Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a tread band. The tread band includes a pattern, including at least two circumferential portions, an elongated ridge, and at least two shoulder blocks. The at least two circumferential portions are disposed in axial side-by-side relationship. At least one of the circumferential portions includes a first geometric module repeated along a circumferential extension direction of the tire. The elongated ridge is bounded by two grooves oblique to the circumferential extension direction and is divided into a plurality of intermediate blocks with respect to an axial extension direction of the tread band. The intermediate blocks are bounded by a plurality of cuts substantially transverse to the elongated ridge. The at least two shoulder blocks are associated with the elongated ridge, are circumferentially aligned along a side edge of the tread band, and are bounded by grooves oriented substantially transversely to the circumferential extension direction.

Abstract: A tyre for a motor vehicle includes a tread and two shoulders. The tread includes a circumferential row of blocks between first and second circumferential grooves. Each of the blocks is delimited by a section of the first circumferential groove and by first and second transverse grooves that terminate at a common vertex spaced from the second circumferential groove. The common vertex is separated from the second circumferential groove by a continuous circumferential tread rib. The second transverse groove delimits one of the blocks and is separated from the first transverse groove that delimits a circumferentially adjacent block by a solid tread portion. The solid tread portion extends from the first circumferential groove to the continuous circumferential tread rib. The common vertex of each block is located at a position axially intermediate the first circumferential groove and a portion of one of the transverse grooves that delimits the block.

Abstract: A tire includes a carcass, a belt structure, and a tread band. The belt structure includes at least two belt plies and at least one belt layer radially external to the belt plies. The at least one belt layer extends at least for an axial width of the at least two belt plies and includes at least one first elongated element and at least one second elongated element. The elongated elements form turns substantially oriented in a circumferential direction of the tire. The turns are alternately disposed along an axial development of the at least one belt layer. The at least one first elongated element is a hybrid cord including at least one high-elastic-modulus filament and at least one low-elastic-modulus filament that are twisted together. An elastic modulus of the at least one second elongated element is lower than an elastic modulus of the at least one first elongated element.

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

Abstract: A method for determining a load exerted on a tire, fitted on a vehicle, during running of the vehicle on a rolling surface, is disclosed. The method includes acquiring a first signal comprising a first signal portion representative of a radial deformation; measuring an amplitude of the radial deformation in the first signal portion; estimating a rotation speed of the tire corresponding to the radial deformation; estimating an inflation pressure of the tire corresponding to the radial deformation; and deriving the load exerted on the tire from the amplitude, the rotation speed, and the inflation pressure. The first signal portion is representative of the radial deformation to which a first tread area portion of the tire is subjected during passage of the first tread area portion through a contact region between the tire and the rolling surface. A system for determining the load exerted on the tire is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a tread band. The tread band includes a pattern, including at least two circumferential portions, an elongated ridge, and at least two shoulder blocks. The at least two circumferential portions are disposed in axial side-by-side relationship. At least one of the circumferential portions includes a first geometric module repeated along a circumferential extension direction of the tyre. The elongated ridge is bounded by two grooves oblique to the circumferential extension direction and is divided into a plurality of intermediate blocks with respect to an axial extension direction of the tread band. The intermediate blocks are bounded by a plurality of cuts substantially transverse to the elongated ridge. The at least two shoulder blocks are associated with the elongated ridge, are circumferentially aligned along a side edge of the tread band, and are bounded by grooves oriented substantially transversely to the circumferential extension direction.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a tread band. The tread band includes a pattern, including at least two circumferential portions, an elongated ridge, and at least two shoulder blocks. The at least two circumferential portions are disposed in axial side-by-side relationship. At least one of the circumferential portions includes a first geometric module repeated along a circumferential extension direction of the tire. The elongated ridge is bounded by two grooves oblique to the circumferential extension direction and is divided into a plurality of intermediate blocks with respect to an axial extension direction of the tread band. The intermediate blocks are bounded by a plurality of cuts substantially transverse to the elongated ridge. The at least two shoulder blocks are associated with the elongated ridge, are circumferentially aligned along a side edge of the tread band, and are bounded by grooves oriented substantially transversely to the circumferential extension direction.

Abstract: A tire for a motor vehicle includes a tread and two shoulders. The tread includes a first circumferential row of blocks disposed between first and second circumferential grooves. Each of the blocks is delimited by a section of the first circumferential groove and by first and second transverse grooves that extend from the first circumferential groove and terminate at a first common vertex spaced from the second circumferential groove. The tread further includes a second circumferential row of blocks disposed between the second circumferential groove and a third circumferential groove. Each of the blocks of the second circumferential row of blocks is delimited by a section of the second circumferential groove and by third and fourth transverse grooves that extend from the second circumferential groove and converge and terminate at a second common vertex. The first common vertex is separated from the second circumferential groove by a circumferential tread rib.

Abstract: A tyre for a motor vehicle includes a tread and two shoulders. The tread includes a circumferential row of blocks between first and second circumferential grooves. Each of the blocks is delimited by a section of the first circumferential groove and by first and second transverse grooves that terminate at a common vertex spaced from the second circumferential groove. The common vertex is separated from the second circumferential groove by a continuous circumferential tread rib. The second transverse groove delimits one of the blocks and is separated from the first transverse groove that delimits a circumferentially adjacent block by a solid tread portion. The solid tread portion extends from the first circumferential groove to the continuous circumferential tread rib. The common vertex of each block is located at a position axially intermediate the first circumferential groove and a portion of one of the transverse grooves that delimits the block.

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: 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 vulcanising apparatus incorporating the bladder.

Abstract: A tire tread includes a circumferential row of blocks disposed between first and second circumferential grooves, wherein each of the blocks is delimited by a section of the first circumferential groove and by first and second transverse grooves that extend from the first circumferential groove and terminate at a common vertex spaced from the second circumferential groove. The common vertex is separated from the second circumferential groove by a continuous circumferential tread rib. The second transverse groove delimits a first one of the blocks and is separated from the first transverse groove that delimits a circumferentially adjacent block by a solid tread portion. The solid tread portion extends from the first circumferential groove to the continuous circumferential tread rib, and the solid tread portion forms a single body with the continuous circumferential tread rib, spacing the first block and the circumferentially adjacent block from each other.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes metering and feeding at least one elastomer and at least one filler into at least one extruder, mixing and dispersing the at least one filler into the at least one elastomer using the at least one extruder, and passing the composition that results through at least one static mixer. An apparatus for continuously producing the composition includes at least one twin-screw extruder, at least one metering device, and at least one static mixer. The at least one extruder includes a housing and two screws rotatably mounted in the housing. The housing includes at least one feed opening and a discharge opening. The at least one metering device meters and feeds at least one elastomer and at least one filler into the at least one extruder. The composition discharged from the discharge opening passes through the at least one static mixer.

Abstract: A method of molding and curing a tire for a vehicle wheel includes building an unvulcanized tire on a toroidal support; heating the support; pressing an inner surface of the tire against an outer surface of the support; and pressing an outer surface of the tire against walls of a molding cavity defined in a vulcanization mold. The inner surface of the tire is pressed against the outer surface by at least one secondary working fluid. The outer surface of the tire is pressed against the walls by at least one primary working fluid. The at least one primary working fluid is heated, causing vulcanization of the tire. An apparatus for molding and curing a tire for a vehicle wheel includes the vulcanization mold, at least one passage device, a feeding device, and first and second heating devices. It may also include an airtight device arranged to receive the support.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a carcass structure having at least one carcass ply and at least one annual reinforcing structure associated with the carcass ply, a tread band made of an elastomeric material at a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a belt structure interposed between the carcass structure and the tread band and a pair of axially opposite side walls on the carcass structure, wherein the tread band has i) at least one first sector, radially extending, substantially of a first elastomeric material; ii) a plurality of second sectors radially extending, positioned at axially opposite sides of the at least one first sector and substantially of a second elastomeric material; iii) at least one longitudinal groove formed in the at least one first sector and extending substantially for the entire circumferential development of the tread band, wherein the first elastomeric material has a modulus of elasticity under compression at 23° C.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel tire includes a carcass structure, at least one annular reinforcing structure, a tread band, and a pair of sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply, each including a plurality of elongated elements disposed around a cross-section profile of the tire. Each elongated element includes two side portions at mutually-spaced-apart positions and a crown portion that extends between the side portions. The at least one annular reinforcing structure includes at least one bead core. A fraction of the elongated elements is turned up around the at least one bead core. A method of manufacturing the tire includes preparing the elongated elements, disposing each elongated element on a toroidal support, applying at least one bead core at a region close to side portions of the elongated elements, and turning up ends of a fraction of the elongated elements around the at least one bead core.

Abstract: A method of molding and curing tires for vehicle wheels includes the steps of disposing a tire being processed on a toroidal support, enclosing the tire and the toroidal support inside a molding cavity defined in a vulcanization mould, pressing the outer surface of the tire against the molding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tire to cause molecular crosslinking of the tire. The pressing step includes the steps of compressing side portions of the tire between the molding cavity walls and the outer surface of the toroidal support, concurrently with the closing step, and imposing an expansion to a radially-outer portion of the tire to bring the radially-outer portion of the tire against the walls of the molding cavity.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a carcass structure having at least one carcass ply and at least one annular reinforcing structure associated with the carcass ply, a pair of axially opposite side walls on the carcass structure, a belt structure arranged at a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure and a tread band arranged at a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, and generally having a first elastomeric material incorporating at least one portion substantially of a second elastomeric material. The tread band has at least one groove defined in the at least one portion substantially of the second elastomeric material, wherein the ratio between the modulus of elasticity under compression at 100° C. of the second elastomeric material and the modulus of elasticity under compression at 100° C. of the first elastomeric material is not lower than about 1.30, and wherein the ratio between the IRHD hardness at 100° C.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a tire during running includes acquiring and storing, at least temporarily, a first curve representing an acceleration profile of a first point of a tread area of the tire; acquiring and storing, at least temporarily, at least one second curve representing an acceleration profile of a second point of the tread area; and comparing the first curve and the at least one second curve, or parameters derived from the first curve and the at least one second curve, so as to determine a dynamic behavior of the tire. The first and second points are located substantially on a same meridian plane of the tire. A related tire, wheel for a vehicle, system for monitoring a tire during running, and method for controlling a vehicle are also disclosed.

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.