Method and station for the skiving of the equatorial surface of the casing of a pneumatic tire during a retreading process of the same pneumatic tire; the old worn tread is removed from the pneumatic tire in order to expose the equatorial surface of the casing of the pneumatic tire; the presence of any damage on the equatorial surface of the casing is identified by capturing a three-dimensional profile of the equatorial surface of the casing by means of a laser type profilometer and by analyzing the same three-dimensional profile; and the equatorial surface of the casing is skived where there is damage resulting from the formation of craters on the equatorial surface.

A method of applying a laminate to a tire includes pre-treating a portion of the tire and placing the laminate on at least the pre-treated portion of the tire. The method further includes placing an electrical heating element on top of the laminate and placing a pressure element over the electrical heating element and the laminate. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the laminate using the electrical heating element and the pressure element to permanently adhere the laminate to the tire.

A method of applying a laminate to a tire includes pre-treating a portion of the tire and placing the laminate on at least the pre-treated portion of the tire. The method further includes placing an electrical heating element on top of the laminate and placing a pressure element over the electrical heating element and the laminate. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the laminate using the electrical heating element and the pressure element to permanently adhere the laminate to the tire.

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.

The invention includes methods of forming a retreaded tire, and treads there for. Particular embodiments of such methods provide a tire carcass configured to receive the tire tread along an annular tread-receiving area and a pre-cured tire tread including a tread body and a detachable connector. The connector is arranged within a thickness of the tread between a top void portion and a bottom void portion and extending across a width of the top void portion and of the bottom void portion. The detachable connector is configured to separate from the tread upon application of a separation force. 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, bonding the tire tread to the tire carcass, and removing the detachable connector from the top void portion after the step of bonding.

A plurality of embodiments of a method and apparatus for retreading individual tires using one or more electrical heating bands and a component or device to apply a force to the retread tire package comprising a new or used core and a new retread along with an adhesive. In particular, the force may be applied using one or more plates that are connected to actuators for pushing the plates into the retread package to apply the force during curing of the package.

A plurality of embodiments of a method and apparatus for retreading individual tires using one or more electrical heating bands and a component or device to apply a force to the retread tire package comprising a new or used core and a new retread along with an adhesive. In particular, the force may be applied using one or more plates that are connected to actuators for pushing the plates into the retread package to apply the force during curing of the package.

A machine for retreading tires includes a rotatable hub that includes a moveable conical element, and an expandable rim disposed around the rotatable hub. The expandable rim includes a plurality of shoes. Each shoe of the plurality of shoes may have a base portion and a rim portion. The base portion may have a two-piece construction that allows for replacement of a worn interface that may include a channel and a ramp. A method for assembling an expandable rim for use in a tire retreading machine, and a method for servicing a machine having an expandable rim are also disclosed.

A machine for retreading tires includes a rotatable hub that includes a moveable conical element, and an expandable rim disposed around the rotatable hub. The expandable rim includes a plurality of shoes. Each shoe of the plurality of shoes may have a base portion and a rim portion. The base portion may have a two-piece construction that allows for replacement of a worn interface that may include a channel and a ramp. A method for assembling an expandable rim for use in a tire retreading machine, and a method for servicing a machine having an expandable rim are also disclosed.

Embodiments of the invention include methods for supporting a recessed void during retreading operations. Such methods include the steps of providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, the tread including a recessed void recessed below the top side of the tread. Such methods also include the step of arranging the tread around an outer circumference of the tire carcass in a desired position to form an assembled retreaded tire. Such methods further include the step of arranging a removable circumferential band around the assembled retreaded tire positioned over top the recessed void and the top side of the tread. Such methods further include the steps of placing a curing membrane around at least a portion of the tire and the circumferential band and curing the retreaded tire with the circumferential band contained within the curing membrane.