Abstract: A mold for forming a tire curing bladder. The mold has an outer mold assembly enclosing an inner mold core assembly. The outer mold comprises three sections and the inner mold comprises two portions. The outer mold and the inner mold core form a mold cavity therebetween. In one embodiment, the mold cavity defines a frog eye geometry where a cylindrical space is formed having a diameter that is greater for portions spaced away from a centerline of the mold cavity than for portions near the centerline.

Abstract: A mold for forming a tire curing bladder. The mold has an outer mold assembly enclosing an inner mold core assembly. The outer mold comprises three sections and the inner mold comprises two portions. The outer mold and the inner mold core form a mold cavity therebetween. In one embodiment, the mold cavity defines a frog eye geometry where a cylindrical space is formed having a diameter that is greater for portions of the cylindrical spaced away from a centerline of the mold cavity than for portions near the centerline.

Abstract: A mold for forming a tire curing bladder. The mold has an outer mold assembly enclosing an inner mold core assembly. The outer mold comprises three sections and the inner mold comprises two portions. The outer mold and the inner mold core form a mold cavity therebetween. In one embodiment, the mold cavity defines a frog eye geometry where a cylindrical space is formed having a diameter that is greater for portions of the cylindrical spaced away from a centerline of the mold cavity than for portions near the centerline.

Abstract: A mold for forming a tire curing bladder. The mold has an outer mold assembly enclosing an inner mold core assembly. The outer mold comprises three sections and the inner mold comprises two portions. The outer mold and the inner mold core form a mold cavity therebetween. In one embodiment, the mold cavity defines a frog eye geometry where a cylindrical space is formed having a diameter that is greater for portions of the cylindrical spaced away from a centerline of the mold cavity than for portions near the centerline.

Abstract: A mold for forming a tire curing bladder. The mold has an outer mold assembly enclosing an inner mold core assembly. The outer mold comprises three sections and the inner mold comprises two portions. The outer mold and the inner mold core form a mold cavity therebetween. In one embodiment, the mold cavity defines a frog eye geometry where a cylindrical space is formed having a diameter that is greater for portions of the cylindrical spaced away from a centerline of the mold cavity than for portions near the centerline.

Abstract: A tire forming bladder composed of an elastomeric membrane constructed and shaped for curing low aspect ratio tires. The bladder includes clamping feet to enable it to be clamped onto a post for insertion into a tire curing mold. The bladder has a cross-sectional profile where the distance between the clamping feet is less than the distance between the shoulder areas of the bladder. In addition, the shoulder areas of the bladder are of a thinner gauge than the remainder of the bladder membrane and accordingly expands a greater amount than the rest of the bladder membrane when pressurized.

Abstract: A thin, membrane-like cylindrical rubber tire curing bladder is provided with reinforcing cords wound in parallel spiral paths at any composite angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. When installed on the centerpost mechanism of a tire curing press and inflated in the curing process, the bladder length increases due to partial and reversible straightening of the spirally wound cord reinforcement. This permits optimum fit of the bladder in the tire being processed with uniform controlled growth of the membrane providing improved cured tire uniformity. Longer service life of the bladder is thereby achieved. The bladder is a good heat conductor inherent to its thin matrix, unlike previously known bladders. The bladder of the present invention also provides for a unique venting mechanism during the curing process to provide a tire having reduced potential for trapped air related anomalies.

Abstract: A thin, membrane-like cylindrical rubber tire curing bladder is provided with reinforcing cords wound in parallel spiral paths at any composite angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. When installed on the centerpost mechanism of a tire curing press and inflated in the curing process, the bladder length increases due to partial and reversible straightening of the spirally wound cord reinforcement. This permits optimum fit of the bladder in the tire being cured with uniform controlled growth of the membrane. Longer service life of the bladder is thereby achieved. The bladder is a good heat conductor inherent to its thin matrix, unlike previously known curing bladders.

Abstract: Belt and tread transfer ring bladders and belt and tread drum expand bladders for use in fabrication of tires are provided with reinforcing layers (preferably of aramid fiber or fabric). The bladders are prepared by assembling on a cylindrical drum, first and second continuous, partially cured rubber belts with a layer of reinforcing material sandwiched there between. One edge of the continuous belt-sandwich is folded towards the outer edge, the latter edge is folded inwardly so as to overlap said first fold and the assembly is then cured advantageously using steam and pressure. The overlapped folds in the resulting bladder from the surface of the bladder which contacts the workpiece during use as either a transfer ring bladder or drum expand bladder. The bladder of the invention is found to possess a significantly extended working life as compared to bladders hitherto available.