Tire mold and vent insert having corresponding surfaces
AssigneeBridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
InventorEdward Steven SEROKA
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for venting a tire mold includes a tire mold having an interior region and an exterior region. The interior region is defined by a surface having a non-smooth portion that defines a pattern. The interior and exterior regions of the tire mold are in fluid connection with each other via at least one conduit extending from the exterior region to the non-smooth portion of the surface defining the interior region. The system further includes a vent insert at least partially disposed inside the at least one conduit. The vent insert has a non-smooth face that corresponds to the pattern defined by the non-smooth surface of the surface of the interior region.
Claims15
A tire mold comprising:
- a tire mold interior surface having a non-smooth portion defined by at least one mold surface element selected from the group consisting of a raised surface and a recessed surface;
- a conduit extending from an opening in the non-smooth portion of the tire mold interior surface to an exterior of the tire mold;
- and
- a vent insert located at least partially inside of the conduit, the vent insert having a face that is substantially flush with the tire mold interior surface,
- wherein the face includes at least one face surface element selected from the group consisting of a raised surface and a recessed surface, and
- wherein the at least one face surface element corresponds to the at least one mold surface element.
A method of venting a tire mold, the method comprising:
- providing a tire mold having an interior region and an exterior region,
- wherein the interior region is defined by a surface having a non-smooth portion,
- wherein the non-smooth surface defines a pattern,
- wherein the interior and exterior regions of the tire mold are in fluid connection with each other via at least one conduit extending from the exterior region to the non-smooth portion of the surface defining the interior region;
- and
- inserting a vent insert at least partially inside the at least one conduit, the vent insert having a non-smooth face that corresponds to the pattern defined by the non-smooth surface of the surface of the interior region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.