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

Abstract: In combination with a tire casing, including a pre-formed, pre-cured, or uncured tread disposed about its periphery, and a curing envelope covering said tread and at least the outwardly facing side walls and bead portion of the tire casing, means are disclosed for effecting a tight and uniform seal between the said curing envelope and tire casing. These comprise a pair of annular sealing members, each having a central hub and a peripheral circumferential surface adapted to engage with the bead portion of the tire casing; a pair of unitary backing members, each having a central hub and portions at equal radial distances from the said hub which are engageable with the inwardly facing peripheral edge of said tire casing; and threaded fastener means extending between each said annular member and said backing member to enable the annular and backing members to be drawn toward one another to effect a clamping action between the members and intervening envelope and tire bead as the members are drawn together.

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

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for vulcanizing a tire, and includes a pair of generally annular split dies which are axially movable relative to each other, and a pair of generally circular supports surrounded by the dies. The supports include bead seats which are engagable with the axially outer sides of the tire beads so as to form a closed space between the supports and within the tire. The space is supplied with a pressure medium which is heated during vulcanization. The supports are axially movable relative to each other and to the dies. Each of the supports has mounted thereon a plurality of pivotal members which are movable into engagement with the axially inner sides of the tire beads. The pivotal members press the beads tightly against the bead seats in order to form a seal between the beads and the bead seats.

Abstract: Apparatus usable with a tire mold for curing large off-the-road tubeless tires having varying bead-to-bead spacing. The apparatus includes a lower barrel which supports a vertically moveable adjusting and locking ring on its upper portion and a single floating sealing ring telescopically slideably carried by the lower barrel. The lower barrel and sealing ring are formed with opposed sealing rims. A tire to be cured is interposed between the sealing rims and is then inflated so as to move the floating sealing ring upwardly and form a seal between the sealing rims solely by the resistance of the beads. The tire is then deflated and the assembly positioned in a tire curing mold. Thereafter, the tire is again inflated and the curing operation takes place.

Abstract: A pop-up, rotating nozzle in a tire curing press provides for dispersed and uniform introduction of fluid media into the upper containment portion of a curing and shaping bladder during tire cure and cooling, and yet allows for relatively close spacing of upper and lower bladder clamps such as during bladder insertion and stripping operations. The nozzle has an outlet head in communication with the interior of the bladder and a supply stem mounted in a lower bladder clamp and porting assembly of the press for both axial and rotational movement. The nozzle is movable against a spring biasing force by the upper bladder clamp to a lowermost retracted position which allows the bladder clamps to be axially spaced apart a distance substantially less than their axial spacing during cure.

Abstract: The device comprises a spacing member axially screwable within a screw-threaded member, acting as a stop and establishing the operating position in question. For structural simplification and reduction of the production cost of the device, the screw-threaded member and the spacing element are substantially formed as sleeves which comprise a longitudinally extending slot. The slots may be placed in coincidence and have a width at least such that the device may be placed on an axially displaceable connecting rod of the tire processing machine, said rod carrying a tire holding means, the connecting rod being substantially surrounded.

Abstract: An improved tire loading apparatus for a tire vulcanizing machine is disclosed which includes a plurality of tire clamping shoes arranged radially relative to the center thereof, the tire clamping shoes being adapted to move outwardly or inwardly in the radial direction, wherein an annular centering ring is provided for restricting radial movement of the tire clamping shoes.

Abstract: An improved drain discharge device in a tire curing machine is described here, in which a drain discharge blind bore communicating with drain discharge paths provided in an upper ring and a bladder fastener, respectively, both mounted at the top end of a rod of a center cylinder and clamping the top end of a bladder therebetween and having a drain port at its lower end is provided within the rod of the center cylinder, also the center cylinder is provided with a spacer formed integrally with the center cylinder and having a drain discharge port at its lower end, and between the spacer and the rod is provided a movable sleeve covering the drain port which sleeve is slidable relative to the respective ones of the spacer and the rod and has its sliding surfaces sealed.

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

Abstract: A method for restoration and re-utilization of discharged gas for use in a vulcanization employing inert gas in part of the vulcanization of elastomer products, which includes the steps of restoring a mixture of used inert gas discharged from a vulcanizing unit and vulcanizing medium for steam separation thereof, subjecting the elastomer product mounted in a metal mold to a preshaping by supplying the inert gas obtained by the steam separation to the vulcanizing unit prior to starting of the vulcanization, and subjecting the inert gas obtained by the steam separation to supplementary pressurization by inert gas obtained from an inert gas generating unit when the inert gas is to be supplied to the vulcanizing unit, and also an arrangement for carrying out the above method in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A tire curing press has a loader assembly comprising a bead grip for engaging and lifting the axial interior of the upper bead of a green tire and a tread positioning ring movable axially to an adjusted position to engage the tire tread shoulder and to force a predetermined distance between the upper bead and tread to identify precisely the transaxial middle or crown plane of the tread. The loader includes means to swing the bead grip and tread register from a tire pick-up position to a load position centered in the press and to position the lower bead of the green tire on or close to a movable toe ring, and then to lower the bead grip, tread register and toe ring uniformly with the green tire held open and firmly therebetween to match the transaxial middle plane of the tread to that of a bladder mounted in a center mechanism in the press by independently movable top and bottom bladder bead clamps.

Abstract: An improved process for vulcanization of elastomer products which includes the steps of heating under pressure, the elastomer product mounted in a metal mold by supplying vulcanizing medium, suspending the supply of the vulcanizing medium when the elastomer product has reached a predetermined temperature or passed through a predetermined time period, and subsequently supplying insert gas preliminarily extracted from atmospheric air and maintained at least under approximately the same pressure as that of the vulcanizing medium, up to the termination of the heating step so as to maintain the elastomer product at the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An improved process for vulcanization of elastomer products which includes the steps of heating under pressure, the elastomer product mounted in a metal mold by supplying vulcanizing medium, suspending the supply of the vulcanizing medium when the elastomer product has reached a predetermined temperature or passed through a predetermined time period, subsequently supplying inert gas preliminarily extracted from atmospheric air and maintained at least under approximately the same pressure as that of the vulcanizing medium, up to the termination of the heating step so as to maintain the elastomer product at the predetermined temperature, and, upon termination of said heating step, restoring a mixture of the inert gas and the vulcanizing medium so as to derive the inert gas through steam separation for re-utilization of the inert gas for a preshaping of the elastomer product prior to the vulcanization of the elastomer product and the like.

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 curing press has a loader assembly comprising a bead grip for engaging and lifting the axial interior of the upper bead of a green tire and a tread positioning ring movable axially to an adjusted position to engage the tire tread shoulder and to force a predetermined distance between the upper bead and tread to identify precisely the transaxial middle or crown plane of the tread. The loader includes means to swing the bead grip and tread register from a tire pick-up position to a load position centered in the press and to position the lower bead of the green tire on or close to a movable toe ring, and then to lower the bead grip, tread register and toe ring uniformly with the green tire held open and firmly therebetween to match the transaxial middle plane of the tread to that of a bladder mounted in a center mechanism in the press by independently movable top and bottom bladder bead clamps.

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 curing press and method are characterized by a center mechanism operative first to center the top bead of a green tire carcass with respect to the top mold section and then the bottom bead with respect to the bottom mold section, and to hold the beads centered and axially separated as the press closes to cause the beads to register and seat with the toe rings of the top and bottom mold sections simultaneously as the press closely approaches its closed condition. The center mechanism comprises top and bottom segmented annular clamping rings adapted to engage and shape the axial interior of the bead area of the tire and respective chuck assemblies including a multi-faceted linear cam and respective followers for each ring segment operative to collapse each alternate ring segment and then each other ring segment. The clamping rings achieve automatic loading, centering and unloading and may be used individually or paired in bladder or bladderless curing.

Abstract: Apparatus for curing tires or similar vulcanized products in a press or autoclave equipped with separable molds with inserted bladders, tubes, bags or bladderless center mechanisms, wherein means are provided to purge the high temperature hot water curing medium from the bladders and the like with inert gas prior to the introduction therein of cooling water, thereby conserving energy by avoiding mixing the hot water with the cold.

Abstract: In a tire mold press having a steam dome defining a chamber in which steam applies heat to the exterior of a tire mold, condensate which accumulates in the top center plate is simply and effectively removed after the end of the curing cycle and before the mold is opened by a passage through the top center plate controlled by a valve opened in response to a reduction of pressure acting on the lower surface of the plate as the tire cavity is emptied. The costs and hazards of removal of condensate or of operating and maintaining siphons are avoided. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of retreading a tire by inserting a tire and an annular bladder between a pair of open matrices with marginal portions of the bladder projecting beyond beads of the tire and resting upon peripheral edge portions of axially opposed bead aligner wheels; the annular bladder being disposed within the tire; inflating the bladder to form an annular vacuum gap between an annular terminal edge of each bladder marginal portion, an annular outboard portion of each bladder and opposing annular portions of the bead aligner wheel peripheral edge portions; radially foreshortening the tire by moving the bead aligner wheels away from each other while the tire is held thereon by the bladder, and thereafter closing the matrices, and further inflating the bladder to urge the tire into intimate conformity with the matrices.

Abstract: A dual cavity tire press having side by side mold sections incorporate vertically extending center mechanisms which include a shaping bladder. The center mechanisms are moved vertically after the press opens while the bladder is within the tire to strip the tire from the bottom mold sections. Vertical movement of the center mechanisms is obtained by a single floating horizontally disposed piston-cylinder assembly which is mounted at the front of the press outside of the base, each end of the piston-cylinder assembly being connected through a lever arrangement to move the respective bead lift posts of the center mechanisms vertically. When the piston-cylinder assembly is pressurized, its entire force is applied simultaneously to each center mechanism to move the same vertically and such force is maintained throughout the vertical height movement of both center mechanisms. By a removable stop or lock, one of the center mechanisms may be made inoperable without affecting the movement and operation of the other.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improvement in the "wide stance" method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire. In this method the space between the two annular wire bead bundles of the tire is substantially greater than the space between the beads in their operable condition, mounted on the recommended rim. The improvement comprises the steps of locating the bead areas of the uncured tire which contain the annular wire bead bundles in annular cavities in the tire mold which are adapted to receive the bead areas. This maintains the wire bead bundles in their proper location during the entire curing operation.

Abstract: The retaining rings for the bead formation of a green tire in a tire mould are variable in diameter to allow for increase in the bead diameter of the finished tire relative to its green state and to prevent damage caused by forcing the beads of a green tire over bead rings of too large diameter. Preferably the bead retaining rings expand to their maximum diameter in response to the application of curing pressure inside the tire and automatically retract when curing pressure is relieved.

Abstract: Device for centering and positioning the upper bead of a horizontally disposed crude tire around a bead ring provided centrally of the upper, vertically movable portion of the mold in a vulcanizing press of the type comprising a set of radial segments disposed in a central cavity in the upper mold portion, said segments having their operative ends shaped to constitute together a tapered centering member; a vulcanizing bladder is firstly inflated moderately in order to push said upper bead against said tapered centering member, whereafter said segments are allowed to retract radially and rise in said cavity under the bladder pressure until the upper bead is force fitted around the bead ring.

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 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: A curing press for tires having relatively movable upper and lower mold sections, a center mechanism, a housing in the center mechanism, a hub attached to the housing, a bead ring carried by the hub for engaging the lower bead of a tire, a lift mechanism operatively engaging the housing for moving the hub relative to the lower mold section, and mold blow out apparatus on the hub for directing pressurized fluid into contact with the lower mold section during the movement of the hub relative to the lower mold section to remove residual foreign matter therefrom.

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: A mold for vulcanizing tires includes an annular bead molding ring. The bead molding ring has a toe edge, a bead flat surface and a toe portion. The toe portion comprises a support which projects radially outwardly from the bead flat surface. The toe portion may comprise a plurality of circumferentially spaced and axially extending supports. The amount of radial projection of each support may progressively decrease or taper at axially spaced locations increasingly spaced from the toe edge of the bead molding ring.

Abstract: The apparatus is so constructed that the manipulator thereof, successively positionable over a series of tire vulcanizing presses, has mounted directly thereon a plunger that can be lowered vertically to push the bladder into the well in the bottom mold section of the press and to spread radially the segments clamping the bead of a cured tire. The same manipulator supports the rod of a mechanism for removing cured tires, movable vertically upward in opposition to the plunger.Each bladder is provided at the center thereof with a ball valve closing off the hole for the plunger after the exit of the plunger therefrom, the latter being actuated by a rack-and-pinion transmission preventing rotation of the plunger.

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.