Patent ID: 6964719

Claim:
A process of manufacturing a pneumatic tire having a pair of opposed annularly-shaped beads for mounting on a wheel rim having a pair of opposed flange shoulders wherein the opposed beads are spaced apart from one another by a distance “i”, and wherein the process comprises the steps of: forming a green tire assembly including a tread and a carcass with a ply and opposed sidewalls that each include a radial inner-end bead portion with one of the beads, wherein the bead portions of the green tire assembly are spaced apart from one another by a distance “f”, wherein the ply extends between and loops about each of the beads; and curing the green tire assembly by applying pressure thereto at an elevated temperature in a vulcanization mold; spacing the opposed beads in the vulcanization mold apart from one another by a distance “g” which is substantially equal to the distance “f”; and removing the hot cured tire from the vulcanization mold and mounting the hot cured tire on a post cure inflation (PCI) stand with the opposed beads being spaced apart from one another by a distance “h” which is substantially equal to the distance “i”; inflating the hot tire while mounted on the PCI stand; characterized by: disposing a thermoplastic cover around each of the beads, a portion of which is rotatable relative to the bead when the beads are moved closer to one another when the tire is mounted on the PCI stand; wherein the thermoplastic cover comprises an inner layer, and intermediate layer, and an outer layer, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a first material, wherein said inner and outer layers comprise a material having a lower softening temperature as compared to that of the material of the intermediate layer, and wherein the multiple layers of material allow for rotation of material surrounding the bead without twisting the bead when the beads are moved towards one another when the tire is mounted onto the PCI stand, as well as permitting a portion of the ply looped around the bead to rotate when then bead portions are moved towards one another when mounted on the PCI stand.