Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer, a silica coated carbon black, and optionally including a coupling agent. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and an oxidized, partially coated carbon black are also disclosed. Also disclosed are silica coated carbon black/elastomeric formulations using a variety of elastomers useful in a variety of product applications.

Abstract: In a multi-stage process for producing a substantially unvulcanized elastomer composition, a masterbatch is produced by thermomechanical working in a first or other early stage of the multi-stage process. The masterbatch comprises sulfur crosslinkable hydrocarbon elastomer in which is substantially dispersed, particulate fillers, for example carbon black or silicon-treated carbon black, modified carbon black and/or silica and sulfur crosslinking agent effective to crosslink the hydrocarbon elastomer and selected from sulfur donors and sulfur. The filler and sulfur crosslinking agent can be mixed together as a pre-blend prior to being added to the elastomer. The substantially unvulcanized elastomer is then produced in one or more later stages of the multi-stage process, involving further theromechanical working of the masterbatch. A curative additive comprising accelerator, and optionally additional sulfur crosslinking agent, is added and dispersed in the elastomer in the last stage of the multistage process.

Abstract: A method of making an aggregate comprising at least a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase is disclosed. The method involves introducing a first feedstock into a first stage of a multi-stage reactor, and introducing a second feedstock into the reactor at a location downstream of the first stage. The first and second feedstock comprise a carbon black-yielding feedstock, and at least one feedstock also comprises a silicon-containing compound. The reactor is operated at a sufficient temperature to decompose the silicon-containing compound and to pyrolize the carbon black-yielding feedstock. An additional method is disclosed which involves making an aggregate comprising a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase using multi-stage reactor having at least three stages for introducing a feedstock, wherein at least one of the feedstocks comprises a carbon black-yielding feedstock and wherein at least one of the feedstock comprises a silicon-containing compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer and a silicon-treated carbon black, and optionally including a coupling agent. The elastomeric compound exhibits poorer abrasion resistance, lower hysterisis at high temperature and comparable or increased hysterisis at low temperature compared to an elastomer containing an untreated carbon black. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and an oxidized, silicon-treated carbon black are also disclosed. Also disclosed is method for preparing elastomers compounded with the treated carbon black.

Abstract: A method of improving traction in an elastomer is disclosed. The method includes the step of adding an effective amount of an aggregate comprising a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase to an elastomer. Also disclosed is a method of improving the dynamic compliance of an elastomer which includes the step of adding an effective amount of an aggregate comprising a carbon phase and a silicon-containing species phase to the elastomer. The elastomer is preferably used in tires and results in improved traction, for instance, improved skid resistance on ice and snow.

Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer and a silicon-treated carbon black, and optionally including a coupling agent. The elastomeric compound exhibits poorer abrasion resistance, lower hysterisis at high temperature and comparable or increased hysterisis at low temperature compared to an elastomer containing an untreated carbon black. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and an oxidized, silicon-treated carbon black are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing elastomers compounded with the treated carbon black.

Abstract: A handle assembly includes a supporting bracket fixedly mounted on a top wall of a suitcase and including a base plate having two end portions each with a socket defined therein, and a side extension wall extending downwardly from one side of the base plate. Two receiving casings are each fixedly mounted on the side extension wall and each communicate with a corresponding socket. Two catches each formed on the side extension are each located in a corresponding casing. Two rotary drums are each rotatably received in a corresponding receiving casing and each have a plurality of teeth formed on an outer periphery thereof and each meshing with an associated catch.

Abstract: A retractable handle assembly includes a supporting bracket fixedly mounted on a top wall of a suitcase and including two end portions each having a socket vertically defined therein and a side extension wall extending downwardly from an underside thereof. Two receiving casings are each fixedly mounted on the side extension wall of the supporting bracket and each communicate with each of the two sockets. Two rotary cylinders are each rotatably received in a corresponding one of the two receiving casings and each have a passage radially defined therein and aligning with an associated socket. A U-shaped handle includes two upright legs each movably mounted on the supporting bracket and each slidably extending through a corresponding one of the two sockets and an associated passage. A handgrip has two distal ends each having a sleeve extending downwardly therefrom and fixedly mounted on an upper end of a corresponding one of the two upright legs.

Abstract: A retractable handle assembly for a suitcase includes a base disposed on an upper portion of the suitcase, an actuating device, a cover element and a handle. An outer tube is disposed on each side of the suitcase and extends between the base and the bottom of the suitcase with an inner tube retractably received in each of the outer tubes. Each of the inner tubes has a first end extending through the base and cover element and is attached to the handle. A resilient element is received in one of the inner tubes and has a protrusion extending radially through the cover element. The actuating device has a sliding element which is connected by a spring to a biasing portion. One end of the sliding portion is inserted into the cover element and an inner tube. One end of the biasing portion contacts the protrusion of the resilient element. When the actuating device is slid, it pushes the protrusion from the cover element and withdraws the end of the sliding portion from the cover element, freeing the inner tubes.