Method and system for manufacturing a tyre tread with lugs
AssigneeBridgestone Corporation
InventorRoberto Mattocci
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for manufacturing a tire tread with lugs, the tread having a tread base, and a number of lugs projecting upwards from the tread base; the method having the steps of: preparing a green-rubber blank tread of constant thickness; applying rubber blocks to the areas of the blank tread where the lugs are to be formed, each block varying lengthwise in cross section, so it is thinner at the center and thicker at the side; and curing the blank tread, together with the blocks, in a curing mold negatively reproducing the pattern of the tread.
Claims13
A method of manufacturing a tire tread with lugs for a tire, the tread comprising a tread base;
- and a number of lugs, each of which projects upwards from the tread base, and has a lateral portion located at a shoulder of the tire, and a center portion located in the center area of the tire;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- preparing a green-rubber blank tread;
- extruding a continuous rubber strip having a cross section identical to a longitudinal section of rubber blocks and varies transversely so that the rubber strip is thinner at one side and thicker at the other side;
- cutting the blocks off the rubber strip by means of an inclined crosswise cut;
- and
- applying the blocks to the areas of the blank tread where the lugs are to be formed, each block having an outer wall located at a shoulder of the blank tread, and an inner wall opposite the outer wall and located in the center area of the blank tread;
- curing the blank tread, together with the blocks, in a curing mold negatively reproducing a pattern of the tread;
- wherein each block varies lengthwise in cross section, so it is thinner at the inner wall and thicker at the outer wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.