US 2006/0049546 A1 · Method and apparatus for vacuum forming an elastomeric tire

Abstract

A vacuum forming apparatus and process for its use in forming a transport tire from an elastomeric material that includes a mold having a cavity or annular area wherein a transport tire core of plies, belt and beads is laid-up on a mandrel located within the mold. The mold receives a cover fitted in sealing engagement over the mold top and a cylindrical canister is fitted through the center of which cover and the mold center that is open at a top end to receive a pour of an elastomeric material mixture and includes a needle valve in its lower end that exhausts into one end of the mold annular area. The cylindrical canister includes a port for connection to a deep vacuum source and the cover includes a port that is for connection to a low level vacuum source, with the deep vacuum to remove air from the elastomeric material mixture as it is poured into the canister, and with, after filling, the port is open to atmosphere and the needle valve is opened to exhaust the mixture into the mold annular chamber wherethrough it is pulled by the low level vacuum through the cover port, filling the mold annular cavity and thoroughly impregnating the core maintained therein.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A vacuum forming apparatus for manufacturing a transport tire containing a core of plies, belts and beads from an elastomeric material comprising, a mold formed from an inner mold that includes a mandrel whereon a transport tire core of plies, belt and beads are laid-up on, with said core maintained in an annular area of said mold between said inner mold and an outer mold that is arranged for mounting to said inner mold;

means for sealing said annular area from an air flow from out side of said mold;
a canister that is open through its top to pass a flow of elastomeric material and has a valve means fitted into said canister for providing a controlled flow therefrom of said elastomeric material into said annular area where said core of plies, belt and beads is positioned;
passage means from said valve means into said annular area between said inner mold and outer mold;
a first port means mounted into said canister for connection to a high level vacuum source for pulling air therethrough;
a cover arranged for mounting onto said outer mold that has an open interior area that is connected to receive a flow from said annular area;
and a second port means mounted into said cover for connection to a low level vacuum source.

3 more elements

A process for forming an elastomeric transport tire with a vacuum forming apparatus utilizing a mold having an annular area wherein a core of plies, belt and beads is maintained on a mandrel comprising, assembling a mold having a core of plies, belts and beads maintained in an annular area that is open at opposite ends and said mold includes seals to prevent an outflow other than through said annular area opposite ends;

fitting, in sealed engagement, a cover over a top of said mold that includes an open port mounted therethrough;
positioning a canister having an open top that includes a vent port extending out from a top area and mounts a valve seat in a bottom end thereof to pass an elastomeric material flow through said valve seat and into one of said annular area opposite ends;
and a valve means that includes a movable member to fit into and close over said valve seat, and with said valve means arranged to open into one end of said mold annular area to pass a liquid flow therefrom;
applying a deep vacuum through said canister vent port to pull air from said cylinder;
passing a measured flow of mixed elastomeric material into said canister through the open top, with said deep vacuum pulling air out from the elastomeric material mix;
applying a low level vacuum through a port fitted through said cover that the mold annular area vents into;
upon passage of a desired volume of elastomeric materials poured into said canister, the deep vacuum is removed and said port is open to atmosphere and the valve means is opened to pass the elastomeric material into the mold annular area that is pulled therethrough by the low level vacuum;
closing said valve means before all the elastomeric material has flowed therefrom into said mold annular area;
and discontinuing said low level vacuum;
and, after the mold is allowed to cool, curing the elastomeric material, it is broken open and the newly formed transport tire is removed.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for vacuum forming an elastomeric tire

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for vacuum forming an elastomeric tire

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16