Patent ID: 8114335
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method for curing an inner liner of a tire comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus comprising a drum, the drum having an inner surface and outer surface; a heat exchange chamber on the inner surface of the drum; a housing that surrounds the drum with a space between the outer surface of the drum and the housing; an inflatable seal at each end of the housing such that by inflating the seal, the seal expands and encloses the space between the drum and the housing; a gas inlet for feeding a gas to the space and pressurizing the space; a heat source in communication with the heat exchange chamber for heating the drum; and a coolant source in communication with the heat exchange chamber for cooling the drum; providing a layer of uncured rubber on the outer surface of the drum; inflating the seal to enclose the space between the drum and the housing; feeding a gas to the space to pressurize the space and the layer of rubber; heating the drum, thereby heating the layer of rubber from the surface adjacent the drum to cure the layer of rubber to a desired depth thereby forming a partially cured layer of rubber wherein the first surface is cured to a greater extent than the opposite surface and the opposite surface remains tacky; cooling the drum, thereby cooling the layer of rubber; and releasing the pressure in the space when the layer has cooled thereby producing a partially cured inner liner of a tire.