Method and apparatus for improved tread splicing

A curing press for forming a tire tread, comprising:

• a top press block;
• a bottom press block;
• at least one mold assembly between the top press block and the bottom press block, the at least one mold assembly comprising;
• a platen, and
• a mold, comprising:
• a plurality of mold segments, each of the plurality of mold segments including an integer number of tread pitch repetitions, the plurality of mold segments structured to be coupled to each other end-to-end so as to form the mold such that the mold includes an integer number of tread pitches, the integer number of tread pitches associated with the integer number of tread pitch repetitions, the mold defining a first mold end and a second mold end;
• each mold segment in the plurality of mold segments comprising a first body portion, a second body portion, and a third body portion, the second body portion disposed between the first body portion and the third body portion, the first body portion and the third body portion being substantially the same size and adjacent respective ends of the mold segment, a first cut-line extending perpendicularly relative to a long dimension of the mold segment in a direction of the tread pitch between the first body portion and the second body portion, and a second cut-line parallel to the first cut-line, the second cut-line between the second body portion and the third body portion, and
• a first mold end segment positioned at the first mold end and formed by cutting a mold segment in the plurality of mold segments along the first cut-line, the first mold segment comprising the second body portion, the third body portion, and between 1 and 2 tread pitch repetitions, exclusive;
• and
• a second mold end segment positioned at the second mold end and formed by cutting a mold segment in the plurality of mold segments along the second cut-line, the second hold end segment comprising the first body portion, the second body portion, and between 1 and 2 tread pitch repetitions, exclusive.

A mold for molding a tire tread, comprising:

• a plurality of mold segments, each of the plurality of mold segments including an integer number of tread pitch repetitions, the plurality of mold segments configured to be positioned end-to-end so as to form the mold such that the mold includes an integer number of tread pitches, the integer number of tread pitches associated with the integer number of tread pitch repetitions, the mold defining a first mold end and a second mold end;
• each mold segment in the plurality of mold segments comprising:
• a first body portion, a second body portion, and a third body portion, the second body portion disposed between the first body portion and the third body portion;
• a first cut-line extending perpendicularly relative to a long dimension of the mold segment in a direction of the tread pitch between the first body portion and the second body portion;
• and
• a second cut-line parallel to the first cut-line, the second cut-line between the second body portion and the third body portion;
• a first mold end segment positioned at the first mold end and formed by cutting a mold segment in the plurality of mold segments along the first cut-line, the first mold end segment comprising the second body portion, the third body portion, and a first non-integer number of tread pitch repetitions;
• and
• a second mold end segment positioned at the second mold end and formed by cutting a mold segment in the plurality of mold segments along the second cut-line, the second mold end segment comprising the first body portion, the second body portion, and a second non-integer number of tread pitch repetitions.