The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 13, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 24, 2002
George William Eisenzimmer, Uniontown, OH (US);
Larry Wayne Burner, Ringgold, VA (US);
Phillip Andrew Hynes, Danville, VA (US);
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, OH (US);
Abstract
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 ( ).