Abstract: A multiple insert tire mold (10) has inserts (26) with radially extending ribs (28) for sliding engagement in a slot (22) in the outer ring back (12) of the mold and abutting surfaces (48) for venting exhaust gases from the mold (10).

Abstract: Mould parts of a mould for vehicle tyres, such as sector matrices in a centripetal mould, are made by sintering of a metal- or ceramic-based powder (3) cyclically deposited in consecutively superposed layers. Deposition of each layer is followed by sintering of the powder by a laser beam (8) moving within previously defined areas delimiting contours of the sintered laminate portion thus obtained. Movement of the laser beam (8) is managed by a programmable electronic control unit (11) in which digital information defining the three-dimensional graphic representation of the mould portion to be obtained is stored. The digital information is processed for dividing the graphic representation into superposed layers corresponding each to one of the laminate portions to be obtained by sintering of the corresponding powder layer. Thus moulds of sintered material are obtained, which are provided with inner microcavities enabling air ejection during the tyre vulcanization.

Abstract: A molding element for a mold for molding a tread, intended to mold in this tread an incision of circular shape around an axis XX′, the main opposing walls of which are connected by a plurality of connecting bridges of rubber mix. This molding element includes two molding parts, each formed by a support extended by at least one molding blade. At least one of the molding parts has a support extended by a blade which is at least partially helical around the axis XX′ and mounted freely in rotation around XX′ relative to the other molding part. The blades of the molding parts cooperate to define a plurality of orifices intended for molding the connecting bridges.

Abstract: A molding element for equipping a mold for molding a rubber tread, composed of at least two molding parts provided with lateral walls and end walls joining the lateral walls, the lateral walls being intended to mold in the rubber tread main walls defining a cutout, the main walls being connected by at least one rubber connecting element. In the molding position, the molding parts of the molding element are arranged such that one wall of a molding part is in contact with at least one wall of another molding part, the geometries of the walls of the molding parts being functionally arranged to form at least one orifice permitting the passage of the rubber for molding a connecting element.

Abstract: An improved two-piece segmented mold includes a plurality of tread mold segments mounted to a frustoconical seat in a mold back by a T-shaped guide bar inserted in a guide slot formed in the seat. The segments are biased to a normally closed position in abutment with adjacent segments and in abutment with a mold side plate.

Abstract: A vulcanizing machine for producing pneumatic tires includes an exchangeable segmented mold comprised of tread mold pieces for defining the outer contour of a tire tread portion, and upper and lower side mold members engaged with the tread mold pieces, for defining the outer contours of the sidewall portions. The tread mold pieces are detachably connected to connector segments which are slidably engaged with a container ring so that vertical movement of the container ring causes radial movement of the connector segments relative to the tread mold pieces. After production of tires of a predetermined size has been completed, the mold is removed from the machine by moving the container ring upwards to disconnect the connector segments from the tread mold pieces, and disconnecting the upper side mold member from a top plate of the machine.

Abstract: A segmented mold for pneumatic tires includes a plurality of segmented tread mold pieces for forming an outer contour of a tire tread portion, a plurality of connector segments detachably connected to outer peripheral surfaces of the respective tread mold pieces, and a container ring slidably engaged with tapered portions of the connector segments such that an axial movement of the container ring causes radial movement of each tread mold piece. The connector segments are detachably connected with the respective tread mold pieces, by locking engagement of first latch members of the connector segments with second latch members of the tread mold pieces.

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: A foam bag cushion forming system for forming foam bag cushions with a vertical side edge sealer that forms vertical side edge seals in the film material with the foam introduction preferably occurring after the downstream side seal is formed, before the upstream side edge seal is formed, and while the film material is being shifted from one to the other. An upper edge sealer operates to seal the upper end of the film material downstream from the dispenser and preferably also downstream from the side edge sealer. Through operation of the end and side edge sealers and the foam dispenser, a foam bag cushion chain is formed. A bag cushion moving and confinement assembly is positioned to receive the bag chain and features two elongated members defining a bag cushion confinement space between them. At least one of the elongated members supports or represents a bag cushion movement device (e.g.

Abstract: There is provided a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic tire having a lug type or rib-lug type tread pattern, wherein a portion of the mold contributing to the formation of the tread pattern is comprised of many segments of n types (n=2 to 4), and these segments are combined so as to have at least (n+1) types of pitches each defined by an interval between mutual adjoining protrusions located on the same circumference and a difference between mutual pitches of not less than 0.5 as an index when a maximum value of the pitch is 10.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread with a plurality of sipes, in which one of opposed wall faces of the sipe is a concave face arc-shapedly curved over a whole of the sipe in a depth direction thereof and the other wall face thereof is a convex face just fitted to the above concave face, and a curvature of each of the concave and convex faces is substantially constant over a full length in a longitudinal direction of the sipe.

Abstract: A molding element designed to mold a cut in a rubber article, such as a tire, and in which the cut has a geometry of rotation on an axis XX′. The molding element has a head extended by a molding part intended to project into the molded surface in order to mold at least one cut in the rubber article. The head is mounted for rotation in a mold member, and the head contains at least one circular cylinder of axis XX′ defining the main axis of the molding element, and cooperates with mold member in order to permit a rotation on XX′ relative to the mold, when the molding part of the molding element is subjected either to a force acting in direction XX′ or to a torque about the same direction XX′.

Abstract: A mold for a pneumatic tire includes a plurality of mold sections that cooperate to form an annular mold. Each of the mold sections has a body with an inner surface. The body defines at least one longitudinal groove that opens at the inner surface. The body defines at least one longitudinal groove that opens at the inner surface. The groove has a mouth and a body with the width of the mouth being smaller than at least the largest width of the body. In one embodiment of the invention, the groove has a female dovetail cross section. The grooves in the mold sections cooperate to form a continuous, 360 degree groove about the tire mold. A plurality of die ribs are slidingly disposed in the grooves. Each die rib has a base that corresponds with the cross section of the groove. Thus, the die rib in the above-embodiment has a male dovetail cross section that is configured to slide within the groove.

Abstract: A molding element intended to equip a mold for molding, in a tread made of a rubber compound, a non-demoldable pattern, the element including at least one part molding a part of a pattern with an undercut. The molding element is one wherein during at least part of the demolding operation, the projected area of each part molding a pattern with an undercut onto a plane perpendicular to the demolding direction is smaller than the area of the same part projected onto the same plane in the molding position, so as to make demolding of the molding element easier.

Abstract: A process of molding of a rubber tread making it possible, after molding grooves, to strip the mold without rupture of connecting elements molded in the grooves. A molding element for molding a groove pattern in a rubber tread, the groove defined by at least two main opposite walls joined by at least one molded rubber connecting element, the molding element being designed to project from a molding surface of the mold and presenting at least one opening for molding a connecting element during molding of the tread. The molding element is constituted by the assembly of a first part forming a support, intended to be fastened to a piece of a mold by appropriate means, and of a second part constituted by at least one piece forming a key. Each key is disengaged from the support in order to strip the molding element from the mold.

Abstract: A vulcanization mold for manufacturing pneumatic vehicle tires has mold segments for forming the tread strip of a pneumatic vehicle tire. The mold segments have a radially inwardly facing honeycomb lamella pattern in a radial direction of the vulcanization mold. The honeycomb lamella pattern has first zigzag lamella members mounted in the mold segments and second zigzag lamella members mounted in the mold segments. The first zigzag lamella members extend in a first main direction and the second zigzag members extend in a second main direction. The first and second main directions cross one another. The first zigzag lamella members have first lamella elements and the second zigzag lamella members have second lamella elements, wherein the first and second lamella elements form honeycomb walls of the honeycomb pattern.

Abstract: A tire curing apparatus comprises a lower mold, an upper mold, a sector mold comprised of plural arc-shaped segments, and a taper ring, and further provided with a single link, a rising means for giving a rising force to the arc-shaped segment, and a stopper for stopping the rocking of the single link.

Abstract: Vehicle tire and a metal sheet mold plate for forming the vehicle tire having at least one axial end section includes a tread that includes sipes running substantially axially in at least one of the axial end sections when viewed from the top (i.e., perpendicular to the tread surface). The sipes are corrugated to form corrugated ridges and valleys that are substantially straight lines diagonally inclined in an oblique plane parallel to the substantially axially running sipes. The substantially axially running sipes may include a first set of sipes and a second set of sipes. The corrugated ridges and valleys of the first set of sipes are oriented, with regard to a radially outward direction, to extend axially inwardly toward (i.e., toward a axial center of the tire). Conversely, the corrugated ridges and valleys of the second set of sipes are oriented, with regard to the radially outward direction, to extend axially outwardly (i.e., away from the axial center of the tire).

Abstract: The sector mold (11) is designed so that, during the molding phase, the molding elements (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) are all equidistant due to devices (13) which assure an elastic repulsion between each other. Some of the elements glide circumferentially with respect to their sector (11) in the final closing phase. In this way, pinching of the rubber between sectors and the appearance of molding burrs are avoided.

Abstract: The tire mold includes a peripheral ring split into two parts (G and D). The peripheral ring is laminated. It consists of a stack in the circumferential direction of a number of thin adjacent elements (1) made, for example, of metal sheets. The elements are of two different types: standard elements and intermediate elements, which follow on from one another circumferentially. The mold includes alignment means interacting with said intermediate elements in order to impose an orientation with respect to the radial direction on said intermediate elements. These means are, for example, grooves in which the intermediate elements are engaged.

Abstract: A mold for tire vulcanization comprises a plurality of segments forming respectively a part of a circular interior complementary to land portions and groove portions of the tread portion of a tire product and being separable from each other in the tire circumferential direction, and each of the segments comprising a plurality of pieces forming said circular interior part and a block supporting the pieces, wherein each of the pieces comprises a combination of a matrix metal and a core made of a different kind of material which is preferably fitted to a through hole of the matrix metal and has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the matrix metal. In a method of manufacturing the mold, upon casting the matrix metal, the matrix metal is cast around the core with a higher fusion point than that of the matrix metal.

Abstract: An improved mold (1) for the molding and vulcanizing of annular treads inded, in particular, for the recapping of tires, which includes at least one rigid core (3) defining the inner surface of the tread and a collar (2) divided into sectors (21) which are movable radially between an open position and a closed position of the collar (2) for the molding of the outside of the tread, characterized by the fact that the core (3) bears movable annular elements (5) for the tight connection of the core (3) to the sectors (21) whatever the position of the latter between the closed position of the collar (2) and a slightly apart position of the sectors (21), and that the sectors (21), the core (3), and the annular element (5) define the molding space of the tread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying residual cornering force (RCF) or residual self-aligning torque (RSAT) of a tire 12. The tire mold 30 is modified by removing or adding removable chamfer mold pieces or material 50,150 to the interior surface of the tire mold 30. The removable chamfer mold pieces chamfer portions of the tire tread 10 at key locations, addition or deletion of such chamfer portions 50,150 at selected locations can modify the tire's RCF and/or RSAT parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying residual cornering force (RCF) or residual self-aligning torque (RSAT) of a tire 12. The tire mold 30 is modified by removing or adding removable chamfer mold pieces or material 50,150 to the interior surface of the tire mold 30. The removable chamfer mold pieces chamfer portions of the tire tread 10 at key locations, addition or deletion of such chamfer portions 50,150 at selected locations can modify the tire's RCF and/or RSAT parameters.

Abstract: The tread of the tire of this invention is made using tread bands that have a variable pitch length. That is, the variable pitch length tread bands have a first pitch length on one axial side of the tread band and a second pitch length on the other axial side of the tread band. The transition between the first and second pitch lengths can be a gradual change across the tread band widthwise or a relatively abrupt change. The preferred tire has a tread band where the change in pitch length is widthwise within a groove of the tread. Tread bands of this invention have circumferential edges that mesh with each other such that one variable length tread band can be used with its smaller pitch length on one lateral side of the tread or rotated end to end and used with the smallest pitch length on the other lateral side of the tread of the tire. A method for producing a tread band having a change in the pitch length is also given in this invention.

Abstract: In the present invention, when a tire is vulcanized, a flange fixed to either one of a top plate of a split mold and a piston rod tip end of a split mold opening/closing cylinder is held by operating fingers. The fingers are assembled in such a manner to be capable of oscillating in the holding direction by the return force of a spring. The top plate is connected to a piston rod of the split mold opening/closing cylinder. Thereupon, the split mold is opened and closed by the output of the split mold opening/closing cylinder and the vertical movement of a bolster plate. When the split mold is replaced, holding is released by oscillating the fingers by using a finger driving device, by which the top plate is separated from the piston rod of the split mold opening/closing cylinder.

Abstract: A center split, segmented mold for curing a complete tire is provided, comprising a mold container top containing a top mold sidewall plate and a plurality of top tread segments disposed generally equidistant from a central axis and adjacently abutting each other when the mold is in a closed position; and a mold container bottom containing a bottom mold sidewall plate and a plurality of bottom tread segments disposed generally equidistant from the axis and adjacently abutting each other when the mold is in a closed position. Each of the top and bottom tread segments are resiliently biased toward the mold centerline by spring mechanisms, and are slidably coupled to respective frustoconical surfaces of the mold container, such that vertical movement of the mold container top along the axis from a closed position to an open position is translated into outward radial movement of the top and bottom tread segments away from the axis.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing mold is divided into an upper-mold and a lower-mold in the tire axial direction. The upper and the lower molds have a base part with a molding surface for a tire-bead and a tire-sidewall, and a tread ring part with a molding surface for a tire-tread and a tire-buttress. The tread ring part is divided by radial split surfaces into a plurality of tread segments supported on the base part tiltably around a center line in the tangential direction of a circle centered on the tire axis between the reference position, where the radial split surfaces of the tread ring part contact to each other, and a releasing position, where the radial split surfaces are separated to each other.

Abstract: Tire recapping or retreading apparatus and method including the use of a tread mold with a plurality of mold segments. A tread mold loading machine is used to position a prepared tire carcass or built tire relative to the mold segments and to install the mold segments on the exterior of the built tire. The mold segments are retained in place on the exterior of the tire carcass by a pair of tension springs. The tension springs hold the mold segments on the tire carcass after the mold segments have been released from the tread mold loading machine. The use of the tread mold loading machine and the mold segments eliminates distortion of the tire carcass during installation of the tread mold on the exterior of the built tire.

Abstract: The sector mold (11) is designed so that, during the molding phase, the molding elements (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) are all equidistant due to devices (13) which assure an elastic repulsion between each other. Some of the elements glide circumferentially with respect to their sector (11) in the final closing phase. In this way, pinching of the rubber between sectors and the appearance of molding burrs are avoided.

Abstract: A force to separate the mold portions for both sides of a tire, created by the pressure of a heating/pressurizing medium introduced into the tire during the vulcanization of the tire, is offset via an upper disk, a segment having protrusions at both ends, and a lower disk. A force in the radial direction to move a tread mold outward is offset via the segment. A component of force in the axial direction (vertical direction) of a radial force, created by the interposition of a sliding inclined surface between the segment and the outer ring is offset via the outer ring, a cover plate, locking claws, the upper disk, and the segment.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing press of the present invention uses a split die device having an upper disk to which an upper die portion for molding the tire side is attached, a lower disk to which a lower die portion for molding the tire side is attached, divided segments to which a split tread die portion for molding the tire tread is attached, and an outer ring which has an inner inclined surface corresponding to the outer inclined surface of the segment and are slidably engaged with the outer inclined surface. Each of the divided segments has protrusions at the upper part and the lower part so that outward forces applied to the die portions during vulcanization are received by the protrusions of the segments.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for tire press that includes upper and lower sidewall molds and a segmented tread mold assembly for forming the tread portion of a tire. The sidewall molds and tread mold assembly define a molding cavity with a central vertical axis. The press may be operated to move the upper sidewall mold together with the tread mold assembly upwardly and laterally away from the vertical axis to permit loading of an uncured tire carcass in the lower sidewall mold section and for removing a cured tire from the upper sidewall mold section. The operating mechanism or center mechanism includes a bearing sleeve, coaxial with the central axis and mounted on the mold carrier beam for the press. An outer tubular sleeve is slidably received in the bearing sleeve and extends there-through so that the lower end may be operatively connected to the tread mold assembly for operating the same.

Abstract: Tire recapping or retreading apparatus and method including the use of a tread mold with a plurality of mold segments. A tread mold loading machine is used to position the prepared tire carcass relative to the mold segments and to install the mold segments on the exterior of the tire carcass. The mold segments are retained in place on the exterior of the tire carcass by a tension band. Resilient elastic tension bands or pre-stressed metal tension springs hold the mold segments on the tire carcass after the mold segments have been released from the tread mold loading machine. The use of the tread mold loading machine and the mold segments eliminates distortion of the tire carcass during installation of the tread mold.

Abstract: A curing mold for pneumatic tires includes a plurality of segments which are detachably adjoined with each other in a direction corresponding to circumferential direction of a product tire. Each segment has a plurality of fitting pieces with fixing portions at both ends at least one which is complementary to part of the land portion of the tire. The fitting pieces are secured to and supported by a supporting block having an inner surface which is complementary to the land and groove portions of the tire, which is formed with fitting grooves for engaging the fixing portions of the fitting pieces therein.

Abstract: A tire-vulcanizing mold including a profiled segment. In order to assure a safe gas discharge from the cavity formed in the tire-vulcanizing mold during the forming of the tire blanks, the invention provides that the profiled segment be divided along at least one interface into at least two partial profiled segments, that the interface extends substantially parallel to a plane of rotation in relationship to the tire mold, and that the interface cuts the areas of the tire-vulcanizing mold to be vented. Manufacture of the segments is done much that the profiled segment is first manufactured in one piece and is thereafter divided into the partial profiled segments by a cutting operation leaving behind a narrow cutting line.

Abstract: In a metallic mold, all or a part of the annular portion for molding at least the tread of the tire is formed by a plurality of small separate pieces that can be combined to form said annular portion. Between these small pieces, during the molding of the tire, clearances are maintained so as to permit the passage of air but not the passage of rubber. The above clearances are connected through vent holes to air suction means. Such vent holes are also connected with means for blowing pressure fluid through the clearances. The construction of this mold portion by means of small pieces made with cuts of the aforementioned portion in the axial and the circumferential direction permits regulation of the width of the clearances with respect to the rheometric characteristics of the elastomeric material to be molded and to adapt easily the mold to different tire sizes by increasing or decreasing the number of such pieces.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a tread pattern formed on the surface of the tire by using at least two types of main pattern elements having a length in the circumferential direction of the tire equal to at least 1.0% of that of the outer periphery of the tire and a subpattern element having a length in the circumferential direction of the tire of at least 0.5 mm and equal to 0.6% or less of that of the outer periphery of the tire, combining one of the main pattern elements with the subpattern element to prepare a plurality of types of combination pattern elements different from each other in the length of the circumferential direction of the tire and the pattern, and periodically disposing these pattern elements along the circumferential direction of the tire.

Abstract: The vulcanizing mold has an upper mold member, a lower mold member, a sector surrounding the space between the upper and lower mold members and an actuator movable upward and downward relative to the sector to move the sector radially outward and inward. The actuator is divided into an upper actuator portion and a lower actuator portion. The sector is also divided into an upper sector portion and a lower sector portion. The mold further has a connection for connecting the actuator portions together to raise the lower actuator portion by a predetermined amount with the rise of the upper actuator portion and for separating the lower actuator portion from the upper actuator portion upon the portion rising more than the predetermined amount, when the mold is opened.

Abstract: A method for molding articles, particularly tires, of different diameters/circumferences including a plurality of pitches defining a mold cavity, the pitches having transverse faces in generally face-to-face abutment in a closed position of the mold cavity, and at least several of the pitches being of different lengthwise sizes. The pitches in the closed position of the mold cavity defining a predetermined mold configuration which includes portions at angles to the length of the article molded in the mold cavity. The mold configuration matches lengthwise across all of the transverse faces irrespective of the location of the pitches relative to each other and irrespective of the number of the pitches. The latter arrangement permits articles, such as new or retread tires, of different lengths but of the generally same predetermined mold configuration to be molded in a single mold.

Abstract: A tire is manufactured by assembling a tread package into a pattern ring and molding a tread thereon while partially precuring the package. The tire is further assembled by positioning an uncured carcass within the pattern ring so that the carcass contacts an uncured portion of the tread package. Finally, the assembled tire is separated from the pattern ring and subsequently heated in a mold devoid of a tread pattern to bond and cure the complete tire.

Abstract: A tire mold having an upper half, a lower half, and a hinged segmented center ring mounted on the lower half. The center ring has an upper register between the ring and the upper mold half and a lower register between the center ring and the lower mold half to support the center ring during molding. The lower register is provided by engagement of an inclined surface on the center ring with a lower register surface on a ring flange positioned between the hinge axis of each center ring segment and the inclined surface of the segment. The hinge axis is positioned below a lower split plane between the lower mold half and center ring. The height of the ring flange and the inclination of the lower register surface is selected to provide for swinging movement of the center ring segments with the least interference between the center ring and the tire tread during opening of the mold and to provide the maximum support of the center ring segments during molding of a tire.

Abstract: A mold including a pair of bodies engageable with each other and each including an annular recess, an annular groove and an annular depression, a ring being engaged in the annular recess and the annular groove respectively, and one or more rings corresponding to the tread portion of the tire being engaged in the annular depression of each of the bodies, a mold cavity for forming the tire being formed in the bodies and the rings, the rings engaged in the annular depressions being arranged in parallel with each other so that the rings can be stably and properly retained in place.

Abstract: A sector-type mold for the molding and vulcanizing of tires, having shells 2) and the sectors (1) which cooperate to withstand the internal molding pressure and remain in closed position without the assistance of additional wedging or holding parts.

Abstract: Upon the opening of this sector mold 30, the rods 43, which penetrate into recesses 39 which are pierced through plates 37, assure purely radial mold removal by producing a pull on the sectors 30. This arrangement is compatible with a subsequent swinging of the sectors 30.

Abstract: A bladderless tire mold press for tires including lower and upper platens and a mechanism for moving the platens relatively toward one another from an open position to a closed molding position. Each of the platens includes side wall molds for molding the tire sidewalls and thread molds for molding the tire thread. Each of the platens further includes a mechanism for molding tire beads. The tire bead molding mechanism including central mechanisms which are movable relative to their respective platens for insertion into the center of the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding articles, particularly tires, of different diameters/circumferences including a plurality of pitches defining a mold cavity, the pitches having transverse faces in generally face-to-face abutment in a closed position of the mold cavity, and at least several of the pitches being of different lengthwise sizes. The pitches in the closed position of the mold cavity defining a predetermined mold configuration which includes portions at angles to the length of the article molded in the mold cavity. The mold configuration matches lengthwise across all of the transverse faces irrespective of the location of the pitches relative to each other and irrespective of the number of the pitches. The latter arrangement permits articles, such as new or retread tires, of different lengths but of the generally same predetermined mold configuration to be molded in a single mold.

Abstract: A split tire mold having a tread ring in which provision is made for venting air circumferentially across the inner surface of the tread ring so that the air escapes from the parting line of the mold halves, dispenses with widely used, conventional, radially protruding vent stubs. The air is vented through "butterfly-shaped" or "double-wedge-shaped" arch-vents which provide passage for trapped air above each tread block of the tread as it is moved against the inner surface of the tread ring. The shape of the arch-vent passages and the angulation of the wedges is critical to the effectiveness of the arch-vent which forms an arch-vent bridge of cured rubber in a cured tire. The configuration of the bridge allows as cured tire to be easily removed from the mold cavity without leaving a broken-off piece of the rubber bridge to plug the arch-vents. This arch-vent design leaves unobtrusive flat-sided, narrow wedge-shaped pieces of rubber as the arch-vent stubs, tapered in two directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of pneumatic vehicle tires including a mold for forming a tread pattern on the ground contacting surface of the tire. The tread mold 23 has an inner surface 24 in which a closely fitting open network grid 10 is removably positioned. The grid has at least one axial split therein to allow removal of the grid from the tire after its curing is completed.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of pneumatic tires having a tread T with grooves therein in which the grooves are formed by use of cylindrical network grid 10. The grid 10 is filled with tread compound T, and is then located concentrically to surround a tire carcass assembly C to assemble the carcass to the tread. Other tire components such as sidewalls S are added to the carcass C with the grid in situ, and the assembled tire is then cured with grid in situ, the grid being subsequently stripped from the finished tire. Apparatus for above method include a tread mould body (23) having an inner mould surface (24) in which the closely fitting cylindrical network grid (10) is located. The grid (10) is separate from the mould body (23) and has at least one axial split therein to allow removal of the grid (10) from the finished tire.