Tire provided with temporary identification tag

Abstract

A tyre (2) has: an annular carcass (8) having a central cavity (6) and consisting of at least one carcass ply (9) folded partially onto itself and thus laterally having two hems, each hem having an edge of the carcass ply (9) resting on a middle portion of the carcass ply (9); two annular beads (10), each surrounded by the carcass ply (9) and having a bead core and a bead filler (12); and an identification tag (19) which is fixed in a removable manner by gluing, is arranged in the region of the annular bead (10) and supports a temporary RFID device (20) which can be read from the distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire provided with a temporary identification tag (i.e., an identification tag that is used only during the handling of the tire and is eliminated when the tire is mounted on the corresponding rim). Prior Art

[0002] Generally speaking, when it is necessary to handle tires at the end of the production line (usually in order to load the tires into a goods container) or in a warehouse, an operator uses a forklift truck provided with a pair of forks for lifting (at least) a stack of tires from the bottom (usually when the stack of tires is resting on a pallet), or a forklift truck provided with a clamp for laterally clamping the stack of tires.

[0003] In recent years, so-called "intelligent" tires have been developed, which are provided with RFID devices (where RFID stands for "Radio Frequency Identification" - usually a transponder), which allow information items such as the identification, characteristics, and history of the tire to be transmitted from a distance.

[0004] Therefore, in addition to having to move the tires with a forklift truck, the operator must also be able to access this information, and thus use a suitable reader to read the RFID device associated with the tire, for example in order to ensure that they are operating on the correct tire and / or in order to store possible changes in the tire position in an electronic register.

[0005] The operator who maneuvers the forklift truck is usually provided with a manual reader (i.e., a light reader that can be easily transported); after loading the tire onto the forklift truck, the operator leaves the forklift truck and approaches the tire with the reader to read the corresponding RFID device in order to identify the tire in a specific way. However, this mode of operation results in inefficiency and a large amount of time wasted, because the operator has to leave the forklift truck (therefore, has to turn off the forklift truck and place the forklift truck in a safe parking configuration), and moreover, they have to place the manual reader close to each single tire in order to read the corresponding RFID device (i.e., the known manual reader cannot read the RFID devices of all the tires in the stack of tires at the same time, but the reader needs to be placed close to each single tire in the stack).

[0006] In this regard, it should be noted that the maximum reading distance of an RFID device incorporated in a single tire is usually equal to approximately 1 meter to 2 meters, and in the case of TBR (Truck and Bus Radial tires), the stack of tires has a height that usually exceeds 3 meters (therefore, greater than the maximum reading distance); moreover, when several tires are close (stacked together), shielding and / or reflection phenomena may occur, which are caused by the metal parts of the tires and further reduce the maximum reading distance of the RFID device incorporated in the tire.

[0007] To ensure the reading of the RFID device of the tire, the manufacturer recommends applying an identification tag in a removable manner and on the outer surface of the tire (i.e., on the tread of the tire), which supports an additional and temporary RFID device (as it is obviously destined to be removed when the tire is first assembled on the corresponding rim). Since this additional and temporary RFID device is not shielded by the tire (it is arranged externally), it can be read from a significantly greater distance compared to the RFID device incorporated in the tire structure. However, this solution does not fully solve the problem, because in the case of a forklift using a clamp that laterally clamps a stack of tires, the clamp (obviously made of metal) can cover the additional RFID device applied to the tread, thus completely shielding the additional RFID device, or in the worst case, the clamp can even damage the additional RFID device applied to the tread; therefore, at least two identification tags (each supporting an additional and temporary RFID device) need to be applied to the tread and arranged at approximately 90° relative to each other (in this way, when the tire stack is laterally clamped by the clamp, at least one identification tag is always free). However, this solution doubles the cost because two different identification tags must be applied to each tire. In addition, according to this solution, each identification tag must face the antenna of the reader (i.e., the identification tag must be in "LOS - line of sight" with the antenna of the reader), and therefore, the antenna of the reader needs to move around the tire stack to read the temporary RFID devices of all the tires in the stack; in fact, when the identification tag is on the opposite side of the tire relative to the antenna of the reader, all the metal and "lossy materials" of the tire shield the identification tag (or anyway, impair the performance of the identification tag), making it difficult to read the corresponding temporary RFID device, if not impossible.

[0008] Patent application WO2022219025A1 discloses a tire provided with an identification tag that is removably fixed by gluing, arranged in the area of the annular bead and supporting a temporary RFID device that can be read from a distance.

[0009] Patent application WO2022049054A1 discloses a method for managing a warehouse that houses tires equipped with transponders and arranged in a vertical stack, and uses an autonomous guided robot to automatically identify the tires.

[0010] Patent application WO2020126757A1 discloses a method for reading data from and / or writing data on the RFID of a tire conveyed on a conveyor belt. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a tire provided with a temporary identification tag, which is not affected by the above-mentioned drawbacks and is at the same time simple and economical to manufacture.

[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a tire provided with a temporary identification tag according to the appended claims.

[0013] According to the present invention, there is also provided a logistics system for handling a tire warehouse and a method for handling a tire warehouse as described in the appended claims.

[0014] The appended claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and form part of the description. Description of the Drawings

[0015] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, which show non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, in which:

[0016] ● Figure 1 is a schematic view of a warehouse for tires, which have to be loaded into containers or trucks for delivery to customers, and each tire is provided with a temporary identification tag;

[0017] ● Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic view of a stack of tires in a warehouse located

[0018] ● Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic cross-section of a tire available in a warehouse located

[0019] wherein some parts are removed for clarity;

[0020] ● Figure 4 and Figure 5 are Figure 1 two schematic views of a temporary identification tag adapted to be fixed to a tire available in a warehouse located

[0021] ● Figure 6 is Figure 1 a schematic view of a warehouse located Figure 1 highlighting a stack of tires in a horizontal orientation rather than a vertical orientation as in

[0022] ● Figure 7 and Figure 8 are Figure 1 schematic views of a warehouse located Detailed Description

[0023] In Figure 1 reference numeral 1 as a whole denotes a warehouse for tires 2, which have to be loaded into containers or trucks for delivery to customers.

[0024] Inside Warehouse 1, there are multiple support elements 3, and each support element is designed to support a stack of vertically oriented tires 2 at a given distance from the ground (i.e., from the floor of Warehouse 1); in other words, the support element 3 is a shelf or rack that supports the stack of tires 2 and keeps it at a certain distance from the ground. It should be noted that the stack of tires 2 can be vertically oriented (e.g., as shown in Figure 1 ) or can be horizontally oriented (e.g., as shown in Figure 6 , Figure 7 or Figure 8 ); in a stack of vertically oriented tires 2, the tires 2 are placed one above the other, thus increasing the height of the stack, while in a stack of horizontally oriented tires 2, the tires 2 are placed adjacent to each other, thus increasing the length of the stack. Obviously, in the same Warehouse 1, there can be stacks of vertically oriented tires 2 and stacks of horizontally oriented tires 2.

[0025] A series of forklifts 4 operate inside Warehouse 1, i.e., they move the stacks of tires 2, and in particular, place the stacks of tires 2 from the production line on the support elements 3 and retrieve the stacks of tires 2 from the support elements 3 in order to insert the stacks of tires 2 into containers or trucks.

[0026] Each forklift 4 is an operating device provided with wheels, which is operated by an electric motor, a diesel engine, or a gas engine, and includes a holding device 5, which is arranged at the front and is designed to lift the stack of tires 2. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the holding device 5 consists of a pair of fork-like members (only one of which is visible in the drawings), which lift the stack of tires 2 from the bottom; according to different embodiments not shown herein, the holding device 5 consists of a clamp that laterally clamps the stack of tires 2.

[0027] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , each tire 2 has an annular shape with a central cavity 6.

[0028] According to Figure 3 , each tire 2 includes an annular carcass 8, which is composed of a carcass ply 9 that is partially folded onto itself and thus has two "hems" (i.e., two overlapping layers) on the side. In each hem of the carcass ply 9, the edge (i.e., the final end) of the carcass ply 9 abuts against the middle part of the carcass ply 9.

[0029] On opposite sides of the carcass 8, there are two annular beads 10, each bead being surrounded by the carcass ply 9 (i.e., surrounded by the turned-up edge of the carcass ply 9) and having a bead core 11 and a bead filler 12, the bead core being reinforced by a plurality of wire loops; in other words, the bead core 11 consists of steel wires embedded in rubber and ensures a perfect connection between the tire 2 and the rim. Thus, each bead core 11 is substantially made of a metallic material, i.e., it is mainly a metallic object covered by a relatively thin rubber layer.

[0030] The carcass 8 supports the annular tread 13; between the carcass 8 and the tread 13, there is interposed a tread belt 14, which includes two tread plies 15. Each tread ply 15 includes a plurality of metal cords (not shown), the plurality of metal cords being embedded in a rubber belt layer, arranged side by side with a given pitch, and forming an inclination angle determined with respect to the equatorial plane of the tire 2.

[0031] Inside the carcass ply 9, there is an inner liner 16, which is airtight, forms an inner coating and has the function of keeping air inside the tire 2 in order to maintain the inflation pressure of the tire 2 over time.

[0032] The carcass ply 9 supports a pair of sidewalls 17, which are arranged on the outer side of the carcass ply 9, between the tread 13 and the beads 10.

[0033] Finally, the carcass ply 9 supports a pair of wear-resistant tapes 18, which are arranged on the outer side of the radial inner side of the sidewalls 17 and in the area of the beads 10.

[0034] According to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , each tire 2 is also provided with (at least) an identification label 19, which is preferably attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tire in a removable manner by gluing or an adhesive, and supports a temporary RFID device 20 that can be read from a distance (shown in Figure 4 ).

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, each temporary RFID device 20 can store a so-called "Unique Item Identifier - UII", which is used for applications in the tire industry according to the ISO 20910 standard, and is encoded with "SGTIN - 96" ( "96-bit - Serialized Global Trade Item Number") according to the "GS1 EPC Tag Data" standard.

[0036] It should be noted that in each tire 2, the temporary RFID device 20 is only used within the warehouse 1 and, if necessary, during the transportation of the tire 2 to the end user, but the temporary RFID device is generally removed (and thus discarded) from the tire 2 before the tire 2 is assembled on the rim. The temporary RFID device 20 is used because, compared to the permanent RFID embedded in the tire (shown by reference numeral 7 in Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), the temporary RFID device can be read more easily (much more easily) when the tires 2 are stacked (as described below). The temporary RFID device 20 always contains information allowing the tire 2 to be identified (e.g., its serial number); in particular, the temporary RFID device 20 contains a so-called "Unique Item Identifier - UII".

[0037] In each tire 2, the identification tag 19 (supporting the temporary RFID device 20) is arranged in the region of the annular bead 10 and, in particular, radially overlaps the bead core 11.

[0038] Preferably, the identification tag 19 radially overlaps the bead core 11 and extends radially at least in the radially inward direction beyond the bead core 11.

[0039] Figure 3 Two different (and completely equivalent) positions of the identification tag 19 in the tire 2 are shown: the identification tag 19 can be attached to the axially outer side of the outer peripheral surface of the tire, such as on the wear-resistant tape 18 or on the sidewall 17, or the identification tag 19 can be attached to the axially inner side of the outer peripheral surface of the tire 2, such as on the inner liner 16 or on the axially inner part of the wear-resistant tape 18, which is radially inside the end of the inner liner 16; Figure 3 Two identification tags 19 in two different positions are shown, but obviously, there is actually a single identification tag 19.

[0040] Preferably, the identification tag 19 is attached to the tire (2) on the peripheral surface located axially outside the bead core 11.

[0041] Preferably, the identification tag 19 is attached to the tire (2) on the peripheral surface located axially inside the bead core 11.

[0042] According to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 , each identification tag 19 has an external part 21 (i.e., arranged more radially outside) and a radially inner part 22, the external part being attached (glued or by an adhesive) to the tire 2 in the region of the annular bead 10, the radially inner part being connected to the external part 1, the external part protruding freely without being attached to the tire 2 in the region of the annular bead 10.

[0043] Each radial outer portion 21 of each identification label 19 has a radially outer end 211 and a radially inner end 212; the radial inner portion 22 is connected to the radially inner end 212 of the outer portion 21.

[0044] Preferably, the radial distance between the radially outer end 211 and the radially inner end 212 of the outer portion 21 of the identification label 19 is in the range of 85 mm to 15 mm, preferably in the range of 55 mm to 35 mm, more preferably in the range of 50 mm to 25 mm, and even more preferably about 45 mm.

[0045] The radial inner portion 22 of the identification label 19 protrudes like a flag from the radially innermost annular edge of the region of the annular bead 10 of the tire 2 towards the center of the central cavity 6.

[0046] In each identification label 19, the outer portion 21 of the identification label 19 has an attachment surface 23 which is attached (in particular by gluing) to the outer peripheral surface of the tire 2.

[0047] Preferably, the outer portion 21 is attached to the tire 2 in the region radially outside the bead core 11.

[0048] Preferably, the outer portion 21 is attached to the tire 2 in the region radially overlapping the wear-resistant tape 18.

[0049] Preferably, the outer portion 21 is attached to the tire 2 in the region radially overlapping the sidewall 17.

[0050] Preferably, the outer portion 21 is attached to the tire 2 in the region radially overlapping both the sidewall 17 and the wear-resistant tape 18.

[0051] Preferably, the outer portion 21 is attached to the tire 2 in the region of the outer peripheral surface of the tire 2 having the minimum curvature.

[0052] In each identification label 19, the inner portion 22 of the identification label 19 is completely free and hangs in the air, that is, all surfaces of the inner portion 22 are in the air and do not contact any part of the tire 2.

[0053] Each identification label 19 is attached (glued) to the outer peripheral surface of the tire 2 by glue or an adhesive, which allows the identification label 19 to be subsequently removed in a relatively simple manner; for example, a non-drying re-adhesive or adhesive 23 can be used, which thus allows the identification label 19 to be relatively easily removed from the outer surface of the corresponding tire 2.

[0054] The terms "radial", "radially" or "axial", "axially" and their derivatives used herein and hereinafter shall have the common meaning understood in the tire industry and according to Figure 3the reference given in, where the radial direction is along the Z-axis, the axial direction is along the Y-axis, and the circumferential direction is along the X-axis.

[0055] The terms "outer" or "inner" in combination with the radial and axial directions can be clearly identified by the following reference Figure 3 example: The tread 13 is located radially outside the bead core 11, and in the sidewall region, the inner liner 16 is located axially inside the sidewall 17.

[0056] According to Figure 4 the preferred embodiment shown, the identification tag 19 includes a radially outer portion 21 having a radially outer end 211 and a radially inner end 212, and a radially inner portion 22 connected to the radially inner end 212 of the outer portion 22.

[0057] The identification tag 19 includes a temporary RFID device 20. The temporary RFID device 20 is arranged only and exclusively on the radially inner portion 22 of the identification tag 19, such that the RFID device 20 is not present in the radially outer portion 21 at all.

[0058] The temporary RFID device 20 includes an antenna, and the antenna is arranged only in the inner portion 22 and does not extend to the outer portion 21.

[0059] In Figure 4 the preferred embodiment shown, the antenna includes a first antenna element 24 and a second antenna element 25.

[0060] Both the first antenna element 24 and the second antenna element 25 are arranged only in the inner portion 22 and do not extend to the outer portion 21.

[0061] The temporary RFID device 20 includes a microchip 26.

[0062] The microchip 26 is electrically connected to the antenna.

[0063] The microchip 26 is electrically connected to the first antenna element 24.

[0064] The first antenna element 24 is electromagnetically connected to the second antenna element 25.

[0065] The outer portion 21 of the identification tag 19 has a connection surface 23, which is adapted to be attached (in particular by gluing or fixing with an adhesive) to the circumferential surface of the tire 2.

[0066] In addition, the microchip 26 (i.e., the microelectronic circuit) is provided with a non-volatile memory (usually an EEPROM or FRAM memory, the latter being more expensive but technically more advanced).

[0067] The microchip 26 may be provided with an automatic tuning mechanism that can automatically adjust its internal impedance in order to optimize and improve the readability performance, thereby allowing for greater tolerances in the production and positioning of the identification tags 19.

[0068] Each identification tag 19 includes a support 27 on which the temporary RFID device 20 is accommodated and which generally consists of a sheet of polyester film, plastic (such as PET or PVC), or other similar materials.

[0069] According to Figure 2 the preferred embodiment shown, reader devices 28 (each reader device includes an electronic control unit 29 and an antenna 30) are arranged at fixed positions in the warehouse 1. Each antenna 30 operates to radiate / receive RF signals having frequencies in the "UHF - Ultra High Frequency" band, preferably in the frequency range from 860 MHz to 960 MHz, more preferably in the frequency sub - range from 865 MHz to 868 MHz and / or in the frequency sub - range from 902 MHz to 928 MHz. In addition, optional requirements for each antenna 30 may conveniently include a gain of more than 0 dB and circular polarization.

[0070] According to Figure 1 , some antennas 30 are arranged horizontally at a given height (greater than the maximum height of the stack of tires 2) in order to read the temporary RFID devices 20 of the vertically stacked tires 2. According to Figure 6 or Figure 8 , some antennas 30 are arranged vertically at positions considered suitable for reading the temporary RFID devices 20 of the horizontally stacked tires 2; for example, one or two antennas 30 may be arranged on the sides of the door / gate through which the support element 3 supporting at least one stack of horizontally arranged tires 2 passes. Generally speaking, horizontal antennas 30 can read the temporary RFID devices 20 of the vertically stacked tires 2 (as Figure 8 shown), or vertical antennas 30 can read the temporary RFID devices 20 of the horizontally stacked tires 2. In fact, in order to effectively read the temporary RFID devices 20 of the stacked tires 2, the antenna 30 must face the central cavity 6 of the stacked tires 2 in order to "see" all the corresponding temporary RFID devices 20 located in the central cavity 6; thus, in order to "see" all the temporary RFID devices 20 of the vertically stacked tires 2 of the tire 2, the antenna 30 must be horizontally oriented and must be located above or below the stack, and in order to "see" all the temporary RFID devices 20 of the horizontally stacked tires 2 of the tire 2, the antenna 30 must be vertically oriented and must be located on the side of the stack.

[0071] In other words, the stack of each tire 2 to be identified is placed close to the antenna 30 of the reader device 28, in particular below or beside the antenna 30, such that the antenna 30 faces and is aligned with the central cavity 6 of the tires 2 forming the stack.

[0072] According to a preferred embodiment, a single antenna 30 is sufficient to read all the temporary RFID devices 20 of the tires 2 of the stack of tires 2, i.e., the single antenna 30 is arranged at a single end (above, below or beside) of the stack; alternatively and for greater certainty, two antennas 30 can be used to read all the temporary RFID devices 20 of the tires 2 of the stack of tires 2, i.e., the two antennas 30 are arranged opposite to each other at the two ends (above, below or beside) of the stack.

[0073] However, it should be noted that in theory, the antenna 30 can read the temporary RFID devices 20 of the stack of tires 2 arranged vertically and horizontally regardless of its orientation.

[0074] In use, the stack of tires 2 to be identified is placed in the reading field of the antenna 30 of the reader device 28 (i.e., below or beside the antenna 30) so as to allow the reader device 28 to read all the temporary RFID devices 20 of the tires 2; in particular, the stack of tires 2 (usually carried by the holding device 5 of the forklift 4) can be briefly stopped in the area of the antenna 30 of the reader device 28 or can be made to move slowly forward in the area of the antenna 30 of the reader device 28. If, in addition to reading all the temporary RFID devices 20 of the tires 2, the reader device 28 happens to also read one or more permanent RFID devices 7, the reading of the permanent RFID devices 7 will simply be redundant with respect to the reading of the temporary RFID devices 20 and can be ignored as a "duplicate" without causing any kind of problem. In particular, according to the "RFID EPC Gen2 GS1" protocol, when two RFID devices 7 and 20 with the same name are read and thus there is no unambiguous EPC, after the interrogation of the reader device 28, the single RFID device 7 or 20 present in the reading field is signaled.

[0075] Due to the above, the warehouse 1 is clearly provided with a logistics system which, due to the autonomous reading (i.e., without manual intervention by an operator) of the temporary RFID devices 20 attached to the tires 2, allows the handling of the tires 2 to be managed in a highly automated manner. In particular, the reader device 28 is connected to the control server 31 of the warehouse 1 (in Figure 1(schematically shown in); the control server 31 is also connected to a tablet computer 32 (or similar portable device) used by the operator of the forklift 4. Through the tablet computer 32, the operator of the forklift 4 receives operation instructions from the control server 31 and conveys the execution of the tasks assigned to the control server 31 in order to update the status of the warehouse 1 in real time, that is, the status of the tires 2 stored, retrieved, and currently present in the warehouse 1. In other words, the control server 31 runs management software that processes the communication between the reader device 28 and human operators (some of whom drive the forklift 4).

[0076] According to a possible (although non-limiting) embodiment, in order to allow the operator of the forklift 4 to quickly and confidently ensure that the reader device 28 has read all the temporary RFID devices 20 that make up the stack of tires 2 carried by the holding device 5 (a stack of TBR truck tires 2 usually consists of five to eight TBR tires 2 one on top of the other or next to each other, depending on the size of the tire 2), the operator must enter (type) the number of tires 2 loaded on the holding device 5 each time using the tablet computer 32 (the software installed in the tablet computer 32 may have suggested a predefined limited selection of the number of tires 2 loaded on the holding device 5 to the operator); the software installed in the tablet computer 32 checks whether the number of temporary RFID devices 20 read by the reader device 28 corresponds to (i.e., is the same as) the number of tires 2 loaded on the holding device 5 of the forklift 4 (provided by the operator): in the case of the same number, the software provides a positive signal (e.g., through a green light), and the reading operation experienced by the temporary RFID devices 20 ends, while in the case of a different number, the software provides a negative signal (e.g., through a red light and an acoustic warning), and the reading operation experienced by the temporary RFID devices 20 must be repeated.

[0077] It should be noted that the same reader device 28 may include several antennas 30 arranged at different positions (anyway, close to each other) and activated by the electronic control unit at different times; in this way, the driver of the forklift 4 transporting (at least) the stack of tires 2 does not have to precisely follow a predefined set route, but can even deviate (more or less accidentally) from the predefined set route because the multiple antennas 30 allow the operator to cover a relatively large area around the predefined set route.

[0078] In Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the antennas 30 of the reader device 28 are arranged at fixed positions inside the warehouse 1, that is, the antennas 30 of the reader device 28 are mounted on the fixed structure of the warehouse 1. In Figure 7 and Figure 8In the variant shown, at least one reader device 28 is mounted on the forklift 4; in particular, the forklift 4 includes a support device 33 (e.g., mounted on the roof of the forklift 4) that supports the antenna 30 so as to bring the antenna 30 close to (usually, but not necessarily, above) a stack of tires 2 (or multiple stacks of tires 2) carried by the holding device 5 of the forklift 4. The support device 33 may also have a telescopic arm to move the antenna 30 close to (usually, but not necessarily, above) a stack of tires 2 (or multiple stacks of tires 2) carried by the holding device of the forklift 4 only when needed. The antenna 30 (or antennas 30) of the reader device 28 mounted on the forklift 4 may also be mounted on the frame of the holding device 5.

[0079] The embodiments described herein can be combined with each other without thereby exceeding the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0080] The above-mentioned tire 2 has many advantages.

[0081] First of all, the above-mentioned tire 2 allows for efficient (fast) and effective (reliable) identification of all the tires 2 constituting the stack by means of a reader device 28 provided with a single antenna 30 arranged in a fixed position (and thus, by means of a simple, economical and easy-to-use reader device 28). This result is obtained due to the specific positioning of the identification tag 19, which allows the tires 2 to always be read in a reliable manner even when they are stacked; in fact, even when the stacked tires 2 are being handled, the central cavity 6 of the tire 2 (where the identification tag 19 is located) is always free of electromagnetic shielding (due to the Faraday cage generated by the metal elements of the tire 2).

[0082] Furthermore, the specific construction of the identification tag 19 and the resulting positioning of the temporary RFID device 20 allow for maximizing the available reading distance of the temporary RFID device 20, since the "in-air" positioning of the radially inner part 22 allows the temporary RFID device to be away from any metal mass (i.e., the bead core 11) of the tire 2, which would be an interfering element.

[0083] Some experiments have shown that a reader device 28 provided with a single antenna 30 oriented horizontally or vertically is able to read the temporary RFID devices 20 of all the tires 2 in the stack up to a distance of 6 to 8 meters from the antenna 30 of the tire 2 that is the farthest in the stack.

[0084] In addition, the positioning of the identification tag 19 inside the tire 2 (i.e., in the area of the central cavity 6 of the tire 2, protruding inward from the bead 10) provides great protection for the identification tag 19 and thus it is substantially not affected by damage or accidental detachment; in fact, during the handling of the bead 10, the area of this bead is never touched in any way.

[0085] Finally, the identification tag 19 is inexpensive (and thus represents a negligible part of the total manufacturing cost of the tire) because the temporary RFID device 20 can have relatively small antenna elements 24 and 25.

[0086] Furthermore, it should be noted that for each tire 2, it is always sufficient to apply a single identification tag 19 because, regardless of the orientation and stacking of the tire 2, a single identification tag 19 is always read from the top; in any case, it should be noted that it is not prohibited to attach a single tire 2 to two or more identification tags 19 (even if it is essentially useless).

[0087] The present invention finds advantageous application in handling so-called TBR ("Truck and Bus Radial") tires 2, but in any case, the present invention can be applied to any type of tire 2 (larger or smaller than the so-called TBR tires 2).

[0088] List of Reference Numerals

[0089] 1 Warehouse

[0090] 2 Tire

[0091] 3 Support element

[0092] 4 Forklift

[0093] 5 Holding device

[0094] 6 Central cavity

[0095] 7 Permanent RFID device

[0096] 8 Carcass

[0097] 9 Carcass ply

[0098] 10 Bead

[0099] 11 Bead core

[0100] 12 Bead filler

[0101] 13 Tread

[0102] 14 Tread belt

[0103] 15 Tread ply

[0104] 16 Inner liner

[0105] 17 Sidewall

[0106] 18 Wear-resistant tape

[0107] 19 Identification tag

[0108] 20 Temporary RFID device

[0109] 21 Inner part

[0110] 22 Outer part

[0111] 23 Connection surface

[0112] 24 First antenna element

[0113] 25 Second antenna element

[0114] 26 Microchip

[0115] 27 Support

[0116] 28 Reader device

[0117] 29 Electronic control unit

[0118] 30 Antenna

[0119] 31 Control server

[0120] 32 Tablet computer

[0121] 33 Support device

Claims

1. A tire (2), comprising: An annular carcass (8) having a central cavity (6); Two annular beads (10), each annular bead having at least one bead core (11); And An identification label (19), which is preferably removably attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tire by gluing or an adhesive, and supports a temporary RFID device (20) that can be read from a distance; Wherein the identification label (19) is arranged in the region of the annular bead (10); and Wherein the identification label (19) has a radially outer portion (21) attached to the tire (2) and having a radially outer end (211) and a radially inner end (212), and a radially inner portion (22), the radially inner portion protruding freely from the tire (2) without being attached to the tire (2) and connected to the radially inner end (212) of the outer portion (21); The tire (2) is characterized in that the temporary RFID device (20) is arranged only and exclusively on the radially inner portion (22) of the identification label (19), such that the RFID device (20) is not present in the radially outer portion (21) at all.

2. The tire (2) according to claim 1, wherein the radially inner portion (22) protrudes like a flag from the radially innermost annular edge of the region of the annular bead (10) of the tire (2) towards the center of the central cavity (6).

3. The tire (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radial distance between the radially outer end (211) and the radially inner end (212) of the outer portion (21) of the identification label (19) is in the range of 85 mm to 15 mm, preferably in the range of 55 mm to 35 mm.

4. The tire (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer portion (21) of the identification label (19) has a connecting surface (23), and the connecting surface is attached to the tire (2) in the region of the bead core (11).

5. The tire (2) according to claim 4, wherein the inner portion (22) of the identification label (19) does not have a connecting surface (23), is not glued to the region of the annular bead (10), and hangs completely freely in the air, that is, all surfaces of the inner portion (22) are in the air.

6. The tire (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temporary RFID device (20) includes an antenna, and the antenna is arranged only on the inner portion (22) and does not extend to the outer portion (21).

7. The tire (2) according to claim 6, wherein: The antenna includes a first antenna element (24) and a second antenna element (25); and The first antenna element (24) is electromagnetically connected to the second antenna element (25).

8. The tire (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification label (19) is positioned on a peripheral surface that is axially outside the bead core (11).

9. The tire (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the identification label (19) is positioned on a peripheral surface axially inside the bead core 11.

10. A warehouse (1) for tires (2), the warehouse comprising a plurality of tires (2), each tire being a tire according to one of claims 1 to 9 and thus provided with an identification label (19); wherein the tires (2) are arranged in a stacked manner.

11. The warehouse (1) according to claim 10, comprising: a reader device (28) designed to read the RFID device from a distance and comprising at least one antenna (30); and a processing device configured to place the stack of tires (2) to be identified close to the antenna (30) of the reader device (28), in particular below or next to the antenna (30), such that the antenna (30) faces and is aligned with the central cavity (6) of the tires (2) forming the stack.

12. The warehouse (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the reader device (28) comprises a plurality of antennas (30) which are alternately activated to increase the area covered by the reading.

13. A method for handling a warehouse (1) for tires (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: applying the identification label (19) to each tire (2); and stacking the tires (2) into a pile.

14. The handling method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: installing a reader device (28) designed to read the RFID device from a distance and comprising at least one antenna (30); and placing the stack of tires (2) to be identified close to the antenna (30) of the reader device (28), in particular below or next to the antenna (30), such that the antenna (30) faces and is aligned with the central cavity (6) of the tires (2) forming the stack.

15. The handling method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the reader device (28) comprises a plurality of antennas (30) which are alternately activated to increase the area covered by the reading.

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