Method for preheating, curing and stabilizing vehicle tires

A method of preheating, curing and stabilizing vehicle tires, comprising the steps of preheating a first green tire and simultaneously stabilizing a second cured tire within a mobile transfer unit which includes a lower unit for carrying said first tire and an upper unit for supporting said second tire, said lower and upper units being integral and aligned with each other, said transfer unit operating between a curing unit having upper and lower portions with said second tire remaining attached to said upper portion;

• inserting said mobile transfer unit between said upper and lower curing unit portions with said upper portion being located beneath said second tire, and said lower unit being located over said lower portion;
• positioning said first and second tires adjacent to each other;
• inflating said second tire to a given pressure by means of a first pressurized fluid;
• cooling said second tire, at least partially, by cooling said second tire from inside by circulating said first pressurized fluid along a closed circuit defined by said second tire and by radiator means outside said second tire;
• circulating a stream of a second external fluid over said radiator means and said first tire successively;
• preheating said first tire by directing said stream of said second fluid over said first tire to effectuate a heat transfer;
• opening said curing unit when said second tire is fully cured, with said second tire remaining attached to said upper portion;
• releasing said first tire into said lower portion and unloading said second tire onto said upper unit;
• withdrawing said mobile unit from said curing unit and closing said curing unit for curing said first tire;
• picking up a further first tire by means of said lower unit;
• performing said heat exchange between said second and first tires on said mobile unit;
• and unloading said second tire, once said second tire is stabilized, at an unloading station.