Abstract: A sipe forming assembly is provided. The sipe forming assembly includes a plunge cutting assembly, a leading roller assembly positioned upstream of the plunge cutting assembly, and a trailing roller assembly positioned downstream of the plunge cutting assembly. The plunge cutting assembly includes a blade and a linear actuator configured to actuate the blade to cut a sipe in a tire tread. The leading roller assembly includes a first leading roller and a second leading roller positionable relative to the first leading roller. The second leading roller and the first leading roller are configured to cooperate to clamp the tire tread between the first leading roller and the second leading roller. The trailing roller assembly includes a first trailing roller and a second trailing roller configured to cooperate to clamp the tire tread between the first trailing roller and the second trailing roller.

Abstract: A method of retreading a tire. The method includes the steps of applying a primer to an inner surface of a circumferential tread and applying the primer to an outer surface of a tire casing; applying an adhesive to the primer disposed on the inner surface and the primer disposed on the outer surface; applying the circumferential tread to the tire casing so the inner surface contacts the outer surface and a bondline edge forms circumferentially about the tire casing proximate to a shoulder area of the tire casing; and coupling a moisture reservoir to the circumferential tread proximate to the bondline edge.

Abstract: A mold for molding a tire tread comprises a plurality of mold segments. Each of the plurality of mold segments includes an integer number of tread pitch repetitions. The plurality of mold segments are structured to be coupled to each other end-to-end so as to form the mold such that the mold includes an integer number of tread pitches. The mold also includes at least one mold end segment positioned on at least one end of the mold and has a mold end segment length shorter than a length of each of the plurality of mold segments.

Abstract: A mold for molding a tire tread comprises a plurality of mold segments. Each of the plurality of mold segments includes an integer number of tread pitch repetitions. The plurality of mold segments are structured to be coupled to each other end-to-end so as to form the mold such that the mold includes an integer number of tread pitches. The mold also includes at least one mold end segment positioned on at least one end of the mold and has a mold end segment length shorter than a length of each of the plurality of mold segments.

Abstract: A tire includes a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements positioned thereon, and a plurality of grooves provided therebetween. A first set of sipes extend from a circumferential axis of the tire tread towards a first axial end of the tire tread at a non-zero angle with respect to an axial axis of the tire tread. A second set of sipes extend from the circumferential axis towards a second axial end of the tire tread opposite the first axial end at the non-zero angle such that a first sipe end of each of the first set of sipes may be positioned proximate to a second sipe end of each of the second set of sipes. Each of the first and second set of sipes extend beyond 50% of a half width of the tire, and have a sipe depth greater than 50% of a height of the plurality of tread elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tread band includes providing a mold having one or more protrusions extending outward in a first direction away from a bottom surface of the mold. At least a first one of the protrusions includes a tip feature extending outward in the first direction. Rubber material is introduced into the mold. A first surface of the rubber material opposite the bottom surface covers the tip feature. The rubber material is compressed into the mold. The compressed rubber material covers the tip feature. The mold is released from the rubber material to form a tread band. The tread band has one or more grooves in a second surface opposite the first surface. The one or more grooves correspond to the one or more protrusions in the mold. A first groove corresponding to the first protrusion includes a vent corresponding to the tip feature in the mold.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tread band includes providing a mold having one or more protrusions extending outward in a first direction away from a bottom surface of the mold. At least a first one of the protrusions includes a tip feature extending outward in the first direction. Rubber material is introduced into the mold. A first surface of the rubber material opposite the bottom surface covers the tip feature. The rubber material is compressed into the mold. The compressed rubber material covers the tip feature. The mold is released from the rubber material to form a tread band. The tread band has one or more grooves in a second surface opposite the first surface. The one or more grooves correspond to the one or more protrusions in the mold. A first groove corresponding to the first protrusion includes a vent corresponding to the tip feature in the mold.

Abstract: A mold for molding a tire tread comprises a plurality of mold segments. Each of the plurality of mold segments includes an integer number of tread pitch repetitions. The plurality of mold segments are structured to be coupled to each other end-to-end so as to form the mold such that the mold includes an integer number of tread pitches. The mold also includes at least one mold end segment positioned on at least one end of the mold and has a mold end segment length shorter than a length of each of the plurality of mold segments.

Abstract: Retreaded tires and methods for manufacturing the same. A tire is retreaded with a pre-cured tread band having a smooth back face and one or more tread grooves with compliant skid base gauge on a front face. The grooves in the pre-cured tread band align with grooves in a tire casing and upon curing conform to the shape of the casing grooves. The tire tread depths are greater than the original tire tread depth of the pre-cured tread band, thereby increasing the wear volume of the tire tread.