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

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having improved high-speed running performances is manufactured by conducting vulcanization of a green tire with a mold provided at a position corresponding to a given position between neighborhood of shoulder portion and neighborhood of bead portion with at least one protrusion which protrudes inside the mold and continuously extends in the circumferential direction of the mold and consists of a first arc segment having a center of curvature located outside from the inner surface of the mold and second arc segments each having a center of curvature located inside from the inner surface of the mold and smoothly connecting to the first arc segment at upper and lower ends in the radial direction of the mold.

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

Abstract: A bladder control mechanism of a tire vulcanizer includes an actuating mechanism for moving a bladder holder and a bladder gripping bowl of an upper bladder clamp relative to one another. A spring of the control mechanism imparts a gripping force to the bladder holder. Therefore, no re-tightening is required while a bladder is in use. When the bladder is to be changed, the actuating mechanism is actuated to forcibly separate the bladder holder from the bladder gripping bowl in opposition to the spring. As a result, the bladder holder frees the edge portion of the bladder. Further, due to a bayonet connection, the bladder can be readily changed in a short time by turning and removing the bladder holder.

Abstract: An apparatus for vulcanizing a pneumatic vehicle tire, the beads of which, in a mounted state, are disposed on the radially inner periphery of a wheel rim. A tire blank, with the beads displaced laterally outwardly, is vulcanized using a heating press that is provided with two axially displaceable contour rings for forming the inner regions of the tire beads, and a heating bellows. To facilitate introduction of the tire blank and to protect the heating bellows, it is proposed, for loading the heating press, to axially move the contour rings together, into a position above a vulcanizing position, in such a way that the evacuated heating bellows moves downwardly through a space defined by the lower contour ring. The tire blank is subsequently placed over the contour rings, accompanied by a slight oval deformation of the lower tire bead, and is subsequently fixed on the contour rings by increasing the axial spacing therebetween. At the same time, the heating bellows passes into the interior of the blank.

Abstract: In a center mechanism of a tire vulcanizing machine equipped with four kinds of hydraulic cylinders, lower end portions of a plurality of rods are made insertable into holes provided in a beam to transmit a pressing force generated by a pressurized hot medium to stoppers through the respective rods upon vulcanization of a tire. Upon completion of vulcanization of the tire, the stoppers are made to swing to lower the respective rods.

Abstract: A center mechanism for a tire mold comprising a mushroom-shaped bladder, a clamp ring for clamping a lower opening edge of the bladder, a post cylinder for extending and contracting a height of the bladder, a movable stopper for receiving a depressing force against the clamp ring which is generated by heating medium introduced into the bladder upon vulcanizing a tire, and a bladder elevator cylinder for elevating and lowering the clamp ring upon loading and unloading a tire.

Abstract: A thin, membrane-like cylindrical rubber tire curing bladder is provided with reinforcing cords wound in parallel spiral paths at any composite angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. When installed on the centerpost mechanism of a tire curing press and inflated in the curing process, the bladder length increases due to partial and reversible straightening of the spirally wound cord reinforcement. This permits optimum fit of the bladder in the tire being processed with uniform controlled growth of the membrane providing improved cured tire uniformity. Longer service life of the bladder is thereby achieved. The bladder is a good heat conductor inherent to its thin matrix, unlike previously known bladders. The bladder of the present invention also provides for a unique venting mechanism during the curing process to provide a tire having reduced potential for trapped air related anomalies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vulcanizing pneumatic vehicle tires having heads that in the mounted state are disposed on the radially inner periphery of a rim. In order for such tires to achieve a satisfactorily contoured vulcanization, and in order at the same time to produce sealing surfaces with great precision, the tire is vulcanized with its beads in their operating position. During the vulcanization, the radially outwardly disposed surfaces of the tire beads are shaped with the aid of rigid, one-piece, shaped molding rings.

Abstract: A method of setting a crude tire into a space between upper and lower molds in a tire vulcanizing press having upper and lower mold units movable relative to each other includes the steps of pushing an upper bead of the crude tire into a bead of the upper mold by a vertically movable device which supports the upper bead of the crude tire, introducing gas into a bladder to expand the bladder while restricting the elevation of an upper portion fixing ring of a bladder holder mechanism attached to the lower mold unit, and pushing a lower bead of the crude tire into a bead of the lower mold by utilizing the expansion forces of the bladder. With the bladder enclosed air-tightly, the tire lower bead can efficiently be pushed into the lower mold bead.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a standing well post type center mechanism in a tire press which comprises a bladder well disposed vertically liftably in the center of the tire press, the bladder well comprising a bead ring at the upper end thereof, an upper clamp ring assembly for holding the upper end of a bladder, the upper clamp ring assembly disposed concentrically with the bladder well and being vertically liftable independently of the bladder well, and a lower clamp ring assembly concentrical with the upper clamp ring assembly and vertically liftable independently of the bladder well and the upper clamp ring assembly, wherein an air cylinder for lifting the upper clamp ring assembly is disposed liftably in the bladder well, the upper clamp ring assembly is fitted to the upper end of a piston rod in the air cylinder, the lower clamp ring assembly is fitted to the upper end of the air cylinder, and the lower end of the air cylinder is constrained engageably and disengageably through a stopper.

Abstract: The heat-sink capacity of a well-insulated dome curing press lends itself to saving external steam (flowed over the exterior of a mold in the press) when curing an article. Despite shutting off the external steam at about the half-way point in the normal heating cycle, or sooner, the temperature swing at a point 2 inches within the mold is less than 10.degree. F. This small swings allows the point of least cure (PLC) to receive the required number of cure equivalents long after the external steam supply is shut off, that is, while the press is "coasting". In the mean while, the internal heating and cooling cycle of the press may also be shortened for maximum energy savings, or left unchanged. Though the external steam is shut off before the PLC has received the required or specified number of cure equivalents at the PLC, the press-open to press-close cycle remains the same, and the quality of the cure is not measurably affected.

Abstract: A thin, membrane-like cylindrical rubber tire curing bladder is provided with reinforcing cords wound in parallel spiral paths at any composite angle to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. When installed on the centerpost mechanism of a tire curing press and inflated in the curing process, the bladder length increases due to partial and reversible straightening of the spirally wound cord reinforcement. This permits optimum fit of the bladder in the tire being cured with uniform controlled growth of the membrane. Longer service life of the bladder is thereby achieved. The bladder is a good heat conductor inherent to its thin matrix, unlike previously known curing bladders.

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

Abstract: Elastomer structures having exposed controlled surface release characteristics can be made by coating at least a portion of their surface with a releasing composition comprising (a) a chlorosulphonated polymer; (b) a reinforcing filler and (c) a green tackifying agent. Optionally, these compositions can also contain a chemical curing system and one or more volatile solvent/diluent viscosity-reducing vehicle. In a specific example, the coating are applied to flexible structures used in machines for the manufacture of articles having natural tack due to their rubber or elastomer content.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing press, including a vertical metal mold capable of being opened and closed; a central mechanism arranged on a center portion of a lower portion of the metal mold; a bladder held in the central mechanism in a liftable, extendable, and contractible manner; a centering device for a tire to be removed from the mold; and a tire removal arm provided on a first side of the vulcanizing press so as to be horizontally movable back and forward with respect to the vulcanizing press movable perpendicularly up and down at a center portion of the metal mold; the centering device including a centering arm which includes a plurality of centering bars and which is movable back and forward with the removal arm, is separately movable up and down perpendicularly at the center of the metal mold, and is movable back and forward in a radial direction of the tire within a tire opening edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacture of a tire component said component being a sheet of reinforced unvulcanized rubber compound having two parallel main surfaces. The apparatus comprises an open mould shaped to accommodate the component arranged to contact one of said surfaces, a pressurizing member to contact the other said surface, and apparatus for maintaining the time/temperature conditions of the mould and the component below those required to cause vulcanization. The pressurizing member applies substantial compressive force to the component so that the rubber compound is pressed into intimate contact with the reinforcement. The apparatus provides real penetration of the rubber compound into the reinforcement and is particularly valuable for tire breakers which are steel cord reinforced.

Abstract: A mobile tire curing unit having top and bottom mold halves interconnectable in releasable manner so as to define an annular chamber for receiving a green tire, with one of the mold halves incorporating a closed circuit for a given curing media supply under pressure, the circuit being defined by a deformable curing bladder, designed to occupy the annular chamber, and by a casing connectd to the inner tube by a heated supply duct and a return duct; the casing also housing a powered fan for circulating the curing media inside the closed circuit, and the circuit being externally chargeable via an inlet valve.

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

Abstract: A tire curing press incorporates an improved seal assembly for the center mechanism or bladder assembly. The bottom or lower clamp ring assembly for the shaping bladder is normally threaded on a hub. The hub and ring assembly include cylindrical telescoping surfaces and axially facing surfaces with an O-ring or seal ring provided between the former and a harder bumper ring provided between the latter. The present invention eliminates the seal between the cylindrical surfaces and provides between the axially facing surfaces a special seal assembly which includes an annular sealing plate with a low coefficient of friction and two sealing O-rings on each side thereof. The seal assembly prevents "blow-by" and makes the parts easier to assemble and disassemble under various temperature conditions.

Abstract: A coil section for being excited by a primary ac signal and producing a secondary output signal is provided on the open end side of a bag-cylinder main body. A material consisting of such substance and having such configuration that bring about reluctance change of a magnetic circuit passing through the coil section in accordance with displacement of a piston rod of the bag-cylinder is provided in a predetermined pattern about the piston rod. In a detection circuit, position detection data representing the position of the piston rod is obtained in response to the secondary output signal from the coil section. In a position establishing circuit, stop position data representing a desired position at which the piston rod should be stopped is established depending upon the diameter of a tire to be vulcanized.

Abstract: A central mechanism in a tire vulcanizing press including a shaping bladder, a hot pressure supply source, an upper bladder clamp supporting center post, a lower bladder clamp supporting post through which is inserted the center post vertically movably, a mechanism for vertically independently moving both posts, and a latch mechanism for preventing the descent of the support post during vulcanizing press for a tire, the latch mechanism being driven selectively in opening and closing directions relative to the support post by means of a latch opening/closing device, the latch opening/closing device including a drive mechanism capable of moving vertically along a vertical axis, member for converting a vertical linear motion of the drive, a mechanism into a rotational motion around the vertical axis and means for transmitting the thus -obtained rotational motion to the latch mechanism.

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

Abstract: A tire vulcanizer which includes a lower mold assembly secured to a press base, an upper mold assembly held movably up and down on a press side frame and provided to be opened and closed with respect to the lower mold assembly, a molding bladder expansible with respect to a center mechanism of the lower mold assembly and pressurized heating medium supplying means, wherein for maintaining a parallelism of the upper and lower mold assemblies, a torsion shaft for maintaining the parallelism which is movable up and down and rotatable about an axis in synchronism with the upper mold assembly is mounted at a position parallel to the press base, at a right angle to the side frame and not interfering with the upper and lower mold assemblies.

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

Abstract: A time curing press includes an upper mold part which is movably arranged by means of long-stroke cylinders relative to a lower mold part. Extending at a central area of the upper mold part and connected thereto is a vertical guide bar which is supported in a headpiece of the frame of the press. The guide bar is provided with a vertically adjustable not which is engaged by clamp jaws to lock the mold, i.e. the upper mold part with the lower mold part in the closed position of the press.

Abstract: Novel precipitated silicon dioxide abrasive compositions which can be incorporated into therapeutic toothpaste compositions containing both soluble fluoride salts and soluble phosphate salts are disclosed. The abrasive comprise low structure precipitated silicon dioxides which have been reacted with about 10 to 300 parts per million alkaline earth metal ion, particularly calcium. Reaction with the alkaline earth metal ion minimizes abrasive interaction with the fluoride ion source in therapeutic toothpaste. Also provided are methods for preparation of the novel silicon dioxide abrasives and resulting toothpaste formulations containing such abrasives.

Abstract: The specification describes a tire vulcanizer adapted for use in performing the shaping and curing operation of a green tire efficiently and safely. The vulcanizer is characterized by means for lifting or lowering an upper ring, which includes a rotary means consisting of a ball screw shaft and nut cylinder, and a mechanism adapted to render said ball screw shaft rotate freely upon receiving a signal which is generated upon the completion of the shaping and curing operation.

Abstract: A tire retreading bladder which includes a generally angular member of a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration defined by a bight portion and a pair of legs with the annular member defining an interior volume, each leg terminating in a terminal edge of a generally circular configuration, each leg having interior and exterior surfaces, a plurality of pairs of closely adjacent ribs along the exterior surfaces for venting air from between such exterior surfaces and an interior surface of an associated tire adapted to receive therewithin the bladder, each pair of ribs setting off a venting groove therebetween, and venting means further including transverse venting slots disposed lengthwise along the ribs.

Abstract: A tire retreading bladder of a generally annular configuration which is U-shaped in cross section as defined by a bight portion and a pair of legs, each terminating at an axially outwardly directed annular sealing bead and having at each terminal edge a plurality of circumferentially spaced valleys through which pressurized air may be introduced into and exhausted from the bladder, means disposed along each of exterior surfaces of the legs for venting air from between such exterior surfaces and an interior surface of an associated tire, and each exterior surface defining between radially inboard portions of each venting means and the associated sealing bead a generally smooth uninterrupted annular sealing surface adapted to form a hermetic line of sealing with an associated bead aligner wheel.

Abstract: A bladder for use in a tire molding and vulcanization press has grooves in its outer face and a circumferential molding flash on its inner face. A process for the manufacture of this membrane by molding uses a press having a ribbed core to produce the grooves and two shells which may have smooth walls.

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: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic, or full automatic operation particularly in bag or bladder retreading operations, and includes the following novel features:A. bead aligner wheels with circular continuous uninterrupted sealing ribs for forming annular chambers in conjunction with an associated bladder which upon pressurization of the latter results in a partial vacuum in the chambers such that the bladder will be maintained as desired during opening and closing of the matrices as well as relative movement between the bead aligner wheels;B. bladder locating means on the bead aligner wheels for centering the bladder and projections on the bead aligner wheels for preventing bladder pinching;C. cooperative means on the exterior surface of the bladder and the bead aligner wheels for venting air from between the bladder and an associated tire to atmosphere;D.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to retread molds adapted for manual, semi-automatic or full automatic operation and specifically is directed to a pair of relatively movable platens carrying matrix means for receiving a tire therein with bead aligner wheels associated therewith, the bead aligner wheels being in axially opposed relationship to each other, an annular bladder disposed between the platens, the annular bladder having innermost peripheral marginal portions, the marginal portions being in overlying relationship upon the bead aligner wheels, and means for creating an annular gap between a terminal edge of each bladder peripheral marginal portion, an outboard portion of each of the bladder peripheral margins and the associated bead aligner wheel, the annular gap creating means being defined by an annular bead carried by each outboard portion and/or terminal end of each bladder peripheral marginal portion in sealing contact with its associated bead aligner wheel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a retreading mold having relatively movable platens, a bead aligner wheel carried by each platen, a bladder disposed between the bead aligner wheels, a continuous uninterrupted rib carried by each bead aligner wheel for hermetically sealing against the exterior surface of the bladder, the bladder including a pair of innermost edges, and each of the edges being in further hermetic sealing contact with its associated bead aligner wheel at a point radially inboard of the sealing rib whereby an annular portion of each bead aligner wheel is spanned by a portion of the bladder to form therewith a hermetically sealed annular chamber.

Abstract: A generally annular tire curing membrane has a plurality of interconnected ribs integrally molded on its inside surface. The ribs collectively define a plurality of adjacent polygons. A portion of at least one of the ribs is disposed at an oblique angle to the circumferential centerline of the membrane. The polygons may have an infinite number of sides, thereby having a curved boundary.

Abstract: A tire curing membrane has a pattern of interconnected ribs integrally molded on its inside surface. The ribs collectively define a pattern of closely fitted, approximately equilateral hexagons with no non-hexagonal interstices.

Abstract: A flexible annular core for the production of hollow toroidal rubber shells, particularly pneumatic tires, composed of a pair of bead portions, each of which is composed of beads, a reinforcing layer folded back so as to enclose the beads, and elastomer layers covering the reinforcing layer, and a flexible shell portion composed of the reinforcing layer covered with the elastomer layers and extending across the bead portions. The bead portion of said flexible annular core is composed of the reinforcing layer and the elastomer layer adhered with each other. The flexible shell portion of said core is composed of the reinforcing layer and the elastomer layer not adhered with each other.