Patent ID: 7276131
Filing Date: 2007-10-02
Classification: B29C,B29D,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method of making a tire, comprising: making a carcass structure; applying a belt structure to the carcass structure at a circumferentially external position of the carcass structure; applying a tread band to the belt structure at a circumferentially external position of the belt structure; applying at least one pair of sidewalls to the carcass structure at laterally opposite positions; and vulcanizing the tire; wherein making the carcass structure involves formation of a first carcass ply, comprising: wherein each deposition section extends in a substantially U-shaped conformation against a profile in transverse section of the toroidal support or a previously deposited deposition section to define two side portions and a crown portion, wherein the side portions substantially extend in planes orthogonal to a geometric axis of rotation of the toroidal support at mutually-spaced-apart positions in an axial direction, wherein the crown portion extends in a radially external position between the side portions, wherein the crown portions of the deposition sections are arranged consecutively in side-by-side relationship along a circumferential extension of the toroidal support, wherein the side portions of each deposition section partly overlap or are partly overlapped by a side portion of at least one consecutive deposition section, wherein formation of the a first carcass ply further comprises pressing the at least one strip element at the side portions of the deposition sections to define regions of greater width close to radially inner circumferential edges of the carcass structure, and wherein the pressing is carried out on the at least one strip element during depositing the at least one strip element by exerting a pressing action on a section of the at least one strip element before that section is deposited onto the toroidal support.