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

#The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for utilizing preprinted labels and adhesive appliqués that may be affixed to labels. More particularly the present disclosure is directed to a method for manufacturing a tire with affixed preprinted labels and optional adhesive appliqué, the tire itself, and a method for affixing an adhesive appliqué to a tire.

#Adhesive appliqués known in the art suffer from degradation when affixed to a sidewall of a tire at a non-ideal location. When an adhesive appliqué is applied to a location on a sidewall of a tire that undergoes a high strain, the cyclical loading and unloading of the sidewall may cause the adhesive appliqué to fail and fall off of the sidewall. Other fixed sidewall tire labels known in the art are incapable of customization after the manufacturing process, and are not designed to receive an adhesive appliqué to allow customization by an end-user.

#In one embodiment, a method for providing a tire configured to receive a pre-printed adhesive appliqué includes identifying a threshold strain of an adhesive appliqué and identifying a mounting location on a tire sidewall that undergoes a strain less than or equal to the threshold strain under pre-defined conditions. The method also includes providing a label configured to be mounted on a sidewall of the tire at the mounting location. The method further includes curing the tire while the label is adjacent to the mounting location on the sidewall of the tire.

#In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shown as a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.

#FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a tire having labels affixed at exemplary mounting locations;

#FIG. 2A is a front view of an exemplary label that can be used with the tire of FIG. 1;

#The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and plural forms of terms may be within the definitions.

#“Axial” and “axially” refer to a direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation of a tire.

#“Equatorial plane” refers to the plane that is perpendicular to the tire's axis of rotation and passes through the center of the tire's tread.