Distribution Unit for a Particulate Material

Abstract

A distribution unit (U) for distribution carbonaceous particulate material, in particular powdered rubber or equivalent material to be applied on the peripheral surfaces (F) of a tire (P), comprises nozzle spreading means (2) for spreading said particulate material and pneumatic supply means (1,3,5,7) for feeding said particulate material to said spreading means (2).

Claims

1. Distribution unit for distribution carbonaceous particulate material, in particular powdered rubber or equivalent material to be applied on the peripheral surfaces of a tire, comprising nozzle spreading means for spreading said particulate material and pneumatic supply means for feeding said particulate material to said spreading means; characterized in that at least said spreading means are mounted directly on a group for dispensing extruded rubber.

2. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the said pneumatic supply means comprise Venturi supply means.

3. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the said pneumatic supply means comprise a pneumatic supply hopper containing said particulate material, a Venturi tube coupled to pump means, said tube being disposed below said hopper and connected to said spreading means.

4. Unit according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises control means for controlling and regulating the air flow applied to said Venturi tube, and control means for controlling and adjusting the air pressure applied to said Venturi tube.

5. Unit according to one or more of claims 1, characterized in that it also comprises a suction group for sucking residues of said particulate material falling from said spreading means.

Description

[0011] The structural and functional characteristics of the present invention and its advantages compared to the known art will be even clearer and more evident from claims below, and in particular through an examination of the following description, with reference to the annexed drawings, which shows a preferred schematic but not limiting embodiment of a distribution unit of a particulate carbonaceous material, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic constructive view of a preferred embodiment of the subject unit according to the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of a distribution assembly supporting an operative component of the subject unit according to the present invention; and

[0014] FIG. 3 is a front (sectioned) view of an operating component of the subject unit acting on both side surfaces of a tyre.

[0015] With reference to annexed Figures, U globally indicates a distribution unit of a carbonaceous particulate material, such for example rubber dust or equivalent material, on the peripheral surfaces of a tyre P (FIGS. 2 and 3) for motor vehicles in general, such as industrial and/or commercial vehicles as trucks, buses and the like, in particular on the peripheral side surfaces or sidewalls F of a retreated tire P (FIG. 3).

[0016] According to the schematic shown in FIG. 1, the unit U comprises a pneumatic supply assembly 1 of rubber dust to a nozzle diffuser 2, capable in use to spread and/or spray rubber dust on the sides F of the tyre P (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0017] The assembly 1 also comprises, in addition to the nozzle 2, a hopper 3 for containing the rubber dust and internally provided with stirring means 4 (arrow f) of the dust itself.

[0018] The assembly 1 further comprises conveying means 5 for pneumatically supplying rubber dust to the nozzle 2, said conveying means 5 comprise a pump 6 connected to a venturi tube 7, the latter being disposed under the hopper 3.

[0019] Connected to the venturi tube 7 means 8 are provided for control and regulation of the air flow to the venturi tube 7 itself, and means 9 for control and regulation of the air pressure in the venturi tube 7.

[0020] The unit U further comprises a suction unit 10 of powder residues falling from the nozzle 2, said assembly 10 being defined by a suction element 11 disposed under the nozzle 2, a suction pump 12 being connected to the element 11, and a discharge container 13 being connected with the suction element 11 through filtering means 14.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle 2 of the unit U and the assembly 10 provided with special protection casing 15, are suitably, directly and advantageously mounted on board of a dispenser assembly G of extruded rubber or compound in a viscous form on the carcass of tyre P.

[0022] Said assembly G, which is known and therefore not described here, is suitable for the realization of the known retreading process of the tyre P.

[0023] In this way, the automatic distribution and control are performed in a uniform manner, of the rubber dust on retreaded tyres without the risk of dust dispersion in the environment; advantageously, such distribution is made immediately after the application of the extruded rubber.

[0024] Furthermore, this automatic application of rubber dust the sidewalls of tyres avoids un undesired sticking between tyres placed adjacent to each other during the later stages of production.