System for continuous tire tread extrusion, molding, and curing

A method for continuous molding and curing of a tire tread using a plurality of mold sectors arranged adjacent to each other along a longitudinal axis, the mold sectors positioned on a first lower platen and on an adjacent second lower platen, the method comprising the steps of:

• pressing an elongated strip of rubber material between the mold sectors and one or more upper platens, the strip of rubber material extending in a continuous manner over the mold sectors;
• lowering the mold sectors by lowering both the first lower platen and the second lower platen;
• advancing the mold sectors and the strip of rubber material along a process direction so as to shift all mold sectors on the first lower platen and second lower platen away from the first lower platen;
• lowering the first lower platen to a vertical position that is lower than the second mold platen;
• extruding additional rubber material in the process direction over the first lower platen, the additional rubber material in continuous connection with the elongated strip of rubber material;
• positioning a mold sector onto the first lower platen;
• lifting the first lower platen and the second lower platen;
• and
• repeating the previous steps with the strip of rubber material and the connected additional rubber material.