The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 2018
Filed:
Oct. 09, 2015
Bridgestone Bandag, Llc, Muscatine, IA (US);
Robert G. Otting, Illinois City, IL (US);
Bridgestone Bandag, LLC, Muscatine, IA (US);
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a tread band includes providing a mold having one or more protrusions extending outward in a first direction away from a bottom surface of the mold. At least a first one of the protrusions includes a tip feature extending outward in the first direction. Rubber material is introduced into the mold. A first surface of the rubber material opposite the bottom surface covers the tip feature. The rubber material is compressed into the mold. The compressed rubber material covers the tip feature. The mold is released from the rubber material to form a tread band. The tread band has one or more grooves in a second surface opposite the first surface. The one or more grooves correspond to the one or more protrusions in the mold. A first groove corresponding to the first protrusion includes a vent corresponding to the tip feature in the mold.