Author: claimsbot

1. A prepreg comprising:
a fibrous substrate; and
a resin composition with which the substrate is impregnated, and which is heated and dried,
wherein a resin flow of the prepreg measured under conditions of 170\xb0 C. and 30 kgfcm2 according to IEC 60249-3-1, 1981, is 0% or more and 5% or less, and
in a dynamic viscoelasticity test under conditions of a temperature of 30\xb0 C. or higher and 200\xb0 C. or lower, a temperature rising rate of 3\xb0 C.min, and a frequency of 0.5 Hz, a relation of 1\u2266VbVa\u226615 is established, where Va is a minimum melt viscosity of the resin composition collected from the prepreg, Vb is a melt viscosity of the collected resin composition at a temperature Tb, Tb=Ta+20\xb0 C., and Ta is a temperature when the melt viscosity is the minimum melt viscosity Va.
2. The prepreg according claim 1,
wherein a gel time, of the resin composition collected from the prepreg, measured according to IEC 60249-3-1, 1981, at 200\xb0 C. is 90 seconds or longer and 360 seconds or shorter.
3. The prepreg according claim 1,
wherein the resin composition includes
a polymer having a glass transition temperature of 100\xb0 C. or lower and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or more and 1,000,000 or less,
an epoxy resin curing agent having a phenolic hydroxyl group equivalent of 400 geq or more and 1,000 geq or less,
an epoxy resin having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule, and
an inorganic filler.
4. The prepreg according claim 3,
wherein the polymer has repeating units expressed by following structural formulae (I) and (II), and an epoxy group:
where a relation of 0\u2266x(x+y)\u22660.35 is established, R1 represents H or CH3, and R2 represents H or an alkyl group, in the formulae (I) and (II).
5. The prepreg according claim 3,
wherein the epoxy resin curing agent is a polyphenylene ether copolymer having a number average molecular weight of 500 or more and 2,000 or less.
6. The prepreg according claim 3,
wherein the epoxy resin curing agent is a polyphenylene ether copolymer having an average number of phenolic hydroxyl groups of 1.5 or more and 3 or less at a molecule terminal in one molecule.
7. The prepreg according claim 3,
wherein the epoxy resin curing agent includes 2,6-dimethylphenol and at least one of a bifunctional phenol and a trifunctional phenol.
8. A metal-clad laminate comprising:
an insulting layer that is a cure product of the prepreg as defined in claim 1; and
a metal foil laminated on the insulating layer.
9. A printed wiring board comprising:
an insulting layer that is a cure product of the prepreg as defined in claim 1; and
a conductor pattern formed on the insulting layer.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for processing data from a scanning electron beam apparatus, the method comprising:
scanning an area of a specimen with an electron beam;
storing detected pixel intensity data from the scan into a separate one of multiple frame buffers;
repeating the scanning and the storing; and
image analysis of the pixel intensity data as a function of a frame number, which designates one of the multiple frames in the frame buffer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image analysis includes projecting the pixel intensity data to calculate pixel intensities at a hypothetical frame number zero so as to generate a pixel intercept image therefrom.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image analysis includes determining a rate of change of pixel intensity per successive frame so as to generate a pixel slope image therefrom.
4. A method for processing image data from a scanning electron beam apparatus, the method comprising:
processing the image data as a function of pixel position with a filter function having a series of filter strengths; and
measuring a critical dimension (CD) in the processed image data at each filter strength.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising generating a critical dimension curve as a function of filter strength.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the critical dimension curve includes a split therein into two curves.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein a first curve tracks a main edge measurement of the CD, and a second curve tracks a \u201cfooting included\u201d measurement of the CD.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein a first curve tracks a dominant aspect of a feature of interest and a second curve tracks a combined aspect of the feature of interest.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the feature of interest comprises a line formed on a semiconductor substrate, the dominant aspect comprises a main edge of the line, and the combined aspect comprises the main edge plus a shoulder of the line.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the feature of interest comprises a hole formed on a semiconductor substrate, the dominant aspect comprises a main edge of the hole, and the combined aspect comprises the main edge plus footings in the hole.
11. A scanning electron beam apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
an electron beam column configured to generate a primary electron beam;
a scanning system configured to scan the electron beam over an area of a specimen;
a detection system coordinated with the scanning system and configured to generate pixel data from each scan;
circuitry configured to store detected pixel data from each scan into one of the multiple frame buffers; and
a multi-frame data processor coupled to the multiple frame buffers and configured to analyze the pixel data as a function of frame number.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the analysis projects the pixel data to calculate pixel values at a frame number zero and generates a pixel intercept image from the calculated pixel values.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the analysis includes calculating a rate of change in pixel value per successive frame and generates a pixel slope image from the calculated rate of change in pixel value.
14. A scanning electron beam apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
an electron beam column configured to generate a primary electron beam;
a scanning system configured to scan the electron beam over an area of a specimen;
a detection system coordinated with the scanning system and configured to generate pixel data from each scan; and
a data processor coupled to the detection system,
wherein the data processor is configured to process the image data as a function of pixel position with a filter function having a series of filter strengths, and to measure a critical dimension in the processed image data at each filter strength.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the data processor is further configured to generate a critical dimension curve as a function of filter strength.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the critical dimension curve includes a split therein into two curves.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a first curve tracks a main edge measurement of the critical dimension, and a second curve tracks a \u201cfooting included\u201d measurement of the critical dimension.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a first curve tracks a dominant aspect of the critical dimension and a second curve tracks a combined aspect of the critical dimension.

1. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications;
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, and displaying a second user interface to show user level applications, whose windows have been removed from the screen space and that are executing.
2. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications; and
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, wherein the removing of the second set of windows includes continuing to execute the second set of user level applications and wherein live updates of the outputs of the second set of user level applications are presented in the first user interface.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first user interface includes a dock.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the dock includes a display of frequently used user level applications and user level applications that are being currently executed.
5. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications; and
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, wherein the selected applications mode includes controlling a major portion of the screen space by one of the first set and the second set of user level applications.
6. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications; and
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, wherein the switching is performed in response to receiving a selection of the selected applications mode.
7. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications; and
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, wherein the removing of the second set of windows includes animating the removing of the second set of windows.
8. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible storage medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications;
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows; and
displaying a second user interface to show user level applications, whose windows have been removed from the screen space, and are executing.
9. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible storage medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications; and
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, wherein the removing of the second set of windows includes continuing to execute the second set of user level applications and wherein live updates of the outputs of the second set of user level applications are presented in the first user interface.
10. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the first user interface includes a dock.
11. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the dock includes a display of frequently used user level applications and user level applications that are being currently executed.
12. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible storage medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications; and
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, wherein the selected applications mode includes controlling a major portion of the screen space by one of the first set and the second set of user level applications.
13. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible storage medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications; and
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, wherein the switching is performed in response to receiving a selection of the selected applications mode.
14. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible storage medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a first set of windows controlled by a first set of user level applications and a second set of windows controlled by a second set of user level applications, and a first user interface of a system level application on a screen space of a display device, wherein the first set of windows and the second set of windows are displayed in a multi-application mode that includes concurrently displaying application windows of a plurality of executing applications;
switching from the multi-application mode to a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the switching, the second set of windows from the screen space of the display device while leaving the first set of windows and the first user interface of the system level application displayed;
receiving a request to display the second set of user level applications; and
displaying, in response to the request, the second set of windows on the screen space of the display device while removing the first set of windows, wherein the removing of the second set of windows includes animating the removing of the second set of windows.
15. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode; and
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space of the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space of the display device, wherein the selected applications mode includes controlling a major portion of the screen space by one set of applications.
16. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode; and
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space of the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the second set of applications continues to execute after the removing all the windows, of the second set of applications, from the screen space, except for the windows of the first set of applications.
17. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode; and
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space of the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the first set of applications continues to execute after the removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space and wherein live updates of the outputs of the first set of applications are presented in a first user interface located at an edge of the screen space.
18. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode;
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space of the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space and
displaying a first user interface to show applications, whose windows have been removed from the screen space.
19. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode;
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space of the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space and
marking the first set of applications to be displayed in the selected applications mode and marking the second set of applications to be displayed in the selected applications mode.
20. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode; and
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space of the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the removing the all the windows of the second set of applications from the screen space includes animating the removal of all the windows, except for the one or more windows of the first set of applications.
21. A machine implemented method, comprising:
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode;
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space of the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space and
displaying a user interface of system level applications.
22. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode; and
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space o the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the selected applications mode includes controlling a major portion of the screen space by one set of applications.
23. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display he plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode; and
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space o the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the second set of applications continues to execute after the removing all the windows, of the second set of applications, from the screen space, except for the one or more windows of the first set of applications.
24. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode; and
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space o the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the first set of applications continues to execute after the removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space and wherein live updates of the outputs of the first set of applications are presented in a first user interface located at an edge of the screen space.
25. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode;
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space o the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space
displaying a first user interface to show applications, whose windows have been removed from the screen space.
26. The article of manufacture of claim 25, wherein the machine-accessible medium further includes data that cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
marking the first set of applications to be displayed in the selected applications mode and marking the second set of applications to be displayed in the selected applications mode.
27. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode; and
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space o the display device while, removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space, wherein the removing of all of the windows of the second set of applications from the screen space includes animating the removal of all the windows, except for the one or more windows of the first set of applications.
28. An article of manufacture comprising:
a machine-accessible medium including data that, when accessed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising,
displaying a plurality of windows on a screen space of a display device, wherein at least a first set of applications and a second set of applications are executing to display the plurality of windows;
receiving a selection of a selected applications mode;
removing, in response to the selection, all the windows from the screen space of the display device, except for one or more windows of the first set of applications;
receiving a request to display one or more windows of the second set of applications while in the selected applications mode;
displaying, in response to the request, the one or more windows of the second set of applications on the screen space o the display device while removing all the windows of the first set of applications from the screen space; and
displaying a user interface of system level applications.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. In a method of forming a retreaded tire, which includes the steps of applying a substantially pre-cured rubber tread to a tread-engaging portion of a tire carcass, wherein the tread has an initial width and a layer of cushion gum interposed between the tread and the tire carcass, covering at least the tread with a flexible curing membrane to form a tire curing assembly having a pressurization compartment interposed at least between the membrane and the tread, and placing the tire curing assembly within a chamber of a curing vessel, the improvement comprising the steps of:
pressurizing the chamber to a predetermined chamber pressure;
heating the chamber to a predetermined temperature;
pressurizing the compartment to a predetermined compartment pressure greater than 14.7 psia and less than the chamber pressure to provide a pressure differential between the chamber and compartment, the step initializing after the step of pressurizing the chamber is initialized and whereby a final tread width is provided that is equal to or greater than 98.0% of the initial tread width when the initial tread width is approximately 290-500 mm.
2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the pressure differential is approximately 10-40 psi.
3. A method as in any claim 1, wherein the step of pressurizing the chamber initializes while the compartment is pressurized to approximately zero psia.
4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the pressure differential is achieved in approximately 7 minutes or less after the step of pressurizing the compartment initializes.
5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of pressurizing the compartment is initialized in approximately 7 minutes or less after the step of pressurizing the chamber initializes.
6. A method as in claim 1, wherein predetermined chamber pressure is approximately 85-105 psia.
7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the predetermined chamber pressure is achieved in approximately 15-25 minutes.
8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is approximately 95-137 degrees Celsius and is achieved in approximately 15-25 minutes after the step of pressurizing the chamber is initialized.
9. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of pressurizing the compartment initializes when the chamber temperature is approximately 120 degrees Celsius or less.
10. A method of forming a retread tire, the method comprising the steps of:
placing a tread having an initial width upon a tire carcass having sidewalls, wherein cushion gum is interposed between the tread and carcass;
covering at least the tread with a curing membrane to form a tire curing assembly and a pressurization compartment at least between the tread and membrane;
placing the tire curing assembly within a chamber of a curing vessel;
pressurizing the chamber to a predetermined chamber pressure;
heating the chamber to a predetermined temperature;
pressurizing the compartment to a predetermined compartment pressure less than the chamber pressure, the step initializing after the step of pressurizing the chamber is initialized to provide a pressure differential between the chamber and compartment, and in approximately 7 minutes or less after either the step of pressurizing the chamber or the step of heating the chamber initializes to provide a final tread width.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined temperature is approximately 95-137 degrees Celsius and is achieved in 15-25 minutes.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure differential is approximately 10-40 psi.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure differential is reached within approximately 7 minutes after the step of pressurizing the compartment initializes.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of pressurizing the compartment initializes before the chamber is heated to the predetermine temperature.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein predetermined chamber pressure is approximately 85-105 psia.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined chamber pressure is achieved in approximately 15-25 minutes.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the final tread width is equal to or greater than 98.0% of the initial tread width when the initial tread width is approximately 290-500 mm.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein the final tread width is equal to or greater than 99.5% of the initial tread width when the initial tread width is approximately 290 mm or less.
19. In a method of forming a retreaded tire, which includes the steps of applying a substantially pre-cured rubber tread to a tread-engaging portion of a tire carcass, wherein the tread has an initial width and a layer of cushion gum interposed between the tread and the tire carcass, covering at least the tread with a flexible curing membrane to form a tire curing assembly having a pressurization compartment interposed at least between the membrane and the tread, and placing the tire curing assembly within a chamber of a curing vessel, the improvement comprising the steps of:
pressurizing the chamber to a predetermined chamber pressure;
heating the chamber to a predetermined temperature;
pressurizing the compartment to a predetermined compartment pressure greater than 14.7 psia and less than the chamber pressure to provide a pressure differential between the chamber and compartment, the step initializing after the step of pressurizing the chamber is initialized and whereby a final tread width is provided that is equal to or greater than 99.5% of the initial tread width when the initial tread width is approximately 290 mm or less.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pressure differential is approximately 10-40 psi.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein predetermined chamber pressure is approximately 85-105 psia.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of pressurizing the compartment initializes before the chamber is heated to the predetermine temperature.