Abstract:
An auger for a grinder material for a tire filling machine, having: a cylindrical column; and a plurality of flights extending outwardly from the cylindrical core, wherein (i) the flights are arranged in pairs extending radially outwards from the cylindrical column at 180 degrees to one another, and (ii) each flight has a sharpened leading edge. Each pair of flights are positioned at angles of approximately 50 or 60 degrees to one another, and each flight extends approximately half way around the circumference of the cylindrical column, and there are no outer edge notches in the flights.
Abstract:
Expanded rubber articles (11) and processes for making such, comprising: partially curing an expandable rubber formulation (2) by heating it in a first mold cavity (1) to form a molded blank (3); releasing the molded blank (3) from the first mold cavity (1) and allowing the molded blank (5) to expand to form an expanded molded blank (4); and further curing and expanding the expanded molded blank (4) by heating it to form the expanded rubber article (11) comprising an expanded rubber part (6), wherein the expanded molded blank (4) is heated in a second mold cavity (5). Optionally, the expanded molded blank (4) is contacted with a further rubber formulation (7) and a substrate comprising a base material (9) and an elastomer bonding layer (8) in the second mold cavity (5) to form an expanded rubber article additionally comprising a solid rubber part (10) and a substrate (8, 9).
Abstract:
The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement using filament material that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.
Abstract:
This invention relates to curable rubber compositions containing a fullerene form of carbon which is used as a reinforcing agent in the rubber compositions, the fullerene form of carbon being used in place of at least a portion of, or in addition to, the normally used forms of carbon black reinforcement additives. The invention particularly relates to tires having treads composed of such rubber composition(s). The fullerenes may optionally have surface modifications such as partial or complete hydrogen or functional group substitution. The fullerene form of non-conventional carbon reinforcement of rubber composition(s) may exist as discrete particles, aggregates of particles and/or agglomerates. The carbon fullerene has a lower specific gravity than conventional carbon black, thereby allowing a reduced weight tire or other article made from the rubber compound(s) for comparable volumes of carbon black used.
Abstract:
The preferred embodiment is directed to a pneumatic tire having a plurality of layers of high density foam rubber formed therein and methods of manufacturing and installing the layers therein. The preferred method of forming the layers of fill to be inserted in the pneumatic tire casing includes the following steps. Forming an elongated strip of elastomeric material of a size sufficient to form at least two concentric layers in a predetermined size casing of a pneumatic tire at a manufacturing site. At least one dimension of the elongated strip is the same as at least one dimension of the two concentric layers when inserted in the casing. Formulating data sheet having information from which the elongated strips can be cut to form the at least two layers for at least one predetermined condition. Transporting the elongated strip of the elastomeric material and the data sheet to an installation site remote from the manufacturing site.
Abstract:
A toroidal semifinished product (5) made of raw elastomeric material is semivulcanized in a semivulcanization chamber (4) defined between two half-molds (2, 3) disposed close to each other. A pressure, preferably equal to the pressure exerted by the gases generated in the semifinished product (5), is created in the mold (1a). The half-molds (2, 3) are moved apart from each other and pressure in the mold is gradually reduced, thereby giving rise to the expansion and consequent transferring of the semifinished product (5) from the semivulcanization chamber (4) to a surrounding final vulcanization chamber (6). When the inner diameter of the semifinished product (5) is larger than the inner diameter of the final vulcanization chamber (6), said chamber is closed at its inner circumferential edge and then, after possible pressure increase in the mold, at its outer circumferential edge, in order to integrally enclose the semifinished product and enable completion of the vulcanization process.
Abstract:
Flatproofing liquid is provided to tires through a one-way disposable valve assembly. In accordance with the method, the valve stem core is removed from the tire to allow the liquid to be freely admitted. A one-way valve is attached to the valve stem, and the tire is filled with the flatproofing material. The flatproofing material is then allowed to cure in the tire and in the valve. After curing, the valve is removed and discarded. The apparatus includes an inexpensive one-way valve for connection to the valve stem at one end and supply hoses at the other.