Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a pneumatic tire is provided, the pneumatic tire comprising two spaced apart beads, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective beads, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and enclosing a tire cavity when mounted on a rim, and multiple layers of open cell, noise damping foam strip material attached on top of each other to the innerliner within the tire cavity in an area radially below the tread portion, wherein each layer has an axial width from 20% to 80% of the tread width and a radial thickness from 5% to 20% of the tread width and said multiple layers fill together from 8% to 40% of the volume of the tire cavity.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a pneumatic tire is provided, the tire comprising two spaced apart bead portions, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective bead portions, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and defining a tire cavity, and a metal coated foam material attached to the innerliner within the tire cavity.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising two spaced apart bead portions, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective bead portions, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and defining a tire cavity, and multiple layers of foam strip material attached on top of each other to the innerliner within the tire cavity in an area radially below the tread portion, wherein at least two of the layers are interlocked to each other along their length so as to hold the layers together in a radial direction.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is described which includes a tread, a carcass and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread. The belt structure includes a first and second working belt, wherein the angle of the working belts range from about 12 degrees to about 35 degrees, wherein the belt structure further includes a low angle belt located radially inward of the working belts. The first working belt is the radially innermost working belt, and is the widest belt. The second working belt is the radially outermost belt. The pneumatic tire may further include a second optional low angle belt, that is located between the first low angle belt and the first working belt.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising two spaced apart bead portions, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective bead portions, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and defining a tire cavity, and multiple layers of foam strip material attached on top of each other to the innerliner within the tire cavity in an area radially below the tread portion, wherein at least two of the layers are interlocked to each other along their length so as to hold the layers together in a radial direction.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a pneumatic tire is provided, the tire comprising two spaced apart bead portions, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective bead portions, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and defining a tire cavity, and a metal coated foam material attached to the innerliner within the tire cavity.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a pneumatic tire is provided, the pneumatic tire comprising two spaced apart beads, a tread portion, a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from axially outer edges of the tread portion to join the respective beads, the axially outer edges of the tread portion defining a tread width, a carcass, an innerliner covering the carcass and enclosing a tire cavity when mounted on a rim, and multiple layers of open cell, noise damping foam strip material attached on top of each other to the innerliner within the tire cavity in an area radially below the tread portion, wherein each layer has an axial width from 20% to 80% of the tread width and a radial thickness from 5% to 20% of the tread width and said multiple layers fill together from 8% to 40% of the volume of the tire cavity.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire includes a pair of opposing bead areas, in which each bead area includes a bead core and a bead apex. At least one carcass reinforcing ply includes a turn up at each bead core, and each turn up includes a radially outward end. A pair of chippers is disposed axially inwardly of each turn up outward end, in which the pair of chippers includes a first chipper and a second chipper. The first chipper is disposed axially inwardly of the bead apex, and the second chipper is disposed axially outwardly of the first chipper and axially inwardly of the bead apex. Forces due to deflection of the tire are limited by the pair of chippers to reduce stresses along each turn up.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire includes a pair of opposing bead areas, in which each bead area includes a bead core and a bead apex. At least one carcass reinforcing ply includes a turn up at each bead core, and each turn up includes a radially outward end. A pair of chippers is disposed at each turn up, in which the pair of chippers includes a first chipper and a second chipper. The first chipper is disposed axially inwardly of the second chipper and includes a radially outward end that is disposed radially outwardly of the radially outward end of the turn up. The second chipper includes a radially outward end that is disposed radially outwardly of the radially outward end of the first chipper, in which forces due to deflection of the tire are absorbed by the pair of chippers to reduce stresses along each turn up.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads, at least one carcass ply wrapped around said beads, at least two belts or breakers disposed over said carcass ply in a crown area of said tire, tread disposed over said belts or breakers, and sidewalls disposed between said tread and said beads, and wherein the radially top belt or breaker is reinforced with an organic polymer cord, wherein the organic polymer cord is chemically fused.

Abstract: A ply making apparatus for making a tire carcass is described. The ply making apparatus includes a support frame, and a rotatable member mounted to the support frame. The rotatable member further includes a spool mechanism for winding a strip of ply. A first and second bead support holder is located adjacent each other, wherein a first bead support holder supports a first bead in parallel relationship and axial alignment with respect to a second bead held by a second bead holder, wherein the rotatable member is positionable inside each bead.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire 1 comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads; at least one carcass ply 3 wrapped around said beads; a tread 5; and first and second sidewalls disposed between said tread and one of said at least one pair of beads; as well as a belt portion 7 between the carcass ply 3 and the tread 5. In accordance with the invention, the tread 5 comprises a tread base layer 8 and a plurality of tread blocks 9, wherein the tread blocks 9 comprise at least two different rubber layers 15, 17, 19 arranged radially above each other, whereas the rubber layers 15, 17, 19 of different tread blocks are axially separate from each other.

Abstract: A tire tread 2 for a vehicle tire has a plurality of tread elements 10 extending radially outwardly from a tread base 24 to a radially outer surface. Each tread element 10 is defined by adjacent grooves 12, 14. The tread 2 has at least one tread element 10 projecting from the tread base 24 and having one or more tread wear indicators TWI 20. Each TWI 20 is located at the intersection of two grooves 12, 14 adjacent or integral to the at least one tread element 10.