(19)

(11)

EP 1 183 147 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 06.03.2002 Bulletin 2002/10 (21) Application number: 99925724.9 (22) Date of filing: 20.05.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B29C 65/00, B29D 30/28 (86) International application number: PCT/US9911/254 (87) International publication number: WO 0071/327 (30.11.2000 Gazette 2000/48)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB (71) Applicant: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Akron, Ohio 44316-0001 (US)	(72) Inventors: PULFORD, Carl, Trevor, Ross Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 (US) SENTMANAT, Martin, Lamar Akron, OH 44303 (US) (74) Representative: Leitz, Paul  Goodyear Technical Center, Patent Department, Avenue Gordon Smith 7750 Colmar-Berg 7750 Colmar-Berg (LU)