Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire in accordance with the present invention includes a tread base layer, a first tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer, a second tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer and both radially outside and axially adjacent the first tread cap layer, a third intermediate layer radially between the tread base layer and the first and second tread cap layers. The first tread cap layer has a protrusion extending radially inward and into the third intermediate layer more than a main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer thereby allowing the first tread cap layer to provide the overall tread with enhanced performance characteristics after the main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer have worn away.

Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire in accordance with the present invention includes a tread base layer, a first tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer, a second tread cap layer radially outside of the tread base layer and both radially outside and axially adjacent the first tread cap layer, a third intermediate layer radially between the tread base layer and the first and second tread cap layers. The first tread cap layer has a protrusion extending radially inward and into the third intermediate layer more than a main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer thereby allowing the first tread cap layer to provide the overall tread with enhanced performance characteristics after the main body of the first tread cap layer and the second tread cap layer have worn away.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a blended rubber composition directly onto a tire building drum or core is described. The method includes the steps of extruding a first rubber compound through a main extruder and a main gear pump. A second rubber compound is extruded through a second extruder and into a second gear pump. The output from the second gear pump is fed into the main extruder. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound is varied by adjusting the speed of the main gear pump and the speed of the second gear pump. A continuous strip of rubber formed of said first compound and said second compound is layed directly onto a tire building machine to form a first layer of rubber having a first blend ratio. The speed of the main gear pump and the second gear pump is adjusted to obtain a second blend ratio of said first compound to said second compound, and then a strip of rubber formed of said second blend ratio is applied to the tire building drum or core.

Abstract: A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a pin extending from the outer surface of the tread segment. The pin is mounted to a rotatable body which can swivel. The rotatable body further comprises a guide pin which cooperates with a working member to rotate the body into a desired position in order to position the pin in the tire tread to be molded. The working member actuates the rotatable body into various positions.

Abstract: A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a pin extending from the outer surface of the tread segment. The pin is mounted to a rotatable body which can swivel. The rotatable body further comprises a guide pin which cooperates with a working member to rotate the body into a desired position in order to position the pin in the tire tread to be molded. The working member actuates the rotatable body into various positions.