1/4/2011
7,862,317
Mold for vulcanizing a tire, a method of vulcanizing a green tire blank, and a tire obtained by said method
Menard et al of Michelin, Switzerland,developed a mold including at least one axial member carrying at least one sidewall molding surface for molding a sidewall of a tire, radial segments each carrying at least one surface for molding a tread of the tire and locking surfaces for connecting the axial member with the radial segments. First radial and axial locking surfaces which are displaceable and carried by the axial member cooperate with second radial and axial locking surfaces. The sidewall molding surface is integral with a fixed portion of the axial member. The first radial and axial locking surfaces are integral with at least one locking member mounted in the axial member and are movable relative to the fixed portion.  (RDC 7/13/2011)

12/14/2010
7,850,439
Vent plug for a tire vulcanization mold, tire vulcanization mold and method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire using the tire vulcanization mold
Furutani of Toyo Tire & Rubber, Japan developed a a vent plug for a tire vulcanization mold used for a vent hole of the mold, the tire vulcanization mold, and a manufacturing method for the tire using the mold.  The vent plug includes a plug holder with a hollow ventilation portion and a plug head within the ventilation portion.  The plug holder includes a tapered seat portion, an inside diameter of which becomes smaller toward a mold rear side, and a cylinder portion located at the mold rear side of the seat portion.  The plug head includes a tapered head portion, an outer diameter of which becomes smaller toward the mold rear side, a base body portion located at the mold rear side of the head portion, and a slit portion communicating with the ventilation portion from an upper end face of the plug head.  (RDC 6/2/2011)

9/28/2010
7,802,976
Mold for molding tire and pneumatic tire molded by the same
Ohara of Toyo Tire & Rubber Co, Japan  developed special end pieces for a tire mold for removing residual air between adjacent pieces of said mold and for inhibiting generation of spew.  (RDC 12/7/2010)

7,802,975
Loading apparatus for assembly and disassembly of a tire curing mold
Currie et al of Goodyear has developed a loading device for positioning a green tire and core assembly into a mold based on a spindle with sidewalls.  (RDC 12/7/2010)