FOAM-BASED RFID LABEL

1 . A method of installing a foam-based RFID label in or on a vulcanized tire comprising the steps of:

(a) forming either during vulcanization or post-vulcanization a recess having a predetermined shape on an outermost or innermost surface of the tire;

(b) providing the foam-based RFID label configured to identify the tire and/or to sense conditions of the tire and communicate the same to an RFID reader when within a predetermined proximity of the RFID reader; and

(c) affixing the foam-based RFID label within the recess of the vulcantized tire by contacting and adhering an adhesive surface of the foam-based RFID label to a surface of the recess to identify the tire and/or sense conditions of the tire, wherein:

an RFID device is positioned within the RFID label and disposed between a foam layer and a face layer that are adhered to one another.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the recess is formed during vulcanization by molding a predetermined shape within an outermost surface of a sidewall of the tire, the recess formed by a base, a plurality of connected sidewalls, and an opening formed opposite the base.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the adhesive surface of the foam-based RFID label is adhered to the base of the recess and completely positioned within the recess such that the face layer of the RFID device is flush with or slightly depressed relative to other outermost surfaces of the sidewall of the tire.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein peripheral edges of the foam-based RFID label are spaced apart from each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls of the recess.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising (d) applying a concealing composition over the foam based RFID label to conceal the face layer of the foam based RFID label within the tire.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the RFID device maintains RFID operability between 300 MHz to 3 GHz and identifies and/or senses conditions of the tire and further communicates the same to an RFID reader when within the predetermined proximity of the RFID reader.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the recess is formed by milling an outermost surface of the tire into a predetermined shape, the recess having a base, a plurality of connected sidewalls, and an opening formed opposite the base.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the adhesive surface of the foam-based RFID label is adhered to the base of the recess and completely positioned within the recess such that the face layer of the RFID device is flush with or slightly depressed relative to other outermost surfaces of the sidewall of the tire.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein peripheral edges of the foam-based RFID label are spaced apart from each sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls of the recess.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising (d) applying a concealing composition over the foam based RFID label to conceal the face layer of the foam based RFID label within the tire.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the RFID device maintains RFID operability between 300 MHz to 3 GHz and identifies and/or senses conditions of the tire and further communicates the same to an RFID reader when within a predetermined proximity of the RFID reader.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the foam-based RFID label further comprises:

a first adhesive layer between the face layer and foam layer that adhere the face layer and foam layer to one another and further encase the RFID device therein;

a second foam layer adhered to the foam layer by a second adhesive layer disposed between the foam layers;

a rubber adhesion layer coating an outer surface of the second foam layer that is opposite the second adhesive layer, the rubber adhesion layer configured to adhere and permanently affix the foam-based RFID label to the vulcanized tire; and

an optional removable liner configured to be removed from the foam-based RFID label before affixing the foam-based RFID label to the vulcanized tire.

13 . A foam-based RFID label comprising:

an RFID device positioned within the foam-based RFID label and disposed between a foam layer and a face layer that are adhered to one another, the RFID device configured to identify and/or sense conditions of a vulcanized tire and further communicate the same to an RFID reader when within a predetermined proximity of the RFID reader.

14 . The foam-based RFID label of claim 13 , wherein the RFID device includes a polyester planar substrate having an antenna and IC positioned therein with the RFID device configured to maintain operability between 300 MHz to 3 GHz to identify and/or sense conditions of a vulcanized tire and further communicates the same to an RFID reader when within a predetermined proximity of the RFID reader, and

the face layer formed of a polyester planar substrate that is more rigid than the polyester planar substrate of the RFID device.

15 . The foam-based RFID label of claim 14 , further comprising

a first adhesive layer between the face layer and foam layer that adhere the face layer and foam layer to one another and further encase the RFID device therein;

a second foam layer adhered to the foam layer by a second adhesive layer disposed between the foam layers;

a rubber adhesion layer coating an outer surface of the second foam layer that is opposite the second adhesive layer, the rubber adhesion layer configured to adhere and permanently affix the foam-based RFID label to the vulcanized tire; and

an optional removable liner configured to be removed from the foam-based RFID label before affixing the foam-based RFID label to the vulcanized tire.

16 . The foam-based RFID label of claim 15 , wherein each layer is planar and substantially parallel to one another within the foam-based RFID label.

17 . A vulcanized tire comprising a foam-based RFID label affixed within a recess of the vulcanized tire, wherein the foam-based RFID label comprises:

an RFID device positioned within the foam-based RFID label and disposed between a foam layer and a face layer that are adhered to one another, the RFID device configured to identify and/or sense conditions of a vulcanized tire and further communicate the same to an RFID reader when within a predetermined proximity of the RFID reader.

18 . The vulcanized tire of claim 17 , wherein the RFID device includes a polyester planar substrate having an antenna and IC positioned therein with the RFID device configured to maintain operability between 300 MHz to 3 GHz to identify and/or sense conditions of a vulcanized tire and further communicates the same to an RFID reader when within a predetermined proximity of the RFID reader, and

the face layer formed of a polyester planar substrate that is more rigid than the polyester planar substrate of the RFID device.

19 . The vulcanized tire of claim 18 , wherein the foam-based RFID label further comprises

a first adhesive layer between the face layer and foam layer that adhere the face layer and foam layer to one another and further encase the RFID device therein;

a second foam layer adhered to the foam layer by a second adhesive layer disposed between the foam layers;

a rubber adhesion layer coating an outer surface of the second foam layer that is opposite the second adhesive layer, the rubber adhesion layer configured to adhere and permanently affix the foam-based RFID label to the vulcanized tire; and

an optional removable liner configured to be removed from the foam-based RFID label before affixing the foam-based RFID label to the vulcanized tire.

20 . The vulcanized tire of claim 19 , further comprising a concealing composition applied over the foam-based RFID label that completely conceals the foam-based RFID label within the the vulcanized tire.