Patent ID: 9630457
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: B29D,B32B,B60C,C08L,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method of balancing a tire which comprises the steps of: providing a cured tire having a release coating-free circumferential inner surface; determining at least one location on the circumference of the release coating-free circumferential inner surface of the cured tire for placement of at least one rubber balance pad to balance the tire; and, adhesively positioning and securing at least one rubber balance pad at the specific location on the circumference of the release coating-free circumferential inner surface of the cured tire; wherein the release coating-free circumferential tire inner surface is prepared by: providing an uncured tire having an inner surface; placing an annular strip of a blend film on a circumferential surface of the inner surface, wherein one end of the strip overlays the other end of the strip to form an interface and is attached to the other end of the strip with a pressure sensitive adhesive at the interface for easy removal of the strip from the inner surface, wherein the blend film: has a thickness in the range of about 50 to about 510 microns (μm); has a measured weight in the range of about 2.8 g/84 square inch to about 21.5 g/84 square inch; is formable at a temperature which is within the range of about 121° C. to about 200° C. without tearing; is comprised of approximately between 30% by weight and approximately 70% by weight rubber and approximately between 30% by weight and approximately 70% by weight nylon; and is non-elastomeric in a sense of not returning to its original length when stretched more than about 50 percent of its original length at about 23° C.; applying a release agent coating to the annular, circumferential film strip and the inner surface of the uncured tire; shaping and curing the uncured tire with the release coating on the annular circumferential film strip and inner surface in a suitable mold at an elevated temperature; removing the cured tire from the mold and allowing the cured tire to cool; and, removing the annular circumferential film strip with its release coating to provide a circumferential release coating free tire inner surface of the cured tire.