FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: PLATEN ASSEMBLY
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian RPG HOUSE, 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400030, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to tire building
machines and, particularly, to a platen assembly configured for melting viscous materials.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Sealants may be understood to mean any chemical composition by
which a connection can be made between two or more objects or bodies, or which can be used to fill openings, seams, or spaces in, on, or between one or more objects or bodies. The sealants may have various applications across multiple industries.
[0003] For example, sealants may be used in the tire manufacturing
industries. The sealants may be used to form a protective layer inside a tire. When a puncture occurs, the internal pressure of the tire instantly pushes the sealant into the cavity. The special fibers and mica particles, used in the manufacturing of the sealants, accumulate and bond to the rubber in the cavity. A solid rubber plug is formed through the full depth of the puncture hole, thereby providing a secure and superior puncture repair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a platen assembly, in
accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter;

[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of the platen assembly, in accordance
with an implementation of the present subject matter;
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates fins angle in the top view of the platen assembly, in
accordance with yet another implementation of the present subject matter; and
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the platen assembly, in accordance
with yet another implementation of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] The present subject matter relates to a platen assembly designed
for melting viscous material.
[0010] Sealants used for making puncture safe tires are made up of
different raw materials. The raw materials used in the manufacturing of such sealants are generally sticky and viscous. Because of this composition, the final product after mixing, i.e., sealant, becomes highly viscous and sticky, and therefore, may not be suitable for pumping by dispensers. In heated conditions, the sealant is filled inside the drums. These drums may be required to be stored in a warehouse before being transported to various manufacturing units for further use. During transportation, due to vehicle movement and vibration, particulate constituents of the sealant settle down. Settling down of the sealant makes it compact and hard, and therefore, it may not be dispensed by a normal sealant dispensing pump. In some cases, the sealant dispensing pump may take empty strokes due to the unavailability of the melted sealant material inside the drum leading to damages to the pump.
[0011] The conventional techniques of heating, melting, and dispensing
sealant materials do not have the provision of high heat transfer to the sealant material, and therefore, may not be suitable for use with the dispensers requiring a high flow rate of the sealant materials. The heating of the drum containing the sealant material from the bottom may also not help because the

sealant material needs to be dispensed out from the top of the drum and
heating the bottom of the drum may not melt the hardened sealant material on
the top. Hence, the arrangement for melting the sealant material needs to be
suitable to dispense out hardened sealant from top to bottom of the drum.
[0012] Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus for heating and reducing
the viscosity of the sealant material that may facilitate a higher melt rate, and
therefore, ensure a free flow of the sealant material while dispensing.
[0013] Example implementations of a platen assembly for melting viscous
material are described. In an example, the platen assembly, once heated, may enable melting of the maximum quantity of the sealant material which is in immediate contact with it.
[0014] In an example implementation, the platen assembly for melting
viscous material comprises a circular disc of radius R1. The circular disc has a top portion and a bottom portion. The circular disc also has a through-hole at its center and is of radius R2. The through-hole connects the top and bottom portion of the circular disc and has an inner wall formed along with it on the bottom portion of the circular disc. An outer wall is also formed along the circumference of the bottom portion of the circular disc.
[0015] The bottom portion of the circular disc is divided into multiple groove
sections by a plurality of group of fins. Each groove section comprises a first and second primary fin. The first and second primary fins extend from the outer wall radially inward up to the inner wall of the circular disc.
[0016] Each groove section also comprises a first secondary fin which is
interposed between the first and the second primary fins and extends from the outer wall radially inward up to a distance D1 towards the inner wall. A second secondary fin is also included in each grove section and is interposed between the first and second primary fins. The second secondary fin is in line with the first secondary fin and is located at a distance D2 from the outer wall. Each

groove section further comprises tertiary fins that are interposed between each
adjacent pair of primary and second secondary fins. The tertiary fins extend
radially inward from the outer wall up to a distance D3 towards the inner wall.
[0017] These fins, heat and liquify or, in other words, reduce the viscosity
of sealant materials. Once heated, the fins melt the sealant material which comes in immediate contact with it. The fins are designed in such a way that they pierce through the viscous sealant material and melt the maximum quantity of the sealant material. The placement of the plurality of fins is such that they cover the maximum surface area of the platen assembly, and therefore, channel additional heating energy to the sealant material. This increases the heating capacity of the platen assembly and reduces the need for additional heat energy requirements between the platen assembly and the sealant dispensing pump.
[0018] Hence, by use of the platen assembly of the present invention, the
heat transfer to the sealant material may be expedited, thereby ensuring availability of the maximum quantity of the melted sealant material for dispensing by the pump for various uses. The platen assembly when used with the dispensing pump, enables the sealant dispensing pumps to be used at their fullest capacity.
[0019] The above-mentioned implementations are further described herein
with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures relate to exemplary implementations and should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.

[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a platen assembly 100 for
melting viscous material, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. In an example implementation, the platen assembly 100, as shown in fig. 1, contains a circular disc 102 that has a radius R1 and includes a top portion 104 and a bottom portion 106. The circular disc 102 comprises a through hole 108 that has a radius R2, wherein the through hole 108 is to allow melted sealant material to flow through the platen assembly 100. The through hole 108 passes through the center of the circular disc 102, thereby connecting the distal end of the top portion 104 and the bottom portion 106 of the circular disc 102 at its center.
[0021] The top portion may comprise one or more grooves 114, which may
be formed along the circumference of the outer wall 110 for accommodating high-capacity heater cartridges horizontally. The high-capacity heater cartridges may function as temperature control for the platen assembly 100. The high-capacity heater cartridges each include a heating element to heat the bottom portion 106 of the platen assembly 100. Using the high-capacity heater cartridges ensures proper heating of the platen assembly 100 so that it takes minimum time to heat the viscous sealant material, thereby making the dispensing of the melted sealant material efficient.
[0022] The platen assembly 100 may also comprise an annular wiper
assembly 116. The annular wiper assembly 116 may extend radially outward from the distal end of the top portion 104 of the platen assembly 100. The annular wiper assembly 116 serves to provide aerodynamic sealing between the platen assembly 100 and the drum containing the sealant material. The annular wiper assembly 116 may be constituted by continuous or segmented “blades” of annular shape, capable of being directed radially inwards or outwards.

[0023] To melt the viscous sealant material, the platen assembly may be
lowered into an open end of the container and heated for melting and/or
liquifying viscous sealant material contained therein and pumping the material,
for example, through dispensing pumps. The wiper assembly 116 when
lowered into the open end of the container may come into frictional contact
with the inner diameter of the container, thereby forming a seal between the
wiper assembly 116 and the inner diameter of the container to prevent wetting
of the liquid melted sealant material. The through hole 108 may comprise a
hose that may be configured with the dispensing pump to dispense molten
viscous material from the container, in an example. The top portion 104 of the
circular disc 102 may include a funnel-shaped depression extending towards
the center 108 of the circular disc 102 starting from the circumference of the
outer wall 110. The depression ensures that the platen assembly 100 has more
penetration in the viscous sealant material leading to its more melting.
[0024] Fig. 2 depicts a top view of the bottom portion 106 of the platen
assembly 100, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. As shown in fig. 2, the bottom portion 106 of the circular disc 102 may be divided into one or more groove sections by a plurality of group of fins. In fig. 2, one such groove section is depicted in an enclosed dotted triangle by numeral 202.
[0025] Each of the groove sections comprises a first primary fins 204 and
a second primary fin 206. The first and second primary fins 204, 206 extend from the outer wall 110 radially inward up to the circumference of the inner wall 112. Each of the groove sections also comprises a first secondary fin 208-1 that is interposed between the first and the second primary fins 204, 206. The first secondary fin 208-1 extends from the outer wall 110 radially inward up to a distance D1 towards the circumference of the inner wall 112. The first and

second primary fins 204, 206 may help keep the platen assembly 100 at an
even temperature by extending radially inward to the inner wall 112.
[0026] Further, a second secondary fin 208-2 is also provided that is
interposed between the first and second primary fins 204, 206. The second secondary fin 208-2 is in line with the first secondary fin 208-1 and is formed towards the inner wall 112. The second secondary fin 208-2 is located up to a distance D2 from the outer wall 110. The first and second secondary fins 208-1, 208-2 both have a straight profile that provides a channel of flow for the melted sealant material radially inwardly to the through hole 108 so that melted sealant material may be easily pumped out.
[0027] Each of the groove sections further comprises tertiary fins 210-1,
210-2 which are interposed between each adjacent pair of primary and second
secondary fins. For example, as shown in groove section 202 of fig. 2, a first
tertiary fin 210-1 is interposed between the first primary fin 204 and the first
secondary fin 208-1. Likewise, a second tertiary fin 210-2 is interposed
between the second primary fin 206 and the first secondary fin 208-1. Further,
each tertiary fin 210-1, 210-2 extends radially inward from the outer wall 110
up to a distance D3 towards the circumference of the inner wall 112. The
primary, secondary and tertiary fins may be spaced apart from each other by
a distance equal to, or greater than, the melt layer thickness of the hot melt
sealant material, in an example. In another example, the number of heater
cartridges may be at least one each groove section 202, and preferably two
each groove section 202. The heater cartridges are for supplying heat to the
entire platen assembly 100, including the outer and inner walls 112, 110 of the
circular disc 102. In an embodiment, the height of the plurality of group of fins,
outer wall 110, and the inner wall 112 may substantially be the same.
[0028] Fig. 3 illustrates the fins angle in a top view of a platen assembly
300, in accordance with yet another implementation of the present subject

matter. The platen assembly 300 is similar to the platen assembly described with respect to figs. 1 and 2. In an embodiment, the primary fins 204, 206 may form an angle in a range of about 5 to 15 degrees with respect to the second secondary fin 208-2. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the primary fins 204, 206 are shown to be forming an angle of 11 degrees with respect to the second secondary fin 208-2, as an example. Further, the tertiary fins 210-1, 210-2 may form an angle in a range of about 5 to 20 degrees with respect to the first secondary fin 208-1. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the tertiary fins 210-1, 210-2 are shown to be forming an angle of 8 degrees with respect to the first secondary fin 208-1, as an example. Angular position of the plurality of group of fins on the bottom portion 106 of the circular disc 102 provides for utilizing surface area of the platen assembly 100 optimally to melt the maximum amount of the viscous sealant material.
[0029] Fig. 4 illustrates the front view of a platen assembly 400, in
accordance with yet another implementation of the present subject matter. The platen assembly 400 is similar to the platen assembly described with respect to figs. 1 to 3. As discussed previously, the one or more grooves 114 accommodate the heater cartridges, wherein the heater cartridges may act as a high heating source to heat the platen assembly 100 from the top portion 104 and over time it transfers heat to till the bottom portion 106 of the platen assembly 100. In an embodiment, the platen assembly 100 may comprise a small bucket to collect maximum sealant material after it gets melted due to heat. Thereafter, dispensing pump may collect the sealant material from the bucket and transfer it outside for further use.
[0030] Multiple fins may thus allow more heat to be transferred from the
platen assembly 100 to the sealant material in less time. Further, the inclination of the tertiary fins 210-1, 210-2 and the primary fins 204, 206 at given angles ensures smooth flow of sealant material from the passage and have maximum

contact time with the fins for continuous heat transfer to the sealant from sides towards the center location. The center fins, i.e., secondary fins 208-1, 208-2, are also provided to transfer the heat from the central location to the corner of the platen assembly 100.
[0031] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable
detail with reference to certain examples and implementations thereof, other implementations are possible. As such, the present disclosure should not be limited to the description of the preferred examples and implementations contained therein.

I/We Claim:
1. A platen assembly (100) for melting viscous material, the platen
assembly (100) comprising:
a circular disc (102) with radius R1 having a top portion (104) and a bottom portion (106), the circular disc (102) comprising a through hole (108) having a radius R2 at the center thereof;
an outer wall (110) along a circumference of the bottom portion (106) of the circular disc (102);
an inner wall (112) along circumference of the through hole (108) on the bottom portion (106) of the circular disc (102),
wherein the bottom portion (106) is divided into one or more groove
sections (202) by a plurality of group of fins, each groove section comprising:
a first primary fin (204) and a second primary fin (206),
wherein the first and second primary fins (204, 206) extend from the
outer wall (110) radially inward up to the inner wall (112);
a first secondary fin (208-1) interposed between the first and
the second primary fins (204, 206) and extending from the outer
wall (110) radially inward up to a distance D1 towards the inner wall
(112);
a second secondary fin (208-2) interposed between the first
and second primary fins (204, 206) and located in line with the
first secondary fin (208-1) up to a distance D2 from the outer wall
(110); and
tertiary fins (210-1, 210-2) interposed between each adjacent
pair of primary and second secondary fins, wherein the tertiary fins
(210-1, 210-2) extend radially inward from the outer wall (110) up to
a distance D3 towards the inner wall (112).

2. The platen assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top portion (104) of the circular disc (102) has a depression at its center portion thereof.
3. The platen assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an annular wiper assembly (116) extending radially outward at end of the top portion (104) of the platen assembly (100).
4. The platen assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first primary fin (204) and the second primary fin (206) forms an angle in a range of about 5 to 15 degrees with respect to the second secondary fin (208-2).
5. The platen assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tertiary fins (210-1, 210-2) form an angle in a range of about 5 to 20 degrees with respect to the first secondary fin (208-1).
6. The platen assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top portion (104) comprises one or more grooves (114) along the circumference of the outer wall (110) for accommodating heater cartridges horizontally.
7. The platen assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the number of heater cartridges is at least one each groove section (202).
8. platen assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a height of the plurality of group of fins, outer wall (110), and the inner wall (112) is substantially the same.

9. The platen assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the through
hole (108) accommodates a hose to dispense molten viscous material.