Abstract: An annular tire tread belt is assembled of uncured resilient material having reinforcing cords. An annular container of resilient material has reinforcing cords extending between annular bead rings at the edges. The container is shaped in a toroidal configuration and the tread belt stuck to the container by a layer of suitable tacky barrier material with sufficient tack to maintain the tread belt in a centered position on the container for engagement with a centered portion of the mold. The barrier material also is sufficiently incompatible with the materials of the container and tread belt to prevent appreciable chemical bonding across the interface during curing of the tread belt. After at least partial curing of the tread belt, the tread belt is detached from the container and is ready for use in a tire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing tires in a press without a bladder or clamps including apparatus to convert bladder presses to bladderless, clampless operation.

Abstract: An annular hollow tire with an inner surface having a generally positive radius of curvature and at least one circumferentially extending rib portion on the inner surface with a negative radius of curvature located at an area of the tire subject to high stresses to mitigate the stress concentrations in that area of the tire. The method of making the tire includes the steps of providing a tire mold with a core having a selected circumferentially extending portion on the outer surface with a negative radius of curvature for forming the rib portion, filling the space between the core and mold surface with an elastomeric precursor, heating to set the precursor and form the tire and removing the tire from the mold and the core from the tire.