Abstract: On a tread portion, a plurality of blocks defined by a plurality of main grooves and a plurality of transverse grooves. The main grooves annularly and continuously extend in a tire circumferential direction. The transverse grooves extend in a tire width direction so as to intersect the main grooves. The plurality of blocks include a center block located at a center in the tire width direction and having, on a surface thereof, a first groove with closed both ends and a second groove joining the first groove.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewall portions extending from the bead portions, a tread portion extending across the respective sidewall portions, and a decorative band having a smooth surface and formed on the sidewall portion, wherein: the outermost end in the tire radial direction of the decorative band is positioned on the inner side in the tire radial direction than the largest width position of the tire; the decorative band includes a plurality of decorative lines each extending in the tire circumferential direction and having higher brightness than the base color of the tire; brightness of the decorative line having the highest brightness among the decorative lines is at least 80%; and brightness and/or hue of the decorative line having the highest brightness is different from brightness and/or hue of at least one of other decorative lines.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined tire, including a tire casing and a core. The tire casing is an annular member having a core groove around the periphery; the core is an annular member nested within the core groove of the tire casing in an interference fit, and forms a gap with the inner wall of the core groove of the tire casing. The present invention can ensure high production efficiency. The tire casing and the core of the present invention can employ materials of different hardness, offering better comfort.

Abstract: A method of producing animal litter including bentonite which includes a step of forming, from a starting material for animal litter containing bentonite, a starting mixture that contains 10 to 60 mass % of granules that remain on an 8.0 mm-aperture sieve and 40 to 90 mass % of granules that pass through an 8.0 mm-aperture sieve, a step of conveying the starting mixture on a path of conveyance, a step of loading the starting mixture that has been conveyed on the path of conveyance into a granulator capable of pulverizing and granulation, pulverizing at least the granules remaining on the 8.0 mm-aperture sieve while forming a granulated product, and a step of drying the granulated product.

Abstract: Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond compacts include employing field assisted sintering techniques with high temperature and high pressure sintering techniques. For example, a particle mixture that includes diamond particles may be sintered by subjecting the particle mixture to a high temperature and high pressure sintering cycle, and pulsing direct electrical current through the particle mixture during at least a portion of the high temperature and high pressure sintering cycle. The polycrystalline diamond compacts may be used to form cutting elements for earth-boring tools. Sintering systems are configured to perform such sintering processes.

Abstract: An extrusion die with fastener tension adjustment assembly can be formed of a die body that includes a first die body portion and a second die body portion. The extrusion die can have a lip body connected to one of the die body portions using the plurality of fasteners. In one configuration, the fastener tension adjustment assembly has an elongated body operatively connected to each of said plurality of fasteners. The fastener tension adjustment assembly is movable towards and away from the lip body, thereby simultaneously adjusting an amount of force applied to each of said plurality of fasteners. Because the fastener tension adjustment assembly can simultaneously adjust the amount of force on each of the plurality of fasteners, it can eliminate time consuming fastener-by-fastener adjustments on the extrusion die.

Abstract: The tire has a tread with a tread surface and at least one groove which has a bottom wall and two lateral walls. At least one flexible wall is arranged in the groove in such a way that as liquid flows, the flexible wall flexes to allow the liquid to pass. After molding, the tire has a connecting element with a thickness which is equal to that of the bottom wall so that, after vulcanizing, the connecting element connects the lateral walls to the bottom wall over a given depth. The connecting element is then cut at its junction with each of the lateral walls of the groove so as to obtain the flexible wall.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for determining whether a molded product is defective by sensing a surface temperature of a mold or the molded product in a contact type or a non-contact type using an infrared ray, without inserting a temperature sensor in the mold. In an injection mold robot transfer apparatus that includes absorption tools for absorbing a mold and transferring a molded product after determining whether the molded product is defective, the apparatus includes a support bar for fixing the absorption tools and including a vertical recess, a crossbar fixed by the vertical recess of the support bar, a forward and backward shaft fixed by the crossbar, a bracket fixed by the forward and backward shaft, and a temperature sensor fixed on the bracket.