Patent Application
20240316885
The present disclosure relates to a tire-sealing agent. For the average motorist, replacing a tire on the side of the road can be daunting and needlessly exposes the motorist to inherent roadside dangers.
One solution to an emergency flat tire repair is to use an aerosol sealant dispenser that combines a chemical fluid and a propellant. These are usually contained in a can or other type of container. A tube is attached between the can and a tire via a tire valve stem. The fluid is propelled through the valve stem into the tire and forms a seal (e.g., through shear-induced crystallization). This forms a repair of the tire. To enhance the seal, a compressed air source can be used to allow proper and safe inflation of the tire. An example integrated compressor-tire sealant injection device with a large mouth sealant container is described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,581 to David Cowan et al. and commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,183 to James Cegelski and Scott Noble Hickman.
An example of a puncture sealing agent for a tire is described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,868,061 to Steven Cegelski and Shees Sulemenji, which includes a rubber latex as part of the two-part composition. Another example of a tire sealant is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,463 to Jack L. Hull, which requires removal of the valve core in order to apply the sealant.
Despite existing solutions, it is desirable to provide a tire-sealing agent that is latex-free, can be used as an aerosol, has a low viscosity, can be administered to a tire without removal of the valve core, and has a composition that allows for easy clean-up.
The present disclosure relates generally to a tire-sealing agent substantially as illustrated by and described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods described herein will be apparent from the following description of particular examples thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying figures; where like or similar reference numbers refer to like or similar structures. The figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the devices, systems, and methods described herein.
References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within and/or including the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “front,” “back,” “upper,” “lower,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. For example, while in some examples a first side is located adjacent or near a second side, the terms “first side” and “second side” do not imply any specific order in which the sides are ordered.
The terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosed examples and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed examples.
The term “and/or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and/or.” As an example, “x and/or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/or y” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and/or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y, and/or z” means “one or more of x, y, and z.”
A tire-sealing agent is a material that can be injected, poured, inserted, or otherwise introduced into a tire in order to repair a puncture in the tire. The puncture sealing agent, which is initially in liquid form, seeps into the puncture and ultimately solidifies to seal the puncture in the tire.
Despite advancements to date, there exists a need for a low-viscosity aerosolizable tire-sealing agent that has no latex content, thus allowing for easy application and cleanup. In accordance with aspects of this disclosure, the tire-sealing agent is a one-part system comprising water, a glycol compound, clay, microfibrillated cellulose, and a binder has a low viscosity and is able to be aerosolized. Several examples of a tire-sealing agent in accordance with aspects of this disclosure are described herein. However, the disclosure is not limited to the particular examples and embodiments described as changes may be made to the examples without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.
Disclosed is a tire-sealing agent. In one example, a tire-sealing agent comprises: water, a glycol compound, clay, microfibrillated cellulose, and a binder. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent further comprises one or more of an adhesion agent, an anti-corrosive agent, a filler material, and/or a biocide. In some examples, the binder is selected from a group consisting of: carboxymethyl cellulose; hydroxyethyl cellulose; hydroxyl propyl cellulose; Xanthan gum; Guar gum; and an alkali swellable emulsion (“ASE”). In some examples, the binder is carboxymethyl cellulose. The tire-sealing agent, when aerosolized, can produce a stable foam that can be administered to a tire without removal of the valve stem's valve core. In further aspects, the tire-sealing agent is a one-part system that is shear-thinning (i.e., thixotropic) and has a low viscosity (e.g., between approximately 150 and approximately 500 cps).
The water can be deionized (“DI”) water or non-deionized (“non-DI”) water, which can be selected to address sourcing and control-related needs. For example, non-DI water can be processed in a wider range of facilities (e.g., those without sufficient access to DI water); however, DI water offers increased control on batch-to-batch variation. In one example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 50% and approximately 90% of water by weight. In another example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 70% and 85% of water by weight.
The glycol compound can be glycerin, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol. In one example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 1% and approximately 30% glycol compound by weight. In another example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between 1% and approximately 20% glycol compound by weight. In yet another example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 2% and approximately 10% glycol compound by weight.
The clay can be an ultra-fine clay. For example the clay can be selected from a group consisting of: Attapulgite clay; Bentonite clay; and Hectorite clay. In one example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 1% and approximately 30% clay by weight. In another example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 5% and approximately 15% clay by weight. Testing has demonstrated that the percent of clay by weight can be selected depending on the other materials and concentrations employed in the composition. For example, a tire-sealing agent comprising between approximately 7% and approximately 15% clay by weight is advantageous in a tire-sealing agent with approximately 0 to 5% glycol by weight. In another example, a tire-sealing agent comprising between approximately 7% and approximately 10% clay by weight is advantageous with a Hegman fineness of grind greater than 5 (in dioctyl phthalate), whereas approximately 10% and approximately 15% clay by weight is advantageous with a Hegman fineness of grind greater than 6 (in dioctyl phthalate).
The adhesion agent can be selected from a group consisting of: a terpene resin dispersion; a phenolic resin dispersion; a modified aliphatic hydrocarbon resin dispersion; a polyvinyl ester; a polyvinyl alcohol; and a polyvinyl pyrrolidine. In one example, the tire-sealing agent comprises up to or less than approximately 10% by weight of the adhesion agent. In another example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between less than approximately 5% by weight of the adhesion agent.
The anti-corrosive agent can be selected from a group consisting of: a phosphate ester and 2-mercaptobenzothiazol. In one example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.01% and approximately 5% by weight of the anti-corrosive agent. In another example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.1% and 2% by weight of the anti-corrosive agent.
The filler material can be a cellulose-based fiber. In one example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.01% and 2% by weight of the filler material. In another example, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.1% and 1% by weight of the filler material.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.01% and approximately 15% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.01% and approximately 2% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose by weight. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.35% and approximately 0.5% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose. Using microfibrillated cellulose yields a number of advantages. For example, microfibrillated cellulose exhibits high available surface area with functional OH-groups, its fibril network provides structure that is robust to pH, salt, and temperature, and it exhibits beneficial film-forming characteristics.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.01% and 5% by weight of the binder. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.1% and 1% by weight of the binder.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.01% and 1% by weight of the biocide. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises between approximately 0.01% and 0.25% by weight of the biocide. In accordance with certain aspects, the tire-sealing agent does not comprise any rubber latex.
In the illustrated example, the tire-sealing agent 200 may comprise between approximately 50% and approximately 90% by weight water, between approximately 1% and 20% by weight of a glycol compound, between approximately 1% and approximately 30% clay, between approximately 0.01% and approximately 5% microfibrillated cellulose, between approximately 0% and approximately 10% of an adhesion agent, between approximately 0.01% and approximately 5% of an anti-corrosive agent, between approximately 0.01% and approximately 2% of a binder, between approximately 0.01% and approximately 2% of a filler material, and between approximately 0.01% and 1% of a biocide.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise water. In some examples, the water can be deionized (“DI”) water. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 50% and approximately 90%, between approximately 55% and approximately 90%, between approximately 60% and approximately 90%, between approximately 65% and approximately 90%, or between approximately 70% and approximately 90% by weight of water. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 70% and approximately 85%, between approximately 72% and approximately 85%, between approximately 74% and approximately 85%, between approximately 76% and approximately 85%, between approximately 78% and approximately 85%, and between approximately 80% and approximately 85% by weight of water.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise a glycol compound. The glycol compound can be incorporated in order to provide a lower temperature freezing point and flow point. Various types of glycol compounds can be used in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, in some aspects, the glycol compound can include glycerin, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or combinations thereof. In certain aspects, the glycol compound is glycerin. Therefore, in certain aspects, the tire-sealing agent may comprise multiple glycol compounds.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 1% and approximately 20%, between approximately 5% and approximately 20%, between approximately 10% and approximately 20%, or between approximately 15% and approximately 20% by weight of the glycol compound. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 2% and approximately 10% of a glycol compound, between approximately 4% and approximately 10%, between approximately 6% and approximately 10%, or between approximately 8% and approximately 10% by weight of the glycol compound.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise clay. In some examples, the clay may act as a thickening agent. Various types of colloidal or gelling grade clay can be used in accordance with the disclosure. In some cases, the clay may be ultra-fine clay (e.g., a clay that is a micronized powder fine enough to leave less than 1.0% residue on +325 mesh wet). While a degree of water adsorption is required, both swelling and non-swelling clays may be used. Hence, in some examples, the clay can be selected from Attapulgite clay, Bentonite clay, or Hectorite clay.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 1% and approximately 30%, between approximately 5% and approximately 30%, between approximately 10% and approximately 30%, between approximately 15% and approximately 30%, between approximately 20% and approximately 30%, or between approximately 25% and approximately 30% by weight of clay. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 5% and approximately 15% by weight of clay, between approximately 7% and approximately 15%, between approximately 9% and approximately 15%, between approximately 11% and approximately 15%, or approximately 13% and approximately 15% by weight of clay.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise a fiber that may provide a three dimensional network of fibrils that allow platelet clay fibers to fill any gaps and prevent any air from leaving the tire. For example, in certain aspects the fiber may be an environmentally friendly fiber, such as microfibrillated cellulose. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.01% and approximately 5%, between approximately 0.1% and approximately 5%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 5%, between approximately 1% and approximately 5%, between approximately 2% and approximately 5%, or between approximately 4% and approximately 5% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises up to or less than approximately 2% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose. For example, in some aspects, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.01% and approximately 2%, between approximately 0.1% and approximately 2%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 2%, between approximately 1% and approximately 2%, or between approximately 1.5% and approximately 2% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent comprises up to or less than approximately 1% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose. For example, in some aspects, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.01% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.1% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.3% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 1%, or between approximately 0.8% and approximately 1% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.35% and approximately 0.5% by weight of microfibrillated cellulose.
In accordance with an aspect, the ratio of clay to fiber may range from 10:1 to 30:1. For example, the ratio of clay to fiber can be 10:1, 15:1, 20:1, 25:1, or 30:1.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise an adhesion agent. Various types of adhesion agents can be used in accordance with the disclosure. For example, the adhesion agent can be selected from various resin adhesion agents. For example, terpene resin or phenolic resin dispersions can be used. Other types of resin adhesion agents that can be used include modified aliphatic hydrocarbon resin dispersions. In further examples, the adhesion agent can be selected from polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl alcohols, polyurethane dispersions, or polyvinyl pyrrolidines.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise up to or less than 10% by weight of an adhesion agent. For example, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0% and approximately 10%, between approximately 2% and approximately 10%, between approximately 4% and approximately 10%, between approximately 6% and approximately 10%, or between approximately 8% and approximately 10% by weight of the adhesion agent. In other aspects, the tire-sealing agent may comprise up to or less than approximately 5%, up to or less than approximately 4%, up to or less than approximately 3%, up to or less than approximately 2%, or up to or less than approximately 1% by weight of the adhesion agent.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise one or more anti-corrosive agents. In certain examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise a single anti-corrosive agent. In other examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise multiple anti-corrosive agents. Various types of anti-corrosive agents can be used in accordance with the disclosure. For example, the anti-corrosive agent (also referred to as a corrosion inhibitor) can be a phosphate ester. In further examples, the corrosion inhibitor can be 2-mercaptobenzothiazol, ammonium borate, or an aminocarboxylate.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.01% and approximately 5%, between approximately 0.1% and approximately 5%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 5%, between approximately 1% and approximately 5%, between approximately 2% and approximately 5%, or between approximately 4% and approximately 5% by weight of the anti-corrosive agent. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.1% and approximately 2%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 2%, between approximately 1% and approximately 2%, or between approximately 1.5% and approximately 2% by weight of the anti-corrosive agent.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise a binder. The binder may provide enhanced physical stability to the tire-sealing agent. While the binder may also act as a thickening agent, the binder is able to provide enhanced physical stability without significantly increasing the viscosity of the tire-sealing agent. Various types of binders can be used in accordance with the disclosure. In some examples, carboxymethyl cellulose can be used as a binder. In other examples, the binder can be selected from other cellulose derivatives such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, or other derivatives thereof. In other examples, the binder may be a hydrophilic colloid. In further examples, the binder can be a natural gum such as Xanthan gum. In further examples, synthetic materials such as alkali swellable emulsions (“ASE”) can be used as a suspension aid or a binder.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.01% and approximately 2%, between approximately 0.1% and approximately 2%, between approximately 2%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 2%, between approximately 1% and approximately 2%, or between approximately 1.5% and approximately 2% by weight of the binder. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.1% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.3% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 1%, or between approximately 0.7% and approximately 1% by weight of the binder. In further examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise approximately 0.5% or less by weight of the binder. For example, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.3% and approximately 0.5%, between approximately 0.35% and approximately 0.5%, between approximately 0.4% and approximately 0.5%, or between approximately 0.45% and approximately 0.5% by weight of the binder.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise a filler material. In some examples, the filler material can be a cellulose-based fiber material. In further examples, the filler material may be a powder such as talc, calcium carbonate, or silica.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise up to or less than approximately 2% by weight of the filler material. For example, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.01% and approximately 2%, between approximately 0.1% and approximately 2%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 2%, between approximately 1% and approximately 2%, or between approximately 1.5% and approximately 2% by weight of the filler material. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.1% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.3% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 1%, or between approximately 0.7% and approximately 1% by weight of the filler material. In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise approximately 0.25% by weight of the filler material.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, as described above, the tire-sealing agent may comprise a preservative to protect against the effects of heat, light, and oxidation that may occur over time. In some examples, the preservative can be a biocide, such as Mergal® K10N.
In some examples, the tire-sealing agent may comprise up to or less than approximately 1% by weight of the preservative. For example, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.01% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.1% and approximately 1%, between approximately 0.5% and approximately 1%, or between approximately 0.8% and approximately 1% by weight of the preservative. In some examples the tire-sealing agent may comprise up to or less than approximately 0.25% by weight of the biocide. For example, the tire-sealing agent may comprise between approximately 0.01% and approximately 0.25%, between approximately 0.05% and approximately 0.25%, between approximately 0.1% and approximately 0.25%, between approximately 0.15% and approximately 0.25%, or between approximately 0.2% and approximately 0.25% by weight of the preservative.
While the present method and/or system has been described with reference to certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the scope of the present method and/or system. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. For example, block and/or components of disclosed examples can be combined, divided, re-arranged, and/or otherwise modified. Therefore, the present method and/or system are not limited to the particular implementations disclosed. Instead, the present method and/or system will include all implementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, both literally and under the doctrine of equivalents.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/453,345, filed Mar. 20, 2023, and entitled “High Performing Low-Viscosity Tire Sealant,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63453345 | Mar 2023 | US |
