Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to methods for characterizing a multi-layered tire tread. In one example, a method comprises providing a first rubber composition having a first refractive index and providing a second rubber composition having a second refractive index. The method further comprises determining a difference between the first refractive index and the second refractive index and comparing the difference to a threshold refractive index. In addition, the method comprises adding a refractive index modifier to the first rubber composition and/or second rubber composition in case the comparison provides that the difference is lower than the threshold refractive index, so that the difference is greater than, or equal to, the threshold refractive index.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a tire tread production line and a method for manufacturing a tire tread. The production line comprises a coextruder, a THz sensor and a controller operatively connected to the coextruder and to the THz sensor. The THz sensor is configured to irradiate the multi-layer tire tread extrudate with THz electromagnetic radiation, and receive a response of the multi-layer tire tread extrudate to the THz electromagnetic radiation. The controller is configured to operate the coextruder based on the response of the multi-layer tire tread extrudate to the THz electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a tire comprising a belt portion and a tread portion radially outward of the belt portion, wherein the tread portion comprises a radially outer tread layer for contacting the road when driving and a radially inner tread layer arranged between the radially outer tread layer and the belt portion, wherein the radially outer tread layer comprises a first rubber composition having a first shear storage modulus G?1 and the radially inner tread layer comprises a second rubber composition having a second shear storage modulus G?2, wherein the second shear storage modulus G?2 is between 3 MPa and 9 MPa higher than the first shear storage modulus G?1, and wherein the first shear storage modulus G?1 ranges from 1 MPa to 3 MPa and the second shear storage modulus G?2 ranges from 4 MPa to 12 MPa.

Abstract: A wall panel, ceiling panel, or floor panel may be provided having a T-shaped profile in which the web base area and/or the surface of the limbs facing the installation side is/are coated with an adhesive regionally or all over. Also provided may be a wall cladding, ceiling cladding, or floor cladding that is formed from a plurality of such panels.

Abstract: Thermoformable multilayer film having a barrier layer the thickness of which is less than 3% of the total multilayer thickness.

Abstract: In an element for a book which includes a sheet having a slit configured for receiving an item through the sheet, the improvement includes the slit going to two folds of the sheet along fold lines that are transverse to the slit, the folds being at angles that are 90 degrees or less.

Abstract: A panel attached to a book on foldable extensions by which the panel can be positioned next to the book and at various heights within the book and maintain the same orientation at each position, has a slot configured to receive an object through the panel and an acute fold at each end of the slot transverse to the slot at the fold, blocking the end of the slot.