Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatus for molding and/or curing an article. Particular embodiments of such methods include positioning a mold core centrally within mold outer portion to form an annular mold cavity between the mold outer portion and the mold core, the core including an outer ring having an outer surface for engaging the annular article, the outer ring being formed of a material capable of expanding and contracting with changes in temperature. Such methods also include heating the mold outer ring, cooling the core outer ring subsequent to the step of heating, whereby the core outer ring contracts relative to the article and removing the article from the core outer ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for elimination of lamination defects on progressive addition lenses. The lamination method uses a flexible bladder designed to apply pressure evenly across the lens surface. A spacer is positioned between a Hard Multi-Coat carrier and the flexible bladder. The spacer is located in a region of the carrier which is designated to deliver a coating to a section of the lens which is farthest from the carrier. The spacer asymmetrically increases the pressure applied to the carrier to eliminate lamination defects.

Abstract: A process for molding and curing tires, includes introducing a green tire into a curing mold, the mold including a first sidewall plate and a second sidewall plate, a ring of circumferential sectors circumscribing a mold cavity, an expandable bladder delimited by a membrane, and at least one bead molding ring which is movable between a first contracted operating position and a second extended operating position; and molding and curing the green tire in the curing mold; and between introducing the green tire and molding and curing it, the process includes extending the at least one bead molding ring from the first contracted operating position to the second extended operating position; forming a circumferential bearing surface which bears against a first axially inner surface portion of a first annular fixing structure of the green tire; pressing a second axially inner surface portion of the first annular fixing structure by expanding the membrane at a pre-molding pressure which is lower than a molding pressur

Abstract: A green pneumatic tyre is built on a rigid toroidal support externally having a forming surface of a conformation corresponding to the inner shape of a tyre. The green tyre engaged on the expandable toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mould and submitted to a vulcanisation cycle. During vulcanisation, axial moving apart of side portions of the toroidal support is caused so as to press the beads and sidewalls of the tyre against the vulcanisation mould.

Abstract: Provided are a apparatus and a method for vulcanizing a pneumatic tire, where are capable of: smoothly releasing a vulcanized pneumatic tire from multiple sectors separated from one another in a circumferential direction in each of an upper mold and a lower mold; and thereby lightening load on each mold. In addition to springs for biasing the sectors to always move into a smaller diameter, respectively, pushpins for moving the sectors into larger and smaller diameters are actuated by the respective cylinder rods of drive cylinders, and thereby the movements of the individual sectors into the larger and smaller diameters are controlled. Accordingly, even though the sectors would otherwise move abruptly into the smaller diameter due to biasing forces of the springs after the vulcanized tire is released from the sectors at the larger diameter, a radius-reducing movement speed of the sectors is control led by the cylinder rods in contact with rear ends of the push pins.

Abstract: A center mechanism of a tire vulcanizer is provided with a screwing mechanism provided with a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed onto the screw shaft, a motor for rotating the screw shaft so as to raise and lower an upper ring body, an inverter for controlling the motor, and a mechanical brake for retaining a predetermined position of the upper ring body so that a bladder retains a shaping state. Within a time range from start of a closing action of the upper die to contact between the upper die and the upper ring body, an operation of the mechanical brake is released and position control of the upper ring body by the inverter is started, and at least after the release of the operation of the mechanical brake, a position of the upper ring body is controlled by the inverter. By such a configuration, even when there is an erroneous operation of the brake or incorrect setting, it is possible to prevent damage and breakage of constituent parts and have a simple structure.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire is provided. The bladder in an unmounted, relaxed state has a shaped body having a pair of opposed annular beads, said body further comprising a central portion, sidewall portions, and shoulder portions interposed between the central portion and the sidewall portions, wherein the body is defined by an outer contour surface and an inner contour surface, wherein the central portion has gauge which increases to a maximum value axially inward of the shoulder portion, and wherein the bladder gauge in the shoulder is less than the maximum value, and wherein the bladder gauge increases from the shoulder to the bead.

Abstract: A tire vulcanization apparatus includes an upper container moving in a tire vulcanization position and a lower container moving between the tire vulcanization position and a shaping position, the lower container is provided with a bladder expanded/shrunk by supplying/discharging pressurized fluid from a fluid supplying apparatus, in the shaping position, a green tire is mounted on the lower container, and shaped by supplying pressurized fluid, and in the tire vulcanization position, the shaped green tire is held between the upper and lower containers and is vulcanized by supplying pressurized fluid to the bladder, a flow channel for supplying/discharging pressurized fluid from the fluid supplying apparatus to the bladder is comprised of a downstream side movable tube connected to the bladder and moving accompanied with the lower container, an upstream side fixed tube connected to the fluid supplying apparatus, and a tube for shaping made of a flexible tube to which the fluid supplying apparatus and the bladde

Abstract: The constituent elements of a carcass structure of a tire are formed by laying elementary components on a building support including an inflatable bladder set in an inflated condition in which it substantially reproduces the inner configuration of the carcass structure to be obtained. A belt structure carrying a tread band, both produced separately, is coaxially disposed around the carcass structure formed on the building support and applied thereto following a radial expansion of the inflatable bladder. In a vulcanization mold, the building support is submitted to an over-inflation step to press the tire against the inner walls of the mold. The circumferential edges of the inflatable bladder are in engagement with respective anchoring flanges with possibility of movement in a radial direction, so as to be submitted to an elastic expansion during the over-inflation step.

Abstract: Process for molding and vulcanizing a tire, in which a tire blank is placed in a curing press including a mold intended to form the outer shape of the tire, and a pressing member for transmitting the molding pressure and the heat needed to vulcanize the internal portion of the tire blank. A removable elastic membrane, which includes perforations passing completely therethrough, is interposed, during the molding and the vulcanizing step, between the inner surface of the tire and the pressing member, so as to form, by the constituent material of the internal wall of the tire flowing into the perforations, noise-attenuating protuberances distributed over the internal surface of the tire.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizer is provided in which upper and lower clamp rings can be positioned at a shaping position easily and smoothly with a simple engagement structure. The tier vulcanizer with a vulcanizer body (A) and a shaping unit (B) is configured that the upper and lower clamp rings (5, 6) are connected by an extendable shaft (5a) having an inner shaft (51) and an outer tubular shaft (61) so that the inner shaft is slidably fitted into an inside of the outer tubular shaft. A latch member (53) on the inner shaft is engaged with a step portion (63) on an inner surface of the outer tubular shaft, thereby positioning the upper and lower clamp rings at the shaping position.

Abstract: A tread belt is molded and cured in a mold having a base plate and an inverted cup-shaped top plate. A plurality of inner segments are disposed in the mold. When the mold is closed outer surfaces of the inner segments form a cylindrical surface which is in contact with an inner surface of the tread belt. A first portion of the inner segments are follower segments, a second portion of the inner segments are leader segments, and means are provided for controlling radial movement of the inner segments. A plurality of outer segments are disposed in the mold. When the mold is closed the inner surfaces of the outer segments form a cylindrical surface which is in contact with an outer surface of the tread belt, and means are provided for controlling movement of the outer segments.

Abstract: A mold (22) includes a bead ring (32). The bead ring (32) includes a side forming surface (34), a bottom forming surface (36), a support surface (38) for a bladder, and a guide surface (40) for a bladder. The support surface (38) is positioned on an inside in a radial direction of the bottom forming surface (36). The support surface (38) is extended in the radial direction. A distance (L2) of the support surface (38) is equal to or smaller than 5.0 mm in the radial direction. The guide surface (40) is positioned on an inside in the radial direction and an outside in an axial direction from the support surface (38). The guide surface (40) is inclined inward in the axial direction from the inside in the radial direction toward an outside in the radial direction. An angle ? of the guide surface (40) to the radial direction is equal to or greater than 15 degrees and is equal to or smaller than 75 degrees. In an expansion, a bladder (B) is erected by the guide surface (40).

Abstract: An inflatable membrane pressing apparatus (1) for a film or coating application or lamination process comprising:—a supporting means (20) for supporting an article, —an inflatable membrane device (30) comprising a pressurized fluid accumulator (35,36) a face of which is partly formed by an inflatable membrane (35); —a holding frame (10) for holding the supporting means and the inflatable membrane device in a spaced apart relationship with the inflatable membrane facing the supporting means; and—a pressurized fluid admission/release means (40) for introducing and releasing pressurized fluid in and from the fluid accumulator to inflate and deflate the membrane, wherein the pressurized fluid admission/release means comprises a pressure relief valve (42) for controlling the pressure of the fluid within the accumulator.

Abstract: A device for molding and vulcanizing a tire includes an outer shell, collapsible inner support, and movable crown. The movable crown is interposed between the outer shell and inner support. The movable crown and outer shell form a cavity of controlled volume for moulding and vulcanizing, wherein the controlled volume of the cavity fits a defined volume of the tire so that the moulding pressure is maintained within a predetermined range of values. A method of moulding and vulcanizing a tire includes preparing a tire on an inner toroidal support, disposing the tire and the toroidal support in an outer shell, and molding and vulcanizing the tire. Molding and vulcanizing are carried out in a controlled-volume cavity, wherein a volume of the controlled-volume cavity increases or decreases to adapt to a volume of the tire so that the volume of the controlled-volume cavity equals the defined volume of the tire.

Abstract: By increasing an area of the fluid discharge ports to increase a discharge capacity, drain water can quickly be discharged. Furthermore, the number of fluid supply ports is increased and the ports are equally spaced to thereby quickly and uniformly fill a heated steam or the like into a bladder. As a result, it is possible to reduce a cycle time of a tire vulcanizing step to thereby increase productivity in a fluid supply/discharge head of the bladder in a tire vulcanizing machine. In the tire vulcanizing machine, the fluid supply ports and the fluid discharge ports which are open to face an inside of the bladder are formed in the head block, the fluid discharge ports are disposed on the lower side of the head block, the fluid supply ports are disposed on the upper side of the head block, and the fluid discharge ports and the fluid supply ports are not disposed on the same plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas cycle apparatus for a tire vulcanizer, configured to increase the circulating flow rate of a heating gas by preventing a gas feeder of the gas cycle apparatus from being subjected to an excessive load caused by a drain, and thereby capable of shortening the tire vulcanizing time by improving the temperature difference eliminating capacity in a bladder, to thereby allow the enhancement of the production capacity of tires. A gas circulating flow path 2 constituted by allowing a forward flow path 2a and a return flow path 2b to communicate with each other, is connected to a bladder 1; a gas supply flow path 3 is connected to the forward flow path; an air-water separation section 5 is provided on the way through the return flow path; the return flow path is connected to an upper space 5a of the air-water separation section; and a gas discharge flow path 4 is connected to a lower space 5b of the air-water separation section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piping structure in a tire vulcanizing machine which has a simple structure, has an improved operability of a valve, can easily execute a maintenance work such as a valve replacement or the like, and can form a compact valve unit. A plurality of panel valves 5 are attached to a block main body side by side in a vertical direction in a state of flush connecting a block side connection surface 34 formed approximately perpendicularly in a block main body 30 which is long in a vertical direction, and a valve side connection surface 56 formed approximately perpendicularly in one side of an outer surface of a valve main body 50, and main flow paths 31, 32 formed in an inner portion of the block main body and flow paths 51, 52 formed in an inner portion of each of the panel valves are connected.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire to be mounted inside a tire curing press has a pair of opposing annular beads and an expansion portion located between the pair of annular beads. The expansion portion of the bladder has a central portion, shoulder portions, and sidewall portions. When the bladder is in a mounted but uninflated mode, the shoulder portions have a radius of curvature less than infinity. At a distance (x) from each end of the central portion, the bladder has an increased thickness in the shoulder and upper sidewall portions.

Abstract: An expandable, toroidal shaped bladder for use in a tire curing press has a pair of opposing annular beads and an expansion portion location between the pair of annular beads. The expansion portion of the bladder has a central portion, shoulder portions, and sidewall portions. When the bladder is in a mounted but uninflated mode, the shoulder portions of the bladder have a radius of curvature R1 significantly less than a radius of curvature Rc of the central portion. The shoulder portions have a bubble or square-like configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to an expandable curing bladder of a butyl rubber composition containing a micro-encapsulated polysiloxane lubricant for delivering lubricity to the surface of the bladder. The invention further relates to a process of curing tires with such bladder.

Abstract: The invention relates to expandable butyl rubber bladders for use in curing presses for hydrocarbon rubbers such as pneumatic tires. The bladders are a crosslinked butyl rubber composition comprising isobutylene repeat units and the bladder composition contains ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, alone or in combination with graphite and/or fluorinated ethylene polymers, dispersed within the bladder composition. The bladder composition may also contain castor oil, corn oil and/or soya-bean oil. The invention also relates to a method of curing tires by utilizing such butyl rubber bladder.

Abstract: A bladder for a vulcanizer includes, as a constituent member, a low elongation material with stable properties at vulcanization temperatures. During a vulcanization-molding process, the bladder is pressed against the inner surface of a green tire using a pressurized medium. The pressurized medium can be at vulcanization temperatures. The bladder has substantially the same shape as the inner wall surface of the tire that is formed using the bladder. As a result, irregularities in the shape of the inner wall surface of a tire rarely occur, and the frequency of exchange of bladders can be reduced. The vulcanizer bladder can include a conductive material or a magnetic material, both of which can be heated by using an induction heating coil. The use of both heat from the pressurized medium and heat generated in the bladder to vulcanize a green tire can shorten the period of time required for vulcanizing-molding.

Abstract: A center post assembly for a tire curing press comprising a center post having a upper component disposed above a lower component. The upper component is movable between a first position wherein the upper component is adjacent to the lower component and a second position wherein the upper component is axially displaced away from the lower component and substantially adjacent to an upper bead of a green tire assembly. The center post assembly further includes a bladder sealingly clamped to the upper and lower components. The bladder is in fluid communication with a fluid supply. The upper component moves between said first and second positions due to expansion of the bladder caused by introduction of fluid into the bladder from the fluid supply allowing the bladder to evenly disperse on the inner surface of the green tire assembly substantially reducing the risk of the bladder being damaged by the mold as it closes.

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: A mold for molding a tire having beads of different diameters, ø0 being the minimum diameter of the tire area at the bead of smaller diameter, ø2 being the minimum diameter of the tire area at the bead of greater diameter. The mold has two shells for molding, respectively, the outer surface of the sidewalls and the outer portion of each bead up to a radially inner limit where the diameter of the tire area is ø0 and ø2, respectively, a continuous counter-molding ring to mold the bead of smaller diameter from the said radially inner limit where the diameter of the tire area is ø0 to an axially inner limit of diameter ø1, where ø1 is smaller than ø2, and a split counter-molding ring to mold the bead of greater diameter from the said radially inner limit where the diameter of the tire area is ø2 to an axially inner limit of diameter ø3. The split ring includes a plurality of retractable segments adjacent in molding position.

Abstract: The invention relates to expandable butyl rubber bladders for use in curing presses for hydrocarbon rubbers such as pneumatic tires. The bladders are a crosslinked elastomer comprising isobutylene repeat units and the bladder composition contains lecithin, particularly a modified lecithin, preferably in liquid form, dispersed within the bladder composition. The bladder composition may also contain castor oil, corn oil and/or soya-bean oil. The bladder composition may also contain at least one of graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene powder. The invention also relates to a method of curing tires by utilizing such butyl rubber bladder.

Abstract: A textile fabric which has been coated with an elastomer-forming silicone-based composition, comprising an organopolysiloxane polymer having a siloxane backbone being end-blocked with at least two silicon-bonded reactive groups, preferably alkenyl, a cross-linking organosilicon material having at least 3 silicon-bonded reactive groups, preferably SiH, a catalyst, a first reinforcing filler, preferably silica or a silicone resin, and at least 2 parts by weight for every part of the first filler, of a second substantially laminar filler, preferably talc, pyrophillite, vermiculite, smectite or mica. The coated fabric may have among other benefits, a lower friction value and limiting oxygen index. Fabrics are specifically useful for inflatable safety restraints.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions comprising at least two separate and distinct layers. The first layer (base coat), being in contact with the airbag surface, comprises a non-silicone composition of at least one coating material, provides excellent adhesion, excellent tensile strength, and lower cost than standard silicone materials. The second layer, being a coating for the first layer, provides excellent reinforcement and aging characteristics to prevent degradation of the first layer. Such a second layer (topcoat) is preferably a silicone material. This two-layer system permits excellent strength and aging properties to prevent seam combing at relatively low cost due to the inexpensive basecoat materials and the relatively low amount required for the topcoat. An airbag fabric coated with this inventive two-layer system is also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions comprising at least two separate and distinct layers. The first layer (base coat), being in contact with the airbag surface. comprises a composition of at least one coating material which may comprise up to 30% by parts of the total amount of material in the first layer of a silicone resin which provides excellent adhesion, excellent tensile strength, and overall lower cost than standard silicone airbag coating materials. The second layer, being a coating for the first layer, provides excellent reinforcement and aging characteristics to prevent degradation of the first layer. Such a second layer (topcoat) is preferably a silicone material. This two-layer system permits excellent strength and aging properties to prevent seam combing at relatively low cost due to the inexpensive basecoat materials and the relatively low amount required for the topcoat.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions comprising a mix of polyurethane and polyacrylate constituents which provides a highly effective low permeability treatment on a target fabric surface. This inventive composition also provides a low-cost alternative to other standard airbag coatings and exhibits excellent aging stability as well. An airbag fabric coated with this inventive composition is also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are expandable bladders for use in curing presses for rubber compositions such as pneumatic tires. The bladders are a crosslinked elastomer comprising an isobutylene rubbery polymer. The bladder composition includes alkylphenoxypoly(alkyleneoxy)-alkanol which improves the release characteristics of the cured bladder from a tire innerliner cured in contact with said bladder. The improved release characteristics allow rubber compositions such as tires to be molded with fewer defects caused during release of the bladder from the tires or caused by abraded or deformed bladders. The use of alkylphenoxypoly(alkyleneoxy)alkanol also increases the useful life time of the bladder allowing more tires to be cured without changing bladders.

Abstract: Expandable bladders for use in curing presses for hydrocarbon rubbers, such as pneumatic tires, are a crosslinked elastomer composition including isobutylene repeat units. When PTFE and/or graphite is present, they can be cured with brominated phenolic resins in shorter periods of time. The fluorinated ethylene polymer is added in particulate form and thereafter dispersed throughout the bladder. The fluorinated ethylene polymer may or may not form fibers. The bladders may further include graphite. The bladders generally have enhanced lubricity, reduced adhesion to cured tire innerliners, better resistance to cracking during flexing, and have lower tension set than similar compositions without fluorinated ethylene polymers. The above enhancements allow hydrocarbon rubbers such as tires to be molded with fewer defects caused by abraded or deformed bladders. They also enhance the useful life of the bladder reducing the cost of tire curing.

Abstract: A bladder clamping device for a tire vulcanizing press is disclosed in which a lower ring on which a lower end portion of a bladder is fitted remains fixed to allow the lower end portion of the bladder to be clamped in a condition in which it has been fitted firmly by an operator. The bladder clamping device for a tire vulcanizing press comprises a lower ring and a clamping ring located on the inner side and the outer side relative to each other at a central portion of a lower mold of the tire vulcanizing press for cooperatively clamping a lower end portion of a bladder, and a hydraulic cylinder having a rod connected to the clamping ring for moving the clamping ring upwardly and downwardly relative to the lower ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire press used for manufacturing a tire, in which a mechanism for clamping a closed mold is simplified. An upper heating unit for heating an upper-half mold has a cylinder structure in which a heating medium receiving member and a movable heat transfer member are provided. By supplying the heating medium to the heating medium receiving member, the upper-half mold can be heated via the movable heat transfer member, and the pressure from (clamping action) can be applied on the upper-half mold by the movable heat transfer member.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon polymers with grafts of polyethers, polylactones, or polyesters from the reaction of phosgene with glycols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms are disclosed as having good release properties or low adhesion to hydrocarbon rubber materials. The hydrocarbon backbone polymers include EPDM, hydrogenated polybutadiene, and hydrogenated poly(styrene-butadiene) all said polymers having pendant succinic anhydride groups or brominated p-methylstyrene-isobutylene copolymers. The above-referenced graft copolymers along with butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber or epichlorohydrin polymers or copolymers are described as useful polymers to make self-release curing bladders or sleeves for use in making molded articles such as pneumatic tires.

Abstract: Disclosed are expandable bladders for use in curing presses for rubber compositions such as pneumatic tires. The bladders are a crosslinked elastomer comprising an isobutylene rubbery polymer. The bladder composition includes corn oil which improves the release characteristics of the cured bladder from a tire innerliner cured in contact with said bladder. The improved release characteristics have been observed to allow rubber compositions such as tires to be molded with fewer defects caused during release of the bladder from the tires or caused by abraded or deformed bladders. The use of corn oil also has been observed to increase the useful life time of the bladder allowing more tires to be cured without changing bladders. A preferred isobutylene rubbery polymer is a brominated copolymer of isobutylene and p-methylstyrene. The bladder compositions have also been observed to have an enhanced flexibility due to the corn oil.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon polymers with grafts of polyethers, polylactones, or polyesters from the reaction of phosgene with glycols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms are disclosed as having good release properties or low adhesion to hydrocarbon rubber materials. The hydrocarbon backbone polymers include EPDM, hydrogenated polybutadiene, and hydrogenated poly(styrene-butadiene) all said polymers having pendant succinic anhydride groups or brominated p-methylstyrene-isobutylene copolymers. The above-referenced graft copolymers along with butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber or epichlorohydrin polymers or copolymers are described as useful polymers to make self-release curing bladders or sleeves for use in making molded articles such as pneumatic tires.

Abstract: Disclosed is a center mechanism of a tire curing press which is capable of easy installation and removal of a bladder assembly. The center mechanism comprises the bladder assembly with the upper and lower ends of a bladder supported with upper and lower support members, a piston rod vertically moving into, and out of, engagement with the upper support members, and a lift cylinder vertically moving into, and out of, engagement with the lower support members. In this center mechanism, there is provided a stepped projecting section formed large in diameter in the upper part and small in diameter in the lower part; the upper support members can easily be installed to, and removed from, the upper end of the piston rod by the use of a stepped block which engages the stepped projecting section and is horizontally divided into a plurality of segments, and a restricting member for restricting the horizontal movement of the stepped block, thereby enabling easy installation and removal of the bladder assembly.

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: Hydrocarbon polymers with grafts of polyethers, polylactones, or polyesters from the reaction of phosgene with glycols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms are disclosed as having good release properties or low adhesion to hydrocarbon rubber materials. The hydrocarbon backbone polymers include EPDM, hydrogenated polybutadiene, and hydrogenated poly(styrene-butadiene) all said polymers having pendant succinic anhydride groups or brominated p-methylstyrene-isobutylene copolymers. The above-referenced graft copolymers along with butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber or epichlorohydrin polymers or copolymers are described as useful polymers to make self-release curing bladders or sleeves for use in making molded articles such as pneumatic tires.

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 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: Apparatus for the pressure-forming and curing of polymer products incorporates two moulds (1) and a forming device, the moulds (1) being sturdily linked to each other with provision for setting the separating distance as required and for revolving on a fulcrum pin (9) so that the material of a circular product can be wound therearound. The moulds (1) are semicylinders which face each other with their flat sides and are sturdily interlinked by two parallel plates (2) so as to form integrally therewith a sturdy building core having a contoured outside surface. The forming device is a girdling structure which embraces the semicylinders (1) and the plates (2) circumferentially and is made up of at least two elements at least one whereof is located with provision for radial displacement in the course of pressure-forming.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tire vulcanising press wherein a plurality of sectors provided for gripping the upper bead of a green tire loaded in position between a pair of upper and lower die elements to carry the green tire in a suspended condition will not form an obstruction to an elastic forming member for shaping. The tire vulcanizing press includes an inner cylinder mounted for up and down movement on the upper die element and having at a lower end portion thereof a bead ring which is capable of forming part of the upper die element, and a sector housing mounted for up and down movement in the inner cylinder and carrying thereon the sectors for movement between an open position and a closed position. The upper bead of the green tire can be gripped between the bead ring and sectoral portions of the sectors, and the sectoral portions of the sectors are accommodated in the lower end portion of the inner cylinder when the sectors are in the closed position.

Abstract: A bag control mechanism (or center mechanism) for a tire press in which cross flow of curing medium from the inlet to the outlet is prevented. The center mechanism includes a cylindrical casing having a piston rod reciprocable therein, and an annular fluid distribution member comprising a hub and a distribution cap at the upper end of the casing. The hub has a central bore of larger diameter than that of the piston rod, and inlet and outlet passageways for a curing medium, on opposite sides of the bore. The hub may also have passageways which permit sensing of a condition such as temperature within the tire press. The hub also has lateral passageways from the bore to the outlet passageway, and from the outside surface of the hub to the outlet passageway. The inlet passageway is separated from the bore by a portion of the hub's body. The distribution cap has an opening or passageway aligned with the inlet passageway of the hub, and a cut-out portion aligned with the outlet passageway of the hub.

Abstract: A mould particularly as used in the manufacture of a product from elastomeric material which is required to be heated.Preferably the heating is carried out by means of an electric current which may be induced electromagnetically.The product may be a tire.

Abstract: A rod gland (28) has axially extending inlet and outlet grooves (64,66) at circumferentially spaced positions on a cylindrical outer surface (34) and is provided with an annular seal (60) for preventing leaks between the grooves (64,66). The annular seal (60) is positioned in a groove (59) between an adapter hub (36) and a lower clamping ring hub (38) surrounding and in sliding engagement with the cylindrical outer surface (34) of the rod gland (28) so that at the inlet and outlet grooves (64,66) the sealing is on three sides of the annular seal (60) and between the grooves (64,66) the sealing is on four sides of the annular seal (60).

Abstract: A feeding and positioning apparatus for a tire heating press includes a tire blank stand which is provided with a base disk movable in horizontal direction with respect to a platform. Connected to the base disk are a plurality of supports which carry the tire blank along its lateral edge. Extending within the exterior of the tire blank is an upright sleeve extending concentrically to the platform. The sleeve is movable in vertical direction and cooperates with a plurality of clamping jaws which thus are moved against the bead of the tire blank to center the latter.

Abstract: A green tire vulcanizing press including a lower die having a heat source, an upper die capable of being opened and closed relative to the lower die and having a heat source, a shaping bladder received in a bladder well disposed in a central part of the lower die, and a hot pressure medium supplied into the bladder, the bladder well is made movable vertically and an upper clamp ring for the shaping bladder is held stationary while a lower clamp ring is provided vertically movably, whereby the shaping for a green tire as well as the separation of the bladder from the tire and removal of the tire after the vulcanizing press work are performed through vertical movements of the lower clamp ring and the bladder well under a fixed state of the upper clamp ring.