Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tire by the steps of producing and assembling the tire structural elements on a toroidal support to form a green tire, and the step of precuring at least an inner surface of the green tire by heating the toroidal support. The radially inner surface of the toroidal support is provided with a plurality of protruding elements to reduce the time required for the outer surface of the toroidal support to reach a temperature which is suitable for ensuring a uniform and homogeneous precuring of the inner surface of the green tire, preferably of the inner surface and the bead regions of the green tire.

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

Abstract: A layup mandrel includes a shell having a tool surface on which plies may be laid up. The shape of the shell is changed by an actuator.

Abstract: Decorative textured surfaces are formed on articles having curved or contoured surfaces. A reusable, flexible textured blanket is placed in a mold along with a first material charge. A pressurizer is used to both impart the texture of the blanket to the first material charge and consolidate the charge to form a textured shell. The blanket is removed from the mold and a second material charge is introduced into the mold over the shell. The application of heat and pressure consolidates the second material charge and the shell to both form and cure the completed article.

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

Abstract: A radial force variation of a tire is corrected irrespectively of the kind of the organic fiber cord used, wherein a radial force variation (RFV) is measured at room temperature to specify a tire position indicating a minimum value of RFV, and an inner face of a tread portion is pushed and enlarged outward in a radial direction of the tire by a pushing means at a RFV bottom region sandwiching the position of the minimum RFV value from both sides thereof in a circumferential direction of the tread portion, and such a push enlarged state is kept for a given time.

Abstract: A tire mold 2 for curing new or retreaded tires 20 has an upper platen 4, a lower platen 6, and a central rim 30 with a frangible member 50 designed to open when a predetermined pressure P1 in excess of the normal curing pressure Pc is observed. The frangible member 50 preferably includes a rupture disk 60 that breaks upon exposure to the pressure P1.

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

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizing press, including a press frame; a guide member provided on the press frame, the guide member having a central hole and a peripheral hole formed around the central hole; a cylindrical member slidably guided in the central hole of the guide member in a vertical direction; a hub fixed to an upper end of the cylindrical member for holding a lower portion of a bladder, the hub having a central hole; a center post slidably inserted through the central hole of the hub for holding an upper portion of the bladder; and a cylinder unit provided between the hub and the center post so as to extend in parallel relationship to the center post, for vertically moving the center post relative to the hub, the cylinder unit having a cylinder body and a rod adapted to be advanced upwardly from an upper end of the cylinder body, the rod being inserted through the peripheral hole of the guide member.

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: According to a central mechanism of a tire vulcanizer of the present invention, in a central mechanism of a tire vulcanizer in which a lower clamp ring holding a lower end portion of a bladder is fixed detachably to a lower ring having a passage of a vulcanizing medium, key-shaped holes are bored on the lower clamp ring, springs which press clamp rods which penetrate through the lower ring downward and a fluid pressure cylinder which pushes up the clamp rods against the spring force are provided, and the clamp rods are pushed up so as to release fixing of the lower clamp ring, and the lower clamp ring is removed by rotating the lower clamp ring by a predetermined angle from a state in which the lower clamp ring and the lower ring are fixed to each other by having nuts fixed at the upper ends of the clamp rods engaged with the key holes. Accordingly, the replacement operation of the bladder is automated, thus making it possible to improve the operation rate.

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 split mold type tire curing mold includes a plurality of sectors mounted on the mold base and movable radially inwardly to a closed position wherein the sectors cooperate to form a closed ring for exerting an inwardly directed force on the periphery of a tire during curing of the tire, the outer surface of the ring being generally cylindrical in shape, and a closing ring carried by the mold top includes an annular base portion which is moved into engagement with the sectors as the mold top is lowered during closing of the mold, the annular base portion having movably mounted on the lower peripheral edge thereof a plurality of wedge members, one for each sector, which are positioned to engage the cylindrical outer surfaces of the sectors and are then driven radially inward by the closing ring to drive the sectors to and maintain them at their closed position during the tire curing process.

Abstract: A segmented matrix cure press retreads pneumatic tires by vulcanizing a tread strip onto a tire casing. The press centers the tire and provides a tailored support to the entire casing periphery of the tire. A bottom mold cavity forming member having a ring with a contoured surface matched to the bead and sidewall areas of one side of the tire is mounted on a vertically movable base plate of the press. A top mold cavity forming member has a similarly shaped contoured ring and is movable into and out of engagement with the bottom member. A standard inflatable inner tube and flap are inserted within a tire which is placed on the contoured surface of the bottom cavity forming member which centers the tire within the press. The top member is lowered onto and locked with the bottom member forming a mold cavity therebetween with the contoured surfaces coinciding with and trapping the bead and sidewall areas of the tire therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for consolidating an annular ring of uncured elastomeric material in a tread ring mould comprising a set of rigid segments in sliding end-to-end relationship to form a consolidation ring having a first small diameter for insertion of the segments into the elastomeric material in the tread mould and a second larger diameter at which the segments form a smooth, continuous consolidating surface, mechanical means for moving the segments from the first diameter substantially to the second diameter and a fluid pressure inflatable bag means which may be inflated behind the segments to apply consolidation force at the second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding an annular tire component into a ring comprising an inflatable, expandable annular pressure vessel formed by an inflatable bag or diaphragm attached to a cylindrical carrier drum and guide means for accurately controlling in a predetermined manner the axial position of the bag with respect to the carrier drum. The guide means are preferably radially extending pins sliding in bearings.

Abstract: An improved bladder handling apparatus for a tire vulcanizing machine including an upper bladder holding unit adapted to move upward or downward so as to raise up or lower a bladder is disclosed. The improvement consists of providing connecting means which serve for operatively connecting both the upper and lower bladder holding units and also a stopper unit disposed on the lower end part of the connecting means for defining the upper positional limit of the upper bladder holding unit.

Abstract: In the moulding of the tread portion of a pneumatic tire the radially inner surface of the mould cavity is defined by the radially outer surface of an annular former of elastomeric material. The former is contracted, a breaker assembly is built onto it and it is allowed to expand to stress the breaker. In the mould the former is further expanded and is held in compression between mould parts and the breaker to withstand moulding pressure. The former may have inflatable pockets to throw the breaker edges into contact with tire sidewall reinforcements.

Abstract: In the moulding of the tread portion of a pneumatic tire the radially inner surface of the mould cavity is defined by the radially outer surface of an annular former of elastomeric material. The former is contracted, a breaker assembly is built onto it and it is allowed to expand to stress the breaker. In the mould the former is further expanded and is held in compression between mould parts and the breaker to withstand moulding pressure. The former may have inflatable pockets to throw the breaker edges into contact with tire sidewall reinforcements.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a venting retainer for a tire curing tube, bladder or the like including means for generally porously encapsulating a tire curing bladder exteriorly thereof whereby upon the upon the insertion of the encapsulating means and the tire curing bladder into a tire internal air is automatically vented to atmosphere. The encapsulating means is preferably composed of a plurality of criss-crossed strands, said strands are secured between a pair of plates, and said plates are relatively movable toward and away from each other to vary the configuration of the encapsulating means prior to and during the insertion of the encapsulating means into a tire adapted to be cured in an associated matrix.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire, comprising a thick, substantially cylindrical center section having a multiplicity of convolutions perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical section on the inner surface of said section, said convolutions providing local reductions in thickness and additional axial extensibility to the bladder, a pair of annular, beaded end sections extending inwardly from each end of the cylindrical center section, and reinforcing material extending through the center section and end sections to limit the axial extensibility of the bladder. This abstract is not to be taken either as a complete exposition or as a limitation of the present invention, however, the full nature and extent of the invention being discernible only by reference to and from the entire disclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in curing vehicle tires including a tire support rim possessing a first inlet to introduce an initial pressure into an inner tube to seat a tire on the rim. The curing rim further includes a second inlet for introducing a second pressure between the inner tube and the casing of the vehicle tire to deflate the inner tube and maintain the vehicle tire in proper position during a curing operation.