Device for producing an unvulcanized rubber member for tire manufacturing

Abstract

The present invention provides an unvulcanized rubber member for tire manufacturing. The member forms at least a portion of a green tire, and features: multiple rib-protrusions that extend in a direction corresponding to a circumferential direction of the tire, and multiple grooves that extend in a direction corresponding to a radial direction of the tire and intersect the rib-protrusions. In accordance with the present invention, during vulcanization of the tire, the unvulcanized rubber member for tire manufacturing can efficiently expel air at the interior of the unvulcanized tire and between the unvulcanized tire and a vulcanizing mold.

1 . An unvulcanized rubber member for tire manufacturing, which member is for forming at least a portion of a green tire, the member comprising: 
 a plurality of rib-protrusions that extend in a direction corresponding to a circumferential direction of the tire; and    a plurality of grooves that extend in a direction corresponding to a radial direction of the tire and intersect the rib-protrusions.    
   
   
       2 . The member according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the rib-protrusions comprises a pitch of 2 to 15 mm, a height of 0.05 to 0.5 mm, and a width of 0.2 to 1.5 mm.  
   
   
       3 . The member according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the grooves comprises a pitch of 2 to 15 mm, a height of 0.05 to 0.5 mm, and a width of 0.2 to 1.5 mm.  
   
   
       4 . The member according to  claim 1 , wherein, at portions at which the grooves and the rib-protrusions intersect, the grooves are formed continuously.  
   
   
       5 . The member according to  claim 1 , wherein the unvulcanized rubber member for tire manufacturing comprises a sidewall portion structural member.  
   
   
       6 . The member according to  claim 5 , wherein the sidewall portion structural member comprises an outer surface which is to be an outer surface of the fabricated tire, and the rib-protrusions and the grooves are formed on the outer surface of the sidewall portion structural member.  
   
   
       7 . The member according to  claim 1 , wherein the tire is to include a carcass and a belt, and the unvulcanized rubber member comprises a belt-cushion portion structural member to be disposed between the carcass and the belt.  
   
   
       8 . The member according to  claim 7 , wherein the belt-cushion portion structural member comprises a surface to be closely contacted with the carcass, and the rib-protrusions and the grooves are formed on said surface.  
   
   
       9 . The member according to  claim 1 , wherein the unvulcanized rubber member comprises a bead-reinforcement portion structural member including a bead filler.  
   
   
       10 . The member according to  claim 9 , wherein the tire is to include a carcass, the bead-reinforcement portion structural member comprises a surface to be adhered with the carcass, and the rib-protrusions and the grooves are formed on said surface.  
   
   
       11 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A method for producing an unvulcanized rubber member for tire manufacturing, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) continuously extruding unvulcanized rubber through a die provided with notches, for forming an unvulcanized rubber member with a plurality of rib-protrusions thereon, which rib-protrusions extend in a direction corresponding to a circumferential direction of the tire;    (b) conveying the unvulcanized rubber member in the extrusion direction thereof; and    (c) during the step of conveying, pressing the unvulcanized rubber member to form a plurality of grooves therein, which grooves extend in a direction corresponding to a radial direction of the tire and intersect the rib-portions.