Abstract: Branched end reactants having two or three functional groups at the ends are disclosed. The branched end reactants are used to prepare crosslinked hydrogel tissue adhesives, which have a good balance of mechanical properties in an aqueous environment. Kits comprising the branched end reactants and methods for applying a coating to an anatomical site on tissue of a living organism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rigid core for manufacturing pneumatic tires includes a plurality of segments (2, 3), and a pair of retainer rings (5) engaging with a toroidal assembly (4) of the segments (2, 3) axially from both sides thereof, so as to hold the segments (2, 3) in the assembled state. The core defines the inner surface of the tire from formation of the tire up to the completion of the vulcanization thereof. The segments (2, 3) are each detachably divided into a center portion (2a, 3a) corresponding to the widthwise center portion of the tire and side portions (2b, 3b) corresponding to the widthwise side portions thereof. The core allows smooth removal of the segments even when the maximum inner surface width at the sidewall portion of the product tire is substantially larger than the minimum inner surface width at the bead portions thereof.

Abstract: A method of removing a toroidal support from a tyre includes the steps of positioning the toroidal support with the tyre at a station, disengaging a flange and counter-flange of the toroidal support from each other, moving the flange and counter-flange away from a plurality of sectors of the toroidal support, radially translating each sector toward a geometric reference axis of the toroidal support, removing each sector from the tyre, and, for at least one sector, turning the at least one sector about a second axis. When the toroidal support is assembled, the sectors are circumferentially distributed around the geometric reference axis and are operatively connected to each other by mutual engagement of the flange and counter-flange. The second axis is substantially normal to a direction radial to the geometric reference axis and lies in a first plane parallel to and offset from an equatorial plane of the tyre.

Abstract: A dismountable toroidal support for Tire manufacture includes a plurality of sectors, a flange, a counter-flange, and engagement devices. The sectors are aligned around a reference axis to define an outer surface reproducing an inner conformation of a Tire. The flange carries at least one attachment member for engagement with a handling device. The counter-flange can be operatively linked with the flange. The engagement devices can fixedly hold the sectors between the flange and the counter-flange. Each of the sectors has a main body with a substantially U-shaped outline which is delimited between an outer side defining an outer surface and an inner side facing the reference axis. The engagement devices include at least one attachment plate radially projecting from a respective inner side substantially in a plane normal to the reference axis and adapted to be removably engaged at a position axially interposed between the flange and the counter-flange.

Abstract: A rigid core at least partially defining a manufacturing form for the internal surface of a tire, the core including a plurality of circumferentially adjacent fractions disposed side by side in contact with one another by their transverse faces, the transverse faces of at least one fraction converging radially at the exterior of the core, each of the fractions including a portion for attachment to a rim, the attachment portion being arranged at the radially internal end of each of the fractions, the attachment portion being produced essentially from a first material, the core further including a main portion which is integrally connected to the attachment portion, is produced essentially from a second material different from the first material and is integrally connected to the attachment portion, the manufacturing form being essentially defined by said main portion.

Abstract: A segmented core (10) for manufacturing pneumatic tires includes a substantially toroidal core body (11) formed of a plurality of core segments (12) which are arranged in a circumferential direction in tight contact with each other. A sleeve (31) rotatably supporting a first connector member (33) at its one end is inserted into the core body (11) so that the first connector member (33) is engaged with the core body (11) on one side thereof. A second connector member (40) is then detachably connected to the sleeve (31) on its another end, and thereby brought into engagement with the core body (11) on another side thereof. An integral unit is formed by the sleeve (31), the first connector member (33) and the second connector member (40), which ensures that the core segments (12) are maintained firmly and reliably connected to each other during formation and vulcanization of a green tire supported on the core body (11).

Abstract: A curing unit (1) (40) wherein a mold (2) is defined by first and second releasable half molds (3,4) moving in relation to each other along a first axis (6); the first half mold (3) being designed to turn about a second axis (30) perpendicular to the first axis (6) by virtue of actuators (31) which, when the half molds (3,4) are released, can turn the first half mold (3) to and from a maintenance position wherein its concave side faces upwardly.

Abstract: A bladderless tire mold press for tires including lower and upper platens and a mechanism for moving the platens relatively toward one another from an open position to a closed molding position. Each of the platens includes side wall molds for molding the tire sidewalls and thread molds for molding the tire thread. Each of the platens further includes a mechanism for molding tire beads. The tire bead molding mechanism including central mechanisms which are movable relative to their respective platens for insertion into the center of the tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for vulcanizing pneumatic vehicle tires where the tire beads, in the mounted state, are disposed on the radially inner periphery of a rim next to the essentially radially inwardly extending rim flanges. In order to obtain tires having a long service life and tire beads with a good sealing quality, it is proposed that the tire be vulcanized in essentially the proper contour for operation. Two, respectively radially segmented, bead-forming rings that have a variable diameter and can be displaced axially are provided. For the purpose of vulcanizing the sealing surfaces disposed in the interior of the tire so that these surfaces will rest on the rim in an airtight manner, the bead-forming rings are introduced, in a radially retracted state, into the interior of the tire blank, whereby at least one of the tire beads is ovally deformed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an injection molding system having two heated nozzles mounted in tandem. The rearward nozzle is considerably longer than the forward nozzle and has a melt bore which is considerably larger in diameter than the melt bore of the forward nozzle. The smaller forward nozzle has a backplate secured to its rear end with a thin flanged portion which extends outwardly and rearwardly into bearing contact against a rearward mold core to secure the forward nozzle in position in a well in a forward mold core. The rear face of the backplate has a seat extending around the melt bore to receive a cylindrical forward portion of a gate insert mounted on the forward end of the rearward nozzle. Thus thermal expansion of the larger rearward nozzle is taken up by the forward portion of the gate insert sliding in the seat.

Abstract: A split vulcanizing die comprising lower and upper molding rings with the upper ring movable relative to the lower molding ring. A side molding ring composed of a plurality of arc-shaped segments is movable in the radial direction of the die, so that when all the segments are moved to their radially innermost positions, the side molding ring is placed in tight contact with the outside circumferential surfaces of the upper and lower molding rings moved toward each other. An outer ring having an inside circumferential truncated-cone-shaped surface is provided outside the side molding ring so that said outer ring can be moved in the axial direction of said die. Oblique dovetail couplings conjoin the segments to the outer ring. The oblique planar surfaces are provided on the circumferential outside of the segments.

Abstract: A vehicle tire crown portion 10 including a tread 11 is injection molded and prevulcanized in a closed annular mold cavity 17 defined by a segmented outer mold 16 clamped together by a locking ring 22 and a segmented core 19 pressed against the outer mold by upper and lower pressure plates 25, 26. The core is then removed by disassembling its segments, whereafter a carcass 14 and prevulcanized sidewalls 12, 13 are placed in the central portion of the mold on an inflatable air bag 38 flanked by lateral mold section 39, 40. The vulcanization of the tire assembly is then completed, during which the sidewalls are joined to the retained crown portion.

Abstract: A vehicle tire crown portion 10 including a tread 11 is injection molded and prevulcanized in a closed annular mold cavity 17 defined by a segmented outer mold 16 clamped together by a locking ring 22 and a segmented core 19 pressed against the outer mold by upper and lower pressure plates 25, 26. The core is then removed by disassembling its segments, whereafter a carcass 14 and prevulcanized sidewalls 12, 13 are placed in the central portion of the mold on an inflatable air bag 38 flanked by lateral mold sections 39, 40. The vulcanization of the tire assembly is then completed, during which the sidewalls are joined to the retained crown portion.

Abstract: A process is provided for injection molding a vehicle tire such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,868 having a bead of elastomeric material. The mold has an outer envelope and an inner body having a core formed of radially collapsible sectors which combine to enclose a mold cavity. The inner body member has at least two annular elements, an upper and lower one, which are separable from one another and from the core along the direction of the core axis. The annular elements have surfaces which form axially inner surfaces of the tire's beads. The inner body member is also provided with members for blocking the annular elements with the core and with the envelope. The core of the mold is divided into two series of alternate collapsible sectors which are displaced radially inwardly when the tire is released from the mold.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically disassembling and reassembling a mold for making a tire. Apparatus for automatically performing the entire tire-manufacturing operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically disassembling and reassembling a mold for making a tire. Apparatus for automatically performing the entire tire-manufacturing operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mold is provided for injection molding a vehicle tire such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,868 having a bead of elastomeric material. The mold has an outer envelope and an inner body member having a core formed of radially collapsible sectors which combine to enclose a mold cavity. The inner body member has at least two annular elements, an upper and lower one, which are separable from one another and from the core along the direction of the core axis. The annular elements have surfaces which form axially inner surfaces of the tire's beads. The inner body member is also provided with members for blocking the annular elements with the core and with the envelope. The core of the mold is divided into two series of alternate collapsible sectors which are displaced radially inwardly when the tire is released from the mold. Apparatus is provided for actuating the mold parts to disassemble and assemble the mold.

Abstract: A contractible segmented rigid core of a tire-curing mold is disclosed comprising a plurality of sectors, and means which permit a reduction of the transversal dimensions of the sectors to facilitate removal thereof from the cured tire, said means comprising forming each of the sectors in three parts transversely of the mold, one a central part provided with means for producing a movement under the action of resistant elastic or resilient biasing means along the symmetrical plane of the sector, and two lateral parts being adapted to oscillate, in contrast with the elastic or resilient biasing means, with respect to an axis in the symmetrical plane of the sector and thereby having reduced transversal dimensions. Means are included for preventing any displacement of the sectors when in their expanded position relative to the parts which comprise them, no matter what stresses may be applied to them during the tire curing operation.

Abstract: A mold is provided for injection molding a vehicle tire such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,868 having a bead of elastomeric material. The mold has an outer envelope and an inner body member having a core formed of radially collapsible sectors which combine to enclose a mold cavity. The inner body member has at least two annular elements, an upper and lower one, which are separable from one another and from the core along the direction of the core axis. The annular elements have surfaces which form axially inner surfaces of the tire's beads. The inner body member is also provided with members for blocking the annular elements with the core and with the envelope. The core of the mold is divided into two series of alternate collapsible sectors which are displaced radially inwardly when the tire is released from the mold.

Abstract: A casting or injection mold for vehicle tires comprises two separable half-shells together defining an annular cavity into which a segmented core is introduced, radially inwardly converging core segments alternating with parallel-sided or radially inwardly diverging core segments to facilitate extraction of the core from the molded tire. In operation, one or more of the non-converging segments are immobilized within the mold, with the aid of mating formations on these segments and on the two half-shells, while the converging segments are urged radially inwardly by resilient or fluidic forces. In a specific embodiment these forces are supplied by a contractile annular spring with projections received in axially extending undercuts of all the segments.