Splicing unit for splicing strips of cords embedded in rubber material to each other

Abstract

A splicing unit for splicing strips of in rubber material embedded cords to each other, which splicing unit comprises a splicing table and a splicing machine placed over the splicing table and determining a splice-line, wherein the splicing table is provided with a longitudinal axial line dividing the splicing table in a first splicing table half and a second splicing table half, an inlet end, an outlet end, a first splicing table transport unit placed on the first splicing table half, which first splicing table transport unit extends from the inlet end of the splicing table up to a distance from the inlet end of the splicing table.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A splicing unit for splicing strips of in rubber material embedded cords toach other, which splicing unit comprises: 
 a splicing table provided with a longitudinal axial line dividing the splicing table in a first splicing table half and a second splicing table half, an inlet end, an outlet end, a first splicing table transport unit placed on said first splicing table half and extending from said inlet end of said splicing table up to a distance from said inlet end of said splicing table and    a splicing machine placed over the splicing table and determining a splice-line.    
     
     
         2 . The splicing unit according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second splicing table transport unit placed on the second splicing table half, which second splicing table transport unit extends from the outlet end of the splicing table.  
     
     
         3 . The splicing unit according to  claim 2 , wherein said first splicing table transport unit and said second splicing table transport unit comprise a synchronised drive.  
     
     
         4 . The splicing unit according to  claim 2 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units partially extend in longitudinal direction over the splicing table.  
     
     
         5 . The splicing unit according to  claim 4 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units extend in longitudinal direction over said splicing table, ending at a distance from one another.  
     
     
         6 . The splicing unit according to  claim 5 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units both ending before said splice line.  
     
     
         7 . The splicing unit according to  claim 2 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units extend in longitudinal direction over the entire length of said splicing table.  
     
     
         8 . The splicing unit according to  claim 2 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units comprise means for providing a clamping force, sufficient to supply said strips slip-free.  
     
     
         9 . The splicing unit according to  claim 8 , wherein said clamping means are provided for generating a vacuum or magnetic field.  
     
     
         10 . The splicing unit according to  claim 18 , wherein said second half of said first splicing table transport unit comprises an air-floatation system for allowing said splicing table transport unit to run under an already passed strip without changing its position.  
     
     
         11 . The splicing unit according to claims  2 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units comprise conveyor belts.  
     
     
         12 . The splicing unit according to  claim 1 , furthermore provided with a sensor for determining the position of said strip under said splice line and generates an end position signal.  
     
     
         13 . The splicing unit according to  claim 2 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport unit decelerate in a synchronized manner to a speed zero, so that splicing said strips to each other takes place with motionless strips.  
     
     
         14 . A method for splicing strips of in rubber material embedded cords to each other, using the splicing unit according to  claim 1  and furthermore comprising a sensor for determining the position of said strip under said splice line and generating an end position signal, and wherein an end tip of a discharged strip is spliced to a leading tip of a supplied strip, said method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning said leading tip of said supplied strip by means of said first splicing table transport unit while monitoring its position using said sensor.  
 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said splicing unit further comprises a second splicing table transport unit placed on the second splicing table half, which second splicing table transport unit extends from the outlet end of the splicing table, said method comprising the steps of: 
 first positioning said end tip of said discharged strip by means of said second splicing table transport unit with respect to said splice line while monitoring its position using said sensor;    subsequently positioning said leading tip of said supplied strip while retaining said end tip of said discharged strip in its position on said first splicing table transport unit.    
     
     
         16 . The splicing unit according to  claim 3 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units partially extend in longitudinal direction over the splicing table.  
     
     
         17 . The splicing unit according to  claim 16 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units extend in longitudinal direction over said splicing table, ending at a distance from one another.  
     
     
         18 . The splicing unit according to  claim 7 , wherein said first and second splicing table transport units comprise means for providing a clamping force, sufficient to supply said strips slip-free.  
     
     
         19 . The splicing unit according to  claim 18 , wherein said clamping means are provided for generating a vacuum or magnetic field.  
     
     
         20 . The splicing unit according to  claim 19 , wherein said second half of said first splicing table transport unit comprises an air-floatation system for allowing said splicing table transport unit to run under an already passed strip without changing its position.