A continuous process for making a pressure-sensitive adhesive is disclosed. A mixture comprising natural rubber having a Mooney viscosity of 85 to 100, a tackifier, a filler, and 0.1 to 5 wt. % of an added C.sub.12-C.sub.24 fatty acid based on the amount of mixture is masticated in a first section of a single- or twin-screw extruder. Mastication of the mixture continues in at least one subsequent extruder section in the presence of additional tackifier. The product is a homogeneous, reduced-viscosity pressure-sensitive adhesive. The minor proportion of added C.sub.12-C.sub.24 fatty acid aids mastication of the rubber and enables high throughput without addition of peptizers. Duct tapes made from the adhesives display improved adhesion to steel, better adhesion bond strength, and enhanced seven-day clean removability from even difficult substrates such as marble or ceramic tile.

An apparatus for depositing a piece of band-like elastomeric element on a forming support in a process for building a tyre for vehicle wheels. The apparatus operates by feeding a piece of band-like elastomeric element having a predetermined nominal length towards the forming support along a predetermined feeding direction and measuring the actual length of the piece along the feeding direction. If the actual length is lower than or equal to a circumferential length of a deposition surface defined on the forming support, the piece is deposited on the deposition surface while the forming support rotates about a rotation axis thereof. During such deposition the piece is pressed on the deposition surface with a pressing force selected as a function of the actual length.

A method for forming an article includes providing a sheet of material, optionally conditioning the sheet with a surface of a roller, forming the sheet to provide a web, and separating an article from the web to provide the article. An apparatus adapted to form the article from a sheet is provided.

A stabilizer manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a stabilizer to which rubber bushes are heat-bonded is provided with a curing furnace in which high-frequency induction heating is performed, a conveyor for conveying the stabilizer in a conveying direction through the curing furnace, the rubber bushes being pressure-bonded to bonding locations on the stabilizer on which an adhesive layer is formed, power supply devices for supplying power to coils used in the high-frequency induction heating, and coils for generating a magnetic field in portions to be heated of the stabilizer near the bonding locations and for heating the portions to be heated; the coils being separated by a predetermined distance from the portions to be heated of a predetermined number of stabilizers conveyed in the conveying direction.

A stabilizer manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a stabilizer to which rubber bushes are heat-bonded is provided with a curing furnace in which high-frequency induction heating is performed, a conveyor for conveying the stabilizer in a conveying direction through the curing furnace, the rubber bushes being pressure-bonded to bonding locations on the stabilizer on which an adhesive layer is formed, power supply devices for supplying power to coils used in the high-frequency induction heating, and coils for generating a magnetic field in portions to be heated of the stabilizer near the bonding locations and for heating the portions to be heated; the coils being separated by a predetermined distance from the portions to be heated of a predetermined number of stabilizers conveyed in the conveying direction.

A system for processing elastomeric load rings may include an elastomeric load ring defining an initial width. The system may also include a fixture assembly configured to receive the load ring between first and second clamp members. The second clamp member may be spaced apart from the first clamp member such that a gap is defined between the clamp members when the load ring defines the initial width. The fixture assembly may also include a load member configured to apply a compressive load through the first clamp member and/or the second clamp member such that the load ring is compressed between the clamp members. When the load ring is heated, a spring force of the load ring may be reduced as the load ring is compressed between the clamp members such that the initial width of the load ring is reduced to a final width.

Methods of manufacturing a belt include laying up a first elastomeric layer of a belt build on a mandrel, laying up a tensile reinforcement layer on the first elastomeric layer, where the tensile reinforcement layer contains cords coated with a water based urethane compound, and laying up a second elastomeric layer on the first elastomeric layer and the tensile reinforcement layer. The belt build may be cured in a profile-forming mold, and afterward, cut to a predetermined belt width and/or length.

Various implementations include a mat having a lower surface and first and second edge portions that define at least a portion of a perimeter of the mat. The mat also includes a plurality of ribs that extend away from the lower surface of the mat for contacting the floor. Each rib has a longitudinal axis that extends between ends of the rib, and at least a portion of the plurality of ribs includes one or more branches that extend transversely to the longitudinal axis and are axially spaced apart from each other. The ribs are spaced apart from each other over the lower surface such that adjacent ribs define a valley therebetween. Water and/or debris can flow through the valleys. In addition, the longitudinal axis of each rib intersects the first and second edge portions of the mat at angles that are greater than 0° and less than 90°.

The invention is directed to a crosshead die for the extrusion of a profile, such as a uniform ply coat for a tire. The crosshead die is used with an extruder, and includes a body. An inlet is formed in the body, and is in fluid communication with the extruder. An outlet and a flow channel are also formed in the body. The flow channel extends between the inlet and the outlet, and is bounded by an upper wall, a lower wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The flow channel is formed with a bend and a cross section that includes a trapezoidal shape to align the flow of elastomer with the center of the flow channel.

An improved shock absorbing, light-weight, thermally insulative orthotic pad designed for use in a “pad and boot” assembly for hoofed livestock. The pad is comprised of a mixture of small particles incorporated and encased in elastomeric materials. The particles have a lower density than the elastomeric materials and possess better thermally insulative properties. The pad is preferably elliptically shaped when viewed from the top or bottom, may be wedge-shaped when viewed from the side, and may include a triangular projection designed to contact a horse's frog and/or a front projection designed to cushion an animal's toe. The pad may also have side clips and toe bumper.