Sealant application method

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein the copolymer is comprises by weight of beteen 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1, wherein the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1, wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of diacyl and diaroyl peroxides.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1, wherein the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 7

The method of claim 2, wherein the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 10

The method of claim 7, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene.

Claim 11

The method of claim 7, wherein the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime.

Claim 12

The method of claim 7, wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of diacyl and diaroyl peroxides.

Claim 13

The method of claim 7, wherein the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 14

The method of claim 8, wherein the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 15

The method of claim 12, wherein the p-quinone dioxime is present in an amount between 2.0% and 3.0% by weight of copolymer, the benzoyl peroxide is present in a total amount between 7% and 10% by weight of copolymer, and the amount of benzoyl peroxide in the first portion of activator, in parts by weight per 100 parts of copolymer, is between twice the amount of p-quinone dioxime minus 3 and twice the amount of p-quinone dioxime minus 1.

Claim 16

In a method of applying a sealant composition to an object, which sealant composition comprises the reaction product, in the presence of finely divided carbon, of (a) a copolymer comprising a major proportion of an isoolefin having 4 to 7 carbon atoms with a minor proportion of an open chain conjugated diolefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (b) a quinoid curing agent, and (c) a free radical cross-linking activator, capable of initiating a cross-linking reaction between the copolymer and the curing agent, in an amount sufficient to at least partially cross-link the copolymer, the improvement comprising the steps of: providing an essentially uncross-linked base component comprising the copolymer, the curing agent, the carbon and a portion of the activator; providing a second component comprising the remainder of the activator; mixing the base component and the second component; and applying the mixture of base component and second component to the object.

Claim 17

In a method of applying a sealant composition to an object, which sealant composition comprises the reaction product, in the presence of finely divided carbon, of (a) a copolymer comprising a major proportion of an isoolefin having 4 to 7 carbon atoms with a minor proportion of an open chain conjugated diolefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (b) a quinoid curing agent, and (c) a free radical cross-linking activator, capable of initiating a cross-linking reaction between the copolymer and the curing agent, in an amount sufficient to at least partially cross-link the copolymer, the improvement comprising the steps of: providing an essentially uncross-linked base component comprising the copolymer, the curing agent, the carbon and a portion of the activator; providing a second component comprising the remainder of the activator; mixing the base component and the second component; and applying the mixture of base component and second component to the object.

Claim 18

The method of claim 14, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 19

The method of claim 14, wherein the sealant composition is applied to the object and cured in situ.

Claim 20

The method of claim 16, whrein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 21

The method of claim 14, wherein the sealant composition is cured before being applied to the object.

Claim 22

The method of claim 18, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 23

In a method of applying a sealant composition to an object, which sealant composition comprises the reaction product, in the presence of finely divided carbon, of (a) a copolymer comprising a major proportion of an isolefin having 4 to 7 carbon atoms with a minor proportion of an open chain conjugated diolefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (b) a quinoid curing agent, and (c) a free radical cross-linking activator capable of initiating a cross-linking reaction between the copolymer and the curing agent, in an amount sufficient to at least partially cross-link the copolymer, said copolymer, curing agent, and activator being characterized by a delay time, defined as the time elapsing between mixing of copolymer, carbon, curing agent and all of the the activator and the rapid rise in viscosity of the mixed components, the improvement comprising the steps of: forming a base component by mixing the copolymer, the curing agent, the carbon, and a first portion of the activator, which activator portion is less than the amount of activator which will cause the viscosity of the base component to rise rapidly within a period of time substantially equal to the delay time; allowing the base component to stand for aperiod of time greater than the delay time but less than the pot life of the base component; adding the remainder of the activator to the base component; and applying the combination of base component and remainder of the activator to the object.

Claim 24

In a method of applying a sealant composition to an object, which sealant composition comprises the reaction product, in the presence of finely divided carbon, of (a) a copolymer comprising a major proportion of an isolefin having 4 to 7 carbon atoms with a minor proportion of an open chain conjugated diolefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (b) a quinoid curing agent, and (c) a free radical cross-linking activator capable of initiating a cross-linking reaction between the copolymer and the curing agent, in an amount sufficient to at least partially cross-link the copolymer, said copolymer, curing agent, and activator being characterized by a delay time, defined as the time elapsing between mixing of copolymer, carbon, curing agent and all of the the activator and the rapid rise in viscosity of the mixed components, the improvement comprising the steps of: forming a base component by mixing the copolymer, the curing agent, the carbon, and a first portion of the activator, which activator portion is less than the amount of activator which will cause the viscosity of the base component to rise rapidly within a period of time substantially equal to the delay time; allowing the base component to stand for aperiod of time greater than the delay time but less than the pot life of the base component; adding the remainder of the activator to the base component; and applying the combination of base component and remainder of the activator to the object.

Claim 25

The method of claim 20, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 26

The method of claim 20, wherein the sealant composition is applied to the object and cured in situ.

Claim 27

The method of claim 22, where the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% and 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 28

The method of claim 20, where the sealant composition is cured before being applied to the object.

Claim 29

The method of claim 24, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% and 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 30

In a method of making a self healing tire, which method involves applying to the inner surface of the tire a sealant composition comprising the reaction product, in the presence of finely divided carbon, of (a) a copolymer comprising a major proportion of an isoolefin having 4 to 7 carbon atoms with a minor proportion of an open chain conjugated diolefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (b) a quinoid curing agent, and (c) a free radical cross-linking activator, capable of initiating a cross-linking reaction between the copolymer and the curing agent, in an amount sufficient to at least partially cross-link the copolymer, the improvement comprising the steps of: providing an essentially uncross-linked base component comprising the copolymer, the curing agent, the carbon and a portion of the activator; providing a second component comprising the remainder of the activator; mixing the base component and the second component; and applying the mixture of base component and second component to the inner surface of the tire.

Claim 31

In a method of making a self healing tire, which method involves applying to the inner surface of the tire a sealant composition comprising the reaction product, in the presence of finely divided carbon, of (a) a copolymer comprising a major proportion of an isoolefin having 4 to 7 carbon atoms with a minor proportion of an open chain conjugated diolefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (b) a quinoid curing agent, and (c) a free radical cross-linking activator, capable of initiating a cross-linking reaction between the copolymer and the curing agent, in an amount sufficient to at least partially cross-link the copolymer, the improvement comprising the steps of: providing an essentially uncross-linked base component comprising the copolymer, the curing agent, the carbon and a portion of the activator; providing a second component comprising the remainder of the activator; mixing the base component and the second component; and applying the mixture of base component and second component to the inner surface of the tire.

Claim 32

The method of claim 26, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 33

The method of claim 26, wherein the sealant composition is applied to the inner surface of the tire and cured in situ.

Claim 34

The method of claim 28, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 35

The method of claim 26, wherein the sealant composition is cured before being applied to the inner surface of the tire.

Claim 36

The method of claim 30, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 37

In a method of making a self healing tire, which method involves applying to the inner surface of the tire a sealant composition comprising the reaction product, in the presence of finely divided carbon, of (a) a copolymer comprising a major proportion of an isoolefin having 4 to 7 carbon atoms with a minor proportion of an open chain conjugated diolefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (b) a quinoid curing agent, and (c) a free radical cross-linking activator capable of initiating a cross-linking reaction between the copolymer and the curing agent, in an amount sufficient to at least partially crosslink the copolymer, said copolymer, curing agent, and activator being characterized by a delay time, defined as the time elapsing between mixing of copolymer, carbon, curing agent and all of the activator and the rapid rise in viscosity of the mixed components, the improvement comprising the steps of: forming a base component by mixing the copolymer, the curing agent, the carbon, and a first portion of the activator, which activator portion is less than the amount of activator which will cause the viscosity of the base component to rise rapidly within a period of time substantially equal to the delay time; allowing the base component to stand for a period of time greater than the delay time but less than the pot life of the base component; adding the remainder of the activator to the base component; and applying the combination of base component and remainder of the activator to the inner surface of the tire.

Claim 38

In a method of making a self healing tire, which method involves applying to the inner surface of the tire a sealant composition comprising the reaction product, in the presence of finely divided carbon, of (a) a copolymer comprising a major proportion of an isoolefin having 4 to 7 carbon atoms with a minor proportion of an open chain conjugated diolefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, (b) a quinoid curing agent, and (c) a free radical cross-linking activator capable of initiating a cross-linking reaction between the copolymer and the curing agent, in an amount sufficient to at least partially crosslink the copolymer, said copolymer, curing agent, and activator being characterized by a delay time, defined as the time elapsing between mixing of copolymer, carbon, curing agent and all of the activator and the rapid rise in viscosity of the mixed components, the improvement comprising the steps of: forming a base component by mixing the copolymer, the curing agent, the carbon, and a first portion of the activator, which activator portion is less than the amount of activator which will cause the viscosity of the base component to rise rapidly within a period of time substantially equal to the delay time; allowing the base component to stand for a period of time greater than the delay time but less than the pot life of the base component; adding the remainder of the activator to the base component; and applying the combination of base component and remainder of the activator to the inner surface of the tire.

Claim 39

The method of claim 32, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 40

The method of claim 32, wherein the sealant composition is applied to the inner surface of the tire and cured in situ.

Claim 41

The method of claim 34, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 42

The method of claim 32, wherein the sealant composition is cured before being applied to the inner surface of the tire.

Claim 43

The method of claim 36, wherein the copolymer is comprised by weight of between 96% to 99% isobutylene and between 4% and 1% isoprene, the curing agent is p-quinone dioxime and the activator is benzoyl peroxide.

Claim 44

The method of claim 35, wherein the p-quinone dioxime is present in an amount between 2.0% and 3.0% by weight of copolymer, the benzoyl peroxide is present in a total amount between 7% and 10% by weight of copolymer, and the amount of benzoyl peroxide in the first portion of activator, in parts by weight per 100 parts of copolymer is between twice the amount of p-quinone minus 3 and twice the amount of p-quinone dioxime minus 1.

Claim 45

The method of claim 37, wherein the p-quinone dioxime is present in an amount between 2.0% and 3.0% by weight of copolymer, the benzoyl peroxide is present in a total amount between 7% and 10% by weight of copolymer, and the amount of benzoyl peroxide in the first portion of activator, in parts by weight per 100 parts of copolymer is between twice the amount of p-quinone dioxime minus 3 and twice the amount of p-quinone dioxime minus 1.