Abstract: A method of simultaneously producing production runs of tires 200 on a multi-station sequential tire manufacturing system 10, the tires 200 being from a group of tire types of different build specifications in lot sizes of one or more tires is disclosed. The steps include: scheduling the production run by imputing tire build software, wherein the software program performs the steps of: selecting the tire building equipment and materials required for the respective tire types; calculating the corresponding number of cycles each piece of building equipment must perform to build a given lot; and automatically changing to a second build specification at a lot change by switching to the second build specification after the last tire 200 of the first build specification passes; repeating the automated changing to the next build specification at each station 11-16 and 71-74) as each last tire 200 of each prior lot passes until a final lot is produced.

Abstract: A method of building and transferring a tread 12 or a tread belt reinforcing assembly 14 on a building drum 10 is disclosed. The steps include applying at least one uncured tread component 12, 14 onto a radially collapsible building drum 10, inserting the at least one uncured tread component 12 and the radially collapsible building drum 10 into an open segmented mold 2 wherein a plurality of mold tread forming segments 4 are radially expanded; contracting the plurality of mold tread forming segments 4 pressing into the at least one uncured tread component 12, 14; collapsing the building drum 10; and removing the building drum 10 thereby transferring the at least one uncured tread component 12, 14 into the mold.

Abstract: A segmented mold 2 for molding a tire 100 is described which has a central axis; plurality of radially movable tread forming segments; two sidewall forming plates, a top sidewall forming plate 8, and a bottom sidewall forming plate 6; a top locking ring 10 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced means 30 for locking the segments 4, each means for locking 30 providing a predetermined angular path 75 for radially contracting the segments 4 upon closing the mold 2 in a locked position. The segmented 2 mold for molding a tire 100 further has a bottom locking ring 20 having a complementary plurality of circumferentially spaced means 30 for locking the segments 4, each means for locking 30 providing a predetermined angular path for radially contracting the segments 4 upon closing the mold.

Abstract: A method of building a tire carcass onto a toroidially expanded building drum core is disclosed which comprises the steps of applying the carcass components onto a cover of the toroidially expanded building drum core at a first diameter D1 while rigidly supporting the sides of the cover with a pair of internal side support mechanisms to form a toroidially shaped uncured carcass. The method of building a tire carcass onto a toroidially expanded building drum core further may employ the steps of: expanding the cover radially by an amount less than 5% greater than the diameter D1 and applying a belt reinforcing structure or a tread and belt reinforcing structure onto the expanded cover to form an uncured tire assembly and may further include the step of curing the uncured tire assembly in a tire curing mold and removing the cured tire assembly from the mold; collapsing the toroidially expanded building drum core; and removing the tire from the collapsed core.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a tire (110) with an expandable bead molding ring assembly (250) having a two-stage movement from a retracted and disengaged state, to a radially expanded state, to an expanded and engaged state for molding a tire bead (112b). The two-stage movement is accomplished using a simple assembly of easily manufactured parts, and is driven by a simple continuous downward (axially outward) movement (320) of a hub (209) of a mold press (220). A combination of annular elements with springs converts the hub movement to the desired two-stage movement of segments (254, 256) of a segmented bead molding ring (252). Frustraconical cam surfaces (258, 266) are used to divide axially directed forces (420a, 420b) from the mold press movement (320) into radial force components (410a, 410b) and axial force components (415a, 415b) for causing corresponding radial movements (310) and axial movements (315) during the two stage movement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a tire (110) with an expandable bead molding ring assembly (250) having a two-stage movement from a retracted and disengaged state, to a radially expanded state, to an expanded and engaged state for molding a tire bead (112b). The two-stage movement is accomplished using a simple assembly of easily manufactured parts, and is driven by a simple continuous downward (axially outward) movement (320) of a hub (209) of a mold press (220). A combination of annular elements with springs converts the hub movement to the desired two-stage movement of segments (254, 256) of a segmented bead molding ring (252). Frustraconical cam surfaces (258, 266) are used to divide axially directed forces (420a, 420b) from the mold press movement (320) into radial force components (410a, 410b) and axial force components (415a, 415b) for causing corresponding radial movements (310) and axial movements (315) during the two stage movement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding a tire (110) with a radially expandable bead molding ring (252). When expanded, the bead molding ring has a circumferentially continuous radially outward-facing surface (259) for molding the bead. The bead molding ring comprises a plurality of segments (254, 256), half of the segments being first segments (254) that are complementary to, and circumferentially alternated with second segments (256). The first segments are wedge shaped, having circumferentially lateral faces (255) that converge towards the radially outward-facing bead molding surface of the bead molding ring, the first segment lateral faces being planar and oriented in the axial direction; and the second segments have lateral faces (257) that are complementary to the first segment lateral faces, such that radially outward movement of the first segments (254) causes radially outward movement of the second segments (256). Guide rods (260) restrict first and second segments to radial movement (310) only.