A pneumatic tire manufacturing method is provided in which raw cover molding is suitably performed with no, or a minimal amount of, down-stitching in the manufacture of SOT-structure pneumatic tires; also provided is a pneumatic tire. This pneumatic tire manufacturing method involves: a step in which a sidewall, an inner liner, and a ply are bonded on a first molding drum, a pair of beads is set, and the tread side part is formed on the side wall, forming a first cover; a step in which a breaker and band are bonded on a second molding drum and the tread center part is formed on the band, shaping the tread ring; a step in which the first cover is inserted inside of the tread ring and the first cover is inflated, bonding the tread ring and the first cover with pressure; and a step in which the sidewall is folded back towards the lateral surface of the inflated first cover and bonded to the lateral surface of the first cover, and the tread side part and the tread center part are bonded together.

A pneumatic tire manufacturing method is provided in which raw cover molding is suitably performed with no, or a minimal amount of, down-stitching in the manufacture of SOT-structure pneumatic tires; also provided is a pneumatic tire. This pneumatic tire manufacturing method involves: a step in which a sidewall, an inner liner, and a ply are bonded on a first molding drum, a pair of beads is set, and the tread side part is formed on the side wall, forming a first cover; a step in which a breaker and band are bonded on a second molding drum and the tread center part is formed on the band, shaping the tread ring; a step in which the first cover is inserted inside of the tread ring and the first cover is inflated, bonding the tread ring and the first cover with pressure; and a step in which the sidewall is folded back towards the lateral surface of the inflated first cover and bonded to the lateral surface of the first cover, and the tread side part and the tread center part are bonded together.

The method includes a step (a) of geometric characterization of the profile, during which a first set of geometric remarkable points prepresenting the shape of the profile is provided. In a step (b) of functional characterization of the profile, a second set of functional remarkable points linked to the laying laws which specify the conditions for laying the tire component is provided. The remarkable points are stored in a path chart. At step (c) a series of equidistant virtual points, referred to as potential guide points, is defined on the profile, from the first functional remarkable point to the last functional remarkable point. Then, at step (d), the size of the path chart is reduced by applying to the path chart one or more selection criteria in order to select some of the potential guide points and remarkable points.

The method includes a step (a) of geometric characterization of the profile, during which a first set of geometric remarkable points prepresenting the shape of the profile is provided. In a step (b) of functional characterization of the profile, a second set of functional remarkable points linked to the laying laws which specify the conditions for laying the tire component is provided. The remarkable points are stored in a path chart. At step (c) a series of equidistant virtual points, referred to as potential guide points, is defined on the profile, from the first functional remarkable point to the last functional remarkable point. Then, at step (d), the size of the path chart is reduced by applying to the path chart one or more selection criteria in order to select some of the potential guide points and remarkable points.

A continuous elongated element of elastomeric material is produced through an extruder at a linear delivery speed and directly fed onto a moving surface of a conveyor without interposition of other devices. The continuous elongated element is advanced on the moving surface along a predetermined direction and at a linear advancing speed different from the linear delivery speed until a proximal end of the conveyor. Subsequently, the continuous elongated element is applied onto a forming support which rotates relative to the proximal end of the conveyor at a peripheral speed different from the linear delivery speed, so as to deform the continuous elongated element and apply it in the form of wound coils onto the forming support in order to form a component of elastomeric material of a tyre.

A continuous elongated element of elastomeric material is produced through an extruder at a linear delivery speed and directly fed onto a moving surface of a conveyor without interposition of other devices. The continuous elongated element is advanced on the moving surface along a predetermined direction and at a linear advancing speed different from the linear delivery speed until a proximal end of the conveyor. Subsequently, the continuous elongated element is applied onto a forming support which rotates relative to the proximal end of the conveyor at a peripheral speed different from the linear delivery speed, so as to deform the continuous elongated element and apply it in the form of wound coils onto the forming support in order to form a component of elastomeric material of a tyre.

A method for forming a composite tread, the method comprising the steps of forming a coextruded strip of a first compound and a second compound, wherein the first compound is a tread compound, and the second compound is formed from a high-wear compound, wherein the tread is formed from winding the coextruded strip onto the tire building drum while varying the ratio of the first compound to the second compound.

A method of manufacturing a tire tread includes extruding a rubber strip and conveying the rubber strip through an opening of a roller die. The opening is defined by an upper die and a lower die, wherein the upper die and lower die contact the rubber strip and define a cross-section of the rubber strip as the rubber strip is conveyed through the opening. The method also includes adjusting a distance between the upper die and the lower die as the rubber strip is conveyed through the opening. The method further includes applying the rubber strip from the roller die onto a receptacle that rotates about a receptacle axis. The method also includes translating the roller die in a first direction parallel to the receptacle axis while applying the rubber strip, thereby forming a spiral of the rubber strip about the receptacle.

A method of manufacturing a tire tread includes extruding a rubber strip and conveying the rubber strip through an opening of a roller die. The opening is defined by an upper die and a lower die, wherein the upper die and lower die contact the rubber strip and define a cross-section of the rubber strip as the rubber strip is conveyed through the opening. The method also includes adjusting a distance between the upper die and the lower die as the rubber strip is conveyed through the opening. The method further includes applying the rubber strip from the roller die onto a receptacle that rotates about a receptacle axis. The method also includes translating the roller die in a first direction parallel to the receptacle axis while applying the rubber strip, thereby forming a spiral of the rubber strip about the receptacle.

An apparatus for building a tire for a vehicle wheel includes at least one forming support and at least one assembly device for assembling components of elastomeric material on the forming support. The at least one assembly device includes at least one dispensing device for dispensing a continuous elongated element of elastomeric material and at least one application device for applying the continuous elongated element in a form of coils disposed in side by side relationship or at least partly superposed, wound on the forming support and forming the at least one component of elastomeric material of the tire. The apparatus also includes at least one pressure device operatively acting on an applied portion of the continuous elongated element, wherein the pressure device includes a central roller and two side rollers, each laterally offset relative to the central roller and on the opposite side relative to the other side roller.