Extended ply pose processes and systems and devices therefor

A transporter for retrieving at least one reinforcing ply and conforming the at least one reinforcing ply to a forming surface of a rotatable forming drum having axial and circumferential directions and with the forming surface having one or more tire components disposed thereon, the transporter comprising:

• a manifold including one or more supply ports each having a supply port inlet in communication with a vacuum supply source and a supply port outlet for delivery of a vacuum to multiple suction cup assemblies, with each suction cup assembly including a suction cup in generally coaxial alignment with a suction cup retainer and all of the suction cups that obtain the vacuum being reciprocatably and translationally positionable between a ply retrieval position, in which the at least one reinforcing ply is retrieved from a generally even surface, and a ply pose position, in which the at least one reinforcing ply assumes a profile shape of the forming surface and the one or more tire components of the drum before posing of the at least one reinforcing ply on the one or more tire components;
• wherein each suction cup assembly has a slide housing, and wherein the slide housing is fastened to a slide bearing by at least one lateral return cord and the slide bearing is actuatably disposed proximate a bearing rail affixed to the assembly support bar, wherein the at least one lateral return cord spans across the multiple suction cup assemblies and is biased by a return spring to urge the multiple successive suction cup assemblies reciprocatably and translationally from the ply pose position to the ply retrieval position.

A transporter for retrieving at least one reinforcing ply and conforming the at least one reinforcing ply to a forming surface of a rotatable forming drum having axial and circumferential directions and with the forming surface being coextensive with a pair of opposed sides and having one or more air impermeable layers and at least one pair of sidewall supports thereon, the transporter comprising:

• a manifold including one or more supply ports each having a supply port inlet in communication with a vacuum supply source and a supply port outlet for delivery of a vacuum to multiple suction cup assemblies supported by an assembly support bar, with each suction cup assembly including a suction cup in generally coaxial alignment with a suction cup retainer and each suction cup being reciprocatably and translationally positionable between a ply retrieval position, in which the at least one reinforcing ply is retrieved from a generally even surface, and a ply pose position, in which the at least one reinforcing ply assumes a profile shape of the forming surface, one or more air impermeable layers, and at least one pair of sidewall supports, before posing of the at least one reinforcing ply on the one or more tire components;
• wherein each suction cup assembly includes a slide shaft reciprocatingly accommodated within a slide housing and coaxially disposed relative to an extension spring that governs vertical motion of the suction cup, wherein the vertical motion is limited by an adjustable stop tab that engages at least a portion of the slide housing;
• and
• a pair of stops that provide adjustment limits for the stop tab that are optionally preset to accommodate actuation of the multiple suction cup assemblies between the ply retrieval position and the ply pose position, wherein the slide housing is fastened to a slide bearing by at least one lateral return cord and the slide bearing is actuatably disposed proximate a bearing rail affixed to the assembly support bar;
• wherein each suction cup assembly has a slide housing, and wherein the slide housing is fastened to a slide bearing by the at least one lateral return cord and the slide bearing is actuatably disposed proximate a bearing rail affixed to the assembly support bar, wherein the at least one lateral return cord spans across the multiple suction cup assemblies and is biased by a return spring to urge the multiple successive suction cup assemblies reciprocatably and translationally from the ply pose position to the ply retrieval position.