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 sealing device comprising a flexible holding strip having an adhesive layer on a first surface, wherein the strip is configured for attachment to an inner surface of a tubeless tire via the adhesive layer, and a plurality of flexible flags attached to a second surface of the flexible holding strip opposite the first surface, wherein the plurality of flags is attached to the second surface at a fixed widthwise edge of each of the plurality of flags and wherein the plurality of flags are configured to seal a hole in the tubeless tire when the strip is attached to the inner surface of the tubeless tire is provided. Methods of protecting tires by attaching a sealing device are also described.

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.

Adapter for a rolling assembly comprising a tire, and a rim having two rim seats and two rim flanges. The adapter has an axially inner end mounted on the rim seat and comprises an inner reinforcing element, an axially outer end that comprises an outer reinforcing element, a body that connects the two ends to form a single piece. A substantially cylindrical adapter seat is configured to receive a bead, and is situated at the axially outer end of the body. An adapter bearing face is substantially contained in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, and situated on the axially inner face of the axially outer end. The reinforcing element of the axially outer end is entirely situated axially outside the bearing face. The body comprises, opposite the adapter seat, an annular seat reinforcer. The inner wall of the tire is covered by a layer of a self-sealing composition.

Methods for treating the surface of a cured inner liner are disclosed. By use of these methods a treated, cured inner liner is produced which has a lower surface with increased adherability to other materials (e.g., adhesives). Treated, cured inner liners resulting from such methods as well as tires containing the treated inner liners.

Provided is a sealant material composition that can ensure good sealing properties while suppressing a flow of a sealant during travel and that can provide such performance in a well-balanced, compatible manner. As a sealant material composition constituting a sealant layer (10) disposed in an inner surface of a pneumatic tire, a sealant material composition in which a proportion (A) of toluene insoluble occupying the sealant material composition is from 30 mass % to 60 mass % is used, or a sealant material composition in which a ratio (d1/d2) of measured specific gravity (d1) of the sealant material composition measured by an underwater replacement method to calculated specific gravity (d2) of the sealant material composition calculated from specific gravity and a blended amount of each raw material in the sealant material composition is from 0.7 to 0.9 is used.

A sealant layer assembly which allows a sealant layer to be applied on a tire outside of tire production plants. The assembly comprises a sealant layer to be applied on the surface of an inner liner layer facing the inner cavity of a tire, a net layer arranged on a first surface of the sealant layer, and at least one non-stick protective layer arranged either on a second surface of the sealant layer opposite the first surface or on the net layer.

A polymer blend including an organic polymer with a reactive silicon-containing group which gives cured objects excellent elongation property and stress relaxation, a composition including the polymer blend, a specific filler, and a curing catalyst, a sealant including the composition; and a sealant for tires, are provided. A polymer blend including an organic polymer with a bifunctional reactive silicon-containing group of a specific structure is mixed with polyoxyalkylene (A). Polyoxyalkylene (A) has an average molecular weight of 13,000 or higher and 100,000 or lower, a reactive-silicon-containing-group equivalent Eqa of 0.010 mmol/g or more and 0.29 mmol/g or less, and contains more than one silicon-containing group per molecule and polyoxyalkylene (B). Polyoxyalkylene (B) has an average molecular weight of 3,000 or higher and 25,000 or lower, a reactive-silicon-containing group only at one end, and a reactive-silicon-containing-group equivalent Eqb of 0.03 mmol/g or more and 0.58 mmol/g or less.