Patent ID: 6264779
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B29C,B29D

Abstract:
A method of molding an unvulcanized casing, the unvulcanized casing having a ply and a belt package including belts formed of a plurality of belt cords, the belts having a belt line representing the desired orientation of the belt cords, the method comprising the steps of:inserting an inflatable bladder or liner inside the casing;placing the casing in a smooth mold having a single projection with a bottom surface contacting the outer surface of the casing and first and second edges which in combination with inner surfaces of the mold form first and second annular cavities for forming first and second annular wings into the casing each wing being the radially outer tread shoulder;closing the mold;inflating the bladder or liner thereby expanding the casing firmly into contact with the smooth mold and air tightly sealing the casing against the projection; andapplying the heat and pressure to the mold to vulcanize the casing causing a uniform flow of casing material radially outwardly along the first and second edges of the projection thereby forming first and second annular casing wings, and wherein the adjacent belt cords radially between the first and second annular casing wings have a belt cord distortion as measured from the desired belt line of less than 0.050 inches in the cured casing.