METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VACUUM FORMING AN ELASTOMERIC TIRE

摘要

A vacuum forming apparatus and process for its use in forming a transport tire from an elastomeric material that includes a mold having a cavity or annular area wherein a transport tire core of plies, belt and beads is laid-up on a mandrel located within the mold. The mold receives a cover fitted in sealing engagement over the mold top and a cylindrical canister is fitted through the center of which cover and the mold center that is open at a top end to receive a pour of an elastomeric material mixture and includes a needle valve in its lower end that exhausts into one end of the mold annular area. The cylindrical canister includes a port for connection to a deep vacuum source and the cover includes a port that is for connection to a low level vacuum source, with the deep vacuum to remove air from the elastomeric material mixture as it is poured into the canister, and with, after filling, the port is open to atmosphere and the needle valve is opened to exhaust the mixture into the mold annular chamber wherethrough it is pulled by the low level vacuum through the cover port, filling the mold annular cavity and thoroughly impregnating the core maintained therein.