A process for retreading a tire, the process comprising the steps of providing a tire casing, providing a cured rubber component having first and second planar surfaces, providing a cushion gum, wherein the cushion gum contains a cure system comprising at least one stable aryl dinitrile oxide compound, applying the cushion gum to the tire casing, and forming a tire composite by applying the second planar surface of the cured rubber component to the cushion gum.

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.

A system and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles is disclosed. The system includes a mold for receiving an article made of at least one moldable material and, in one example, the article comprises at least one flat region and at least one radial region. The mold comprises an inner bladder that conforms to an inner surface of the article when pressurized and an outer mold that contacts an outer surface of the article. The system also includes an inner electrode spaced from an outer electrode, and a generator operable to generate an alternating electric field between the electrodes and across the article in the mold to obtain substantially even heating of the moldable material in the flat region and the radial region at the end of the heating cycle.

A system and method for molding complex three-dimensional articles is disclosed. The system includes a mold for receiving an article made of at least one moldable material and, in one example, the article comprises at least one flat region and at least one radial region. The mold comprises an inner bladder that conforms to an inner surface of the article when pressurized and an outer mold that contacts an outer surface of the article. The system also includes an inner electrode spaced from an outer electrode, and a generator operable to generate an alternating electric field between the electrodes and across the article in the mold to obtain substantially even heating of the moldable material in the flat region and the radial region at the end of the heating cycle.

Retread rim assemblies (122, 600, 700, 800) include a plurality of rim segments (124, 602, 702, 802) disposed in a generally circular arrangement about a central axis (AX). A retread band (126, 300, 400, 604, 704, 804) extends around the plurality of rim segments such that the retread band is circumferentially tensioned to bias the plurality of rim segments radially inward. The retread band is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material. The retread band can include at least one reinforcing ply (318, 426, 428, 636, 638, 744, 746, 844, 846) embedded in the elastomeric material. Additionally, or in the alternative, the retread band can include an annular rib portion (412, 412, 630, 734, 834) projecting radially inward and/or outward from along a base portion (410, 410, 628, 732, 8320. Retread bands (126, 300, 400, 604, 704, 804) and methods of manufacturing retread rim assemblies are also included.

Retread rim assemblies (122, 600, 700, 800) include a plurality of rim segments (124, 602, 702, 802) disposed in a generally circular arrangement about a central axis (AX). A retread band (126, 300, 400, 604, 704, 804) extends around the plurality of rim segments such that the retread band is circumferentially tensioned to bias the plurality of rim segments radially inward. The retread band is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material. The retread band can include at least one reinforcing ply (318, 426, 428, 636, 638, 744, 746, 844, 846) embedded in the elastomeric material. Additionally, or in the alternative, the retread band can include an annular rib portion (412, 412, 630, 734, 834) projecting radially inward and/or outward from along a base portion (410, 410, 628, 732, 8320. Retread bands (126, 300, 400, 604, 704, 804) and methods of manufacturing retread rim assemblies are also included.

The invention relates to a tire (1) that can be regrooved at least once, and the tread of which has at least one re-cuttable groove (3).

According to the invention, after regrooving, the height (H.sub.R) of said at least one re-cut groove (3) is greater than or equal to 70% of the groove height (H.sub.N3) of said at least one re-cuttable groove of the tire when new.

The invention relates to a tire (1) that can be regrooved at least once, and the tread of which has at least one re-cuttable groove (3).

According to the invention, after regrooving, the height (H.sub.R) of said at least one re-cut groove (3) is greater than or equal to 70% of the groove height (H.sub.N3) of said at least one re-cuttable groove of the tire when new.

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.