US 12,391,016 B2
Tire molding process
Christophe Jean Alexis Ghislain Pierre, Aubange (BE); and Michel Jean Yves Windehausen, Messancy (BE)
Assigned to THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, Akron, OH (US)
Filed by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, OH (US)
Filed on Nov. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/052,243.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/279,265, filed on Nov. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0150217 A1, May 18, 2023
Int. Cl. B29D 30/06 (2006.01); B29C 33/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29D 30/0606 (2013.01) [B29C 33/0038 (2013.01); B29C 2791/006 (2013.01); B29D 2030/0607 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A molding process wherein a green tire is formed and then molded within a tire mold; the tire mold having one or more movable elements that can be displaced to bring the tire mold into an open or into a closed position; the tire mold comprising an actuating ring, a top plate, a bottom plate, upper and lower side members, a plurality of mold segments and slide blocks; the upper and lower side members and the plurality of mold segments defining a mold cavity and the tire mold further comprising sealing means for sealing the mold cavity including one or more closing seal members; wherein the process comprises the following steps:
providing the tire mold having one or more closing seal members;
placing the green tire into the mold cavity;
placing the one or more closing seal members next to a cooperating surface, wherein the one or more closing seal members face the cooperating surface without contacting it, by bringing the tire mold to a partial closure position; and
drawing a vacuum on the mold cavity causing the one or more closing seal members to be moved or deformed by suction until they are in contact with the cooperating surface so that the mold cavity is sealed in an airtight manner,
wherein each of the one or more closing seal members is associated with a cooperating surface, and one of the one or more closing seal members and the cooperating surface being moveable relative to the other during the displacement of the one or more movable elements.
 
12. A molding process wherein a green tire having a tread, sidewall and bead portions is formed and then molded within a tire mold; the tire mold having one or more movable elements that can be displaced to bring the tire mold into an open or a closed position; the tire mold comprising an actuating ring, a top plate, a bottom plate, upper and lower side members, a plurality of mold segments and slide blocks, and a vacuum device; the upper and lower side members and the plurality of mold segments defining a mold cavity, and the tire mold further comprising sealing means for sealing the mold cavity including one or more closing seal members; wherein the process comprises the following steps:
providing the tire mold having one or more closing seal members placed on one or more carrier elements wherein each of the one or more closing seal members is associated with a cooperating surface, and one of the one or more closing seal members and the cooperating surface being moveable relative to the other during a stroke of the one or more moveable elements between the open position and the closed position of the tire mold;
opening the tire mold and placing the green tire into the mold cavity;
placing the one or more closing seal members next to the respective cooperating surface so as to face it without contacting it by bringing the tire mold to a partial closure position, wherein the one or more closing seal members are in a rest condition and spaced from the cooperating surface with a distance of at most 1.5 mm; and
drawing a vacuum on the mold cavity allowing the one or more closing seal members to change from their rest condition to a working condition in which they are in contact with their associated cooperating surface.
 
16. A molding process wherein a green tire having a tread, sidewall and bead portions is formed and then molded within a tire mold; the tire mold having one or more movable elements that can be displaced to bring the tire mold into an open or a closed position; the tire mold comprising an actuating ring, a top plate, a bottom plate, upper and lower side members, a plurality of mold segments and slide blocks, and optionally a vacuum device; the upper and lower side members and the plurality of mold segments defining a mold cavity and the tire mold further comprising sealing means for sealing the mold cavity including one or more closing seal members; wherein the mold segments have an inner molding surface with one or more cutting elements; wherein the process comprises the following steps:
providing the tire mold having one or more closing seal members placed on one or more carrier elements; each of the one or more closing seal members being associated with a cooperating surface, and one of the one or more closing seal members and the cooperating surface being moveable relative to the other during the displacement of the one or more moveable elements from the open position to the closed position of the tire mold;
opening the tire mold and placing the green tire into the mold cavity;
placing the one or more closing seal members next to the respective cooperating surface so as to face it without contacting it by bringing the tire mold to a partial closure position, wherein the one or more closing seal members are in a rest condition and spaced from the cooperating surface with a distance of at most 1.5 mm and wherein the one or more cutting elements are not in contact with the green tire;
drawing a vacuum on the mold cavity causing the one or more closing seal members to change, under the action of suction forces, from their rest condition to a working condition wherein they are in contact with their associated cooperating surface so that the mold cavity is sealed;
further wherein the step of drawing the vacuum in the mold cavity is started once the tire mold has reached a partial closure position, before the tire mold is closed.