The invention includes methods for forming a retreaded tire, and treads there for. Particular embodiments of such methods provide a tire tread, the tire tread having a bottom side and a top side configured for engaging a ground surface, a thickness extending between the top side and the bottom side, and a pair of opposing lateral sides defining a width of the tread, the bottom side having one or more submerged voids extending from the bottom side into the tread thickness to form a tread pattern, the submerged voids having a depth less than the thickness and the top side being free of any exposed voids comprising a groove. Further steps include applying the tire tread to a tire carcass, curing the tire tread to the tire carcass, and forming one or more voids into the tread thickness the top side of the tread after the step of bonding.

The invention includes methods for forming a retreaded tire, and treads there for. Particular embodiments of such methods provide a tire tread, the tire tread having a bottom side and a top side configured for engaging a ground surface, a thickness extending between the top side and the bottom side, and a pair of opposing lateral sides defining a width of the tread, the bottom side having one or more submerged voids extending from the bottom side into the tread thickness to form a tread pattern, the submerged voids having a depth less than the thickness and the top side being free of any exposed voids comprising a groove. Further steps include applying the tire tread to a tire carcass, curing the tire tread to the tire carcass, and forming one or more voids into the tread thickness the top side of the tread after the step of bonding.

A sculptured drum for a retread process that has an inner radial section with a central axis that extends in an axial direction. The sculptured drum has a plurality of support members that extend outward from a drum outer surface in a radial direction and that are located outward from the inner radial section in the radial direction. A tread that has a plurality of grooves is supported by the sculptured drum during a brushing process and pass across the sculptured drum such that some but not all of the grooves have one of the support members disposed therein. The support members when disposed within the grooves do not completely fill the grooves, and when disposed within the grooves engage a lower surface of the tread.

A sculptured drum for a retread process that has an inner radial section with a central axis that extends in an axial direction. The sculptured drum has a plurality of support members that extend outward from a drum outer surface in a radial direction and that are located outward from the inner radial section in the radial direction. A tread that has a plurality of grooves is supported by the sculptured drum during a brushing process and pass across the sculptured drum such that some but not all of the grooves have one of the support members disposed therein. The support members when disposed within the grooves do not completely fill the grooves, and when disposed within the grooves engage a lower surface of the tread.

Assemblies and methods for fabricating one or more molded tire treads are provided along with systems for manufacturing a plurality of tread mold configurations from interchangeable elements.

Assemblies and methods for fabricating one or more molded tire treads are provided along with systems for manufacturing a plurality of tread mold configurations from interchangeable elements.

A method of preparing a precured tire tread includes forming a green tire tread strip having a top surface and a bottom surface. The method also includes curing the green tire tread strip to form a precured tire tread having a top surface and a bottom surface. The method further includes abrasive blasting the bottom surface of the precured tire tread, air blasting the bottom surface of the precured tire tread, and washing the bottom surface of the precured tire tread with a liquid.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a buffer brush. When rotating, the buffer brush acts as a centrifugal pump. The buffer brush contains a core having a first side and a second side and the brush extends racially from the surface of the core. The first and second sides have at least one opening configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core. Vents on the surface of the cure are configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents into the brush.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a buffer brush. When rotating, the buffer brush acts as a centrifugal pump. The buffer brush contains a core having a first side and a second side and the brush extends racially from the surface of the core. The first and second sides have at least one opening configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core. Vents on the surface of the cure are configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents into the brush.

A tread for bonding to a tire carcass to form a retreaded tire having a length, a width, a top side and a bottom side. The tread also includes a central portion and a pair of wing portions extending laterally from the central portions. The top sides of each wing portion include one or more discontinuities having a longitudinal component and configured to resist deflection when subjected to a force from the bottom side and to deflect downwardly when subjected to a force from the top side. In particular embodiments, the one or more discontinuities are arranged within each wing portion are arranged within a thickened portion of each wing portion.