# US 7,610,873 B2 · Machine for making an anti-static tire tread > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,873 B2 - Document ID: US7610873B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/451,211 - Filed: 2006-06-12 - Published: 2006-10-19 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2001-09-04 - Assignees: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC - Inventors: William G. Campbell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610873B2 ## CPC - B29D 30/52: Unvulcanised treads, e.g. on used tyres; Retreading (apparatus for forming {treads by extrusion B29C48/00; apparatus for} vulcanising treads B29C35/02; apparatus characterised by the means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00) - B60C 19/08: Electric-charge-dissipating arrangements - B29D 2030/526: {the tread comprising means for discharging the electrostatic charge, e.g. conductive elements or portions having conductivity higher than the tread rubber} - B29K 2995/0005: Conductive - Y10S 152/02: Static discharge - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A method of providing an extruded tire tread (T) with anti-static properties. In this method, a pin (10) is coated with an electrically conductive material (M). The coated pin (10) pierces the tire tread (T) to form an opening (12) of the desired depth and then is withdrawn. During withdrawal of the pin (10), the material (M) remains in the pierced opening (12) so that a conductive body (14) is formed in the tire tread (T). The pin (10) can then be re-coated with the material (M) and the cycle repeated to produce a plurality of conductive bodies (14) in the tire tread (T). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A machine for introducing electrically conductive material into a tire tread traveling along a conveyor, the machine comprising: a frame; a wheel rotatably mounted to the frame and positioned adjacent to the conveyor; a plurality of pins mounted on the wheel and disposed radially outward therefrom; and a supply system positioned adjacent to the wheel and configured to coat the pins with the electrically conductive material, wherein the supply system includes a transfer reel rotatably mounted to the frame by a spindle that is coupled to a spindle for the wheel, such that turning of the wheel causes rotation of the transfer reel, wherein the transfer reel includes a slot which captures the electrically conductive material as it passes through the supply system and which receives the pins as the reel passes by the wheel, and wherein, upon rotation of the wheel, each pin coated with the electrically conductive material pierces the tire tread to form an opening therein, thereby leaving at least a portion of the electrically conductive material in the opening after the pin is withdrawn therefrom. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein movement of the tire tread on the conveyor causes the wheel to turn. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the pins are fixedly mounted to an adapter rim attached to the wheel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The machine of claim 3, wherein the pins include distal portions of posts that are friction fit into openings in the adapter rim. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The machine of claim 3, wherein the pins include distal portions of screws that are threaded into openings in the adapter rim. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The machine of claim 3, wherein the pins are arranged in a single row. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The machine of claim 3, wherein the pins are arranged in a plurality of axially spaced rows. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The machine of claim 7, wherein the pins in each row are transversely aligned. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The machine of claim 7, wherein the pins in each row are transversely staggered. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a lift for raising and lowering the wheel assembly relative to the conveyor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The machine of claim 10, wherein the lift includes a lift bar, a cylinder coupled to the lift bar, and guide rods attached to the lift bar and a top portion of the frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The machine of claim 11, wherein the wheel is rotatably mounted to the lift bar via the spindle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the supply system includes a tank that contains the electrically conductive material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the wheel is positioned above the tire tread. ### Claim 15 A machine for introducing electrically conductive material into a tire tread traveling on a conveyor along a travel path, the machine comprising: a frame having a lift mechanism; a wheel rotatably mounted to the lift mechanism such that the wheel is configured to be raised and lowered relative to the conveyor; a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins mounted on the wheel and disposed radially outward therefrom; and a supply system positioned adjacent to the wheel and configured to coat the pins with the electrically conductive material, wherein the supply system includes a transfer reel rotatably mounted to the frame by a spindle that is coupled to a spindle for the wheel, such that turning of the wheel causes rotation of the transfer reel, wherein the transfer reel includes a slot which captures the electrically conductive material as it passes through the supply system and which receives the pins as the reel passes by the wheel, wherein movement of the tire tread along the travel path causes the wheel to rotate, and wherein, upon rotation of the wheel, the pins coated with the electrically conductive material pierce the tire tread at regular intervals to form openings therein, thereby leaving at least a portion of the electrically conductive material in the openings after the pins are withdrawn therefrom. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The machine of claim 15, wherein the supply system includes a tank that contains the electrically conductive material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The machine of claim 15, wherein one or more of the pins include a textured portion to facilitate the coating process. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The machine of claim 17, wherein the textured portion includes a diamond knurl. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The machine of claim 15, wherein the wheel is positioned above the tire tread.