Apparatus for applying premolded tire sidewall appliques
AssigneeBridgeston/Firetone, Inc.
InventorsGeorg G. A. Bohm, Arthur E. Oberster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A product and process for imparting decorative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. A spool of applique composite material is maintained for feeding into a tire mold or onto a transfer device, thereby defining a ring for vulcanization to a tire. The applique consists of a laminate received upon a carrier, the laminate having a first barrier layer and a congruent second decorative layer. The laminate is received by a tire sidewall between two grooves which serve to isolate the decorative layer from the tire itself.
Claims6
Apparatus for forming a decorative applique on the sidewall of a tire during tire cure, comprising:
- a spool of laminate material received upon a carrier, said laminate material comprising a barrier layer receiving a decorative layer;
- a fixture;
- first means interconnected between said spool and said fixture for effecting relative rotation therebetween and for stripping said carrier from said laminate material and laying said laminate material from said spool onto said fixture in the form of an applique;
- a tire mold;
- and
- transfer means operatively interposed between said fixture and said tire mold for securing and removing said applique from said first means and depositing said applique in said tire mold, said tire transfer means comprising a vacuum ring securing and transporting said fixture to said tire mold, and placing said fixture and applique into said tire mold, said fixture comprising a disc having a cavity receiving said applique, said cavity defining a geometric configuration of said applique, said tire mold comprising second means for positioning said vacuum ring for assuring proper positioning of said fixture and applique in said tire mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.