Tire manufacturing station and roller

Abstract

The invention relates to a tire manufacturing station comprising a support member and a roller; wherein the roller comprises a roller body that is rotatable about a roller axis and that at least partially coincides with a virtual contact cylinder; wherein the roller body is divided into a first contact section and a second contact section; wherein the first contact section defines one or more first contact surfaces coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder and one or more first recessed surfaces recessed from the virtual contact cylinder; wherein the second contact section defines one or more second contact surfaces coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder and one or more second recessed surfaces recessed from the virtual contact cylinder; wherein the one or more second contact surfaces are angularly offset relative to the one or more first contact surfaces. The invention further relates to a roller for use in the tire manufacturing station.

Description

[0001] P143908PC00

[0002] Tire manufacturing station and roller

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] The invention relates to a tire manufacturing station and a roller for use in said tire manufacturing station.

[0005] CN 215177545 U discloses a height detection device for detecting height of a tire component, comprising a non-driven support roller for passively rolling on or over the tire component.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A disadvantage of the height detection device is that elastomeric material builds up or accumulates in the nip between the support roller and the conveyor, as the support roller rolls over the tire component, resulting in a bulge or bow wave. The accumulation of material can lift the support roller, resulting in inaccurate measurements and / or false positives when detecting leading ends, trailing ends or splices in the tire component. The accumulation of material can also cause quality issues, such as deformation, in the tire to be formed, jamming of equipment, and / or downtime in the manufacturing process.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tire manufacturing station and a roller for use in said tire manufacturing station, wherein any of the aforementioned negative effects of the accumulation ofmaterial can be at least partially mitigated or reduced. According to a first aspect, the invention provides a tire manufacturing station comprising a support member for supporting a strip of material, in particular an elastomeric strip, and a roller for rolling over said strip of material as it is being supported by said support member;

[0009] wherein the roller comprises a roller body that is rotatable in a circumferential direction about a roller axis and that defines an outer circumference that at least partially coincides with a virtual contact cylinder coaxial to the roller axis;

[0010] wherein the roller body is divided in an axial direction parallel to the roller axis into at least a first contact section and a second contact section;

[0011] wherein the first contact section defines one or more first contact surfaces coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder and, alternating with the one or more first contact surfaces in the circumferential direction, one or more first recessed surfaces recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis;

[0012] wherein the second contact section defines one or more second contact surfaces coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder and, alternating with the one or more second contact surfaces in the circumferential direction, one or more second recessed surfaces recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis;

[0013] wherein the one or more second contact surfaces are angularly offset in the circumferential direction relative to the one or more first contact surfaces.

[0014] The recessed surfaces can intermittently or regularly clear a path or a space along the outer circumference of the roller body for material that builds up or accumulates into a bulge or a bow wave to pass underneath the roller body before it reaches problematic levels. Moreover, the recessed surfaces allow for passage of the bow wave underneath the roller body without said bowwave significantly lifting up the roller body. Meanwhile, the angular offset between the one or more second contact surfaces and the one or more first contact surfaces allows for the roller body to at least partially remain in contact with and / or supported on the strip of material at the virtual contact cylinder while the bow wave passes underneath one of the recessed surfaces. This may be particularly useful when the roller is used as a length measurement roller, where consistent contact with the strip of material may be important to increase the accuracy of the length measurement. Alternatively, this may be particularly useful when the roller is used as a height measurement roller, where support of the roller on the strip of material at a constant radius may be important to increase the accuracy of the height measurement and / or to prevent false positives.

[0015] In one embodiment each first contact surface of the one or more first contact surfaces is discontinuous from each second contact surface of the one or more second contact surfaces in the axial direction. The bulge or bow wave formed by the roller in the strip of material tends to be slightly wider, in the axial direction, than the contact surface causing it. The discontinuity, separation or spacing between the one or more first contact surfaces and the one or more second contact surfaces in the axial direction can reduce the chance of any residual bow wave from one of the contact surfaces entering into the path of a directly adjacent contact surface. Instead, such a residual bow wave can at least partially pass or escape through the discontinuity between the contact surfaces in the axial direction.

[0016] In another embodiment the roller comprises a first separation section located in the axial direction between the first contact section and the second contact section, wherein the first separation section is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis over a full revolution about the roller axis. Hence, thefirst separation section can effectively form a circumferential escape channel for any of the previously mentioned residual bow waves originating from any of the contact surfaces along the outer circumference of the roller body.

[0017] Preferably, the first contact section has a first contact width in the axial direction, wherein the first separation section spaces apart the first contact section and the second contact section over a spacing width that is equal to or greater than ten percent of the first contact width, preferably equal to or greater than thirty percent of the first contact width, and most preferably equal to or greater than fifty percent of the first contact width. The wider the first separation section, the more easily any residual bow wave escape between the respective contact surfaces.

[0018] In another embodiment each first contact surface of the one or more first contact surfaces angularly spans at least a respective second recessed surface of the one or more second recessed surfaces. Hence, each first contact surface can effectively support the roller body on the strip of material at a constant radius and / or along the virtual contact cylinder along the entire circumferential length of the respective second recessed surface.

[0019] Similarly, each second contact surface of the one or more second contact surfaces angularly spans at least a respective first recessed surface of the one or more first recessed surfaces. Hence, each second contact surface can effectively support the roller body on the strip of material at a constant radius and / or along the virtual contact cylinder along the entire circumferential length of the respective first recessed surface.

[0020] In another embodiment the one or more first contact surfaces and the one or more second contact surfaces together span the outer circumference of the roller body in its entirety. In other words, the one or more first contact surfaces and the one or more secondcontact surfaces are complimentary to each other to define the entire outer circumference of the roller body. Hence, the contact surfaces together can effectively support the roller body on the strip of material at a constant radius along the entire virtual contact cylinder.

[0021] In another embodiment each first contact surface of the one or more first contact surfaces angularly overlaps with at least one second contact surface of the one or more second contact surfaces in the circumferential direction, preferably over an overlap angle of at least ten degrees, and more preferably over an overlap angle of at least twenty degrees. Because of the angular overlap, the roller body can be briefly supported by two contact surfaces simultaneously at the transition between circumferentially consecutive recessed surfaces. This ensures that the roller body always remains in consistent contact with the strip of material around the virtual contact cylinder, regardless of the lack of contact at the recessed surfaces.

[0022] In another embodiment the one or more first recessed surfaces comprises equal to or less than four first recessed surfaces, and preferably equal to or less than two first recessed surfaces. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more second recessed surfaces comprises equal to or less than four second recessed surfaces, and preferably equal to or less than two second recessed surfaces. The strip of material accumulates at the roller body at a relatively slow rate. It therefore should be sufficient to allow the accumulated material to pass underneath the roller at a limited number of positions around the circumference. By reducing the number of recessed surfaces, the roller body can be supported by the contact surfaces over a longer arc, thus resulting in a more consistent support of the roller on the strip of material.

[0023] In another embodiment each first recessed surface of the one or more first recessed surfaces is recessed fromthe virtual contact cylinder over a first recess angle of at least twenty degrees, preferably at least thirty degrees, more preferably at least forty degrees and most preferably at least fifty degrees. Additionally or alternatively, each second recessed surface of the one or more second recessed surfaces is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder over a second recess angle of at least twenty degrees, preferably at least thirty degrees, more preferably at least forty degrees and most preferably at least fifty degrees. When the recessed surfaces are too small, only a part of the accumulated material will be allowed to pass underneath the roller, with the remaining part getting stuck between the roller body and the conveyor. A greater recess angle thus allows for more of the accumulated material to pass underneath. It will further be appreciated that, by limiting the number of recessed surfaces according to the previously discussed embodiment, the recess angle of the individual recessed surfaces can effectively be increased as well.

[0024] In another embodiment the roller body is divided in the axial direction into at least the first contact section, the second contact section, and a third contact section, wherein the second contact section is located in the axial direction between the first contact section and the third contact section;

[0025] wherein the third contact section defines one or more third contact surfaces coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder and, alternating with the one or more third contact surfaces in the circumferential direction, one or more third recessed surfaces recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis;

[0026] wherein the one or more third contact surfaces are angularly offset in the circumferential direction relative to the one or more second contact surfaces. The third contact section can provide additional stability to the roller body while on its own also providing the third recessed surfaces that allow accumulated material to passunderneath the roller body at the third contact section. Preferably, the one or more third contact surfaces are aligned with the one or more first contact surfaces in the axial direction. Hence, the first contact section and the third contact section can cooperate to keep the roller body in contact with the strip of material in a stable manner on opposite sides of the second contact section.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the first contact section and the third contact section are mirror-symmetrical to each other on opposite sides of the second contact section. The mirror-symmetrical configuration provides can ensure that both the first contact section and the third contact section can keep the roller body in contact with the strip of material in exactly the same manner on opposite sides of the second contact section.

[0028] In a further embodiment each third contact surface of the one or more third contact surfaces is discontinuous from each second contact surface of the one or more second contact surfaces in the axial direction. As explained earlier, the bulge or bow wave formed by the roller in the strip of material tends to be slightly wider, in the axial direction, than the contact surface causing it. The discontinuity, separation or spacing between the one or more second contact surfaces and the one or more third contact surfaces in the axial direction can reduce the chance of any residual bow wave from one of the contact surfaces entering into the path of a directly adjacent contact surface. Instead, such a residual bow wave can at least partially pass or escape through the discontinuity between the contact surfaces in the axial direction.

[0029] In yet a further embodiment the roller comprises a second separation section located in the axial direction between the second contact section and the third contact section, wherein the second separation section is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis over a full revolution about the roller axis. Hence, thesecond separation section can effectively form a circumferential escape channel for any of the previously mentioned residual bow waves originating from any of the contact surfaces along the outer circumference of the roller body.

[0030] In another embodiment the first contact section and the second contact section are configured to corotate about the roller axis. In other words, the first contact section and the second contact section are fixed against rotation relative to each other. Therefore, the angular offset between the contact surfaces remains the same as roller body is rotated as a whole.

[0031] In another embodiment the roller body is integrally formed. Consequently, the roller body can be rigidly formed and can rotate as a whole.

[0032] In another embodiment the roller body is formed by a rigid or incompressible material. The rigid or incompressible material can improve the consistency of the contact between the roller body and the strip of material. The rigid or incompressible material may for example be a metal, in particular steel or stainless steel.

[0033] In another embodiment the one or more first recessed surfaces and / or the one or more second recessed surfaces are flat or substantially flat. The flat recessed surfaces can be manufactured more easily, for example using a milling process.

[0034] In another embodiment the roller is a contact roller, a length measurement roller, a height measurement roller, a pressing roller, a steering roller, or a centering roller. In each of these cases, the combination of preventing accumulation of material while maintaining consistency of contact between the roller body and the strip of material is useful for consistent contact, accurate length measurement, accurate height measurement and / or consistent pressing.

[0035] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a roller for use in the tire manufacturing stationaccording to the first aspect of the invention and having the same features as the roller of the tire manufacturing station according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention.

[0036] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a roller for rolling over strip of material, in particular elastomeric material, wherein the roller comprises the same features as the roller of the tire manufacturing station according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention.

[0037] The roller according to the second aspect and the roller according to the third aspect each have the same features as the roller of the tire manufacturing station according to the first aspect of the invention, and thus have the same technical advantages. The roller according to the second aspect of the invention may be provided separately from the tire manufacturing station, for use in said tire manufacturing station. The roller according to the third aspect of the invention may be provided for tire manufacturing or for applications different than tire manufacturing.

[0038] 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 subject of divisional patent applications.

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0041] figure 1 shows an isometric view of a tire manufacturing station with a conveyor and a roller according to a first embodiment of the invention;figures 2, 3 and 4 show side views in cross section of the roller according to figure 1 during different stages of rolling over a strip of material;

[0042] figure 5 shows a top view of the roller according to figure 2;

[0043] figure 6 shows a top view of the roller according to figure 5 after rotating over ninety degrees;

[0044] figure 7 shows a side view in cross section of an alternative roller according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0045] figure 8 shows a top view of a further alternative roller according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Figure 1 shows a tire building apparatus, a tire manufacturing apparatus, a tire building station or tire manufacturing station 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The tire manufacturing station 1 can be part of a tire manufacturing line (not shown). The tire manufacturing station may for example be a tire component servicer, a cutting station, a transfer station, a folding station, an applicator or the like.

[0048] As shown in figure 1, the tire manufacturing station 1 comprises a support member 2 for supporting a strip or sheet of material 9. In this example, the strip of material 9 is an elastomeric or rubber strip. The strip of material 9 is unvulcanized and therefore still plastically and / or elastically deformable. The strip of material 9 is cut-to-length to form a tire component, that is ultimately incorporated and / or assembled into a green or unvulcanized tire. The strip of material 9 may optionally be reinforced or provided with reinforcements, such as embedded reinforcement cords.

[0049] The support member 2 defines a support surface20. The support surface 20 may be stationary, like a table, or moving, like a conveyor. In particular, in this embodiment, the support member 2 comprises a conveyor 21, having an endless belt that defines said support surface 20. The support surface 20 moves in a feeding direction F.

[0050] The tire manufacturing station 1 further comprises a roller 3 for rolling over the strip of material 9 as it is being supported on and / or conveyed by the support member 2. The roller 3 may be a contact roller, a length measurement roller, a height measurement roller, a pressing roller, a steering roller, or a centering roller.

[0051] As best seen in figure 1, the roller 3 comprises a roller body 30 that is rotatable in a circumferential direction D about a roller axis S. The roller 3 may roll over the strip of material 9 as it passes underneath as a result of a conveyance of the support member 2 in the feeding direction F. Alternatively, the support member 2 may be stationary and the roller 3 is moved relative to the support member 2 in a corresponding direction (not shown).

[0052] The roller body 30 forms or defines an outer circumference 31 of the roller 3. The outer circumference 31 is intermittently cylindrical or straight-cylindrical. Said outer circumference 31 partially coincides with, intermittently coincides with or extends at the same radius as a virtual contact cylinder C. The virtual contact cylinder C extends concentric or coaxially to the roller axis S. The virtual contact cylinder C is straight cylindrical, meaning that it has a constant radius.

[0053] As shown in figures 2, 3 and 4, the strip of material 9 builds up or accumulates into a bulge or a bow wave B ahead of and / or in the nip between the roller 3 and the conveyor 2 as the roller 3 rolls over the strip of material 9. The roller 3 according to the present invention is configured to intermittently or regularly allow passage of said bow wave B underneath the roller body 30 to prevent excessive build up or accumulation of said strip of material 9. The configuration of the roller 3 that allowsfor this intermittent or regular passage will be explained in further detail below.

[0054] In particular, as shown in figure 1, the roller body 30 is divided in an axial direction A parallel to the roller axis S into a first contact section 41, a second contact section 42 and a third contact section 43. In this example, the second contact section 42 is located in the axial direction A between the first contact section 41 and the third contact section 43.

[0055] As shown in figure 5, the first contact section 41, the second contact section 42 and the third contact section 43 have a first contact width W1, a second contact width W2 and a third contact width W3, respectively, in the axial direction A. In this example, the second contact width W2 is larger than the first contact width W1 or the third contact width W3. In particular, the second contact width W2 is at least one-and-a-half times the first contact width W1, and preferably at least double the first contact width W1.

[0056] As shown in figure 1, in this example, the first contact section 41 defines two first contact surfaces 51 extending along or coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder C. In other words, each first contact surface 51 matches the virtual contact cylinder C, or defines an contact arc that coincides with, extends concentrically to the virtual contact cylinder C and / or at the same radius as said virtual contact cylinder C. In this example, each first contact surface 51 extends along the virtual contact cylinder C over a contact angle of approximately one-hundred-and- twenty degrees.

[0057] The first contact section 41 further defines two first recessed surfaces 61 recessed or spaced apart from the virtual contact cylinder C towards the roller axis S. In other words, each first recessed surface 61 is located radially inwards from the virtual contact cylinder C.

[0058] The two first recessed surfaces 61 alternate with the two first contact surfaces 51 in the circumferentialdirection D, meaning that the first contact section 41 features, consecutively or sequentially in the circumferential direction D; a first contact surface 51, a first recessed surface 61, another first contact surface 51, and another first recessed surface 61.

[0059] Similarly, the second contact section 42 defines two second contact surfaces 52 coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder C and two second recessed surfaces 62 recessed or spaced apart from the virtual contact cylinder C towards the roller axis S. The two second recessed surfaces 62 alternate with the two second contact surfaces 52 in the circumferential direction D.

[0060] Furthermore, the third contact section 43 defines two third contact surfaces 53 coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder C and two third recessed surfaces 63 recessed or spaced apart from the virtual contact cylinder C towards the roller axis S. The two third recessed surfaces 63 alternate with the two third contact surfaces 53 in the circumferential direction D.

[0061] In this example, the recessed surfaces 61, 62, 63 are flat or substantially flat. In particular, each recessed surface 61, 62, 63 extends along a chord of the virtual contact cylinder C. Alternatively, the recessed surfaces 61, 62, 63 may feature a different, recessed shape, such as a concave shape or a dip.

[0062] Note that, as shown in figure 1, the second contact surfaces 52 are angularly offset in the circumferential direction D relative to the one or more first contact surfaces 51. In this example, as best seen in figure 2, the second contact surfaces 52 are angularly offset in the circumferential direction D relative to the one or more first contact surfaces 51 over an offset angle K of approximately ninety degrees. The offset angle K may be different when a different number of contact surfaces 51, 52 is chosen.

[0063] Similarly, the third contact surfaces 53 are angularly offset in the circumferential direction Drelative to the second contact surfaces 52 over a similar offset angle. Consequently, the third contact surfaces 53 are offset over one-hundred-and-eighty degrees relative to the first contact surfaces 51. Alternatively, a different offset angle may be chosen for the third contact surfaces 53, resulting in a different or unique angular position for each of the first, second and third contact surfaces 51, 52, 53.

[0064] Because the contact surfaces 51, 52, 53 per contact section 41, 42, 43 are also one-hundred-and-eighty degrees offset, the third contact surfaces 53 are aligned with the first contact surfaces 51 in the axial direction A. More in particular, in this example, the first contact section 41 and the third contact section 43 are mirror-symmetrical to each other on opposite sides of the second contact section 42.

[0065] Moreover, as shown in figure 2, each first recessed surface 61 is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder C over a first recess angle H1. In this example, the first recess angle H1 is approximately sixty degrees. Similarly, each second recessed surface 62 is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder C over a second recess angle H2. In this example, the first recess angle H1 and the second recess angle H2 are equal.

[0066] In the embodiment as shown in figure 2, each first contact surface 53 angularly bridges, spans or extends along one respective second recessed surface 62 of the two second recessed surfaces 62. Similarly, each second contact surface 52 angularly bridges, spans or extends along one first recessed surface 61 of the two first recessed surfaces 61. As such, the two first contact surfaces 51 and the two second contact surfaces 52 combined or together span the outer circumference 31 of the roller body 30 in its entirety. In other words, the contact surfaces 51, 52 together fully define three-hundred-and-sixty degrees or a full revolution of the outer circumference 31 of the roller body 30. In particular, thecontact surfaces 51, 52 together fully define the virtual contact cylinder C.

[0067] Alternatively, the first and second contact surfaces 51, 52 may define only a part of the outer circumference 31, with the third contact surfaces 53 or further contact surfaces (not shown) defining the remaining part of the outer circumference 31.

[0068] As further shown in figure 1, in this example, each first contact surface 51 extends partially alongside and / or angularly overlaps with one or both of the second contact surfaces 52 in the circumferential direction D. In particular, as shown in figure 2, the first contact surface 51 and the second contact surface 52 overlap each other over an overlap angle E. In this example, the overlap angle E is approximately thirty degrees.

[0069] As shown in figure 1, each first contact surface 51 is separated, spaced apart, non-contiguous or discontinuous from any of the second contact surfaces 52 in the axial direction A. Similarly, each second contact surface 52 is separated, spaced apart, non-contiguous or discontinuous from any of the third contact surfaces 53 in the axial direction A.

[0070] In particular, the roller 3 is provided with a first separation section 71 located in the axial direction A between the first contact section 41 and the second contact section 42. As shown in figure 5, the first separation section 71 separates or spaces apart the first contact section 41 and the second contact section 42 over a spacing width X. In this example, the first separation section 71 is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder C towards the roller axis S over a full revolution about the roller axis S. In other words, the first separation section 71 has a maximum radius relative to the roller axis S that is smaller than the radius of the virtual contact cylinder C. In this example, the first separation section 71 is at least partially contiguous, flush, coincident or coplanar with the recessed surfaces 61, 62 of the adjacent contactsections 41, 42.

[0071] In the embodiment as shown in figure 1, the roller 3 further comprises a second separation section 72, located in the axial direction A between the second contact section 42 and the third contact section 43. As shown in figure 5, the second separation section 72 separates or spaces apart the second contact section 42 and the third contact section 43 over the same spacing width X as the first separation section 71. In this example, the second separation section 72 has the same shape or dimensions as the first separation section 71. In particular, the separation sections 71, 72 are mirror-symmetrical to each other on opposite sides of the second contact section 42.

[0072] In this example, the spacing width X is approximately equal to the first contact width W1. Alternatively, the spacing width X may be smaller or larger than the first contact width W1, with a minimum of ten percent.

[0073] The contact sections 41, 42, 43 are configured to rotate in unison or to corotate about the roller axis S. In other words, the contact sections 41, 42, 43 remain in the same angular position relative to each other during rotation about the roller axis S. In this example, the separation sections 71, 72 are also configured to corotate with the contact sections 41, 42, 43.

[0074] Moreover, the roller body 30 is formed as a single block of material, i.e. integrally. Hence, the contact sections 41, 42, 43 and the separation sections 71, 72 are rigidly connected and / or made out of the same material.

[0075] In this example, the roller body 30 is formed by a rigid or incompressible material, for example metal, steel, or stainless steel.

[0076] A method for using the aforementioned roller 3 in a tire manufacturing station 1 will now be briefly elucidated with reference to figures 2-6.

[0077] As shown in figure 2, the strip of materialbuilds up or accumulates into the previously mentioned bow wave or bow wave B in the nip between the roller body 30 and the support member 2. As the strip of material 9 is conveyed in the feeding direction F, the roller body 30 rolls in the direction of the arrow R (direction of rotation), thereby rotating one of the first recessed surfaces 61 over the bow wave B, as shown in figure 3. The bow wave B is then allowed to pass underneath the roller body 30 as the roller body 30 rolls further in the rotation direction R, as shown in figure 4.

[0078] As shown in figure 5 and 6, each contact section 41, 42 generates its own bow wave or bow wave Bl, B2, B3, which can be cleared by the respective recessed surfaces 61, 62, 63 in said contact sections 41, 42, 43.

[0079] As such, the recessed surfaces 61, 62, 63 can intermittently or regularly clear a path or a space along the outer circumference 31 of the roller body 30 for the respective bow waves B, Bl, B2, B3 to pass underneath the roller body before it reaches problematic levels. Moreover, the recessed surfaces 61, 62, 63 allow for passage of the bow wave B, Bl, B2, B3 underneath the roller body 30 without said bow wave B, Bl, B2, B3 significantly lifting up the roller body 30.

[0080] Meanwhile, the angular offset K between the second contact surfaces 52 and the first contact surfaces 51 allows for the roller body 30 to at least partially remain in contact with and / or supported on the strip of material 9 at the virtual contact cylinder C while the bow wave B, Bl, B2, B3 passes underneath one of the recessed surfaces 61, 62.

[0081] Note that, in figures 5 and 6, the bow waves Bl, B2, B3 formed by the roller 3 in the strip of material 9 tend to be slightly wider, in the axial direction A, than the contact surface 51, 52, 53 causing it. The separation sections 71, 72 and / or the spacing width X between the contact sections 41, 42, 43 in the axial direction A can reduce the chance of any residual bow wave Bl, B2, B3 fromone of the contact surfaces 51, 52, 53 entering into the path of a directly adjacent contact surface 51, 52, 53 or contact section 41, 42, 43. Instead, such a residual bow wave Bl, B2, B3 can at least partially pass or escape through the separation section 71, 72 and / or the discontinuity between the contact surfaces 51, 52, 53 in the axial direction A.

[0082] Figure 7 shows an alternative roller 103 according to a second embodiment of the invention, for use in the previously described tire manufacturing station 1. The alternative roller 103 differs from the aforementioned roller 3 in that it features a roller body 130 having a first contact section 141 and a second contact section 142 with a different number of contact surfaces 151, 152 and recessed surfaces 161, 162. In particular, the first contact section 141 features three first contact surfaces 151 and three first recessed surfaces 161. Similarly, the second contact section 142 features three second contact surfaces 152 and three second recessed surfaces 162. The second contact surfaces 152 are offset in the circumferential direction D relative to the first contact surfaces 152 over an alternative offset angle K' of sixty degrees. The recessed surfaces 161, 162 also span or extend along a considerably smaller recessed angle.

[0083] It will be appreciated from the example as shown in figure 7 that the number of contact surfaces 51, 52, 53, 151, 152 and the number of recessed surfaces 61, 62, 63, 161, 162 can be chosen differently, depending on the circumstances, for example the rate of the buildup or accumulation and / or the material characteristics of the strip of material 9.

[0084] It is preferred to have equal to or less than four recessed surfaces 61, 62, 161, 162 per contact section 41, 42, 43, 141, 142, because otherwise the recessed angle would become too small to effectively allow passage of buildup or accumulation of material underneath the roller body 30, 130.Figure 8 shows a further alternative roller 203 according to a third embodiment of the invention, for use in the previously described tire manufacturing station 1. The further alternative roller 203 differs from the aforementioned rollers 3, 103 in that it features a roller body 230 with a different number of contact sections 241, 242. In this example, the roller body 230 only has two contact sections 241, 242. Consequently, the roller body 230 also only features a single separation section 271. Note that the contact sections 241, 242 can still alternately support the roller body 230 on the strip of material in a relatively stable manner.

[0085] It will be appreciated from the example as shown in figure 8 that the number of contact sections 41, 42, 43, 141, 142, 241, 242 and the number of separation sections 71, 271 can be chosen differently, depending on the circumstances. For example, the number of contact sections may be more than the three contact sections 41, 42, 43 shown in figure 1, for example four or five. In this manner, the roller may contact a wider area of the strip of material 9 while keeping the bow waves at the individual contact sections relatively small.

[0086] 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.

[0087] In summary, the invention relates to a tire manufacturing station 1 comprising a conveyor 2 and a roller 3, 103, 203;

[0088] wherein the roller 3, 103, 203 comprises a roller body 30, 130, 230 that is rotatable about a roller axis S and that at least partially coincides with a virtual contact cylinder C;

[0089] wherein the roller body 30, 130, 230 is divided into a first contact section 41, 141, 241 and a secondcontact section 42, 142, 242;

[0090] wherein the first contact section 41, 141, 241 defines one or more first contact surfaces 51, 151 coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder C and one or more first recessed surfaces 61, 161 recessed from the virtual contact cylinder C;

[0091] wherein the second contact section 42, 142, 242 defines one or more second contact surfaces 52, 152 coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder C and one or more second recessed surfaces 62, 162 recessed from the virtual contact cylinder C;

[0092] wherein the one or more second contact surfaces 52, 152 are angularly offset relative to the one or more first contact surfaces 51, 151.

[0093] The invention further relates to a roller 3, 103, 203 for use in the tire manufacturing station 1.

[0094] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0095] 1 tire manufacturing station

[0096] 10 holder

[0097] 2 support member

[0098] 20 support surface

[0099] 21 conveyor

[0100] 3 roller

[0101] 30 roller body

[0102] 31 outer circumference

[0103] 41 first contact section

[0104] 42 second contact section

[0105] 43 third contact section

[0106] 51 first contact surface

[0107] 52 second contact surface

[0108] 53 third contact surface

[0109] 61 first recessed surface

[0110] 62 second recessed surface

[0111] 63 third recessed surface71 first separation section 72 second separation section 103 alternative roller

[0112] 130 roller body

[0113] 141 first contact section

[0114] 142 second contact section 151 first contact surface

[0115] 152 second contact surface 161 first recessed surface 162 second recessed surface 203 further alternative roller 241 first contact section

[0116] 242 second contact section 271 separation section

[0117] A axial direction

[0118] B bulge

[0119] Bl first bulge

[0120] B2 second bulge

[0121] B3 third bulge

[0122] C virtual contact cylinder D circumferential direction E overlap angle

[0123] F feeding direction

[0124] Hl first recess angle

[0125] H2 second recess angle

[0126] K offset angle

[0127] K' alternative offset angle R direction of rotation

[0128] S roller axis

[0129] W1 first contact width

[0130] W2 second contact width

[0131] W3 third contact width

[0132] X spacing width

Claims

C L A I M S1. Tire manufacturing station comprising a support member for supporting a strip of material, in particular an elastomeric strip, and a roller for rolling over said strip of material as it is being supported by said support member;wherein the roller comprises a roller body that is rotatable in a circumferential direction about a roller axis and that defines an outer circumference that at least partially coincides with a virtual contact cylinder coaxial to the roller axis;wherein the roller body is divided in an axial direction parallel to the roller axis into at least a first contact section and a second contact section;wherein the first contact section defines one or more first contact surfaces coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder and, alternating with the one or more first contact surfaces in the circumferential direction, one or more first recessed surfaces recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis;wherein the second contact section defines one or more second contact surfaces coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder and, alternating with the one or more second contact surfaces in the circumferential direction, one or more second recessed surfaces recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis;wherein the one or more second contact surfaces are angularly offset in the circumferential direction relative to the one or more first contact surfaces.

2. Tire manufacturing station according to claim 1, wherein each first contact surface of the one or more first contact surfaces is discontinuous from each second contact surface of the one or more second contact surfaces in the axial direction.

3. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller comprises a first separation section located in the axial direction between the first contact section and the second contact section, wherein the first separation section is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis over a full revolution about the roller axis.

4. Tire manufacturing station according to claim 3, wherein the first contact section has a first contact width in the axial direction, wherein the first separation section spaces apart the first contact section and the second contact section over a spacing width that is equal to or greater than ten percent of the first contact width, preferably equal to or greater than thirty percent of the first contact width, and most preferably equal to or greater than fifty percent of the first contact width.

5. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first contact surface of the one or more first contact surfaces angularly spans at least a respective second recessed surface of the one or more second recessed surfaces.

6. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each second contact surface of the one or more second contact surfaces angularly spans at least a respective first recessed surface of the one or more first recessed surfaces.

7. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first contact surfaces and the one or more second contact surfaces together span the outer circumference of the roller body in its entirety.

8. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first contact surface of the one or more first contact surfaces angularly overlaps with at least one second contact surface of the one or more second contact surfaces in the circumferential direction, preferably over an overlap angle of at least tendegrees, and more preferably over an overlap angle of at least twenty degrees.

9. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first recessed surfaces comprises equal to or less than four first recessed surfaces, and preferably equal to or less than two first recessed surfaces.

10. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more second recessed surfaces comprises equal to or less than four second recessed surfaces, and preferably equal to or less than two second recessed surfaces.

11. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each first recessed surface of the one or more first recessed surfaces is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder over a first recess angle of at least twenty degrees, preferably at least thirty degrees, more preferably at least forty degrees and most preferably at least fifty degrees.

12. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each second recessed surface of the one or more second recessed surfaces is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder over a second recess angle of at least twenty degrees, preferably at least thirty degrees, more preferably at least forty degrees and most preferably at least fifty degrees.

13. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller body is divided in the axial direction into at least the first contact section, the second contact section, and a third contact section, wherein the second contact section is located in the axial direction between the first contact section and the third contact section;wherein the third contact section defines one or more third contact surfaces coinciding with the virtual contact cylinder and, alternating with the one or more third contact surfaces in the circumferential direction,one or more third recessed surfaces recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis;wherein the one or more third contact surfaces are angularly offset in the circumferential direction relative to the one or more second contact surfaces.

14. Tire manufacturing station according to claim 13, wherein the one or more third contact surfaces are aligned with the one or more first contact surfaces in the axial direction.

15. Tire manufacturing station according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first contact section and the third contact section are mirror-symmetrical to each other on opposite sides of the second contact section.

16. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein each third contact surface of the one or more third contact surfaces is discontinuous from each second contact surface of the one or more second contact surfaces in the axial direction.

17. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of claims 13-16, wherein the roller comprises a second separation section located in the axial direction between the second contact section and the third contact section, wherein the second separation section is recessed from the virtual contact cylinder towards the roller axis over a full revolution about the roller axis.

18. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact section and the second contact section are configured to corotate about the roller axis.

19. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller body is integrally formed.

20. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller body is formed by a rigid or incompressible material.

21. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more firstrecessed surfaces and / or the one or more second recessed surfaces are flat or substantially flat.

22. Tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller is a contact roller, a length measurement roller, a height measurement roller, a pressing roller, a steering roller, or a centering roller.

23. Roller for use in the tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims and having the same features as the roller of the tire manufacturing station according to any one of the preceding claims.

24. Roller for rolling over a strip of material, in particular an elastomeric strip, wherein the roller comprises the same features as the roller of the tire manufacturing station according to any one of claims 1-22.-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-RM / HZ

Images