System with plug assembly for continuous molding and curing of tire tread

An apparatus for the continuous molding and curing of tire tread, the apparatus defining a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of movable mold assemblies;
• a mold assembly transport mechanism arranged along the longitudinal axis and configured for moving the mold assemblies along a conveying direction, the mold assembly transport mechanism having an in-feed end and an out-feed end;
• a lower platen assembly extending along the mold assembly transport mechanism;
• a first upper platen assembly positioned adjacent the in-feed end of the mold assembly transport mechanism and over the lower platen assembly, the first upper platen assembly selectively movable along a vertical direction relative to the lower platen assembly;
• a second upper platen assembly positioned adjacent and downstream of the first upper platen assembly and over the lower platen assembly, the second upper platen assembly selectively movable along the vertical direction relative to the lower platen assembly;
• and
• a plug assembly is movable between i) a first position away that is not under the first upper platen assembly or the second upper platen assembly and ii) a second position wherein the plug assembly is located between the first upper platen assembly and the lower platen assembly, the plug assembly configured for selective placement against one of the movable mold assemblies so as to block a back flow of rubber material therefrom.