Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.a.

Laurent Maes

Gael Roty

A method for curing a tire during which a green tire is pressed against the lining of a curing mold provided with a venting device, the molding surface of the lining forming protrusions that define cavities, the venting device comprising vents that pass through the lining, one cavity being divided into chambers by a protrusion in the form of a blade (), each cavity closing on one or more vents, at least one of the chambers not closing on a vent, at least one duct () passing through the blade () so that the chamber(s) that does/do not close on a vent communicate(s) through the duct with a chamber that does close on a vent. The cross-section of the duct () has an area of between 0.0001 mmand 0.25 mmand, more preferably, 0.01 mmand 0.1 mm.

Curing mold for tires provided with a venting device and curing method therefor

Tread having a tread surface intended to come into contact with a road surface and comprising at least one groove of width W and of depth P delimited by two walls facing one another, these walls being joined together by a groove bottom, at least one groove comprising at least one closure device for at least partially closing this groove as it passes through the contact patch, each closure device comprising at least one flexible blade of suitable thickness that allows it to flex under the effect of a circulation of liquid, this at least one flexible blade projecting from the bottom of the groove, each flexible blade being delimited by a contact wall intended to come into contact with the road surface and by end walls each facing a wall delimiting the groove and lateral walls, this tread further comprising at least one passage between the bottom of the groove and each blade of the device, this passage being intended to ensure a minimal flow of water when driving on a water-covered road surface.

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Clermont-Ferrand, France

Laurent Maes