Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes providing at least one extruder, metering and feeding at least one elastomer, at least one filler, and ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one extruder, mixing and dispersing the at least one filler and the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder, and extruding a resulting elastomeric composition. The at least one extruder includes the housing and at least one screw rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing includes at least one feed opening and a discharge opening. At least one of the ingredients different from elastomers and fillers includes a subdivided product including one or more minor ingredients dispersed in at least one thermoplastic binding agent. An apparatus for continuously producing the elastomeric composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, belt structure, tread band, and at least one pair of sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one first carcass ply and at least two annular reinforcing structures. The at least one first carcass ply includes elongated sections circumferentially distributed around the tyre's geometric rotation axis. Each elongated section extends in a U-shaped configuration around a cross-section outline of the carcass structure to define two side portions and one crown portion. Each elongated section substantially lies in a plane parallelly offset relative to a meridian plane of the carcass structure. The crown portion of each elongated section is oriented, relative to a radial reference plane passing through a transition region between the crown portion and at least one corresponding side portion, at an angle having a different value from an inclination of the at least one corresponding side portion.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a toroidal carcass including a central crown portion and two axially opposed sidewalls terminating in beads for mounting on a rim. Each bead includes at least one annular reinforcing core that includes a set of loops or spirals of metallic filament. The carcass is provided with a reinforcing structure including at least one carcass ply reinforced with metallic cords. Ends of the reinforcing structure are fixed to the reinforcing cores. The reinforcing structure includes a neutral profile intersecting cross-sections of fields that delimit the reinforcing cores. The profile includes a continuous curvature without points of inflection along the extension between the beads. At least one auxiliary reinforcing element is provided in at least one of the beads that partially extends within a respective field or in a radially inner portion of at least one sidewall in a position radially external to the field.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes metering at least one elastomer, at least one filler, and at least one minor ingredient; feeding the at least one elastomer, the at least one filler, and the at least one minor ingredient into at least one extruder; mixing and dispersing the at least one filler and the at least one minor ingredient into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder; obtaining a subdivided product from a resulting elastomeric composition discharged from the at least one extruder; accumulating an amount of the subdivided product; and stirring the accumulated amount of the subdivided product. An apparatus for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes at least one extruder, at least one first metering device, at least one second metering device, at least one device for obtaining a subdivided product, and at least one accumulating and stirring device.

Abstract: A self-supporting tyre for vehicle wheels comprises a carcass structure (2) having at least one carcass ply (3a, 3b) provided with end flaps (19, 21) in engagement with respective annular reinforcing structures (4) disposed in coaxial relationship with a geometric rotation axis of the tyre at positions axially spaced apart from each other and each comprising at least one first circumferentially-inextensible annular anchoring insert (5a); a belt structure (6) applied to the carcass structure (2) at a radially external position thereof, a tread band (9) applied at a radially external position to the belt structure (6) and a pair of sidewalls (10) applied to the carcass structure (2) at laterally opposite positions. The self-supporting tyre further comprises at least at one elastic stiffening insert (11) arranged at least at one of said sidewalls (10) and having a radially internal end portion (15) disposed at least partly in axial side by side relationship against the first annular anchoring insert (5a).

Abstract: A tyre for a wheel of a vehicle comprises a toroidal carcass provided with axially opposite sidewalls and beads for anchoring the tyre to a rim of the wheel, a tread band located crownwise on the carcass, comprising a surface with a plurality of hollows and grooves defining a raised tread pattern, and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread band, axially extending between the sidewalls. The tread band comprises at least first and second circumferential axially-contiguous portions arranged to contact a road surface. The first portion is formed of a first composition comprising a reinforcing filler having at least 40%-by-weight carbon black and at least some white filler, the second portion is formed of a second composition comprising a reinforcing filler having at least 20%-by-weight white filler, and the first composition is different from the second composition.

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 method for curing a tyre includes the steps of closing the tyre in a mould, heating at least one lower hot table, at least one upper hot table, and at least one annular hot table to transmit heat to the tyre. The at least one lower hot table, the at least one upper hot table, and the at least one annular hot table are associated with the mould. The at least one annular hot table is thermally-connected to a circumferential development of the mould. A quantity of heat provided to the at least one lower hot table is different from a quantity of heat provided to the at least one upper hot table. An associated apparatus includes a mould; at least one lower, upper, and annular tables; and devices for supplying one or more heating fluids to the at least one lower, upper, and annular tables.

Abstract: A system for checking at least one status parameter of a tire for a motor vehicle includes at least one wheel, including a tire mounted on a rim, an inner tube inserted into a cavity defined between the tire and the rim, a first device for measuring the at least one status parameter associated with the at least one wheel, a second device for transmitting a signal indicating a value measured by the first device, a third device for receiving the signal, and a fourth device for sensing movement of the at least one wheel and for enabling energization of the second device when the at least one wheel is moving, wherein the first, second, and fourth devices are housed in a container inserted into a wall of the inner tube in a radially-inner position of the inner tube respect to the at least one wheel.

Abstract: A self-supporting tire for vehicle wheels includes a carcass structure having at least one carcass ply, a belt structure, a tread band, at least one pair of sidewalls, and at least one pair of resilient stiffening inserts incorporated into the carcass structure. The at least one carcass ply includes axially-inner strip lengths and axially-outer strip lengths, and may also include axially-intermediate strip lengths. Each of the strip lengths extend in a U-shaped configuration around a cross-section outline of the carcass structure to define two side portions spaced apart from each other in an axial direction and a crown portion extending at a radially-outer position between the side portions. The resilient stiffening inserts are axially interposed between the side portions of the axially-inner strip lengths and the side portions of the axially-outer strip lengths.

Abstract: System for monitoring the deformations of a moving tyre (1) fitted on a rim (2) associated with a vehicle, comprising a moving station (20) placed in a predetermined position on the said rim (2), capable of measuring in at least one predetermined direction the distance between the said predetermined position and the inner surface of the tyre (111), and a fixed station (30) placed in the said vehicle and capable of receiving the said measurement from the said moving station. The fixed station (30) is capable of activating the measurement made by the moving station (20) at a particular moment of the tyre rotation cycle.

Abstract: System for producing models of tyres which are different from each other, comprising:—a building unit (2) comprising a plurality of operating stations (5, 6, 7, 8, 9), each designed to assemble at least one corresponding structural component on at least one model of tyre being produced;—a vulcanizing unit (3), having vulcanizing moulds (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) for the built tyres;—a unit for producing a plurality of mixtures, comprising at least one extruder unit, which continuously supplies at least one of the said operating stations with at least one mixture suitable for making the said at least one structural component.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire for a vehicle wheel includes making a carcass structure, applying a belt structure to the carcass structure, applying a tread band to the belt structure, and applying at least one pair of sidewalls to the carcass structure. Making the carcass structure includes applying at least one first part of the at least one carcass ply on a toroidal support, applying at least one circumferentially-inextensible annular anchoring insert, and applying at least one stiffening element. The at least one annular anchoring insert includes a cross-sectional profile of flattened conformation, extending away from an equatorial plane of the tire. The at least one stiffening element includes at least one main portion with a cross-sectional profile tapering away from a rotation axis of the tire. The at least one main portion is located substantially at an axially-inner position relative to the at least one annular anchoring insert.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tire includes the steps of preparing strip sections, laying down a first series of the strip sections on a toroidal support, applying at least primary portions of annular reinforcing structures against end flaps of the strip sections of the first series at axially-opposite positions relative to an equatorial plane of the toroidal support, and laying down on the toroidal support at least one second series of the strip sections. Each strip section extends in a substantially U-shaped configuration around a cross-sectional outline of the toroidal support. First series strip sections are circumferentially distributed according to a pitch corresponding to a multiple of their width. Second series strip sections extend between consecutive first series strip sections and include end flaps overlapping respective primary portions of the annular reinforcing structures at an axially-opposite position relative to end flaps of the first series strip sections.

Abstract: A system for monitoring deformations of a tire fitted on a rim associated with a vehicle includes a reflecting element positioned on an inner surface of the tire and a moving station located in a predetermined position on the rim. The reflecting element reflects an optical beam and includes a region having at least one area of high light reflection and at least one area of low light reflection. The moving station sends the optical beam toward the inner surface, receives one or more reflections of the optical beam from the inner surface or the reflecting element, and emits a signal proportional to the deformations of the tire in a longitudinal direction, in a transverse direction, and in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A tire for vehicle wheels includes a carcass, a tread strip, and a belt structure. The carcass has a central crown portion and two axially opposite sidewalls terminating in a pair of beads. Each bead includes at least one circumferentially unextendable annular reinforcing core having a series of spirals of metal wire radially superimposed and axially arranged alongside each other. The carcass has a reinforcing structure including at least one ply of rubberized fabric reinforced with metal cords lying in radial planes containing an axis of rotation of the tire. The reinforcing structure includes ends secured to the annular reinforcing cores and a neutral profile, lying in a radial cross-sectional plane, axially extending from bead to bead. The neutral profile intersects a cross section of a zone enclosing the annular reinforcing cores and has a continuous curvature devoid of inflection points along an extension between the beads.

Abstract: A carcass structure for a two-wheeled vehicle tire includes at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular reinforcing structures. The at least one carcass ply includes a first series and at least one second series of strip sections circumferentially distributed in a mutually-alternated sequence around a geometric rotation axis of the tire. Each strip section includes longitudinal and parallel thread elements at least partly coated with at least one layer of elastomer material and extends in a substantially U-shaped configuration to define two side portions and a crown portion. The annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the first series of strip sections and are overlapped by end flaps of the at least one second series of strip sections. Each of the annular reinforcing structures includes an annular anchoring insert, including one or more elongated elements extending in radially-concentric coils, and at least one filling body.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and/or controlling the behavior of a vehicle including at least one wheel includes determining one or more values of deformation of a tire of the at least one wheel by measuring the one or more values using a first signal emitted between a rim of the at least one wheel and a casing of the tire, providing a database comprising predetermined values of deformation of the tire that correspond to a behavior of the at least one wheel, comparing the measured one or more values of deformation with one or more of the predetermined values of deformation, and emitting a second signal dependent on at least one result of the comparison for monitoring and/or controlling the behavior of the vehicle. The one or more values of deformation are determined in vertical, transverse, and longitudinal directions or along the axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tyres of different types simultaneously includes a central processing unit, work stations, and local processing units. The central processing unit causes sequential execution of a plurality of operating steps at the work stations according to one or more predetermined sequences of types of tyres. Each work station includes at least one operating unit. A local processing unit is associated with each work station. The local processing units associated with the work stations identify types of tyres corresponding to supporting members for the tyres. The local processing units associated with the work stations also select, from a predetermined group of operating procedures for each operating unit, a specific procedure for a type of tyre corresponding to a respective supporting member at a respective operating unit. A related method for producing tyres of different types simultaneously is also disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a vehicle with tyre wheels includes an immobilization device, at least one detection control unit, and at least one sensor. The immobilization device activates an anti-theft procedure. The at least one detection control unit is connected to the immobilization device and verifies an alarm condition. The at least one sensor is associated with one or more of the tyre wheels, communicates with the at least one detection control unit, detects movement of one or more of the tyre wheels, and detects inflation pressure of one or more of the tyre wheels. A method for activating an anti-theft device for a vehicle with tyre wheels includes detecting an alarm condition from at least one of the tyre wheels, receiving the detected condition, and activating an anti-theft procedure.