Abstract: A run-flat tire (12) comprising: a crown; two sidewalls (40); two beads (50) each one comprising at least one annular reinforcing structure (60); a carcass reinforcement (71, 72) anchored in each of the beads by wrapping it around the annular reinforcing structure so as to form an incoming portion (711) extending from the crown through the sidewalls towards the bead and a wrapped-around portion (712); and at least one sidewall insert (80); at least one sidewall of the tire further comprising at least one additional sidewall reinforcement (90) positioned axially on the inside of the carcass reinforcement and extending radially at least between a radial height H1 of 30 mm, H1 being measured from the radially innermost point of the annular reinforcing structure; and a radial height H2 equal to 30% of the height H of the tire; and a layer (110) of polymeric composition positioned between the additional sidewall reinforcement and the carcass reinforcement.

Abstract: A mold includes at least one axial member carrying at least one sidewall molding surface for molding a sidewall of a tire, radial segments each carrying at least one surface for molding a tread of the tire and locking surfaces for connecting the axial member with the radial segments. First radial and axial locking surfaces which are displaceable and carried by the axial member cooperate with second radial and axial locking surfaces. The sidewall molding surface is integral with a fixed portion of the axial member. The first radial and axial locking surfaces are integral with at least one locking member mounted in the axial member and are movable relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer programs for correcting a buff of tread from a crown of a tire, the steps of the method including measuring the distance between the tire crown surface and the belt at each of the plurality of locations; calculating a projected distance between the crown surface and the belt at each of the plurality of transverse locations across the crown using proposed buff radii, choosing a new position of the buffing radius origin from the one or more proposed origin positions on the centerline of the tire; and buffing the tread from the tire crown along the arc described by the buff radius having the buffing radius origin at the new position.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a tire (1) by winding contiguous strips onto a rotary form at a pitch and in a number of turns that is suited to the desired profile. The method comprises steps that include laying a strip to form the sublayer (13) onto the plies (15) that form the crown reinforcement belt, the strip being made of a rubbery material that is a poor conductor of electricity, laying one or more strips to form the first part of the tread (11A), these being positioned axially on one side of the tire, the strip or strips being made of rubbery materials that are poor conductors of electricity, and laying a strip to form the insert (10) and that is laid in such a way that at least one radially interior turn (100) is in contact with the sublayer (10), the strip being made of a rubbery material that is a conductor of electricity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method for obtaining a biologically ingestible material having an intended diameter with low energy as compared with conventional methods, the method includes mixing a fluid to be processed in a dispersed phase containing a pharmacologically active substance and a fluid to be processed in a continuous phase including at least a disperse solvent, while each of the fluids are retained in an independent state, in a thin film fluid formed between two processing surfaces arranged to be opposite to each other to be able to approach to and separate from each other, at least one of which rotates relative to the other, through independent pathways corresponding to the respective phases, whereby the components contained in the fluid to be processed in a dispersed phase are formed into microparticles having a desired diameter.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer programs for correcting a buff of tread from a crown of a tire, the steps of the method including measuring the distance between the tire crown surface and the belt at each of the plurality of locations; calculating a projected distance between the crown surface and the belt at each of the plurality of transverse locations across the crown using proposed buff radii, choosing a new position of the buffing radius origin from the one or more proposed origin positions; and buffing the tread from the tire crown along the arc described by the buff radius having the buffing radius origin at the new position.

Abstract: A viscoelastic material is extruded by kneading-and-conveying screws of different respective diameters positioned coaxially and telescopingly. A flight trough of a larger-diameter screw has radial orifices allowing a first space swept by the flight of the larger-diameter screw to communicate with a second space swept by a flight of a smaller-diameter screw. A fixed cylindrical tube arranged coaxially with the screws is disposed radially between the first and second spaces within the region in which the screws telescope. The tube has radial apertures therethrough to conduct material from the orifices to the second space. The first space is closed off at an axial end thereof by a wall where foreign substances accumulate that do not pass through the orifices. A passage through the wall can be opened to remove the accumulated substances without interrupting the extrusion operation.

Abstract: A method of separating biologically ingestible microparticles is used to obtain biologically ingestible microparticles in a thin film fluid formed between two processing surfaces provided with a solution containing a first solvent in which an objective substance to be pulverized is dissolved and a solvent capable of serving as a second solvent in which the solubility of the microparticles is lower than in the first solvent, the two processing surfaces being arranged so as to be able to approach to and separate from each other, at least one of which rotates relative to the other.

Abstract: A tire comprising an envelope made at least partly of rubber, defining an internal annular volume and having a crown (1), which defines a tread, two sidewalls (2) joined to the crown (1), and a supporting structure (4). The supporting structure (4) is pressurized and divides the annular volume of the tire into a plurality of compartments (400) or cells, and the sidewalls (2) are connected to or integral with the supporting structure (4).

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for collecting debris generated during a tire buffing operation on a tire buffing machine, the tire buffing machine having a cutting head cutting surface rotatable about a cutting head axis. The system includes a rotatable shroud being rotatable about a shroud axis, the shroud comprising a side member surrounding a majority of the cutting head cutting surface, a cutting head access window to expose the cutting head for buffing the tire casing, and a vacuum suction port that is adjacent to the cutting head access window. The system may further include a driver to rotate the shroud during buffing, wherein rotating the shroud during buffing aligns the vacuum suction port with the projected path of debris being discharged from the cutting head cutting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of roughening the sole side surface of a tread band is provided wherein the sole side surface of a tread band is roughened with at least one abrasive roller. The bottom of at least one groove in a tread side of the tread band is supported while the abrasive roller is roughening the sole side surface opposite the supported groove.

Abstract: A rubber composition, in particular intended for the manufacture of tires, based on at least a predominant elastomer, chosen from the group consisting of butyl rubbers, essentially unsaturated diene elastomers, essentially saturated diene elastomers and the mixtures of these elastomers, and a reinforcing filler, characterized in that the composition also comprises graphite and a functionalized or nonfunctionalized polyisobutylene oil, having a molecular weight of between 200 g/mol and 40 000 g/mol, present in a proportion of between 2 and 50 phe.

Abstract: A system for producing an estimation of the overall speed of a vehicle relative to the ground is described which comprises the generation of a measurement of the instantaneous road grip coefficient (?r) of at least one wheel (1) of a vehicle with electric traction wherein a rotary electric machine (2) is coupled to said wheel to drive it individually in traction and in braking. This system comprises an indicator of the torque applied at each instant to that wheel based on the measurement of the current (Ic) in the electric machine, an indicator of the instantaneous dynamic load on said wheel and a stage for calculating the instantaneous road grip coefficient of said wheel (1) relative to the ground based on the torque indicator and the dynamic load indicator in order to determine the ratio of the tangential force applied to the ground by the wheel under the action of said torque to the normal force applied to the ground by the wheel under the action of the dynamic load.

Abstract: A method for selecting, from a set of possible configurations, an optimized tire configuration for fitting a vehicle intended to run on a circuit following a predefined route, oriented in a single course direction (SU) and including bends. This method comprises: developing a physical model of the vehicle fitted with a first tire configuration; simulating the route course by the modeled vehicle, optimizing the speed of said vehicle; storing in memory the course time taken by the vehicle to cover the route at least once; comparing the course time to at least one reference time and producing a comparison result; and optionally selecting the first configuration at the optimized configuration as a function of the comparison result.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a public transport vehicle or a “civil engineering plant” vehicle, comprising at least two axle systems, at least one of them comprising at least two twin-mounted sets fitted with tires. Each of the treads of the tires fitted to two twin-mounted sets comprises at least on its exterior surface at least two circumferential parts made of polymer blends that have different physico-chemical properties, the distributions of the said polymer blends in the treads of each of the tires being symmetric with respect to a longitudinal plane passing through a point mid-way between the two twin-mounted sets.

Abstract: An improved autoclave for curing retread tires includes a chamber with circulating air flow having turbulence generating devices located in a middle length-wise portion of the chamber. The turbulence generating devices include apertures to guide air from a supply duct into the chamber, and/or wedge-shaped elements or fins mounted on the interior wall of the chamber to disrupt the air flow and cause turbulence.

Abstract: Tread for a tire provided with a running surface intended to come into contact with the roadway when running, this tread comprising a plurality of blocks of mean axis XX? intersecting the running surface of the tread, each block, including a side wall that makes a full circuit of the block about the axis XX?. This side wall intersects the running surface at an edge with a closed geometric outline, this edge delimiting a contact surface via which the block makes contact with the roadway. The side wall of the block and the opposite wall delimit an incision, the blocks being provided on their lateral surface with at least one notch having a depth measured perpendicular to the lateral surface of the block and a width measured parallel to the lateral face of the block, the at least one notch at least partially making a circuit of the block about the axis XX?, that is to say at least over 180 degrees.

Abstract: A device providing a connection between a heavy vehicle and towed machinery which are arranged in a working position on ground forming a horizontal plane, the device allowing the movement of relative pitching between the towed machinery and the heavy vehicle. The distance between the instantaneous centre of rotation of the relative pitching movement of the towed machinery with respect to the heavy vehicle and the orthogonal projection of the instantaneous centre of rotation onto the horizontal plane is less than 1/9 of the outside diameter of the largest mounted assembly of the heavy vehicle and/or than 25 centimetres. Also disclosed is a method for towing machinery using a heavy vehicle.

Abstract: A distribution plate for a fuel cell, comprising a first plate (11) made of electrically conductive material having an inner face and having an outer face (11o) adapted to cooperate with an ion-exchange membrane, the outer face (11o) comprising a network of distribution channels (111) for a first gas, the distribution plate having a second plate (12) made of electrically conductive material having an outer face and having an inner face (12i) adapted to be applied against the inner face of the first plate (11), a network of channels (122) for the circulation of a coolant being provided on the inner face either of the first plate (11) or (12i) of the second plate (12), or on both, the plates being joined by a uniform layer of an electrically conductive link material (2) covering the inner face of each of the first and second plates.