Integrated process to generate near-zero thickness sipes in a tire
US9221224B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 29, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/12
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention comprises tire treads having sipes or other voids formed of non-curable inserts, as well as methods for forming sipes or other voids within a tread using non-curable inserts and apparatus for performing the same. Such methods include providing an uncured tread having a width and a thickness bounded by an outer side and a bottom side. Such methods further include providing a strip of non-curable material, the strip having a width and a length. Furthermore, such methods include inserting the strip of non-curable into the tread thickness from the tread outer side and to a predetermined depth within the tread thickness to form a void-forming insert within the tread thickness. Finally, these methods include curing the tread with the non-curable strip arranged within the tread thickness. The inserts may be folded, which may occur as the strips are inserted into the tread or prior to such insertion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.