Patents Examined by Martin Rogers
  • Patent number: 8470235
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a fuel tank provided with internal accessories, based on a plastic parison, which is split or in at least two parts, in which process, the accessories are positioned on the parison while it is being molded, using a core (1) forming part of a mold which also comprises dies (2a, 2b), and in which process, the core is able to move in a controlled manner at a variable speed and/or between optional stop positions of variable duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research
    Inventors: Bjorn Criel, Pierre-Francois Tardy
  • Patent number: 8454777
    Abstract: The present invention can transfer a belt member on a supply conveyor onto a building drum from an inclined distal end portion while holding on both side edge portions in the width direction thereof and can efficiently adhere the belt member according to the rotation of the building drum. As a means for such building, using a supply conveyor (5) which places the belt member (B1) thereon and a hand device (10) which includes holding members (17a), (17b) having press plates (16a), (16b) extending in the feeding direction of the supply conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Takatsuka, Taizo Yamamoto, Makoto Koumo, Yu Hatayama
  • Patent number: 8449281
    Abstract: A device for separating and removing a rigid core when building a tire, including a slide table and positioning means which are provided on a support table of the separation/removal device. The slide table is slidable to convey the tire, whose inner surface is held by the rigid core body and a core holding mechanism, to a central position on the support table. An elevating device is provided on the central axis of the support table, and includes a clamping means to elevate the rigid core body and the tire from which the core holding mechanism is removed, to a position where the rigid core body and the tire do not interfere with the core holding mechanism. A pair of core separation/removal mechanisms are disposed below the center of the support table, capable of elevating movement, and radially contracting and removing each type of the segment groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noboru Takada
  • Patent number: 8444898
    Abstract: A robust process for the continuous preparation of solutions of high molecular weight UHMW PO that is capable of producing strong materials at high production capacity, is conservative of capital and energy requirements, and the articles made therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
    Inventors: Thomas Y.-T. Tam, Qiang Zhou, John A. Young, Charles R. Arnett, John D. Brodie, Conor J. Twomey, Lori L. Wagner, Sheldon Kavesh
  • Patent number: 8397781
    Abstract: In a body ply turn-up device, a plurality of arm components are circumferentially arranged to be movable in the axial direction of an operating shaft and to be pivotable radially of the operating shaft, guide members are respectively supported at both sides on an end portion of each arm component to be rotatable about an axis parallel to a pivot axis of each arm component, coil springs are interposed in respective spaces each between two guide members respectively supported on the arm components adjoining to be rotatable about respective arc axes around the operating shaft, and pressing members, which supplementarily cover respective spaces between the coil springs are rotatably supported on the arm components ahead of or behind the coil springs. Thus, the turn-up device can turn up both width-end portions of the body ply by an even pressing force without leaving any spaces in the circumference even in the case of being high in turn-up height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: Fuji Seiko Co., Ltd., Fuji Shoji Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Morisaki
  • Patent number: 8381788
    Abstract: To provide a plurality of conveyor belts which are disposed, with a space kept mutually in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, and capable of running along the longitudinal direction thereof in such a state that the sheet pieces with cords are placed thereon, and a lift mechanism installed between the plurality of conveyor belts to support the sheet pieces with cords on the upstream side or those on the downstream side in the longitudinal direction among the sheet pieces with cords placed on the conveyor belts while in contact with these sheet pieces from the lower side, thereby allowing them to make a relative upward movement from the sheet placing surfaces of the conveyor belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyahara, Jiro Agawa
  • Patent number: 8382935
    Abstract: A balloon catheter including an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen, a guidewire lumen, a proximal shaft section, and a distal shaft section with a balloon on the distal shaft section, the distal shaft section formed by an outer tubular member having an opening in a sidewall, and an inner tubular member having a distal portion in the outer tubular member and a proximal portion extending through the sidewall opening and along an outer surface of a portion of the outer tubular member located proximal to the sidewall opening, with polymeric filler material around the outer surface of at least the proximal portion of the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member preferably comprises a polymeric tube having a reinforcing coiled member embedded therein. Preferably, a crescent shaped portion of the inflation lumen extends along side the proximal portion of the inner tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Simpson, Jessie Delgado, Robert Alcantara, Jason Phillips
  • Patent number: 8366851
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for manufacturing a tire in which the time necessary for the manufacture can be reduced without deteriorating uniformity in manufacturing the tire by a strip-build process. The method for manufacturing the tire comprises discharging a strip rubber (S) having a predetermined sectional shape by rubber discharging devices (A1, A2) while rotating a molding drum (B), and successively winding the discharged strip rubber (S) around the molding drum (B) to mold the rubber into a tire shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Matsuoka, Hiroshi Ikegami
  • Patent number: 8357254
    Abstract: A method of cutting a length of tire tread for a retread tire includes measuring a circumference of the tire casing and cushion gum, and dispensing a length of tire tread from a roll based on the measured circumference. The length of tire tread relative to a tread cutter is adjusted so that the tire tread design at the point where the tread may be cut is between a set of marks formed in the periodically repeating tread design. The tread is then cut along a linear length of the tread disposed within the marks so that the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous across a seam defined when the section of tire tread is wrapped around the casing such that the first and second ends meet in abutting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag, LLC
    Inventor: Andy Cerny
  • Patent number: 8342220
    Abstract: In tire manufacture, a belt structure is made by means of strip-like segments each including parallel cords incorporated into an elastomeric layer, which strip-like segments are sequentially laid down in mutual circumferential side by side relationship on a toroidal support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Sangiovanni, Maurizio Marchini, Massimo Mortarino
  • Patent number: 8316903
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire having a built-in sealant layer and its preparation. In one embodiment, the pneumatic tire includes an outer circumferential rubber tread and a supporting carcass. An optional rubber inner liner is disposed inwardly from the supporting carcass. A built-in sealant layer is disposed inwardly from the rubber inner liner. The built-in sealant layer provides self-sealing properties to the pneumatic tire. A gas permeable layer is situated adjacent an innermost rubber inner liner and the built-in sealant layer. The innermost rubber inner liner has a plurality of spaced apart openings extending therethrough, which are covered by the gas permeable layer. The tire, with its innermost inner liner with holes and the gas permeable layer, allows for elimination or reduction in blister formation in the tire by permitting gas from the built-in sealant layer to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Ramendra Nath Majumdar, Aaron Scott Puhala
  • Patent number: 8287675
    Abstract: A tire manufacturing method includes a method for optimizing the uniformity of a tire by reducing the after cure radial force variation. The after cure radial force variation vector is modeled as a vector sum of each of the vectors representing contributions arising from the tire building steps—the “tire room effect vector” and a vector representing contributions arising from the vulcanization and uniformity measurement steps—the “curing room effect vector.” In further detail, both the tire room and curing room effect vectors can be further decomposed into sub-vectors representing each radial force variation contribution for which a measurable indicator is available. For a series of tires, the method obtains such measurements as the before cure radial runout (RRO) at one or more stages of the building sequence, measurements of loading angles on the tire building equipment, and measurements made during vulcanization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: William David Mawby, George Phillips O'Brien, Eugene Marshall Persyn, James Michael Traylor
  • Patent number: 8261800
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for turning up the carcass plies in a tire, the tire including a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply provided with at least one reinforcing element coated with at least one layer of elastomeric material, and at least one annular reinforcing structure. The apparatus is equipped with a support drum conveniently shaped for supporting at least one ply and with at least one turning up device provided with an annular continuous presser element. The latter is axially translatable along an axis of the support drum and radially expandable or contractible relative to the axis of the support drum between a contracted position and an expanded position to turn up the carcass ply around an annular reinforcing structure. The device is further provided with means of adjusting the contracted position of the annular element depending on the size of the tire to be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Marchini
  • Patent number: 8221570
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, includes building, on a toroidal support, a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply associated, at axially opposite end edges thereof, with annular anchoring structures, the building step of the carcass structure includes forming at least one reinforcing structure, operatively associated with the annular anchoring structures through deposition on the toroidal support of at least one reinforcing element along a predetermined curvilinear deposition path. The deposition of the at least one reinforcing element includes the steps of: cutting to size a piece of at least one reinforcing continuous band-like element fed by a feeding device along a predetermined feeding direction, deforming the piece obtained according to the curvature of a deposition part of the deposition path intended to receive the piece, and depositing the deformed piece at the deposition part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Marchini, Fiorenzo Mariani, Riccardo Azzaretto, Stefano Sangiovanni
  • Patent number: 8215361
    Abstract: A hand tool for closing splices and correcting flaws arising during tire fabrication includes an elongated body member having a butt end, a front end, a top, and at least one side at a substantially right angle to the top; and a handle member is disposed at the butt end of the body member. An arm is fixedly attached to the handle or an interior side of the elongated body member and a metal wheel is rotatably attached to a protruding portion of this arm. A gripping knob is disposed atop the front end of the elongated body member for enabling downward pressure on the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Gilbert L. Baughman
  • Patent number: 8192571
    Abstract: Provided in some embodiments is a method that includes coupling portions of one or more members using at least one impact driven fastener. At least one impact driven fastener includes at least one penetrating portion formed of plastic, and at least one head portion having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F. Plastic of the penetrating portion provides the penetrating portion with a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi. The method also includes applying heat to at least partially deform the head portion of at least one fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Utility Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Pamela S. Tucker, Nancy Showers
  • Patent number: 8156979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire which contains a built-in zoned puncture sealant layer. The zoned puncture sealant layer is comprised of organoperoxide depolymerized butyl rubber zones comprised of a central primary zone and lateral zones joined together to form a unitary sealant layer. The sealant of the lateral zones of the sealant layer is of a higher storage modulus (G?) than the sealant of the central zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Alan Incavo, Thomas Roy Fuhrig, Warren James Busch, Patrick David Marks
  • Patent number: 8156986
    Abstract: The invention can efficiently provide a carcass member constituting a carcass layer of a radial tire, particularly, a carcass member a direction of a cord of which constitutes an angle of substantially 90° relative to a tire circumferential direction, and can easily adjust a length in accordance with a size, one piece of a cord (C) is continuously passed through a rubber coating die (14) to coat rubber on the cord, the rubber coated cord (C1) is shaped such that a sectional outer shape thereof constitutes an elliptical shape, the rubber coated cord (C1) is wound around an aligning drum (30) while adjusting a direction of the elliptical shape by way of an aligning guide (20) to bond without producing a gap to form a cylinder-like member (A1), thereafter, the cylinder-like member (A1) is cut in a direction in parallel with the drum axis center to constitute a sheet-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Kudo, Tetsuo Tatara, Osamu Fujiki
  • Patent number: 8109312
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a patch to an interior surface of a tire, the apparatus comprising a patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior surface of the tire, the patch holder comprising a patch receptacle and a plurality of orifices extending there through in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and, an adhesive barrier surrounding the patch receptacle. The steps of a method include placing a patch into a patch receptacle in a tire patch holder, the patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior tire surface, directing the patch holder to obliquely contact the interior surface of the tire, and, pressing the patch into substantial adhesive contact with the interior tire surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Bradley D. Schober
  • Patent number: 8092627
    Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method for a pneumatic tire including the steps of: shaping a cylindrical film formed of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer composite in which a thermoplastic resin is blended with an elastomer, folding the film into a sheet shape, laminating rubber layers on both surfaces of the folded film, opening the laminate of the film and the rubber layers into a cylindrical shape, fitting the laminate thus opened on a tire making drum, forming the tire pneumatic tire including the film as an air permeation preventing layer, and curing the uncured tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohoma Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hashimura, Yoshiaki Kirino, Norifumi Kameda