Abstract: A batch process for vulcanizing, without the use of a lead press, reinforced elastomeric hose built up on a solid mandrel, preferably a flexible mandrel of rubber or thermoplastic material, is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment of the process, the uncured hose is first annularly tightly clamped at its opposite ends and is then immersed in a bath of liquid, e.g. water, sufficient to cover the hose substantially completely. The entire assembly is then subjected in a pressurized heating environment, e.g. in a steam-filled vulcanizer or autoclave, to the action of fluid pressure against the outer hose surface and the pressure due to the thermal expansion of the mandrel against the inner hose surface. The clamping of the hose ends prevents entry of fluid pressure into the space between any two proximate layers of elastomeric material occupied by a layer of the filamentary reinforcement.

Abstract: A method of making an ironer roll cover which comprises impregnating a less than full-width longitudinal portion of a sheet of fabric with a liquid thermosetting resin and curing the resin. The unimpregnated portion of the fabric acts as a liner or padding for the impregnated portion, while the impregnated portion serves as the work-contacting surface. Because the liner portion and the work-engaging portion of the cover are integrally formed from a single sheet of fabric, no seam or stitching is required for joining the two portions. Thus, the unevenness caused by a seam is eliminated and manufacturing costs are reduced. In a preferred embodiment, liquid water is applied in a narrow band between the impregnated and unimpregnated sections of the fabric to achieve a less than full impregnation, thereby providing a transitional zone between the liner and the work-contacting portion of the cover.

Abstract: Generally C-shaped ring travelers, designed for movement along the inside of a ring of a yarn twister or like machine and having, for the purpose of minimizing aerodynamic resistance, overall drop-shaped or streamlined cross-sectional contours at all essential transverse planes, are disclosed. The cross-sectional configuration is characterized by an oblong shape having a relatively wider or blunt leading edge and a relatively narrower or less blunt trailing edge. The foot of the traveler has a pair of laterally offset, generally vertical guide surfaces, which face outwardly of the ring and are somewhat convexly shaped to a degree approximating the ring curvature, for engaging the inside edge of the ring flange and the inside face of the web of the ring, and bridging the space between those surfaces a generally horizontal guide surface for engaging the underside of the inner ring flange.

Abstract: The production, by either a batch process or a continuous process, of vehicle seat trim pads or like articles of cured polymer no-gel latex foam and having convex or crowned surfaces free of congealed polymer skin, is disclosed. In the process, a backing fabric is first laid on a pervious supporting surface. A no-gel latex foam is then deposited on the fabric, and an open-bottom open-top grid of a height not greater than that of the deposited mass of latex foam is placed into the latter, excess latex foam above the top plane of the grid being scraped off to impart to each pocket or island of foam a smooth and level top surface. The entire assembly is then subjected to dry heat to effect both a rapid dehydration and a curing of the latex foam. During the initial stage of this operation, the no-gel latex foam expands somewhat so that the top surface of each island thereof becomes crowned without having to be disposed in contact with a mold surface of appropriate contours.

Abstract: The single-stage building of 0.degree. belted pneumatic tires completely in flat band form on standard building drums, is disclosed. The feasibility of the process rests on the provision of the substantially inextensible metallic or non-metallic belt cords in the form of longitudinally extensible high "soft stretch" tapes. In a preferred version of the invention, the tape is composed of a plurality of cords each having formed therein a multiplicity of undulations which in any given straight length of the tape are substantially planar, the cords being disposed in side by side relation so that the planes of the undulations of each cord are generally parallel to the planes of the undulations of each adjacent cord, and the cords together with a relatively weak and frangible but only minimally undulated stabilizing yarn for the tape being secured to each other and held in their undulating state by a relative weak, chain stitch knitted, frangible stitching yarn or thread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding rubber to an article, e.g. a two-color rubber sole onto a lasted upper of an article of footwear, are disclosed. Unvulcanized rubber of one color is placed into a mold cavity bounded by the article, openable peripheral side ring means, and a movable mold member, e.g. a sole plate, located opposite the article. The movable mold member is provided with a peripheral outwardly extending lip for forming, in the rubber flash escaping around the periphery of the movable mold member, a peripherally extending weakened region. A peripherally extending groove is also provided in the movable mold member adjacent the lip to the side of the latter facing away from the article, for forming the flash rubber escaping past the lip into a bead. In the method, a first rubber to be molded is introduced into the cavity and the movable mold member is then advanced toward the article until the first rubber is spread against the article.