Retread Tire Sipe Formation After Vulcanization

The patent applies preliminary action by forming sipes on the tread surface after vulcanization rather than before. This reverses the conventional sequence where sipes are formed on green tires during molding. By waiting until after vulcanization, the tire structure is already stable, preventing sipe width changes during subsequent diameter growth, thus maintaining precise sipe dimensions while still achieving efficient manufacturing through the standardized post-vulcanization process

The patent segments the manufacturing process into distinct phases: vulcanization first, then sipe formation. This separation allows each process to be optimized independently - vulcanization creates the stable structural foundation, while the subsequent sipe formation can use specialized equipment designed specifically for precise cutout creation. The segmentation eliminates the need for complex integrated systems that would try to do both functions simultaneously

The patent changes the temporal parameter of when sipe formation occurs in the manufacturing sequence. By shifting the sipe formation operation from the pre-vulcanization stage to the post-vulcanization stage, the physical state of the rubber changes from soft and deformable to cured and stable. This parameter change ensures that sipes maintain their intended width and geometry, preventing the widening that occurs with tire diameter growth, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating the overall process