Provided are a rubber sheet member joining device and method. At least one opposing surface of a pair of gripping parts is provided with a contact member having a contact surface projecting toward an other opposing surface of the pair of gripping parts; the pair of gripping parts grip ranges in proximity to end surfaces in a state in which end surfaces project from the one opposing surface toward the other opposing surface; the total of end surface projection amounts of the end surfaces from the opposing surfaces is set to be a predetermined length larger than a separation distance between the opposing surfaces when the contact member is sandwiched between the opposing surfaces; and by bringing the contact member into a state of being sandwiched between the opposing surfaces, the movement of the gripping parts in proximity to each other is stopped and the end surfaces are joined together.

A pneumatic vehicle tire in radial design that is a summer tire or all-season tire, with a profiled tread comprising rows of profile blocks and/or profile ribs running around the tire in circumferential direction, wherein the total number of sipes within each row of profile blocks and/or profile ribs is not more than 150, wherein the tread is in the form of a single layer or multiple layers with a radially outermost tread layer that extends at least over the width of the ground contact area, and wherein the profile depth of the tread is up to 6.5 mm. The tread or its radially outermost tread layer consists of a rubber material with a Shore A hardness at room temperature in accordance with DIN ISO 7619-1 of 40 ShA to 55 ShA.

The invention includes methods for forming a retreaded tire and treads there for. Particular embodiments of such methods include providing a tire carcass configured to receive a tire tread along an annular tread-receiving area and a pre-formed tread comprising a tread body and a submerged void arranged along a bottom side of the tread and extending into the tread thickness to a top end located below the top side of the tread, the submerged void having a length and an opening arranged along the bottom side when the tread is in an uninstalled configuration, where the opening of the submerged void extends in a direction of the submerged groove length along an alternating, non-linear path. Further steps include assembling a retreaded tire by arranging the tire tread atop a bonding layer arranged between the tire tread and the tire carcass and comprising uncured bonding material.

A method is provided for the co-extrusion of a complex rubber profiled element. The method makes it possible to co-extrude a sublayer in a first material and a tread in a second material with at least one insert in a third material inserted in a discontinuity in the sublayer and in the tread. The method includes: a) discontinuous extrusion of the first material, b) discontinuous first profiling of the first material, c) discontinuous extrusion of the second material onto the first material, d) discontinuous profiling of the first and second materials and extrusion of the third material into each discontinuity, and e) final profiling of the first, second and third materials with a longitudinal groove in the profiled element next to each insert of the third material.

A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion including main grooves and land portions. In a cross-sectional view of the tire, one of the land portions includes a first edge, a second edge, a ground contact surface extending between the first edge and the second edge and having an arc-shaped profile protruding radially outwardly, and conductive portion made of conductive rubber. The conductive portion extends from a radially inner end to a radially outer end exposed at the ground contact surface with an inclination toward the first edge. The inner end is connected to a tire internal structural member to be electrically connected to a rim when the tire is mounted on the rim. On the ground contact surface, a central position of the outer end is located on a central position of the land portion in a tire axial direction, or on a side of the first edge.

A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion including main grooves and land portions. In a cross-sectional view of the tire, one of the land portions includes a first edge, a second edge, a ground contact surface extending between the first edge and the second edge and having an arc-shaped profile protruding radially outwardly, and conductive portion made of conductive rubber. The conductive portion extends from a radially inner end to a radially outer end exposed at the ground contact surface with an inclination toward the first edge. The inner end is connected to a tire internal structural member to be electrically connected to a rim when the tire is mounted on the rim. On the ground contact surface, a central position of the outer end is located on a central position of the land portion in a tire axial direction, or on a side of the first edge.

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).

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).

A dual mold spacer for use with a dual mold assembly is provided that includes a first side portion configured to engage a first side rail of the dual mold assembly. A second side portion is configured to engage a second side rail of the dual mold assembly. A body portion extends from the first side portion to the second side portion and is configured to be located between a press of the dual mold assembly and first and second molds of the dual mold assembly. The body portion is configured for being spaced from and free from engagement with the first and second molds.

A dual mold spacer for use with a dual mold assembly is provided that includes a first side portion configured to engage a first side rail of the dual mold assembly. A second side portion is configured to engage a second side rail of the dual mold assembly. A body portion extends from the first side portion to the second side portion and is configured to be located between a press of the dual mold assembly and first and second molds of the dual mold assembly. The body portion is configured for being spaced from and free from engagement with the first and second molds.