Abstract: This disclosure relates to an extruder including a casing which forms a cylindrical bore and a peripheral passage for a heating or cooling medium around the bore. A screw is mounted in the bore and axially fixed to the casing, but adapted to be rotated in the bore. The screw has a thread forming a spiral passage for rubber materials in the bore. A number of projections extend from the casing and into the spiral passage, and the thread is formed with notches for the projections to pass through as the screw rotates. A cylindrical sleeve is mounted within the casing and supports the projections. The casing and the sleeve are divided or split into at least two parts, and lock means is provided on the casing to lock the parts together during operation.

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: 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: This disclosure relates to a method for preheating and preforming a green tire prior to final vulcanization of the tire. The method includes the steps of supporting the beads of a green tire between a pair of relatively cool discs to form a tightly closed space, moving the discs toward each other until the tire has a shape substantially the same as the final tire shape, supplying the space with a thermal medium, and heating the medium and the tire to a temperature substantially lower than that at which the vulcanization starts but high enough to preform the tire. A coolant is passed through the parts of the discs which engage the tire beads to prevent overheating of the beads.