Method and device for applying a plurality of threads to a support with the aid of flexible teeth
AssigneeCompagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie
InventorLaurent Millier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and device (1) for causing a plurality of threads (7) to arrive on support (11) so as to obtain a ply (13) while imparting a nonlinear shape to the threads (7). The threads (7) are caused to arrive with controlled speed on a cylindrical drum (2) in rotation around an axis. The threads (7) are imparted the nonlinear shape by means of teeth (5) which are displaced with respect to others, parallel to the axis of rotation. At least some of these teeth are flexible between a free end in contact with a thread (7) and an anchoring zone. Plies (13) obtained with this method or device, these plies being used for instance in a tire.
Claims14
A method of applying a plurality of threads to at least one support in such a manner as to obtain at least one ply, imparting a nonrectilinear shape to the threads, comprising:
- (a) feeding each of the threads with a controlled speed onto a cylindrical drum rotating around an axis;
- (b) imparting the nonrectilinear shape to the threads by means of teeth disposed in rows substantially along generatrices of the drum, some of which rows of teeth are displaced parallel to the axis of rotation with respect to other rows, at least some of these teeth having a flexible free end engageable with a thread;
- (c) determining, due to the flexibility of the flexible teeth, the amplitude of displacement of each thread, measured parallel to the axis of rotation, by controlling the ratio between the speed of arrival of said thread and the peripheral speed of the drum;
- (d) bringing the support or supports in contact with the drum and applying the threads to the support or supports after the threads have been displaced on the drum;
- and
- (e) removing the ply or plies formed by the support or supports and by the threads in contact with said support from the drum.
A device for applying a plurality of threads to at least one support so as to obtain at least one ply, while imparting a nonrectilinear shape to the threads, the device comprising:
- (a) a drum with means making it possible to drive the drum in rotation around an axis;
- (b) means making it possible to have each of the threads arrive with a controlled speed onto the drum;
- (c) teeth disposed in rows substantially along generatrices of the drum and means which make it possible to displace parallel to the axis of rotation at least some of these rows of teeth with respect to other rows, so as to impart the nonrectilinear shape to the threads;
- (d) at least some of these teeth having a flexible free end engageable with a thread the amplitude of the displacement of each thread being determined, due to the flexibility of the teeth, by the ratio between the speed of arrival of said thread and the peripheral speed of the drum;
- (e) means which make it possible to have the support or supports come into contact with the drum and to apply the threads to the support or supports after said threads have been displaced;
- and
- (f) means making it possible to remove from the drum the ply or plies formed by the support or supports and by the threads in contact with said support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.