Abstract: A plurality of embodiments of a method and apparatus for retreading individual tires using one or more electrical heating bands and a component or device to apply a force to the retread tire package comprising a new or used core and a new retread along with an adhesive. In particular, the force may be applied using one or more plates that are connected to actuators for pushing the plates into the retread package to apply the force during curing of the package.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retreading a tire are disclosed. Embodiments include applying a layer of adhesive (e.g., Cushing gum) on the exterior of a prepared tire casing and a layer of pre-molded tread on the exterior of the adhesive. An inner electric heating pad is placed along the interior contour of the tire casing and/or an outer electric heating pad is placed along an exterior of the tread layer. The assembly is then cured by providing a force to the assembly while activating the heating pad(s) to cure the adhesive.

Abstract: A process for identifying proteinaceous protoxins expressed by Bacillus thuringiensis genes is disclosed. According to the process, daughter toxins are first generated by subjecting a protoxin-containing material, such as parasporal crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis, to limited proteolysis with a proteolytic enzyme in an aqueous suspension having a pH above 9.5. The daughter toxins are then separated by high performance anion-exchange liquid chromatography at a constant pH in excess of 10 in an increasing gradient of a salt, preferably sodium chloride. The gradient conditions, which are specific for the column used, are achieved by employing a series of buffers having increasing concentration of the salt and introduced at a predetermined time and rate. The procedure provides a chromatogram showing clearly identifiable peaks of toxins and permits therefore the qualitative and quantitative characterization of the original mixture and isolation of the individual toxins.

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 tire retreading tube for use with a tire retreading rim formed from a pair of axially-adjacent rim sections, one of said sections having a cutout for the reception of the valve stem extending from the tube body and being formed with threads adjacent the tube. The tube has an extension of generally cylindrical form through which the stem extends, so that the extension surrounds the portion of the stem adjacent the tube, and functions as a spacer element and is effective to limit movement of the stem and the tube relatively to the rim section. Suitably, the spacer element threadedly engages the stem adjacent the tube, has a body which essentially fills the cutout circumferentially, and has end flanges to overlie the adjacent faces of the rim section with which it is to be associated.

Abstract: A tire retreading tube for use with a tire retreading rim formed from a pair of axially-adjacent rim sections, one of said sections having a cutout for the reception of the valve stem extending from the tube body and being formed with threads adjacent the tube. The tube is formed with an integral extension of generally cylindrical form through which the stem extends, so that the extension surrounds the portion of the stem adjacent the tube, and a nut engaging the threads on the stem and cooperating with an underlying washer is effective to pull the extension into the rim cutout and draw the tube against it.

Abstract: A central mechanism in a tire vulcanizing press including a shaping bladder, a hot pressure supply source, an upper bladder clamp supporting center post, a lower bladder clamp supporting post through which is inserted the center post vertically movably, a mechanism for vertically independently moving both posts, and a latch mechanism for preventing the descent of the support post during vulcanizing press for a tire, the latch mechanism being driven selectively in opening and closing directions relative to the support post by means of a latch opening/closing device, the latch opening/closing device including a drive mechanism capable of moving vertically along a vertical axis, member for converting a vertical linear motion of the drive, a mechanism into a rotational motion around the vertical axis and means for transmitting the thus -obtained rotational motion to the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A tube assembly for use in a process of vulcanizing a pre-cured tread onto a tire casing is disclosed. The tube assembly includes an elastomeric tubular wall having an inner periphery with a protective non-woven fabric layer covering a major portion thereof. The fabric layer includes a plurality of polyester cords extending in parallel relation in a single ply elastomeric matrix. Longitudinal edges of the fabric are covered by thin strips of elastomer bonded to the fabric layer and the tube wall. Superimposed fabric reinforcing swatches are bonded to the fabric layer around the valve stem. The tube assembly is resistant to being damaged prematurely by the rim which supports the tire casing in the tread vulcanization process.

Abstract: A segmented matrix cure press retreads pneumatic tires by vulcanizing a tread strip onto a tire casing. The press centers the tire and provides a tailored support to the entire casing periphery of the tire. A bottom mold cavity forming member having a ring with a contoured surface matched to the bead and sidewall areas of one side of the tire is mounted on a vertically movable base plate of the press. A top mold cavity forming member has a similarly shaped contoured ring and is movable into and out of engagement with the bottom member. A standard inflatable inner tube and flap are inserted within a tire which is placed on the contoured surface of the bottom cavity forming member which centers the tire within the press. The top member is lowered onto and locked with the bottom member forming a mold cavity therebetween with the contoured surfaces coinciding with and trapping the bead and sidewall areas of the tire therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for consolidating an annular ring of uncured elastomeric material in a tread ring mould comprising a set of rigid segments in sliding end-to-end relationship to form a consolidation ring having a first small diameter for insertion of the segments into the elastomeric material in the tread mould and a second larger diameter at which the segments form a smooth, continuous consolidating surface, mechanical means for moving the segments from the first diameter substantially to the second diameter and a fluid pressure inflatable bag means which may be inflated behind the segments to apply consolidation force at the second diameter.

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: A tire retreading bladder which includes a generally angular member of a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a bight portion and a pair of legs with the annular member defining an interior volume, each leg terminating in a terminal edge of a generally circular configuration, each leg having interior and exterior surfaces, a plurality of pairs of closely adjacent ribs along the exterior surfaces for venting air from between such exterior surfaces and an interior surface of an associated tire adapted to receive therewithin the bladder, each pair of ribs setting off a venting groove therebetween, and venting means further including transverse venting slots disposed lengthwise along the ribs.

Abstract: This disclosure includes a novel method of and apparatus for utilizing dry pulverulent heated material for curing a tire by positioning a tire encased in a pervious cover within a chamber, filling the chamber with dry pulverulent heated material, utilizing adjustable heating panels in exterior surrounding relationship to the pulverulent material within the chamber to heat the pulverulent material and thus cure the tire, and providing a circulation system for the pulverulent material for feeding the same into and removing the same from the chamber.

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.

Abstract: An automatic press for tire retreading is described which comprises a basic fixed stamp or mold, a plurality of movable radial sectors cooperating with the stamp or mold, and a vertical axis frame jointed to the fixed stamp. The frame is substantially shaped as a double bell and has a suitable radial opening. Along the edges of the frame, the perimetrical borders of a band which is comparable to an opened air tube, are fixed by means of annular elements; the air tube is blown-up through the air space defined by the bell frame by means of a valve. A suction valve which allows the air to be exhausted from the chamber without the necessity of providing for a pump is also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of retreading a tire by inserting a tire and an annular bladder between a pair of open matrices with marginal portions of the bladder projecting beyond beads of the tire and resting upon peripheral edge portions of axially opposed bead aligner wheels; the annular bladder being disposed within the tire; inflating the bladder to form an annular vacuum gap between an annular terminal edge of each bladder marginal portion, an annular outboard portion of each bladder and opposing annular portions of the bead aligner wheel peripheral edge portions; radially foreshortening the tire by moving the bead aligner wheels away from each other while the tire is held thereon by the bladder, and thereafter closing the matrices, and further inflating the bladder to urge the tire into intimate conformity with the matrices.

Abstract: The assembly includes a sidewall and bead plate ring mounted on a lower bladder hub plate in a press to extend generally radially therefrom for engaging the lower half of a retread matrix which is centered thereby, and a matrix register and centering ring is provided for attachment to the lower press platen after being moved into centering engagement with the lower matrix half whereby the matrix half can be removed from engagement with the said centering ring and then be replaced in centered relationship to the press by engagement with the centering ring.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic, or full automatic operation particularly in bag or bladder retreading operations, and includes the following novel features:A. bead aligner wheels with circular continuous uninterrupted sealing ribs for forming annular chambers in conjunction with an associated bladder which upon pressurization of the latter results in a partial vacuum in the chambers such that the bladder will be maintained as desired during opening and closing of the matrices as well as relative movement between the bead aligner wheels;B. bladder locating means on the bead aligner wheels for centering the bladder and projections on the bead aligner wheels for preventing bladder pinching;C. cooperative means on the exterior surface of the bladder and the bead aligner wheels for venting air from between the bladder and an associated tire to atmosphere;D.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic, or full automatic operation particularly in bag or bladder retreading operations, and includes the following novel features:A. bead aligner wheels with circular continuous uninterrupted sealing ribs for forming annular chambers in conjunction with an associated bladder which upon pressurization of the latter results in a partial vacuum in the chambers such that the bladder will be maintained as desired during opening and closing of the matrices as well as relative movement between the bead aligner wheels;B. bladder locating means on the bead aligner wheels for centering the bladder and projections on the bead aligner wheels for preventing bladder pinching;C. cooperative means on the exterior surface of the bladder and the bead aligner wheels for venting air from between the bladder and an associated tire to atmosphere;D.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic or full automatic operation and specifically is directed to a pair of relatively movable platens carrying matrix means for receiving a tire therein with bead aligner wheels associated therewith, the bead aligner wheels being in axially opposed relationship to each other, an annular bladder disposed between the platens, the annular bladder having innermost peripheral marginal portions, the marginal portions being in overlying relationship upon the bead aligner wheels, and means for creating an annular gap between a terminal edge of each bladder peripheral marginal portion, an outboard portion of each of the bladder peripheral margins and the associated bead aligner wheel, the annular gap creating means being defined by an annular bead carried by each outboard portion and/or terminal end of each bladder peripheral marginal portion in sealing contact with its associated bead aligner wheel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic operation in either bag or bagless retreading operations, and includes a pair of bead aligner wheels which are retracted to permit tire beads to become self-adjusting or floating thereby seeking their own natural position permitting a wider range of tire sizes to be properly cured in the same matrix, the molds further including a seal in the form of at least a single O-ring seal contacting the exterior of each tire side wall to preclude pressurized fluid within the mold cavity from escaping to atmosphere, and in the automatic version means are provided for automatically inserting a bag in the tire, locking the mold, inflating the bag, and reversing these functions prior to the removal of the cured tire.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retread mold defined by a pair of relatively movable platens, means for imparting relative motion to the platens between spaced open and closed positions thereof, a matrix carried by each platen, biasing means between each platen and its associated matrix for biasingly urging the matrices and platens to a position of spaced relationship from each other in the open position of the platens, and the spaced relationship being reducible in opposition to the force of the biasing means upon movement of the platens to the closed position thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retreading mold having relatively movable platens, a bead aligner wheel carried by each platen, a bladder disposed between the bead aligner wheels, a continuous uninterrupted rib carried by each bead aligner wheel for hermetically sealing against the exterior surface of the bladder, the bladder including a pair of innermost edges, and each of the edges being in further hermetic sealing contact with its associated bead aligner wheel at a point radially inboard of the sealing rib whereby an annular portion of each bead aligner wheel is spanned by a portion of the bladder to form therewith a hermetically sealed annular chamber.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a self-locking mold formed of a plurality of matrices movable between open and closed positions thereof with the latter position defining a generally annular chamber, means for pressurizing an object within the annular chamber, and means in the form of a pair of locking plates responsive to the pressurization for locking the matrices in the closed position thereof.