Patents for April 2025

Patent News as compiled the editors of RW for April 2025.

Method of Generating Virtual Tire Slip Sound in Vehicle
U.S. Patent: 12,051,290
Issued: July 30, 2024
Inventors: Ki Chang Kim, Jin Sung Lee, Dong Chul Park, Tae Kun Yun, Jin Hong
Assigned to: Hyundai and Kia
Summary: This patent describes a method for generating a virtual tire slip sound during vehicle driving. It involves collecting vehicle driving information, determining the characteristics of the virtual tire slip sound, generating and outputting a tire slip signal, and operating the vehicle’s sound equipment to produce the sound.

Composition, Crosslinked Rubber Molded Article, and Fluorine Containing Polymer
U.S. Patent: 12,060,445
Issued: August 13, 2024
Inventors: Takahiro Furutani, Rina Tamai, Eisaku Sumino, Yusuke Kamiya, Junpei Terada, Masaki Irie
Assigned to: Daikin Industries
Summary: This patent covers a composition that includes a fluorine-containing polymer and a crosslinking agent. The polymer contains a vinylidene fluoride unit and a fluorine-containing monomer, which provides crosslinking sites. The patent also describes a crosslinked rubber molded article made from this composition.

Flexible Metallic Web Elements for Non-Pneumatic Tire
U.S. Patent: 12,043,070
Issued: July 23, 2024
Inventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Anthony B. Duncan
Assigned to: Bridgestone Americas Tire
Summary: This patent describes a non-pneumatic tire that includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and bent metal spokes with overmolded feet attached to the rings.

Rubber Composition and Tire
U.S. Patent: 12,060,490
Issued: August 13, 2024
Inventor: Kensuke Washizu
Assigned to: Sumitomo Rubber Industries
Summary: This patent focuses on rubber compositions and tires that offer improved wet and dry grip performance and fuel economy. The rubber composition has a hardness that changes with water and meets specific hardness and loss tangent criteria.

Elastomer Impregnated Fiber Cooler Belt
U.S. Patent: 12,059,892
Issued: August 13, 2024
Inventors: Varun Sambhy, John Patrick Baker, Santokh Singh Badesha, David Scott Derleth, Piotr Sokolowski
Assigned to: Xerox
Summary: This patent describes a substrate cooling unit for duplex aqueous inkjet image forming devices. It includes cooling rolls and transport belts made of fiber mesh impregnated with polydimethylsiloxane.

Tire Comprising a Rubber Composition Having a Pro-Oxidant and a Rubber Crumb
U.S. Patent: 12,060,487
Issued: August 13, 2024
Inventors: Nathalie Coste, Severin Dronet, Guillaume Hennebert
Assigned to: Michelin
Summary: This patent describes a tire made from a rubber composition that includes a rubber crumb, a diene elastomer, a pro-oxidant, a reinforcing filler, and a crosslinking system.

Rubber Composition, Processing Method Thereof, Rubber Hose Using the Same
U.S. Patent: 12,060,476
Issued: August 13, 2024
Inventors: Tao Xu, Zhi Sheng Fu, An Yang Wu
Assigned to: Hangzhou Xinglu Technology, Shaoxing Pinghe New Material Technology
Summary: This patent covers a rubber composition and its processing method, as well as a rubber hose made from this composition. The composition includes a rubber matrix, crosslinking agents, reinforcing fillers, plasticizers, and other additives.

Tire Provided with an Inner Layer Made from at Least an Isoprene Elastomer, a Reinforcing Resin, and a Metal Salt
U.S. Patent: 12,060,489
Issued: August 13, 2024
Inventors: Auriane Frisch, Joel Barbouteau
Assigned to: Michelin
Summary: This patent describes a tire with an internal layer made from a rubber composition that includes an isoprene elastomer, a reinforcing filler, a reinforcing resin, and a metal salt.

Rubber Composition for a Tire Tread
U.S. Patent: 12,064,996
Issued: August 20, 2024
Inventors: Christine Nourry, Floriandre Volisin
Assigned to: Michelin
Summary: This patent focuses on a tire tread made from a rubber composition that includes an elastomeric matrix with specific proportions of copolymers and polybutadiene, reinforcing fillers, plasticizing resins, and a vulcanization system.