IP Library Granted Patent US 9,205,613
Granted Patent B2
US 9,205,613 · App. 13/139,804 · Granted Dec 8, 2015

Tire vulcanizing mould including an array of grooves and notches

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,205,613
App. No.
13/139,804
Granted
Dec 8, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

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

Claims (32)

1. A lining for a mold for vulcanizing a tire, comprising:

at least one network of cords for molding a corresponding network of grooves in the tread of the tire, comprising at least one circumferential cord, at least one transverse cord, and at least one radial cord, for molding a circumferential groove, a transverse groove, and a radial groove, respectively, in the tread;

at least one network of sipe blades for molding a corresponding network of cuts in the tread;

wherein the at least one network of cords and the at least one network of sipe blades intersect at at least one node between at least one circumferential cord and at least one transverse cord, and

wherein each cord of the network overmolds at least the edge of a sipe blade in the at least one network of sipe blades.

2. The lining according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one radial cord for molding a radial groove in the tread forms the at least one node.

3. A mold for vulcanizing a green tire preform, comprising at least one lining for a mold according to claim 1 .

4. A method of manufacturing a lining for molding part of a tread of a tire, the lining comprising:

at least one network of cords for molding a corresponding network of grooves in the tread of the tire, comprising at least one circumferential cord, at least one transverse cord, and at least one radial cord, for molding a circumferential groove, a transverse groove, and a radial groove, respectively, in the tread;

at least one network of sipe blades for molding a corresponding network of cuts in the tread;

wherein the at least one network of cords and the at least one network of sipe blades intersect at at least one node between at least one circumferential cord and at least one transverse cord, and

wherein each cord of the network overmolds at least the edge of a sipe blade in the at least one network of sipe blades;

wherein the method comprises overmolding edges of a network of blades for molding a corresponding network of cuts in the tread with a network of cords for molding a corresponding network of grooves in the tread.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein each blade is made of steel and each cord is made of aluminium.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the lining is molded on a die known as the final die, the final die comprising: a network of grooves for molding the network of cords of the lining, and a network of blades, the edges of which open into the network of grooves for molding the network of cords of the lining so that the edges of the network of blades can be overmolded with the network of cords of the final lining.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the final die is made of a material which is inert towards the material in which the network of cords of the lining is molded.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein, prior to molding the lining on the final die, the final die is manufactured by: manufacturing an intermediate lining, and molding the final die on the intermediate lining.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the intermediate lining comprises: at least one removable intermediate network molded in a mold counterpart, the network comprising a network of intermediate cords for molding the network of grooves of the final die overmolded over the edges of the network of blades, and a base comprising at least one housing for positioning the intermediate removable network.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the network of intermediate cords of the intermediate removable network is mounted in a material that can be melted.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the mold counterpart comprises: a network of intermediate grooves for molding the network of intermediate cords of the intermediate removable network, and housings for positioning of the network of blades of the final lining, each housing opening into an intermediate groove.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein: after the final die has been molded on the intermediate lining, and before the final lining is molded on the final die, each intermediate cord is melted.

13. A mold counterpart for molding a network of cords and of blades of a mold lining for molding part of a tread of a tire, the lining comprising:

at least one network of cords for molding a corresponding network of grooves in the tread of the tire, comprising at least one circumferential cord, at least one transverse cord, and at least one radial cord, for molding a circumferential groove, a transverse groove, and a radial groove, respectively, in the tread;

at least one network of sipe blades for molding a corresponding network of cuts in the tread;

wherein the at least one network of cords and the at least one network of sipe blades intersect at at least one node between at least one circumferential cord and at least one transverse cord, and

wherein each cord of the network overmolds at least the edge of a sipe blade in the at least one network of sipe blades;

wherein the mold counterpart comprises: a network of grooves for molding a network of cords, and housings for positioning the network of blades with respect to the network of grooves and opening into at least one of the grooves.

14. A method of vulcanizing a green tire preform, comprising vulcanizing a green preform in a mold according to claim 3 .

15. The lining according to claim 1 , further comprising at least two radially spaced circular cords for molding a corresponding channel in the tread of the tire.

16. The lining according to claim 15 , wherein the radially spaced circular cords are substantially parallel to the at least one circumferential cord and intersect at least one transverse cord, and are thereby connected to the at least one circumferential cord.

17. The lining according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one radial cord forms a lug connecting the at least one circumferential cord to a molding surface of a mold.

18. The lining according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one network of sipe blades comprises at least one circumferential blade and at least one transverse blade.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2020
From: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
To: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
Reel/Frame 052863/0624 →
MERGER Recorded Sep 27, 2012
From: SOCIETE DE TECHNOLOGIE MICHELIN
To: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
Reel/Frame 029040/0860 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2011
From: MONTBEL, MICHEL; LAUWERS, OLIVIER
To: SOCIETE DE TECHNOLOGIE MICHELIN; MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
Reel/Frame 026548/0770 →