Particular embodiments of the invention include a closed-loop tread strip forming unit (100) and methods for forming tread strips using a closed-loop unit. Embodiments of such forming units include a tread strip extruder (110) located at a pre-cure end of the closed-loop tread strip forming unit. Such units include an uncured tread strip handling assembly (120) configured to transport the first uncured tread strip from the first tread strip extruder and to a first tread strip mold member (130). The unit further includes a curing press (150) having an inlet and an outlet, a pre-cure mold handling assembly (140) configured to insert the loaded tread strip mold member into the curing press, a post-cure mold handling assembly (160) configured to receive the loaded tread strip mold member from the outlet of the curing press, a return assembly (170) configured to transfer the first tread strip mold member to the pre-cure end to complete a closed-loop.

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.

A system in accordance with the present invention cures and manufactures a partially-cured tire assembly. The system includes: a functional wheel member being slid into a corresponding annular, radially inner surface of the partially-cured tire assembly; a plurality of elongate spacer members; a first annular curing platen for axially securing the wheel member and spacer members relative to each other; a second annular curing platen for axially securing the wheel member and spacer members relative to each other; and a plurality of elongate inserts for creating a substantially smooth, uniform outer cylindrical surface formed by a radially outer surface of each insert and flap members of the tire assembly positioned by the radially outermost surfaces of the spacer members.

A separation device (1) intended to separate a profiled element (2) from a conveying surface (3) which conveys the profiled element (2) in a longitudinal direction (L0) comprises a detachment roller (10) which is mounted so as to be able to rotate on a support (11) about a detachment axis (X10), and which is intended to be interposed, in an engagement configuration (C1), between the profiled element (2) and the conveying surface (3) to cause the profiled element (2) to become detached from the conveying surface (3).

Disclosed is a transport device, an applicator and a method for transporting a tire component in a transport direction. The transport device includes at least three conveyors extending mutually parallel in the transport direction and side-by-side in a lateral direction perpendicular to the transport direction to form a combined conveying surface for conveying the tire component in the transport direction, wherein the at least three conveyors include an intermediate conveyor, a first side conveyor on a first side of the intermediate conveyor in the lateral direction and a second side conveyor on a second side of the intermediate conveyor in the lateral direction, opposite to the first side, wherein the intermediate conveyor, the first side conveyor and the second side conveyor are movable at different speeds with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the transport direction.

Disclosed is a guiding device having a guide roller that is rotatable about a roller axis and that has an exterior guide surface extending in a circumferential direction about the roller axis, wherein the guide roller includes a plurality of roller segments juxtaposed in an axial direction along the roller axis for forming the exterior guide surface, wherein the plurality of roller segments are movable relative to each other to enable the guide roller to be positioned in a maximum bend state in which the roller axis extends along an arc, wherein the plurality of roller segments are interlocked to rotate together about the roller axis in a maximum bend state, wherein the plurality of roller segments extend over an arc length along the arc of the roller axis, wherein the arc length is at least ninety degrees in the maximum bend state.

An applicator roll, a tire component servicer, and a method for applying a strip to a drum are provided. The applicator roll includes an outer ring that is rotatable about a rotation axis and that defines a retaining surface. The applicator roll is provided with suction openings for retaining the strip to the retaining surface. The applicator roll includes a follower that is rotatable inside the outer ring to follow a part of the strip on the retaining surface. The follower defines a chamber that extends in the circumferential direction over a retaining arc along the outer ring. The follower is rotatable about the rotation axis independently of the outer ring to a first retaining position on the outer ring in which the chamber is arranged in air communication with one or more suction openings within said retaining arc.

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.

The invention discloses a tire building device and a tire building method. The tire building device includes a lateral-longitudinal-orthogonal 1 rail unit, a transferring ring, a carcass application unit, a bead placement unit, a belt application unit, a building unit, a shaping unit, and a tire unloading mechanism; the lateral and longitudinal orthogonal rail unit divides the tire building device into four areas, and also establishes the connection between the units through the transferring ring. The tire building method, including: 1) adhere the bead and tire carcass compound and then sent to the building unit; 2) send the belt compound to the building unit, 3) compound the carcass compound and belt compound into a carcass and sent to the shaping unit; 4) wind the carcass around the tread to form a green tire and sends it to the tire unloading mechanism for disassembly.

A topping sheet forming method includes: a feeding and division step of feeding a textile original fabric, obtained by weaving longitudinally aligned tire cords into a cord fabric by use of weft yams, and cutting off the weft yarns in predetermined widthwise positions to divide the textile original fabric into a plurality of narrow textile original fabrics; a calender step of topping, with unvulcanized rubber, at least one surface of one narrow textile original fabric out of the divided narrow textile original fabrics; and a wind-up step of winding up the other narrow textile original fabrics out of the divided narrow textile original fabrics.