BACKGROUND

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for correcting misalignment of a tire component.

US 5,167,751 A discloses an apparatus for end correction of an automotive tire cord strip. The apparatus comprises a conveyor belt for conveyance of a tire strip member consisting of rubberized steel cords to a tire building drum, which conveyor belt is narrower than the strip member, a supporting plate disposed under the conveyor belt and adapted to support the belt, a guide plate extending in parallel with the lengthwise axis of the conveyor belt and disposed above the supporting plate and on one side thereof in such a manner that it is driven to advance and retreat with respect to the conveyor belt, and a magnet disposed below the supporting plate and toward one side thereof in such a manner that it is driven to advance and retreat with respect to the conveyor belt. The magnet is used to pull the end of the tire strip member against the guide plate.

Considerable friction is generated between the tire strip member and the conveyor belt during said pulling, which makes it hard to pull the end of the tire strip member along. Also, the magnetic force will only exceed the friction after the magnet has started, which causes a delay and/or discrepancy in the movement of the magnet and the actual movement of the end of the tire strip member. The tire strip member shift abruptly and unpredictably as the tire strip member briefly loses and regains friction. Moreover, a relatively large magnet is required to sufficiently attract the tire strip member through the supporting plate and the conveyor belt to cause movement of said tire strip member. The known apparatus is therefore relatively bulky and inaccurate when it comes to correcting misalignment of the end of the tire strip member .

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for correcting misalignment of a tire component, wherein correction of misalignments can be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for correcting misalignment of a tire component, comprising a correction device with an alignment surface, in particular a stationary alignment surface, for supporting a tire component relative to a reference line, wherein the correction device further comprises one or more correction magnets for attracting and for moving said tire component relative to the reference line, wherein the correction device is provided with one or more slots extending in a correction direction transverse to the reference line in the alignment surface for receiving said one or more correction magnets, wherein the one or more correction magnets are movable relative to the alignment surface in the correction direction through said one or more slots from a first position to a second position closer to the reference line than the first position.

By providing one or more slots in the alignment surface on which the tire component is supported, the one or more correction magnets can be moved through the one or more slots in close proximity to the tire component. The correction magnets can thus be smaller than in the prior art. Moreover, the proximity can also reduce the delay in the movement of the tire component with respect to the correction magnets and can improve the accuracy and/or the controllability of the correction of the misalignment.

In a preferred embodiment thereof the one or more correction magnets are arranged to move through the one or more slots from the first position to the second position within a range of zero to five millimeters from the alignment surface at the opposite side of the alignment surface with respect to the side that supports the one tire component .

Preferably, the correction magnets are arranged to be inserted into the slots from the opposite side of the alignment surface with respect to the side that supports the one tire component. Hence, the correction magnets can approach and/or retain the tire component from below the alignment surface.

In another preferred embodiment, the one or more correction magnets are arranged to lie flush or substantially flush with the alignment surface when moving from the first position to the second position. The closer the correction magnets are to the tire component, the more accurate the correction of the misalignment can be performed.

Most preferably, the one or more correction magnets are arranged to be in direct contact with the tire component supported on the alignment surface between the first position and the second position. The direct contact can provide an optimal accuracy and/or controllability of the tire component. Preferably, the tire component is made to move together with and/or in unison with the correction magnets .

In an embodiment the one or more correction magnets generate a magnetic field strong enough to move at least a part of the tire component in the correction direction. Said part can thus be accurately corrected with respect to the remaining part of the tire component. In another embodiment the alignment surface is arranged for supporting a leading end of the tire component, wherein the one or more slots are located in the alignment surface at a position of the alignment surface that is arranged for supporting said leading end. Hence, misalignment in the leading end with respect to the rest of the tire component can be accurately corrected.

In a further embodiment the one or more correction magnets are movable relative to the alignment surface in a return direction opposite to the correction direction. After the return movement, the correction magnets can be used again in the correction direction to correct misalignment of the same or a further tire component .

In an embodiment thereof the one or more correction magnets are retractable in a retraction direction from the second position to a third position in which the one or more correction magnets are spaced apart from the tire component, wherein the one or more correction magnets are movable relative to the alignment surface in the return direction from the third position to a fourth position near the first position, wherein the one or more correction magnets are spaced apart from the tire component in the fourth position. Hence, the correction magnets can be moved through the spaced apart third and fourth position at a distance from the tire component that can be chosen such that the magnetic field at the tire component is small enough so as not to move the tire component.

In a further embodiment thereof the one or more correction magnets are movable in a deployment direction opposite to the retraction direction from the fourth position back into the first position, wherein the one or more correction magnets are arranged to be moved in one or more cycles through the first, second, third and fourth position. Hence, the movement of the correction magnets in the correction direction can be repeated several times with the correction magnets during each cycle returning to the first position via the spaced apart third and fourth positions .

In a further embodiment thereof the apparatus is arranged for one-by-one feeding a plurality of tire components onto the alignment surface, wherein the one or more correction magnets are arranged for moving through two or more cycles for the same tire component. Hence, when the stroke length of the correction magnets between the first position and the second position is insufficient to completely correct the misalignment of the tire component, the remaining misalignment of the same tire component can be corrected during a subsequent cycle of the correction magnets .

Preferably, the one or more correction magnets are arranged for moving in a cycle through the first, second, third and fourth position along a linear path, a non-linear path, a curved path or a combination thereof. By having a linear path up to the second position, the tire component can be moved securely by the correction magnets up to the second position, before the correction magnets are retracted towards the third position. A partly non ^¬ linear or curved path from the second to the third position, from the third to the fourth position and/or from the fourth to the first position can shorten the length of the path so that the correction magnets can be returned more quickly .

In an embodiment the correction device comprises a first drive that is arranged for driving the movement of the one or more correction magnets in the correction direction and/or the return direction.

In an embodiment the correction device comprises a second drive that is arranged for driving the movement of the one or more correction magnets in the retraction direction and/or the deployment direction.

In a combination of the aforementioned embodiments, the first drive and the second drive form an XY drive system for driving the one or more correction magnets simultaneously in the correction direction, the retraction direction, the return direction and/or the deployment direction. By having an XY drive system, a complex path as the one previously described can be obtained.

In a further embodiment the correction device comprises a plurality of the slots and one or more of the correction magnets for each slot. Hence, the tire component can be magnetically attracted at each slot.

Preferably, the slots are mutually parallel. Hence, all correction magnets can be moved in the same correction direction.

In an embodiment the correction device comprises a holder with a number of magnet positions, wherein each magnet position is arranged for holding one or more of the correction magnets with respect to a corresponding one of the slots. The holder can be used to move all correction magnets simultaneously and/or in unison by simply driving the holder.

In an embodiment thereof the number of magnet positions is equal to or smaller than the number of slots. Therefore, correction magnets can be inserted in each or at least a number of the slots.

In a further embodiment thereof the holder is provided with a plurality of protrusions extending in the direction of and arranged for at least partial insertion into a corresponding one of the slots, wherein the one of the magnet positions is arranged at a distal end of each protrusion. The correction magnets can thus be placed at the distal end of the holder, nearest to the tire component .

In a further embodiment thereof the holder is provided with a recess at the distal end of each protrusion for at least partially recessing the one or more correction magnets into the protrusion at the respective magnet position .

In a further embodiment thereof the recess is dimensioned to receive a stack of the correction magnets on top of each other towards the alignment surface or side-by- side in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the reference line and/or the alignment surface. The number of correction magnets in the stack can be used to control the strength of the magnetic field at said magnet position.

In a further embodiment thereof the one or more correction magnets each have a magnet body, wherein the recess is arranged for partially recessing the magnet body of the one or more correction magnets, such that, at least a part of the magnet body extends partially out of and/or protrudes from the recess. Hence, the correction magnets can be placed in direct contact with the tire component.

In a further embodiment thereof the magnet body has a circular circumference, wherein one or more magnets are oriented such that their respective circular circumferences are in an orientation that is upright with respect to the alignment surface, wherein the parts of circular circumference that extends partially out of and/or protrudes from the respective recess is tangent to the correction direction and/or the alignment surface. The tangent circumference can prevent that the correction magnets bite into the material of the tire component. In particular, the rounded circumference can facilitate an obtuse contact with the tire component.

In another embodiment the one or more correction magnets each comprises a magnet body that is flat or substantially flat, wherein the one or more correction magnets are arranged in a flat orientation with respect to the alignment surface. Hence, the contact surface with the tire component can be optimized.

In a further embodiment the one or more correction magnets each comprise two magnetic poles that generate a magnetic field between them, wherein one of the poles is directed in a direction normal to the alignment surface. Hence, the magnetic field can be strongest in said normal direction, e.g. for better controllability of the correction .

In an alternative embodiment the one or more correction magnets each comprises a magnet body that is flat or substantially flat, wherein the one or more correction magnets are arranged in an upright orientation with respect to the alignment surface. Hence, the contact surface with the tire component can be minimized.

In a further embodiment the one or more correction magnets each comprise two magnetic poles that generate a magnetic field between them, wherein one of the poles is directed in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the alignment surface. Hence, the strength of the magnetic field in the direction normal to the alignment surface can be reduced, e.g. for better controllability of the strength of the magnetic field.

Preferably, the one or more correction magnets are permanent magnets.

In another preferred embodiment the one or more slots extend perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the reference line.

In a further embodiment the correction device comprises an alignment member for aligning the tire component with respect to the reference line. The alignment member can be used to pre-align the tire component with respect to the reference line, such that only the remaining misalignment has to be corrected by the correction magnets.

In an embodiment thereof the alignment member comprises an abutment surface that extends parallel to the reference line, wherein the alignment member is positionable in an active position in which the abutment surface is arranged for abutting the tire component at the reference line. Hence, the abutment surface can align the tire component, e.g. a longitudinal side thereof, with respect to the reference line by abutment.

In a further embodiment thereof the alignment member is movable in the correction direction from the active position to a passive position spaced apart from the reference line. Hence, the tire component can be fed onto or placed on the alignment surface at or near the reference line without the alignment member hindering said feeding or placement .

In a further embodiment thereof the apparatus comprises a third drive for driving the movement of the alignment member in the correction direction.

In a further embodiment thereof the apparatus further comprises a cutting device, wherein the cutting device comprises a support member with a support surface for supporting a strip and a feeding member for feeding the strip onto the support surface in a feeding direction that is parallel or substantially parallel to the reference line, wherein the cutting device is provided with a cutter that is movable along a cutting line for cutting off one or more tire components from the strip at a cutting angle that is oblique with respect to the feeding direction, wherein the apparatus comprises a fourth drive that is arranged for moving the alignment member parallel to the reference line into a position along the reference line as close as possible to the cutting line. Hence, the alignment member can align the tire component with respect to the reference line directly downstream or as close as possible to the cutting line.

Preferably, the support member is rotatable about a rotation axis for adjusting the cutting angle, wherein the fourth drive member comprises a transmission for converting the rotation of the support member into a movement of the alignment member along the reference line. Hence, the alignment member can be moved automatically by the transmission in response to the rotation.

In a practical implementation thereof the support member has a circular or substantially circular circumference that is concentric to the rotation axis, wherein the transmission comprises a first belt that extends around the circular circumference of the support member and a second belt that extends in a loop around a first pulley and a second pulley, wherein the alignment member is connected to and movable together with the second belt in a direction parallel to the reference line, wherein the first belt is arranged for driving the first pulley in a transmission ratio to the rotation of the support member such that the alignment member is moved in response to the rotation to the support member to maintain the alignment member in a position as close as possible to the cutting line .

In a preferred embodiment the alignment surface extends at a support angle in the range of five to thirty degrees with respect to a vertical plane. In prior art correction devices with horizontally extending surfaces, the tyre component typically moved and corrected on a conveying surface, for which the friction is kept relatively high. Correction on such prior art surfaces is typically performed by lifting the leading end of the tire component and moving it relative to the rest of the tire component that is retained in place due to the friction. In the present embodiment of the invention, the tire component is fed onto the alignment surface substantially or solely under the influence of gravity. It is in such a situation that friction between the alignment surface and the tire component is preferably kept as low as possible to facilitate the sliding of the tire component over the alignment surface. Side rollers are not an option as they would cause hinder the vertical feeding. It is for this specific, nearly vertical alignment surface that the invention provides an accurate and/or improved correction of misalignments of the tire component with respect to the reference line.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method for correcting misalignment of a tire component using the apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the steps of supporting the tire component on the alignment surface with respect to the reference line, attracting the tire component to the one or more correction magnets at the one or more slots, moving the one or more correction magnets relative to the alignment surface through the one or more slots in the correction direction from the first position to the second position closer to the reference line to correct the misalignment of said tire component with respect to the reference line.

The method according to the first aspect of the present invention has the same advantageous effects as the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. These advantages will not be repeated hereafter for reasons of conciseness.

In an embodiment thereof the method comprises the step of returning the one or more correction magnets relative to the alignment surface in a return direction opposite to the correction direction.

In a further embodiment thereof the method comprises the steps of retracting the one or more correction magnets in a retraction direction from the second position to a third position in which the one or more correction magnets are spaced apart from the tire component, and moving the one or more correction magnets relative to the alignment surface in the return direction from the third position to a fourth position near the first position, wherein the one or more correction magnets are spaced apart from the tire component in the fourth position .

In a further embodiment thereof the method comprises the step of deploying the one or more correction magnets in a deployment direction opposite to the retraction direction from the fourth position back into the first position, wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the one or more correction magnets in one or more cycles through the first, second, third and fourth position .

In a further embodiment thereof the method comprises the step of one-by-one feeding a plurality of tire components onto the alignment surface, wherein the one or more correction magnets are moved through two or more cycles for the same tire component.

In another embodiment the method further comprises the step of providing an alignment member at the reference line, wherein the method comprises the steps of first aligning the tire component with respect to the alignment member at the reference line and subsequently correcting any remaining misalignment of the tire component with respect to the reference line with the use of the one or more correction magnets.

Preferably, the one or more correction magnets are used to correct any remaining misalignment at the leading end of the tire component.

In a further embodiment thereof the method comprises the step of cutting off one or more tire components along a cutting line at a cutting angle and feeding said cut-off tire component in a feeding direction parallel or substantially parallel to the reference line towards the correction device, wherein the cutting angle is adjustable, wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the alignment member in a direction parallel to the reference line in response to the adjustment of the cutting line to position and/or maintain the alignment member in a position along the reference line as close as possible to the cutting line.

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 .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

figure 1 shows a front view of an apparatus with a cutting device for cutting a first tire component and a correcting device for correcting misalignment of the first tire component according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

figure 2 shows a front view of the apparatus according to figure 1, during a step of a method for correcting misalignment of the first tire component;

figure 3 shows a front view of the apparatus according to figure 1 for correcting misalignment of a second tire component;

figure 4 shows a front view of the apparatus according to figure 3, during a step of a further method for correcting misalignment of the second tire component;

figure 5 shows an isometric view of the correcting device of figure 1;

figure 6 shows a detail of the correcting device according to circle VI in figure 5;

figure 7 shows a detail of an alternative embodiment of the correcting device according to figure 5;

figure 8 shows a bottom view in cross section of the apparatus according to the line VIII-VIII in figure 2;

figure 9 shows a detail of the apparatus according to circle IX in figure 8;

figure 10 shows a front view of the apparatus according to circle X in figure 1; and

figure 11 shows a rear view of the apparatus according figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1-4 shows an apparatus 1 for correcting misalignment of the reinforced tire components 9, in particular breaker plies. Figures 1 and 2 show the apparatus 1 during steps of a method for manufacturing one or more first reinforced tire components 91. Figures 3 and 4 shows the same apparatus 1 during steps of a further method for manufacturing one or more second reinforced tire component 92. The reinforced tire components 91, 92 are preferably reinforced with metal or ferromagnetic reinforcement elements 93. The apparatus 1 comprises a cutting device 2 for cutting and a correcting device 3 for correcting misalignment of said reinforced tire components 91, 92.

As shown in figure 1, the cutting device 2 comprises a support member 20, in this exemplary embodiment in the form of a cutting table, with a support surface 21. The cutting device 2 further comprises a feeding member 22, e.g. a feeding roller, for feeding a strip 90 of elastomeric material, preferably a rubber material, into the apparatus 1 and/or onto the support surface 21 in a feeding direction F. In this example, the support surface 21 is placed at a steep, nearly vertical angle, preferably within at a support angle in the range of five to thirty degrees with respect to a vertical plane. The feeding member 22 is arranged for feeding the strip 90 downwards in the feeding direction F over the steep support surface 21. Preferably, the strip 90 is allowed to slide over the support surface 21 solely under the influence of gravity.

The cutting device 2 further comprises a cutter 23 that is arranged for cutting the strip 90 into the one or more first tire components 91 as shown in figures 1 and 2 or the one or more second tire components 92 as shown in figures 3 and 4. The cutting device 2 comprises one or more guides 24 for guiding the cutter 23 along a cutting line K across the support surface 21 at a cutting angle H that is oblique with respect to the feeding direction F. Preferably, the cutting angle H is adjustable in a range between fifteen and sixty degrees with respect to the feeding direction F. In this exemplary embodiment, the support surface 21 is rotatable about a rotation axis R that extends normal to the support surface 21. The one or more guides 24 are mounted to and rotatable together with the support surface 21 to adjust the cutting angle H. Preferably, the support member 20 has an at least partly circular circumference 25, concentric to the rotation axis R and/or wherein the rotation axis R is located at the center of the at least partly circular circumference 25.

As further shown in figure 1, the cutting device 2 comprises one or more retaining magnets 26 arranged at or near the cutting line K, preferably on both sides of the cutting line K, for retaining the strip 90 during the cutting. The retaining magnets 26 can be permanent magnets which can be retracted into a position spaced apart from the strip 90 by a retraction mechanism (not shown) or electromagnets which are arranged to be switched on and off.

As shown in figures 1 and 5, the correction device 3 comprises an alignment surface 31 for receiving and/or supporting one of the one or more first tire components 91 or the one or more second tire components 92. The alignment surface 31 extends in the same plane as and/or at the same steep support angle as the support surface 21 of the cutting device 2. In this example, the one tire component 91, 92 is fed onto the alignment surface 31 from the support surface 21, preferably solely under the influence of gravity. The alignment surface 31 itself remains stationary. The correction device 3 is provided with an alignment member 4 for aligning the one tire component 91, 92 with respect to a reference line L and one or more correction magnets 5 for correcting the alignment of the one tire component 91, 92 to the extent that the one tire component 91, 92 is not correctly aligned with respect to the alignment member 4. In this example, the reference line L is parallel or substantially parallel to the feeding direction F.

As shown in figure 10, the correction device 3 is provided with a plurality of slots 32 in the alignment surface 31. The slots 32 are arranged in a series that extends parallel or substantially parallel to the reference line L. Preferably, the slots 32 are spaced apart over equal intervals. Each slot 32 extends in a correction direction A transverse or perpendicular to the reference line L. Preferably, the slots 32 are mutually parallel. The slots 32 are arranged for receiving one or more of the correction magnets 5 to allow closer proximity and/or direct contact of the correction magnets 5 with the one tire component 91, 92. The correction magnets 5 are arranged to be inserted into the slots 32 from the opposite side of the alignment surface 31 with respect to the side that supports the one tire component 91, 92. The opposite side of the alignment surface 31 will be referred to hereafter as the rear side 33. The slots 32 extend in the correction direction A towards, up to and/or beyond the reference line L.

As shown in figures 9 and 10, the correction magnets 5 are movable through the slots 32 in the correction direction A from a first position PI to a second position P2 closer to the alignment member 4. During said movement through the slots 32, the correction magnets 5 are arranged to be in close proximity to and/or in direct contact with the one tire component 91, 92. In particular, the correction magnets 5 are arranged to be deployed to within a range of zero to five millimeters from the one tire component 91, 92 and/or the alignment surface 31. The correction magnets 5 are preferably arranged to lie flush with the alignment surface 31 when moving from the first position PI to the second position P2. At the slots 32, there are no physical components of the correction device 3, such as a support layer or conveyor belt, extending between the correction magnets 5 and the one tire component 91, 92. Preferably, the correction magnets 5 are retractable from the second position P2 into a third position P3 spaced apart from the one tire component 91, 92 in a retraction direction B and can be returned to a fourth position P4 near the first position PI in a return direction C opposite to the correction direction A. From the fourth position P4, the correction magnets 5 can be returned in a deployment direction D back into the first position PI for a next cycle through the aforementioned positions P1-P4.

As shown in figure 8, the correction device 3 comprises a correction drive 6 for driving the correction of the one tire component 91, 92. The correction drive 6 is operationally connected to the correction magnets 5 for driving the movements of said correction magnets 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the correction drive 6 comprises a first drive member 61 for driving the movement of the correction magnets 5 in the correction direction A and the return direction C and a second drive member 62 for driving the movement of the correction magnets 5 in the retraction direction B and the deployment direction D. Preferably, the drive members 61, 62 are formed by linear drives, most preferably spindle drives. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various alternative drives will be suitable for driving the correction magnets 5. In this particular embodiment, the drive members 61, 62 are controlled as members of an XY drives system that is capable of performing complex motions, e.g. a combination of a movement of the correction magnets 5 in the retraction direction B and the return direction C, such that the correction magnets 5 can be moved along a linear path, a non-linear path, a curved path or a combination thereof. An example of path travelled by the correction magnets 5 is shown in figure 9.

As shown in figure 5, the correction device 3 further comprises a holder 7 for holding the correction magnets 5 with respect to the slots 32. The holder 7 comprises a holding body 70 that extends at the rear side 33 of the alignment surface 31 behind the plurality of slots 32. The holding body 70 comprises a number of magnet positions along its holding body 70, wherein each magnet position is arranged for holding one or more of the correction magnets 5 with respect to a corresponding one of the slots 32. Preferably, the number of magnet positions is equal to or smaller than the number of slots 32. At each magnet position, the holding body 70 comprises a protrusion 71, preferably in the form of a tooth, extending in the direction of and arranged for at least partial insertion into a corresponding one of the slots 32.

In figure 6, one of the protrusions 71 with one of the magnet positions is shown in more detail. In this example, a single correction magnet 5 is mounted to the top of the protrusion 71 at the magnet position. In this example, the correction magnet 5 is positioned at the most distal part of the protrusion 71 so that the correction magnet 5 is closest to the one tire component 91, 92. The correction magnet 5 is placed and/or mounted to the protrusion 71 in such a way that one of its poles is directed in a direction normal to the alignment surface 31 towards the one tire component 91, 92.

As best seen in figure 6, the correction magnets

5 comprise a flat or plate-like magnet body 50, preferably in the shape of a disc. Said magnet body 50 is mounted to the protrusion 71 in a flat or substantially flat orientation with respect to the alignment surface 31. In this exemplary embodiment, the correction magnets 5 have circular circumference 51, preferably with a diameter of less than ten millimeters. Optionally, a stack of two or more flat correction magnets 5 may be mounted on top of each other in said flat orientation (not shown) with respect to the alignment surface 31.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the holder 107 in which the holding body 170 is provided with a recess 172 at each protrusion 171 for receiving and at least partially recessing one or more of the correction magnets 5 at the respective magnet position. In this particular embodiment, a plurality of the correction magnets 5 are placed adjacent to each other and/or side-by- side in a direction parallel to the reference line L and/or the alignment surface 31 in each recess 172. Contrary to the previously described embodiment, as shown in figure 6, the one or more correction magnets 5 in figure 7 are placed and/or mounted in the recess 172 in such a way that the poles thereof are directed transverse to the one tire component 91, 92, preferably in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the alignment surface 31 and/or the reference line L. In particular, the magnet body 50 of the correction magnet 5 is mounted to in the recess 172 in an upright or substantially upright orientation with respect to the alignment surface 31. Preferably, the one or more correction magnets 5 are partially recessed, such that, in the upright orientation of the one or more respective correction magnets 5, a part of the magnet body 50 extends partially out of and/or protrudes from the recess 172 towards the one tire component 91, 92. More preferably, it is a part of the circular circumference 51 of the magnet body 50 that extends out of and/or protrudes from the recess 172 and is tangent or substantially tangent to the correction direction A and/or the alignment surface 31.

As shown in figure 8, the correction drive 6 is connected to the holder 7 for driving the motions of the correction magnets 5 mounted to said holder 7. In particular, the correction drive 6 can impose the motions on all of the correction magnets 5 simultaneously, such that the correction magnets 5 can be moved in the correction direction A through the slots 32 simultaneously and/or synchronously.

As shown in figure 11, the alignment member 4 comprises an alignment body 40 with an abutment surface 41 for abutting the one tire component 91, 92 on the alignment surface 31. The alignment member 4 is movable in the correction direction A away from the reference line L to allow the strip 90 to be supplied onto the alignment surface 31 without the alignment member 4 obstructing said supply. The alignment member 4 can subsequently be moved back in the return direction C towards the reference line L with the abutment surface 41 thereof in abutting contact with the strip 90 prior to cutting or the one tire component 91, 92 after cutting. Preferably, the alignment member 4 is further movable back and forth in the feeding direction F, parallel to, substantially parallel to and/or along the reference line L, for positioning the alignment member 4 along the reference line L as close as possible to the cutting line K. Preferably, the alignment member 4 is provided with a sharp tapering end 42 facing towards the cutting line K that allows the abutment surface 41 at said tapering end 42 to extends as close as possible towards the cutting line K. In such a way, the abutment surface 41 can abut a substantial part if not substantially the entire length of the one tire component 91, 92 in the feeding direction F.

As shown in figures 8 and 11, the apparatus 1 comprises a alignment drive 8 for driving the movements of the alignment member 4 with respect to the cutting device 2 and/or the correction device 3. In particular, the alignment drive 8 comprises a third drive member 81 for driving the movement of the alignment member 4 in the correction direction A and the return direction C and a fourth drive member 82 for driving the movement of the alignment member 4 back and forth in the feeding direction F. The third drive member 81 is preferably formed by a linear drive, most preferably a spindle drive. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various alternative drives will be suitable for driving the movement of the alignment member 4 in the correction direction A and the return direction C.

The fourth drive member 82 can also be formed by a linear drive, e.g. a spindle drive. However in the embodiment as shown in figures 8 and 11, the fourth drive member 82 comprises a transmission 83 for converting the movement of the support member 20 into a movement of the alignment member 4 back and forth in the feeding direction F and/or along the reference line L. In the embodiment as shown, the support member 20 has a fully circular circumference 25 and is rotatable about the rotation axis R for setting the cutting angle H. This rotation is converted by the transmission 83 into a linear or substantially linear back and forth movement of the alignment member 4 in the feeding direction F. The transmission 83 comprises a first belt 84 that is placed around the circular circumference 25 of the support member 20. The transmission 83 is further provided with a first pulley 85, a second pulley 86 and a second belt 87 that is placed in a loop around the first pulley 85 and the second pulley 86. The first belt 84 is connected to and/or placed around the first pulley 85 to drive the rotation of said first pulley 85 in a transmission ratio to the rotation of the support member 20. The alignment member 4 is fixedly connected to a part of the second belt 87 so as to be movable together with said part of the second belt 87.

The diameter of the first pulley 85 is chosen such that an appropriate transmission ratio between the rotation of the support member 20 and the first pulley 85 is obtained. The transmission ratio is preferably one that causes an appropriate displacement of the alignment member 4 with respect to and/or in relation to the rotation of the support member 20. An appropriate displacement is aimed at positioning and/or maintaining the alignment member 4 along the reference line L in a position as close as possible to the cutting line K.

Preferably, the transmission 83 comprises a plurality of guide pulleys 88 for redirecting and/or guiding at least a part of the first belt 84 away from the circumference 25 of the support member 20 and in a loop around the first pulley 85.

The correction magnets 5 are preferably permanent magnets. In an alternative embodiment, the correction magnets 5 may also be formed as electromagnets (not shown) . A method for correcting misalignment of the tire components 91, 92 will be described hereafter in detail with reference to figures 1-11.

Figure 1 shows the situation in which the support member 20 has been rotated about the rotation axis R such that the cutting line K extends at a chosen cutting angle H. A strip 90 has been supplied by the supply member 22 in the feeding direction F onto the support surface 21 of the support member 20. The cutter 23 has been moved in a cutting direction E along the cutting line K to cut off a leading end of the strip 90 at the cutting angle H. During the cutting, the strip 90 is retained by the retaining magnets 26. After the cutting, the retaining magnets 26 are retracted into the support surface 21 and/or deactivated to release the strip 90. The cutter 23 is returned to the position as shown in figure 1 for a subsequent cutting step. The cutting has created a new, triangular leading end 94. Typically, the leading end 94 is slightly deformed by the cutting step, as the leading end 94 has a relatively small contact surface with the support surface 21 and can be displaced relatively easily by the cutter 23 with respect to the rest of the strip 90. The deformation in figure 1 is exaggerated to clearly illustrate the problem underlying the present invention. The alignment member 4 has been moved in the correction direction A into a passive position spaced apart from the reference line L to allow the strip 90 to be fed onto the alignment surface 31 in the feeding direction F without the alignment 4 hindering said feeding .

Figure 2 shows the situation in which the strip

90 with the newly created leading end 94 is driven or has been allowed to move further over support surface 21 in the feeding direction F so that at least the leading end 94 of the strip 90 is positioned on and/or supported by the alignment surface 31. Subsequently, the cutter 23 has been moved again in the cutting direction E along the cutting line K to cut off the aforementioned first tire component 91 from the strip 9 at the cutting angle H. The cutting has created a triangular trailing end 95 similar to the leading end 94. The leading end 94 is still slightly deformed by the cutting step of figure 1. Now, the alignment member 4 has been moved in the return direction C back towards the reference line L into an active position in which the abutment surface 41 thereof is in abutting contact with at least a part of a longitudinal side of the first tire component 91.

As shown in figures 3 and 4, the support member

20 can be rotated about the rotation axis R such that the cutting line K extends at a different cutting angle H with respect to the cutting angle H in figures 1 and 2. Consequently, the strip 90 can be cut into one or more second tire components 92 for a different batch. During the rotation, the position of the alignment member 4 is adjusted, preferably automatically with the use of a suitable mechanism, e.g. the fourth drive member 82 as shown in figure 11, to be as close as possible to the cutting line K to provide an optimal alignment of the tire component 91, 92 during the subsequent steps of the method. The following steps of the method apply to any one tire component 91, 92 cut at the cutting angles H as shown in figures 1-4 or any other cutting angles H within the adjustable range of the support member 20.

Figures 9 and 10 show how the holder 7 of figure 5 can be moved through the slots 32 together with the correction magnets 5 supported thereon to correct the misalignment of the leading end 94 with respect to the reference line L. In particular, figure 9 shows one of the protrusions 71 with its respective correction magnet 5 in the different positions P1-P4 of a cycle for correcting the misalignment of the leading end 94. Figure 10 shows a front view of the movement three of the protrusions 71 with their respective correction magnets 5 through three respective slots 32 during the movement of said correction magnets 5 in the correction direction A from the first position PI to the second position P2.

As shown in figure 9, in a first step of the cycle, the correction magnet 5 at the distal end of the protrusion 71 is located in the fourth position P4 as a result of a previous cycle and is subsequently moved in the deployment direction D towards and/or into the first position PI in which the correction magnets 5 are in close proximity to and/or in abutting contact with the one tire component 91, 92. In case of a permanent correction magnet 5, the magnetic field will automatically attract, engage and/or retain the one tire component 91, 92 at or near its leading end 94. In case of an electromagnetic correction magnet 5, the correction magnet 5 would have to be activated. The leading end 94 can now be moved securely together with the correction magnets 5 in the correction direction A.

During a second step of the cycle, the holder 7 is moved in the correction direction A such that the protrusions 71 and the respective correction magnets 5 are moved in said correction direction A over a predetermined stroke, e.g. in the range of a few millimeters to a few centimeters, towards the alignment member 4 and into the second position P2. During said stroke, the leading end 94 of the one tire component 91, 92 is dragged and/or pulled along with correction magnets 5 under the influence of the respective magnetic fields. As most of the one tire component 91, 92 is already in abutment with the abutment surface 41 of the alignment member 4, only the leading end 94 is moved towards and/or into contact with said abutment surface 41, such that the misalignment may be corrected.

During a third step of the cycle, the holder 7 is moved in the retraction direction B away from the one tire component 91, 92 such that the correction magnets 5 become situated in the third position P3 spaced apart from the one tire component 91, 92. Alternatively, in case of electromagnets, the correction magnets 5 may require less spacing or no spacing at all and the third step of the cycle can be eliminated.

During a fourth step of the cycle, the holder 7 is moved in the return direction C back towards the fourth position P4 behind the first position PI so that the correction magnets 5 are ready for a subsequent cycle of the aforementioned steps.

Preferably, the misalignment of the leading end 94 is corrected in a single cycle of the holder 7 and the next cycle is used for correcting misalignment of a subsequent one of the tire components 91, 92. However, if the stroke of the holder 7 during the aforementioned cycle is insufficient to fully correct the misalignment of the leading end 94, one or more next cycles may be used to further correct the remaining misalignment of said leading end 94 of the same tire component 91, 92.

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.