PREPARING A PRECURED TREAD FOR APPLICATION TO A TIRE CARCASS.

摘要

The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for preparing a tread for application to a tire carcass by abrading a bottom side of the tread. In particular, the tread has a thickness extending depthwise between a top side and a bottom side of the tread. The tread thickness extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction between opposing sides of the tread. The tread further includes a void extending within the tread thickness and an extension of the tread extending across a width of the void and as a portion protruding outwardly from the tread bottom side by a distance. Such methods include stretching the tread such that the width of the tread void increases and the distance by which the extension protrudes from the bottom side decreases. Such methods further include abrading the bottom side of the tread.