Patent Description:
A sponge-attached tire having a belt-shaped sponge attached to an inner circumferential surface thereof is known. The sponge-attached tire reduces road noise which is mainly caused by resonant vibration of air (cavity resonance).

Hitherto, sponges have been attached to the inner circumferential surfaces of tires manually by workers. In order to efficiently, highly accurately, and uniformly attach sponges to the inner circumferential surfaces of tires, an attaching device has been developed (for example, <CIT>).

In the attaching device disclosed in <CIT>, a winding (hereinafter, also referred to as a spiral sponge) formed by winding a sponge material including a band-shaped sponge, in a spiral shape is set in a sponge holding frame as it is. The sponge holding frame is placed inside a tire, and the sponge is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the tire while drawing the sponge material from the spiral sponge.

<CIT> discloses that a foam strip is placed on a conveyor that conveys the strip to a rotatably mounted reel to wind the strip onto the reel and further presses the strip against the reel so as to compress the foam material. Another production method for a sponge-attached tire is disclosed in <CIT>.

The shape of the sponge is set according to the specification of the tire. The attaching device is required to be capable of attaching sponges having various shapes, to tires.

As the length or the thickness of a sponge to be attached increases, the bulk of a spiral sponge obtained by winding the sponge increases. Depending on the size, the spiral sponge cannot be set in the above-described sponge holding frame in some cases.

The sponge holding frame is set inside the tire through a bead seat hole of the tire. There is a limit to increasing the size of the sponge holding frame.

The sponge is an elastic material. To hold the sponge material as a spiral sponge, it is necessary to restrict the spiral sponge by using some kind of means.

Manual work by a worker is required to produce sponge-attached tires having various specifications. There are still problems to be solved in order to efficiently, highly accurately, and uniformly attach a sponge to the inner circumferential surface of a tire.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a production method, for a sponge-attached tire, which can contribute to stable production of high-quality sponge-attached tires.

A production method for a sponge-attached tire according to claim <NUM> of the present invention is a production method for a sponge-attached tire having a belt-shaped sponge attached to an inner circumferential surface thereof, the production method including:.

In the step of storing the sponge material in the sponge storage cassette, the sponge material passes between the winding core and a pressing member arranged at a position facing the winding core, as the winding core rotates; the sponge material passing between the pressing member and the winding core is compressed by causing the pressing member to come closer to the winding core; and the compressed sponge material is wound onto the winding core.

Preferably, in the production method for the sponge-attached tire, the sponge storage cassette in which the sponge material has been stored is placed inside the tire as it is.

Preferably, in the production method for the sponge-attached tire, the sponge storage cassette includes a shaft portion located inside the winding core and rotatably supporting the winding core, a restriction member located outside the winding core and restricting the sponge material wound on the winding core, and a fixing frame fixing the restriction member to the shaft portion. The winding core is attached to the winding device, and the shaft portion is attached to the attaching device.

According to the present invention, a production method, for a sponge-attached tire, which can contribute to stable production of high-quality sponge-attached tires, is obtained.

<FIG> shows an example of a sponge-attached tire ST obtained by a production method for a sponge-attached tire according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> shows a part of a meridian cross-section of the sponge-attached tire ST. In <FIG>, the sponge-attached tire ST is fitted on a rim R. In <FIG>, an alternate long and short dash line CL represents an equator plane.

The sponge-attached tire ST includes a tire T and a sponge S.

The tire T includes components such as a tread, sidewalls, beads, a carcass, a belt, and an inner liner. The tire T comes into contact with a road surface at the tread. The inner liner forms the inner circumferential surface of the tire T. These components are general components as components of the tire T, and the description thereof is omitted.

The sponge S is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T. The sponge S of the sponge-attached tire ST is located inward of the tread in the radial direction. The sponge S is located on the equator plane CL. Of the inner circumferential surface of the tire T, a portion on which the tread is located on the outer side is also referred to as a tread inner surface NT. In the sponge-attached tire ST, the sponge S is attached to the tread inner surface NT.

The sponge S has a belt shape. In the sponge-attached tire ST, the sponge S extends in the circumferential direction. A body Sm of the sponge S absorbs and damps the resonance sound energy (vibration energy) generated in the tire inner cavity, by vibration-isolating properties and sound-absorbing properties thereof, to suppress cavity resonance. Accordingly, road noise is reduced.

The body Sm of the sponge S is a sponge-like porous structure, and examples thereof include a sponge itself obtained by foaming a rubber or a synthetic resin and having open cells, and a web-like structure made of animal fibers, plant fibers, or synthetic fibers intertwined and linked together. The above-described "porous structure" also includes a structure having not only open cells but also closed cells.

In the sponge-attached tire ST, synthetic resin sponges such as an ether-based polyurethane sponge, an ester-based polyurethane sponge, and a polyethylene sponge; and rubber sponges such as a chloroprene rubber sponge (CR sponge), an ethylene-propylene rubber sponge (EDPM sponge), and a nitrile rubber sponge (NBR sponge), are suitably used as the body Sm of the sponge S.

In the sponge-attached tire ST, similar to a tire having no sponge S attached thereto, deformation and restoration are repeated. Since the sponge S is attached to the tread inner surface NT, peeling of the sponge S from the tread inner surface NT is prevented.

Although not described in detail, the tire T is obtained, for example, by pressurizing and heating a green tire (tire T in an unvulcanized state, and also referred to as a raw cover) within a cavity formed by a mold and a bladder. In order to take out the tire T from the cavity, a mold release agent such as silicon oil is used. The mold release agent adheres to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T after vulcanization molding. The mold release agent affects the adhesion between the sponge S and the tread inner surface NT.

In the case where the sponge S is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T, it is preferable to form a mold release agent removal region where the mold release agent is removed by means such as buffing or laser irradiation, and attach the sponge S to the mold release agent removal region. Accordingly, the sponge S is reliably adhered to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T.

In the sponge-attached tire ST in <FIG>, the tread inner surface NT is pre-buffed in the circumferential direction to form a mold release agent removal region Y where the mold release agent is removed, and the sponge S is attached to the mold release agent removal region Y.

Furthermore, in the sponge-attached tire ST, from the viewpoint of reliably adhering the sponge S to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T, one surface of the sponge S is preferably made into an adhesive surface Sa having an adhesive A provided thereon. In this case, a double-sided adhesive tape is suitably used as the adhesive A. The body Sm of the sponge S is adhered to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T via the adhesive A. The sponge S includes the body Sm and the adhesive A provided on one surface of the body Sm. The one surface of the sponge S is the adhesive surface Sa composed of the adhesive A.

<FIG> shows the state of the sponge S that has not been attached to the tire T. From the viewpoint of protecting the adhesive surface Sa which is the one surface of the sponge S, the adhesive surface Sa is covered with a release paper P.

In the present disclosure, the sponge S in which the adhesive surface Sa is covered with the release paper P is a sponge material M. The sponge material M includes the belt-shaped sponge S and the release paper P which covers the adhesive surface Sa which is the one surface of the sponge S. In other words, the sponge material M is composed of the sponge S in which the surface to be attached to the tire T is made into the adhesive surface Sa and the release paper P is provided on the adhesive surface Sa.

The length of the sponge material M is set in consideration of the attachment length per tire T. In the case where the sponge S is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T, a sponge material M whose length is adjusted to the length required for attaching is prepared.

A production method for the sponge-attached tire ST will be described with the above-described case where the sponge S is attached to the tire T in which the mold release agent removal region Y is formed, as an example.

In the production method, a winding (hereinafter, also referred to as a spiral sponge SP), of the sponge material M, formed by winding the sponge material M in a spiral shape is prepared. The sponge S is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T while drawing the sponge material M from the spiral sponge SP.

The outline of a sponge attaching device <NUM> which is used for attaching the sponge S to the tread inner surface NT while drawing the sponge material M from the spiral sponge SP will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. A production apparatus used in the production method includes the sponge attaching device <NUM> (hereinafter, attaching device <NUM>).

<FIG> is a front view of the attaching device <NUM>. The right-left direction on the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> corresponds to the axial direction of the tire T. <FIG> is a side view of the attaching device <NUM>. The direction perpendicular to the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> corresponds to the axial direction of the tire T.

The attaching device <NUM> includes a holding rotary tool <NUM>, a position adjusting tool <NUM>, and an attaching tool <NUM>. The holding rotary tool <NUM> rotatably holds the tire T in an upright position. The position adjusting tool <NUM> supports the attaching tool <NUM> and adjusts the position of the attaching tool <NUM>. The attaching tool <NUM> attaches the sponge S to the tread inner surface NT of the rotating tire T supported by the holding rotary tool <NUM>.

The holding rotary tool <NUM> includes a supporting means <NUM>, a positioning means <NUM>, and a pressing means <NUM>. The supporting means <NUM> supports the tire T. The supporting means <NUM> includes a pair of support rollers <NUM> which are arranged at an interval and on which the tire T is placed. The positioning means <NUM> includes a pair of side supports <NUM> which are arranged so as to face the side surfaces of the tire T held by the supporting means <NUM>. The pair of side supports <NUM> sandwich the tire T from both sides. The pressing means <NUM> presses the tire T held by the supporting means <NUM>, from above.

In the attaching device <NUM>, the supporting means <NUM>, the positioning means <NUM>, and the pressing means <NUM> are attached to a skeleton-like frame <NUM> formed by joining left and right side frames <NUM>, which are formed in a rectangular shape using vertical frame pieces and horizontal frame pieces, with a horizontal joint frame piece.

In the attaching device <NUM>, the tire T is placed between the left and right side supports <NUM>, and the tire T is taken out from between the left and right side supports <NUM>.

In the supporting means <NUM>, the pair of support rollers <NUM> are supported by the side frames <NUM>, respectively, so as to be freely rotatable. A drive motor <NUM> is coupled to one of the support rollers <NUM> via a known drive coupling means using a sprocket, an endless continuous string, or the like. The tire T is rotated by driving the drive motor <NUM>.

In the positioning means <NUM>, the pair of side supports <NUM> each has a support main portion <NUM> formed in a rectangular shape. The support main portion <NUM> is supported by a pair of upper and lower guides <NUM>, which extend in the axial direction of the tire T between the left and right side frames <NUM>, so as to be movable in the axial direction. The left and right support main portions <NUM> are configured so as to be able to come closer to or move away from each other by left and right opening/closing means which are not shown. Accordingly, the position of the tire T placed on the supporting means <NUM> is adjusted to the position of the tire T when attaching the sponge S.

A plurality of holding rollers <NUM> are supported on each side support <NUM> in order to rotatably hold the tire T. The respective holding rollers <NUM> are attached to the surfaces, facing each other, of the support main portions <NUM> so as to come into contact with the maximum width position of the tire T.

The pressing means <NUM> includes a cylinder <NUM> supported on the upper end of the frame <NUM> via an attachment fitting. The cylinder <NUM> includes a rod <NUM> extending downward, and a pressing roller <NUM> is pivotally attached to an end of the rod <NUM> via a roller holder. The tire T is pressed toward the support rollers <NUM> from above by the extending action of the cylinder <NUM>. The attaching device <NUM> can reliably rotate the tire T at a predetermined rotation speed without having position misalignment or speed unevenness.

The position adjusting tool <NUM> can adjust the position of the attaching tool <NUM> to a height position that allows the attaching tool <NUM> to be inserted into the tire inner cavity and taken out from the tire inner cavity through a bead seat hole H, by moving up and down a height adjusting stand <NUM> according to the size of the tire T held by the holding rotary tool <NUM>.

The position adjusting tool <NUM> includes a supporting tool <NUM> and a height adjusting tool <NUM>.

The supporting tool <NUM> supports the attaching tool <NUM>. The supporting tool <NUM> includes a traversing means <NUM> and a vertical movement means <NUM>.

The traversing means <NUM> inserts the attaching tool <NUM> into the tire inner cavity and takes out the attaching tool <NUM> from the tire inner cavity through the bead seat hole H of the tire T by moving the attaching tool <NUM> in the axial direction of the tire T. The vertical movement means <NUM> moves the attaching tool <NUM> inserted into the tire inner cavity, in the radial direction of the tire T.

The height adjusting tool <NUM> supports the supporting tool <NUM>, and adjusts the height position of the attaching tool <NUM> supported by the supporting tool <NUM>, according to the size of the tire T by moving up and down the supporting tool <NUM>. The height adjusting tool <NUM> includes the above-described height adjusting stand <NUM> and a vertical guide portion <NUM>.

The vertical guide portion <NUM> is provided on a supporting stand <NUM> extending upward from a base plate of the frame <NUM>, and extends vertically. The height adjusting stand <NUM> is guided by the vertical guide portion <NUM>, and can move vertically. Although not shown, the height adjusting tool <NUM> includes a vertical linear drive portion which freely vertically moves the height adjusting stand <NUM>. In the attaching device <NUM>, the vertical linear drive portion has a ball screw mechanism. The vertical linear drive portion includes a screw shaft which is pivotally supported at both ends thereof on the supporting stand <NUM> and extends in the up-down direction, and a nut portion which is attached to the height adjusting stand <NUM> and screwed to the screw shaft. A lifting motor attached to the support stand <NUM> is coupled to an end of the screw shaft.

In the supporting tool <NUM>, the traversing means <NUM> includes a horizontal guide portion <NUM>, a horizontal movement stand <NUM>, and a horizontal linear drive portion <NUM>. The horizontal guide portion <NUM> is provided on the height adjusting stand <NUM>. The horizontal movement stand <NUM> is guided by the horizontal guide portion <NUM>, and can move in the axial direction of the tire T. The horizontal linear drive portion <NUM> moves the horizontal movement stand <NUM> between a standby position Qr on a rear side and an advance position Qf on a front side. In the attaching device <NUM>, the horizontal linear drive portion <NUM> is a rod-less cylinder, and a piston portion which moves between one end and the other end of the horizontal linear drive portion <NUM> is coupled to the horizontal movement stand <NUM> via an actuator.

At the standby position Qr, the attaching tool <NUM> waits outside the tire inner cavity. In the standby state, the tire T is placed into the holding rotary tool <NUM>, the tire T is taken out from the holding rotary tool <NUM>, and the spiral sponge SP is set into the attaching tool <NUM>. At the advance position Qf, the spiral sponge SP is set inside the tire inner cavity such that the width center line of the sponge S is aligned with the equator plane CL of the tire T.

The vertical movement means <NUM> includes a vertical guide portion <NUM>, a lifting body <NUM>, and a vertical linear drive portion <NUM>. The vertical guide portion <NUM> is provided on a supporting stand <NUM> extending upward from the horizontal movement stand <NUM>, and extends vertically. The lifting body <NUM> is guided by the vertical guide portion <NUM>, and can move vertically. The lifting body <NUM> extends in the axial direction of the tire T. The attaching tool <NUM> is held at the front end of the lifting body <NUM>. The vertical linear drive portion <NUM> moves up and down the lifting body <NUM>. In the attaching device <NUM>, the vertical linear drive portion <NUM> is a cylinder. The vertical linear drive portion <NUM> moves the attaching tool <NUM>, which is held at the front end of the lifting body <NUM>, between a height position of insertion into the tire inner cavity and a height position of attachment of the sponge S.

<FIG> shows the attaching tool <NUM>. <FIG> shows a state where the sponge S is being attached to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T. The direction perpendicular to the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> corresponds to the axial direction of the tire T.

The attaching tool <NUM> includes a sponge holding frame <NUM>, a guiding means <NUM>, and an attaching means <NUM>. A sponge storage cassette <NUM> described later is mounted to the sponge holding frame <NUM>. The sponge material M is stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. The guiding means <NUM> pulls out the sponge material M from the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, and guides the sponge S to the tread inner surface NT. The attaching means <NUM> attaches the sponge S to the tread inner surface NT.

The sponge holding frame <NUM> is attached to the front end of the lifting body <NUM> via an attachment plate <NUM>. The sponge holding frame <NUM> has a container-like shape in which an annular peripheral frame <NUM> for holding the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is provided at the periphery of a bottom plate <NUM>. A break portion <NUM> is provided in a part of the annular peripheral frame <NUM>, and a guiding portion <NUM> which guides the sponge material M is provided in the break portion <NUM>. The sponge material M stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM> passes through the guiding portion <NUM>. Although not described in detail, the width of the guiding portion <NUM> is set such that the sponge material M can smoothly pass through the guiding portion <NUM>.

The guiding means <NUM> includes a peeling roller <NUM>, a winding roller <NUM>, and a guiding roller <NUM>. The peeling roller <NUM> and the guiding roller <NUM> are provided on the lower end side of the guiding portion <NUM>. The winding roller <NUM> is provided near the guiding portion <NUM>. The peeling roller <NUM>, the winding roller <NUM>, and the guiding roller <NUM> are supported by the attachment plate <NUM> so as to be freely rotatable.

The peeling roller <NUM> peels the release paper P from the sponge material M that has passed through the guiding portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the adhesive surface Sa is exposed, and only the sponge S appears.

The winding roller <NUM> is adjacent to the peeling roller <NUM>, and winds up the release paper P peeled from the sponge material M by the peeling roller <NUM>. The winding roller <NUM> is coupled to a drive pulley <NUM> via a transmission belt. The winding roller <NUM> rotates when a motor which is not shown is driven and the drive pulley <NUM> rotates.

The guiding roller <NUM> guides the sponge S to the tread inner surface NT with the adhesive surface Sa being located on the outer side. A flange <NUM> which prevents the sponge S from being misaligned is provided at each outer peripheral portion of the guiding roller <NUM>.

The attaching means <NUM> includes an attaching roller <NUM>. The attaching roller <NUM> presses and attaches the sponge S guided by the guiding roller <NUM>, to the tread inner surface NT. The attaching roller <NUM> is supported on the lower end of a rod <NUM> of a cylinder <NUM>, which is fixed to the attachment plate <NUM>, via a roller holder <NUM> so as to be freely rotatable. The outer circumferential surface of the attaching roller <NUM> is composed of a sponge that can easily deform elastically. The attaching roller <NUM> presses the sponge S against the tread inner surface NT by surface contact.

As described above, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted to the sponge holding frame <NUM> of the attaching device <NUM>. The sponge storage cassette <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. The direction perpendicular to the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> corresponds to the axial direction of the tire T. The front side of the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> is the front side of the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. The right-left direction on the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> corresponds to the axial direction of the tire T. The left side on the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> is the front side of the sponge storage cassette <NUM>.

The sponge storage cassette <NUM> stores the sponge material M therein. The sponge storage cassette <NUM> is used in a winding device described later and the above-described attaching device <NUM>. The sponge storage cassette <NUM> is also a component of the winding device and a component of the attaching device <NUM>.

The sponge storage cassette <NUM> includes a winding core <NUM>, a shaft portion <NUM>, a restriction member <NUM>, and a fixing frame <NUM>.

The winding core <NUM> has a tubular shape. The sponge material M is wound on the outer circumferential surface of the winding core <NUM>. The sponge material M is wound in a spiral shape to form the spiral sponge SP. The sponge material M is stored as the spiral sponge SP in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>.

The winding core <NUM> includes an outer tube <NUM>, an inner tube <NUM> which is located inside the outer tube <NUM>, and a support plate <NUM> which supports the outer tube <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>. The outer tube <NUM> forms the outer circumferential surface of the winding core <NUM>. The inner tube <NUM> forms the inner circumferential surface of the winding core <NUM>. The support plate <NUM> has a donut shape. The outer tube <NUM> is fixed to the outer edge of the support plate <NUM>. The outer tube <NUM> extends from the outer edge of the support plate <NUM> toward the front side. The inner tube <NUM> is fixed to the inner edge of the support plate <NUM>. The inner tube <NUM> extends from the inner edge of the support plate <NUM> toward the front side.

In the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, a break portion <NUM> is formed in a part of the outer tube <NUM>. This break portion is a slit.

The sponge material M is wound on the outer circumferential surface of the winding core <NUM>, and an end portion of the sponge material M is held into the slit <NUM>. Since the sponge material M is stably held to the winding core <NUM>, the sponge material M is smoothly wound up. From this viewpoint, the slit <NUM> for holding the end portion of the sponge material M thereinto is preferably provided in the outer tube <NUM>.

The support plate <NUM> is provided with two attachment holes <NUM> which penetrate the support plate <NUM>. The attachment holes <NUM> are used for mounting to the winding device described later.

The shaft portion <NUM> is located inside the winding core <NUM>. The shaft portion <NUM> rotatably supports the winding core <NUM>. The shaft portion <NUM> is fitted into the inner tube <NUM> of the winding core <NUM>.

The shaft portion <NUM> includes a shaft portion body <NUM> and a bearing portion <NUM>. The bearing portion <NUM> is located between the shaft portion body <NUM> and the winding core <NUM>. The sponge storage cassette <NUM> is configured such that the winding core <NUM> rotates about the shaft portion body <NUM>. The bearing portion <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> includes two bearings <NUM>.

In the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the shaft portion body <NUM> of the shaft portion <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> and a lid portion <NUM>. Steps are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the body portion <NUM>, and the two bearings <NUM> are mounted at these steps. A spacer <NUM> is arranged between the two bearings <NUM>, so that the two bearings <NUM> are arranged at a certain interval. The lid portion <NUM> is fixed to the body portion <NUM> by a bolt <NUM>, and the two bearings <NUM> are fixed to the shaft portion body <NUM>.

The inner tube <NUM> of the above-described winding core <NUM> includes an inner tube body <NUM> and a pressing plate <NUM>. The inner tube body <NUM> includes, at a front-side end portion thereof, a projection portion <NUM> which projects inward. When the winding core <NUM> is attached to the shaft portion <NUM>, the projection portion <NUM> is supported by the front-side bearing <NUM>. The pressing plate <NUM> is attached to a back-side end portion of the inner tube body <NUM>, and the back-side bearing <NUM> is supported by the pressing plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the winding core <NUM> is fixed to the shaft portion <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> of the shaft portion body <NUM> is provided with a fixing hole <NUM> which extends from the end surface thereof on the back side toward the front side. Although described later, the fixing hole <NUM> is used for mounting to the above-described attaching device <NUM>.

The restriction member <NUM> is located outside the winding core <NUM>. As described above, the sponge material M is wound on the winding core <NUM>. The restriction member <NUM> is located outside the sponge material M wound on the winding core <NUM>.

The sponge material M is an elastic material. The sponge material M wound on the winding core <NUM> attempts to return to the pre-winding state thereof. However, when the sponge material M attempts to return, the sponge material M comes into contact with the restriction member <NUM>. Accordingly, the restoration of the sponge material M is prevented.

The restriction member <NUM> restricts the sponge material M wound on the winding core <NUM>. The sponge material M is maintained in a state of being wound on the winding core <NUM>, that is, as the spiral sponge SP. The sponge storage cassette <NUM> can control the size of the spiral sponge SP. In the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the size of the spiral sponge SP is appropriately maintained.

The restriction member <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is a curved plate. As long as the sponge material M wound on the winding core <NUM> can be restricted, the restriction member <NUM> may be composed of, for example, a rod-shaped member which extends in the width direction of the sponge material M.

The fixing frame <NUM> fixes the restriction member <NUM> to the shaft portion <NUM>. The restriction member <NUM> is integrated with the shaft portion <NUM>.

It is sufficient that the fixing frame <NUM> can fix the restriction member <NUM> to the shaft portion <NUM>, and the configuration of the fixing frame <NUM> is not particularly limited. The fixing frame <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is composed of an L-shaped plate.

In the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the fixing frame <NUM> is attached at a corner portion 108c thereof to the shaft portion <NUM>. The fixing frame <NUM> is fixed to the body portion <NUM> by the bolt <NUM> together with the lid portion <NUM> of the shaft portion <NUM>. Both end portions 108e of the fixing frame <NUM> are attached to end portions of the restriction member <NUM>, respectively.

In the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, for ease of carrying the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, a handle <NUM> is attached to the fixing frame <NUM>.

As described above, in the production method for the sponge-attached tire ST, the spiral sponge SP is prepared by winding the sponge material M in a spiral shape before the sponge S is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T. A sponge winding device <NUM> (hereinafter, winding device) for winding up the sponge material M in a spiral shape is used for this preparation. The above-described sponge storage cassette <NUM> is also used in the winding device <NUM>.

Here, the outline of the sponge winding device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The production apparatus used in the production method for the sponge-attached tire ST includes the winding device <NUM> in addition to the above-described attaching device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the winding device <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the winding device <NUM>. The direction perpendicular to the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> corresponds to the axial direction of the tire T. In <FIG>, the front side of the surface of the drawing sheet is the front side of the winding device <NUM>. The right-left direction on the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> corresponds to the axial direction of the tire T. In <FIG>, the left side on the surface of the drawing sheet is the front side of the winding device <NUM>.

The winding device <NUM> includes a mounting tool <NUM> and a compressing tool <NUM>. The sponge storage cassette <NUM> is mounted to the mounting tool <NUM>. The compressing tool <NUM> compresses the sponge material M to be stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. The winding device <NUM> is a device that winds up the sponge material M while compressing the sponge material M.

The mounting tool <NUM> includes an attachment portion <NUM>, a rotary machine <NUM>, and a restriction portion <NUM>. The attachment portion <NUM> is supported by the rotary machine <NUM>. The rotary machine <NUM> and the restriction portion <NUM> are supported by a supporting stand <NUM> which is attached to an end of a supporting rod <NUM> extending upward from a floor plate <NUM>. The floor plate <NUM>, the supporting rod <NUM>, and the supporting stand <NUM> form a frame <NUM> of the winding device <NUM>.

The attachment portion <NUM> is located on the front side of the winding device <NUM>. The attachment portion <NUM> includes a pair of attachment pins <NUM>. The pair of attachment pins <NUM> are supported by a holding plate <NUM>. The respective attachment pins <NUM> extend from the holding plate <NUM> toward the front side.

In the winding device <NUM>, the attachment pins <NUM> in the attachment portion <NUM> are arranged such that the attachment pins <NUM> can be passed through the attachment holes <NUM> which are provided in the support plate <NUM> of the winding core <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the attachment pins <NUM> of the mounting tool <NUM> are passed through the attachment holes <NUM> of the winding core <NUM>. Accordingly, the winding core <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is attached to the attachment portion <NUM> of the mounting tool <NUM>. The sponge storage cassette <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the mounting tool <NUM>.

The rotary machine <NUM> includes a rotary shaft <NUM>. The above-described attachment portion <NUM> is attached to a distal end of the rotary shaft <NUM>. When the rotary machine <NUM> is driven, the attachment portion <NUM> rotates. The rotary machine <NUM> rotates the attachment portion <NUM>.

The rotary machine <NUM> is an air motor. The rotary machine <NUM> may be, for example, an electric motor.

The restriction portion <NUM> includes two stoppers <NUM> and a contact plate <NUM>.

The two stoppers <NUM> are attached to a holding member <NUM> which extends upward from the supporting stand <NUM>. The two stoppers <NUM> extend from the holding member <NUM> toward the front side. The two stoppers <NUM> are arranged at an interval in the up-down direction. Similar to the stoppers <NUM>, the contact plate <NUM> is also attached to the holding member <NUM> and extends from the holding member <NUM> toward the front side. The contact plate <NUM> is located between the two stoppers <NUM> in the up-down direction.

As described above, in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the shaft portion <NUM> rotatably supports the winding core <NUM>, and the restriction member <NUM> is integrated with the shaft portion <NUM> together with the fixing frame <NUM>. In the winding device <NUM>, the restriction member <NUM> is rotatable relative to the winding core <NUM>.

In the winding device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the two stoppers <NUM> and the contact plate <NUM> are arranged so as to surround the restriction member <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. The upper stopper <NUM> is arranged so as to come into contact with an end portion (hereinafter, first end portion 108ea) of the fixing frame <NUM> which is attached to an upper end portion of the restriction member <NUM>. The upper stopper <NUM> prevents counterclockwise rotation of the restriction member <NUM>. The lower stopper <NUM> is arranged so as to come into contact with an end portion (hereinafter, second end portion 108eb) of the fixing frame <NUM> which is attached to a lower end portion of the restriction member <NUM>. The lower stopper <NUM> prevents clockwise rotation of the restriction member <NUM>. The contact plate <NUM> comes into contact with the restriction member <NUM> from the outside between the upper stopper <NUM> and the lower stopper <NUM>.

The two stoppers <NUM> and the contact plate <NUM>, that is, the restriction portion <NUM>, restricts the restriction member <NUM>. In other words, the restriction portion <NUM> restricts the movement of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> attached to the attachment portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the restriction member <NUM> is prevented from rotating relative to the winding core <NUM>.

The compressing tool <NUM> is located on the front side of the supporting rod <NUM> and supported by the supporting rod <NUM>. The compressing tool <NUM> includes a pressing member <NUM> and a supporting means <NUM>.

The pressing member <NUM> is located below the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. The pressing member <NUM> is arranged so as to face the winding core <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. The pressing member <NUM> includes a roller <NUM> and a supporting holder <NUM> which rotatably supports the roller <NUM>. In the winding device <NUM>, the number of rollers <NUM> provided in the pressing member <NUM> is three. It is sufficient that at least one roller <NUM> is provided in the pressing member <NUM>, and the number of rollers <NUM> provided in the pressing member <NUM> is not particularly limited.

The supporting means <NUM> includes a cylinder <NUM> which is attached to the supporting rod <NUM> via a coupling member <NUM>. The supporting holder <NUM> of the above-described pressing member <NUM> is attached to a rod <NUM> of the cylinder <NUM>.

In the winding device <NUM>, the pressing member <NUM> comes closer to the winding core <NUM> by the extending action of the cylinder <NUM>. Although described later, accordingly, the rollers <NUM> of the pressing member <NUM> are pressed against the sponge material M. In the winding device <NUM>, the pressing member <NUM> moves away from the winding core <NUM> by the retraction action of the cylinder <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pressing member <NUM> moves between a standby position Pw and a contact position Pc. The supporting means <NUM> supports the pressing member <NUM> such that the position of the pressing member <NUM> relative to the winding core <NUM> can be changed.

In the winding device <NUM>, the cylinder <NUM> is an air cylinder. The cylinder <NUM> may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

Next, a winding method for the sponge material M according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described on the basis of the operation of the winding device <NUM>. The winding method is a part of the production method for the sponge-attached tire ST.

The mounting step is also referred to as a first mounting step in the production method for the sponge-attached tire ST.

In the mounting step, as shown in <FIG>, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is mounted to the winding device <NUM>. The winding core <NUM> is attached to the attachment portion <NUM>, and the restriction member <NUM> is restricted by the restriction portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is fixed to the mounting tool <NUM>.

Since the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is attachable to and detachable from the mounting tool <NUM>, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> can also be easily detached from the mounting tool <NUM>.

In the setting step, the sponge material M is introduced into the winding device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the sponge material M passes over an introduction roller <NUM>. The sponge material M further passes between two guiding rollers <NUM>. Accordingly, an end portion of the sponge S is placed near the winding core <NUM>. In this introduction, the sponge material M is introduced into the winding device <NUM> with the sponge S being located on the upper side (in other words, with the release paper P being located on the lower side). After the introduction, an end portion of the sponge material M is held into the slit <NUM> of the winding core <NUM>. The end portion of the sponge material M is set into the winding core <NUM>, and the sponge material M is held to the winding core <NUM>.

The size of the slit <NUM> is set to a size that allows the sponge material M to pass through the slit <NUM> when the sponge S of the sponge material M is lightly compressed. In the attaching device <NUM>, the end portion of the sponge material M is pulled out from the slit <NUM>. The size of the slit <NUM> is determined as appropriate in consideration of the ease of inserting and pulling out the end potion of the sponge S.

After the end portion of the sponge material M is set into the winding core <NUM>, the winding step is started.

In the winding step, the winding core <NUM> is rotated, and the sponge material M is placed between the winding core <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The rotary machine <NUM> is driven, and the attachment portion <NUM> is rotated. Since the winding core <NUM> is attached to the attachment portion <NUM>, the winding core <NUM> rotates when the rotary machine <NUM> is driven. Accordingly, the sponge material M passes between the winding core <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM>.

In the winding step, after the rotary machine <NUM> is driven and winding of the sponge material M is started, the supporting means <NUM> is driven. The supporting means <NUM> causes the pressing member <NUM> located at the standby position Pw to come closer to the winding core <NUM>. The pressing member <NUM> arrives at the contact position Pc, and presses the sponge material M located between the pressing member <NUM> and the winding core <NUM>, toward the winding core <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the sponge material M is compressed. In the winding device <NUM>, the sponge material M passing between the pressing member <NUM> and the winding core <NUM> is compressed by the supporting means <NUM> causing the pressing member <NUM> to come closer to the winding core <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the compressed sponge material M is wound on the winding core <NUM>.

The winding step is completed when the entirety of the sponge material M is wound on the winding core <NUM>. The completion of the winding step means that storage of the sponge material M in the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is completed. The winding step is also a step of rotating the winding core <NUM> to wind the sponge material M thereonto in a spiral shape to store the sponge material M in the sponge storage cassette <NUM> (hereinafter, storing step).

<FIG> shows the sponge storage cassette <NUM> in which the spiral sponge SP obtained by the winding device <NUM> has been stored. In the winding device <NUM>, the sponge material M is wound on the winding core <NUM> in layers while the sponge material M is being compressed.

Since the sponge material M located on the inner side is restricted by the sponge material M located on the outer side, the compressed state of the sponge material M located on the inner side is substantially maintained. Since the sponge material M located on the outermost side is restricted by the restriction member <NUM>, in the sponge material M located on the outermost side, the sponge S is restored at least at the portion where the sponge material M is in contact with the restriction member <NUM>. Therefore, the thickness of the sponge material M forming the spiral sponge SP stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is not uniform. In the spiral sponge SP stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM> by the winding device <NUM>, the sponge material M at the portion where the sponge material M is in contact with the restriction member <NUM> is thicker than the sponge material M located on the inner side of the spiral sponge SP.

After the storage of the sponge material M in the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is completed, that is, the winding step is completed, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is detached from the winding device <NUM>. Then, the sponge S is attached to the tread inner surface NT by using the sponge storage cassette <NUM> in which the sponge material M has been stored.

In the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, as described above, the restriction member <NUM> restricts the sponge material M wound on the winding core <NUM>. Therefore, even when the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is detached from the winding device <NUM>, the sponge material M is maintained in the state of being wound on the winding core <NUM>, that is, as the spiral sponge SP.

Next, a method for attaching the sponge S to the inner circumferential surface (specifically, the tread inner surface NT) of the tire T using the sponge storage cassette <NUM> will be described. In this attaching method, the above-described attaching device <NUM> is used. The attaching method is a part of the production method for the sponge-attached tire ST.

The mounting step is also referred to as a second mounting step in the production method for the sponge-attached tire ST.

In the mounting step, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> in which the sponge material M has been stored is mounted to the attaching device <NUM>. In this mounting, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is attached to the sponge holding frame <NUM> of the attaching device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a part of the attaching device <NUM>. <FIG> shows the sponge holding frame <NUM> of the attaching tool <NUM>. The right-left direction on the surface of the drawing sheet of <FIG> corresponds to the axial direction of the tire T. In <FIG>, the right side on the surface of the drawing sheet is the front side of the attaching device <NUM>.

A fixed shaft <NUM> is provided in the attaching tool <NUM> of the attaching device <NUM> so as to extend from the bottom plate <NUM> of the sponge holding frame <NUM> toward the front side. The fixed shaft <NUM> of the attaching device <NUM> includes a plate-shaped flange portion 202f which is located on the bottom plate <NUM> side thereof, and a body <NUM> which extends from the flange portion 202f toward the front side. In the attaching device <NUM>, the fixed shaft <NUM> is fixed to the attaching tool <NUM> by interposing the flange portion 202f between the bottom plate <NUM> and the attachment plate <NUM> and passing the body <NUM> through a through hole 78p provided in the bottom plate <NUM>.

As described above, the fixing hole <NUM> is provided in the body portion <NUM> of the shaft portion body <NUM> included in the shaft portion <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. In the attaching device <NUM>, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is attached to the sponge holding frame <NUM> by inserting the fixed shaft <NUM> into the fixing hole <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In the attaching device <NUM>, a cross-section of the body <NUM> of the fixed shaft <NUM> and a cross-section of the fixing hole <NUM> each have a rectangular shape. Therefore, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is held to the sponge holding frame <NUM> without the shaft portion <NUM> rotating relative to the fixed shaft <NUM>. In the attaching device <NUM>, the cross-sectional shapes of the body <NUM> of the fixed shaft <NUM> and the fixing hole <NUM> are not particularly limited as long as the attaching device <NUM> is configured such that the shaft portion <NUM> does not rotate relative to the fixed shaft <NUM>.

As described above, in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the restriction member <NUM> and the fixing frame <NUM> are integrated with the shaft portion <NUM>. Therefore, in the attaching device <NUM>, the restriction member <NUM> does not rotate relative to the fixed shaft <NUM>.

In the attaching device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, a projection portion <NUM> is provided at a part of the annular peripheral frame <NUM> of the sponge holding frame <NUM> so as to project inward. The projection portion <NUM> is used as a mark for setting the sponge storage cassette <NUM> into the sponge holding frame <NUM>. In the attaching device <NUM>, the projection portion <NUM> is placed near the first end portion 108ea of the fixing frame <NUM>. By inserting the fixed shaft <NUM> of the sponge holding frame <NUM> into the fixing hole <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> such that the position of the first end portion 108ea of the fixing frame <NUM> is aligned with the projection portion <NUM>, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is mounted to the sponge holding frame <NUM> such that the restriction member <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> does not interfere with the break portion <NUM> of the sponge holding frame <NUM>.

In the attaching method, after the mounting of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> to the attaching device <NUM> is completed, the attaching step is started.

In the attaching step, first, the horizontal movement stand <NUM> is placed at the standby position Qr (see <FIG>), and the attaching tool <NUM> is placed outside the side supports <NUM>. In this standby state, the tire T is placed into the holding rotary tool <NUM>, and is set in the attaching device <NUM>.

After the tire T is set in the attaching device <NUM>, the position of the attaching tool <NUM> relative to the tire T is adjusted. After the adjustment, the attaching tool <NUM> is introduced into the tire inner cavity, and attachment of the sponge S to the tread inner surface NT is started.

In the attaching step, as shown in <FIG>, the release paper P of the sponge material M pulled out from the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is peeled from the sponge S by the peeling roller <NUM>, and is wound up by the winding roller <NUM>. The sponge S is guided to the tread inner surface NT by the guiding roller <NUM> with the adhesive surface Sa being located on the outer side. The sponge S is attached to the tread inner surface NT by the attaching roller <NUM>.

The attachment of the sponge S to the tread inner surface NT is performed while rotating the tire T. The shaft portion <NUM> is fixed to the fixed shaft <NUM>, and the winding core <NUM> rotates relative to the shaft portion <NUM>, so that the sponge material M is smoothly pulled out from the sponge storage cassette <NUM> as the tire T rotates.

In the attaching step, the sponge S is attached to the tread inner surface NT while pulling out the sponge material M from the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. The sponge-attached tire ST shown in <FIG> is obtained by attaching the entirety of the sponge S stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM> to the tread inner surface NT.

In the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the restriction member <NUM> restricts the sponge material M wound on the winding core <NUM>, so that the shape of the sponge material M is maintained as the spiral sponge SP.

Moreover, the winding core <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is attached to the winding device <NUM>, and the shaft portion <NUM> of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> is attached to the attaching device <NUM>. With the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the spiral sponge SP prepared by the winding device <NUM> can be supplied to the attaching device <NUM> as it is. In other words, the sponge storage cassette <NUM> in which the sponge material M has been stored is placed inside the tire T as it is.

In the winding device <NUM> and the winding method using the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the compressed sponge material M is wound onto the winding core <NUM>. Therefore, even when the sponge material M is thick, or even when the sponge material M is long, the sponge material M can be stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, and the shape of the sponge material M is maintained as the spiral sponge SP. Even when the thick sponge material M is stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, or even when the long sponge material M is stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the size of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> which is mounted to the sponge holding frame <NUM> of the attaching device <NUM> does not change.

The same effect can be obtained not only for the sponge S whose cross-section has a rectangular shape but also for the sponge S whose cross-section has a shape such as a trapezoidal shape, a triangular shape, a semicircular shape, or a bridge girder shape.

With the production method for the sponge-attached tire using the sponge storage cassette <NUM> and the winding device <NUM>, it is possible to produce sponge-attached tires ST having various specifications. The winding device <NUM> and the attaching device <NUM> are responsible for most of the work from the winding of the sponge material M to the attachment of the sponge S, so that the production method allows the sponge S to be efficiently, highly accurately, and uniformly attached to the inner circumferential surface of the tire T.

The sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the sponge winding device <NUM>, the sponge winding method, and the production method for the sponge-attached tire can contribute to stable production of high-quality sponge-attached tires ST.

In the case of winding up the sponge material M by using the sponge storage cassette <NUM>, the sponge material M is wound onto the winding core <NUM> with the sponge S being located on the winding core <NUM> side. The release paper P presses the sponge S from the outside, so that the restoration of the sponge S is further suppressed. In the production method, the sponge material M is wound up in a state where the sponge material M is sufficiently compressed. The sponge storage cassette <NUM> has a high storage capacity for the sponge material M.

With the production method for the sponge-attached tire ST using the sponge storage cassette <NUM> and the winding device <NUM>, it is possible to produce sponge-attached tires ST having various specifications.

From this viewpoint, in the production method, the sponge material M is preferably wound onto the winding core <NUM> with the sponge S being located on the winding core <NUM> side.

As described above, in the winding device <NUM>, the supporting means <NUM> includes the cylinder <NUM>, and the pressing member <NUM> is attached to the rod <NUM> of the cylinder <NUM>.

The spiral sponge SP is formed by winding the sponge material M onto the winding core <NUM>, and the thickness of the spiral sponge SP increases as the number of turns of the sponge material M increases.

Therefore, the force acting on the spiral sponge SP located between the winding core <NUM> and the pressing member <NUM> is increased. When an excessive force acts on the sponge material M, damage such as tearing may occur in the sponge S.

However, in the winding device <NUM>, when the thickness of the spiral sponge SP increases and the pressure in the cylinder <NUM> reaches a certain value, the pressure is reduced. In the winding device <NUM>, the pressure in the cylinder <NUM> is maintained such that the pressure does not become a certain level or higher. As the pressure is reduced, the cylinder <NUM> retracts, so that the pressing member <NUM> is moved away from the winding core <NUM>. In the winding device <NUM>, the position of the pressing member <NUM> relative to the winding core <NUM> varies according to the thickness of the sponge material M located between the pressing member <NUM> and the winding core <NUM>.

In the winding device <NUM>, the force acting on the sponge material M located between the pressing member <NUM> and the winding core <NUM> is appropriately maintained such that an excessive force does not act on this sponge material M. The winding device <NUM> can wind up the sponge material M without causing damage such as tearing in the sponge S.

As described above, in the winding device <NUM>, the supporting means <NUM> includes the cylinder <NUM>. The pressure in the cylinder <NUM> is adjusted as appropriate in consideration of the material and the shape of the sponge S, etc. In the winding device <NUM>, the pressure in the cylinder <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as the sponge material M can be wound up without causing damage in the sponge S. The pressure in the cylinder <NUM> is set, for example, in a range of not less than <NUM> MPa and not greater than <NUM> MPa.

As described above, in the winding device <NUM>, the sponge material M is wound up by rotating the winding core <NUM> by the rotary machine <NUM>. At this time, the pressing member <NUM> is pressed against the sponge material M. In the winding device <NUM>, the sponge material M is wound up onto the winding core <NUM> while being stretched. Accordingly, the sponge material M becomes thinner, so that the sponge material M can be densely wound on the winding core <NUM>. This increases the storage capacity of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> for the sponge material M. As the torque of the rotary machine <NUM> is increased, the storage capacity for the sponge material M is improved.

The torque of the rotary machine <NUM> affects the tension in the sponge material M. If the tension in the sponge material M is excessively high, damage such as tearing may occur in the sponge S.

In the winding device <NUM>, the torque of the rotary machine <NUM> is adjusted as appropriate also in consideration of the strength of the sponge S, etc., such that damage does not occur in the sponge S.

The winding device <NUM> can effectively increase the storage capacity of the sponge storage cassette <NUM> for the sponge material M. The winding device <NUM> allows sponge materials M having various shapes and sizes to be stored in the sponge storage cassette <NUM>. In other words, it is not necessary to prepare the sponge storage cassette <NUM> according to the shape and the size of the sponge material M to be stored therein.

With the production method for a sponge-attached tire using the sponge storage cassette <NUM> and the winding device <NUM>, it is possible to produce sponge-attached tires ST having various specifications.

As described above, according to the present invention, a production method, for a sponge-attached tire, which can contribute to stable production of high-quality sponge-attached tires is obtained.

Claim 1:
A production method for a sponge-attached tire (ST) having a belt-shaped sponge (S) attached to an inner circumferential surface thereof, the production method comprising:
a step of mounting a sponge storage cassette (<NUM>) including a winding core (<NUM>), to a winding device (<NUM>);
a step of setting an end portion of a sponge material (M) including the sponge (S), into the winding core (<NUM>);
a step of rotating the winding core (<NUM>) to wind the sponge material (M) thereonto in a spiral shape to store the sponge material (M) in the sponge storage cassette (<NUM>);
a step of mounting the sponge storage cassette (<NUM>) in which the sponge material (M) has been stored, to an attaching device (<NUM>); and
a step of attaching the sponge (S) to the inner circumferential surface of a tire (T) while pulling out the sponge material (M) from the sponge storage cassette (<NUM>), wherein
in the step of storing the sponge material (M) in the sponge storage cassette (<NUM>),
the sponge material (M) passes between the winding core (<NUM>) and a pressing member (<NUM>) arranged at a position facing the winding core (<NUM>), as the winding core (<NUM>) rotates,
the sponge material (M) passing between the pressing member (<NUM>) and the winding core (<NUM>) is compressed by causing the pressing member (<NUM>) to come closer to the winding core (<NUM>), and
the compressed sponge material (M) is wound onto the winding core (<NUM>).