Abstract: The installation comprises a preparation station for preparing strips by cutting a straight wire band, a jointing station arranged to butt-joint the strips obtained from the preparation station so as to form a reinforcing ply, and a station for turning over strips, which is interposed between the preparation station and the jointing station. The installation also comprises a first receiving surface, arranged to receive a strip, a second receiving surface associated with a reversing device which is arranged to transfer a strip from said first receiving surface to said second receiving surface, by thus turning over the strip. A gripping member is arranged to take a strip from the first or second receiving surface in order to allow the jointing station to selectively construct a reinforcing ply with a left-hand ply handle or with a right-hand ply angle.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying noise reducing elements to tyres for vehicle wheels. The apparatus includes a loading station of stacks of noise reducing elements, an extraction station of noise reducing elements from each stack placed downstream of the loading station, and a conveyor placed downstream of the extraction station and extending along a predefined path. The conveyor is configured for supporting and advancing in a row the noise reducing elements extracted from the stacks which are then applied to a radially inner surface of the tyres. The extraction of each of the noise reducing elements contemplates: retaining a first noise reducing element placed at the base of a stack; raising the remaining noise reducing elements of the stack from the first noise reducing element; moving away the first noise reducing element according to a set path; and lowering the remaining noise reducing elements of the stack.

Abstract: A green tyre (2) for bicycles is built, comprising at least one carcass ply (4) having axially opposite end flaps (4a) engaged with respective bead cores (5) and a tread band (6) applied in a radially outer position around said at least one carcass ply (4). The green tyre (2) removed from the building drum, is profiled so as to translate the tread band (6) in a radially outer direction with respect to the bead cores (5), so as to impart a cross-sectional convex profile to the tyre (2) in a radially outer direction. The profiled tyre is engaged by means of a transfer member (31) while the tyre itself is mechanically restrained so as to maintain at least partly said cross-sectional convex profile in the radially outer direction.

Abstract: A coated rubber composition includes a rubber composition coated with a liquid refresh agent selected from the group consisting of one or more liquid terpenes, limonene, carvone, pinene, pine needle oil, citral, orange oil, C9-C15 aliphatics, C9-C15 cycloaliphatics, ethyl lactate, dipentene, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, citronellol, geraniol, citronellene, terpinen-4-ol, and combinations thereof. A method of application and a coated rubber composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire sensor container system is provided. A tire includes a carcass toroidally extending from a first bead area to a second bead area, and an innerliner formed on an inner surface of the carcass. The tire sensor container system includes a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, which in turn includes a rigid housing that is formed with an oval shape. A flexible container is mounted to the innerliner. The container includes a base and a wall extending radially outwardly from the base, and the wall terminates in a lip. The container wall is formed with an oval shape that cooperates with the shape of the tire pressure monitoring sensor housing. A cavity is defined by the base, the wall, and the lip, and cavity receives and secures the tire pressure monitoring system sensor. The system reduces sensor rotation and maintains consistent sensor orientation to improve sensor functionality and longevity.

Abstract: A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension permitting relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include tread assemblies carried by the outer rim. Each tread assembly may include a tread member support coupled to the outer rim, and spaced-apart tread members carried by the tread member support and defining a tread pattern therebetween. Each tread member may include at least one rubber layer, and at least one reinforcing layer in stacked relation.

Abstract: A manufacturing method includes: cutting out a sheet-like belt 8b by cutting a master roll 8a between a master roll table 10 and a belt table 14; moving the belt table 14 carrying the cut-out sheet-like belt 8b to a winding position of the sheet-like belt 8b; and winding the sheet-like belt 8b around a winding cylinder 50 at the winding position. The master roll 8a is fixed onto the belt table 14 by attraction when the master roll 8a is cut between the master roll table 10 and the belt table 14 and the belt table 14 is moved to the winding position of the sheet-like belt 8b while keeping the cut-out sheet-like belt 8b fixed onto the belt table 14 by attraction.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a tire component member includes a first conveyor configured to convey a sheet-shaped rubber member; a second conveyor configured to receive the sheet-shaped rubber member from the first conveyor and to convey the same to a molding drum; sensors configured to detect a position of an end portion in a width direction of the sheet-shaped rubber member to move from the first conveyor to the second conveyor; a moving part configured to move the molding drum in the width direction of the sheet-shaped rubber member, and a control unit configured to move the molding drum in the width direction of the sheet-shaped rubber member and to bond the sheet-shaped rubber member to a predetermined position on the molding drum, in correspondence to the position of the end portion in the width direction of the sheet-shaped rubber member detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A forming tool for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers and being conveyed to the forming tool in a continuous process. The forming tool comprises at least one pressure bag configured to be pressurized during a forming step of the semi-finished product, during which the semi-finished product is sandwiched between a forming surface of a forming element and the at least one pressurized pressure bag, such that the semi-finished product substantially takes on the shape of the forming surface. Further, a forming apparatus and a forming method for forming a semi-finished product comprising reinforcement fibers are provided.

Abstract: Chemical compositions are provided having a structure in accordance with with the R group having a structure in accordance with R1 includes an alkyl group, R2 includes an alkylene group, and R3 includes an alkylene group in accordance with (CH2), with x?2, and R4 includes the structure of Formula (II) or Formula (III). R5 includes a meta-substituted or para-substituted phenyl moiety. Additionally, elastomers produced by cross-linking the chemical composition of Formula (I) are provided.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting an electronics package to an interior of a tire includes a carriage configured to receive an electronics package. The assembly also includes an attaching device having a first side and a second side. The first side of the attaching device is permanently affixed to the interior of the tire. The second side of the attaching device has an attaching structure. The attaching structure is configured to receive the carriage to form a secure and locked connection.

Abstract: A toroidal forming drum and a process for budding tyres. The toroidal forming drum is expanded within a shaped carcass sleeve for supporting the carcass sleeve against an abutment surface externally provided by the forming drum. An elementary semi-finished product is applied around the shaped carcass sleeve by pressing the elementary semi-finished product toward the abutment surface. The abutment surface has circumferential rows of solid portions alternated with hollow portions. The solid portions, arranged along axially opposite circumferential edges of the abutment surface, have a transverse size between 10% and 60% of a transverse size presented by the solid portions arranged in proximity to an axial centreline plane of the abutment surface.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus configured to adhere a belt-shaped tire member onto a mold drum including: a feeding device including the belt-shaped tire member arranged so as to be capable of being fed and a transferring and adhering device configured to transfer the belt-shaped tire member from the feeding device side to the mold drum side and adhere the belt-shaped tire member onto the mold drum, wherein the transferring and adhering device includes: a transferring device configured to circulate between the feeding device side and the mold drum side and transfer the belt-shaped tire member sucked on the feeding device side to the mold drum side; and a separating unit configured to separate the transferred belt-shaped tire member on the mold drum side from the transferring device and adhere the belt-shaped tire member onto the mold drum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to couple a decorative composite having a reinforcing layer to a panel are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a decorative layer and a first reinforcing layer coupled to the decorative layer. The example apparatus includes a coil reduction layer that is to apply a force to the first reinforcing layer to reduce coiling of the first reinforcing layer. The example apparatus includes an adhesive layer applied to the coil reduction layer that is coupled to the first reinforcing layer to enable the decorative layer to be coupled to a panel. A rigidity of the first reinforcing layer is to enable the first reinforcing layer to distribute a force exerted by at least one of gas or vapor disposed between the first reinforcing layer and the decorative layer to impede separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the panel.

Abstract: In an inner mold method, a pull-out force of extracting inner mold segments from a vulcanized tire is reduced. A rigid inner mold 1 is provided with an annular inner mold body 2 having a tire molding surface S. A rigid core 1 is put into a vulcanization mold B for each green tire T formed on the tire molding surface S, whereby the green tire T is vulcanization-molded between the vulcanization mold B and the inner mold body 2. The inner mold body 2 comprises a plurality of inner mold segments 5 divided in the circumferential direction. A coating layer 11 having rubber release property is formed on the tire molding surface S.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an object within a tire includes a ply having a first side for mounting against an innerliner of the tire and a pedestal extending upwards from a second side of the ply. The pedestal has a recessed planar top surface, with an elongated front cavity, an elongated rear cavity, and a substantially cylindrical central cavity disposed therein. The substantially cylindrical cavity is defined by an internal sidewall. The internal sidewall includes mating structure selected from the group consisting of threads and a plurality of downwardly extending slots.

Abstract: A patch is provided for an electronic device of a tire. The patch includes first and second compartments. The first compartment, which does not include an opening, is structured to house therein an electronic identification module. The second compartment, which includes a reclosable opening, is structured to house therein an electronic module having a complementary function to a function of the electronic identification module. The electronic module is adapted to receive identification data from the electronic identification module.

Abstract: A composite skin material for a vehicle includes a fibrous substrate, a polyurethane resin layer provided on the front side of the fibrous substrate, and a woven fabric adhered to the back side of the fibrous substrate through an adhesive layer comprising a polyurethane resin. Openings penetrating the fibrous substrate from the front of the polyurethane resin layer are provided in the composite skin material, and an opening ratio on the front of the polyurethane resin layer is 1 to 15%. The woven fabric has a warp density of 25 to 50 yarns/25.4 mm and a weft density of 30 to 50 yarns/25.4 mm, and the mass per unit area of the adhesive layer is 15 to 100 g/m2. The composite skin material has air permeability of 5 to 100 cm3/cm2·s, tear strength of 20 to 150N, and tensile strength of 50 N/cm or more.

Abstract: The present invention glues a rubber strip on the surface of a non-right circular cylindrical winding body with good precision. The present invention reduces the space occupied by the apparatus. The tire member-forming apparatus is provided with a transport conveyor with a conveyor belt that is guided by guide rollers so that the conveyor belt is able to circle. The conveyor surface of the conveyor belt is provided with a conveyor surface width center line that extends in a straight line over the entire length thereof. The guide rollers are grouped into guide rollers on the front side of the conveyor direction and guide rollers on the back side of the conveyor direction. The front guide rollers are held so as to be capable of tilting around the conveyor surface width center line.

Abstract: Provided are a method and device for forming a cylindrical member for accurately forming belt-like members into a cylindrical shape without meandering. A pre-winding position sensor detects a position of a member reference line extending in a longitudinal direction of a belt-like member along the entire length of the belt-like member in the longitudinal direction thereof before the belt-like member is placed on a transport conveyor belt, transported to a forming drum, and wound around the forming drum. The belt-like member is wound around the forming drum and formed in a cylindrical shape while the forming drum is relatively moved in the drum width direction with respect to the transport conveyor belt by a controller and the member reference line, based on the detected data and a position data of the drum reference line orthogonal to the drum axial center of the forming drum.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a motorcycle tire comprises: building a raw tire main body, building a breaker, sticking the breaker, and building a band. The building of the breaker comprises: moving two cylindrical support rings to operating positions, swelling the raw tire main body to have its crown portion protruding from the support rings through a gap therebetween, and winding a breaker ply material on the support rings to form a cylindrical breaker ply whose inner surface is adhered to the raw tire main body. The sticking of the breaker comprises: expanding a profiled deck to swell the raw tire main body into a second swollen state, and turning down both edge portions of the breaker while being supported by the profiled deck. The building of the band comprises: spirally winding a tape on the curved breaker ply while being supported by the profiled deck.

Abstract: A supply apparatus of tire material members includes a feeder that feeds out first and second continuous material members from which first and second material member is to be cut out, respectively, a conveyer that conveys the first and second continuous material members, a cutter that cuts the first and second continuous material members at a cutting position extending perpendicularly to a conveyance direction every time when the first and second continuous material members are conveyed by a predetermined length, a position detector that detects positions of the first and second continuous material members during a conveyance by the predetermined length from the cutting position, and a position adjuster that, during the conveyance by the predetermined length from the cutting position, adjusts conveyance distances of the first and second continuous material members based on the detected positions of the first and second continuous material members.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate stack including gate electrodes stacked vertically on a substrate. Channel holes penetrate through the gate stack to extend vertically to the substrate. Each of the channel holes includes a channel region. First channel pads are each disposed at an end of a respective channel hole opposite the substrate. Each of the first channel pads includes at least one first conductivity-type impurity. Second channel pads are each disposed at an end of a respective channel hole opposite the substrate. Each of the second channel pads includes at least one second conductivity-type impurity.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a package substrate which includes a rigid dielectric material layer, a first wiring layer having at least one first metal wire formed on the rigid dielectric material layer, and a first flexible dielectric material layer formed on the first wiring layer.

Abstract: In a process for building tires, a carcass structure which includes at least one carcass ply and a belt structure, is formed. Manufacture of the belt structure includes: forming a first portion of at least one cushion insert through spiralling of a continuous elongated element; forming at least one first belt layer in a radially external position to the first portion in such a manner that the first portion axially projects from one of the axially opposite side edges of the first belt layer, forming a second portion of the cushion insert through spiralling of a continuous elongated element in a radially external position to the side edge of the first belt layer and to a stretch of the first portion projecting from the side edge itself, so as to enclose the side edge between the first and second portions of the cushion insert.

Abstract: In the method for producing a tire carcass ply for a vehicle, the ply is wound onto a drum and contains reinforcements running in planes that are radial to an axis of the drum, of which: at least one assembly member (51, 52) mounted such that it can move in relation to the drum brings the ends of the ply together and assembles them by travelling over the ply in a direction (X) parallel to the ends; and prior to assembly, a blade independent of the one or of each assembly member extends between the drum and the ends without extending between the drum and the rest of the ply.

Abstract: An electronic device, which is intended to be incorporated into a tire, includes an electronic comprises, a conductor, and a support for the electronic component. The support and the conductor are joined together by a first part for attachment of the support and a second part for attachment of the conductor. A rigidifying casing of the device is overmoulded over at least the first part for attachment of the support and the second part for attachment of the conductor. At least one intermediate transition layer is at least partially overmoulded over the rigidifying casing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process to produce a laminate comprises coating at least an outer surface of a dynamically vulcanized alloy film with an adhesive composition to produce the laminate, wherein the adhesive layer has a thickness of less than or equal to about 5 microns, wherein the dynamically vulcanized alloy film comprises a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing a thermoplastic resin as a continuous phase, and a rubber composition dispersed therein, as a dispersed phase. A laminate and a pneumatic tire comprising the laminate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises an overlay wherein the overlay is positioned above the belt plies but beneath the tread, and at least one overlay end is folded and extends inwards toward the center line of the tire.

Abstract: In the invention, at least a tire outer circumferential side portion of a tread portion is formed of a non-conductive rubber layer. The non-conductive rubber layer is formed by winding and laminating a non-conductive rubber ribbon along a tire circumferential direction. A conductive layer is provided on an outer circumference of the non-conductive rubber ribbon, and the conductive layer continuously and spirally extends along the tire circumferential direction, and is exposed on a tread surface from a bottom surface of the non-conductive rubber layer toward a tire outer circumferential side. Accordingly, an electricity generated in a vehicle body is discharged to a road through the conductive layer. Since the conductive layer is scattered within the non-conductive rubber layer and exposure on the tread surface is preferably secured, it is possible to achieve an excellent conductivity.

Abstract: A belt structure for a two-wheeled vehicle made by means of strip-like segments or elements, each including parallel cords embedded in an elastomeric layer, sequentially laid along the circumferential extension of a toroidal support so as to form a reinforcing layer having a continuous circumferential extension around a geometric rotation axis of the toroidal support, wherein each strip-like element is laid in a laying trajectory defining, at each point, a laying angle; at each point of the laying trajectory a laying gap is formed between adjacent strip-like elements; the laying trajectory is formed starting from preselected laying angles on the shoulder and on the crown of the tire; the laying gap between adjacent strip-like elements varies along at least one length of said laying trajectory between crown and shoulder so as to cause variation of the laying angle and obtain the preselected angles on the shoulder and on the crown.

Abstract: On a tire inner surface “is” facing a tire cavity “i” surrounded by a rim 2 and a pneumatic tire 3, the tire is provided with a noise damper 4 made of a spongy material and extending in the circumferential direction of the tire. Noise dampers 4 having the same cross sectional shape are used in a size group of tires which include a minimum volume tire that the cross sectional area S of the tire cavity on the meridian cross section has a minimum value Smin and a maximum volume tire that the cavity cross section area S has a maximum value Smax, and which have sizes such that the cavity sectional area ratio Smax/Smin falls within the range of 1.00 to 1.95.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having an inner liner formed from a rubber composition that includes a butyl rubber in which the Mooney viscosity measured at 130° C. of an unvulcanized rubber of the rubber composition is at least 45, wherein the average value and standard deviation of the butyl rubber gauge of shoulder portion of a finished tire satisfy: (Standard deviation of butyl rubber gauge)/(Average value of butyl rubber gauge)?0.060. The rubber gauge of the tire exhibits improved uniformity and is superior in air permeability resistance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a multi-layered tire component, the steps of the method including providing a mechanical system, the system including a plurality of cutting members; translating a sheet of material along a translation path through the mechanical system; cutting a first strip from the sheet with one or more of the plurality of cutting members, this step occurring during the step of translating; mechanically applying the first strip to a building surface, this step occurring during the step of translating; cutting a second strip from the sheet subsequent to the step of cutting the first strip, this step occurring during the step of translating; mechanically applying the second strip to a building surface, this step occurring during the step of translating.

Abstract: A crown reinforcement of a tyre includes at least one crown triangulation belt having a given width value (R). The belt essentially includes elementary widths each having a given width value (B). Each of the elementary widths has a flattened cross section and forms an angle (?) with a circumferential direction of the tyre, the angle (?) being between 10° and 80°. Adjacent elementary widths, which are positioned directly next to each other, are separated by a groove of a given width value (j) and are connected to each other by one or more weak bridges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pneumatic tires having a laminated innerliner with reinforced splice. The laminated innerliner is a pre-formed laminate comprised of an innerliner film which contains an RFL adhesive coating on both sides for which the innerliner film is cohesively bonded through the RFL adhesive to an uncured tire rubber carcass ply. The uncured splice is comprised of overlapping end portions of the uncured laminated innerliner cohesively bonded together through the RFL adhesive which provides building tack. The uncured splice is reinforced by a an uncured rubber strip cohesively bonded to the laminate by the building tack-providing RFL adhesive for which the strip abridges, the overlapping end portions of the splice, or is sandwiched between the overlapped end portions of the splice, to form a cohesively bonded composite. The assembly, or composite, thereof is cured to adhesively bond the splice and rubber strip together.

Abstract: An expandable bladder has at least one first layer of butyl material and one second layer of silicone material, radially external to the first layer. The first and second layers have an undulated interface profile defining mechanical-engagement elements between the first and second elastomer materials. A process for manufacturing bladder as well as a tire molding and vulcanizing apparatus incorporating the bladder.

Abstract: The joint device for a tire forming machine comprises a joint device connection frame, composite part laminating device, and cord fabric stitching device, wherein the joint device connection frame axially slides along a portal frame through a connection frame drive device, and is located above the vertical direction of a tire body drum; the composite part laminating device is carried on a joint device connection frame through a composite part frame body; the composite part laminating device comprises an axial laminating drive device and a vertical laminating drive device for controlling and driving a compression roller component located on a composite workstation on the tire body drum; the cord fabric stitching device is carried on the joint device connection frame through a main stitching frame; the cord fabric stitching device comprises an axial stitching drive device and a vertical stitching drive device for controlling and driving a stitching wheel component located on a stitching workstation on the tire

Abstract: A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.

Abstract: Methods of making tires with features such as ribs, lugs, or tread blocks include shaping at least one feature onto an uncured tire tread prior to vulcanization. One aspect of these methods may include shaping a feature onto the tread while the tread is associated with the tire. Shaping devices may include shaping rollers, stitching rollers, pre-molds, and annular, curved, or flat stamping plates. An additional aspect of these methods may further reduce the amount of air between a tread and carcass prior to vulcanization. These methods may be used in conjunction with manufacturing processes used on various types of tires, and are particularly suitable for use in large tire manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a pneumatic tire capable of easily and appropriately winding a sheet lamination body formed by a resin film and an unvulcanized rubber sheet around a shaping drum.

Abstract: A modular composite manufacturing method. An illustrative embodiment of the method includes providing a plurality of composite modules; inspecting the composite modules; providing a curing tool; and placing the composite modules on the curing tool.

Abstract: A method for producing a pneumatic tire according to the present invention can use existing facilities without change and does not make the spliced parts of an inner liner easily opened even if the tire is produced with use of an inner liner having a low adhesion. In a method for producing a pneumatic tire having steps of winding an inner liner 8? around a tire building drum 21 to form a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body is formed by attaching a winding-starting end 8?a of the inner liner 8? to the building drum 21 via an uncured tacky member 9?, winding the inner liner 8? attached to the building drum 21 around the building drum21, and splicing a winding-finishing end side of the wound inner liner 8? with the winding-starting end 8?a of the inner liner 8? via the uncured tacky member 9?.

Abstract: A fixing belt includes an inner layer, serving as a sliding layer, in which filler particles having an aspect ratio of 5 or more are oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction of the fixing belt.

Abstract: An annular rubber member is molded, across a through hole, on a support surface of a support device that includes the support surface and the through hole which opens to the support surface. The rubber member molded on the support surface is arranged so as to oppose a sidewall unit of a shaped tire intermediate body. The support device is moved close to the tire intermediate body and the rubber member on the support surface is brought into contact with the sidewall unit. The rubber member is adhered to the sidewall by moving the press member that presses the rubber member to the side wall unit via the through hole, in a tire radial direction.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method for applying a flexible annular strip to a radially inward oriented surface of a tire. Moreover, the present invention is directed to a corresponding apparatus for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: A tire with a circumferential reinforcement layer formed by spirally winding rubber strips in the same direction from different positions arranged in the width direction of the tire. The rubber strips (12A and 12B) are arranged with spaces in a part or the entirety of the tire in the width direction; among those end portions of the rubber strips, at least medial end portions (12Bs and 12Ae) that are located on the equatorial plane side of the tire are arranged at positions where the medial end portions completely overlap with rib-form land portions (2a) in the width direction of the tire; and the width of the rib-form land portions overlapping with the medial end portions is defined as W and the width of the rubber strips is defined as G, wherein a relationship G<W is satisfied.

Abstract: A tire (1) comprising a crown reinforcing belt, formed of a plurality of reinforcing plies (13, 14) superposed on one another, each reinforcing ply resulting from the circumferential winding of one or more ply portions, in which tire the faces of the circumferential ends of the said portions (13, 14) are butted together to form a butt joint (130, 140).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product and processes or methods for preparing a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product. The product comprises a film layer, two adhesive layers (each directly contacting one outer surface of the film layer) and at least one removable partitioning sheet layer contacting the outer surface of at least one of the adhesive layers. The process includes co-extrusion of a film layer and two adhesive layers, addition of at least one partitioning sheet layer to at least one of the adhesive layers either during the co-extruding step or directly thereafter (and may be a mixture of both if more than one partitioning sheet layer is present) and rolling of the layers together (such that if there is only one partitioning sheet layer it faces inward) to form a rolled multilayer tire inner liner product.

Abstract: A method of forming an air passageway in a an air maintenance tire carcass includes: embedding an elongate strip within a pre-cured flexible tire component of a pre-cured tire carcass, the elongate strip extending in a longitudinal direction between an air inlet cavity and an air outlet cavity in the flexible tire component; curing the pre-cured tire carcass including the flexible tire component; extracting the elongate strip longitudinally end-to-end from occupancy within the flexible tire component; and defining an air passageway in the flexible component by the space previously occupied by the withdrawn elongate strip. A free end portion of the strip is accessible at either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity, and the elongate strip may be extracted from either the air inlet cavity or the air outlet cavity by a tensile withdrawal force applied to the elongate strip free end.