A pneumatic tyre with a wear indicator may be manufactured by inserting rods of a mould into the tire tread during manufacturing. A mould may include at least seven rods extending in parallel in a direction of height on a same side of an object and connected to the object. The rods are arranged so multiple distances are left between the cross sections of the rods and a minimum of the multiple distances 0.5 mm. In the direction of height, the cross section and/or the height of at least some of the rods varies so at a number of different height positions, the cross sections of the rods at those height positions define that number of different mirror-image symbols, of which mirror images are expressible by the wear indicator, one mirror-image symbol corresponding to one height position, with at least two different height positions and mirror-image symbols.

Particular embodiments of the invention include a closed-loop tread strip forming unit (100) and methods for forming tread strips using a closed-loop unit. Embodiments of such forming units include a tread strip extruder (110) located at a pre-cure end of the closed-loop tread strip forming unit. Such units include an uncured tread strip handling assembly (120) configured to transport the first uncured tread strip from the first tread strip extruder and to a first tread strip mold member (130). The unit further includes a curing press (150) having an inlet and an outlet, a pre-cure mold handling assembly (140) configured to insert the loaded tread strip mold member into the curing press, a post-cure mold handling assembly (160) configured to receive the loaded tread strip mold member from the outlet of the curing press, a return assembly (170) configured to transfer the first tread strip mold member to the pre-cure end to complete a closed-loop.

A tire vulcanization mold includes a side molding surface, a mark forming stencil plate for forming a convex mark at an outer surface of a side portion, an attachment recess provided in the side molding surface, and a screw fixing the stencil plate to the attachment recess. The stencil plate is formed larger than the attachment recess so as to cover the attachment recess, and a peripheral portion of the stencil plate is in contact with an opening peripheral portion of the attachment recess.

In an electric vulcanization system, a temperature of a heating medium in a fluid-tight enclosure is detected and adjusted during a current curing cycle.

In an electric vulcanization process, open loop and closed loop control modes can be used for controlling a heater output.

A combination of first and second plugs for a tire mold includes associated first and second receivers/jackets. Fasteners secure the receiver to an associated tire mold. A securing member extends from the receiver into the cavity of the first receiver to retain the first plug therein. The first plug is contoured and dimensioned for mating receipt in the first receiver cavity. The second plug is likewise contoured and dimensioned for mating receipt in the associated second receiver cavity, but will not be accepted in the first receiver. A tool is provided to facilitate insertion and removal of the first and second plugs, and limit the potential for damage to the associated tire mold.

A vulcanizing device for a tire includes a mold, a central part, a curing bladder, and an injector. The central part is positioned inside the mold and supports the curing bladder, which is arranged to press firmly against an internal part of a tire. An internal part of the curing bladder defines a vulcanizing chamber, which holds a pressurized heat-transfer fluid. The heat-transfer fluid, which is a mixture of steam and pressurized gas, circulates in the vulcanizing chamber and between an inlet pipe leading into the vulcanizing chamber and an outlet pipe leading out of the vulcanizing chamber. The injector is arranged outside the vulcanizing chamber and is connected to the inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, and a supply pipe for supplying steam or pressurized gas. The injector is structured to mix steam or pressurized gas coming from the supply pipe with the heat-transfer fluid leaving the vulcanizing chamber.

A tire vulcanizing mold is disclosed capable of accurately providing a clearance, from which air existing between a green tire and a side mold is released, on a side shaping surface and thereby preventing shaping defect. The tire vulcanizing mold includes an upper and lower pair of side molds having side shaping surfaces. Each of the side molds includes a side mold main body, plural pieces, and a clearance provided between the side mold main body and each of the pieces. The side mold main body includes plural recesses, each of which is opened to the side shaping surface and an outer surface, at spaced intervals. Each of the pieces is fitted into the recess and forms the side shaping surface with the side mold main body. The clearance is opened to the side shaping surface and extends from an inner side to an outer side.

The present invention relates to a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of a rubber, comprising: a protecting pipe; an element pipe extending coaxially with the protecting pipe, other than a tip portion of the element pipe being covered with the protecting pipe and the tip portion being exposed; and a temperature-measuring resistor element held in the element pipe to measure the rubber temperature. It is preferred that a ratio of a diameter (D2) of the protecting pipe to a diameter (D1) of the element pipe (D2/D1 ratio) is from 1.5 to 3.0. It is preferred that the protecting pipe and the element pipe comprise an air layer therebetween.

A rubber composition comprising a rubber component and 0.3 to 3 parts by mass of a branched alkane having 40 to 70 carbon atoms, 1.2 parts by mass or less of a linear alkane having 45 or more carbon atoms and 0.1 to 100 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon resin having a weight-average molecular weight of 300 to 15,000 based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.