Tire with tire tag

Abstract

A pneumatic tire includes a tire body having a crown portion and a pair of sidewalls. At least one reinforcing belt is disposed in the crown portion of the tire. A tag is carried by the reinforcing belt. In one embodiment, the tag is disposed in the location of one of the reinforcing cords that is disposed in the reinforcing belt. In another embodiment, the tag is disposed at the splice of the reinforcing belt. An alternative version of the tire has the tag carried in a depression formed in the outer surface of the tire sidewall. The tag may be encapsulated with an encapsulation material that is also disposed in the depression.

1 . A tire comprising: 
 a tire body having a crown portion and a pair of sidewalls;    at least one reinforcing belt disposed in the crown portion of the tire body; and    a tag carried by the reinforcing belt.    
     
     
         2 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing belt includes a plurality of reinforcing cords; the tag disposed adjacent the reinforcing cords.  
     
     
         3 . The tire of  claim 2 , wherein the tag is disposed intermediate a pair of the reinforcing cords.  
     
     
         4 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing belt includes a splice; the tag disposed at the splice.  
     
     
         5 . The tire of  claim 4 , wherein the splice is parallel to the reinforcing cords.  
     
     
         6 . The tire of  claim 4 , wherein the splice includes a layer of adhesive; the tag being carried by the adhesive.  
     
     
         7 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the tire includes at least two reinforcing belts; one of the belts being disposed radially outwardly of the other belt; the tag being carried by the outermost belt.  
     
     
         8 . The tire of  claim 1 , wherein the belt includes a plurality of spaced cords; the tag replacing the position of one of the cords.  
     
     
         9 . A tire adapted to be mounted to a tire rim; the tire comprising: 
 a tire body having a crown portion and a pair of sidewalls;    each of the sidewalls having a bead portion that is seated in the tire rim when the tire is mounted to the tire rim;    each of the sidewalls having an inner surface and an outer surface; the inner surfaces adapted to face the pressurizable chamber of the tire;    one of the sidewalls defining a cavity that has an opening at the outer surface of the sidewall; and    a tag disposed in the cavity.    
     
     
         10 . The tire of  claim 9 , wherein the tag is encapsulated with an encapsulation material; the encapsulation material disposed in the cavity.  
     
     
         11 . The tire of  claim 10 , wherein the encapsulation material entirely surrounds the tag within the cavity.  
     
     
         12 . The tire of  claim 11 , wherein the encapsulation material is rigid.  
     
     
         13 . The tire of  claim 12 , wherein the encapsulation material is a rigid epoxy.  
     
     
         14 . The tire of  claim 11 , wherein the encapsulation material is flexible.  
     
     
         15 . The tire of  claim 9 , wherein the cavity is disposed radially outward of the bead portion of the sidewall.  
     
     
         16 . The tire of  claim 15 , wherein the cavity is disposed immediately above the bead portion such that the cavity is not obstructed by the tire rim when the tire is mounted to the tire rim.  
     
     
         18 . The tire of  claim 9 , wherein no portion of the tag protrudes from the cavity.