Device for storage of a product taking the form of a strip

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for storage of a semi-finished product (PS) taking the form of a strip, the storage device comprising a chassis (12), an interlayering-product axle (14) for winding an interlayering product (PI) taking the form of a strip, a product axle (16) for winding the semi-finished product with the interlayering product, and a deflecting axle (18) for deflecting the interlayering product, the storage device comprising a front part (PAV) and a rear part (PAR) along its length (L10). The interlayering-product axle and the product axle are located in the rear part of the storage device and are mounted in a manner fixed relative to each other on the chassis of the storage device, and the deflecting axle is located at the front of the front part of the storage device and below the interlayering-product axle and the product axle.

Description

DEVICE FOR STORING A PRODUCT IN THE FORM OF A STRIP

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device allowing the winding of a product in the form of a strip around an axis and the unwinding of this product from this axis.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to the storage of a semi-finished product intended for the assembly of a tire blank and taking the form of a strip, such as a strip of rubber product.

[0003] In the tire industry, various rubber products in the form of a strip must be stored following their manufacture by extrusion or calendering. For this purpose, a rubber product in the form of a strip is generally wound onto a shaft of a storage device, also called a cassette.

[0004] Due to its stickiness, a strip of rubber product should be wound onto one axis of a storage device with an interlayer, such as a strip of fabric, sandwiched between each turn of rubber product. Ideally, the storage device should also allow the interlayer to be wound and unwound around another axis.

[0005] After any storage or transport of the rubber product to its place of use, the storage device must enable the rubber product to be delivered as best as possible to an operating machine such as a cutter or an assembler.

[0006] Manufacturing and processing machines can take many configurations requiring the rubber product to be fed or discharged at very different heights.

[0007] According to initial constraints, a storage device must be able to receive a rubber product in strip form arriving at a height greater than or equal to the height at which the winding axis of this product is located on the storage device.

[0008] According to another constraint, a storage device must also allow the rubber product to be delivered downwards, that is to say towards the entrance of an operating machine which is located below the height at which the winding axis of this product is located on the storage device.

[0009] Document GB882397 describes a storage device for changing the height of arrival or exit of the rubber product relative to the storage device. To this end, this document GB882397 provides that the axis on which the interlayer product is wound is mounted to be able to rotate relative to the axis receiving the rubber product.

[0010] This rotational mobility of the interlayer product winding axis relative to the axis receiving the rubber product can make the use of the storage device complex when it is desired to motorize or brake the interlayer product winding axis.

[0011] Furthermore, in the solution described in GB882397, the change in the height of the product arrival or exit is closely linked to the position of the winding axis of the interlayer product, which may cause adaptation problems on certain operating machines.

[0012] The present invention aims to propose a device for storing a strip product that can be used on numerous configurations of manufacturing machines or operating, and whose layout promotes the automation of the arrival and exit of the product in strips.

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a device for storing a semi-finished product intended for the assembly of a tire blank and taking the form of a strip, the storage device comprising a chassis, an intermediate shaft for winding an intermediate product taking the form of a strip, a product shaft for winding the semi-finished product with the intermediate product, and a return shaft for the intermediate product, the storage device comprising in its length a front part through which the semi-finished product enters or leaves the storage device and a rear part.

[0014] According to the invention, the intermediate shaft and the product shaft are located in the rear part of the storage device and are mounted fixed relative to each other on the frame of the storage device, and the return shaft is located at the front of the front part of the storage device and below the intermediate shaft and the product shaft.

[0015] Thanks to this arrangement, the storage device according to the invention makes it possible to adapt the altitude and the angle of reception of the semi-finished product on the interlayer product, as well as the angle and the altitude of exit of the semi-finished product with its interlayer. For example, the storage device makes it possible to receive the semi-finished product from a high position and to deliver it from a low position. Advantageously, the exit of the semi-finished product downwards, favored by the position of the return axis at the front of the front part of the storage device, makes it easier to separate the semi-finished product and the interlayer product at the exit of the storage device.

[0016] Advantageously but not necessarily, the invention may also provide that: - a distance of at least 90 cm separates the return axis from the product axis in the length of the storage device, - the chassis of the storage device resting on a base, the return axis is raised in relation to the support surface of this base on the ground or on any other support, - the return axis is raised by a distance of at least 10 cm from the support surface of the base of the storage device chassis, - the intermediate axis is located above the return axis in the height of the storage device.

[0017] According to the invention, when the product axis is located between the return axis and the intermediate axis in the length of the storage device, the product axis is located above the intermediate axis in the height of the storage device, or below the intermediate axis in the height of the storage device, or the product axis and the intermediate axis are located at the same height in the frame of the storage device.

[0018] According to the invention, when the product axis and the intermediate axis are located at the same position in the length of the storage device, the product axis is located above the intermediate axis in the height of the storage device.

[0019] Finally, two unfolding rollers can be positioned on the path of the interlayer between the interlayer axis and the return axis, these two unfolding rollers being mounted on the frame of the storage device.

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows. This description, given by way of example and not as a limitation, refers to the attached drawings in which: - figure 1 represents a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a storage device according to the invention in use, - figure 2 represents a side view of a preferred embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, - figure 3 schematically represents a side view of a variant of a preferred embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, - figure 4 schematically represents a side view of another variant of a preferred embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, - Figure 5 represents a side view of another embodiment of a storage device according to the invention.

[0021] The invention relates to a storage device 10 as illustrated for example in FIG. 1.

[0022] This storage device can be used for storing a semi-finished product intended for the assembly of a tire blank and taking the form of a strip, for example made of rubber material. A rubber material is a material comprising rubber and various other components: oils, silicas, carbon black, etc.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the storage device 10 comprises a frame 12, an intermediate axis 14 for winding an intermediate product PI in the form of a strip, a product axis 16 for winding the semi-finished product PS with the intermediate product PI, and a return axis 18 of the intermediate product. The return axis 18 makes it possible to modify the trajectory of the intermediate product PI between the intermediate axis 14 and the product axis 16. In particular, the position of the return axis 18 relative to the intermediate axis 14 and the product axis 16 makes it possible to create an acute angle Al in the trajectory of the intermediate product PI between the intermediate axis 14 and the product axis 16. This acute angle Al makes it possible to facilitate the separation of the semi-finished product and the intermediate product at the outlet of the storage device. The PI interlayer product is chosen according to the semi-finished product to be wound.This interlayer product PI is, for example, a product woven from cotton, cotton and polyester yarns, or synthetic fibers. One end of the interlayer product PI is fixed to the interlayer axis 14 and its other end is fixed to the product axis 16.

[0024] Preferably, the intermediate axis 14, the product axis 16, and the return axis 18 are parallel.

[0025] The chassis 12 comprises a base 20 and two right 22D and left 22G side frames rising from this base 20. The different axes of the storage device according to the invention are mounted on these two right 22D and left 22G side frames. The two right 22D and left 22G side frames preferably extend in parallel planes. The two right 22D and left 22G side frames are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane PML of the storage device 10. For example, the chassis 12 is a mechanically welded assembly. Advantageously, the base 20 of the chassis comprises right 24D and left 24G sleeves for receiving the forks of a handling trolley. These two right 24D and left 24G sheaths extend through the base 20 and preferably perpendicular to the two right 22D and left 22G lateral frames.

[0026] Preferably, the intermediate axis 14, the product axis 16, and the return axis 18 are mounted perpendicular to the two right 22D and left 22G side frames.

[0027] To ensure the stability of the storage device 10, the base 20 extends over the entire length L10 of the storage device, this length L10 being taken in a horizontal direction and in a plane, such as the longitudinal median plane PML of the storage device 10, parallel to the planes in which the two right 22D and left 22G lateral frames extend.

[0028] As shown in the side view in Figure 2, the storage device 10 comprises in its length L10 a front part PAV through which the semi-finished product enters or leaves the storage device and a rear part PAR.

[0029] According to the invention, the intermediate axis 14 and the product axis 16 are located in the rear part PAR of the storage device, while the return axis 18 is located at the front of the front part PAV of the storage device. Preferably, the return axis 18 is located on the front end of the base 20 of the chassis of the storage device.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, this arrangement of the three intermediate 14, product 16, and return 18 axes of the storage device offers, in combination with the use of an external member 26 belonging for example to the machine using the storage device 10, angles of reception and exit of the semi-finished product PS which can vary over a range PLA greater than 90°, and extending for example from 90° above the horizontal plane PH16 integrating the product axis 16 to 45° below the horizontal plane PH16 integrating the product axis 16. The external member 26 can take the form of a clamp, a tube or a roller mounted on a support 27. To allow modification of the angles of reception and exit of the semi-finished product PS, the support 27 of the external member 26 is driven in rotation and translation by actuators such as jacks.Advantageously and in order to avoid the intercalary product PI being off-centered during its movement between the return axis 18 and the product axis 16, the external member 26, its support 27 and its actuators are designed and arranged so as to guarantee the horizontality of the external member 26 and its alignment parallel to the axes of the storage device.

[0031] In order to simplify the arrangement of the storage device according to the invention and to facilitate the motorization and / or braking of the intermediate axis 14, the intermediate axis 14 and the product axis 16 are mounted fixed relative to each other on the chassis 12 of the storage device.

[0032] In particular to allow an exit of the semi-finished product PS at 45° below the horizontal plane PH16 integrating the product axis 16 and to facilitate the separation of the semi-finished product PS and the intermediate product PI, the return axis 18 is located below the intermediate axis 14 and the product axis 16.

[0033] Ideally, a distance D1, illustrated in Figure 2, of at least 60 cm, and preferably greater than 90 cm, separates the return axis 18 from the product axis 16 in the length L10 of the storage device. This minimum distance D1 makes it possible to promote the stability of the storage device on its base and to free up a first space El for the insertion of the external member 26 of the machine using the storage device 10. For example, the external member 26 is brought by translation into this first space El using its support 27.

[0034] In order to free up a second space E2 for an external member for receiving the semi-finished product PS such as a belt, a roller or a scraper, the return axis 18 is raised relative to the bearing surface 28 of the base 20 on the ground or on any other support. For example, the return axis is raised by a distance D2 of at least 10 cm relative to the bearing surface 28 of the base of the chassis of the storage device, and therefore in the height H10 of the storage device. Advantageously, the chassis 12 comprises a clearance 19 under the return axis 18. This clearance 19 forms the second space E2 allowing the end of an external receiving member of the semi-finished product PS to be brought as close as possible to the return axis 18.

[0035] In order to allow the entire intermediate product PI to be wound, the intermediate axis 14 is also raised relative to the bearing surface 28 of the base 20. For example, the intermediate axis 14 is raised by a distance D3 of at least 40 cm relative to the bearing surface 28 of the base of the chassis of the storage device, and therefore in the height H10 of the storage device.

[0036] More generally, the intermediate axis 14 is located above the return axis 18 in the height H10 of the storage device.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the storage device according to the invention, the product axis 16 is located between the return axis 18 and the intermediate axis 14 in the length L10 of the storage device. Preferably, the product axis 16 is located substantially equidistant from the return axis 18 and the intermediate axis 14 in the length L10 of the storage device. This position of the product axis in the length L10 of the storage device promotes the stability of the storage device.

[0038] Still in this preferred embodiment and as shown in Figures 1 to 2, the product axis 16 is located above the intermediate axis 14 in the height H10 of the storage device. This position of the product axis in the height H10 of the storage device promotes the compactness of the storage device.

[0039] In a first variant of this preferred embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the product axis 16 is located below the intermediate axis 14 in the height H10 of the storage device.

[0040] In another variant of this preferred embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the product axis 16 and the intermediate axis 14 are located at the same height in the chassis 12 of the storage device.

[0041] In another embodiment of the storage device according to the invention and as illustrated in Figure 5, the product axis 16 and the intermediate axis 14 are located at the same position in the length L10 of the storage device. In this case, the product axis 16 is preferably located above the intermediate axis 14 in the height of the storage device.

[0042] Advantageously, in one or other of the embodiments of the storage device according to the invention, the positions of the product axis 16, of the intermediate axis 14 and of the return axis 18 in the height H10 of the storage device can be optimized as a function of the maximum winding diameters of the products intended to be stored on these axes.

[0043] Still in one or other of the embodiments of the storage device according to the invention, two unfolding rollers 30A, 30B can be positioned on the path of the interlayer product PI between the interlayer axis 14 and the return axis 18, these two unfolding rollers being mounted on the frame 12 of the storage device. For example, one of the unfolding rollers is a curved widening cylinder, or banana roller, which has a curved central axis and provides a curved surface for unfolding the interlayer product, the second roller being positioned so as to increase the contact surface between the first unfolding roller and the interlayer product.

[0044] In the storage device 10 according to the invention, the product axis 16 is preferably a roller 32 mounted to rotate about its central axis. This roller 32 is for example mounted on the frame 12 via rolling bearings. One or more mechanical devices make it possible to adjust the horizontality and alignment of the product axis 16 with the other axes of the storage device. storage. Preferably, the roller 32 is driven in rotation remotely by a motor and via a belt. Advantageously, the storage device 10 comprises means for locking the product axis 16 in rotation, in particular for the purpose of transporting or moving the storage device.

[0045] In the storage device 10 according to the invention, the intermediate axis 14 is preferably a roller 34 mounted to rotate about its central axis. This roller 34 is for example mounted on the chassis 12 via rolling bearings. One or more mechanical devices make it possible to adjust the horizontality and alignment of the intermediate axis 14 with the other axes of the storage device. Preferably, the roller 34 is driven in rotation remotely by a motor and via a belt. Advantageously, the storage device 10 comprises means for locking the intermediate axis 14 in rotation, in particular for the purpose of transporting or moving the storage device.

[0046] In the storage device 10 according to the invention, the return axis 18 is preferably a roller 36 mounted to rotate about its central axis. This roller 36 is for example mounted on the chassis 12 via rolling bearings. One or more mechanical devices make it possible to adjust the horizontality and alignment of the intermediate axis 14 with the other axes of the storage device.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Storage device (10) for a semi-finished product (PS) intended for the assembly of a tire blank and taking the form of a strip, the storage device comprising a chassis (12), an intermediate shaft (14) for winding an intermediate product (PI) taking the form of a strip, a product shaft (16) for winding the semi-finished product with the intermediate product, and a return shaft (18) for the intermediate product, the storage device comprising in its length (L10) a front part (PAV) through which the semi-finished product enters or leaves the storage device and a rear part (PAR), the storage device is characterized in that the intermediate shaft and the product shaft are located in the rear part of the storage device and are mounted fixed relative to each other on the chassis of the storage device,and in that the return axis is located at the front of the front part of the storage device and below the intermediate axis and the product axis., 2. Storage device according to claim 1, wherein a distance (Dl) of at least 60 cm separates the return axis from the produced axis in the length (L10) of the storage device.

3. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, in which, the chassis of the storage device resting on a base (20), the return axis is raised relative to the support surface (28) of this base on the ground or on any other support.

4. Storage device according to claim 3, in which the return axis (18) is raised by a distance (D2) of at least 10 cm relative to the support surface (28) of the base of the chassis of the storage device.

5. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the intermediate axis (14) is located above the return axis (18) in the height (H10) of the storage device.

6. Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the product axis (16) is located between the return axis (18) and the intermediate axis (14) in the length of the storage device.

7. Storage device according to claim 6, wherein the product axis (16) is located above the intermediate axis (14) in the height of the storage device.

8. Storage device according to claim 6, wherein the product axis (16) is located below the intermediate axis (14) in the height of the storage device.

9. Storage device according to claim 6, wherein the product axis (16) and the intermediate axis (14) are located at the same height in the frame of the storage device.

10. Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the product axis (16) and the intermediate axis (14) are located at the same position in the length (L10) of the storage device, the product axis (16) being located above the intermediate axis (14) in the height of the storage device.

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