Patent ID: 8114330

Claim:
A process for forming an elastomeric transport tire with a vacuum forming apparatus utilizing a mold having an annular area wherein a core of plies, belt and beads is maintained on a mandrel comprising, assembling a mold having a core of plies, belts and beads maintained in an annular area that is open at opposite ends and said mold includes seals to prevent an outflow other than through said annular area opposite ends; fitting, in sealed engagement, a cover over a top of said mold that includes an opening therethrough; positioning a canister in a mold hub of said mold and which said canister has an open top that includes a vent port extending out from a top area and mounts a valve seat in a bottom end thereof to pass an elastomeric material flow through said valve seat and into one of said annular area opposite ends and a means for determining a material fill level in said canister; and said valve seat is a seat for a needle valve that has a movable member to fit into and close said valve seat, and said needle valve opens into one end of said mold annular area to pass a liquid flow therefrom; applying a deep vacuum through said canister vent port to pull air from said canister, passing a measured flow of mixed elastomeric material into said canister through the open top, with said deep vacuum pulling air out from the elastomeric material mix; applying a low level vacuum through a cover port that is fitted through said cover that the mold annular area vents into; upon passage of a desired volume of elastomeric materials poured into said canister, the deep vacuum is removed and said cover port is open to atmosphere and the needle valve is opened to pass the elastomeric material into the mold annular area that is pulled therethrough by the low level vacuum; closing said needle valve before all the elastomeric material has flowed therefrom into said mold annular area; and discontinuing said low level vacuum; and allowing the mold to cool, curing the elastomeric material; and opening the mold and removing the newly formed transport tire.