Abstract: The present invention includes tire treads having a plurality of sipes (14) where at least one of the opposing sides of the sipe thickness includes a plurality of projections (18, 36) and recesses (20, 38) and a method for forming the same.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods for reducing deformation of a sipe-molding member (10) arising during manufacturing operations, and sipe-molding members (10) comprising a sipe-forming portion (12) and a plurality of stiffening members (20) spaced along the sipe-forming portion. The sipe-forming portion (12) has a length extending in a lengthwise direction of the sipe-molding member (10), a height configured to extend into a depth of a molding cavity, and a thickness extending perpendicular to both the length and height. The sipe-molding member (10) is configured to form a sipe having a thickness commensurate with the thickness of the sipe-forming portion, a length formed by at least a portion of the length of the sipe-forming portion, and a depth formed by at least a portion of the height of the sipe-forming portion. Each of the plurality of stiffening members (20) extend outwardly from the thickness of the sipe-forming element. Further embodiments include methods of forming a molded tire tread.

Abstract: The present invention includes tire treads (10) and a method for forming tire treads (10) having a sipe (18) with a length extending between opposing terminal ends of the sipe and having a height and a thickness which is variable across the length and height of the sipe. The thickness of the sipe (18) includes a sipe portion arranged between the opposing terminal ends defining the sipe length and having a thick portion extending at least partially around a perimeter of a thin portion. The thin portion is substantially 0.2 millimeters or less thick and forms at least 40% of the surface area along each of the opposing sides of the sipe, the opposing sides being arranged on opposing sides of the sipe thickness.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention include a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements including one or more shoulder elements arranged along a first lateral side edge of the tread. The one or more shoulder elements include a recessed terminal side spaced apart from the first lateral side edge, where the recessed terminal side is offset in a direction of the tread width towards the second lateral side edge from a pair of adjacent terminal sides of the one or more shoulder elements. A sipe is arranged in connection with a submerged void within the tread thickness, where the sipe and submerged void extend in a direction of the tread width towards a second lateral side edge from the recessed terminal side such that the sipe and submerged void are recessed from the pair of adjacent terminal sides.

Abstract: The present invention includes tire treads having a plurality of sipes (14) where at least one of the opposing sides of the sipe thickness includes a plurality of projections (18, 36) and recesses (20, 38) and a method for forming the same.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of forming a pneumatic tire having a heat insulating layer and a pneumatic tire having a heat insulating layer, for reducing the thermal cooling of a tread of a pneumatic tire. A flexible heat insulating layer is applied to the tire at a location radially inward from the tire tread and opposite the tire tread relative the tire thickness. The heat insulating layer is characterized as having thermally insulating properties configured to maintain at least a portion of the tire tread at or above a desired elevated temperature greater than a glass transition temperature for any such portion of the tire tread under normal tire operating conditions. The heat insulating layer is also characterized as having a low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a multi-stage tire tread having two or more wear layers comprising an outer wear layer and one or more inner wear layers arranged within the thickness of the tread below the outer wear layer and one or more outer grooves are arranged within the outer wear layer. The tread further includes a volumetric void ratio equal to approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in a worn condition where the outer, ground-engaging side is arranged along one of the inner wear layers in the worn condition, the tread further having a contact surface ratio equal to approximately 0.66-0.72 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.56-0.66 in the worn condition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods for reducing deformation of a sipe-molding member (10) arising during manufacturing operations, and sipe-molding members (10) comprising a sipe-forming portion (12) and a plurality of stiffening members (20) spaced along the sipe-forming portion. The sipe-forming portion (12) has a length extending in a lengthwise direction of the sipe-molding member (10), a height configured to extend into a depth of a molding cavity, and a thickness extending perpendicular to both the length and height. The sipe-molding member (10) is configured to form a sipe having a thickness commensurate with the thickness of the sipe-forming portion, a length formed by at least a portion of the length of the sipe-forming portion, and a depth formed by at least a portion of the height of the sipe-forming portion. Each of the plurality of stiffening members (20) extend outwardly from the thickness of the sipe-forming element. Further embodiments include methods of forming a molded tire tread.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention include a tire tread having a plurality of tread elements including one or more shoulder elements arranged along a first lateral side edge of the tread. The one or more shoulder elements include a recessed terminal side spaced apart from the first lateral side edge, where the recessed terminal side is offset in a direction of the tread width towards the second lateral side edge from a pair of adjacent terminal sides of the one or more shoulder elements. A sipe is arranged in connection with a submerged void within the tread thickness, where the sipe and submerged void extend in a direction of the tread width towards a second lateral side edge from the recessed terminal side such that the sipe and submerged void are recessed from the pair of adjacent terminal sides.

Abstract: A method of forming a tire includes a mold having a molding cavity defined at least in part by an outermost molding surface and a pair of opposing shoulder-forming portions. The mold includes a sipe-forming element spaced apart inwardly from the pair of opposing shoulder-forming portions with a knife edge oriented towards a first shoulder-forming portion and a knife edge translation member arranged outside the mold cavity and configured to translate in a direction towards the first shoulder-forming portion and from which a sipe-forming portion extends. The method further includes arranging an uncured tire tread within the mold, molding the uncured tire tread, and demolding the tire tread such that the sipe-forming element forms a sipe by the knife edge lacerating a thickness of the cured molded tread as the sipe-forming element is pulled in a direction toward the shoulder-forming portion.

Abstract: The present invention includes tire treads (10) and a method for forming tire treads (10) having a sipe (18) with a length extending between opposing terminal ends of the sipe and having a height and a thickness which is variable across the length and height of the sipe. The thickness of the sipe (18) includes a sipe portion arranged between the opposing terminal ends defining the sipe length and having a thick portion extending at least partially around a perimeter of a thin portion. The thin portion is substantially 0.2 millimeters or less thick and forms at least 40% of the surface area along each of the opposing sides of the sipe, the opposing sides being arranged on opposing sides of the sipe thickness.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a multi-stage tire tread having two or more wear layers comprising an outer wear layer and one or more inner wear layers arranged within the thickness of the tread below the outer wear layer and one or more outer grooves are arranged within the outer wear layer. The tread further includes a volumetric void ratio equal to approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in a worn condition where the outer, ground-engaging side is arranged along one of the inner wear layers in the worn condition, the tread further having a contact surface ratio equal to approximately 0.66-0.72 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.56-0.66 in the worn condition.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a multi-stage tire tread having two or more wear layers comprising an outer wear layer and one or more inner wear layers arranged within the thickness of the tread below the outer wear layer. One or more outer grooves are arranged within the outer wear layer, while one or more inner grooves arranged within at least one of the one or more inner wear layers. The tread further includes a volumetric void ratio equal to approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in a worn condition where the outer, ground-engaging side is arranged along one of the inner wear layers in the worn condition, the tread further having a contact surface ratio equal to approximately 0.66-0.72 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.56-0.66 in the worn condition.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a multi-stage tire tread having two or more wear layers comprising an outer wear layer and one or more inner wear layers arranged within the thickness of the tread below the outer wear layer. One or more outer grooves are arranged within the outer wear layer, while one or more inner grooves arranged within at least one of the one or more inner wear layers. The tread further includes a volumetric void ratio equal to approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.25 to 0.40 in a worn condition where the outer, ground-engaging side is arranged along one of the inner wear layers in the worn condition, the tread further having a contact surface ratio equal to approximately 0.66-0.72 in the unworn condition and approximately 0.56-0.66 in the worn condition.