Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying a graphic label that is readable with a light scanning device with such label placed on a rubber article. The graphic bar code label is optically interpreted with a bar code reader.Thus, the cured substrate with the label with the graphic message is produced by using thermal transfer techniques. For this purpose, the ribbon in contact with the substrate passes by a print head and the ink can be selectively heated with this operation being synchronized by computer operation. When the ribbon is stripped away, the ink is left where heating occurred on the substrate material. The printed substrate exits and is cut to produce labels of desired length. The label is placed on a curable article and the label and substrate are subjected to curing conditions to effect transfer of the label to the cured substrate which may now contain the message in solely, alphanumeric, bar codes, human readable characters, and logos or mixtures of them.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has an integrated circuit transponder which, upon interrogation by an external RF signal, transmits tire identification and tire pressure data in digitally-coded form. The transponder has an antenna adjacent and thereby coupled by electric or magnetic fields to an annular tensile member comprising a bead of the tire. The antenna has lead wires that preferably are positioned between the innerliner of the tire and its continuous carcass ply. The transponder thus is on the axially inner side of the reinforced carcass ply. A pressure transducer is within the transponder and is responsive, preferably through the innerliner material, to pressure within the tire. If the antenna is a coil, the coil is substantially planar in shape and parallel with the reinforced carcass ply. The transponder and pressure transducer also can be attached to the axially inner side of the innerliner.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has an integrated circuit transponder which, upon interrogation by an external RF signal, transmits tire identification and/or other data in digitally-coded form. The transponder has a coil antenna of small enclosed area as compared to the area enclosed by an annular tensile member comprising a bead of the tire. The annular tensile member, during transponder interrogation, acts as the primary winding of a transformer. The coil antenna is loosely coupled to the primary winding and is the secondary winding of the transformer. The coil antenna is substantially planar in shape, and, when positioned between the innerliner of the tire and its carcass ply, the transponder may include a pressure sensor responsive to tire inflation pressure.