Abstract:
A method for recovering puncture repair liquid includes preparing tube, preparing sealing portion, removing, discharging, inserting, and recovering. The tube is to be inserted into a tire from a tire valve mounted to a wheel. The sealing portion is at a part of the tube in a longitudinal direction, has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the tube, and is fittable in the tire valve. The removing removes a valve core from the tire valve of the wheel. The discharging discharges pressurized air filled in the tire from the tire valve. The inserting inserts the tube from the tire valve so as to bring the tube to a liquid surface of the puncture repair liquid. The recovering recovers the puncture repair liquid in the tire via the tube using a residual pressure in the tire by fitting the sealing portion to the tire valve.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid injected in a tire. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid that allow the efficient recovery of the puncture repair liquid without cutting off a tire valve. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Recently, when a tire mounted to a vehicle is blown out, puncture repair liquid is injected in the tire via a tire valve. This temporarily repairs the puncture and fills the tire with air at the same time. 
         [0003]    However, with the above-described puncture repair method, the puncture repair liquid remains in the tire. When the tire is removed from a wheel for exchange, therefore, the puncture repair liquid overflows from the tire. This may cause inconvenience that a component such as a tire changer is contaminated. 
         [0004]    As a countermeasure against this problem, various methods to prevent overflow of the puncture repair liquid have been proposed. For example, the following have been proposed. Emulsion coagulant is injected in the tire where the puncture repair liquid remains. This solidifies the puncture repair liquid, and then the solidified product of the puncture repair liquid is disposed of after the tire is removed from the wheel (for example, see Patent Document 1). However, in this case, there is a drawback. Injection of the emulsion coagulant in the tire mounted to the wheel is difficult. 
         [0005]    Further, the following has been proposed. A tire valve is cut off from the wheel, a tube is inserted through a mounting hole of the tire valve into the tire so as to discharge the puncture repair liquid inside the tire via the tube (for example, see Patent Documents 2 to 4). However, in this case, cutting off the tire valve is required, and there arises a drawback that the tire valve cannot be reused. 
         [0006]    The following has also been proposed. A pipe that forms a gas flow passage and a pipe that forms a liquid flow passage are inserted into a tire valve. Pressurized air is introduced into the tire via the gas flow passage while puncture repair liquid is discharged to the outside of the tire via the liquid flow passage (for example, see Patent Document 5). However, in this case, it is necessary to insert the pipe that forms the gas flow passage and the pipe that forms the liquid flow passage into the tire valve; therefore, the liquid flow passage has to be extremely narrow. This creates a drawback that discharge of the puncture repair liquid takes much time.
   Patent Document 1: JP-A-2009-41006   Patent Document 2: JP-A-2003-127242   Patent Document 3: JP-A-10-67212   Patent Document 4: U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,348   Patent Document 5: JP-A-2007-331210   
 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
       [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid that allow the efficient recovery of the puncture repair liquid without cutting off a tire valve. 
       Solutions to the Problems 
       [0013]    A method for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention employs an apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid that includes a tube to be inserted into a tire through a tire valve mounted to a wheel and also includes a sealing portion at a part of the tube in a longitudinal direction. The sealing portion has an outer diameter larger than that of the tube. The sealing portion is fittable in the tire valve. The method includes removing a valve core from the tire valve of the wheel with the tire where puncture repair liquid has been injected, discharging pressurized air filled in the tire from the tire valve, and recovering the puncture repair liquid in the tire via the tube using a residual pressure in the tire by fitting the sealing portion to the tire valve while inserting the tube through the tire valve so as to bring the tube to the liquid surface of the puncture repair liquid during the discharge of pressurized air in the tire. 
         [0014]    An apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention includes a tube and a sealing portion. The tube is to be inserted into a tire through a tire valve mounted to a wheel. The sealing portion is disposed at a part of the tube in a longitudinal direction. The sealing portion has an outer diameter larger than that of the tube. The sealing portion is fittable in the tire valve. 
         [0015]    In the present invention, an apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid that includes a tube and a sealing portion is employed. The tube is to be inserted into a tire through a tire valve mounted to a wheel. The sealing portion is disposed at a part of the tube in a longitudinal direction. The sealing portion has an outer diameter larger than that of the tube. The sealing portion is fittable in the tire valve. A valve core is removed from a tire valve of a wheel with a tire where puncture repair liquid has been injected. Pressurized air filled in the tire is discharged via the tire valve. The tube is inserted through the tire valve so as to bring the tube to a liquid surface of the puncture repair liquid while discharging pressurized air in the tire. Meanwhile, the puncture repair liquid in the tire is recovered via the tube using a residual pressure in the tire by fitting the sealing portion of the tube to the tire valve. In this case, the tire valve does not have to be cut off. This allows using the tire valve intact after recovery of the puncture repair liquid. Additionally, the tube can be thickened as much as possible within an allowed range of the tire valve. This allows the puncture repair liquid to be recovered in a short time compared with the conventional structure where a pipe that forms a gas flow passage and a pipe that forms a liquid flow passage are inserted into a tire valve. Therefore, according to the present invention, the puncture repair liquid can efficiently be recovered without cutting off a tire valve. Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is an advantage that the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid need not be complicated and can be constituted with a small number of components. 
         [0016]    In the present invention, the following is preferred. The tube has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a thinnest portion of a through hole of the tire valve. The tube has an inner diameter within a range of 50% to 90% of the outer diameter thereof. Especially, it is preferred that the tube have an outer diameter within a range of 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm. This provides a certain amount of stiffness to the tube. Therefore, ease of insertion into the tire valve is ensured while discharge efficiency of the puncture repair liquid is enhanced. 
         [0017]    The tube can form an integrally formed product that includes an insertion portion and a protruding portion. The insertion portion extends from the tire valve to a liquid surface of the puncture repair liquid. The protruding portion protrudes from the tire valve to the outside of the tire. Additionally, an extension tube may be coupled to the tube. The extension tube has an outer diameter larger than that of the tube. The extension tube is disposed outside the tire valve. In this case, the sealing portion may be disposed at an end portion at the tire valve side of the extension tube. 
         [0018]    The following is preferred. The sealing portion is mounted to the tube to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the tube. The sealing portion can adjust the length of an insertion portion of the tube according to a tire size. In this case, sliding the sealing portion in the longitudinal direction of the tube adjusts the length of the insertion portion of the tube according to the tire size. This allows application to various tire sizes. 
         [0019]    The following is preferred. The tube includes a ruler that indicates a cut length. The tube is cut off according to a tire size based on the ruler. In this case, cutting off the tube based on the ruler allows application to various tire sizes. It is preferred that the ruler be directly indicated on the tube. In some cases, the tube may be packaged with the ruler printed on a member such as paper. 
         [0020]    It is preferred that a splash preventing member be mounted to an end portion of the tube outside a tire. The splash preventing member has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tube. This prevents a splash of the puncture repair liquid at recovery of the puncture repair liquid, enabling further efficient recovery work of the puncture repair liquid. 
         [0021]    Further, it is preferred that the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid include a coagulant to coagulate puncture repair liquid and a bag with flexibility to house the puncture repair liquid. In this case, the puncture repair liquid extracted from the tire is put in the bag. The puncture repair liquid and the coagulant are mixed in the bag, and the congealed puncture repair liquid is recovered. As a result, the already-used puncture repair liquid can be easily and smoothly disposed of as a combustible waste. Objects, characteristics, aspects, and advantageous effects of the present invention will be clarified by referring to the description and the accompanying drawings below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a side view illustrating a method for recovering puncture repair liquid according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating an exemplary tube constituting an apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating a state where the tube, which constitutes the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention, is inserted into a tire valve. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side views illustrating an example of the main portion of the tube, which constitutes the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views illustrating an example of the main portion of the tube, which constitutes the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side views illustrating an example of a splash preventing member to be mounted to the tube, which constitutes the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating a state where an assembly of an extension tube and the tube, which constitutes the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention, is inserted into the tire valve. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating a partially cutout bag with flexibility where a coagulant employed in the present invention is sealed. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a laminated film constituting the bag of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the bag of  FIG. 8  in use. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    A detailed description will be given of a constitution of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.  FIG. 1  illustrates a method for recovering puncture repair liquid according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a reference numeral  1  denotes a pneumatic tire, a reference numeral  2  denotes a wheel, a reference numeral  3  denotes a tire valve mounted to the wheel, and a reference numeral  4  denotes puncture repair liquid injected in the pneumatic tire  1 . 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with a method for recovering puncture repair liquid according to this embodiment, there is employed an apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid with a tube  10 . The tube  10  is inserted through the tire valve  3  of the wheel  2  into the tire  1 . The tube  10  includes an insertion portion  10   a  and a protruding portion  10   b . The insertion portion  10   a  extends from the tire valve  3  to a liquid surface of the puncture repair liquid  4 . The protruding portion  10   b  protrudes from the tire valve  3  to the outside of the tire  1 . The tube  10 , which includes these insertion portion  10   a  and protruding portion  10   b , is formed as an integrally formed product. A sealing portion  11  is provided in the middle of the tube  10 . The sealing portion  11  has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tube  10  and can be fitted to the tire valve  3  (see  FIG. 2 ). The tube  10  has a curved shape. 
         [0034]    To recover the puncture repair liquid using the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid like this, first, the wheel  2  with the tire  1  within which the puncture repair liquid  4  has been injected is in a state that pressurized air is made to be filled in the tire  1 . Next, the tire  1  is grounded such that its central shaft may be horizontal. The tire  1  is disposed such that the tire valve  3  of the wheel  2  comes under the central shaft of the tire  1 . Then, a valve core is removed from the tire valve  3  of the wheel  2  in the arranged state. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , while the pressurized air in the tire  1  is being discharged through the tire valve  3 , the tube  10  is inserted via the tire valve  3  up to the liquid surface of the puncture repair liquid  4 , more preferably, up to the inner surface of the tire  1 . Then, the sealing portion  11  of the tube  10  is engaged to the tire valve  3 . This allows recovering the puncture repair liquid  4  in the tire  1  via the tube  10  using a residual pressure in the tire  1 . In the case where the tube  10  cannot be inserted while the pressurized air in the tire  1  is being discharged, the following measure is taken. With the valve core removed, the tire  1  may be filled with the pressurized air through the tire valve  3 , and the pressurized air in the tire  1  may be discharged again through the tire valve  3 . 
         [0035]    In the above-described extraction work of the puncture repair liquid  4 , rotation of the curved tube  10  around its axis allows appropriately adjusting the distal end position of the tube  10  and efficiently absorbing the puncture repair liquid  4 . The puncture repair liquid  4  may be recovered to a container  20  with an appropriate capacity. The injection amount of the puncture repair liquid  4  is, for example, approximately 450 ml at a tire size of 195/65R15. Recovering the entire amount is not necessarily required. Recovering equal to or more than 75% of the entire amount can prevent the puncture repair liquid  4  from overflowing upon removal of the tire from a rim. Recovery time in this case is approximately 4 to 5 minutes. 
         [0036]    According to the above-described method for recovering puncture repair liquid, during the recovery of the puncture repair liquid  4  in the tire  1 , cutting off the tire valve  3  is not required. This allows using the tire valve  3  intact after recovery of the puncture repair liquid  4 . Additionally, the tube  10  can be increased in diameter as much as possible within an allowed range of the tire valve  3 . This allows the puncture repair liquid  4  to be recovered in a short time based on a residual pressure in the tire  1 . Accordingly, the puncture repair liquid  4  can be efficiently recovered without cutting off the tire valve  3 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 2 to 5B  illustrate a tube constituting an apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sealing portion  11  is formed in the middle of the tube  10 . The sealing portion  11  has an outer diameter larger than that of the tube  10  and can be fitted to the tire valve  3 . More specifically, the sealing portion  11  is made of a pipe material thicker than the tube  10 . The sealing portion  11  is mounted to the tube  10  to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the tube  10 . Accordingly, the sealing portion  11  is slid along the longitudinal direction of the tube  10 . This adjusts the length of the insertion portion  10   a  of the tube  10  according to the tire size. It is preferred that the sealing portion  11  be slidable with respect to the tube  10 . The sealing portion  11  may be integrally formed with the tube  10 . 
         [0038]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the tire valve  3  internally includes a cylindrically-shaped through hole  3   a  (shown by the dashed lines). The tire valve  3  also includes a narrow portion  3   b  at the base end side and a male thread portion  3   c  at the distal end side. The narrow portion  3   b  is to be engaged to a mounting hole of the wheel  2 . The through hole  3   a  includes a thinnest portion  3   d  where a part of the through hole  3   a  is locally narrowed in the longitudinal direction and an inner diameter of the through hole  3   a  is narrowest. During internal pressurization, a valve core is inserted into the tire valve  3 . 
         [0039]    Considering the structure of the above-described tire valve  3 , the outer diameter of the tube  10  is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the thinnest portion  3   d  of the through hole  3   a  of the tire valve  3 . The outer diameter of the sealing portion  11  is formed larger than the inner diameter of the thinnest portion  3   d  of the through hole  3   a  of the tire valve  3 . At the top portion of a cap  5  for tire valve, a small hole where the tube  10  is inserted is formed. In the case where the cap  5  is tightened to the tire valve  3  with the tube  10  inserted into the tire valve  3  together with the sealing portion  1 , the sealing portion  11  can be pressed into the tire valve  3  with the cap  5 . 
         [0040]    Thus, the sealing portion  11 , which has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tube  10  and can be fitted in the tire valve  3 , is disposed in the middle of the tube  10 . Further, to recover the puncture repair liquid  4  in the tire  1 , the sealing portion  11  is fitted to the tire valve  3 . This can prevent air leakage through a gap between the tube  10  and the tire valve  3 , enabling efficient recovery of the puncture repair liquid  4 . To enhance air tightness, the sealing portion  11  may have a wedge shape tapered off toward the tire valve  3 . 
         [0041]    The material of the tube  10  is not especially limited. Materials such as rubber including silicone rubber, synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyamide, and fluororesin, and a metal may be employed. Considering working efficiency in insertion of the tube  10 , polyethylene and polyurethane are preferred. 
         [0042]    The length of a portion of the tube  10  inserted into the tire may be equal to or more than 150 mm, and is preferably within the range of 150 mm to 250 mm. This is because a proper length differs depending on tire size. The length of a portion of the tube  10  outside the tire is, considering working efficiently, preferred to be approximately 50 mm to 300 mm. Accordingly, the whole length of the tube  10  is approximately 200 mm to 550 mm. It is obvious for the tube  10  that the end portion of the tube in the tire is not inserted in an appropriate position if a portion inserted into the tire is short, and the same goes for the case where the portion inserted into the tire is too long. These cases make discharge of the puncture repair liquid  4  difficult. 
         [0043]    It is preferred that the outer diameter of the tube  10  be within the range of 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm. If the tube  10  is too thick, passing the tube  10  through the tire valve  3  is difficult. In contrast, if the tube  10  is too thin, discharge of the puncture repair liquid  4  takes much time. It is preferred that the inner diameter of the tube  10  be within the range of 50% to 90% of the outer diameter of the tube  10 . This provides a certain amount of stiffness to the tube  10 . Therefore, ease of insertion into the tire valve  3  is ensured while discharge efficiency of the puncture repair liquid  4  is enhanced. If the inner diameter of the tube  10  is too small, discharge efficiency of the puncture repair liquid  4  decreases. In contrast, if the inner diameter of the tube  10  is too large, the tube  10  becomes excessively flexible. These cases make insertion into the tire valve  3  difficult. For example, the inner diameter of the tube  10  can be set within the range of 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm relative to the above-described outer diameter. 
         [0044]    On the other hand, it is preferred that the outer diameter of the sealing portion  11  be within the range of 3.2 mm to 4.0 mm. If the sealing portion  11  is too thick, pressing the sealing portion  11  into the tire valve  3  is difficult. In contrast, if the sealing portion  11  is too thin, ensuring air tightness is difficult. 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the tube  10  includes a ruler  12  that indicates the position of the sealing portion  11  by alphabetical letters A to C. Based on the ruler  12 , the position of the sealing portion  11  is selected according to the tire size. That is, as the length of the tube  10 , dimensions applicable to all assumed tires have been set. Appropriately selecting the position of the sealing portion  11  based on the ruler  12  allows application to various tire sizes.  FIG. 4A  illustrates the tube  10  on which the ruler  12  is directly indicated.  FIG. 4B  illustrates the ruler  12  printed on a sheet  13  made of a material such as paper. The sheet  13  on which the ruler  12  is printed may be a dedicated sheet. A part of an operating manual may be used. In either case, the definition of the ruler  12  is assumed to be described in the operating manual or similar medium. For example, the operating manual describes a correspondence relationship between the alphabetical letters A to C on the ruler  12  and the tire sizes. The ruler  12  may indicate a tire size by employing different line thicknesses, different line colors, different numbers of lines, or similar specification. The ruler  12  may also indicate a tire size by numerals, signs, or similar characters instead of the above-described alphabetical letters. 
         [0046]    As described above, instead of changing the position of the sealing portion  11 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the tube  10  may include a ruler  12 ′ indicating a cut length by alphabetical letters X to Z. The tube  10  may be cut off according to the tire size based on the ruler  12 ′. That is, as the length of the tube  10  before use, the dimensions where the tube  10  reaches from the tire valve  3  to an inner surface of the tire  1  have been set regarding all assumed tires. Appropriately cutting off the tube  10  based on the ruler  12 ′ allows application to various tire sizes.  FIG. 5A  illustrates the tube  10  on which the ruler  12 ′ is directly indicated.  FIG. 5B  illustrates the ruler  12 ′ printed on a sheet  13 ′ made of a material such as paper. The sheet  13 ′ on which the ruler  12 ′ is printed may be a dedicated sheet. A part of an operating manual may be used. In either case, the definition of the ruler  12 ′ is assumed to be described in the operating manual or similar medium. For example, the operating manual describes a correspondence relationship between the alphabetical letters X to Z on the ruler  12 ′ and the tire sizes. The ruler  12 ′ may indicate a tire size by employing different line thicknesses, different line colors, different numbers of lines, or similar specification. The ruler  12 ′ may also indicate a tire size by numerals, signs, or similar characters instead of the above-described alphabetical letters. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a splash preventing member mounted to the tube, which constitutes the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention. In the above-described procedure, when recovery of the puncture repair liquid  4  from the tire  1  is mostly completed, the remaining air is discharged together with the puncture repair liquid  4  from the end portion of the tube  10 . This may result in a splash of the puncture repair liquid  4  from the end portion of the tube  10 . Therefore, a splash preventing member  14  with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tube  10  may be mounted to the end portion of the tube  10  outside the tire. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 6A , the cylindrically-shaped splash preventing member  14  is mounted at the end portion of the tube  10  outside the tire. The splash preventing member  14  has an inner diameter equal to an outer diameter of the tube  10 . In  FIG. 6B , the cylindrically-shaped splash preventing member  14  is mounted at the end portion of the tube  10  outside the tire. The splash preventing member  14  has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the tube  10 . 
         [0049]    The inner diameter of the splash preventing member  14 , for example, may be larger than the inner diameter of the tube  10 . More specifically, the inner diameter of the splash preventing member  14  may be equal to or more than 1.5 times the inner diameter of the tube  10 . If the inner diameter of the splash preventing member  14  is out of the above-described range, effect of splash prevention becomes insufficient. Additionally, it is preferred that the length of the splash preventing member  14  (the length from the end portion of the tube  10 ), for example, be equal to or more than 100 mm. If the splash preventing member  14  is too short, effect of splash prevention becomes insufficient. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  illustrates another tube constituting the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present invention. In  FIG. 7 , an extension tube  10 X is coupled to the tube  10 . The extension tube  10 X has an outer diameter larger than that of the tube  10  and is disposed outside the tire valve. The extension tube  10 X includes the sealing portion  11  that allows the end portion of the extension tube  10 X on the tire valve  3  side to fit to the tire valve  3 . In this case, the sealing portion  11 , which is integrally formed with the extension tube  10 X, is slidably configured in the longitudinal direction with respect to the tube  10 . Accordingly, the sealing portion  11  is slid along the longitudinal direction of the tube  10 . This slide adjusts the length of the insertion portion  10   a  of the tube  10  according to the tire size. 
         [0051]    Thus, similarity to the above-described embodiment, in the case where the extension tube  10 X is coupled to the tube  10 , the puncture repair liquid  4  in the tire  1  can be recovered using a residual pressure in the tire  1 . 
         [0052]    With the above-described embodiment, the puncture repair liquid  4  is recovered via the tube  10 . As a recovery container, a flexible bag is applicable in addition to a bucket, a bottle, or similar member. It is preferred that the puncture repair liquid  4  be coagulated in the flexible bag with coagulant. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 8 to 10  illustrate the flexible bag where coagulant employed in the present invention is sealed. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the apparatus for recovering puncture repair liquid according to the present embodiment includes a coagulant  30  and a bag  40 . The coagulant  30  coagulates the puncture repair liquid. The bag  40  has flexibility to house the puncture repair liquid. 
         [0054]    The coagulant  30  is not especially limited insofar as the coagulant  30  coagulates the puncture repair liquid that contains emulsion particles. For example, the coagulant disclosed in JP-A-2009-41006 may be employed. This coagulant contains a mineral and a gelatinizing agent that cause the emulsion particles to aggregate. 
         [0055]    As the above-described mineral, at least one kind of mineral selected from the group consisting of silicate, oxide, and carbonate is applicable. For example, as the mineral, at least one kind of mineral selected from the group consisting of alumina, sodium silicate, magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, montmorillonite, bentonite, and zeolite may be employed. 
         [0056]    On the other hand, as a gelatinizing agent, at least one kind of a gelatinizing agent selected from the group consisting of polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and modified polymers thereof, alginate sodium, propylene glycol alginate, and dibenzylidene sorbitol may be employed. 
         [0057]    The amount of the gelatinizing agent may be 20 to 700 parts by weight and is preferably 60 to 200 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the mineral. However, the above-described coagulant can contain additive, for example, filler, age resister, oxidation inhibitor, pigment (dye), plasticizer, thixotropy-imparting agent, ultraviolet absorbing agent, flame-retardant agent, surfactant, dispersant, dehydrating agent, or antistatic agent as well as the mineral and the gelatinizing agent as necessary. 
         [0058]    On the other hand, the flexible bag  40  is formed by heat-sealing two side sheets  41  and  42  made of a laminated film  44  and one gusset  43  made of the laminated film  44  one another. The bag  40  has preliminarily sealed the coagulant  30 . Further, it is preferred that the bag  40  have a capacity of 700 ml to 2000 ml to house the puncture repair liquid recovered from the tire. The gusset  43  is disposed at the lower portion of the bag  40 . The gusset  43  is folded when not used; however, the gusset  43  may be always open. In either case, with the gusset  43  open, the bag  40  has a structure where a three-dimensional shape is formed and the bag  40  can stand alone. 
         [0059]    The laminated film  44  includes, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a middle layer  44   a , an inner layer  44   b , and an outer layer  44   c . The middle layer  44   a  has a gas barrier property. The inner layer  44   b  is laminated on the inner side of the middle layer  44   a . The outer layer  44   c  is laminated on the outer side of the middle layer  44   a . As a material constituting the middle layer  44   a , a metal foil such as aluminum foil is applicable in addition to a synthetic resin with low gas permeability such as ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyamide (PA), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), MX nylon (MXD6), and polyacrylonitrile resin (PAN). On the other hand, as a material constituting the inner layer  44   b  and the outer layer  44   c , a synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polyester, and nylon are applicable to ensure mechanical strength and weather resistance. It is preferred that the inner layer  44   b  and the outer layer  44   c  be made of the same material. The inner layer  44   b  and the outer layer  44   c  may be made of mutually different materials according to required characteristics. 
         [0060]    In the case of synthetic resin, the thickness of the middle layer  44   a  may be 5 μm to 200 μm. In the case of a metal foil such as aluminum foil, the thickness may be 1 nm to 500 nm, and is preferably 5 nm to 200 nm. If the middle layer  44   a  is too thin, this may cause reduction in the gas barrier property. In contrast, if the middle layer  44   a  is too thick, this may cause reduction in flexibility. Further, each thickness of the inner layer  44   b  and the outer layer  44   c  is preferably 5 μm to 100 μm. If the inner layer  44   b  and the outer layer  44   c  are too thin, durability when mixing the puncture repair liquid and the coagulant is reduced. Conversely, if the inner layer  44   b  and the outer layer  44   c  are too thick, the flexibility is reduced. 
         [0061]    Each of the inner layer  44   b  and the outer layer  44   c  may be a single layer or may be a plurality of layers made of different materials. For the plurality of layers, the total thickness is preferably 5 μm to 100 μm. 
         [0062]    A notch  45  is disposed at the upper side edge portion of the bag  40 . The upper end portion of the bag  40  is torn with this notch  45  set as a starting point. Thus, an opening  46  (see  FIG. 10 ) is formed. The bag  40  includes a sealing belt  47  along the opening  46 . The structure of the sealing belt  47  is not especially limited insofar as the sealing belt  47  can seal the opening  46 . For example, the sealing belt  47  can include a groove  47   a  at one side sheet  41  and a protrusion  47   b  at another side sheet  42 . The groove  47   a  extends along the opening  46 . The protrusion  47   b  extends along the opening  46  and elastically fits to the groove  47   a.    
         [0063]    To recover the puncture repair liquid  4  using the above-described coagulant  30  and bag  40 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the upper end of the bag  40  containing the coagulant  30  is opened, and the puncture repair liquid  4  extracted from the tire  1  is put in the bag  40 . Next, after the opening  46  of the bag  40  is sealed with the sealing belt  47 , the flexible bag  40  is crumpled to mix the puncture repair liquid  4  and the coagulant  30 , thus the puncture repair liquid  4  is coagulated in the bag  40 . As a result, the already-used puncture repair liquid  4  can be easily and smoothly disposed of together with the bag  40  as a combustible waste. 
         [0064]    With the above-described method for recovering puncture repair liquid, the sealing belt  47  is disposed at the opening  46  of the flexible bag  40 . This can surely prevent an overflow of the puncture repair liquid  4  upon crumpling the bag  40 . 
         [0065]    Additionally, the flexible bag  40  is constituted of the laminated film  44  including the middle layer  44   a  with a gas barrier property, and the coagulant  30  has been preliminary sealed in the bag  40 . Therefore, the contained coagulant  30  is not exposed to the air, thus enabling maintaining the quality over a long period of time. 
         [0066]    Further, the bag  40  has a structure with the gusset  43  at the lower portion so as to stand alone. The bag  40  need not be supported at the time of extracting the puncture repair liquid  4  from the tire  1 . Accordingly, there is an advantage that all recovery work can be performed by one person even if an operation of a tube or similar is required when the puncture repair liquid  4  is extracted from the tire  1 . 
         [0067]    The above-described embodiment has been described using a flexible bag that includes a laminated film, which includes a middle layer with a gas barrier property, and has preliminary sealed the coagulant inside the bag. In the present invention, a soft plastic bag or similar member may be employed as a flexible bag, and the coagulant may be sealed in another package with a gas barrier property. In that case, the coagulant and the puncture repair liquid may be simply put in the flexible bag together and then mixed. 
         [0068]    This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-259492 filed on Nov. 19, 2010 in Japan by the applicant of this application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the entire contents of JP-A-2009-41006, JP-A-2003-127242, JP-A-10-67212, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,348, and JP-A-2007-331210 recited as the background art of the present invention are also incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0069]    The above description of a specific embodiment of the present invention is disclosed as illustrative. This does not intend to be exhaustive or limit the present invention to the described embodiments as they are. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above teachings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  pneumatic tire 
           2  wheel 
           3  tire valve 
           4  puncture repair liquid 
           5  cap 
           10  tube 
           10   a  insertion portion 
           10   b  protruding portion 
           10 X extension tube 
           11  sealing portion 
           12 ,  12 ′ ruler 
           13 ,  13 ′ sheet 
           14  splash preventing member 
           20  container 
           30  coagulant 
           40  bag