A method for making a compartmentalized sealant strip and barrier assembly 10 has the steps of co-extruding a barrier strip 9 of non-sealant elastomeric material with a plurality of projecting linear extending walls 9c and a sealant strip 11 wherein the sealant strip 11 is formed on one side of the barrier strip 9 filling the space between the plurality of projecting walls 9c to form a plurality of linearly extending rows of sealant 11 across the transverse width of the co-extrusion to form the compartmentalized sealant strip and barrier assembly 10. The step of co-extruding may further include the step of: forming the projecting walls 9c on an inclined angle relative to a plane perpendicular to the width of the assembly 10. The step of co-extruding further has the step of forming the barrier strip 9 with lateral edges 9a and 9c that extend beyond the lateral outermost sealant strips 11 on each side of the assembly 10, the lateral edges 9a, 9b being bonding surfaces to seal the sealant strip and barrier assembly 10 into an uncured rubber layer when assembled into an unvulcanized tire 2.

A method for making a compartmentalized sealant strip and barrier assembly 10 has the steps of co-extruding a barrier strip 9 of non-sealant elastomeric material with a plurality of projecting linear extending walls 9c and a sealant strip 11 wherein the sealant strip 11 is formed on one side of the barrier strip 9 filling the space between the plurality of projecting walls 9c to form a plurality of linearly extending rows of sealant 11 across the transverse width of the co-extrusion to form the compartmentalized sealant strip and barrier assembly 10. The step of co-extruding may further include the step of: forming the projecting walls 9c on an inclined angle relative to a plane perpendicular to the width of the assembly 10. The step of co-extruding further has the step of forming the barrier strip 9 with lateral edges 9a and 9c that extend beyond the lateral outermost sealant strips 11 on each side of the assembly 10, the lateral edges 9a, 9b being bonding surfaces to seal the sealant strip and barrier assembly 10 into an uncured rubber layer when assembled into an unvulcanized tire 2.

Provided is a sealant composition excellent in production efficiency (coating speed) and sealing characteristics, and a pneumatic tire using the sealant composition. The sealant composition contains 95 parts by mass to 150 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon resin, 20 parts by mass to 60 parts by mass of a liquid plasticizer, and 5 parts by mass to 30 parts by mass of a filler having a DBP absorption amount of 110 cm.sup.3/100 g or less, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a solid rubber component containing a diene rubber.

Provided is a sealant composition excellent in production efficiency (coating speed) and sealing characteristics, and a pneumatic tire using the sealant composition. The sealant composition contains 95 parts by mass to 150 parts by mass of a hydrocarbon resin, 20 parts by mass to 60 parts by mass of a liquid plasticizer, and 5 parts by mass to 30 parts by mass of a filler having a DBP absorption amount of 110 cm.sup.3/100 g or less, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a solid rubber component containing a diene rubber.

This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that the reaction product of polyisobutylene and a silane can be incorporated into tire sealant formulations to greatly reduce the level of hysteresis exhibited by such sealant formulations which decreases the rolling resistance of the tire to improve fuel economy. This is made possible by the further unexpected fining that silanes will react with polyisobutylene by a reaction which is initiated with a peroxide. This invention more specifically discloses a sealant composition which is particularly useful in manufacturing self-sealing tires and which is comprised of (a) the reaction product of polyisobutylene and a silane; and (b) a reinforcing filler. The sealant compositions also contain a peroxide to facilitate partial degradation of the polyisobutylene rubber during the curing of the tire.

A method of preparing a tire with self-sealing properties, the method including the steps of providing a cured tire, the tire including a first bead, a second bead, a carcass layer extending from the first bead to the second bead, and an optional innerliner layer disposed interior to the carcass layer; directly or indirectly applying a sealant composition to at least a portion of the carcass layer or to at least a portion of the optional innerliner; and directly applying an air barrier composition to at least a portion of the carcass layer or to at least a portion of the optional innerliner.

A method of preparing a tire with self-sealing properties, the method including the steps of providing a cured tire, the tire including a first bead, a second bead, a carcass layer extending from the first bead to the second bead, and an optional innerliner layer disposed interior to the carcass layer; directly or indirectly applying a sealant composition to at least a portion of the carcass layer or to at least a portion of the optional innerliner; and directly applying an air barrier composition to at least a portion of the carcass layer or to at least a portion of the optional innerliner.

A device and method for storing tire repair material in or around the wheel barrel of a tire. Also, a device and a method for repairing a compromised tire using tire repair material stored in or around the wheel barrel of a tire. In some embodiments, the means for storing the tire repair material in or around the wheel barrel may comprise non-interconnected bays. Device embodiments may also comprise a tire repair material applying means (for example, means utilizing some form of propulsion and/or spraying). Thus, in some embodiments, the tire repair material may be applied to a compromised section of the inside surface of the tire, originating from the direction of the wheel barrel. In some embodiments, the device may also comprise a means for detecting a compromised tire and the punctured section thereof, as well as a means for signaling commencement of application of the tire repair material.

A device and method for storing tire repair material in or around the wheel barrel of a tire. Also, a device and a method for repairing a compromised tire using tire repair material stored in or around the wheel barrel of a tire. In some embodiments, the means for storing the tire repair material in or around the wheel barrel may comprise non-interconnected bays. Device embodiments may also comprise a tire repair material applying means (for example, means utilizing some form of propulsion and/or spraying). Thus, in some embodiments, the tire repair material may be applied to a compromised section of the inside surface of the tire, originating from the direction of the wheel barrel. In some embodiments, the device may also comprise a means for detecting a compromised tire and the punctured section thereof, as well as a means for signaling commencement of application of the tire repair material.

Provided is a pneumatic tire having sufficient sealing performance. The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire including a sealant layer located radially inside an innerliner, the sealant layer being formed by applying a sealant to the inner periphery of a tire from which mold release agents have been removed.