Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread rubber made of a nonconductive rubber. The tread rubber is provided with a first and second conductive portions made of a conductive rubber. The first conductive portion extends radially inwardly from a ground-contacting surface, extends to one side in tire width direction, and reaches a carcass layer or a side wall rubber. An exposed position of the first conductive portion is separated from a tire equator at a distance is equal to or more than 10% of a ground-contacting width. The second conductive portion extends radially inwardly from the ground-contacting surface, extends to another side in tire width direction, and reaches the carcass layer or the side wall rubber. An exposed position of the second conductive portion is separated from the tire equator at a distance is equal to or more than 10% of the ground-contacting width.

Abstract: A tire manufacturing apparatus capable of precisely mounting an annular tread on a base tire with the width center of the base tire aligned accurately with the width center of the annular tread without causing the tread to wave or the tread edges to turn up or deform. The tire manufacturing apparatus includes a drum to which a base tire is secured, a plurality of holding means extending in the width direction of the annular tread for holding the inner periphery of the annular tread, and a detecting means for detecting the amount of displacement of the annular tread relative to a predetermined position of each of the holding means. The holding means are each provided with a conveying means for moving the position of the annular tread held by the holding means. Each of the conveying means positions the annular tread at the predetermined position of each of the holding means based on the amount of displacement detected by the detecting means.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a contoured tire tread, and a mold and method for forming the contoured tread. In a particular embodiment, a mold is provided for forming a contoured tread, the mold including a first mold member and a second mold member. The first and second mold members are reversibly displaceable from each other from a first, closed position in which the first and second members substantially enclose a mold cavity, to a second open position in which the first and second members are displaced from each other. The first mold member contains a mold cavity adapted to contain a polymeric material and having inner wall members and sipe-forming members. The first mold member having a contoured mold cavity bottom surface, and the second mold member having a contoured molding surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: The method of building and transferring a tread belt structure on a portable and collapsible building drum 10 mounted coaxially on a building machine 100 with a rotatable shaft 120 is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming the annular tread belt 4 on the building drum 10, transferring the building drum 10 with the tread belt 4 from the rotatable shaft 120 onto a pivoting transfer device 200, pivoting the transfer device 200 about 90° rendering the tread belt 4 and axis of the building drum 10 perpendicular to a horizontal plane, collapsing the building drum 10, separating the annular tread belt 4 from the building drum 10, removing the tread belt 4, expanding the tire building drum 10, pivoting the building drum 10 into coaxial alignment with the rotatable shaft 120, moving the building drum 10 onto the shaft 120. The tread belt 4 has one or more elastomeric components applied while hot and the equipment provides means for weighing the tread belt 4.

Abstract: A tire with a changing tread pattern is formed by first forming a tire having a tread, the tread having at least one circumferential or lateral groove. Formed separately is a wearable filler, the wearable filler having a configuration corresponding to at least a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove formed in the tire. After both the tire and the wearable filler have been cured, the wearable filler is located in the radially outer portion of the circumferential or lateral groove or a portion of the circumferential or lateral groove, and secured within the grooves so as to create a groove void radially inward of the wearable filler, the void being exposed upon wear of the tire tread.

Abstract: An improved method for applying an annular tread (10) to a pneumatic tire casing (20) which has the steps of mounting the tread (10) on a tread expander assembly (200) wherein the tread (10) pass over a mount wheel (300) prior to the casing (20) being mounted onto the mount wheel. The improved apparatus (100) has all the mechanisms for supporting the casing (20) and the tread (10) extended from one end (405) allowing the operator to work entirely in front of the apparatus.

Abstract: A tread for a tire, the tread being provided with a plurality of cutouts, defined by walls perpendicular to or oblique to the rolling surface of the tread, in which the two main walls of at least one cutout located in the part of the tread affected by the loading on the ground of the tire during travel are connected by at least one rubber connecting element and in that the total connection surface SE of the connecting element(s) is at most 80% of the surface defined by the geometric contour L of minimum length and surrounding said total connection surface SE. A method for producing a cutout provided with at least one connecting element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method of building a tire having at least one cord reinforced belt ply. The method is comprised of layering various tire components on a tire building drum. Prior to placing the belt ply on the building drum, at least one belt ply is longitudinally cut, forming a plurality of belt ply segments. The belt ply segments are placed onto the building drum and the cords in each belt ply segment are oriented in the same direction. Also disclosed is a longitudinal cutter for dividing belt ply material into the plurality of belt ply segments. The cutter has at least a pair of shear cutters and a cutting surface against which the shear cutters rotate to cut the continuous belt ply. The shear cutters are mounted on a rail and are moveable along the length of the rail.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing, in one stage, a tire comprising a carcass reinforcement (1) which is radial in the sidewalls and oblique radially beneath a crown reinforcement (3), composed of at least two layers (31) and (32) of reinforcement elements (310) and (320) which are crossed from one layer to the next, wherein there is pre-shaped to a diameter D1 and by means of a sleeve of at least one shaping ply N, vulcanized and formed of reinforcement elements forming with the circumferential direction an angle &agr;1, laid on the building drum T of diameter D, at least the central part of a carcass reinforcement ply (1) formed of radial reinforcement elements (10) forming with the circumferential direction an angle ∓&bgr;1. There is laid on the central part at least one crown ply (31, 32) formed of reinforcement elements (310, 320) oriented relative to the circumferential direction at angles ±&ggr;1 (&mgr;&ggr;1), &ggr;1 being little different from &bgr;1.

Abstract: A tire assembly method and apparatus are disclosed which utilize at least two rotatable turrets (16, 18) that each have two drums (26, 28, 58, 60) and at least one transfer unit (156) for transferring tire components from one turret to another. The preferred embodiment of the invention features three turrets (16, 18, 20) and two transfer units (156, 170), wherein a carcass band is assembled on the drums of a first turret (16) the tread package is assembled on a third turret (20), and the complete tire carcass is assembled on a second turret (18), in between the first and third turrets. Simultaneous, continuous and sequential building and assembly of tire carcass bands and tread packages for a plurality of tires is provided by the method and apparatus of this invention.

Abstract: An improved tire 200 having precured tire tread 10 for mounting to an unvulcanized or a vulcanized tire casing 100 is disclosed. The improved precured tread 10 has a pair of circumferentially continuous projections 60. One projection 60 extends axially outwardly from each of the lateral surfaces 40,50 of the tread. The projection 60 provides a means for air tightly sealing the tread casing assembly at the lateral surfaces 40,50 during the vulcanization of the tread 10 to the casing 100. The method of assembly includes placing the tread 10 and casing 100 in a smooth mold, closing the mold inflating a bladder expanding the casing 100 into the tread 10, the tread 10 correspondingly expands effecting an air tight sealing of the tread 10 and the mold at the annular projections 60 of the tread 10, applying heat and pressure causing a uniform flow of unvulcanized material radially outwardly along the tread edges.

Abstract: A method of forming a complete carcass of a tire, whereby an inner carcass (5) of the tire, formed on a collapsible forming device (2) supporting the beads (8) of the inner carcass (5), is inserted, together with the collapsible forming device (2), inside a toroidal body (19) supporting, internally, an outer carcass (9); is made to adhere to the outer carcass (9) to form the complete carcass; is clamped with respect to the toroidal body (19) by means of a pair of fastening rings (24) fitted laterally to the toroidal body (19) and having radial arms (26) for supporting and clamping the two beads (8); and, finally, is detached from the forming device (2) by collapsing and extracting the forming device (2) from the toroidal body (19).

Abstract: Process and device for treating vulcanized rubber surfaces before bonding by creating surface roughness and elimination of degraded surface particles through the use of a high-pressure fluid jet.

Abstract: A tire tread that is applicable to retread a worn tire carcass. The tire tread includes a cured tread portion having a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A first uncured wing portion extends from the first shoulder and a second uncured wing portion extends from the second shoulder. Further, an end section at each end of the tire tread portion is uncured. When the tire tread is wrapped around the tire carcass to be formed to the tire carcass and form a tire retread, the first and second wing portions extend down the side walls of the tire carcass and the uncured end sections of the tire tread contact each other. The tire carcass is placed within an autoclave, and the autoclave is heated under pressure such that the tire tread is cross-linked to the tire carcass. During the autoclaving step, the uncured wing portions are cured and cross-linked to the side walls of the tire carcass, and the uncured end portions are cured and cross-linked to each other.

Abstract: Process and device for assembly of a tire casing (2) and a prevulcanized ular tread member (1), in view of recapping tires whose tread member is worn or production of new tires, to which the annular tread member (1) is extended by centrifugation.

Abstract: A method of forming a tire (1) inside a forming mold (2) having an inner surface negatively reproducing the outer surface of the finished tire (1). The method provides for forming a second stage tread assembly (13) of the tire (1) in an annular housing (3b) defined by an annular body (3) constituting an outer portion of the forming mold (2), and by two auxiliary outer rings (47) fitted in releasable manner to the opposite axial ends of the annular body (3). The two auxiliary rings (47) are subsequently removed from the annular body for fitting the annular body (3), in place of the auxiliary rings (47), with two annular lateral plates (6) defining respective lateral portions of the forming mold (2).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing road vehicle tires (2), whereby each bead portion (4) of a first stage carcass (1) of a green tire (2) is fitted to a respective circular inner annular support (22), and a finished green tire (2) is formed by fitting the first stage carcass (1) to a second stage outer annular tread assembly (11) inside a toroidal housing constituting a tire forming mold (52), the inner annular periphery of which is defined by the inner annular supports (22) of the bead portions (4) of the first stage carcass (1), and the inner surface of which negatively reproduces the outer surface of the finished tire (2). The annular supports (22) of the bead portions (4) are maintained connected to the tire (2) pending completion of the post-inflation stage.

Abstract: The invention refers to the manufacture of a pneumatic tire having a toric profile of high transversal curvature wherein the reinforcing annular structure and the tread band are shaped together, starting from a cylindrical configuration to the final toric profile in a single shaping step, before being assembled to the carcass. The step for vulcanizing the pneumatic tire being carried out without requiring a further shaping of the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A tire is manufactured by assembling a tread package into a pattern ring and molding a tread thereon while partially precuring the package. The tire is further assembled by positioning an uncured carcass within the pattern ring so that the carcass contacts an uncured portion of the tread package. Finally, the assembled tire is separated from the pattern ring and subsequently heated in a mold devoid of a tread pattern to bond and cure the complete tire.

Abstract: A process of bonding two bodies of rubber by vulcanization of a connecting layer of vulcanizable rubber provides essentially a new manner of organizing the drainage of gaseous inclusions imprisoned between the bodies and/or resulting from the subsequent vulcanization reaction and of collecting these gases; the gaseous inclusions travel towards at least one conduit which passes through at least one of the two bodies, or else towards dead-end holes provided in one of the faces intended to be bonded.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a pneumatic tire in which an annular component, such as a tread/breaker assembly, is accurately located in a supporting box (30)(15). Other tire components such as sidewalls, and carcass, are assembled to said annular component while it is held in the box. The box (15) (30) is a transfer box which is detachable from a rotatable conveyor (11) for relocation in turn at each of a number of tire building stations (16)(26)(36) to pick a respective component(s) at each station. After picking up the respective component(s) at a station the box (15)(30) returns to the conveyor (11) for movement of the box to the next building station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building a tire comprising fitting a patterned cavity of a tread mould with unvulcanized tread composition, shaping the radially inner surface of the tread to a first profile to accommodate a tread reinforcement breaker, consolidating the assembly and shaping its radially inner surface to a second profile, fitting a tire carcass into the second profile, completing the tire assembly, vulcanizing the assembly in the tread mould and removing it from the mould. The method includes various means for fitting the components for consolidating them and for forming the required profiles for subsequent components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use at the stage of a radial tire building process at which a tread and breaker, and sidewall rubbers, are added to the expanded carcass. A tread assembly is built, comprising tread rubber breaker and sidewall rubbers and is then located around the carcass which is then expanded into the tread assembly. A tread assembly former has a central portion expansible to bring side portions to a frusto-conical shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use at the stage of a radial tire building process at which a tread and breaker, and sidewall rubbers, are added to the expanded carcass. A tread assembly is built, comprising tread rubber breaker and sidewall rubbers and is then located around the carcass which is then expanded into the tread assembly. A tread assembly former has a central portion expansible to bring side portions to a frusto-conical shape.

Abstract: An annular tire tread belt is assembled of uncured resilient material having reinforcing cords. An annular container of resilient material has reinforcing cords extending between annular bead rings at the edges. The container is shaped in a toroidal configuration and the tread belt stuck to the container by a layer of suitable tacky barrier material with sufficient tack to maintain the tread belt in a centered position on the container for engagement with a centered portion of the mold. The barrier material also is sufficiently incompatible with the materials of the container and tread belt to prevent appreciable chemical bonding across the interface during curing of the tread belt. After at least partial curing of the tread belt, the tread belt is detached from the container and is ready for use in a tire.

Abstract: An adjustable extrusion die assembly forming part of an extruder for an elastic material, comprises: a stationary die member having an end surface; a plurality of movable die members positioned in side-by-side relationship to one another and slidably contacted with one another, the movable die members respectively having end surfaces opposing to and spaced apart from the end surface of the stationary member, the end surfaces of the stationary and movable die members defining in combination an extrusion opening through which the elastic material is to be extruded, the movable die members being individually movable toward and away from the end surface of the stationary die member with respect to one another so as to vary the distances between the end surface of the stationary die member and the end surfaces of the movable die members; a guide member having formed therein a guide slit having the movable die members guided therein; and a plurality of link members each interconnecting two adjacent movable die memb

Abstract: The annular tread belt body is assembled of uncured resilient material having reinforcing cords and is then mounted on a precured tire casing. The read belt body is assembled with a predetermined configuration at a radially inner surface and the precured tire casing has a matching predetermined configuration on the radially outer surface for mounting of the tread belt in a centered position on the tire casing. The tread belt body and precured tire casing are enclosed in a segmental mold where the tread belt is cured. After removal from the mold, the tread belt is separated from the tire casing. The tread belt is then mounted on the radially outer surface of a tire having reinforcing cords positioned in a generally radial direction relative to the axis of the tire.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for making vehicle tires wherein the annular, reinforcing structure and the tread band are manufactured on two drums, one drum having a comb-shaped surface, and the other drum having sectors.The comb-shaped drum is co-axial and can be slipped off with respect to the drum having sectors. Means are provided for rotating the two drums independently of one another in a slipped position, and for centering the teeth of the comb when the two drums are one around the other. After centering, the sectors are expanded, from the inside towards the outside of the comb, for sustaining the annular structure previously disposed on the comb in a slipped position from the sectors and for receiving the tread band.

Abstract: An endless tread assembly is fabricated on a ring having grooves and ridges which mold the radially inward surface of the tread assembly. The ring is a thin walled cylinder having a single slit or gap. The tread assembly on the ring is suspended by rotatable wheels rollable on the inward surface of the ring, so as to position an arcuate portion of the ring and tread assembly between a fixed press arm and a single movable heated press mold shoe operable to mold about a 40 degree arc of the tread assembly between the shoe and the ring backed by the press arm. Lugs on the inward surface of the ring cooperate with a latch fixed on the press arm to index selected increments of the tread assembly and ring between the press arm and mold segment. After all arcuate increments of the tread assembly have been molded and cured, the ring is opened at the gap and then simply flexed to reduce its diameter sufficiently to remove the cured tread assembly.

Abstract: A method of applying a tread band to a tire carcass includes the steps of placing a pre-vulcanized tread band on the inner surface of a resiliently flexible tread band holder and deforming the band holder inwardly to contact the tread band with a tire carcass. The deformation is carried out using inflatable air bags on the outer surface of the tread band holder. The deformation shortens the periphery of the tread band and produces a compressive stress in the band, which is retained in the band after bonding to the tire carcass.

Abstract: An endless tread assembly is fabricated on a ring having grooves and ridges which mold the radially inward surface of the tread assembly. The ring is a thin walled cylinder having a single slit or gap. The tread assembly on the ring is suspended by rotatable wheels rollable on the inward surface of the ring, so as to position an arcuate portion of the ring and tread assembly between a fixed press arm and a single movable heated press mold shoe operable to mold about a 40 degree arc of the tread assembly between the shoe and the ring backed by the press arm. Lugs on the inward surface of the ring cooperate with a latch fixed on the press arm to index selected increments of the tread assembly and ring between the press arm and mold segment. After all arcuate increments of the tread assembly have been molded and cured, the ring is opened at the gap and then simply flexed to reduce its diameter sufficiently to remove the cured tread assembly.

Abstract: The invention is a replacement tread for installation on a tire casing and the method of installing the tread. The replacement tread includes an endless, pre-molded central tread portion having a relaxed diameter less than the inflated diameter of the tire casing. Integral shoulder wings extend downwardly from the central tread portion and define a circular bottom edge. The shoulder wings bias the bottom edges against the tire casing effecting a seal.To install the replacement tread, the tread area of the tire casing is prepared and the tire casing inflated. The replacement tread is expanded and released onto the tire casing. Tension forces hold the replacement tread closely against the tire casing. The tread is stitched under pressure forces to remove entrapped air and to effect a fluid seal between the shoulder wings and the tire casing. Finally, the replacement tread and the tire casing assembly is cured or bonded.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire building machine with a rotatable building drum adapted for forming thereon a tire carcass of rubberized plies and for expanding the formed carcass to a toric shape. A transfer mechanism positions a separately formed tread and belt assembly substantially concentrically around and spaced from the tire carcass disposed on the building drum. Annular guide means with rolling surfaces are also positioned substantially concentrically around and spaced from the tire carcass disposed on the building drum. When the tire carcass is expanded to a toric shape, the carcass contacts the guide means in rolling engagement and is guided to mate in precision alignment with the tread and belt assembly.