Abstract: A tire buffing apparatus for a tire casing having a plurality of steel belts arranged therein is provided. The tire buffing apparatus including a hub assembly for supporting and rotating a tire casing and a rasp assembly including a rotatable rasp for buffing a tire casing. A tire belt detection system is provided that includes an induction coil element and a sensor. The induction coil element is configured and arranged in relation to the hub assembly such that when the induction coil element is connected to an AC power source, the induction coil element induces a current in the steel belts of a tire casing supported on the hub assembly. The sensor is configured to produce a signal when the rotating rasp is subject to a voltage. A control unit is configured to direct the rasp assembly to stop buffing a tire casing when the sensor produces the signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a buffer brush. When rotating, the buffer brush acts as a centrifugal pump. The buffer brush contains a core having a first side and a second side and the brush extends racially from the surface of the core. The first and second sides have at least one opening configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core. Vents on the surface of the cure are configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents into the brush.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a buffer brush. When rotating, the buffer brush acts as a centrifugal pump. The buffer brush contains a core having a first side and a second side and the brush extends racially from the surface of the core. The first and second sides have at least one opening configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core. Vents on the surface of the cure are configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents into the brush.

Abstract: A method of making a tire tread includes mixing a tire tread compound including a virgin rubber component and a reclaimed rubber component, forming a green sheet from the tire tread compound, and curing the green sheet to form a cured tire tread. The reclaimed rubber component may have a Mooney viscosity (ML (1+4) @ 100° C.) of greater than 65. The reclaimed rubber component may also have a crosslink density that is between 20 and 50% of the crosslink density of the reclaimed rubber prior to reclaiming.

Abstract: A tread for use in a tire retread process includes a first side and a second, flat side. A plurality of lugs is formed on a first side of the tread and arranged along in a periodically repeating tread pattern. A set of marks is formed in at least one outer lug and defines a finite linear distance along the tread within which the tread is adapted to be cut into the length of tread, such that when the length of tread is deposited around the casing of the tire and the ends of the length of tread are placed in abutting relationship one relative to the other along a seam, the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous. The set of marks is predetermined in advance of retreading to be located in positions where at least some of the performance and processing characteristics of the tread may be improved.

Abstract: A tire inspection machine includes an incoming conveyor adapted to transport tires to the machine and also align the tires in a transverse direction. An inspection table of the machine includes a table conveyor system that is responsive to a controller. The table and table conveyor are together arranged to permit scanning of both sidewall portions of a tire disposed thereon. A sensor detects a longitudinal position of the tire and stops the table conveyor when the tire is longitudinally aligned. A controller operates the table conveyor based on the longitudinal position of the tire.

Abstract: A tire tread extractor used in the manufacture of treads includes a frame, a first nip roller rotatably associated with the frame, and a second nip roller rotatably associated with the frame. The first and second nip rollers are adapted to engage a tire tread at least partially resident in a mold. A driving mechanism associated with the first and/or second nip rollers operates to impart rotational motion thereto. The frame is configured for longitudinal movement along a substantial portion of a longitudinal length of the mold while maintaining the first and second nip rollers in a spaced relation to the mold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: A system and method for removing an outer layer of resilient material from an object to achieve a target outer dimension includes performing an initial cut at a cutting depth to remove an outer layer of the material. A parameter indicative of a work input to a cutter that performed the cut is acquired and used to determine the cutting depth that will be used for performing a subsequent cut to remove an additional layer. In this way, subsequent cuts are performed until the target outer dimension is achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: A system and method for removing an outer layer of resilient material from an object to achieve a target outer dimension includes performing an initial cut at a cutting depth to remove an outer layer of the material. A parameter indicative of a work input to a cutter that performed the cut is acquired and used to determine the cutting depth that will be used for performing a subsequent cut to remove an additional layer. In this way, subsequent cuts are performed until the target outer dimension is achieved.