Patent ID: 6869685

Claim:
A technique for improving the adhesion between a first rubber component and a second rubber component in a process for manufacturing a cured rubber article, said technique comprising the steps of: (1) positioning a layer of an adhesion-promoting rubber composition which is comprised of (a) from about 10 weight percent to about 40 weight percent trans-1,4-polybutadiene, wherein said trans-1,4-polybutadiene has a number average molecular weight which is within the range of 50,000 to 120,000 and wherein said trans-1,4-polybutadiene has a trans-microstructure content which is within the range of about 60 percent to about 90 percent and (b) from about 60 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of at least one rubbery polymer, (2) bringing the first rubber component into contact with one side of the layer of adhesion-promoting rubber composition and bringing the second rubber composition into contact with the other side of the layer of adhesion-promoting rubber composition and (3) curing the first rubber component, the second rubber component, and the adhesion-promoting rubber composition together under conditions of heat and pressure to produce the cured rubber article.