FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: BELT EDGE FILLER APPLICATION DURING TIRE BUILDING
PROCESS
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian CEAT Ltd
At: Get Muwala
Po: Chandrapura
Ta: Halol - 389 350
Dist: Panchmahal, Gujarat, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to radial tires and,
particularly but not exclusively, to process of manufacturing of truck and bus radial (TBR) tires.
BACKGROUND
[002] A tire has numerous components assembled together, such as a
tread portion and sidewalls on either side of the tread region. The tread
portion contacts with a surface on which the tire is moving during rotation
and provides necessary grip or traction for driving, braking and cornering.
Sidewalls offer structural support and flexibility to the tire. The tire also has
a bead portion connected to lower portions of the sidewalls. Each of the
bead portions has a bead core that may be understood as an edge of the
tire and that anchors the tire to a wheel rim of the vehicle on which the tire
is mounted. The bead core contacts with wheel during mounting of the tire.
[003] The tread portion, sidewalls and the bead portion are supported
by one or more layers of reinforcing fabric, known as body ply which wraps around bead portion enhancing strength. In case of a passenger car radial (PCR) tire, a body ply is formed with a number of rubber-coated fabric cords such as polyester, rayon, or nylon cords. However, in case of a TBR tire, a body ply is formed with a number of rubber-coated steel cords. These layers of body plies form a carcass upon which tread portion, sidewalls and the bead portion are assembled. An inner liner is also applied on the inner surface of the tire and acts as a barrier. Two or more steel belts are also applied on top of the body plies, under the tread portion to restrict expansion of the body ply cords, stabilize the tread portion and provide impact resistance to the tire. In PCR tires two belts may generally be applied, while in case of TBR tires, generally four belts may be applied on top of the body plies. Belt edge fillers which are rubber strips are also applied at circumferential edges of a second belt, i.e., between the second and a third steel belts to reduce stress at the edge of the belts and to prevent separation of the belt edges and tread.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[004] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference
number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears.
The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like
features and components.
[005] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of a tire.
[006] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a belt edge filler
application device for a tire building process, in accordance with an
implementation of the present subject matter.
[007] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the belt edge filler
application device, in accordance with an implementation of the present
subject matter.
[008] Figure 4 illustrates a cutting tool of the belt edge filler application
device, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.
[009] The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some
parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown.
Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations
consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the
examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Green tires are generally manufactured in two stages. In the first
stage, initially body carcass comprising one or more body plies and inner liner are assembled on a rotating drum. The bead cores, bead fillers, sidewalls are then set in place on the drum. In the second stage or belt and tread assembly stage, the belts and tread are assembled on another rotating drum. As mentioned above, a TBR tire generally has at least four or more belts applied on top of the carcass or layers of body plies, under the tread portion. Reference is made to Figure 1 to explain a belt package of a TBR tire.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional
design of a TBR tire. As illustrated in Figure 1, the tire 100 comprises a tread portion 102 and sidewalls 104 on either side of the tread portion. The tire also comprises a pair of bead portions (not shown in Figure 1), each positioned at a lower end of respective sidewall. One or more layers of body plies forming a carcass 106 supports the tread portion 102, sidewalls 104 and the bead portions. A tire generally has at least two belts between the carcass and the tread portion. The tire 100 illustrated in Figure 1 has four belts 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 on top of the carcass 106 and under the tread portion 102, i.e., first 108-1, second 108-2, third 108-3 and fourth 108-4 belt starting from the carcass 106. Second and third belts 108-2, 108-3 from the carcass are also called stabilizer belts. Belt edge fillers 110 are generally applied along circumferential edges of the second belt 108-2. Belt edge fillers 110 are rubber strips and may be applied along an edge of the second belt 108-2 in such a way that some portion of the strip 110 overlaps with some portion of the second belt 108-2 near its edge. Further, strips of rubber 112, which may be contoured, may also be placed above the carcass under the first belt 108-1 at circumferential edges of first belt 108-1. These strips of rubber, also called shoulder inserts 112, generally have contoured surface to maintain a smooth belt contour and insulate the body plies from the belt’s edges.
[0012] Generally, two conveyor belts carry the individual strips of belt
edge fillers 110 to be applied along two circumferential edges of the second belt 108-2 and delivers the strips 110 to a green tire mounted on the rotating drum during the belt and tread assembly stage. Guiding lines near edges of the belt may be marked through laser light to highlight the portions where the strips are to be applied. An operator picks the strips from the conveyor belts, places the strips to the respective edge of the belt along the guiding line. The drum then rotates to complete a cycle of rotation. During the cycle of rotation of the drum, the strips are applied along complete circumferential edges of the belt. The strips are then cut by the operator through a hot knife

and the operator affixes the strips on the belt such that ends of the respective strip are spliced along the edge.
[0013] Manual application of belt edge fillers may lead to improper or
offset application of the belt edge fillers and uneven splicing of the strips. For these reasons, the defects are introduced in the green tire and subsequently in the cured tire. Uneven splicing of the strips of belt edge fillers at the adjoining ends and offset application of belt edge fillers may weaken the overall tire structure, making it susceptible to blowouts or edge crack, posing a significant safety hazard to the driver and passengers. Thus, the tire's performance, safety, and overall reliability may be affected. Further, manual application is time consuming resulting in wastage of resources. Moreover, since after the application of the strips of belt edge fillers along the edges of the belt, strips are cut manually through a hot knife which may lead to injury to the operator.
[0014] To this end, the present subject matter provides techniques for
applying belt edge fillers automatically during a belt and tread assembly stage of a tire building process, the techniques overcome the above-described problems associated with manual application of the belt edge fillers.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter,
a belt edge filler application device for a tire building process is disclosed. The device may comprise at least one conveyor belt assembly to deliver strips of belt edge filler to a green tire mounted on rotatable drum during a belt and tread assembly stage of the tire building process. The belt edge filler is to be applied at a circumferential edge of a belt of the green tire. Each of the at least one conveyor belt assembly may comprise a longitudinal conveying member having a first end coupled to a source of the strip of belt edge filler and a second end located in proximity of the green tire. The at least one conveyor belt assembly may also comprise a pick and place unit located at the second end of the longitudinal conveying member. The pick and place unit may comprise a suction unit configured

to pick a strip of the belt edge filler from the second end of the conveyor belt assembly via suction and place the strip at the circumferential edge of the belt of the green tire mounted on the rotatable drum. The conveyor belt assembly may also comprise a cutting tool positioned at the second end of the conveyor belt assembly to cut the strip after the belt edge filler is applied to the circumferential edge of the belt.
[0016] In accordance with the presently disclosed belt edge filler
application device, the pick and place unit of the device picks the strip from the conveyor member and places the strip along the edge of the green tire. Thus, the disclosed device enables application of the strip of belt edge filler along the edge of the belt of the green tire in an automatic manner during tread and assembly stage of the tire manufacturing process. This results in saving of resources. Automatic application of belt edge filler also prevents the uneven splicing of ends of the strips along the edge of the tire, which further improves quality of the tire. Further, since the cutting tool automatically cuts the strip after the belt edge filler is applied to the circumferential edge of the belt, safety of the operators involved in the application of belt edge filler is also ensured.
[0017] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
subject matter will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for the sake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a belt edge filler
application device 200 for a tire building process, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the belt edge filler application device 200, in accordance with another example implementation of the present subject matter. Figure 4 illustrates a cutting tool of the belt edge filler application device, in accordance with an example implementation of the present subject matter. For the sake of ease of explanation Figures 2 and 3 are explained in conjunction with each other.
[0019] A tire is an assembly of numerous components. The tire
comprises a tread portion, sidewalls on either side of the tread portion and a pair of bead portions. Each bead portion is positioned at a lower end of respective sidewall and comprises a bead core and a bead filler. Bead core may be formed as a bundle of copper, brass, or bronze-plated steel wires encased in rubber compound. Bead core contacts with wheel rim while mounting the tire on the wheel rim. Bead filler may be a rubber compound above the bead core inside the bead portion. One or more body plies forms a carcass for the tire. The tread portion, sidewalls, bead portions are supported by the carcass which is also wrapped around the bead portions. The one or more body plies are formed of rubber coated fabric cords in case of passenger car tire or rubber coated steel cords in case of a truck and bus tire. A layer of inner liner is applied on the inner surface of the tire. The tire also comprises a belt package including one or more belts above the carcass and under the tread portion to stabilize the tread portion and to transmit forces from a contact patch of the tire to the carcass. Generally, radial tires such as a passenger car radial (PCR) tire consist of two layers of belts. A light truck radial (LTR) tire consist of three belts. While a truck and bus radial (TBR) tire consists of at least four layers of belts. The belts are applied one on top of the another with steel cords laid at opposing angles in each belt. Number of cords, width of the belt and belt angle have the most influence on tire performance in terms of handling, comfort,

durability and wear. Belts may be constructed with cords of a material other than the steel.
[0020] Different components of the tire such as inner liner, sidewalls,
body plies, beads, are assembled together using different techniques on a drum in a tire building machine to form a preliminary uncured tire, which is referred to as green tire. As described above, a green tire is built in two stages of a tire manufacturing or building process. In the first stage, the body carcass is assembled on a rotating drum. For this purpose, the inner liner and body plies are applied first and rolled down over edges of the drum. Then the bead portion comprising the bead core and the bead filler is set in place and the body plies are turned-up over the bead portion and rolled or stitched to adhere to the body ply lying flat on the drum. Strips of sidewall compound may then be placed on top of the turned-up body plies on both edges. The tire is then removed from the drum and moved to a second stage of tire building process, i.e., belt and tread assembly stage. During the tread and assembly stage, belts and tread portion are assembled on a rotating drum different than the drum used during the first stage.
[0021] As mentioned above, a radial tire generally has two or more belts
applied on top of the carcass under the tread portion. During the belt and tread assembly stage of the tire building process, a first belt is applied on the carcass of the uncured green tire mounted on the rotating drum. On top of the first belt, a second belt is applied. Similarly, a third and fourth belt may be applied under the tread portion on top of the second belt. A belt edge filler comprising a strip of a rubber compound is generally placed along each edge of the second belt to reduce stress at the edges of the belt and to prevent separation of the belt edges and tread as the tire rolls. However, the belt edge fillers may be applied along edges of any belt, over a surface of the belt facing towards the tread portion. The strips of belt edge filler may be applied along an edge of a belt in such a way that the strip of belt edge filler overlaps some portion of the belt along the edge of the belt.

[0022] In an example implementation of the present subject matter, the
belt edge filler application device 200 for the tire building process, as illustrated in Figure 2, applies the belt edge filler along a circumferential edge of a belt 202 of the green tire 204 during the belt and tread assembly stage of the tire building process in an automatic manner. The belt edge filler application device 200 may comprise at least one conveyor belt assembly 206 to deliver strip 208 of belt edge filler to the green tire 204 mounted on a rotatable drum 210 during the belt and tread assembly stage of the tire building process. In an example, the device 200 may comprise a pair of conveyor belt assemblies 206, each configured to deliver strips 208 of belt edge filler to either edge of the belt 202 of green tire 204 as illustrated in Figure 2. The strip 208 of belt edge filler may be fetched from a source of the strips 208 of belt edge fillers. The source may be a reel of the strips in an example. The belt edge filler is to be applied at the circumferential edge of the belt 202.
[0023] In accordance with an implementation of the present subject
matter, each of the conveyor belt assembly 206 may comprise a longitudinal conveying member 212 comprising a first end 212-1 and a second end 212-2. The first end 212-1 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 may be coupled to the source of the strips of belt edge filler, while the second end of 212-2 the longitudinal conveying member 212 may be located in proximity of the green tire.
[0024] In an example implementation, the longitudinal conveying
member 212 may comprise a base 214 extending between the first end 212-1 and the second end 212-2. In an example, the longitudinal conveying member 212 may comprise a channel extending from the first end of the conveying member 212-1 along a length L on the conveying member 212. The channel 216 may extend along the base 214 of the conveying member 212 and may comprise a plurality of rollers 218 placed along the length L of the channel. Thus, an ending point 220 of the channel on the conveying member 212 is located at the length L from the first end 212-1 of the

conveying member 212. In an example, the longitudinal conveying member 212 may comprise a pair of sidewalls 222 extending from either side of the base 214 along the length L of the channel and the plurality of rollers 218 may be rotatably placed between the sidewalls 222. In an example, the longitudinal conveying member 212 may comprise a tray 224 slidably mounted on the longitudinal conveying member 212.
[0025] In an example, the tray 224- may be slidably mounted on an
extendable arm 226 attached to a sidewall 222 of the conveying member 212 at the ending point 220 of the channel. The extendable arm 226 may be powered through a pneumatic cylinder installed therein. A first end 224-1 of the tray 224 is directed towards the first end 212-1 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 or coincides with the ending point 220 of the channel in a retracted position of the tray 224. The tray 224 is slidable such that in an extended position of the tray 224, a second end 224-2 of the tray 224 coincides with the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212.
[0026] In an example, the conveyor belt assembly 206 may comprise a
pick and place unit 228 located at the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal
conveying member 212. In an example, the device 200 may comprise a
control unit (not shown in Figure). The control unit may be implemented as
microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal
processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. The control unit may be operable to actuate rotational movement of the plurality of rollers 218. The plurality of rollers 218 placed along the length L of the channel may deliver the strip 208of belt edge filler from the first end 212-1 of the longitudinal conveying member 212-1 to the first end 224-1 of the tray 224, for example, in a retracted position of the tray 224. In an example, the plurality of rollers 218 are placed between the sidewalls 222 along the channel 216 at an angle such that the strip is delivered along a centreline of the channel.

[0027] Once, the strip is delivered to the tray 224, a weighing sensor
coupled to the tray 224 may sense placement of the strip on the tray 224 as delivered by the plurality of rollers 218 and send a signal indicating the same to the control unit. The control unit may actuate the pneumatic cylinder of the extendable arm 226 to enable sliding movement of the tray 224 from the retracted position to the extended position. The tray 224 may slide to deliver the strip 208 of belt edge filler from the first end 224-1 of the tray 224 in the retracted position to the pick and place unit 228 located at the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 in the extended position. The pick and place unit 228 may comprise a suction unit configured to pick a strip 208 of the belt edge filler from the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 via suction and place the strip 208 at the circumferential edge of the belt 202 of the green tire 204 mounted on the rotatable drum 210. In an example, the pick and place unit 228 may be mounted on an extendable arm 230 attached to the longitudinal conveying member 212 at a position adjacent to the second end 212-2 of the conveying member 212. In an example, the position may be corresponding to the second end 224-2 of the tray 224 in a retracted position. In an example, the extendable arm 230 may be powered by a pneumatic cylinder installed therein. The extendable arm 230 is extendable with respect to the position where it is mounted such that in a retracted position of the extendable arm 230, the pick and place unit 228 may be located at the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 and in an extended position of the extendable arm 230, the pick and place unit 228 may be located above the circumferential edge of the belt 202 of the tire 204.
[0028] In an example, the suction unit may comprise a suction pump
232 and a suction valve coupled to the suction pump 22. The suction pump 232 may be operable to create suction at an opening of the suction valve. Once the tray 224 delivers the strip 208 to the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212, a sensor coupled to the second end

212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 may provide a signal to the control unit. On receiving the signal, the control unit may actuate the suction valve to create the suction at the opening of the valve and the strip 208 of belt edge filler may be picked from the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 via the suction created. Once the suction unit picks the strip 208, the control unit may also actuate the pneumatic cylinder of the extendable arm 230 to allow the extendable arm to move from the retracted position to the extended position so as to locate the pick and place unit 228 above the circumferential edge of the belt 202 of the green tire 204. On reaching the circumferential edge of the belt 202, the pick and place unit 228 may place the strip 208 the circumferential edge of the belt 202.
[0029] In an example, the device 200 may comprise a marking unit
coupled to the rotatable drum 210. The marking unit may comprise a laser light source to provide guidance marking on the belt for the application of the strip 208 of belt edge filler on the circumferential edge of the belt 202 based on the guidance marking. The marking unit may provide guidance marking on the belt 202 adjacent to the edge of the belt 202. The pick and place unit 228 may place the strip 208 of belt edge filler along the guidance marking.
[0030] In an example, the conveyor belt assembly 206 may further
comprise a cutting tool 234, as illustrated in Figure 4, positioned at the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 to cut the strip 208 after the belt edge filler is applied to the circumferential edge of the belt 202.
[0031] Reference is made to Figure 4 that illustrates a cutting tool of the
belt edge filler application device, in accordance with an example implementation of the present subject matter.
[0032] The cutting tool 234 may be positioned below the base 214 of
the conveying member 212 at its second end 212-2 and the base 214 may comprise a slot to allow the positioning of the cutting tool 234. The cutting

tool may be positioned below the base adjacent to a block 236 mounted on
the base at the second end 212-2 of the conveying member 212.
[0033] In an example, the cutting tool 234 may comprise a shear cutter
which may protrude from the slot to cut the strip. In an example, the cutting tool 234 may be coupled to the control unit and the control unit may be programmed to operate the cutting tool 234 to cut the strip 208 upon completion of one rotation of the drum 210.
[0034] A hall sensor coupled to the drum 210 may sense the completion
of the one rotation of the drum 210 and may send a signal to the control unit to operate the cutting tool 234. Accordingly, the cutting tool 234 is operable to cut the strip 208 of length equal to a circumferential length of the tire 204. An operator may then align and splice ends of the strip 208 along the edge of the belt 202. Thus, the belt edge filler application device 200 applies the strips 208 of belt edge filler along edges of the belt 202 of the green tire 204 more accurately in an automatic manner.
[0035] Although implementations of a belt edge filler application device
200 for a tire building process are described, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features of the apparatus described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as implementations for the belt edge filler application device 200.

I/We Claim:
1. A belt edge filler application device 200 for a tire building process, the
device comprises:
at least one conveyor belt assembly 206 to deliver strips 208 of belt edge filler to a green tire 204 mounted on rotatable drum 210 during a belt and tread assembly stage of the tire building process, wherein the belt edge filler is to be applied at a circumferential edge of a belt 202 of the green tire 204, each of the at least one the conveyor belt assembly 206 comprising: a longitudinal conveying member 212 having a first end 212-1 coupled to a source of the strips 208 of belt edge filler and second end 212-2 located in proximity of the green tire 204;
a pick and place unit 228 located at the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212, the pick and place unit 228 comprising a suction unit configured to pick a strip 208 of the belt edge filler from the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 via suction and place the strip 208 at the circumferential edge of the belt 202 of the green tire 204 mounted on the rotatable drum 210; and
a cutting tool 234 positioned at the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 to cut the strip 208 after the belt edge filler is applied to the circumferential edge of the belt 202.
2. The device 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device 200 comprises a control unit and the control unit is to operate the cutting tool 234 to cut the strip 208 upon completion of one rotation of the drum 210.
3. The device 200 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the suction unit of the pick and place unit 228 comprises:
a suction pump 232; and

a suction valve coupled to the suction pump 232, wherein the suction pump 232 is operable by the control unit to create suction at an opening of the suction valve.
4. The device 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt
assembly 206 comprises:
a tray 224 slidably mounted on the longitudinal conveying member 212, such that in an extended position, a second end 224-2 of the tray 224 coincides with the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 with a first end 224-1 of the tray 224 being directed towards the first end 212-1 of the longitudinal conveying member 212,
a channel provided between the first end 212-1 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 to the first end 224-1 of the tray 224, wherein
a plurality of rollers 218 placed along a length of the channel
to deliver the strip 208 of belt edge filler from the first end 212-1 of
the longitudinal conveying member 212 to the first end 224-1 of the
tray 224, and wherein
the tray 224 is slidable to deliver the strip 208 of belt edge
filler from the first end 224-1 of the tray 224 to the pick and place unit
228 located at the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying
member 212.
5. The device 200 as claimed in claim 4, wherein the conveyor belt
assembly 206 comprises a weighing sensor coupled to the tray 224 to
sense a placement of the strip 208 on the tray 224 delivered by the plurality
of rollers 218 and wherein the control unit is to enable sliding movement of
the tray 224 from a retracted position of the tray 224 to the extendable
position of the tray 224 on receiving a signal indicating the placement of the
strip 208 on the tray 224.

6. The device 200 as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pick and place unit 228 is mounted on an extendable arm 230 attached to the longitudinal conveying member 212 and extendable with respect to the longitudinal conveying member 212, and wherein the control unit is to actuate movement of the extendable arm 230 from a retracted position to an extended position such that in the retracted position of the extendable arm 230, the pick and place unit 228 is located at the second end 212-2 of the longitudinal conveying member 212 and in the extended position of the extendable arm 230, the pick and place unit 228 is located above the circumferential edge of the belt 202 of the tire 204.
7. The device 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device 200 comprises a pair of conveyor belt assemblies 206, each configured to deliver strips 208 of belt edge filler to either edge of the belt 202 of the green tire 204.
8. The device 200 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device 200 comprises a marking unit coupled to the drum 210 to provide guidance marking on the belt 202 for the application of the strip 208 of belt edge filler on the circumferential edge of the belt 202 based on the guidance marking.
9. The device 200 claimed in claim 8, wherein the pick and place unit 228 is to place the strip 208 of belt edge filler along the guidance marking.