Method and apparatus for utilizing preprinted labels and appliques on a tire

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017361663-A1
Application number	US-201515541049-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 2, 2015
Priority date	Dec 30, 2014
Publication date	Dec 21, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A tire for displaying at least one indicium includes a label affixed to the tire at a mounting location. The label has a first side facing away from the tire and a second side connected to the tire. The label's first side is configured to receive at least one adhesive appliqué having at least one indicium. The mounting location is a location on a sidewall of the tire where the label undergoes a strain equal to or less than a threshold strain under pre-defined conditions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for providing a tire configured to receive a pre-printed adhesive appliqué, comprising:
identifying a threshold strain of an adhesive appliqué;
identifying a mounting location on a tire sidewall that undergoes a strain less than or equal to the threshold strain under pre-defined conditions;
providing a label configured to be mounted on a sidewall of the tire at the mounting location; and
curing the tire while the label is adjacent to the mounting location on the sidewall of the tire.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a tire mold with a securing device at a tire mold location corresponding to the mounting location of the tire.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising securing the label in the securing device before curing the tire.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the securing device includes an indentation in the tire mold.

5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the securing device includes a vacuum line that runs to an interior surface of the tire mold and holds the label in place during curing.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the label contains a radio frequency identification tag or a radio frequency identification chip.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold strain is 10%.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the label is rubber-backed, and is at least partially vulcanized with the tire during curing.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the label is substantially flush with the sidewall of the tire after curing.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing an adhesive appliqué configured to be mounted on the label.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-defined conditions include a condition in which the tire bears a pre-defined load and operates at pre-defined speeds.

12 . A method for affixing an adhesive label to a tire, comprising:
obtaining a tire that has a label located at a mounting location of the tire, wherein the mounting location of the tire is on a sidewall of the tire, and wherein the label undergoes a strain less than or equal to a threshold strain under pre-defined conditions; obtaining an adhesive appliqué; and affixing the adhesive appliqué to the label.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the adhesive appliqué is a gummed adhesive appliqué.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the adhesive appliqué is obtained from a tire manufacturer or a retailer associated with a tire manufacturer.

15 . A tire for displaying at least one indicium, comprising:
a label affixed to the tire at a mounting location,
wherein the label has a first side facing away from the tire and a second side connected to the tire,
wherein the label first side is configured to receive at least one adhesive appliqué having at least one indicium, and
wherein the mounting location is a location on a sidewall of the tire where the label undergoes a strain equal to or less than a threshold strain under pre-defined conditions.

16 . The tire of claim 15 , wherein the pre-defined conditions include a condition in which the tire is loaded and in operation.

17 . The tire of claim 15 , wherein the label first side includes at least one of a graphic, a phrase, and a logo.

18 . The tire of claim 15 , wherein the label second side is affixed to the tire before the tire is manufactured.

19 . The tire of claim 15 , wherein the label second side includes an adhesive surface and is affixed to the tire after the tire is manufactured.

20 . The tire of claim 15 , wherein the label is substantially flush with the sidewall of the tire.

Assignees

• Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Llc
• Bridgestone Americas Tire Opertations Llc

Inventors

• Stuckey Jon I

Classifications

• B60C13/02

  Arrangement of grooves or ribs · CPC title

• B29D2030/728

  Decorating or marking the sidewalls after tyre vulcanization · CPC title

• B60C13/001 Primary

  Decorating, marking or the like · CPC title

• B29D30/72

  Side-walls · CPC title