Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire (100) for vehicle wheels comprising a tire component comprising a crosslinked elastomeric material obtained by crosslinking a crosslinkable elastomeric composition, wherein said elastomeric composition comprises a polymer blend comprising (a) 50 to 95 percent by weight of a first elastomeric polymer and (b) 5 to 50 percent by weight of a second elastomeric polymer based on the total weight of the polymer blend. The second elastomeric polymer (b) is obtainable by (i) anionic polymerization of at least one conjugated diene monomer and one or more a-olefin monomer(s) in the presence of a polymerization initiator in an organic solvent, and (ii) coupling the polymer chains obtained in (i) by a coupling agent. The second elastomeric polymer (b) has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) in the range of 5,000-40,000 g/mol and a coupling rate of at least 50 percent by weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for elastomeric compounds for tyres, comprising monotetrazole compatibilizing agents characterised by precise activation temperatures, tyre components and tyres for vehicle wheels which comprise them. Advantageously, the present monotetrazole compatibilizing agents allow the breaking properties of the compounds to be improved while maintaining a high compatibilisation of the filler.

Abstract: An apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels are described. A substantially cylindrical carcass sleeve, having at least one carcass ply, includes consecutively adjacent strip-like elements laid one after the other around the circumferential extension of a substantially cylindrical deposition surface. Circumferentially consecutive strip-like elements laid one after the other form overlap zones along respective longitudinal edges superimposed on each other. Each overlap zone has, along a longitudinal extension thereof, terminal sections that are laterally opposite with respect to an intermediate section. The intermediate section of each overlap zone has greater width than the width of the terminal sections.

Abstract: A tyre for vehicle wheels comprises a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply having a plurality of hybrid reinforcing cords (10). Each hybrid reinforcing cord (10) comprises at least two strands (20a, 20b) twisted together with a predetermined twisting pitch (P). Each of said at least two strands (20a, 20b) comprises at least one monofilament textile wire made of polyester fibres and at least one multifilament textile yarn (22a, 22b) comprising a plurality of textile filaments (23a, 23b) made of aramid and/or polyester and/or rayon fibres. In any cross section of the hybrid reinforcing cord (10), said at least one monofilament textile wire is at least partially embedded in the filaments (23a, 23b) of said at least one multifilament textile yarn (22a, 22b).

Abstract: A method for verifying the correct formation of the beads in a process and a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels, includes: loading a plurality of annular anchoring structures in a storage, disposing them in two groups separated by an opening; positioning a building drum provided with a carcass sleeve in a tyre bead-forming machine; picking up two of the annular anchoring structures from the storage and loading them on the tyre bead-forming machine. In a work area of the tyre bead-forming machine, on each of two axially opposite zones of the carcass sleeve, a respective annular anchoring structure is fit and each of the abovementioned zones is turned up around the respective annular anchoring structure to form the beads. The aforesaid opening allows an operator to conduct a visual inspection of the work area and/or access the work area during the entire work cycle of the machine.

Abstract: A tyre for vehicle wheels comprises a support structure and a tread band arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the support structure. The support structure comprises at least one reinforcing layer including a plurality of hybrid reinforcing cords (10?) each having a metallic wire (21) twisted together with a multifilament textile yarn (22) comprising a plurality of filaments (23). In any cross section of each of said hybrid reinforcing cords (10?), the metallic wire (21) is at least partially embedded in the filaments (23) of the multifilament textile yarn (22).

Abstract: All season tyre (1) for SUVs and Crossovers; the tyre having a tread band (7) provided with a plurality of sipes (21,22,23,24,25,26) regularly and homogeneously arranged, and a wide central region (LI) provided with three rows of blocks, at least wo of which are provided with transverse grooves only slightly inclined relative to a direction orthogonal to the equatorial plane. The central region (LI) lacks circumferential annular portions having a low void-to-rubber ratio located adjacent to central annular portions having a medium or high void-to-rubber ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to self-supporting tyres for vehicle wheels having sidewall reinforcement inserts (113) with reduced rigidity. These tyres have a good mileage in flat running conditions, greater comfort and significantly reduced rolling resistance compared to known self-supporting tyres, with higher modulus sidewall reinforcement inserts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-supporting tire for vehicle wheels comprising a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply having a plurality of hybrid reinforcing cords (10) each comprising at least two strands (20) twisted to each other with a predetermined stranding pitch (P), wherein each of said at least two strands (20) comprises at least one monofilament textile thread (21) at least partially embedded in the filaments (22a) of at least one multifilament textile yarn (22) and a pair of sidewall reinforcement inserts (113), where at least one of said sidewall reinforcement inserts comprises a vulcanised elastomeric compound which has a dynamic shear modulus value G equal to or less than 1.25 MPa measured at 70° C., 10 Hz, 9% deformation according to the RPA method reported in the present description.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for building tyres, wherein, in the process, a carcass sleeve including at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular anchoring structures is transferred to a shaping drum including flange elements that are each engageable with one of said annular anchoring structures. The carcass sleeve is shaped according to a toroidal configuration. Before shaping, annular grip elements respectively carried by the flange elements are radially expanded, each inside one of the annular anchoring structures, in order to engage the carcass sleeve. The annular anchoring structures are moved axially apart from each other before engaging the carcass sleeve by the annular grip elements.

Abstract: A process for building tyres for vehicle wheels includes: forming a tyre in process, the tyre including a belt structure and depositing a tread band in a position radially external to the belt structure by winding a continuous elongated element made of elastomeric material according to axially adjacent or partially overlapped coils. During the deposition of the tread band and on at least one of the coils already wound, a conductive liquid elastomeric compound is applied, the compound continuously extended between a radially outer surface of the tread band and a radially outer surface of the belt structure to generate electrically conductive paths and free zones.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus of handling tyres. The method includes: —generating a first relative motion between a detecting line (4) and a tyre (100) for acquiring the position of a first edge (106) of a tyre (100) with respect to a reference (5); —generating a second relative motion between said detecting line (4) and said tyre (100) and acquiring the position of a second edge (107) of said tyre (100) with respect to said reference (5); —positioning a gripping device and gripping said tyre (100) on the basis of the positions of said first and second edge (107) with respect to said reference (5).

Abstract: The process for producing tyres comprises arranging no more than four sets of noise-reducing elements, each set being associated with a respective dimension Lx different from each other; feeding in succession a set of tyres for vehicle wheels, having different values C of the inner circumferential extension; for each inner circumferential extension value, determining a respective number nx of noise-reducing elements for each set of noise-reducing elements, with x ranging from 1 to N, wherein for at least one value of the inner circumferential extension at least two respective numbers nx differ from 0; for each tyre, collecting from each set of noise-reducing elements the respective number nx of noise-reducing elements and applying the collected noise-reducing elements in circumferential sequence along an inner surface of the tyre, with dimension Lx oriented circumferentially.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tyre for vehicle wheels, in particular automobile wheels, characterised by a tread comprising at least one iso-styrene/trans-butadiene/terpene random terpolymer. Said tread is characterised by a greater tear resistance and a greater grip of the tyre to the roadbed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a vulcanisable elastomeric compound for tyres, characterised by the use of a particular vulcanisation-activating filler and by the methods of adding additives, in particular the compatibilising agent (silane), which occurs only after completion of the reaction between the activating filler comprising zinc and the fatty acid (stearic acid). The present process, advantageous in itself due to the possible reduction of the times and of the energy required for vulcanisation, allows preparing compounds which, with the same performances compared to the traditional ones, can have a reduced zinc content, and consequently a lower release thereof from tyres during use at an environmental level.

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method for building tyres for vehicle wheels and to a transfer device (16) of an apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels. The centring device (16) comprises: an annular support structure (18); gripping elements (19) arranged as a ring on the annular support structure (18) and having gripping surfaces (20) directed radially towards a longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16); a measurement device (30) mounted on the annular support structure (18). The measurement device (30) is configured for detecting the centring between the transfer device (16) and a drum (12, 13) situated within the transfer device (16). The transfer device (16) is configured for picking up the tyre being processed (14, 15) from the drum (12, 13) on which the tyre being processed is arranged or for depositing a tyre being processed (14, 15) on the drum (12, 13).

Abstract: Method for controlling the feed of semifinished products in a tyre building process, said method comprising: feeding a semifinished product (10) into a building station (30) adapted to build, through said semi-finished product (10), a structural component of a tyre; performing, in an acquisition zone (AZ), a verification to verify the presence of at least one defect of said semifinished product (10); generating a notification signal (NS) as a function of said verification; activating, as a function of said notification signal (NS), a discard device (60), configured for discarding at least one portion of said semifinished product (10) comprising said at least one defect.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for applying noise reducer elements to tyres. Each noise reducer element has an anchoring surface coated with an adhesive layer. The anchoring surface is illuminated with a reference radiation. The radiation emitted by the anchoring surface is detected; and a digital image representative of the anchoring surface is determined as a function of the emitted radiation. Each pixel of the digital image is associated with a respective brightness value representative of the amount of adhesive present in an area of the anchoring surface corresponding to such each pixel. One or more noise reducer elements are applied on the radially inner surface of a tyre.

Abstract: A process for applying noise-reducing elements to a tyre for vehicle wheels. A plurality of noise-reducing elements are arranged on a feeding belt movable along a predetermined feeding direction. The noise-reducing elements are subsequently aligned along the feeding direction and brought into mutual contact, to then be transferred onto a service plane arranged downstream of the feeding belt along the feeding direction and having, on an upper surface thereof, a continuous film which supports a layer of adhesive material. The layer of adhesive material is applied onto a lower surface of each of the noise-reducing elements taking it from the continuous film. The noise-reducing elements are then transferred one by one onto a conveyor belt arranged downstream of the service plane along the feeding direction. The noise-reducing elements are finally positioned one by one on a radially inner surface of a tyre.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tyre for bicycle wheels comprising a tread band containing an anti-puncture system capable of offering high resistance to the penetration of foreign bodies.