Method and apparatus for cutting a ribbon of rubber-coated fabric

A method for cutting a ribbon of rubber-coated fabric, comprising:

• dragging a free end of the ribbon for a portion of predetermined length past a working position of a punching device;
• forming a notch of predetermined length between two adjacent reinforcing cords of the ribbon using the punching device;
• moving a counter-blade of the punching device away from the working position;
• inserting at least one cutting blade through the notch so that the at least one cutting blade passes over a lying plane of the ribbon;
• performing a first cut of the ribbon by shifting the at least one cutting blade along a cutting direction for a first portion extending between the notch and a first lateral edge of the ribbon;
• and
• performing a second cut of the ribbon by shifting the at least one cutting blade along the cutting direction for a second portion extending between the notch and an opposite lateral edge of the ribbon;
• wherein the ribbon includes a plurality of the reinforcing cords,
• wherein the plurality of reinforcing cords are substantially parallel to one another, and
• wherein the notch extends along the cutting direction substantially parallel to the plurality of reinforcing cords.