Abstract: Improved crack growth resistance is obtained when glycerine is added to a non-cured urethane prepolymer system containing free NCO groups therein and cured with a metal halide salt complex of methylenedianiline. The prepolymer is made from a blend of a polyether polyol and a polyether intermediate having ethylene oxide end blocks thereon.

Abstract: Alcohol catalysts are utilized to effect ambient temperature cure of urethane prepolymers or polymers with a methylenedianiline (MDA) salt complex. The alcohol catalysts are generally quasi polar such as a polyester polyol, a polyether polyol, an aliphatic polyol, or an aliphatic or an aryloxypoly(oxyalkylene) alcohol.

Abstract: A polymeric paint applique is transferred from a substrate to the sidewall of a tire during the curing process. Upon curing, the bond between the tire and the applique is significantly greater than that between the substrate and the applique. The substrate may remain intact with the applique bonded to the tire sidewall until the tire is put into use, serving as a protective layer for the applique.

Abstract: A repaired elastomer article having a cut or crack entirely therethrough. An interior cavity is located in the vicinity of the cut or crack and has a filler therein. A treating agent is located about the cut portion on the inner surface of the article and an amine curable polymer or prepolymer resides over said treating agent. A cured elastomeric patch resides over said amine curable polymer or prepolymer. Since the amine curable polymer or prepolymer cures at ambient temperatures, the repair of the elastomer article can occur in situ. The invention is especially useful in the repair of tires.

Abstract: It now has been found that the properties of rubber compositions comprising rubbers having an unsaturated carbon chain can be improved by including therein, a minor property-improving amount of at least one hydroxy-benzimidazole oxide compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, or a halogen, hydroxyl, lower acyl, lower hydrocarbyl, lower hydrocarbyloxy, lower hydrocarbylthio, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amide or --C(O)-- lower hydrocarbyl group, and R' is hydrogen, or a lower hydrocarbyl, lower hydrocarbyl amide, carboxamide carboxy acid, carboxy ester, or aryl group. When vulcanizates are prepared from such rubber compositions containing one or more fillers, the vulcanizates exhibit reduced low strain hysteresis and a high electrical resistivity.

Abstract: An air spring for motor vehicles to absorb road shocks includes first and second axially spaced end members with an intervening flexible sleeve forming a fluid pressure chamber therebetween. An improved two-way damping valve connects the pressure chamber to a fluid reservoir and provides damping for the air spring by restricting fluid flow in one direction, either into or out of the pressure chamber, without materially effecting the fluid flow in the opposite direction. The valve includes a flexible diaphragm formed of reinforced rubber having slots which provide one or more flaps. The diaphragm preferably is mounted on a rigid annular washer having a predetermined size center opening forming a damping orifice. The flaps are drawn automatically into the washer opening to restrict the fluid flow through the orifice when the fluid moves in one direction, with the flaps moving away from the orifice to permit free movement of the fluid therethrough when the fluid is moving in an opposite direction.

Abstract: It now has been found that the properties of filled rubber compositions comprising rubbers having an unsaturated carbon chain can be improved by including therein, a minor property-improving amount of at least one 1,3-dihydroxy-benzimidazolinone or derivative compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, or a halogen, hydroxyl, lower hydrocarbyl, lower hydrocarbyloxy, lower hydrocarbylthio, lower hydrocarbyl nitrile, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, amino, amide or --C(O)--R'" where R'" is an aryl or a lower hydrocarbyl group; each R' independently is H, lower alkyl, acyl, CONR"2 or CONHR" where R" is alkyl or aryl. When vulcanizates are prepared from such uncured rubber compositions, the vulcanizates exhibit reduced low strain hysteresis and a high electrical resistivity.

Abstract: A tire manufacturing unit having two tire building drums mounted on respective coaxial and independent half shafts butt connected in a rotary manner so as to define a single continuous shaft supported in a rotary manner on a platform mounted for rotation in successive 180.degree. steps about a horizontal axis; each half shaft having a respective independent driving device, and one of the drums moving, during each rotation step of the platform, between a first and second work position, through a cavity formed in the platform supporting base.

Abstract: Modified polymer rubber compositions prepared in solution and which exhibit desirable properties, particularly when used to form tires are described. The modified rubber compositions comprise the reaction product, prepared in solution, of at least one rubber having an unsaturated carbon chain and up to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the rubber, of at least one aromatic furazan oxide of the partial formula ##STR1## wherein the depicted carbon atoms are a part of a single fused aromatic ring. The reaction is conducted by heating the solution at an elevated temperature which may be any temperature up to the decomposition temperature of the furazan oxide. The uncured polymer rubber compositions of the invention do not have the strong characteristic odor of the furazan oxide decomposition products which facilitate handling and storage of these materials.

Abstract: A mobile tire curing unit having top and bottom mold halves interconnectable in releasable manner so as to define an annular chamber for receiving a green tire, with one of the mold halves incorporating a closed circuit for a given curing media supply under pressure, the circuit being defined by a deformable curing bladder, designed to occupy the annular chamber, and by a casing connectd to the inner tube by a heated supply duct and a return duct; the casing also housing a powered fan for circulating the curing media inside the closed circuit, and the circuit being externally chargeable via an inlet valve.

Abstract: A mechanical fastener for securing a flexible sheet of an elastomeric material to the upper surface of a roof via the use of a plurality of such fasteners, each of which include upper and lower retaining members, wherein the latter are anchored to the roofing surface. Both of the retaining members are formed with a series of annular concentric ridges and grooves which cooperate with each other to form a series of annular gripping zones with the elastomeric sheet when the upper retainer is drawn into a clamping relationship with the botton retainer by a threaded fastener. The fastener is engaged with an internally threaded central boss formed on the lower retainer. A sharp bottom edge of the fastener cuts an aperture in the elastomeric sheet prior to engagement with the threaded boss.

Abstract: Rubber compositions and articles such as tires having improved metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention to brass and brass-plated metallic reinforcement. The improvement comprises admixing from about 0.2 to about 6.0 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of a compound selected from the group consisting of 3-amino-2-carboxy-4-chlorobenzophenone, 3-hydroxy-2-methyldiphenylamine and 5-amino-2-methyl-N-phenylbenzensulfonamide and mixtures thereof with a vulcanizable rubber composition prior to embedding the metallic reinforcement therein and curing. A method for improving the metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention between a vulcanizable rubber and brass or brass-plated metallic reinforcement includes the step of dispersing from about 0.2 to about 6.0 phr of a compound selected from the group consisting of 3-amino-2-carboxy-4-chlorobenzophenone, 3-hydroxy-2-methyldiphenylamine and 5-amino-2-methyl-N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide and mixtures thereof in a vulcanizable rubber composition prior to curing.

Abstract: Salts generally act as reinforcing compounds in polyurethane compositions. Salts containing a free-amine function generally increase the low-strain moduli more than salts which lack such free-amine functions or are neutral. The salts are generally formed by reacting a basic nitrogen function compound such as a monoamine or a diamine with a mono or a dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A tire molding press having a fixed bed and a crosspiece, which crosspiece is designed to travel, by virtue of a crank mechanism, along vertical guides formed partly along the uprights and partly along extensions of the same; the guide portions extending along the upright extensions enabling extra vertical travel of the crosspiece, and each being limited at the rear by a switch element which may be operated selectively for opening the respective guide at the rear and enabling the upper end of the respective connecting rod to slide backwards, with the crank fixed, and along an end surface of the respective upright, in such a manner as to tilt back the crosspiece.

Abstract: A tire mold having air and gas venting holes is provided with synthetic resin plugs mounted in enlarged bore portions of the vent holes adjacent the inner forming surface of the mold. The plugs are axially compressible and project a slight distance beyond the inner surface of the mold. The molding pressure of the material within the mold compresses the plug whereby an outer surface of the plug becomes generally flush with the inner surface of the mold cavity to substantially eliminate the formation of runners on the molded tire. The plugs preferably are formed of a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) filter leaf membrane material.

Abstract: A process for achieving a high yield of rubber and/or resin from rubber containing plants such as guayule plants by crushing the plants, forming a slurry with a solvent and fine grinding said slurry with a high shear mixer. The time required by the process is very short in comparison with prior art techniques.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon insoluble polar fraction is extracted from guayule-like resins by adding a hydrocarbon solvent containing a small amount of water therein to the guayule-like resins and mixing the same. A two-phased solution is formed with the hydrocarbon insoluble polar fraction being located in the water phase. The addition of water to the hydrocarbon increases the yield of the insoluble polar fraction as well as the acid number and the amount of ketoalcohol located therein.

Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric roof sheeting or flashing compositions comprising a vulcanizable elastomer, a metallurgical carbon and a vulcanizing agent are provided. The compositions may additionally contain conventional thermal or furnace type carbon blacks and other conventional rubber chemical additives. The compositions while lower in cost than elastomeric roof sheeting or flashing compositions containing conventional carbon blacks exhibit comparable physical properties in most instances.