Pneumatic tire having a decorative applique and a method for applying a decorative applique to a tire

• US 5,300,164 A
• Filed: 02/07/1992
• Issued: 04/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
• Inventors: Bohm, George G. A., Koch, Russell W., Yang, James H. C., Oberster, Arthur E., DeTrano, Mario N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knable, Geoffrey L.
• Application Number:
  US07/832,455
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 156/116, 152/524, 152/523, 152/525, 152/DIG. 12
• US Class Current: 156/116
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/483 Reactive adhesives, e.g. chemically curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/5057 positioned between the surfaces to be joined B29C65/5035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/8223 Peel tests
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/3452 Making complete joints by combining partial joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5326 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7234 comprising a barrier layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73756 the to-be-joined areas of both parts to be joined being fully cured
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/728 Decorating or marking the sidewalls after tyre vulcanization
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 30/72 Side-walls
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2007/00 Use of natural rubber as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2019/00 Use of rubber not provided for in a single one of main groups B29K2007/00 - B29K2011/00, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/00 Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/16 EPM, i.e. ethylene-propylene copolymers; EPDM, i.e. ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers; EPT, i.e. ethylene-propylene terpolymers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2030/00 Pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof conveyor belts B29L2031/7092; drive belts B29L2031/7094; fourdrinier belts B29L2031/733
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 13/04 having annular inlays or covers, e.g. white sidewalls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 152/12 White sidewalls

Abstract

According to the present invention, a pneumatic tire includes a cured tread area, an outer sidewall area connected to the tread area, and an outer bead connected to the sidewall area at an end thereof and defining an opening for receiving a wheel. The tire also includes a pre-cured, elastomeric, decorative applique and an applique-contacting adhesive layer positioned between the sidewall and the applique. A method according to the present invention, of providing a cured pneumatic tire with a decorative outer sidewall, includes the step of bonding to the outer sidewall of the cured pneumatic tire a cured, elastomeric, decorative applique with an adhesive layer.

Claims

1. A pneumatic tire comprising:

a cured tread area and an outer bead, and an outer sidewall area extending therebetween, the bead defining an opening for receiving a wheel;

a pre-cured, elastomeric, decorative applique on said outer sidewall of the tire;

said applique comprising a visible layer and a rubber barrier layer; and

,

an adhesive layer positioned between said outer sidewall and said applique;

said adhesive layer comprising a first and a second adhesive section each comprising an adhesive composition;

each of said first and second adhesive sections each being in adhesive contact with the tire and said applique;

wherein said first adhesive section has a cure rate which is faster than said second adhesive section;

said applique being bonded to the tire with a peel strength of at least 25 pounds per linear inch.

2. A pneumatic tire, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tire further comprises a first and a second protective ridge maintained upon said outer sidewall proximate to said applique, and extending outwardly from said tire, forming a channel between said first and second ridges.

3. A pneumatic tire, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said applique is positioned within said channel.

4. A pneumatic tire, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer further comprising a third section which comprises the same adhesive composition as said first section.

5. A pneumatic tire, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and third sections comprise an adhesive composition comprising a component selected from the group consisting of urethane and epoxy;

and, said second section comprises cyanoacrylate.

6. A method of providing a cured pneumatic tire with a decorative outer sidewall, comprising the step of:

bonding to the outer sidewall of the cured pneumatic tire a pre-cured, elastomeric, decorative applique with an adhesive;

said adhesive comprising a first and a second adhesive section each comprising an adhesive composition;

each of said first and second adhesive sections each being in adhesive contact with the tire and said applique;

wherein said first adhesive section has a cure rate which is faster than said second adhesive section; and

wherein said applique is bonded to the tire with a peel strength of at least 25 pounds per linear inch;

said applique comprising a visible layer and a rubber barrier layer.

7. A method, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising the step of priming the surface of the tire to be provided with said applique with a primer.

8. A method, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising the step of buffing said applique before said step of bonding.

9. A method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said adhesive further comprises a third adhesive section comprising an adhesive composition which is substantially identical to said first adhesive composition and which is also in adhesive contact with the tire.