Abstract: The invention relates to a butt splicing technique for use in manufacturing reinforced elastomeric articles, in particular pneumatic tires. In the method, after a butt splice is made, a spun-bonded material is applied to the splice area as a splicing strip. The spun-bonded material has stress/strain/expansion characteristics that closely resemble such properties in an elastomeric component of the article which is spliced so that the splicing strip does not unduly distort the reinforcing structure of the component, while preventing opening of the splice during construction. Articles made using the method are also provided.

Abstract: The tread reinforcing belt structure (24) of a pneumatic tire (10) has at least one belt ply (29) of flat steel wire. The belt ply of flat steel wire is stiffened by other components of the tread reinforcing structure such as belt plies of steel cables (28,30). It is especially important that the axially outermost edge portions of the belt ply of flat steel wires be supported by other components of the tread reinforcing belt structure, and that the flat wire have specific cross-sectional dimensions.