Abstract:
A tire casing, has an unvulcanized noncord reinforced subassembly 10A as an intermediate article of manufacture. The subassembly 10 has at least two components laminated to it. The components are selected from one or more of the component types consisting of a liner 50, sidewall 70, a chafer 60, a whitewall strip 80, a cover strip 90, and a gum shoulder strip 40. The subassembly 10A has a width (W) and a pair of ends 12,14, the distance between the ends 12,14 defining the subassembly length (L). Preferably, the components are laminated to one another and have common ends 12,14 that are spliced along a substantially flat plane (P). The flat plane (P) extends through the article across its axial width, preferably substantially perpendicular to the length of the subassembly. The flat plane (P) is inclined at an angle &thgr;, &thgr; being less than 90°, preferably about 80° relative to a radial normal plane (NP) passing through and perpendicular to the subassembly 10A. Each end 12,14 has a plurality of closely spaced ridges 81 and valleys 82 of a depth of less than one half the diameter (d) of the cold wire used to form the undulating substantially flat planar end surfaces 12,14.
Abstract:
This invention provides a method to hold tire reinforcements such as plies, belts and beads in place within a tire molding cavity while liquid elastomer surrounds the reinforcements, fills the tire mold and solidifies.
Abstract:
This invention pertains to a new method for manufacturing tires, an apparatus used with the new method and the article manufactured by the new method. The article is called the reinforced liquid elastomer tire (RLET). The method of manufacture includes placement of reinforcing materials inside a tire molding cavity and subsequently surrounding the reinforcement with a liquid elastomer which encapsulates the reinforcement and takes the outside shape of the tire mold. The liquid elastomer is solidified and the completed RLET is removed from the mold and ready for service.
Abstract:
This invention pertains to a tire which supports load by means of compressing the tire's elastomeric structure and requires no internal inflation pressure. The preferred embodiments utilize circumferential ribs or radially oriented ribs of elastomer to support the load.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed towards the use of low levels of a desiccant material in a rubber compound, such as for use as a tire tread, that allows for reduced cure times of tires cured under pressure, thereby increasing tire production. The low level of desiccant material reduces the blow point of the rubber compound by substantially eliminating blows earlier in the pressure curing process, thereby allowing for the reduced cure time of the tire under pressure. In one embodiment, low levels of no greater than about 9 phr of desiccant material, which may include generally a metal oxide (e.g. calcium oxide or magnesium oxide), are provided in the rubber compound. The rubber compound including the low levels of desiccant material may be cured, under pressure, at less than 30% of full cure of the rubber compound.
Abstract:
A tire (10) having a contoured precured bead filler or apex (40) with a contoured surface for directing the ply path (24A) of the cord reinforced carcass plies (24) is taught. The contour of the precured bead filler or apex (40) has a convex surface (42A) and concave surface (42B) that transition at an inflection location (T) at or below the rim flange (52) to which the tire (10) is to be mounted.
Abstract:
This invention pertains to a new method for manufacturing tires, an apparatus used with the new method and the article manufactured by the new method. The article is called the reinforced liquid elastomer tire (RLET). The method of manufacture includes placement of reinforcing materials inside a tire molding cavity and subsequently surrounding the reinforcement with a liquid elastomer which encapsulates the reinforcement and takes the outside shape of the tire mold. The liquid elastomer is solidified and the completed RLET is removed from the mold and ready for service.