A reinforcing element, having a cross section with a flattened overall shape and extending in a main direction and comprising at least one lateral edge made of a polymeric composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, the lateral edge extending in a general direction substantially parallel to the main direction is treated by heating at least a part of the lateral edge, during which at least a part of the lateral edge is subjected to a plasma flow so as to raise the temperature of the part of the lateral edge above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer.

The invention relates to a method and a system for the processing of an end-of-use pneumatic tire that is provided with an inner lining layer manufactured with a sealing agent intended to seal any punctures and at least partially applied to the surface of an inner cavity of the end-of-use pneumatic tire. The system comprises an applicator device, which is provided with at least one nozzle suitable for dispensing a cryogenic fluid, preferably liquid nitrogen, upon the inner lining layer of sealing agent in such a way that the inner lining layer of sealing agent reaches the solid state; a device for the removal of the inner lining layer of solid sealing agent that is provided with a tool for removing the inner lining layer of solid sealing agent by means of mechanical abrasion; and a circuit for suctioning the solid sealing agent removed by the tool.

The invention relates to a vehicle wheel assembly, comprising 1) a wheel rim having two opposed circular rim flanges; 2) an outer tire having two beads secured at the circular rim flanges; 3) a non-pneumatic inner tire comprising expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (E-TPU), which inner tire is enclosed by the outer tire and the wheel rim; characterized in that the inner tire in the assembly is in a compressed state S1, which state is compressed as compared to a relaxed state S2 when the inner tire is not enclosed by the outer tire, the compression being such that the cross-sectional surface area SA of the inner tire, which area is perpendicular to the plane of the tire, is smaller in state S1 than in state S2.

A method and system for cleaning the inner surface of a tire, comprising the steps of: emitting a laser beam that is directed against the inner surface using at least an emitter device; performing deeper cleaning within at least a first annular zone of the inner surface in applying, using at least the laser beam, to the first annular zone a first surface energy density; and performing less thorough cleaning within at least a second annular zone of the inner surface by applying, using at least the laser beam to the second annular zone a second surface energy density that is lower than the first surface energy density.