MXPA97004243A - Composite for sealing punches and inflating llants - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol propellant comprising an aqueous emulsion of methylene chloride which removes water, comprising water, methylene chloride and a substance which is activated on the surface and a propellant gas soluble in methylene chloride. A compound for inflating and sealing punches for pneumatic tires that includes an aqueous emulsion of methylene chloride that removes water, which comprises water, methylene chloride and a surfactant, a non-flammable propellant gas soluble in methylene chloride, a latex emulsion curable and a fibrous capping / coating agent

Description

"COMPOSED TO SEAL PUNCHES AND INFLATE TIRES" Field of the invention. The invention broadly encompasses a new aerosol propellant compound which can be non-flammable, non-explosive and environmentally harmless and a compound for sealing and inflating a pneumatic flat tire which employs the new aerosol propellant. Previous technology. Changing a flat tire in a car is generally considered by consumers to be a problematic job to say the least, and if the puncture occurs in certain places or under certain weather conditions, it can be perceived as a dangerous task to be carried out. As a result, aerosolized tire sealants and aerosolized packer containers suitable for carrying in the automobile have gained widespread acceptance among consumers. A conventional sealant and tire inflator compound is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,338,776 to Peelor et al. The compound of the patent employs two components: a sealing component consisting of an acrylic resin dissolved in a solvent and a propellant component based on a hydrochlorofluorocarbon or a hydro-fluorocarbon compound. The compound of the patent is characterized in that in the patent as anhydrous. Ten solvents are specifically identified in the patent, in column 4, lines 39 through 55 as suitable for the sealing compound and tire inflator of the patent. With the exception of methylene chloride, each of the specifically identified solvents has been classified by the State of California as a volatile organic compound contaminating the atmosphere ("VOC") and its release into the atmosphere is not recommended. Methylene chloride in its liquid state, although not classified as a VOC contaminating the atmosphere, tends to attack the rubber components when they are solubilized. It would be expected that the introduction of liquid methylene chloride into the cavity of a pneumatic tire would have an adverse effect on the rubber components of the tire. Although the surfaces of the inner wall of certain tires have a polymeric coating membrane which may provide some protection against methylene chloride, additional protection would be desirable where methylene chloride is used as a solvent in a sealing compound. and tire inflator. It would be desirable to use an essentially inert, non-flammable gas, harmless to the atmosphere such as air, nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (C02), or helium (He) as a propellant / inflator for an aerosol sealant and inflator . However, typical aerosol containers-designated as "2Q" containers-may be pressurized to a pressure no greater than 180 psig (pounds per square inch over atmospheric pressure) at 130 ° F, a limit imposed by the Department of Transportation. of the United States for the interstate shipment of said containers. Furthermore, as a practical matter, aerosol containers can not be larger than one liter in capacity. A one liter container containing only an inert gas in an amount just enough to meet the pressurization limit of 180 psig at 130 ° F would not contain enough gas to pressurize a conventional pneumatic car tire to achieve a driving condition. Solvents are known which can dissolve enough carbon dioxide at a pressure contained safely by ordinary aerosol containers to pressurize a rim placed to achieve a driving condition. Some such carbon dioxide solvents have vapor pressures of at least barely 100 mm Hg at about 70 ° F and could therefore contribute to the pressurization of a tire. Among these low vapor pressure carbon dioxide solvents are furan, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, acetone, methylal, methylene chloride, and 1,1-dichloro-l-fluoroethane. Of the listed compounds, furan, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, acetone, and methylal, are flammable and potentially explosive in a tire pressurized with air. The solubility of carbon dioxide in 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane is considerably lower than the other compounds listed. Moreover, 1,1-dichloro-l-fluoroethane has been classified as a volatile organic compound contaminating the atmosphere by the State of California and relatively expensive to manufacture, which prohibits the use of substantial amounts of the compound in the packaging of aerosol. As noted above, methylene chloride has a high parameter of solubility with respect to rubber compounds and has the potential in its liquid state to soften or degrade the rubber components of rubber tires. There is a need for a tire sealant and inflator compound that is effective and economical which is essentially non-flammable, essentially non-explosive and essentially does not destroy the stratospheric ozone layer and which does not contribute unduly to global warming and does not contain high levels of volatile organic compounds contaminating the atmosphere. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have invented a method for solubilizing a pro-pulser gas in the form of a carrier containing methylene chloride to form an aerosol propellant compound that provides an effective coating tending to prevent methylene chloride from attacking the surfaces with the which the compound can come into contact. Said aerosol propellant compound employing a non-flammable propellant gas such as carbon dioxide or sulfur hexafluoride can be used as a component of a compound for sealing and inflating a flat tire that allows a sufficient quantity of the propellant gas to be introduced into the cavity. of the tire to inflate to achieve a driving condition while at the same time effectively protecting the interior surfaces of the rubber component of the rim cavity from the attack of the methylene chloride liquid. Broadly, in a first aspect, the invention relates to an aerosol propellant comprising an aqueous methylene chloride; that is, it eliminates water; the emulsion includes water, methylene chloride, and a surfactant substance and a propellant gas soluble in methylene chloride. For many applications, it is preferred that the propellant gas be non-flammable. Preferably, the propellant is gaseous at conventional aerosol pressures and temperatures. Carbon dioxide and sulfur hexafluoride are preferred non-flammable gases, with carbon dioxide being particularly preferred for reasons of economy and because sulfur hexafluoride has a high global warming potential. In another aspect, the invention relates to a compound for sealing and inflating punches for pneumatic tires comprising an emulsion that removes water comprising water, methylene chloride, and a surfactant substance and a non-flammable chloride-soluble pro-pulsing gas. of methylene. The seal and stab inhibition compound also includes a latex emulsion and a fibrous capping / coating agent. Preferably, the non-flammable propellant gas of the stamping and inflated puncturing compound of the invention is carbon dioxide, sulfur hexafluoride, or a mixture of carbon dioxide and sulfur hexafluoride. More preferably, the propellant gas is carbon dioxide. Preferably, the surfactant substance of the aerosol propellant and tire inflation and sealing compound has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance in the direction of greater water solubility than oil solubility. In the preferred embodiment of the compound for sealing and inflating punches of the invention, the latex emulsion is a synthetic nitrile latex emulsion as an ABS polymeric latex emulsion. A preferred fibrous capping / coating agent for the compound for sealing and inflating punches of the invention is a fibrous cellulose material. A fibrous cellulose packing / filler is an a-cellulose fiber filter aid. Preferably the compound for sealing and inflating punches of the invention includes a corrosion inhibitor. For the compound for sealing and inflating tires of the invention, a mixture of anionic and non-anionic substances that are activated on the surface is preferred. A particularly preferred mixture of surface activating substances for the compounds for sealing and inflating tires of the invention includes a mixture of an ethanol octylphenoxypoly (ethyleneneoxy) and an amino salt of an alkyl aryl sulfonate. Such mixtures of particularly preferred surface activating substances are used to stabilize the synthetic nitrile latex emulsions. In the preferred embodiments of the compound for sealing and inflating tires of the invention, the emulsion that removes the water is highly stable. In particular, the emulsion does not tend to invert or partially invert when subjected to the stress of the extremes of temperature and the mechanical force encountered when filling an aerosol container with the compound, storing the compound in the aerosol container in a automotive vehicle under summer and winter temperature conditions, and transport the compound inside a rim cavity after inflating it with the compound while driving the vehicle. It is believed that the surfactant substances, the latex emulsion and the fibrous capping / coating agent contribute to the stability of the emulsion which removes water from the preferred embodiments of the compound for sealing and inflating punches of the invention. The methylene chloride water emulsions of the preferred embodiments of the invention tend to be microemulsions. Preferred emulsions of the invention have remained undisturbed at ambient temperatures in an emulsified state for two years without separation phase. Moreover, the preferred aqueous methylene chloride emulsions of the invention are stable over a wide range of mechanical and environmental stresses such as those found in the interior of a motor vehicle tire. Such aqueous methylene chloride emulsions allow the carbon dioxide to dissolve in the methylene chloride of the emulsion while effectively tending to protect the rubber from a rim containing the emulsion against deteriorating contact with the liquid methylene chloride. In another aspect, the invention relates to a compound for sealing and inflating punched tires for pneumatic tires that employs a propellant gas and methylene chloride to dissolve the propellant gas to a sufficient extent to allow the compound to be stored safely in an aerosol container conventionally while providing sufficient pressure to discharge the package compound into the deflated tire and inflate it to a desirable condition. The compound includes a polymer that forms a protective coating that is only partially or weakly soluble in methylene chloride. By introducing the polymer forming a protective layer into the cavity of a rim, it tends to "detach in a plate" from the compound and form a protective coating on the surfaces of the inner walls of the rim. The protective coating tends to protect the rim from the attack of methylene chloride. Generally, the protective layer tends to allow methylene chloride to diffuse slowly through the coating and the rubber components of the rim in such a way that, over a period of two to three months or so, the chloride of methylene escapes from inside the rim. The methylene chloride concentrations on the surface of the rubber components and within the rubber components are extremely low since the methylene chloride diffuses through the protective cover and the rim in such a way that the methylene chloride does not It has virtually no harmful effect on the rubber components of the tire. In addition to the polymer that forms a protective coating, such compounds for sealing and inflating punches of the invention also preferably contain a fibrous capping / coating agent and a synthetic rubber vulcanizer soluble in methylene chloride to cap the punctures in the rim. A portion of the fibrous capping / coating agent is generally bonded to the protective coating formed of the polymer that forms a protective coating on the composite. The compound for sealing and inflating punches of the invention including a polymer that forms a protective coating does not need to contain water to emulsify the methylene chloride. Such compounds may be anhydrous, which may reduce or eliminate the need for a corrosion inhibitor in the compound. Basic Parameters of the Invention The surfactant of the aqueous methylene chloride compound of the invention preferably contains a hydrophilic-lipophilic equilibrium parameter of about 18 which is particularly preferred. Preferred surfactants in conjunction with the latex emulsion latex particles and the fibrous particles of the capping / coating agent tend to keep the methylene chloride trapped within the aqueous methylene chloride emulsion of the compounds of the invention. As the temperature increases or the pressure inside the rim cavity decreases, the methylene chloride in the form of a gas will tend to evaporate from the emulsion. As the temperature decreases or the pressure increases, the methylene chloride microdroplets will tend to condense from the atmosphere within the rim cavity, and due to the high relative density of the droplets and the molecular attraction of the high hydrophilic equilibrium. Lipophilic of the emulsion system, the microdroplets will tend to rapidly encapsulate again in the aqueous emulsion of methylene chloride, which tends to keep the rubber components of the rim and the soft latex coating that is formed by the compound protected from liquid methylene chloride. The compounds for sealing and inflating the punches of the invention include a latex emulsion which, as it dries, tends to cure or vulcanize as a soft rubber film on the inner surfaces of the rim cavity and in any puncture hole in the tire. rim. Preferably, the latex emulsion is a synthetic nitrile latex emulsion with a particle size distribution with particles within the range of 800 to 3000 A in diameter. More preferably, the synthetic latex emulsion has an average particle size of just 1700 A. Preferably, the nitrile latex emulsion is an ABS polymer emulsion with solid contents within the range of 1 to 8 percent by weight. weight. A particularly preferred latex emulsion is commercially available under the tradename "Hycar", nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 from B.F. Goodrich Company of Cleveland Ohio. Polymers that form protective coatings that are weakly soluble in methylene chloride include "Nipol 1072 CG," a nitrile polymer commercially available from Zeon Chemicals, Inc. of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and "Arlatex 43 DA," a copolymer of styrene-butadiene commercially available from CL, Puskas Co. from A ron, Ohio. Preferably, a polymer that forms a protective coating is present in a compound for sealing punctures and inflating tires of the invention in a concentration within the limits of between about 0.5 and about 1.0 percent by weight. A preferred vulcanizing synthetic rubber that is soluble in methylene chloride is "KR-01," a synthetic styrene-butadiene rubber commercially available from A. Schulman of Akron, Ohio. The ratio of styrene to butadiene in "KR-01" is from about 70 to 30. Preferably, a synthetic vulcanizer rubber soluble in methylene chloride is present in a preferred compound of the invention for sealing punctures and inflating tires in a concentration within the limits of between 1.0 and 2.0 percent by weight. A preferred fibrous capping / coating agent particularly for the tire puncturing and tire inflation compound of the invention is an α-cellulose fiber filter aid having an average fiber length of about 700 μm. Preferably, the a-cellulose fiber filter aid is present in the compound in a concentration within the range of between about 0.2 and about 1.2 weight percent. Preferably, the compound for sealing punctures and inflating tires of the invention includes a corrosion inhibitor -especially a corrosion inhibitor for hard metals, aluminum, copper and bronze. A particularly prepared corrosion inhibitor is "Mazon RI-6," a surface-active corrosion inhibitor commercially available from PPG Industries, Inc. of Gurnee, Illinois. Even when a tire inflated with a compound for sealing punches and inflating tires of the invention has not been rolled, a large percentage - perhaps 90 percent or more - of the inner surface of the tire is commonly in contact with the emulsion it removes. the water of the compound. The emulsion that removes the water contains a curable latex and the fi brous filler / coating agent. The latex and the capping / coating agent slowly form a soft rubber film inside the rim cavity. The bearing of the rim as the latex heals, tends to cause the soft rubber film to essentially form the entire inner surface of the rim cavity, which tends to ensure that the puncture will be capped wherever it occurs. locate Latex emulsions containing nitrile, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene, polyacrylate, epichrohydrin, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride are considered to be hazardous to the environment and should not generally be allowed to enter water on land or in waterways. The use of a fibrous capping / coating agent in the compound for sealing punctures and inflating tires of the invention tends to prevent such materials from escaping through the orifices of the tire puncture. In the compounds for sealing punctures and inflating tires of the invention, the holes of the punctures in the rim of up to 3/16 of an inch in diameter - or even larger ones - can be plugged. Latex mate- rials tend to remain on the rim and gradually adhere to the inner surfaces of the rim. In the long run the rim inside the cured latex materials can be properly disposed of in a site for harmful vehicle tire debris. In the table and the examples that follow, the following abbreviations and trade names are used. "Hycar" 1578x1 nitrile latex emulsion is an ABS polymer emulsion containing approximately 50 percent water and approximately 48-50 percent of a nitrile polymer that is commercially available from B.F, Goodrich Company of Cleveland, Ohio. The latex emulsion also contains just two percent of an anionic surfactant soap. "KR-01" is a synthetic styrene-butadiene rubber commercially available from A. Schulman Inc. of Akron, Ohio. "Arlatex 43 DA" is a commercially available styrene-butadiene copolymer of C.L. Puskas Co. from Akron, Ohio. IGEPAL CA-897 is an octylphenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol surfactant commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc of Cranbury, New Jersey. The designation "Mazon RI6" is a commercial name of a surface-active corrosion inhibitor commercially available from PPG Industries, Inc. of Gurnee, Illinois. The designation "Epoxol 9-5" is a trade name of epoxidized triglyceride commercially available from Swift Edible Oil Co. The epoxidized triglyceride contains a minimum of about 11 percent oxirane groups and can function as an acid cleaner. The designation "Fiber-Cel S-10" is a trade name of an α-cellulose fiber filter aid available commercially from Celite Corporation of Lompoc, California. The "Fiber-Cel SW-10" filter aid has an average fiber length of approximately 700 μm, is retained approximately 80 percent by a sieve screen and has a density of approximately 2.4 pounds / ft3. Preferably, the containers of the compound for sealing and inflating tires of the invention contain between 16 and 40 grms of carbon dioxide. The compounds for sealing punches and inflating tires with the ingredients listed in the following table in the given concentration limits are preferred: Ingredient Approximate limits parts by weight Deionized water 0.0 - 74.2"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 2.0 - 30.0 IGEPAL CA- 897 0.3 - 7.0"Mazon RI-6" 0.1 - 0.5 Triethanolamine (99%) 0.1 - 1.0"Epoxol 9-5" 0.0 - 1.0"Fiber-Cel SW-10" 0.1 - 2.0 Methylene Chloride 30.0 - 76.0 Other solvents 0.0 - 15.0 SF6 0.0 - 7.5 C02 2.8 - 8.7 EXAMPLES Emulsion compounds were prepared in the following examples using a laboratory mixer available from John Oster Manufacturing Company of Milwaukee, Wis. Consin under the tradename "Osterizer Cycle Blend Model 847." The mixture referred to in each of the Examples can be carried out substantially in the following manner. Add the ingredients listed in the Example from the first deionized water ingredient, to the fibrous capping / coating agent ingredient "Fiber-Cel SW-10" in the mixer. Then it begins to mix with the mixer at a low speed. The speed of the mixer is increased step by step until the "mix" speed. Mix for about three minutes at the speed "mix". Add the solvent or solvents quickly while mixing continues at the "mix" speed. When all solvents have been added, close the mixer cover and mix for approximately minutes to form an emulsion compound. Add the desired amount of the emulsion compound to an aerosol container. Place a valve in the aerosol container and fold it into place. Pressurize the aerosol container with C02 or SF6, or a combination of the two, using a gasifier / shaker machine at a balancing pressure in the aerosol unit from approximately 110 psig to approximately 70 ° F. The gasifier / shaker machines suitable are commercially available from Terco, Inc. of Schaumburg, Illinois and BWI-KP Aerofil of Davenport, Iowa.

Example No. 1 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 31,022"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Mazon RI-6" .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300" Fiber-Cel SW-10".587 Methylene chloride 54,378 C02 4,000 The ingredients were mixed substantially according to the procedure set forth above to produce an emulsion compound. An aerosol container was charged with the emulsion compound and with carbon dioxide as set forth above. The charge of the emulsion compound and carbon dioxide totaled a total of 16 ounces by weight. The emulsion remained stable at temperatures within the range of approximately -50 ° F to 200 ° F, the pressure varied between 0 and 300 psi (pounds per square inch) approximately. The compound of Example 1 is non-flammable, non-explosive and does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer. The compound does not contribute to global warming to a significantly greater extent than carbon dioxide alone and does not include any ingredient classified by the State of California as a volatile organic component contaminating the environment. When the methylene chloride-containing emulsion compound of Example 1 was contacted with an inner surface of a rubber tire for thirty days, during which time the driving time was approximately 1500 miles, the inner surface of the tire showed no evidence. to suffer attack by the compound. To test the sealing capabilities of the emulsion compound, a tire sized 205 x 75 x 15"(inch) mounted on a vehicle with a 20p nail was struck out. The nail was removed and the tire was allowed to deflate on the surface of the tire. The aerosol unit, which contained approximately 16 ounces of avoirdupois load (N. of T. system of weights used in GB and USA) of the emulsion and carbon dioxide compound was contacted with the valve. the flat tire and the load was allowed to flow and expand on the rim.The outside air temperature was between about 60 ° F and about 80 ° F. The rim was raised from the street surface by one to three inches. The car was driven a distance of one mile.The puncture hole was effectively sealed in the first revolution of the tire.The pressure of the tire after it was driven with it for one mile was approximately 11 psig. about five miles, the tire pressure was approximately 13 psig, and at the end of approximately ten miles, the tire pressure was 15 psig. approximately. After having driven the vehicle for approximately 103 miles at a speed of approximately 65 miles per hour, the tire pressure was measured and found to have remained at approximately 15 psig. The test tire was then pressurized with air at approximately 30 psig. The tire pressure was checked again after driving 50 miles. The pressure of the tire had dropped to approximately 23 psig, showing an increased solubility of C02 in the emulsion compound at the increased pressure. The test tire was re-pressurized to approximately 30 psig. After 30 days and approximately 1500 miles, it was found that the pressure had remained constant at approximately 28 psig. A similar tire operated on a laboratory skating machine for 12 months maintained an essentially constant pressure of approximately 28 psig. Example No. 2 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 30,550"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Mazon RI-6" .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300" Fiber-Cel SW-10".587 Methylal 11,000 Methylene chloride 43,500 C02 4,350 The ingredients listed above were mixed substantially according to the procedure set forth above to produce an emulsion compound. The emulsion compound was introduced into an aerosol container and then charged with carbon dioxide at approximately 110 psig at 70 ° C in the manner stated above substantially. The compound of Example 2 is flammable only marginally, essentially non-explosive and essentially does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer. The compound contributes to an increase in global warming to a slightly greater extent than carbon dioxide and contains only about eleven percent by weight of components that have been classified by the State of California as volatile organic pollutants in the environment. The compound of Example 2 was discharged from the aerosol container into a second tire which had been punched with a 20p nail in the same vehicle as in Example 1. The pressures of the two tires were measured essentially at the same times. The results for the formula of Example 2 were substantially the same as for the formula of Example 1, except that the tire pressure varied between approximately 10.5 psig after driving approximately one mile and 15.5 psig. after driving approximately ten miles. The pressure in the tire loaded with the formula of Example 2 showed a greater variation with temperature than it did in the tire loaded with the formula of Example 1. This test tire maintained substantially a constant pressure of approximately 29 psig. after 30 days and approximately 1500 driving miles. Example No. 3 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 30,600"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Mazon RI-6" .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300" Fiber-Cel SW-10".587 Acetone 11,000 Methylene chloride 43,500 C02 4,350 The ingredients listed above were mixed and loaded into an aerosol container in the same manner and substantially as described above. The results obtained from the stability study were essentially the same as those obtained with the emulsion compounds of Examples 1 and 2. The pressures of the tires were substantially the same as those found for the emulsion compound of Example 2.

The compound of Example 3 is flammable only marginally, essentially non-explosive and essentially does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer. The compound contributes to an increase in global warming to a point slightly greater than carbon dioxide and contains only about eleven weight percent of components that have been classified by the State of California as volatile organic pollutants in the environment. Example No. 4 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 19,770"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Mazon RI-6" .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300" Fiber-Cel SW-10".587 Methylene chloride 65.217 C02 5,000 The ingredients listed above were mixed substantially according to the procedure set forth above and loaded into an aerosol container in the same manner as described above. The compound of Example 4 is non-flammable, is essentially non-explosive and essentially does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer. The compound does not contribute to global warming to a significantly greater extent than carbon dioxide and does not contain any ingredients classified by the State of California as volatile organic pollutants in the environment. A 205 x 75 x 15"(inch) tire was attached to a lab skating machine to rotate at approximately 30 rpm (revolutions per minute) The center of the valve was removed to depressurize the tire. valve center, an aerosol unit containing approximately 16 avoirdupois ounces was fixed to the valve and the valve was fully activated. The unit required approximately 50 seconds to unload inside the tire. Then the aerosol unit was disconnected. The tire was rotated for about a minute and then the pressure was checked. The pressure on the tire was approximately 11 psig. at room temperature. Example No 5 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 35,480"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739"Mazon RI-6" .300 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Epoxol 9-5" .300"Fiber-Cel SW-10".587 Methylene chloride 60,000 SF6 3,920 The ingredients were mixed and the resulting emulsion compound was tested substantially as described in Example 4. The pressure in the tire was approximately 8 psig. The compound of Example 5 is non-flammable, is essentially non-explosive and essentially does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer. The compound has the potential to contribute to global warming to a somewhat greater extent than carbon dioxide alone. The compound does not include any ingredient classified by the State of California as a volatile organic component contaminating the environment. Example No. 6 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 24,810"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739"Mazon RI-6" .300 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Epoxol 9-5" .300" Fiber-Cel SW-10".987 Methylene chloride 60,000 SF6 1,220 C02 3,370 The ingredients were mixed and the resulting emulsion compound was tested substantially as described in Example 4. The tire pressure was about 9 psig. The compound of Example 6 is not flammable, is not explosive and does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer. The compound has the potential to contribute to global warming to a somewhat greater extent than carbon dioxide alone. The compound does not include any ingredient classified by the California State as a volatile organic component contaminating the environment. Example No. 7 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 20,660"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739"Mazon RI-6" .300 Triethanolamine (99%) .900"Epoxol 9-5" .300" Fiber-Cel SW-10".587 1,1,2, Trichlorethylene 65,220 C02 3,520 The ingredients were mixed and the resulting emulsion compound was tested substantially as described in Example 4. The pressure in the tire was approximately 7 psig. The compound of Example 7 is not flammable, is not explosive and does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer. The compound has the potential to contribute to global warming to a significantly greater extent than carbon dioxide and contains approximately 65.22 weight percent of compounds that have been classified by the State of California as VOCs. Example No. 8 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 30.704"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7.174 IGEPAL CA-897 1.739 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Mazon RI-6" .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300" Fiber-Cel SW-10".587 Furano 10.870 Methylene chloride 43.478 C02 4.348 The ingredients listed above were mixed substantially according to the procedure set forth above. An aerosol container was filled to have a total weight of contents including C02 of approximately 460 gms. It was found that the average amount expelled by the aerosol unit within the deflated tire of 205 x 75 x 15"was approximately 450 gms.Using the test procedure set forth in Example 4, the tire pressure was approximately 11. psig at about 70 ° F-72 ° F. The compound of Example 8 is flammable only marginally, essentially non-explosive and does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer.The compound has the potential to contribute to global warming to a slightly greater extent. to carbon dioxide and contains only about 10.87 percent by weight of components that have been classified by the State of California as volatile organic pollutants in the environment Example No. 9 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 42,118"Hycar" latex emulsion nitrile 1578x1 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Mazon RI-6" .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300"Fiber-Cel SW- 10".587 Methylene chloride 43,478 C02 3,804 The ingredients listed above were mixed substantially according to the procedure set forth above. An aerosol container was filled to have a total weight of contents including C02 of approximately 460 gms. It was found that the average amount expelled by the aerosol unit within the deflated tire of 205 x 75 x 15"was approximately 450 gms using the test procedure set forth in Example 4, the tire pressure was approximately 9 psig at approximately 70 ° F-72 ° F. The compound of Example 9 is non-flammable, is not explosive and does not damage the stratospheric ozone layer. The compound does not contribute to global warming to a significantly greater extent than carbon dioxide alone and does not contain any ingredient that has been classified by the State of California as a volatile organic component contaminating the environment. Ejeinplo No. 10 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionized water 30.704"Hycar" nitrile latex emulsion 1578x1 7.174 IGEPAL CA-897 1.739 Triethanolamine (99%) .500"Mazon RI-6" .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300" Fiber-Cel SW-10".587 1, 1-dichloro-l-fluoroethane (G-141b) 10.870 Methylene chloride 43.478 C02 4.022 The ingredients listed above were mixed substantially according to the procedure set forth above. An aerosol container was filled to have a total weight of contents including C02 of approximately 460 gms. Using the test procedure set forth in Example 4, the tire pressure was about 11 psig to about 70 ° F-72 ° F. The compound of Example 10 is essentially essentially non-explosive and has only a slight potential to damage the non-stratospheric ozone layer. The compound has the potential to contribute to global warming to a greater extent than carbon dioxide alone and includes 1,1-dichloro-l-fluoroethane which has been classified by the State of California as a volatile organic component contaminating the environment.

In the following examples Nos. 11 to 26, the tire pressurization tests were performed with a 215 x 70 x 15"tire mounted on a 1993 Lincoln Town car. For one of the tires on the car, the following data gives the Approximate height of a rim ring on an essentially flat street on which the car rested as a function of the pressure in the rim 1. Rim mounted on the left or right rear: .75"= 0 psig (pounds per inch) square on atmospheric pressure) 1.25"= 2 psig 1, .75" = 4 psig 2, .25"= 6 psig 2, .75" = 8 psig 3, .25"= 11 psig 3, .75"= 17 psig 4. .25"= 29 psig 4, .4375" = 35 psig 2. Rim mounted on front left or right: .625"= 0 psig .75" = 2 psig 1.25"= 3 psig 1.75" = 5 psig 2.25"= 7.5 psig 2.75" = 10 psig 3.25"= 15 psig 3.75" = 23 psig 4.125"= 35 psig.

In order to operate the vehicle from 20 to 30 mph, the edge should be at least 1.25"off the road surface, about 25 gms of C02 are required to lift the rim of the" Lincoln Town "front tire Car ", approximately 1.25 inches at a temperature of about 20 ° F, without the help of a high-low vapor pressure that produces solvents.Approximately 19 gms of C02 are required to lift the rim of a 1.25-inch rear tire. inches out of a flat surface under essentially the same conditions For the compositions of the examples below, the tire pressure generally increases sharply four and five psig with the handling of the first mile after the introduction of the composition into the tire. Example No. 11 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Deionised water 27,310 Latex nitrile emulsion 1578x1"Hycar" 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739 Triethanolamine .500"Mazon RI-6" .300"Celtic fiber SW-10" .587 Ethylene glycol 8,695 Methyl Acetate 5,435 Methylene Chloride 43,478 C02 4,782 The ingredients listed above are substantially mixed, as described above to form an emulsion. Ethylene glycol is included in the composition of the emulsion to protect the freezing emulsion and obtain accurate pressure measurements. Methyl acetate in amounts less than about seven percent in this formula is essentially non-flammable and non-explosive with a regular atmospheric oxygen concentration and an atmospheric pressure. Methyl acetate has a relatively high solubility rate for C02 and a vapor pressure of about 220 mbar at a temperature of 68 ° F. A change of approximately 460 gm of the emulsion composition including approximately 22 gm of CO2, was intro duced into an aerosol container of the Department of Transportation 211 x 713"2Q". The approximate pressure of the composition in the container at various temperatures is stated below. Pressure v. Temperature 7 ° F = 84 psig 35 ° F = 88 psig 70 ° F = 110 psig 130 ° F = 180 psig The composition of Example No. 11 was tested on a 215 x 70 x 15"lien mounted as a rear tire of a" Lincoln Town Car. "The 211 x 713 container was connected to the valve of this tire and the load of the The emulsion composition in the container allowed for the discharge inside the rim.The rim was raised about 2.5 inches off a flat surface, with a pressure of about 7 psig at about 40 ° F. After driving a mile at a speed within the range of 25 to 30 mph, the tire pressure increased to about 11 psig Examples Nos. 12 and 13 Approximate Parts in Weight Ingredient Ex. No. 12 Ex _-_ No, 13 Deionized water 23,747 23,313 Latex nitrile emulsion 1578x1"Hycar" 7,174 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739 1,739 Triethanolamine .500 .500"Mazon RI-6" .300 .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300 .300"Fiber Cel SW- 10".587 .587 Ethylene glycol 6.522 6.522 Methylene Chloride 54.348 54.34 C02 4.783 5.217 The ingredients listed above are substantially mixed, as described above to form an emulsion. Ethylene glycol is included in the composition of the emulsion to protect the freezing emulsion and obtain accurate pressure measurements. For each of the compositions of Examples Nos. 12 and 13, a filler weighing approximately 460 gms of the composition was packed in an aerosol container 211 x 712. The loading of the composition of Example No. 12 contained about 22 gms of C02. The loading of the composition of Example No. 13 contained about 24 gms of C02. The approximate pressure in the containers containing the respective charges of the two compositions at various temperatures is as follows: Pressure v. Temperature Ex. No. 12 Ex. No. 13 7 ° F = 71 psig 86 psig 35 ° F = 79 psig 88 psig 68 ° F = 110 psig 120 psig 130 ° F = 180 psig 200 psig The formula in Example No. 12 requires the use of a container that meets or exceeds the specifications of the United States Department of Transportation for a "2Q" aerosol container. The specification for container "2Q" of the Department of Transportation limits the maximum pressure to a temperature of 130 ° F to 180 psig. The formula in Example No. 13 requires the use of a container that meets or exceeds the specifications of the United States Department of Transportation for an aerosol container of "E 10232". The specification for container "E 10232" of the Department of Transportation limits the maximum pressure to a temperature of 130 ° F to 200 psig. The emulsion composition of Example No. 12 was tested on the rear tire - size 215 x 70 x 15"- of a" Lincoln Town Car "with the following test results: the rim of the tires was raised to about 2.5" from a flat surface with approximately 7 lbs of pressure to about 40 ° F. The pressure increased to approximately 11 lbs. after driving a mile after the composition was introduced into the tire.

Examples Nos. 14, 15, 16 and 17 Ingredient Approximate Parts in Weight Example No. 14 15 16 17 Deionized water 20,524 19,947 17,498 14,587 Emulsion 1578X1 nitrile latex "Hycar" 7,174 7,174 7,174 7,174 IGEPAL CA-897 1,739 1,739 1,739 1,739 Triethanolamine (99%) .500 .500 .500 .500"Mazon RI-6" .300 .300 .300 .300"Epoxol 9-5" .300 .300 .300 .300"Fiber-Cel SW-10" .587 .587 .587 .587 Ethylene glycol 6,052 6,052 6,052 6,052 Methylene Chloride 57,637 57,637 57,637 57,637 C02 5,187 5,764 8,213 SF6 11,124 Ethylene glycol was added to protect the emulsion from freezing to obtain the correct pressures. The emulsions of Examples 14, 15, 16 and 17 were all packed in a 211 x 604 sized aerosol container with a total content of approximately 347 gms. The aerosol container for Example No. 14 contained about 18 gms of C02; for Example No. 15 it contained about 20 gms of C02; and for Example No. 16 it contained about 28.5 gms of C02. The aerosol container for Example No. 17 contained about 38.6 gms of SFß. The pressures in psig in the different containers as a function of temperature are given in the following table: Pressure v. Temperature Example No. 14 15 16 17 7 ° F «71 84 122 120 35 ° F» 79 88 127 39 ° F * - 180 68 '112 120 179 205 180 ° F »180 200 278 255 The emulsion composition of Example No. 14 requires packaging in an aerosol container that meets or exceeds the specifications for a container of the Department of Transportation "2Q". The emulsion composition of Example No. 15 requires packaging in an aerosol container that meets or exceeds the specifications of the Department of Transportation for an aerosol container "E 10232". The emulsion compositions of Examples Nos. 16 and 17, require packing in an aerosol container that meets or exceeds the specifications of the Transportation Department for an "E 9393 NRC 240/300" container. The E 9393 specification of the Department of Transportation for aerosol containers limits the maximum pressure to 130 ° F of temperature to 300 psig. The table below establishes the pressure in an aerosol container 211 x 604, which reaches the specification E 9393 of the Department of Transportation, loaded when empty with approximately 19 gms of C02. Pressure v. Temperature 7 ° F = 220 psig 37 ° F = 236 psig 69 ° F = 255 psig 130 ° F 292 psig The above results show that the maximum amount that can be contained in an aerosol container of the measure of 211 x 604 and that reaches the E 9393 specification of the Department of Transportation, is about 19 gms. Similarly, the maximum amount of C02 that an empty aerosol container of measure 211 x 710 can contain and reach the E 9393 specification of the Department of Transportation is approximately 24 gms. The minimum amount of liquid formula rim sealant to completely wet the inside of a 215 x 70 x 15 rim with enough excess to seal a 3-16"puncture hole is within the limit of about 100 to 120 mi. Examples Nos. 18, 19 and 20 Approximate Parts by Weight Ingredient Example No. 18 19 20 Deionized water 42,028 41,661 40,425 Latex nitrile emulsion 1578x1"Hycar" 24,247 24,035 23,321 IGEPAL CA-897 .367 .364 .353 Triethanolamine (99%) .785 .728 .707"Mazon RI-6" .588 .588 .565"Epoxol 9-5" .367 .364 .353"Cel Fiber SW-10" 1,469 1,469 1,469 Ethylene glycol 18.6369 18,208 17,668 C02 11,830 12,600 15,195 Ethylene glycol was added to protect the freezing emulsion to obtain precise pressures. The emulsion formulas of Examples No. 18 and 19 were packaged in aerosol containers of the size of 211 x 604 which met the E 9393 specification of the Department of Transportation. The container for Example 18 was filled with approximately 136.1 gms of composition, of which 16.1 gms was C02. The container for Example No. 19 was filled with approximately 137.3 gms of composition, of which about 17.3 gms were C02. The pressure in psig in the different receivers as a function of the temperature is established in the following table: Pressure V. Temperature Example No. 18 19 20 7 ° F = 164 180 178 39 ° F = 200 216 214 70 ° F = 229 245 243 130 ° F = 276 292 290 The latex-water emulsion system of Examples Nos. 18, 19 and 20 dissolves less C02 at any pressure than can be compressed within the head space of the container, which demonstrates the advantage of using a minimum amount of sealer in order to maximize the pressurizer amount of C02. The 211 x 604 aerosol containers of the tire sealing composition of Examples Nos. 18 and 19 will generally seal a 3/16"puncture in a tire and inflate the tire enough to raise the rim edge out of a tire. Flat surface of regular tires of sizes that fit 12"and 13", and most edges of 14". The 211 x 713 aerosol container of the tire sealing composition of Example No. 20 will generally seal a puncture in a rim and inflate the rim sufficiently to lift the rim off a flat surface for regular rims of sizes that adjust 12". , 13", 14" and some edges of 15". Examples Nos. 20, 21 and 22 Ingredient Approximate parts by weight Example No. 21 22 23 Methylene chloride 79,082 78,069 88,300 Styrene butadiene "KR-01" 2. 000 2. 000 2. 000"Arlatex 43 DA" 1. 000 1. 000 1. 000 Triethanolamine (95%). 347 3. 4. 5 . 300"Mazon RI-6" .347 .345 .300"Fiber-Cel SW-10" .500 .500 .500 C02 16.724 17.241 7.600 The compositions of Examples Nos. 21, 22 and 23 can be prepared as set forth below. Weigh or unclog an empty mixing vessel, then add methylene chloride to the mixing vessel weighing the specific gravity. Adjust the stirring speed of the mixer to produce an average stirring of the methylene chloride in the mixing vessel. The mixing container must be kept very tight, if possible. Add the specific weight of polymers "KR-01" and "Arlatex 43 DA". Continue stirring until they dissolve, approximately one hour, then weigh and add the specific amount of each of the remaining ingredients in the previous table through "Fiber-Cel SW-10". Continue shaking at a medium to fast speed for about 80 minutes. So, weigh it and, if necessary, add additional methylene chloride to compensate for the losses of the mixture. The mixing vessel must then be sealed. The resulting mixture can be filtered and pumped into the filling equipment of the aerosol container. To fill the aerosol container, a specific amount of the mixture is added to the container, and an aerosol valve is placed inside the container and folded to form a seal. The aerosol recirculator can then be pressurized with C02 or SF6. Preferably, for the control of safety and filling weight, the aerosol container can be pressurized using a gasifier / agitator type machine. The compositions of Examples Nos. 21 and 22 were respectively packaged in aerosol containers of size 211 x 604 that met the specifications of the Department of Transportation "E 9393". The container of Example No. 21 was filled with approximately 144 gms, of which about 24 gms were C02. The container of Example No. 22 was filled with approximately 145 gms, of which about 25 gms were C02. The composition of Example No. 23 was packaged within an aerosol container of size 211 x 604, of "2A" pressure ratio. The aerosol container of Example No. 23 was filled with approximately 330 gms, of which about 25 gms were C02. The pressures in the respective aerosol containers as a function of temperature are given in the following table: Pressure v. Temperature Example No. 21 22 23 7 ° F «124 psig 124 psig 39 ° F * 142 psig 153 psig 83 psig 70 ° F« 190 psig 198 psig 120 psig 130 ° F »280 psig 283 psig 180 psig Example No. 22 It was tested on a 215 x 70 x 15"front rim of a" Lincoln Town Car. "When the composition of the aerosol container was introduced into the rim, the rim edge rose approximately 1.4375" from a flat surface. Approximately 5 lbs. pressure on the rim at 30 ° F temperature. Some of the pressure was lost when transferring the composition to the rim. Tire pressure increased to approximately 10 lbs. after driving about a mile. Examples Nos. 24, 25 and 26 Ingredient Approximate Parts in Weight Example No. 24 25 26 Methylene chloride 65,264 1,1,2 Trichlorethylene-no "KR.01" 71,687 83,489 Styrene-butadiene 2,000 2,000 2,000"Arlatex 43-DA 1,000 1,000 1,000 Triethanolamine (99%) .300 .300 .300"Mazon RI-6" .300 .300 .300"Fiber-Cel SW-10" .500 .500 .500 C02 7,683 SF6 .636 24,213 4,728 The preferred mixing procedure and packing technique for the compositions of Examples Nos. 24, 25, 26, are the same as discussed above for Examples Nos. 21, 22 and 23. Examples Nos. 24, 25 and 26 were packaged inside aerosol containers of size 211 x 604 that met the specifications of the Department of Transportation "E 9393". The aerosol container of Example No. 24 was filled with approximately 173 gms of the composition, of which about 53 gms were SF6. The container of Example No. 25 was filled with approximately 206.5 gms of the composition, of which about 50 gms were SF6. The container for Example No. 26 was filled with approximately 236.9 gms of the formulation, of which about 18.2 gms were C02 and about 11.2 gms were SF6. The pressures measured in psig in the different containers as a function of the pressure are established in the following table: Pressure v. Temperature Example No. 24 25 26 7 ° F * 130 114 130 70 ° F »203 192 203 130 ° F« 250 235 270 The aerosol-filled container for Example No. 24 was tested on a 215 x 70 x 15"rear tire of a" Lincoln Town Car. "When the contents of the container were discharged into the rear punctured tire , the edge of the rim rose approximately 1,375"from a flat surface. Initially, approximately 2.5 lbs. pressure at approximately 58 ° F temperature on the rim. Tire pressure increased to approximately 6 lbs. after driving it about a mile. In general, the solubility of C02 and SF6 is slightly higher in 1,1,1-trichloroethane than in 1,1,2-trichlorethylene. The solubility of C02 and SF6 is slightly lower in perchlorethylene than in 1,1,1-trichlorethylene. Mixtures of these three chlorinated solvents or mixtures with any of these three in combination with methylene chloride can be used in the compositions as in Examples Nos. 24, 25 and 26. However, the 1,1,1- trichloroethane, 1, 1, 2-trichlorethylene and perchlorethylene have some negative environmental aspects. All three are listed as volatile organic compounds "VOCs". 1,1,1-trichloroethane has been characterized as an ozone layer depleting. It is believed that perchlorethylene in subsoil water is slowly hydrolyzed to produce vinyl chloride, which is suspected to be a carcinogenic element. No attempt is made to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. For example, the aerosol propellant of the invention can be employed as a propellant for other compositions than for the tire sealing and inflation composition of the invention, or for sealing and tire inflation compositions in general. The composition of the invention may include ingredients in addition to those described above. It is recognized that these and other changes can be made in the compositions specifically described herein without departing from the scope and teachings of the present invention, and that it attempts to encompass all other embodiments, alternatives and modifications that are consistent with the present invention.

Claims (19)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the above, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following clauses is claimed as property. CLAUSES 1. A sealant and inflator composition comprising: (a) a continuous emulsion phase of a vinyl-nitrile polymer and a discontinuous phase of methylene chloride; and (b) a compressed gas propellant soluble at least to a certain extent in said two phases, in which the sealant and inflator composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds that are atmospheric pollutants.
2. 2. The sealing and inflating composition of the Clause 1, in which the compressed gas propellant is carbon dioxide.
3. 3. The sealing and inflating composition of the Clause 1, in which carbon dioxide is present in a quantity ranging from about 16 to about 40 gms.
4. 4. The sealing and inflating composition of the Clause 2, in which: the nitrile polymer emulsion is an ABS polymer latex emulsion with a solids content between the limits from about 1 to about 8 weight percent; and methylene chloride is present in a concentration ranging from about 30 to about 76 weight percent; and the composition further contains: (c) a stabilizing emulsifier surfactant of octylphenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol polyol emulsion with a hydrophilic to lipophilic balance greater than about 16; (d) an a-cellulose fiber filter aid present in a concentration ranging from about 0.2 to about 1.2 weight percent; and (e) a corrosion inhibitor.
5. 5. The sealing and inflating composition of Clause 4, in which the corrosion inhibitor is the "Mazon RI-6" which is an active inhibitor of surface corrosion present in a concentration ranging from about 0.2 to near of 1.5 weight percent.
6. 6. A puncture and inflator sealing composition for pneumatic tires that consists of: (a) a mixture of ABS polymers that are soluble or that are partially soluble in methylene chloride, present within concentration limits from about 1 to about 7 weight percent; (b) an a-cellulose fiber filter aid present in a concentration ranging from about 0.4 to about 1.5 weight percent; (c) methylene chloride; (d) compressed carbon dioxide present in an amount ranging from about 16 to about 40 gms; and (e) a corrosion inhibitor.
7. 7. The puncture and inflator sealant composition of Clause 6, wherein the composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds contaminating the atmosphere.
8. 8. A puncture and inflator sealing composition for pneumatic tires comprising: (a) an aqueous emulsion of methylene chloride consisting of water, methylene chloride and a surfactant; (b) a non-flammable propellant gas soluble in methylene chloride; (c) a curable latex emulsion; and (d) a fibrous agent for plugging / grouting,
9. 9. The puncture and inflator sealing composition of Clause 8, in which the propellant gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, sulfur hexafluoride, and mixtures thereof.
10. 10. The puncture and inflator sealing composition of Clause 9, in which the propellant gas is carbon dioxide.
11. 11. The aerosol propellant of Clause 8, in which the surfactant has a hydrophilic to lipophilic balance in the direction of greater water solubility than in oil solubility.
12. 12. The aerosol propellant of Clause 11, in which the surfactant has a hydrophilic to lipophilic balance parameter that is greater than about 16.
13. 13. The aerosol propellant of Clause 12, in which the surfactant includes a mixture of an octylphenoxy-li (ethyleneneoxy) ethanol and sodium lauric sulfate.
14. 14. The puncture and inflator sealing composition of Clause 8, in which the latex emulsion is a latex nitrile emulsion.
15. 15. The puncture and inflator sealing composition of Clause 14, in which the nitrile latex emulsion is a polymeric ABS latex emulsion.
16. 16. The puncture and inflation-sealing composition of Clause 9, in which the fibrous agent for plugging / grouting is a fibrous cellulose material.
17. 17. The puncture and inflator sealant composition of Clause 16, in which the cellulosic fibrous capping / grinding agent is an a-cellulose fiber filter aid.
18. 18. The puncture and inflator sealing composition of Clause 17, in which the a-cellulose fiber filter aid has an average fiber length of about 700 μm.
19. 19. The puncture and inflation-sealant composition of Clause 8, wherein the composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds contaminating the atmosphere.