Patent US3825965A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3825965A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cleaning tire inner-liners
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1973-04-09
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1993-04-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for cleaning the interior of tubeless tires employs a combination of solvent and brushing action, applied while the inflated tire is being rotated. The tire is rotated and cleaned for a predetermined period of time sufficient to remove residual mold release agents and other contaminants, thus preparing the tire interior for the subsequent application of a liquid air barrier coating or another treating requiring a clean interior surface. After cleaning, the solvent is forced out by the air pressure within the tire through a solvent removal system, following which the casing is rinsed by clean solvent prior to deflation and removal of the tire from the apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 G Root
- 👤 A Sullivan
- 👤 R Root
- 👤 A Parenti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:17
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B60S3/04; B60S3/042; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/0601; B29D30/0633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A tire interior cleaning apparatus comprising: a. rim means for clamping and sealing said tire at its bead area thereby isolating the interior of said tire for inflation thereof; b. means for inflating said tire; c. means for rotating said rim means; d. solvent injection means for introducing solvent into said tire; and e. brush means for brushing the interior of said tire while said tire is rotating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tire interior cleaning apparatus comprising: a. rim means for clamping and sealing said tire at its bead area thereby isolating the interior of said tire for inflation thereof; b. means for inflating said tire; c. means for rotating said rim means; d. solvent injection means for introducing solvent into said tire; and e. brush means for brushing the interior of said tire while said tire is rotating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising f. solvent removal means adapted for extracting solvent from said tire interior subsequent to the completion of the brushing operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said solvent removal means comprises means for reclaiming said solvent after removal from said tire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rim means comprises a pair of circular rims adapted to seat against the beads of said tire, each of said rims rotatably mounted on a non-rotatable cylindrical housing, one of said housings being fixed in position and the other of said housings being movable along the axis of rotation of said tire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said rims comprises a ring gear fixed concentrically to said rim and a pinion gear in operable engagement with said ring gear and mounted on a rotatably driven shaft mounted on the fixed one of said housings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said brush means comprises a plurality of bristles contoured to the interior surface of the inflated tire and mounted for free oscillation about a central pivot on a supporting frame member, said brush means being extendably mounted within the fixed one of said cylindrical housings whereby said brush may be fully retracted within said housing or extended from said housing into contact with the interior surface of said tire, so that when the brush is in its extended position it oscillates in contact with said interior surface from bead to bead.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said brush means is extended and retracted by a first plurality of lever arms fixed at one end to a first air cylinder operator means and at the other end pivotally attached to said frame member, said level arms being pivoted between said first air cylinder and said brush about a pivot mounted on said fixed cylindrical housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said brush means is oscillated by a second plurality of lever arms attached at one end to second air cylinder operator means and at the other end to said brush means at a point spaced from said bristles so as to permit oscillation of said brush means about the pivotal attachment to said first lever arms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said solvent removal means comprises an extraction nozzle containing a passageway for said solvent extendably mounted within the movable one of said cylindrical housings, whereby said nozzle may be fully retracted within said housing or extended outside of said housing into close proximity with the interior surface of said tire to facilitate removal of the solvent from said tire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said extraction nozzle is connected by lever arms to an air cylinder operator mounted on said movable housing, whereby said nozzle may be extended out of said housing into said tire or retracted within said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2986849A
Cited
US3692444A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |