Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for sensing wear of a tire tread and for providing for electrostatic discharge of electrostatic charge buildup in a vehicle. Various sensor structures and electrostatic discharge structures are created using conductive rubber compositions and/or other elements to achieve tire tread wear sensing and discharge of electrostatic buildup. Such structures include conductors made of conductive rubber compositions, for example, having an uncured or cured electrical resistance at 23° C. less than about 10 K? when formed into a wire about 254 millimeters long and 2 millimeters in diameter.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a first rubber layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a second rubber layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a third rubber layer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a process for manufacturing a tread molding element configured to mold at least a portion of a tire tread, the process comprising the following successive steps of providing a first tread molding element that can be a 3D-printed element made of a plastic composition A; forming a reverse mold of the first tread molding element, wherein the reverse mold is made of a plastic composition B comprising one or more elastomers; heating the reverse mold to a temperature above 50° C. when the first tread molding element is a 3D-printed element made of a plastic composition A; and casting a second tread molding element from the reverse mold to obtain a second tread molding element; wherein the second tread molding element is made from a plastic composition C comprising one or more thermosetting resins.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a first rubber layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a second rubber layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a third rubber layer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process for manufacturing a tread molding element configured to mold at least a portion of a tire tread, the process comprising the steps of modeling a three-dimensional shape of a tread molding element through a modeling program that can be recognized by a 3D printer; providing one or more plastic compositions comprising one or more thermoplastic polymers having a melting point of at least 180° C.; forming a tread molding element by 3D printing from the one or more plastic compositions; and optionally annealing the tread molding element.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a first rubber layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a second rubber layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third flattened, braided tube layer enclosed by a third rubber layer.

Abstract: A shear band for a tire includes a first belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, a second belt layer extending circumferentially around the tire, and a shear band coupon radially interposed between the first belt layer and the second belt layer. The shear band coupon includes a first reinforcing ply radially adjacent the first belt layer, a third reinforcing ply radially adjacent the second belt layer, and a second reinforcing ply radially interposed between the first reinforcing ply and the second reinforcing ply. The first reinforcing ply includes a first three dimensional layer enclosed by a first fabric layer. The second reinforcing ply includes a second three dimensional layer enclosed by a second fabric layer. The third reinforcing ply includes a third three dimensional layer enclosed by a third fabric layer.

Abstract: A method of making a non-pneumatic tire, the non-pneumatic tire comprising a ground contacting annular tread portion comprising a tread rubber composition, a shear band comprising a cord reinforced rubber composition and disposed radially inward of the tread portion, and at least one spoke disk disposed radially inward of the shear band; wherein the spoke disk has an outer ring, and an inner ring, and a first and second spoke extending radially between the outer ring and the inner ring, wherein the first and second spokes are connected at a joint; the method comprising the steps of: applying a curable adhesive as an interface between a radially outermost surface of the spoke disk and a radially innermost surface of the shear band in its uncured state; assembling the tread portion in an uncured state, the shear band in an uncured state, and the at least one spoke disk to form an pre-assembly; and curing the pre-assembly.

Abstract: A system determines average values for bending stiffness and shear rigidity of a shear band coupon.

Abstract: The flexible hose of the present invention is crush resistant, burst resistant, and virtually impossible to kink in normal use and is applicable to hoses that are designed for delivering virtually any kind of fluid including water, organic liquids, aqueous based herbicides, aqueous based insecticides, industrial chemicals, beverages, air, industrial gases, vacuum, and the like. The hose design of the present invention is particularly applicable to garden hoses for the delivery of water. In fact, garden hoses having the construction of the present invention are highly resistant to kinking and almost never kink when being used in conventional lawn, garden, and cleaning applications.

Abstract: The flexible hose of the present invention is crush resistant, burst resistant, and virtually impossible to kink in normal use and is applicable to hoses that are designed for delivering virtually any kind of fluid including water, organic liquids, aqueous based herbicides, aqueous based insecticides, industrial chemicals, beverages, air, industrial gases, vacuum, and the like. The hose design of the present invention is particularly applicable to garden hoses for the delivery of water. In fact, garden hoses having the construction of the present invention are highly resistant to kinking and almost never kink when being used in conventional lawn, garden, and cleaning applications.

Abstract: The hose couplings of this invention can be used to connect sections of large bore reinforced hose to make it more resistant to damage that can be caused by axial and bending forces encountered during normal usage. This extends the service life of the hoses of this invention which include such couplings.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire has at least one carcass reinforcing ply and a pair of opposing bead portions. Each bead portion has a bead core and a bead apex, while the carcass reinforcing ply has a main portion and two turnups, with one turnup extending from each end of the main portion and having a terminal end. In each bead portion, there is a minimum distance DMIN between the carcass main portion and the carcass turnup, as measured perpendicular to the tire equatorial plane EP. The distance DMIN is not less than 50% of the maximum bead core width WB as measured perpendicular to the equatorial plane EP. In each bead portion, radially outward of the minimum distance DMIN, a radially outermost portion of the carcass turnup extends at an angle so the radially outermost portion of the carcass turnup is divergent from the carcass main portion.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire has at least one carcass reinforcing ply and a pair of opposing bead portions. Each bead portion has a bead core and a bead apex, while the carcass reinforcing ply has a main portion and two turnups, with one turnup extending from each end of the main portion and having a terminal end. In each bead portion, there is a minimum distance DMIN between the carcass main portion and the carcass turnup, as measured perpendicular to the tire equatorial plane EP. The distance DMIN is not less than 50% of the maximum bead core width WB as measured perpendicular to the equatorial plane EP. In each bead portion, radially outward of the minimum distance DMIN, a radially outermost portion of the carcass turnup extends at an angle so the radially outermost portion of the carcass turnup is divergent from the carcass main portion.

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: 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: 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: 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: An apparatus (10) makes easier, simpler and quicker the obtention of a sample of materials for physical and/or chemical testing. The apparatus (10) comprises a housing (24) containing a ram (18), the housing (24) having an anvil end (22) and a cutting end (12). In a method of using the apparatus (10), the cutting end (12) is driven into a substrate (14) and a plug (16) of sample material is obtained. Plug (16) is removed form housing (24) by forcing ram (18) in the direction of plug (16).