Methods for fabricating laminated structures using rubber tire parts
AssigneeTire Recycling and Development, Inc.
InventorJoseph H. Coffin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for fabricating laminations to form structural elements of predetermined shapes (120, 220, 420, 520, 620) are provided. Laminations include parts (22, 24) fabricated from the tread portion (42) of discarded rubber tires. The parts are typically arranged in layers with various relationships therebetween. The parts are pressed to remove all voids therebetween causing dynamic tension which creates rigidity and then bonded with methods including vulcanization, chemical vulcanization, epoxy and adhesive.
Claims22
A method of manufacturing laminated structures, comprising the steps of:
- cutting a plurality of pieces from the tread portion of pneumatic vehicle tires;
- removing the tread pattern from said pieces to form a plurality of tire parts, said parts retaining their inherent tire curvature to define a concave inner side and a convex outer side;
- arranging at least one of said parts in a first layer;
- arranging at least one of said parts in a second layer;
- pressing said first and second layers together to remove all voids therebetween;
- and
- integrating said first and second layers with a bond therebetween to form a laminated structure.
A method of manufacturing laminated structures, comprising the steps of:
- cutting a plurality of pieces from the tread portion of pneumatic vehicle tires;
- removing the tread pattern from said pieces to form a plurality of tire parts, said parts retaining their inherent tire curvature to define a concave inner side and a convex outer side;
- arranging at least one of said tire parts in a first layer;
- arranging at least one of said tire parts in a second layer;
- forming parts of unvulcanized rubber;
- arranging at least one of said unvulcanized rubber parts in a third layer;
- disposing said third layer between said first and second layers.
- pressing said first, second and third layers together to remove all voids therebetween;
- and
- integrating said first, second and third layers with a bond therebetween to form a laminated structure.
A method of forming structural elements of a predetermined shape, the method comprising the steps of:
- cutting a plurality of pieces from the tread portion of pneumatic vehicle tires;
- removing the tread pattern from said pieces to form a plurality of tire parts, said parts retaining their inherent tire curvature to define a concave inner side and a convex outer side;
- arranging said parts with their sides adjacent;
- forcing said parts together to remove all voids therebetween and to conform to said predetermined shape;
- and
- integrating said parts with a bond therebetween.
A method of forming structural elements of a predetermined shape, the method comprising the steps of:
- cutting a plurality of pieces from the tread portion of pneumatic vehicle tires;
- removing the tread pattern from said pieces to form a plurality of tire parts, said parts retaining their inherent tire curvature to define a concave inner side and a convex outer side;
- forming parts of unvulcanized rubber;
- arranging said tire parts with their sides adjacent;
- disposing said unvulcanized rubber parts between said tire parts;
- forcing said tire parts and said unvulcanized rubber parts together to remove all voids therebetween and to conform to said predetermined shape;
- and
- integrating said tire parts and said unvulcanized rubber parts with a bond therebetween.
A method for forming an energy-absorbing laminate comprising the steps of:
- removing the sidewalls and tread pattern from vulcanized radial pneumatic tires having cord-reinforced belt plies, so as to form belt portions having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface;
- placing at least two belt portions one upon the other;
- introducing a bonding means between said belt portions;
- pressing said belt portions together to remove all voids therebetween;
- and
- bonding said belt portions together.
A method for forming an energy-absorbing laminate comprising the steps of:
- removing the sidewalls and tread pattern from vulcanized radial pneumatic tires having cord-reinforced belt plies, so as to form belt portions having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface;
- placing at least two belt portions with their sides adjacent;
- forming parts of unvulcanized rubber;
- placing said unvulcanized rubber parts between said belt portions;
- pressing said belt portions and said unvulcanized rubber parts together to remove all voids therebetween;
- and
- vulcanizing said belt portions and said unvulcanized rubber parts together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.