Abstract: The present invention is directed towards the hybrid combination of a drop gate injection molding system and a lattice gate. The lattice gate is located prior to the orifice of the drop gate. The lattice gate is comprised of a series of cross-direction flow channels through which the rubber flows, with mixing of the rubbers at the intersections of the flow channels. This hybrid molding system permits shorter cure times, and improved process cycle time for curing rubbers.

Abstract: A reinforcing structure designed for handling compression stress states when the structure is molded into a composite. The structure, specifically a wrapped cord with metallic filaments contained therein, is suitable for both compression and tension load forces. The reinforcing structure has a core comprising a plurality of essentially straight, nested filaments arranged in parallel, the filaments forming a line of contact with adjacent filaments that extends along the length of the filaments. Wrapped about the core is at least one helically wound wire.

Abstract: An improved method of bonding at least two cured or uncured elastomeric layers is disclosed. The method comprising placing an uncured elastomeric component (22) between the two elastomeric layers, and curing the elastomeric component to bond the elastomeric layers together. The improvement is characterized by forming the uncured elastomeric component (22) by preparing two non-productive elastomer compounds (10, 12), wherein each non-productive compound (10 or 12) is prepared with a co-reacting agent of a co-reacting cure package not added to the other non-productive compound (12 or 10), and layering the non-productive elastomer compounds (10, 12) in alternating layers with a thickness relative to the diffusion rate of the co-reacting agents in each non-productive elastomeric layer (10, 12) to effect diffusion of the co-reacting cure agents through the adjacent layers.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) comprises a radial ply (12) carcass, a tread portion disposed radially outwardly of the crown area (14) of the carcass and a crown reinforcing structure interposed between the tread portion (19) and the carcass. The crown reinforcing structure includes a belt assembly (15) having at least a first (16), radially innermost and a second (17), radially outermost belt ply as well as a textile overlay structure (18) which is superimposed radially outwardly to said belt assembly (15). The textile overlay structure is reinforced with cords (40, 51) being made of materials including nylon and aramid. At initial elongation of the cords, the primary load bearing yarns are the nylon yarns; after appreciable elongation the primary load bearing yarns are the aramid yarns.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the structure of an inline runner for injection molding which uniformly increases the temperature of the injected compound as the compound flows from the injection port to single or multiple drop gates at the entrance to single or multiple injection mold cavities. The inline runner has two opposing series of parallel channels formed into the runner for the purpose of mixing the compound as it flows through the runner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flexible hose for transporting hydrogen and oxygen gases for use in a fuel cell vehicle. The hose has a low permeation rate and will not contaminate the fuel cell system due to interactions between the hose and the transported gases. The hose has a multi-layer inner tube, a reinforcing layer, and a cover layer wherein the multi-layer inner tube is characterized by the innermost layer being formed from a liquid crystal polymer. A second low permeability layer may be present radially outward of the liquid crystal polymer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid heating of calender rolls 350, 352 for a calendering apparatus 200 is disclosed. At a heating area 800, the rolls 350, 352 are preheated, reheated, or maintained at any temperature prior to the rolls 350, 352 being placed into the calendering apparatus 300. The preferred method of heating is by induction heating. The rolls 350, 352 may be delivered to the heating apparatus 802 from an initial storage area 420 or the calendering apparatus 300. The rolls 350, 352 are transported by an overhead transfer mechanism 400. The disclosed method and apparatus greatly facilitate formation of multi-layered laminates and is particularly useful in the tire building art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing endless reinforced belts is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of laying up on a flat build table at least one sheet of curable material and at least one sheet of reinforcement material forming a carcass, curing a central portion of the carcass, and then splicing and curing the uncured ends of the carcass to form the endless lugged track. The manufacturing system has three cells: a building cell, a flat cure press cell, and a splice cure press cell. Each cell is operated in series.

Abstract: An electrically conductive article (1) which maintains the conductive property over an extended use life is comprised of an electrically conductive thermoplastic layer (8) on the surface which is in contact with another article. When forming belts for synchronous drive systems, in addition to maintaining the electrical properties, the conductive layer exhibits high abrasion resistance and good tooth formation. A bonding layer (9) may be provided between the article body and the conductive layer (8).

Abstract: This invention relates to annular or endless elastomeric track 10 for use in vehicles for civil engineering, construction works and agricultural works. The track 10 has a thin belt 20 which includes a primary table 59 made of corrosion resistant galvanized steel. The track 10 further has a plurality of spaced rubber traction tread lugs 30, on the outer surface oriented generally inclined, transverse or substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction and guide lugs 32 on the internal surface 31.

Abstract: The disclosed roller switch has a roller, a flag arm, and a photoelectric detector. The roller is connected to the flag arm and vertical movement of the roller causes the flag arm to move. The movement of the flag arm causes the photoelectric detector to send a signal. The signal may be used to measure the length of a material passing under the roller. The inventive roller switch has a pair of flag arms, and the roller is mounted on a shaft extending between the pair of flag arms. By providing a pair of flag arms connected by the roller, the roller switch is more robust and durable. The roller switch is also capable of pivoting across a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A support ring for a tire is disclosed. The support ring is to be mounted on a tire wheel for support of the underside of the tire when the tire is operated at underinflated conditions. The outer surface of the support ring is provided with a set of grooves that permit lubrication to freely travel over the surface of the ring during use.

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: A building unit for constructing a multi-layered, finite length structure, and a method of building such a structure is disclosed. Rolls of stock material are stored in cartridge stations adjacent to a build table. Mounted on the build table and capable of traveling the length of the build table is a build shuttle. The stock material is moved onto the build shuttle and as the shuttle travels the length of the table, the material is dispensed and laid onto the table. The shear assembly on the build shuttle cuts the material to a specified length. In this manner, a plurality of layers are laid onto the table until a structure containing a desired number of layers is achieved.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for accurately applying a cord to a rotatable mandrel while manufacturing cord reinforced articles. The apparatus includes a rotating build mandrel, a cord supply, and a feed capstan for assisting in feeding cord from the cord supply to the mandrel along a defined cord path. At least two drums of differing diameters are located in the cord path. Encoders are connected to each drum for measuring at least the angular movement of the drum. Using the angular movement of the drums, the effective pitch line differential of the cord is determined.

Abstract: Steel wire is drawn from an initial diameter to a desired final or intermediate diameter by the use of a non-linear tapered draft. During the non-linear tapered draft, the wire is drawn through a series of successive dies, reducing the wire diameter to a desired diameter, wherein the drawing strain at each successive die is gradually reduced. The drawing strain is based upon the actual strength of the steel at each die. The wire may also be subjected to a skin pass, reducing the wire by a diameter by less than 4%, following reduction of the wire to either the final or the intermediate diameter.

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 (43). The method of manufacturing the tire (10) is described. The tire (10) can be made as a runflat type tire.

Abstract: A strip of tire ply stock is reinforced with steel cords wherein the steel cords are constructed of high strength wire filament having at least a tensile strength of −2000×D+4400 MPa where D is the filament diameter in mm. Tires are constructed with the ply stock in the belt and/or carcass.

Abstract: An unloader is used to remove a lugged strip from a press. The unloader has a pair of spaced, adjacent horizontal tines for pulling the lugged strip out of the press and the press lug molds and onto the unloader. To assist in removing the lugged strip from the press, at least one tine has a conveyor belt mounted on its upper surface. The conveyor belt is run in one direction to pull the strip onto the unloader and in the opposing direction to assist with removing the cured strip from the unloader.