Applicator unit and tire building device

Abstract

The utility model relates to an applicator unit used for applying a continuous strip to a drum and a tire forming device, the applicator unit comprises an applicator roller with a roller body, the roller body can rotate around a roller axis and limits a retaining surface extending around the roller axis in the circumferential direction, the applicator unit further comprises a retaining component, and the retaining component is used for retaining the continuous strip. The retaining member is used for retaining the continuous strip in a retaining position on the retaining surface, and the retaining member is arranged to follow the continuous strip in the retaining position on the retaining surface along a retaining arc of at least ten degrees around the roller axis when the roller body rotates around the roller axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an applicator unit for applying a continuous strip to a drum and a tire forming device. Background Art

[0002] WO 2022 / 177421 A1 discloses an applicator unit, a tire building device and a method for applying a continuous length of strip to a drum, wherein the applicator unit comprises an applicator roller having a roller body, which can rotate about a roller axis so as to apply the continuous strip to the drum in an application direction perpendicular to the roller axis. The applicator roller is provided with a retaining element in the form of suction openings distributed above the roller body to retain the continuous strip to the roller body by suction. Utility Model Content

[0003] A disadvantage of the applicator roller as disclosed in WO 2022 / 177421 A1 is that suction alone has proven to be insufficient to reliably hold the continuous strip to the applicator roller. In particular, the leading end of the continuous strip has a tendency to continue in a straight line, rather than being sucked onto the applicator roller through the suction openings in the holding face. When the leading end is not reliably held, its position on the applicator roller becomes uncertain, and therefore, the application of said leading end and possibly the continuous strip as a whole to the drum may be inaccurate, or the application may fail all together.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an applicator unit and a tire building device for applying a continuous strip to a drum, wherein the accuracy with which the strip is applied to the drum can be improved.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the utility model provides an applicator unit for applying a continuous strip to a drum, wherein the applicator unit includes an applicator roller having a roller body, the roller body being rotatable about a roller axis and defining a retaining surface extending circumferentially about the roller axis, wherein the applicator unit also includes a retaining member for retaining the continuous strip in a retaining position on the retaining surface, wherein the retaining member is arranged to follow the continuous strip in a retaining position on the retaining surface along a retaining arc of at least ten degrees about the roller axis when the roller body rotates about the roller axis.

[0006] By using a retaining member to retain the continuous strip from the outside to a retaining surface in a retaining position, the applicator roller is able to more reliably retain the continuous strip, particularly at its front end, by suction. Because the retaining member follows the continuous strip in a retaining position on the retaining surface as the roller body rotates, the continuous strip can be more securely retained to the applicator roller for at least a portion of the rotation of the roller body. In particular, when the initial suction openings are not yet connected to a partial vacuum source, the retaining member may have retained the continuous strip to the retaining surface until the corresponding suction openings rotate to a position where they are connected to the partial vacuum source. Thus, according to the principle that the continuous strip is never released, the continuous strip can be retained by the retaining member, the suction opening, or both. Therefore, the continuous strip can be more accurately received, positioned, and / or retained in an appropriate position on the applicator roller. Therefore, the continuous strip can be more accurately applied to the drum.

[0007] Preferably, the retention arc is at least twenty degrees, and preferably at least thirty degrees. The longer the retention arc, the longer the continuous strip can be reliably retained to the applicator body.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the applicator unit comprises a drive mechanism for moving the holding member along the holding arc.Thereby, the movement of the holding member may be controlled and / or automated.

[0009] Preferably, the drive mechanism is configured to move the retaining member away from the retaining surface after moving the retaining member along the retaining arc.Thereby, the retaining member can make room for subsequent interaction between the applicator roller and the drum.

[0010] In another embodiment, the drive mechanism includes a first driver and a second driver, wherein the first driver and the second driver are used to move the retaining member along the retaining arc with a first vector component in the first drive direction and a second vector component in the second drive direction, respectively. The combined two vector components can generate a complex motion of the retaining member along a curvature matching the retaining arc.

[0011] Preferably, the first drive is arranged for moving the retaining member over a first stroke in a first drive direction, wherein the first stroke ends before a mid-plane coinciding with the roller axis and extending perpendicularly to the first drive direction. Thus, the movement of the retaining member can be limited to a position along the upper half of the applicator roller. This is the side of the applicator roller from which the continuous strip is initially supplied from the extruder and also the side of the applicator roller from which the continuous strip is transferred to the drum. Thus, it is sufficient for the retaining member to move only along this portion of the applicator roller.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the second drive is arranged to move the retaining member away from the retaining surface only in the second drive direction when the retaining member has reached the end of the first stroke. Thus, the retaining member can be moved away from the applicator roller to make room for subsequent interaction between the applicator roller and the drum.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the first drive direction is perpendicular to the roller axis. In other words, the holding member can move in a plane perpendicular to the roller axis.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the first drive direction is vertical or substantially vertical.Thus, the retaining member can be brought close to the applicator roller with a minimum vector component in the vertical direction.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the first drive and / or the second drive comprises a linear drive, preferably a pneumatic cylinder. The linear drive and in particular the pneumatic cylinder can be controlled to move the holding member with a minimum vector component in its respective drive direction, when the holding member has a degree of freedom of movement relative to the applicator roller to do so.

[0016] In a further embodiment, the holding member comprises a finger, a pressure roller or a squeeze conveyor for contacting the continuous strip in the holding position while following the continuous strip along the holding arc. The finger, the pressure roller or the squeeze conveyor is able to physically contact the continuous strip while following the continuous strip along the holding arc, either by movement of the finger or the pressure roller as a whole along the holding arc, or by designing the squeeze conveyor so that its annular contact surface at least spans the holding arc.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the retaining member comprises a contact surface for contacting the continuous strip at a retaining position on the retaining surface, wherein the contact surface extends at an oblique contact angle to the first drive direction. The oblique contact angle can be selected so that the retaining member can properly and / or reliably contact the continuous strip at both the start and end of the retaining arc.

[0018] In another embodiment, the applicator unit is further provided with a release element for releasing the continuous strip from the holding member. The release element can prevent the continuous strip from remaining adhered to the holding member when the holding member moves away from the applicator roller at the end point of the holding arc.

[0019] Preferably, the release element is a blow-off channel provided in the holding member. Like this, if the continuous strip is pulled together with the holding member in the second driving direction, the continuous strip can be effectively separated from the holding member and / or blown back onto the applicator roller.

[0020] In another embodiment, the applicator roller is further provided with a plurality of suction openings in the roller body for holding the continuous strip to the holding surface by suction.

[0021] In another embodiment, the roller body is annular, wherein the applicator roller further comprises an internal member concentrically located within the roller body, wherein the roller body is rotatable circumferentially about the internal member, wherein the internal member comprises a first chamber in air communication with a plurality of suction openings in a first circumferential portion of the roller body, wherein the first chamber is connectable to a partial vacuum source to hold the continuous strip to a holding surface at the first circumferential portion.

[0022] Preferably, the retaining arc overlaps at least partially with the first circumferential portion. In particular, the retaining arc overlaps with the first circumferential portion by at least eighty percent. Thus, the continuous strip can be retained by the retaining member along at least a portion of the circumferential portion of the applicator roller that retains the continuous strip by suction.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the internal member comprises a second chamber in air communication with the plurality of suction openings in the second circumferential portion of the roller body, wherein the second chamber is connectable to a source of compressed air to blow the continuous strip away from the holding surface at the second circumferential portion. Thus, the continuous strip can be blown away from the holding surface to effectively transfer the continuous strip from the applicator roller to the drum.

[0024] Preferably, the holding arc stops before or at the second circumferential portion.Thus, the holding member does not interfere with the blow-off and / or unnecessarily press the continuous strip against the applicator roller at the location where the continuous strip should eventually be released from said applicator roller.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the utility model provides a tire forming device for applying a continuous strip to a drum, wherein the tire forming device includes an applicator unit according to any one embodiment of the first aspect of the utility model, wherein the tire forming device also includes an extruder for continuously extruding the continuous strip onto an applicator roller and a drum for continuously receiving the continuous strip from the applicator roller.

[0026] The tire building device comprises an applicator unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, thereby having the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0027] According to a third aspect not claimed for protection, the utility model provides an applicator unit for applying a continuous strip to a drum, wherein the applicator unit includes an applicator roller having a roller body, the roller body being rotatable about a roller axis and defining a retaining surface extending circumferentially about the roller axis, wherein the applicator unit also includes a retaining member, the retaining member being used to retain the continuous strip in a retaining position on the retaining surface, wherein the retaining member is provided with an annular contact surface, in particular an annular band, which is used to contact the continuous strip along a retaining arc of at least ten degrees about the roller axis when the roller body rotates about the roller axis.

[0028] The applicator unit according to the third aspect of the invention has substantially the same technical advantages as the applicator unit discussed previously.Furthermore, the applicator unit according to the third aspect of the invention may be combined mutatis mutandis with any features or embodiments of the preceding aspects of the invention.

[0029] In one embodiment, the retaining member is a hugger strap.

[0030] In further embodiments, the annular contact surface is actively driven at the same or substantially the same speed as the continuous strip. Alternatively, the annular contact surface is passively moved due to friction between the continuous strip and the annular contact surface.

[0031] Whenever possible, the various aspects and features described and shown in the specification may be applied separately. These separate aspects may be made subject to divisional patent applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present invention will be explained based on exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic drawings, in which:

[0033] Figures 1 to 6 A side view showing a tire building device according to a first embodiment of the invention during the steps of a method for applying a strip on a drum using the tire building device; and

[0034] Figure 7 A side view of an alternative tire building apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown during the steps of a method for applying a strip on a drum using the alternative tire building apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 A tyre building device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown for applying a continuous strip 9 to a drum 8 .

[0036] In this example, the continuous strip 9 is used to strip-wind a tire component (not shown) onto a drum 8. The drum 8 may thus be a strip-winding drum. In strip-winding, the continuous strip 9 is wound around the drum 8 for a number of turns to form a layer of a tire component, thereby gradually increasing the cross-section of the tire component. The continuous strip 9 comprises or consists of an elastomeric material, in particular rubber.

[0037] In the context of the present invention, the term "continuous strip" is used to indicate a strip having a length sufficient to continuously apply and wind several turns of said strip around the drum 8 without cutting the continuous strip 9 to length before each winding. Thus, the length of the continuous strip 9 exceeds the circumference of the drum 8.

[0038] The tire building apparatus 1 comprises an extruder 2 for continuously extruding a continuous strip 9 and an applicator unit 3 for continuously applying the continuous strip 9 to a drum 8. In this example, the drum 8 is also considered as a part of the tire building apparatus 1. The drum 8 continuously receives the continuous strip 9 from the applicator unit 3.

[0039] like Figure 1 As further shown, the applicator unit 3 comprises an applicator roller 4. The applicator roller 4 comprises a roller body 40. The roller body 40 is rotatable about a roller axis X. In this example, the roller body 40 is annular or ring-shaped. The roller body 40 defines a retaining surface 41, which extends around the roller axis X in a circumferential direction C. The circumference of the retaining surface 41 is significantly smaller than the circumference of the drum 8.

[0040] The applicator roller 4 is also provided with a plurality of suction apertures or openings 42 in the roller body 40 , which serve to hold the continuous strip 9 to the holding surface 41 by suction.

[0041] The applicator roller 4 further comprises an inner member 43 located concentrically within or inside the roller body 40. The roller body 40 is rotatable about the inner member 43 in a circumferential direction C. The inner member 43 remains stationary and / or fixed about the roller axis X.

[0042] The internal member 43 comprises a first chamber 44 in air communication with the set of a plurality of suction openings 42 in the first circumferential portion E1 of the roller body 40. The first chamber 44 can be connected to a vacuum source or a partial vacuum source in order to retain the continuous strip 9 to the retaining surface 41 at the first circumferential portion E1.

[0043] The internal member 43 also comprises a second chamber 45 in air communication with the group of suction openings 42 in the second circumferential portion E2 of the roller body 40. The second chamber 45 is connectable to a compressed air source in order to blow the continuous strip 9 off the holding surface 41 at the second circumferential portion E2.

[0044] The applicator roller 4 as described above, including the roller body 40, the holding surface 41, the suction opening 42, the inner member 43 and the chambers 44, 45, is similar or identical to the applicator roller and corresponding parts as disclosed in WO 2022 / 177421 A1.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the applicator unit 3 further comprises a pressing member or holding member 5 for pressing and / or holding the continuous strip 9 in a holding position P on the holding surface 41. In this example, the holding member 5 is formed as a block or finger for passively contacting the continuous strip 9. Alternatively, a pressure roller may be used.

[0046] By comparison Figure 2 and Figure 3It can be seen that the retaining member 5 is arranged for moving, tracking or following the continuous strip 9 in the retaining position P on the retaining surface 41 along a retaining arc A about the roller axis X. The retaining arc A starts at the angular position where the retaining member 5 first contacts the continuous strip 9, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, and ends at an angular position about the roller axis X at which the retaining member 5 leaves, disengages or releases the continuous strip 9, as shown Figure 4 In this example, the retaining arc A extends or spans more than forty degrees around the roller axis X.

[0047] In particular, the holding arc A at least partially overlaps the first circumferential portion E1 , for example at least eighty percent. Moreover, in this example, the holding arc A stops before or at the second circumferential portion E2 .

[0048] like Figure 1 As best seen in FIG. 4 , the holding member 5 comprises a finger body or fingertip 50 having a contact surface 51 for contacting the continuous strip 9 at a holding position P on the holding surface 41. In this example, the contact surface 51 extends at an oblique contact angle H relative to a vertical plane. In particular, the oblique contact angle H is selected so that the contact surface 51 can reliably contact the continuous strip 9 both at the start of the holding arc A and at the end of said holding arc A, while the orientation of the holding member 5 relative to the applicator roller 4 remains the same or constant. In this example, the contact surface 51 extends at least thirty degrees, and preferably at least forty degrees, relative to the vertical plane.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, the applicator unit 3 is also provided with a release element 52 for releasing the continuous strip 9 from the holding member 5. In this example, the release element 52 is a blow-off channel provided in the holding member 5. The blow-off channel can be connected to a compressed air source. Alternatively, a mechanical release element, such as a push-off member, can be used.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the applicator unit 3 also includes a drive assembly or mechanism 6 for moving the holding member 5 along the holding arc A. In particular, the drive mechanism 6 includes a first driver 61 and a second driver 62, which are used to move the holding member 5 along the holding arc A with a first vector component V1 in the first drive direction D1 and a second vector component V2 in the second drive direction D2, respectively. The drivers 61, 62 can thus cooperate to act as an XY driver. In other words, the drivers 61, 62 are controlled so that the vector components V1, V2 generated by the respective drivers 61, 62 in the respective drive directions D1, D2 cause the holding member 5 to move along a combined or complex curve that matches the radius and / or curvature of the holding arc A.

[0051] In this example, the first drive direction D1 is perpendicular to the roller axis X. In this specific embodiment, the first drive direction D1 is vertical or substantially vertical. Moreover, in this example, the second drive direction D2 is perpendicular to the first drive direction D1. Therefore, in this specific embodiment, the second drive direction D2 extends horizontally or substantially horizontally.

[0052] Note that the previously introduced inclined contact angle H of the contact surface 51 may alternatively be measured relative to the first driving direction D1 .

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the first driver 61 is arranged to move the holding member 5 over the first stroke S1 along the first drive direction D1. Similarly, the second driver 62 is arranged to move the holding member 5 over the second stroke S2 ​​along the second drive direction D2. The first stroke S1 stops or ends at a certain distance from the midplane M or before the midplane M, and the midplane M coincides with the roller axis X and extends perpendicular to the first drive direction D1. In other words, the movement of the holding member 5 is limited to a position at a certain distance from the midplane M, in particular at a level intersecting the upper half of the applicator roller 4. In this particular example, the holding member 5 drops to the lowest point at a certain level from the upper half to the lower half of the applicator roller 4 at the end point of the first stroke S1.

[0054] In this example, the first driver 61 is configured to act on the holding member 5 along the first drive direction D1 or parallel to the first drive direction. The second driver 62 is arranged at an inclined angle to the second drive direction D2. The drive mechanism 6 also includes a carriage 63, which supports or carries the first driver 61 and is movable in the second drive direction D2 along the guide 64. The second driver 62 is coupled to the carriage 63 so as to move the carriage along the guide 64, thereby converting the tilting action of the second driver 62 into a linear movement of the carriage 63 in the second drive direction D2.

[0055] When the holding member 5 has reached or dropped to the lowest point at the end of the first stroke S1, the holding member 5 can only move further along the second drive direction D2. The end of the second stroke S2 ​​is selected so that the holding member 5 can move to a position spaced apart from, away from or far from the holding surface 41 along the second drive direction D2.

[0056] In this example, the first drive 61 and the second drive 62 comprise or are linear drives, in particular pneumatic cylinders. During the following movement of the holding member 5 along the holding arc A, the pneumatic cylinders are pressurized so that the holding member 5 can be pushed to automatically follow the holding arc A in the first drive direction D1 and the second drive direction D2, when the holding member 5 has a freedom of movement relative to the applicator roller 4 to do so. Preferably, the pressure is kept constant, for example at one bar.

[0057] Figure 7 An alternative tire building device 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown, which differs from the previously described tire building device 1 in that the applicator unit 103 is provided with a holding member 105, which comprises a squeezing conveyor, in particular an abutment belt 150. The holding member 105 is provided with an annular contact surface 151, in particular an annular belt, which is used to contact the continuous strip 9 along the holding arc A. The annular contact surface 151 can be actively driven at the same or substantially the same speed as the continuous strip 9 to follow the continuous strip 9 in the holding position P on the applicator roller 4, or it can be passively moved with the applicator roller 4 due to the friction between the continuous strip 9 and the annular contact surface 151. The holding member 105 can be moved towards the applicator roller 4 and retracted away from it in a first drive direction D1 by a first drive 161, in particular a linear drive such as a cylinder.

[0058] Moreover, the alternative tire forming apparatus 101 differs from the aforementioned tire forming apparatus 1 in that it is also provided with a sensor 107 for detecting the leading end LE of the continuous strip 9. Based on the detection of the leading end LE, the retaining member 105 can be moved down onto the leading end LE of the continuous strip 9 at an appropriate time (i.e., when the leading end LE enters the retaining arc A). The sensor 9 can be a light sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an optical sensor, an imaging sensor, or a height sensor. Alternatively, a temperature sensor can be used to detect an increase in heat that indicates the passage of a newly extruded hot leading end LE of the continuous strip 9. The temperature sensor can prevent false positives due to leakage of residual elastomeric material from the extruder 2.

[0059] Sensor 107 can also be used in Figures 1 to 6 The tire building device 1 in the embodiment of the present invention controls the first drive 61 to move the holding member 5 toward the applicator roller 4.

[0060] Now refer to Figures 1 to 6 The method of applying the continuous strip 9 to the drum 8 using the aforementioned applicator unit 3 is briefly explained.

[0061] Figure 1 The following situation is shown: a certain length of continuous strip 9 is newly extruded and supplied to the applicator roller 4 until its front end LE is located at or in the holding position P on the holding surface 41. In this example, the holding position P is initially located at the top of the applicator roller 4, hereinafter referred to as the zero degree position about the roller axis X. The applicator unit 3 and the drum 8 have been spaced apart to provide space for the holding member 3 to move relative to the applicator roller 4. The drive mechanism 6 has been operated to move the holding member 5 to the starting position at the beginning of the respective stroke S1, S2. The holding member 5 is now above or vertically above the front end LE of the continuous strip 9 in the first drive direction D1.

[0062] Figure 2 The following situation is shown: the first drive 61 has been controlled to move the holding member 5 in the first drive direction D1 towards the applicator roller 4 until the holding member 5 contacts or abuts the leading end LE of the continuous strip material 9 in the first drive direction D1. The holding member 5 now presses or holds the leading end LE of the continuous strip 9 to the holding surface 41 in the holding position P, so that the leading end LE can be reliably held to the holding surface 41 by suction during the subsequent steps of the method.

[0063] Figure 3 The following situation is shown: the roller body 40 has been rotated, as indicated by the arrow R, while the continuous strip 9 is held on the holding surface 41 by suction, i.e. using a partial vacuum in the first chamber 44. At the same time, the drive mechanism 6 has been controlled to move the holding member 5 along the holding arc A, thereby following the rotation of the roller body 40, while holding the leading end LE of the continuous strip 9 in the holding position P to the holding surface 41.

[0064] exist Figure 4 , the retaining member 5 has reached the end of the first stroke S1 and cannot be moved further in the first drive direction D1. In other words, the retaining member 5 has reached the end of the retaining arc A. The release element 52 has been actuated to release the continuous strip 9 from the retaining member 5, while the second drive 62 has simultaneously started to move the retaining member 5 away from the retaining surface 41 in the second drive direction D2.

[0065] Figure 5 The second drive 62 is shown to have moved the holding member 5 away from and / or away from the applicator roller 4 in the second drive direction D2. The holding member 5 can now be returned to Figure 1 its initial position.

[0066] Figure 6 The situation is shown where the first drive 61 has been reversed and / or retracted to return the retaining member 5 to its initial position. The drum 8 moves toward the applicator roller 4 to receive the leading end LE of the continuous strip 9 from the applicator roller 4. Now, the extruder can continuously extrude the continuous strip 9, and the applicator roller 4 can continuously apply the continuous strip 9 for several turns over the drum 8 to form a tire component. During this process, the continuous strip 9 extends over only a portion of the circumference of the applicator roller 4 before being applied to the drum 8.

[0067] It should be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. From the above discussion, many variations still included in the scope of the utility model will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0068] List of reference numerals:

[0069] 1. Tire forming device;

[0070] 2 Extruder;

[0071] 3 applicator unit;

[0072] 4 applicator rollers;

[0073] 40 roller body;

[0074] 41 keep face;

[0075] 42 suction opening;

[0076] 43 internal components;

[0077] 44 Room 1;

[0078] 45 Room 2;

[0079] 5. Retaining member;

[0080] 50 fingertips;

[0081] 51 contact surface;

[0082] 52 release element;

[0083] 6. Driving mechanism;

[0084] 61 First Drive;

[0085] 62 Second Drive;

[0086] 63 carriage;

[0087] 64 guides;

[0088] 8 drums;

[0089] 9 continuous strips;

[0090] 101 alternative tire forming device;

[0091] 103 applicator unit;

[0092] 105 holding member;

[0093] 150 close to the belt;

[0094] 151 contact surface;

[0095] 161 First Drive;

[0096] 107 sensors;

[0097] A holds the arc;

[0098] C circumferential direction;

[0099] D1 first driving direction;

[0100] D2 second driving direction;

[0101] E1 first circumferential part;

[0102] E2 second circumferential portion;

[0103] H contact angle;

[0104] LE front end;

[0105] M midplane;

[0106] P holds position;

[0107] R rotation;

[0108] S1 first trip;

[0109] S2 second trip;

[0110] X roller axis;

[0111] V1 first vector component;

[0112] V2 second vector component.

Claims

1. An applicator unit for applying a continuous strip to a drum, characterized in that The applicator unit comprises an applicator roller having a roller body, which is rotatable about a roller axis and defines a retaining surface extending circumferentially about the roller axis, wherein the applicator unit further comprises a retaining member for retaining the continuous strip in a retaining position on the retaining surface, wherein the retaining member is arranged for following the continuous strip in the retaining position on the retaining surface along a retaining arc of at least ten degrees about the roller axis when the roller body rotates about the roller axis.

2. The applicator unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The holding arc is at least twenty degrees.

3. The applicator unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The applicator unit includes a drive mechanism for moving the retaining member along the retaining arc.

4. The applicator unit according to claim 3, characterized in that The drive mechanism is configured to move the retaining member away from the retaining surface after moving the retaining member along the retaining arc.

5. The applicator unit of claim 3, wherein: The drive mechanism includes a first driver and a second driver for moving the retaining member along the retaining arc with a first vector component in a first drive direction and a second vector component in a second drive direction, respectively.

6. The applicator unit according to claim 5, characterized in that The first drive is arranged for moving the holding member over a first stroke in the first drive direction, wherein the first stroke ends before a mid-plane coinciding with the roller axis and extending perpendicularly to the first drive direction.

7. The applicator unit of claim 6, wherein: The second drive is arranged for moving the holding member away from the holding surface only in the second drive direction when the holding member has reached an end point of the first stroke.

8. The applicator unit of claim 5, wherein: The first driving direction is perpendicular to the roller axis.

9. The applicator unit of claim 5, wherein: The first driving direction is vertical.

10. The applicator unit of claim 5, wherein: The first drive or the second drive includes a linear drive.

11. The applicator unit of claim 1, wherein: The holding member comprises fingers, pressure rollers or a squeeze conveyor for contacting the continuous strip in the holding position while following the continuous strip along a holding arc.

12. The applicator unit of claim 5, wherein: The holding member comprises a contact surface for contacting the continuous strip at the holding position on the holding surface, wherein the contact surface extends at an oblique contact angle to the first driving direction.

13. The applicator unit of claim 1, wherein: The applicator unit is also provided with a release element for releasing the continuous strip from the holding member.

14. The applicator unit of claim 13, wherein: The release element is a blow-off channel provided in the retaining member.

15. The applicator unit of claim 1, wherein: The applicator roller is also provided with a plurality of suction openings in the roller body for holding the continuous strip to the holding surface by suction.

16. The applicator unit of claim 15, wherein: The roller body is annular, wherein the applicator roller further comprises an internal member concentrically located within the roller body, wherein the roller body is rotatable circumferentially about the internal member, wherein the internal member comprises a first chamber in air communication with the plurality of suction openings in a first circumferential portion of the roller body, wherein the first chamber is connectable to a partial vacuum source to hold the continuous strip to the holding surface at the first circumferential portion.

17. An applicator unit according to claim 16, characterized in that The retention arc at least partially overlaps the first circumferential portion.

18. The applicator unit of claim 16, wherein: The retention arc overlaps the first circumferential portion by at least eighty percent.

19. The applicator unit of claim 16, wherein: The internal member comprises a second chamber in air communication with the plurality of suction openings in a second circumferential portion of the roller body, wherein the second chamber is connectable to a source of compressed air in order to blow the continuous strip away from the holding surface at the second circumferential portion.

20. The applicator unit of claim 19, wherein: The holding arc stops before or at the second circumferential portion.

21. A tire building apparatus for applying a continuous strip to a drum, characterized in that The tire building apparatus comprises the applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein the tire building apparatus further comprises an extruder for continuously extruding the continuous strip onto the applicator roller and the drum for continuously receiving the continuous strip from the applicator roller.

Images