Method and apparatus for continuously applying tread material to tire casings and curing the same

摘要

A method and apparatus for applying pre-formed, uncured tread material at an elevated temperature to tire casings is disclosed wherein a number of tires may be processed simultaneously so as to utilize the advanced state of heat of the tread material to assist in curing of the tread, and bonding the same to the casing. The apparatus includes a plurality of stations and interconnecting conveyor means, whereby the uncured tread material can be applied to the tire casing and the assembled tire indexed into a curing mold for final curing, while simultaneously a separate station accomplishes application of tread material to a second casing which is then moved to a second station for curing purposes. The number of stations will be dictated only by the length of time involved in final curing, in that the time required for applying the treads to the casings is only a fraction of the time required for final curing. Thus, sufficient curing stations are provided to ensure that the assembled tires can be promptly transferred to the curing stations without appreciable diminishment of heat from the tread.