Abstract: The invention includes a retread tire and methods and apparatus for its manufacture, the retread tire including: a tire carcass having a bonding surface arranged along a base layer, the base layer being positioned between the bonding surface and a belt reinforcement package and including at least one base groove open to the bonding surface and a thickness that is variable and asymmetrical; a bonding layer having a thickness that is variable and asymmetrical; and a precured tread band bonded to the tire carcass, the precured tread band comprising a back face bonded to the bonding layer, a front face forming a ground-engaging surface and at least one tread groove extending through at least a portion of the tread band thickness and the back face having a discontinuity associated with the at least one tread groove, which is aligned with one of the at least one base groove.

Abstract: Embodiments include a retreaded tire having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. The precured tread band may include a tread groove having a bottom and a top, the top of the groove open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band, the precured tread band further comprising a back face, the back face bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. A base groove may be formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the tread groove bottom is aligned over a length of the base groove. In some embodiments, the tread groove bottom may be open to the base groove over at least 50% or the entire length of the base groove.

Abstract: Embodiments include retreaded tires having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire, the tread band including a primary groove having a top open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band and a secondary groove having a bottom open to a back face of the tread band, the back face bonded to the prepared bonding surface, wherein the groove top of the secondary groove is higher than a groove bottom of the primary groove so that the secondary groove top is opened to the ground contacting front face of the tread band prior to disappearance by wear of the primary groove. A base groove may be formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the secondary groove bottom opens in fluid communication with the base groove.

Abstract: Included are tread bands for use on retreaded tires and methods for retreading a tire using such tread bands. Embodiments of such tread bands include a primary groove having a top opening that is open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band and a secondary groove having a bottom opening that is open to a back face of the tread band. The groove top of the secondary groove is higher than a groove bottom of the primary groove so that the secondary groove top is opened to the ground contacting front face of the tread band prior to disappearance by wear of the primary groove. Particular embodiments may also further include an overflow reservoir having a reservoir opening that is open to the back face of the tread band, the reservoir opening being positioned adjacent to an edge of the secondary groove bottom opening.

Abstract: A retread tire and methods for its manufacture, the retread tire having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. The precured tread band includes a back face bonded to the prepared bonding surface of the base portion of the tire and a tread groove bottom portion that extends below the back face of the tread band. The tread groove bottom portion may optionally include a void portion of the tread groove and may include the bottom wall of the tread groove and/or just the side walls of the bottom portion of the tread groove. Also included may be a base groove formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the tread groove bottom of the tread groove is embedded within the base groove.

Abstract: The present inventions includes methods and apparatus for preparing a portion of a tire for repair, the methods having steps that include forming an edge along an opening within the tire, the edge extending between an interior and an exterior surface of the tire and including one or more tire reinforcement endings, the edge being formed to include an alternating arrangement of tire reinforcement endings. Particular embodiments of the present invention includes methods of preparing a portion of a tire for repair, the method having steps that include forming an edge within an opening of a tire, said edge extending between an interior and exterior tire surface and including one or more reinforcement endings of the tire; and, applying a wrap about the edge to substantially cover the one or more tire reinforcement endings.

Abstract: Methods and a tire patch for repairing a damaged tire portion are provided. In one embodiment, such method includes the steps of: buffing an interior surface of the tire about a perimeter of the damaged tire portion to form a patch receiving surface, the interior surface being buffed to a depth sufficient to place a tire patch reinforcement of a tire patch a distance of approximately 3 millimeters or less from a damaged tire reinforcement; covering the damaged portion by applying a pre-assembled patch to the patch receiving surface along the interior surface of the tire, the tire patch sized to cover the damaged area, such patch including a reinforcement layer interposed between an air-impermeable layer and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being at least partially uncured for facilitating attachment of the repair patch to the tire; and, curing the patch to the tire.

Abstract: Methods of repairing tire portions have steps that include removing at least part of the damaged portion of the tire to form an aperture or opening through the tire; forming one or more grooves in the tire adjacent to and extending from the aperture; placing at least one repair reinforcement within each of the one or more grooves; placing a patch on the tire to cover the aperture and each repair reinforcement; and, applying material to fill the remainder of the opening.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a repair patch to a damaged portion of a tire, the steps of the method including removably positioning the patch in a repair position overlapping the damaged portion, pulling a tab to remove a protective sheet to uncover at least a portion of the bonding surface while the patch is in contact with the tire, and pressing the uncovered bonding surface into contact with the tire.