Patent ID: 7910043
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29L

Abstract:
1. A curing line for molding a green tire into a finished tire having a tread pattern, comprising: a toroidally shaped core formed by a plurality of core segments each having an outer surface portion which together define a toroidal outer surface surrounding a central axis, said core adapted to hold a green tire on said toroidal outer surface; a first spindle section configured to be placed on a first side of said plurality of core segments along the central axis; a second spindle section configured to be placed on a second side of said plurality of core segments along the central axis and opposite to said first side; at least one electrically operated heating element coupled with each said core segment; at least one spindle connector configured to mechanically couple the first and second spindle sections with said plurality of core segments located therebetween and electrically connect with the electrically operated heating elements for supplying electrical power thereto during a tire curing operation; at least one curing line docking station having docking apparatus mechanically coupling with a spindle end of at least one of said first and second spindle sections for a docking time interval, the docking apparatus including at least one docking connector configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the at least one spindle connector for supplying electrical power to the electrically operated heating elements.