Apparatus and method for retreading tires
OwnerAlan Erdmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a method for retreading a tire (16) having a worn surface (12). The worn surface (12) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The apparatus (10) includes a heater (34) and a 3D printer (18). The heater (34) is adapted to heat up the worn surface (12) to a desired temperature. The 3D printer (18) is adapted to lay one or more layers of the thermoplastic elastomer onto the heated worn surface (12). The or each layer of thermoplastic elastomer is capable of adhering to the heated worn surface (12) or previously laid layer without requiring an adhesive medium or agent.
Claims20
An apparatus for retreading a tire having a worn surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a 3D printer adapted to lay at least one layer of thermoplastic elastomer onto the heated worn surface;
- wherein the at least one layer of thermoplastic elastomer is capable of adhering to the heated worn surface or a previously laid layer without requiring an adhesive medium or agent;
- and
- mapping means adapted to measure topography of the worn surface, the mapping means including or being electronically connected to a processor programmed to process the measured topography of the worn surface and control the 3D printer accordingly.
A method of retreading a tire having a worn surface, the method comprising steps of:
- heating up the worn surface to a desired temperature;
- providing a 3D printer adapted to lay at least one layer of thermoplastic elastomer onto the heated worn surface;
- and
- leaving the at least one layer of thermoplastic elastomer to automatically adhere to the heated worn surface or a previously laid layer without requiring an adhesive medium or agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.