Apparatus and process for making tape useful as a tire cap ply
An apparatus and process are used to make tape which can be used as cap plies, breakers and reinforcement in the carcass of tires. The tape is made by dipping a plurality of single end cords in a solvent-based cement. The cords are converged before entering the dip pan so that they are fixed in a single plane when they are dipped. The cement, which contains solvent and an elastomeric composition, is dried so that the majority of the solvent evaporates. The elastomeric composition remains, encapsulating the cords, thereby forming the tape.
1. A process for producing a tire cap ply tape capable of reinforcing a tire by being wound directly onto the tire, the process consisting of:
a) running a plurality of side by side single end cords having a width of about ¼ inch to about ⅜ inch in a warp direction;
b) treating the cords with an activator;
c) directing the cords into a cement dip pan comprising a plurality of receiving rolls and a press roll wherein the receiving rolls and press roll each comprise crests and grooves adapted to accept the cords, and wherein the dip pan contains a solvent-based cement comprising a solvent and an elastomeric composition;
d) at ambient temperature and pressure, advancing the cords through the solvent-based cement by running said cords through the rolls of the dip pan whereby the cords ride through the grooves of the receiving rolls and on the crests of the press roll to form a solvated tape;
e) guiding the tape from the dip pan to an oven using at least one guide roll wherein the guide roll comprises grooves for accommodating the solvated tape;
f) drying the solvated tape in the oven whereby the majority of the solvent evaporates, and the elastomeric composition remains, encapsulating the cords to form the tire cap ply tape; and
g) winding the tire cap ply tape on a bobbin using a winder wherein the tire cape ply tape is stored on the bobbin
wherein the cap ply tape has a width of about ¼ inch to about ⅜ inch.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein the activator comprises resorcinol-formaldehyde latex.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent is toluene.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric composition is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, a natural rubber with styrene butadiene and styrene butadiene with polybutadiene.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent comprises 0.0009-5% by weight of the tape.