TIRE SIPE DESIGN WITH VARIABLE TEARDROP SIZE HAVING LARGER LATERAL MIDPOINT

A tread for a heavy truck tire that has a rib is provided. A sipe is located in the rib and extends from a first lateral surface to a second lateral surface. A first end of a teardrop of the sipe is located at the first lateral surface, and a second end is at the second lateral surface. A middle section is located between the first and second ends, and a lateral midpoint of the teardrop is located at the middle section. A cross-section of the middle section at the lateral midpoint is greater in size than a cross-section of the first end. The cross-section of the middle section at the lateral midpoint is greater in size than a cross-section of the second end.