Patents Assigned to Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
  • Tire with variable ribbon size tread and system and method for making same
    Patent number: 11446853
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire tread includes extruding a rubber strip and conveying the rubber strip through an opening of a roller die. The opening is defined by an upper die and a lower die, wherein the upper die and lower die contact the rubber strip and define a cross-section of the rubber strip as the rubber strip is conveyed through the opening. The method also includes adjusting a distance between the upper die and the lower die as the rubber strip is conveyed through the opening. The method further includes applying the rubber strip from the roller die onto a receptacle that rotates about a receptacle axis. The method also includes translating the roller die in a first direction parallel to the receptacle axis while applying the rubber strip, thereby forming a spiral of the rubber strip about the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Para, Zachary G. Lorenz
  • Devices for reducing tire noise
    Patent number: 11440357
    Abstract: A noise damper, annulus for reducing tire noise, and tire and noise damper assembly are disclosed. The noise damper, annulus for reducing tire noise, and tire and noise damper assembly mitigate sound produced by a moving tire. The noise damper and annulus for reducing tire noise may move within a tire cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher R. Baker, Paul Zakelj, Robert W. Asper
  • Temperature Stable Polymeric Blends For Use In Non-Pneumatic Tires
    Publication number: 20220243052
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymeric blends suitable for use in non-pneumatic tires, processes for preparing the polymeric blends, and non-pneumatic tires and components thereof incorporating the polymeric blend. The polymeric blends include a thermoplastic polyester elastomer and a crosslinking compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jared J. Griebel, Hyeonjae Kim, Bret J. Chisholm
  • Temperature Stable Polymeric Blends For Use In Non-Pneumatic Tires
    Publication number: 20220243054
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are polymeric blends suitable for use in non-pneumatic tires, processes for preparing the polymeric blends, and non-pneumatic tires and components thereof incorporating the polymeric blend. The polymeric blends include a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, a high temperature thermoplastic polymer, a compatibilizer resin, a delayed crosslinking agent, and an activator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jared J. Griebel, Hyeonjae Kim
  • Amino alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane adhesives for adhering steel alloy to rubber
    Patent number: 11401440
    Abstract: A coated wire includes a steel alloy coated with a coating comprising one or more amino alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds selected from the group consisting of an amino alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane, an amino/mercaptan co-alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane, an amino/blocked mercaptan co-alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane, or a salt of one or more thereof. A rubber composition and a process for coating wire is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Hergenrother, William J. Corsaut, Hiroshi Mouri
  • Tire Tread Rubber Composition And Related Methods
    Publication number: 20220235207
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are tire tread rubber compositions comprising a specified elastomer component, reinforcing silica filler, a combination of specified hydrocarbon resins, liquid plasticizer, and a cure package. The elastomer component includes styrene-butadiene rubber; polybutadiene; and natural rubber, polyisoprene, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are methods for providing a tire tread having improved dry handling and wet traction performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jessica L. Placke, Kenny L. Howman, Anthony M. Unger, Jr., Adrian C. Stalnaker, Benjamin C. Galizio
  • Tire Tread Rubber Composition And Related Methods
    Publication number: 20220235208
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are tire tread rubber compositions comprising a specified elastomer component, reinforcing silica filler, a specified hydrocarbon resin, liquid plasticizer, and a cure package. The elastomer component includes styrene-butadiene rubber and polybutadiene and also may include a limited amount of natural rubber, polyisoprene, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are methods for providing a tire tread having balanced wet traction, winter and wear performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie L. Whyte, Anthony M. Unger, Kenny L. Howman, Jr., Benjamin C. Galizio
  • Tire Tread Rubber Composition And Related Methods
    Publication number: 20220235205
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are tire tread rubber compositions comprising a specified elastomer component, reinforcing silica filler, a specified hydrocarbon resin, liquid plasticizer, and a cure package. The elastomer component includes styrene-butadiene rubber; polybutadiene; and natural rubber, polyisoprene, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are methods for providing a tire tread having improved dry handling performance while maintaining wet traction performance and wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis C. Boley, Kenny L. Howman, Benjamin C. Galizio, Jr., Jamie L. Whyte, Jessica L. Placke, Anthony M. Unger
  • Modified High-Cis Polybutadiene Polymer, Related Methods And Tire Components
    Publication number: 20220213300
    Abstract: Disclosed herein area process for preparing a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, and tires having a component made using the modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer. The processes make use of a functionalizing compound of formula (I) to prepare the modified high-cis polybutadiene from a quantity of 1,3-butadiene monomer using a specified catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicants: Bridgestone Corporation, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan J. Hue, Laura S. Kocsis, Terrence E. Hogan, Jr., Jeffrey A. Cicerchi
  • Electrical conductive gum strip
    Patent number: 11376897
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire is described as having one or more electrical conductive strips for discharging electrical build up in the tire. The electrical conductive strips provide a static electricity conductive path from the tire rim to a ground-contacting surface. The strips are arranged around the outer surface of the tire from a first bead portion to a second bead portion. The strips can lay over the outer surface of the sidewalls and the tire tread. As positioned over the tire tread, a portion of the electrical conductive strip remains in contact with the ground as the tread wears during use to provide continued dissipation of static electricity away from the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy F. Robinson, Robert W. Asper
  • MACHINE LEARNING FOR SPLICE IMPROVEMENT
    Publication number: 20220203637
    Abstract: Systems and methods of machine learning for splice improvement. A system can receive, from one or more sensors, one or more values corresponding to manufacture of a tire by the one or more pieces of tire manufacturing equipment. The systems can determine one or more metrics based on the one or more values. The systems can generate a matrix based on the one or more values and the one or more metrics. The systems can predict, via input of the matrix into a machine learning model, a value for a splice tolerance metric. The systems can determine, based on the value for the splice tolerance metric, a parameter of at least one piece of equipment to adjust. The systems can provide a command to adjust the piece of equipment responsive to the value of the splice tolerance metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Ray Knapp, Anirban Kamal Bhattacharjee
  • Modulus Recovery In Silica-Containing Tire Treads
    Publication number: 20220204731
    Abstract: A heavy vehicle tire tread that contains a rubber component and a reinforcing filler that includes silica and a second filler. A first and second vulcanization accelerator are used together with sulfur and a silane coupling agent in the tire tread, wherein the 300% modulus of the tire tread is 8 MPa or more. The silane coupling agent, sulfur and total reinforcing filler content in the tire tread composition are present in a ratio range of 1:0.4:0.4 to 1:1.4:1.4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Seth M. Miller
  • Actinic Radiation Curable Polymeric Mixtures, Cured Polymeric Mixtures And Related Processes
    Publication number: 20220185936
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to actinic radiation curable polymeric mixtures, cured polymeric mixtures, tires and tire components made from the foregoing, and related processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua P. Abell, Michael R. Beaulieu, Douglas B. Costlow, Andrew V. Haidet
  • Assembly for attaching an electronics package to a tire
    Patent number: 11358422
    Abstract: An assembly for attaching an electronics package to a tire includes a carriage for receiving an electronics package. The assembly also includes a locking clip connected to the carriage and a locking ring having a first side permanently affixed to an interior of the tire. The locking ring is configured to engage the locking clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Sheel P. Agarwal, Adam K. Nesbitt
  • Methods For Improving Readability Of Radio Devices In Tires, Related Electronic Communication Modules And Tires Containing Same
    Publication number: 20220153060
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods for improving the readability of a radio device incorporated into a tire or tire retread. The embodiments also include an electronic communication module suitable for incorporating into a tire or tire retread, where the electronic communication module comprises a radio device having at least a portion of its outer surface surrounded by a rubber composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Craig R. Balnis, Amy M. Randall, Paul B. Wilson
  • System and method for harvesting energy for an electronic device, and a tire configured for use with the same
    Patent number: 11331967
    Abstract: A system for powering an electronic device within a tire is provided, the system comprising: a generator electrically connected to an electrically conductive wheel, the tire being mounted upon the wheel; the tire including bead portions, sidewalls, shoulders, a tread oriented in a tread region, an inner surface, and a metallic cord oriented within an interior of the tire; at least one conductive element extending from a bead portion and piercing into the interior of the tire and electrically connecting to the metallic cord; at least one electronic device within the vehicle tire; and at least one ground path extending through a thickness of the vehicle tire from the inner surface to an exterior surface in a contact patch of the tread; and wherein the at least one electronic device is electrically connected to the metallic cord and the at least one ground path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Terence E. Wei, Jason R. Barr, Thomas A. Sams, Srikrishna Doraiswamy, Timothy J. Hanchin
  • Methods of making polymers with reduced tack, and rubber compositions incorporating these polymers
    Patent number: 11332556
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of preparing an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer, the method comprising: introducing an anionic polymerization initiator to a reactor comprising a reactive mixture including conjugated diolefin monomer and solvent to form a living polymer via anionic polymerization; introducing alkoxysilane to the reactor to mix with the living polymer to form an alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; adding at least one aliphatic carboxylic acid having at least 10 carbons to the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer; and removing solvent from the alkoxysilane functionalized polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Terrence E. Hogan, Gabrielle L. McIntyre, Wei Zhao
  • Modified High-Cis Polybutadiene Polymer, Related Methods And Rubber Compositions
    Publication number: 20220144974
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a process for preparing a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, a modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer, and tire components made using the modified high-cis polybutadiene polymer. The processes make use of a functionalizing compound of formula (I) to prepare the modified high-cis polybutadiene from a quantity of 1,3-butadiene monomer using a specified catalyst system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Cicerchi, Terrence E. Hogan, James J. Kuhel, JR.
  • Method For Producing Polydienes With Reduced Cold Flow
    Publication number: 20220106421
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polydiene having increased viscosity and reduced cold flow that includes polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-containing compound to form an intermediate polymer, and then adding a non-organometallic trimellitate ester compound as a coupling agent to raise the viscosity of the intermediate polymer. The coupling agent is added to the intermediate polymer mixture in an amount of about 0.01 to about 0.15 parts per hundred monomer (phm) of the starting monomer amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Kuhel, III, David M. Roggeman
  • Tire
    Patent number: D954636
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Severyn, Russell A. Moser, Carlos A. Cuellar Garcia