Patent ID: 7610873

Claim:
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therein, thereby leaving at least a portion of the electrically conductive material in the opening after the pin is withdrawn therefrom.