Abstract: A belt (1), and a method of forming a belt (1), with at least one row of teeth (5) formed on at least one surface of the betling (1). To improve the tooth formation of the belting (1), and the abrasion of the belting (1), the outer surface of the teeth (4) are formed with the disclosed bi-directional stretch woven fabric (7). The warp (10) and weft (11) yarns are formed of a core yarn (12) about which is helically wrapped at least one yarn (13 or 14), forming a scaffold construction. The bi-directional stretch characteristics of the fabric (7) permit greater deformation of the fabric (7) while forming the belt teeth (5).

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: Disclosed is a cap for use in manufacturing a curved hose on a mandrel. The cap is a cylinder with a wall, a base, and an opening. The cap has an open groove in the wall extending from the opening towards the base. A mandrel with a curve located near the end of the mandrel is inserted into the cap, the mandrel projecting from the cap groove. The cap enables the manufacture of a curved hose with a short straight end adjacent to a curve.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-pneumatic tire comprising a rim and one or more elastomeric materials bonded to the rim or to one another. The tire has an equatorial plane, an annular tread, and an annular elastomeric body having first and second spaced lateral sides equidistant from the equatorial plane and extending between the tread and the rim. The tire body has a plurality of equally spaced arches forming at least a first series of openings extending from the first side to the second side. The first openings having a height at least one-half the height of the tire side.

Abstract: The disclosed bladder (10) is useful in ambient temperature fabrication of rubber parts and components. Due to the particular combination of construction materials used, the bladder has excellent release properties and results in improved manufacturing uniformity. At least one portion of the bladder (10) is formed from a lack tack, high abrasion resistant polyurethane. The polyurethane may comprise a ring-shaped portion (26) of the bladder surface or an entire end (20) of the bladder.

Abstract: A drive system comprising a driver pulley, a driven pulley (22), and a belt (10). The belt (10) has a pulley engaging surface (16) comprised of a plurality of transversely extending self-tracking teeth (18). The driven pulley (22) has a non-grooved, crownless belt engaging surface (24). The material (20) forming the pulley engaging surface (16) of the belt (10) having a relatively low coefficient of friction, and the material (28) forming the belt engaging surface (24) of the driven pulley (22) having a relatively high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire (10) having a reinforcement package including a mid-ply belt having reinforcement at a 0° angle with respect tothe equatorial plane (EP) of the tire shows improved handling and durability. The mid-ply belt comprises reinforcing cords or filaments (28) that are discontinuous. The dicontinuous cords or filaments (28) make possible the production of a uniform tire in most tire designs, and the reinforcement of the mid-ply belt provides a tire with improved durability and handling properties. A tire with superior properties was produced using reinforcing cords or filaments (27) and (28) which are made from polyethylene napthalate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for inverting a lugged strip to a desired orientation without the necessity of manhandling the strip and potentially damaging the strip or any of the lugs. The apparatus has a semi-circular tube through which the strip travels. Within the tube, to assist the strip, is a conveyor. The conveyor is mounted on the larger diameter side of the semi-circular tube. The strip is moved from an unloader and into an opening of the inverter with the lugs. The strip makes contact with the far wall of the tube and then is forced to travel along the semi-circular path of the tube. Due to the forced curve and turning of the strip, the strip is inverted.

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: 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: The present invention is directed toward an improved method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire using a bladderless curing system. The tire is built on an associated tire building drum (26) by the layering of multiple tire components on the drum (26); one of the components is an innerliner strip (28). In accordance with the disclosed invention, the innerliner strip (28) is formed with precured regions (32). The precured regions (32) are formed by curing the innerliner strip (28) at one or more regions intermediate of the ends (30) of the strip (28). The strip (28) is applied to the tire building drum (26) and the ends (30) are spliced to one another.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imprinting a hose (2) with a continuous grip enhancing texture is disclosed. The texturing device (C, C′) is comprised of a circular guide tube (8) through which the hose (2) to be textured is driven. The guide tube (8) is rotated, by a drive (4). Texturing means mounted at the exit end of the guide tube (8) are also rotated about the hose (2) as the texture is applied to the hose (2). The texturing of the hose is accomplished by at least one roller (6) mounted on a chuck (5) or by at least one scribing pen (28) mounted on a bracket (24).

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic antivibration mount. The mount has an annular rubber spring et in an outer metal casing, encasing an inner metal portion having a central mounting means. The outer metal casing is crimped over the flange of an end cap. Located with the end cap and retained within the crimped portion is a flexible diaphragm. Also retained within the crimped portion is a damper plate dividing the interior of the mount into an upper chamber A and a lower chamber B to be filled with fluid. The damper plate is formed from an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper and lower plates form a flow channel between the two plates which extends at least partially around the circumference of the damper plate, the flow channel permitting communication between the upper and lower chamber. The upper plate has an opening communicating to the upper chamber with an integral tab extending from the opening into the flow channel to block the channel.

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: The injection molding machine has an extruder for providing molding material, a cavity for retaining the molding material prior to injection into a mold, a plunger within the cavity to move the material out of the cavity, and a check valve. The check valve has separate means to permit the material to flow from the extruder to the cavity and from the cavity to an adjacent mold. By having separate flow channels for molding and recharging, the injection molding machine may be recharged on the fly.

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: An assembly (10) of a tapered bushing (14) and a toothed wheel (12), having a preferred direction of rotation. The assembly (10) having on each face (22, 24) a hole or set of holes H1, H2 containing surfaces which interact with a threaded rod (26) for mating and/or separating of the assembly (10) form either face (22, 24). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly (10) will have two mating holes and one separation hole on each face (22, 24) of the assembly (10). This assembly (10) allows ease of mating and/or separating the assembly when access is limited to only one face of the assembly.

Abstract: Discloses is an apparatus for injection molding permitting movement of the injection molding machine in multiple planes. The apparatus has a frame and an injection molding machine mounted within the frame. Located on both the frame and the injection molding machine are a plurality of interlocking rails and rail bearings. The movement of the rails in the rail bearings permits the injection molding machine to move relative to the frame. The frame is a two piece interlocking frame, the two pieces being capable of movement relative to each other.

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.