Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved tire tread compositions, such as silica-filled tire tread compositions, and tires using the same. In one embodiment, a tire tread is provided that includes a diene-based elastomer, a reinforcing filler that includes an inorganic filler (e.g., silica), and a plurality of silane compounds including bis(dialkylalkoxysilyl-alkyl) polysulfide coupling agent and at least one alkoxysilane compound selected from a hydrophobating bis(trialkoxyl)silane coupling and a hydrophobating mono(trialkoxyl)silane dispersing agent.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. The sidewall groove extends into an annular, axially extending, sidewall surface such as an axially oriented surface of a tire chafer protrusion located in non-contacting relationship with the rim. The air tube is extruded from a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: a diene based rubber; from 0.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall or chafer groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. A coverstrip overlays and seals the groove and provides an abrasion resistant surface on the exterior of the tire. The coverstrip is made from a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising from 50 to 80 phr of a polybutadiene, from 50 to 20 phr of natural rubber, and from 0.1 to 5 phr of a vulcanization modifier.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly is provided in which an elongate groove is located within a first sidewall of a tire. The groove forms an elongate channel within the first sidewall and an elongate groove access passage extends from the elongate channel to an access opening located at an outward surface of the first sidewall. An air pumping tube inserts through the groove access passage and is positioned within the groove channel. A cover strip attaches to the first sidewall to enclose the access opening of the groove access passage. The cover strip is positioned along the first sidewall at a higher distance from the bead region of the first sidewall than the groove channel to avoid contact with a wheel rim flange when the tire is mounted to a wheel rim.

Abstract: A polyurea or polyurea-urethane elastomer comprises a soft polymer segment and a hard polymer segment, wherein the hard polymer segment includes polyurea groups in combination with H-bond accepting chain extenders (HACEs) to reduce the flow temperature (Tflow) while maintaining the excellent mechanical properties such that the resulting polyurea elatomer is rendered melt-processable.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. The sidewall groove extends into an annular, axially extending, sidewall surface such as an axially oriented surface of a tire chafer protrusion located in non-contacting relationship with the rim. The air tube is extruded from a rubber composition, the rubber composition comprising: a diene based rubber; from 0.

Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall or chafer groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. A coverstrip overlays and seals the groove and provides an abrasion resistant surface on the exterior of the tire. The coverstrip is made from a vulcanizable rubber composition comprising from 50 to 80 phr of a polybutadiene, from 50 to 20 phr of natural rubber, and from 0.1 to 5 phr of a vulcanization modifier.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly is provided in which an elongate groove is located within a first sidewall of a tire. The groove forms an elongate channel within the first sidewall and an elongate groove access passage extends from the elongate channel to an access opening located at an outward surface of the first sidewall. An air pumping tube inserts through the groove access passage and is positioned within the groove channel. A cover strip attaches to the first sidewall to enclose the access opening of the groove access passage. The cover strip is positioned along the first sidewall at a higher distance from the bead region of the first sidewall than the groove channel to avoid contact with a wheel rim flange when the tire is mounted to a wheel rim.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to implantable devices for producing insulin in diabetic animals and to methods of making same. Some embodiments include amphiphilic biomembranes for use in biological applications (e.g., as an alternative and/or supplemental insulin source). Some embodiments also include live insulin-producing cells contained within one or more amphiphilic membranes so as to prevent or diminish an immuno-response and/or rejection by the host.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polyisobutylene-based polyurethanes, polyureas and/or polyurethane-polyureas, and to a process for making such compounds. In one embodiment, the polyisobutylene-based polyurethanes, polyureas and/or polyurethane-polyureas also include at least one flexible hydrogen bond acceptor chain extender (HACE). In another embodiment, amine telechelic and hydroxyl telechelic polyisobutylenes are utilized with at least one at least one flexible hydrogen bond acceptor chain extender (HACE) to produce polyurethane-polyureas having various desired mechanical properties in combination with various desired oxidative/hydrolytic stability.

Abstract: A polyurea or polyurea-urethane elastomer comprises a soft polymer segment and a hard polymer segment, wherein the hard polymer segment includes polyurea groups in combination with H-bond accepting chain extenders (HACEs) to reduce the flow temperature (Tflow) while maintaining the excellent mechanical properties such that the resulting polyurea elatomer is rendered melt-processable.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermoplastic amphiphilic networks and/or co-networks. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to thermoplastic (TP) amphiphilic co-networks (APCNs) and the preparation of membranes from such APCNs. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an amphiphilic network comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer-derived portion, at least one hydrophobic polymer-derived portion and at least one thermoplastic polymer-derived portion. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to thermoplastic amphiphilic co-networks prepared by combining the chemistries of APCNs and polyurethanes (PUs) and to the preparation of membranes therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polyisobutylene-based polyurethanes, polyureas and/or polyurethane-polyureas, and to a process for making such compounds. In one embodiment, the polyisobutylene-based polyurethanes, polyureas and/or polyurethane-polyureas also include at least one flexible hydrogen bond acceptor chain extender (HACE). In another embodiment, amine telechelic and hydroxyl telechelic polyisobutylenes are utilized with at least one at least one flexible hydrogen bond acceptor chain extender (HACE) to produce polyurethane-polyureas having various desired mechanical properties in combination with various desired oxidative/hydrolytic stability.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to alcohol- and amine-terminated polyisobutylene (PIB) compounds, and to a process for making such compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to primary alcohol- and amine-terminated polyisobutylene compounds, and to a process for making such compounds. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to polyisobutylene compounds that can be used to synthesize polyurethanes and polyureas, to polyurethane and polyurea compounds made via the use of such polyisobutylene compounds, and to processes for making such compounds. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to polyisobutylene compounds containing urea or urethane segments therein, and to a method of producing such compounds. In still yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a polymer having one or more different soft segments and one or more different hard segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermoplastic amphiphilic networks and/or co-networks. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to thermoplastic (TP) amphiphilic co-networks (APCNs) and the preparation of membranes from such APCNs. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an amphiphilic network comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer-derived portion, at least one hydrophobic polymer-derived portion and at least one thermoplastic polymer-derived portion. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to thermoplastic amphiphilic co-networks prepared by combining the chemistries of APCNs and polyurethanes (PUs) and to the preparation of membranes therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to implantable devices for producing insulin in diabetic animals and to methods of making same. Some embodiments include amphiphilic biomembranes for use in biological applications (e.g., as an alternative and/or supplemental insulin source). Some embodiments also include live insulin-producing cells contained within one or more amphiphilic membranes so as to prevent or diminish an immuno-response and/or rejection by the host.