Abstract: A mold blocking member for use in a vent bore of a mold for the manufacture of rubber products is provided. The mold blocking member has a tubular hollow body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a cap with an inner portion surrounded by a recessed annular portion, wherein the inner portion is connected to the recessed annular portion by a sidewall, wherein the sidewall has one or more slots therein. The slots opening has a width dimension in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.6 mm and a thickness in the range of about 0.03 mm to about 0.15 mm. It is preferred that the inner portion is flat and recessed with respect to the outer rim of the first end.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire tread has tread elements formed by circumferential and/or lateral grooves. At least one tread element has a sipe that devolves from a constant width sipe having a three dimensional aspect in at least a portion of the radially outer portion of the sipe to a wider width groove at the base of the tread feature.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a carcass and a belt reinforcing structure wherein the belt reinforcing structure is a composite belt structure having at least one pair of radially outer zigzag layers and at least one spirally wound belt layer with cords inclined at an inclination of 5 degrees or less relative to the tire's centerplane and located radially inward of and adjacent to the at least two radially outer belt layers. The at least two radially outer zigzag belt layers have cords inclined at 5 degrees to 30 degrees relative to the tire's centerplane and extending in alternation to turnaround points at each lateral edge of the belt layer. At each turnaround point the cords are folded or preferably bent to change direction across the crown of the carcass thus forming a zigzag cord path.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a green tire carcass is provided having a bladder mounted to a first and second support, a retractable support shaft mounted inside the bladder, and upper and lower bead ring for mounting the beads of the tire carcass thereon, wherein one of said bead rings has a channel in fluid communication with a pressurized source of fluid, wherein said channel has an outlet located between said bladder and said carcass for injecting pressurized fluid between the carcass and the bladder.

Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric tire component is provided, comprising the following steps. An apparatus is provided which includes a rotating applicator head and a non-rotating portion. The non-rotating portion has an internal channel having a first end in fluid communication with a gear pump and a second end in fluid communication with a first channel of the rotating applicator head. The first channel is substantially aligned with the Z axis. The rotating applicator head further includes a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel, and wherein the second channel is oriented at an angle with respect to a Y axis and is in fluid communication with a nozzle. The method further includes pumping a strip of elastomeric material through said internal channel and then into said first and second channel, and then through an outlet of said nozzle onto a surface.

Abstract: A method of producing a tire having an outside-in ply construction is provided.

Abstract: A pneumatic drive tire for tracked vehicles is provided having an outer tread surface divided into two zones. The first tread zone has a plurality of lugs and grooves, the grooves may extend across the entire first zone creating soil discharge channels. The soil discharge channels preferably extend into the shoulder. The tire has a second tread zone with no lugs or grooves.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for reducing the tension on an elastomeric feed strip. The method includes providing a device for engagement with the feed strip, pushing the feed strip forward by the device when the feed strip stops or when the tension exceeds a certain value, and then pushing the strip in the direction of travel.

Abstract: A mold and molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire is provided. The molding device includes a thin flexible wire having a desired cross-sectional shape. The wire thickness can range from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. The flexible wire is preferably hyperelastic. An optional molding element may be connected to the flexible wire.

Abstract: The invention provides a segmented mold having a plurality of segments arranged to form an annular cavity to mold a tire. Each of the segments have an inner face for molding the tread, one or more channels, and one or more members received in each channel. The members are joined together to form a fluid manifold for circulating a fluid medium therein. Preferably, the channels are located on the outer radial surface of the segments.

Abstract: A mold and molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire is provided. The molding device includes a thin flexible wire having one or more molded elastomer elements thereon. The flexible wire is preferably hyperelastic and the molded elastomer is preferably silicone rubber.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. The molding device may further comprise a magnet. A portion of the flexible member is positioned in contact with a first surface of a relief forming element of a mold and the rigid element has a mating surface in mating contact with a second surface of the relief forming element. The mold further may further comprise a second relief forming element positioned adjacent the first relief forming element, wherein the rigid element further includes an outer surface in mating contact with a surface of said second relief forming element.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove in a tire are provided. The molding device includes one or more rigid elements joined to a flexible member along an attachment point or line on the connecting surface of the rigid element. The flexible member is formed from a flexible material, preferably a superalloy, or hyperelastic material. If multiple rigid elements are utilized, the rigid elements are closely spaced together such that a portion of the opposed walls are in mating contact with an adjacent rigid element.

Abstract: A segmented mold comprising a plurality of segments is provided. The segments are arranged to form an annular cavity to mold a tire, the segments comprising an inner face for molding the tread, and an outer radial surface. The mold further includes a plurality of slide blocks located radially outwards of the segments. Each slide block may have flanged ends and an inner cavity for receiving a segment therein. One or more channels are provided between each segment outer surface and the adjacent slide block inner surface forming a fluid passageway, wherein each fluid passageway is joined together by a fluid connector to form a fluid manifold for circulating a fluid medium. Steam may be circulated in the fluid manifold during curing of the mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a mold for vulcanizing a tire is provided. The mold comprises a plurality of tread segments for forming the tread on a green tire, wherein each of said tread segments further comprises an outer cavity plate having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the cavity plate having a plurality of channels. Each of the channels has a vent hole extending from the channel to the exterior surface of the outer cavity plate, and a rib mounted over the channel. The adjoining surface of the rib mating with the interior surface of the cavity plate, wherein one of the mating surfaces has a roughened surface forming a vent passageway with the interior surface of the cavity plate for venting mold gasses from the interior of the mold to the exterior of the mold. The invention may further include a blade and blade passageway wherein the blade outer surface has a rough outer surface for forming a vent passageway with the blade passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a reinforced elastomeric fabric having a gauge thickness G and a cord spacing S, the apparatus comprising: a die having a plurality of holes for receiving a reinforcement cord, the holes providing a cord spacing of about S/2, a first and second calender roll located adjacent the die, the die having a end plate having a slot wherein the slot is located adjacent a calender roll so that the reinforcement cords are pressed into engagement with a ribbon of elastomeric material, the calender rolls being spaced to provide a gauge thickness of about G/2, the apparatus further comprising a cutter for cutting the ribbon of reinforced elastomeric material into segments having a length L, each segment having a width W, each segment having lateral edges, said apparatus further comprising a pick arm for placing a plurality of segments onto a conveyor so that the lateral ends of adjacent segments are lap spliced together, the lap splice having a width W/2.

Abstract: A tire having an outside-in ply construction is provided which torques the tire bead into the rim of the wheel to which it is mounted. The tire has first and second axially-spaced bead cores, a carcass having at least one belt extending under a tread, and a first ply layer having first and second ends. A first end is located axially outside and adjacent a first bead core, and a second end folds from a position axially outside a second bead core to a position axially inside and around the second bead core. The carcass further comprises a second ply layer having first and second ends, a first end is located axially outside and adjacent the second bead core, and a second end that folds from a position axially outside a first bead core to a position axially inside and around the first bead core.

Abstract: A tire mold and a molding device for forming a sunken groove, sipe in a tire is provided. The molding device molding device comprises a flexible member and a blade element, the flexible member having a distal end for mounting to a tire mold, a radiused midsection and a second end, wherein a portion of the second end is embedded within the blade element, the blade element having a lower surface with a cutout to allow bending of the flexible member.

Abstract: An aircraft tire having a folded belt construction and a belt edge strip over the folded belt construction has improved high speed properties. The belt edge strip substantially covers the top surface and/or the bottom surface of the folded belt in addition to the folded belt edges. The folded belt construction is reinforced with high modulus materials, and the belt edge strip is reinforced with low modulus materials. In a method of the invention, plies which make up the belt reinforcement package are applied to a belt building drum while the building drum is at different diameters to minimize stresses on the belt package. In a method of building a tire of the invention, a tire carcass on a tire building drum is expanded to the belt package.

Abstract: Both a mold blade for forming sipes and the sipe so formed in a tire tread element have three-dimensional portions. In the formed sipe, the three-dimensional portion creates a constant interlocking of the opposing sipe faces. The blade and the sipe have two radially adjacent rows of projections, wherein the projections are separated by a planar section, the planar section having a defined length and width.