ArticlesFeaturedPatents

Patents for September

Patent News as collected by the editors of Rubber World for September 2024

Tackifier for elastomer compounds
U.S. patent: 11,873,366
Issued: January 16, 2024
Inventors: Jun Liu and Marian Rauser
Assigned: Rain Carbon Germany
Key statement: A low molar mass polymeric hydrocarbon tackifier having a
number average molar mass Mn of from 200 to 1,500 g/mol provides
increased green tack stability over an extended period of time in rubber
compounds.

Toothed belt made of rubber and rubber composition
U.S. patent: 11,885,392
Issued: January 30, 2024
Inventor: Manabu Mitsutomi
Assigned: Mitsuboshi Belting
Key statement: A rubber toothed belt includes a belt main body including a
plurality of tooth portions provided at predetermined intervals along a
longitudinal direction of the belt and including a first rubber composition, in
which the first rubber composition includes a composite polymer including
a hydrogenated nitrile rubber and an unsaturated carboxylic acid metal salt
in a mass ratio of the former/the later = 100/80 to 100/180 and includes,
with respect to 100 parts by mass of the composite polymer, 3 parts by
mass to 50 parts by mass of a zinc oxide, 3 parts by mass to 50 parts by
mass of a non-reinforcing filler, 10 parts by mass or less of a reinforcing
filler, 5 parts by mass or less of short fibers and 1 part by mass to 5 parts by
mass of an organic peroxide.

Bio-based elastomer composition and film and laminate prepared therefrom
U.S. patent: 11,884,785
Issued: January 30, 2024
Inventors: Yuwei Lin, Yaogen Wu, Donghui Zeng, ZhiJian Yan, Yingbo Xu and
Qiang Qi
Assigned: Foshan King Wonder Hi-Tech
Key statement: The present invention discloses a composition for preparing
bio-based elastomer film with high moisture permeability and a bio-based
elastomer film and a laminate therefrom, wherein the composition
comprises: 5%-95% bio-based elastomer material, 0-80% resin polymer,
0.01-90% inorganic powder material having a particle size within 100 μm
and/or organic low molecular material having a molecular weight within
2,000 Daltons and 0-10% organic anti-blocking agent (dispersant). The biobased elastomer film and laminate of the present invention have excellent
moisture permeability and mechanical performance, which can be widely
used in various fields including outdoor sporting goods, clothing, medical
treatment, food packaging and shoe materials, and which are
environmentally friendly and green products.

Rubber track
U.S. patent: 11,873,041
Issued: January 16, 2024
Inventor: Bernhard Erdtmann
Assigned: Joseph Voegele AG
Key statement: A rubber track, in particular for a road paver or a feeder
vehicle, comprising at least one drive wheel and at least one guide wheel,
which are placed on a carrier together with wheels arranged in pairs and a
rubber track, wherein the wheels have rims and wherein on a
circumferential surface of the rims of the wheels a rubber lining is attached,
wherein a guide cam is provided on an inner side of the rubber track, which
guide cam is configured to penetrate into an intermediate space between
two wheels located next to each other, wherein a contact surface of the
wheels facing the guide cam has an insert detachably attached to the rims.

Tire composition and method for making thereof
U.S. patent: 11,891,516
Issued: February 6, 2024
Inventors: Jochem H.W. Vervelde, Jeremie G. Pichereau, Jeroen van
Herrikhuyzen, Mark Schaapman and Pieter Eduard
Assigned: Kraton Polymers
Key statement: The disclosure relates to a composition for use in tires. The
rubber composition comprises a blend of a rubber component and based
on 100 parts by weight (phr) of the rubber component, from 50 to 200 phr
of a filler, from 0 to 25 phr of a plasticizer and from 5 to 90 phr dimeric
decarboxylated rosin (DDCR). The DDCR resin comprises 50 to 100 weight %
of polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds having one or more aliphatic,
unsaturated or aromatic groups and 34-80 carbon atoms, with a molecular
weight Mn of 250-900 Da, a polydispersity index of 1.0-1.35 and an oxygen
to carbon ratio of <5%.

Modular weed barrier mat using upcycled tires
U.S. patent: 11,889,792
Issued: February 6, 2024
Inventor: Robert T. Lucas
Key statement: A modular weed barrier mat comprised of a double layer of
tire tread sections cut from used tires arranged so that the lengths of the
upper sections are perpendicular to those of the lower sections. A pair of
upper sections are positioned in spaced apart relationship so as to form a
gap, with a central slit array cut into two immediately adjacent lower
sections accessible within the gap. A slit cut through a width of one lower
section directly below one of the upper sections on either side of the central
slit array allows a post to be moved into the slit and then positioned in the
central slit array. Corrosion resistant fasteners are removed and replaced as
needed to allow the mat to be installed or removed as desired. One
embodiment features lower and upper lap portions on opposite sides of the
mat for modular installation.

Modified polyisobutylene polymer for rubber compounding and rubber composition including same
U.S. patent: 11,891,515
Issued: February 6, 2024
Inventors: Min Sup Park, Se Hyun Lee, Seung Bin Ryu and Myeong Seok Kim
Assigned: DL Chemical
Key statement: Disclosed is a modified polyisobutylene polymer for rubber
compounding. The modified polyisobutylene polymer is prepared by
reacting reactants including a polyisobutylene in which the main chain is
isobutylene, an unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydride and an amino groupcontaining silane compound. The modified polyisobutylene polymer
includes a diamide structure. When the modified polyisobutylene polymer is
used as an additive for rubber compounding, the processability of the
rubber is increased, the dispersibility of fillers is significantly improved and
the effect of obtaining excellent grip performance and improved rolling
resistance can be achieved.

Method for manufacturing a silicone elastomer article using a 3D printer
U.S. patent: 11,884,001
Issued: January 30, 2024
Inventors: Jean-Marc Frances, David Mariot, Christophe Marquette, EdwinJoffrey Courtial, Rene Fulchiron and Clement Perrinet
Key statement: The invention relates to an additive manufacturing method
for producing a three-dimensional elastomer silicone article. The elastomer
silicone article is built up layer by layer by printing a silicone composition
crosslinkable by addition reactions comprising at least one
organopolysiloxane- polyoxyalkylene copolymer with a 3D printer selected
from an extrusion 3D printer or a material jetting 3D printer.

Method and device for controlling viscosity of asphalt rubber based on current variation
U.S. patent: 11,891,573
Issued: February 6, 2024
Inventors: Honggang Zhang, Hongbo Zhang, Haitao Yuan, Jizong Tan, Baolin
Xiong, Yong Wang, Jianchun Yan, Yehao Yin and Xiaolei Wang
Assigned: Guangxi Transportation Science and Technology Group and
Guangxi Jiaoke New Materials Technology
Key statement: A method and device for controlling viscosity of asphalt
rubber based on a current variation are provided. The method includes
processing asphalt rubber raw materials with a first preset proportion and
shearing the processed asphalt rubber; obtaining a shearing current,
pumping and discharging the sheared asphalt rubber; obtaining a
discharging current and obtaining the viscosity of the pumped asphalt
rubber according to the discharging current and the viscosity- discharging
current correlation relationship. The method includes comparing the
viscosity with a preset viscosity; outputting the pumped asphalt rubber as
finished asphalt rubber when the viscosity is equal to the preset viscosity.
The method includes adjusting the viscosity according to the discharging
current. Double-current control is adopted, so that the wholeprocess
control of the processing viscosity of the asphalt rubber is realized and the
control accuracy of the viscosity is improved.

Method for manufacturing foam rubber
U.S. patent: 11,891,492
Issued: February 6, 2024
Inventors: Tomoya Taniyama and Hidekazu Haneda
Assigned: Zeon
Key statement: A method for manufacturing a foam rubber by foaming a
polymer latex is provided, wherein the polymer latex used has a solids
content of 60.0 weight % or more, comprises 0.001 to 1.0 part by weight of
antifoaming agent relative to 100 parts by weight of polymer in the polymer
latex and has a viscosity at 25°C of 370 cps or less when the solids content is
controlled to 66.0 weight %.

Non-sticky, soft and transparent styrenic thermoplastic elastomers
U.S. patent: 11,891,503
Issued: February 6, 2024
Inventors: Michiel Verswyvel, Norbert Niessner, Eike Jahnke and Daniel
Wagner
Assigned: Ineos Styrolution Group
Key statement: Thermoplastic elastomer compositions can be use for
medical applications, comprising: a) 97.1 to 90.9 weight % star-shaped block
copolymer A with identical arms of the structure [S1-(S/B)k-(S/B)I-(S/B)mS2]n-X, where S1 and S2 are vinylaromatic hard polymer and S/B are soft
random vinylaromatic/ diene copolymer blocks; X is a coupling center; and
b) 2.9 to 9.1 weight % plasticizer B.

Method for producing a reinforcement structure for a tire
U.S. patent: 11,884,115
Issued: January 30, 2024
Inventors: Thomas Fabre, Frédéric Pialot and Bertrand Boisdon
Assigned: Michelin
Key statement: The reinforcing structure for a tire is in the form of a
stratified assembly formed of two layers of reinforcing strips of completely
connected cross section and flattened in shape. According to the method,
the strips of each layer are laid side by side in a main direction of laying. The
strips of the first layer are spaced apart by a distance that is less than the
width of the strips of the second layer and in such a way that the edges of
the strips of the first layer overlap the edges of the strips of the second
layer. The two layers of strips are separated by a layer of uncoupling rubber.

Elastomer composite including algae biomass filler
U.S. patent: 11,898,036
Issued: February 13, 2024
Inventor: Mark Ashton Zeller
Assigned: Algix
Key statement: An algae-elastomer composite including an elastomer
matrix; algae; and a mixing additive sufficient to achieve a desired property.
The algae can be present in a milled condition having a particle size value of
between about 10 and 120 microns. The algae is mixed with the elastomer
matrix in a dry condition having a moisture content of below about 10%. A
method of preparing the algae-based elastomer composite is provided that
includes the steps of: premixing an elastomer matrix; adding an algae filler;
adding a mixing additive that includes a plasticizer; forming an elastomeralgae blend by blending the algae and elastomer to a temperature sufficient
to be further mixed, wherein the temperature is about 10°C higher than the
temperature sufficient for the elastomer alone; adding and mixing a curing
or vulcanizing agent for the elastomer dispersing the elastomer-algae blend;
and heating and curing the elastomeralgae blend into a final form.

Preparation method of itaconate-butadiene bio-based engineering rubber
U.S. patent: 11,890,896
Issued: February 6, 2024
Inventors: Liqun Zhang, Xinxin Zhou, Runguo Wang, Weiwei Lei, He Qiao,
Kuo-chih Hua, Joseph Kulig and Surendra K. Chawla
Assigned: Beijing University of Chemical Technology and Goodyear Tire &
Rubber
Key statement: A preparation method of itaconate-butadiene bio-based
engineering rubber belongs to the bio-based engineering rubber area. The
bio-based engineering rubber of the present disclosure is formed through
chemical crosslinking of copolymers, which are formed by polymerization of
itaconate and butadiene emulsion. The number average molecular weight
of the itaconate- butadiene copolymer is about 53,000-1,640,000 and
weight-average molecular weight is about 110,000- 2,892,000. Itaconatebutadiene copolymers are formed by polymerization of itaconate and
butadiene emulsion, and then chemical crosslinking of the copolymer is
performed to form bio-based engineering rubber using a traditional sulfur
vulcanizing system. The biobased engineering rubber has high molecular
weights as well as lower glass transition temperatures and can be
vulcanized using the traditional sulfur vulcanizing system. The bio-based
engineering rubber of the present disclosure has the same physicmechanical property as well as processability as compared to rubber
prepared using conventional techniques and may be used for
manufacturing tire treads and conveyor belts.

Modified natural rubber, rubber composition using same and method for producing modified natural rubber
U.S. patent: 11,897,971
Issued: February 13, 2024
Inventors: Daiki Nakashima and Pranee Phinyocheep
Assigned: Toyo Tire
Key statement: A modified natural rubber includes a linking structure
represented by general formula (C), the linking structure having been
formed by allowing polyisoprene, having a structure represented by general
formula (A) and/or general formula (B), to bind in the structure to an amino
compound having two or more primary amino groups. In the formulae (A)
and (B), X represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and Ps represent
a polyisoprene unit. In the formula (C), W represents a residue of the amino
compound from which amino end groups are removed and Q represents at
least one selected from the group consisting of general formulae (Q-1) to (Q4) and m represents 2 to 4. In the general formulae (Q-1) to (Q-4), *1
indicates binding to a carbon atom of a polyisoprene unit and *2 indicates
binding to a carbon atom of the residue represented by W.

Polyurethane elastomers, bio-additive compositions
U.S. patent: 11,905,359
Issued: February 20, 2024
Inventors: Jason James Robinson, Mustafa Abu Ghalia and Syed Muhammad
Husainie
Assigned: Evoco
Key statement: A polyurethane elastomer, which can be a foam, generated
from (a) an organic diisocyanate, (b) a polyester resin, (c) a chain extender
comprised of a polyhydric alcohol, (d) a crosslinker, (e) a plasticizer, (f) a
surfactant, (g) a bio-additive, (h) a blowing agent and (i) an optional dye; and
optionally where the elastomer has, for example, a hardness value of, for
example, from about 15 Asker C to about 60 Asker C, a tensile strength of
from about 1 MPa to about 10 MPa, a resilience of from about 30% to about
60%, an elongation at break of from about 150% to about 700% and a tear
strength from about 2 Newtons/ millimeters to about 4 Newtons/
millimeters and which elastomers can be selected for footwear.

Molded bale of rubber composition, method for producing molded bale, crosslinking rubber composition and tread for tire
U.S. patent: 11,905,395
Issued: February 20, 2024
Inventors: Yoshifumi Araki, Atsushi Yasumoto, Akitomo Kikuchi and
Tomohiro Kondo
Assigned: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
Key statement: An object of the present invention is to obtain a molded bale
of a rubber composition that is difficult to cold flow and difficult to be
thermally deteriorated. The present invention provides a molded bale of a
rubber composition containing: a rubber- like polymer (A) having an iodine
value of 10 to 250, 3% by mass or more of an ethylene structure and less
than 10% by mass of a vinyl aromatic monomer block; and aluminum (B), in
which a content of the aluminum (B) is 2 ppm or more and 200 ppm or less.

Dosage control in the manufacture of tires
U.S. patent: 11,904,503
Issued: February 20, 2024
Inventors: Aurelien Tournebize, Sebastien Lafond and Jean-Claude Sabatier
Assigned: Michelin
Key statement: In the field of tire production, the invention relates to
methods and systems for creating unvulcanized rubber batches prior to
mixing them in a rubber mixer, including selecting at least one batch for
mixing in the mixer, wherein each batch corresponds to a selection of
rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) each corresponding to a rubber nature (A, B, C)
having predefined characteristics, in order to obtain a proportion
corresponding to a predetermined proportion, a target weight to attain a
difference between (a) the required weight of the batch and (b) the sum of
the weight of the bales (AI, BI, CI) and the weight of the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ).

Auxetic fabric reinforced elastomers
U.S. patent: 11,905,651
Issued: February 20, 2024
Inventors: Alexander T. Smith and Jared D.G. Butlin
Assigned: Swift Textile Metalizing
Key statement: A composite structure is provided that includes a polymer
layer and an auxetic material layer disposed within or partially within the
polymer layer. The auxetic material layer provides increased conductivity
and elastomeric reinforcement to the polymer layer.

Rubber composition and tire
U.S. patent: 11,905,391
Issued: February 20, 2024
Inventors: Takuya Kageyama, Maya Okaniwa and Susumu Innan
Assigned: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical
Key statement: The present invention provides a rubber composition
comprising: a guanidine fatty acid salt (A), which is a salt of guanidine and a
fatty acid; natural rubber and/or synthetic rubber (B); and an inorganic filler
(C).

Rubber resin material with high dielectric constant
U.S. patent: 11,920,036
Issued: March 5, 2024
Inventors: Te-Chao Liao, Hung-Yi Chang, Chien-Kai Wei and Chia-Lin Liu
Assigned: Nan Ya Plastics
Key statement: A rubber resin material with high dielectric constant and a
metal substrate with high dielectric constant are provided. The rubber resin
material with high dielectric constant includes a rubber resin composition
with high dielectric constant and inorganic fillers. The rubber resin
composition with high dielectric constant includes: 40 wt % to 70 wt % of a
liquid rubber, 10 wt % to 30 wt % of a polyphenylene ether resin and 20 wt
% to 40 weight % of a crosslinker. A molecular weight of the liquid rubber
ranges from 800 g/mol to 6,000 g/mol. A dielectric constant of the rubber
resin material with high dielectric constant is higher than or equal to 2.0.

Rubber composition for anti-vibration rubber and an anti-vibration rubber
U.S. patent: 11,912,866
Issued: February 27, 2024
Inventor: Hama Nagai
Assigned: Toyo Tire
Key statement: The present invention provides a rubber composition for
anti-vibration rubber which can achieve a balance of a low dynamic
magnification and a high dampening property when it is made into an
antivibration rubber, as well as provides an anti-vibration rubber obtained
from the rubber composition for anti-vibration rubber as a raw material.
The object can be solved by a rubber composition for anti-vibration rubber,
including: when a rubber component included in the rubber composition is
assumed to be 100 parts by mass, 10 to 30 parts by mass of a polystyrene
butadiene rubber; and 40 to 00 parts by mass of at least one kind selected
from the group consisting of a natural rubber and a polyisoprene rubber. It
is preferable to provide an anti-vibration rubber formed through
vulcanization of the rubber composition for antivibration rubber, and that it
has a peak of tan δ at 10°C or more.