Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for applying a mixture of a first compound and a second compound, the apparatus comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel, and a coextruded continuous strip is produced. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound may be adjusted instantaneously.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a tire and method of forming a continuous encapsulated strip of sealant layer inside the tire. The strip of sealant layer has a varied mixture ratio of the sealant compound to the skin compound.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite tread, the method comprising the steps of: forming a coextruded strip of a first compound and a second compound, wherein the first compound is a tread compound, and the second compound is formed from a second compound, wherein the tread is formed from winding the coextruded strip onto the tire building drum while varying the ratio of the first compound to the second compound

Abstract: A method for forming a tire having a composite innerliner is described wherein the method includes the following steps: forming a coextruded strip of a first compound and a second compound, wherein the first compound may be an air impermeable compound, and the second compound is a cross linkable diene rubber compound, winding the coextruded strip onto a tire building drum while varying the ratio of the first compound to the second compound to form an inner liner layer of spirally wound coextruded strips.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite tread, the method comprising the steps of forming a coextruded strip of a first compound and a second compound, wherein the first compound is a tread compound, and the second compound is formed from a high-wear compound, wherein the tread is formed from winding the coextruded strip onto the tire building drum while varying the ratio of the first compound to the second compound.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a method for forming a continuous strip of a first compound that is encapsulated by a second compound. The apparatus allows the mixture ratio of the first compound to the second compound to vary. The first compound may be a sealant, and the second compound may be a rubber.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a method for applying a dual compound coextruded continuous strip of a first compound and a second compound, the method comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel, and a coextruded continuous strip is produced. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound may be adjusted instantaneously.

Abstract: A method for applying a strip of elastomeric material to a surface is described. The method of forming a strip of elastomeric material includes the steps of: pumping an elastomeric material through a nozzle, positioning an opening of a nozzle in mating engagement with a rotatable roller, rotating the roller so that rotation of the roller pulls the elastomer material through the outlet of the nozzle, forming a strip.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a crosshead die for the extrusion of a profile, such as a uniform ply coat for a tire. The crosshead die is used with an extruder, and includes a body. An inlet is formed in the body, and is in fluid communication with the extruder. An outlet and a flow channel are also formed in the body. The flow channel extends between the inlet and the outlet, and is bounded by an upper wall, a lower wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The flow channel is formed with a bend and a cross section that includes a trapezoidal shape to align the flow of elastomer with the center of the flow channel.

Abstract: An improved extruder apparatus is disclosed and which includes a cylindrical barrel having a feed end and a discharge end, the feed end having an inlet in fluid communication with a hopper. The extruder screw is mounted in the cylindrical barrel, and the screw has an outer surface having one or more helical flights mounted thereon. wherein the inlet end of the cylindrical barrel has a support frame mounted thereto, wherein an upper surface of the support frame is connected to a throat of a hopper, wherein an insert is mounted to the support frame and has a lower end which extends down into the cylindrical barrel, wherein the insert has an internal passageway having a first opening on the lower end and a second opening upstream of the screw for relieving the pressure.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for applying a mixture of a first compound and a second compound, the apparatus comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel, and a coextruded continuous strip is produced. The ratio of the first compound to the second compound may be adjusted instantaneously.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing an air maintenance tire includes an air pumping tube assembly station constructing an air pumping tube sub-assembly, a tire preparation station for forming passageways in the tire to accept an outlet device of the air pumping tube sub-assembly, an air pumping tube sub-assembly installation station and a pressure regulator installation station. The air pumping tube sub-assembly inserts into an elongate tire groove opening, facilitated by groove-spreading apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making reinforced ply is described. The apparatus includes a cross-head die assembly for use with an extruder, the cross-head die assembly having: an inlet section having an inlet for receiving flow from the extruder; an upper support block removably connected to a first side of the interior section; and a lower block removably connected to a second side of the interior section. A first flow passage is located between the upper support block and the interior section and is in fluid communication with the inlet. A second flow passage is located between the interior section and the lower support block and is in fluid communication with the inlet. The cross-head die assembly further includes a removably mounted die located at an outlet end of the assembly. The first and second flow passage is in fluid communication with an inlet of the die; each flow passage has a raised center rib and an area that decreases from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A method for applying a strip of elastomeric material to a surface is described. The method of forming a strip of elastomeric material includes the steps of: pumping an elastomeric material through a nozzle, positioning an opening of a nozzle in mating engagement with a rotatable roller, rotating the roller so that rotation of the roller pulls the elastomer material through the outlet of the nozzle, forming a strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a strip of elastomeric material to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a nozzle having an inlet in fluid communication with a pumping means, said nozzle having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface has a curved shape for mating engagement with an outer surface of a rotatable roller, said lower surface having an opening positioned for engagement with the roller outer surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a crosshead die for the extrusion of a profile, such as a uniform ply coat for a tire. The crosshead die is used with an extruder, and includes a body. An inlet is formed in the body, and is in fluid communication with the extruder. An outlet and a flow channel are also formed in the body. The flow channel extends between the inlet and the outlet, and is bounded by an upper wall, a lower wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The flow channel is formed with a bend and a cross section that includes a trapezoidal shape to align the flow of elastomer with the center of the flow channel.

Abstract: A cross-head die assembly for use with an extruder is described. The cross-head die assembly includes: an inlet section having an inlet for communicating flow from the extruder to one or more flow channels formed in a support block; and an outlet, a removably mounted die located at the outlet and in fluid communication with the one or more flow channels; said support block further comprising an interior slot extending from a first side of the support block to an outlet passageway; a removable cassette positioned in the interior slot, wherein the front end of the removable cassette is positioned to seal the outlet passageway of the slot so that the slot is isolated from the flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a strip of elastomeric material to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a nozzle having an inlet in fluid communication with a pumping means, said nozzle having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface has a curved shape for mating engagement with an outer surface of a rotatable roller, said lower surface having an opening positioned for engagement with the roller outer surface.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for applying a mixture of a first compound and a second compound, the apparatus comprising a first extruder for processing a first compound and a second extruder for processing a second compound, wherein the outlet from the first extruder is in fluid communication with a first channel of a housing, and the outlet from the second extruder is in fluid communication with a second channel of the housing, wherein a gear pump is positioned in each channel, wherein a nozzle is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first channel and an outlet of the second channel.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a method for forming a tread on a green carcass comprising the steps of providing a tire building drum having a carcass thereon, applying a strip of a base compound continuously over one half of the carcass forming a first layer of base compound from the centerline of the carcass to a first lateral edge, applying a first tread cap compound over the base compound, applying a strip of a base compound continuously over the second half of the carcass forming a second layer of base compound from the centerline of the carcass to a second lateral edge, forming a chimney along an edge of the first tread cap compound, and applying a first tread cap compound over the second layer of the base compound.