A system for applying a sealing agent to the surface of an internal cavity of a pneumatic tire provided with an applicator device for supplying a strip of sealing agent that is applied to the surface and an opto-electronic device that is integral to the nozzle of the applicator device and that is provided with at least one sensor element that is able to acquire images of the surface and provide a plurality of signals that are indicative of said plurality of acquired images; and an electronic processing system connected to the opto-electronic device, and to the applicator device and configured so as to acquire the signals that are indicative of the plurality of images acquired by the opto-electronic device; and to control the application of the sealing agent as a function of the plurality of signals that are indicative of the plurality of images acquired by the opto-electronic device.

A self-sealing pneumatic tire having at least one cohesive sandwich radially inward of the pneumatic tire is provided. The at least cohesive sandwich may include a cohesive material under pressure, facilitating a recovery capacity upon being pierced by a sharp object, whereby the molecules of the cohesive material cohesively reattach, self-sealing any passageway or space created by the sharp object. The self-sealing pneumatic tire may also provide a loculated-diamond-section layer located radially inward of the outer cohesive sandwich, further supporting the self-sealing pneumatic tire. The external rubber tread are disposed along the circumference of the tire in some embodiments can be separate from the surface of the tire yet secured in place by attachments. Once fully utilized, this external rubber tread can be replaced by a new version without having to replace the entire tire.

A method for reducing the stickiness on the surface exposed to the air of a sealant layer applied on an inner cavity of a tyre. The method establishes that the surface exposed to the air of the sealant layer is subject to a UV radiation.

A self-sealing pneumatic tire having at least one cohesive sandwich radially inward of the pneumatic tire is provided. The at least cohesive sandwich may include a cohesive material under pressure, facilitating a recovery capacity upon being pierced by a sharp object, whereby the molecules of the cohesive material cohesively reattach, self-sealing any passageway or space created by the sharp object. The self-sealing pneumatic tire may also provide a loculated-diamond-section layer located radially inward of the outer cohesive sandwich, further supporting the self-sealing pneumatic tire. The external rubber tread are disposed along the circumference of the tire in some embodiments can be separate from the surface of the tire yet secured in place by attachments. Once fully utilized, this external rubber tread can be replaced by a new version without having to replace the entire tire.

A method and system for cleaning the inner surface of a tire, comprising the steps of: emitting a laser beam that is directed against the inner surface using at least an emitter device; performing deeper cleaning within at least a first annular zone of the inner surface in applying, using at least the laser beam, to the first annular zone a first surface energy density; and performing less thorough cleaning within at least a second annular zone of the inner surface by applying, using at least the laser beam to the second annular zone a second surface energy density that is lower than the first surface energy density.

This invention discloses a technique for replenishing the level of sealant in self-sealing tires at the time that a puncture in the tire is being repaired or when the tire is being recapped. This technique provides the tire with its original level of self-sealing capabilities and will enhance the possibility of the tire remaining in service until it can be conveniently repaired. This method involves (1) injecting a liquid sealant formulation into the sealant layer of a self-sealing tire through at least one puncture hole therein, and (2) sealing the hole or holes in the supporting carcass and the innerliner of the tire. The sealant utilized is typically liquid polyisobutylene having a weight average molecular weight of 25,000 to 200,000. The sealant formulation used can optionally also contain a colorant or a pigment.

The present invention is directed to a method of cleaning an innermost surface of a pneumatic tire, the surface having a residue deposited thereon, comprising the steps of: activating a laser to generate laser radiation; directing a pulse of laser radiation to impinge on an area of the innermost surface, the pulse of radiation having a pulse width and a fluence sufficient to remove at least part of the residue in the area to form a cleaned area; repeating the step of directing the pulse of radiation sequentially over the innermost surface to form a sequence of cleaned areas, the sequence of cleaned areas defining a stripe, the stripe following a continuous nonlinear path extending at least one circumference about the inner surface, the stripe having a stripe width W2. The invention is further directed to a tire made by the method.

The present invention is directed to a method of making a self-sealing pneumatic tire, the tire having a tread width and a radially innermost surface having a residue deposited thereon, comprising the steps of: activating a laser to generate laser radiation; directing a pulse of laser radiation to impinge on an area of the innermost surface, the pulse of radiation having a pulse width and a fluence sufficient to remove at least part of the residue in the area to form a cleaned area; repeating the step of directing the pulse of radiation sequentially over the innermost surface to form a sequence of cleaned areas, the sequence of cleaned areas defining a stripe, the stripe following a continuous nonlinear path extending at least one circumference about the inner surface, the stripe having a stripe width W2; applying a bead of sealant in a continuous bead path extending at least one circumference about the inner surface, the bead of sealant at least partially overlaying the stripe. The invention is further directed to as such a self-sealing pneumatic tire.

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.

Tires having a magnetic tire sealing material containing magnetic particles are described for detecting the presence of one or more sealed punctures in the tire. The tires can have a sealed tire portion that is formed by the magnetic tire sealing material flowing into and filling a puncture in the tire. The sealed tire portion includes a portion having magnetic particles and the portion being at the outer surface of the tire such as in the tread area. The tire can be positioned within the detection zone of an apparatus capable of detecting magnetic particles to indicate whether the tire contains a sealed puncture filled with the magnetic tire sealing material.