Tire processing device, pneumatic tires and a pair of tires

Abstract

Including a tire processing device: a laser device configured to produce laser radiation (124); a control device which is configured to control the laser device and thereby process a marking (107) on a surface (102) of an air tire (100) with the laser radiation (124); wherein by processing a marking (106) with a first part (116) and a second part (118) is created which form an optical contrast.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to equipping a pneumatic tire with a marking. BACKGROUND

[0002] EP 2905125 B1 discloses a method for equipping a rubber article, for example a tire, which has vulcanized polymer material, with a digital code pattern. The digital code pattern has a first surface part and a second surface part, and the generation of the digital code pattern involves creating a surface structure in the second surface part, for example by selectively removing a portion of the vulcanized rubber material. The surface structure in the second surface part provides an optical reflectivity that is lower than the optical reflectivity of the first surface part, which may, for example, be formed by the unprocessed surface of the rubber article. SUMMARY

[0003] Given the situation described above, there may be a need for a technology that allows for the equipping of a pneumatic tire with a marking indicating improved characteristics.

[0004] This need can be met by the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a method for processing a vulcanized pneumatic tire is provided.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, a method for processing a vulcanized pneumatic tire which has a marking on a surface is provided, comprising the method: processing the marking by irradiating it with a laser beam and thereby generating a marking; wherein the marking has a first part and a second part which form an optical contrast.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the items disclosed herein, a tire processing device is provided.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the second aspect, a tire processing device is provided, comprising: a laser device configured to generate laser radiation; a control device configured to control the laser device and thereby process a marking on a surface of a tire with the laser radiation; wherein the processing produces a marking with a first part and a second part which form an optical contrast.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the items disclosed herein, an air tire is provided.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the third aspect, a pneumatic tire is provided comprising: a surface; a first part and a second part of a marking; wherein the first part and the second part form an optical contrast; wherein the second part is formed by a marking applied to the surface; and wherein the first part is produced by processing the applied marking with laser radiation.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the items revealed herein, a pair of tires will be provided.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the fourth aspect, a pair of tires is provided, the pair of tires consisting of a first tire and a second tire which are identical with respect to manufacturer, tire type and tire size, and which do not differ with respect to the relative position of the corresponding indications of manufacturer, tire type and tire size; wherein (i) the first tire is designed according to the third aspect; (ii) the second tire is designed according to the third aspect; and (iii) the marking of the first tire and the marking of the second tire differ with respect to their relative position to the indications of manufacturer, tire type and tire size.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the items revealed herein, a pair of tires will be provided.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the fifth aspect, a pair of tires is provided, the pair of tires consisting of a first tire and a second tire which are identical with respect to manufacturer, tire type and tire size, and which do not differ with respect to the relative position of the corresponding indications of manufacturer, tire type and tire size; wherein (i) the first tire is designed according to the third aspect; (ii) the second tire is designed according to the third aspect; and (iii) the marking of the first tire and the marking of the second tire do not differ with respect to their relative position with respect to the indications of manufacturer, tire type and tire size.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of the items disclosed herein, a computer program product is provided.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a program element which is configured to control a method according to the first aspect when executed on a processor device. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY FORMS

[0017] Even though certain disadvantages of earlier technologies are mentioned herein, the claimed subject matter is not to be limited to implementations that overcome some or all of the mentioned disadvantages of the earlier technologies. Furthermore, even though certain advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein are mentioned or implied in the present disclosure, the claimed subject matter is not to be limited to implementations that exhibit some or all of these advantages.

[0018] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the items disclosed herein, referring, for example, to a method for processing a vulcanized pneumatic tire, a tire processing device, a pneumatic tire, a pair of tires, and a computer program product. It should be emphasized that, of course, any combination of features of different aspects, embodiments, and examples is possible. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to a method, while other embodiments are described with reference to a device (for example, a tire processing device, a pneumatic tire, or a pair of tires). Still other embodiments are described with reference to a computer program product, while other embodiments are described with reference to a control device for interacting with elements of the tire processing device.However, the person skilled in the art will understand from the foregoing and following description, the claims, and the drawings that, unless otherwise stated, features of different aspects, embodiments, and examples can be combined, and such combinations of features are to be considered disclosed herein. For example, even a feature relating to a method can be combined with a feature relating to a device, and vice versa.

[0019] Exemplary implementations of the items disclosed herein include, in particular, one or more of the embodiments and combinations of embodiments described herein.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a method according to the first aspect is configured for processing a vulcanized pneumatic tire (hereinafter also referred to as "tire"). According to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire has a marking on a surface. According to one embodiment, the method includes processing the marking by irradiating it with laser radiation. According to one embodiment, irradiating the marking with laser radiation creates a marking. According to another embodiment, the marking has a first part and a second part, which form an optical contrast.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a tire processing device according to the second aspect comprises a laser device configured to generate laser radiation. According to another embodiment, the tire processing device comprises a control device configured to control the laser device and thereby process a marking on a tire surface with the laser radiation. According to one embodiment, processing the marking with the laser radiation produces a mark with a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and the second part form an optical contrast.

[0022] According to one embodiment, a pneumatic tire has a surface as described in the third aspect. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire has a first part and a second part of a marking. According to one embodiment, the first part and the second part form an optical contrast. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the second part is formed by a marking applied to the surface. According to another embodiment, the first part is produced by processing the applied marking with laser radiation.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a pair of tires according to the fourth aspect or according to the fifth aspect consists of a first tire and a second tire, both of which are designed according to the third aspect. According to one embodiment, the first tire and the second tire do not differ from each other with respect to the relative position of the corresponding markings for manufacturer, tire type, and tire size, and they also match with respect to manufacturer, tire type, and tire size.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the marking on the first tire and the marking on the second tire differ in their relative position to the manufacturer, tire type, and tire size information. For example, according to one embodiment of the fourth aspect, the marking on each tire can be placed in a unique position.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the fifth aspect, the markings on the first tire and the markings on the second tire do not differ in their relative position to the manufacturer, tire type, and tire size information. For example, according to one embodiment of the fifth aspect, the markings relating to the manufacturer, tire type, and tire size can be placed in the same position on each tire.

[0026] At least some of the aspects and embodiments of the items disclosed herein are based on the idea that the optical contrast of a marking produced by laser radiation on a pneumatic tire can be improved if the marking is produced at least partially in a mark.

[0027] According to one embodiment, processing the marking comprises processing only a portion of the marking. For example, processing the marking comprises processing only the marking in an area where the first part of the marking is generated (or where the first part of the marking is to be generated, or over which the first part of the marking extends). This area (hereinafter also referred to as the "area of ​​the first part") is, according to one embodiment, a spatial region in which the marking is processed, is to be processed, or has been processed to generate the first part. The area may, for example, be a contiguous region or may consist of two or more separate parts of the region. In the latter case, according to one embodiment, processing the marking in the area of ​​the first part comprises processing the individual parts of the region.

[0028] According to one embodiment, in an area where the first part of the marking is generated (or where the first part of the marking is to be generated, or over which the first part of the marking is to extend), the marking is removed by irradiation with the laser radiation. For example, the control device can be configured to remove the marking by irradiation with the laser radiation in an area where the first part of the marking is to be generated. In this way, according to one embodiment, the marking is not present in an area over which the first part extends (i.e., the area is free of the marking). For example, a surface of the marking may be formed by the tire in the area over which the first part (of the marking) extends.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the marking forms an optical contrast with the surface of the tire. In this way, by removing the marking in the area of ​​the first part, an optical contrast between the first part and the second part can be easily created.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the method according to the first aspect involves generating the marking on the surface of the pneumatic tire. For example, according to one embodiment, the marking on the surface is generated by applying a material to the surface. For example, a tire processing device may have an application device for applying a material to the surface of the tire to thereby generate the marking. According to one embodiment, the marking on the tire is therefore generated by applying a material to the surface of the tire.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the material can be a liquid. According to another embodiment, the material can be a solid, for example, a film. For example, the marking can be formed by a sticker. According to one embodiment, the solid forming the marking is attached to the tire with an adhesive. For example, this can be a hot-melt adhesive, such as an adhesive configured so that the solid can be attached to the tire with the application of heat and, optionally, pressure. According to one embodiment, the marking (for example, in particular, an adhesive with which a marking configured as a solid is attached to the tire) is configured to withstand a predetermined period of normal tire operation (i.e., deformation, large temperature fluctuations, etc.).The predetermined period can encompass a typical usage period, for example five years or ten years.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the tire has a (vulcanized) tire material, which is also referred to as rubber or tire rubber. According to one embodiment, the surface is formed by the tire material.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the surface is a sidewall surface of the tire. According to another embodiment, the marking is created on the surface at a position defined with respect to a predetermined feature of the pneumatic tire. The application device of the tire processing device can be configured to create the marking on the surface at a position defined with respect to a predetermined feature of the tire. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the marking is located at a position defined with respect to a predetermined feature of the pneumatic tire. In this case, for a pair of tires that are identical in terms of manufacturer, tire type, and tire size, and do not differ in these specifications, the marking is located in the same position on both tires.For example, the predetermined feature could be a surface texture of a tire sidewall. For instance, the position of a marking relative to a label on a tire sidewall could be defined.

[0034] The surface structure can, for example, be a molded surface structure formed by a complementary surface structure in a tire mold during the tire vulcanization process. According to another embodiment, the surface structure can be created after the tire vulcanization, for example, by laser processing.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the marking is generated on the surface at a position defined by a technical characteristic of the tire. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the application device is configured to generate the marking on the surface at a position defined by a technical characteristic of the tire. Consequently, in one embodiment, the marking is located at a position defined by a technical characteristic of the tire. This technical characteristic of the tire could, for example, be a high point of the first harmonic oscillation of tire uniformity. Furthermore, the technical characteristic of the tire that defines the position of the marking could be the position of an RFID tag embedded in the tire.If the position defined by the technical characteristics of the tire changes from tire to tire (for example, due to production variations), the relative position of the marking may differ in relation to a pair of tires that are identical in terms of manufacturer, tire type, and tire size, and do not differ in terms of the relative position of the corresponding information.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first part and the second part form a digital code. For example, the first part can represent dark areas of a digital code, and the second part can represent light areas of a digital code. According to one embodiment, the digital code is a two-dimensional code. The code modules of the digital code can be, for example, square, rectangular, or round. For example, the digital code is a QR code or a Data Matrix code. According to one embodiment, the digital code contains tire information in coded form, for example, at least one of a tire type, a tire article, a production batch number, and a tire serial number. A tire article is, as usual, a tire type with its own article number. According to one embodiment, the digital code can contain a direct web link.For example, the web link can lead to a website that directly displays tire information, such as the tire information listed here. For example, the web link can specify at least one of the following: DOT code, load index, speed index, serial number, brand, performance KPIs, raw materials used, tire manufacturer, etc. According to one embodiment, the QR code is a QR code version 3. Furthermore, the QR code can include a GS1 Digital Link. According to another embodiment, the QR code can be readable with a smartphone.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the first part and / or the second part constitute at least part of an analogous marking. For example, the analogous marking may lie entirely within the marking. For example, the first part and / or the second part constitute the analogous marking in its entirety. According to another embodiment, the method according to the first aspect comprises machining a part of the surface adjacent to the marking and thereby creating the marking such that the marking extends beyond the marking. In other words, the analogous marking may be formed partly by the first part and / or the second part and partly by the surface of the tire outside the marking (for example, outside a circumferential line defined by the second parts of the marking).According to one embodiment, the control device can be configured to process a part of the surface adjacent to the marking, thereby creating the marking such that it extends beyond the marking. According to one embodiment, a part of the marking extending beyond the marking is an analogous marking part.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the marking is a color marking. For example, according to one embodiment, the color marking has a color that provides optical contrast to the tire. According to one embodiment, the color of the color marking is white.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the irradiation in the area (where the first part of the marking is created) removes not only the marking itself but also tire material located beneath it, i.e., tire material that was previously beneath the marking. For example, the control device can be configured to remove tire material located beneath the marking by processing the area (for example, extending beyond the marking). Accordingly, a tire is obtained in which tire material has been removed from the area over which the first part of the marking extends (for example, to a predetermined depth, for example, 1 mm or less, for example, 0.5 mm). According to one embodiment, removing tire material (in the area) can create a depression in the tire (more precisely, in the tire material of the tire).The indentation allows for better light absorption in the first part of the marking. For example, the indentation can be formed according to any level of detail disclosed in one of the following patents: EP 2905125 A1, WO 2016 / 185043 A1, DE 20 2017 103420 U1.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the laser radiation used to process the marking is that of a CO2 laser. In this embodiment, the laser radiation has a wavelength in the range between 8 µm and 11 µm. In this embodiment, the average power of the laser radiation is between 50 watts and 200 watts, for example, 100 watts (100 W). The spot size of the laser radiation can be, for example, between 100 µm and 500 µm, for example, 300 µm.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the marking comprises a digital marking (for example, a digital code) and / or an analog marking. For example, the marking may include a digital code and text next to the digital code.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a computer program product according to the sixth aspect includes a program element which, when executed on a processor device, controls a method according to the first aspect.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the program element is a non-transient program element. According to another embodiment, the computer program product is a non-transient computer program product.

[0044] As used herein, reference to a computer program product comprising a program element is considered equivalent to reference to a computer program comprising a program element and / or a computer-readable medium comprising a program element. According to one embodiment, the program element comprises instructions for controlling a processing device (for example, comprising one or more microprocessors, such as a computer system) for executing (for example, causing and / or coordinating the execution) at least one method described herein.

[0045] The (non-transient) program element can be implemented as computer-readable instruction code using any suitable programming language, such as Java, C#, Python, etc., and can be stored on a computer-readable medium (removable disk, volatile or non-volatile memory, embedded memory / processor, etc.). According to one embodiment, the instruction code is executable for programming a computer or any other programmable processing device to perform the intended functions. A processing device can, for example, be a device comprising at least one of the following: a microprocessor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, etc. The computer program product can be available on a network, such as the World Wide Web, from which it can be downloaded.Furthermore, the computer program product can, for example, be the logic of a microcontroller.

[0046] The items disclosed herein (particularly with regard to the control device) can be implemented by means of a computer program product (program element) or software. However, the items disclosed herein can also be implemented by means of one or more specific electronic circuits or hardware. Furthermore, the items disclosed herein can also be implemented in hybrid form, i.e., in a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0047] According to one embodiment, one or more of the control devices disclosed herein may include a processor device configured to execute a program element disclosed herein.

[0048] According to embodiments of the first aspect, the method is set up to realize one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect and / or the sixth aspect.

[0049] According to embodiments of the second aspect, the tire processing device is configured to implement one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and / or the sixth aspect.

[0050] According to embodiments of the third aspect, the pneumatic tire (tire) is designed to implement one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and / or the sixth aspect.

[0051] According to embodiments of the fourth aspect, the pair of tires is configured to implement one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and / or the sixth aspect.

[0052] According to embodiments of the fifth aspect, the pair of tires is configured to implement one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and / or the sixth aspect.

[0053] According to embodiments of the sixth aspect, the computer program product is configured to implement one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, and / or the sixth aspect.

[0054] It is noted that a reference to an aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein naturally also includes a reference to one or more embodiments of that aspect. For example, a statement that reference is made to a method according to the first aspect includes embodiments according to which the referenced method is designed according to one or more embodiments of the first aspect.

[0055] Unless otherwise specified, numerical values ​​are to be understood as including a ±5% window; i.e., for example, a wavelength of 11 µm, according to one embodiment, includes a wavelength within the interval of (11 µm ± 5% of 11 µm) = [11.55 µm; 10.45 µm], and a percentage of 50%, according to one embodiment, includes a percentage within the interval of 50% ± 5% of 50% = [47.5%; 52.5%]. According to another embodiment, numerical values ​​and / or percentages are to be understood as including a ±10% window, or, according to yet another embodiment, including a ±20% window.

[0056] According to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein can define the functionality of a device disclosed herein without being limited to the device-specific features. In this respect, each functionality of a device disclosed herein is intended to implicitly disclose a corresponding method that is defined solely by the disclosed functionality. Conversely, according to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein can be carried out with any suitable known or disclosed device (which may have a single element or several interacting elements). In this respect, each method disclosed herein is intended to implicitly disclose a corresponding device configured to carry out the method.

[0057] A general reference to embodiments (for example, of a method or a pneumatic tire), for example by the wording "according to at least one embodiment", by the wording "according to one or more embodiments" or the wording "according to embodiments" also includes in particular the combination of features of a corresponding independent claim without further restrictions (for example, the method according to the first aspect or the pneumatic tire according to the third aspect).

[0058] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, a list of features or process steps according to one embodiment does not define a sequence of the features or process steps in the order of the list. According to another embodiment, a list of features or process steps defines a sequence of the features or process steps as specified in the list.

[0059] In some embodiments mentioned above, the first occurrence of a feature was referred to as the feature with the indefinite article, for example, both in the description of embodiments of the first aspect and in the description of embodiments of the second aspect. However, it should be understood that the use of the indefinite article or the definite article in this disclosure is not restrictive, and that a feature referred to in different embodiments, regardless of whether it is designated with the definite article or the indefinite article, refers to the same feature in at least one embodiment. Therefore, in a combination of different embodiments, the feature can be referred to with the indefinite article at its first occurrence and with the definite article at subsequent occurrences.Furthermore, according to one embodiment, a feature referred to in the specific article can be designed without the embodiments described above. In addition, in one embodiment, the first aspect and the second aspect are two different aspects of the same object.

[0060] It should be noted that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, numerical terms (first, second, third, etc.) serve solely to identify different elements (for example, parts of the label), without implying a sequence of procedural steps and without requiring or implying the existence of any of the other different elements. For example, a reference to a second part alone does not require that a first part be generated before the second part.

[0061] Furthermore, formulations without the specified numerals are possible without altering the disclosure. For example, the "first part" of the identifier can also be referred to as the "part" of the identifier. Similarly, the "second part" of the identifier can also be referred to as the "further part" of the identifier.

[0062] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following exemplary description of currently preferred embodiments, to which, however, the claimed subject matter is not limited. The individual figures in the drawings of this document are to be regarded merely as schematic and not to scale. The above definitions and comments apply in particular also to the following detailed description and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 shows a tire according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 2 shows part of another tire according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 3 shows a tire processing device according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of part of another tire according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of part of another tire according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of another tire according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein in a first manufacturing state. Fig. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the remaining part of the tire. Fig. 6 in a second manufacturing state. Fig. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the remaining part of the tire. Fig. 6 in an alternative second manufacturing state. Fig. Figure 9 shows a top view of the part of the tire made of Fig. 8, wherein Fig. 8 a representation along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 9 is. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] It is noted that similar or identical elements or components in different figures are identified by the same reference numbers, or by reference numbers that differ only in the leading digit or an appended letter. Such features or components, which are identical or at least functionally equivalent to the corresponding features or components in another figure, are described in detail in the following text only upon their first occurrence, and the description is not repeated for subsequent occurrences of these features and components (or the corresponding reference numbers). If an element appears multiple times in a drawing (for example, an opening), in some cases not all elements are identified by reference numbers to improve clarity. Naturally, the corresponding description also applies to the elements not identified by a reference number.

[0064] It is understood that an exemplary implementation of the elements described below and indicated by reference numerals is shown in the relevant drawings and is configured in any case in an embodiment according to the following description, unless otherwise specified.

[0065] Fig. Figure 1 shows a pneumatic tire 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the tire 100 has vulcanized tire material 101, which forms a surface 102. For example, the surface is a sidewall 104 surface of the tire 100. According to one embodiment, the tire 100 has a marking 106, for example, a QR code, as shown in Fig. 1 shown according to an embodiment, the marking 106 has first parts which are in Fig. 1 are shown as black areas of the marking 106. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the marking 106 has second parts which are in Fig. 1 are shown as white areas of the marking. The first parts and the second parts form a visual contrast, for example as in Fig. 1 shown.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the second part is formed by a marking 107 applied to the surface 102, while the first part is produced by processing the marking 107 with laser radiation (i.e., by laser processing the marking 107). According to one embodiment, the marking 107 is a white color marking. Of course, other colors are also possible. According to one embodiment, a color is chosen so that it contrasts with the surface 102 of the tire.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the marking 107 is a full-surface marking, i.e., the marking extends continuously over a part of the surface 102, for example as in Fig. 1 shown. According to a further embodiment, the marking 107 can be structured, for example, having several marking parts (in Fig. 1 not shown).

[0069] According to one embodiment, the marking 107 has a dimension in at least one direction that is between 0.5 cm and 3 cm. For example, the marking 107 can be square with a side length of 2 cm.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the tire 100 further has predetermined features 108, 110, which are formed, for example, by a surface structure on the sidewall 104 of the tire, for example as in Fig. 1 is represented by a white label. The predetermined feature 108 can, for example, be information about the tire manufacturer. The further predetermined feature 110 can, for example, be information about the tire type, tire size, etc.

[0071] According to a further embodiment, the tire 101 has a technical feature 111, for example, an element embedded in the tire material 101, such as an RFID tag. According to a further embodiment, the technical feature can be a non-uniformity of the tire 100. The non-uniformity can be marked, for example, with a balancing point or the marking 107.

[0072] Fig. Figure 2 shows part of another tire 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the marking 106 forms a digital code 112 and an analog marking 114; according to one embodiment, the digital code 112 can be a QR code, for example as in Fig. 2 shown. According to a further embodiment, the analogous marking 114 can comprise at least one of a letter, a number and a logo, for example a text (here “Digital Product Passport”), for example as in Fig. 2 shown.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the digital code 112 is a binary code, i.e., it has first code modules and second code modules, wherein, for example, the first code modules represent a digital 1 and the second code modules represent a digital 0, or vice versa. According to one embodiment, the first code modules are formed by the first part of the marking 106, and the second code modules are formed by the second part of the marking 106. For example, according to one embodiment, the first code modules are formed by the surface 102 of the tire 100, for instance, by removing the marking 107 in the area of ​​the first code modules. According to another embodiment, the second code modules are formed by a surface of the marking 107.Consequently, the first code modules are formed from a first part 116 of the identifier 106 and the second code modules are formed from a second part 118 of the identifier 106, for example as in . Fig. 2 shown. According to one embodiment, the first part 116 of the marking 106 is free of the marking 107, for example as in Fig. 2 shown. Consequently, according to one embodiment, the surface 102 or the vulcanized rubber material of the tire 100 is visible in the first part 116 of the marking 106, for example as in Fig. 2 shown. For example, according to one embodiment, in an area where the first part 116 of the marking 106 is produced, the marking 107 is removed by laser processing (for example, by irradiating the marking 107 with laser radiation).

[0075] Fig. Figure 3 shows a tire processing device 120 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 120 comprises a laser device 122, which is configured to generate a laser beam 124, and a control device 126, which is configured to control the laser device 122 and thereby process a marking 107 on a surface 102 of a tire 100 with the laser beam 124, for example as in Fig. 3 shown. According to one embodiment, by machining the marking 107 a marking is produced which has a first part and a second part (in Fig. 3 (not shown), which form an optical contrast.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 120 has an application device 127 for applying a material to the surface 102, wherein, according to one embodiment, the material forms the marking 107. In other words, according to one embodiment, the application device 127 is configured to apply the marking 107 to the surface 102.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the application device 127 is configured to generate the marking 107 on the surface 102 at a position defined with respect to a predetermined feature 110 of the tire 100. For example, according to one embodiment, the tire processing device 120 has a sensor device 128 for determining a position of the predetermined feature 110, for example as shown in Fig. 3 shown. According to one embodiment, the sensor device 128 is a light section sensor which uses laser radiation 130 and a suitable sensor (in Fig. (3 not shown) determines a representation of a surface contour of surface 102 and provides it to the control device 126 in the form of a sensor signal 132. According to a further embodiment, the sensor device can include a camera for determining a position of the predetermined feature 110 on the tire. According to one embodiment, the predetermined feature always defines a position of the marking 107 (e.g., also for different tire types).

[0079] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 120 is configured to determine the position of the predetermined feature 110 and thereupon automatically generate the marking 107 on the surface 102 (for example by controlling the application device 127) and / or process the marking 107 (for example by controlling the laser device 122 and / or the actuator arrangement) to thereby generate the marking 106.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 120 has an actuator arrangement with which further elements of the tire processing device 120 and the pneumatic tire 100 are movable relative to each other. For example, the actuator arrangement can have a first actuator 134 with which the tire is movable with respect to the laser device 122, the application device 127 and the sensor device 128, for example as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows. According to a further embodiment, the actuator arrangement can have a second actuator 136 with which the laser device 122 can be moved independently of the first actuator 134.

[0081] According to one embodiment, elements of the tire processing device 120, for example the laser device 122, the application device 127, the sensor device 128 and the at least one actuator 134, 136 of the actuator arrangement, are controlled by the control device 126, for example as in Fig. 3 at 138 is shown.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the control device 126 includes a processor device 139 configured to execute a computer program product or program element disclosed herein. A computer program product as described herein may, for example, be stored in a storage device 137 of the control device 126.

[0083] Fig. Figure 4 shows a portion of another tire 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, tire 100 has a marking 107, wherein in an area 140 over which the first part 116 of the marking 106 extends, the marking 107 is removed, for example as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0084] Fig. Figure 5 shows a portion of another tire 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, tire material 101 of the tire 100 is removed in the area 140, thereby creating a depression 142 in the tire material 101 of the tire 100, for example as shown in Figure 5. Fig. 5 shown.

[0085] Fig. Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of another tire 100 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein in a first manufacturing state. According to one embodiment, in the first manufacturing state, the marking 107 is partially removed in an area 140 where the first part 116 of the marking is to be produced. Consequently, in the first manufacturing state, the first part 116 of the marking 106 is only partially produced, for example, as shown in Fig. 6 shown.

[0086] Fig. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the part of the further tire 100 made of Fig. 6 in a second manufacturing state. According to one embodiment, in the second manufacturing state, the first part 116 of the marking is produced in the entire area 140. Here, in a contiguous sub-area 144, a plurality of machining points 146 are produced overlapping one another in order to produce a contiguous section 148 of the first part 116 in the sub-area 144. Fig. Figure 7 shows. According to one embodiment, each processing point 146 can be generated by discrete irradiation with the laser radiation over a predetermined period of time, for example with a single laser pulse or a sequence of laser pulses.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the area 140 in which the first part 116 of the marking 106 is to be produced extends beyond the marking 107, for example as in Fig. Figure 7 shows that if the parameters of the laser radiation are not changed in an area 152 outside the marking, i.e., in an area where the marking 107 is not present, the depressions 242 that are created there by the removal of tire material 101 can extend further into the tire 100 (i.e., extend to a greater depth), for example, as in Fig. Figure 7 shows. Alternatively, the indentations in the tire material 101 inside and outside the marking 107 can be of the same depth, for example by adjusting laser parameters during the creation of the indentations 142, 242.

[0088] Fig. Figure 8 shows the part of the other tire 100 made of Fig. 6 in an alternative second manufacturing state. According to one embodiment, a beam path 150 of the laser radiation is moved over the sub-area 144 during the emission of laser radiation in order to continuously remove the marking 107 in the sub-area, for example as in Fig. 8 shown (and not in discrete processing locations, as in Fig. 7 shown). In this case too, in the area 152 where the marker 107 is not present, the depression 242 extends to a greater depth than the depression 142 in an area 154 where the marker 107 is present, for example as in Fig. 8 shown.

[0089] Fig. Figure 9 shows a top view of part 100 of the tire. Fig. 8, wherein Fig. 8 a representation along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 9 is.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the marking 106 has a first part 116 which was produced in two or more separate parts of an area 140 and which, according to another embodiment, extends beyond the marking 107, for example as in Fig. Figure 9 shows. According to one embodiment, the marking 106 has a second part 118, which is formed by the marking 107, for example a surface of the marking 107, for example as in Fig. 9 shown.

[0091] Exemplary implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein include, in particular, the following embodiments and combinations of embodiments: 1. Method for processing a vulcanized pneumatic tire 100, which has a marking 107 on a surface 102, comprising the method: Processing the marking 107 by irradiating it with a laser radiation 124 and thereby creating a marking 106; wherein the marking 106 has a first part 116 and a second part 118 which form an optical contrast. 2. Method according to embodiment 1, wherein in an area 140 in which the first part 116 of the marking 106 is produced, the marking 107 is removed by irradiation with the laser radiation 124. 3. Method according to any embodiment 1 or 2, further comprising at least one of the following features: a creation of the marking 107 on the surface 102 of the pneumatic tire 100; The creation of the marking 107 on the surface 102 is carried out by applying a material to the surface 102; The creation of the marking 107 on the surface 102 takes place at a position which is defined with respect to a predetermined feature 108, 110 of the pneumatic tire 100; The creation of the marking 107 on the surface 102 takes place at a position which is defined by a technical characteristic 111 of the pneumatic tire 100; the first part 116 and the second part 118 form a digital code 112; Marking 107 is a color marking; The marking 107 is a monochrome marking 107 before irradiation with the laser radiation 124; the first part 116 and / or the second part 118 form at least one part of an analogous marking 114; a processing of a part of the surface 102 adjacent to the marking 107 and thereby creating the marking 106 such that the marking 106 extends beyond the marking 107; The irradiation will remove tire material 101 located in area 140 not only under marker 107 but also under marker 107; The surface 102 is a surface of a sidewall 104 of the pneumatic tire 100. 4. Method according to embodiment 3, further comprising at least one of the following features: the predetermined feature 108, 110 of the pneumatic tire 100 is a surface structure of the sidewall 104 of the pneumatic tire 100; The color of the color marking is white; The technical characteristic 111 of the pneumatic tire 100, which defines the position of the marking 107, is the position of an RFID tag attached to the pneumatic tire 100; The digital code 112 is a two-dimensional code; The digital code 112 is a QR code or a Data Matrix code; The digital code 112 contains in coded form at least one of a tire type, a tire article, a production batch number and a serial number of the pneumatic tire 100; The digital code 112 contains a direct web link. 5. Having a tire processing device: a laser device which is configured to generate laser radiation 124; a control device which is configured to control the laser device and thereby process a marking 107 on a surface 102 of a pneumatic tire 100 with the laser radiation 124; the processing creates a marking 106 with a first part 116 and a second part 118, which form an optical contrast. 6. Tire processing device according to embodiment 5, further comprising at least one of the following features: an application device for applying a material to the surface 102 of the pneumatic tire 100 in order to thereby create the marking 107; The application device is configured to produce the marking 107 on the surface 102 at a position which is defined with respect to a predetermined feature 108, 110 of the pneumatic tire 100; The application device is configured to produce the marking 107 on the surface 102 at a position defined by a technical characteristic 111 of the pneumatic tire 100; The first part 116 and the second part 118 form a digital code; Marking 107 is a color marking; The marking 107 is a monochrome marking before irradiation with the laser radiation 124; the first part 116 and / or the second part 118 form at least one part of an analogous marking 114; The control device is configured to remove the marking 107 by irradiation with the laser radiation 124 in an area 140 in which the first part 116 of the marking 106 is to be produced; The control device is configured to machine a part of the surface 102 adjacent to the marking 107 and thereby create the marking 106 such that the marking 106 extends beyond the marking 107; The surface 102 is a surface of a sidewall 104 of the pneumatic tire 100. 7. Tire processing device according to embodiment 6, further comprising at least one of the following features: The control device is configured to remove tire material 101 located not only below the mark 107 but also below the mark 107 by processing in the area 140; the predetermined feature 108, 110 of the pneumatic tire 100 is a surface structure of the sidewall 104 of the pneumatic tire 100; The color of the color marking is white; The technical feature 111 of the pneumatic tire 100, which defines the position of the marking 107, is the position of an RFID tag attached to the tire; The digital code 112 is a two-dimensional code; The digital code 112 is a QR code or a Data Matrix code; The digital code 112 contains in coded form at least one of a tire type, a tire article, a production batch number and / or a serial number of the pneumatic tire 100; The digital code 112 contains a direct web link. 8. Having pneumatic tires: a surface area of ​​102; a first part 116 and a second part 118 of a marking 106; where the first part 116 and the second part 118 form an optical contrast; and wherein the second part 118 is formed by a marking 107 applied to the surface 102; and wherein the first part 116 is produced by processing the applied marking 107 with laser radiation 124. 9. Pneumatic tires according to embodiment 8, wherein an area 140, over which the first part 116 of the marking 106 extends, is free of the marking 107. 10. Pneumatic tires according to any of embodiments 8 or 9, further comprising at least one of the following features: In area 140, tire material 101 has been removed; The marking 107 is created by applying a material to the surface 102; The marking 107 is located at a position which is defined with respect to a predetermined feature 108, 110 of the pneumatic tire 100; The marking 107 is located at a position defined by a technical characteristic 111 of the pneumatic tire 100; The first part 116 and the second part 118 form a digital code; Marking 107 is a color marking; In the second surface part, marking 107 is a monochrome marking; the first part 116 and / or the second part 118 form at least one part of an analogous marking 114; Marking 106 extends beyond marking 107; The surface 102 is formed by a side wall 104 of the pneumatic tire 100. 11. Pneumatic tires according to embodiment 10, further comprising at least one of the following features: the predetermined feature 108, 110 of the pneumatic tire 100 is a surface structure of the sidewall 104 of the pneumatic tire 100; The color of the color marking is white; The technical characteristic 111 of the pneumatic tire 100, which defines the position of the marking 107, is the position of an RFID tag attached to the tire; The digital code 112 is a two-dimensional code; The digital code 112 is a QR code or a Data Matrix code; The digital code 112 contains in coded form at least one of a tire type, a tire article, a production batch number and / or a serial number of the pneumatic tire 100; The digital code 112 contains a direct web link. 12. A pair of tires consisting of a first tire 100 and a second tire 100, which are identical with respect to manufacturer, tire type and tire size, and which do not differ with respect to the relative position of the corresponding information on manufacturer, tire type and tire size; wherein (i) the first tire 100 is designed according to any of the embodiments 8 to 11; (ii) the second tire 100 is designed according to any of the embodiments 8 to 11; and (iii) the marking 107 of the first tire 100 and the marking 107 of the second tire 100 differ in their relative position to the information on manufacturer, tire type and tire size. 13. A pair of tires comprising a first tire 100 and a second tire 100, which are identical with respect to manufacturer, tire type, and tire size, and which do not differ with respect to the relative position of the corresponding indications of manufacturer, tire type, and tire size; wherein (i) the first tire 100 is configured according to any of embodiments 8 to 11; (ii) the second tire 100 is designed according to any of the embodiments 8 to 11; and (iii) the marking 107 of the first tire 100 and the marking 107 of the second tire 100 do not differ in their relative position to the information on manufacturer, tire type and tire size. 14. Computer program product comprising a program element which, when executed on a processor device, is configured to control a method according to any of embodiments 1 to 4.

[0092] It should be noted that a tire processing device such as that described herein is not limited to the specific entities described in some embodiments. Rather, the items disclosed herein can be implemented in numerous ways while still providing the disclosed specific functionality.

[0093] According to embodiments of the items disclosed herein, any suitable entity (e.g., components, units and devices, elements, etc.) can be provided, at least partially, in the form of corresponding computer programs that enable a processor device to provide the functionality of the corresponding entity as described herein. According to other embodiments, any suitable entity as described herein can be provided in hardware. According to other hybrid embodiments, some entities can be provided in software while other entities are provided in hardware.

[0094] It should be noted that each entity disclosed herein is not limited to a single, dedicated entity, as described in some embodiments. Furthermore, the items described herein may be provided in various ways with varying degrees of granularity at the device level or at the software module level, while still providing the specified functionality. It should also be noted that, according to some embodiments, a separate entity (e.g., a software module, a hardware module, or a hybrid module) may be provided for each of the functions disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, one entity (e.g., a software module, a hardware module, or a hybrid module) may be configured to provide two or more functions as described herein.According to yet other embodiments, two or more entities can be configured to together provide a function as described herein. For example, the literal disclosure of an actuator provides an embodiment comprising a single actuator, as per the literal disclosure. Furthermore, the literal disclosure of an actuator also provides an embodiment comprising two or more actuators acting as a single actuator (with extended movement capabilities).

[0095] According to one embodiment, the control device includes a processor device which has at least one processor for executing at least one program element, which may correspond to a corresponding software module.

[0096] A definition of an optical arrangement or optical geometry with reference to laser radiation can, of course, also be defined analogously with reference to a radiation path of the laser radiation, and vice versa. In this respect, every reference to laser radiation here analogously reveals a reference to a radiation path of the laser radiation.

[0097] It should be noted that the implementations described herein, in particular those illustrated in the drawings, represent only a limited selection of possible combinations of embodiments of the present disclosure. It is generally possible to combine the features of different embodiments in a suitable manner, so that, for a person skilled in the art, a multitude of combinations of different embodiments are to be considered disclosed with the embodiments explicitly disclosed herein.

[0098] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that terms like "ein" or "eines" do not preclude a plural form. For example, the singular forms "ein," "eine," and "der / die / das" include plural references unless the context explicitly states otherwise. Thus, for instance, the reference to "eine" includes aspects that exhibit two or more such components, unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise.

[0099] Terms such as "containing" or "exhibiting" do not exclude further features or process steps. Consequently, according to one embodiment, the term "exhibiting" or "containing" means "among other things, exhibiting".

[0100] According to another embodiment, the term "having" or "containing" means "consisting of". Similarly, the term "based" does not preclude a determination or detection from being based on other elements. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the term "based" means "based, among other things". In another embodiment, the term "based" means "based exclusively".

[0101] According to one embodiment, the term "set up for" includes, among other things, the meaning "configured to." Furthermore, the disclosure of a function performed by an entity implicitly discloses that, according to one embodiment, the entity is configured to perform the function.

[0102] Ranges may be expressed herein as from "approximately" one particular value and / or to "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Likewise, when values ​​are expressed as approximations, it is understood that the particular value, by using the antecedent "approximately," constitutes another embodiment. It is further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both with respect to and independently of the other endpoint.

[0103] Directional terms, as used herein - for example up, down, right, left, front, back, above, below - are only made with reference to the drawn figures and are not intended to imply any absolute orientation.

[0104] The term "in particular" here generally refers to optional features. In other words, the term "in particular" is used synonymously with the term "for example" and is interchangeable with it.

[0105] The expression "A and / or B" usually includes "only A," "only B," and also "A and B." In an expression referring to a list of features, "at least one" always includes a single feature as well as any combination of features. For example, the expression "at least one of the features A and B" includes the feature "only A," "only B," and "A and B." Similarly, the expression "at least one of the features A or B" includes the feature "only A," "only B," and "A and B." Similarly, the expression "at least one of the features A, B" includes the feature "only A," "only B," and "A and B."

[0106] If two or more value ranges for a quantity are specified herein, or more than two values ​​for a quantity are specified, then according to one embodiment, any range having two of these values ​​as endpoints, or any open range having one of these values ​​as a lower / upper limit, shall also be considered disclosed.

[0107] It should also be noted that reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that reference numerals in the description and the description's reference to the drawings should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the description. Rather, the drawings merely illustrate an exemplary implementation of a particular combination of several embodiments of the items disclosed herein, with any other combination of embodiments being equally possible and considered disclosed with this application.

[0108] In an exemplary implementation comprising an advantageous combination of some of the embodiments disclosed herein, the following can be observed: A method for processing a vulcanized pneumatic tire, which has a marking on its surface, is disclosed, comprising the process of processing the marking by irradiating it with laser radiation and thereby creating a marking; wherein the marking has a first part and a second part which form an optical contrast. Furthermore, a corresponding pneumatic tire, a tire processing device, a pair of tires, and a computer program product are disclosed. Reference symbol list 100 pneumatic tires 101 Tire material 102 surface 104 Side wall 106 Labeling 107 Marking 108 predetermined feature 110 predetermined feature 111 technical characteristics 112 digital code 114 analogous marking 116 Part One 118 Part Two 120 tire processing device 122 Laser device 124 Laser radiation 126 Control device 127 Application device 128 Sensor device 130 laser radiation 132 Sensor signal 134 first actor 136 second actor 137 Storage device 138 Control signal 139 Processor device 140 Area of ​​the first part 116 142 Indentation in the tire material 101 of the pneumatic tire 100 in the area of ​​marking 107 144 sub-area of ​​140 146 processing point 148 contiguous section of the first part 116 150 beam path 152 Area of ​​marking 106 Outside the marking 107 154 Area of ​​marking 106 in which marking 107 is present 242 Indentation in the tire material 101 of the pneumatic tire 100 in the area 152 outside marker 107 QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2905125 B1

[0002] EP 2905125 A1

[0039] WO 2016 / 185043 A1

[0039] DE 20 2017 103420 U1

[0039]

Claims

comprising a tire processing device: a laser device configured to generate a laser radiation (124); a control device configured to control the laser device and thereby process a marking (107) on a surface (102) of a pneumatic tire (100) with the laser radiation (124); wherein the processing produces a marking (106) with a first part (116) and a second part (118) which form an optical contrast. Tire processing device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following features: an application device for applying a material to the surface (102) of the pneumatic tire (100) to thereby create the marking (107); the application device is configured to create the marking (107) on the surface (102) at a position defined with respect to a predetermined feature (108, 110) of the pneumatic tire (100); the application device is configured to create the marking (107) on the surface (102) at a position defined by a technical characteristic (111) of the pneumatic tire (100); the first part (116) and the second part (118) form a digital code; the marking (107) is a color marking; the marking (107) is a monochrome marking before irradiation with the laser radiation (124);The first part (116) and / or the second part (118) form at least one part of an analogous marking (114); the control device is configured to remove the marking (107) by irradiation with the laser radiation (124) in an area (140) where the first part (116) of the marking (106) is to be produced; the control device is configured to process a part of the surface (102) adjacent to the marking (107) and thereby produce the marking (106) such that the marking (106) extends beyond the marking (107); the surface (102) is a surface of a sidewall (104) of the pneumatic tire (100). A tire processing device according to claim 2, further comprising at least one of the following features: the control device is configured to remove tire material (101) located not only below the mark (107) but also below the mark (107) by processing in the area (140); the predetermined feature (108, 110) of the pneumatic tire (100) is a surface structure of the sidewall (104) of the pneumatic tire (100); the color of the color mark is white; the technical feature (111) of the pneumatic tire (100) that defines the position of the mark (107) is the position of an RFID tag attached to the tire; the digital code (112) is a two-dimensional code; the digital code (112) is a QR code or a Data Matrix code; the digital code (112) contains, in coded form, at least one of a tire type, a tire article, a production batch number, and / or a serial number of the pneumatic tire (100); the digital code (112) contains a direct web link. having pneumatic tires: a surface (102); a first part (116) and a second part (118) of a marking (106); wherein the first part (116) and the second part (118) form an optical contrast; and wherein the second part (118) is formed by a marking (107) applied to the surface (102); and wherein the first part (116) is produced by processing the applied marking (107) with laser radiation (124). Pneumatic tires according to claim 4, wherein an area (140) over which the first part (116) of the marking (106) extends is free from the marking (107). Pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 4 or 5, further comprising at least one of the following features: in the area (140) tire material (101) is removed; the marking (107) is produced by applying a material to the surface (102); the marking (107) is located at a position defined with respect to a predetermined feature (108, 110) of the pneumatic tire (100); the marking (107) is located at a position defined by a technical characteristic (111) of the pneumatic tire (100); the first part (116) and the second part (118) form a digital code; the marking (107) is a color marking; in the second surface part, the marking (107) is a monochrome marking; the first part (116) and / or the second part (118) form at least part of an analog marking (114); the marking (106) extends beyond the marking (107);The surface (102) is formed by a sidewall (104) of the pneumatic tire (100). Pneumatic tire according to claim 6, further comprising at least one of the following features: the predetermined feature (108, 110) of the pneumatic tire (100) is a surface structure of the sidewall (104) of the pneumatic tire (100); the color of the color marking is white; the technical feature (111) of the pneumatic tire (100), which defines the position of the marking (107), is the position of an RFID tag attached to the tire; the digital code (112) is a two-dimensional code; the digital code (112) is a QR code or a Data Matrix code; the digital code (112) contains in coded form at least one of a tire type, a tire article, a production batch number and / or a serial number of the pneumatic tire (100); the digital code (112) contains a direct web link. A pair of tires comprising a first tire (100) and a second tire (100) that are identical with respect to manufacturer, tire type and tire size, and that do not differ with respect to the relative position of the corresponding markings relating to manufacturer, tire type and tire size; wherein (i) the first tire (100) is configured according to any one of claims 4 to 7; (ii) the second tire (100) is configured according to any one of claims 4 to 7; and (iii) the marking (107) of the first tire (100) and the marking (107) of the second tire (100) differ with respect to their relative position with respect to the markings relating to manufacturer, tire type and tire size. A pair of tires comprising a first tire (100) and a second tire (100) that are identical with respect to manufacturer, tire type, and tire size, and that do not differ with respect to the relative position of the corresponding markings relating to manufacturer, tire type, and tire size; wherein (i) the first tire (100) is configured according to any one of claims 4 to 7; (ii) the second tire (100) is configured according to any one of claims 4 to 7; and (iii) the marking (107) of the first tire (100) and the marking (107) of the second tire (100) do not differ with respect to their relative position with respect to the markings relating to manufacturer, tire type, and tire size.

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