US4122137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radiation cure of rubber sheets
Assignee: Bridgestone Firestone Inc
•
Filing: 1975-12-15
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Granted: 1978-10-24
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Expires: 1995-12-15
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for the production of rubber sheets such as tire treads having a surface design in which the rubber is at least partially cured in a mold.
Inventors
- 👤 Georg G. A. Bohm
- 👤 William W. Barbin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:13
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D30/00; B29D30/06; B29D30/52; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C43/22; B29C43/222; B29C59/00; B29C59/02; B29C59/04; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; B29C48/07; B29C48/08; B29K; B29K2021/00; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0072; B29L; B29L2030/00; B29L2030/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A continuous process for the production of cured rubber strips with a surface design comprising the steps of: (a) continuously extruding and advancing a soft viscous rubber strip; (b) pressing said advancing rubber strip into the recesses of a moving mold, said recesses being on the surface of the mold and formed into the selected design; (c) partially heat curing the rubber throughout the strip while maintaining it under pressure in the mold; (d) stripping the partially cured rubber strip with the selected design from the mold without distorting the design formed on the surface of the rubber; and, (e) completing the curing of the partially-cured rubber throughout the strip after removing it from the mold by exposure to high-energy ionizing radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A continuous process for the production of cured rubber strips with a surface design comprising the steps of: (a) continuously extruding and advancing a soft viscous rubber strip; (b) pressing said advancing rubber strip into the recesses of a moving mold, said recesses being on the surface of the mold and formed into the selected design; (c) partially heat curing the rubber throughout the strip while maintaining it under pressure in the mold; (d) stripping the partially cured rubber strip with the selected design from the mold without distorting the design formed on the surface of the rubber; and, (e) completing the curing of the partially-cured rubber throughout the strip after removing it from the mold by exposure to high-energy ionizing radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the rubber strip is extruded in a plurality of layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the beam of high energy ionizing radiation is directed towards the rubber strip through masking means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as in claim 3 wherein the masking means comprise a belt moving at the same speed as the mold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein step (b) the rubber strip is pressed into recesses on the peripheral surface of a rotating cylinder, said recesses being in the design of a tire tread.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the rubber stock is compounded with a heat curing agent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process as in claim 6 wherein the heat curing agent is a sulfur type curing agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as in claim 7 further comprising the step of preheating the extruded rubber strip prior to pressing it into the mold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process as in claim 1 further comprising the step of preheating the extruded rubber strip prior to pressing it into the mold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as in claim 8 wherein the preheating step is performed by a microwave oven.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the preheating step is performed by a microwave oven.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-23 | 1982-04-24 | 1982-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-23 | 1986-04-24 | 1986-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-23 | 1990-04-24 | 1990-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |