Abstract: This invention discloses a tire tread comprising: (a) a first tread cap layer comprising a first rubber composition; and (b) a second tread cap layer arranged radially inside of the first tread cap layer comprising a second rubber composition; wherein at 0° C. the rebound resilience of the first rubber composition is within a range of 10% to 25%, the rebound resilience of the second rubber composition is within a range of 15% to 35% and is at least 5% lower than that of the second rubber composition; and wherein at 100° C. the rebound resilience of the first rubber composition is within a range of 45% to 65%, the rebound resilience of the second rubber composition is within a range of 60% to 75% and is at least 3% higher than that of the first rubber composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for introducing an application medium into a weakening gap (5) of a cover (4), such as a covering film or covering skin, wherein a cover (4) is provided which already has a weakening gap (5) formed completely over the length thereof on a first side (6), an application device (2) is positioned toward the first side (6), at a distance from the cover (4) and above the weakening gap (5), wherein a support is arranged in a supporting manner on a second side (7) of the cover (4), facing away from the application device (2), and an application of the application medium into the weakening gap (5) by the application device (2) is carried out. The invention further relates to an application device (1) for this method.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a flexible display device are provided. A flexible substrate is provided and a first bonding pattern, which encloses a display area, is formed on the flexible substrate. A second bonding pattern is formed on a rigid substrate. The first and second bonding patterns are bonded together to provide a bonding pattern between the flexible substrate and the rigid substrate. At least one display device is formed on the display area of the flexible substrate. The bonding pattern is removed by a cutting process performed so as to separate the flexible substrate having the display device thereon from the rigid substrate.

Abstract: A tire includes: a tread band on which is defined a radially outer tread surface, a first plurality of blocks provided on the tread band, and at least a first sipe of the restrained type extending on at least one block of the first plurality in a substantially axial direction defined on the tread band. The first sipe is configured so as to define, between a first and a second block portion divided by the first sipe, at least two separate and distinct couplings of the male/female type, such as to prevent the mutual displacement of the block portions in any direction which, at the block, is substantially tangential to the tread surface, and such as to permit mutual displacement of the block portions in a direction incident to the tread surface. In addition, the first sipe does not intersect any other sipe of the restrained type within the block.

Abstract: A tire having aggressive tread features with improvements in uniformity that can also improve endurance is provided along with a method and apparatus for manufacturing such a tire. The tire and its manner of manufacture can achieve a reduction or elimination of certain non-uniformities that can occur during the molding of large tread blocks. The reduction or removal of these non-uniformities can improve temperature performance to provide increased tire endurance. The present invention further relates to a tire made using such a method and that may have layers of different material properties for different tire performances. In one embodiment, a layering technique that creates tread blocks or lugs in close proximity to each other and that can run continuously is provided.

Abstract: A tire having aggressive tread features with improvements in uniformity that can also improve endurance is provided along with a method and apparatus for manufacturing such a tire. The tire and its manner of manufacture can achieve a reduction or elimination of certain non-uniformities that can occur during the molding of large tread blocks. This can improve temperature performance to provide increased tire endurance. The present invention further relates to a tire made using such a method and that may have layers of different material properties for different tire performances. In one embodiment, a layering technique that uses at least one layer extending across the full axial width of the tread and having scalloped or notched lateral or axial edges is provided. In yet another embodiment, tread blocks are built upon the scalloped layer(s) to provide more material where it is needed most to create tread features.

Abstract: A tire manufacturing method including cure-molding a top rubber, which serves as the tread surface coming in contact with the road surface, cure-molding abase tire having abase rubber on its outer periphery to which the top rubber is bonded, and forming a tire by integrating the top rubber and the base tire together. The tire is characterized in that the loss tangent (tan ?) of the base rubber is smaller than the loss tangent (tan ?) of the top rubber, the 100% Mod of the base rubber is within a range of 60% to 85% of the 100% Mod of the top rubber, and the thickness of the base rubber is within a range of 10% to 30% of the total thickness of the tread on the tire.

Abstract: A method for controlling the winding of an elongated element onto a collection reel with the interposition of a service fabric, includes rotating the collection reel and simultaneously winding the elongated element and the service fabric onto the collection reel, wherein the simultaneous winding includes determining the actual winding diameter of the collection reel and preferably, the actual unwinding diameter of a storage reel of the service fabric. The rotation speed of the collection reel is adjusted according to the actual winding diameter and preferably, also to the variation in length of the portion of elongated clement about to be deposited onto the collection reel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a tire casing and a tire having improved low-heat-generation property and durability.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pneumatic rubber tire having a rubber tread of a cap/base construction. More specifically, the invention relates to a tire having a tread with minimized, or inhibited, base peaking.

Abstract: A method of cutting a length of tire tread for a retread tire includes measuring a circumference of the tire casing and cushion gum, and dispensing a length of tire tread from a roll based on the measured circumference. The length of tire tread relative to a tread cutter is adjusted so that the tire tread design at the point where the tread may be cut is between a set of marks formed in the periodically repeating tread design. The tread is then cut along a linear length of the tread disposed within the marks so that the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous across a seam defined when the section of tire tread is wrapped around the casing such that the first and second ends meet in abutting relationship.

Abstract: A method and system (1) for producing a tyre (2), whereby a lateral surface (10) of the casing (6) is buffed; an inner surface (19) of a tread strip (13) is buffed; a green-rubber cushion (12) and the tread strip (13) are wound about the lateral surface (10) of the casing (6) to assemble the tyre (2); and the tyre (2) is cured. Buffing of the lateral surface (10) of the casing (6) and/or the inner surface (19) of the tread strip (13) includes: directing a laser beam (B) onto the lateral surface (10) of the casing (6) and/or the inner surface (19) of the tread strip (13) to sublimate part of the existing rubber; and producing a relative movement between the laser beam (B) and the lateral surface (10) of the casing (6) and/or the inner surface (19) of the tread strip (13), so the laser beam (B) sweeps over the surface (10; 19).

Abstract: A machine and method for applying a tread to a carcass of a tire; the machine has a rotary drum supporting the carcass, a feed conveyor for feeding the tread to the rotary drum, a pressure roller contacting the tread, an actuating device for pushing the pressure roller against the tread with a force of adjustable intensity, and a control unit for regulating the intensity of the force as a function of an error variable calculated as the difference between the length of the remaining portion of the circumference of the carcass, and the length of the remaining portion of the tread; and the control unit regulates the intensity of the force by means of a proportional control block having a gain varying as a function of the value of the error variable and as a function of the rate of change of the error variable.

Abstract: A method of forming a tread comprising two or more layers of rubber is described. The method includes the steps of: extruding a rubber compound through an extruder and a gear pump and mixing with an accelerant and then applying a continuous strip of rubber directly onto a tire building machine to form a first layer of rubber having a first cure rate; adjusting the amount of accelerant to obtain a second cure rate different than said first cure rate, and then applying a strip of rubber having a second cure rate onto the tire building machine, wherein one of the cure rates is faster than the other cure rate.

Abstract: A process for producing an elastomeric compound, includes: feeding at least one elastomeric polymer and at least one reinforcing filler to a mixing apparatus including at least one batch mixing device; mixing and dispersing, in the at least one mixing apparatus, the at least one reinforcing filler into the at least one elastomeric polymer, so as to obtain a first elastomeric compound; discharging the first elastomeric compound from the at least one mixing apparatus; feeding the first elastomeric compound to at least one continuous mixing device, said continuous mixing device including at least two rotating screws; mixing the first elastomeric compound in the at least one continuous mixing device, so as to obtain a second elastomeric compound; and discharging said second elastomeric compound from said at least one continuous mixing device.

Abstract: A cushion gum for bonding a tire tread to a tire carcass, the cushion gum comprising an essentially unsaturated diene elastomer, between (0.5) and (25) phr of a metal salt of a carboxylic acid and a peroxide curing system. The essentially unsaturated diene elastomer may be, in some embodiments, a highly unsaturated diene elastomer such as, for example, natural rubber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cured tire tread composite and to the retreading of a tire. The cured tire tread composite is comprised of a cured tire tread having a removable protective film molded onto one of its surfaces. The invention further relates to the retreading of a tire carcass and a retreaded tire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire, said tire including a tread essentially consisting of a base compound, the tread furthermore including at least one insert of an insertion compound, said method comprising steps consisting in: preparing a tread (7) made of an uncured base compound (MB); injecting, into the uncured tread, a defined quantity of the uncured insertion compound (MI) in a position defined in relation to the uncured tread; and molding said tread.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a reinforcement from a thread laid down directly in its final location by projecting lengths of the thread onto a receiving surface (S).

Abstract: The present invention provides a studless tire excellent in performance on ice and snow in which digging friction is improved without losing adhesion friction. The studless tire has a tread comprising specific short fiber or plate-like material dispersed in diene rubber so as to be oriented in the tread thickness direction, wherein when measured at 25° C. the tread has a complex elastic modulus E1 in the tread thickness direction, and the sheet has a complex elastic modulus E? in the extrusion direction and a complex elastic modulus E? in a 90° direction from the extrusion direction, when the rubber composition is made into 2 mm sheets with a roller and these moduli fulfill the following equation, 60?(E1?E?)/(E??E?)×100?100 and the tread has a specific tread rubber hardness.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is a method of making a tire with a skin covering at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the tire. In practicing the method, a partially cured tire and a partially cured skin are provided. The partially cured tire and the partially cured skin are installed in a tire mold with the skin engaging and covering at least a part of the outer surface of the tire and with the skin facing an inner surface of the mold. Heat and pressure are applied to the tire to press the skin and the tire against the inner surface of the mold. The heat and pressure are maintained for a predetermined time period to vulcanize and bond together the tire and the skin.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a black colored tread with at least one colored groove wherein the top surface of the tread designed to be ground-contacting is essentially free of non-black color. A non-black component is placed over the tread strip and covered with a thermoformable film prior to forming the groove pattern. After vulcanization, the film is removed, and the tread lugs buffed free of color, if necessary, thereby forming a tire having color localized in the tread grooves.

Abstract: A method for bonding a material to a first substrate surface that includes providing a catalyst at the first substrate surface and then contacting that surface with a material that undergoes a metathesis reaction to bond the material to the first substrate surface. There are two embodiments of this method—a coating process and an adhesive process. In the coating embodiment, the metathesizable material is contacted with the catalyst on the substrate surface so that it undergoes metathesis polymerization to form the coating. The adhesive process includes (a) providing a catalyst at the first substrate surface, (b) providing a metathesizable material between the first substrate surface and the second substrate surface, and (c) contacting the catalyst on the first substrate surface with the metathesizable material so that the metathesizable material undergoes a metathesis reaction and bonds the first substrate surface to the second substrate surface.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of simple construction for manufacturing a pneumatic tire are provided. Belt wave and unevenness of belt gauge are restrained at a minimum, joining of joint parts is ensured, installation space can be smallest within the limit of necessity and equipment cost is low. In a method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire by charging a green tire having tire components assembled in a mold for vulcanization-molding and forming lug grooves on a tire tread surface, carved grooves are previously formed at positions on a surface of the green tire corresponding to the lug grooves extending in substantially the same direction as the lug grooves.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and apparatus for the coextrusion of rubber mixtures, comprising a main extruder (1) with an extrusion head (10) having at least two flow channels (14, 15), each for a rubber mixture (A, B), the channels opening into an extrusion orifice (18) through which the two rubber mixtures (A, B) are propelled. The extrusion orifice (18) is delimited by a first wall (111) and a second wall (161). The apparatus also comprises at least one micro-extruder (2) for a third rubber mixture (C), whose extrusion head (22) is provided at its end with a nozzle (23) passing through the two flow channels (14, 15) such that the third rubber mixture (C) is inserted into each rubber mixture (A, B) upstream from the extrusion orifice (18).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detaching a supporting fabric (51) from a substantially long piece of elastomeric material (50) to which it is attached, prior to transferring said piece to a tyre manufacturing drum. Said method includes the steps of automatically detaching the supporting fabric from the elastomeric piece and, at the same time, moving said elastomeric piece towards a feed device (30) located upstream from said manufacturing drum in order to effect said transfer. The present invention also relates to a device (10) for performing said detachment automatically.

Abstract: A method and equipment for mixing hard granules into tire tread bodies and into sundry rubber strips and tread stock. Rubber stock is extruded into tread bands of a suitable shape which are rolled under control, in a suitable thickness and number of layers, in a circular process over a pre-treated tire, or other object. The tire is subsequently patterned and vulcanized. The hard granules are distributed according to a predetermined configuration onto at least part of the surface of the extruded rubber tread band before the next layer is rolled in a circular process onto the pre-treated tire, using dedicated equipment so that the granules will be mixed into the patterned wearing surface of the tire after profiling and vulcanization.

Abstract: A crack suppressing rubber, which has elongation-at-break which is superior to elongation-at-break of a cap rubber, is disposed so as to reinforce a vicinity of a groove bottom of a circumferential direction narrow groove provided in the vicinity of a shoulder of a tire tread. Due to this, generation of cracks from the vicinity of the groove bottom, at a time when land portions at an outer side of the circumferential direction narrow groove are greatly deformed due to a large lateral force or due to recesses and projections of a road surface or the like, and growth of generated cracks are suppressed. As a result, breaking of land portions at outermost sides in a widthwise direction of a tire, and separation of the tread can be effectively suppressed.

Abstract: A method of making a finite element model of a tire is disclosed. The tire is provided in a tread portion with a fine groove having a dead end including at least the bottom. The tread portion is divided into elements so that the elements include first elements on one side of the fine groove and second elements on the other side of the fine groove, and the first elements and second elements have nodes in common at the dead end, but the first elements and second elements do not have nodes in common at other positions than the dead end.

Abstract: A body ply (12) comprising an elastomeric sheet (30) and a plurality of rows of reinforcement cords (32) embedded therein. The plurality of rows can comprise two parallel rows (32a, 32b) of reinforcement cords and the reinforcement cords in one row can be transversely staggered relative to the reinforcement cords in an adjacent row. To make the body ply (12), the reinforcement cords (32) are introduced into a die assembly (44) and rubber is extruded around and between the reinforcement cords. Existing equipment, namely an extrusion apparatus (40) conventionally used to manufacture steel belts or single layer body ply material, can be used to make the body ply material by providing an appropriate replacement insert (56) for its die assembly.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a tread portion which comprises a surface rubber layer which is disposed in an outer portion of the tread portion in the radial direction of said tire and has a specific resistance of 108 &OHgr;·cm or more after curing by vulcanization and conductive rubber members which comprise a rubber composition having a specific resistance of 106 &OHgr;·cm or less and replace a portion of the surface rubber layer, wherein the conductive rubber members are disposed in portions of the surface rubber layer extending from the outer surface to the inner surface in the radial direction of said tire discontinuously in the circumferential direction of said tire at the outer surface of the surface rubber layer in the radial direction of said tire, is provided. The pneumatic tire shows not only an excellent effect of static discharge but also excellent durability.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions and a pair of bead portions is manufactured by conducting the venting in a portion of a green tire placed in a vulcanization mold prior to vulcanization and corresponding to the sidewall portion in at least one place in a radial direction of the tire during the vulcanization.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of manufacture of tires and a tire assembly drum having a body with a receiving surface for the products to be assembled, the body being mounted on a center shaft, and at least one lifting device situated at one of the ends of the receiving surface, the lifting device including a plurality of lifting fingers distributed circularly around the center shaft, the fingers extending appreciably radially and presenting a bearing surface for the products to be assembled, the fingers being controlled to be deployed essentially radially toward the outside of the drum.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is highly precisely and efficiently manufactured by a method wherein, during formation of a green tire, at least one constitutive member, such as a sidewall (17), is formed by radially outwardly expanding a widthwise center portion of a substantially cylindrical carcass band (13), and subsequently winding an unvulcanized rubber strip and joining the rubber strip onto an outer peripheral surface of the expanded carcass band (13).

Abstract: A process for demounting a tire P, and a tread-bearing support S internal thereto, from an integral mounting rim J, which comprises first and second rim seats, the two rim seats being inclined towards the outside and extended axially to the outside by projections of low height. The process includes the steps of inserting, into a lubricated gap between the toe of the first bead Bo and the corresponding rim seat, a demounting insert I in the form of a portion of a circular ring of triangular meridian section of small dimensions, and then ejecting the first bead Bo from the rim J before or simultaneously with the ejection of the tire/support assembly.

Abstract: A method of highly efficiently producing pneumatic tires, wherein both bead portions (B) of a green tire (G) are supported by a pair of holders (24, 50) and opposite axial ends of a bladder (25) are tightly attached to the holders (24, 50), respectively. The holders (24, 50) are joined to each other and a fluid is supplied into the bladder (25), to preliminarily inflate the bladder (25) within the green tire (G). The green tire (G) is transferred into a vulcanizer, together with the holders (24, 50) and the preliminarily inflated bladder (25). A heat medium is supplied into the bladder (25), to vulcanize the green tire (G) and form a vulcanized tire (K). The preliminary inflation of the bladder (25) at a location outside of the vulcanizer eliminates or shortens the waiting time within the vulcanizer, thereby improving the overall work efficiency and productivity at a tire factory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric product (plastic or elastomeric) having domains of injected ingredients therein. A tire having precisely placed and oriented injected ingredients is described. The nature of the injected components, and their density, as well as their placement and orientation, are determined based on tire property enhancements desired. Fibers may be injected into the tread shoulder area of an uncured tire to provide abrasion resistance and traction in the cured tire. High tack rubbers or adhesives may be injected into the central tread region of a cured tire to enhance traction and grip.

Abstract: A retreaded tire comprised of a tread and carcass with an intervening rubber layer, conventionally referred to as a cushion, wherein the tread has an oil rich rubber-based adhesive on its inner surface at the interface between said tread and cushion. Said oil rich rubber based adhesive is free, or substantially free, of volatile organic compounds, particularly volatile organic solvents. Alternately, the oil-rich rubber-based adhesive may contain oil and volatile organic solvent wherein oil is the major component insofar as the oil and solvent is concerned.

Abstract: A method for determining preselected characteristics of a tread of a tire comprises dividing the tread into a grid of cells forming piles of full, empty and partially full cells and grouped into strips of preselected dimensions; associating with each strip of piles of cells a stiffness value K which is linearly bound to the number n of consecutive piles of full cells by means of an angular coefficient m, which, in turn, is linearly bound to the total number i of empty cells contained in two piles of partially full or empty cells delimiting the consecutive piles of full cells; determining at least one single force F for each strip by means of the stiffness value K, a preselected deformation state and the total transversal and longitudinal forces Ft, associated with all contact areas to evaluate whether they assume values which optimize at least one preselected performance characteristic of the tread (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a tread portion which comprises a surface rubber layer which is disposed in an outer portion of the tread portion in the radial direction of said tire and has a specific resistance of 108 &OHgr;·cm or more after curing by vulcanization and conductive rubber members which comprise a rubber composition having a specific resistance of 106 &OHgr;·cm or less and replace a portion of the surface rubber layer, wherein the conductive rubber members are disposed in portions of the surface rubber layer extending from the outer surface to the inner surface in the radial direction of said tire discontinuously in the circumferential direction of said tire at the outer surface of the surface rubber layer in the radial direction of said tire, is provided. The pneumatic tire shows not only an excellent effect of static discharge but also excellent durability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing an unfinished rubber piece for a vehicle tire that includes providing a plurality of tire components composed of unvulcanized rubber mixtures, and treating a surface of at least one of the plurality of tire components with a plasma and/or a flame to increase the adhesiveness of the surface. The unvulcanized rubber mixtures may include partially embedded reinforcing members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber tire, and its preparation, composed of carbon black reinforced rubber carcass with an outer, circumferential rubber tread construction of a rubber composition having a relatively high electrical resistivity. The tire tread construction has an electrically conductive filamentary thread stitched through the tread construction and extending between the inner surface of the tread to its outer surface. An electrically conductive path is thereby created through the tire tread.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber tire composed of carbon black reinforced rubber carcass with an outer, circumferential rubber tread construction of a rubber composition having a relatively high electrical resistivity. The tire tread construction has electrically conductive filament stapled through the tread construction and extending between the inner surface of the tread to its outer surface. An electrically conductive path is thereby created through the tread.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a silica-rich compound tread provided with an antistatic conductive rubber layer has improved safty based on durability and extrusion productivity. In this tire, the silica-rich compound rubber layer is divided at at least one portion in a width directional of the tire by a conductive rubber layer extended in a circumferential direction substantially over the whole thickness of said rubber layer. In this case, a thickness direction distance a in a width directional section of said rubber layer and an edge face length b of a divisional rubber layer consisting of said conductive rubber layer in a width directional section satisfy a relation formulated by the following expression, a<b.

Abstract: An antistatic tire and relative production method, whereby a portion of a tread made of an electrically insulating mix is hollowed out and filled with a cement (C) in the form of a carbon black mix in a volatile liquid; the carbon black mix being left inside the hollow portion when the volatile liquid evaporates, and defining inside the tread at least one conducting body communicating with a rolling surface of the tire.