Abstract: In the field of tire building, underbelt inserts are applied to an expandable support associated with an auxiliary drum on which the belt structure is made, simultaneously with manufacture of a carcass structure on a primary drum. Following expansion of the expandable support, the underbelt inserts are applied to the belt structure that can be directly made on the support itself in an expanded condition. The belt structure together with the underbelt inserts and a tread band are then transferred onto the carcass structure formed on the primary drum to complete building of the tire following shaping of the carcass into a toroidal conformation.

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 robotized arm drives in rotation a drum carrying a tire being processed and conveniently moves it in front of a delivery nozzle supplying a continuous elongated element of elastomer material in order to form a tire component. The delivery nozzle is connected through at least one selecting valve with two or more extruders, each designed to supply a respective blend. The selecting valve connects the delivery nozzle with the outlet of one of the extruders, breaking communication between the nozzle and the other extruders. The outlets of the non-active extruders can be connected with at least one outlet duct. It is thus possible to replace the type of blend used for manufacturing the tire component without the article of manufacture having to be moved away from the delivery nozzle.

Abstract: One or more components of elastomer material in a tyre are formed by dispensing elastomer material through a nozzle of an extruder to form a continuous elongated element of flattened section that is laid in the form of coils disposed close to each other on a laying surface carried by a support element, while said support element is driven in rotation and suitably moved adjacent to a die of the nozzle. The nozzle is drivable in rotation by an actuator so as to modify orientation of the nozzle itself during formation of the tyre component.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tyre which has at least one structural element including at least one first portion made of a first crude elastomeric material, and at least one second portion made of the first crude elastomeric material, the second portion being axially spaced apart from the first portion. The process includes the steps of forming a crude tyre on a supporting device and moulding and curing the crude tyre, wherein the step of forming the crude tyre includes the step of providing the structural element.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass structure, at least one annular reinforcing structure, a tread band, a belt structure, and axially opposite sidewalls. The tread band includes at least one radially inner layer and a radially outer layer. The at least one radially inner layer includes a first modulus of elasticity under compression, the radially outer layer includes a second modulus of elasticity under compression, and the first modulus is greater than the second. The at least one radially inner layer includes a plurality of circumferential abutment elements that radially extend into the radially outer layer and are axially distributed along a transverse development of the tread band. A related process includes making carcass and belt structures, disposing the at least one first layer in a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, and disposing the at least one second layer on the at least one first layer.

Abstract: In the field of tyre building, underbelt inserts are applied to an expandable support associated with an auxiliary drum on which the belt structure is made, simultaneously with manufacture of a carcass structure on a primary drum. Following expansion of the expandable support, the underbelt inserts are applied to the belt structure that can be directly made on the support itself in an expanded condition. The belt structure together with the underbelt inserts and a tread band are then transferred onto the carcass structure formed on the primary drum to complete building of the tyre following shaping of the carcass into a toroidal conformation.

Abstract: A continuous elongated element coming from an extruder or a supply reel is wound into coils disposed consecutively close to each other on a cylindrical forming support. A pusher element urges each coil formed on the forming support against the previously formed coils causing translation of same to a cutter. Following cutting of the coils, a continuous semifinished product is obtained which has elongated reinforcing elements disposed parallel and close to each other and transversely of the longitudinal extension of the semifinished product.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tyre includes the following steps: a) providing a carcass structure; b) providing one structural element of the tyre by laying down at least one elongate element of the tyre by laying down at least one elongate element made of crude elastomer material in a position radially external to the carcass structure; c) providing the structural element of the green tyre with one marking by means of an inkjet marking device; d) introducing the green tyre into a moulding cavity; and f) curing the green tyre.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass structure, tread band, belt structure, and sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply and at least one annular reinforcing structure associated with the at least one carcass ply. The tread band includes first and second sectors. The first sectors are axially spaced apart from each other and tapered along a radially inner direction. The second sectors are axially spaced apart from each other and tapered along a radially outer direction. The first and second sectors are disposed axially side-by-side, one after the other, along a transverse development of the tread band. A ratio of Shore A hardness at 23° C. of the elastomeric material of the first sectors to Shore A hardness at 23° C. of the elastomeric material of the second sectors is greater than 1.10:1. A process for manufacturing the tire is also disclosed.

Abstract: In the manufacture of run-flat tyres, annular reinforcing inserts are applied through spiralling of a continuous elongated element of elastomer material on a service drum associated with a building station engaging a primary drum on which the carcass structure is made. An annular transfer member picks up the annular reinforcing inserts from the service drum to transfer them to the primary drum.

Abstract: A method for producing a tyre for a vehicle wheel includes disposing a carcass structure on a drum having distal and proximal halves; disposing a belt structure around the carcass structure; moving the distal and proximal halves mutually close, from a building condition to a shaping condition, until an intermediate portion of the carcass structure contacts an inner surface of the belt structure; and transferring the drum, in the shaping condition, to a vicinity of at least one application unit. The distal and proximal halves are both carried by a support structure. During moving the distal and proximal halves mutually close, the proximal half maintains a fixed axial position with respect to the support structure. The at least one unit applies at least one elongated element of elastomeric material, in circumferential coils, to form at least one component of the tyre external to the carcass structure.

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 tyre 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 tyre. 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 tyre 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 assembling tyres for vehicle wheels includes disposing a carcass structure on a primary drum, disposing a belt structure on an auxiliary drum, picking up the belt structure from the auxiliary drum to transfer the belt structure to a position coaxially centered with respect to the carcass structure, and applying a tread band onto the belt structure. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply in engagement with annular anchoring structures axially spaced apart from each other. The belt structure includes at least one belt layer. Applying the tread band is carried out by winding up at least one continuous strip element of elastomer material in contiguous circumferential coils around the belt structure. An apparatus for assembling tyres for vehicle wheels includes the primary drum, the auxiliary drum, at least one unit for applying a tread band onto a belt structure, and a transfer member.

Abstract: A method of assembling tyres for vehicle wheels includes disposing a carcass structure on a primary drum, disposing a belt structure on an auxiliary drum, picking up the belt structure from the auxiliary drum to transfer the belt structure to a position coaxially centered with respect to the carcass structure, shaping the carcass structure, applying a tread band, and applying a pair of sidewalls. At least one of applying the tread band and pair of sidewalls is carried out by winding up at least one continuous strip element of elastomer material in contiguous circumferential coils around the carcass structure. An apparatus for assembling tyres for vehicle wheels includes at least one primary drum, the auxiliary drum, a transfer member, at least one unit for applying the tread band onto the belt structure, and at least one unit for applying the pair of sidewalls against lateral walls of the carcass structure.

Abstract: Process and plant for the production of tires, in which lines (100) for assembling semifinished components in order to produce incomplete green tire structures (13) are combined with stations (200) for completing said structures laying down a continuous long element of crude elastomer material along a predetermined path so as to form a constituent element of the tire, for example tread band and/or sidewalls. This process envisages a step for temporarily storing the incomplete green tire structures (13) between the assembly line (100) and the completion station (200), performing mainly a “regulating” function so as to absorb the production of the assembly line when °; the latter is operative and constantly supply the completion station also when the assembly line is at a standstill.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a toroidal carcass, a tread band, and a belt structure. The carcass includes a central crown portion and two axially opposite sidewalls. The axially opposite sidewalls end in a pair of beads for mounting the tyre on a corresponding rim. Each bead includes at least one annular reinforcing core. The tread band is disposed at the central crown portion of the carcass, coaxially extends about the carcass, and includes a relief pattern for rolling contact with the ground. The belt structure is coaxially interposed between the carcass and the tread band. The carcass further includes at least one carcass ply. Ends of the at least one carcass ply are anchored to the annular reinforcing cores. The at least one carcass ply includes a portion that encloses at least one insert in proximity to the annular reinforcing cores.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tire for a vehicle wheel includes forming a carcass sleeve, transferring the carcass sleeve onto a shaping drum, shaping the carcass sleeve to apply a belt structure and a tread band, and applying a pair of sidewalls against side surfaces of the carcass sleeve. Each of the sidewalls extends between an annular reinforcing structure and a side edge of the tread band. Before transferring the carcass sleeve onto the shaping drum, the sidewalls are positioned on an intermediate drum, the carcass sleeve is transferred onto the intermediate drum, and inner end flaps of each sidewall are engaged against the carcass sleeve at the annular reinforcing structures. A related apparatus for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels includes a building drum, a shaping drum, one or more transfer devices for moving the carcass sleeve from the building drum to the shaping drum, an intermediate drum, and an auxiliary unit.