Method and apparatus for cleaning tire vulcanization mold

A tire vulcanization mold cleaning apparatus for cleaning a molding surface of a sector of the tire vulcanization mold for molding a tread portion of a pneumatic tire by using plasma created in an atmosphere of a reaction gas which chemically reacts with dirt attached to the molding surface of the sector, comprising:

• a cleaning tank for putting therein the sector;
• an electrode table provided in the cleaning tank, the sector being put thereon;
• pressure reduction means for reducing pressure in the cleaning tank;
• a discharge electrode formed from a plate-shaped body, provided in the cleaning tank;
• a supply port formed in the side of the cleaning tank for supplying reaction gas to the cleaning tank between the discharge electrode and the sector put on the electrode table;
• the discharge electrode having surfaces disposed facing the molding surface of the sector and the surfaces disposed not facing the molding surface of the sector;
• the surfaces not facing the molding surface of the sector being covered with an electrically insulated material;
• a first high-frequency power source for supplying a high-frequency power to the discharge electrode;
• and
• a second high-frequency power source for supplying to the electrode table a high-frequency voltage having a frequency lower than a high frequency wave supplied to the discharge electrode.