A rim for mounting a tire includes a base portion and a rim portion. The rim portion includes a rim segment, a first flange segment positioned on one side and a second flange segment positioned on an opposite side of the rim segment. The rim segment defines a circular curvature and has an original rim width measured along a rotation axis of the rim between inward facing surfaces of the first flange segment and the second flange segment. A band is positioned around a circumference of the rim segment contiguous with an inward facing surface of the first flange segment. The rim portion has an adjusted rim width, measured between a band inward facing surface and the inward facing surface of the second flange segment, which is different from the original rim width.

A rim for mounting a tire includes a base portion and a rim portion. The rim portion includes a rim segment, a first flange segment positioned on one side and a second flange segment positioned on an opposite side of the rim segment. The rim segment defines a circular curvature and has an original rim width measured along a rotation axis of the rim between inward facing surfaces of the first flange segment and the second flange segment. A band is positioned around a circumference of the rim segment contiguous with an inward facing surface of the first flange segment. The rim portion has an adjusted rim width, measured between a band inward facing surface and the inward facing surface of the second flange segment, which is different from the original rim width.

A tread support device (10) for a retread process is provided that has a first support roller (12) that rotates about a first support roller axis. A second support roller (16) is present that rotates about a second support roller axis. A third support roller (20) is also included that rotates about a third support roller axis. The first support roller (10), the second support roller (12), and the third support roller (20) all support a tread (24). Also in the tread support device (10), the first support roller axis, the second support roller axis, and the third support roller axis are arranged with respect to one another so as to be located on a circumference of a circle (32).

A tread support device (10) for a retread process is provided that has a first support roller (12) that rotates about a first support roller axis. A second support roller (16) is present that rotates about a second support roller axis. A third support roller (20) is also included that rotates about a third support roller axis. The first support roller (10), the second support roller (12), and the third support roller (20) all support a tread (24). Also in the tread support device (10), the first support roller axis, the second support roller axis, and the third support roller axis are arranged with respect to one another so as to be located on a circumference of a circle (32).

A tire may be re-treaded utilizing a process in which a worn tread is removed from a casing. The worn tread had a first tread pattern. The casing has a tire body encapsulating at least one reinforcing belt, the at least one reinforcing belt embedded circumferentially in the tire body, the at least one reinforcing belt having lateral edges. The first tread pattern comprises a first plurality of universal bands of raised portions, where the first plurality of universal bands were situated over the lateral edges of the at least one belt. A new tread having a second tread pattern different from the first tread pattern is molded to the first casing. The second tread pattern comprises a second plurality of universal bands of raised portions that are situated in the same lateral locations as the first plurality of universal bands.

A tire may be re-treaded utilizing a process in which a worn tread is removed from a casing. The worn tread had a first tread pattern. The casing has a tire body encapsulating at least one reinforcing belt, the at least one reinforcing belt embedded circumferentially in the tire body, the at least one reinforcing belt having lateral edges. The first tread pattern comprises a first plurality of universal bands of raised portions, where the first plurality of universal bands were situated over the lateral edges of the at least one belt. A new tread having a second tread pattern different from the first tread pattern is molded to the first casing. The second tread pattern comprises a second plurality of universal bands of raised portions that are situated in the same lateral locations as the first plurality of universal bands.

Mould for moulding a tread of a tire, this tread having a thickness of material to be worn away and a tread surface intended to come into contact with the road surface when the tire is running, this mould having a moulding surface intended to mould the tread surface of the tread, and having a moulding element formed of a blade and a bar, the blade being attached to the moulding surface to mould a sipe in the tread, the bar, borne by the blade to form an enlarged part of maximum width D, being intended to mould a channel in the tread, this channel itself being intended to form a new groove when the tread becomes part worn. Each blade is delimited by two lateral faces forming between them a mean angle of between 6 degrees and 18. The blade width decreasing from the mould surface when new, as far as the connection with the bar, the blade width meets the bar being at least equal to between 0.2 and 0.4 times the maximum width D.

Mould for moulding a tread of a tire, this tread having a thickness of material to be worn away and a tread surface intended to come into contact with the road surface when the tire is running, this mould having a moulding surface intended to mould the tread surface of the tread, and having a moulding element formed of a blade and a bar, the blade being attached to the moulding surface to mould a sipe in the tread, the bar, borne by the blade to form an enlarged part of maximum width D, being intended to mould a channel in the tread, this channel itself being intended to form a new groove when the tread becomes part worn. Each blade is delimited by two lateral faces forming between them a mean angle of between 6 degrees and 18. The blade width decreasing from the mould surface when new, as far as the connection with the bar, the blade width meets the bar being at least equal to between 0.2 and 0.4 times the maximum width D.

Systems and methods for retreading a tire are disclosed. Embodiments include applying a layer of adhesive (e.g., Cushing gum) on the exterior of a prepared tire casing and a layer of pre-molded tread on the exterior of the adhesive. An inner electric heating pad is placed along the interior contour of the tire casing and/or an outer electric heating pad is placed along an exterior of the tread layer. The assembly is then cured by providing a force to the assembly while activating the heating pad(s) to cure the adhesive.

Systems and methods for retreading a tire are disclosed. Embodiments include applying a layer of adhesive (e.g., Cushing gum) on the exterior of a prepared tire casing and a layer of pre-molded tread on the exterior of the adhesive. An inner electric heating pad is placed along the interior contour of the tire casing and/or an outer electric heating pad is placed along an exterior of the tread layer. The assembly is then cured by providing a force to the assembly while activating the heating pad(s) to cure the adhesive.