Patent ID: 6942477

Claim:
A mold for curing a belt, the mold having a length L1and a width, and comprising: a) a center zone, a first end zone, a second end zone, and a first transition zone between the first end zone and the center zone, and a second transition zone between the second end zone and the center zone, each of the transition zones having a length L2, such that L2<L1, the center zone having a length L3, wherein L2<L3; b) a plurality of intake manifolds disposed substantially perpendicular to the mold length, a first of said intake manifolds being disposed in said first end zone, a second of said intake manifolds being disposed in said second end zone, a third of said intake manifolds being disposed in said first transition zone and a fourth of said intake manifolds being disposed in said second transition zone; c) a plurality of return manifolds disposed substantially perpendicular to the mold length, a first of said return manifolds being disposed in said first end zone, a second of said return manifolds being disposed in said second end zone, a third and a fourth of said return manifolds being disposed in the center zone; and, d) a plurality of heat transfer cavities, each of the heat transfer cavities being in flow communication with and between at least one intake manifold and one return manifold, wherein the heat transfer cavities in the first and second end zones are disposed substantially parallel to the mold length and are disposed along the width of the mold, wherein coaxial cavities in the center zone and the first and the second end zones are not connected such that the first intake manifold and first return manifold, the second intake manifold and second return manifold, the third intake manifold and third return manifold, and the fourth intake manifold and the forth return manifold, are each adapted to independently circulate heat transfer fluid.