Patents by Inventor Arnaud Lapra

Arnaud Lapra has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9976014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tire sidewall, at least one portion of which has a rubber composition based on at least a diene elastomer, a crosslinking system and a reinforcing filler, wherein the content of reinforcing filler in the composition varies from 20 to 40 parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer, phr, with a volume fraction of reinforcing filler in the composition ranging from 8.0% to 13.0%, and in that this reinforcing filler comprises predominantly a carbon black or a mixture of carbon blacks with a BET specific surface area ranging from 50 m2/g to 69 m2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Guillaume Hennebert, Arnaud Lapra
  • Patent number: 9487049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber composition having improved vulcanization kinetics, which can be used in particular for manufacturing tires or semi-finished products for tires, based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a coupling agent providing the bond between filler and elastomer, characterized in that said reinforcing filler comprises synthetic magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2 wafers, covered with silica. The invention also relates to the use of such a composition for manufacturing rubber articles, in particular tires or semi-finished products made of rubber intended for these tires, especially treads. The invention also relates, per se, to this synthetic magnesium hydroxide in the form of silica-covered wafers, and also to its use as a reinforcing filler, especially in a diene elastomer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Arnaud Lapra, Franck Varagniat, Anne Veyland
  • Patent number: 9216520
    Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a rubber composition comprising various constituents, such as base elastomers, reinforcing fillers, additives and a vulcanization system, during which the following stages are carried out: A—using a continuous mixing device, a starting rubber composition comprising the reinforcing fillers and optionally other components, with the exception of the crosslinking system, is produced, the operating parameters for the continuous mixing device being chosen so that: a—the residence time of the elastomer in the mixing chamber is between 20 and 60 seconds, b—the specific energy conferred on the rubber composition is between 2000 joules/gram and 5000 joules/gram, B—at the outlet for the starting rubber composition from the mixing chamber, the temperature of the said starting rubber composition is lowered to a temperature of less than 140° C. in less than 5 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Loubaresse, Floriandre Voisin, Pierre Annet, Bruno Dussardier, Gérald Huguenot, Arnaud Lapra, Julien Loyau, Vincent Pelissier
  • Publication number: 20130203892
    Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a rubber composition comprising various constituents, such as base elastomers, reinforcing fillers, additives and a vulcanization system, during which the following stages are carried out: A—using a continuous mixing device, a starting rubber composition comprising the reinforcing fillers and optionally other components, with the exception of the crosslinking system, is produced, the operating parameters for the continuous mixing device being chosen so that: a—the residence time of the elastomer in the mixing chamber is between 20 and 60 seconds, b—the specific energy conferred on the rubber composition is between 2000 joules/gram and 5000 joules/gram, B—at the outlet for the starting rubber composition from the mixing chamber, the temperature of the said starting rubber composition is lowered to a temperature of less than 140° C. in less than 5 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Loubaresse, Floriandre Voisin, Pierre Annet, Bruno Dussardier, Gérald Huguenot, Arnaud Lapra, Julien Loyau, Vincent Pelissier
  • Publication number: 20130160910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tire sidewall, at least one portion of which has a rubber composition based on at least a diene elastomer, a crosslinking system and a reinforcing filler, wherein the content of reinforcing filler in the composition varies from 20 to 40 parts by weight per hundred parts of elastomer, phr, with a volume fraction of reinforcing filler in the composition ranging from 8.0% to 13.0%, and in that this reinforcing filler comprises predominantly a carbon black or a mixture of carbon blacks with a BET specific surface area ranging from 50 m2/g to 69 m2/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Guillaume Hennebert, Arnaud Lapra
  • Patent number: 8461269
    Abstract: Rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a polymer filler as reinforcing filler, a coupling agent providing the bond between the polymer filler and the elastomer. The polymer filler comprises nanoparticles of non-aromatic vinnyl polymer (“NAVP”) bearing a function Z of formula ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolysable group. The NAVP is in particular a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, in the form of nanobeads the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Micheln Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Franck Varagniat, Sylvie Gandon-Pain, Arnaud Lapra
  • Patent number: 7820771
    Abstract: Rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a polymeric filler as reinforcing filler and a coupling agent for bonding between the polymeric filler and the elastomer. The polymeric filler includes nanoparticles of a polyvinylaromatic (PVAr) carrying a functional group denoted by Z of formula a ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolyzable group. The PVAr is especially a copolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene, divinylbenzene and trimethoxysilylpropylacrylate or trimethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate, being in the form of nanobeads, the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm. Also described is a method of obtaining such a composition, and use of such a rubber composition for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular tires or rubber semi-finished products intended for these tires, as well as a masterbatch including at least one diene elastomer and such a polymeric filler, and a method of obtaining such a masterbatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S. A.
    Inventors: Arnaud Lapra, Sylvie Gandon-Pain, Franck Varagniat
  • Patent number: 7718717
    Abstract: A rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tyres, based on at least a diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a coupling agent, characterised in that said filler comprises a synthetic metal hydroxide covered with silica, the metal of the hydroxide being selected from the group consisting of Al, Fe, Mg and mixtures of these metals. Use as reinforcing filler, in a diene rubber composition, of such a metal hydroxide. The metal hydroxide is preferably constituted of aggregates (secondary particles) of anisometric form, the primary particles possibly themselves being of anisometric form, for example in the form of rods, which imparts to the compositions of the invention anisotropic properties which are advantageous for separating their mechanical properties. Use of such a rubber composition for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular of tyres or semi-finished products made of rubber intended for these tyres, in particular of treads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Arnaud Lapra, Franck Varagniat, Anne Veyland
  • Publication number: 20100022714
    Abstract: Rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a polymer filler as reinforcing filler, a coupling agent providing the bond between the polymer filler and the elastomer. The polymer filler comprises nanoparticles of non-aromatic vinnyl polymer (“NAVP”) bearing a function Z of formula ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolysable group. The NAVP is in particular a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, in the form of nanobeads the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Franck Varagniat, Sylvie Gandon-Pain, Arnaud Lapra
  • Publication number: 20090297827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber composition having improved vulcanisation kinetics, which can be used in particular for manufacturing tyres or semi-finished products for tyres, based on at least one diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a coupling agent providing the bond between filler and elastomer, characterized in that said reinforcing filler comprises synthetic magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH)2 wafers, covered with silica. The invention also relates to the use of such a composition for manufacturing rubber articles, in particular tyres or semi-finished products made of rubber intended for these tyres, especially treads. The invention also relates, per se, to this synthetic magnesium hydroxide in the form of silica-covered wafers, and also to its use as a reinforcing filler, especially in a diene elastomer matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Arnaud Lapra, Franck Varagniat, Anne Veyland
  • Publication number: 20090270558
    Abstract: Nanoparticles of a functionalized and crosslinked polyvinylaromatic (PVAr) that may be used as reinforcing filler in a polymeric composition, the PVAr being a copolymer of at least: a vinylaromatic comonomer “A”; a comonomer “B” carrying a functional group denoted by Z of formula ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolyzable group; a crosslinking comonomer “C” which is at least bifunctional and polymerizable by means of an addition reaction, it being possible for comonomer C to be vinylaromatic, in this case identical or different to comonomer A or non-vinylaromatic. The PVAr comprises, for example, a copolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene, divinylbenzene and trimethoxysilylpropyl(meth)acrylate, being in the form of nanobeads, the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm. This PVAr filler, thanks to a very low density, allows the weight of polymeric compositions, especially elastomer compositions, to be reduced without degrading the reinforcement, and with an notable reduction in hysteresis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Sylvie Gandon-pain, Alain Hut, Arnaud Lapra
  • Publication number: 20080132644
    Abstract: Rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a polymeric filler as reinforcing filler and a coupling agent for bonding between the polymeric filler and the elastomer, characterized in that said polymeric filler comprises nanoparticles of a polyvinylaromatic (PVAr) carrying a functional group denoted by Z of formula ?Si—X, X representing a hydroxyl or hydrolyzable group. The PVAr is especially a copolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene, divinylbenzene and trimethoxysilylpropyl(meth)acrylate, being in the form of nanobeads, the diameter of which is between 10 and 100 nm. This polymeric filler, thanks to a very low density, allows the weight of the compositions of the invention to be reduced without degrading the reinforcement, and with an appreciable reduction in hysteresis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Arnaud Lapra, Sylvie Gandon-Pain, Franck Varagniat
  • Publication number: 20070254983
    Abstract: A rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tyres, based on at least a diene elastomer, a reinforcing filler and a coupling agent, characterised in that said filler comprises a synthetic metal hydroxide covered with silica, the metal of the hydroxide being selected from the group consisting of Al, Fe, Mg and mixtures of these metals. Use as reinforcing filler, in a diene rubber composition, of such a metal hydroxide. The metal hydroxide is preferably constituted of aggregates (secondary particles) of anisometric form, the primary particles possibly themselves being of anisometric form, for example in the form of rods, which imparts to the compositions of the invention anisotropic properties which are advantageous for separating their mechanical properties. Use of such a rubber composition for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular of tyres or semi-finished products made of rubber intended for these tyres, in particular of treads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: Arnaud Lapra
  • Patent number: 7256233
    Abstract: A rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, based on at least one diene elastomer, one reinforcing inorganic filler and a coupling agent providing the bond between the inorganic filler and the elastomer. The inorganic filler comprises a synthetic aluminosilicate of the formula: MxSiAlyOa(OH)b, (H2O)c??(I) in which: M is a cation selected from of K+, Na+, Ca++ and mixtures of these cations; x>0; y>0; a?0; b?0, c?0 and a+b>0, and having the following characteristics: (a) a BET specific surface area of between 20 and 300 m2/g; (b) an average particle size by mass (dw) of between 20 and 400 nm; and (c) an ultrasound disagglomeration rate (?) greater than 5×10?4 ?m?1/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Laure Simonot, Anne Veyland, Arnaud Lapra, Emmanuel Custodero
  • Patent number: 7250463
    Abstract: Diene rubber compositions are described containing a diene elastomer, a reinforcing inorganic filler, and a coupling agent wherein the inorganic filler includes a silica having the following characteristics: (a) a BET specific surface area between 45 and 400 m2/g; (b) a CTAB specific surface area between 40 and 380 m2/g; (c) an average particle size (by mass), dw, of 20 to 300 nm; and at least one of the following characteristics, preferably two and more preferably all three: (d) a particle size distribution such that dw?/CTAB)?30; (e) a porosity which meets the criterion L/FI??0.0025 CTAB+0.85; (f) an amount of silanols per unit of surface area, NSiOH/nm2; NSiOH/nm2??0.027 CTAB+10.5. These diene rubber compositions can be used for the manufacture of tires or of semi-finished products intended for tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Durel, Arnaud Lapra, Julien Hernandez, Rémi Valero
  • Patent number: 7135517
    Abstract: A rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, based on at least one diene elastomer, at least one reinforcing inorganic filler and at least one coupling agent providing a bond between the inorganic filler and the elastomer. The reinforcing inorganic filler includes a silicon nitride having the following characteristics: (a) a BET specific surface area of between 20 and 200 m2/g; (b) an average particle size (by mass), dw, of between 10 and 350 nm. The rubber composition may be used for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular of tires or semi-finished products made of rubber intended for tires, in particular of treads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Laure Simonot, Arnaud Lapra, Anne Veyland, Emmanuel Custodero
  • Publication number: 20060009564
    Abstract: A rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, based on at least one diene elastomer, one reinforcing inorganic filler and a coupling agent providing the bond between the inorganic filler and the elastomer. The inorganic filler comprises a synthetic aluminosilicate of the formula: MxSiAlyOa(OH)b, (H2O)c??(I) in which: M is a cation selected from of K+, Na+, Ca++ and mixtures of these cations; x>0; y>0; a?0; b?0, c?0 and a+b>0, and having the following characteristics: (a) a BET specific surface area of between 20 and 300 m2/g; (b) an average particle size by mass (dw) of between 20 and 400 nm; and (c) an ultrasound disagglomeration rate (?) greater than 5×10?4 ?m?1/min.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Laure Simonot, Anne Veyland, Arnaud Lapra, Emmanuel Custodero
  • Publication number: 20050171264
    Abstract: A rubber composition usable for the manufacture of tires, based on at least one diene elastomer, at least one reinforcing inorganic filler and at least one coupling agent providing a bond between the inorganic filler and the elastomer. The reinforcing inorganic filler includes a silicon nitride having the following characteristics: (a) a BET specific surface area of between 20 and 200 m2/g; (b) an average particle size (by mass), dw, of between 10 and 350 nm. The rubber composition may be used for the manufacture of rubber articles, in particular of tires or semi-finished products made of rubber intended for tires, in particular of treads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Laure Simonot, Arnaud Lapra, Anne Veyland, Emmanuel Custodero
  • Publication number: 20050004297
    Abstract: Diene rubber compositions are described containing a diene elastomer, a reinforcing inorganic filler, and a coupling agent wherein the inorganic filler includes a silica having the following characteristics: (a) a BET specific surface area between 45 and 400 m2/g; (b) a CTAB specific surface area between 40 and 380 m2/g; (c) an average particle size (by mass), dw, of 20 to 300 nm; and at least one of the following characteristics, preferably two and more preferably all three: (d) a particle size distribution such that dw?/CTAB)?30; (e) a porosity which meets the criterion L/FI??0.0025 CTAB+0.85; (f) an amount of silanols per unit of surface area, NSiOH/nm2; NSiOH/nm2??0.027 CTAB+10.5. These diene rubber compositions can be used for the manufacture of tires or of semi-finished products intended for tires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Olivier Durel, Arnaud Lapra, Julien Hernandez, Remi Valero