Abstract: Tyre for vehicle wheels, comprising a tread band comprising circumferential grooves, circumferential ribs defined by said circumferential grooves and a plurality of sipes (10) that extend, on said circumferential ribs, from a radially outer surface of the tread band towards a radially inner portion of the tread band. Said sipes (10) extend along a predetermined trajectory and comprise, in any cross section perpendicular to said predetermined trajectory, a main portion (100) having a first radial dimension (H?) and a first transversal dimension (T, T?) substantially constant along a radial direction and, in a radially outer position with respect to said main portion (100), a top portion (110) extending up to said radially outer surface of the tread band and having, at said radially outer surface of the tread band, a second transversal dimension (W) greater than said first transversal dimension (T, T?).

Abstract: A tread portion of a tire includes at least one land portion. The land portion includes an outer region disposed inwardly of a tread surface in a tire radial direction, an inner region disposed on an inner side in the tire radial direction, and at least one sipe. The sipe includes one outer sipe element extending in the outer region in a tire axial direction, and a plurality of inner sipe elements extending in the inner region. The inner sipe elements include a component extending in a tire circumferential direction, and is connected to the outer sipe element.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a composite material comprising a plurality of mold pieces that cooperate to form a mold having a mold cavity for molding a composite part, the plurality of mold pieces split along a plurality of part lines configured to reduce voiding, the plurality of part lines comprising part lines running from a plurality of voiding areas of the mold cavity to an outer surface of the mold and adapted to provide bleed lines for the plurality of voiding areas.

Abstract: Provided are articles such as medical devices which comprise at least one water soluble, crosslinked copolymer. The primary polymer chains of the copolymer are hydrophilic and independently have a degree of polymerization in the range of about 10 to about 10,000. The water soluble, crosslinked copolymers of the present invention are free from terminal substrate associating segments. The copolymers may be incorporated into a formulation from which the article is made or may be contacted with the article post-formation.

Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire 1 has provided in a buttress region 10 thereof a protrusion 11 extending in the tire circumferential direction. In a tire meridian cross-section, the maximum protrusion height hmax of the protrusion 11 from an imaginary buttress surface J is 3.0 mm or greater and is in the range of 0.025-0.050 times a half tread width Wt. The cross-sectional area Sa of the protrusion 11 protruding from the imaginary buttress surface J is 20 mm2 or greater.

Abstract: The molding element has a plurality of contacting elements delimited by a plurality of grooves and has a molding surface for forming a contact face and a groove forming rib portion for forming the groove. The groove forming rib portion provides a space opening to one of the rib side faces and/or to the rib top face and an insert that is received in the space for forming a portion of the groove and a closing device in the groove. The insert is composed of thin plates stacked with one another. The forming plate assembly also comprises at notched plates of thickness t1, and each notched plate includes a notch for forming a flexible fence, and the notched plate has no area overlapping to the notch in the other notched plated adjacent thereto in sectional view in a direction along which the groove forming rib portion extends.

Abstract: The molding element has a molding surface for forming a contact face of the contacting elements and a groove forming rib portion for forming the groove. The groove forming rib portion has opposed rib side faces for forming opposed groove side faces and a rib top face connecting the rib side faces for forming a groove bottom. The groove forming rib portion provides at least one space opening to at least one of the rib side faces and/or to the rib top face and an insert is received in the space. The insert is composed of a plurality of thin plates stacked in a direction along which the rib extends and comprises at least one notched plate of thickness t1 including at least one notch for forming a flexible fence of the closing device; and comprises at least one support plate of thickness t2 without notch.

Abstract: In a tire vulcanization device, a vertical position of a container ring is locked at a closed position by a lock mechanism. A pressurizing mechanism is operated so as to decrease a vertical gap between an upper plate and a lower plate. The lower plate is moved upward so that a segment is moved toward a center mechanism by a container ring and sector molds are assembled in an annular shape. A state where a predetermined vertical gap is formed between the container ring and a bolster plate by a vertical connection mechanism is created. An upper side mold disposed on a lower surface of the upper plate is closed by being pressed against an upper surface of each of the sector molds while maintaining a state where the sector molds are assembled in an annular shape.

Abstract: An actuating ring for a tire mold includes an upper sidewall portion and a lower sidewall portion providing radial and axial movement of the actuating ring relative to the upper sidewall portion and the lower sidewall portion. The actuating ring has axially upper, circumferentially extending slots and axially lower, circumferentially extending slots axially offset from the axially upper, circumferentially extending slots.

Abstract: A tire vulcanization mold disclosed herein includes sectors 13 divided in a tire circumferential direction and molding a tread portion 1, and a pair of upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 molding a sidewall portion 2 of a tire. Mold parting lines 16a and 17a formed by the sectors and the side plates are located in the tread portion 1. A lateral groove molding rib 18 molding a lateral groove 5 in the tread portion is provided to bridge from the sectors 13 to the side plates 11 and 12 and a protrusion molding recess 18a used to mold a protrusion 5a at a groove bottom of the lateral groove 5 is provided to the lateral groove molding rib 18. Mold parting planes 16 and 17 are provided to divide the lateral groove molding rib 18 at a position where the protrusion molding recess 18a is provided.

Abstract: The press (1) for curing a green tyre has: a frame (2), at least one plate (4) that is mounted in a sliding manner with respect to the frame and comprises a plurality of pegs (22), a plurality of sectors (8) that are distributed circumferentially around the plate and are able to form all or part of the width of a tread of the tire, and, for each sector, at least one rocker (15) having at least one ramp (19) over which one of the respective pegs is able to pass.

Abstract: A tire vulcanization mold disclosed herein includes sectors 13 divided in a tire circumferential direction and molding a tread portion 1 of a tire, and a pair of upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 molding a sidewall portion 2 of the tire. Mold parting lines 16a and 17a formed by the sectors 13 and a pair of the upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 are located in the tread portion 1 and set to pass a bend point 8c of a surface design in the tread portion 1.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for fabricating one or more molded tire treads are provided along with systems for manufacturing a plurality of tread mold configurations from interchangeable elements.

Abstract: A mould element (18) intended to be attached in a mould (10) for vulcanizing tires, the mould element (18) having the form of a skin with a thickness (E) comprised between 0.25 and 6 mm and comprising a bearing surface (20) with, on the opposite side, a moulding surface (22) intended to form all or part of the external surface of the tire. The mould element comprises a pattern (30) comprising a plurality of recessed (19, 21, 112) or protruding (106, 107) elements, formed as integral parts of the mould element (18).

Abstract: A tire vulcanization mold disclosed herein includes sectors 13 divided in a tire circumferential direction and molding a tread portion 1 of a tire, and a pair of upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 molding a sidewall portion 2 of the tire. Mold parting lines 16a and 17a formed by the sectors 13 and a pair of the upper and lower side plates 11 and 12 are located in the tread portion 1. The mold parting lines 16a and 17a are set within a range PR which accounts for up to 7.5% of a width BW of an outermost belt 5a of the tire on each of an outer side and an inner side than belt end positions BP of the outermost belt in a tire width direction.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizer is provided which is capable of arranging a sector at a specified position during closing of a mold and suppressing a vulcanization molding defect. The tire vulcanizer includes: the sector that shapes a tread of a tire; paired upper and lower side plates that shape sidewalls of the tire; a segment to which the sector is fixed and which causes the sector to move in a tire radial direction; and mold parting surfaces defined by the sector and the side plates. Mold inner ends of the mold parting surfaces are arranged on the tread, and the mold parting surfaces extend outward in the tire radial direction from the mold inner ends. The sector includes paired upper and lower flange sections which respectively abut the paired upper and lower side plates in a state where the adjacent sectors in the tire circumferential direction tightly contact each other.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizer is disclosed including a sector arranged with respect to a side plate with a high degree of positioning accuracy. The tire vulcanizer includes: the sector that shapes a tread of a tire; a segment to which the sector is fixed and causes the sector to move in a tire radial direction; a bolt that fixes the sector to the segment; a ring-shaped jacket ring provided on an outer side in the tire radial direction of the segment; paired upper and lower side plates that shape sidewalls of the tire; and mold parting surfaces defined by the sector and the paired upper and lower side plates. Mold inner ends of the mold parting surfaces are arranged on the tread, and the mold parting surfaces extend outward in the tire radial direction from the mold inner ends.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a photovoltaic (PV) module, and systems including such mounting assemblies, are described. In an example, the mounting assembly includes a top support and a bottom support having respective mounting walls, and holes through the mounting walls. A pin assembly may extend through the holes in the mounting walls to constrain the supports, for example, relative to a torque member of a solar-tracking PV system. The pin assembly may include end collars to engage and distribute loading from the torque member.

Abstract: A tire vulcanization mold including a sector mold divided into a plurality of pieces along a circumferential direction of a green tire, the sector mold configured to vulcanization mold a tread portion of the green tire into a predetermined shape, and an upper mold and a lower mold disposed on both sides of the green tire so as to sandwich the green tire therebetween in an axial direction of the green tire, the upper mold and the lower mold configured to vulcanization mold a side portion of the green tire into a predetermined shape. The sector mold has a relief groove in a vicinity of a fitting portion between the sector mold, and the upper mold and the lower mold.

Abstract: A Method for manufacturing molding elements for molds is provided herein. The molds are used for molding tires provided with a tread with a circumferential arrangement of tread pattern elements. The method includes: a step consisting in aligning a plurality of basic linings; a step consisting in generating, from the basic tread circumference portion, an intermediate support; and obtaining an unfinished molding element from the intermediate support.

Abstract: A segmented tire mold includes a device for controlling the expansion of the mold segments during the vulcanization of a tire. The expansion control device may be a cable or a ring that is wrapped around the outer circumference of the segmented tire mold and placed into tension in order to retain the mold segments in the proper position while the tire is vulcanized.

Abstract: A vulcanizing mold for winter and all-season vehicle tires includes a mold body and an inner side mold surface having a negative tread profile having negative profile elements for molding a positive tread profile having positive profile elements of the vehicle tire to be vulcanized. Lamellar plates are arranged in the negative profile elements and configured to generate sipes in the positive profile elements. The negative profile elements include a shoulder negative profile element and at least one venting slot arranged within the shoulder negative profile element. The venting slot runs parallel and in spaced relationship to one of the lamellar plates arranged in the shoulder negative profile element. At least one cylindrical vent is arranged only axially outwards with reference to the venting slot.

Abstract: The tire (10B) comprises a tread (12) including a running layer (14) which is intended to come into contact with the ground when the tire (10B) rolls on the ground, and a sublayer (16) located radially inwards from the running layer (14). The tread (12) comprises at least one fluid passage (22) between the sublayer (16) and the air surrounding the tire (10B). The sublayer (16) comprises a cellular material. The fluid passage (22) comprises an element chosen from a groove (20) and a cut (26), formed in the running layer (14) and extended by at least one well (28) acting as a radial extension of the element, formed between the groove (20) and/or the cut (26) and the sublayer (16). Each well (28) forms a localized part of the fluid passage (22).

Abstract: In a tire mold, a side molds and a tread molds include contact portions which come into contact with each other when the molds are closed, the side molds include vent holes extending from an inner surfaces to the contact portions in a normal direction with respect to the inner surfaces, and one of the side molds and the tread molds include communication holes through which the vent holes and outside of the tire mold are brought into communication with each other when the molds are closed.

Abstract: A vulcanizing mold for molding and vulcanizing a tire, comprising a molding surface extending circumferentially in the mold, and comprising two end strips of patterns arranged respectively close to two edges of the molding surface and at least one intermediate strip of patterns positioned between the two end strips of patterns. At least one end strip comprises patterns belonging to a first pattern type and the patterns of the first pattern type have a width which is less than the width of the patterns belonging to the other pattern types of the end strip, and the patterns of the first pattern type are grouped at least in twos on first segments of the mold. The patterns of the end strip not belonging to the first pattern type belong to second segments, each second segment comprising just one pattern of the said end strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molding element for a mold for a tire comprising a tread provided with a plurality of blocks. Each block comprises a contact surface intended to come into contact with a road surface during running. The molding element also comprises a molding surface for molding the contact surfaces of the blocks. The molding surface comprises a plurality of ribs intended to mold fine grooves in the blocks. These ribs have a height of between 0.005 and 1 mm, a width of between 0.01 mm and 0.3 mm and the pitch (P) of the ribs is between 0.1 and 2 mm. The molding surface comprises at least one rib-free measurement zone able to accept measurement means. This measurement zone has the overall shape of a disc the diameter of which is greater than 3 mm.

Abstract: A pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) and a segmented mold are provided. The pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) is used for forming a tire segmented mold. Also disclosed is a cleaning method for the pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) and the segmented mold. When the mold is cleaned, the exhaust channel (20) is used as a cleaning channel, and the axial exhaust holes (27) of the exhaust channel are used as an entrance for a cleaning medium.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a first row of blocks arranged in a substantially central region of a tread of the pneumatic tire, wherein the first row of blocks includes a plurality of first blocks; a plurality of first grooves, each arranged between two adjacent first blocks; a plurality of second rows of blocks each including a plurality of second blocks, each arranged on either side of the first row of blocks; a plurality of second grooves, each arranged between the first row of blocks and each of the second rows of blocks; and a plurality of third grooves, wherein each third groove is arranged between two adjacent second blocks, the third grooves including a plurality of fourth grooves and a plurality of fifth grooves, with each fourth groove being narrower than each fifth groove, and the fourth groove and fifth groove being arranged alternately.

Abstract: Segmented mold for molding and vulcanizing a tire of given diameter (DS), having a width (L) and a diameter (J) at the interconnect point (E), comprising shells and segments collaborating to withstand the internal pressure and remain in the closed position without assistance from additional components, in which mold each segment comprises at its lateral edges a projection extending radially inwards, which projection is equipped with a lip extending axially towards the inside of the mold and having an inclined frustoconical surface of given angle (?) with respect to the axis (XX?) of the mold such that the extensions of the line of each frustoconical surface on a meridian plane intercept on the radially internal side of the segment concerned, and in which mold each shell comprises a projection extending radially outwards and provided with a lip having a frustoconical surface inclined by the same angle ? with respect to the axis XX? of the mold.

Abstract: The lining for a mold for vulcanizing a tire, comprises at least one network of cords and of sipe blades for molding a corresponding network of grooves and of cuts in the tread. The network of cords and of blades comprises at least one node between two cords. Each cord of the network overmolds at least the edge of a blade.

Abstract: A tire mold has a tire molding surface. The tire molding surface is pressed against an outer surface of an uncured tire. A vent hole is provided in the tire molding surface. A surface of an outer edge region surrounding an opening of the vent hole is formed by a smooth surface. The smooth surface is smoother than a surface in a peripheral region of the outer edge region.

Abstract: A pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) and a segmented mold are provided. The pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) is used for forming a tire segmented mold. Also disclosed is a cleaning method for the pore-free tire segmented mold pattern block (100) and the segmented mold. When the mold is cleaned, the exhaust channel (20) is used as a cleaning channel, and the axial exhaust holes (27) of the exhaust channel are used as an entrance for a cleaning medium.

Abstract: A tire mold constituted by arranging a pair of upper and lower side plates, a sector, a sector shoe holding the sector and an actuator, wherein a ring is provided on each outer diameter portion of the side plates, and when the mold is in fully closed state at room temperature, projection parts formed in the upper and lower sides of the sector shoe contact the outer diameter portion of the brim-like ring and when the mold has reached a vulcanization temperature in fully closed state, the inner diameter portion of the sector contacts the outer diameter portion of the side plate, and the projection parts formed in the upper and lower sides of the sector shoe are formed to contact the outer diameter portions of the ring.

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: The present invention provides a heating unit capable of easily and inexpensively adjusting total impedance based on tire mold size so that a power source can be used at a high power factor, and a tire heating apparatus using the same. A ferromagnetic metallic member 10a heats a tire mold M1 by heat conduction. An induction heating coil C1 is disposed on the side of the ferromagnetic metallic member 10a opposite the tire mold M1 to induction-heat the ferromagnetic metallic member 10a by generating magnetic field lines. A nonmagnetic conductor 30a is disposed on the side of the induction heating coil C1 opposite the ferromagnetic metallic member 10a to shield the magnetic field lines generated by the induction heating coil C1. A heating unit 100a including these elements heats the tire mold M1 storing a tire.

Abstract: A tire tread extractor used in the manufacture of treads includes a frame, a first nip roller rotatably associated with the frame, and a second nip roller rotatably associated with the frame. The first and second nip rollers are adapted to engage a tire tread at least partially resident in a mold. A driving mechanism associated with the first and/or second nip rollers operates to impart rotational motion thereto. The frame is configured for longitudinal movement along a substantial portion of a longitudinal length of the mold while maintaining the first and second nip rollers in a spaced relation to the mold.

Abstract: A tire vulcanization mold can be configured to provide stable ventilation. For example, a tire molding surface has a ventilation groove having a rectangular shape in plan view. A blade has upper end, contact and communication sections. The upper end section thickness is smaller than a groove thickness. The contact section below the upper end section contacts both thickness-direction-facing side faces of the groove. The communication section communicates between a ventilation hole, and a small gap is formed between the groove and the upper end section. Alternatively, the blade has a groove section formed in at least one side face that faces in a blade thickness direction and extends between upper and lower blade ends to form a small gap between the groove and groove section. Air and gas pass through the gap and the communication section and vent to an exterior of the mold through the ventilation hole.

Abstract: A blade for a lining of a mold intended for vulcanizing a tire tread, the blade being produced by selective laser melting. The blade includes an anchoring part configured to anchor the blade in a body of the lining, a molding part configured to mold at least one cut in the tread of the tire. The blade further includes reinforcement, wholly present in the anchoring part of the said blade.

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 tire vulcanization mold includes an elongated exhaust groove open to a tire molding surface, a plate-like blade inserted in the exhaust groove leaving a small gap between the blade and groove defining surfaces, and an exhaust hole connecting the exhaust groove and mold exterior. The exhaust groove has a length reduced partway in a mold depth direction, and includes upper and shorter lower groove portions positioned on mold surface and back surface sides, respectively, of the mold. The upper groove portion thickness is greater than the blade thickness, and the lower groove portion thickness is less than or equal to the blade thickness. The blade includes a communicating portion connecting the upper and lower groove portions, and abuts against portions of the mold defining a bottom surface of the upper groove portion and edge surfaces of both sides in a thickness direction of the lower groove portion.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing device including: an upper annular mold attaching member and a lower annular mold attaching member that respectively attach side portion forming molds for forming side portions of a tire; a plurality of segments that respectively attach a plurality of segmented tread molds for forming a tread portion of the tire; and a mold closing mechanism for radially moving the segments to close the tread molds at an advanced end. The respective segments are respectively independently provided with heat medium passages for applying heat for vulcanization to the tread molds when supplied with a heat medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing the upper and lower portions of two-part tire molds with an expansible opening to provide clearance for the insertion of green tires, in particular large green tires of the sort used on industrial or off-road vehicles. The tire mold according to the present invention provides a segmented tire mold wherein a plurality of circumferentially arranged segments which contribute to the shaping of the circumferential tread portion of a tire. The sidewall rings and the tread segments may include internal cavities which house insulating material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lining element intended to be applied to a support block of a segment of a segmented mold for tires, the lining element being intended to form tread patterns on part of a tire tread, characterized in that it comprises an outer shell (30) delimiting an inner volume and a core (34) inside the shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire curing mold comprising at least one lining element for molding the tread of said tire, said lining element comprising at least one bead for molding a groove in the tread. The curing mold comprises at least one insert forming a portion of the bead, said insert partially or completely delimiting a slot extending into the depth of the bead. The slot is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the bead. The slot is configured in order to mold a flexible wall of reduced thickness made as one piece with at least one wall of the groove molded by the bead.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing device includes a plurality of opening/closing cylinders for respectively independently moving a plurality of mold holding members, which respectively hold a plurality of segmented molds arranged in a circumference direction, forward and backward in radial directions, a plurality of positioning blocks arranged in respective spaces in the circumferential direction between the plurality of segmented molds, respective pairs of engaging members respectively provided at opposite sides of the respective mold holding members, and respective pairs of stopper members each pair of which are provided on the adjoining positioning blocks, for restricting the advanced end positions of the segmented molds in engagements with the respective pairs of engaging members.

Abstract: A vulcanizing mold (10) for a tire includes a frame (24), two lateral shells (26, 28), a plurality of segments (30), a lever (36), a pivot link with an axle (38) for linking the lever (36) to the segment (30), a pivot link with an axle (44) for linking the lever (36) to the driving shell (26), a slide ramp (46) for the axle (44) of the pivot link, the lever (36), the pivot link and the slide ramp (46) being arranged such that the axial displacement of the driving shell (26) with respect to the frame (24) causes a displacement of the axle (38) of the pivot link which is substantially exclusively radial with respect to the driving shell (26).

Abstract: The invention relates to a lining assembly (14) comprising a plurality of lining elements (18) intended to be attached to a support block (12) of a segment (10) of a mold for a tire, the lining elements (18) being intended to form tread blocks of part of a tread band of a tire, the assembly (14) further comprising at least one sacrificial connecting element (24) joining the lining elements (18) together.

Abstract: Provided is a tire mold. The tire mold may comprise a top primary plate, a bottom primary plate, a first sidewall mold part, and a second sidewall mold part. The first sidewall mold part may comprise a first sidewall mold plate adapted for interchangeable engagement with both the top primary plate and the bottom primary plate, or a first sidewall removable component adapted for interchangeable engagement with both the top primary plate and the bottom primary plate. The second sidewall mold part may comprise a second interchangeable sidewall mold plate adapted for interchangeable engagement with both the top primary plate and the bottom primary plate, or a second sidewall removable component adapted for interchangeable engagement with both the top primary plate and the bottom primary plate.

Abstract: In a vulcanization and moulding apparatus for tyres and a method of manufacturing the same, the apparatus includes containment walls defining an inner surface delimiting a moulding cavity. The shape of the inner surface matches the final conformation to be given to the vulcanized tyre and includes a plurality of lamellae. Each lamella comprises at least one lug inserted in a respective seat formed in the inner surface and opening on the inner surface itself. The lug and the respective seat, along an insertion direction of the lamella into the seat, are at least partly misaligned relative to the work portion. The work portion of the lamella further comprises at least one abutment surface bearing against the inner surface of the moulding cavity. The seat is closed with an addition material by laser or tungsten inert gas welding, so as to lock the lamella in the moulding apparatus.

Abstract: A curing mold includes an upper mold portion having a plurality of upper and lower sections radially translatable between open and closed positions, wherein each of the lower sections are positioned adjacent one of the upper sections to form a plurality of pairs of upper and lower sections. The tire mold also includes a pin extending from a first section of each pair of sections, and an aperture extending within a second section of each pair of sections, the aperture including an opening and positioned for receiving a portion of the pin extending from the corresponding first section when the mold is in a substantially closed position. Particular embodiments of the present invention also include a first plurality of radially translatable sections arranged to form an expandable ring and one or more first synchronization members extending between adjacent sections of the first plurality of sections.