The method includes the step of running a cutting means between two threads of the reinforcing ply. The method proceeds with the steps of measuring; a discrepancy between an actual cutting line (ABC) and a theoretical cutting line (ABC) is measured and determining a point of intersection of the actual cutting line (B) with a reference longitudinal line (XX) placed on the strip. The actual cutting line (BC) of that part of the rubber profiled elements that are not superposed with the reinforcing ply is longitudinally offset (Z) with respect to the theoretical cutting line (BC) so that the actual cutting line (BC) meets the reference longitudinal line (XX) at the point of intersection (B) of the reinforcing ply (AB) with the reference longitudinal line (XX). The rubber profiled elements that are not superposed with the reinforcing ply are cut along the said actual cutting line.

A topping sheet forming method includes: feeding a textile original fabric, obtained by weaving longitudinally aligned tire cords into a cord fabric by use of weft yarns; cutting off the weft yarns at a predetermined widthwise position to divide the textile original fabric into a plurality of narrow textile original fabrics; and topping at least one surface of the narrow textile original fabric with unvulcanized rubber.

A topping sheet forming method includes: a division step of cylindrically winding a textile original fabric, obtained by weaving longitudinally aligned tire cords into a cord fabric by use of weft yarns, to form an original fabric roll and cutting off the weft yarns in predetermined widthwise positions by using a wire wound on the original fabric roll in a predetermined winding angle range to divide the textile original fabric into narrow textile original fabrics; and a topping step of topping at least one surface of each of the narrow textile original fabrics with unvulcanized rubber.

In a rubber-coated fabric, a plurality of warp cords is included with a spacing d between, sides of adjacent warp cords, each of the warp cords being coated with a layer of rubber compound, A cut line may further be included that separates groups of the warp cords, each group having a predetermined number of the warp cords. The cut line, may be formed by between 2 and 6 adjacent cut line warp cords, wherein a distance dc, between any two sides of adjacent cut Hue warp cords may be no more than. 50% of d. The layer of rubber compound that coats- the rubber-coated fabric is thin enough to outline the cut line on a surface of the rubber-coated woven fabric.

A cutting blade, which is useable for cutting a reinforcing strip into reinforcing plies, includes one or more notches disposed at given intervals. When a volume of rubber separating two reinforcing threads is cut by the cutting blade, bridges of rubber are left between a rear edge of a first reinforcing ply and a front edge of a second reinforcing ply.

Cutting device for cutting a reinforcing ply (N) formed of a set of portions of thread, of given length, coated in a rubber compound, laid parallel to one another and making a given theoretical angle (a) with the longitudinal direction of the ply, characterized in that it includes a first element able, without proceeding to cut the said ply (N), to estimate the actual angle of the threads with the longitudinal direction (XX) of the device and a second element able to cut the ply (N) at the actual angle (a+da) estimated by the first element.