Abstract: An example of a piping structure of a tire vulcanizer to which the present invention is applied has a central mechanism 1 of the tire vulcanizer as illustrated in FIG. 1. The central mechanism 1 has a bug head 2, a hydraulic cylinder 3, and exhaust circulation path pipes 4. In addition, the central mechanism 1 has a bladder (not illustrated) which may be expanded and contracted as a vulcanizing medium is supplied into the bladder. One end of the exhaust circulation path pipe 4 is connected to an interior of the bladder, and the two exhaust circulation path pipes 4 are connected to each other through a bypass pipe 5. The other end of the exhaust circulation path pipe 4 is connected to an exterior of the central mechanism 1.

Abstract: A mold for molding a tire tread comprises a plurality of mold segments. Each of the plurality of mold segments includes an integer number of tread pitch repetitions. The plurality of mold segments are structured to be coupled to each other end-to-end so as to form the mold such that the mold includes an integer number of tread pitches. The mold also includes at least one mold end segment positioned on at least one end of the mold and has a mold end segment length shorter than a length of each of the plurality of mold segments.

Abstract: A bead ring for a tire mold includes a plurality of concentric rings, wherein at least two adjacent concentric rings form an interface having a circumferential seam. The circumferential seam is configured to receive airflow from an interior of the tire mold, and the circumferential seam is in fluid communication with an air chamber located radially exterior of the circumferential seam.

Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire includes a tread including a pair of central portions, a pair of middle portions and a pair of shoulder portions, wherein each of the portions has an axial width varying periodically while increasing and decreasing in a circumferential direction of the tire. Each of the central portions includes a central block with a hexagonal shaped top face and a central sipe. A total that is the sum of each maximum axial width of the central portions, each maximum axial width of the middle portions, each maximum axial width of the shoulder portions, a maximum axial length of the central sipe provided on one of the central portions, and a maximum axial length of the central sipe provided on the other one of the central portions is in a range of from 1.05 to 1.31 times a tread width.

Abstract: Provided are a vulcanization device for a pneumatic tire and a method for vulcanizing a pneumatic tire. A pressurizing medium having a relatively low pressure is supplied through a pressurizing medium low-pressurization/supply line into a vulcanization bladder having a tube-like shape inserted into a green tire in a vulcanization mold to inflate the vulcanization bladder. Thereafter, a heating medium is supplied through a heating medium supply line into the vulcanization bladder (2). Then, a pressurizing medium having a relatively high pressure is supplied through a pressurizing medium supply line into the vulcanization bladder to increase internal pressure of the vulcanization bladder while the media in the vulcanization bladder are circulated through a circulation line extending outside the vulcanization bladder, thereby vulcanizing the green tire.

Abstract: A hydraulic tire vulcanizing machine includes a frame, a cross beam mechanism, a plurality of groups of pulling rods and a mold locking mechanism, and hydraulic oil cylinders. Each pulling rod includes an upper pulling rod unit and a disconnectable lower pulling rod unit. The upper pulling rod unit is fixedly connected to the upper cross beam, and the lower pulling rod unit is equipped through the lower cross beam and the corresponding hydraulic oil cylinder with the mold locking mechanisms being connected to the lower pulling rod units. Each mold locking mechanism includes a driving device, a swing link, a plurality of connectors and at least one ball pin boss in mutual connection. Detection devices are provided for upper and lower pulling rod units connecting position with each of the detection devices include an impactor and a limit switch. The impactor is arranged on the upper pulling rod unit.

Abstract: A method for generating a two-dimensional mesh model of an object made up of a finite number of elements and provided with nodes is disclosed. Data about an original contour of the analysis object, including data about contour nodes are defined. The original contour is transformed by scaling up or down only in the direction of a predetermined first axis at a predetermined first scaling factor to obtain the transformed contour. Based on the contour nodes and additional nodes defined on the transformed contour, a primary mesh model whose contour is the same as the transformed contour is generated. By scaling the primary mesh model only in the direction of the first axis at a second scaling factor equal to the reciprocal of the first scaling factor, a secondary mesh model whose contour is the same as the original contour is generated.

Abstract: In a tire vulcanizer having two sets of portions, each of which includes a lower mold, an upper mold, and a center mechanism provided with a bladder, a nitrogen gas heated in a first heating device is supplied to an interior of the bladder of the center mechanism which is placed on the upstream side in the circulating direction of the nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas discharged from the interior of the bladder of the center mechanism is used for vulcanization and patterning and a temperature thereof is lowered. However, this nitrogen gas is heated again in a second heating device, so that the temperature is increased. Therefore, the nitrogen gas heated in the second heating device is supplied to an interior of the bladder of the center mechanism which is placed on the downstream side in the circulating direction of the nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A tire curing mold comprises a plurality of vent holes provided on a side forming surface coming into contact with a side wall portion of a tire. The side forming portion is provided with a recess portion which is recessed toward an outer side in a tire width direction from a profile of the side forming surface. A diameter of a vent hole which is open within the recess portion is set to be larger than a diameter of a vent hole which is open on the profile of the side forming surface.

Abstract: A mold for vulcanizing a blank tire has an overall shape that is annular about an axis of revolution and includes a configuration for channelling a heat-transfer liquid in a substantially circular path about the axis. The channelling configuration includes an annular wall around the axis, separating at least two chambers in which the heat-transfer liquid circulates. Furthermore, a downstream end (respectively an upstream end) of one of the chambers has substantially the same angular position with respect to the substantially circular path as the downstream (respectively upstream) end of the other of the chambers. The mold is additionally configured for circulating the liquid in opposite directions in the two chambers.

Abstract: An expandable bladder has at least one first layer of butyl material and one second layer of silicone material, radially external to the first layer. The first and second layers have an undulated interface profile defining mechanical-engagement elements between the first and second elastomer materials. A process for manufacturing bladder as well as a tire molding and vulcanizing apparatus incorporating the bladder.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a tire and a method of producing the tire, in which tire breakage of a groove fence in vulcanization molding and generation of cracks at a groove bottom can be suppressed, noise is relatively low and uneven wear is less likely to occur. At least one of a groove wall 71 surface of the circumferential groove 222 and a side wall 43 surface of a stepped land portion 41 is provided with a groove fence 51 which are formed in the extending direction of the circumferential groove at a predetermined intervals therebetween such that the groove fence protrudes in the groove widthwise direction of the circumferential groove.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, a green tire, once formed, is transferred into a vulcanization mold and pressed against the holding walls of a molding cavity. Concurrently with the pressing step, a fluid present between the green tire and the holding walls is evacuated through vent valves. The tire is brought into contact with the closing head of each valve so as to push it toward a closed position at which the closing head forms a contact seat spaced apart from the inner surface of the molding cavity in order to define an embedding recess between the inner surface of the molding cavity and the closing head.

Abstract: Crimp-imbalanced fabric systems are accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within a single fabric layer and across layers of a multi-layer fabric system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fabric layer) by optionally pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The optionally removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a single layer or multiple layer system to increase performance attributes including enhanced energy absorption.

Abstract: A rim 58, 83 of a post cure inflator 60 can be changed in an easy and safety manner, while the amount of energy consumption is reduced. A inflator body 61 having the lower rim 58 can be located at a lower position, and the upper rim 83 can be moved downward to a lower position. Thus, the lower rim 58 and the upper rim 83 can be changed at the lower position in response to the change of the type of the tire to be manufactured, whereby the changing operation is made easy and safety. Further, the upper rim 83 moves upward. With this configuration, a vulcanized tire T having a heavy weight only moves in a front and rear direction while being supported by the inflator 61(lower rim 58), whereby the amount of energy consumption can be reduced easily.

Abstract: An air venting valve and method for removing air from a vulcanizing mold of a vehicle tire by the aid of an air venting valve having a body functioning as an air channel and an inner part movable in a longitudinal direction. The body includes a stem and a valve disc disposed at an inner end of the stem on the side of a mold surface, the diameter of the valve disc is larger than the inner diameter of the body. A spring member is arranged in the air venting valve for forcing the inner part in a predetermined position for opening the valve when a blank is removed from the vulcanizing mold. The lower part of the inner part of the body includes an outer thread and in the lower part of the body a respective inner thread for screwing the valve stem in the body.

Abstract: The curing press (2) for a tire blank comprises: a trough (4), a cover (6) connected to the trough by means of sliding guide members (8), the cover and the trough each being pivotably mounted on these members. The cover (6) is, moreover, pivotably mounted on an axle (24) guided slidably with respect to the trough.

Abstract: A process for molding and curing tires, includes introducing a green tire into a curing mold, the mold including a first sidewall plate and a second sidewall plate, a ring of circumferential sectors circumscribing a mold cavity, an expandable bladder delimited by a membrane, and at least one bead molding ring which is movable between a first contracted operating position and a second extended operating position; and molding and curing the green tire in the curing mold; and between introducing the green tire and molding and curing it, the process includes extending the at least one bead molding ring from the first contracted operating position to the second extended operating position; forming a circumferential bearing surface which bears against a first axially inner surface portion of a first annular fixing structure of the green tire; pressing a second axially inner surface portion of the first annular fixing structure by expanding the membrane at a pre-molding pressure which is lower than a molding pressur

Abstract: A mold pin fixed to a tread mold for a tire tread and forming a stud hole is disclosed. The mold pin is provided at one end of its main shaft portion with an expanded portion having a larger outer diameter. The expanded portion comprises a supporting part formed integrally with the main shaft portion, and an outer-shell part disposed on the outer surface of the supporting part to define the maximum outer diameter of the expanded portion. when a force directed from the main shaft portion toward the expanded portion is applied to the outer-shell part, the outer-shell part is moved so as to reduce the maximum outer diameter.

Abstract: Along a building line, a green tyre is built on a rigid toroidal support having an outer surface substantially conforming in shape to an inner surface of the green tyre. The green tyre is then transferred to a bead moulding and prevulcanisation station where each bead of the tyre is moulded by tightening it between a surface portion of the toroidal support and an annular clamping surface carried by a removable tightening flange. The tightened beads are prevulcanised through a heat supply by means of electric resistors integrated into the tightening flanges. The tyre with the prevulcanised and tightened beads is transferred into a moulding cavity having an inner wall of a shape substantially conforming to that of the outer surface of the moulded tyre, to carry out moulding of the tyre and complete vulcanisation of same.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting one or more uniformity characteristics in a tire and particularly to correction in a low profile tire or a tire having a projection along the sidewall. The uniformity characteristic may be a radial force variation, conicity, or both. Correction is accomplished by stretching portions of the tire architecture to create permanent deformation.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is molded by using a vulcanizing mold in which blades 20, each composed of a metal thin plate having an inclined portion 20a in the depth direction and a plurality of through holes 20G with the same sectional form as that of projections to be formed in the sipe in the inclined portion 20a are buried in a groove portion corresponding to the tire block of the vulcanizing mold, thereby forming 3D sipes having unevenness in the radial direction of the block and a plurality of pairs of projections in the inclined portion in the block of the tire. Thereby, when longitudinal force is applied to the tire, adjacent small blocks of the block come into close contact with each other only at the positions of the projections of the 3D sipes, thereby making it possible to ensure the block stiffness of the pneumatic tire 10 without reducing the drainage function.

Abstract: A vulcanisation apparatus and method for tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of: placing a green tire, arranged on a toroidal support, inside a vulcanisation mold; connecting a supply device of at least one pressurised primary working fluid and a supply device of at least one pressurised secondary working fluid to the vulcanisation mold in a prevulcanisation and molding station; at least partially vulcanising a radially internal portion of the green tire on the toroidal support; transferring the mold to a vulcanisation station and completing the vulcanisation of the prevulcanised tire by supplying the at least one pressurised primary working fluid inside the toroidal support.

Abstract: A green pneumatic tyre is built on a rigid toroidal support externally having a forming surface of a conformation corresponding to the inner shape of a tyre. The green tyre engaged on the expandable toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mould and submitted to a vulcanisation cycle. During vulcanisation, axial moving apart of side portions of the toroidal support is caused so as to press the beads and sidewalls of the tyre against the vulcanisation mould.

Abstract: A method for recovering uncured rubber from unused electron beam pre-cured rubber stock used in the manufacture of pneumatic tires. A first layer of the pre-cured rubber stock having cured rubber is skived with a band knife cutter blade from a second layer of the pre-cured rubber stock having uncured rubber. The band knife cutter blade is lubricated so as to avoid adhesion of the uncured rubber to a leading cutting edge of the cutter blade. After the first layer of cured rubber is removed from the pre-cured rubber stock, the uncured rubber in the second layer is reworked into at least one tire component.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composite block of closed geometry, in the form of a continuous ring, based on fibers and on a crosslinkable resin, by continuous winding and superposition of several layers of a tape of reinforcement fibers embedded in a matrix based on a composition comprising a crosslinkable resin. The process comprises from upstream to downstream, the following steps: producing a rectilinear arrangement (12) of reinforcement fibers (11) and conveying this arrangement in a feed direction (F); degassing the arrangement (12) of fibers by the action of a vacuum (13); after degassing, impregnating said arrangement (12) of fibers under vacuum with said resin composition in the liquid state (17); passing the pre-preg thus obtained through a die (20) to make said pre-preg into the form of a tape (21) composed of reinforcement fibers (11) in their liquid resin (17) matrix, the thickness of said tape being less than 0.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a base tire with a uniform degree of cure (vulcanization) by preventing undercure or overcure in curing an uncured base tire, a method for manufacturing a tire using such a base tire, and a base tire thus manufactured are provided. In a method for manufacturing a cured base tire having a tread region where a tread rubber is attached, an uncured base tire is enclosed within a curing mold, the side regions of the base tire are heated by a first heating means, the tread region with a thicker tire thickness than the side regions is heated by a second heating means, and a cure-molding is performed such that the amount of heat given to the tread region by the second heating means is smaller than the amount of heat given to the side regions by the first heating means.

Abstract: A green tire is built on a forming drum and then transferred to a bead molding and pre-vulcanization station where each bead of the tire is molded by tightening it between two axially opposite clamping surfaces respectively carried by an axially external annular locating element and an axially internal annular locating element consisting of radially expandable circumferential sectors. The tightened beads can be pre-vulcanized through heat supply by means of electric resistors integrated into the axially external annular locating elements. The tire with the tightened and possibly pre-vulcanized beads is transferred to a molding cavity having an inner wall substantially conforming to the shape of an outer surface of the molded tire to carry out molding and complete vulcanization of the tire.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for designing a curing mould for a tyre comprising at least one audible wear indicator, including the following steps (200-210): an initial population is defined, comprising a mould model having at least one characteristic relating to the wear indicator, a modified population is generated, comprising at least one mould model having at least one characteristic relating to the wear indicator produced by modifying at least one characteristic of at least one mould model of the initial population, at least one performance indicator is determined for each mould model in an evaluation population comprising at least one mould model of the modified population, based on at least one characteristic of each mould model of the evaluation population, one or more mould models of the evaluation population are selected on the basis of the performance indicator or indicators.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire uses a tire vulcanizing bladder including a plurality of vent lines, and is characterized in that the pneumatic tire includes an inner liner on an inner surface thereof, the inner liner has an SIBS layer containing a styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymer, the SIBS layer has a thickness of more than or equal to 0.05 mm and less than or equal to 0.6 mm, the SIBS layer contains more than or equal to 0.5% by mass and less than or equal to 40% by mass of a polymer obtained by polymerization of a monomer unit having 4 carbon atoms, and the vent lines each include a first vent line at a part corresponding to from a tire bead toe part to a tire buttress part, and a second vent line at a part corresponding to from the tire buttress part to a tire crown part.

Abstract: Provided is a tire mold. The tire mold may comprise a top primary plate, a bottom primary plate, a first sidewall mold part, and a second sidewall mold part. The first sidewall mold part may comprise a first sidewall mold plate adapted for interchangeable engagement with both the top primary plate and the bottom primary plate, or a first sidewall removable component adapted for interchangeable engagement with both the top primary plate and the bottom primary plate. The second sidewall mold part may comprise a second interchangeable sidewall mold plate adapted for interchangeable engagement with both the top primary plate and the bottom primary plate, or a second sidewall removable component adapted for interchangeable engagement with both the top primary plate and the bottom primary plate.

Abstract: A method of constructing a self-inflating tire includes: forming a pre-cure green tire body; positioning an air passageway body within the green tire body to extend between an outward facing green tire body surface and the tire cavity, the air passageway body having an enclosed air passageway extending between a hollow body outlet end facing the tire cavity and a hollow inlet end facing outward from the outward facing green tire body surface; curing the green tire body into a finished cured tire body; affixing one or more tapping device(s) over one or both ends of the air passageway body; and establishing through a hollow protrusion member of the tapping device an air flow path extending between the air passageway within the air passageway body and a vent opening within the tapping device.

Abstract: In a tire vulcanizer configured to perform opening and closing of a mold using an efficient ball screw shaft or the like, a top mold mounting member holding a top mold is lifted and lowered by rotating the ball screw shaft with a driving mechanism to vertically lift and lower a ball nut, and the lifting and lowering of the top mold mounting member is stopped by fixing the ball screw shaft by the de-excitation of an electromagnetic brake connected directly to the ball screw shaft, independently from the driving mechanism. According to such a structure, the opening and closing of the mold can be stopped, even if abnormality of the driving mechanism or the brake occurs.

Abstract: A primary formed body is formed by fitting bead rings to outside end portions of a cylindrical body having a film and a carcass material disposed on an outer peripheral side of the film. A green tire is formed on a rigid inner mold by causing a center portion of the primary formed body to bulge toward an outer peripheral side, and holding the center portion by suction on the inner peripheral surface of the transferring/holding mold having a similar shape to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid inner mold, and suspending the suction with the transferring/holding mold, and transferring the primary formed body to an outer peripheral surface of a bladder. The bladder has a uniform thickness and an outer peripheral surface in a neutral state similar to a profile of an inner peripheral surface of a tire to be produced. The green tire is vulcanized.

Abstract: A primary formed body is formed by fitting bead rings to outside end portions of a cylindrical body having an inner liner, a film layered on an outer peripheral side of the inner liner, and a carcass material disposed on an outer peripheral side of the film. A green tire is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a rigid inner mold by prevulcanizing the inner liner in a state where a center portion of the primary formed body bulges toward an outer peripheral side, and is held by suction on an inner peripheral surface of a transferring/holding mold to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid inner mold, placing the rigid inner mold inside the primary formed body, then suspending the suction with the transferring/holding mold, and transferring the primary formed body to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid inner mold. The green tire is vulcanized.

Abstract: In a tire vulcanizer having two sets of portions, each of which includes a lower mold, an upper mold, and a center mechanism provided with a bladder, a nitrogen gas heated in a first heating device is supplied to an interior of the bladder of the center mechanism which is placed on the upstream side in the circulating direction of the nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas discharged from the interior of the bladder of the center mechanism is used for vulcanization and patterning and a temperature thereof is lowered. However, this nitrogen gas is heated again in a second heating device, so that the temperature is increased. Therefore, the nitrogen gas heated in the second heating device is supplied to an interior of the bladder of the center mechanism which is placed on the downstream side in the circulating direction of the nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A green tire of a pneumatic tire, including a cylindrical annular structure, an unvulcanized rubber layer, which will become a tread portion, provided along a circumferential direction of the annular structure on an outer side of the annular structure, and a carcass portion including fibers covered with rubber, provided on at least both sides in the width direction of a cylindrical structure including the annular structure and the unvulcanized rubber layer, is disposed in a vulcanization mold. The vulcanization mold is split into the side plates and the sector at a position on the inner side in the width direction of the annular structure. Next, the bladder inside the green tire is pressurized after closing the side plates and prior to closing the sector. Then the sector is closed and vulcanization is started.

Abstract: A tire forming method is disclosed in which letters and lines having different colors are formed in a side wall portion of the tire.

Abstract: A tire mold has a tire molding surface. The tire molding surface is pressed against an outer surface of an uncured tire. A vent hole is provided in the tire molding surface. A surface of an outer edge region surrounding an opening of the vent hole is formed by a smooth surface. The smooth surface is smoother than a surface in a peripheral region of the outer edge region.

Abstract: Provided are a apparatus and a method for vulcanizing a pneumatic tire, where are capable of: smoothly releasing a vulcanized pneumatic tire from multiple sectors separated from one another in a circumferential direction in each of an upper mold and a lower mold; and thereby lightening load on each mold. In addition to springs for biasing the sectors to always move into a smaller diameter, respectively, pushpins for moving the sectors into larger and smaller diameters are actuated by the respective cylinder rods of drive cylinders, and thereby the movements of the individual sectors into the larger and smaller diameters are controlled. Accordingly, even though the sectors would otherwise move abruptly into the smaller diameter due to biasing forces of the springs after the vulcanized tire is released from the sectors at the larger diameter, a radius-reducing movement speed of the sectors is control led by the cylinder rods in contact with rear ends of the push pins.

Abstract: Provided are a bisected mold for tire molding that enables manufacturing of high-performance tires and that at a mold clamping, avoids a tire from being pinched to thereby attain a yield enhancement; and a process for manufacturing a tire. Inside a container bisected into upper and lower parts in the state of mold opening, there are disposed a mold for tire molding and, along upper and lower side plates, an unvulcanized tire. After performing vulcanization molding of the unvulcanized tire while changing from this state to a state of mold clamping of sectors and segments split into a plurality of pieces in a circumferential direction of the unvulcanized tire through a driving device and a slide unit means, only the sectors are subjected to mold opening by use of a driving means while maintaining the state of mold clamping of the mold for tire molding and the segments by the driving device and the slide unit means, and subsequently taking the vulcanization-molded tire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of retreading a tire and a retread tire (10) made by this method. The method comprises the steps of providing a tread layer (40) having a tread side (44) and a sole side (46) wherein the surface of the sole side (46) includes a plurality of tread elements (48) such as sipes and/or grooves or other void. Each tread element (48) has a first edge (64) and a second edge (66) at the surface of the sole side (46) of the tread layer (40). At least one of the first edge (64) and second edge (66) is formed to have a break edge (84) such as a rounded edge or a chamfered edge of 0.4 mm or more. The break edge (84) removes the sharp corner and provides increased endurance for the retreaded tire (10).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading a tread press are provided. More specifically, the present invention provides for loading a tread band onto a tread press while suspending the tread band above the mold elements as the tread band is moved into the proper longitudinal position within the tread press. Lateral positioning can also be provided using the present invention.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for passenger cars has a tread and left and right beads, the beads each having a bead core embedded therein with a bead filler disposed on the outer circumferential side of the bead core, at least one carcass ply being arranged to extend between the beads, the carcass ply having reinforcing cords which extend in a width direction of the tire and are aligned at a predetermined interval along a circumferential direction of the tire, and two belt plies being disposed on the outer circumferential side of the carcass ply in the tread. An average of residual strain of the reinforcing cords of an innermost carcass ply is set to ?10% to 5% in each side region located between an outer circumferential end of the bead filler and an end of an overlapping portion of the two belt plies.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tire includes making at least one semi-finished elementary product of elastomeric material and depositing it in adjacent turns on a toroidal support. Making the at least one elementary product includes extruding the elastomeric material through an extruder head including a bushing defining a tapered extrusion channel. An extruder includes a chamber, at least one helical screw disposed in the chamber, and the extruder head. The head includes an outer tubular body attached by one end to the chamber, a bushing disposed inside the body to define the tapered extrusion channel, and a die disposed inside the body. A ratio of an area of the inlet section to an area of the outlet section is greater than 5:1 and less than 100:1 and a ratio of a diameter of the inlet section to a length of the bushing is greater than 0.1 and less than 1:1.

Abstract: A tire forming mold has a side mold portion and an annular mold portion fitted to an outer side in a tire diametrical direction of the side mold portion at a time of clamping the mold, wherein the annular mold portion is constructed by a combination of sectors which are divided in a tire circumferential direction, and each of the sectors is capable of displacing in the tire diametrical direction, wherein a fitting diameter of the annular mold portion is set to be equal to or more than a fitting diameter of the pair of side mold portions, an annular rubber introduction groove extending along the tire circumferential direction is provided at least in one of a fitting surface of the annular mold portion and a fitting surface of the pair of side mold portions, and a shallow groove portion is formed in an introduction port of the rubber introduction groove.

Abstract: A rim 58, 83 of a post cure inflator 60 can be changed in an easy and safety manner, while the amount of energy consumption is reduced. A inflator body 61 having the lower rim 58 can be located at a lower position, and the upper rim 83 can be moved downward to a lower position. Thus, the lower rim 58 and the upper rim 83 can be changed at the lower position in response to the change of the type of the tire to be manufactured, whereby the changing operation is made easy and safety. Further, the upper rim 83 moves upward. With this configuration, a vulcanized tire T having a heavy weight only moves in a front and rear direction while being supported by the inflator 61 (lower rim 58), whereby the amount of energy consumption can be reduced easily.

Abstract: A tire enclosed in a vulcanization mold is supplied with heat to cause vulcanization of same. By thermal-detection probes introduced into the tire monitoring of the cross-linking degree reached in at least one first detection region and one second detection region disposed within the tire is carried out. Head supply is stopped on occurrence of the following conditions: (i) the crosslinking degree measured in at least one of the detection regions reaches a first reference value higher than 90% of the whole cross-linking; and (ii) the cross-linking degree measured in each detection region has overcome a second pre-established reference value not exceeding about 50% of the whole cross-linking.

Abstract: Provided are a pneumatic tire, a method of producing the pneumatic tire, and a tire curing mold, with which decrease in wet performance of a pneumatic tire in a worn state can be effectively prevented while chipping of land portions such as blocks is prevented in releasing the tire from a mold. The pneumatic tire of the present invention includes: a tread portion provided with groove portions and land portions; and sipes provided in the land portions. Each of the sipes has at least one end, in a longitudinal direction, being terminated within the corresponding land portion. Each sipe is provided with: a first offset portion protruding toward one side in a sipe thickness direction; and a second offset portion protruding toward the other side in the sipe thickness direction at a position on an inner side, in a tire radial direction, of a position at which the first offset portion protrudes.

Abstract: A system for curing tires that does not require a traditional bladder is described. The system disclosed has top and bottom assembly rings that are coupled to modified mold rings. The bottom assembly ring has a curing medium delivery system, which has ports and a diverter that disperses the curing medium thereby reducing the momentum of the curing medium striking a liner of the tire being cured. The system is adapted for easy installation to existing center post presses.