Abstract: A method of preparing a precured tire tread includes forming a green tire tread strip having a top surface and a bottom surface. The method also includes curing the green tire tread strip to form a precured tire tread having a top surface and a bottom surface. The method further includes abrasive blasting the bottom surface of the precured tire tread, air blasting the bottom surface of the precured tire tread, and washing the bottom surface of the precured tire tread with a liquid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for demolding a polymeric material from a mold are disclosed, the methods comprising the steps of placing a material within a mold, closing the mold, molding the material located within the mold, and opening the mold. The mold includes a demolding tool having a material-engaging portion that is in fluid communication with the mold portion, the demolding tool being reversibly disengagable from the first mold member. The demolding tool is disengagable from a resting position within the first mold member to translate from the first mold member the molded polymeric material associated with the material-engaging portion, thereby separating a portion of the molded polymeric material from the mold cavity. In particular embodiments, the material-engaging portion is a cavity. In other embodiments, the material-engaging portion is associated with one or more longitudinal members extending across a portion of the first mold member.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing a tire tread with lugs, the tread having a tread base, and a number of lugs projecting upwards from the tread base; the method having the steps of: preparing a green-rubber blank tread of constant thickness; applying rubber blocks to the areas of the blank tread where the lugs are to be formed, each block varying lengthwise in cross section, so it is thinner at the center and thicker at the side; and curing the blank tread, together with the blocks, in a curing mold negatively reproducing the pattern of the tread.

Abstract: A method of producing a tire tread with lugs; the tread having a tread base, and a number of lugs projecting upwards from the tread base; and the method including the steps of: preparing a green-rubber blank tread thinner at the sides and thicker at the center to define a raised center portion; applying green-rubber blocks to the areas of the blank tread where the lugs are to be formed, which blocks rest centrally against the raised center portion; and curing the blank tread, together with the blocks, in a curing mold negatively reproducing the pattern of the tread.

Abstract: A molding element of a mold for molding and vulcanizing a tire tread, this tread having a tread surface intended to come into contact with the ground when the tire is rolling. The molding element comprising a molding surface intended to mold part of the tire tread surface and a blade of a height intended to mold a sipe or a groove in the tread, this blade extending in a first direction of extension Y. The molding element has two cutting means positioned on either side of the blade at a certain distance from this blade. The molding element has a third cutting means of height extending in a second direction of extension X, this second direction of extension X making an angle ? with the first direction Y which is between 75° and 105°. The height of the third cutting means is greater than the height of the blade.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for retreading a tire, which include providing a tire carcass for retreading, the tire carcass having a pre-existing tread layer including one or more voids extending into the tread layer thickness from an outer side. A bonding layer is applied along an outer side of the pre-existing tread layer, the bonding layer substantially filling the voids arranged along the outer side of the pre-existing tread layer to provide an outer surface for receiving a pre-cured tread layer. The pre-cured tread layer is applied along an outer side of the bonding layer such that the bonding layer is arranged between the pre-cured tread layer and the pre-existing tread layer. The pre-cured tread layer is bonded to the tire carcass to form a retreaded tire having a retreaded tire tread. Grooves are then formed in the retreaded tire tread along a ground-engaging, outer side of the retreaded tire tread.

Abstract: A green tire includes a carcass and a pre-shaped tread. The carcass includes a pair of annular beads and at least one body ply extending between the pair of annular beads. The carcass further includes a circumferential belt. The pre-shaped tread includes a plurality of tread segments, wherein each of the plurality of tread segments includes at least one bar and at least one void.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a tire tread having a plurality of raised elements, each having a contact face intended to come into contact with a ground when the tire is rolling and lateral faces connected to this contact face. The method of manufacture comprises: preparing a green form of the tire; laying a cover layer over all or part of an external surface of the green tire; laying the green tire in a mold; with the mold comprising a blade, using this blade to mold a lateral face of a raised element; vulcanizing the green tire to obtain the tire cutting the cover layer using cutting means belonging to the mold; during the molding of the lateral face driving with the blade a cut part of the cover layer into the green tire so that the lateral face of the raised element is partially or fully covered.

Abstract: A method and system for retreading a tire; the method including the steps of: removing the worn tread from the tire; winding a green-rubber cushion about the tire; forming at least one longitudinal groove in an inner surface of a tread strip; applying to the inner surface of the tread strip a green-rubber strip which is inserted inside the longitudinal groove to fill the longitudinal groove; winding the tread strip about the tire and on top of the green-rubber cushion; and curing the tire fitted with the green-rubber cushion and the tread strip.

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: A tread for a vehicle tire, such as a pneumatic vehicle tire, is provided with an electrically conducting layer axially inside a portion of a first, radially outer rubber layer of the tread. The electrically conductive layer extends from a second, radially inner rubber layer of the tread on the radially inner side of the tread rubber material up to a ground contact surface of the tread. The rubber material of the electrically conducting layer and the rubber material of the radially inner rubber layer of the tread have a higher electrical conductivity than the rubber material of the radially outer rubber layer.

Abstract: A tire tread may be formed by simultaneously extruding a tread cap formed of a first material and a tread base formed of a second material having a substantially different stiffness property than the first material. One tread element may have a strip of the second material extending from the tread base into the tread cap and, a second tread element may also have a strip of the second material extending from the tread base into the tread cap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for partial depth-wise cure of a tire inner liner are disclosed. The method comprising forming a layer of uncured rubber, that layer having a first surface and an opposite surface, applying pressure to the layer of rubber, heating the layer of rubber from the first surface to more fully cure the layer on that surface than on the opposite surface, cooling the layer of rubber and releasing the pressure applied to the layer of rubber after the layer has cooled.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying a tread to a carcass of a tire; the machine has a rotary drum supporting the carcass, a feed conveyor for feeding the tread to the rotary drum, a pressure roller contacting the tread, an actuating device for pushing the pressure roller against the tread with a force of adjustable intensity, and a control unit for regulating the intensity of the force as a function of an error variable calculated as the difference between the length of the remaining portion of the circumference of the carcass, and the length of the remaining portion of the tread; and the control unit regulates the intensity of the force by means of a proportional control block having a gain varying as a function of the value of the error variable and as a function of the rate of change of the error variable.

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 tire has a plurality of radially outer rubber components defining a radially outer surface (S1) exposed to fluids having a relative displacement with respect to the rotating tire. At least one radially outer component has projections, the projections being defined by first sides (2) and second sides (2?) of unequal length. The first sides (2) have a greater length, delimiting therebetween an angle ? ranging from 5° to 60° and forming at their intersection an apex (P). The projections protrude by a height (h) from the radially outer surface (S1) from which said first and second sides originate, the height (h) ranging from 0.2 to 100 micrometers. In more than 75% of the projections, any plane tangent to the first side (2) of the projection cuts the radially outer surface (S1) at an acute angle.

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: A tread of thickness E, intended to be used in a tire having a carcass reinforcement surmounted by a crown reinforcement and including on its outer surface a plurality of grooves of depth h, including at least circumferential grooves separated axially by ribs, is provided with at least one internal, circumferential anti-rubber-on-rubber connection element, the outer wall of which, viewed in meridian section, has in part a contour identical to the contour of the wall of the regrooving groove to be created, the point(s) of said wall which are farthest from the axis of rotation being radially distant from the tread surface by a quantity h1 less than the depth h of the grooves, and the point(s) of said wall closest to the axis of rotation being radially distant from the tread surface by the maximum regrooving height H.

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: The present invention relates to a process for improving the cured adhesion of at least two rubber components which contact each other in a pneumatic tire. The process involves the steps of assembling and vulcanizing a pneumatic tire wherein prior to vulcanization of the pneumatic tire, one of the components is a precured rubber compound and the other is an uncured rubber compound. The process involves using a precured rubber compound comprising from 40 to 100 parts by weight of natural rubber or emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber containing 0.5 to 3 phr of a fatty acid, precipitated silica and no fatty acid other than contained in the natural rubber or emulsion-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic tire adopting a bias ply structure in which plural carcass layers are disposed so that cords cross each other between the layers, and having an aspect ratio of 55% or less and an outer diameter of 300 mm or less, wherein a cord angle to a tire circumferential direction of said carcass layer is set to a range from 27 to 37° in the center line position, and a surface shape of a tread portion is formed to be straight to a tire width direction in the region of 60 to 75% of a tread width.

Abstract: A method for directional force correction of pneumatic tires that simultaneously corrects radial and tangential force exerted by the tire. The method allows for the correction of tangential force regardless of the rotational direction of the tire. This invention accomplishes this end through an improved force correction technique, wherein at least two rotary grinders are employed. In the inventive method, the rotational direction of one grinder is reversed in relation to the rotational direction of the other grinder(s). Therefore, at least one grinder will engage the tire in an “up-grinding” manner, and at least one grinder will engage the tire in a “down-grinding” manner. The result is that across the width of the tire's tread surface, some tread blocks will have a “heel-to-toe” appearance, while others will appear “toe-to-heel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cutting to length a tread band which is to be subsequently built up onto a tire carcass. The apparatus includes a transport device for transporting an extent of tread band material from which a tread band is to be cut, and a cutting device for cutting to length a tread band from the extent of tread band material. The apparatus also includes a picture display device for registering and displaying simultaneously a picture of the front end of a tread band after the front end has been cut by the cutting device and a picture of an area of the tread band which lies shortly before and extends to the location at which the back end of the tread band is to be cut by the cutting device.

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: 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: 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 method of making a finite element model of a tire is disclosed. The tire is provided in a tread portion with a fine groove having a dead end including at least the bottom. The tread portion is divided into elements so that the elements include first elements on one side of the fine groove and second elements on the other side of the fine groove, and the first elements and second elements have nodes in common at the dead end, but the first elements and second elements do not have nodes in common at other positions than the dead end.

Abstract: A recording material for the ink-jet printing method comprises a raw base paper, an extrudable polyvinyl alcohol containing layer which is extruded on the raw base paper, and an ink-receiving layer which is applied as an aqueous dispersion or solution.

Abstract: A mold 20 for curing a precured tread 10 to a tire casing 100 is disclosed. The mold 20 has a first annular portion 24, a second annular portion 44, a pair of annular portions 12,14, and an inflatable bladder 23 for insertion into the casing 100 when enclosed in the cavity 53 of the closed mold 20. The first annular portion 24 has a sidewall supporting member 27, the sidewall supporting member 27 having a bead forming end 29, and a tread supporting member 28 integrally attached and generally normal to the sidewall support member 27. The tread supporting member 28 has a smooth axially contoured annular surface for contacting the radially outer surface of the precured tread 10 and a first end 50 in proximity to the tread lateral end 48 of the second annular portion 44. The second annular portion 44 has a sidewall supporting member 47 and tread lateral end supporting member 48 the second portion 44 having a first end 50 and a second end 52.

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 rejection 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. This invention provides uniform pressure distribution on the tire casing during curing.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a silica-rich compound tread provided with an antistatic conductive rubber layer has improved safty based on durability and extrusion productivity. In this tire, the silica-rich compound rubber layer is divided at at least one portion in a width directional of the tire by a conductive rubber layer extended in a circumferential direction substantially over the whole thickness of said rubber layer. In this case, a thickness direction distance a in a width directional section of said rubber layer and an edge face length b of a divisional rubber layer consisting of said conductive rubber layer in a width directional section satisfy a relation formulated by the following expression, a<b.

Abstract: A cured tread making apparatus and method including a tread extruder from which a hot rubber compound continuously exits, a continuous rotational curing device comprising a heated rotatable drum and a cooperating moving tension belt adapted to provide continuous curing pressure against the rotating drum, and cast segments, incorporating a particular tread design, attached to the exterior circumferential surface area of the heated drum.

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

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition is described comprising a cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer base including natural rubber, at least a copolymer obtainable by polymerizing a conjugated diolefin with a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, and a main carbon black-based reinforcing filler, wherein:a) the copolymer is obtainable by polymerizing in 1,2 form with the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon at least 50% by weight of the conjugated diolefin, so as to obtain in the copolymer a quantity of from 30% to 70% by weight to the total weight of the same of an olefin fraction having a 1,2 structure, andb) the carbon black has a DBP absorption value measured according to ISO 4656-1 equal to at least 110 ml/100 g, a reduction in the DBP absorption value measured after compression according to ISO 6894 equal to at least 25 ml/100 g and a surface area measured by means of CTAB absorption according to ISO 6810 not greater than 120 m.sup.2 /g.

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 pneumatic vehicle tire comprising a tread strip which forms the tire tread and is made from an electrically insulating or poorly conducting material and comprising, beneath the tread strip, a layer which is a good electrical conductor wherein, in order to bring about an adequate dissipation of electrical charge from the vehicle bodywork, the layer which is of good electrical conductivity extends at least regionally up to and into the tire running surface when considered over the circumference of the tire.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tread strip with shoulder cover strips for a pneumatic vehicle tire includes the step of continuously extruding a shoulder cover strip and calendering the shoulder cover strip to a desired thickness. The thus thickness-reduced cover strip is then applied to the tread strip. The shoulder cover strip is then cut to length in order to match a circumferential length of the tread strip for building a tire.

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

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: In the manufacture of pneumatic radial tires each having an annular groove in its central portion, a green tire is formed from a belt-tread band having a constricted portion formed by concavely depressing a belt and a tread inward in a radial direction of the tire.

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: A method of winding a belt-shaped member is used in winding a tire member around a forming drum. A position of a leading end of a tire member is detected to obtain a shifted distance of the leading end relative to the forming drum. The leading end is then transferred to the forming drum, while the leading end is being moved in a width direction to make zero the shifted distance. The leading end is pressed against the forming drum, while the leading end is brought into coincidence with a reference position of the forming drum. The forming drum is then rotated during which the tire member is supplied onto the forming drum. A position of a trailing end of the tire member is detected to obtain a shifted distance of the trailing end relative to the reference position of the forming drum. The trailing end is the supplied onto the rotating forming drum, while the trailing end is moved in a width direction to make zero the shifted distance of the trailing end.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a second stage tread assembly (1) of a road vehicle tire, whereby a green annular tread cap (2) is fed onto and stitched internally against, the inner annular surface (23) of an annular forming body (18) negatively reproducing the final outer annular surface (3) of the tread cap (2). A number of further annular components (7,14), comprising a reinforced annular tread belt (14), are successively fed into the annular body (18) and onto a barrel-shaped inner annular surface (5) of the tread cap (2).

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: To improve high speed durability or prevent tire ribs and/or blocks from being peeled off at high speed travel, a tread rubber member whose outer surface is formed into corrugation shape along tire axial direction, when seen in cross section, is prepared to form a green tire so that radially convex portions thereof may be located under tire circumferential grooves to be formed after vulcanization process and radially concave portions thereof may be located under tire ribs and/or blocks also to be formed after vulcanization process. Since the rubber flow rate of the tread rubber member under the circumferential grooves is relatively larger, when the green tire is vulcanized, the belt layers are conversely deformed into radially concave shape under the circumferential grooves.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of pneumatic tires having a tread T with grooves therein in which the grooves are formed by use of cylindrical network grid 10. The grid 10 is filled with tread compound T, and is then located concentrically to surround a tire carcass assembly C to assemble the carcass to the tread. Other tire components such as sidewalls S are added to the carcass C with the grid in situ, and the assembled tire is then cured with grid in situ, the grid being subsequently stripped from the finished tire. Apparatus for above method include a tread mould body (23) having an inner mould surface (24) in which the closely fitting cylindrical network grid (10) is located. The grid (10) is separate from the mould body (23) and has at least one axial split therein to allow removal of the grid (10) from the finished tire.

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: The present process allows recycling used tires which are at present considered to be no longer suitable for restructuring according to known processes.According to the invention a preliminary control is carried out, also by scanning by means of a laser, to assess the seriousness of the internal ruptures and deformations due to impacts or other causes, discarding tires which are too damaged, while the thread and the metallic belts of the remaining tires which can be used are removed therefrom by scraping, the entire tire assembly being reconstructed, by vulcanizing before mounting the tread, and checking again with the laser to detect bubbles or other defects correcting the defects, obtaining a perfect assembly (FIG. 25) on which the tread which is vulcanized again, is lastly mounted.