Patent ID: 7399172

Claim:
A vacuum forming apparatus for manufacturing a transport tire containing a core of plies, belts and beads from an elastomeric material comprising, a mold formed from an inner mold that includes a mandrel whereon a transport tire core of plies, belt and beads are laid-up on, with said core maintained in an annular area of said mold between said inner mold and an outer mold that is arranged for mounting to said inner mold; means for sealing said mold annular area from an air flow from outside of said mold; a canister that is fitted through the center of the joined inner and outer molds and open through its top to pass a flow of a mixture of elastomeric material constituents and that has a valve means fitted into the lower end of said canister for providing a controlled flow therefrom of said elastomeric material constituents into said mold annular area where said core of plies, belt and beads is positioned; passage means from said valve means into said annular area between said inner mold and outer mold; a first port means mounted into said canister for connection to a high level vacuum source for pulling air therethrough; a cover arranged for mounting onto said outer mold that has an open interior area that is connected to receive a flow from said annular area; and a second port means mounted into said cover for connection to a low level vacuum source.