Abstract: An apparatus for providing a vacuum in a segmented tire mold includes an upper sidewall assembly and lower sidewall assembly, a plurality of radially moveable tread mold segments operable with the upper sidewall assembly and lower sidewall assembly to define a tire mold cavity. A conical actuating ring assembly surrounds the tire mold segments and engages the mold segments to provide radial movement of the mold segments. The apparatus includes a first seal between the conical actuating ring assembly and the lower mold assembly, as well as a second seal between the conical actuating ring and the upper sidewall assembly, thereby sealing the space defined by the tire mold so that a vacuum can be drawn on the tire mold cavity upon the closing of the mold.

Abstract: Making a tire mold by spraying molten atomized metal on a model to form a metal shell and then reinforcing the shell with a resin backing to form a mold segment for the tire mold. Modular shoe container assemblies have replaceable backing members for making different size molds and flat plate spacers for providing different thicknesses of the mold segment. In one embodiment a slide block is used for one side of the cavity whereby a sole plate is eliminated.