Patent ID: 7083695
Filing Date: 2006-08-01
Classification: B29D,B29L,B60C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of making a pneumatic tire comprising a black colored tread strip having a top surface designed to be ground-contacting and a pattern of non-black recessed grooves therein, wherein at least a substantial portion of at least one recessed groove is non-black, the method comprising: building an uncured tire assembly having a black colored, uncured tread strip; placing a non-black component over at least a portion of an outer surface of the uncured tread strip; placing the uncured tire assembly in a mold and forming a pattern of recessed grooves in the outer surface of the uncured tread strip whereby the non-black component conforms to the pattern; curing the tire assembly; and removing any non-black component from the top surface designed to be ground-contacting, wherein the non-black component consists of an ink, the method further comprising first positioning the ink on a thermoformable film to form a color transfer film prior to placing the non-black component over the uncured tread strip, and after curing, removing the film thereby leaving the non-black component on the outer surface.