Abstract: A process of bonding two bodies of rubber by vulcanization of a connecting layer of vulcanizable rubber provides essentially a new manner of organizing the drainage of gaseous inclusions imprisoned between the bodies and/or resulting from the subsequent vulcanization reaction and of collecting these gases; the gaseous inclusions travel towards at least one conduit which passes through at least one of the two bodies, or else towards dead-end holes provided in one of the faces intended to be bonded.

Abstract: A repaired elastomer article has a hollow in a non-reinforced portion of the article. A cured preformed plug resides within the hollow and is adhered to the article through an amine curable polymer or prepolymer. The amine polymer or prepolymer is curable at ambient temperature. The preformed plug is made of a material which is compatible with the elastomer of the article. The preformed plug material desirably has a lower modulus than the elastomer of the article and hence exhibits good physical properties such as enhanced longevity of the repair, good wear and the like. Since the amine curable polymer or prepolymer cures at ambient temperatures, the repair of the elastomer article can occur in situ. The invention is especially useful in the repair of tires.

Abstract: A plugging device and system for plugging apertures in panels, and which is particularly useful in plugging irregular apertures in, for example, hulls of water-going vessels. The plugging device includes a body member from which depend a plurality of fingers generally configured in a bundle. When in use, the body member is pushed through the aperture, and the periphery of the aperture forces the fingers to a configuration so as to effectively seal the aperture. The system includes several types of push rods and mechanisms for retaining the plugging device in the aperture.

Abstract: A method for the restoration of radial cord vehicular tires having damaged cords. A portion of the inner surface of the tire casing is removed over a region including at least the damaged area to a depth sufficient to remove all damaged radial cords. This removal region includes up to, and across, both bead portions of the casing. A patch unit having a conforming outline to that of the trough created by the removal is inserted into the trough and is bonded therein. This patch unit extends in the trough across the bead portions. The patch unit contains reinforcing cords to replace those that are removed. Preferably, the body of the patch unit is formed of uncured rubber which is cured in place in the casing so as to become permanently bonded to the casing. Cosmetic repair of the external surface can be accomplished by removing damaged material and thereafter filling the region, preferably with uncured rubber that is cured in place.

Abstract: A plug and tool are provided for repairing and sealing a puncture of a tire. The plug is generally cylindrical in shape and is made from a rubber-like material which is stiffer and more durable than prior repair plugs. The plug has a cylindrical shank portion and adjoining circular head portion. Extending around the outer edge of the head portion is a thin auxiliary sealing ring. On the periphery of the shank portion is a plurality of closely spaced sealing rings with grooves therebetween. When the shank portion is forcibly inserted into a puncture, the sealing rings provide multiple sealing members by individually radially compressing and locally conforming to the size and shape of the puncture. Additional sealing is provided by bonding the head portion to the inner surface of the tire. At the end portion of the plug opposite to the head portion is a metal loop. There is provided a tool having a handle portion and adjoining slender shank portion for forcibly inserting the plug into a puncture.

Abstract: A repaired elastomer article having a cut or crack entirely therethrough. A treating agent is located about the cut portion on the inner surface of the article and an amine curable polymer or prepolymer layer resides over said treating agent. A cured elastomeric patch resides over said curable polymer. Since the amine curable polymer cures at ambient temperatures, the repair of the elastomer article can occur on site. The invention is especially useful in the repair of tires.

Abstract: A repaired elastomer article having a cut or crack entirely therethrough. An interior cavity is located in the vicinity of the cut or crack and has a filler therein. A treating agent is located about the cut portion on the inner surface of the article and an amine curable polymer or prepolymer resides over said treating agent. A cured elastomeric patch resides over said amine curable polymer or prepolymer. Since the amine curable polymer or prepolymer cures at ambient temperatures, the repair of the elastomer article can occur in situ. The invention is especially useful in the repair of tires.

Abstract: A simple tubeless tire patcher, especially a tool comprising a T-handle and an awl with a notch to press a stick of patch into a hole in the tire to be a good patch, characterized by having two parallel flat surfaces on two opposite sides of the awl for accommodating a stick of colloid nylon patch so that it can be brought into the hole in the tire by the awl after it is turned by the hand with the flat surfaces and the top of the base proping aside the ends of the stick patch it will be left in hole after the awl is pulled out and become a good patch.

Abstract: The present process allows recycling used tires which are at present considered to be no longer suitable for restructuring according to known processes.According to the invention a preliminary control is carried out, also by scanning by means of a laser, to assess the seriousness of the internal ruptures and deformations due to impacts or other causes, discarding tires which are too damaged, while the thread and the metallic belts of the remaining tires which can be used are removed therefrom by scraping, the entire tire assembly being reconstructed, by vulcanizing before mounting the tread, and checking again with the laser to detect bubbles or other defects correcting the defects, obtaining a perfect assembly (FIG. 25) on which the tread which is vulcanized again, is lastly mounted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vulcanizing a rubber repair patch on a tire incorporating an internal fluid pressure bag placed within the interior of the tire and against the patch, an inflatable mandrel within the tire and against the internal bag, an external fluid pressure bag engaging the exterior of the tire radially opposite the internal bag, and a retainer device, such as a retainer strap radially encircling and engaging the external bag and the mandrel to cause the internal and external bags to be forced toward each other to squeeze the patch and tire between them, upon inflation of the mandrel.This invention is paticularly characterized in utilizing internal and external fluid pressure bags having walls of two-dimensional flexibility and utilizing a heat-conductive hydraulic fluid within both bags having a boiling point greater than the vulcanizing temperature.

Abstract: A repaired elastomer article has a hollow in a non-reinforced portion of the article. A cured preformed plug resides within the hollow and is adhered to the article through an amine curable polymer or prepolymer. The amine polymer or prepolymer is curable at ambient temperature. The preformed plug is made of a material which is compatible with the elastomer of the article. The preformed plug material desirably has a lower modulus than the elastomer of the article and hence exhibits good physical properties such as enhanced longevity of the repair, good wear and the like. Since the amine curable polymer or prepolymer cures at ambient temperatures, the repair of the elastomer article can occur in situ. The invention is especially useful in the repair of tires.

Abstract: A method and closure are provided for sealing and repairing a puncture of a tire. The closure is a resilient plug of a rubber-like material stiffer and more durable than prior closures having a generally cylindrical shank portion and an adjoining circular head portion. The periphery of the shank portion has a labyrinth of closely spaced sealing rings and grooves therebetween. When the shank portion is forcibly engaged with a puncture, the sealing rings individually radially compress and locally conform to the size and shape of the puncture thereby providing multiple sealing members with the puncture. Additional sealing is provided by an auxiliary sealing ring on the head portion of the closure which is adhesively bonded to the inner surface of the tire, adjacent to the puncture. Tool attaching means are provided on the closure for forcibly engaging the closure with the puncture.

Abstract: A heat pad for pressing against a curved surface of an annular tire to vulcanize a tire patch having a channel-shaped sheet member of resilient conductive rubber material with reinforcing electrodes adhered to the sheet member at the elongated side edges, a cover of insulating rubber material encasing the sheet member and an intermediate portion between the electrodes stretchable to conform to the curved surface of the tire under pressure from a pressing member urging the pad against the tire.

Abstract: A closure is provided for sealing and repairing a puncture of a tire. The closure is a resilient plug of a rubber-like material stiffer and more durable than prior closures having a generally cylindrical shank portion and an adjoining circular head portion. The periphery of the shank portion has a labyrinth of closely spaced sealing rings and grooves therebetween. When the shank portion is forcibly engaged with a puncture, the sealing rings individually radially compress and locally conform to the size and shape of the puncture thereby providing multiple sealing members with the puncture. Additional sealing is provided by an auxiliary sealing ring on the head portion of the closure which is adhesively bonded to the inner surface of the tire, adjacent to the puncture. Tool attaching means are provided on the closure for forcibly engaging the closure with the puncture.

Abstract: A tool tip is inserted from the inside of the tire into a hole in a tire crown by turning the tool tip as it is pressed against the tire. The tool tip is mounted on a hollow tool having a cylindrical insert receiving chamber. An insert is pushed by a plunger out of the receiving chamber in the hollow tool through a tapered portion into a compression chamber in the tool tip. The compression chamber has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the insert so that when the insert is ejected from the hollow tool it will expand to fill the hole in the tire. The insert is also tapered to engage the tapered portion between the receiving and compression chambers. The plunger has a plunger head with a substantially flat pushing surface and knurled edges which the operator can manually grip and push.

Abstract: A process and composition for applying and bonding an amine curable polymer or prepolymer at ambient temperatures to the surface of a cured elastomer substrate. The elastomer article or substrate is treated with an organic oxidant such as an N-halohydantoin, N-haloamide, or an N-haloimide, for example, the various isomers of mono- , di- , and trichloroisocyanuric acid. A polyisocyanate is applied thereto. A composition of the amine curable polymer or prepolymer is prepared with an amine curing agent. To the curing agent and curable polymer or prepolymer composition is added a polar solvent which is mixed with the resulting blend or mixture and added to the treated elastomer surface; said polymer or prepolymer cures at ambient temperature and becomes bonded to said elastomer. The application is relatively easy, since the entire mixture is a liquid and can be applied in situ.

Abstract: An improved tire patch is disclosed herein for use either singularly or jointly with a tire repair plug for sealing a puncture of a vehicle tire. The improved repair patch includes a thick seal portion made of a soft resilient air impervious closed cell elastomer fully encased in a thin outer covering of the same material. The seal portion has parallel upper and lower faces and an aperture in the center portion thereof. A thin cover portion is bonded to the upper face of the thick portion and subtends the aperture thereof. The repair patch, when adhesively applied to the inner surface of a punctured tire with the aperture thereof positioned directly opposite the puncture, improves the durability of the repair, allows the joint use of a tire repair plug and avoids exposure of the repair patch to damage from the ends of broken steel reinforcing wires of steel belted radial ply tires.

Abstract: A bicycle tube repair device having a spherical rubber member from which strands of rubber bands extend, the spherical member being adapted to be forced through a rupture in a tube to repair punctures, particularly those too large to be repaired by tube repair fluid, thus avoiding the necessity of replacing the tube.

Abstract: In repairing articles of natural rubber or elastomer predominantly of natural rubber with cured polymer or prepolymer (polyurethane/polyurea), adhering advantages are obtained especially at elevated temperatures when the damaged area is treated with halogen-containing oxidant dissolved in 1,2-dichloroethane instead of other solvents.

Abstract: The repair of a reinforced elastomer article having a hollow therein relates to utilizing an amine curable polymer or prepolymer and a cured elastomer patch. The hollow in the elastomer, which can extend either partially or completely through the article, is filled with a gum rubber which is thereafter cured by conventional means, such as with spotters. The area beneath the now filled hollow is coated with a treating agent, followed by the amine curable polymer or prepolymer and a cured patch. The polymer is then cured at room temperature. One area of use is in the repair of tires.

Abstract: Material for repairing punctures in tubeless tires from the outside is provided employing a multiplicity of substantially contiguous, lightly twisted fibrous cords which are heavily coated and at least partially impregnated with a highly plasticized and essentially weak, vulcanized elastomeric adhesive, the cords lying abreast and between a pair of release sheets, whereby the cords are encased in adhesive and can be peeled off the release sheets and separated as needed to repair various sized punctures.

Abstract: A process for causing at least two bodies, at least one of which is deformable, to adhere to each other, which comprises arranging a face of one of the bodies against a face of the other body, forming a lateral joint by applying a joint-forming material astride the two bodies over at least part of the outside of the resultant interface, and arranging the assembly thus obtained within an enclosure which is pressurized by a fluid, is characterized by the fact that the joint-forming material consists at least in part of a silicone elastomer.

Abstract: A method for repairing heavy-duty tires which have experienced separation at the intersection between the tread and sidewall is provided. The method comprises the steps of removing the loose rubber surrounding the separated area, buffing the area to a smooth finish, applying a rubber adhesive to the buffed area, firmly applying a blanket of uncured rubber of approximately one-half inch thickness to the buffed area and curing the rubber to the carcass. Alternatively, a thin blanket of tread rubber may be applied over a thin blanket of cushion gum to a total thickness of applied rubber of approximately one-half inch.

Abstract: A tire repair unit is provided having a plurality of rubberized cord plies which are of a generally circular configuration and are of different area sizes. The several plies are assembled in stacked, superposed relationship but with the plies being of progressively larger area with respect to the smallest area ply designed to be positioned next adjacent the interior surface of a pneumatic tire casing to be repaired. The plies are relatively oriented with a peripheral marginal edge portion of the larger plies projecting a predetermined distance laterally outward with respect to the peripheral edge of the next adjacent ply. A layer of unvulcanized rubber is disposed in overlying relationship to the rubberized cord plies and is disposed next adjacent the smallest area ply. The rubberized cord plies may be unvulcanized or they may be vulcanized as a unit.

Abstract: A tire repair patch having at least one ply package enveloped by an unvulcanized base cushion gum layer and an unvulcanized top cushion gum layer joined at the edges of the ply package. The overlapping plies of reinforcing cords in the ply package are coated with rubber and are at least partially vulcanized prior to assembly of the patch to increase the strength of the patch and decrease the curing time upon application to a tire.The patch is made by coating the plies with rubber, laying the plies one on top of the other to form the ply package, heating the package to cure the rubber coating and then positioning the ply package between the unvulcanized cushion gum layers. An unvulcanized intermediate cushion gum layer may be positioned between two ply packages where there is more than one ply package in the patch.

Abstract: A tire patch that has a center rubberized fabric body assembly including overlaid pairs of plies of fabrics, each ply of each pair being a roughly half-moon shaped fabric piece positioned in superimposed but reversed relation to its companion, which pairs of plies are in gradually increasing size from top to bottom of the patch assembly, and top and bottom cover sheets for the patch assembly which has pairs of opposed concave shaped side and end edges to facilitate assembly into a tire carcass adjacent to the tire bead thereof.

Abstract: A repair construction and method are disclosed for repairing a damaged portion in the wall of a tire. A patch is installed over the damaged portion on the inside of the tire, and the inside of the tire is pressurized to force the patch into the damaged portion, preferably in a concave shape. The remainder of the plug area then is filled on the outside of the patch with a suitable plug material, and the plug material and patch are then cured while the patch is maintained in position at least partially within the damaged portion. This construction and repair method eliminates bulging on the exterior of the tire after the repair is completed.

Abstract: The specification describes a portable tire repair apparatus which is sleevable within a tire and is provided with heating elements which are positioned to effect repairs to both tire treads and tire sidewalls. The heating elements are resilient so that they do not deform the tire during the repair operation.

Abstract: A tire sidewall repair patch having overlapping plies of reinforcing cords positioned in the patch. An inner margin of the patch has a concave edge which conforms generally to the shape of a bead portion of a tire. The side edges are connected to a generally convex outer edge to reduce edge pulling. The reinforcing cords are concentrated in the central portion adapted to cover the tire injury. Flexibility of the side portions at the inner margin is provided by reducing the number of plies extending into the side portions.

Abstract: An inside repair for tubeless tires is provided wherein a measured amount of an air (or moisture) curing elastomeric adhesive is applied to the cleaned and primed inner surface of the tire over the puncture hole, a porous path is placed over the adhesive and the adhesive is then forced into the puncture hole by use of a cup-shaped tool lined with a release material. After the material has cured sufficiently to form a substantial skin, the tire is inflated. Thereafter, the repair cures fully with the tire in the strained condition of inflation. The elastomer is of low durometer and is compatible for adhesion to rubber.

Abstract: A tire repair device which vulcanizes an uncured rubber repair plug built in a damaged area of the tire. The frame of the device is in the form of a C-clamp having a heated backing plate which opposes a heated pressure pad. The pad is carried in a cylinder which also receives a sealing piston forming a pressure chamber behind the pad. Air under pressure is applied to the pressure chamber to force the pressure pad against the damaged area of the tire during vulcanization. The pressure pad is flexible in order to conform to the tire surface against which it is pressed in opposition to the backing plate.

Abstract: A tire repair patch having overlapping plies of reinforcing cords, a base cushion gum layer and an intermediate cushion gum layer positioned between at least two of the plies. The intermediate cushion gum layer has a thickness greater than the thickness of the plies and suspends some of the plies for distributing the forces transmitted through the patch at the injured portion of the tire.

Abstract: Repairing of tubeless tires and tubeless covers includes injecting a suitable cement through the puncture hole onto the inner surface of the tire, this injection taking place in two successive steps. A first step involves depositing an annular patch of cement around the hole, and in a second step a pearl of cement is deposited concentrically to the hole. The pearl spreads on the annular patch to form a relatively wide deposit centered on the puncture hole and having a thickness sufficient to constitute, after drying and setting, a real repair patch centered on the puncture.

Abstract: A method of tire repair in which flexible heating pads are applied to both the inside and outside of a patch area of a tire casing, and held in place under equalized pressure against the patch area by inflatable means. An inner tube is the inflatable means to hold a first flexible heating pad against the inner wall of the casing and patch area, and an inflatable air bag is the inflatable means to hold a second flexible heating pad against the outer wall of the casing and patch area. A belt or girdle of flexible sheet material surrounds the inflatable air bag and casing to force the air bag against the second flexible heating pad when it is inflated. The flexible heating pad for use on the inside of the casing includes a structure which enables the heating pad to conform to the interior surface of the casing and patch area and maintain contact therewith throughout the heating surface area of the heating pad when the inner tube is inflated.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00666 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 30, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 30, 1979 PCT Filed Aug. 30, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO81/00538 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 5, 1981This invention relates to a buffing tool (10, 10a) and method for preparing internal surface portions (14) of a tire (13) for application of a sealing patch thereto. A puncture (12) formed in a beadless tire (13), having a tread formed integrally therewith, is difficult to prepare for patching by use of conventional buffing tools and methods due to the mass of tightly wrapped reinforcing wires and multiple plies incorporated in the tire.

Abstract: For use in repairing or retreading tires, particularly large tires for earth-moving equipment and the like, the portion to be repaired or retreaded is covered and surrounded by a flexible enclosure attached to the tire in gas-sealing relationship by an adhesive. The adhesive will remain effective even at the temperatures necessary for vulcanization. The enclosure has a gas connection so that it can be evacuated or pressurized to remove air and gas occlusions. A gasket can be used in conjuction with the adhesive.

Abstract: A tire patch is removably affixed to the front surface of a backing sheet in an area defined by a broken line extending intermediate and parallel to the top and bottom edges of the sheet and the bottom edge thereof. A sheet of abrasive material is removably affixed to the tire patch. A sealed container of liquid cement for affixing a tire patch to a tire is affixed to the front surface of the sheet in the area defined by the broken line and the top edge of the sheet and has a narrow neck just crossing the broken line whereby when the backing sheet is cut along the broken line the neck is opened and the cement is available for use.

Abstract: A method of repairing a small puncture, such as a nail hole in a pneumatic tire, and a patch used in such method. A conventional, plugless-type, circular rubber patch is provided for covering the puncture adjacent the inner peripheral surface of the tire. Unvulcanized rubbery material is disposed in a recess provided adjacent the puncture. The patch is then heated and placed under pressure to collapse the recess and force the unvulcanized rubbery material into the puncture and vulcanize it therein. In one aspect of the invention, a conventional rubber O-ring is utilized to form the recess and restrict movement of the unvulcanized rubbery material into the puncture.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tube-tire patch, and a method and apparatus for applying said patch. The patch comprises a cured rubber member with a concave surface internally reinforced with a fabric and having a stem integral with said member and upraised generally centrally from said concave surface. The patch includes an uncured rubber layer covering the concave surface and a removable protective cover generally coextensive with the concave surface and fully covering the uncured rubber layer. The patch is especially useful for patching a punctured tube-tire. A tube-tire patch as described above is inserted through the puncture after appropriate buffing and cleaning about the puncture with the stem portion of the patch extending through the puncture. The protective cover is removed from the concave surface through the puncture and thereafter a pulling force is exerted upon the stem and away from the puncture.