Patent US3905155A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3905155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tire mold cleaning apparatus
Assignee: MIDWEST MACHINE WORKS Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-29
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-11-29
Abstract
Abstract For use with abrasive blasting and recovery equipment, a rotary hone to be placed within a tire curing press to clean the tire molds thereof. The apparatus comprises a rotatable hood having associated therewith a directionally adjustable spray head for delivering a blast of abrasive to the tire mold surface to remove vulcanization residue. A supporting frame on which the rotatable hood is mounted overlies in engaging fashion the tire mold and also provides a perimetric gap between the hood and supporting frame whereby air sweeps through such opening when a vacuum is drawn centrally of the hood in order to pick up dislodged residue and abrasive for return to the reclaim system of the blasting equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard R Smith
- 👤 Emmett J Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:19
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/70; B29C33/72; B24; B24C; B24C3/00; B24C3/32; B29L; B29L2030/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A tire mold cleaning apparatus for removing vulcanization residue from the molding surface of a tire mold having a circular central portion and mounted in a tire press, said apparatus comprising: a supporting frame including a circular base adapted to sealably engage said tire mold; a circular housing mounted on said supporting frame and adapted to concentrically overlie said tire mold to define an interior chamber, said housing spaced apart from said circular base to define therewith a continuous annulus passageway communicating with said interior chamber; a closure member connected to said circular housing and adapted to sealably engage the central portion of said tire mold; an abrasive applicator disposed within said interior chamber and having an abrasive discharge port; abrasive blast generating means for delivering cleaning abrasive to said abrasive applicator whereby said abrasive is discharged through said discharge port to strike the molding surface of said tire mold to dislodge vulcanization residue therefrom; and vacuum means connected to said housing for drawing a vacuum on said interior chamber whereby air is pulled through said annulus passageway to sweep the molding surface and pick up abrasive discharged from said applicator and dislodged vulcanization residue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A tire mold cleaning apparatus for removing vulcanization residue from the molding surface of a tire mold having a circular central portion and mounted in a tire press, said apparatus comprising: a supporting frame including a circular base adapted to sealably engage said tire mold; a circular housing mounted on said supporting frame and adapted to concentrically overlie said tire mold to define an interior chamber, said housing spaced apart from said circular base to define therewith a continuous annulus passageway communicating with said interior chamber; a closure member connected to said circular housing and adapted to sealably engage the central portion of said tire mold; an abrasive applicator disposed within said interior chamber and having an abrasive discharge port; abrasive blast generating means for delivering cleaning abrasive to said abrasive applicator whereby said abrasive is discharged through said discharge port to strike the molding surface of said tire mold to dislodge vulcanization residue therefrom; and vacuum means connected to said housing for drawing a vacuum on said interior chamber whereby air is pulled through said annulus passageway to sweep the molding surface and pick up abrasive discharged from said applicator and dislodged vulcanization residue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as in claim 1, said closure member including biasing means for urging said closure member away from said housing and a resilient sealing member adapted to engage the central portion of said tire mold when said member is biased to engagement therewith by said biasing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus as in claim 1, said abrasive applicator mounted on said circular housing within said interior chamber and said housing rotatably mounted on said supporting frame, and said apparatus further including power means mounted on said supporting frame and operatively connected to said housing for rotatably driving said housing, whereby said applicator is rotatably carried in a circular orbit while cleaning abrasive is discharged through said discharge port to strike the molding surface of said tire mold to dislodge vulcanization residue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as in claim 3, including discharge adjustment means connected to said applicator for adjustably varying the direction of abrasive discharge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as in claim 1, said applicator rotatably mounted within said interior chamber to move in a circular orbit while cleaning abrasive is discharged through said discharge port to strike the molding surface of said tire mold to dislodge vulcanization residue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as in claim 5, including discharge adjustment means connected to said applicator for adjustably varying the direction of abrasive discharge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
A tire mold cleaning process for removing vulcanization residue from the molding surface of a tire mold mounted in a tire press, said process comprising the steps of: providing an abrasive confinement region integral with the molding surface of said tire mold; blasting, within said confinement region, an abrasive onto the molding surface of said tire mold in order to dislodge vulcanization residue therefrom; establishing a continuous air passageway contiguous with the molding surface of said tube and communicating with said confinement region; and pulling a vacuum on said confinement region whereby air rushes through said passageway to sweep the molding surface and to remove spent abrasive and dislodged residue therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A tire mold cleaning process for removing vulcanization residue from the molding surface of a tire mold mounted in a tire press, said process comprising the steps of: providing an abrasive confinement region integral with the molding surface of said tire mold; blasting, within said confinement region, an abrasive onto the molding surface of said tire mold in order to dislodge vulcanization residue therefrom; establishing a continuous air passageway contiguous with the molding surface of said tube and communicating with said confinement region; and pulling a vacuum on said confinement region whereby air rushes through said passageway to sweep the molding surface and to remove spent abrasive and dislodged residue therefrom.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |