Abstract: In a process for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels, including building, on a toroidal support, a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply associated, at axially opposite end edges thereof, with annular anchoring structures, the step of building the carcass structure includes forming at least one reinforcing structure, operatively associated with the annular anchoring structures through deposition on the toroidal support of at least one reinforcing element at a deposition region defined on the toroidal support. The deposition of the at least one reinforcing element includes the steps of providing at least one reinforcing element having a length determined as a function of the length of the deposition region; deforming the at least one reinforcing element to form an annular reinforcing element having a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the deposition region; and depositing the annular reinforcing element at the deposition region.

Abstract: In tyre manufacture, a belt structure is made by means of strip-like segments, each including parallel cords incorporated into an elastomeric layer. The strip-like segments are sequentially laid down in mutual circumferential side by side relationship on a toroidal support. The apparatus for manufacturing such a reinforcing structure for vehicle tyres includes: a laying unit including at least one laying assembly designed to apply each of the strip-like elements onto a toroidal support according to a predetermined laying angle relative to a circumferential extension direction of the toroidal support itself; the laying assembly including at least a first presser element movable in contrast relationship against the outer surface of the toroidal support; the first presser element includes at least one tapered end adapted to perform the contrast relationship and forming a tilted side according to a tilt angle correspondent with the predetermined laying angle of the strip-like elements.

Abstract: A plant for producing types of tyres different from each other includes a manufacturing unit including a plurality of work stations, devices for transfer and movement of the tyres being produced, and a vulcanizing unit including vulcanizing moulds for the tyres being produced. Each work station is designed to assemble at least one corresponding structural component on at least one type of tyre being produced. The devices for transfer and movement operate between the work stations and provide selective movement for each of the types of tyres being produced in proximity to corresponding work stations. The plant may also include a central processing unit. The central processing unit may control the devices for transfer and movement to coordinate processing stages for each type of tyre in the manufacturing unit and in the vulcanizing unit. Additionally, the plant may include holding stations associated with at least some of the work stations.

Abstract: During tyre manufacture, a belt structure is made according to the following steps: preparing strip-like elements, each including longitudinal thread elements disposed parallel to each other and at least partly coated with at least one layer of elastomeric material; applying the strip-like elements in mutually approached relationship along the circumferential extension of a toroidal support, following a predetermined laying trajectory identified on the toroidal support itself so as to form at least one reinforcing layer having a continuous circumferential extension around a geometric rotation axis. During application of each of the strip-like elements, the toroidal support is moved following a predetermined three-dimensional path in order to make the strip-like elements adhere to the outer surface of the toroidal support according to a longitudinal extension line of the strip-like element coincident with the predetermined laying trajectory.

Abstract: In a process of manufacturing pneumatic tyres, a carcass sleeve is made which includes at least one carcass ply provided with axially opposite flaps turned up around annular anchoring structures, so as to form respective loops. An outer sleeve is positioned around the carcass sleeve and the latter is radially expanded in order to cause application of same against a radially internal surface of the outer sleeve. After each of the end flaps has been turned up and before radial expansion, only a portion belonging to each of the loops and extending substantially parallel to the respective annular anchoring structure is submitted to a step of carrying out heating under pressure, to make each loop integral with the annular anchoring structure and prevent the turned-up ply/plies from even partly slipping off, during the subsequent radial-expansion step of the carcass sleeve and vulcanisation step of the tyre.

Abstract: A plant and a process for producing tyres for vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A plant and a process for producing tyres for vehicle wheels includes the steps of a) building a tyre on a toroidal support in a building line of a production plant; b) moulding and vulcanizing the assembled tyre in a vulcanization line of the production plant; c) transferring by means of a first transfer device the toroidal support and the relevant moulded and vulcanized tyre to a working station including a removing unit for removing the tyre from the respective toroidal support and a cooling unit for cooling the toroidal support; d) removing the moulded and vulcanized tyre from the relevant toroidal support in the removing unit; e) transferring the toroidal support from the removing unit to the cooling unit by means of a second transfer device different from the first transfer device; and f) cooling the toroidal support in the cooling unit.

Abstract: A green tyre is either directly formed or, when building is over, engaged on an expandable toroidal support to be then introduced into a vulcanisation mould. The expandable toroidal support includes an expandable bladder and a pair of pressure rings, each including fast and second pressure sectors circumferentially distributed and operating at axially opposite positions on the expandable bladder. Driving devices act on the pressure rings to selectively translate them between a work condition at which the pressure sectors of each pressure ring, circumferentially aligned with each other, extend radially away from the geometric axis, and a rest condition at which the pressure sectors are disposed close to the geometric axis. Kinematic synchronisation members operatively associated with the driving devices mechanically mutually constrain the pressure rings, so as to impose a simultaneous and mutually symmetric movement on them.

Abstract: A process and a tyre manufacturing line for producing tyres, wherein the process includes the steps of: i) transferring a first toroidal support to a first assembling apparatus; ii) in the first assembling apparatus, sequentially building on the first toroidal support a first toroidal carcass ply and a first pair of annular reinforcing inserts so as to associate each annular reinforcing insert with a respective radially internal edge of the first toroidal carcass ply; iii) transferring the first toroidal support to a second assembling apparatus; iv) in the second assembling apparatus, sequentially building on the first toroidal support, carrying the first toroidal carcass ply associated with the first pair of annular reinforcing inserts, a second toroidal carcass ply and a second pair of annular reinforcing inserts so as to associate each annular reinforcing insert with a respective radially internal edge of the second toroidal carcass ply.

Abstract: A process for the production of tyres for vehicle wheels includes the steps of: a) building the tyres on respective toroidal supports assembling a plurality of structural components of each of them according to a predetermined sequence at respective workstations; b) transferring the tyres built on the toroidal supports to a vulcanisation plant; c) molding and partially vulcanising the tyres on the toroidal supports in respective vulcanisation molds associated with the vulcanisation plant; d) removing the partially vulcanised tyres with the respective toroidal supports from the respective vulcanisation molds; and completing the vulcanisation of the tyres outside the vulcanisation molds by means of the heat given to the tyres by the toroidal supports.

Abstract: A green tyre is built on a rigid toroidal support externally having a forming surface of a conformation corresponding to an inner conformation of the tyre. The built tyre is removed from the rigid toroidal support and engaged on an expandable toroidal support which includes a bladder. The green tyre engaged on the expandable toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mould and submitted to a vulcanisation cycle.

Abstract: A vulcanisation apparatus and method for vehicle wheel tyres, includes at least one prevulcanisation work station to conduct a prevulcanisation of a radially internal portion of the tyre and at least two vulcanisation work stations wherein the remaining part of the vulcanisation of the whole tyre is carried out.

Abstract: A vulcanisation apparatus and method for tyres for vehicle wheels includes the steps of: placing a green tyre, arranged on a toroidal support, inside a vulcanisation mold; connecting a supply device of at least one pressurised primary working fluid and a supply device of at least one pressurised secondary working fluid to the vulcanisation mold in a prevulcanisation and molding station; at least partially vulcanising a radially internal portion of the green tyre on the toroidal support; transferring the mold to a vulcanisation station and completing the vulcanisation of the prevulcanised tyre by supplying the at least one pressurised primary working fluid inside the toroidal support.

Abstract: A green tyre disposed on a toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mould. The mould is closed through axial approaching of a pair of sidewall plates acting against the sidewalls of the tyre. Circumferential sectors set to operate against the tyre tread band are maintained spaced apart from the tread band itself during admission of a working fluid designed to press the tyre against the toroidal support. Subsequently, the sectors are centripetally approached for penetration into the tread band concurrently with a step of full moulding and vulcanisation of the tyre carried out through admission of steam under pressure into the tyre itself.

Abstract: A green tyre disposed on a toroidal support is introduced into a vulcanisation mould. The mould is closed through axial approaching of a pair of half shells acting against the sidewalls and the tread band of the tyre. Circumferential sectors set to operate against the tyre tread band are maintained spaced apart from the tread band itself during admission of a working fluid designed to press the tyre against the toroidal support. Subsequently the sectors are centripetally approached to cause penetration of forming ridges movable in through slits into the tread band, concurrently with a step of full moulding and vulcanisation of the tyre carried out through admission of steam under pressure into the tyre itself.

Abstract: A method for making a reinforcing structure for a vehicle tire includes laying down at least one continuous thread element onto a support element, generating one or more layers. A path of the at least one thread element is substantially concentric with a rotation axis of the tire. The at least one thread element is laid down according to an undulated trajectory including a plurality of waves succeeding each other along a line circumferentially extended around the rotation axis of the tire. A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a pair of annular anchoring structures, reinforcing structures disposed at axially opposite side portions of at least one carcass ply of the carcass structure, a belt structure, a pair of sidewalls, and a tread band. Each reinforcing structure includes one or more layers of at least one continuous thread element extending according to the undulated trajectory.

Abstract: A method of making a tire includes making a carcass structure; applying a belt structure, tread band, and at least one pair of sidewalls; and vulcanizing the tire. Making the carcass structure involves formation of at least one first carcass ply, including preparing and depositing at least one continuous strip element onto a toroidal support in alternating deposition sections. Each deposition section extends in a substantially U-shaped conformation against a profile in transverse section of the toroidal support or a previously deposited deposition section, substantially over an entire length of the section, to define two side portions, a crown portion, and two transition regions defined between the side and crown portions. The crown portions of the deposition sections are arranged consecutively in side-by-side relationship along a circumferential extension of the toroidal support.

Abstract: A pneumatic tyre for a two-wheeled vehicle includes at least one carcass ply. Each cord of the at least one carcass ply identifies a radial plane of the tyre passing through an intersection point of the cord with an equatorial plane of the tyre, and lies in a lying plane substantially perpendicular to the equatorial plane of the tyre and forming a lying angle different from zero with a respective radial plane. A pair of tyres each includes a predetermined rolling direction. The lying planes are oriented so that if the respective radial plane is fixed in position and the lying plane is rotated about the intersection point toward the respective radial plane through the lying angle, then the lying plane is superimposed on the respective radial plane and the direction of that rotation is the same as (front tyre) and the opposite of (rear tyre) the predetermined rolling direction.

Abstract: A pneumatic tyre for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a carcass structure, belt structure, tread band, and pair of sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one first and second carcass ply. Each carcass ply includes cords disposed substantially parallel to each other. Ends of each carcass ply are engaged with respective circumferential annular reinforcing structures. Each carcass ply cord identifies a radial plane of the tyre passing through an intersection point of the cord with an equatorial plane of the tyre and lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the equatorial plane and forming a lying angle different from zero with a respective radial plane. The lying angle of each cord of the at least one first carcass ply and the lying angle of a corresponding cord of the at least one second carcass ply identifying a same radial plane have opposite signs with respect to that radial plane.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing tyres includes making a plurality of structural components for tyres, assembling the components following a pre-established sequence at respective work stations disposed along a manufacturing line, transferring the tyres to a curing line, and curing the tyres in respective vulcanization moulds. The tyres are sequentially transferred along the manufacturing line from a first work station to successive work stations. At least one series of tyres is simultaneously processed on the manufacturing line and the curing line, and the at least one series of tyres includes at least one first tyre model and at least one second tyre model different from the at least one first tyre model. The tyres are transferred from the manufacturing line to the curing line at a same rate as the tyres are sequentially transferred along the manufacturing line from the first work station to the successive work stations.