Apparatus and process for making a tape useful as a tire cap ply

EXAMPLE

[0036] A tape may be made using the apparatus of FIG. 2 from a plurality of single end cords, such as T-728, commercially available from DUSA, International. The cords may then be sent to a dip pan, where an rfl dip, may be applied. This dip may be made by adding water, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or caustic pellets, resourcinol flake and formaldehyde to a tank, to form a sollution with a solids content of about 6%. The solution should be mixed for approximately 30 minutes. This solution may then aged for a minimum of about 3 hours (minimum of 2 hours, maximum of 4 hours). In another tank, a latex may be added. Then water may be mixed with ammonium hydroxide, NH4OH, and added to the latex slowly.

[0037] Then an anti-foaming agent may be added to form a solution, which should be mixed slowly. This solution may have a solids content of about 35%. This solution may then combined with the solution from the first tank. The combined solutions should be mixed together for about 30 minutes prior to use. The cords should be dipped in this combined solution for about 3 seconds. The dip should then be dried in an oven at a temperature of about 226° C., for a dwell time in the range of 100 and 200 seconds. The cords should then be sent to another oven, where the dip may be dried at a temperature of 165° C. The cords may then be dipped in a cement dip pan. The cement in the cement dip pan may be a mixture of a solvent, such as toluene, (85 kg) and a rubber-based elastomeric composition (15 kg), such as natural rubber, natural rubber and styrene butadiene, or styrene butadiene and polybutadiene. Any of these may be mixed with reinforcing agents, activators and/or plasticizers. The cement should be dried in an oven at a temperature of 110° C., so that the toluene is driven off. A tape which is about {fraction (1/2)} inch wide may thus be formed.