Method for sealing porosity leaks in pneumatic tires

• US 4,289,805 A
• Filed: 07/26/1979
• Issued: 09/15/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stop-A-Flat Corporation
• Original Assignee: Stop-A-Flat Corporation
• Inventors: Dubow, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoffman, James R.
• Application Number:
  US06/060,967
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 427/140, 427/231
• US Class Current: 427/140
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/16 Auto-repairing or self-sealing arrangements or agents incorporating auto-repairing or self-sealing arrangements or agents on or into tyres B29D30/0685
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0698 the sealant being applied by injection, e.g. introducing the sealant through a hole
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 30/0685 Incorporating auto-repairing or self-sealing arrangements or agents on or into tyres auto-repairing or self-sealing arrangements or agents B29C73/16; puncture preventing arrangements B60C19/12
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2030/00 Pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof conveyor belts B29L2031/7092; drive belts B29L2031/7094; fourdrinier belts B29L2031/733

Abstract

The method of sealing microscopic holes formed in tires and similar articles during the manufacturing process including the steps of reducing the pressure within the tire to substantially atmospheric pressure, introducing an emulsion of butyl latex combined with natural fibers into the interior void defined by the tire, inflating the tire with air to super atmospheric pressure, rotating the tire to contact the microscopic openings with portions of the emulsion and then solidifying the portions of the emulsion within the openings to effect closure.

Claims

1. A method for sealing porosity openings in a pneumatic tire having an interior chamber which comprises the steps of

introducing into the interior tire chamber an aqueous sealing solution containing a butyl latex emulsion and natural fibers;

inflating the tire;

rotating the inflated tire and forming a film of the sealing solution over the interior chamber;

flowing portions of the sealing solution into the porosity openings;

rotating the tire over a surface and creating frictional heat; and

utilizing the frictional heat to dry the portions of the sealing solution within the porosity openings and effecting sealing closure of the said openings.

2. The method of claim 1 and the further step of relieving any air at pressure above atmospheric pressure contained within the interior chamber to equalize air pressures both within and without the tire prior to introducing the said aqueous sealing solution.