A cutting segment for a False Drum (100,200,300) having a cylindrical
outer
surface (202,306) comprises a slot (204,224,330) extending generally
axially from end-to-end of the cylindrical surface, a door panel (322) having
substantially the same size and shape as the slot; and a mechanism (320)
for opening and closing the door panel. The mechanism for selectively opening and
closing the door panel includes an elongate lever (324), one end of which
supports the door panel, the other end of which is pivotally attached to a stationary
portion (point) of the drum, a spring (326) extending between an inner surface
of the door panel and another stationary portion of the drum; and an inflatable
pneumatic tube (328) disposed between the lever and yet another stationary
portion of the drum. There is thereby provided a method of supporting material
overlying the cutting slot of the False Drum, by opening the slot when cutting
the material, and closing the slot when not cutting the material. Importantly,
after the material is cut, the door panel closes the slot so that the cut end of
the material does not hang in the slot, but rather is supported, thereby ensuring
reliable transfer of the material to a tire building drum.