Double tread
AssigneeBridgestone Bandag, LLC
InventorTroy Allen Kost
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.
Claims18
A double tread for tire retreading, the double tread comprising:
- a first design side comprising an upper surface having a first tread pattern molded in a unitary tread body;
- and
- a second design side comprising a lower surface having a second tread pattern molded in the unitary tread body, the second tread pattern opposingly oriented with respect to the first tread pattern across a plane between and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces, the first and second tread patterns adapted for being individually applied to a tire casing.
A method for manufacturing a retreaded tire comprising:
- providing a double tread, the double tread comprising a first design side comprising an upper surface having a first tread pattern molded in a unitary tread body, and a second design side comprising a lower surface having a second tread pattern molded in the unitary tread body, the second tread pattern opposingly oriented with respect to the first tread pattern across a plane between and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the unitary tread body;
- cutting the double tread along the plane to separate the upper and lower surfaces of the unitary tread body;
- and
- individually applying one of the upper and lower surfaces to a tire casing within a predetermined time period after the cutting.
A method for manufacturing a double tread for tire retreading, the method comprising:
- forming the double tread via a tread mold, the double tread comprising a first design side comprising an upper surface having a first tread pattern molded in a unitary tread body, and a second design side comprising a lower surface having a second tread pattern molded in the unitary tread body, the second tread pattern opposingly oriented with respect to the first tread pattern across a plane between and parallel to the upper and lower surfaces, the first and second tread patterns adapted for being individually applied to a tire casing;
- and
- curing the double tread.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.