Abstract: A tire vulcanizing apparatus includes a mold having a tread mold including a plurality of segments arranged in a tire circumferential direction, and upper and lower side molds. Each of the segments includes an upper segment portion and a lower segment portion which are divided up and down. The apparatus includes a segment supporting unit which supports the upper segment portion and the lower segment portion so as to be movable to the same side in a tire radial direction and opposite sides to each other in a tire axial direction.

Abstract: A method of molding a green tire having a first and second bead area is described herein, wherein the method includes the steps of: inserting a tire clamping device inside a tire bladder and then inserting the tire clamping device and the bladder into the green tire, aligning the outer surfaces of the tire clamping device into engagement with a respective bead area of the tire so that each tire bead area is clamped between a respective upper and a lower mold ring and the tire clamping device during cure. A tire clamping device includes an inner portion, and a plurality of segments connected to the inner portion, wherein the tire clamping device has a closed position wherein the plurality of segments together forms a first and second ring for engagement with the bead areas of the tire so clamp the bead areas between the clamping device and the mold rings during cure.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing device includes a vulcanization mold and a central part. The vulcanizing mold includes molding parts that defining a curing chamber therebetween. Inside the curing chamber is arranged a heating and ventilation apparatus structured for use with a heat-transfer fluid. The central part is structured to collaborate with the vulcanization mold by providing support to a heat-transfer fluid inlet and establishing communication between the heat-transfer fluid inlet and the curing chamber. The central part includes heating elements that are configured to be brought into operation before the heating and ventilation apparatus is brought into operation to cure a tire using the heat-transfer fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding and curing a green tire includes a curing mold that includes a first sidewall plate and a second sidewall plate, with a ring of circumferential sectors circumscribing a mold cavity. The first sidewall plate is capable of coming into contact with a first annular fixing structure of the green tire when the green tire is inserted into the mold. The apparatus also includes at least a first bead molding ring movable from a first contracted operating position to a second extended operating position, a second bead molding ring movable from a first contracted operating position to a second extended operating position, and an expandable bladder delimited by a membrane associated for operation with the mold to exert a pre-molding pressure which is lower than a molding pressure to bring the first annular fixing structure into contact with the first sidewall plate.

Abstract: Vulcanizing device with radially mobile segments comprising: a bottom plate supporting a bottom shell for molding a tire sidewall, an axially mobile top plate supporting a top shell for molding a tire sidewall, an axially mobile closure ring comprising an inclined interior face, a plurality of circumferentially arranged adjacent segments of which the interior radial faces comprise linings for molding the tread of the tire and of which the inclined exterior radial faces are able to collaborate with: first means of coupling with the closure ring which are produced in such a way that the axial movements of the closure ring involve a radial movement of the segments, and second means of coupling the segments to the top plate which are able to connect the segments to the top plate and to allow their radial movement, the said second means of coupling being adjustable on the circumference of the top plate.

Abstract: A multicolored drinking cup is formed by blow molding a multicolored parison. The parison is formed by feeding the outputs of a plurality of controllable rate extruders into an extruding head and varying the flow rates of the extruders in a controlled manner under computer control to produce a parison in which the colors vary in width along the height. The parison is then blow molded to form the container.

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.

Abstract: A tire building and cure station coupling apparatus and method for molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread pattern. The green tire is constructed on a toroidally shaped core formed by a plurality of core segments each having an outer surface portion which together define a toroidal outer surface surrounding a central axis. The core is adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface. A first spindle section is configured to be placed on a first side of the core along the central axis and a second spindle section is configured to be placed on a second side of the core along the central axis and opposite to the first side.

Abstract: A tire mold having a substantially elliptical base surface and a method for making a tire mold are provided. In one embodiment, a user selects a major axis length for the tire mold, then selects a ratio of the major axis length to a minor axis length. The tire mold is then formed with a substantially elliptical base surface defined by the first major axis and the selected ratio.

Abstract: It is a method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire provided with a bead guard having an excellent appearance without forming spews and bare, wherein when a pneumatic tire (1) provided with a bead guard (5) of a trapezoidal shape at section is vulcanization-shaped in a split type mold (11) comprising a pair of annular side rings (13) and many divided segments (12) for the formation of a tread portion integrally united and engaged therewith, an edge (13-1 SE, 13-2iSE) of a dividing face (13-1S, 13-2iS) between mutually adjoining side ring pieces (13-1, 13-2) formed by annularly dividing a side ring (13) inward and outward in a radial direction with respect to a center axis line of the split type mold (11) and located at a side of a tire shaping face is positioned in a place corresponding to a depressing portion (15) forming a bead guard (5).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and associated devices for supplying support members to a product loading station and automatically removing loaded members therefrom include: (a) advancing in serial order and spaced apart relationship, a plurality of elongated support members having opposing first and second ends and an associated length, along a selected travel path; (b) loading each of the elongated support members individually with a respective continuous length of multiple loops or multiple discrete lengths of elongated product at the loading station; and (c) advancing the loaded elongated support members away from the loading station along the selected travel path.

Abstract: A mold which is for a pneumatic tire comprising a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewall portions and a tread portion provided with a tread pattern formed by repeating a pattern unit around the tire at plural kinds of pitches in a sequence, is disclosed. The mold comprises a sidewall molding surface for one of the sidewall portions, and a tread molding surface provided with the negative tread pattern formed by repeating the negative pattern unit at the above-mentioned plural kinds of pitches in order to mold the tread pattern. The sidewall molding surface comprises sector regions defined as extending radially inwardly from the pattern units, respectively, wherein the largest sector regions defined as extending from the pattern units with the largest pitch swells towards a cavity of the mold when compared with the smallest sector regions defined as extending from the pattern units with the smallest pitch. The mount of the swelling is such that the larger the pitch, the larger the amount of swelling.

Abstract: To provide a method of manufacturing a sealant containing tire tube, which is capable of simply opening a sealant filling hole without use of any specialized jig, and a vulcanizing die therefor. A vulcanizing die includes an upper die, a lower die, and a filling hole opening device. The filling hole opening device includes a linear actuator, a drive shaft, and a cutter. The lower die has a cutter passage which passes through the vulcanizing die from outside to inside, and a cut piece recovery passage which extends from the outside of the vulcanizing die to a portion, near the inner opening end, of the cutter passage. The drive shaft of the linear actuator is inserted in the cutter passage, and the cutter is fixed to one end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacturing a lever for an automotive door checking device and the lever produced by the method. According to the invention, the mold employed for the molding of the sliding part of the lever has a gate at one of the two longitudinal ends of the cavity wall so that the molten resin containing reinforcing fibers flows in and fills up the cavity along the longitudinally extending direction corresponding to the sliding direction of the sliding part. As a result, the reinforcing fibers embedded in the sliding part are one-dimentionally oriented to the sliding direction thereof, which provides anti-wearing property, durability and good sliding characteristics of the lever.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying residual cornering force (RCF) or residual self-aligning torque (RSAT) of a tire 12. The tire mold 30 is modified by removing or adding removable chamfer mold pieces or material 50,150 to the interior surface of the tire mold 30. The removable chamfer mold pieces chamfer portions of the tire tread 10 at key locations, addition or deletion of such chamfer portions 50,150 at selected locations can modify the tire's RCF and/or RSAT parameters.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing pneumatic vehicle tires in a radially divided vulcanization mold provides a space for the excess rubber material outside of the tire contour to be vulcanized and thereby improves the trueness of the vulcanized tire.

Abstract: A product and process for imparting decorative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. In one embodiment, a spool of applique composite material is maintained for feeding into a tire mold or onto a transfer device, thereby defining a ring for vulcanization to a tire. The applique consists of a laminate received upon a carrier, the laminate having a first barrier layer and a congruent second decorative layer. The laminate is received by a tire sidewall between two grooves which serve to isolate the decorative layer from the tire itself. In another embodiment a laminate of white and barrier rubber stock is formed and then configured into a cylinder. A plurality of bands are cut from the cylinder then transferred to a fixture by reorienting the bands to conform to the angle of the sidewall of the tire at the point with which the band is to be adhered.

Abstract: A tire mold having an upper mold section and a lower mold section with mold segments mounted for sliding movement radially and axially between molding positions and unloading positions of the tire. Springs are provided between the mold segments and the mold sections for urging movement of the mold segments into molding positions and permitting movement of the mold segments into unloading positions for releasing the tread portion of the tire so that it will not be damaged upon opening of the mold.

Abstract: In order to assure excellent molding of the tire at the place of the markings appearing on the side wall of a tire, the shell of the mold has cutouts which correspond to the shape of the marking, the cutouts containing removable closures which admit material for molding the markings while permitting venting of the cutout. In one embodiment the removable closure is an insert which slides in the cutout. It is possible to adjust the relief of the marking. Venting is assured by the clearance between the insert and the cutout.

Abstract: A method of producing a spliceless annular tread cap (2), whereby a portion (23) of an extruded tube (21) of green elastomeric material is fed inside an annular body (8), the inner annular surface (17) of which presents a diameter approximately equal to but no smaller than the outside diameter of the tubular portion (23), and negatively reproduces the pattern of the finished tread cap (2). The tubular portion (23) is expanded and calendered against the inner surface (17) of the annular body (8) by means of a roller (34) moved into a position coplanar with and eccentric in relation to the annular body (8).

Abstract: A curing mold for pneumatic tires includes a plurality of segments which are detachably adjoined with each other in a direction corresponding to circumferential direction of a product tire. Each segment has a plurality of fitting pieces with fixing portions at both ends at least one which is complementary to part of the land portion of the tire. The fitting pieces are secured to and supported by a supporting block having an inner surface which is complementary to the land and groove portions of the tire, which is formed with fitting grooves for engaging the fixing portions of the fitting pieces therein.

Abstract: A tire molding system includes a mold having a surface defining a cavity for receiving and shaping an uncured tire. The uncured tire is pressed against the surface defining the cavity. Fluid is evacuated from between the uncured tire and the surface defining the cavity. A recess extends from the cavity for forming a marking on the sidewall of the tire. A passage fluidly communicates the recess with the exterior of the mold. The passage includes a first end portion adjacent the recess and a second end portion adjacent the exterior of the mold. The second end portion extends for a distance less than one-half of the total length of the passage. A restrictor is located entirely within the second end portion of the passage for restricting fluid flow through the passage during the evacuation of fluid and before the recess is sealed off from the cavity by the uncured tire when the uncured tire is pressed against the surface defining the cavity.

Abstract: A vulcanized rubber device to envelop a tire being recapped or retreaded, when place in an autoclave to vulcanize the rubber strip cemented between the new tread and the treated tire. This device, has an annular form, with a "U" section, whose lateral surfaces (5), are provided with a hole (2) and (4), and surrounding a circular opening (3), but has a new feature; a ring with grooves (1), on the inside of each internal lateral surface (4) and (5), forming radiating furrows.

Abstract: A system for controlling the shaping fluid pressure in tire bladders in a tire molding press which senses the fluid pressure in the bladder used to shape the tire being loaded into the tire press; compares the sensed fluid pressure in the bladder with the desired set point fluid pressure to be maintained in the bladder; and adjusts the fluid pressure in the bladder in response to the compared pressures to cause the fluid pressure in the bladder to be maintained at the desired set point fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method and device (1) for stitching multilayer products (2) of green elastomeric material, whereby an annular multilayer product (2) of green elastomeric material, particularly a product forming at least components of a tire (2), is placed inside a hollow annular body designed to house the multilayer product (2) and forming a stitching mold (5) having a concave inner surface (5a) contacting a first convex surface (34a) of the multilayer product (2) and negatively reproducing the final shape to be imparted on the multilayer product (2); a stitching device (24) being brought into contact, at a given pressure, with a second concave surface (34) of the multilayer product (2); and relative motion being produced between the stitching device (24) and the multilayer product (2), so as to cause the stitching device (24) to stitch the multilayer product (2) in contact with the inner surface (5a) of the stitching mold (5).

Abstract: The vulcanizing mold has an upper mold member, a lower mold member, a sector surrounding the space between the upper and lower mold members and an actuator movable upward and downward relative to the sector to move the sector radially outward and inward. The actuator is divided into an upper actuator portion and a lower actuator portion. The sector is also divided into an upper sector portion and a lower sector portion. The mold further has a connection for connecting the actuator portions together to raise the lower actuator portion by a predetermined amount with the rise of the upper actuator portion and for separating the lower actuator portion from the upper actuator portion upon the portion rising more than the predetermined amount, when the mold is opened.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved high-speed running performances is manufactured by conducting vulcanization of a green tire with a mold provided at a position corresponding to a given position between neighborhood of shoulder portion and neighborhood of bead portion with at least one protrusion which protrudes inside the mold and continuously extends in the circumferential direction of the mold and consists of a first arc segment having a center of curvature located outside from the inner surface of the mold and second arc segments each having a center of curvature located inside from the inner surface of the mold and smoothly connecting to the first arc segment at upper and lower ends in the radial direction of the mold.

Abstract: A tire is manufactured by assembling a tread package into a pattern ring and molding a tread thereon while partially precuring the package. The tire is further assembled by positioning an uncured carcass within the pattern ring so that the carcass contacts an uncured portion of the tread package. Finally, the assembled tire is separated from the pattern ring and subsequently heated in a mold devoid of a tread pattern to bond and cure the complete tire.

Abstract: In order to assure the geometric uniformity of a tire molded with a segment old when the sculpturing of said tire includes blocks 11 surrounded by recesses formed by grooves 15 and incisions 16, the said grooves 15 are thinned at the level of the joint planes 550 between segments. Furthermore, wear indicators 17 are arranged at the level of the joint planes 550 between segments.

Abstract: A bladderless tire mold press for tires including lower and upper platens and a mechanism for moving the platens relatively toward one another from an open position to a closed molding position. Each of the platens includes side wall molds for molding the tire sidewalls and thread molds for molding the tire thread. Each of the platens further includes a mechanism for molding tire beads. The tire bead molding mechanism including central mechanisms which are movable relative to their respective platens for insertion into the center of the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of pneumatic vehicle tires including a mold for forming a tread pattern on the ground contacting surface of the tire. The tread mold 23 has an inner surface 24 in which a closely fitting open network grid 10 is removably positioned. The grid has at least one axial split therein to allow removal of the grid from the tire after its curing is completed.

Abstract: An upper metal mold clamp device in a tire vulcanizing machine of the type that an upper metal mold is detachably fixed to a bolster by rotating clamp rods vertically penetrating through the bolster and provided with clamp claws at their bottom ends, is improved. Drive units rotate the respective clamp rods independently of rotation of the other clamp rods. Nuts are mounted onto the bolster plate in an unrotatable but vertically movable manner, and threadedly engaged with male screws at the upper portions of the clamp rods. Hollow spaces for accommodating the clamp claws are formed around the clamp rods on the bottom surface of an upper heat plate held in contact with the upper metal mold.

Abstract: A green tire inserting apparatus with which upper and lower bead portions of a green tire can be inserted correctly and surely into bead rings of upper and lower metal molds. An upper bead portion and a lower bead portion of a green tire are gripped in a true-circular shape by separate segments to be pushed respectively into bead rings of upper and lower metal molds in a vulcanizing machine. Cylinders and linkages for radially expanding the segments and pushing the bead portions into the bead rings are provided in an upper portion and a lower portion of a center mechanism of a vulcanizing machine. There are provided stoppers for presetting a segment expansion limit, which are adjustable according to variation of a bead diameter of a green tire, and bead height regulators, which are adjustable according to variation of a height of a green tire. The adjustment can be made to be automatic.

Abstract: A curing jacket for use in conjunction with a tire to be recapped having a pair of sidewalls and a tread. The curing jacket includes a unitary tubular envelope having first and second edges. The curing jacket is sized to encase the tire by extending around a circumference of and adjacent to interior and exterior surfaces of the sidewalls and tread of the tire. An O-ring on the first edge of the tubular envelope fits within a seat on the second edge to provide an airtight seal. Air is evacuated from the envelope through a valve. The jacketed tire is cured in a curing oven.

Abstract: An apparatus for vulcanizing pneumatic vehicle tires where the tire beads, in the mounted state, are disposed on the radially inner periphery of a rim next to the essentially radially inwardly extending rim flanges. In order to obtain tires having a long service life and tire beads with a good sealing quality, it is proposed that the tire be vulcanized in essentially the proper contour for operation. Two, respectively radially segmented, bead-forming rings that have a variable diameter and can be displaced axially are provided. For the purpose of vulcanizing the sealing surfaces disposed in the interior of the tire so that these surfaces will rest on the rim in an airtight manner, the bead-forming rings are introduced, in a radially retracted state, into the interior of the tire blank, whereby at least one of the tire beads is ovally deformed.

Abstract: A mold gate for an inner tube mold is provided with a plurality of apertures for selectively receiving valve stems therein for bonding to the inner tube. A plug is inserted into each of the nonselected apertures to enable the single gate to be used to cure inner tubes having different valve positions to eliminate changing the gate each time a different valve location is required for a given mold. When the valve stem receiving openings are in close proximity to each other an elongated plug is placed in an elongated gate aperture to selectively seal one of the two valve stem openings while enabling the other opening to remain unblocked for receiving a valve stem during the molding operation.

Abstract: A split mold type tire curing mold includes a plurality of sectors mounted on the mold base and movable radially inwardly to a closed position wherein the sectors cooperate to form a closed ring for exerting an inwardly directed force on the periphery of a tire during curing of the tire, the outer surface of the ring being generally cylindrical in shape, and a closing ring carried by the mold top includes an annular base portion which is moved into engagement with the sectors as the mold top is lowered during closing of the mold, the annular base portion having movably mounted on the lower peripheral edge thereof a plurality of wedge members, one for each sector, which are positioned to engage the cylindrical outer surfaces of the sectors and are then driven radially inward by the closing ring to drive the sectors to and maintain them at their closed position during the tire curing process.

Abstract: An unloader machanism for removing a cured tire from a lower mold of a vulcanizing machine and which includes a horizontally movable frame body, a fluid cylinder fixedly mounted on the frame body and a grappling unit being vertically movable by the fluid cylinder coaxially of the lower mold of the machine. The grappling unit includes a plurality of angularly uniformly spaced fingers being movable into an opening defined by an upper bead portion of the tire for engaging the upper bead portion. Under the application of a lifting force of the fluid cylinder, the fingers strip the tire directly from the lower mold and an upper ring of a bag well unit disposed centrally of the lower mold.

Abstract: A tire molding press having a fixed bed and a crosspiece, which crosspiece is designed to travel, by virtue of a crank mechanism, along vertical guides formed partly along the uprights and partly along extensions of the same; the guide portions extending along the upright extensions enabling extra vertical travel of the crosspiece, and each being limited at the rear by a switch element which may be operated selectively for opening the respective guide at the rear and enabling the upper end of the respective connecting rod to slide backwards, with the crank fixed, and along an end surface of the respective upright, in such a manner as to tilt back the crosspiece.

Abstract: A tire press of the slideback type has mounted on the press head beam a precision loader for the uncured tires. The beam moves vertically and then laterally or horizontally while maintaining the top mold section in parallelism with the bottom mold section for concurrent opening, loading of the uncured tire and discharge of the cured tire from the press. The invention includes a pair of tire chucks mounted on a loader beam for precise vertical movement through an electric motor driven rack and pinion drive. The loader beam is in turn mounted on the press head beam but through a lost motion connection. In this manner the loader is uncoupled from the press head during the final loading horizontal travel thereof to allow independent movement of the loader and press head. The loader is biased toward the press head by springs.

Abstract: A mold for molding tires having complimentary sidewall rings and mating with a split tread ring having two halves each being a single cast piece having the tire tread pattern indicia on the inside thereof and extending from the inside tread pattern all the way to the outside diameter of the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vulcanizing a tire using a pair of split dies which form a tire receiving space between them when the dies are closed. The dies include sealing surfaces within the space and adjacent the axially outer surfaces of the tire beads. The apparatus is mounted within the space and within the inner diameter of the tire, and includes holding means which are radially movable into and out of engagement with the tire beads. The apparatus further includes extruding means which operate in association with the movement of the dies when opening and closing, for moving the holding means toward and away from the tire beads. When the dies are closed, the extruding means move the holding means to press the beads tightly against the sealing surfaces. The interior of the tire is then directly heated and pressurized.

Abstract: There is described a tire vulcanizing press, comprising a frame provided with a lower supporting plate for allowing a mold for vulcanizing the tires to rest upon, and an upper plate that is mobile with respect to the lower plate. The mold comprises a lower cheek, an upper cheek that is mobile with respect to the lower cheek, and a series of sectors, that are mobile with respect to an annular-containing element, each of which is radially mobile with respect to the upper cheek. The mold further comprises a connecting means for fixing the lower cheek to the lower plate, and the upper cheek and the annular element to the upper mobile cheek, and which comprises a series of rotating bodies on the lower and upper plates which are actionable from the outer side of the plates with respect to the mold.

Abstract: A mold clamping mechanism for a tire curing press, including a press base, a lower mold cavity provided on the press base, an upper mold cavity opposingly mounted to the lower mold cavity and vertically movable toward and away from the lower mold cavity, center mechanisms provided at the center of said upper and lower mold cavities, respectively, a lock mechanism for releasably locking the upper and lower mold cavities to each other, and a mold pressing mechanism located beneath the lower mold cavity for directly pressing same, the mold clamp mechanism a mechanism for resiliently supporting the lower mold cavity on the press base; mechanism for fixing a lower mold in the lower mold cavity to the press base; and a mold pressing mechanism interposed between the lower mold cavity and the lower mold.

Abstract: A tire press has a feature decoupling the mold closing force torque from the platens 3 and 22 supporting the press mold halves 4 and 11 using a spherical seat located between the platens 3 and 22 and the press member supplying the closing force to provide self-alignment of the mold halves 4 and 11 upon closing of the press.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for vulcanizing a tire, and includes a pair of generally annular split dies which are axially movable relative to each other, and a pair of generally circular supports surrounded by the dies. The supports include bead seats which are engagable with the axially outer sides of the tire beads so as to form a closed space between the supports and within the tire. The space is supplied with a pressure medium which is heated during vulcanization. The supports are axially movable relative to each other and to the dies. Each of the supports has mounted thereon a plurality of pivotal members which are movable into engagement with the axially inner sides of the tire beads. The pivotal members press the beads tightly against the bead seats in order to form a seal between the beads and the bead seats.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizer wherein a movable upper mold is vertically moved and opened and closed relative to a fixed mold, and a ball-screw shaft construction is used as a vertically moving and opening and closing mechanism. Resilient buffer devices such as belleville springs or the like are resiliently supported on both upper and lower ends of the screw shaft. An improved slide guide construction for moving the upper mold up and down is also disclosed. A slide support is provided on an engaging end with respect to the guide of the slide, and the slide support is brought into engagement with the guide in such a way that a clearance therebetween may be adjusted.

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 improved vulcanizing press for manufacturing tires is disclosed which is constructed such that a molding die assembly is clamped by means of a plurality of hydraulic cylinder units, wherein the respective hydraulic cylinder units are provided with a booster for serving to pressurize hydraulic liquid to actuate a ram slidably contained in a hydraulic chamber and a pilot operated check valve for controlling supply of hydraulic liquid into said hydraulic chamber or discharge of the same therefrom.

Abstract: An improved clamping mechanism for clamping the cover to the base of a tire curing press is provided. The clamping mechanism includes a plurality of arms located at spaced intervals about the periphery of the base of the housing. Each arm is articulated about a joint located between its ends so that it is length adjustable between an extended configuration and a shortened configuration. A drive mechanism is provided for engaging the clamping arm to effect articulation about its joint to extend and shorten it as required in order to facilitate release of the cover from the base member in use.