Abstract: A hot tire forming method whereby at least some of the elements constituting each tire are formed starting from respective masterbatches, which are mixed with given chemical compounds inside respective continuous mixers to obtain respective final mixes, which are hot-fed to respective continuous production means, such as extruders, for obtaining semifinished products, which are hot-fed onto a green tire building drum, with the completed green tire then being transferred, hot, to a curing department; the transfer from the continuous mixers to the curing department being performed in such a manner as to preserve, inside each green tire entering the curing department, at least part of the initial mixing thermal energy and at least part of the initial continuous production thermal energy.

Abstract: A means and method for applying innerliner material to a tire building drum and more particularly to a means and method for cutting and applying the innerliner material and further allowing for stock width measurement and precise centering without the possible edge distortion of known guiding systems.

Abstract: A means and method for applying a stabilizer ply to a tire building drum and more particularly a means and method for cutting and applying the stabilizer ply material and specifically means for cutting the stabilizer ply material between cords disposed therein and correcting for variations of the cord angles during the application process in order to provide an improved splice between the leading and trailing edges of the stabilizer ply material.

Abstract: A means and method for applying a stabilizer ply to a tire building drum and more particularly a means and method for cutting and applying the stabilizer ply material and specifically means for cutting the stabilizer ply material between cords disposed therein and correcting for variations of the cord angles during the application process in order to provide an improved splice between the leading and trailing edges of the stabilizer ply material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the distance between center lines in pairs of cords located in a web of cords. A laser beam passes through an expander which enlarges the beam. The enlarged beam is directed by mirrors to a prism and cylindrical lens through a cube beam splitter to form a line of light. The prism, cylindrical lens and beam splitter are mounted in a carriage. The carriage moves along a track which is orthogonal to the cords in the fabric, with the fabric either being stationary or moving with respect to the track. The line of light is directed against the cords by a lens and the reflected light is collected by the cube beam splitter and converted by an electronic detector into a wave form, amplified and has its apex detected by an analog picking circuit. A train of short pulses is generated, the apexes of which correspond to the center lines of the cords.

Abstract: A mold gate for an inner tube mold is provided with a plurality of apertures for selectively receiving valve stems therein for bonding to the inner tube. A plug is inserted into each of the nonselected apertures to enable the single gate to be used to cure inner tubes having different valve positions to eliminate changing the gate each time a different valve location is required for a given mold. When the valve stem receiving openings are in close proximity to each other an elongated plug is placed in an elongated gate aperture to selectively seal one of the two valve stem openings while enabling the other opening to remain unblocked for receiving a valve stem during the molding operation.

Abstract: An air spring is formed by an axially spaced end cap and a piston member and has an intervening elastomeric flexible sleeve extending therebetween which forms a fluid pressure chamber. An annular clamp ring having a recess on the inner diameter thereof coacts with a corresponding annular projection formed on the end cap to positionally locate the ring on the end cap. A pair of clamping surfaces are located on opposite sides of the projection and are separated therefrom by expansion grooves. The annular projection and clamping surfaces form a series of pinch areas with the intervening sleeve, which sealingly clamp the sleeve therebetween. The expansion grooves receive portions of the sleeve and change the direction of reinforcing cords within the sleeve. The clamp ring abuts against a radially extending surface of the end cap to reduce axial movement of the ring during operation of the air spring.

Abstract: A nonpenetrating roof membrane fastening system for covering and securing a waterproof flexible membrane on a roof deck. A plurality of flexible spot bonding pads are secured at spaced intervals to the roof by a smaller, more rigid, fastener plate or washer and a linear fastener which extends through the aligned centers of the pads and plates. An outer exposed peripheral area of each of the bonding pads has an adhesive applied thereto and bonds the pads to the underside surface of the flexible membrane which is laid over the secured pads avoiding any penetration of the membrane by the linear fastener. The membrane is a nonreinforced EPDM and the bonding pads are formed of a fabric reinforced EPDM.

Abstract: Elastomer structures having exposed controlled surface release characteristics can be made by coating at least a portion of their surface with a releasing composition comprising (a) a chlorosulphonated polymer; (b) a reinforcing filler and (c) a green tackifying agent. Optionally, these compositions can also contain a chemical curing system and one or more volatile solvent/diluent viscosity-reducing vehicle. In a specific example, the coating are applied to flexible structures used in machines for the manufacture of articles having natural tack due to their rubber or elastomer content.

Abstract: Adhesive active finish compositions for synthetic reinforcing members to bond the latter to vulcanizable rubber and reinforcing members for vulcanizable rubber. The adhesive composition comprises a water soluble epoxy compound, from about 20 to 100 parts by weight of a trialkanolamine having from 3 to about 15 carbon atoms and from about 0 to 80 parts by weight of a polyol co-curative having from 2 to about 15 carbon atoms and having at least 2 primary hydroxyls per molecule, wherein the stoichiometric ratio of hydroxyl groups to epoxy groups from the water soluble epoxy compound ranges from about 1:0.7 to 1:0.0003. A method of reinforcing articles of vulcanizable rubber with fibrous members includes the steps of applying to the fibrous member a first coating of the adhesive active finish; applying a second coating comprising resorcinol, formaldehyde and a rubber latex over the first coating; embedding the coated fibrous member in the vulcanizable rubber and, vulcanizing the rubber.

Abstract: A pneumatic shock absorber used primarily as a die spring includes a piston formed with a base and an upstanding cylindrical body provided with an internal fluid reservoir. An outer housing is mounted on the base and extends about the cylindrical body. An inner housing is axially telescopically mounted for sliding movements within the outer housing. A flexible sleeve is enclosed at one end by a sealing cap and is sealingly connected at its outer end to the exterior of the piston body forming a fluid chamber therein which communicates with the fluid reservoir of the piston. An opening is formed in the piston body to fill the reservoir and chamber with a high pressure fluid which places the inner housing in an expanded position by the end cap pressing against an end wall of the inner housing upon axial expansion of the sleeve. Rolled end flanges formed on the housings engage each other to stop the movement of the inner housing at the expanded position.

Abstract: Improved low temperature properties of polyureaurethane are obtained, such as low glass transition temperatures and reduced bending moduli at -400.degree. C., by the use of relatively high moleuclar weight polyether polyol intermediates. The polyureaurethane is made by reacting the polyether polyol intermediate with a diisocyanate and subsequent cure with a metal halide salt complex of methylenedianiline.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a method for improving the green strength properties of vulcanizable rubber compositions comprising the step of mixing a halogenated polymer with the vulcanizable rubber composition prior to curing in an amount ranging from about 5 to 25 weight percent of the rubber in the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting tires and the like. A series of tire transport apparatus are utilized to each selectively draw from a conveyor containing tires of a variety of types and sizes a specific tire type and size which is then transported to a storage apparatus wherein all tires of that particular type and size which have been sorted from the supply conveyor are stored. A series of tire transport apparatus are also utilized to remove the tires from the storage apparatus.

Abstract: A bituminous composition comprising a blend of bitumen and a thermoplastic elastomer containing at least two polymer blocks wherein one of said polymer blocks is a crystalline polymer block and one of said polymer blocks is an amorphous polymer block, is provided.The bituminous composition has particular application as a roof coating or waterproofing material or road paving material.

Abstract: A tire testing machine for measuring rolling resistance of a pneumatic tire by bringing a freely rotatably mounted tire into contact with a driven rotating load wheel. Spindles of the tire mounting structure and load wheel are supported in bearing assemblies. Each of the bearing assemblies includes an inner race rotatable with the spindle and an outer race mounted on a cylindrical sleeve. The sleeves are rotatably supported by an outer bearing assembly within a stationary housing. The speed of the sleeve and correspondingly the speed of the outer race is "slaved" to the speed of the associated spindle and inner race by drive motors whereby no relative motion exists between the bearing races and intervening bearing elements thereby negating bearing friction and associated losses. Elimination of bearing losses enables a more accurate and constant rolling resistance to be measured by the tire test machine.

Abstract: A stabilizing composition and process for guayule type rubbers which can be directly applied to guayule-type plants or shrubs before processing thereof, or to guayule-type rubber miscella, rubber-resin miscella, etc., contains a volatile low melting point antioxidant which is either liquid or solid and an optional liquid inert carrier which lowers the melting point of the antioxidant. Since antioxidants are generally expensive, recovery thereof as by distillation is aided through the utilization of low boiling point antioxidants.