Abstract: An improved seal is provided in a tire curing press by means of a flexible seal member which is retained as an interface between the base and the cover. The seal member has a flexible body and is arranged to form a pressure chamber which is inflatable in response to an increase in pressure in the tire curing chamber so as to be driven into sealing engagement at the interface.

Abstract: A tire curing press and method are characterized by a center mechanism operative first to center the top bead of a green tire carcass with respect to the top mold section and then the bottom bead with respect to the bottom mold section, and to hold the beads centered and axially separated as the press closes to cause the beads to register and seat with the toe rings of the top and bottom mold sections simultaneously as the press closely approaches its closed condition. The center mechanism comprises top and bottom segmented annular clamping rings adapted to engage and shape the axial interior of the bead area of the tire and respective chuck assemblies including a multi-faceted linear cam and respective followers for each ring segment operative to collapse each alternate ring segment and then each other ring segment. The clamping rings achieve automatic loading, centering and unloading and may be used individually or paired in bladder or bladderless curing.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tires suitable for use on vehicles from elastomers, especially from rubber by injection-molding is disclosed. The apparatus has a multi-part cord defining an inner side of a mold cavity for receiving separately prefabricated reinforcements of the tire. The cord can be reduced in size to define the external periphery by relative displacement of individual parts for the removal of the tire from the mold. The mold core with the reinforcements is inserted into a multi-part injection mold by which the core is completely enclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided whereby the three components (sidewalls and tread) of a pneumatic tire are moulded in a single press operation using two transfer units charged with uncured rubber which are located in the press so as to discharge to the mould cavities when the press is closed, after which the press is opened to allow removal of the transfer units, (the moulded components remaining in the press) and then reclosed to assemble the components together. Each transfer unit comprises at least one reservoir for uncured rubber defined between parts of the unit which are relatively movable under the action of the press to transfer the rubber from the reservoir(s) to associated mould cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus for the bellowless vulcanization of tire blanks, wherein the tire beads are pressed by a press or contact mechanism against the base region of the mold halves. The invention contemplates removing at least for a period of time the press mechanism from the tire beads before or during vulcanization.

Abstract: Apparatus for curing a tire having an internal cavity using as heat and fluid pressure media first steam and then cooler inert gas. The time rate of pressure loss in the cavity is determined in each tire curing cycle by closing the cavity so as to form a completely closed chamber for a test time less than the normal cure time for the tire. Pressure loss during the test time is monitored and if determined to be at a greater than tolerable rate a warning device is actuated and means for loading a next tire into the mold is rendered inactive.

Abstract: The pneumatic tire vulcanizing apparatus includes a series of vulcanizing presses arranged in a row, the presses including mold assemblies each having a top mold section and a bottom mold section, and a manipulator for reloading of the molds. The manipulator includes a frame associated with drive means for moving the frame along the row of the presses, the frame supporting thereon a mold opening mechanism including a cross beam provided with clamping means adapted to engage the top mold sections, as well as a mechanism for loading green tires into bottom mold sections, associated with a carriage supporting green tire holders.