Apparatus and process for making tape useful as a tire cap ply from greige fabric

Abstract

An apparatus and process are used to make a ready-to-apply tape from greige fabric. This tape can be used as cap plies, breakers and reinforcement in the carcass of tires. The tape is made by dipping a greige mini-fabric which comprises a plurality of single end cords in a solvent-based cement. The cement, which comprises solvent and an elastomeric composition, is dried so that the majority of the solvent evaporates. The elastomeric composition remains, encapsulating the fabric, thereby forming the tape.

1 . A process for producing a tape suitable for use as a cap ply from a greige fabric, comprising: 
 a) dipping the greige fabric in a solvent-based cement comprising a solvent and an elastomeric composition; and    b) drying the cement so that the majority of the solvent evaporates, and the elastomeric composition remains, encapsulating the fabric, thereby forming the tape.    
     
     
         2 . A tape made by the process of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . The tape of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises 0.0009-5% by weight of the tape.  
     
     
         4 . A tape suitable for use as a cap ply, comprising a greige fabric comprising a plurality of single end cords encapsulated in an elastomeric composition, and trace amounts of a solvent.  
     
     
         5 . The tape of  claim 4 , wherein the solvent comprises 0.0009-5% of the weight of the tape.  
     
     
         6 . The tape of  claim 4 , wherein the solvent is toluene.  
     
     
         7 . The tape of  claim 4 , wherein the elastomeric composition is selected from the group consisting of a natural rubber, a natural rubber with styrene butadiene or styrene butadiene with polybutadiene.  
     
     
         8 . A tape suitable for use as a cap ply, comprising a plurality of single end cords in a first direction, and a weft yarn in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.  
     
     
         9 . The tape of  claim 8 , wherein the weft yarn is an elastic yarn.  
     
     
         10 . The tape of  claim 9 , wherein the weft yarn is covered with cotton.