Patents for September 2026
Patents for September 2026 as compiled by our editors from the USPTO.
Golf ball
U.S. patent: 12,616,878
Issued: May 5, 2026
Inventors: Takumi Kaneko, Hikaru Nagakura, Takehiko Hyodo, Kazuyoshi Shiga, Yuko Kujirai and Hiroaki Tanaka
Assigned: Sumitomo Rubber Industries
Key statement: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a golf ball having lowered resilience while maintaining the hardness of the golf ball. The present disclosure provides a golf ball comprising a constituent member, wherein at least a part of the constituent member is formed from a cured product of a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber, (b) a co-crosslinking agent and (c) a crosslinking initiator, (a) the base rubber contains (a1) a natural rubber and a grafting ratio of (b) the co-crosslinking agent in the cured product of the rubber composition ranges from 40 mass % to 80 mass %.
Sulfur containing unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer and method for production thereof, additive for rubber, rubber composition and tire
U.S. patent: 12,617,878
Issued: May 5, 2026
Inventors: Keisuke Chino, Yusuke Matsuo and Makoto Ashiura
Assigned: Eneos Materials
Key statement: Provided is a sulfur containing unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer which can improve wet grip performance and fuel efficiency of a tire in a well balanced manner by being blended into a rubber composition for a tire. A sulfur containing unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer of the present invention is a reaction product obtained by reacting sulfur with an unsaturated bond in a polymer of an unsaturated hydrocarbon.
Pneumatic vehicle tire having a reinforcing layer with steel monofilaments
U.S. patent: 12,623,491
Issued: May 12, 2026
Inventors: Daniel De Castro Pinho, Mihail Catana, Thomas Kramer and Michael Schunack
Assigned: Continental
Key statement: A pneumatic vehicle tire having a strength member ply comprising steel monofilaments having a cross-sectional area of 98 mm2 to 125 mm2 per meter of strength member ply, the steel has a carbon content of at least 0.86% by weight. To improve rolling resistance the monofilaments have a brass coating having a copper content of 61% by weight to 70% by weight and a zinc content of 30% by weight to 39% by weight, in that the monofilaments have a linear density of 92 g/100 m to 105 g/100 m and the monofilaments each have a tensile density Td of 34 MPa/(g/100 m) to 39 MPa/(g/100 m). The strength member ply has an areal strength AS of 109 Nmm2 to 166 Nmm2 and the rubber material has a breaking elongation of 300% to 450%.
System and method for generating tire rubber asphalt
U.S. patent: 12,624,210
Issued: May 12, 2026
Inventors: Joseph Randall Bruns and Hashem Hashemi
Assigned: Asphalt Sciences
Key statement: A method and system for generating a rapid digestion process (“RDP”) product are described. The method includes receiving a bitumen compound and first heating the bitumen compound to 320°F to 420°F. The method then proceeds to add tire rubber to the bitumen compound. The bitumen compound and the tire rubber are mixed for 5 minutes to 360 minutes during a second heating to 525°F to 700°F. Further, sulfur is added to the mixture of tire rubber and bitumen compound. These steps generate the RDP product. The RDP product is then cooled for transfer to a storage vessel.
System and method for modifying and enhancing tire rubber bitumen
U.S. patent: 12,623,964
Issued: May 12, 2026
Inventors: Joseph Randall Bruns and Hashem Hashemi
Assigned: Asphalt Sciences
Key statement: A method and system for generating a modified and enhanced dissolved tire rubber bitumen compound are described. The method includes receiving a rapid digestion process (“RDP”) compound, a bitumen compound and a sulfur crosslinking agent. First heating the RDP compound, the bitumen compound and the sulfur crosslinking agent to 320°F to 420°F with mixing for 3 to 5 hours. The method then proceeds to add SBC to the RDP compound, the bitumen compound and the sulfur crosslinking agent. The RDP compound, the bitumen compound, the sulfur crosslinking agent and the SBC are second heated to 320°F to 420°F with mixing for 15 minutes to 120 minutes.
Rubber composition, vulcanized object obtained from said rubber composition and vulcanized molded object obtained from said rubber composition
U.S. patent: 12,624,196
Issued: May 12, 2026
Inventor: Atsunori Kondo
Assigned: Denka
Key statement: A rubber composition, by which a vulcanizate having excellent vulcanization speed, abrasion resistance and low temperature rise can be obtained, is provided. A rubber composition including 100 parts by mass of a chloroprene based rubber, 20 to 80 parts by mass of silica, 1 part by mass or more and less than 20 parts by mass of a hydrate and 0.3 to 1.4 parts by mass of an organic peroxide, wherein the rubber composition includes 0.5 to 15 parts by mass of a silane coupling agent having a double bond in a structure of the silane coupling agent with respect to 100 parts by mass of the silica.
Sterilization method for medical rubber part
U.S. patent: 12,622,985
Issued: May 12, 2026
Inventors: Yogun Kida, Kei Tajima, Kazuki Nojiri, Yuichiro Matsutani and Shumpei Morita
Assigned: Sumitomo Rubber Industries
Key statement: A sterilization method for a medical rubber part is a sterilization method for a medical rubber part that can include a body made from an elastic material and that can include an inactive resin film stacked on at least a portion of a surface of the body, where the sterilization method can include irradiating a packaging article with gamma ray, the packaging article accommodating a plurality of the medical rubber parts and having an oxygen concentration not higher than 5%.
Adhesive composition for tire cord, tire cord and tire
U.S. patent: 12,623,490
Issued: May 12, 2026
Inventors: Sung Gyu Lee, Il Chung, Ok Hwa Jeon and Min Ho Lee
Assigned: Kolon Industries
Key statement: This invention relates to an adhesive composition for a tire cord, a tire cord including an adhesive layer formed from the adhesive composition and a tire including the tire cord. According to the present disclosure, an environment-friendly adhesive composition for a tire cord that can not only improve adhesive strength between tire rubber and a tire cord, but can also improve strength of a tire cord is provided.
Rubber composition for an inner liner for pneumatic vehicle tires
U.S. patent: 12,624,197
Issued: May 12, 2026
Inventors: Bernhard Schwaiger, Tobias Wittmann, Jacob Podschun and Alexander Stücker
Assigned: Suncoal Industries
Key statement: The invention relates to a rubber composition comprising a rubber component that comprises at least one halobutyl rubber selected from the group consisting of bromobutyl rubber and chlorobutyl rubber; and a filler component that comprises at least one filler F1 which has a 14C content in the range of 0.20 to 0.45 Bq/g of carbon; a carbon content in the range of 60 wt. % to 85 wt. % relative to the ash-free and water-free filler; an STSA surface area in the range of 10 m2/g of filler to 50 m2/g of filler; and acidic hydroxyl groups on its surface; and wherein the proportion of halobutyl rubber in the rubber composition is 70 to 100 phr. The invention further relates to a vulcanizable and a vulcanized rubber composition based on the aforementioned rubber composition, a kit of parts for preparing the vulcanizable rubber composition and methods for preparing the rubber composition and the vulcanizable rubber composition. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for further processing the vulcanizable rubber composition, wherein webs are formed which are suitable, when cut to size, for use as inner liners in a method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire. The invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned hydrothermally carbonized lignin for the preparation of rubber compositions for inner liners.
Rubber composition, processing method thereof and rubber product using the same
U.S. patent: 12,624,198
Issued: May 12, 2026
Inventors: Tao Xu, Zhi Sheng Fu and An Yang Wu
Assigned: Hangzhou Xinglu Technologies
Key statement: The present invention discloses a rubber composition, a processing method thereof and rubber product reinforced with silica using the same. The rubber composition comprises a rubber matrix and essential components, wherein, based on 100 parts by weight of the rubber matrix, the rubber matrix comprises, a branched polyethylene with a content represented as A, in which 0 < A ≤ 100 and an EPM and an EPDM with a total content represented as B, in which 0 ≤ B < 100; and the essential components comprise 1-10 parts of a crosslinking agent and 15-80 parts of silica. The rubber composition can be used for producing high voltage insulating sheath rubber, high temperature resistant conveyor belt, waterproof coil, rubber particles for plastic track surface layer, rubber plug, rubber roller, inner tube, tire tread, tire sidewall and inner rubber layer of air conditioner hose.
Rubber composition and tire
U.S. patent: 12,630,696
Issued: May 19, 2026
Inventor: Yoshihisa Inoue
Assigned: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
Key statement: The present invention provides a rubber composition, containing 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less of a rubber-like polymer having an iodine value of 10 to 200 (g/100 g), a content of an ethylene structure of 3% by mass or more, a content of an aromatic vinyl monomer block of less than 10% by mass and a content of a conjugated diene monomer unit of 2% by mass or more; 10 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less of a natural rubber; and 20 parts by mass or more and 80 parts by mass or less of a silica based inorganic filler and a carbon black, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a total amount of a rubber component.
Sidewall structure of tire
U.S. patent: 12,636,915
Issued: May 26, 2026
Inventor: Zongtao Sun
Assigned: Qingdao Aufine Tyre
Key statement: Provided is a sidewall structure of a tire, belonging to the technical field of sidewall structures. The sidewall structure of the tire includes a tire, a side surface of the tire is designed with multiple knurling lines which are formed on a sidewall of the tire by a knurling engraving process. The knurling lines are composed of sparse knurling lines and dense knurling lines which are alternately arranged on the sidewall of the tire. The knurling lines are composed of radial protrusions distributed in an array and the knurling lines and the tire are integrally formed. The sparse knurling lines and the dense knurling lines are composed of a plurality of knurling lines which are arranged in parallel to form non-closed polygonal patterns, respectively, and the sparse knurling lines and the dense knurling lines are connected and combined to form a new polygonal pattern on the sidewall of the tire.
Tire interconnect adapter and system
U.S. patent: 12,643,710
Issued: June 2, 2026
Inventor: Carlos Rosa
Key statement: A tire interconnect adapter mechanism for securely coupling two tires (used or new) into a continuous structure in both mechanical terms (either horizontally, vertically or any other suitable angle), as well as in pneumatic/hydraulic terms, so that through the successive connection of tires, a water or other suitable fluid tank may be created. In other applications, animal shelters may also be created.
Desulfurized rubber, rubber composition, rubber composition for tire, tire, hose, belt, crawler
U.S. patent: 12,643,960
Issued: June 2, 2026
Inventors: Masayuki Taniguchi and Takumi Toda
Assigned: Bridgestone
Key statement: Provided is a desulfurized rubber capable of producing a crosslinked rubber having an excellent mechanical strength. The desulfurized rubber contains a solvent-soluble rubber component A having a weight-average molecular weight of more than 260,000 and less than 600,000, and a solvent-insoluble rubber component B, wherein the content ratio of the rubber component B is less than 45% by mass of the total mass of the content a of the rubber component A and the content b of the rubber component B.
Elastomer composition, sealing material and method for producing sealing material
U.S. patent: 12,643,999
Issued: June 2, 2026
Inventors: Masanori Okazaki and Souichirou Yamauchi
Assigned: Valqua
Key statement: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an elastomer composition, a sealing material or a method for producing a sealing material, in which the elastomer composition includes a crosslinkable fluoroelastomer (A) [provided that the elastomer (A) is a compound having no hydrosilyl group] and a composition (B) that contains at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond-containing compound selected from compounds having a perfluoro skeleton having an ethylenically unsaturated bond [provided that the compounds are compounds other than the elastomer (A)] and compounds having a siloxane skeleton having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, the composition (B) having a minimum torque (ML) at 60°C of 0.5 kgf·cm or more as measured with a Curelastometer.
Biodegradable soft elastomers for regenerative engineering
U.S. patent: 12,642,889
Issued: June 2, 2026
Inventors: Guillermo A. Ameer, Arun K. Sharma, Xinlong Wang and Matthew I. Bury
Assigned: Northwestern University and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Key statement: Provided herein are materials and methods related to scaffolds and uses thereof. In some embodiments, provided herein are poly (octamethylene-octanol citrates) (POOC) scaffolds with native mechanical properties that are comparable to urinary bladder tissue. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods for the synthesis of POOC scaffolds with native mechanical properties that are comparable to urinary bladder tissue by including octanol in the polycondensation synthesis of POC. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods of use of the disclosed scaffolds, including for urinary bladder tissue regeneration.
Synthesis of isoprene butadiene copolymer rubbers
U.S. patent: 12,649,811
Issued: June 9, 2026
Inventor: Thomas Franklin Spilker
Assigned: G-3 Chickadee Purchaser
Key statement: It has been unexpectedly found that certain neodymium catalyst systems can be used to copolymerize isoprene and 1,3-butadiene to produce random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers which are not tapered. These random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers have properties which are beneficial for use in rubber formulations for manufacturing a wide variety of rubber products, such as tires, hoses, conveyor belts, power transmission belts and shoe soles. These random isoprene-butadiene rubbers are synthesized by copolymerizing (a) isoprene monomer or a substituted isoprene monomer and (b) 1,3-butadiene monomer in the presence of a neodymium catalyst system, wherein the neodymium catalyst system is prepared by (1) reacting a neodymium carboxylate with an organoaluminum compound in the presence of a conjugated diolefin monomer to produce neodymium-aluminum catalyst component and (2) subsequently reacting the neodymium-aluminum catalyst component with an alkyl aluminum chloride to produce the neodymium catalyst system.
Method of milling rubber composition having graphene and liquid rubber
U.S. patent: 12,649,832
Issued: June 9, 2026
Inventor: Frederic Vautard
Assigned: Michelin
Key statement: An improved rubber composition and method to create the improved rubber composition is achieved by milling reduced graphene oxide (“RGO”) in liquid rubber to induce a reduction of bulk density of the reduced graphene oxide while maintaining dispersibility in rubber without using a solvent based process resulting in an industrially scalable process and an improved rubber composition.
Combined structure of lens and soft elastomer
U.S. patent: 12,656,627
Issued: June 16, 2026
Inventor: Pin-Tsung Huang
Assigned: Ourad Safety
Key statement: A combined structure of a lens and s soft elastomer is disclosed. The lens has an upper edge that includes a combining portion, wherein the combining portion has at least one surface formed as a roughened surface. The elastomer is integrated with the combining portion as a unity through an over-molding process. By roughening the surface of the combining portion, enhanced engaging force and all-around combination between the elastomer and the combining portion can be achieved. The combined structure prevents the elastomer and the lens from separation and thereby enhances industrial safety.
Method for manufacturing asphalt comprising rubber from end-of-life tires
U.S. patent: 12,668,686
Issued: June 30, 2026
Inventors: Luca Lelio, Massimo Losa and Pietro Leandri
Assigned: Bridgestone Europe
Key statement: A method for producing asphalt comprising a heat treatment step, wherein the rubber granules deriving from an end-of-life tire granulation process are subjected to a temperature of between 80°C and 300°C for a period of time necessary in order to obtain rubber granules with a density of between 1.0 and 1.5 g/cm3; and a mixing step wherein the rubber granules from the heat treatment step are mixed with stone aggregate and bitumen in order to obtain asphalt.
3D printable one-part carbon particle elastomer ink for applications such as health monitoring
U.S. patent: 12,655,309
Issued: June 16, 2026
Inventors: Andy Shar, Philip Glass and Daeha Joung
Assigned: Virginia Commonwealth University
Key statement: 3D printable inks are disclosed which include one-part room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone and carbon particles such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Butyl acetate may be used as a solvent to disperse the CNTs in the silicone in the ink precursor. The one-part nature of the inks (i) enables to print without prior mixing and cures under ambient conditions; (ii) allows directly dispensing 100 μm resolution printability on nonpolar and polar substrates; and (iii) forms both self-supporting and high aspect ratio structures, key aspects in additive biomanufacturing that eliminate the need for sacrificial layers; and (iv) lends efficient, reproducible and highly sensitive responses to various tensile and compressive stimuli. The high electrical and thermal conductivity of the CNT-silicone composite is further extended to facilitate use as a flexible and stretchable heating element, with applications in body temperature regulation, water distillation, and a dual temperature sensor and Joule heating source, for example.
Mud and snow tire
U.S. patent: 12,661,935
Issued: June 23, 2026
Inventor: Antonio Rafael Gonzalez
Assigned: Tire Group International
Key statement: A pneumatic tire assembly includes: a tread portion including one or more traction features; a first sidewall portion coupled to the tread portion; and a first bead portion coupled to the first sidewall portion; wherein the first sidewall portion includes multiangle first tread traction features positioned proximate the tread portion.
Elastomer composition, sealing material and method for producing sealing material
U.S. patent: 12,655,282
Issued: June 16, 2026
Inventors: Masanori Okazaki, Naoki Osumi and Masamune Noguchi
Assigned: Valqua
Key statement: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an elastomer composition, a sealing material or a method for producing a sealing material, in which the elastomer composition includes a crosslinkable fluoroelastomer (A) other than a perfluoroelastomer, an ethylenically unsaturated bond-containing compound (B), a crosslinking agent (C) and a crosslinking aid (D), the ethylenically unsaturated bond-containing compound (B) contains at least one selected from compounds having a perfluoro skeleton having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and compounds having a siloxane skeleton having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, and a mass ratio of a content of the crosslinking aid (D) to the crosslinking agent (C) is 5 or more.
Thermoplastic elastomer silicone composition
U.S. patent: 12,655,294
Issued: June 16, 2026
Inventors: Sebastien Merzlic, Philippe Blondel, Florent Abgrall, Karine Loyen, Damien Rauline and Sebastien-Jun Mougnier
Assigned: Arkema France
Key statement: A composition including: (A) a copolymer having rigid blocks and flexible blocks (TPE), (B) a non-crosslinked polysiloxane silicone, preferably a non-crosslinked polyorganosiloxane, (C) a compatibilizer, improving the compatibility between the TPE and the silicone, the compatibilizer (C) being chosen from a polyolefin or a mixture of polyolefins, and optionally (D) an additive.
Rubber composition, rubber product and tire
U.S. patent: 12,649,847
Issued: June 9, 2026
Inventors: Claudia Aurisicchio, Alessandra Calzetta and Raffaele Di Ronza
Assigned: Bridgestone Europe
Key statement: The present invention provides rubber compositions suitable for tire manufacture comprising a functionalized polymer and a functionalized silica.
Wheel and tire assembly, method of manufacture and use thereof
U.S. patent: 12,661,931
Issued: June 23, 2026
Inventor: Michael Andrews
Assigned: Kenda Manufacturing GB
Key statement: A wheel assembly incorporating a non-pneumatic tire, said assembly including first inner web or rib members and one or more second outer web or rib members. The web or rib members comprise flexible or resilient material where the first inner web members are less flexible or substantially more rigid than the second outer web members.
Rubber composition for golf ball
U.S. patent: 12,674,045
Issued: July 7, 2026
Inventor: Jun Shindo
Assigned: Bridgestone Sports
Key statement: A rubber composition for golf balls includes (a) a base rubber, relative amounts of (b) a co-crosslinking agent which is an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof and of (c) an organic peroxide that together satisfy a specific condition, and (d) a specific amount of a moisture-providing agent, the latter being a substance which includes on the structure thereof a water constituent other than free water and eliminates moisture under heating or a substance which thermally decomposes under heating, releasing a water constituent. When the hardness difference in the internal hardness profile of a golf ball core made of the composition is large, the ball exhibits a low spin rate on shots, improving the flight performance of the ball, and the durability of the ball to cracking is enhanced.