The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Larry Wayne Burner

George W Eisenzimmer

Phillip Andrew Hynes

An apparatus and method for removing an unvulcanized are tread from a storage device () includes the step of inverting the tread () and transporting it to a roller conveyor in a single step. The tread () is picked up by a vacuum bar () fitted with a series of suction cups (). Individual suction cups () can be selectively supplied with vacuum depending on the length of the tread (). After the suction cups () have engaged the tread, the tread is raised from the storage device (), inverted through 180 degrees, and then set onto a special slotted roller conveyor (). The slotted roller conveyor () has a center slot () to receive the vacuum bar () as it passes therethrough. Side slots () in the conveyor receive arms () attached to the vacuum bar ().

Method and apparatus for removing tire treads from storage device

An apparatus and method for removing an unvulcanized tire tread from a storage device ( ) includes the step of inverting the tread ( ) and transporting it to a roller conveyor in a single step. The tread ( ) is picked up by a vacuum bar ( ) fitted with a series of suction cups ( ). Individual suction cups ( ) can be selectively supplied with vacuum depending on the length of the tread ( ). After the suction cups ( ) have engaged the tread, the tread is raised from the storage device ( ), inverted through 180 degrees, and then set onto a special slotted roller conveyor ( ). The slotted roller conveyor ( ) has a center slot ( ) to receive the vacuum bar ( ) as it passes therethrough. Side slots ( ) in the conveyor receive arms ( ) attached to the vacuum bar ( ).

Growing community of inventors

Ringgold, VA, United States of America

Larry Wayne Burner