Abstract: A green tire disposed on a toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanization mold. The mold is closed through axial approaching of a pair of sidewall plates acting against the sidewalls of the tire. Circumferential sectors set to operate against the tire tread band are maintained spaced apart from the tread band itself during admission of a working fluid designed to press the tire against the toroidal support. Subsequently, the sectors are centripetally approached for penetration into the tread band concurrently with a step of full molding and vulcanization of the tire carried out through admission of steam under pressure into the tire itself.

Abstract: A vulcanisation apparatus and method for tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of: placing a green tire, arranged on a toroidal support, inside a vulcanisation mold; connecting a supply device of at least one pressurised primary working fluid and a supply device of at least one pressurised secondary working fluid to the vulcanisation mold in a prevulcanisation and molding station; at least partially vulcanising a radially internal portion of the green tire on the toroidal support; transferring the mold to a vulcanisation station and completing the vulcanisation of the prevulcanised tire by supplying the at least one pressurised primary working fluid inside the toroidal support.

Abstract: A fluid feeder which is capable of removing foreign matter on the surface of a rotor is provided. The fluid feeder is provided with a rotor housing body on which a rotor housing chamber for housing a rotor of a canned electric motor is installed and a pump casing in which a fluid feeding chamber hermetically installed so as to be connected consecutively to the rotor housing chamber is installed and an impeller is housed inside the fluid feeding chamber. Further, a hollow pipe body is used to connect the vicinity of a side face of the fluid feeding chamber with an upper end of the rotor housing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming desired patterns on ceramic tile from a slurry comprising: a means for preparing a slurry; at least one slurry holding tank for holding at least one type of slurry; at least one pattern forming tray; at least one means for connecting said at least one tank to at least one pattern forming tray and a filter pressing unit; wherein the pattern forming unit dispenses a predetermined type, amount, colors of slurry at a predetermined order into the pattern forming tray to form a desired pattern, said slurry with desired pattern is pressed with the filter pressing unit to form ceramic tiles or slabs with a desired pattern running though its entire thickness.

Abstract: An expandable bladder has at least one first layer of butyl material and one second layer of silicone material, radially external to the first layer. The first and second layers have an undulated interface profile defining mechanical-engagement elements between the first and second elastomer materials. A process for manufacturing bladder as well as a tire molding and vulcanising apparatus incorporating the bladder.

Abstract: A method of molding and curing a tire for a vehicle wheel includes building an unvulcanized tire on a toroidal support; heating the support; pressing an inner surface of the tire against an outer surface of the support; and pressing an outer surface of the tire against walls of a molding cavity defined in a vulcanization mold. The inner surface of the tire is pressed against the outer surface by at least one secondary working fluid. The outer surface of the tire is pressed against the walls by at least one primary working fluid. The at least one primary working fluid is heated, causing vulcanization of the tire. An apparatus for molding and curing a tire for a vehicle wheel includes the vulcanization mold, at least one passage device, a feeding device, and first and second heating devices. It may also include an airtight device arranged to receive the support.

Abstract: A system for curing tires that does not require a traditional bladder is described. The system disclosed has top and bottom assembly rings that are coupled to modified mold rings. The bottom assembly ring has a curing medium delivery system, which has ports and a diverter that disperses the curing medium thereby reducing the momentum of the curing medium striking a liner of the tire being cured. The system is adapted for easy installation to existing center post presses.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating code for displaying a two-dimensional media programming schedule grid, receiving a command to compress the grid at a first location along a first dimension, and generating code for displaying the grid with visible graphical fold marks defining a fold area near the first location along the first dimension.

Abstract: A method of molding and curing tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of disposing a tire being processed on a toroidal support, enclosing the tire and the toroidal support inside a molding cavity defined in a vulcanization mould, pressing the outer surface of the tire against the molding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tire to cause molecular crosslinking of the tire. The pressing step includes the steps of compressing side portions of the tire between the molding cavity walls and the outer surface of the toroidal support, concurrently with the closing step, and imposing an expansion to a radially-outer portion of the tire to bring the radially-outer portion of the tire against the walls of the molding cavity.

Abstract: A method of moulding and curing tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of disposing a tire being processed on a toroidal support, enclosing the tire and the toroidal support inside a moulding cavity defined in a vulcanization mould, pressing the outer surface of the tire against the moulding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tire to cause molecular crosslinking of the tire. The pressing step includes the steps of compressing side portions of the tire between the moulding cavity walls and the outer surface of the toroidal support, concurrently with the closing step, and imposing an expansion to a radially-outer portion of the tire to bring the radially-outer portion of the tire against the walls of the moulding cavity.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a vulcanization molding and its vulcanizing machine in which a heating pressure medium, which is nitrogen gas, is heated at high heat exchange ratio without an increase in the running cost and an increase in size. The vulcanizing machine includes a mold mechanism such as a lower side mold 5 and an upper side mold 25 and the like, which removably accommodate a green tire 4, an agitating mechanism 30, which agitates a heating pressure medium such as nitrogen gas or the like, which vulcanization mold the green tire 4 by heating the green tire 4 while pressing it against the mold mechanism, and an induction heating mechanism 41, which preferentially heats the agitating mechanism 30.

Abstract: A first compression molding tool (1), which forms the female mould (2), has a holder (8). A portion of a raw compound to be pressed is deposited on this holder (8) at a distance from the compression molding tool (1). Before or at the start of the pressing operation, the holder (8) is sunk into the first compression molding tool (1) and releases the portion for the compression molding operation.

Abstract: A green tire manufactured on a toroidal support is closed in a vulcanization mould. Steam or another fluid under pressure is infed to a diffusion gap which is formed, following an expansion of the tire, between the inner surface of the latter and the outer surface of the toroidal support. Tire expansion is compensated for, by axially moving the beads away from the toroidal support, thereby eliminating too strong tensions on the cords forming the tire carcass structure. A pre-cured liner is previously applied to the inner surface of the tire, to prevent diffusion of water particles in the raw elastomer material.

Abstract: A method of molding and curing tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of disposing a tire being processed on a toroidal support, enclosing the tire and the toroidal support inside a molding cavity defined in a vulcanization mold, pressing the outer surface of the tire against the molding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tire to cause molecular crosslinking of the tire. The pressing step includes the steps of compressing side portions of the tire between the molding cavity walls and the outer surface of the toroidal support, concurrently with the closing step, and imposing an expansion to a radially-outer portion of the tire to bring the radially-outer portion of the tire against the walls of the molding cavity.

Abstract: A method of moulding and curing tires for vehicle wheels includes disposing a tire being worked on a rigid toroidal support having an outer surface the shape of which substantially matches an inner surface of the tire, closing the tire and rigid toroidal support in a moulding cavity defined by a vulcanization mould, pressing the outer surface of the tire against the moulding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tire in order to cause a molecular cross-linking of the tire. The pressing step takes place by admission of a fluid under pressure to at least one fluid-diffusion interspace between an outer surface of the rigid toroidal support and the inner surfaces of the tire. An apparatus for moulding and curing tires for vehicle wheels is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of a tire (10) in a bladderless tire mold (12) that incorporates sealing rings (16, 18, 70) that enable the tire (10) to be easily and quickly installed within the tire mold (12) so that the pressurized gas or fluid used to inflate and vulcanize the tire (10) does not leak around the tire bead sections (44, 46) of the tire (10) and escape into the mold cavity (60). An improved method of mounting the tire (10) into the bladderless tire mold (12) allows the tire (10) to be quickly and easily loaded in and unload from the tire mold (12) without the need of moving any mold parts into or out of the space between the tire bead sections (44, 46).

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: 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 device for curing road vehicle tires, wherein an annular mold for forming a green tire, presents two inner annular supports supporting respective bead portions of the tire and defining seats for respective opposite portions of a gas curing unit. One of the two portions is connected to the other through the annular mold by means of a releasable joint, and presents axial thrust devices for packing the forming mold and the two annular heating plates against the other portion.

Abstract: A curing station wherein a fixed frame and a slide traveling on the fixed frame, support respective portions of a curing device for an annular forming mold of a green tire. The mold is gripped axially between the two portions of the curing device and is in contact with axial heating plates on the aforementioned portions. The curing station presents a heating jacket defined by two semicylindrical heating plates which are movable to and from a closed position contacting the lateral surface of the mold.

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: A vehicle tire loading-unloading and stabilizing device having a mobile loading-unloading unit designed to enter inside a tire curing unit for receiving a cured tire on an upper unit and, at the same time, releasing onto the curing unit a green tire loaded on a suspension unit located beneath and integral with the upper unit; the upper unit being a stabilizing unit enabling the cured tire to be inflated by means of a pressurized fluid, and to be cooled from the inside by forced circulation of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A tire curing device wherein an upper half mold and a lower half mold define a toroidal chamber for accommodating a tire to be cured and constituting a portion of a closed circuit for a batch charge of a heat exchange fluid, the tire being cured by circulating the fluid along the circuit by means of an impeller device; the fluid being heated by a heating device as it flows along a return conduit having an annular section increasing towards the impeller device and coaxial and aligned with the annular inlet of the same; the fluid being fed to the toroidal chamber along a delivery conduit having an annular section and so shaped as to exert at least on compression-expansion action on the fluid.

Abstract: A tire curing device in which a mold defines a toroidal chamber for accommodating a tire to be cured, and constituting a portion of a closed circuit along which a batch charge of a heat exchange fluid is force circulated, the fluid being heated by a heating unit provided with extractable internal axial electrical resistors, and lapped externally by the fluid from the toroidal chamber with the heating unit being mounted axially through an upper portion of a first tubular body, and axially engaging a second tubular body coaxial with the first tubular body; the tubular bodies defining there between a delivery conduit for the fluid to the toroidal chamber being defined between the second tubular body and the heating unit, the reistors of which are accessible externally through the upper portion of the first tubular body.

Abstract: A bladder bladderless-type dual-purpose tire vulcanizer wherein a lower center mechanism for the bladder type and a lower center mechanism for the bladderless type are interchangeably mounted on a lower platen which supports a lower half of a mold. An upper center mechanism for the bladderless type is vertically movably mounted, between an operating position and an upper waiting position, on an upper plate which supports an upper half of the mold. An upper bead ring for the bladder type and an upper bead ring for the bladderless type are interchangeably mounted on the upper half of the mold. Furthermore the lower center mechanism is provided with a lower bead ring, and upper and lower domes for enclosing and clamping the upper and lower platens.

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: Detaching a cured tire from mold sections of a tire mold during opening of the mold by communicating air under pressure into the space between the mold sections and confining the air in this space with a sleeve member supported on the upper mold section and slidably urged into sealing engagement with the lower mold section. Air under pressure is then communicated from the space between the mold sections to the spaces between the cured tire surface and the molding surfaces of the upper and lower mold sections to detach the tire. Sealing rings on the sleeve and on the upper mold section prevent leakage of the air under pressure from the space between the mold section. Spring means between the upper mold section and the sleeve member provide extension of the sleeve member into sealing engagement with the lower mold section.

Abstract: The known center mechanism in a tire vulcanizing machine is improved in that the center mechanism comprises condensate ejection means which can be accommodated within a member disposed in the center mechanism and which can be moved between the member and a condensate stagnating portion, a sleeve movable vertically within an upper ring by an operation of a pneumatic cylinder and adapted to be engaged with a part of the upper ring at its end portion to restrain a raised position of the upper ring, whose fixed height with respect to a rod of the pneumatic cylinder is variable, and a rotary member for restraining the position of the lower ring, whose engagement length with a receiving plate for the lower ring can be varied by continuous rotation thereof, and which can be fitted to and disengaged from a support member therefor through rotation by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A tire curing press for the curing of radial tires includes top and bottom mold sections, relatively movable top and bottom bead rings, the latter being on top of a well, and a center mechanism in the bottom bead ring well. The top mold section includes a sectional mold operator, a top bead ring actuator and an actuator for raising and lowering a chuck for the top bead ring of an uncured tire. The chuck includes a series of horizontal L-shape plates each of which swings about a respective swing axis. An open vertical tube aligned with the top mold section includes a gear at its bottom in mesh with gear segments on the chuck plates so that rotation of the tube opens and closes the chuck. The extent of rotation of the tube controls the extent of the chuck.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a beadless flexible member for an airspring having a fully molded non-tubular shape. An axially segmented mold with tapered circular end bores is used with conically tapered end plugs which sealingly compress an uncured preform of the flexible member between the conical plugs and the tapered circular end bores. Compressed fluid is injected into the interior of the preform to radially expand it to the desired molded shape. At a rate determined by the radial expansion of the preform, the annular segments of the mold are axially moved together to accommodate the axial foreshortening of the preform during its radial expansion. After full axial closure of the mold, heat and pressure are applied to vulcanize the preform. The beadless, fully molded flexible member may be used for airsprings requiring zero pressure roll capability.

Abstract: Tubeless tire curing rim apparatus having rim bodies which telescope together under spring pressure to form an initial seal between a tire bead and sealing rim flanges on the rim bodies and which telescope apart as the tire is inflated to form the conventional bead rim seal. The bead-to-bead spacing for the tire is adjustable by means of calibrated threaded rings on the rim bodies or by a means of calibrated threaded central column.

Abstract: A tire curing apparatus in which a number of mobile curing units, each designed to house a respective green tire, are selectively and independently fed along a loop circuit having at least two parallel branches, the ends of which branches are connected to a common section extending through a station for loading and unloading tires on and off respective curing units; each curing unit incorporating a mold for a respective green tire, a closed pneumatic circuit designed to receive, at the loading/unloading station, a given supply of curing medium under pressure, a fan device for force circulating the curing medium supply inside the pneumatic circuit, and individual elements for heating both the mold and the curing medium supply.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizer comprising a metal mold assembly, a bladder disposed within the metal mold assembly, a gas supply assembly arranged at a central portion of the metal mold assembly and adapted to supply pressure and heating gas to the bladder, and diffusion means provided in the gas supply assembly. The diffusion means is adapted to diffuse the pressure and heating gas in one direction or in two directions.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and maintaining a substrate within a tire mold. The substrate receives an applique which is to be transferred to the sidewall of a tire during the curing process. The substrate is of steel construction and is adapted to engage a receiving member within a circumferential surface of the tire mold. The receiving member is magnetized to attract the steel substrate and to retain the substrate and its applique in proper registration with the sidewall of the tire during closure of the mold and the curing process. A lip or pins are provided in association with the retainer to assure proper registration of the applique-bearing substrate with the tire sidewall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vulcanizing a tire using a pair of split dies which form a tire receiving space between them when the dies are closed. The dies include sealing surfaces within the space and adjacent the axially outer surfaces of the tire beads. The apparatus is mounted within the space and within the inner diameter of the tire, and includes holding means which are radially movable into and out of engagement with the tire beads. The apparatus further includes extruding means which operate in association with the movement of the dies when opening and closing, for moving the holding means toward and away from the tire beads. When the dies are closed, the extruding means move the holding means to press the beads tightly against the sealing surfaces. The interior of the tire is then directly heated and pressurized.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring is formed by extruding a rubbery material into a reinforcing sleeve in a mold during relative motion between the mold and nozzle, and thereafter vulcanizing.

Abstract: A radial tire having an annular cavity is built with precision and positioned between the upper and lower mold sections of a tire press. An upper center mechanism has an inflatable clamping bladder for gripping the upper bead of the tire which is suspended from the center mechanism to insure orientation of the tire components in substantially the built condition of the tire. The upper center mechanism including the upper bead ring and clamping bladder is lowered to grip and center the upper bead on the upper bead ring. The lower bead is positioned over the lower bead ring and sealing air may be utilized to provide the necessary centering and seating. The sealing air in the tire cavity is maintained at a pressure sufficient to hold the beads in seating engagement with the bead rings while the curing bladder is being inserted in the tire cavity and while the clamping bladder is deflated and retracted with the center support assembly from the tire cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing tires in a press without a bladder or clamps including apparatus to convert bladder presses to bladderless, clampless operation.

Abstract: Moulding tool for making an article from vibrated concrete optimized as regards strength, the article having embedded therein a tubular sleeve located by a pin during the moulding process. The moulding tool is designed to keep the interior of the sleeve free from concrete and to decrease wear and mechanical stress exerted on the pin during the moulding process. Such a moulding tool is characterized in that, during the moulding process, the pin extends through a sealing and dampening body made from an elastic or semi-hard material, the sealing and dampening body having sealing engagement with the pin. The sealing and dampening body is compressed by the sleeve so that a sealing engagement is achieved between one end of the sleeve and the sealing and dampening body and between the other end of the sleeve and a surface of the moulding tool.

Abstract: A curing rim for a vehicle tire is shown. A flanged first sleeve (13) is adapted to seal the bottom bead of a large tubeless tire (10). A flanged sealing sleeve (14), having a cylindrical inner surface (24) with an O-ring seal (26) carried thereby, is adapted to seal the opposite bead of the tire. A cylindrical locking sleeve (15) is telescoped through the sealing sleeve (14) and is sealingly engaged at its bottom end to the first sleeve (13). The upper end of locking sleeve (15) is provided with a stop flange (31). The sealing sleeve (14) maintains an air-tight seal with the bead of the tire and also seals against the locking sleeve (15) as the tire is inflated and moves upwardly along the locking sleeve (15) until blocked by the stop flange (31).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retreading mold which includes first and second relatively movable platens carrying respective first and second bead aligner wheels and shafts with the shafts having opposing end portions threaded into a threaded coupling member which is in turn surrounded by a sleeve having axially opposite end portions slidably received in axial openings of the bead aligner wheels, the sleeve being normally biased axially away from one of the bead aligner wheels toward the other of the bead aligner wheels to form a sealed chamber defined by matrices carried by the platens in different closed positions of the platens, and an adjusting mechanism utilized when the matrices are open to drivably connect one of the shafts to the threaded connecting member to axially adjust the latter for locking the platens in any one of a variety of different distances in closed positions thereof.

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 the bellowless or bagless vulcanization of tire blanks comprising a tire vulcanization mold and a clamping mechanism for the tire bead provided for the mold. The clamping mechanism comprises the associated bead section of the vulcanization mold and a contact mechanism which can be moved towards such section in the axial direction and against the center of the mold. The contact mechanism comprises a ring formed of a number of segments, and such ring is provided at least at the region of the tire bead with a continuous layer of elastomeric material. According to a further improvement, the continuous layer possesses a lip member directed towards the tire bead.

Abstract: A trunnion type post cure inflator includes a pre-positioning platform and a loader to pick up a tire and bring it to a precise center and in parallelism with an open inside multi-stepped PCI ring, one of a pair capable of sealing different bead diameter tires. The loader works partly in conjunction with the PCI opening and closing mechanism so that the PCI is cleared for loading and the loader cleared for locking, each simultaneously. Tire holding devices are provided to permit cooling without inflation and dump unloading when the trunnion is rotated. Precision centering is obtained minimizing "no PCI" defects and enabling use of multi-step rings so that such rings do not require changing for different tire bead diameters.

Abstract: A flip-over PCI which includes a rotatable or oscillatable frame having pairs of tire engaging rims mounted thereon, the inner rim of each pair being fixed to the frame on opposite sides thereof and including an axially projecting and axially rotatable lock shaft, the outer rim of each pair including a housing for the lock shaft. The lock shaft and housing are constructed for alignment and safety so that the outer rim cannot rotate with respect to the inner rim and the lock shaft can rotate with respect to the outer rim only when the two rims are adjacent each other when the tire is not inflated. The rotation of the outer rim is precluded by an interference between the two rims when closely adjacent each other and by an interference between the shaft and housing when the rims are separated. One or the other of such interferences is always operative.

Abstract: A raw pneumatic tire carcass having an uncured, elastomeric, annular body and an uncured, elastomeric, liner superposed upon and affixed to the internal surface of the body, is disclosed. The liner in one form thereof includes bead-communicating recesses for venting fluid from between the liner and an inflatable bladder used in a mold for effecting inflation of the body and liner from a cylinder to a torus. The liner in the latter form is constituted of an appropriate thermoplastic material which, when engaged and inflated by a smooth surface of the bladder and vulcanized, undergoes a transformation in which the recesses gradually disappear substantially and are transformed into a correspondingly smooth surface. A second form of the liner (which is preferably incorporated as part of the first said form of the liner) is represented by a convexity on at least one surface of the liner.

Abstract: Curing apparatus is provided which may be used for vulcanizing a pre-cured tread onto a suitably prepared tire casing; the pre-cured tread being initially adhesively attached to the tire casing. The apparatus provides a mold defining a chamber in which the tire casing and adhesively attached pre-cured tread are placed; and it includes means for establishing pressurized fluid, such as steam or air, within the interior of the tire casing, and pressurized fluid, such as steam, in the annular space between the casing and the inside peripheral surface of the chamber, so that a required heat and pressure condition may be established within the chamber to cause the tread to be vulcanized and permanently bonded to the casing. The apparatus of the invention, in a second embodiment, is used for vulcanizing uncured rubber to a tire casing to form the tread.