Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass reinforced by a carcass ply extending from a first bead to a second bead and a belt structure including a first portion and a second portion. The belt structure is disposed radially outward of the carcass ply in a crown portion of the pneumatic tire. The first portion includes a belt with a belt width extending axially from a first shoulder portion of the crown portion to a second shoulder portion of the crown portion. The second portion includes a plurality of bands with band widths less than the belt width. One of the bands has a first group of cords oriented in a first direction relative to a centerline of the pneumatic tire and a second group of cords oriented in a second direction relative to the centerline of the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A tape element having at least a first layer containing a first thermoplastic polymer, at least one crack propagation channel in a surface of the tape and at least one ripstop ridge in a surface of the tape. The crack propagation channel has an aspect ratio of width to depth of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a depth at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extend along at least a portion of the length of the tape. The ripstop ridge has an aspect ratio of width to height of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a height at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extends along at least a portion of the length of the tape. Rubber articles containing the tape element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tape element having at least a first layer containing a first thermoplastic polymer, at least one crack propagation channel in a surface of the tape, and at least one reciprocal channel in the opposite surface of the tape, where the channels in the two surfaces are in registration. The crack propagation channel has an aspect ratio of width to depth of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a depth at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extend along at least a portion of the length of the tape. Rubber articles containing the tape element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tape element having at least a first layer containing a first thermoplastic polymer, at least one ripstop ridge in a surface of the tape, and at least one reciprocal elongated hill in the opposite surface of the tape, where the ridges and hills in the two surfaces are in registration. The ripstop ridges have an aspect ratio of width to height of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a height at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extend along at least a portion of the length of the tape. Rubber articles containing the tape element are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tape element having at least a first layer containing a first thermoplastic polymer, at least one crack propagation channel in a surface of the tape, and at least one reciprocal channel in the opposite surface of the tape, where the channels in the two surfaces are in registration. The crack propagation channel has an aspect ratio of width to depth of between about 1:5 and 10:1, has a depth at least 10% of the thickness of the tape in the segments, and extend along at least a portion of the length of the tape. Rubber articles containing the tape element are also disclosed and a die to make the tape elements.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having a rectangular cross-section and at least a first layer having a draw ratio of at least about 5, a modulus of at least about 2 GPa, a density of at least 0.85 g/cm3. The first layer contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, and co-polymers thereof. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having at least a first layer, an upper surface and a lower surface. The first layer comprises a blend of polyester and nylon 6. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: The process of forming a reinforced rubber article comprising, in order, slit extruding fibers having at least a first layer containing a polymer, orienting the fibers monoaxially forming monoaxially drawn fibers having a plurality of voids in the first layer in an amount of between about 3 and 15 percent by volume of the first layer, forming the monoaxially drawn fibers into a fibrous layer, and embedding the fibrous layer into rubber.

Abstract: A tire containing a pair of beads, at least one carcass ply extending from one bead to the other bead forming a pair of sidewall areas of the tire and a tread area of the tire, and at least one layer of a knit fabric in the sidewall area of the tire, where the knit fabric has a warp and weft direction and is a double cord stitch knit fabric. A method of making the fabric and tire are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire carcass having a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The tire carcass comprises at least one ply of stabilizing fabric and an air-blocking layer attached to the stabilizing fabric. The stabilizing fabric contains a plurality of reinforcing yarns and is disposed within the carcass such that the reinforcing yarns are arranged in the radial direction of the carcass. The reinforcing yarns comprise monoaxially drawn tape elements having a rectangular cross-section, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The tape elements contain at least a first layer having a draw ratio of at least about 5, a modulus of at least about 2 GPa, and a density of at least 0.85 g/cm3. The first layer contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, co-polymers and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire carcass having a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The tire carcass comprises at least one ply of stabilizing fabric embedded into an air-blocking layer. The stabilizing fabric contains a plurality of reinforcing yarns and is disposed within the carcass such that the reinforcing yarns are arranged in the radial direction of the carcass. The air-blocking layer contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, ethyl vinyl acetate, polyisobutalyene or polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, co-polymers of PA and PES, dynamically vulcanized alloy resin, co-polymers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having at least a first layer, an upper surface and a lower surface. The first layer comprises a blend of polyester and nylon 6. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire containing a pair of beads, at least one carcass ply extending from one bead to the other bead forming a pair of sidewall areas of the tire and a tread area of the tire, and at least one layer of a knit fabric in the sidewall area of the tire, where the knit fabric has a warp and weft direction and is a double cord stitch knit fabric. A method of making the fabric and tire are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article comprising a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn fibers having at least a first layer, where the first layer contains a polymer, a plurality of void-initiating particles, and a plurality of voids. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article comprising a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer comprises monoaxially drawn fibers having at least a first layer, where the first layer contains a polymer and a plurality of voids. The voids are in an amount of between about 3 and 15 percent by volume of the first layer. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced rubber article containing a rubber article and a fibrous layer embedded into the rubber article. The fibrous layer contains monoaxially drawn tape elements having a rectangular cross-section and at least a first layer having a draw ratio of at least about 5, a modulus of at least about 2 GPa, a density of at least 0.85 g/cm3. The first layer contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, and co-polymers thereof. Methods of forming the reinforced rubber article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire containing a pair of beads, at least one carcass ply extending from one bead to the other bead forming a pair of sidewall areas of the tire and a tread area of the tire, and at least one layer of a knit fabric in the sidewall area of the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire carcass having at least one ply of stabilizing fabric. The stabilizing fabric has a machine direction and a cross machine direction. A plurality of high tenacity reinforcing yarn elements are disposed in the cross-machine direction. A plurality of machine direction yarn elements of relatively lower tenacity than the reinforcing yarn elements are disposed in the machine direction. The stabilizing fabric has an adhesion layer on both sides of the stabilizing fabric and a patterned coating of a tackifing material overlaying a portion of at least one side of the stabilizing fabric. A segment of the stabilizing fabric is disposed within the carcass with the machine direction yarn elements being in substantial alignment with the direction of tire rotation and with the cross-machine direction oriented radially relative to the direction of tire rotation.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire containing a tread, a carcass having at least one belt ply disposed below the tread, and a cap ply located between the carcass and the tread. The cap ply comprises at least one layer of an open construction leno weave tape having a pair of warp yarns in the longitudinal direction and a weft yarn in the weft direction. The pair of warp yarns comprises a first warp yarn and a second warp yarn, where the second warp yarn has a force of elongation of between about 1 and 40% the force of elongation of the first warp yarn, where the second warp yarn is in tension, and where the second warp yarn has an elongation at break of greater than 2%. The leno weave tape is disposed in a flat pattern around the circumference of the carcass in the area of the belt ply. A method of making a pneumatic tire is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire containing a tread, a carcass having at least one belt ply disposed below the tread, and a cap ply located between the carcass and the tread. The cap ply comprises at least one layer of an open construction leno weave tape having a pair of warp yarns in the longitudinal direction and a weft yarn in the weft direction. The pair of warp yarns comprises a first warp yarn and a second warp yarn, where the second warp yarn has a force of elongation of between about 1 and 40% the force of elongation of the first warp yarn, where the second warp yarn is in tension, and where the second warp yarn has an elongation at break of greater than 2%. The leno weave tape is disposed in a flat pattern around the circumference of the carcass in the area of the belt ply. A method of making a pneumatic tire is also disclosed.