Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of substantially precluding the accumulation of combustible organic vapors in a storage container by placing comminuted vulcanized rubber as an absorbing medium in contact with the vapors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the level of objectionable noise associated with the operation of a tire by virtue of its tread contacting a road surface, which comprises digitizing the tread design on a coordinate system so as to define load-supporting portions of the tread in contact with the pavement, and distinguish them in binary form from those portions of the tread which are not in contact, as multiple matrix elements; defining a generally arcuate profile of a leading or trailing edge of a footprint of the tread by fitting an equation to the edge; sequentially performing the time ensemble summation, of the noise produced by each matrix element, over every matrix element on the entire circumferential surface; converting the sequence of summations to a periodic analog signal; converting the analog signal to a sound; and, aurally evaluating the sound. In a simplified case 0's and 1's along at least one footprint edge are sequentially summed around the circumference of the tire.

Abstract: A curing press for tires, commonly manifolded to other curing presses in a curing room, are operated with a minimum blowdown time which is variable from one cycle of each press to another cycle. A first signal is generated by a pressure transducer ("PT") in pressure communication with the bladder(s) of each curing press; this first signal is compared to a second signal corresponding to a target pressure, which second signal is stored in a programmable controller ("PC"). The PC controls operation of the press, and is used to provide a variable blowdown period; how quickly this target in the PC is reached, is a function of the pressure in a common blowdown manifold for plural presses.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for forming an elastomeric strip formed from at least two elastomeric compounds, for example to use as a pneumatic tire tread strip. Extrusion means advance two or more elastomeric materials (60) under pressure toward a final die chamber; from which material is extruded between a final die (50) and a roller (70). A head assembly (30) and a preform die (62, 64) are positioned in serial flow relationship between said extrusion means and said final die, and flow chambers formed within said head assembly and said preform die intercommunicate said extrusion means with said final chamber. Flow chambers within the preform die converge to at least one common junction within said preform die to form a single preform die exit chamber wherein a multi-material flow of elastomeric materials is established for passage into said final chamber for final extrusion therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing radial force variations of pneumatic tires by removing rubber in selected areas of the shoulders wherein the current generated by each grinder motor is detected, converted into DC voltages of opposite polarities which are summed with a resultant voltage shown on a meter. When the resultant voltage differs from a predetermined level, usually zero, the grinding wheels can be adjusted thereby balancing the amount of grinding performed on the shoulders of the tire.

Abstract: A mold used for forming an elastomeric article such as a tire under heat and pressure is provided with small grooves at selected locations along the internal cavity walls to reduce or eliminate flash which customarily forms at these locations. Specifically, grooves are provided at the structural interfaces of replaceable mold components, such as tread and bead rings with cavity wall portions of the mold sections. The grooves operate to trap or collect elastomeric material extruded into the interfaces and provide a seal-like barrier to further flash.

Abstract: A recipe is provided for an aqueous inside and/or outside paint for green tires which are to be vulcanized in a mold in cooperation with a hot, pressurized inner bladder. The aqueous paint contains no silicone release agent, hydrocarbon solvent or rubber latex, but only an air bleeding pigment such as carbon black for the outside paint or mica for the inside paint, and surfactant which are blended into a hot wax melt to form a stable dispersion. The melt contains a major amount of a lower melting wax such as paraffin wax, and a minor amount of a higher melting wax such as carnauba wax based on the total weight of wax. The carnauba wax may be dispensed within the outside tire paint for passenger car tires. The essential ingredients for the inside tire paint are the same as those used for the outside tire paint, except that the ratios in which they are present are different to accommodate the disparate requirements for flow of the tire's rubber surfaces during the vulcanizing cycle.

Abstract: A self-sealing pneumatic tire that has an inner surface provided with a layer of sealant and a plurality of edge strips that partially overlap the sealant layer to retain the sealant in position during construction and operation of the tire. Construction is simplified by utilizing a laminate structure incorporating such edge strips and also comprising an air impermeable elastomer strip, the center of which is coated with a layer of puncture sealant material and having the edge strips adhesively attached to the elastomer strip and partially overlapping the edges of the sealant layer. Also, a method of constructing this tire by attaching a tire body or carcass to this laminate structure prior to molding and curing the tire. During the molding process, the edge strips that partially overlap the sealant layer hold the sealant in place preventing it from flowing in an uncontrolled manner.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire and a mounting system therefor, having constructional features designed to provide optimized operational characteristics. The tire has a low aspect ratio .lambda. and a low height ratio .theta. conforming substantially to the relations .lambda.=0.236/.theta. and 0.32<.theta.<0.39. The mounting system includes a vehicle axleborne drum and a pair of ring members adapted to be securely fastened to the drum, each ring member defining a bead seat, a bead restraining flange and a sidewall-supporting extension, and the ring members being adhered to the tire at the beads and the lower sidewalls. A layer of a suitable sealant at the juncture between each ring member and the drum renders the joints airtight.

Abstract: A mold used for forming an elastomeric article such as a tire under heat and pressure is provided with small grooves at seleted locations along the internal cavity walls to reduce or eliminate flash which customarily forms at these locations. Specifically, grooves are provided at the structural interfaces of replaceable mold components, such as tread and bead rings with cavity wall portions of the mold sections. The grooves operate to trap or collect elastomeric material extruded into the interfaces and provide a seal-like barrier to further flash.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for economical mass production of radial and bias/belted tires which eliminates undertread cements and solves chronic factory tack problems by providing a synthetic rubber-based undertread compound containing predominant amounts of cis-polybutadiene and having unique tack retention properties. The building tack is optimized by use of a special mixture of a p-t-alkylphenol-formaldehyde tackifying resin, a tri-methyl-dihydroquinoline polymer, and a N,N'-disubstituted-p-phenylenediamine. The process utilizes standard factory equipment with simple modifications and requires new formulations and special prodecures during mixing and processing to minimize the amount of zinc oleate, to convert virtually all of the fatty acids to zinc salts, principally stearates, and to minimize diffusion and migration of zinc stearate in a direction toward the undertread surface.

Abstract: A tack measuring device and method wherein two specimens are brought into abutting contact under a predetermined load, after which the contact is maintained momentarily. The specimens are then separated within a second time interval. A load cell measures the force as a function of time and the tack is measured in terms of velocity times the force integrated over the second time interval.