Appeal No. 1998-2985 6
Application No. 08/725,212
When shaping, the color patch does not conform to the deformation of the
tire and the color patch slips off or separates and the good product can not be
obtained. [Column 2, lines 50-61.]
Hayakawa solves the conflicting problems through the utilization of a specific
process wherein the color patch is previously partially vulcanized to a vulcanization
degree of 50 - 80% in order to readily fit the mold. See column 3, lines 4-5 and claim
1. The partially vulcanized patch is thereafter adhered to the side wall of the green case,
i.e., an unvulcanized rubber. See column 3, lines 36-41. Furthermore, the state of
vulcanization is critical. The patch must have the requisite degree of prevulcanization
prior to attachment to the sidewall. See column 3, line 46 to column 4, line 3.
In contrast and contrary to the specific teachings of Hayakawa, Kraft discloses a
process for preparing a tire with a side wall having a plurality of scuff ribs and grooves
over the surface of a tire. See column 1, lines 20-29. The tire is manufactured by
curing a sheet of pigmented rubber against the ribs and grooves and then buffing the
rubber off of the ribs to leave it in the grooves. See column 1, lines 35-37. However,
contrary to the specific teachings of Hayakawa, the pigmented rubber sheet is
unvulcanized. See column 2, lines 69-70 wherein Kraft discloses that, “[t]he sheet is
cured against the tire sidewall portion 5 and the tire is then removed from the matrix.”
As to the status of the tire itself, Kraft requires that the tire, “is cured or vulcanized to at
least the resilient, elastic state.” See column 2, lines 53-54 and claim 1.
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Last modified: November 3, 2007