U.S. patent application number 09/795074 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for method and apparatus for bundling layered material.
Invention is credited to Golightly, Ralph Wayne.
Application Number | 20010005975 09/795074 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25164593 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010005975 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Golightly, Ralph Wayne |
July 5, 2001 |
Method and apparatus for bundling layered material
Abstract
A method and apparatus for bundling layered material comprises
an anvil for receiving multiple units of bundled material, and a
plurality of blades for compressing a tying material onto the
bundled material. An apparatus of the invention is illustrated for
use in a specific method of simultaneously stapling the end wire of
a plurality of tire beads.
Inventors: |
Golightly, Ralph Wayne;
(Gadsden, AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David E. Wheeler
Patent Attorney
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
1144 East Market Street
Akron
OH
44316-0001
US
|
Family ID: |
25164593 |
Appl. No.: |
09/795074 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09795074 |
Feb 26, 2001 |
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PCT/US98/23106 |
Oct 30, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/528 ;
53/138.2; 53/582 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 27/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/528 ;
53/138.2; 53/582 |
International
Class: |
B65B 013/20; B65B
051/04 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for bundling of multi-layered material, said
apparatus comprising: (a) an anvil with a specific shape for
containing multi-layered material in a specific configuration, (b)
tying means for tying said multi-layered material in a bundle, said
tying means being stored on the apparatus in proximity to said
anvil, (c) at least one blade in the proximity of said anvil, said
at least one blade having a specific shape that together with the
shape of the anvil accommodates the shape of said bundle, said at
least one blade and said anvil being movable relative to one
another, wherein said tying means is disposed between said at least
one blade and said anvil, and (d) means for activating said
apparatus such that the anvil and at least one blade come together
to confine the multi-layered material, while said tying means is
simultaneously pressed between said anvil and said at least one
blade and around said layered material.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movements if said apparatus
are controlled by pneumatic logic.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movements if said apparatus
are controlled by a computer.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein multi-layered material is
loaded on the apparatus and bundled material is removed from the
apparatus manually.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein multi-layered material is
loaded on the apparatus and bundled material is removed from the
apparatus using automated equipment.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anvil has a plurality of
trough shaped areas for containing said multi-layered material,
each said area comprising an arced shape having a diameter of 0.3
to 0.8 inches which are adapted to be used in conjunction with a
blade having a notched end, each notched end having an arced shape
and a diameter of 0.1 to 0.8 inches.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tying means is a horseshoe
shaped wire staple.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said staples are contained on
said apparatus in a guide under constant tension, whereby when a
blade is withdrawn from the proximity of the anvil and past the
staples, said tension causes a staple to move between the blade and
said anvil.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said tension is provided by
free weights attached to a cable, said cable being strung through a
center of a plurality of staples and attached to a stop contact
adjacent the last staple in said guide.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a guide bar is provided above
said staples to partially control the movement of a staple into
position between said anvil and said blade.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for activating said
apparatus is a pneumatic cylinder which provides compressed air for
moving said anvil and said blades into proximity to one another and
for compressing said tying means onto said multi-layered
material.
12. An apparatus for stapling tire beads comprising (a) an anvil
for receiving a plurality of beads, (b) a plurality of blades in
the proximity of said anvil, said anvil and plurality of blades
being movable relative to one another, (c) tying means disposed
between said anvil and plurality of blades, (d) means for
activating said apparatus such that the anvil and plurality of
blades come together to confine a plurality of tire beads in a
specific configuration, while said tying means is simultaneously
pressed between said anvil and said plurality of blades and around
said beads.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the movements if said
apparatus are controlled by pneumatic logic.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the movements if said
apparatus are controlled by a computer.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said tire beads are loaded on
the apparatus and removed from the apparatus manually.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said tire beads are loaded on
the apparatus and removed from the apparatus using automated
equipment.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said anvil has a plurality of
trough shaped areas for receiving said tire beads, each said area
comprising an arced shape having a diameter of 0.3 to 0.8 inches
which are adapted to be used in conjunction with a blade having a
notched end, each notched end having an arced shape and a diameter
of 0.1 to 0.8 inches.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said tying means is a
horseshoe shaped wire staple.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said staples are contained on
said apparatus in a guide under constant tension, whereby when a
blade is withdrawn from the proximity of the anvil and past the
staples, said tension causes a staple to move between the blade and
said anvil.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said tension is provided by
free weights attached to a cable, said cable being strung through
the a center of a plurality of staples and attached to a stop
contacting the last staple in said guide.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein a guide bar is provided above
said staples to partially control the movement of a staple into
position between said anvil and said blade.
22. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the means for activating said
apparatus is a pneumatic cylinder which provides compressed air for
moving said anvil and said blades into proximity to one another and
for compressing said tying means onto said tire beads.
23. An anvil for stapling multi-layered material, said anvil
comprising a plurality of receiving areas for receiving said
multi-layered material.
24. The anvil of claim 23 wherein said receiving areas have a
squared shape having a width of 0.3 to 0.8 inches.
25. The anvil of claim 23 wherein said receiving areas have an
arced shape having at least one radius of 0.3 to 0.8 inches.
26. A blade for compressing a staple onto a multi-layered material,
said blade having a notched end for contacting said staple, said
notched end having an arc having at least one radius of 0.05 to 0.4
inch and a diameter of 0.1 to 0.8 inch.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus and method for
bundling layered material. In a specific application, the invention
may be used to staple the end wire in the bead of a pneumatic
tire.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] When a wire wound tire bead is made, the turn of wire that
is wound last, or the end wire, is loose, and is not supported by
the bead, or by any other means. Because of spring in the wire, the
end wire tends to straighten and separate itself from the annular
configuration of the bead, or tends to move laterally away from the
bundle in the curing process. In order to prevent non-uniformities
in the tire, or damage to the tire caused by the loose end wire,
prior art beads are wrapped with tape, wire, synthetic cord, or
stapled to hold the end wire tight to the annular configuration of
the bead. This step in bead construction consumes material and
labor, is labor intensive in the cases where the bead is
wrapped.
[0003] Applicant is aware that stapled tire beads are in the art or
are described in the art, but applicant has no knowledge of the
apparatus or the methods used to prepare such prior art beads.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus and a
method of reducing material consumption and reduce the labor
involved in building beads for pneumatic tires. Other objects of
the invention will be apparent from the following description and
claims.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0005] An apparatus for bundling of multi-layered material
comprises (a) an anvil with a specific shape for containing
multi-layered material in a specific configuration, (b) tying means
for tying the multi-layered material in a bundle, the tying means
being stored on the apparatus in proximity to the anvil, (c) at
least one blade in the proximity of the anvil, the at least one
blade having a specific shape that together with the shape of the
anvil accommodates the shape of the bundle, the at least one blade
and the anvil being movable relative to one another, wherein the
tying means is disposed between the at least one blade and the
anvil, and (d) means for activating the apparatus such that the
anvil and at least one blade come together to confine the
multi-layered material, while the tying means is simultaneously
pressed between the anvil and the at least one blade and around the
layered material.
[0006] In the illustrated embodiment, the movements of the
apparatus are controlled by pneumatic logic. The movements of the
apparatus may also be controlled by a computer.
[0007] The multi-layered material may be loaded on the apparatus
and bundled material may be removed from the apparatus manually or
by using automated equipment.
[0008] The anvil has a plurality of trough shaped areas for
containing the multi-layered material, each of the trough shaped
areas comprising an arc shape, having a diameter of 0.3 to 0.8
inches, which are adapted to be used in conjunction with a blade
having a notched end, each notched end having an arc shape and a
diameter of 0.1 to 0.8 inches. The means for activating the
apparatus is a pneumatic cylinder which provides compressed air for
moving the anvil and the blades into proximity to one another, and
for compressing the tying means onto the multi-layered
material.
[0009] In the illustrated embodiment, the tying means is a
horseshoe shaped wire staple. The staples are contained on the
apparatus in a guide under constant tension, whereby when a blade
is withdrawn from the proximity of the anvil and past the staples,
the tension causes a staple to move between the blade and the
anvil. The tension is provided by free weights attached to a cable,
the cable being strung through a center of a plurality of staples
and attached to a stop contact adjacent the last staple in the
guide.
[0010] A guide bar is provided above the staples to partially
control the movement of a staple into position between the anvil
and the blade.
[0011] More specifically, the illustrated apparatus is used for
stapling tire beads and comprises (a) an anvil for receiving a
plurality of beads, (b) a plurality of blades in the proximity of
the anvil, the anvil and plurality of blades being movable relative
to one another, (c) tying means disposed between the anvil and the
plurality of blades, and (d) means for activating the apparatus
such that the anvil and plurality of blades come together to
confine a plurality of tire beads in a specific configuration,
while the tying means is simultaneously pressed between the anvil
and the plurality of blades and around the beads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a left side view of the apparatus of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the apparatus in an open
position.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view of the apparatus in an
open position.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a single blade used in the apparatus.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an anvil with multiple arced positions
for receiving layered material.
[0017] FIGS. 6 and 6a illustrate a horseshoe shaped staple used in
the apparatus of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a stapled tire bead.
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a guide for holding staples
in the apparatus of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the left side,
front, and right side of the apparatus (10) respectively are
illustrated. The view illustrated in FIG. 2 is designated as the
front side since this will be the view seen by the operator when
the apparatus is operated manually.
[0021] The apparatus (10) comprises an anvil (12) which has a
plurality of receiving areas (44) for receiving a layered material
therein. The apparatus of the invention is particularly useful for
handling bulk materials and confining said materials into a package
having a particular shape or orientation. In the illustrated
embodiment, anvil (12) has 8 receiving areas (44) which are shaped
to receive a tire bead and are substantially rounded. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that any convenient number of receiving
areas (44) may be used in an anvil (12) of the apparatus and that
any shape receiving area can be used, and the shape of the
receiving area may be dictated by the nature of the layered
material which is to be placed in the receiving area to be
bundled.
[0022] The anvil (12) is connected to the apparatus (10) through
support (32) which is attached to the base (36) of apparatus (10).
In close association with anvil (12) on the apparatus are blades
(14). Blades (14) are attached to support (33) which is attached to
base (36) of the apparatus (10). Either or both of support (32) and
(33) may be slideable on base (36) so that the gap between blades
(14) and anvil (12) may be opened and closed as the apparatus is
operated.
[0023] The movement of either support (33) or (32) or both on base
(36) is initiated by pneumatic forces. The machine may be equipped
with pneumatic control, or the pneumatic forces may be controlled
by a computer.
[0024] With reference specifically to FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, a guide
(16) may be associated with the apparatus for containing tying
means which are used to tie together the layers of material that
are placed in the apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the
tying means are horseshoe shaped staples (18) (see FIG. 6). Cable
(20) is attached to a sheet metal bar (28), at center (26), at the
end of the rows of staples in the guide (16), and is also attached
to weights (22) (see FIG. 3) which provide a constant tension on
the staples (18) in the guide (16). Sheet metal bar (28) applies a
substantially even pressure to each of the rows of staples and
helps assure that a staple is locked in each row when the apparatus
is activated.
[0025] In the operation of apparatus (10), air cylinder (24)
provides a pneumatic force for bringing blades (14) together with
anvil (12), whereby bundled material placed in the receiving areas
(44) of anvil (12) is pressed between anvil (12) and blades (14).
One set of staples (18) are positioned between anvil (12) and
blades (14), and when the anvil (12) and blades (14) are brought
together, are trapped between anvil (12) and blades (14), and
forced around the bundled material in the shape of receiving means
(44) in anvil (12). After the bundled material is tied together by
compression of blades (14) on anvil (12), the machine is activated
to separate or open the gap between anvil (12) and blades (14). As
blades (14) are raised above the level of staple guide (16), the
tension from weights (22) applied to cable (20) forces another set
of staples into position between anvil (12) and blades (14).
[0026] To control the rows of staples (18) in the guide (16), i.e.,
to prevent the rising up of staples (18) as they are pushed
forward, a 0.5 to 0.75 inch sheet metal guide (not shown) is
provided above the staples to prevent their rising out of alignment
at the point where the staples are loaded for compression between
blades (14) and anvil (12).
[0027] In the operation of the apparatus of the illustrated
embodiment, a plurality of tire beads (45), which may be
simultaneously manufactured are placed on anvil (12) and are spaced
so that one tire bead occupies each receiving area (44) of anvil
(12). The beads are oriented so that the end wire (46) (see FIG. 7)
is aligned with blades (14). When the apparatus is activated so
that anvil (12) and blades (14) come together, blades (14) push a
set of staples (18) downward toward anvil (12), wherein continued
closing of the gap between blades (14) and anvil (12) force the
staples to bend around receiving area (44) and to compress on to
the beads.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 4, blades (14) are fabricated
individually with an arced end (42) which is specifically adapted
for the particular material which is being bundled. It has been
found that different arcs (42) can be used in blade (14) for
different sizes of tire beads, and that a small arc can be used on
many different sizes of tire beads. The arc of the blade may be
minimal and in one embodiment represents a radius of the "V" of an
otherwise V-shaped end (42) of blade (14).
[0029] Those skilled in the art will recognize that blades (14) may
be constructed in one unit having arcs (42) of sufficient number to
match the plurality of receiving areas (44) in an anvil (12).
[0030] With reference to FIG. 5, anvil (12) may be made from a
single block of material, preferably steel of sufficient width to
accommodate the number of receiving areas (44) desired. Although
the illustrated apparatus has 8 such receiving areas, the anvil
(12) may be made with any convenient number of receiving areas
(44).
[0031] Staples (18) are made of conventional staple wires that are
contoured to have a horseshoe shape (see FIG. 6). The horseshoe
shape of staple (18) facilitates the shaping of the staple between
the arced end (42) of blade (14) and receiving area (44) of anvil
(12). When staples having a conventional squared shape are used,
there is a tendency for the apparatus to crush the top of the
staple and kink the legs at the angle of the bend. The horseshoe
shape reduces the fatigue exposure of the staple.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, staple (18) has a length (l)
of about 0.6 inch, (l) being the distance from leg end (62) to a
line (t) tangent to the top arch (64). The width (w) of staple (18)
is about 0.5 inch. The width (w.sub.3) between the legs (66) of
staple (18) is about 0.45 inch and (w.sub.3) may be slightly more
than or slightly less than (w.sub.5), which is the width of the
arch (64). Arch (64) has a radius (R) of about 0.23 inch.
[0033] The staples are made from flat wire and have a width
(w.sub.4) of about 0.03 inch and width (w.sub.2) of about 0.06
inch. The leg ends (62) may be cut on an angle and may have an
angle .alpha. of about 45.degree. with a plane containing both leg
ends (62) of a staple (18).
[0034] The apparatus may be operated manually whereby the operator
places a plurality of tire beads on anvil (12) in the proper
position, then activates the apparatus by pressing safety switches,
one with each hand, so that the hands are clear of the closing
blades (14) and anvil (12). When the bundled material is tied
together by the staples, and the gap between blades (14) and anvil
(12) opens, the operator removes the completed material and
prepares the apparatus for the next operation.
[0035] Those skilled in the art will recognize that this procedure
may be automated, for example by the use of a robot, or robotic
attachments to the apparatus.
[0036] When pneumatic control is used in the apparatus, a series of
pneumatic stops are used wherein the movement of the apparatus
provides activation required for each subsequent movement of the
apparatus. Similarly, when computer control of the apparatus is
used, electronic sensors are provided on the apparatus which
provide information to the computer as to the position of each of
the moving parts of the apparatus, and the software of the computer
is used to activate the apparatus at each position. Such machine
controls are well known to those skilled in the art.
[0037] While the invention has been variously illustrated and
described, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention may be variously modified and practiced without departing
from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is
limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *