We used the self vulcanizing patches all the time when I was younger. A tire leak from puncture meant an afternoon spent with Dad with us dismounting the tire from the wheel, patch, then remount and off to the service station to air it back up. Used to use them on my bicycle inner tubes as well.
We used to buy those self-vulcanizing patches at Western Auto. Haven't seen them in years. I liked them a lot better than cold patches. They contained a flammable mixture on the back side of the patch you would light, then peel off after it finished burning.