Abstract: A tire unloader includes a mobile support structure, a robotic device supported by the mobile support structure, and a drive system. The drive system maneuvers the robotic device. The robotic device includes an engagement mechanism. The mobile support structure positions the robotic device to allow for engagement, lifting, and unloading stacks of tires. A remote user optionally controls the movement of the mobile support structure and the operational actions of the robotic device. A material conveyer optionally receives the unloaded material. A second robotic device located near the second end of the material conveyer optionally engages the unloaded tires on the conveyer and transfers the unloaded tires onto the transporting cart, which transports the unloaded material to a predetermined location.

Abstract: A system for determining road force uniformity of a tire is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of imaging devices and a computer communicatively-coupled to the plurality of imaging devices. The plurality of imaging devices images a plurality of surfaces of the tire as the tire-wheel assembly is rotated about an axis of rotation. The computer receives images captured by the plurality of imaging devices in order for the computer to extract data from the images such that the computer may execute a road force uniformity simulation algorithm for the purpose of algorithmically simulating road force uniformity of the tire.

Abstract: A tire pre-conditioning system includes a first mandrel, a second mandrel spaced apart from the first mandrel, and a controller in communication with the first mandrel and the second mandrel. The first mandrel is fixedly attached to a first shaft and including a first tapered sidewall. The second mandrel is fixedly attached to a second shaft and including a second tapered sidewall. The controller is operable to axially move the first mandrel and the second mandrel toward one another until the first and second tapered sidewalls are opposing respective beads of a tire, and supply pressurized fluid into an internal cavity of the tire to inflate the tire. The inflating causing the beads to move relative to mandrels while contacting the opposing respective tapered sidewalls to burnish the beads of the tire.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A weight applicator system includes a shaft, an applicator assembly, and a weight feed assembly. The shaft defines a length between a proximal end and a distal end configured to support a wheel-tire assembly for common rotation about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The applicator assembly is supported by the shaft and includes a base portion disposed upon the shaft and operable to translate axially along the length of the shaft, a radial portion connected to the base portion and operable to radially move relative to the base portion between a retracted position and an extended position; and a pressure roller rotatably supported by the radial portion about an axis of rotation. The weight feed assembly is operable to feed a prescribed length of weighted material to the pressure roller.

Abstract: A system includes a processing station and a lubricant supply system in fluid communication with the processing station. The processing station is operable to process at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel to form a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes at least one of a tire lubricating sub-station or a wheel lubricating sub-station. The lubricant supply system includes a storage container configured to store a lubricant and a whipping device received by the lubricant container and operable to whip or blend the lubricant from a semi-solid state to a whipped state. The lubricant supply system also includes a pump operable to pump the lubricant in the whipped state out of the storage container.

Abstract: A tire unloader includes a mobile support structure, a robotic device supported by the mobile support structure, and a drive system. The drive system maneuvers the robotic device. The robotic device includes an engagement mechanism. The mobile support structure positions the robotic device to allow for engagement, lifting, and unloading stacks of tires. A remote user optionally controls the movement of the mobile support structure and the operational actions of the robotic device. A material conveyer optionally receives the unloaded material. A second robotic device located near the second end of the material conveyer optionally engages the unloaded tires on the conveyer and transfers the unloaded tires onto the transporting cart, which transports the unloaded material to a predetermined location.

Abstract: A system includes a router transceiver unit that is configured to be disposed on-board a vehicle system. The vehicle system may have at least a source vehicle and a separate linked vehicle that are communicatively linked with each other through a system network of the vehicle system. The router transceiver unit is configured to be communicatively coupled to a requesting operational component of the source vehicle and the system network. The router transceiver unit is also configured to receive a local data packet from the requesting operational component that is directed toward a target operational component of the linked vehicle. The router transceiver unit includes an encapsulation module that is configured to transform the local data packet into an in-tunnel data packet, wherein the local and in-tunnel data packets have different packet formats.

Abstract: A system includes a router transceiver unit that is configured to be disposed on-board a vehicle system. The vehicle system may have at least a source vehicle and a separate linked vehicle that are communicatively linked with each other through a system network of the vehicle system. The router transceiver unit is configured to be communicatively coupled to a requesting operational component of the source vehicle and the system network. The router transceiver unit is also configured to receive a local data packet from the requesting operational component that is directed toward a target operational component of the linked vehicle. The router transceiver unit includes an encapsulation module that is configured to transform the local data packet into an in-tunnel data packet, wherein the local and in-tunnel data packets have different packet formats.

Abstract: A chassis front assembly, a chassis rear assembly and a chassis intermediate assembly are disclosed. The chassis front assembly and the chassis rear assembly are connected to the chassis intermediate assembly for forming a chassis. A kit is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a router transceiver unit that is configured to be disposed on-board a vehicle system. The vehicle system may have at least a source vehicle and a separate linked vehicle that are mechanically linked with each other to travel together along a route and that are communicatively linked with each other through a system network of the vehicle system. The router transceiver unit is configured to be communicatively coupled to a requesting operational component of the source vehicle and the system network. The router transceiver unit is also configured to receive a local data packet from the requesting operational component that is directed toward a target operational component of the linked vehicle. The router transceiver unit includes an encapsulation module that is configured to transform the local data packet into an in-tunnel data packet, where the local and in-tunnel data packets have different packet formats.

Abstract: A system for determining road force uniformity of a tire is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of imaging devices and a computer communicatively-coupled to the plurality of imaging devices. The plurality of imaging devices images a plurality of surfaces of the tire as the tire-wheel assembly is rotated about an axis of rotation. The computer receives images captured by the plurality of imaging devices in order for the computer to extract data from the images such that the computer may execute a road force uniformity simulation algorithm for the purpose of algorithmically simulating road force uniformity of the tire.

Abstract: Elastomer composites are produced by novel continuous flow methods and apparatus in which fluid streams of particulate filler and elastomer latex are fed to the mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a mixture in semi-confined flow continuously from the mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under high pressure to the mixing zone, such as to form a jet stream to entrain elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the discharge end. Highly efficient and effective elastomer coagulation is achieved without the need for a coagulation step involving exposure to acid or salt solution or the like. Novel elastomer composites are produced. Such novel elastomer composites may be cured or uncured, and combine material properties, such as choice of filler, elastomer, level of filler loading, and macro-dispersion, not previously achieved.

Abstract: A system (10) for pyrolysing material comprises a stationary inlet stage (20), a rotary kiln (60) and a stationary outlet stage (70), with a rotary joint mechanism (30, 80) provided between the inlet stage (20) and the rotary kiln and/or between the rotary kiln and the outlet stage (70). The rotary joint mechanism (30, 80) comprises a face seal between a rotating surface (66) of a first seal member (65, 85) fixed to the kiln (60) and a stationary surface (26) of a second seal member (25, 82) fixed to the respective stage (20, 70).

Abstract: A food product is provided comprising at least 50 grams of a pH responsive hydrogel comprising a cross-linked globular protein having an unfolding transition pH in the range pH 2 to 6. Also provided are a process for manufacturing the food product and use of a pH responsive hydrogel to provide an enhanced feeling of satiety to a person consuming the hydrogel and/or to aid adherence to a weight loss or weight control plan.

Abstract: A gelled food product is prepared by opening a closed container of thermo-reversible gel(A) that is based on polysaccharide gelling agent, heating gel (A) to a temperature of at least 60° C., combining the gel (A) with at least one taste or flavour imparting food component before, during or after the heating, to provide a combined gel composition (B) that comprises at least 1 wt % protein, such that the gel (A) constitutes 50-98 wt % of the composition (B), and allowing the combined gel composition (B) to set in a mould.

Abstract: Elastomer composite blends are produced by novel wet/dry mixing methods and apparatus. In the wet mixing step or stage, fluid streams of particulate filler and elastomer latex are fed to the mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a mixture in semi-confined flow continuously from the mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under high pressure to the mixing zone, such as to form a jet stream to entrain elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the discharge end. Highly efficient and effective elastomer coagulation is achieved without the need for a coagulation step involving exposure to acid or salt solution or the like. Novel elastomer composites are produced.

Abstract: Elastomer composites are produced by novel continuous flow methods and apparatus in which fluid streams of particulate filler and elastomer latex are fed to the mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a mixture in semi-confined flow continuously from the mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under high pressure to the mixing zone, such as to form a jet stream to entrain elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the discharge end. Highly efficient and effective elastomer coagulation is achieved without the need for a coagulation step involving exposure to acid or salt solution or the like. Novel elastomer composites are produced. Such novel elastomer composites may be cured or uncured, and combine material properties, such as choice of filler, elastomer, level of filler loading, and macro-dispersion, not previously achieved.

Abstract: Elastomer composite blends are produced by novel wet/dry mixing methods and apparatus. In the wet mixing step or stage, fluid streams of particulate filler and elastomer latex are fed to the mixing zone of a coagulum reactor to form a mixture in semi-confined flow continuously from the mixing zone through a coagulum zone to a discharge end of the reactor. The particulate filler fluid is fed under high pressure to the mixing zone, such as to form a jet stream to entrain elastomer latex fluid sufficiently energetically to substantially completely coagulate the elastomer with the particulate filler prior to the discharge end. Highly efficient and effective elastomer coagulation is achieved without the need for a coagulation step involving exposure to acid or salt solution or the like. Novel elastomer composites are produced.