A DIE FOR A POLYMER MIXING OR PLY MANUFACTURING MACHINE, A CORDURARY OR THROATED PLY AND ITS USE, A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A PLY AND A TIRE COMPRISING SUCH A PLY

A cordurary or throated ply (16) comprising an array of parallel cords (22) or filaments coated with a rubber (r2) is disclosed. The ply (16) has a corduroy or throated first surface (18) and a corduroy or throated second surface (19) opposite the first corduroy or throated surface (18). The ply (16) may be used in a tire component. Also, a die (14, 100) for producing such a ply (16) is disclosed. A method for producing a corduroy or throated ply (16) comprises the steps of: concentrically attaching a first topping rubber (r1) to a periphery of each of a plurality of cords (22) or filaments; forming an array of cords (22) or filaments coated with the first topping rubber (r1); and forming a ply (16) having a corduroy or throated first surface (18) and a corduroy or throated second surface (19) opposite the first corduroy or throated surface (18). Finally, a tire is disclosed comprising a pair of axially spaced apart annular bead cores, a carcass ply extending around both bead cores, and a tread for engaging a contact surface, the tread being disposed radially outward of the carcass ply. The tire comprises the cordurary or throated ply (16).