Patents by Inventor Ronald Cress
Ronald Cress has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11618288Abstract: A process for manufacturing a rubber patch comprising a radiofrequency transponder, the patch having a first layer and a second layer, the method comprising moulding and vulcanizing a first layer, the exterior surface of which comprises a cavity able to receive a radiofrequency transponder, placing a transponder in the cavity, and then placing and vulcanizing a second layer in order to embed the transponder between the two layers.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Sebastien Noel, Jean-Mathieu Clergeat, Isabelle Aldon, Jean-Claude Delorme, Ronald Cress
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Patent number: 11254166Abstract: The invention provides for a heavy truck tire having a sub-casing, a belt package and a rubber tread, the tread comprising a center zone separating two shoulder zones. The upper shoulder layer consisting of an upper shoulder rubber compound being different from a lower shoulder rubber compound, wherein: the upper shoulder rubber compound has a G*50 of at least 1.3 Mpa and a max tan(?) of at least 0.12; the lower shoulder rubber compound has a max tan(?) not greater than the max tan(?) of a center rubber compound in the center zone being intended to come into contact with the ground; and the center rubber compound has a max tan(?) of at most 0.09.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Jeremy Trowbridge, Ronald Cress, Chaitra Mahesha
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Patent number: 10953700Abstract: The tread has a total axial width W and a wearable thickness PMU of material and has at least four grooves on each side of a midplane that divides the tread axially into two parts. The grooves divide the tread into a middle, intermediate and edge regions 6. The middle region has an axial width Lm of at least 30% and at most 60% of the total width W. The total volume void ratio when new is less than 17%, and the middle region has a volume void ratio that is less than half the total volume void ratio. The middle region comprises a plurality of transverse sipes opening into the grooves, and the sipes have depths at least equal to 75% of the depth of the grooves. The number of transverse sipes in the middle region is greater than the number of transverse sipes on each intermediate or edge region.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE, S.A.Inventors: Maxime Rolland, Fabien Marlier, Ronald Cress, Ralston Moore
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Publication number: 20200070598Abstract: A process for manufacturing a rubber patch comprising a radiofrequency transponder, the patch having a first layer and a second layer, the method comprising moulding and vulcanizing a first layer, the exterior surface of which comprises a cavity able to receive a radiofrequency transponder, placing a transponder in the cavity, and then placing and vulcanizing a second layer in order to embed the transponder between the two layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: SEBASTIEN NOEL, JEAN-MATHIEU CLERGEAT, ISABELLE ALDON, JEAN-CLAUDE DELORME, RONALD CRESS
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Patent number: 10500769Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for demolding a tread from a mold. In particular embodiments, such methods include a step of demolding a first end of a tread from a mold to form a demolded portion of the tread, the tread extending lengthwise from the first end to a second end. A further step includes folding the tread such that at least a portion of the demolded portion is arranged overtop a portion of the tread remaining within the mold. Yet a further step includes applying lubricant to the tread to thereby lubricate relative translation between folded portions of the tread. A further step includes demolding additional portions of the tread by sliding at least a portion of the demolded portion along the portion of the tread remaining in the mold with the lubricant arranged between the demolded portion and the portion of the tread remaining within the mold.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements MichelinInventors: Chinglin Pan, Ronald Cress
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Patent number: 10363715Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods for supporting a recessed void during retreading operations. Such methods include the steps of providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, the tread including a recessed void recessed below the top side of the tread. Such methods also include the step of arranging the tread around an outer circumference of the tire carcass in a desired position to form an assembled retreaded tire. Such methods further include the step of arranging a removable circumferential band around the assembled retreaded tire positioned over top the recessed void and the top side of the tread. Such methods further include the steps of placing a curing membrane around at least a portion of the tire and the circumferential band and curing the retreaded tire with the circumferential band contained within the curing membrane.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Chinglin Pan, Ronald Cress, Michael D. Petrovich
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Publication number: 20190001751Abstract: The invention provides for a heavy truck tire (1) having a sub-casing, a belt package (19) and a rubber tread (2), the tread extending axially form a first tread edge (N) to a second tread edge (N?) over a rolling tread width (RTW), the tread comprising a shoulder zone (21) adjacent to each of said first and second edges and a center zone (25) separating the two shoulder zones, each shoulder zone comprising a radially lower shoulder layer (24) and a radially upper shoulder layer (22), the upper shoulder layer being intended to come into contact with the ground and the lower shoulder layer being interposed between the belt package and the upper shoulder layer, the upper shoulder layer consisting of an upper shoulder rubber compound, the lower shoulder layer consisting of a lower shoulder rubber compound being different from the upper shoulder rubber compound, wherein: —the upper shoulder layer extends a distance LI from a tread edge (N, N?) axially inward, the distance LI being greater than 15% and less than 4Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: JEREMY TROWBRIDGE, RONALD CRESS, CHAITRA MAHESHA
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Patent number: 9969107Abstract: Methods and apparatus for demolding a polymeric material from a mold are disclosed, the methods comprising the steps of placing a material within a mold, closing the mold, molding the material located within the mold, and opening the mold. The mold includes a demolding tool having a material-engaging portion that is in fluid communication with the mold portion, the demolding tool being reversibly disengagable from the first mold member. The demolding tool is disengagable from a resting position within the first mold member to translate from the first mold member the molded polymeric material associated with the material-engaging portion, thereby separating a portion of the molded polymeric material from the mold cavity. In particular embodiments, the material-engaging portion is a cavity. In other embodiments, the material-engaging portion is associated with one or more longitudinal members extending across a portion of the first mold member.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Compagnie Générale des établissements MichelinInventors: Ronald Cress, Nathan J. Panning
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Patent number: 9784646Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for inspecting a tread. Such methods include providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, one of the top and bottom sides including a tread feature extending into the thickness of the tread. Such methods further include bending mechanically a transverse extent of the tread relative the tread thickness along a portion of the tread to be inspected about a bending member to form a bent portion of the tread, the portion of the tread to be inspected including the tread feature such that the step of bending expands the tread feature to further expose a depth of the tread feature within the thickness of the tread for inspection. Such further methods include constraining the tread on opposing sides of the portion of the tread to be inspected to maintain the bent portion of the tread in a bent arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Compagnie Générale des établissements MichelinInventors: Chinglin Pan, Ronald Cress, Michael D. Petrovich
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Publication number: 20170253085Abstract: An aircraft tire having improved wear properties is provided. The tire includes a belt reinforcement structure (128) that provides a flatter crown and reduces localized tensions. The belt reinforcement structure includes at least two hybrid belt plies (130,132) having free ends that are positioned radially inward of at least one non-hybrid belt ply (134,136). The hybrid belt plies allow for reductions in the overall mass of the tire and improved thermal properties while still meeting requirements for burst pressure and size for aircraft tires.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Ronald Cress, Jason John Schoenmaker, Shannon Martell Mauck, Brian Keefe, Wayne Davis
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Publication number: 20170246908Abstract: An aircraft tire having improved wear properties is provided. The tire includes a belt reinforcement structure that provides a flatter crown and reduces localized tensions. The belt reinforcement structure includes at least four hybrid belt plies having free ends that are positioned radially inward of at least one non-hybrid belt ply. The hybrid belt plies allow for reductions in the overall mass of the tire and improved thermal properties while still meeting requirements for burst pressure and size for aircraft tires.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Ronald Cress, Jason John Schoenmaker, Shannon Martell Mauck, Brian Keefe, Wayne Davis
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Publication number: 20150369703Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for inspecting a tread. Such methods include providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, one of the top and bottom sides including a tread feature extending into the thickness of the tread. Such methods further include bending mechanically a transverse extent of the tread relative the tread thickness along a portion of the tread to be inspected about a bending member to form a bent portion of the tread, the portion of the tread to be inspected including the tread feature such that the step of bending expands the tread feature to further expose a depth of the tread feature within the thickness of the tread for inspection. Such further methods include constraining the tread on opposing sides of the portion of the tread to be inspected to maintain the bent portion of the tread in a bent arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Chinglin PAN, Ronald CRESS, Michael D. PETROVICH
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Publication number: 20150367539Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for demolding a tread from a mold. In particular embodiments, such methods include a step of demolding a first end of a tread from a mold to form a demolded portion of the tread, the tread extending lengthwise from the first end to a second end. A further step includes folding the tread such that at least a portion of the demolded portion is arranged overtop a portion of the tread remaining within the mold. Yet a further step includes applying lubricant to the tread to thereby lubricate relative translation between folded portions of the tread. A further step includes demolding additional portions of the tread by sliding at least a portion of the demolded portion along the portion of the tread remaining in the mold with the lubricant arranged between the demolded portion and the portion of the tread remaining within the mold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: December 24, 2015Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Chinglin PAN, Ronald CRESS
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Publication number: 20150360395Abstract: The invention include methods and apparatus for demolding a tread. The methods include arranging one or more rollers to extend across a transverse extent of a tread molding cavity and across an outer, exposed side of a tread. The one or more rollers are freely-rotatable and arranged to define a demolding path of the tread extending from the mold. The tread is demolded from the tread molding cavity along the demolding path such that the tread is initially directed outwardly from a molded position within the tread molding cavity at an initial angle less than 90 degrees from the molded position, the tread continuing along the demolding path until the tread is directed away from the molding cavity in a direction 90 degrees from the molded position at a perpendicular position located a distance from the molding cavity at least equal to approximately 80% of the tread thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: December 17, 2015Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Chinglin PAN, Ronald CRESS, Michael D. PETROVICH
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Publication number: 20150298411Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods for supporting a recessed void during retreading operations. Such methods include the steps of providing a tread having a top side and a bottom side, the tread including a recessed void recessed below the top side of the tread. Such methods also include the step of arranging the tread around an outer circumference of the tire carcass in a desired position to form an assembled retreaded tire. Such methods further include the step of arranging a removable circumferential band around the assembled retreaded tire positioned over top the recessed void and the top side of the tread. Such methods further include the steps of placing a curing membrane around at least a portion of the tire and the circumferential band and curing the retreaded tire with the circumferential band contained within the curing membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Chinglin PAN, Ronald CRESS, Michael D. PETROVICH
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Patent number: 8875758Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include tire treads that include a tread body having a length, a width, and thickness, the thickness being bounded by an outer surface and an underside surface. Such treads may also include a void positioned within the thickness of the tread body. Such treads may further include one or more members extending between the void and the tread underside surface. Other embodiments of the present invention include a tire having such treads, as well as molds for forming such treads.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Ronald Cress, Gildas De-Staercke, James F. Garrett, Nathan J. Panning
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Patent number: 8323013Abstract: An improved system for changing sipe blade configurations on equipment for the manufacture of tires is provided. This system allows the replacement of damaged sipe blades, the replacement of sipe blades of one configuration with those of another configuration, and the elimination of a sipe blade altogether. Certain embodiments allow sipe blades to be changed by providing a sipe blade that is held by a blade holder with a slit in its heel that allows a compact assembly of the sipe blade and blade holder that is easy to manufacture. Other embodiments allow sipe blades that have an undercut in the direction of draw in, their midportion and side portions without undercuts to be easily made and installed. Finally, other embodiments allow for the effective replacement and fabrication of sipe blades that have undercuts in the direction of draw that blend into other projections found on a curing member.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Brian Williams Jenkins, Gildas Yvon DeStaercke, James F. Garrett, Ronald Cress
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Patent number: D738293Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignees: MICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Scott Cothran, Ronald Cress, Joseph A. Stain, Maxime Rolland
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Patent number: D739814Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignees: MICHELIN RECHERCHE et TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELINInventors: Ralston Moore, Garrett Guidroz, Joseph A. Stain, Ronald Cress
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Patent number: D791688Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventors: Jeremy Trowbridge, Lee A Montgomery, Kai Yang, Ronald Cress, Anant Jha