US 4,987,808 A · Tubular sleeve handling and cut-off system

Abstract

A system for handling a flexible thin wall tubular extrudate of an elastomeric material of the type used as a body ply element for the manufacture of tires, and for cutting-off a predetermined length sleeve of the extrudate and delivering the sleeve to a discharge station. A pair of grippers is movably mounted on carriage assemblies which move the grippers horizontally and transversely with respect to the axis of the extrudate. The leading gripper provides tension to the extrudate and pulls it along a production axis. The trailing gripper engages the extrudate and moves in unison with the extrudate and the leading gripper along the production axis. The grippers completely circumferentially envelop the length of sleeve to be cut from the extrudate and retain the shape of the extrudate by applying a vacuum thereto. A cutting mechanism having a fixed motor driven blade and a pair of similar pivotally mounted blades moves vertically down into contact with the extrudate between the pair of grippers. The rotating blades are rotated through at least 120.degree. arc to achieve a 360.degree. cut on the extrudate as it is being moved under tension longitudinally by the grippers. After completion of the actual cutting operation the leading gripper transfer the severed sleeve to a discharge station and returns to a home position and now becomes the trailing gripper. The previous trailing gripper becomes the leading gripper and continues to advance the extrudate along the production axis and apply tension thereto for the next cutting operation.

Claims49

Dependent claims

A method for handling and cutting off a predetermined axial length sleeve of an elastomeric material from a generally tubular extrudate of said elastomeric material, said method includes the steps of:

(a) gripping and enveloping a leading section of the extrudate with first gripper means wherein said leading section has an axial length substantially equal to the predetermined length of sleeve to be cut from said extrudate;
(b) moving said leading section of the extrudate in a forward axial direction and applying an axial tension on said extrudate;
(c) gripping and enveloping a trailing section of the extrudate with second gripper means wherein said trailing section has an axial length generally equal to the axial length of the leading section;
(d) severing the leading section from the trailing section by severing the extrudate between the first and second gripping means as said extrudate and gripping means are moving in the forward direction and tension is being applied to the leading section by the first gripping means, whereby said leading section forms said predetermined axial length sleeve of said extrudate;
(e) continuing moving the severed sleeve by the first gripping means to a discharge station;
and
(f) returning the first gripping means to a position trailing the second gripping means whereby said first gripping means is in a position to grip and envelop another trailing section of the extrudate as the second gripping means continues to move the extrudate in an axial forward direction and apply tension thereto prior to severing another of said sleeve from the extrudate.

4 more elements

A system for handling and cutting-off a predetermined length sleeve of an elastomeric material from a generally tubular extrudate of said material, said system including:

(a) a loading and trailing gripping means for gripping and enveloping longitudinally spaced sections of the tubular extrudate and for moving said extrudate in the axial direction of said extrudate, said gripper means being movable longitudinally parallel and transversely with respect to the axis of said tubular extrudate, and enveloping the tubular extrudate throughout n axis length thereof generally equal to the sleeve length material to be cut therefrom;
(b) cutter means for severing the extrudate between the spaced gripper means as axial tension is being applied to the extrudate by said gripper means, said cutter means being movable linearly longitudinally with the axis of said tubular extrudate, and is rotationally movable about said extrudate axis when severing said extrudate to form the predetermined sleeve length which is gripped and enveloped by the leading gripper means;
and
(c) means for selectively moving the gripper means and cutter means with respect to the extrudate and for transporting the extrudate in the axial direction and for returning the leading gripper means to a home position trailing the heretofore said trailing gripper means after a sleeve of material has been severed from the extrudate and deposited at a discharge station for gripping another length sleeve of material of said extrudate.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tubular sleeve handling and cut-off system

Life of this patent

Tubular sleeve handling and cut-off system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims49