Molding element comprising a particular assembly means

Abstract

A set (1) of moulding elements intended to be added to a mould comprise a main moulding element (10) and a secondary moulding element (20) comprising an edge (21), said main moulding element (10) comprising a contact zone (11) adapted to be in contact with all or part of the edge (21) of the secondary element, said contact zone (11) not being flat, and the edge (21) of said secondary moulding element (20) comprising at least one recessed portion (22) complementary to the non-flat contact zone (11) of the main element.

Claims

1. A set of molding elements intended to be added to a mold for vulcanizing a tire tread, the set comprising a main molding element and a secondary molding element, wherein the secondary molding element comprises an edge, the main molding element comprises on at least one contact face, a contact zone configured to be in contact with all or part of the edge of the secondary molding element, the contact zone is not flat, and the edge of the secondary molding element comprises a double cut having a profile complementary to a profile of a double undulation of the main molding element thereby matching a profile of the contact face of the main molding element.

2. The set according to claim 1, wherein the set further comprises assembly means for assembling the secondary molding element to the main molding element.

3. The set according to claim 2, wherein the assembly means comprise a notch in the main molding element for receiving part of the edge of the secondary molding element.

4. The set according to claim 2, wherein the assembly means comprise at least one protrusion protruding from the edge of the secondary molding element.

5. The set according to claim 1, wherein the main and secondary molding elements are blades.

6. A mold for vulcanizing a tire tread comprising a plurality of sets of molding elements according to claim 1.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, provided by way of example, without intended limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a set of moulding elements comprising a main moulding element and a secondary moulding element;

(3) FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c are side views of alternative embodiments of the secondary moulding element of FIG. 1.

(4) In the description below, substantially identical or similar elements will be designated by identical references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a set of moulding elements used for moulding cuts in a tread of a tyre. The example shown consists of a main moulding element 10 and a secondary moulding element 20.

(6) On at least one of its faces, the main moulding element 10 has a contact zone 11. This zone is intended to be in contact with an edge 21 of the secondary moulding element 20.

(7) As shown in FIG. 1, the contact zone 11 is not flat. It includes, for example, at least one undulation 12. This undulation 12 extends continuously all along the contact zone 11, without interruption. The fact that this undulation is uninterrupted makes it possible to avoid zones of weakness on the main moulding element 10. According to an alternative not shown, the contact zone comprises a texture (such as a series of spikes, strips or holes for creating hairs). This texture crosses the contact zone continuously, without interruption. Whatever the type of relief used, this relief extends continuously over the entire length of the contact zone 11.

(8) In order to achieve an assembly of the two moulding elements 10 and 20 substantially without a space or gap in the interface zone between the two moulding elements, the contact zone 11 and the edge 21 are provided with complementary profiles. The contour or profile of the edge 21 fits snugly with all or part of the relief on the contact zone 11. An assembly is thus obtained with contact between the two moulding elements over substantially the entire length of this contact zone.

(9) In the example shown, the continuity between the two assembled profiles is implemented by virtue of a particular arrangement provided on at least one of the edges 21 of the secondary moulding element 20. The edge 21 has at least one recessed portion 22. The cut corresponds to the profile of the non-flat surface of the contact zone 11 of the main moulding element 10.

(10) In the examples shown in FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b, the recessed portion 22 of the moulding element is curvilinear, and forms a profile complementary to the profile of the undulation 12 of the main moulding element. The recessed portion 22 therefore has a profile which perfectly matches the profile of the contact face 11 of the main moulding element 10.

(11) FIG. 2c shows an alternative profile of an edge 21, the recessed portion or portions 22 of which are in the shape of a triangle. Other shapes are also possible for the recessed portions, depending on the configuration of the non-flat zone 11 of the main moulding element with which they are to be assembled.

(12) Assembly Means

(13) In order to assemble the moulding elements 10 and 20, the main moulding element 10 and/or the secondary moulding element 20 may comprise assembly means, as shown in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2b.

(14) In the example of FIG. 2b, the edge 21 of the secondary element comprises one or more protrusions 23, extending from the edge, and protruding towards the main blade 10 to interact with the latter. Such a protrusion may for example interact with the main blade 10 by insertion into a notch 13, such as that shown in the example of FIG. 1. This results in a precise assembly, with the moulding elements strictly aligned.

(15) A clip 14, projecting from the contact zone 11 of a main moulding element 10, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the latter, may also be used to attach a secondary moulding element. One or more clips 14 may be provided. Several clips 14 may be aligned on the contact zone to attach an edge 21 at several points, for a particularly effective assembly.

(16) Also as an alternative, an assembly may involve both one or more clips 14 and one or more protrusions 23.