Patent Description:
In particular the present invention relates to a dual mold spacer according to the preamble of independent claim <NUM>, such as it is for example known from.

which each also could function as a dual mold spacer for use with a dual mold assembly according to the preamble of independent claim <NUM>.

Retreaded tires are those that have a new tread section placed onto a carcass of the tire after the tread section currently on the tire is worn down. To make this replacement, the tread currently on the tire may be removed, and the outer surface of the carcass treated for acceptance of the new tread. A layer of cushion gum can be applied to the surface of the carcass and the new tread section may be applied to this cushion gum layer. The cushion cum layer can be cured in order to cause the new tread section to be attached to the carcass.

The new tread section can be a cured piece of rubber that is formed by a mold and a press. The mold is a retread tire mold and can be made from a plurality of mold sectors that are arranged against one another into a linear arrangement. Uncured rubber can be placed on top of the mold sectors and a press may be moved in the vertical direction to press the rubber into the mold sectors. The press engages a flat underside of the tread strip, and tread element features are molded into the rubber via corresponding features of the mold sectors. The mold can be heated, and this combination of heat and pressure may cure the rubber into the desired shape.

The mold may be arranged as a dual mold in that two strips of retread tire tread are formed at the same time by the mold. The mold sectors for each of the two strips are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the mold, and a center rib that likewise extends in the longitudinal direction separates the mold sectors for these two strips. If the press is closed, and rubber is not present in the mold, the press will engage and damage the center rib. This damage may be immediate and severe and requires repair of the center rib before additional molding is conducted. Although the operators are trained not to close the dual mold press when rubber is not located within the mold, in the course of production mistakes are made and these mistakes lead to destruction of mold components, and to downtime with the loss of dual mold capacity. As such, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art.

In order to solve the above addressed problems the present invention provides a dual mold spacer for use with a dual mold assembly according to independent claim <NUM>. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the appended Figs.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations.

The present invention provides for a dual mold spacer <NUM> that prevents damage to a center rib <NUM> or other portions of mold sectors <NUM> of a dual mold assembly <NUM>. The dual mold spacer <NUM> is designed to be used when the dual mold assembly <NUM> does not include rubber, and the dual mold spacer <NUM> is not present within the dual mold assembly <NUM> when rubber is in fact located therein. The dual mold assembly <NUM> does not need the dual mold spacer <NUM> when rubber is in the mold sectors <NUM> because the presence of the rubber will function to appropriately dissipate the force of the press <NUM> and prevent it from damaging the center rib <NUM> and other portions of the mold sectors <NUM>. As such, even if the operator inadvertently lowers the press <NUM>, it will not cause damage so long as rubber is in the mold sectors <NUM>. The dual mold spacer <NUM> is placed into the dual mold assembly <NUM> when the formed retread bands are demolded or rubber is otherwise not present within the dual mold assembly <NUM>. The dual mold spacer <NUM> rests upon first and second side rails <NUM>, <NUM> and remains out of contact with architecture of the mold sectors <NUM>. If an operator inadvertently actuates the press <NUM> it will engage the dual mold spacer <NUM> instead of the center rib <NUM> or other mold sector <NUM> portions. Force from the press <NUM> will be counteracted by the presence of the dual mold spacer <NUM> so that the center rib <NUM> and other architectural portions of the mold sectors <NUM> will not be damaged.

<FIG> illustrate a dual mold spacer <NUM> in accordance with one exemplary embodiment that has a first side portion <NUM> and a second side portion <NUM> that are both engaged by a body portion <NUM> that spans the distance between the first side portion <NUM> and second side portion <NUM>. The first side portion <NUM> can be configured in a variety of manners, but as shown in this embodiment is arranged as a first side bar <NUM>. The first side bar <NUM> has a length that is longer than its width or height and extends for the entire longitudinal length of the dual mold spacer <NUM>. The second side portion <NUM> is arranged as a second side bar <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment, and has a length that is the same as the length of the first side bar <NUM>. The second side bar <NUM> has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and has a width and height less than its length. The body portion <NUM> is arranged into a first cross-bar <NUM>, a second cross-bar <NUM>, and a third cross-bar <NUM>. The cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are spaced from and out of engagement with one another. Although three cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are shown, it is to be understood that any number of cross-bars may be present in other exemplary embodiments. For example, <NUM> cross bar, <NUM> cross bars, from <NUM>-<NUM>, from <NUM>-<NUM>, or up to <NUM> cross-bars may be present in the dual mold spacer <NUM> in other exemplary embodiments.

The cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have a rectangular cross-section and are longer in the lateral direction than in the longitudinal direction. The first side bar <NUM> has three depressions present in its upper surface <NUM> that receive the three cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> such that each one of the depressions receives one of the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are all each lower than the upper surface <NUM> in the vertical direction. However, other arrangements are possible in which the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are in face at the same height as the upper surface <NUM>, or even higher than the upper surface <NUM> in the vertical direction. The second side bar <NUM> also has three depressions that each receive one of the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> so that the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extend in the lateral direction and are angled <NUM> degrees to the first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM>. The depressions into which the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are received cause them to be lower than the upper surface <NUM> of the second side bar <NUM>.

The upper surface <NUM> of the first side bar <NUM> is at the same vertical height as the upper surface <NUM> of the second side bar <NUM> such that these two surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> lie in a common plane. The upper surfaces of the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are lower than the plane into which the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> lie. The cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be welded to the first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM>, or could be mechanically attached in other exemplary embodiments. The first cross-bar <NUM> is located at the forward end of the dual mold spacer <NUM> but is spaced some amount from the first terminal end <NUM> of the first side bar <NUM>. Likewise, the first cross-bar <NUM> is spaced some amount in the longitudinal direction from the first terminal end <NUM> of the second side bar <NUM>. The terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> may lie in the same plane as one another without any of the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> being in this common plane. The first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM> on their opposite ends have second terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> that lie in a common plane. The second cross-bar <NUM> is spaced some distance from the second terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> in the longitudinal direction so that it is not located in this common plane. Other embodiments are possible in which one of the cross-bars is in fact located at the second terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> so as to be located at the same location on the dual mold spacer <NUM> as the terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The third cross-bar <NUM> is located at the midpoint of the first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the dual mold spacer <NUM>, and is spaced the same amount from the first terminal end <NUM> as from the second terminal end <NUM>. The spacing between the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged so that the third cross-bar <NUM> is located the same distance from the first cross-bar <NUM> as it is from the second cross-bar <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. However, other versions are possible in which the third cross-bar <NUM> is closer to either the first cross-bar <NUM> or to the second cross-bar <NUM>.

The first side bar <NUM> defines a channel <NUM> that is open on both ends and runs the entire longitudinal length of the first side bar <NUM>. In particular, the first side bar <NUM> includes a flange <NUM> and a flange <NUM> that define the sides of the channel <NUM>. Flange <NUM> is longer than flange <NUM> in that flange <NUM> extends a greater distance from the upper surface <NUM> than does flange <NUM>. Other variations are possible in which the flanges <NUM>, <NUM> extend the same distance in the vertical direction from the upper surface <NUM> so that the channel <NUM> has sides that are of the same size. The channel <NUM> is open in a direction facing away from the upper surface <NUM>, and is more open in a direction facing towards the second side bar <NUM> than in the direction facing away from the second side bar <NUM> due to the increased size of the flange <NUM> as compared to flange <NUM>.

The upper surface <NUM> of the second side bar <NUM> may be flat along its entire width and length. Likewise, the oppositely disposed lower surface <NUM> of the second side bar <NUM> can be flat along its entire length and width. The lower surface <NUM> may be located in the vertical direction at the same location as the surface of the first side bar <NUM> that extends between the flanges <NUM>, <NUM> and forms a boundary of the channel <NUM>. However, in other arrangements, the vertical height of this surface may be higher or lower than the lower surface <NUM>. This surface and the lower surface <NUM> may be located lower in the vertical direction than the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

Another embodiment of the dual mold spacer <NUM> is shown with reference to <FIG>. Here, the first side portion <NUM> is arranged as a first side bar <NUM> in essentially the same manner as previously discussed, and the second side portion <NUM> is likewise arranged as previously discussed as a second side bar <NUM>. The various components of the first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM> such as the upper surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, the lower surface <NUM>, the channel <NUM>, and the terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged as previously described and a repeat of this information is not necessary. Instead of having three cross-bars, the dual mold spacer <NUM> has only two - a first cross-bar <NUM> and a second cross-bar <NUM>. The first and second cross-bars <NUM> and <NUM> are spaced from all of the terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> so that portions of the first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM> are present between the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> and the terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> may be equally spaced from the terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> so that the first cross-bar <NUM> is the same distance from terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> as the second cross-bar <NUM> is from the terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The first and second cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> each extend in the lateral direction and are parallel to one another and are located within grooves of the first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM> so that they are below the upper surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> in the vertical direction. The cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> may be attached to the side bars <NUM>, <NUM> through welding or by any other mechanism such as mechanical fasteners or via integral formation.

<FIG> shows a top view of the dual mold assembly <NUM> with the press <NUM> removed for clarity. The dual mold assembly <NUM> includes a first mold <NUM> and an adjacently disposed second mold <NUM>. A center rib <NUM> separates the first mold <NUM> from the second mold <NUM>, and is the attachment point between the single molds <NUM>, <NUM> built together. The molds <NUM>, <NUM> can have architectural elements that result in tread bands being formed in both molds <NUM>, <NUM> that are identical to one another. The use of dual molds <NUM>, <NUM> allows for two tread bands to be formed per cycle in the dual mold assembly <NUM>, instead of just one, and increases the output of the molding process. The molds <NUM>, <NUM> and the center rib <NUM> can be made by a series of mold sectors <NUM> that are placed against one another in the dual mold assembly <NUM>. The mold sectors <NUM> each extend across the full width of the molds <NUM>, <NUM> in the lateral direction <NUM> of the dual mold assembly <NUM> and form a portion of the molds <NUM>, <NUM> and the center rib <NUM>. In other versions, each one of the mold sectors <NUM> may only include portions of one of the molds <NUM> or <NUM> and may not include the center rib <NUM>, which can be a separate component different from the mold sectors <NUM>.

The mold sectors <NUM> are constrained at one end by the infeed end <NUM>, and at their opposite end by the trim post end <NUM>. In this regard, the mold sectors <NUM> engage a rigid lip or end of the infeed end <NUM> and cannot move beyond this infeed end <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM> of the dual mold assembly <NUM>. The trim post end <NUM> includes a number of screws that can be actuated in order to engage the immediately adjacent mold sector <NUM> and force it, and the rest of the mold sectors <NUM>, in the longitudinal direction <NUM> against one another and against the infeed end <NUM>. Other mechanisms of applying this compressive force to the mold sectors <NUM> are possible in accordance with other exemplary embodiments.

In use, uncured rubber is moved over the infeed end <NUM> to the trim post end <NUM> and placed on top of the mold sectors <NUM> and cured through pressing by the press <NUM> and heating of the mold sectors <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the uncured rubber is not present and the dual mold spacer <NUM> is inserted into the dual mold assembly <NUM> in order to protect the mold sectors <NUM> from being damaged by the press <NUM> should the press inadvertently be actuated and forced down onto the molds <NUM>, <NUM> and center rib <NUM>. The dual mold spacer <NUM> is shorter than the molds <NUM>, <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM> and does not stretch all the way from the infeed end <NUM> to the trim post end <NUM>. The dual mold spacer <NUM> is positioned half way between the ends <NUM>, <NUM> and rests upon first and second side rails <NUM>, <NUM> of the dual mold assembly <NUM>. In other versions, the dual mold spacer <NUM> may extend all the way across the molds <NUM>, <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM>. The mold sectors <NUM> are held to the base <NUM> of the dual mold assembly <NUM> by the use of side rails <NUM>, <NUM> that rest upon flanges <NUM> of the mold sectors <NUM> that are located at outboard ends of the mold sectors <NUM> in the lateral direction <NUM>. The side rails <NUM>, <NUM> are secured onto the tops of the flanges <NUM> by the use of screws or other mechanical fasteners which secure the flanges <NUM> to the base <NUM> of the dual mold assembly <NUM>.

The first side bar <NUM> is located outboard of the tread forming pattern of the first mold <NUM>, and the second side bar <NUM> is located outboard of the tread forming pattern of the second mold <NUM>. The cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned over top of and extend across the tread forming patterns of the molds <NUM>, <NUM> and the center rib <NUM> in the lateral direction <NUM>. The spacing of the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> leaves areas of the molds <NUM>, <NUM> uncovered and the dual mold spacer <NUM> does not cover the entire tread forming surfaces of the molds <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side view of the dual mold assembly <NUM> along line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> with the press <NUM> moved into position so as to engage the dual mold spacer <NUM>. The upper surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are located at the same position as one another in the vertical direction <NUM> of the dual mold assembly <NUM> and are higher in the vertical direction <NUM> than any portion of the mold sectors <NUM>. The press <NUM> engages the upper surface <NUM> and <NUM> when actuated and moved down in the vertical direction <NUM>. The press <NUM> remains free from engagement with the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, in other versions the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be at the same height as the upper surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> and engaged with them by the press <NUM>. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are higher than the upper surface <NUM>, <NUM> and are engaged by the press <NUM> while the upper surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are not engaged by the press <NUM>. In yet other arrangements, the heights of the upper surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are selected so that one of them is engaged by the press <NUM> while the other one is not engaged by the press <NUM>.

The first side rail <NUM> includes a projection <NUM> that runs along its entire length in the longitudinal direction <NUM> and that extends upwards in the vertical direction <NUM>. The size and shape of the projection <NUM> is complimentary to the channel <NUM> so that the projection <NUM> fits within the channel <NUM> when the dual mold spacer <NUM> is placed onto the side rails <NUM>, <NUM>. The first side bar <NUM> thus rests on top of the first side rail <NUM> and the projection <NUM> limits movement of the first side bar <NUM> relative to the first side rail <NUM> in the lateral direction <NUM>. The second side rail <NUM> has a flat upper surface <NUM> onto which the flat lower surface <NUM> of the second side bar <NUM> engages and rests when the dual mold spacer <NUM> is placed into the dual mold assembly <NUM>. The dual mold spacer <NUM> thus rests on top of the first and second side rails <NUM> and <NUM> and is not mechanically attached or otherwise connected, removably or permanently, to the side rails <NUM>, <NUM>. The operator may simply place the dual mold spacer <NUM> onto the side rails <NUM>, <NUM> when the dual mold assembly <NUM> is empty and need not fasten or otherwise connect the dual mold spacer <NUM>.

The mold sectors <NUM> rest on top of a base <NUM>. Bolts extend through the first side rail <NUM>, the flanges <NUM> of the mold sectors <NUM> and into the base <NUM> in order to connect the first side rail <NUM> to the mold sectors <NUM> and in turn this combination to the base <NUM>. In a similar manner, a series of bolts extend through the second side rail <NUM> and the flanges <NUM> of the mold sectors <NUM> and into the base <NUM> in order to effect attachment of these components to one another. Although shown as using a series of bolts, other mechanisms of attaching the mold sectors <NUM> to the base <NUM> with the side rails <NUM>, <NUM> are possible in other exemplary embodiments. The base <NUM> rests upon a platen <NUM> through which heated water may flow in order to heat the base <NUM> and in turn heat the mold sectors <NUM> to function to cure the rubber that is being cured by the dual mold assembly <NUM>. Other means of heating the platen <NUM> are possible, such as through the use of electrical resistance.

As shown, the force from the press <NUM> is transferred into the first and second side rails <NUM>, <NUM> through the engagement of the press <NUM> with the upper surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. The cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are free from engagement with the tread forming portions of the molds <NUM>, <NUM> and the center rib <NUM> and the force from the press <NUM> is not directed into these components and they are not damaged when the press <NUM> is actuated and no rubber is present in the molds <NUM>, <NUM>. The force is directed through the first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM> and into the first and second side rails <NUM>, <NUM> and then into the flanges <NUM> of the mold sectors <NUM>. The force is then directed into the base <NUM> and finally into the platen <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the dual mold assembly <NUM> of <FIG> with the press <NUM> shown. The press <NUM> extends both forward and rearward of the dual mold spacer <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM> when the press <NUM> engages the dual mold spacer <NUM> and applies force thereto. The tread forming portions of the mold sectors <NUM> directly face the press <NUM> when the press <NUM> is actuated but are not engaged by the press <NUM> due to the presence of the dual mold spacer <NUM>. The trim post end <NUM> is shown as being attached to the base <NUM> through the use of bolts, and the opposite end of the mold sectors <NUM> at the infeed end <NUM> is attached to the base <NUM> through the use of bolts as well. The side bars <NUM>, <NUM> are not constrained to move in the longitudinal direction <NUM> along the side rails <NUM>, <NUM>. However, the weight of the dual mold spacer <NUM> and friction may function to keep the side bars <NUM>, <NUM> in relatively the same place in the longitudinal direction <NUM> when the press <NUM> applies force as the dual mold spacer <NUM> is not mechanically attached to the first and second side rails <NUM>, <NUM>. Application of force from the press <NUM> forces the side bars <NUM>, <NUM> in the vertical direction <NUM> down onto the side rails <NUM>, <NUM> and they are not slid along the side rails <NUM>, <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an alternate embodiment of the dual mold spacer <NUM> that is arranged in a similar manner as the previously described embodiments. However, the first cross-bar <NUM> has a center rib groove <NUM> that is on the underside surface of the first cross-bar <NUM> at the midpoint in the lateral direction from both the first and second side bars <NUM>, <NUM>. When the dual mold spacer <NUM> is placed into the dual mold assembly <NUM>, the center rib groove <NUM> provides a void into which the center rib <NUM> may be disposed so that the center rib <NUM> does not engage the first cross-bar <NUM> and be damaged by the first cross-bar <NUM>. Depending upon how many cross-bars are present, all of the cross-bars may have a similar center rib groove <NUM> that are in line with the center rib groove <NUM> of the first cross-bar <NUM> to accommodate the insertion of the center rib <NUM> along its entire longitudinal length of the dual mold spacer <NUM>. The dual mold spacer <NUM> in <FIG> has three cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and all of these cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have a center rib groove <NUM> to keep the center rib <NUM> from engaging the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and being damaged. The remaining undersides of the cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be flat and without any other voids.

Although shown as being configured into the first side bar <NUM>, the second side bar <NUM>, and one or more cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the first side portion <NUM>, the second side portion <NUM>, and the body portion <NUM> need not be so configured in accordance with other exemplary embodiments. <FIG> shows another embodiment of the dual mold spacer <NUM> in which the first side portion <NUM> is a solid section and is rectangular in shape. The second side portion <NUM> is likewise solid and rectangular in cross-sectional shape. The body portion <NUM> is also solid and rectangular in cross-sectional shape and extends from the first side portion <NUM> to the second side portion <NUM> along the entire longitudinal lengths of the first and second side portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The resulting dual mold spacer <NUM> is a solid piece that has a rectangular cross-sectional shape along its entire longitudinal length. The dual mold spacer <NUM> can be placed into the dual mold assembly <NUM> so that the first and second side rails <NUM>, <NUM> are engaged by the first and second side portions <NUM>, <NUM> and so that the body portion <NUM> extends over and out of engagement with the tread forming features of the first mold <NUM> and the second mold <NUM> and the center rib <NUM>. The dual mold spacer <NUM> will function to protect molds <NUM>, <NUM> and center rib <NUM> as previously discussed as the force from the press <NUM> will be directed into the first and second side portions <NUM>, <NUM> and into the flanges <NUM> of the mold sectors <NUM>.

Any type of material or materials may be used to make up the first side portion <NUM>, second side portion <NUM>, and body portion <NUM>. These portions may be made of steel, aluminum, or titanium in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. Some of the portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be made of one material while other portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are made of a different material so that the dual mold spacer <NUM> is made up of different materials. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the first side rail <NUM>, second side rail <NUM>, and cross-bars <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are all made up of <NUM> aluminum alloy. The portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be marked with indicia that instruct the operator as to what orientation the dual mold spacer <NUM> should be placed in when inserted into the dual mold assembly <NUM>. For example, the first side bar <NUM> may be marked with the phrase "Front Up" on its outer surface that is the most outboard in the lateral direction so that an operator knows to have the first side bar <NUM> closest to him or her and so that the upper surface <NUM> is directed upwards in the vertical direction <NUM>. The terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> could also be marked with "Trim post end" or "Infeed end" so that the user knows which direction to orient the dual mold spacer <NUM> relative to the infeed end <NUM> and the trim post end <NUM>. The use of the dual mold spacer <NUM> prevents damage to the tread forming portions of the dual molds <NUM>, <NUM> and to the center rib <NUM> when the press <NUM> is inadvertently actuated without rubber present in the dual molds <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A dual mold spacer (<NUM>) for use with a dual mold assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a first side portion (<NUM>) that is configured to engage a first side rail (<NUM>) of the dual mold assembly (<NUM>);
a second side portion (<NUM>) that is configured to engage a second side rail (<NUM>) of the dual mold assembly (<NUM>);
a body portion (<NUM>) that extends from the first side portion (<NUM>) to the second side portion (<NUM>), wherein the body portion (<NUM>) is configured to be located between a press (<NUM>) of the dual mold assembly (<NUM>) and first and second molds (<NUM>,<NUM>) of the dual mold assembly (<NUM>), wherein the body portion (<NUM>) is configured for being spaced from and free from engagement with the first and second molds (<NUM>; <NUM>) of the dual mold assembly (<NUM>);
characterized in that the channel (<NUM>) of the first side bar (<NUM>) is defined by a pair of flanges (<NUM>; <NUM>) wherein one of the pair of flanges (<NUM>; <NUM>) is longer in a vertical direction (<NUM>) of the dual mold assembly (<NUM>) than the other one of the pair of flanges (<NUM>; <NUM>).