# US 2013/0240102 A1 · Tire and Mold Comprising a Fluidic Passage

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- Number: US 2013/0240102 A1
- Document ID: US20130240102A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/823,625
- Filed: 2011-09-14
- Published: 2013-09-19
- Earliest claimed: 2010-09-14
- Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin; Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
- Inventors: Jose Merino Lopez; Didier Vasseur; Olivia Cuscito; Sylvain Petitjean
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130240102A1

## CPC

- B60C 11/0327: {characterised by special properties of the tread pattern}
- B29C 33/42: characterised by the shape of the moulding surface, e.g. ribs or grooves
- B29D 30/0061: {Accessories, details or auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for}
- B29D 30/0606: {Vulcanising moulds not integral with vulcanising presses (for solid tyres B29D30/02)}
- B60C 11/00: Tyre tread bands; Tread patterns; Anti-skid inserts
- B60C 11/005: {with cap and base layers}
- B29D 2030/061: {Means for forming passages under the tread surface, e.g. undercuts, holes, channels, grooves}
- B60C 11/1263: {different within the same sipe}
- B60C 11/1353: {with special features of the groove bottom}
- B60C 2011/0355: {characterised by depth}
- B60C 2011/147: {Foamed rubber or sponge rubber on the tread band}
- B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)

## Abstract

The tire (10B) comprises a tread (12) including a running layer (14) which is intended to come into contact with the ground when the tire (10B) rolls on the ground, and a sublayer (16) located radially inwards from the running layer (14). The tread (12) comprises at least one fluid passage (22) between the sublayer (16) and the air surrounding the tire (10B). The sublayer (16) comprises a cellular material. The fluid passage (22) comprises an element chosen from a groove (20) and a cut (26), formed in the running layer (14) and extended by at least one well (28) acting as a radial extension of the element, formed between the groove (20) and/or the cut (26) and the sublayer (16). Each well (28) forms a localized part of the fluid passage (22).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tire comprising a tread including a running layer, intended to come into contact with the ground when the tire rolls on the ground, and a sublayer, comprising a cellular material, located radially inwards from the running surface, the tread comprising at least one fluid passage between the sublayer and the air surrounding the tire the fluid passage comprising at least one element chosen from a groove and a cut, formed in the running layer and extended by at least one well acting as a radial extension of the element, formed between the groove and/or the cut and the sublayer, each well forming a localized part of the fluid passage.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein in which the fluid passage is formed in the running layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The tire according to claim 2, wherein the passage extends radially between an outer surface of the tread and the sublayer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tire according to claim 3, wherein the void fraction in the cellular material is in the range from 10% to 60% by volume, the void fraction T being defined by T=Vg/Vm, where Vg is the total volume of cells in the cellular material, and Vm is the total volume of the body of cellular material (including the cells).

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A curing mould for a tire, that is adapted to cure a tire according to claim 4, and comprises an element for moulding the fluid passage, including an element for moulding the groove and/or the cut in the running layer, extended radially by at least one element for moulding the well.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein the passage extends radially between an outer surface of the tread and the sublayer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The tire according to claim 1, wherein the void fraction in the cellular material is in the range from 10% to 60% by volume, the void fraction T being defined by T=Vg/Vm, where Vg is the total volume of cells in the cellular material, and Vm is the total volume of the body of cellular material (including the cells).

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The tire according to claim 7, wherein the void fraction in the cellular material is in the range from 25% to 50%.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The tire according to claim 2, wherein the void fraction in the cellular material is in the range from 10% to 60% by volume, the void fraction T being defined by T=Vg/Vm, where Vg is the total volume of cells in the cellular material, and Vm is the total volume of the body of cellular material (including the cells).

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A curing mould for a tire, that is adapted to cure a tire according to claim 1 and comprises an element for moulding the fluid passage, including an element for moulding the groove and/or the cut in the running layer, extended radially by at least one element for moulding the well.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

A curing mould for a tire, that is adapted to cure a tire according to claim 2 and comprises an element for moulding the fluid passage, including an element for moulding the groove and/or the cut in the running layer, extended radially by at least one element for moulding the well.

### Claim 12 (depends on 3)

A curing mould for a tire, that is adapted to cure a tire according to claim 3 and comprises an element for moulding the fluid passage, including an element for moulding the groove and/or the cut in the running layer, extended radially by at least one element for moulding the well.