METHOD OF MAKING PRE-CURED TREAD WITH TEXTURED BOTTOM
A method for preparing a retreaded tire is provided in which a bottom tread surface is configured to introduce microroughness and macroroughness thereon for adhesion with a tire carcass during a retread process. A tire tread having a tread bottom surface so configured is also provided.
1 . A method of preparing a retreaded tire, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a tire tread having opposing top and bottom tread faces delineating a tread thickness coextensive therewith, and opposing lateral sides defining a tread width;
configuring the bottom tread face for bonding with a tire carcass;
applying the tire tread to a tire carcass with a layer of bonding material arranged therebetween;
placing the tread and tire carcass under vacuum; and
curing the tire tread and the tire carcass to effect adhesion of the bottom tread face to the tire carcass;
wherein the tread includes a plurality of circumferential grooves in the bottom tread face and surface irregularities imparted to the bottom tread face by roughening.
2 . (canceled)
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each circumferential groove has a depth of about 1 mm and adjacent grooves are spaced on the order of about 1 mm to 4 mm on center, inclusive.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein adjacent grooves are spaced on the order of about 2.8 to 3.2 mm on center, inclusive.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising placing the tread and tire carcass in a curing envelope during curing and while the tread and tire carcass are under vacuum.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein one or more lateral grooves are provided in communication with at least one of the curing envelope and the plurality of circumferential grooves.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of circumferential grooves is provided in communication with a network of channels incorporated along at least a portion of the tread bottom face, and the channels include at least one of a plurality of lateral channels and a plurality of longitudinal channels.
8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of circumferential grooves in the bottom tread face:
are molded prior to roughening the bottom tread face.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein roughening is effected by a brushing wheel.
10 - 12 . (canceled)
13 . A tire tread for retreading a tire carcass, the tire tread comprising:
opposing top and bottom tread faces delineating a tread thickness coextensive therewith, with the bottom tread face configured for bonding with a tire carcass; and
opposing lateral sides defining a tread width;
wherein the bottom tread face is configured with a plurality of longitudinal grooves and surface irregularities that are imparted to a surface texture of the bottom tread face by roughening.
14 . (canceled)
15 . The tire tread of claim 13 , wherein each longitudinal groove has a depth of about 1 mm and adjacent longitudinal grooves are spaced on the order of about 1 mm to 4 mm on center, inclusive.
16 . The tire tread of claim 15 , wherein adjacent grooves are spaced on the order of about to 3.2 mm on center, inclusive.
17 . The tire tread of claim 16 , wherein the longitudinal grooves are provided in communication with a network of channels incorporated along at least a portion of the tread bottom face, and the channels include at least one of a plurality of lateral channels and a plurality of longitudinal channels.
18 - 24 . (canceled)