Device for making an object such as a tyre for a bicycle retro-reflective

Abstract

 Method and device (1) for making an object such as a bicycle tyre (10) light retro-reflecting over a required part surface, said method comprising the binding of a material containing at least glass beading to said object with an adhesive agent. The method consists of removal of a thin surface layer from said required part surface, application of a quick drying liquid adhesive agent to this surface, sprinkling of the adhesive agent directly thereafter with a slight excess of a powder material containing at least glass beading and a light coloured filler in powder form, and by removal of the excess powder material. Said device comprises a frame (2), a removal device (18) connected to said frame for removing a thin surface layer from said object, an adhesive agent feeding device (30) for applying adhesive agent from an adhesive agent reservoir to said object, and a sprinkling device (32) for sprinkling onto said adhesive agent a powder material containing glass beading and a light coloured filler in powder form.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for making an object light retro-reflecting over a required part surface comprising the binding of a material containing at least glass beading to the object with an adhesive agent. Already known is a method whereby the material containing glass beading is arranged on the object in the form of a strip provided with adhesive agent.

[0002] The drawback to this method is that neither surfaces with multiple curves nor surfaces subject to deformations during use can be hereby treated in a satisfactory manner.

[0003] The invention has for its purpose to obviate this drawback.

[0004] This is achieved with the method according to the invention by removing a thin surface layer from the required part surface, applying a quick drying liquid adhesive agent to this surface, sprinkling the adhesive agent directly thereafter with a slight excess of a powder material containing at least glass beading and a light coloured filler in powder form, and by removing the excess powder material. The removal of the thin surface layer can be performed chemically using a suitable solvent or mechanically and ensures that the layer of adhesive agent to be applied adheres well to the surface of the object. The object treated with the method according to the invention can have any random form and be subject to deformations during use without this adversely affecting its retro-reflecting properties.

[0005] In a particularly favourable embodiment of the method according to the invention the object is an already vulcanized rubber tyre, and the thin surface layer is removed using a wire brush. Known for the application of luminous strips to the side surfaces of bicycle tyres is the vulcanizing into the tyre of a rubber strip provided with retro-reflecting material. Using the method according to the invention an already vulcanized tyre can still be provided with a strip of retro-reflecting material.

[0006] If, in accordance with a further development of the invention, a light pigment is added to the adhesive agent beforehand, the reflecting capability of the formed layer is greatly increased.

[0007] The invention relates to and also provides a device for making an object light retro-reflecting over a required part surface, comprising a frame, a removal device connected to the frame for removing a thin surface layer from the object, an adhesive agent feeding device for applying adhesive agent from an adhesive agent reservoir to the object, and a sprinkler device for sprinkling onto the adhesive agent'a powder material containing glass beading and a light coloured filler in powder form.

[0008] In order to employ the method according to the invention on a bicycle tyre the device according to the invention is characterized by a guide wheel system connected for rotation to the frame, the system being provided with guide means for guiding a tyre in a transversely bent open state, a pressure roller arranged opposite the guide wheel system, drive means for moving the tyre over the guide wheel system and, arranged successively along the periphery of the system, rotary wire brushes, adhesive feed nozzles, powder sprinklers and a blowing device. In this device the bicycle tyre is bent open and flattened at the location of the guide wheel system so that a horizontally flat treating surface is created. As a result the adhesive substance and the material in powder form can be applied in an appropriate manner simultaneously on two sides of the tyre, making use of gravity, so that an attractive and accurate result can be achieved. Using the feature from claim 5 a device is obtained whereby the tyres to be treated can be placed rapidly and easily onto the device.

[0009] The invention also relates to and provides retro-reflecting material in powder form intended for use with the method and the device according to the invention. This material in powder form comprises according to the invention glass beading and a filler in powder form. As a result of the presence of the filler a good dispersal of the glass beading over the surface is effected, which is favourable for the realization of good retro-reflecting properties.

[0010] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention the filler comprises powdered aluminium. This results in a further improvement of the reflective properties. If according to a further aspect of the invention the material in powder form comprises in addition a water repelling agent, a bicycle tyre treated with it can also preserve its good light reflective properties in unfavourable, rainy weather conditions. It has been found in practice with existing tyres provided with reflecting material that the reflective action is greatly reduced by the presence of water on the surface.

[0011] Further aspects and features of the invention will be found in the following description of an embodiment of the device according to the invention with reference to the annexed figures.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention for applying reflecting strips to a bicycle tyre.

Fig. 2 is a partially schematic detail view of the wire brushes used in the device from fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partly cross sectional, perspective view of the guide wheel assembly of the device from fig. 1 showing schematically the sprinklers positioned above it.

Fig. 4 shows the sprinklers from fig. 3 in more detail.

Fig. 5 is another embodiment of the sprinklers.

[0012] The device 1 is intended for applying a light retro-reflecting strip to either side of a bicycle tyre. The device 1 comprises a frame 2 on which is arranged a guide wheel system 3 comprising two rotary guide wheels 20, 21. As is shown in fig. 3, each guide wheel 20, 21 is provided with a ridge 22 behind which can be hooked the wired heel 23 of a tyre 10 bent open in transverse direction. Arranged opposite guide wheels 20, 21 is a pressure roller 4 which in operating position brings tyre 10 into contact with guide wheels 20, 21.

[0013] The device 1 also comprises a drive roller 5 which is driven by a motor 6.- Drive roller 5 and motor 6 are mounted on a pivoting frame 7 which can pivot on a shaft 9 that is fixed to frame 2. Upward and downward pivoting of pivoting frame 7 is effected with the cylinder 8, this preferably being a pneumatic cylinder.

[0014] In the operating position the tyre 10 is placed round guide wheels 20, 21 and drive roller 5 presses into the tyre on the inside, as a result of which, when drive roller 5 rotates, the tyre 10 moves round in the direction indicated.

[0015] Arranged one after the other along the periphery of the guide wheels in the direction of movement of tyre 10 are a pair of rotating wire brushes 18, a pair of adhesive agent feed nozzles 30, a pair of sprinklers 32, a warm air blower 50 and a blow nozzle 51. The adhesive nozzles 30, sprinklers 32 and blowers 50, 51 are mounted on an auxiliary frame 33 which can pivot on a shaft 34, which frame can be moved using the preferably pneumatic cylinder 35 into an operating position close to guide wheels 20, 21 and a rest position at a distance therefrom.

[0016] Wire brushes 18 are mounted for rotation on a carriage 12 which, using a pneumatic cylinder 13, can likewise be moved into an operating position close to guide wheels 20, 21 and a rest position at an interval therefrom. Pressure roller 4 is also arranged on carriage 12.

[0017] In the position where cylinders 13, 35 are retracted and cylinder 8 is extended a tyre 10 can be placed round guide wheels 20, 21, drive roller 5 and guide roller 11. By retracting pneumatic cylinder 8 the roller 5 comes into driving grip contact with tyre 10. By extending cylinder 13 the carriage 12 moves towards guide wheel system 3, until pressure roller 4 lies via the tyre 10 up against the guide wheels. At the same time pressure roller 4 functions as a stop for a correct positioning of wire brushes 18 relative to the tyre 10 lying on the guide wheels 20, 21.

[0018] The cylinder 35 is extended simultaneously with cylinder 13 and thereby carries the auxiliary frame 33 into the operating position.

[0019] Cylinders 8, 13 and 35 are controlled with the control device 52 which is given commands with a pedal 53.

[0020] Wire brushes 18 are driven via a chain gear 17 by a motor 14. Chain gear 17 comprises a tensioner 15 provided with a hand screw 16. As shown in fig. 2, guide plates 37 are arranged on either side of each wire brush 18 close to its active parts. These ensure that any wires protruding from wire brushes 18 are forced back into position. In operation the wire brushes 18 remove a thin surface layer of the tyre 10 in the form of strip-like part surfaces 19. In this way the material of tyre 10 is prepared for a good adhesion of the adhesive agent to be applied subsequently. Instead of a mechanical pre-treatment using wire brushes 18, this can also be performed chemically using a suitable solvent. A suitable device for applying this solvent is then present in the place of wire brushes 18. Guide plates 37 ensure that the strips 19 acquire an accurate, pre-determined width.

[0021] The portion 19 of tyre 10 treated by the wire brushes 18 then moves over guide wheels 20, 21 to the position where the adhesive agent applying nozzles 30 are arranged. These are per se known electrically activated nozzles, a further description of which is unnecessary here. The nozzles 30 set into operation using the control device 52 apply to the pretreated portions 19 a strip of adhesive agent having approximately the same width as portions 19.

[0022] The adhesive agent is preferably pigmented with a light, for example white or yellow, colour substance. An appropriate adhesive substance has self-vulcanizing properties for good adhesion to the rubber of tyre 10.

[0023] Arranged subsequent to the adhesive agent applying nozzles 30 in the direction of movement are sprinklers 32. As fig. 4 shows, a close fitting dosage wheel 43 rotates in the lower end of each sprinkler 32. This dosage wheel 43 is provided on its periphery with grooves 45 which, during rotation of dosage wheel 43, collect powder 47 on the upper part, releasing it again at the bottom. By selecting a suitable rotation speed of dosage wheel 43 the quantity of powder discharged into the opening 46 can be accurately determined. Dosage wheels 43 are provided with a square hole 44 into which a square shaft 42 of a drive motor 36 grips for sliding. The function of this ability to slide will be further explained later.

[0024] Powder 47 is in this way applied to the strip-like part surfaces 19 of the tyre 10 provided with an adhesive agent layer. This powder comprises at least glass beading and a light coloured filler substance in powder form. The glass beading ensures the retro reflection of light striking it, while the filler ensures a good, uniform distribution of the glass beading over the surface of the strip. The filler can comprise powdered aluminium in a favourable manner. This brings about a stronger reflection. The filler can also contain a light coloured powdered plastic, also known under the name of "glass bubbles".

[0025] When the tyre 10 is moved further around guide wheels 20, 21 the adhesive agent provided with the powder 47 comes into the sphere of influence of the hot air blower 50 which causes the quick drying adhesive agent to dry and harden. Using the subsequently arranged blow nozzle 51 excess powder is blown away.

[0026] As soon as tyre 10 has performed a complete revolution and is thus provided on either side over its entire periphery with a retro-reflecting strip, the pedal 53 is activated, as a result of which the control device 52 successively causes the wire brushes 18 to move off the tyre, switches off the adhesive nozzles 30 and then the powder sprinklers 32. The cylinders 35 and 8 are then activated, following which the finished tyre 10 can be removed from the device 1 and a new tyre 10 can be placed therein.

[0027] As is shown in fig. 3, guide wheels 20, 21 of the guide wheel system 3 can move relative to each other, so that the distance of these wheels from each other can be adjusted to correspond with the width of the tyre 10. For this purpose guide wheel 20 is mounted for rotation on a fixed support 24, while guide wheel 21 is mounted on a movable support 25. The movable support 25 co-operates with a guide nut 26 which is in grip contact with a screwed spindle 27 which can be operated by the hand crank 28 shown in fig. 1. By rotating the crank 28 guide wheel 21 can be moved in the direction indicated. As is shown schematically the right-hand sprinkler 32 can likewise be adjusted to a corresponding width. This is shown further in fig. 4.

[0028] Sprinklers 32 are mounted on the pivoting frame 33 using bolts 41. At the location of the right-hand sprinkler 32 slotted holes 40 are formed in the frame so that the distance of this sprinkler relative to the one adjacent can be adjusted in the direction indicated. Because the dosage wheel of the right-hand sprinkler can slide over the square shaft 42 it can therefore be sufficient for the adjustment of the mutual distance to quite simply loosen the relevant bolts 41 inserted into the slots 40 and to tighten them again afterwards. The adhesive agent nozzles 30 are mounted on supports 31 which are firmly connected to sprinklers 32. Adjusting of sprinklers 32 therefore results in simultaneous adjustment of the adhesive agent nozzles 30.

[0029] As shown in fig. 5, pressure rollers 54 can be fitted in a favourable manner to each sprinkler 32, these rollers pressing the powder 47 well into the adhesive agent onto which it has just been spread. This enables complete coating of the adhesive agent layer with powder 47.

[0030] Although the above is a description of a device for applying retro-reflecting strips to a bicycle tyre, the method according to the invention can be used to make other objects retro-reflecting.

Claims

1. Method for making an object light retro-reflecting over a required part surface, comprising the binding of a material containing at least glass beading to said object with an adhesive agent, characterized by removal of a thin surface layer from said required part surface, application of a quick drying liquid adhesive agent to this surface, sprinkling of the adhesive agent directly thereafter with a slight excess of a powder material containing at least glass beading and a light coloured filler in powder form, and by removal of the excess powder material.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the object is an already vulcanized rubber tyre, and that the thin surface layer is removed using a wire brush.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a light pigment is added beforehand to the adhesive agent.

4. Device for making an object light retro-reflecting over a required part surface, characterized by a frame, a removal device connected to said frame for removing a thin surface layer from said object, an adhesive agent feeding device for applying adhesive agent from an adhesive agent reservoir to said object, and a sprinkling device for sprinkling onto said adhesive agent a powder material containing glass beading and a light coloured filler in powder form.

5. Device as claimed in claim 4, for applying light retro-reflecting stripes to a bicycle tyre, characterized by a guide wheel system connected for rotation to the frame, which system is provided with guide means for guiding a tyre in a transversely bent open state, a pressure roller arranged opposite said guide wheel system, drive means for moving said tyre over said guide wheel system and, arranged successively along the periphery of the system, rotary wire brushes, adhesive feed nozzles, powder sprinklers and a blowing device.

6. Device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the drive means are formed by a vertically movable guide drive roller which grips the interior of the tyre.

7. Device as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the wire brushes, adhesive nozzles and powder sprinklers are mounted for movement away from the surface of the guide wheel system.

8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the wire brushes and the pressure roller are arranged together on a carriage.

9. Device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the adhesive nozzles, powder sprinklers and blowing device are mounted on an auxiliary frame which can pivot on a shaft running parallel to the axis of the guide wheel system.

10. Device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the carriage, the auxiliary frame and the drive roller can be moved by pneumatic jacks and are activated by a control device given commands with a pedal.

11. Device as claimed in any of the claims 5-10, characterized by a pressure roller fitted behind each sprinkler.

12. Device as claimed in any of the claims 5-11, characterized in that on either side of each wire brush and close to the operative part thereof are arranged guide plates.

13. Retro-reflecting material in powder form comprising glass beading and a filler in powder form.

14. Material as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the filler in powder form comprises powdered aluminium.

15. Material as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that in addition the filler comprises light coloured, finely powdered plastic.

16. Material as claimed in any of the claims 13-15, characterized in that it comprises in addition a water repellent agent.

Drawing