A tread extension device (10) is provided that has first (12) and second (14) tread extensions for holding a tread during brushing operations. A first connecting device (28) connects the first tread extension (12) to a first longitudinal end (18) of the tread, and engages both the first tread extension (12) and the first longitudinal end (18) of the tread. A second connecting device (30) is included that connects the second tread extension (14) to the second longitudinal end of the tread. The second connecting device (30) engages both the second tread extension and the second longitudinal end of the tread. The tread is able to be brushed in both a first direction and a second direction along its underside.

A tire tread extractor used in the manufacture of treads includes a frame, a first nip roller rotatably associated with the frame, and a second nip roller rotatably associated with the frame. The first and second nip rollers are adapted to engage a tire tread at least partially resident in a mold. A driving mechanism associated with the first and/or second nip rollers operates to impart rotational motion thereto. The frame is configured for longitudinal movement along a substantial portion of a longitudinal length of the mold while maintaining the first and second nip rollers in a spaced relation to the mold.

A tire tread extractor used in the manufacture of treads includes a frame, a first nip roller rotatably associated with the frame, and a second nip roller rotatably associated with the frame. The first and second nip rollers are adapted to engage a tire tread at least partially resident in a mold. A driving mechanism associated with the first and/or second nip rollers operates to impart rotational motion thereto. The frame is configured for longitudinal movement along a substantial portion of a longitudinal length of the mold while maintaining the first and second nip rollers in a spaced relation to the mold.

A sculptured drum for a retread process that has an inner radial section with a central axis that extends in an axial direction. The sculptured drum has a plurality of support members that extend outward from a drum outer surface in a radial direction and that are located outward from the inner radial section in the radial direction. A tread that has a plurality of grooves is supported by the sculptured drum during a brushing process and pass across the sculptured drum such that some but not all of the grooves have one of the support members disposed therein. The support members when disposed within the grooves do not completely fill the grooves, and when disposed within the grooves engage a lower surface of the tread.

A head is provided for the co-extrusion of a complex rubber profiled element for the manufacture of a tire. The head makes it possible to co-extrude a sublayer and a tread with inserts. To this end, the head includes, from upstream to downstream: a) a first extrusion duct divided into various sub-ducts, b) a discontinuous first profiling blade, c) a second extrusion duct divided into various sub-ducts, d) a discontinuous second profiling blade incorporating at least one third extrusion duct in the continuation of a divider, and e) a first profiling blade having a projecting tooth in front of and next to each outlet of a third duct in the transverse direction.

A head is provided for the co-extrusion of a complex rubber profiled element for the manufacture of a tire. The head makes it possible to co-extrude a sublayer and a tread with inserts. To this end, the head includes, from upstream to downstream: a) a first extrusion duct divided into various sub-ducts, b) a discontinuous first profiling blade, c) a second extrusion duct divided into various sub-ducts, d) a discontinuous second profiling blade incorporating at least one third extrusion duct in the continuation of a divider, and e) a first profiling blade having a projecting tooth in front of and next to each outlet of a third duct in the transverse direction.

The present invention includes an improved tire tread having recessed lateral grooves, and a tire having the same. Particular embodiments of the tread include a tread thickness bounded depthwise by a top side configured to engage a ground surface during tire operation and a bottom side configured to attach to a tire carcass, the thickness extending laterally between a first side edge and a second side edge and longitudinally in a lengthwise direction of the tread. The tread further includes a longitudinal groove in fluid communication with the top side or the bottom side of the tread thickness and a lateral groove in fluid communication with the bottom side of the tread thickness extending from the first side edge intersecting the longitudinal groove forming a vent passageway extending from the longitudinal groove and to the first side edge. The invention includes methods of forming such treads and molds there for.

The present invention includes an improved tire tread having recessed lateral grooves, and a tire having the same. Particular embodiments of the tread include a tread thickness bounded depthwise by a top side configured to engage a ground surface during tire operation and a bottom side configured to attach to a tire carcass, the thickness extending laterally between a first side edge and a second side edge and longitudinally in a lengthwise direction of the tread. The tread further includes a longitudinal groove in fluid communication with the top side or the bottom side of the tread thickness and a lateral groove in fluid communication with the bottom side of the tread thickness extending from the first side edge intersecting the longitudinal groove forming a vent passageway extending from the longitudinal groove and to the first side edge. The invention includes methods of forming such treads and molds there for.

A method for preparing a rubber composition comprising: a first step of kneading 100 parts by mass of a rubber component comprising 35 to 70% by mass of a styrene butadiene rubber having a styrene content of 15 to 40% by mass and a vinyl content of 10 to 30% and 30 to 65% by mass of a butadiene rubber with 50 parts by mass or more of a carbon black having a 24M4DBP oil absorption of 90 mL/100 g or more; a second step of adding and kneading 1.8 parts by mass or less of sulfur and 1.9 parts by mass or less of a sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerator, based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, into a kneaded product obtained in the first step; and a third step of extruding a kneaded product obtained in the second step with an extrusion speed less than 35 m/min.

A method for preparing a rubber composition comprising: a first step of kneading 100 parts by mass of a rubber component comprising 35 to 70% by mass of a styrene butadiene rubber having a styrene content of 15 to 40% by mass and a vinyl content of 10 to 30% and 30 to 65% by mass of a butadiene rubber with 50 parts by mass or more of a carbon black having a 24M4DBP oil absorption of 90 mL/100 g or more; a second step of adding and kneading 1.8 parts by mass or less of sulfur and 1.9 parts by mass or less of a sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerator, based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, into a kneaded product obtained in the first step; and a third step of extruding a kneaded product obtained in the second step with an extrusion speed less than 35 m/min.