Abstract: By shifting the peak height of the tread on one side of the tire from the centerline (CL), for a tire intended for cambered use on a vehicle and/or exposure to lateral loading, improvements in the footprint shape, pressure distribution, area and footprint shape factor (FSF) are obtained. In an illustrated embodiment, 0.127 cm to 5 cm (deep) of mold material are removed from one side of the centerline (CL) of the crown in a conventional mold, at 15% to 85% of the distance from the centerline to the shoulder area of the mold (one-half inch to five and one-half inches in the illustrated tires), to obtain a mold shape having the designated change in tread peak height.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for testing the properties of chemicals in a reaction flow stream. In the method, chemicals from the reaction flow stream are directed to the apparatus for testing the physical properties of the chemicals, which is an indication of the state of the chemical reaction. Data measured by the apparatus is stored in a computer, and the computer may be used to analyze the data and to control the reaction parameters based on the analysis of the data. The apparatus used for the analysis comprises a rheometer having an actuated shaft and a concentric container, wherein the shear properties of the material sampled in the apparatus are measured when the actuator shaft is oscillated within the container. Various unique configurations of the apparatus are described.

Abstract: A process for adhering synthetic textile fibers to sulfur vulcanizable rubbers comprising the steps of (I) immersing the fibers in an aqueous solution which is comprised of (a) 1% to 4% by weight oxazoline polymer, (b) 0% to 4% alkylene glycol monoether and (c) 92% to 99% water to produce coated fibers; (II) drying the coated fibers to produce subcoated fibers; (III) subjecting the subcoated fibers to an RFL adhesive dip to produce dipped fibers; (IV) drying the dipped fibers to produce dried dipped fibers; (V) placing the dried dipped fibers in contact with a sulfur vulcanizable rubber; and (VI) curing the sulfur vulcanizable rubber while it is in contact with the dried dipped fibers. Also provided is a composite article made using the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling chemicals prevents exposure of laboratory personnel to the chemicals being tested and to volatile solvents or chemicals that may be mixed with the tested chemicals. The apparatus includes a sampling line connected to the source of the chemicals, a cooling means for reducing the temperature of the chemicals, and a sample holder for containing the sampled chemicals. In the method, the chemicals are removed from their source, cooled, and contained in the presence of a shortstop chemical, i.e. a chemical designed to terminate any chemical reaction that may be taking place when the chemicals are sampled. The apparatus also captures and contains any volatile solvents or chemicals that may be mixed with the chemicals being tested.

Abstract: A thermal detecting device can be used to detect standing waves in a tire. A one degree F. differential has been found to exist between the high flexing points and the low flexing points in a standing wave, and thermal imaging can be used to map the wave. Information on the standing waves can be used by the tire designer to improve a design.

Abstract: Ultrasonic sensors can be integrated and used to monitor composites throughout their production and during their useful lifetime. In an integrated program, ultrasonic sensors, in the illustrated embodiment contact sensors, can be used for quality control on raw rubber used for making a composite and for monitoring the cure of the rubber as it is transformed into a useful product, and non-contact sensors can be used to evaluate the product when it is completed, and to monitor its aging and wear during use. Such sensors can also be used in research to evaluate potential raw materials, and to compare cured candidate materials for properties useful in a completed product.

Abstract: High modulus reinforcement is used to make a radial ply pneumatic tire having only one carcass ply, i.e. a monoply tire. Poly-ethylene naphthalate (PEN) reinforcement is prepared in a manner that provides sufficient strength whereby the monoply tire can be made having reduced weight (as compared to a two ply tire) while having comparable durability, some improved handling, reduced rolling resistance, and improved flatspotting properties.

Abstract: A radial ply tire (10) has a floating reinforcement ply on the inside shoulder/sidewall region of the tire. The reinforcement ply comprises ply rubber having a gauge sufficient to delocalize flexing in the tire shoulder/sidewall region, and in one embodiment may be reinforced with 0.50 to 6.0 phr fibers. Depending on the type of tire in which the reinforcement ply is used, the reinforcement has a total gauge of 0.005 inch to 0.175 inch (0.127 to 4.445 mm). When fiber is used in the illustrated embodiment, the fiber is oriented circumferentially in the tire.

Abstract: A chip resistant pneumatic tire (10) is provided. The tire has an original reinforced rubber sheet (22, 22b) embedded in or under its tread (18) and/or sidewall (20 ), and is used in off the road applications such as mining. Low sulfur rubber (17) is used to coat the organic reinforcement (11), and its shown that such rubber (17) is more compatible with rubber used to form the tread (18) or sidewall (20), which together with the organic reinforcement (11), helps prevent chipping and chunking in the tread (18) and sidewall (20). The illustrated organic filaments of cords (11) have a round cross section and are at least 2000 denier (2200 dTex) and have a tenacity of at least 3.5 g/denier (31 cN/Tex), an initial modulus of at least 20 g/denier (177 cN/Tex), an elongation at break of at least 10%, and a shrinkage of at most 10%.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for welding materials has a flat anvil (12) having a width of at least two inches and a length of at least eighteen inches. A welding apparatus (14) having at least one welding head (22) is mounted on a rail (16) which is parallel to said anvil (12). The apparatus (10) may be mobile. In an illustrated embodiment, welding apparatus (14) is an ultrasonic welding unit, and apparatus (10) is used to weld thermoset materials. As illustrated, the method is used to weld thermoset plastic monofilament fabric (34) to provide a continuous method of treating the monofilament fabric (34).

Abstract: A tire tread comprises an intermediate portion disposed between two shoulder portions. The tire tread has an expanded void area with a width and length of 1.2 to 5 times the average width of a non-circumferential groove in the tread. In the illustrated embodiment, the expanded void area is in the intermediate portion of the tread and the void area is divided into two branches which are separated by an island of tread rubber. The illustrated island has a length and a variable width, and has rounded leading and trailing ends. The island is also disposed at an angle with respect to the centerline (CL) of the tread. In the illustrated embodiment, the tread has a circumferential aquachannel, and the islands and the aquachannel are in close proximity to one another.

Abstract: A method for predicting product performance uses sample data from a manufactured product under at least first and second different conditions, to establish transfer functions and a bias term simultaneously, which are then used to predict second condition properties for product when first condition properties are measured. In an illustrated embodiment, a method for predicting tire uniformity, preferably a harmonic component of force variation, preferably when operating at a high speed, is based on a tire's tested uniformity. A production tire's predicted tire uniformity is determined by a calculation using transfer functions applied to production tire measurement data obtained from factory floor testing equipment, which includes a factory floor balance checker and a factory tire uniformity machine, where the data are modified by a bias term that minimizes the machines contribution to the data.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting wheel is used to heat a polymer substrate as it is being cut. The cutting wheel has a heater and a thermocouple associated therewith, which are used to heat and control the temperature of the cutting wheel. The heat softens the substrate, making it easier to cut and reducing distortion caused by cutting. A cleaner cut also makes it more likely that polymer will be retained on reinforcement when the substrate is a reinforced polymer. A method of the invention comprises the steps of heating the cutting wheel and traversing the substrate with the heated cutting wheel.

Abstract: A resonant cavity frequency sensing device is used to sense the moisture content of a substrate. Data obtained by the sensing device can be used in a feedback loop in the apparatus employing the device, to help control the operation of the apparatus in order to obtain consistent results. The sensor may employ one pair of sensing plates or an array of pairs of sensing plates to obtain data from each part of the substrate. In an illustrated embodiment, the device is used to monitor and control dip uptake in a fabric adhesive dipping process.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding monofilaments at a loom makes possible a method for a continuous process for weaving monofilaments into fabric. The apparatus comprises a stand (15) on which is mounted welding apparatus (16) and a filament alignment block (20). In the method, a monofilament (30a) in the loom is welded to the leading end of a monofilament (30) on a new spool of monofilament. By welding new monofilament to monofilament in the loom, restringing of the loom is avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the fatigue of a sample of cord or filament (12) by bending it over a fixed surface (19). The apparatus comprises a tensioner (14), a fixed bending surface (19) and a driving mechanism (24), whereby the driving mechanism (24) causes a non-twisting bending of cord or filament (12) over bending surface (19) while tensioner (14) maintains a constant tension on cord or filament (12). In a method of the invention, a cord or filament (12) is attached to a tensioner (14), the cord or filament (12) is mounted on fixed bending surface (19) and attached to non-stationary roller (20), and driving mechanism (24) is activated to cause a back and forth movement of roller (20), thereby causing filament or cord (12) to bend back and forth over fixed bending surface (19) until it breaks.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire with a folded belt structure comprises a cut belt and an overlay encompassed by folded over edges of the folded belt. Low aspect ratio tires for high performance automobiles having this structure can be made using a variety of materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a plurality of samples comprises a carousel, means for indexing the movement of the carousel, an environmental chamber, and means for positioning the sample for viewing and measuring the results of the testing. The environmental chamber makes possible testing at elevated or reduced temperatures, and testing in a variety of atmospheres. The sample positioning means and the viewing means are automated.

Abstract: A sealed container is provided with a sensor capable of monitoring the physical and/or chemical condition of materials stored in the container. The sensor may or may not have its own power source. In the embodiment where the sensor does not have a power source, a communicator induces a signal in the sensor and receives a return signal with the desired data. The container may be a metal or a nonmetal.

Abstract: A tire 10 has a composite ply 40. The composite ply 40 has a primary ply 40A reinforced with parallel inextensible cords 41 and a pair of ply extensions 40B having synthetic cords. The method of manufacturing the tire 10 is described. The tire 10 can be made as a runflat type tire.