Patents by Inventor Michael S. James

Michael S. James 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: 9975378
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product and processes or methods for preparing a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product. The product comprises a film layer, two adhesive layers (each directly contacting one outer surface of the film layer) and at least one removable partitioning sheet layer contacting the outer surface of at least one of the adhesive layers. The process includes co-extrusion of a film layer and two adhesive layers, addition of at least one partitioning sheet layer to at least one of the adhesive layers either during the co-extruding step or directly thereafter (and may be a mixture of both if more than one partitioning sheet layer is present) and rolling of the layers together (such that if there is only one partitioning sheet layer it faces inward) to form a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. James
  • Publication number: 20140311645
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product and processes or methods for preparing a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product. The product comprises a film layer, two adhesive layers (each directly contacting one outer surface of the film layer) and at least one removable partitioning sheet layer contacting the outer surface of at least one of the adhesive layers. The process includes co-extrusion of a film layer and two adhesive layers, addition of at least one partitioning sheet layer to at least one of the adhesive layers either during the co-extruding step or directly thereafter (and may be a mixture of both if more than one partitioning sheet layer is present) and rolling of the layers together (such that if there is only one partitioning sheet layer it faces inward) to form a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Michael S. James
  • Patent number: 8575251
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising reducing the size of elastomeric particles in the presence of a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises an antidegradant and optionally a surfactant. Further provided is a method comprising bringing elastomeric particles into contact with a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises an antidegradant and, optionally, a surfactant. Also provided is an elastomeric particle that is created from an original elastomeric piece, where said elastomeric particle has an antidegradant concentration greater than that of the original elastomeric piece. Further provided is a rubber composition comprising the elastomeric particle. Additionally, the disclosure provides a tire containing a rubber composition that comprises the elastomeric particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. James
  • Publication number: 20110095106
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising reducing the size of elastomeric particles in the presence of a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises an antidegradant and optionally a surfactant. Further provided is a method comprising bringing elastomeric particles into contact with a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises an antidegradant and, optionally, a surfactant. Also provided is an elastomeric particle that is created from an original elastomeric piece, where said elastomeric particle has an antidegradant concentration greater than that of the original elastomeric piece. Further provided is a rubber composition comprising the elastomeric particle. Additionally, the disclosure provides a tire containing a rubber composition that comprises the elastomeric particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. James
  • Publication number: 20100212810
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for assisting in the installation of a tubular film onto a drum for use in the manufacture of tires. In one embodiment, a sleeve is provided having a body including a first tapered portion with an end surface, a central portion, and a plurality of openings through the body. In another embodiment, a tire building apparatus is provided including a sleeve device and a drum in contact with the sleeve device. A method of making tires is provided including forcing fluid through openings of a sleeve device, placing a tubular film about the sleeve device, and transporting the tubular film onto a drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Michael S. James
  • Patent number: 6730732
    Abstract: Rubber compositions such as tire innerliners contain significant amounts of ground, fine size tire curing bladder rubber as a filler. Critical properties such as air retention are not affected and spent or old curing bladder rubber which would otherwise go to a landfill is effectively recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventors: Nicole L. Squire, Michael S. James, William J. O'Briskie
  • Publication number: 20030004260
    Abstract: Rubber compositions such as tire innerliners contain significant amounts of ground, fine size tire curing bladder rubber as a filler. Critical properties such as air retention are not affected and spent or old curing bladder rubber which would otherwise go to a landfill is effectively recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Nicole L. Squire, Michael S. James, William J. O'Briskie
  • Patent number: 6444743
    Abstract: Rubber compositions such as tire innerliners contain significant amounts of ground, fine size tire curing bladder rubber as a filler. Critical properties such as air retention are not affected and spent or old curing bladder rubber which would otherwise go to a landfill is effectively recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventors: Nicole L. Squire, Michael S. James, William J. O'Briskie
  • Patent number: 6265454
    Abstract: Old, spent or worn tires are recycled by removing non-rubber components such as belts, beads, and fabric, and grinding the remaining cured rubber into fine sized particles. The ground particles generally replace equivalent amounts of rubber and additives in various tire formulated components such as tire treads. Good physical properties of the end product are retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie J. McNutt, Michael S. James, William J. O'Briskie, William J. Corsaut
  • Patent number: 5286652
    Abstract: Methods for handling a plurality of sample containers to be processed by an instrument are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a retaining device holds the sample containers and is indexed to align one of the sample containers to a position where communication with a sample input port of the instrument is established. A stripper moves a sample container into engagement with the sample port and, most preferably, also urges the sample container into sealing engagement with the sample port. An interference fit created between the stripper an the sample container provides a positive force that permits the sample container to be withdrawn and returned to its initial position. A lower arm assembly is disclosed which acts as a stop relative to the sample container and thus, as the stripper continues to move while the sample container is being withdrawn it overcomes the force of the interference fit and disengages the stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Michael S. James, Robert C. Kirkpatrick, Frank J. DeMonte
  • Patent number: 5142875
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately regulating the compressibility of a compressible fluid in a pumping system utilizing a single zone of controlled cooling. Cryogenic cooling is employed for cooling a pump head and a thermally integrated heat exchanger such that a single source of cryogenic fluid can be applied to the heat exchanger to increase the bulk modulus of the compressible fluid just prior to and during the pumping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Michael S. James, Meliss A. Powell, Mark A. Nickerson, Louis T. Staats, III
  • Patent number: D339485
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: Michael S. James