Abstract: A bead seal ring for use in the retreading of radial tires by use of a bead sealing ring unit that provides positive mechanical pressure for sealing the curing envelope between the bead sealing ring unit and the bead area of the tire by a radial force. In its relaxed or initial condition, the bead sealing ring unit has a diameter smaller than the bead diameter of the tire. The bead sealing ring unit is placed into sealing position and then expanded by a locking device secured to a metal band which is part of the bead sealing ring unit.

Abstract: A tread depth probe for measuring the depth of a tread groove in a tire comprising a retaining and release mechanism to retain the probe pin in a retracted position when not in use and a release mechanism to release the probe pin when in use and having a measuring system permitting multiple tire groove depth readings while permitting the tread depth probe to be in the released position.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a differential control valve. The differential pressure is maintained by differing area surfaces on a piston assembly which will be balanced at a predetermined differential established at the manufacturing operation. There is a spring member operating on two valve balls which provides a delayed pressurization of the controlled chamber. The control valve has a ball valve at the exit port to control the low pressure side of the differential control valve assembly, providing a fail-safe system with no adjustments required after manufacture if there is a pressure increase downstream.

Abstract: The present invention covers the method and apparatus to retread tire casings using a precured tread system where an envelope or flexible fluid tight member is used to cover a retread tire casing assembly and then placed in an autoclave where the autoclave is pressurized and a reduced differential pressure is provided between the envelope member and the precured tread. This invention includes the automatic pressurizing of the system and the monitoring of the system during operation as a total system and/or for individual curing stations.

Abstract: A carton jam detector means for use on a carton loader apparatus in a carton packaging machine. The loader push rod has mounted thereon a carrier block which has fixed thereto a valve body having pressurized air passages formed therethrough. A carton lifter finger is pivotally mounted on the valve body and is provided with a vent valve adapted to normally close a valve seat or orifice at one end of said air passages, so as to prevent flow of pressurized air through the air passages. If a carton jam occurs, the lifter finger, which is normally held by a detent means in a position to keep the valve vent closed, is then pivoted by the resistance of the jam to override the detent means and allow air to vent through the open air orifice. The pressure drop in the air flow system is monitored by a system of suitable controls for stopping the loading of cartons until the jam is corrected. The rest of the packaging machine may continue to process the cartons already loaded into the machine.