Abstract: A mold for a tire is disclosed herein. The mold includes first and second shells mold-able to lateral sidewalls of the tire, and a plurality of sectors that are distributed in the circumferential direction and are mold-able to the tread of said tire. The sectors are radially movable between an open position and a closed position of the mold. The mold also comprises at least one spacing interposed between each sector and each shell in order to keep said sector and the shells spaced apart in the radial direction in the closed position of the mold, such that the shells and the sectors are in contact in the radial direction only by way of the spacing. The spacing is also able to limit the heat transfer between the shells and the sectors in said closed position.

Abstract: Tire vulcanizing mold able to cooperate with a curing press, said mold comprising two shells each one molding a sidewall of the tire and a ring of sectors for molding the tread of the tire, each sector comprising a support and a molding lining situated radially on the inside of the support, in which ring the sectors, when the mold is in the closed position, are all in circumferential contact one with the next via the molding linings and in radial contact on the shells via the front ends of the linings each of which forms a face for contact with the shell, said supports and linings being produced in such a way that each support is able to take up the clamping force applied to the lining coming into contact with the shell when the mold is in the closed position when said clamping force at said contact face exceeds a given threshold that is lower than the plastic threshold of the lining.

Abstract: Provided is a rigid core for tire formation that limits the rubber stuck between inner mold segments in an inner mold segment while minimizing the occurrence of unevenness in the radial direction between inner mold segments that is caused by thermal expansion. A core main body 2 is divided into: a first inner mold segment 5A in which both circumferential end surfaces 5As are inclined radially inward in a direction in which the circumferential width increases; a second inner mold segment 5B that is arranged in an alternating manner with the inner mold segment 5A and in which both circumferential end surfaces 5Bs are inclined radially inward in a direction in which the circumferential width decreases; and a butting member 6 that is arranged between the first inner mold segment 5A and the second inner mold segment 5B. Young's modulus Ea of the butting member 6 is smaller than Young's modulus Eb of the first and second inner mold segments 5A and 5B.

Abstract: A tire mold equipped with features for protecting the tread mold segments from damage is described. One or more impact absorbers are positioned between tread mold segments and operate to preclude contact between the shoulders of the tread mold segments when such are biased back into their original position as a tire is removed from the tire mold. By precluding such contact, the tread mold segments are protected from damage that can affect the appearance of the cured tire.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting one or more uniformity characteristics in a tire and particularly to correction in a low profile tire or a tire having a projection along the sidewall. The uniformity characteristic may be a radial force variation, conicity, or both. Correction is accomplished by stretching portions of the tire architecture to create permanent deformation.

Abstract: The pressure compression mould for the production and/or revulcanisation of tires forms a hollow space where the pressure and the temperature can be regulated. Each sidewall of the compression mould is designed with an elastic and flexible annular disc membrane which the sidewalls of a tire placed in the mould is made to thrust against in order to control the outwardly directed tensile forces in the tire. The membrane sides facing towards the mould hollow space is equipped with an annular disc-shaped membrane-protective plate in order to prevent direct contact between side faces of the tire and the respective membranes during the production/vulcanisation. The plate is split up, both in the radial and circular plane, into a series of smaller plates the free ends of which mutually overlap each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retreading vehicle tires. A carcass is provided with a prevulcanized tread and an unvulcanized tie-gum layer between the carcass and tread. A microwave applicator is located above the tread to emit microwaves against the tire for generating heat energy in the tire whereby the tie-gum layer is vulcanized. Vulcanization of the edges of the tie-gum layer is facilitated by local heating at or in connection with said edges by heat generation outside of the tire. The heating can be effected either by utilizing a material with a high dissipation factor for microwave energy or, alternatively, by use of electric resistance wires.

Abstract: A tire table is disclosed for supporting a pneumatic tire during recapping of same. A structure defining an annular steam chamber is removably positionable on the tire table so as to apply heat to an extensive area or areas of a tire sidewall during the repair of same. A circular plate structure of the tire table is equipped with a steam receptacle for applying heat to localized areas of the sidewall being repaired. A rim assembly is engageable with the damaged beads of a tire being recapped and includes annular wall structures for the flow of steam for heating the tire bead or beads during repair of same. A tire recapping mold of conventional design is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel molding machine which includes the usual matrices and bead aligner wheels but additionally includes an expandable chamber adapted to receive a pressurized medium therewithin and thereby to expand and urge the matrices into intimate face-to-face engagement, together with locking means in the form of a plurality of locking slides for locking the matrices in intimate engagement.