A tire (10, 10′) for rotation about an axis of rotation (12) has a first wall portion (14) having a partially conical form, and a second wall portion (16) integrally formed and interconnected with the first wall portion at a transition region (18) so as to define an annular recess. A closure-limiting configuration includes a number of tubular reinforcing elements (20) arrayed around the annular recess. Each tubular reinforcing element has a wall with a closed cross-section. The tubular reinforcing elements (20) are spaced around the annular recess such that deformation of a compressed region of the tire under a load causes a change in shape of the tubular reinforcing elements in the compressed region.

A run-flat tire is provided with: a carcass layer mounted between a pair of bead portions; and a run-flat reinforcing layer having a crescent-shaped cross-section, provided on a side wall portion on an inner side of the carcass layer in a tire width direction, a band-like sound absorbing member that extends in a tire circumferential direction adhering to a region of a tire inner surface corresponding to a tread portion, wherein the band-like sound absorbing member is locally arranged in at least one shoulder region within the region corresponding to the tread portion.

A run-flat tire is provided with: a carcass layer mounted between a pair of bead portions; and a run-flat reinforcing layer having a crescent-shaped cross-section, provided on a side wall portion on an inner side of the carcass layer in a tire width direction, a band-like sound absorbing member that extends in a tire circumferential direction adhering to a region of a tire inner surface corresponding to a tread portion, wherein the band-like sound absorbing member is locally arranged in at least one shoulder region within the region corresponding to the tread portion.

Provided is a solvent borne tire ballast composition which includes in a solvent, a low molecular weight lignin in an amount of at least 5 weight % (or optionally, 10 or 15 or 20 weight %) to 30 or 40 or 50 weight % of the solids, and hemicellulose in an amount of at least 0.1 weight % (or optionally, 0.2 or 0.5 or 1.0 or 2.0 or 5.0 weight %) to 20 weight % (or 10 or 15 or 18 or 25 or 30 weight %) of the solids.

Methods are described that perform a dispatched consumer-to-store return or swap logistics operation for an item being replaced using a modular autonomous bot apparatus assembly and a dispatch server. The method begins with receiving a return operation dispatch command that includes identifier information, transport parameters, and designated pickup information for the item being replaced/returned, along with authentication information related to an authorized supplier of the item being replaced. Modular components of the bot apparatus are verified to be compatible with the dispatched logistics operation. The MAM then autonomously causes the bot apparatus to move to the designated pickup location, notifies the authorized supplier of an approaching pickup, receives supplier authorization input to permissively allow access to a payload area within the bot apparatus, monitors loading as the item being replaced is received along with return documentation, and then autonomously causes movement of the bot apparatus back to the origin location.

A tire for a vehicle includes a tire body having a circumferentially extending tread portion with an outer surface and an inner surface. First and second sidewalls are joined to the tread portion, and the first and second sidewalls terminate in first and second edges, respectively, and are configured to be secured within a flange of a rim of a wheel. In addition, the tire includes a tire insert comprising a circumferential hoop of resilient material and positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the tread portion. The tire insert may have an arcuate cross section and a width that extends across from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The resilient material of the tire insert may comprise spring steel of a steel alloy and be in a state of compression.

A universal temporary wheel is provided that has a universal aperture pattern that is adapted to mate with different configurations of lug bolt patterns to enable the wheel to be used with various wheel hub configurations having various lug bolt patterns. The universal temporary wheel can be installed while a damaged wheel is being repaired to allow an automobile or other vehicle to be moved. Because the universal temporary wheel has a universal aperture pattern, the wheel can be used with a variety of wheel hub configurations and lug bolt patterns, thereby eliminating the need to stock a variety of temporary wheels having various aperture patterns.

A universal temporary wheel is provided that has a universal aperture pattern that is adapted to mate with different configurations of lug bolt patterns to enable the wheel to be used with various wheel hub configurations having various lug bolt patterns. The universal temporary wheel can be installed while a damaged wheel is being repaired to allow an automobile or other vehicle to be moved. Because the universal temporary wheel has a universal aperture pattern, the wheel can be used with a variety of wheel hub configurations and lug bolt patterns, thereby eliminating the need to stock a variety of temporary wheels having various aperture patterns.

In a pneumatic tire, a tread portion comprises longitudinal and/or lateral grooves; a groove area ratio of a vehicle inner side region of the tread portion ranges from 30% to 39%; a difference between the groove area ratio Sin and a groove area ratio Sout ranges from 6-14%; and the rubber composition comprises a diene rubber comprising from 10-30 parts by mass of natural rubber and from 70-90 parts by mass of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber and/or an emulsion polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, from 80-150 parts by mass of silica per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, from 0.5-10 parts by mass of a cyclic polysulfide per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, and from 3-10 mass % of an alkyltriethoxysilane having an alkyl group having from 3-20 carbons relative to an amount of the silica.

In a pneumatic tire, a tread portion comprises longitudinal and/or lateral grooves; a groove area ratio of a vehicle inner side region of the tread portion ranges from 30% to 39%; a difference between the groove area ratio Sin and a groove area ratio Sout ranges from 6-14%; and the rubber composition comprises a diene rubber comprising from 10-30 parts by mass of natural rubber and from 70-90 parts by mass of a solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber and/or an emulsion polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, from 80-150 parts by mass of silica per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, from 0.5-10 parts by mass of a cyclic polysulfide per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber, and from 3-10 mass % of an alkyltriethoxysilane having an alkyl group having from 3-20 carbons relative to an amount of the silica.