FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: DETERMINING ACTUAL TIME FOR SUPPLY OF CURING
MEDIA TO A TIRE CURING PRESS IN A TIRE CURING PROCESS
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian CEAT Ltd At: Get Muwala Po:
Chandrapura Ta: Halol - 389 350 Dist: Panchmahal, Gujarat, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to curing of tires,
particularly but not exclusively, to a method of determining time for supply of curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Curing is the process of applying pressure to the uncured tire to give a
final shape to the tire during manufacturing. Curing involves application of pressure and heat energy on an uncured tire to activate chemical reaction between rubber and other vulcanizing reactants that gives the tire its final shape and tread pattern.
[0003] The curing process is carried out in a curing mould, where pressure and
heat treatment are applied to the uncured tire to achieve a desired shape and strength of the tire along with a desired tread configuration. Since the desired shape, strength, and configuration directly impact performance of the tire, process of curing in the curing press is an active area of research.
[0004] In the tire manufacturing process, tires are required to be heated at high
temperature in a tire curing process. A high temperature is needed to be maintained during the curing process for an uncured tire placed in the curing moulds to be completely cured. Accordingly, to heat the mould, heated curing media is supplied to the mould for carrying out the curing process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers
are used throughout the drawings to reference features and components.
[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a mould of a tire curing press used
in a tire curing process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0007] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system for determining actual
time for supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process, in
accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[0008] Fig. 3a illustrates an arrangement of a sensor that is embedded within a
mould segment of the mould of the tire curing press, in an example implementation
of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 3b illustrates another view of the arrangement of a sensor that is
embedded within the mould segment, in accordance with an example
implementation of the present subject matter.
[0010] Fig. 4 illustrates a method for determining actual time for supply of a
curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process, in accordance with an
implementation of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The present subject matter relates to aspects relating to determination
of actual time for supply of curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process.
[0012] In the manufacture of vehicle tires, widespread practice has been to use
automatic tire shaping and curing presses. These presses, which are well-known in the art, generally employ separable mould halves or parts (including segmented mould parts) with curing mechanisms that utilize heating and cooling fluids or media introduced for shaping, molding, and curing the tires. It is known to heat the mould by means of a heat transfer fluid, such as the vapour of pressurized water. During the curing process, the tire is subjected to a high temperature for a preset period of time intended to ensure a sufficient cure of the tire to allow it to be removed from the mold.
[0013] In the conventional process of curing the tires, a curing media, such as
the heat transfer fluid, like vapour of pressurized water is supplied to a tire curing press. The curing media heats the moulds within the tire curing press and, upon achieving a predetermined high temperature which is suitable for carrying out the tire curing process, an uncured tire is placed inside each of the mould of the tire curing press to get cured. A continuous supply of the curing media to tire curing press is then provided, such that the predetermined high temperature can be maintained in the moulds for an appropriate duration of time that is required for the uncured tire placed in the moulds to be completely cured.

[0014] To achieve and maintain the predetermined high temperature in the
moulds, the supply mechanism of the curing media is configured such that the curing media entering the tire curing press is circulated around the moulds to transfer its heat energy to the moulds and then exit from the tire curing press. A sensor is placed at the exit of the tire curing press, from where the curing media exits, and temperature of the exiting curing media is measured by the sensor to make an assessment as to the predetermined high temperature being achieved or maintained in the moulds.
[0015] The temperature of the exiting curing media measured by the sensor is
generally not considered to be an accurate indication of the predetermined high temperature being achieved or maintained in the moulds since the temperature of the curing media is measured after the curing media has transferred its heat to the mould. Accordingly, in conventional tire curing process, to ensure that the moulds are completely heated up to the predetermined high temperature, the continuous supply of the curing media is maintained for a predetermined fixed duration of time prior to initiating the tire curing press. Typically, in the conventional process the continuous supply of the curing media is maintained for a fixed duration of time which is significantly longer than what is required for initiating the tire curing process. For instance, the continuous supply of the curing media is maintained for a fixed time duration of 2-3 hours to ensure that the moulds are completely heated up to the predefined high temperature so as to initiate the tire curing process. Likewise, since the sensor does not provide an accurate indication of the predefined high temperature being maintained in the moulds, the heat energy delivered to the moulds by way of the curing media is often more than required for the uncured tire placed in the moulds to be completely cured.
[0016] Thus, the conventional fixed or constant time-based pre-heating of the
moulds to initiate the tire curing process often results in the moulds to be heated for time duration that is longer than needed, results in loss of energy required to heat the curing media and an increase in power consumption since the moulds are heated longer than needed. Also, the constant time-based curing often involves excessive energy to be supplied to the moulds resulting in further wastages.

Additionally, the constant time-based curing techniques adversely impact the rate of production as the moulds may be unnecessarily occupied for more time than needed for proper curing of the tires and lower the productivity of the manufacturing plant. Also, the conventional process do not provide methodology whereby a status of the curing press, such as a running state, an idle state, or a cut¬off state can be identified.
[0017] Accordingly, to solve the above-mentioned problems of the
conventional process, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, a method for determining time for supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process is provided. The method comprises embedding at least one sensing element within at least one of a mould segment of the tire curing press. In an example, alternatively, the at least one sensing element may be embedded within a mould, wherein the mould is a non-segmented mould of the tire curing press. The sensing element is adapted to measure a temperature of the tire curing press. The method further includes ascertaining the measured temperature to be at a predefined temperature, wherein the predefined temperature is a temperature required to initiate the tire curing process and is achieved by supply of a curing media to the tire curing press. Thereafter, the supply of curing media is interrupted and an uncured tire is loaded in the tire curing press upon the predefined temperature being attained in the tire curing press. Further, the supply of a curing media is re-initiated to the tire curing press for initiating the tire curing process. The method further comprises ascertaining, in real-time, the cut-off time for the tire curing process. The cut-off time is the time to discontinue the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press based on the predefined temperature that is measured by the sensing element.
[0018] As will be understood, once the mould is sufficiently heated, the supply
of the curing media may be discontinued or interrupted without impacting the curing process since the tire curing press can maintain the predefined temperature for some time. The supply may be reinitiated if it is detected, based on the real-time temperature measured by the sensing element, that the temperature is likely to fall below the predefined temperature. Accordingly, the supply of the curing

media may be intermittently discontinued to save energy consumption without compromising on any other parameters of the curing process. Also it is detected, based on the real-time temperature measured by the sensing element, that the temperature is likely to fall below the predefined temperature and in case the uncured tire is loaded , the tire curing process may not initiate.
[0019] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, a
system for determining actual time for supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process is also provided. The system includes at least one sensing element embedded within at least one of a mould segment of the tire curing press, wherein the sensing element is to measure the temperature of the tire curing press. The system also includes a control system that is communicatively coupled to the tire curing press to control the tire curing process. The control system implements the above-explained method to dynamically start and stop supply of the curing media to the tire curing press based on the real-time temperature measured by the sensing element. The system thus provides for implementation of an energy-efficient tire curing process.
[0020] The method and system of the present invention for determining a
dynamic cut-off and warm-up time for a tire curing press that employs a sensor embedded within the mould segment of the tire curing press, enables a real-time accurate temperature determination as the temperature of the mould segments is measured directly. The warm-up time ascertained for the tire curing process in real time requires much less time as compared to the conventional setups where sensor is placed at the exit of the tire curing press, from where the curing media exits, and temperature of the exiting curing media is measured by the sensor to make an assessment as to the predefined high temperature being achieved or maintained in the moulds. The present invention thus provides for minimizing the warm up time required for initiating the tire curing process.
[0021] The present invention also provides several advantages, such as an
increase in production with reduced energy losses required to heat the curing media along with reducing the possibility of under cure defects in tires. The present invention also provides for calculating or anticipating a time required to achieve or

maintain the predetermined high temperature in the moulds based on the readings measured by the sensing element. Moreover, the method and system of the present invention enables accurately determining a cut-off time, i.e., a time when the heated curing media is not supplied to heat the moulds, thereby saving energy which is otherwise wasted when the predefined temperature of the moulds is already achieved.. Also, supply of curing media is stopped even when mould is not in use i.e., in idle state thereby enabling the curing press to reach the desired temperature by a real time temperature sensing in lesser time i.e., warm up time to make the press ready for next loading of the uncured tire is reduced. Accordingly, the methodology of the present invention allows for a more accurate determination of the time to initiate the tire curing process, the cut-off time, as well as the time required for complete curing of the tire in a manner that enables precise production planning in real-time to achieve a highly productive tire manufacturing. The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for the sake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0022] Figure 1 depicts an exploded view of a mould 100 of a tire curing press
(or a tire curing apparatus) used in a tire curing process, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. Figure 1 illustrates an extended view of mould 100 where components of the moulds of the tire curing press are depicted separately. The mould 100 generally comprises two parts, namely, an upper mould section (or top mould section) and a lower mould section (or bottom mould section) including a pair of side plates (also known as heating platen). The pair of side plates

may comprise an upper side plate 102 and a lower side plate 104. The upper side plate supports the upper side section and, the lower (or bottom) side plate supports the lower mould section. The upper mould section supports a plurality of segmented mould (also referred to herein as tread segments) 106 comprising a plurality of segments arranged to form an annular cavity to mold a tire 101. The upper and lower side plate 102, 104 together with a plurality of tread segments (or mould segments) 106 cooperate to define a mold cavity for molding an uncured tire 101. Each of the side plates 102, and 104 in the pair of side plates coincide with the plurality of tread segments 106. Springs (not shown in the figure) may be provided between the mould segments and the mould sections for urging movement of the mould segments into molding positions and permitting movement of the mould segments into unloading positions for releasing the tread portion of the tire 101.
[0023] The tread segments 106 are generally 8 or 10 segments that make up
the circular cavity when joined together. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the number of segments depends on the size of the mould and the corresponding tire and is not to be construed as a limitation. Each of the multiple segments of mould 100 comprises a protruded pattern on its inner surface. During curing, the protruded pattern gets imprinted on the tread region of the tire under the action of heat and pressure. Application of pressure and heat energy to the uncured tire accommodated in the mould in the curing press enables chemical reactions between the rubber and other materials, to obtain the final shape of the tire.
[0024] The curing apparatus or curing press comprises a heating mechanism
to provide heat to an uncured tire placed inside the mould 100. As discussed previously, the curing media heats the moulds in the tire curing press and, upon achieving a predetermined high temperature that is suitable for carrying out the tire curing process, an uncured tire is placed inside each of the mould of the tire curing press to get cured. A continuous supply of the curing media to tire curing press is provided, such that the predetermined high temperature can be maintained in the

moulds for an appropriate duration of time that is required for the uncured tire placed in the moulds to be completely cured.
[0025] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, to achieve
and maintain the predetermined high temperature in the moulds 100, the heating mechanism is controlled based on the temperature of the mould 100 as measured by a sensing element embedded (not shown in Figure 1) within a tread segment 106 of the mould 100. As discussed previously, conventionally, the heating mechanism is controlled based on the temperature of curing media which exits from the tire curing press. As opposed to relying on the temperature of curing media exiting from the tire curing press, which is often imprecise, in the embodiments of the present invention, a precise determination of temperature of the mould 100 is relied upon. The precise determination of temperature of the mould 100 is achieved by a sensing element embedded within a tread segment 106 of the mould 100 which is elaborated subsequently.
[0026] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system 200 for controlling
supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. As shown in block 201 of the system 200, a sensing element 204 (or a sensor) is embedded within at least one of a mould segment 106 of a mould 100 (shown in Figure 1) of the tire curing press. The placement of the sensor 204 within the mould segment 106 is elaborated further in detail with reference to the description of Figure 3.
[0027] As shown in block 202, system 200 further includes a control system
206 communicatively coupled to the curing tire press. The control system 206 is a
system which controls the tire curing process. Among other tasks, such as setting
and monitoring various process parameters of the tire curing process, the control
system 206 carries out the processing related to the determination of the warm-up
and cut-off time for the tire curing press during the tire curing process.
[0028] In an example implementation, the control system 206 may be a
computing system. The computing system may be any computing device, such as a server. The computing system may comprise one or more processors for executing instructions to determine the warm-up and cut-off time for the tire curing

process. In an example, the processor may be implemented as microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. The computing system may comprise a memory for storing the instructions executable by the one or more processor to process the various parameters of the tire curing process. The memory may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory (e.g., RAM), and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., EPROM, flash memory, etc.). The memory may also be an external memory unit, such as a flash drive, a compact disk drive, an external hard disk drive, or the like. In an example, the computing system may comprise module(s) 207 (as shown in block 202). The modules may be coupled to the one or more processor of the computing system. The module(s) may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like, which perform particular tasks relating to the tire curing process when executed by the processor or implement particular abstract data types.
[0029] In an example, the control system 206 may include but is not limited
to a programmable logic controller (PLC). A programmable logic controller may be understood as a type of computer that can receive data through its inputs and send operating instructions through its outputs. The PLC may be implemented to control functions of the system 200 using the internal logic programmed into it to carry out the tire curing process.
[0030] In accordance with the example implementations described herein, the
control system 206 controls the tire curing process by controlling the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press based on the inputs of the sensing element 204. Accordingly, as shown in block 203 of Figure 2, the system 200 includes a curing media supply system 208 controllable by the control system 206 for supplying the curing media to initiate the tire curing process. The curing media supply system 208 may include, for example, any medium to supply energy required to enable the tire curing process. For example, the curing media supply system 208 may comprise various components, such as steam regulators, boilers,

steam control valves, or the like that are not elaborated herein. In an example, the curing media supplied to the tire curing press to initiate the tire curing process may include, for example, steam, hot water, or inert gas.
[0031] As the sensing element 204 embedded within the mould segment 206
of the tire curing press measures the temperature of the tire curing press, the control system 206 ascertains the temperature of the tire curing press in real-time. For the purpose, the sensor 204 and the control system 206 may be connected over a network.
[0032] In an example, the network may be a single network or a combination
of multiple networks and may use a variety of different communication protocols. The network may be a wireless or a wired network, or a combination thereof. Examples of such individual networks include, but are not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, or near-field communication networks, like IR-based networks. Depending on the technology, the network includes various network entities, such as, gateways, routers; however, such details have been omitted for sake of brevity of the present description.
[0033] In operation, in accordance with an implementation of the present
subject matter, based on the temperature of the tire curing press as measured by the sensing element 204, the control system 206 ascertains the temperature of the tire curing press in real-time. On determining the measured temperature to be at a predefined temperature, the control system 206 initiates the tire curing process. For example, the control system 206 may determine that the measured temperature has reached the predefined temperature after lapse of a certain time from the time of initiation of the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press. Accordingly, the control system 206 may interrupt the supply of curing media to allow loading of an uncured tire in the tire curing press. The control system 206 may then re¬initiate the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press to begin the tire curing process.
[0034] In accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter, the
control system 206 is aware of the real-time temperature of the tire curing press on an on-going basis based on the inputs it receives from the sensing element 204.

The sensing element 204 may transmit the temperature of the tire curing press to the control system 206 continuously or intermittently. In an example, a periodicity or frequency at which the sensing element 204 may transmit the temperature to the control system 206 may be configurable based on user inputs, design considerations, and/or process parameters of the curing process.
[0035] Based on the real-time temperature of the tire curing press received
from the sensing element 204, the control system 206 ascertains a cut-off time for the tire curing process in real-time. The cut-off time may be understood as a time to stop the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press based on the predetermined temperature measured by the sensing element. As mentioned above, once the mould is sufficiently heated, the tire curing press can maintain the predefined temperature even when the supply of the curing media were to be discontinued for some time. The control system 206 reinitiates the supply, based on the real-time temperature measured by the sensing element, for example shortly before that the temperature goes below the predefined temperature. Thus, the control system 206 is operable to control, or turn ON/OFF the supply to the curing media to the tire curing press to reduce energy consumption without impacting the curing process adversely.
[0036] Accordingly, the temperature of the moulds is measured directly by the
sensing element embedded within the mould segment 106. Further, the control system 206 determines in real-time, the time to initiate the tire curing process, the cut-off time, as well as the time required for complete curing of the tire. This not only enables a precise determination of the temperature of the mould 100 being achieved, but also a more accurate determination of the time to initiate the tire curing process. Moreover, time required for complete curing of the tire is also enabled to achieve a highly productive tire manufacturing process.
[0037] In an example embodiment of the present subject matter, an estimate of
completion of an on-going curing cycle may be made accurately and an indication for starting a next tire curing press in the tire curing process may be provided. Such

resource management and enhances the productivity of the tire manufacturing plant.
[0038] In accordance with example embodiment of the present subject matter,
the control system 206 may implement measures to ensure that the sensing element 204 is not malfunctioning. In one example implementation, the control system 206 may compare the readings of the temperature of the mould provided by the sensing element 204 to a predetermined range of threshold values. The range of values may be indicative of typical temperature values achieved within the mould during a curing process. Deviation from such values may be monitored by the control system 206 to ascertain proper working of the sensing element 204.
[0039] In another example implementation, the control system 206 may
compare the readings provided by the sensing element 204 with the readings from another sensing element that may be in another mould in the same curing press. Since all the moulds of a curing press are generally heated and loaded at the same time, their respective temperatures are expected to be generally the same. If the sensing element 204 indicates the temperature of its associated mould to be significantly different from the temperature of other moulds of the curing press, the control system 206 may investigate if the sensing element 204 is malfunctioning.
[0040] The placement of the sensing element 204 within the tread segment 106
of the mould 100 of the tire curing press may be better understood with reference
to its representation in Figure 3a which shows a cross-sectional view of a tread
segment 106 along a view Z denoted with reference numeral 301 in the Figure.
[0041] View Z, 301 may be understood as a cross-sectional view of tread
segment 106 that is perpendicular to a X-Y plane on which the mould rests in the press. Thus, in view Z, tread segment 106 may correspond to a vertical placement or orientation of tread segment 106.
[0042] In general, it is to be understood that a plurality of segments of the tread
segment comprises at least a first segment and a second segment. Further, each of the plurality of segments comprises a first end and a second end, such that the second end of the first segment and the first end of the second segment coincide

with each other when the plurality of segments are adjoined. Accordingly, Figure 3a, indicates the placement of the sensor 204 with respect an end of the tread segment 106 i.e., a location where the two segments are adjoined to create a cavity. The location of the sensor 204 is depicted as V in Figure 3a. It denotes the location of the positioning of the sensor 204 embedded within the tread segment 106 (as viewed from an axis passing through the center of the sensor) with respect to the location at which the first segment and the first end of the second segment coincide with each other when the plurality of segments are adjoined. In an example implementation of the present subject matter, the distance of the location of the sensor 204 embedded within the tread segment to the location at which the first segment and the first end of the second segment coincide with each other may be greater than or equal to 20 mm. However, this distance is not to be construed as a limitation of the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various other distances may be incorporated, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure.
[0043] Figure 3a also demonstrates an enlarged view of the tread segment 106
with sensing element 204 embedded within the tread segment 106 and can be seen as encircled within a rectangle (as dashed lines) in the Figure. In the Figure, ‘A’ denotes a distance of the sensor 204 from an inner surface or inner wall of the mould segment, wherein the inner wall is the wall adjacent to the tire once the mould segment is assembled into the mould of the tread segment, in radial direction. This radial distance is measured from sensor tip to inner surface of mould segment. Similarly, ‘B’ indicates a distance of the sensor from the inner wall in a vertical direction. In an example, the distance ‘B’ may be equal to 20-30% of the total width of the mould segment. In an example, the distance ‘B’ may be 20 mm. Further, ‘C’ denotes a width of the sensor (that is embedded within the inner surface of the tread segment) and in an example the width of the sensor may be about 7.5 mm. In the Figure, ‘D’ denotes a distance of the sensor 204 from an outer surface of the tread segment. In an example the distance ‘D’ is in the range of 3.00 mm. The sensor may be embedded within the tread segment at an angle ‘E’. In an example, the angle E may be at a measured angle of 90 degrees. D & E

may also denote counter shank profile for smooth insertion and removal of the sensor.
[0044] Figure 3b further show an enlarged sectional view 304 of the tread
segment 106 along a vertical plane. The placement of the sensor from the center axis of the tread segment 106 is depicted by distance ‘M’. In an example, the distance ‘M’ may be any dynamic distance and may vary as per the size of the mould segment 106.
[0045] The above-described placement of the sensor 204 within the tread
segment 106 at a predefined distance facilitates accurate determination of warm-up time for a tire curing press in a tire curing process.
[0046] It is to be appreciated that all measurements and distance mentioned
above are only by way of example are not to be construed as a limitation of the present subject matter. The measurements can be changed based on design considerations, for example, based on the size of the tire that the mould is designed to cure.
[0047] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, Figure
4 illustrates a method 400 for determining time for supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process, in accordance with another implementation of the present subject matter.
[0048] The order in which method 400 is described is not intended to be
construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in any order to implement method 400, or an alternative method. Although the method 400 may be implemented in a variety of system for determining actual time for supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process, for the ease of explanation, the present description of the example method 400 is provided in reference to the system 200 as illustrated in Fig. 2 and described previously in detail. Thus, it may be understood that blocks of the method 400 may be performed, for example, by the system 200, as already illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0049] Referring to Figure 4, at block 402, the method 400 to determine actual
time for supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process, in

an implementation of the present subject matter, comprises, embedding at least one sensing element 204 within at least one of a mould segment 106 of the tire curing press of the system 200. The sensing element 204 is adapted to measure a temperature of the tire curing press.
[0050] Based on the temperature of the tire curing press as measured by the
sensing element 204 the control system 206 ascertains the temperature of the tire curing press in real-time. Accordingly, at block 404, the method 400 includes ascertaining, in real-time, the measured temperature to be at a predefined temperature, wherein the predefined temperature is a temperature required to initiate the tire curing process and is achieved by supply of a curing media to the tire curing press.
[0051] At block 406, once the predefined temperature is attained and the tire
curing process is initiated, the control system 206 may temporarily interrupt the supply of curing media to allow loading of an uncured tire in the tire curing press. Once the tire is loaded, at block 408, supply of curing media to the tire curing press may be re-initiated for initiating the tire curing process.
[0052] Further, as discussed previously, a cut-off time (i.e., the time when
curing media is not supplied to heat the moulds of the tire curing press) may be ascertained in real-time, based on the predefined temperature measured by the sensing element. Accordingly, at block 410, the cut-off time may be ascertained and the supply of the curing may be discontinued, for example, till the time that the predefined temperature is maintained in the mould or till the time that the next curing cycle is to be initiated.
[0053] Further, in an example embodiment of the present subject matter, the
curing press for carrying out the tire curing process may comprise at least two moulds, wherein at least one tread segment of each mould has a sensor embedded within its tread segment. Accordingly, to ensure that none of the sensors are faulty, both of the sensors may be monitored to be in sync with each other. Accordingly, an interlock system may be established in a PLC system of the control system 206 to ensure that the temperature of both mould are in tolerance range, in accordance with a predetermined threshold as well as in comparison with each other.

[0054] Although implementations for the systems and methods for
determining time for supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process are described, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features of the methods and systems described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as implementations for the method and system for determining time for supply of a curing media.

I/We Claim:
1. A method (400) for determining actual time for supply of a curing media
to a tire curing press in a tire curing process, the method comprising:
embedding at least one sensing element (204) within at least one of a mould segment (106) of the tire curing press, the sensing element (204) to measure temperature of the tire curing press;
ascertaining, in real-time, the measured temperature to be at a predefined temperature, wherein the predefined temperature is a temperature required to initiate the tire curing process and is achieved by supply of the curing media to the tire curing press;
interrupting the supply of the curing media and loading an uncured tire in the tire curing press upon the predefined temperature being attained in the tire curing press;
re-initiating the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press for initiating the tire curing process; and
ascertaining, in real-time, based on the predefined temperature measured by the sensing element, a cut-off time for the tire curing process, the cut-off time being the time when curing media is not supplied to heat the moulds of the tire curing press.
2. The method (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises estimating the temperature of the mould (100) to fall below the predefined temperature and based on the estimation re-initiating the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises estimating a time for completion of the tire curing process and providing an indication for starting a next tire curing press.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining if the at least one sensing element (204) is malfunctioning.
5. A system (200) for determining actual time for supply of a curing media to a tire curing press in a tire curing process, the system comprising:
at least one sensing element (204) embedded within at least one of a mould segment (106) of the tire curing press, wherein the sensing element (204) is to measure temperature of the tire curing press;
a control system (206) communicatively coupled to the tire curing press to control the tire curing process, wherein the control system (206) is to:
determine, in real-time, the measured temperature to be at a predefined temperature, wherein the predefined temperature is a temperature required to initiate the tire curing process and is achieved by supply of the curing media to the tire curing press;
interrupt the supply of the curing media for loading an uncured tire in the tire curing press upon the predefined temperature being attained in the tire curing press;
re-initiate the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press for initiating the tire curing process; and
ascertain, in real-time, based on the predefined temperature measured by the sensing element, a cut-off time for the tire curing process, the cut-off time being the time to discontinue the supply of the curing media to the tire curing press.
6. The system (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sensing element (204) transmits the temperature of the tire curing press to the control system (206) at a predetermined frequency.
7. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein frequency at which the sensing element 204 transmits the temperature to the control system 206 is configurable based on user inputs, design considerations and/or process parameters of the tire curing process.

8. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a curing media supply system that is controlled by the control system (206) for supplying the curing media to the tire curing press.
9. The system (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein an interlock system incorporated in a programmable logic controller (PLC) of the control system (206) is to compare temperatures of each of the moulds (100) of the tire curing press.
10. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one sensing element (204) is embedded at a distance of about 20-30% of the thickness of the mould segment (106) from an inner wall of the mould segment (106).