Tire with acrylic polymer film

• US 7,418,990 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2005
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephan S. Vylasek
• Original Assignee: Stephan S. Vylasek
• Inventors: Vylasek, Stephan S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knable; Geoffrey L
• Application Number:
  US11/083,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20060207708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 152524-525, 156/116, 427/393.5
• US Class Current: 152/524
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 13/002 Protection against exterior elements

Abstract

The sidewall of a tire is coated with an acrylic polymer, formed by application of an aqueous solution of the acrylic polymer and a volatile counter ion, which dries to form a non-tacky, glossy and water resistant film.

Claims

1. A method of treating a tire, comprising the steps of:

(a) uniformly applying an aqueous acrylic polymer solution to the outer surface of the sidewall of a tire, wherein the acrylic polymer solution comprises a blend of (i) a first acrylic polymer having a T_g of from −

30 to 0°

C., and (ii) a second acrylic polymer having a T_g of from 15 to 45°

C., and wherein the acrylic polymers are solubilized in the aqueous solution by a volatile counter ion; and

(b) allowing the solution to dry, whereby the counter ion evaporates, and the acrylic polymer forms a film adhered to the outer surface of the sidewall.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer blend has an average T_g of from −

20°

C. to 35°

C., and each of thefirst and second acrylic polymers has an acid number of from 25 to 80.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer blend has an average T_g of from −

10°

C. to 25°

C.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer blend has an average T_g of from 0°

C. to 15°

C.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous acrylic polymer solution further comprises a wax dispersed therein.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the wax comprises 0.1 to 10 weight % of the dry film.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous acrylic polymers solution has a solids content of 15 to 40 weight % and wherein the counter ion is an ammonium ion.

8. A tire having an acrylic polymer film, which is the product of the process of claim 1.

9. A tire having an acrylic polymer film, which is the product of the process of claim 3.

10. A tire having an acrylic polymer film, which is the product of the process of claim 6.

11. A method of treating a tire, comprising the steps of:

(a) uniformly applying an aqueous acrylic polymer solution to the outer surface of the sidewall of a tire, wherein the acrylic polymer solution comprises a blend of (i) a first acrylic polymer having a T_g of from −

30 to 0°

C., and (ii) a secondacrylic polymer having a T_g of from 15 to 45°

C., and wherein the acrylic polymers are solubilized in the aqueous solution by a volatile counter ion, and further wherein the first and second acrylic polymers are copolymers of (i) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid; and

(ii) a C_1-4 ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and each of the acrylic polymers has an acid number of from 25 to 80; and

(b) allowing the solution to dry, whereby the counter ion evaporates, and the acrylic polymer forms a film adhered to the outer surface of the sidewall.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the aqueous acrylic polymer solution further comprises a wax dispersed therein.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wax comprises 0.1 to 10 weight % of the dry film.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the acrylic polymer blend has an average T_g of from −

10°

C. to 25°

C.

15. A tire having an acrylic polymer film, which is the product of the process of claim 14.