Tire component manufacturing plant for producing cord-reinforced tire components

Abstract

A tire component manufacturing plant for producing cord-reinforced tire components, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant comprises a first embedding section for embedding a first group of cords into a first body made of elastomeric material, wherein the first embedding section comprises a first extruder station for extruding the first body made of elastomeric material and a first cord feeder station for feeding the first group of cords to the first extruder station, wherein the first cord feeder station comprises a first supply reel unwinder for holding a first supply reel containing the first group of cords and for simultaneously unwinding all cords of the first group of cords from the first supply reel towards the first extruder station.

Description

background

[0001] The utility model relates to a tire component manufacturing plant for producing cord-reinforced tire components.

[0002] A tire component manufacturing plant is known in which a creel is loaded with hundreds of creel reels, each creel reel holding a length of cord, for feeding a group of cords via a cord guide into an extruder, the group of cords being embedded in an elastomer body to form a cord-reinforced tire component. Brief description of the utility model

[0003] A disadvantage of the known tire component manufacturing plant is that a very long preparation time is required to feed hundreds of cords individually from the creel along various guide rollers and finally via the cord guide into the extruder. This makes the known tire component manufacturing plant unable to quickly switch to a different type of cord.

[0004] In addition, changing to a different type of cord before the length of cord on the creel spools is used up is very inefficient due to the large number of creel spools that need to be replaced, the additional weight of the remaining length of cord still carried by the creel spools, the considerable time required to remove the cords that have already been fed from the creel to the extruder, and the even longer time required to reinsert the replacement cords.

[0005] During the changeover, the creel is unable to feed cords to the extruder. To minimize extruder downtime, it is known to provide a second creel that alternates with the first creel when the first creel is changed or refilled.

[0006] Nevertheless, the known tire component manufacturing plant, with either a single creel or two creels, can only be used efficiently if several kilometers of cords can be continuously fed from the creel to the extruder. Thus, the known tire component manufacturing plant is not flexible when it comes to producing tire components with different types of cords.

[0007] One object of the present utility model is to provide a tire component manufacturing plant for producing cord-reinforced tire components, whereby the flexibility of the tire component manufacturing plant can be improved.

[0008] The utility model provides a tire component manufacturing plant for manufacturing cord-reinforced tire components, the tire component manufacturing plant comprising a first embedding section for embedding a first group of cords in a first body of elastomeric material, the first embedding section comprising a first extruder station for extruding the first body of elastomeric material and a first cord feed station for feeding the first group of cords to the first extruder station, the first cord feed station comprising a first supply roll unwinder for holding a first supply roll with the first group of cords and for simultaneously unwinding all cords of the first group of cords from the first supply roll toward the first extruder station.

[0009] By providing the first supply roll unwinder, the first group of cords can be fed to the extruder from the supply using the first supply roll. The first group of cords can be prepared for insertion into the first extruder station, i.e., the cords are arranged in a mutually parallel manner for unwinding into a cord plane in a side-by-side relationship, similar to how a conventional creel feeds cords to an extruder. However, unlike the known tire component manufacturing plant, the first group of cords can have a limited cord length sufficient to produce a relatively small batch of tire components with a particular type of cords before being easily changed by replacing the first supply roll with another supply roll holding a different type of cords.Thus, the flexibility of the tire component manufacturing plant according to the present utility model can be significantly improved.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the tire component manufacturing plant further comprises a first creel section for feeding the first group of cords to the first supply roll, the first creel section comprising a first creel station for preparing the first group of cords and a first cord collecting station for collecting the first group of cords from the first creel station, the first cord collecting station comprising a first supply roll winder for holding the first supply roll and for simultaneously winding all cords of the first group of cords from the first creel station onto the first supply roll. By providing the first cord collecting station, the first group of cords can be wound onto the first supply roll in a preparation step that is independent of the step of extruding the first body of elastomeric material at the first embedding section.Thus, the first group of cords can be wound onto the first supply reel long before the first group of cords is required in the first embedding section. More conveniently, multiple lengths of cords of the same type can be wound onto multiple supply reels in a substantially continuous manner to be added to the supply until the full length of cords in the first creel station is used up. In this way, switching the first creel station between cord types can be minimized without negatively impacting the ability of the first embedding section to quickly switch between cord types.

[0011] More preferably, the first embedding section is configured to indirectly receive the first supply roll from the first gate section. Thus, the first embedding section can be changed to a different type of cord regardless of the type of cord currently being prepared in the first gate section.

[0012] Most preferably, the first embedding section and the first gate section are arranged separately in different areas or in different buildings of the tire component manufacturing facility. The areas can be dedicated to the different purposes of the first embedding section and the first gate section. Thus, the areas can be optimized for their specific purpose without interfering with each other.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the tire component manufacturing plant further comprises a warehouse for receiving and storing the first supply roll from the first gate section prior to transferring the first supply roll from the warehouse to the first embedding section. The warehouse can be used to store the first supply roll and one or more additional supply rolls prepared by the first gate section and / or one or more additional gate sections, so that the first gate section can continue to prepare supply rolls in a substantially continuous manner, independent of the needs of the first embedding section.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, the tire component manufacturing plant comprises a second embedding section for embedding a second group of cords in a second body of elastomeric material, the second embedding section comprising a second extruder station for extruding the second body of elastomeric material and a second cord feed station for feeding the second group of cords to the second extruder station, the second cord feed station comprising a second supply roll unwinder for holding a second supply roll with the second group of cords and for simultaneously unwinding all cords of the second group of cords from the second supply roll towards the second extruder station.By providing the second supply roll unwinder, the second group of cords can be fed to the extruder from the supply using the second supply roll, which has similar technical advantages to feeding the first group of cords at the first embedding section. The first embedding section and the second embedding section can produce cord-reinforced tire components in parallel. Thus, the flexibility of the tire component manufacturing plant according to the present invention can be further improved.

[0015] Preferably, according to a previously discussed embodiment, the first creel station is configured to prepare both the first group of cords and the second group of cords, wherein the first supply roll winder is configured to alternately hold the first supply roll and the second supply roll for simultaneously winding all cords of the first group of cords from the first creel station onto the first supply roll or for simultaneously winding all cords of the second group of cords from the first creel station onto the second supply roll. Thus, the first creel station can be used to prepare the groups of cords for both embedding sections. The embedding sections therefore do not require their own creel station.Since the creel station has a large footprint, the presence of a creel station feeding two embedding sections can significantly reduce the size of the tire component manufacturing plant.

[0016] More preferably, according to a previously discussed embodiment, the warehouse is configured to receive and store the first supply roll and the second supply roll from the first gate section prior to transferring the first supply roll to the first embedding section and prior to transferring the second supply roll to the second embedding section. Again, the warehouse can be used to store the first supply roll, the second supply roll, and one or more additional supply rolls prepared by the first gate section and / or one or more additional gate sections, so that the first gate section can continue to prepare supply rolls in a substantially continuous manner independent of the needs of the embedding sections.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the tire component manufacturing plant comprises one or more further embedding sections for embedding one or more further groups of cords into one or more further bodies of elastomeric material, wherein the first creel station is configured to prepare the first group of cords, the second group of cords, and the one or more further groups of cords. By further increasing the number of embedding sections that receive the groups of cords from the first creel station, the overall footprint of the tire component manufacturing plant can be significantly reduced compared to a conventional tire component manufacturing plant with a dedicated creel station for each embedding section. In particular, the percentage of the footprint of the first creel station relative to the overall footprint of the tire component manufacturing plant can be further reduced.

[0018] Alternatively, the tire component manufacturing plant further comprises a second gate section for feeding the second group of cords to the second supply roll, the second gate section comprising a second gate station for preparing the second group of cords and a second cord collecting station for collecting the second group of cords from the second gate station, the second cord collecting station comprising a second supply roll winder for holding the second supply roll and for simultaneously winding all cords of the second group of cords from the second gate station onto the second supply roll. By adding the second gate section, the tire component manufacturing plant can prepare two groups of cords simultaneously to add to the plurality of groups of cords that can be selectively fed to the embedding sections while maintaining or further increasing flexibility.

[0019] Preferably, the second embedding section is configured to indirectly receive the second supply roll from the second gate section. Thus, the second embedding section can be changed to a different type of cord regardless of the type of cord currently being prepared in the second gate section.

[0020] More preferably, the second embedding section and the second gate section are arranged separately in different areas or in different buildings of the tire component manufacturing facility. The areas can be dedicated to the different purposes of the second embedding section and the second gate section. Thus, the areas can be optimized for their specific purpose without interfering with each other.

[0021] Most preferably, the first embedding section is located in an embedding area or embedding building of the tire component manufacturing plant, with the second embedding section being located in the same embedding area or embedding building. By placing the embedding sections in the same embedding area, the embedding area can be further optimized for the purpose of the embedding sections.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the first gate section is arranged in a gate area or gate building of the tire component manufacturing plant according to a previously discussed embodiment, with the second gate section being arranged in the same gate area or gate building. By placing the gate sections in the same gate area, the gate area can be further optimized for the purpose of the gate sections.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the tire component manufacturing plant comprises one or more further embedding sections for embedding one or more further groups of cords into one or more further bodies of elastomeric material, wherein the first gate station and / or the second gate station are configured to prepare the first group of cords, the second group of cords, and the one or more further groups of cords. Preferably, the tire component manufacturing plant comprises a number of embedding sections, including the first embedding section, the second embedding section, and the one or more further embedding sections, that is at least a factor of two higher than the number of gate sections, including the first gate section and the second gate section.By further increasing the number of embedding sections that accommodate the groups of cords from the creel stations, the overall footprint of the tire component manufacturing plant can be significantly reduced compared to a conventional tire component manufacturing plant with a dedicated creel station for each embedding section. In particular, the percentage of the footprint of the creel stations relative to the total footprint of the tire component manufacturing plant can be further reduced while maintaining or further increasing flexibility.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the tire component manufacturing plant comprises the first supply roll, the second supply roll, and / or the one or more additional supply rolls. Thus, the supply rolls are provided as parts of the tire component manufacturing plant.

[0025] Preferably, each supply roll of the first supply roll, the second supply roll, and / or the one or more further supply rolls comprises a cylindrical winding body extending concentrically around a winding axis and two flanges at opposite ends of the cylindrical winding body in an axial direction parallel to the winding axis. The cords of the groups of cords can be wound onto the cylindrical winding body in side-by-side relationship for simultaneous unwinding in the respective embedding section.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the first extruder station comprises a cord guide for guiding the cords of the first group of cords parallel to each other in a cord plane in a side-by-side relationship, the first extruder station further comprising a first extruder and a second extruder positioned on opposite sides of the cord plane for extruding a first layer of elastomeric material and a second layer of elastomeric material, respectively, onto the first group of cords from the opposite sides of the cord plane. The extruders can extrude a relatively thin layer of elastomeric material onto the groups of cords. Furthermore, the extruders can be relatively compact compared to alternative solutions.

[0027] The various aspects and features described and shown in the description may, wherever possible, be applied individually. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the appended dependent claims, may be the subject of divisional utility model applications. Short description of the drawings

[0028] The utility model is explained using an embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a tire component manufacturing plant for producing cord reinforced tire components; Fig. 2 a side view of a first gate section of the tire component manufacturing plant of Fig. 1 and shows in isometric view a number of supply reels with groups of cords as they are fed from the first creel section; Fig. 3 a side view of a warehouse of the tire component manufacturing plant of Fig. 1 and shows in isometric view a number of supply rolls stored in the warehouse; and Fig. 4 a side view of the warehouse of Fig. 3 and a first embedding section of the tire component manufacturing plant. Detailed description of the utility model

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a tire component manufacturing system, a tire component assembly, a tire component factory, or a tire component plant 1 according to an embodiment of the utility model for producing cord-reinforced tire components T, in particular fabric inserts, protector inserts, or belts. The tire components T are used to form a green tire or unvulcanized tire.

[0030] As in Fig. 1, the tire component manufacturing plant 1 comprises an embedding building or area A1 and a gate building or area A2. In this example, the embedding area A1 and the gate area A2 are provided separately or remotely. In particular, the embedding area A1 and the gate area A2 are not arranged to be functionally in series and / or to directly exchange materials. The embedding area A1 and the gate area A2 may, for example, be separated by walls or may even be arranged in different buildings. The embedding area A1 and the gate area A2 do not necessarily have to be located at the same geographical location.

[0031] The embedding area A1 is provided with several embedding sections E1, E2, E3, ..., En for embedding groups G1, G2, G3, ..., Gn of cords K in body B made of elastomeric material. The embedding sections E1, ..., En are configured to operate in parallel. Thus, several tire components T can be formed simultaneously by the various embedding sections E1, ..., En. Typically, the cords K are made of metal, textile, or plastic. The cords K are fed in a mutually parallel relationship and / or in a side-by-side relationship.

[0032] In particular, the plurality of embedding sections E1, ..., En in the tire component manufacturing plant 1 as shown in Fig. 1, a first embedding section E1, a second embedding section E2, a third embedding section E3, a fourth embedding section, and a fifth embedding section En. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the number of embedding sections E1, ..., En can be varied.

[0033] The first embedding section E1 is arranged or configured to embed a first group G1 of cords K into a first body B made of elastomer material. The first group G1 of cords K comprises at least ten cords K, preferably at least fifty cords K, and most preferably at least one hundred cords K. For this purpose, the first embedding section E1 has a first extruder station E11 for extruding the first body B made of elastomer material. The first embedding section E1 further has a first cord feed station E12 for feeding the first group G1 of cords K to the first extruder station E11.

[0034] As in Fig. 4, the first extruder station E11 comprises a cord guide 30 for guiding the cords K of the first group G1 of cords K parallel to one another in a cord plane P and / or in a side-by-side relationship. The first extruder station E11 further comprises a first extruder 31 and a second extruder 32 positioned on opposite sides of the cord plane P for extruding a first layer of elastomeric material and a second layer of elastomeric material, respectively, onto the first group G1 of cords K from the opposite sides of the cord plane P. The two layers of elastomeric material together form the first body B of elastomeric material, with the first group G1 of cords K embedded therein.

[0035] As further stated in Fig. 4, the first cord feed station E12 includes a first supply roll unwinder 11 for holding a first supply roll R1 containing the first group G1 of cords K. The first supply roll unwinder 11 may, for example, be provided with a base, frame, housing, or other mechanical structure for rotatably holding the first supply roll R1 in an unwinding position relative to the first extruder station E11.

[0036] How best in Fig. 2, the first supply roll R1 has a cylindrical winding body 50 extending concentrically around a winding axis X. In this example, the cylindrical winding body 50 is straight-cylindrical, i.e., it has a constant diameter. Furthermore, in this example, the first supply roll R1 is provided with two flanges 51, 52 at opposite ends of the cylindrical winding body 50 in an axial direction parallel to the winding axis X. The cylindrical winding body 50 is configured to receive the cords K of the first group G1 of cords K in a mutually parallel relationship and / or in a side-by-side relationship.

[0037] The first supply roll unwinder 11 is arranged or configured to unwind all cords K of the first group G1 of cords K simultaneously from the first supply roll R1 in the direction of the first extruder station E11.

[0038] The first supply roll unwinder 11 may further include an unwind drive (not shown) for actively rotating the first supply roll R1 in an unwinding direction. Alternatively, the first supply roll R1 may be passively rotated in response to the first extruder station E11 drawing in the first group G1 of cords K.

[0039] Optionally, the first cord feed station E12 may be provided with one or more further supply roll unwinders (not shown), similar to the first supply roll unwinder 11, for holding one or more further supply rolls and for unwinding groups of cords K carried on the one or more further supply rolls towards the first extruder station E11 simultaneously with the first group G1 of cords K. This may reduce the load on the respective supply rolls and / or may allow an increase in the length of cords K that can be held by a single supply roll, effectively increasing the capacity of the supply rolls.Alternatively, two supply reels can each hold half of the cords K of the first group G1 of cords K, but hold a second length of each cord K that is twice the first length, without increasing the weight of the cords K carried on each supply reel. Similarly, four supply reels each hold a quarter of the cords K of the first group G1 of cords K, while the length of the cords K on each supply reel can be quadrupled.

[0040] As in Fig. 1, the second embedding section E2 comprises a second extruder station E21 and a second cord feed station E22, which cooperate and are configured in the same or a similar manner, at least functionally, as the first extruder station E11 and the first cord feed station E12, respectively. In particular, the second cord feed station E22 comprises a second supply roll unwinder 12 for holding a second supply roll R2 with a second group G2 of cords K and for simultaneously unwinding all cords K of the second group G2 of cords K towards the second extruder station E21. The second supply roll R2 is configured in the same or a similar manner, at least functionally, as the first supply roll R1. In this example, the first supply roll R1 and the second supply roll R2 are functionally and / or structurally identical.

[0041] The third embedding section E3, the fourth embedding section, the fifth embedding section En, and any further embedding sections are configured in the same or a similar manner, at least functionally, as the first embedding section E1 and the second embedding section E2 and are not discussed in further detail. Each further embedding section E3, ..., En is configured to receive a further supply roll R3, ..., Rn. The further supply rolls R3, ..., Rn are configured in the same or a similar manner, at least functionally, as the first supply roll R1 and the second supply roll R2. In this example, all supply rolls R1, ..., Rn are functionally and / or structurally identical.

[0042] As further stated in Fig. 1, the gate area A2 is provided with a plurality of gate sections C1, C2 for feeding a plurality of supply rolls R1, ..., Rn, including the previously discussed first supply roll R1 and the second supply roll R2.

[0043] In particular, the plurality of gate sections C1, C2 in the tire component manufacturing plant 1 as shown in Fig. 1, a first gate section C1 and a second gate section C2. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of gate sections C1, C2 can be varied. In this example, the tire component manufacturing plant 1 has a number n of embedding sections E1...En, including the first embedding section E1, the second embedding section E2, and the one or more further embedding sections E3...En, which is at least a factor of two higher than the number of gate sections C1, C2, including the first gate section C1 and the second gate section C2.

[0044] How best in Fig. 2, the first creel section C1 comprises a first creel station C11 for preparing the first group G1 of cords K. The first creel station C11 comprises a first creel 41 holding a plurality of creel spools 40. Each creel spool 40 holds a length of cord K, or for example, at least five hundred meters, preferably at least one kilometer, and more preferably at least two or more kilometers of cord K. The cords K are single-ended cords. The cords K are guided or gathered from the creel spools 40 along a plurality of guides, for example, guide pulleys, deflection pulleys, and / or guide tubes, to an output side of the first creel 41 to form the first group G1 of cords K. It should be noted that all cords K of the first group G1 of cords K are caused to extend parallel to each other and / or in a side-by-side relationship when they leave the first gate station C11.

[0045] The first creel section C1 further includes a first cord collection station C12 for collecting the first group G1 of cords K from the first creel station C11. The first cord collection station C12 includes a first supply roll winder 21 for holding the first supply roll R1. The first supply roll winder 21 may, for example, be provided with a base, frame, housing, or other mechanical structure for rotatably holding the first supply roll R1 in a winding position relative to the first creel station C11.

[0046] The first supply roll winder 21 is arranged or configured to simultaneously wind all cords K of the first group G1 of cords K from the first creel station C11 onto the first supply roll R1. The first supply roll unwinder 11 may further comprise a winding drive (not shown) for actively rotating the first supply roll R1 in a winding direction.

[0047] The length of the cords K wound onto the first supply roll R1 can be adapted to the length of the cords K required to produce a batch of tire components T with the cords K of the type of the first group G1 of cords K. The length of the cords K on the first supply roll R1 can be different from the length of the cords K on the second supply roll R2. In particular, the length of the cords K on each supply roll R1 can be significantly shorter, i.e., less than half the initial length of the cords K on the creel spools 40, and preferably less than a quarter of the initial length of the cords K on the creel spools 40. In other words, several supply rolls R1, ..., Rn can be wound with cords K of the initial length of the cords K on the creel spools 40 before the creel spools 40 need to be refilled or replaced.

[0048] As in Fig. 1, the second creel section C2 comprises a second creel station C21 and a second cord collecting station C22, which cooperate and are configured in the same or a similar manner, at least functionally, as the first creel station C11 and the first cord collecting station C12, respectively. In particular, the second creel station C21 comprises a second creel 42, and the second cord collecting station C22 comprises a second supply roll winder 22 for holding the second supply roll R2 with the second group G2 of cords K and for simultaneously winding all cords K of the second group G2 of cords K onto the second supply roll R2.

[0049] Optionally, the tire component manufacturing plant 1 can be provided with one or more additional gate sections (not shown).

[0050] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the tire component manufacturing plant 1 further comprises a warehouse W for receiving and storing the first supply roll R1, the second supply roll R2, and any further supply rolls R3, ..., Rn from the first gate section C1 and the second gate section C2 prior to transferring the first supply roll R1 from the warehouse W to the respective embedding sections E1, ..., En. Thus, the supply rolls R1, ..., Rn can be stored for any desired period of time, for example, a few minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months. The supply rolls R1, ..., Rn can then be transferred indirectly from the gate sections C1, C2 to the respective embedding sections E1, ..., En depending on the current and / or future needs of the respective embedding sections E1, ..., En.The warehouse W can be located at a strategic location somewhere between the embedding area A1 or the gate area A2, or in close proximity to either the embedding area A1 or the gate area A2. Alternatively, the warehouse W can be located at a separate and / or remote location.

[0051] Although in this example, the first supply roll R1 is prepared in the first gate section C1 and is intended for unwinding in the first embedding section E1, the first supply roll R1 can alternatively be prepared in the second gate section C2 and / or used in any of the other embedding sections E2, ..., En, depending on the need. The supply rolls R1, ..., Rn can be physically or electronically identified, marked, or registered for a specific embedding section E1, ..., En, a batch of tire components T, and / or based on the property of the cords K, i.e., the cord type or the cord length.

[0052] A method of manufacturing cord-reinforced tire components T using the above-mentioned tire component manufacturing plant 1 will now be described with reference to Fig. 1-4 briefly explained.

[0053] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows the situation in which the supply rolls R1, R2 are prepared in the respective creel sections C1, C2 in a manner as previously discussed. As in Fig. 2, the first gate section C1 can be used to prepare each of the supply rolls R1, R2, R3. Alternatively, the second gate section C2 can be used in Fig. 1 can be used to prepare one or more of the supply rolls R2 parallel to the first gate section C1. The gate sections C1, C2 can also alternate to minimize downtime when one of the gate sections C1, C2 is being refilled.

[0054] Fig. Figure 3 shows the situation in which the supply rolls R1, ..., Rn, as they pass through any of the gate sections C1, C2 in Fig. 1 are prepared and stored in warehouse W.

[0055] Fig. Figure 4 shows the situation in which the first supply roll R1 is removed from the warehouse W and used in the first embedding section E1 in a manner as previously described to simultaneously unwind all the cords K of the first group G1 of cords K towards the first extruder station E11 to be embedded in the body B of elastomeric material.

[0056] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows that the supply rolls R1, ..., Rn can be selected from the warehouse W, distributed and / or used in any and / or each of the embedding sections E1, ..., En for the parallel or simultaneous production of tire components T using the same or different types of cords K.

[0057] In particular, in this way, the supply rolls R1, ..., Rn can be selected from the warehouse W based on the current demand of the respective embedding sections E1, ..., En independently of and / or without disturbing the preparation of further supply rolls at the gate sections C1, C2.

[0058] It should be understood that the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. From the foregoing discussion, many variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art that are still within the scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols 1 tire component manufacturing plant 11 first supply roll unwinder 12 second supply roll unwinder 21 first supply roll winder 22 second supply roll winder 30 cord guide 31 first extruder 32 second extruder 40 gate coil 41 first gate 42 second gate 50 cylindrical winding body 51 first flange 52 second flange A1 embedding area A2 gate area B Body made of elastomer material C1 first gate section C11 first gate station C12 first cord collection station C2 second gate section C21 second gate station C22 second cord collection station E1 first embedding section E11 first extruder station E12 first cord feed station E2 second embedding section E21 second extruder station E22 second cord feed station E3...En further embedding sections G1 first group of cords G2 second group of cords G3...Gn further groups of cords K cords P String level R1 first supply roll R2 second supply roll R3... Rn additional supply rolls T cord-reinforced tire components W Lager X winding axis

Claims

[1] Tire component manufacturing plant for producing cord-reinforced tire components, the tire component manufacturing plant comprising a first embedding section for embedding a first group of cords in a first body of elastomeric material, the first embedding section comprising a first extruder station for extruding the first body of elastomeric material and a first cord feed station for feeding the first group of cords to the first extruder station, the first cord feed station comprising a first supply roll unwinder for holding a first supply roll with the first group of cords and for simultaneously unwinding all cords of the first group of cords from the first supply roll towards the first extruder station. [2] The tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 1, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant further comprises a first creel section for feeding the first group of cords to the first supply roll, the first creel section comprising a first creel station for preparing the first group of cords and a first cord collecting station for collecting the first group of cords from the first creel station, the first cord collecting station comprising a first supply roll winder for holding the first supply roll and for simultaneously winding all the cords of the first group of cords from the first creel station onto the first supply roll. [3] The tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 2, wherein the first embedding section is configured to indirectly receive the first supply roll from the first gate section. [4] The tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 3, wherein the first embedding section and the first gate section are arranged separately in different areas or in different buildings of the tire component manufacturing plant. [5] The tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant further comprises a warehouse for receiving and storing the first supply roll from the first gate section before transferring the first supply roll from the warehouse to the first embedding section. [6] Tire component manufacturing plant according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant comprises a second embedding section for embedding a second group of cords in a second body of elastomeric material, wherein the second embedding section comprises a second extruder station for extruding the second body of elastomeric material and a second cord feed station for feeding the second group of cords to the second extruder station, wherein the second cord feed station comprises a second supply roll unwinder for holding a second supply roll with the second group of cords and for simultaneously unwinding all cords of the second group of cords from the second supply roll towards the second extruder station. [7] Tire component manufacturing plant according to claims 2 and 6, wherein the first creel station is configured to prepare both the first group of cords and the second group of cords, wherein the first supply roll winder is configured to alternately hold the first supply roll and the second supply roll for simultaneously winding all cords of the first group of cords from the first creel station onto the first supply roll and for simultaneously winding all cords of the second group of cords from the first creel station onto the second supply roll, respectively. [8] The tire component manufacturing plant according to claims 5 and 7, wherein the storage is configured to receive and store the first supply roll and the second supply roll from the first gate section before transferring the first supply roll to the first embedding section and before transferring the second supply roll to the second embedding section. [9] A tire component manufacturing plant according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant comprises one or more further embedding sections for embedding one or more further groups of cords in one or more further bodies of elastomeric material, wherein the first creel station is configured to prepare the first group of cords, the second group of cords and the one or more further groups of cords. [10] The tire component manufacturing plant according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant further comprises a second creel section for feeding the second group of cords to the second supply roll, the second creel section comprising a second creel station for preparing the second group of cords and a second cord collecting station for collecting the second group of cords from the second creel station, the second cord collecting station comprising a second supply roll winder for holding the second supply roll and for simultaneously winding all the cords of the second group of cords from the second creel station onto the second supply roll. [11] The tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 10, wherein the second embedding section is configured to indirectly receive the second supply roll from the second gate section. [12] The tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 11, wherein the second embedding section and the second gate section are arranged separately in different areas or in different buildings of the tire component manufacturing plant. [13] The tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 12, wherein the first embedding section is arranged in an embedding area or an embedding building of the tire component manufacturing plant, the second embedding section being arranged in the same embedding area or the same embedding building. [14] Tire component manufacturing plant according to claims 2 and 12, wherein the first gate section is arranged in a gate area or a gate building of the tire component manufacturing plant, wherein the second gate section is arranged in the same gate area or the same gate building. [15] Tire component manufacturing plant according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant comprises one or more further embedding sections for embedding one or more further groups of cords in one or more further bodies of elastomeric material, wherein the first creel station and / or the second creel station are configured to prepare the first group of cords, the second group of cords and the one or more further groups of cords. [16] A tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 15, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant has a number of embedding sections, including the first embedding section, the second embedding section and the one or more further embedding sections, which is at least a factor of two higher than the number of gate sections, including the first gate section and the second gate section. [17] Tire component manufacturing plant according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the tire component manufacturing plant comprises the first supply roll, the second supply roll and / or the one or more further supply rolls. [18] Tire component manufacturing plant according to claim 17, wherein each supply roll of the first supply roll, the second supply roll and / or the one or more further supply rolls comprises a cylindrical winding body extending concentrically around a winding axis and two flanges at opposite ends of the cylindrical winding body in an axial direction parallel to the winding axis. [19] A tire component manufacturing plant according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first extruder station comprises a cord guide for guiding the cords of the first group of cords parallel to each other in a cord plane in a side-by-side relationship, the first extruder station further comprising a first extruder and a second extruder positioned on opposite sides of the cord plane for extruding a first layer of elastomeric material and a second layer of elastomeric material, respectively, onto the first group of cords from the opposite sides of the cord plane.

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