Patent ID: 8236228

Claim:
A method of loading a tread press, the tread press having a top mold element and a bottom mold element, the tread press defining a longitudinal direction, the steps comprising: providing at least one tread band for molding with the tread press; providing at least one support that is initially located at a position that is not between the top and bottom mold elements; contacting the tread band with the at least one support; pulling the tread band between the top and bottom mold elements and along the longitudinal direction while suspending the tread band over the bottom mold element in a manner that inhibits permanent stretching of the tread band; moving the support along the longitudinal direction and into a position between the top and bottom mold elements while using the support to assist in suspending the tread band over the bottom mold element; stopping the movement of the tread band; and removing the support along the longitudinal direction and out of the position between top and bottom mold elements while keeping the tread band between the top and bottom mold elements.