toward the forming drum  15 , and the trailing end holding mechanism  7  is advanced and moved along the frame  3  in synchronization with the band-shaped rubber member R being conveyed. The circumferential speed on the outer circumferential surface  15   a,  the conveyance speed of the conveyance conveyor  2 , and the movement speed of the trailing end holding mechanism  7  are preferably an identical speed. 
     Next, the trailing end holding portion  8  is moved downward to bring the trailing end Rb being held into contact with the leading end Ra wound on the outer circumferential surface  15   a.  Thereafter, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the suction by the suction pad  8   a  is stopped and the hold on the trailing end Rb is released. 
     Immediately after this step, the pressing bar  10  is moved downward, and the trailing end Rb and the leading end Ra are compression bonded by pressing the top surface of the trailing end Rb to form the annular rubber member RC. In this way, when the pressing bar  10  disposed on the top surface side of the trailing end Rb and extending in the width direction W is moved toward the top surface of the trailing end Rb to press the trailing end Rb, it is possible to firmly join the trailing end Rb and the leading end Ra. When the holding by the trailing end holding portion  8  is released, the band-shaped rubber member R tries to contract, however, by pressing the trailing end Rb with the pressing bar  10 , opening of the joining portion between the trailing end Rb and the leading end Ra can be prevented, which is advantageous in suppressing contraction of the band-shaped rubber member R. 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the pressing roller  11  is moved downward to abut the outer circumferential surface of the annular rubber member RC, and the forming drum  15  is rotated. As a result, the joining portion between the trailing end Rb and the leading end Ra is further compression bonded by the pressing roller  11  to reliably prevent opening of the joining portion. 
     Note that the timing at which the step of elongating the trailing end Rb illustrated in  FIG. 10  is performed is not limited to the case illustrated in the previous embodiment, and can be performed at a desired timing. For example, the step can be performed with a large portion of the band-shaped rubber member R being wound around the outer circumferential surface  15   a  of the forming drum  15  (wrapped around the trailing end Rb and the peripheral portion thereof).