Abstract: The invention enables to pressure-bond a carcass ply sheet pasted onto a rubber laminating member wound around a periphery of a building drum firmly along a recessed and projected shape of the rubber laminating member without producing a deformation or a warp of a carcass cord, by using a stitcher apparatus constituted by arranging a plurality of pressure-bond rollers having axis centers in a tangential direction of a concentric circle having a diameter larger than that of a building drum in a peripheral direction by a plurality of rows and by a constant pitch by being respectively supported to be able to progressively displace to an inner side in a diameter direction, while moving the building drum in an axial direction relative to the pressure-bond rollers on an inner side of a circular arrangement of the pressure-bond rollers, a carcass ply sheet is pressed by a predetermined pressure to pressure-bond over an entire periphery and simultaneously by the respective pressure-bond rollers progressively displace

Abstract: A run-flat pneumatic tire assembly includes a pneumatic tire having an elastomeric casing and a tire cavity formed therein. A longitudinally-extending and approximately planar length of strip material is helically arranged within the tire cavity to pre-stress the length of strip material for usage of the pneumatic tire during under-inflated and non-inflated conditions. A method of making a run-flat pneumatic tire assembly is also included.

Abstract: A tire support device for supporting the bead area of a tire is described. The tire support device includes an inner support member having a plurality of support vanes mounted to the support member, the support vanes radially extend from the inner support member. The tire support device further comprises a plurality of cover plates forming an outer cylindrical surface for supporting the bead area of a tire. The cover plates having an inner rib which extends radially inward, said rib having one or more guide members, each slide member slidably mounted on the support vane, wherein the guide members are slidably from a radially inward position to close the cover plates, and to a radially outward position to radially expand the tires.

Abstract: A rubber sheet jointing apparatus is provided with first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of one of two rubber sheets, second holding means provided movably relative to the first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of the other of the two rubber sheets, and operating means for pressure-contacting the end surfaces of the two rubber sheets respectively held by the first and second holding means by moving the second holding means relative to the first holding means. Mutually facing surfaces of the first and second holding means are respectively provided with holder portions which are formed as rugged portions each taking a comb tooth shape and which are able to partly overlap to mesh with each other.

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: A pneumatic tire molding method and apparatus enable a side member to be attached to a tire component member set on an external circumferential surface of a rigid inner mold with intimate contact while preventing deformation of the side member surface shape. An annular recess in an annular holder covers an area corresponding to a tire side section of a carcass material on an external circumferential surface of a circular-cylindrically shaped rigid inner mold having substantially the same shape as a profile of an internal circumferential surface of a tire to be manufactured. Air is sucked from a space between the recess and carcass to reduce space pressure. A holding part is arranged inside the recess, has a holding surface having the same shape as a side member surface, and attaches the side member to the reduced pressure area. Remaining tire components are attached to complete a green tire.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels includes the step of building, on a forming support, a belt structure including at least one reinforcing structure of the so-called zero-degree type. The reinforcing structure is formed by depositing a continuous elongated reinforcing element on a deposition surface arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the forming support. The aforementioned deposition includes the step of exerting, through at least one element made from magnetic material, a magnetic attraction on a portion of the continuous elongated reinforcing element arranged at at least one pressing member and moving said at least one pressing member toward the forming support until the continuous elongated reinforcing element is brought into contact with the deposition surface.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for building tires for vehicle wheels wherein the process includes the step of assembling components of elastomeric material on a forming support, in which at least one of the components of elastomeric material is manufactured by the steps of: i) dispensing a continuous elongated element of elastomeric material; ii) applying the continuous elongated element in the form of coils disposed in side by side relationship or at least partly superposed, wound up on the forming support, so as to form the at least one component of elastomeric material of the tire; iii) exerting a first pressure on a central region of a portion of the continuous elongated element applied onto the forming support; and iv) exerting a second pressure on side regions of the portion of the continuous elongated element applied onto the forming support.

Abstract: A rubber sheet jointing apparatus is provided with a first holding member for releasably holding a joint end portion of one of two rubber sheets; a second holding member provided movably relative to the first holding member for releasably holding a joint end portion of the other of the two rubber sheets; and an operating member for pressure-contacting the end surfaces of the two rubber sheets respectively held by the first and second holding member by moving the second holding member relative to the first holding member. Mutually facing surfaces of the first and second holding member are respectively provided with holder portions which are formed as rugged portions each taking a comb tooth shape and which are able to partly overlap to mesh with each other.

Abstract: A transfer ring for supporting a belt and tread package about a tire carcass for inflation of the carcass within the package during a tire-making process includes a plurality of shoes which are movable inwardly and outwardly for purposes of grasping or releasing a package positioned between the shoes. Components are provided for moving the shoes inwardly to a radial position about a package; and at this radial position, the shoes apply to the package a biasing force for maintaining a substantial uniform pressure about the package if it were to contract in size after the shoes are moved to the radial position. A braking arrangement is provided which prevents the shoes from moving outwardly of the radial position when a tire carcass is thereafter inflated within the package to thereby limit the diameter of the package during the carcass-inflating process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a patch to an interior surface of a tire, the apparatus comprising a patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior surface of the tire, the patch holder comprising a patch receptacle and a plurality of orifices extending there through in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and, an adhesive barrier surrounding the patch receptacle. The steps of a method include placing a patch into a patch receptacle in a tire patch holder, the patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior tire surface, directing the patch holder to obliquely contact the interior surface of the tire, and, pressing the patch into substantial adhesive contact with the interior tire surface.

Abstract: A tire labeling system (10) for printing a label (L) and applying the label (L) on a surface of a tire (T). A printer (12) is provided to print the label and an applicator (20) is provided to transfer the label (L) from the printer (12) to the tire (T) and apply the label (L) to the tire (T).

Abstract: A rigid core which at least partly defines a manufacturing form for the inside surface of a tire, the core comprising a plurality of circumferentially adjacent segments (10) arranged side by side in contact with each other via their transverse faces, said transverses faces of at least one segment being convergent radially away from the core, each of said segments comprising an attachment part (13) for attachment to a locking member for locking the various segments (10), said attachment part (13) being provided at the radially inner edge of each of the segments (10), in which core at least one electrical heating resistor (17) is moulded into each of the segments (10); the electrical resistor comprises a heating resistor wire (17) running in a steel tube (16), and said segment (10) is essentially made from a grade of cast iron whose melting point is below the melting point of said steel tube (16).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a tire includes providing an elastomeric layer on an outer surface of a toroidal support, manufacturing the tire on the toroidal support provided with the elastomeric layer, introducing the tire supported on the toroidal support into a moulding cavity, introducing a fluid under pressure into a space defined between the toroidal support and an inner surface of the tire in order to press an outer surface of the tire against walls of the moulding cavity, and curing the tire. The elastomeric layer forms an inner circumferential surface of the tire. The process further includes causing an electrical current to flow in at least one heating element provided to the outer surface of the toroidal support so as to obtain at least partial precuring of the elastomeric layer. A toroidal support for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels, includes building, on a toroidal support, a carcass structure including at least one carcass ply associated, at axially opposite end edges thereof, with annular anchoring structures, the building step of the carcass structure includes forming at least one reinforcing structure, operatively associated with the annular anchoring structures through deposition on the toroidal support of at least one reinforcing element along a predetermined curvilinear deposition path. The deposition of the at least one reinforcing element includes the steps of: cutting to size a piece of at least one reinforcing continuous band-like element fed by a feeding device along a predetermined feeding direction, deforming the piece obtained according to the curvature of a deposition part of the deposition path intended to receive the piece, and depositing the deformed piece at the deposition part.

Abstract: A green tyre is either directly formed or, when building is over, engaged on an expandable toroidal support to be then introduced into a vulcanisation mould. The expandable toroidal support includes an expandable bladder and a pair of pressure rings, each including fast and second pressure sectors circumferentially distributed and operating at axially opposite positions on the expandable bladder. Driving devices act on the pressure rings to selectively translate them between a work condition at which the pressure sectors of each pressure ring, circumferentially aligned with each other, extend radially away from the geometric axis, and a rest condition at which the pressure sectors are disposed close to the geometric axis. Kinematic synchronisation members operatively associated with the driving devices mechanically mutually constrain the pressure rings, so as to impose a simultaneous and mutually symmetric movement on them.

Abstract: This application relates to rollers that may be used to apply pressure onto one or more sheets of material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for applying a patch to an interior surface of a tire, the apparatus comprising a patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior surface of the tire, the patch holder comprising a patch receptacle and a plurality of orifices extending there through in fluid communication with a vacuum source, and, an adhesive barrier surrounding the patch receptacle. The steps of a method include placing a patch into a patch receptacle in a tire patch holder, the patch holder having the top surface shaped to a contour of the interior tire surface, directing the patch holder to obliquely contact the interior surface of the tire, and, pressing the patch into substantial adhesive contact with the interior tire surface.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire is provided. The bladder in an unmounted, relaxed state has a shaped body having a pair of opposed annular beads, said body further comprising a central portion, sidewall portions, and shoulder portions interposed between the central portion and the sidewall portions, wherein the body is defined by an outer contour surface and an inner contour surface, wherein the central portion has gauge which increases to a maximum value axially inward of the shoulder portion, and wherein the bladder gauge in the shoulder is less than the maximum value, and wherein the bladder gauge increases from the shoulder to the bead.

Abstract: A tire forming mold has a side mold portion and an annular mold portion fitted to an outer side in a tire diametrical direction of the side mold portion at a time of clamping the mold, wherein the annular mold portion is constructed by a combination of sectors which are divided in a tire circumferential direction, and each of the sectors is capable of displacing in the tire diametrical direction, wherein a fitting diameter of the annular mold portion is set to be equal to or more than a fitting diameter of the pair of side mold portions, an annular rubber introduction groove extending along the tire circumferential direction is provided at least in one of a fitting surface of the annular mold portion and a fitting surface of the pair of side mold portions, and a shallow groove portion is formed in an introduction port of the rubber introduction groove.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for butt-jointing edges of an elastic material sheet is disclosed. The elastic material sheet is supported such that the two edges to be butt-jointed are oppositely opposed. By moving a pair of counterrotating conical surfaces along the edges, the surfaces of the edges portions are drawn toward the center between the two edges so that the edges are butt-jointed. Between the conical surfaces, a small space is provided so as to form a small rib-like protrusion along the butt-joint. Then, the small rib-like protrusion of the elastic material is pressed down to flatten. Therefore, at the butt-joint interface, the elastic material irregularly interfuses to increase the strength of the butt-joint.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to precisely and efficiently paste a tread ring and a raw tire base body with each other. A ring-like base body 5 is aligned with a former 3. The ring-like base body 5 relatively approaches and separates from a former 3. The ring-like base body 5 includes pasting means 6 which pastes a tread ring A to a raw tire base body B. The pasting means 6 includes a grasping tool 11 having a plurality of segments 13 which abut against an outer peripheral surface of the tread ring A to grasp the tread ring A. The pasting means 6 also includes a pushing-down pasting tool 12 having an annular rubber tube body 15. The rubber tube body 15 is disposed on each side of the segment 13 and pushes down a shoulder side portion As of the tread ring A by expansion to paste the shoulder side portion As to the raw tire base body B.

Abstract: A method of making a green tire comprises: winding a carcass ply of rubberized cords around a building drum into a substantially cylindrical body; pressing the cylindrical body against the building drum through the entire circumference not to allow the carcass cords to move axially and circumferentially of the drum; constricting edge portions of the substantially cylindrical body so that the outer diameter thereof is decreased; setting a bead core around each of the constricted edge portions; folding back the edge portions around the bead cores; releasing the cylindrical body from the pressing against the building drum after the edge portions are constricted at the earliest; and swelling a main portion of the cylindrical body between the bead cores while decreasing the width between the bead cores.

Abstract: A device and technique for processing tires on site includes penetrating the tire with an array of spikes to provide a multiplicity of pinholes dispersed about the tread surface. The pinholes, thereby eliminating the risk of blisters. The size and quantity of the pinholes is calibrated to provide a path for the escape of gas entrapped in the tire material during the manufacturing process, without significantly affecting the performance of strength of the tire. The pattern of pinholes provides a ready path for gas to escape as the tire is heated during use, without the risk of blistering that plagues the typical racing tire. In one embodiment of the invention, the tire is rotatably supported to contact a tire preparation element that includes a plurality of spikes configured to smoothly penetrate the tire rubber. In one feature, the spikes can be heated to facilitate penetration of the tire material, particularly high durometer materials.

Abstract: A mold for molding a foamed tube for a tire of the present invention is formed from a first mold and a second mold. Each mold has an annular concave portion for tube molding, and joining faces which are continuous with the annular concave portion and are formed at an inner side and an outer side, in a radial direction, of the annular concave portion. Each of the joining faces of the first mold and the joining faces of the second mold has horizontal joining faces provided adjacent to the annular concave portion in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction at a radially inner side and a radially outer side of the annular concave portion, and an inclined joining face provided continuously with the horizontal joining face so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal joining face at one of an inner side and an outer side in the radial direction.

Abstract: A manufacturing line (2) is provided with work stations (5-10), each arranged to make and assemble at least one structural component of the tires (A-F) being processed. The structural components of each tire are assembled on a toroidal support provided with bar codes through which the model of the tire to be manufactured s identified and consequent adaptation of the work stations (5-10) to the particular tire working is carried out. Robotized arms (12-18) sequentially transfer the individual tires (A-F) between the different work stations (5-10), as well as to a curing line (3) equipped with molds (24-29) mounted on a turntable (30). The transfer rate on the curing line (3) is the same as the transfer rate between the work stations (5-10).

Abstract: A processing mold is suitable for preparing a tire support. One processing mold that is particularly advantageous includes a processing mold having a first mold body opposing a second mold body, and the first and second mold bodies are aligned through a mandrel. In one embodiment, a first mold body includes a locking member suitable for locking the mandrel to the first body. In this embodiment, the mandrel is movable between the first and second mold bodies such that when a processing mold is opened, the first mold body and the mandrel can separate from the second mold body. A method of using a processing mold by aligning a first mold body and a second mold body through a mandrel and a method of releasing a tire support from a processing mold by locking a mandrel to a first mold body and separating the first and second mold bodies are also particularly advantageous.