Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming contoured tire carcass strips having a body ply consisting of two strips of elastomeric material containing individually spaced reinforcing cords sandwiched therebetween, an innerliner, a pair of abrasive gum sections, and pairs of first and second sidewall sections. The carcass strip and reinforcing cords have a contour configuration with a wider central portion and a pair of outwardly flared end portions connected to the central portion by two intermediate portions. The transverse distances between the cords are equal, with the distances being greater at the central portion than the intermediate and end portions. A grooved forming plate has a plurality of grooves in one surface in the configured pattern that the cords will take when sandwiched in the body ply. The cords are placed in the grooves of the forming plate and have two strips of elastomeric material applied thereto by a pair of vacuum transfer plates and a press.

Abstract: An improved method for achieving enhanced bond strength between components of unvulcanized and at least partially vulcanized rubber the improvement comprising the steps of selecting first and second initially unvulcanized rubber components (10, 12) for the manufacture of a vulcanized rubber article (21); applying an interphase layer (11) of rubber material, essentially devoid of crosslinking agents and containing from about 0.

Abstract: A process for compounding filler materials and polymers for the preparation of vulcanizable rubber compositions comprises the steps of combining at least one polymer and other compounding ingredients with a filler treated with a liquid in an amount of from about 10 to 60 percent by weight, based upon the combined weight of the liquid and the filler under conditions sufficient to uniformly distribute the filler to form a pre-blend; and mixing the pre-blend until the filler is suitably dispersed throughout the polymer. A vulcanizable rubber composition containing a filler prepared by combining at least one polymer and other compounding ingredients with a filler treated with a liquid in an amount of from about 10 to 60 percent by weight, based upon the combined weight of the liquid and the filler under conditions sufficient to uniformly distribute the filler to form a pre-blend; and mixing the pre-blend until the filler is suitably dispersed throughout the polymer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for ablating selected surfaces of an elastomeric product or an attached work piece. A tire is positioned beneath a laser system such that a laser beam is cast upon the tire sidewall or applied work piece. A microprocessor controls the directing of the laser beam and the position of the tire with respect thereto such that various informational and/or decorative designs and configurations may be ablated into the surface impinged by the laser beam. The dwell time of the laser beam upon the surface and other factors control the depth of ablation. In certain embodiments of the invention, a multi layered work piece is employed such that the depth of ablation will correlate to contrasting or complimentary colors or will effect a desired relief appearance.

Abstract: A product and process for imparting decorative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. A spool of applique composite material is maintained for feeding into a tire mold or onto a transfer device, thereby defining a ring for vulcanization to a tire. The applique consists of a laminate received upon a carrier, the laminate having a first barrier layer and a congruent second decorative layer. The laminate is received by a tire sidewall between two grooves which serve to isolate the decorative layer from the tire itself.

Abstract: A product and process for imparting decorative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. In one embodiment, a spool of applique composite material is maintained for feeding into a tire mold or onto a transfer device, thereby defining a ring for vulcanization to a tire. The applique consists of a laminate received upon a carrier, the laminate having a first barrier layer and a congruent second decorative layer. The laminate is received by a tire sidewall between two grooves which serve to isolate the decorative layer from the tire itself. In another embodiment a laminate of white and barrier rubber stock is formed and then configured into a cylinder. A plurality of bands are cut from the cylinder then transferred to a fixture by reorienting the bands to conform to the angle of the sidewall of the tire at the point with which the band is to be adhered.

Abstract: A method of forming a bead assembly for use in a pneumatic tire includes extruding a strip of green elastomeric material onto a split or pair of steel supporting guide ring where the ends of the extruded strip are cut at a bias angle and then spliced together to form an annular elastomeric member. The extruded strip and formed annular member has a pair of tapered longitudinal end members joined by a central recess. An annular tire bead is placed in radial alignment about the central recess of the annular member. Next, a segmented mandrel carrying inflatable turnup bladders is expanded outwardly, afterwhich the split guide ring is axially withdrawn. The mandrel and bladders then provide the support for the elastomeric member previously provided by the split annular ring, and traps the bead within the central recess. The two longitudinal end members of the extruded strip are then turned up about the bead by inflating the bladders to form the bead assembly, afterwhich the assembly is placed in a shaping mold.

Abstract: A product and process for imparting decorative appliques to the sidewalls of tires during the curing operation are presented. In one embodiment, a spool of applique composite material is maintained for feeding into a tire mold or onto a transfer device, thereby defining a ring for vulcanization to a tire. The applique consists of a laminate received upon a carrier, the laminate having a first barrier layer and a congruent second decorative layer. The laminate is received by a tire sidewall between two grooves which serve to isolate the decorative layer from the tire itself. In another embodiment a laminate of white and barrier rubber stock is formed and then configured into a cylinder. A plurality of bands are cut from the cylinder then transferred to a fixture by reorienting the bands to conform to the angle of the sidewall of the tire at the point with which the band is to be adhered.

Abstract: Fibers of linear polyethylene or polypropylene are solution spun, cooled, dried in hot air and hot drawn. Drying and hot drawing are carried out by passing a moving filament of the wet polymer through a hot air dryer having an air temperature of at least 55.degree. C., preferably at least 60.degree. C., then heating and hot drawing a moving filament of the dried fiber. Optional steps include wet drawing the fiber prior to drying, and solvent exchange of the original solvent, e.g. decalin, for a more volatile solvent.

Abstract: A compact and precision extrusion system for extruding strips of rubber compounds with profiles of accurate dimensions. Strips of rubber compound are uniformly heated and mixed in an extruder and then passed through a low pressure drop strainer to remove foreign matter. The strained compound then is fed directly into a gear pump which delivers precise volumes of the rubber compound immediately into the spread chamber of an extrusion head after which it passes through a die to form a precise strip of the rubber compound. The strainer and extrusion head are movably mounted with respect to the gear pump for axial separation from the gear pump for easy removal of the rubber compound from the various components of the system to facilitate compound changes. A control system regulates the speed of the extruder to provide a near constant pressure at the entrance port of the gear pump to precisely regulate the rate of extrusion of the compound from the extrusion head.

Abstract: A compact and precision extrusion system and method for extruding strips of rubber compounds with profiles of accurate dimensions. Strips of rubber compound are uniformly heated and mixed in an extruder and then passed through a low pressure drop strainer to remove foreign matter. The strained compound then is fed directly into a gear pump which delivers precise volumes of the rubber compound immediately into the spread chamber of an extrusion head after which it passes through a die to form a precise strip of the rubber compound. The strainer and extrusion head are movably mounted with respect to the gear pump for axial separation from the gear pump for easy removal of the rubber compound from the various components of the system to facilitate compound changes. A control system regulates the speed of the extruder to provide a near constant pressure at the entrance port of the gear pump to precisely regulate the rate of extrusion of the compound from the extrusion head.

Abstract: It now has been found that uncured modified rubber compositions comprising mixtures of elastomers and a reinforcing filler can be prepared having improved properties.

Abstract: Colored tire stocks having improved abrasion resistance, color and color stability as compared to conventional colored tire stocks such as white sidewall stocks are provided. The colored tire stocks of the invention comprise crosslinked colored rubber compositions containing from 10 to 90% of ionic crosslinks and from 90 to 10% of free radical induced covalent crosslinks. These colored tire stocks may be utilized as functional tire stocks such as colored sidewall stocks (e.g. white sidewalls) or as decorative tire stocks such as raised colored letters (e.g. raised white letters) which identify the tire manufacturer.

Abstract: Sidewalls (12,13) for pneumatic tires (10) having a greater stiffness improve handling and performance of the tire. The sidewalls comprise a rubber, selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and blends thereof, and from about 20 to 80 parts of a rubber compatible additive, per 100 parts of rubber capable of imparting a tensile modulus of from about 30 to 200 MPa at 10 percent elongation. Pneumatic tires provided with such sidewalls are improved and exhibit higher cornering force coefficients. A method for improving the handling characteristics of pneumatic tires includes the step of applying sidewalls to the tire carcass during building, having a tensile modulus of from about 30 to 200 MPa at 10 percent elongation.

Abstract: A bituminous composition comprising a blend of bitumen and a thermoplastic elastomer containing at least two polymer blocks wherein one of said polymer blocks is a crystalline polymer block and one of said polymer blocks is an amorphous polymer block, is provided.The bituminous composition has particular application as a roof coating or waterproofing material or road paving material.

Abstract: It now has been found that uncured modified rubber compositions comprising mixtures of elastomers and a reinforcing filler can be prepared having improved properties.

Abstract: Coextrusion from rubber of hollow tubular structures with filament reinforcement provides composites which can be formed into spliceless bodies for pneumatic tires. The composites can be formed from one, two, three or more rubber stocks and have portions or layers which can form the body plies, sidewalls, innerliners, stabilizer ply inserts and, optionally, abrasion gum strips of tire bodies. Tires made from the bodies formed from coextruded composite structures of this invention are seamless and more uniform than those made from convention tire structural components.

Abstract: The process described herein comprises the crosslinking by radiation of a miscible mixture of two or more homopolymers such as A and B, etc., to give a block copolymer having one or more blocks of A and one or more blocks of B. This process has the advantage of effecting crosslinking between blocks at such a rapid rate that substantial crosslinking is effected before phase separation occurs. Moreover, the process may be modified by agents which promote crosslinking and also by compatibilizing agents to give improved miscibility of the A and B homopolymers. Other modifications of the process effect improvements either by centrifugal separation of gelled high molecular weight products or by breaking down the molecular weights of such gelled portion either by mechanical shear or by ultrasonic treatment. The product of this invention has a variety of uses such as in adhesive and coating compositions, molding compositions, compatibilizing agents, etc.

Abstract: A conventional sealant composition having as its essential rubber components (1) at least one high molecular weight, hydrogenated polybutadiene polymer, and (2) at least one low molecular weight liquid elastomer, i.e., polybutene, as tackifying polymer, compatible to a high degree with said hydrogenated polymer; the resultant sealant composition reflecting a co-continuous phase morphology wherein said hydrogenated polymer provides a crosslinked network in said compatible low molecular weight liquid elastomer.

Abstract: A conventional sealant composition having as its essential rubber components (1) at least one high molecular weight, hydrogenated polybutadiene polymer, and (2) at least one low molecular weight liquid elastomer, i.e., polybutene, as tackifying polymer, compatible to a high degree with said hydrogenated polymer; the resultant sealant composition reflecting a co-continuous phase morphology wherein said hydrogenated polymer provides a crosslinked network in said compatible low molecular weight liquid elastomer.