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 process for the manufacture of a tread band, wherein the blocks thereof comprise different portions having differing hysteresis losses. The process comprises a step for the extrusion of a preliminary tread band consisting of a first rubber compound and an injection step, wherein the preliminary tread band, once extruded, is subjected to the action of at least one injector arranged such as to penetrate into the layer of the preliminary tread band and to release a second rubber compound, which is distributed within the layer consisting of said first compound, maintaining exposed a surface that is suitable for defining a portion of the ground-contacting surface of the resulting tread band.

A process for the manufacture of a tread band, wherein the blocks thereof comprise different portions having differing hysteresis losses. The process comprises a step for the extrusion of a preliminary tread band consisting of a first rubber compound and an injection step, wherein the preliminary tread band, once extruded, is subjected to the action of at least one injector arranged such as to penetrate into the layer of the preliminary tread band and to release a second rubber compound, which is distributed within the layer consisting of said first compound, maintaining exposed a surface that is suitable for defining a portion of the ground-contacting surface of the resulting tread band.

A process for the manufacture of a tread band for pneumatic tyres, wherein the blocks thereof comprise different rubber portions characterized by a different hysteresis loss. The process comprises a shredding step, wherein from a first and from a second rubber tread compound a plurality of fragments is manufactured with dimensions of between 6 and 30 mesh; a mixing step, wherein the fragments from the first and second compound are mixed together in order to obtain a mixture wherein said fragments are distributed in a random manner and retain their chemical/physical individuality; and an extrusion step, wherein the mixture from the preceding step is extruded for the manufacture of the tread band. The first and second compounds have different dynamic properties in terms of: dynamic modulus at 30° C., tand at 0° C., tand at 30° C. and tand at 60° C. The fragments retain a chemical/physical individuality both within the mixture formed during the mixing step and within the tread band formed during the extrusion step.

The method includes the step of forming a carcass from at least one first material based on a thermoplastic elastomer. The method continues with the step of forming, on the carcass, at least bead zone from at least one second material based on a thermoplastic elastomer to form an assembly. The method proceeds with the step of forming, on the assembly an additional part from at least one third material based on a thermoplastic elastomer.

The method includes the step of forming a carcass from at least one first material based on a thermoplastic elastomer. The method continues with the step of forming, on the carcass, at least bead zone from at least one second material based on a thermoplastic elastomer to form an assembly. The method proceeds with the step of forming, on the assembly an additional part from at least one third material based on a thermoplastic elastomer.

A tread part with a color line includes a tread part that is a rubber extruded shape having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and extending in an extrusion direction, and has a first main surface that constitutes an outer peripheral surface of a green tire in a tire radial direction when the tread part is wound in a cylindrical shape and a pair of opposing wall surfaces that extend in the extrusion direction on the first main surface and face each other in a left-right direction orthogonal to the extrusion direction, and color rubber extending in the extrusion direction between the pair of the opposing wall surfaces on the first main surface.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for applying a mixture of a first compound and a second compound, the apparatus comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel, and a coextruded continuous strip is produced. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound may be adjusted instantaneously.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for applying a mixture of a first compound and a second compound, the apparatus comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel, and a coextruded continuous strip is produced. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound may be adjusted instantaneously.

A method of making a tire tread includes mixing a tire tread compound including a virgin rubber component and a reclaimed rubber component, forming a green sheet from the tire tread compound, and curing the green sheet to form a cured tire tread. The reclaimed rubber component may have a Mooney viscosity (ML (1+4) @ 100° C.) of greater than 65. The reclaimed rubber component may also have a crosslink density that is between 20 and 50% of the crosslink density of the reclaimed rubber prior to reclaiming.