Abstract: A mold for sequentially curing sections of a belt includes two end zones, a center zone, and transition zones between each end zone and the center zone. The mold is heated and/or cooled by heat transfer fluid flowing from intake manifolds through heat transfer cavities. The intake manifolds are preferably arranged perpendicular to the mold length. In the end zones and in the center zone, the heat transfer cavities are arranged substantially parallel to the length of the mold. The arrangement of the heat transfer cavities provides for a more controlled cure of the belt by allowing the center zone to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the center zone while allowing a cooler consistent temperature to be maintained in the end zones. The transition zones allow a steep temperature gradient from the cooler end zones to the hotter center zone. Heat transfer rates are adjustable without modification to the body of the mold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cured, toothed belt is carried out upon a on a belt-making machine. The method includes incrementally molding sections of the belt with tooth spacing based on an estimated pitch circumference derived from a measured inside circumference, defining and measuring a length of a remaining uncured portion of the belt, the length of the remaining uncured portion of the belt being compared to a design length, a difference between the length of the remaining uncured portion of the belt and the design length being an error; and, adjusting a distance between a centerline of the first drum and the second drum, so that a compensating error is evenly distributed over the remaining uncured portion of the belt.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for cutting segments (10) to desired lengths from a strip (1) of elastomeric tire components having at least one cord reinforced component involves the step of impacting one cord (22) as the cut is being made and lifting the cord (22) to avoid cutting cords (22) while directing the cutting path along the lifted cord(22). The article resulting from the method has a plurality of cords (22) adjacent a flat cut splicing surface (8) suitable for lap splicing.

Abstract: Nitrone derivatives are efficiently prepared by increasing reagent concentrations in reaction solutions. Aldehydes and amines may be condensed to prepare an imine intermediate. Elimination of the solution media generally renders the imine formation more efficient. The imine is then reacted with a peroxysulfate oxidizing agent in a solution having at least about 0.1M concentration of the imine. The oxaziridine is rearranged to produce the nitrone derivative in high yield and good purity.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of 1

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a continuous preparation ply of the type used to make vehicle tires from preparation ply sections having nonmetallic cords. An infeed conveyor successively feeds the preparation ply sections to a butt splicing machine that joins the ends of the two preparation ply sections to form a butt joint. A gum strip applier receives the continuous preparation ply from an outfeed conveyor and applies a gum strip over the butt joint. A method is provided for forming a continuous preparation ply by first automatically forming a butt joint, and thereafter automatically placing a gum strip on the butt joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a tire mounted to a vehicle wheel includes a sensor configured for installation within the interior of the tire. The sensor is secured to a wheel rim whereby prolonged exposure to liquid tire fill material is avoided, even when the wheel is oriented with the sensor at a lower-most location of the wheel rim. In one embodiment, the sensor is secured to the wheel rim by straps which extend around a circumferential surface of the rim and engage a base coupled to the sensor.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire for use on row-crop field sprayers having lugs configured for providing improved traction, load-handling capability, and stability. The leading edge of each lug is curvilinear such that outside corners are absent. Elimination of outside corners removes stress concentration points that would otherwise degrade tire performance under the conditions of high loading and fast speed. The lugs provide a significant load-carrying capacity without sacrificing attributes such as wet and dry traction, tread cleaning and hard surface roading.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprising a black colored tread with at least one colored groove wherein the top surface of the tread designed to be ground-contacting is essentially free of non-black color. A non-black component is placed over the tread strip and covered with a thermoformable film prior to forming the groove pattern. After vulcanization, the film is removed, and the tread lugs buffed free of color, if necessary, thereby forming a tire having color localized in the tread grooves.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of 1

Abstract: This invention relates to preparation of a rubber composition by pre-mixing at least one functionalized carbon black with an organic solvent solution or aqueous emulsion of at least one host elastomer. Functionalized carbon blacks for the purposes of this invention preferably contain a functional moiety on their surface to aid in promoting covalent bonds between the functionalized carbon black and said host polymer. The invention also contemplates the use of such rubber composition, or blend of such rubber composition with at least one additional elastomer and/or rubber compounding ingredient, as a component of an article of manufacture. Such article of manufacture may be, for example, a tire. Such article may also be an industrial product such as, for example, a hose or belt such as a conveyor belt or power transmission belt.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R and R′ can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein X represents a halogen atom, and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein X represents a halogen atom; and (2) reacting the vinyl halide containing secondary amine with a vinyl magnesium halide to produce the monomer having a structural formula wherein R and R′ can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl or alkoxyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to expandable butyl rubber bladders for use in curing presses for hydrocarbon rubbers such as pneumatic tires. The bladders are a crosslinked butyl rubber composition comprising isobutylene repeat units and the bladder composition contains ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, alone or in combination with graphite and/or fluorinated ethylene polymers, dispersed within the bladder composition. The bladder composition may also contain castor oil, corn oil and/or soya-bean oil. The invention also relates to a method of curing tires by utilizing such butyl rubber bladder.

Abstract: Pneumatic off-road tires having structure for improving sidewall puncture resistance to penetrating objects. The structure may include multiple deflection pads arranged concentrically about the sidewall or a single deflection pad extending in a spiral about the sidewall. Each deflection pad incorporates inclined surfaces arranged for deflecting penetrating objects in a radial direction so that the likelihood of a sidewall puncture is significantly reduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reversible protection of hydroxy-silane functional groups by acid cleavable protecting groups. The development of reversible protecting groups greatly enhances the current utility of silanes while introducing further novel applications. For instance, reversibly protected silanes are of particular value in applications where room temperature cure and/or adhesion is of value, such as coatings, high resolution imaging, caulks, adhesives, sealents, gaskets, and silicones. Reversibly protected silanes can also be beneficially used in reticulating agents, and in sizing agents, tires, and release coatings. The incorporation of reversibly protected silanes into coating resins is of particular value. The reversibly protected silane can be incorporated into the coating resin by polymerizing a monomer containing the reversibly protected silane into the resin or by post-addition into the coating formulation.