Method and apparatus for producing cord reinforced elastomer composition band

Abstract

To provide a method for producing a cord reinforced elastomer composition band.SOLUTION: A method for producing a cord reinforced elastomer composition band 300 includes the steps of: providing a plurality of parallel cords 200; extruding an elastomer composition 303 onto the cords in a first zone to form a first end 301 of the band; further extruding the elastomer composition onto the cords in the first zone while moving the first end of the band away from the first zone; and maintaining the cords a fixed distance apart in a second zone adjacent and downstream of the first end of the band and moving with the first end of the band away from the first zone. A method for manufacturing a tire including these steps, and an apparatus 100 for producing the cord reinforced elastomer composition band are also provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band, and to a method for manufacturing a tire having one or more bands manufactured according to said method and / or its process. Further, the present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band, and also to the use of such an apparatus in a method such as one of the methods described above for manufacturing a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band and / or a tire having such a band.

Background Art

[0002] Many types of tires include tire components having cord-reinforced elastomer composition bands. Generally, such bands are manufactured using a calender unit, and a plurality of cords are coated from both sides with a flat rolled sheet of rubber material. Although such processes have been improved over the past few decades, there is still room for improvement in the manufacture of high-performance cord-reinforced elastomer composition bands.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] In a first aspect, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band, the method comprising providing a plurality of parallel cords and starting to extrude at least one elastomer composition onto the parallel cords in a first zone to form a first end of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band. Further, according to the first aspect, the method further comprises extruding the elastomer composition onto the parallel cords in the first zone while moving the first end of the cord-reinforced band parallel to the cords and away from the first zone, and a second zone adjacent to the first end downstream of the first end and moving parallel to the cords and away from the first zone together with the first end of the cord-reinforced band, holding the parallel cords at a fixed distance from each other.

[0004] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tire, including the steps according to the first aspect.

[0005] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric composition band reinforced with a plurality of parallel cords, the apparatus comprising: an elongated channel for forming the band; a first cord guide for slidingly guiding the cords into the channel at spaced intervals parallel to each other; at least one die for extruding the elastomeric composition into the channel to cover the cords; and a second cord guide for guiding the cords at spaced intervals parallel to each other, the second cord guide being adapted to slide along the elongated channel within the elongated channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band. The method includes providing a plurality of parallel cords, and extruding (starting) at least one elastomer composition onto the parallel cords in a first zone (i.e., an extrusion zone or an elastomer composition extrusion zone) to form a first end of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band. Further, the method includes further extruding (or continuing to extrude) the elastomer composition onto the parallel cords in the first zone while moving the first end of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band parallel to the cords and away from the first zone, and in a second zone adjacent to and / or (e.g., downstream with respect to the direction of movement) downstream of the first end, moving together with the first end of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band parallel to the cords and away from the first zone, holding the parallel cords at a fixed distance from each other (or, in particular, spacing them apart from each other). Thus, the method enables holding and / or guiding the cords in both the first zone and the second zone so as to keep the cords at a determined distance from each other, particularly during the extrusion of the elastomer composition. Thereby, a high-quality cord-reinforced elastomer composition band with the cords accurately positioned can be manufactured. Further, the method of the present invention makes it possible to produce a band in which the cords are densely packed, i.e., the volume fraction of the cords is high, which is difficult with prior art methods.

[0008] In one embodiment, the parallel cords are arranged in and / or form at least one plane of the parallel cords (preferably spaced apart from each other in at least one plane), and the elastomer composition is optionally extruded onto each side of the plane.

[0009] In another embodiment, the parallel cords are arranged in and / or form at least two parallel planes. Preferably, the (adjacent) cords are spaced apart from each other within the plane. In particular, in the case of a plurality of planes of parallel cords, i.e., a plurality of layers of parallel cords, the method enables the cords to be positioned relative to each other as prescribed and to maintain said position during extrusion.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, at least two parallel planes include a first plane and a second plane that are laterally displaced or offset from each other, and the cords of the first plane are arranged between the cords of the second plane when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the parallel cords. That is, the cords of the first plane are shifted in a direction perpendicular to the cords relative to the cords of the second plane. The cords of both, preferably all, planes are parallel to each other.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the cords move along the channel through the channel, and the elastomeric composition is optionally extruded onto the cords and / or into the channel in a first zone to define the outer profile of the band. Preferably, the channel has one or more walls that enclose the outer periphery and / or outer surface of the band perpendicular to the elongate extension of the band and / or the cords.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the parallel cords are held at a fixed distance from each other in a second zone by at least one cord guiding means that moves away from the first zone together with a first end. That is, the cord guiding means moves downstream.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the cord (and, for example, the band as well) moves along the channel through the channel, and the elastomeric composition is extruded onto the cord and within the channel in the first zone to define the outer shape of the band, and the cord guiding means slides and moves through the channel together with and downstream of the first end. Optionally, the cord guiding means contacts the wall of the channel, for example, preventing the elastomeric composition from passing between the cord guiding means and the wall of the channel. It can also be said that the cord guiding means slides along the channel in a sealed contact state with the wall, such as being sealed against the passage of the elastomeric composition.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the cord is tensioned in a direction parallel to the extension of the channel and / or the direction of movement of the cord guiding means.

[0015] In yet another embodiment, the cord guiding means is removed after the first end exits from the end or the end that is preferably essentially opposite to the first zone of the channel. In particular, when the first end of the cord-reinforced elastomeric composition band leaves the channel, the cords are held in fixed positions relative to each other at said end, so the cord guiding means is no longer necessary.

[0016] In yet another embodiment, the elastomeric composition is a rubber composition, and / or the cord is selected from one or more of a fiber cord, a steel cord, a glass fiber cord, and a carbon material cord.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, the band has i) a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm, ii) a width in the range of 4 to 400 mm, iii) a cord having a (maximum) diameter in the range of 0.1 to 2 mm, and iv) one or more of an essentially rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the (elongated extension of the) cord.

[0018] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tire having a plurality of tire parts, the method including the step of applying at least one band manufactured according to the first aspect described above and / or one or more embodiments thereof. That is, the method according to the second aspect includes the method steps of the first aspect and / or one or more embodiments thereof. By manufacturing a tire using a band manufactured as described above in this specification, the reliability of the manufacturing process is enhanced, and in particular, it becomes possible to provide a high-quality cord-reinforced band in which the relative positions of the cords are specified and / or the cords are densely filled to the tire.

[0019] In one embodiment, the band is applied (to the tire) as at least one of a belt ply, an overlay ply, an overlay ply strip, a carcass ply, and a shear band. The terms band and ply may be used interchangeably herein.

[0020] In another embodiment, the tire has a (circumferential) tread band having a circumferential tread portion and a circumferential shear band supporting the tread portion, a (circumferential) hub portion, and a (circumferential) support portion that supports the tread band on the hub portion (e.g., having a plurality of spokes), and is a non-pneumatic tire. Optionally, the shear band has a plurality of circumferential elastomeric composition layers laminated thereon, and at least one of those layers consists of a cord-reinforced elastomeric composition band. Optionally, a part of the circumferential elastomeric composition layers laminated (radially) is cord-reinforced and another part is not cord-reinforced.

[0021] In a third aspect of the present invention, the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an elastomeric composition band reinforced with a plurality of parallel cords, comprising an elongated channel for forming the band, a first cord guide (or guiding means) for slidingly guiding the cords parallel to each other and spaced apart within the channel, at least one die (or die portion) for extruding the elastomeric composition into the channel to cover the cords, and a second cord guide (or guiding means) for guiding the cords parallel to each other and spaced apart. The second cord guide (and optionally the elongated channel) is adapted to slide along the elongated channel within the elongated channel.

[0022] Thus, similar to the method described above, with this apparatus, it is possible to manufacture a cord-reinforced elastomeric composition band in which the cords are positioned relative to each other as specified. Also, by providing the cord guide, the volume fraction of the cords can be increased as needed. It is possible to more easily prevent adjacent cords from contacting each other.

[0023] In one embodiment, the elongated channel has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the first cord guide is provided at the first end. Preferably, the channel is linear and / or is formed by one or more walls of the apparatus for forming the outer periphery or cross-section of the band, as viewed perpendicular to the elongation direction of the elongated channel and / or the elongated extension of the cords. For example, the cords extend through the channel parallel to the wall. Optionally, the apparatus has a body or body portion having the wall and / or the channel. It should be noted that the term "band" should not be understood to be limited to a ring-shaped or closed band. For example, a suitable alternative name for the band is "strip".

[0024] In another embodiment, the first cord guide forms at least a part of a die or die portion for extruding the elastomeric composition into the elongated channel and onto the cords.

[0025] In yet another embodiment, the second code guide fixes or holds the code, particularly against movement in a direction parallel to the channel or the code.

[0026] In yet another embodiment, the code is tensioned by a code tensioning means arranged upstream of the first code guide and / or downstream of the second code guide. Optionally, the code may be held upstream of the first code guide by one or more coils and / or held downstream of the second code guide by at least one coil.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the elongated channel and the second code guide are configured such that the second code guide can slide from a first end of the channel to a second end of the channel and exit from the second end of the elongated channel. Optionally, as described above, the second code guide is in sealing contact with the wall of the channel.

[0028] In yet another embodiment, the elongated channel has one or more of: i) an essentially rectangular cross-section perpendicular to its elongation direction, ii) a height in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm, iii) a width in the range of 4 to 400 mm, and iv) a length in the range of 10 cm to 2 m. Thus, the channel can define the outer shape of the band, particularly perpendicular to the elongation direction of the band.

[0029] In yet another embodiment, one or more of the first code guide and the second code guide have a plurality of parallel code guide channels for guiding the codes parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, and each code guide channel optionally has a diameter in the range of 0.2 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.3 to 2 mm, or 0.4 to 2 mm, or 0.5 to 2 mm.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, the code guide channels extend in a direction parallel to the elongation direction of the elongated channel.

[0031] In yet another embodiment, the code guide channels are arranged and / or filled with one or more of a hexagonal pattern and an intersection pattern when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the elongation direction of the elongated channel and / or in a plane perpendicular to the extension of the code.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the first code guide is connected to or attached to the channel.

[0033] In yet another embodiment, the code guide channels of the first code guide and the code guide channels of the second code guide are arranged to hold the codes extending between the first code guide and the second code guide parallel to each other. That is, the code guides and / or the code guide channels restrict the movement of the code in a direction perpendicular to the elongation direction of the code and / or the elongated channel.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment, the elastomer composition is a rubber composition. Optionally, the elastomer composition (such as a rubber composition) includes one or more of rubber (such as those containing one or more of natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and butyl rubber), filler (such as those containing one or more of carbon black and silica), resin (such as hydrocarbon resins selected from one or more of coumarone-indene resin, petroleum hydrocarbon resin, terpene resin, styrene / alpha-methylstyrene resin, terpene phenol resin, rosin-derived resin, and copolymers and / or mixtures thereof), accelerator, anti-degradant, oil, liquid diene polymer, coupling agent (such as carbon black coupling agent and silane), sulfur donor, and sulfur. Here, the term "liquid" means that the material is in a liquid state at 23°C. The composition may be a sulfur-curable rubber composition. Optionally, the elastomer composition such as a rubber composition may contain fibers.

[0035] In yet another embodiment, the elastomer composition or rubber composition comprises 100 phr of rubber, including one or more of natural rubber, synthetic polyisoprene, polybutadiene rubber, and styrene butadiene rubber. Preferably, the composition comprises at least 50 phr of natural rubber (such as 50 - 100 phr of natural rubber), and optionally up to 50 phr (e.g., 5 - 50 phr) of polybutadiene rubber and / or styrene butadiene rubber. Further, the elastomer or rubber composition preferably comprises a filler including carbon black and / or silica. For example, such a filler may be in the range of 20 - 150 phr, preferably 30 - 90 phr. Preferably, such a filler mainly comprises carbon black. The elastomer or rubber composition may further comprise 1 - 40 phr of a resin, preferably including a phenolic resin. Further, the elastomer or rubber composition may comprise 1 - 30 phr, preferably 1 - 20 phr of oil. Finally, the elastomer or rubber composition may typically comprise 1 - 15 phr of an anti-degradant, 0.5 - 10 phr of an accelerator, 0.1 - 10 phr of zinc oxide, and 0.5 - 10 phr of sulfur. Also, other components may be included.

[0036] In yet another embodiment, the rubber composition mainly comprises natural rubber and / or synthetic polyisoprene, for example, 55 - 95 phr of natural rubber and / or synthetic polyisoprene, 5 - 45 phr of styrene butadiene rubber, 40 - 60 phr of a filler selected from one or more of (preferably mainly carbon black) carbon black and silica, 5 - 30 phr of oil, and up to 10 phr of a resin (such as one or more of those described above).

[0037] In yet another embodiment, one or more cords comprise or consist of one or more of a fiber material, a glass fiber material, a carbon fiber material, a boron fiber material, a basalt fiber material, a plant-derived material, and combinations of these materials. Optionally, the plurality of cords comprise different materials and / or are hybrid cords of such different materials. Optionally, the plant-derived material comprises one or more of cotton, hemp, flax, sisal, and bast.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, one or more cords comprise or consist of a metal such as steel or brass-coated steel.

[0039] In yet another embodiment, one or more cords comprise or consist of a fiber material selected from one or more of polyester (preferably PET), polyamide (preferably PA-6, PA-6,6, such as nylon®, and aromatic polyamide / aramid), and rayon. Optionally, one or more of these materials may be recycled materials. Optionally, the plurality of cords comprise different materials and / or are hybrid cords of such different materials.

[0040] In yet another embodiment, one or more cords are monofilament cords or multifilament cords.

[0041] In yet another embodiment, one or more cords may have a (maximum) diameter in the range of 0.01 - 2 mm, preferably 0.01 - 1 mm, more preferably 0.2 - 0.9 mm (or 0.3 - 0.9 mm, further 0.4 - 0.9 mm) (measured perpendicular to the extension of the cord).

[0042] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of one or more of the apparatus or embodiments thereof according to the foregoing aspects for manufacturing a code-reinforced elastomer composition band and / or a tire having such a band, optionally according to the methods disclosed herein.

[0043] Figure 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of an apparatus 100 for manufacturing a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band 300. In particular, the apparatus 100 has a first cord guide 110 and a second cord guide 130 that is slidable within an elongated channel 140 of a main body 120 of the apparatus 100. In particular, the channel 140 may be formed by the main body 120 and / or one or more walls of the apparatus 100. The channel 140 preferably has an essentially rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the elongation direction of the channel 140. In Figure 1, the channel 140 is extended in the (length) direction l. The width is indicated by the direction w, and the thickness is indicated by the direction t. Further, a plurality of cords 200 are guided and / or held by the first cord guide 110 and the second cord guide 130 and extend parallel to each other through the elongated channel 140. To form the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band 300, for example, in a non-limiting embodiment, the elastomer composition 303 is extrudable onto or extruded onto the cords 200 through a die 150 formed by a slot formed between a part of the first cord guide 110 of the apparatus 100 and a part of the main body 120. That is, the apparatus 100 includes at least one die 150 for extruding the elastomer composition 303 onto the cords 200 so as to form a part of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band 300. In particular, the die 150, i.e., the die part, may include one or more slot-shaped openings or nozzles for extruding and / or injecting the elastomer composition 303 into the channel 140 and / or onto the cords 200. The slots, slot-shaped openings or nozzles preferably extend parallel to one or more planes of the cords 200. When injecting the elastomer composition 303 onto the cords 200, the second cord guide 130 slides within the channel 140 away from the stationary first cord guide 110.Such movement may be induced by, for example, extruding the elastomer composition 303 into the channel 140, pulling the cord 200 away from the first cord guide 110 parallel to the channel 140, and / or disengaging the second cord guide 130 from the first cord guide 110 through the channel 140, one or more of which. Further with respect to FIG. 1, after the extrusion of the elastomer composition and the start of the slide of the second cord guide 130, the first end 301 of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band 300 is formed adjacent to the second slide cord guide 130, and the band 300 and / or its first end 301 move along the channel 140, in this example, in the right direction.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section A-A of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. For ease of understanding, the corresponding directions t, w, l are shown. As seen in FIG. 2, the elastomer composition 303 is supplied through two slots of the die 150 formed by the cord guide 110 and the body portion 120 of the apparatus 100. The cord guide 110 has a plurality of cord guide channels 111 extending in the longitudinal direction l, and each cord guide channel 111 holds and / or guides one cord 200.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section B-B of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. The corresponding directions t, w, l are shown again. As seen in FIG. 3, the second cord guide 130 is disposed within an elongated channel 140 formed by the body portion 120 and has a plurality of cord guide channels 131 extending in the longitudinal direction l. Each cord guide channel 131 has, i.e., guides and / or holds, one cord 200. Preferably, the elongated cord guide channels 131 of the second cord guide 130 that guide the same cord 200 and the elongated cord guide channels 111 of the first cord guide 110 (not shown in FIG. 3) preferably extend along a common straight line and / or extend parallel to the elongated channel 140.

[0046] Figure 4A schematically shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention for the purpose of explaining a preferred method step according to an embodiment of the present invention. An apparatus 10 for manufacturing a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band has a first cord guide means 11 having a plurality of parallel cord guide channels 1, and a second cord guide means 13 having a plurality of parallel cord guide channels 3 arranged (linearly) alongside the corresponding cord guide channels 1 of the first cord guide means 11. The first cord guide means 11 is fixedly connected to a main body portion 12 of the apparatus 10 having an elongated channel 14 for forming a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band. The second cord guide means 13 is adapted to slide within the channel while in contact with, in particular, the walls surrounding and / or forming the channel 14. Further, a first zone Z1 along the longitudinal direction l is shown, in which zone the cords may be held in parallel by the first cord guide means and / or the elastomer composition may be extruded into the channel 14. As in the previous embodiments, the longitudinal direction l, the width direction w, and the thickness direction t are shown herein for ease of understanding. The reference signs used in Figure 4a are also used, as appropriate, in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, which also show the apparatus 10 or its features or members.

[0047] Figure 4b shows a cross-section of the first cord guide means 11 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction l. The illustrated cord guide channel 1 has a circular cross-section for accommodating, holding, and / or guiding the cords. In particular, the cords can move by sliding within the guide channel 1, but are restricted with respect to movement in a direction perpendicular and / or transverse to the longitudinal direction l. As described above, the longitudinal direction l can also be regarded as the elongation direction herein.

[0048] Figure 4c shows a second cord guiding means 13 having an elongated cord guiding channel 3 (extended in the longitudinal direction l), which has a circular cross-section for accommodating, holding, and / or guiding a cord, in particular the same cord as the cord held by the first cord guiding means. Preferably, the elongated cord guiding channel 3 is arranged parallel to the corresponding channel of the first cord guiding means and / or aligned in a row so as to hold the cords held by both cord guiding means parallel to each other.

[0049] Figure 5 shows the device 10 already shown in Figure 4a, in which a plurality of cords 20 are inserted into the cord guiding means 11, 13 (or their respective cord guiding channels) and held parallel to each other and to the extension direction or longitudinal direction l of the channel 14. The second cord guiding means 13 is still in the same position adjacent or close to the first cord guiding means 11 and holds the cord 20 in the second zone Z2 along the longitudinal direction l.

[0050] Figure 6 shows the device 10 in a state where an elastomer composition 33, preferably a rubber composition, is extruded into one end of the channel 14, for example, in the first zone Z1, and the second cord guiding means 13 moves parallel to the channel 14 away from the first cord guiding means 11 and / or away from the first zone Z1. In particular, the cord 20 is held by the second cord guiding means 13 in the second zone Z2 where it moves through the channel 14 together with the first end 31 of the formed cord-reinforcing elastomer composition band 30. Thus, the cord 20 is held by the second cord guiding means 13 (in the second zone Z2) adjacent (in contact) to the first end 31 of the band 30 at a distance defined from each other at the first end 31 of the band 30, while the extruded band 30 and the second cord guiding means 13 slide along the channel 14, in particular away from the first zone Z1 and / or the first cord guiding means 11.

[0051] Figure 7 shows a further extruded state of the band 30 such that the first end 31 of the band 30 has already left the opening (or end) on the side opposite to the first code guiding means 11 and / or the first zone Z1 of the channel 14, and the elastomer composition 33 is being extruded into or supplied into the channel 14. Optionally, the second code guiding means 13 may be removed from the cord 20. For such purposes, it is also possible for the code guiding means 13 to have a plurality of removable parts, and / or the extrusion of the band 30 is driven by the extrusion of the elastomer composition 33 into the channel 14 (e.g., only by extrusion), and in order for the elastomer composition 33 to hold the cord 20 in place at least at the end 31 of the band 30, the cord 20 may be cut downstream of the code guiding means 13. In particular, the elastomer composition 33 may be cooled while moving through the channel 14 so as to become solid when leaving the channel 14. Depending on one or more of the elastomer composition 33 used, the length of the flow path 14, the thickness and / or width of the band 30, the number and / or diameter of the cords 20, and the extrusion speed, those skilled in the art may, if necessary and optionally, provide along a part of the flow path 14 a further cooling means to ensure (sufficient) solidification of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band when leaving the flow path 14. As another option, further downstream of the first zone Z1, a further curing zone for heating the elastomer composition (e.g., pre-curing the elastomer composition, e.g., a sulfur-curable rubber composition) may be provided, for example, upstream of a further cooling zone having cooling means. For example, cooling may be performed by water cooling means if considered desirable. However, typically, the cooling of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band 30 is performed without additional cooling means.

[0052] Figure 8 shows a situation where the band 30 is being further extruded in a self-supporting process while the solidified end 31 of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band 30, together with the first code guiding means 11, holds the cord 20 in place particularly against movement perpendicular to the longitudinal direction l.

[0053] By means of a device such as one of the devices 10, 100, or one of the methods disclosed herein, it is possible to improve the parallel holding of the cords during the manufacture of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band. Such an improved manufacturing apparatus and / or manufacturing process can provide a band in which the cords are filled at a higher density, i.e., have a higher volume fraction, than other state-of-the-art devices and / or methods for fabricating cord-reinforced elastomer composition bands.

[0054] FIG. 9 shows, in such a situation, a comparison of two different cord fillings perpendicular to the elongation direction of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band. In particular, the diagram of FIG. 9 shows the volume fraction VF in percent for the cord diameter D in millimeters for two different cord filling types, namely, hexagonal cross cord filling hp and cubic cord filling cp. As can be seen in the corresponding graph, the hexagonal cord filling hp has a higher volume fraction of cords than the cubic cord filling cp. Thus, such a hexagonal cross cord filling hp can provide a higher cord density by including more cords in the volume of the band, thereby providing different or improved band characteristics.

[0055] FIG. 10 shows a schematic side view of a non-pneumatic tire 500 having a circumferential tread band 510 including a radially outer circumferential tread portion 511 and a circumferential shear band 512 supporting the tread portion 511. Further, the tire 500 has a circumferential hub portion 560 and a circumferential connection or support structure 540 for supporting the tread band 510 on the hub portion 560. The support structure 540 has a plurality of spokes 530 extending between the hub portion 560 and the tread band 510. In one embodiment, the shear band 512 has or consists of one or more cord-reinforced elastomer composition bands manufactured using one of the methods and / or devices described above.

[0056] FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-section of a pneumatic tire 600, which has a tread portion 610, two sidewalls 640, and two bead portions each having an apex 670 and a bead 680. Further, the tire has a carcass ply 620, a plurality of belt plies 621, 622, 623, 624 (four belt plies in this example), and an overlay ply 625 covering the plurality of belt plies 621, 622, 623, 624, and these are radially arranged between the tread portion 610 and the carcass ply 620 in the crown portion of the tire 600. According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the carcass ply 620, the belt plies 621, 622, 623, 624, and the overlay ply 625 have one or more cord-reinforced elastomer composition bands manufactured using one of the aforementioned methods and / or apparatuses, or consist of one or more of such cord-reinforced elastomer composition bands. Further, it is also possible to form the overlay ply 625 with a ply strip that may consist of a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band manufactured using one of the aforementioned methods and / or apparatuses.

[0057] Modifications are possible in the present invention in light of the description provided herein. Specific representative embodiments and details are shown for the purpose of explaining the present invention, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that changes can be made in the specific embodiments described within the full intended scope of the present invention as defined by the following appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a cord-reinforced elastomer composition band, comprising: providing a plurality of parallel cords; starting to extrude at least one elastomer composition onto the parallel cords in a first zone to form a first end of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band; while moving the first end of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band parallel to the cords and away from the first zone, further extruding the elastomer composition onto the parallel cords in the first zone; in a second zone adjacent to and downstream of the first end and moving parallel to the cords and away from the first zone together with the first end of the cord-reinforced elastomer composition band, holding the parallel cords at a constant distance from each other.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parallel cords are arranged in a plane, and the elastomer composition is extruded onto each side surface of the plane.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parallel cords are arranged in at least two parallel planes.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least two parallel planes include a first plane and a second plane laterally offset from each other, and the cords in the first plane are arranged between the cords in the second plane when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the parallel cords.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cords move along the channel in the channel, and the elastomer composition is extruded onto the cords and within the channel in the first zone to define the outer shape of the band.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parallel cords are held at a constant distance from each other in the second zone by at least one cord guiding means that moves away from the first zone together with the first end.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the cords move along the channel in the channel, and the elastomer composition is extruded onto the cords and within the channel in the first zone to define the outer shape of the band, and the cord guiding means slides and moves along the channel together with the first end and downstream of the first end.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the code guiding means is removed after the first end exits from an end of the channel that is essentially opposite to the first zone.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer composition is a rubber composition, and the code is selected from one or more of a fiber code, a steel code, a glass fiber code, and a carbon material code.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the band has: i) a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm; ii) a width in the range of 4 to 400 mm; iii) a code having a diameter in the range of 0.3 to 2 mm; and iv) one or more of essentially rectangular cross-sections perpendicular to the code.

11. A method for manufacturing a tire having a plurality of tire components, comprising: applying at least one band; and manufacturing the band before applying the band, wherein the step of manufacturing the band includes the step according to claim 1.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the band is applied as at least one of a belt ply, an overlay ply, an overlay ply strip, a carcass ply, and a shear band layer.

13. The tire is a tread band having a circumferential tread portion and a circumferential shear band supporting the tread portion, a hub portion, a support portion for supporting the tread band on the hub portion, and is a non-pneumatic tire, The method according to claim 12, wherein the shear band has a plurality of circumferential layers laminated thereon, and at least one of the layers is composed of the band.

14. An apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer composition band reinforced with a plurality of parallel codes, comprising an elongated channel for forming the band, a first code guide for slidingly guiding the codes into the channel at intervals parallel to each other, at least one die for extruding the elastomer composition into the channel to cover the codes, a second code guide for guiding the codes at intervals parallel to each other, the second code guide being adapted to slide along the elongated channel through the elongated channel.

15. The elongated channel has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the first cord guide is provided at the first end, the apparatus according to claim 14.

16. The first cord guide forms at least a part of the die for extruding the elastomeric composition into and onto the cord in the elongated channel, the apparatus according to claim 15.

17. The elongated channel and the second cord guide are configured such that the second cord guide can slide from the first end of the channel to the second end of the channel and exit from the second end of the elongated channel, the apparatus according to claim 15.

18. The elongated channel has one or more of i) an essentially rectangular cross-section perpendicular to its extension, ii) a height in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm, iii) a width in the range of 4 to 400 mm, and iv) a length in the range of 10 cm to 2 m, the apparatus according to claim 14.

19. One or more of the first cord guide and the second cord guide have a plurality of parallel cord guide channels for guiding the cords parallel to each other and spaced apart, the cord guide channels having a diameter in the range of 0.3 to 2 mm, the apparatus according to claim 14.

20. The cord guide channels of the first cord guide and the cord guide channels of the second cord guide are arranged to hold the cords extending between the first cord guide and the second cord guide parallel to each other, the apparatus according to claim 19.

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