Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved high-speed running performances is manufactured by conducting vulcanization of a green tire with a mold provided at a position corresponding to a given position between neighborhood of shoulder portion and neighborhood of bead portion with at least one protrusion which protrudes inside the mold and continuously extends in the circumferential direction of the mold and consists of a first arc segment having a center of curvature located outside from the inner surface of the mold and second arc segments each having a center of curvature located inside from the inner surface of the mold and smoothly connecting to the first arc segment at upper and lower ends in the radial direction of the mold.

Abstract: In a vulcanization press of the B.O.M. type, a vulcanization chamber has respective end edges (5a, 5b) connected to a disc (6) movable upon command of an actuator (8) and a disc (9) which is fixed relative to said actuator. The movable disc is fastened to a grasping head (17) provided with quick release pins (20), integral with the end of a drive rod (7) operable by a lower piston (11) contained in the actuator. The fixed disc is engaged by radially retractable latches (29) to a grasping ring (28) fastened to the actuator. The raising of the movable disc is stopped due to the chamber tensioning. The disc descent is stopped by two semi-cylindrical elements (12a, 12b) movable close to the drive rod, acting in abutment on an upper piston (15) contained in the actuator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing road vehicle tires, whereby a toroidal forming mold, housing a finished green tire, is fed successively through a first preheating station where peripheral heating elements preheat the tread portion of the green tire; through a second curing station where the tire is cured; and through a third postinflation station where the tire, fitted to a tubular support and removed from the mold, is engaged by a cooling element for cooling the bead portions of the tire.

Abstract: A method for vulcanizing a tire wherein firstly heating medium is blown toward a tire internal surface from a supply opening arranged at a position above an equator of the tire in a mold and secondary pressurizing medium is blown toward the tire internal surface from the supply opening, and an apparatus used therefor. By virtue of the method and the apparatus, in vulcanization, abnormal cooling at a lower bead of a tire is prevented and consequently a large temperature difference inside the tire is prevented, so that uniform vulcanization can be carried out to provide products having high quality. Further, prevention of the temperature difference makes it possible to shorten a time period required for vulcanization, to improve productivity, and to reduce energy loss.

Abstract: A method for production of tires in a curing mold make of a plurality of shaped blocks. The blocks are displaced circumferentially so as to leave a width clearance therebetween, the clearance being wide enough to permit air trapped within the mold to escape, but to prevent escape of elastomeric material and thus avoid generation of burrs on the surface of the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming curing envelopes which apparatus enables the use of a conventional inner tube mold for making a curing envelope preform in the form of an envelope tube which may have a portion thereof easily removed to provide a curing envelope suitable for use in a tire retreading process. A curing envelope is made by placing an annular tube of uncured envelope material in a curing mold having a center core and a mold insert installed therein. The insert includes a pair of coaxial annular rings projecting radially outwardly from the center core and connecting straps for maintaining the axial spacing between the rings. The mold is closed and heat and internal pressure are applied to the envelope tube for curing the envelope tube and urging the tube against the interior cavity surface with the annular rings penetrating into the inner wall of the tube for forming therein corresponding annular grooves.

Abstract: A method for making an anti-skid apparatus for an automobile tire includes coating a plurality of core materials with rubber to form a plurality of cords; placing the cords in grooves of a preliminary molding plate and knitting the cords to form a net body; molding the cord into a non-vulcanized net body which inherently possesses crossing sections-where one of the plurality of cords lies on top of another of the plurality of cords; pressing the crossing sections so as to cause the core materials at the crossing sections to become linearly aligned; and vulcanizing the pressed non-vulcanized anti-skid net bodies to form a vulcanized net body. The step of pressing the crossing sections temporarily fixes the respective cords to each other at respective crossing sections. Also, affixing elements are attached to the vulcanized net body to detachably secure the vulcanized net body to an automobile 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 tire vulcanizing machine includes a bladder; an upper clamping ring for holding the upper end of the bladder; an upper clamping ring for holding the upper end of the bladder; a first lifting mechanism for vertically moving the lower clamping ring; a second lifting mechanism for vertically moving the upper clamping ring; a loader for holding a green tire so as to surround the bladder extended between the upper and lower clamping rings with the horizontal center plane of the green tire in coincidence with the middle point between the upper and lower ends of the bladder; a third lifting mechanism for vertically moving the loader; and a controller for controlling the operation of the first, second and third lifting mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing curing bladders (2), whereby a curing mold (3) defines, via a first (4) and second (5) half mold and an inner core (6), an inner molding chamber (7) and an outer injection chamber (34) communicating with the inner chamber (7) and consisting of a variable-volume chamber of an injection cylinder (59); the outer chamber (34) being fed with a mass (35) of heated uncured rubber which is injected into the inner chamber (7) with the mold (3) closed and, when cured, is extracted from the mold (3) by opening the inner chamber (7) and extracting the inner core (6).

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: After loading a green tire in a tire vulcanizing machine and before shaping, bead portions of the green tires are centered relative to bead rings of upper and lower metal molds and are sequentially inserted into the bead rings precisely in parallel thereto by the same extendable/retractable sectors and chucks which are movable vertically. An apparatus preferable for practicing the aforementioned method includes a plurality of such sectors for centering and holding a bead portion of the green tire, slide and linkage mechanisms for extending and retracting chucks to which the sectors are mounted, and a cylinder mechanism for vertically moving the chucks so as to insert the bead portion of the green tire centered and held by the sectors into a bead ring of a tire metal mold.

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: A tire molding system includes a mold having a surface defining a cavity for receiving and shaping an uncured tire. The uncured tire is pressed against the surface defining the cavity. Fluid is evacuated from between the uncured tire and the surface defining the cavity. A recess extends from the cavity for forming a marking on the sidewall of the tire. A passage fluidly communicates the recess with the exterior of the mold. The passage includes a first end portion adjacent the recess and a second end portion adjacent the exterior of the mold. The second end portion extends for a distance less than one-half of the total length of the passage. A restrictor is located entirely within the second end portion of the passage for restricting fluid flow through the passage during the evacuation of fluid and before the recess is sealed off from the cavity by the uncured tire when the uncured tire is pressed against the surface defining the cavity.

Abstract: A system for controlling the shaping fluid pressure in tire bladders in a tire molding press which senses the fluid pressure in the bladder used to shape the tire being loaded into the tire press; compares the sensed fluid pressure in the bladder with the desired set point fluid pressure to be maintained in the bladder; and adjusts the fluid pressure in the bladder in response to the compared pressures to cause the fluid pressure in the bladder to be maintained at the desired set point fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method for the vectorial assembly of green tires (2) in a curing unit (4), whereby a processing unit (12), after performing a first step consisting in determining the origin of a tire (2), i.e. the machine on which it was produced, and the curing unit (4) in which it is to be cured, extracts memorized data relative to the asymmetry of the curing unit (4) and the average tire (2) produced on the machine, and positions the tire (2) angularly in relation to the curing unit (4) so as to compensate for both asymmetries according to a given program.

Abstract: A method for vulcanizing an elastomeric product placed in a vulcanizing apparatus includes one step of supplying heating medium into the elastomeric product and another step of supplying pressurizing medium into the elastomeric product at a higher pressure than the heating medium, the two steps being performed one after another at least two times. This method can produce an elastomeric product having no bareness without increasing the vulcanizing time.

Abstract: A method of vulcanizing an elastomer product such as a tire including placing the product in a mould, supplying a heating medium to the interior of the product to effect vulcanization, then supplying a pressurizing medium to the interior of the product. In this method the heating medium or the heated fluid mixture is exhausted or removed from the interior of the product at least once by opening an exhaust and simultaneously supplying a cooling pressurizing medium to cool the product to a required temperature level. The heating medium may be exhausted immediately after the completion of the heating medium supply process. The heated fluid mixture may be exhausted in and/or after the pressurizing medium supply process. Preferably the rate of exhaustion is limited by a control orifice. As a result the product is cooled without giving temperature differences in different parts of the product and avoiding unfavorable pressure drop so that efficient vulcanization with good homogeneity in the product results.

Abstract: A PCI main body includes two sets of gripping mechanisms and is rotatable about a horizontal axis, and a loader for detachably gripping an outside rim of the PCI and which is swingable in a horizontal plane. A vulcanized tire is received on the outside rim of the loader externally of the PCI main body, the loader is rotated to a position underneath the PCI main body, the tire and the outside rim are locked to the main body, a tire is seated on and fixed between an inside rim and the outside rim, compressed fluid is fed to the inside of the tire, and the PCI main body is rotated. Accordingly, a degree of precision in the concentricity between the respective rims can be maintained, a remote operation is possible, and the rims can be exchanged in a short period of time. Also, in addition to the above-mentioned features, a slide mechanism causes a support member for the outside rim to retreat upon rotation of the loader. Thus, the stroke of a rim interval adjusting screw can be relatively short.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming curing envelopes which apparatus and method enable the use of a conventional inner tube mold for making a curing envelope perform in the form of an envelope tube which may have a portion thereof easily removed to provide a curing envelope suitable for use in a tire retreading process. A curing envelope is made by placing an annular tube of uncured envelope material in a curing mold having a center core and a mold insert installed therein. The insert includes a pair of coaxial annular rings projecting radially outwardly from the center core and connecting straps for maintaining the axial spacing between the rings. The mold is closed and heat and internal pressure are applied to the envelope tube for curing the envelope tube and urging the tube against the interior cavity surface with the annular rings penetrating into the inner wall of the tube for forming therein corresponding annular grooves.

Abstract: A method and device (1) for stitching multilayer products (2) of green elastomeric material, whereby an annular multilayer product (2) of green elastomeric material, particularly a product forming at least components of a tire (2), is placed inside a hollow annular body designed to house the multilayer product (2) and forming a stitching mold (5) having a concave inner surface (5a) contacting a first convex surface (34a) of the multilayer product (2) and negatively reproducing the final shape to be imparted on the multilayer product (2); a stitching device (24) being brought into contact, at a given pressure, with a second concave surface (34) of the multilayer product (2); and relative motion being produced between the stitching device (24) and the multilayer product (2), so as to cause the stitching device (24) to stitch the multilayer product (2) in contact with the inner surface (5a) of the stitching mold (5).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved high-speed running performances is manufactured by conducting vulcanization of a green tire with a mold provided at a position corresponding to a given position between neighborhood of shoulder portion and neighborhood of bead portion with at least one protrusion which protrudes inside the mold and continuously extends in the circumferential direction of the mold and consists of a first arc segment having a center of curvature located outside from the inner surface of the mold and second arc segments each having a center of curvature located inside from the inner surface of the mold and smoothly connecting to the first arc segment at upper and lower ends in the radial direction of the mold.

Abstract: A method for molding articles, particularly tires, of different diameters/circumferences including a plurality of pitches defining a mold cavity, the pitches having transverse faces in generally face-to-face abutment in a closed position of the mold cavity, and at least several of the pitches being of different lengthwise sizes. The pitches in the closed position of the mold cavity defining a predetermined mold configuration which includes portions at angles to the length of the article molded in the mold cavity. The mold configuration matches lengthwise across all of the transverse faces irrespective of the location of the pitches relative to each other and irrespective of the number of the pitches. The latter arrangement permits articles, such as new or retread tires, of different lengths but of the generally same predetermined mold configuration to be molded in a single mold.

Abstract: A method of preheating, curing and stabilizing vehicle tires, whereby, just before being subjected to curing a first green tire (3) is preheated simultaneously with the stabilization of a second cured tire (6), thus using the heat given off by the second tire (6) as it is being stabilized.

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 tire mold having relatively reciprocable first and second mold halves is provided with a heat shield which includes first and second relatively reciprocable shield members. One of these shield members is fixedly secured to one of the mold halves; the other shield member is fixedly secured to the other mold half. The shield members are spaced from the mold halves so that they enclose a space which surrounds the mold halves. A vacuum tight seal between the shield members is provided. A nipple which is adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum extends through one of the shield members so that the space enclosed by the shield members can be placed under vacuum, thereby inhibiting heat transfer to the atmosphere surrounding the apparatus. Heat transfer is further inhibited by the thin reflective chrome plate layer on the inside wall surfaces of both heat shield members. Preferably the mold halves are arranged one above the other and each is secured to a platen.

Abstract: According to the invention, calibrated rings are obtained by superficially vulcanizing extruded or profiled extrudate at the exit of an extrusion head (T), then by cutting this vulcanized extrudate into portions by means of a conical cutting device (C), subsequently by butting the two ends, in the respective form of a conical tip and a funnel, of each portion (t) together under hot conditions and under a controlled pressure, in order to obtain a ring blank which is then engaged between the half-cavities of a mold (Mo), where it undergoes shaping and vulcanization by the heating of the latter and thereafter deburring as a result of a shearing action produced by a push device (D) causing the half-cavities to slide in the closed position in the frame of the mold, before causing the opening of the latter by means of a device (G) and the release of the calibrated and superficially clean ring obtained.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for vulcanizing an elastomer product, such as automobile tires, wherein the elastomer product is placed in a vulcanizing chamber in a mold steam at an elevated pressure is supplied to the vulcanizing chamber to heat and pressurize the elastomer product until the elastomer product reaches a prespecified temperature or for a prespecified period of time, the steam supply is stopped and a pressurizing gas, at a pressure not lower than the steam supply pressure, is supplied to the vulcanizing chamber until the end of a heating period, said steam being blown in and supplied from an upper position of the center of the vulcanizing chamber in a horizontal direction or in an inclined downward direction, said steam being blown in and supplied from a lower position of the center of the vulcanizing chamber toward an upper region of the vulcanizing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for vulcanizing elastomer product including separate passages to supply the heating and pressurizing medium through respective blow supply nozzles with the heating medium being blown to a lower portion of the vulcanizing chamber and the pressurizing medium being blown to an upper portion of the vulcanizing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for vulcanizing an elastomeric product includes a mold in which the elastomeric product to be vulcanized is disposed, a piston gland having a first supply passage for supplying a heating medium, and an annular junction chamber. The first supply passage communicates with the interior of the junction chamber. The junction chamber has an outer wall which separates the junction chamber from the interior of the product, and a nozzle in the outer wall directs heating medium from the junction chamber into the interior of the product in a downward direction toward the lower portion of the product. An enclosure overlies the junction chamber. The piston gland has a second supply passage for supplying a pressurizing medium which communicates with the enclosure to supply pressurizing medium to the enclosure, the pressurizing medium passing from the enclosure to the interior of the product.

Abstract: A method for vulcanizing an elastomer product includes heating under pressure an elastomer product placed in a mold by supplying a heating medium such as steam, stopping the supply of the heating medium when the elastomer product rises to a predetermined temperature or after the lapse of a specified period of time, supplying a pressurizing medium such as nitrogen gas at a pressure equal to or higher than that of the heating medium until the heating process is completed, and discharging the vulcanizing medium after the heating process. The heating and pressurizing medium are supplied through respective blow supply means with the heating medium being blown to a lower portion of the vulcnizing chamber and the pressurizing medium being blown to an upper portion of the vulcanizing chamber.

Abstract: In order to assure the geometric uniformity of a tire molded with a segment old when the sculpturing of said tire includes blocks 11 surrounded by recesses formed by grooves 15 and incisions 16, the said grooves 15 are thinned at the level of the joint planes 550 between segments. Furthermore, wear indicators 17 are arranged at the level of the joint planes 550 between segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding articles, particularly tires, of different diameters/circumferences including a plurality of pitches defining a mold cavity, the pitches having transverse faces in generally face-to-face abutment in a closed position of the mold cavity, and at least several of the pitches being of different lengthwise sizes. The pitches in the closed position of the mold cavity defining a predetermined mold configuration which includes portions at angles to the length of the article molded in the mold cavity. The mold configuration matches lengthwise across all of the transverse faces irrespective of the location of the pitches relative to each other and irrespective of the number of the pitches. The latter arrangement permits articles, such as new or retread tires, of different lengths but of the generally same predetermined mold configuration to be molded in a single mold.

Abstract: A method of making a prevulcanized tread particularly useful for the recapping of tires having, in stress-free condition, a constant curvature in its longitudinal direction whose radius corresponds substantially to that of the tires to be recapped, the sole of the tread being concave, is characterized by the fact that the tread has two ends in its longitudinal direction. The method includes feeding continuously a strip of raw rubber to an inner mold moving about an axis in a curved path, closing an outer mold for the tread pattern with the inner mold so that the closed molds form a continuous molding space within which the tread is completely molded and vulcanized as the closed molds move together about an axis of rotation, and opening the moving molds to discharge continuously in the longitudinal direction the prevulcanized tread of constant curvature.

Abstract: A split tire mold having a tread ring in which provision is made for venting air circumferentially across the inner surface of the tread ring so that the air escapes from the parting line of the mold halves, dispenses with widely used, conventional, radially protruding vent stubs. The air is vented through "butterfly-shaped" or "double-wedge-shaped" arch-vents which provide passage for trapped air above each tread block of the tread as it is moved against the inner surface of the tread ring. The shape of the arch-vent passages and the angulation of the wedges is critical to the effectiveness of the arch-vent which forms an arch-vent bridge of cured rubber in a cured tire. The configuration of the bridge allows as cured tire to be easily removed from the mold cavity without leaving a broken-off piece of the rubber bridge to plug the arch-vents. This arch-vent design leaves unobtrusive flat-sided, narrow wedge-shaped pieces of rubber as the arch-vent stubs, tapered in two directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically removing an annular grooved tread from an initially closed segmented mold is described. The segmented mold has an annular cavity and a central core, and has both an axial direction and a radial direction. The method includes the steps of withdrawing a first plurality of segments, restraining radial movement of the tread at a plurality of locations from which segments have been withdrawn, withdrawing a second plurality of segments, retracting the restraint, and then removing the tread from the core by using an axially movable annular ring located above the upper half of the mold. The annular ring includes a plurality of push off devices, each device having a spring loaded radially retractable tread pusher component.

Abstract: A mold for curing a green tire which is made of an elastomeric material capable of flowing prior to curing. The mold includes a surface defining a cavity in the mold for receiving the green tire. A passage communicates the cavity with the exterior of the mold. A vent plug is located in the passage. The vent plug has an opening extending therethrough communicating the cavity with the passage. Elastomeric material may flow into the opening to form a projection extending from the tire as the green tire is pressed against the surface defining the cavity during a molding operation. The vent plug has a portion extending into the cavity a predetermined distance from the surface to form a recess in the tire adjacent the projection. The recess provides a space that the projection may deflect into to prevent shearing off of the projection during removal of the tire from the mold.

Abstract: In a method of controlling a tire vulcanization by controlling a heat supply to a vulcanizing machine including a mold unit and a bladder unit, temperatures at points on a boundary between the mold unit and a tire are measured by means of temperature sensors, a temperature at a center post assembly of the bladder unit is measured by a temperature sensor arranged at the center post assembly. The method includes calculating temperature profiles within the tire from the measured temperatures by using the finite difference method, estimating vulcanization profiles within the tire from the temperature profile, deriving the least vulcanization within the tire from the vulcanization profiles, and producing a stop signal for the heat supply to the vulcanizing machine in accordance with the least vulcanization thus derived.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vulcanizing pneumatic vehicle tires having heads that in the mounted state are disposed on the radially inner periphery of a rim. In order for such tires to achieve a satisfactorily contoured vulcanization, and in order at the same time to produce sealing surfaces with great precision, the tire is vulcanized with its beads in their operating position. During the vulcanization, the radially outwardly disposed surfaces of the tire beads are shaped with the aid of rigid, one-piece, shaped molding rings.

Abstract: A method of setting a crude tire into a space between upper and lower molds in a tire vulcanizing press having upper and lower mold units movable relative to each other includes the steps of pushing an upper bead of the crude tire into a bead of the upper mold by a vertically movable device which supports the upper bead of the crude tire, introducing gas into a bladder to expand the bladder while restricting the elevation of an upper portion fixing ring of a bladder holder mechanism attached to the lower mold unit, and pushing a lower bead of the crude tire into a bead of the lower mold by utilizing the expansion forces of the bladder. With the bladder enclosed air-tightly, the tire lower bead can efficiently be pushed into the lower mold bead.

Abstract: A tire is made by first fitting a pair of bead rings interconnected by reinforcement over a gas-pervious annular liner to form an annular core assembly and then inflating the core assembly by directly contacting same with a fluid to impart to the core assembly an inwardly open U-shaped section. This U-section core assembly is then spacedly enclosed in a mold which is filled around the U-section core assembly with a hardenable elastomer which is hardened so it bonds to the reinforcement, rings, and liner to form a tire. Finally the liner is deflated and the tire is demolded. The liner has a pair of opposite end edges and is inflated by sequentially clamping each of the edges against a support so as to define between the liner and the support a pressurizable chamber, displacing one of the clamped edges toward the other so as to outwardly bow the liner, and introducing a fluid, typically air, into the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for vulcanizing an elastomeric product includes separate passageways for supplying a heating medium to a lower portion of the vulcanizing chamber and an inert gas pressurizing medium to the upper portion of the chamber. The mixing of the fluids minimizes the temperature difference in the inner space of the product and ensures a uniform vulcanization.

Abstract: A system for curing a green tire made from elastomeric material includes a tire mold with a surface defining a cavity for shaping the tire. A plurality of vent passages communicate the cavity with the exterior of the tire mold. An inflatable bladder presses the tire against the surface defining the cavity for a predetermined time in response to fluid pressurization. A fluid pressure source pressurizes the bladder. A conduit communicates the fluid pressure source with the bladder. A restrictor member is located in the conduit for restricting the rate of increase of fluid pressure in the bladder to a predetermined rate of increase during the first one-third of the predetermined time. During the first one-third of the predetermined cure time, portions of the tire adjacent the plurality of vent passages cure and restrict the flow of other uncured portions of elastomeric material into the vent passages.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making a pneumatic tire comprising providing a pair of circular half body members including the pair of circular half body members with each other by welding their tread base portions to form a tire main body, applying a tread main body including an uncured breaker and an uncured tread to the outer periphery of the tire main body to form a row cover tire; and to vulcanize the row cover tire in a mold to weld the tread main body and the tire main body by the heat at the vulcanization and to form tread grooves.

Abstract: A method of making annular polymeric articles in which a workpiece is placed on a cylindrical shaping surface and is divided about the perimeter into alternating first and second portions. Moulding is done in two stages, the first stage including moulding the first portions, and the second stage including moulding the second portions interposed between the first portions at the same time maintaining the pressure exerted on the first portion, after which the workpiece is vulcanized. The mould includes a cylindrical core (1) having a shaped surface, mounted on a base and serving to accommodate the workpiece thereon, and elements (5, 6) for squeezing the workpiece arranged around the cylindrical core (1) alternately, the first elements (5) having each side surfaces (7) parallel with the axis of symmetry of this element (5), whereas the second elements (6) having each side surfaces (7) of the neighboring first elements (5) arranged at an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a vehicle tire in which an annular mold (11) is filled with uncured elastomeric compound to form in the annular mold an apex (14) and integral chafer (17), and preferably a sidewall (13). The annular mould (11) with the components (14) (17) and (13) in-situ is then brought into alignment with a toroidally shaped tire carcass (22) to assemble the apex (14) and chafer (17) to the carcass.

Abstract: A tire repair method includes assembling a harness having straps, a first (or outside) air bag and a first (or outside) heating pad, placing a tire having an area in need of repair so that the repair site is over the heating pad and the tires axis of rotation is parallel to the harness straps, then inserting a second (or inside) heating pad and a second (or inside) air bag on the inside of the tire, and finally putting in place a pair of complementary mandrel halves of the same size. These mandrel halves when in place overlie the repair area of the tire and the other items of equipment. Each mandrel half includes a top surface (which is placed in proximity with a tire bead), a convex outside surface which generally has the same contour as that of the inside of the tire sidewall, a flat inside surface, a bottom surface which is preferably convex, and two ends.

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 mold for molding and vulcanizing a rubber tire comprises a rigid core defining an interior surface of the tire, two side parts and a peripheral ring divided into a plurality of segments. In order to be able to close the mold, all the members are designed to slide on each other during final phase of their closing movement.

Abstract: The heat-sink capacity of a well-insulated dome curing press lends itself to saving external steam (flowed over the exterior of a mold in the press) when curing an article. Despite shutting off the external steam at about the half-way point in the normal heating cycle, or sooner, the temperature swing at a point 2 inches within the mold is less than 10.degree. F. This small swings allows the point of least cure (PLC) to receive the required number of cure equivalents long after the external steam supply is shut off, that is, while the press is "coasting". In the mean while, the internal heating and cooling cycle of the press may also be shortened for maximum energy savings, or left unchanged. Though the external steam is shut off before the PLC has received the required or specified number of cure equivalents at the PLC, the press-open to press-close cycle remains the same, and the quality of the cure is not measurably affected.