Method of molding spokes of a non-pneumatic tire using an array of molds
AssigneeCompagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
InventorsDAVID C LUNG, Robert GAUT
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of curing spokes (10) is provided in which first molds of a first (14) and second series (16) of molds are placed into a platen, and force and heat applied. The platen (12) is opened and the first mold (1(1)) of the first series (14) is moved relative to the platen while the position of the first mold (1(2)) of the second series (16) is kept the same relative to the platen. Force and heat are applied to the molds. The platen (12) is opened, and the first mold (1(1)) of the first series is removed while the second mold (2(1)) of the first series is kept within the platen. A cured spoke is removed from the first mold of the first series.
Claims15
A method of curing spokes of a non-pneumatic tire, comprising:
- providing a platen;
- providing a first mold of a first series of molds, wherein the first mold of the first series of molds is configured for molding a spoke;
- providing a second mold of the first series of molds, wherein the second mold of the first series of molds is configured for molding a spoke;
- providing a first mold of a second series of molds, wherein the first mold of the second series of molds is configured for molding a spoke;
- placing the first mold of the first series of molds and the first mold of the second series of molds within the platen;
- applying force to the first mold of the first series of molds and the first mold of the second series of molds by the platen, and heating the first mold of the first series of molds and the first mold of the second series of molds;
- opening the platen;
- placing the second mold of the first series of molds within the platen;
- applying force to the first mold of the first series of molds, the second mold of the first series of molds, and the first mold of the second series of molds by the platen, and heating the first mold of the first series of molds, the second mold of the first series of molds, and the first mold of the second series of molds;
- opening the platen;
- removing the first mold of the first series of molds from the platen while keeping the second mold of the first series of molds within the platen;
- and
- removing a cured spoke from the first mold of the first series of molds;
- wherein all of the molds of the first series of molds spend less time within the platen than all of the molds of the second series of molds for curing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.