Abstract: A tire including a decoupling groove is provided, the tire comprising: a body, a shoulder, a tread surface including at least one decoupling groove extending radially inwardly into the body from the tread surface, and a plurality of parallel sipes, wherein the decoupling groove is oriented adjacent to the shoulder, wherein the decoupling groove is defined by an axially outer groove sidewall and an axially inner groove sidewall, has a width W1, and has a centerline, wherein the plurality of parallel sipes extend axially into the inner groove sidewall, wherein the decoupling groove has a radially inner groove base defined by a curvilinear base surface, has a width W2, and has a center, wherein the width W2 is greater than the width W1, and wherein a centerline of the decoupling groove intersects the center of the groove base.

Abstract: A process for retreading a tire, the process comprising the steps of providing a tire casing; providing a cured rubber component having first and second planar surfaces, where the first planar surface includes a tread pattern; providing a cushion gum, wherein the cushion gum is a composition including a functional polymer including at least one functional group, and a crosslinking agent including at least two moieties that will react with the functional group of the functional elastomer; applying the cushion gum to the tire casing; applying the second planar surface of the cured rubber to the cushion gum to form a tire composite; and treating the tire composite to thereby form a retread tire.

Abstract: A process for retreading a tire, the process comprising the steps of providing a tire casing; providing a cured rubber component having first and second planar surfaces, where the first planar surface includes a tread pattern; providing a cushion gum, wherein the cushion gum is a composition including a functional polymer including at least one functional group, and a crosslinking agent including at least two moieties that will react with the functional group of the functional elastomer; applying the cushion gum to the tire casing; applying the second planar surface of the cured rubber to the cushion gum to form a tire composite; and treating the tire composite to thereby form a retread tire.

Abstract: A method of applying a laminate to a tire includes pre-treating a portion of the tire and placing the laminate on at least the pre-treated portion of the tire. The method further includes placing an electrical heating element on top of the laminate and placing a pressure element over the electrical heating element and the laminate. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the laminate using the electrical heating element and the pressure element to permanently adhere the laminate to the tire.

Abstract: A method of applying a laminate to a tire includes pre-treating a portion of the tire and placing the laminate on at least the pre-treated portion of the tire. The method further includes placing an electrical heating element on top of the laminate and placing a pressure element over the electrical heating element and the laminate. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the laminate using the electrical heating element and the pressure element to permanently adhere the laminate to the tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a sidewall cover layer for application of a printing ink and/or paint is provided. In one embodiment, the tire comprises: a sidewall portion including a cushion layer and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer is oriented axially outwardly of the cushion layer, wherein the cover layer is bonded to the cushion layer, wherein the cover layer is formed from a material that contains wax in a concentration of less than 0.03 pph, and wherein the cushion layer does not contain a wax.