A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.

A method forms a butt joint between ends of first and second plies and splices the first and second plies together. The method includes the steps of: positioning a first splice edge of a first ply at a first location; positioning a second splice edge of a second ply at a second location, the second splice edge being left bare; wrapping a gum strip around the first splice edge such that the first gum strip forms a U-shaped structure in section that allows the first gum strip to extend from a first planar side of the first ply over the first splice edge to a second opposite planar side of the first ply; not wrapping a gum strip around the second splice edge; placing the first splice edge in abutting relationship to the second splice edge; and stitching the first splice edge to the second splice edge such that stitches each extend from the first planar side of the first ply, through the gum strip, to the first planar side of the second ply.

A method of forming a layer of tire ply is disclosed. A first strip of ply is provided having a plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement cords, having a spacing S, and having a lateral end, wherein the last cord is spaced apart from strip end a distance X, wherein X is not equal to S. A second strip of ply is provided having a plurality of evenly spaced reinforcement cords, having a spacing S, and having a lateral end, wherein the last cord is spaced apart from strip end a distance Y, wherein Y is not equal to S. The lateral ends of the first and second strip are joined together in a lap joint. The first and second lateral ends are overlapped so that the spacing X preferrably does not overlap, but may partially overlap with the spacing Y.

A bleeder cord affixing device is made up of an affixing roller extending in a width direction of the treatment member and adapted to be pressed into the treatment member being moved, thereby to be rotated; and a roller moving mechanism that moves the affixing roller to and away from the treatment member. The roller moving mechanism operates to move the affixing roller to a pressed position urged to the treatment member, with a result that the affixing roller is caused to be rotated due to the movement of the treatment member at the pressed position and attaches the rubber member to the treatment member under the pressing force, and then presses the bleeder cords onto the treatment member to continuously affix the bleeder cords onto the surface of the treatment member.

A stitcher (1) for connecting strips of rubber material (4, 5) into a substantially continuous strip according to this invention comprises a surface (3), a stitching head (6) placed over it having a stitch unit (7) for stitching the strips of rubber material together along a stitch line, which stitch line includes an angle having a longitudinal direction (L) of the continuous strip, a drive mechanism for driving a relative movement of the stitching head with respect to the surface along a first (X) and a second (Y) direction, wherein the second direction is oriented transverse to the first direction, and a control device (11) for controlling the drive mechanism such that the stitch unit follows the stitch line. In one embodiment the stitching head is rotatably connected to the drive mechanism wherein the axis of rotation extends transverse to the surface. The stitching head furthermore comprises a wheel (15) that is placed at a distance from the axis of rotation, wherein the wheel with its tread abuts the surface.

A stitcher (1) for connecting strips of rubber material (4, 5) into a substantially continuous strip according to this invention comprises a surface (3), a stitching head (6) placed over it having a stitch unit (7) for stitching the strips of rubber material together along a stitch line, which stitch line includes an angle having a longitudinal direction (L) of the continuous strip, a drive mechanism for driving a relative movement of the stitching head with respect to the surface along a first (X) and a second (Y) direction, wherein the second direction is oriented transverse to the first direction, and a control device (11) for controlling the drive mechanism such that the stitch unit follows the stitch line. In one embodiment the stitching head is rotatably connected to the drive mechanism wherein the axis of rotation extends transverse to the surface. The stitching head furthermore comprises a wheel (15) that is placed at a distance from the axis of rotation, wherein the wheel with its tread abuts the surface.

A tire belt manufacturing apparatus of the present invention includes a joining table on which a parallelogram rubber member is to be placed and that moves the rubber member to a front side in a first direction, and a joining device that joins sides of the rubber members. A conveyer that conveys the rubber member to a back side of a joining position in the first direction in the joining table includes a plurality of conveyer belts, and the plurality of conveyer belts is disposed in such a stepwise manner that the conveyer belt disposed closer to one side in a second direction is located closer to the front side in the first direction.

A tire belt manufacturing apparatus of the present invention includes a joining table on which a parallelogram rubber member is to be placed and that moves the rubber member to a front side in a first direction, and a joining device that joins sides of the rubber members. A conveyer that conveys the rubber member to a back side of a joining position in the first direction in the joining table includes a plurality of conveyer belts, and the plurality of conveyer belts is disposed in such a stepwise manner that the conveyer belt disposed closer to one side in a second direction is located closer to the front side in the first direction.