Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a tread comprising a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of elastomer (phr), up to 100 phr of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber; from 5 to 50 phr of a fatty acid monoester of formula 1 where R1 is selected from C1 to C8 linear or branched alkyl, C1 to C8 linear or branched alkenyl, and C2 to C6 linear or branched alkyl substituted with from one to five hydroxyl groups; R2 is C11 to C21 alkyl or C11 to C21 alkenyl; from 5 to 50 phr of a hydrocarbon resin having a Tg ranging from ?40° C. to 20° C.; less than 10 phr of a petroleum-derived oil; and from 50 to 130 phr of silica. optionally, from about 1 to 50 phr carbon black.

Abstract: A tire assembly transfers rotation about an axis from an outer flexible ring to an inner central rim. The tire assembly includes a spoke structure extending radially between the inner central rim and the outer flexible ring. The spoke structure defines a plurality of radially extending closed cavities and an alternating plurality of radially extending inlet openings disposed concentrically about the axis and allowing the flexible ring to deflect under load. The closed cavities extend axially and circumferentially at a helical angle relative to the axis.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a pneumatic tire is provided, the tire comprising two spaced apart bead portions, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective bead portions, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and defining a tire cavity, and a metal coated foam material attached to the innerliner within the tire cavity.

Abstract: It has been found that carboxylic acid functionalized high cis-1,4-polybutadiene rubber which is comprised of polybutadiene rubber chains having a cis-1,4-microstructure content of at least 90 percent has much better interaction with metal salts of ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. This results in such rubber compositions being stiff while still exhibiting a lower level of hysteresis. These characteristics are beneficial when used in manufacturing tire apex compositions, in manufacturing golf ball cores, and in a wide variety of other applications. Such rubber compositions can be used as substitutes for thermoplastic elastomers in many applications.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising two spaced apart bead portions, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective bead portions, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and defining a tire cavity, and multiple layers of foam strip material attached on top of each other to the innerliner within the tire cavity in an area radially below the tread portion, wherein at least two of the layers are interlocked to each other along their length so as to hold the layers together in a radial direction.

Abstract: A tire wear state estimation system includes a tire that supports a vehicle. A sensor unit is mounted on the tire and includes a footprint centerline length measurement sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and electronic memory capacity for storing identification information for the tire. A processor is in electronic communication with the sensor unit and receives the measured centerline length, the measured pressure, the measured temperature and the identification information. A tire construction database stores tire construction data and is in electronic communication with the processor. The identification information is correlated to the tire construction data. An analysis module is stored on the processor and receives the measured centerline length, the measure pressure, the measured temperature, the identification information, and the tire construction data as inputs. The analysis module includes a prediction model that generates an estimated wear state for the tire from the inputs.

Abstract: The invention relates to footwear with a rubber sole and to such rubber sole where the sole is provided with a rubber composition which contains dual precipitated silica moieties. The dual precipitated silica moieties are provided in a sense of being comprised of hydrophilic precipitated silica and hydrophobic precipitated silica.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite tread, the method comprising the steps of: forming a coextruded strip of a first compound and a second compound, wherein the first compound is a tread compound, and the second compound is formed from a second compound, wherein the tread is formed from winding the coextruded strip onto the tire building drum while varying the ratio of the first compound to the second compound

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a first rubber layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a second rubber layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a third rubber layer.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a method for applying a dual compound coextruded continuous strip of a first compound and a second compound, the method comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel, and a coextruded continuous strip is produced. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound may be adjusted instantaneously.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that a hydrocarbon traction resin can be dispersed into the oil used in making an oil extended emulsion and solution rubbers to attain improved performance characteristics. For instance, this technique allows for the hydrocarbon traction resin to be incorporated into the rubber at a higher level than would ordinarily be possible using conventional mixing techniques. In tire tread compounds this provides improved wet traction characteristics without compromising cured stiffness (dry traction) and ultimate properties (chip/chunk resistance). This technique can be used to incorporate a resin into virtually any synthetic rubber that can benefit from being oil extended. It is of particular value in making resin modified solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR), high cis-1.4-polybutadiene rubber, and synthetic polyisoprene rubber which are formulated for use in tire tread compounds.

Abstract: A tire data information system includes at least one tire that supports a vehicle and a processor. At least one sensor is mounted on the tire and is in electronic communication with the processor. The sensor measures a temperature and a pressure of the tire. A memory for storing tire identification information is in electronic communication with the processor. A tire wear state estimator generates a wear state of the tire and is in electronic communication with the processor. A tire wear rate estimator generates a wear rate of the tire and is in electronic communication with the processor. An antenna transmits the temperature, pressure, identification information, wear state, and wear rate of the tire to a display device that is accessible to a user of the vehicle. The display device includes indicators for showing the temperature, pressure, identification information, wear state, and wear rate to the user.