# US 10,500,767 B2 · Molding element for manufacturing a noise reducing tread

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- Number: US 10,500,767 B2
- Document ID: US10500767B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/763,955
- Filed: 2016-09-20
- Published: 2018-09-27
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2015-09-30
- Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
- Applicants: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
- Inventors: Romain Calvel; Khotchakorn Pengsaloong; Supradit Khaoyabut
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500767B2

## CPC

- B29C 33/42: characterised by the shape of the moulding surface, e.g. ribs or grooves
- B29D 30/0606: {Vulcanising moulds not integral with vulcanising presses (for solid tyres B29D30/02)}
- B29D 30/66: Moulding treads on to tyre casings, e.g. non-skid treads with spikes
- B60C 11/0309: {further characterised by the groove cross-section}
- B60C 11/047: {the groove bottom comprising stone trapping protection elements, e.g. ribs}
- B29C 33/123: {for centering the inserts}
- B29D 2030/0607: {Constructional features of the moulds}
- B29D 2030/0612: {Means for forming recesses or protrusions in the tyres, e.g. grooves or ribs, to create the tread or sidewalls patterns}
- B29D 2030/665: {Treads containing inserts other than spikes, e.g. fibers or hard granules, providing antiskid properties}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES

## Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a molding element for a mold used for manufacturing a tread of a tire having a plurality of contacting element, a plurality of grooves and a connecting member connecting two side faces of adjacent contacting elements, the molding element having a molding surface and a rib for forming the groove between adjacent contacting elements and at least two rib side faces, the rib having a notching portion, a guiding member made of a material different from a material of the molding element being received in the notching portion and has two opposite side faces and a top face configured to form a part of a bottom of the groove, a distal end of the rib projecting member has a chamfered surface facing to an obliquely upward direction for guiding the connecting member toward the guiding slit.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mold employed for manufacturing a tread of a tire having a plurality of contacting elements delimited by a plurality of grooves and a connecting member connecting two side faces of adjacent contacting elements of the plurality of contacting elements, comprising:
a molding element having a molding surface for forming a contact face of one of the plurality of contacting elements,
the molding element also having a rib for forming the groove between adjacent contacting elements, the rib having at least two rib side faces for forming the two side faces of the adjacent contacting elements,
the rib having a notching portion,
a guiding member made of a material different from a material of the molding element and being received in the notching portion and having two opposite side faces shaped to form a part of the side faces of the adjacent contacting elements,
the guiding member having a top face shaped to form a part of a bottom of the groove, said material of the guiding member having a modulus at 10% elongation lower than that of the molding element, the guiding member having a guiding slit extending from one of the two opposite side faces to the other of the two opposite side faces through the guiding member and radially from the top face of the guiding member, the top face of the guiding member being partly covered by a pair of rib projecting members projecting from opposed side faces of the notching portion of the rib, and
the rib having a rib projection opening portion that is formed between the pair of rib projecting members, and
wherein an end of each of the rib projecting members has a chamfered surface facing to an obliquely upward direction for guiding the connecting member toward the guiding slit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mold according to claim 1, wherein the rib projection opening portion is devoid of the guiding member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mold according to claim 1, wherein a width of the rib projection opening portion is larger than the diameter of the connecting member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mold according to claim 1, wherein an angle of the chamfered surface relative to a direction along which the rib projection opening portion extends, is greater than or equal to 20 degrees and less than or equal to 60 degrees.