The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a tire (1). The process includes the steps a): forming a carcass (3) from at least one first material based on thermoplastic elastomer, b): forming, on the carcass (3), at least bead zones (10) from at least one second material based on thermoplastic elastomer and c): forming, on the assembly obtained during step b), an additional part from at least one third material based on thermoplastic elastomer.

The method for the coextrusion of a complex profiled element made up of the assembly of profiled elements formed from distinct rubber compounds. A coextrusion machine comprises upstream and downstream extruders which deliver into an extrusion cavity. A first profiled element, formed of the first rubber compound, is created. The first profiled element comprises at least a first profiled-element portion which is intended to form a longitudinal insert, a base of which is in continuity of material with the first profiled element. A complex profiled element formed of the first and second rubber compounds is created. The insert is circulated between walls of a channel extend in a longitudinal direction between the upstream profiling blade and the downstream profiling blade and together form a concave surface open towards the inside of the extrusion cavity in such a way that the bringing-together of the lateral walls of the insert with the second compound takes place only in the downstream gap.

Modified diene polymers containing heteroatoms are disclosed, as is their production, rubber mixtures comprising these modified diene rubbers, and to their use for the production of rubber vulcanizates, which serve, in particular, for the production of rubber moldings and the production of tires.

A method for the co-extrusion of a rubber profiled element consists in extruding and profiling the various rubbery materials of the co-extruded profiled element over a given co-extrusion width and in a longitudinal direction of co-extrusion perpendicular to the transverse plane (PT). The method comprises the following succession of steps consisting in: a) extruding a first material, this being performed discontinuously, b) first profiling of the first material, performed discontinuously, c) extruding a second material, this being performed discontinuously, d) profiling the first and second materials, creating at least one longitudinal groove (26) in the profiled element (20), and, jointly, at least an extruding of a third material next to each longitudinal groove (26) created in the profiled element (20), and e) final profiling of the first, second and third materials to a final profile (P74) exhibiting no discontinuity across the co-extrusion width (L50).

A rubber extruding machine 1 comprises two or more rubber extruders 2, an extrusion head 3 to which the rubber extruders 2 are connected, and a decompression device 4. A pre-former 6 of the extrusion head comprises: rubber flow paths 20 including respective flow paths 22 through which the extruded unvulcanized rubber compounds G pass respectively; a merging position P at which the rubber flow paths 20 are confluent; and a vent channel 21 whose one end communicates with the merging position P and the other end is connected to the decompression device.

A head (50), for the co-extrusion of a complex rubber profiled element, includes a lower wall (56) of cylindrical profile, a first extrusion unit (B60) having a first extrusion duct (60) divided into various sub-ducts (60-1, 60-2, 60-3, 60-4), a first profiling blade (62) defining a first shaping profile (P62) that is discontinuous, a second extrusion unit (B64) including a second extrusion duct (64) divided into various sub-ducts (64-1, 64-2, 64-3, 64-4), a second profiling blade (66) including at least one tooth (67-1, 67-2, 67-3) situated in the continuation of a divider (72-1, 72-2, 72-3), and this second profiling blade (P66) incorporating at least one third extrusion duct, each outlet of a third extrusion duct closely adjoining a tooth (67-1, 67-2, 67-3) of the second profiling blade (66), and a third profiling blade (74) defining a final shaping profile (P74).

The comprises at least one module for stitching the tread and a means for moving the module vertically and horizontally. The stitching module comprises a frame which is provided with a fixed stitching assembly, equipped with spikes, and at least one mobile stitching assembly. The at least one mobile stitching assembly comprises at least one stitching plate provided at the base of same with at least one planar horizontal contact surface, from which at least two spikes protrude. The plate is arranged in a vertical guide space provided in the frame such that the spikes protrude downwards and such that it is free to move vertically in this space over a limited travel path. The device also includes a vertical movement device for moving the plate from the top downwards in this guide space and a device for locking the altitude position of the plate in this space.

A NPT tread layer mold and molding process. The mold may include an inner mold portion that supports a built-up green NPT tread layer, and an outer mold portion that cooperates with the inner mold portion to cure the tread layer and to form a tread pattern in an outer surface thereof. The inner mold portion may comprise two halves, each having a plurality of wall segments that collectively cooperate to form a tread layer inner surface molding wall when the inner mold is closed. Sidewall molding portions may also be provided to form limited sidewalls of the NPT tread layerwith or without a tread pattern. An inflatable bladder may be located within the inner mold portion to apply pressure to the tread layer inner surface molding wall and, resultantly, to the NPT tread layer, during molding.

A mold 6 includes multiple segments 24 arranged in the circumferential direction so as to form a ring shape, and a pair of side plates 26, 28 positioned on an inner side in the radial direction, at end portions, in an axial direction, of the multiple segments 24. The side plates 26, 28 respectively have outer circumferential surfaces 26b, 28b which contact with the multiple segments 24 arranged in the ring shape. Each of the segments 24 includes a first contact surface 36 which contacts with the outer circumferential surface 26b of the upper side plate 26, and a second contact surface 38 which contacts with the outer circumferential surface 28b of the lower side plate 28. A radius R1 of the first contact surface 36 is greater than a radius R2 of the second contact surface 38.

A fixing hole of a mold for rubber article is easily inspected and the vent piece is securely fixed in the fixing hole. A vent piece having a vent hole is fixed in a fixing hole of a mold, so as to manufacture the mold having the vent hole. The vent piece has a first inspection part to be inserted into the fixing hole, a caulking part thicker than the first inspection part and is to be fixed in the fixing hole by caulking, and a second inspection part positioned between the first inspection part and the caulking part and is thicker than the first inspection part and thinner than the caulking part. When the first inspection part is inserted into the fixing hole but the second inspection part is not inserted into the fixing hole, the caulking part is fixed in the fixing hole by caulking.