Method and supply apparatus for supplying a tire component assembly along a supply path
The method and apparatus correct lateral misalignments in tire component assemblies by using correcting members positioned beyond protruding edges and confinement members to prevent deformation and damage, ensuring precise alignment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/NL2025/050169
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-08-08
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing guide units deform or damage tire component assemblies with cordless components, such as gum strips, during alignment correction due to direct contact with guide rollers.
A method and apparatus using correcting members positioned beyond the protruding edges of cordless components to apply pressing forces laterally, combined with confinement members to restrict movement, minimizing deformation and damage.
Effectively corrects lateral misalignments without deforming or damaging cordless tire components, ensuring precise alignment and assembly integrity.
Smart Images

Figure NL2025050169_12022026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] P143225PC00
[0002] Method and supply apparatus for supplying a tire component assembly along a supply path
[0003] BACKGROUND
[0004] The invention relates to a method and a supply apparatus for supplying a tire component assembly along a supply path .
[0005] JP 2011- 161637 A discloses a guide unit with a plurality of conveying rollers for guiding a tire component in a supply direction . The guide unit is further provided with a first guide roller train and a second guide roller train provided on both sides for guiding a tire component towards a drum while correcting misalignments by pressing with the guide roller trains against the side edge portions of the tire component .
[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A disadvantage of the known guide unit is that some tire components are pre-assembled to form a tire component assembly with a combination of cord-reinforced tire components and cordless tire components , for example a steel chafer with gum strips applied to its longitudinal edges . Such gum strips are thin, sheet like flaps that extend outwards to cover the main edges of the steel chafer, and any underlying layers when the steel chafer is subsequently incorporated in a green or unvulcanized tire . When the guide roller trains of the known guide unit come into contact with the cordless tire components , they will be deformed rather than displaced . Hence, instead of correcting misalignments , the tire component assembly is deformed or damaged .
[0008] It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide a method and a supply apparatus for supplying a tire component assembly in a supply direction along a supply path, wherein deformation and / or damage to the tire component assembly during correcting of a lateral position of the tire component assembly relative to the supply path can be reduced and / or prevented .
[0009] According to a first aspect , the invention provides a method for supplying a tire component assembly in a supply direction along a supply path; wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component having a first main edge, a second main edge opposite to the first main edge and a main body extending between the first main edge and the second main edge, wherein the tire component assembly further comprises a first cordless tire component having a first protruding body that is applied with a first application side to the cord-reinforced tire component and that protrudes from the main body beyond the first main edge up to a first protruding edge , wherein the method comprises the steps of : supplying the tire component assembly in the supply direction along the supply path such that the main body extends between the first main edge and the second main edge in a lateral direction perpendicular to the supply direction; providing a first correcting member alongside the main body at the first application side of the first cordless tire component in a first pressing area in the lateral direction between the first main edge and the first protruding edge ; and correcting a lateral position of the tire component assembly in the lateral direction relative to the supply path by exerting a first pressing force in the lateral direction onto the main body from within said first pressing area with the first correcting member . By providing the first correcting member in the first pressing area, the first correcting member can be moved into direct or indirect pressing contact with the main body from a first pressing position in which the first correcting member is unlikely to deform and / or damage the first cordless tire component . In particular, the first correcting member can be positioned beyond the first protruding edge, thereby ef fectively skipping the area in which the first correcting member could potentially run into the first protruding edge from the outside .
[0010] In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises the step of : moving the first correcting member relative to the first cordless tire component into a first pressing position within said first pressing area that is closer to the first main edge than to the first protruding edge . The further away the first correcting member is moved from the first protruding edge , the less likely it is to deform and / or damage the first cordless tire component .
[0011] In a further embodiment the method further comprises the step of : moving the first correcting member relative to the first cordless tire component within said first pressing area without frictionally pulling along the first cordless tire component in the lateral direction . In other words , the first correcting member can be kept slightly spaced apart from the first cordless tire component . Alternatively, the first correcting member merely contacts the first cordless tire component with minimal force , such that the contact is only a sliding contact without any significant friction .
[0012] In another embodiment the tire component assembly further comprises a second cordless tire component having a second protruding body that is applied with a second application side to the cord-reinforced tire component and that protrudes from the main body beyond the second main edge up to a second protruding edge , wherein the method comprises the steps of : providing a second correcting member alongside the main body at the second application side of the second cordless tire component in a second pressing area in the lateral direction between the second main edge and the second protruding edge ; and correcting the lateral position of the tire component assembly in the lateral direction relative to the supply path by exerting a second pressing force in the lateral direction onto the main body from within said second pressing area with the second correcting member .
[0013] By providing the second correcting member in the second pressing area, the second correcting member can be moved into direct or indirect pressing contact with the main body from a second pressing position in which the second correcting member is unlikely to deform and / or damage the second cordless tire component . In particular, the second correcting member can be positioned beyond the second protruding edge, thereby effectively skipping the area in which the second correcting member could potentially run into the second protruding edge from the outside . The first correcting member and the second correcting member can work together to effectively correct the lateral position of the tire component assembly as a whole in both lateral directions .
[0014] In another embodiment the method further comprises the steps of : providing a first confinement member on a first confinement side of the first cordless tire component opposite to the first application side ; and confining the first cordless tire component in a confinement direction perpendicular to the supply direction and the lateral direction between the first correcting member and the first confinement member . The first confinement member can restrict movement of the first cordless tire component away from the first correcting member, thereby ef fectively keeping the cord-reinforced tire component down and / or reducing the risk that the cord-reinforced tire component j umps over or skips onto the first correcting member .
[0015] In another embodiment the method further comprises the steps of : providing a second confinement member on a second confinement side of the second cordless tire component opposite to the second application side ; and confining the second cordless tire component in a confinement direction perpendicular to the supply direction and the lateral direction between the second correcting member and the second confinement member . Similarly to the second confinement member, the second confinement member can restrict movement of the second cordless tire component away from the second correcting member, thereby ef fectively keeping the cord-reinforced tire component down and / or reducing the risk that the cord- reinforced tire component j umps over or skips onto the second correcting member .
[0016] In another embodiment the tire component assembly further comprises a third cordless tire component folded around the first main edge, wherein the first correcting member exerts the first pressing force onto the main body via said third cordless tire component . The third cordless tire component can be used to cover the ends of the embedded cords exposed at the first main edge of the cord-reinforced tire component . The third cordless tire component does not extend outwards like the first cordless tire component and the second cordless tire component . Instead it is tightly folded around the first main edge and, as such, performs its function . Pressing against the first main edge via the third cordless tire component does not impact the function of the third cordless tire component .
[0017] In another embodiment the cord-reinforced tire component is a chafer, in particular a steel chafer . The chafer is sufficiently reinforced with cords to withstand the pressing forces exerted onto it in the lateral direction .
[0018] In one particular embodiment the first cordless tire component is a first gum strip and / or the second cordless tire component is second gum strip . The gum strips are formed like a thin, sheet-like flap extending outwards from the main edges of the cord-reinforced tire component . As such, they are vulnerable to deformation and / or damage when contacted directly by the respective correcting members . Hence , the method according to the present invention is particularly ef fective in preventing deformation and / or damage to gum strips during correcting of the position of the tire component assembly .
[0019] In a further particular embodiment the third cordless tire component is a gum edge . As mentioned before in relation to the third cordless tire component, the gum edge does not extend outwards like the first cordless tire component and the second cordless tire component . Instead it is tightly folded around the first main edge and, as such, performs its function . Pressing against the first main edge via the gum edge does not impact the function of the gum edge .
[0020] In another embodiment the first correcting member is a first correcting roller, the second correcting member is a second correcting roller, the first confinement member is a first confinement roller, and / or the second confinement member is a second confinement roller . The respective rollers can roll along the tire component assembly as it is being supplied and / or conveyed further in the supply direction along the supply path .
[0021] According to a second aspect , the invention provides a supply apparatus for supplying a tire component assembly along a supply path; wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component having a first main edge, a second main edge opposite to the first main edge and a main body extending between the first main edge and the second main edge, wherein the tire component assembly further comprises a first cordless tire component having a first protruding body that is applied with a first application side to the cord-reinforced tire component and that protrudes from the main body beyond the first main edge up to a first protruding edge ; wherein the supply apparatus comprises one or more supply members that define a supply plane for supplying the tire component assembly in a supply direction along the supply path; wherein the supply apparatus is further provided with a first correcting member that is positionable at a first supply side of the supply plane for correcting a lateral position of the tire component assembly in a lateral direction parallel to the supply plane and perpendicular to the supply path by exerting a first pressing force in the lateral direction onto the main body; and wherein the supply apparatus is further provided with a first confinement member that is positionable at a second supply side of the supply plane, opposite to the first supply side, for confining the first cordless tire component in a confinement direction perpendicular to the supply plane between the first correcting member and the first confinement member .
[0022] By providing the first correcting member in the first pressing area, the first correcting member can be moved into direct or indirect pressing contact with the main body from a first pressing position in which the first correcting member is unlikely to deform and / or damage the first cordless tire component . In particular, the first correcting member can be positioned beyond the first protruding edge, thereby ef fectively skipping the area in which the first correcting member could potentially run into the first protruding edge from the outside . Meanwhile, the first confinement member can restrict movement of the first cordless tire component away from the first correcting member, thereby ef fectively keeping the cord-reinforced tire component down and / or reducing the risk that the cord-reinforced tire component j umps over or skips onto the first correcting member .
[0023] In a preferred embodiment the tire component assembly further comprises a second cordless tire component having a second protruding body that is applied with a second application side to the cord-reinforced tire component and that protrudes from the main body beyond the second main edge up to a second protruding edge ; wherein the supply apparatus is further provided with a second correcting member that is positionable at the first supply side of the supply plane for correcting the lateral position of the tire component assembly in the lateral direction by exerting a second pressing force in the lateral direction onto the main body; and wherein the supply apparatus is further provided with a second confinement member that is positionable at the second supply side of the supply plane for confining the second cordless tire component in the confinement direction between the second correcting member and the second confinement member . The second correcting member and the second confinement member can perform similar functions to the first correcting member and the first confinement member, respectively, yet at the second main edge .
[0024] In a further embodiment the first correcting member is a first correcting roller, preferably a flanged first correcting roller . Additionally or alternatively, the second correcting member is a second correcting roller, preferably a flanged second correcting roller . Additionally or alternatively, the first confinement member is a first confinement roller, preferably a flanged first confinement roller . Additionally or alternatively, the second confinement member is a second confinement roller, preferably a flanged second confinement roller . The respective rollers can roll along the tire component assembly as it is being supplied and / or conveyed further in the supply direction along the supply path . When the rollers are provided with flanges , the rollers can be positioned, angled or orientated in such a way that the flanges locally abut or contact the respective surface of the tire component assembly that are to be manipulated, with minimal contact relative to other parts of the tire component assembly .
[0025] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible . These individual aspects , in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims , can be made subj ect of divisional patent applications .
[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings , in which : figure 1 shows an isometric view of a supply apparatus and a tire component assembly during a step of a method according to the invention for supplying said tire component assembly; figure 2 shows a cross section of the supply apparatus and the tire component assembly according to the line I I-I I in figure 1 ; and figure 3 shows a detail of the supply apparatus and the tire component assembly according to the circle I I I in figure 2 .
[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Figure 1 shows a supply apparatus 1 according to the invention for supplying a tire component assembly 5 in a supply direction S along a supply path B .
[0030] The supply apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of supply members 10 that defines a supply plane P for supplying the tire component assembly 1 in the supply direction S along the supply path B . The supply plane P has a first supply side M and a second supply side N opposite to the first supply side M . The tire component assembly 5 is carried and / or supported in, at or on the supply plane P at the second supply side N . In this example, the supply plane P is horizontal or substantially horizontal with the first supply side M facing downwards . Alternatively, the supply plane P may be inverted, vertical , substantially vertical or at an oblique orientation . In this example , supply members 10 are formed by a plurality of carrying rollers . Alternatively, a supply member may be formed by a conveyor or the like .
[0031] The supply apparatus 1 further has or defines a lateral direction L perpendicular to the supply direction S and / or parallel to the supply plane P .
[0032] In this example , the tire component assembly 5 comprises a cord-reinforced tire component 6 , a first cordless tire component 7 , a second cordless tire component 8 and a third cordless tire component 9. It will be appreciated that dif ferent configurations of tire component assemblies are also within the scope of the present invention, provided that the tire component assembly comprises a combination of a cord-reinforced tire component and at least one cordless tire component .
[0033] Moreover, in this example, the cord-reinforced tire component 6 is a chafer, in particular a steel chafer . Alternatively, the cord-reinforced tire component 6 may be any other type of cord-reinforced tire component , including, but not limited to : a breaker ply, a body ply, a cap strip, or the like .
[0034] The first cordless tire component 7 and the second cordless tire component 8 are gum strips . The third cordless tire component 9 is a gum edge .
[0035] As shown in figure 1 , the cord-reinforced tire component 6 has a first longitudinal edge or first main edge 61 and a second longitudinal edge or second main edge 62 opposite to the first main edge 61 . The cord-reinforced tire component 9 further has a longitudinal body or a main body 60 extending between the first main edge 61 and the second main edge 62 . The main body 60 is made of or comprises elastomeric material , in particular a rubber material . Typically, cords are embedded in the elastomeric material of the main body 60 at an oblique cord angle to a longitudinal direction of said main body 60 .
[0036] The supply apparatus 1 is arranged or configured for supplying the tire component assembly 5 in the supply direction S along the supply path B such that the main body 60 extends between the first main edge 61 and the second main edge 62 in the lateral direction L . In particular, the longitudinal direction of the main body 60 is aligned with and / or extends parallel or substantially parallel to the supply direction S .
[0037] The first cordless tire component 7 has a first protruding body 70 . The first protruding body 70 is made of or comprises an elastomeric material , in particular a rubber material . The first protruding body 70 is not reinforced with cords , i . e . cordless . In this example , the first protruding body 70 is thin and / or sheet-like .
[0038] The first protruding body 70 has a first application side G1 and a first confinement side Hl opposite to said first application side G1 . The first protruding body 70 is applied with the first application side G1 to the main body 60 in a partially overlapping position at the first main edge 61 . In particular, a part of the first protruding body 70 extends or protrudes from the main body 60 beyond the first main edge 61 up to a first protruding edge 71 . Although figure 1 shows the first protruding body 70 continuing straight or level from the first main edge 61 up to the first protruding edge 71 , it will be appreciated that the elastomeric material of the first protruding body 70 is flexible and may tend to slack or bend slightly when moving further away from the first main edge 61 , depending on the orientation of the supply plane P .
[0039] The first protruding edge 71 extends parallel or substantially parallel to the first main edge 61 , spaced apart from said first main edge 61 of a first protruding distance DI . In other words , the first main edge 61 is recessed relative to or undercuts the first protruding edge 71 over said first protruding distance DI .
[0040] Similarly, the second cordless tire component 8 has a second protruding body 80 . The second protruding body 80 is made of or comprises an elastomeric material , in particular a rubber material . The second protruding body 80 is not reinforced with cords , i . e . cordless . In this example, the second protruding body 80 is thin and / or sheet-like .
[0041] The second protruding body 80 has a second application side G2 and a second confinement side H2 opposite to said second application side G2 . The second protruding body 80 is applied with the second application side G2 to the main body 60 in a partially overlapping position at the second main edge 62 . In particular, a part of the second protruding body 80 extends or protrudes from the main body 60 beyond the second main edge 62 up to a second protruding edge 81 . Again, although figure 1 shows the second protruding body 80 continuing straight or level from the second main edge 62 up to the second protruding edge 81 , it will be appreciated that the elastomeric material of the second protruding body 80 is flexible and may tend to slack or bend slightly when moving further away from the second main edge 62 , depending on the orientation of the supply plane P .
[0042] The second protruding edge 81 extends parallel or substantially parallel to the second main edge 62 , spaced apart from said second main edge 62 of a second protruding distance D2 . In other words , the second main edge 62 is recessed relative to or undercuts the second protruding edge 81 over said second protruding distance D2 .
[0043] As best seen in figure 2 , the third cordless tire component 9 is folded around the first main edge 61 to cover the cut ends of the cords exposed at said first main edge 61 . The third cordless tire component 9 is made of or comprises elastomeric material , in particular a rubber material .
[0044] As further shown in figure 2 , the supply apparatus 1 comprises a first correcting member 11 and a second correcting member 12 for correcting a lateral position of the tire component assembly 5 in the lateral direction L relative to the supply path B . In particular, the correcting members 11 , 12 are arranged or configured for correcting misalignments of the tire component assembly 5 relative to said supply path B and / or for centering the tire component assembly 5 relative to said supply path B .
[0045] The first correcting member 11 is provided at the first supply side M and extends at least partially through the supply plane P to the second supply side N . The first correcting member 11 is provided alongside the main body 60 at the first application side G1 of the first cordless tire component 7 in a first pressing area Al in the lateral direction L between the first main edge 61 and the first protruding edge 71 . The lateral position of the tire component assembly 5 is corrected by having the first correcting member 11 apply or exert a first pressing force Fl in the lateral direction L onto the main body 60 from within said first pressing area Al . In particular, the first correcting member 11 is movable relative to the first cordless tire component 7 into a first pressing position El within said first pressing area Al that is closer to the first main edge 61 than to the first protruding edge 71 .
[0046] In this example, the first correcting member 11 presses against the first main edge 61 indirectly via the third cordless tire component 9 . Alternatively, the third cordless tire component 9 may be absent, in which case the first correcting member 11 presses against the first main edge 61 directly .
[0047] Note that the first correcting member 11 can be moved relative to the first cordless tire component 7 within said first pressing area Al without frictionally pulling along the first cordless tire component 7 in the lateral direction L . In fact , the first correcting member 11 merely slides along the first cordless tire component 7 .
[0048] Similarly, the second correcting member 12 is provided at the first supply side M and extends at least partially through the supply plane P to the second supply side N . The second correcting member 12 is provided alongside the main body 60 at the second application side G2 of the second cordless tire component 8 in a second pressing area A2 in the lateral direction L between the second main edge 62 and the second protruding edge 81 . The lateral position of the tire component assembly 5 is corrected by having the second correcting member 12 apply or exert a second pressing force F2 in the lateral direction L onto the main body 60 from within said second pressing area A2 . In particular, the second correcting member 12 is movable relative to the second cordless tire component 8 into a second pressing position E2 within said second pressing area A2 that is closer to the second main edge 62 than to the second protruding edge 81 .
[0049] In this example, the second correcting member 12 presses against the second main edge 62 directly . Alternatively, a further gum edge may be applied to the second main edge 62 , in which case the second correcting member 12 presses against the second main edge 62 indirectly, via the further gum edge .
[0050] The supply apparatus 1 further comprises a first confinement member 13 on or at the first confinement side Hl of the first cordless tire component 7 opposite to the first correcting member 11 and a second confinement member 14 on or at the second confinement side H2 of the second cordless tire component 8 opposite to the second correcting member 12 . The confinement members 13 , 14 are located at the second supply side N of the supply plane P . The first confinement member 13 and the second confinement member 14 are arranged or configured for confining the first cordless tire component 7 and the second cordless tire component 8 , respectively, in a confinement direction C perpendicular to the supply direction S and the lateral direction L .
[0051] The confinement members 13 , 14 can restrict movement of the cordless tire components 7 , 8 away from the respective correcting members 11 , 12 , thereby ef fectively keeping the cord-reinforced tire component 6 down . Hence , it can be prevented that the cord-reinforced tire component 6 j umps over or skips onto the first correcting member 11 and / or the second correcting member 12 .
[0052] In this example , the first correcting member 11 is or comprises a first correcting roller 21 . Similarly, the second correcting member 12 is or comprises a second correcting roller 22 .
[0053] Moreover, in this example, the first confinement member 13 is or comprises a first confinement roller 23 . Similarly, the second confinement member 14 is or comprises a second confinement roller 24 .
[0054] Specifically, each roller 21-24 is formed as a flanged roller, meaning that each roller 21-24 comprises a roller body 30 and a flange 31 extending circumferentially around said roller body 30 . In this example , the flange 31 forms a tapered or conical pressing surface 32 that ends with a circumferential pressing edge 33 .
[0055] As shown in more detail in figure 3 , the second correcting roller 22 is configured to be positioned or orientated such that the conical pressing surface 32 is located directly opposite to the second main edge 62 , considered in the lateral direction L . As shown in figure 2 , the same applies to the first correcting roller 21 and its conical pressing surface 32 relative to the first main edge 61 .
[0056] For the confinement rollers 13 , 14 , it is not necessarily the conical pressing surface 32 that is used, but the circumferential pressing edge 33 that is positioned at or slightly above the respective cordless tire components 7 , 8 .
[0057] A method for supplying the tire component assembly 5 in the supply direction S along the supply path B with the use of the aforementioned supply apparatus 1 will now be briefly elucidated with reference to figures 1-3 .
[0058] Figures 1 and 2 show the situation in which the tire component assembly 5 is being supplied in the supply direction S along the supply path B . The correcting members 11 , 12 have been provided and / or moved into their respective pressing positions El , E2 on opposite sides alongside the main body 60 . As such, the correcting members 11 , 12 are located within the respective first pressing areas Al , A2 , ready to apply or exert the respective pressing forces Fl , F2 onto the main body 60 when any misalignment is detected and / or a correction of a lateral position of the tire component assembly 5 is considered necessary . The confinement members 13 , 14 are positioned on an opposite side of the respective cordless tire components 7 , 8 relative to the respective correction members 11 , 12 to confine the respective cordless tire components 7 , 8 in a manner as previously described .
[0059] Further details of the method are described in the accompanying claims and do not require any further elucidation in relation to the drawings .
[0060] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention . From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention .
[0061] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0062] 1 supply apparatus
[0063] 10 supply member
[0064] 11 first correcting member
[0065] 12 second correcting member
[0066] 13 first confinement member
[0067] 14 second confinement member
[0068] 21 first correcting roller
[0069] 22 second correcting roller
[0070] 23 first confinement roller
[0071] 24 second confinement roller
[0072] 30 roller body
[0073] 31 flange
[0074] 32 conical pressing surface
[0075] 33 circumferential pressing edge
[0076] 5 tire component assembly 6 cord-reinforced tire component
[0077] 60 main body
[0078] 61 first main edge
[0079] 62 second main edge
[0080] 7 first cordless tire component
[0081] 70 first protruding body
[0082] 71 first protruding edge
[0083] 8 second cordless tire component
[0084] 80 second protruding body
[0085] 81 second protruding edge
[0086] 9 third cordless tire component
[0087] 90 folded body
[0088] Al first pressing area
[0089] A2 second pressing area
[0090] B supply path
[0091] C confinement direction
[0092] DI first protruding distance
[0093] D2 second protruding distance
[0094] El first pressing position
[0095] E2 second pressing position
[0096] Fl first pressing force
[0097] F2 second pressing force
[0098] G1 first application side
[0099] G2 second application side
[0100] Hl first confinement side
[0101] H2 second confinement side
[0102] L lateral direction
[0103] M first supply side
[0104] N second supply side
[0105] P supply plane
[0106] S supply direction
Claims
C L A I M S1 . Method for supplying a tire component assembly in a supply direction along a supply path; wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component having a first main edge, a second main edge opposite to the first main edge and a main body extending between the first main edge and the second main edge, wherein the tire component assembly further comprises a first cordless tire component having a first protruding body that is applied with a first application side to the cord-reinforced tire component and that protrudes from the main body beyond the first main edge up to a first protruding edge , wherein the method comprises the steps of : supplying the tire component assembly in the supply direction along the supply path such that the main body extends between the first main edge and the second main edge in a lateral direction perpendicular to the supply direction; providing a first correcting member alongside the main body at the first application side of the first cordless tire component in a first pressing area in the lateral direction between the first main edge and the first protruding edge ; and correcting a lateral position of the tire component assembly in the lateral direction relative to the supply path by exerting a first pressing force in the lateral direction onto the main body from within said first pressing area with the first correcting member .2 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of : moving the first correcting member relative to the first cordless tire component into a first pressing position within said first pressing area that is closer to the first main edge than to the first protruding edge .3 . Method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the method further comprises the step of : moving the first correcting member relative to the first cordless tire component within said first pressing area without frictionally pulling along the first cordless tire component in the lateral direction .4 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the tire component assembly further comprises a second cordless tire component having second protruding body that is applied with a second application side to the cord-reinforced tire component and that protrudes from the main body beyond the second main edge up to a second protruding edge , wherein the method comprises the steps of : providing a second correcting member alongside the main body at the second application side of the second cordless tire component in a second pressing area in the lateral direction between the second main edge and the second protruding edge ; and correcting the lateral position of the tire component assembly in the lateral direction relative to the supply path by exerting a second pressing force in the lateral direction onto the main body from within said second pressing area with the second correcting member .
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the method further comprises the steps of : providing a first confinement member on a first confinement side of the first cordless tire component opposite to the first application side ; and confining the first cordless tire component in a confinement direction perpendicular to the supply direction and the lateral direction between the first correcting member and the first confinement member .
6. Method according to claim 4 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of : providing a second confinement member on a second confinement side of the second cordless tire component opposite to the second application side ; andconfining the second cordless tire component in a confinement direction perpendicular to the supply direction and the lateral direction between the second correcting member and the second confinement member .7 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the tire component assembly further comprises a third cordless tire component folded around the first main edge , wherein the first correcting member exerts the first pressing force onto the main body via said third cordless tire component .8 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the cord-reinforced tire component is a chafer, in particular a steel chafer .
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the first cordless tire component is a first gum strip .10 . Method according to claim 4 , wherein the second cordless tire component is second gum strip .11 . Method according to claim 7 , wherein the third cordless tire component is a gum edge .12 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the first correcting member is a first correcting roller .13 . Method according to claim 4 , wherein the second correcting member is a second correcting roller .14 . Method according to claim 5, wherein the first confinement member is a first confinement roller .15 . Method according to claim 6, wherein the second confinement member is a second confinement roller .16 . Supply apparatus for supplying a tire component assembly along a supply path; wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component having a first main edge, a second main edge opposite to the first main edge and a main body extending between the first main edge and the second main edge, wherein the tire component assembly further comprises a first cordless tire component having a firstprotruding body that is applied with a first application side to the cord-reinforced tire component and that protrudes from the main body beyond the first main edge up to a first protruding edge ; wherein the supply apparatus comprises one or more supply members that define a supply plane for supplying the tire component assembly in a supply direction along the supply path; wherein the supply apparatus is further provided with a first correcting member that is positionable at a first supply side of the supply plane for correcting a lateral position of the tire component assembly in a lateral direction parallel to the supply plane and perpendicular to the supply path by exerting a first pressing force in the lateral direction onto the main body; and wherein the supply apparatus is further provided with a first confinement member that is positionable at a second supply side of the supply plane, opposite to the first supply side, for confining the first cordless tire component in a confinement direction perpendicular to the supply plane between the first correcting member and the first confinement member .17 . Supply apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the tire component assembly further comprises a second cordless tire component having a second protruding body that is applied with a second application side to the cord- reinforced tire component and that protrudes from the main body beyond the second main edge up to a second protruding edge ; wherein the supply apparatus is further provided with a second correcting member that is positionable at the first supply side of the supply plane for correcting the lateral position of the tire component assembly in the lateral direction by exerting a second pressing force in the lateral direction onto the main body; and wherein the supply apparatus is further provided with a second confinement member that is positionable at thesecond supply side of the supply plane for confining the second cordless tire component in the confinement direction between the second correcting member and the second confinement member . 18 . Supply apparatus according to claim 16 or 17 , wherein the first correcting member is a first correcting roller, preferably a flanged first correcting roller .19 . Supply apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the second correcting member is a second correcting roller, preferably a flanged second correcting roller .20 . Supply apparatus according to claim 16 or 17 , wherein the first confinement member is a first confinement roller, preferably a flanged first confinement roller .21 . Supply apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the second confinement member is a second confinement roller, preferably a flanged second confinement roller .-o-o-o- o- o-o-o- o—RM / HZ
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