Method for Verifying the Correct Formation of the Beads in a Process and a Plant for Buiilding Tyres for Vehicle Wheels

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.

The present invention has as object a method for verifying the correct formation of the beads in a process and a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

A tyre for vehicle wheels generally comprises a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply having respectively opposite terminal zones engaged with respective annular anchoring structures, integrated in the areas usually identified with the name of “beads”, having an internal diameter substantially corresponding to a so-called “fitting diameter” of the tyre on a respective rim.

In the present description and in the subsequent claims, by “annular anchoring structure” it is intended an element of the tyre that comprises a bead core. Preferably such component comprises a bead core and a filler insert. Still more preferably, such component comprises a bead core and a filler insert, both enclosed by one edge.

The document WO 2012/063153, on behalf of the same Applicant, describes a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels which comprises a line for building carcass structures, in which a carcass structure is formed on a building drum. The plant further comprises a line for building crown structures, in which a crown structure is formed on a forming drum. A building station is dedicated to obtaining the belt structure and a work station is arranged for obtaining the tread band and/or the sidewalls. The plant is also provided with an assembly and shaping station operatively associated with the line for building carcass structures and with the line for building crown structures, in which the carcass structure is shaped toroidally and associated with the crown structure, in a manner so as to obtain a green tyre. The green tyres built by the plant are sequentially transferred to a curing line, from which the moulded and cured tyres are obtained. At the line for building carcass structures, a station is placed that is dedicated to the integration of the annular anchoring structures in the carcass ply. Such station comprises a tyre bead-forming machine, a first storage area and a second storage area for annular anchoring structures.

A first conveyor device is moveable between a position for picking up pairs of annular anchoring structures from the first storage area and a release position for releasing such pairs of annular anchoring structures in the tyre bead-forming machine. A second conveyor device moves a plurality of baskets housing the annular anchoring structures between the first storage area and the second storage area and vice versa. The building drums, each provided with a partial carcass sleeve, are carried in succession outside the line for building carcass structures up to the station dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures, for receiving said annular anchoring structures, and then brought back into the line for building carcass structures.

The Applicant has found that in the tyre production plants with high flexibility and productivity, such as that described in WO 2012/063153, the bulk of the apparatuses constituting the plant is considerable and requires the availability of industrial spaces that are correspondingly wide and costly. Such costs affect the production cost of the single tyre.

The Applicant has in particular perceived that the devices and the apparatuses of the above-described plants with high flexibility occupy much space, also because they must be positioned in a manner so as to allow the operators to access the single devices/apparatuses, in order to inspect them and/or repair them and/or, more generally, maintain them.

In particular, the Applicant has observed that, still in the scope of plants with high flexibility, a critical factor can be found in the station dedicated to the integration of the annular anchoring structures, since this must ensure the storage and the correct simultaneous management of a large number of types of annular anchoring structures intended for tyres with different fitting diameters and, at the same time, the facilitated access of operators to the tyre bead-forming machine and to the storage.

The storage with considerable size, the presence of moving systems that ensure the flexibility of the management of the annular anchoring structures and the need for access spaces for the operators are all aspects that contribute to increasing the bulk of the station dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures; indeed, it is known, according to that illustrated in WO 2012/063153, to position such station outside the line for building carcass structures.

In such context, the Applicant has perceived the need to reduce the bulk of the plants for producing tyres with high flexibility, while at the same time maintaining:the flexibility of the plants itself, in a manner so as to be able to quickly change the type of tyre produced from one batch to the next;the high productivity of the same; andthe possibility for operators to easily conduct control and maintenance operations.

More particularly, the Applicant has perceived the importance of limiting the bulk of the station dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures in the carcass ply while at the same time maintaining:the simultaneous maintenance of a large number of types of annular anchoring structures intended for tyres with different fitting diameters;the possibility for operators to easily conduct control and maintenance operations on the tyre bead-forming machine.

The Applicant has finally found that, by obtaining a storage for the annular anchoring structures provided with at least one opening with size suitable for the passage of an operator and providing for a loading area for the storage on one side thereof and the positioning of a tyre bead-forming machine on the opposite side, it is possible to structure the station dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures in the carcass sleeves and pair it with the carcass building line with a considerable savings of space, while ensuring the accessibility to the machine itself, and more generally substantially to all the devices of said station dedicated for the integration of said annular anchoring structures.

More specifically, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for verifying the correct formation of the beads in a process and a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

Preferably, the method comprises loading a plurality of annular anchoring structures in a storage, disposing them in at least two groups separated by at least one opening.

Preferably, a building drum provided with a carcass sleeve is positioned in a tyre bead-forming machine.

Preferably, two of said annular anchoring structures are picked up from the storage and loaded on the tyre bead-forming machine.

Preferably, 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 said zones is turned up around the respective annular anchoring structure to form the beads.

Preferably, said at least one opening allows the visual inspection of the work area and access to said work area.

According to a different aspect, the present invention relates to a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

Preferably, the plant comprises a line for building carcass structures on a building drum comprising a plurality of building stations and devices for transferring the building drum from one building station to another.

Preferably, the plant comprises a line for building crown structures on a forming drum comprising a plurality of work stations and devices for transferring the forming drum from one work station to another.

Preferably, one of the building stations is a station for the integration of annular anchoring structures in the carcass sleeve and comprises a storage for the annular anchoring structures having a first free side for loading the annular anchoring structures in the storage and a second side opposite the first side.

Preferably, the station for the integration comprises a tyre bead-forming machine arranged adjacent to the second side of the storage.

Preferably, the storage has at least one opening adapted to place the first side in communication with the tyre bead-forming machine, for the visual inspection of the tyre bead-forming machine and for access to said tyre bead-forming machine.

According to a different aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the management of annular anchoring structures in a process and a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a storage for the annular anchoring structures having a first free side for loading the annular anchoring structures in the storage and a second side, opposite the first side, arranged adjacent to a tyre bead-forming machine.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a handling device arranged between the second side and the tyre bead-forming machine and moveable between a position for picking up the annular anchoring structures from the storage and a position for releasing the annular anchoring structures in the tyre bead-forming machine.

Preferably, the storage has at least one opening adapted to place the first side in communication with the second side and with the tyre bead-forming machine, for the visual inspection of the tyre bead-forming machine and for access to said tyre bead-forming machine.

The Applicant deems that the present invention allows arranging the different elements of the plant (machines, devices, etc.) according to a more rational and compact lay-out, without the plant losing flexibility and productivity and ensuring the quality of the produced tyres.

In particular, the Applicant deems that the presence of the opening in the storage allows bringing the second side thereof—that from which the annular anchoring structures are picked up—close to the tyre bead-forming machine and the latter to the rest of the line for building the carcass structures, still allowing the operator to visually inspect the technological bead formation cycle and possibly easily access the tyre bead-forming machine if necessary, essential operations for ensuring the quality of the bead formation cycle and hence of the tyres produced. Such access is ensured without having to stop the production for moving parts of the plant. In addition, the first side of the storage is always free to allow the operator to resupply the storage itself with the annular anchoring structures, preferably by manual loading. The lay-out obtained therefore allows complete accessibility to the areas where the presence of the operator is essential, i.e. the load area for the annular anchoring structures in the storage and the quality monitoring area for the bead formation cycle (such cycle carried out in the tyre bead-forming machine).

The present invention, in at least one of the aforesaid aspects, can also have one or more of the preferred characteristics which are described hereinbelow.

Preferably, the visual inspection of the work area and/or the access to said work area are carried out during the formation of the beads.

Preferably, the visual inspection of the work area and/or the access to said work area are carried out during the picking up of the two annular anchoring structures from the storage.

Preferably, the visual inspection of the work area and/or the access to said work area are carried out when loading the two annular anchoring structures on the tyre bead-forming machine.

Preferably, the visual inspection of the work area and/or the access to said work area are carried out during the positioning of the drum in the tyre bead-forming machine.

Preferably, the visual inspection of the work area and/or the access to said work area are carried out when extracting the building drum with the carcass sleeve provided with the beads formed by the tyre bead-forming machine.

The abovementioned accessibility to the areas where the presence of the operator is essential is ensured during the operation of the plant, in particular during any operation of the station for the integration of annular anchoring structures.

Preferably, the station for the integration of annular anchoring structures comprises a handling device arranged between the second side and the tyre bead-forming machine and moveable between a position for picking up the annular anchoring structures from the storage and a position for releasing the annular anchoring structures to the tyre bead-forming machine.

Preferably, the handling device is sized to carry a maximum load of about 12 Kg. The handling device must pick up and carry only one or preferably two annular anchoring structures at a time, whose weight is usually comprised between about 0.2 Kg and about 0.7 Kg. The handling device is specifically sized to carry such weights and position them with precision.

Preferably, the station for the integration of annular anchoring structures comprises a conveyor device operatively active between the tyre bead-forming machine, a building station downstream of said tyre bead-forming machine and a building station upstream of said tyre bead-forming machine, for conveying the building drums between the building station upstream and the tyre bead-forming machine and between the tyre bead-forming machine and the building station downstream. The station for the integration of annular anchoring structures is disposed in the succession of building stations which form the carcass building line, occupying an extremely limited space.

In one embodiment, the conveyor device is arranged adjacent to the tyre bead-forming machine and on the opposite side with respect to the storage. Preferably, the conveyor device is an anthropomorphic arm having a base rested adjacent to the tyre bead-forming machine and on  the opposite side with respect to the storage. The conveyor device is close to the tyre bead-forming machine but, being situated on the side opposite the abovementioned opening, it does not block the access of the operator.

Preferably, the conveyor device is sized to carry a maximum load of about 350 Kg. The conveyor device must pick up and carry one building drum at a time, whose weight is usually comprised between about 180 Kg and about 220 Kg. The conveyor device is sized specifically to carry such weight and to position the drum with precision.

In a preferred embodiment, the tyre bead-forming machine comprises: tyre bead-forming devices arranged in a lower area of said tyre bead-forming machine; receiving devices for receiving the annular anchoring structures arranged in an upper area of said tyre bead-forming machine; devices for conveying the annular anchoring structures from the upper area to the lower area.

Preferably, the upper area is arranged at a height equivalent or greater than a height of the opening.

Preferably, in the release position the handling device transfers the annular anchoring structures to the receiving devices arranged in the upper area.

The receiving devices positioned above the tyre bead-forming devices allow the delivery of the annular anchoring structures from the handling device to the tyre bead-forming machine without the area—comprised between the storage and the machine—being obstructed, such area being where the operator positions himself for inspecting the operation of the machine itself.

Preferably, the opening is faced on the tyre bead-forming machine. The access is therefore direct and immediate. In addition, the operator, physically positioned in the opening or in front of the same, can examine what occurs in the tyre bead-forming machine and/or intervene without interfering with moving parts and without being interposed between the annular anchoring structures still situated in the storage and other parts of the apparatus/plant.

In one embodiment, the storage comprises a plurality of seats, each capable of housing an annular anchoring structure, organised in at least two groups separated by said opening. The opening is situated between the groups of annular anchoring structures and the machine faces the opening in a manner such that the distance between said annular anchoring structures and said machine is not excessive, in order to make their conveying to the machine quick and simple.

Preferably, the handling device is moveable between said at least two groups along a path not interfering with said at least one opening. The handling device is moved around the abovementioned opening, preferably adjacent to and above the abovementioned opening. The access of the operator to the tyre bead-forming machine is possible in safe conditions, even while the handling device is moved in front of the second side of the storage for picking up or conveying the annular anchoring structures.

Preferably, said at least two groups are spaced horizontally and the handling device is moveable above said opening. For the movement of the device, the vertical space is used, which is usually available in industrial plants, without having to occupy further ground.

Preferably, said opening has a width comprised between about 1500 mm and about 2500 mm. Preferably, said opening has a height comprised between about 2200 mm and about 2500 mm. Such dimensions allow the facilitated passage of the operator in erect position, even with possible tools.

In one embodiment, the storage comprises a plurality of baskets, each capable of housing a plurality of annular anchoring structures. The organisation in baskets makes it easier to manage the storage, above all when different annular anchoring structures are present. Each basket preferably contains about forty annular anchoring structures. The operator picks up said annular anchoring structures from a container, in which they are arranged horizontally on each other and divided by a separator; the operator loads them one at a time in the respective seats of the baskets.

Each basket can be completely or partially loaded.

Preferably, each basket has a single area for picking up the annular anchoring structures thereof. The handling device therefore has only one point of reference for each basket and must not pick up annular anchoring structures placed in different points. This makes the picking up operation quicker and more precise.

Preferably, said single area for picking up is arranged at a final end of the respective basket. The handling device therefore has sufficient space to be moved and grasp the annular anchoring structure without interfering with the other annular structures and/or other parts of the basket.

Preferably, said single area for picking up is arranged at an upper portion of the final end. This allows the handling device to be moved closer to the annular anchoring structure, from above, without risks of interference.

Preferably, the final end of each basket is faced on the second side of the storage. The handling device, being moved in front of the second side of the storage, is capable of reaching all the annular anchoring structures ready to be picked up.

Preferably, said single area for picking up is unvarying upon the variation of the characteristics of the annular anchoring structures. Even with different annular structures (different with regard to size and structure), the picking up operation is quick and precise because the handling device always has the same point of reference for each basket.

Preferably, each basket comprises devices for moving the annular anchoring structures towards said single area for picking up. The annular structures stored in a basket are carried in succession, one at a time, into the picking up area. The handling device, being moved in front of the second side of the storage, is capable of reaching all the annular anchoring structures of the storage itself.

Preferably, each basket has a main axis and houses the annular anchoring structures mutually arranged adjacent and coaxial to said main axis; the baskets of each group being adjacent to each other with the main axes thereof parallel. The baskets are arranged in groups (defining the same number of groups of seats) and arranged on one or more rows.

Preferably, each basket is extractable on the first side in a position for loading the annular anchoring structures. Each basket can be extracted, preferably manually, from the group towards the side of the storage opposite that facing the machine for the formation of the beads. In such area, which is free, the operator can thus easily proceed with the loading of the basket itself, before then reinserting it in the group.

In one embodiment, the storage comprises two groups of baskets separated by said opening and each of the two groups comprises at least one pair of baskets formed by a lower basket and by an upper basket.

Preferably, each of the two groups comprises a plurality of pairs thus defined.

Preferably, the lower basket projects on the second side with respect to the upper basket. In this manner, the handling device that descends from above can reach both the final end (single picking up area) of the upper basket and that of the lower basket without interferences.

Preferably, the lower basket is rested on a lower portion of a framework of said apparatus and, preferably, the upper basket is hung at an upper portion of a framework of said apparatus. In this manner, given that there is no support between the lower basket and the upper basket, the height of the position of the upper basket is limited, facilitating the operator loading.

Preferably, the storage comprises a guide disposed above the baskets, the handling device being moveable on said guide. The handling device can be moved for the entire width of the storage on the abovementioned guide and can descend to pick up the annular anchoring structures from the terminal ends of the baskets.

Preferably, the guide is disposed above said opening. The handling device is of overhead type and is mounted on a kind of portal that delimits the abovementioned opening.

Preferably the handling device comprises a gripper which can be moved along three axes. The gripper is in such a manner capable of being moved in front of the second side of the storage and of bringing the annular anchoring structures up to the tyre bead-forming machine.

Further characteristics and advantages will be clearer from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for controlling the management of annular anchoring structures and of a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels, in accordance with the present invention.

With reference to the abovementioned figures, reference number1indicates overall a plant for building tyres2in accordance with the present invention.

The plant1is set to manufacture tyres2(FIG. 6) essentially comprising at least one carcass ply3preferably internally covered by a layer of impermeable elastic material or so-called liner4, two so-called “beads”5integrating respective annular anchoring structures6comprising respective bead cores6apossibly associated with elastomeric fillers6band engaged with the circumferential edges of the carcass ply3, a belt structure7applied in radially external position relative to the carcass ply3, a tread band8applied in radially external position relative to the belt structure7, in a so-called crown area of the tyre2, and two sidewalls9applied in laterally opposite positions on the carcass ply3, each at a lateral area of the tyre2, being extended from the corresponding bead5to the corresponding lateral edge of the tread band8.

The plant1preferably comprises (FIG. 1) a line10for building carcass structures, in which a carcass structure, comprising at least one of the carcass plies3and the annular anchoring structures6, is formed on a building drum11. The line10for building carcass structures comprises a device12for building carcass sleeves on the building drums11. The building device12comprises a plurality of stations13. For example, a first station13obtains the liner4, and in at least one second station13of the building device12the manufacturing of one or more carcass plies3can be actuated. The line10for building carcass structures further comprises a station14dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures6in said at least one carcass ply3, through the application of the same annular anchoring structures6in an axially external position relative to the zones of said at least one carcass ply3turned down in the direction of the rotation axis of said building drum11, zones which are subsequently turned up around the annular anchoring structures6.

Downstream of the station14for the integration of the annular anchoring structures6, further processing stations13can be present, for example for obtaining at least one portion of an anti-abrasive element or of the sidewalls9. Devices, not illustrated, transfer the building drum from one building station to another.

The plant1further comprises a line15for building crown structures, in which a crown structure, comprising at least the belt structure7and preferably also the tread band8, is formed on a forming drum16. InFIG. 1, a plurality of work stations17are indicated that belong to the aforesaid line15for building crown structures and each dedicated to forming at least one portion of a component of the tyre2on the forming drum16. The forming drum16is sequentially transferred from one station17to the subsequent station17by suitable devices, not illustrated. At least one work station17can be dedicated for obtaining the belt structure7. By way of example, a work station17is preferably predisposed for obtaining the tread band8and/or the sidewalls9. The plant1is also provided with an assembly and shaping station18operatively associated with the line10for building carcass structures and with the line15for building crown structures. In the assembly and shaping station18, the carcass structure is toroidally shaped and associated with the crown structure, in a manner so as to obtain a green tyre. The green tyres built by the plant are sequentially transferred to a curing line19, from which moulded and cured tyres2are obtained.

The station14dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures6comprises a storage20that houses a plurality of baskets21a,21b,each of which capable of containing/supporting a plurality (preferably up to several dozen, e.g. about forty) of annular anchoring structures6.

As is more visible inFIGS. 2,3and4, the baskets21a,21bare arranged in a framework22and organised in two groups: a first group23formed by six adjacent pairs of baskets21a,21b,wherein each pair is composed of a lower basket21aand an upper basket21b;a second group24formed by three adjacent pairs of baskets21a,21b,wherein each pair is composed of a lower basket21aand an upper basket21b.In other words, each of the two groups23,24is formed by two superimposed rows of baskets21a,21b.The storage20has a main extension direction “X-X” along which the baskets21a,21bof each row are consecutively arranged. The storage20has a first side20aand a second side20bplaced on opposite sides of said main extension direction “X-X”. At the first side20a,a walking area is present in which an operator “O” can freely move.

Each basket21a,21bcomprises (FIG. 5) support elements25adapted to support the annular anchoring structures6arranged next to each other at short distance and coaxial with a common main axis “Y-Y”. A motor26is capable of moving the support elements25and the annular anchoring structures6carried by them along a direction parallel to the common main axis “Y-Y”, in a manner so as to carry in succession each of the annular anchoring structures6at a final end27of the respective basket21a,21b.

The support elements25are mounted next to each other on a belt (or a chain) wound on pulleys (not illustrated) moved by the motor26. The belt and the pulleys are carried by an arm30parallel to the main axis “Y-Y”.

The belt comprises an upper branch and a lower branch parallel to the common main axis “Y-Y” and extending for the entire length of the basket21a,21b.When the support elements25are situated on the upper branch, they receive the annular anchoring structures6in seats28thereof. The belt, the pulleys and the motor26constitute devices for moving the annular anchoring structures6along the common main axis “Y-Y”. Each annular anchoring structure6rests in the respective seat28at a radially internal portion thereof and is therefore hung at the support element25. Each support element25has abutment elements29which, together with the seats28, maintain the annular anchoring structures6at a predefined distance from each other along a common main axis “Y-Y”.

The arm30and the motor26are mounted on a load-bearing structure31in turn mounted, with the possibility of sliding, on the framework22.

According to that illustrated, the load-bearing structure31associated with each of the lower baskets21a(like that ofFIG. 5) is extended below the basket itself21aand is rested and slidably coupled to a base32integral with a lower portion of the framework22and parallel to the main axis “Y-Y”. The load-bearing structure31associated with each of the upper baskets21b(FIG. 3) is extended above the basket itself21aand is slidably coupled to an overhead guide33of an upper portion framework22and parallel to the main axis “Y-Y”. The baskets21a,21bof each group are adjacent to each other with the main axes “Y-Y” thereof parallel.

Each of the baskets21a,21bcan be moved, by making it slide with respect to the framework22(on the base32or on the overhead guide33), between a loading position and a work position.

In the loading position, the basket21a,21bis extracted on the first side20aof the storage20at the walking area. The overhead guide33is extended up to the walking area and each upper basket21bin the loading position can be brought until it is above such area. The base22is not extended on the walking area but each lower basket21acan be projectingly extracted until it is over said area.

In this position, the operator “O” picks up the annular anchoring structures from a container (not illustrated), where said annular anchoring structures are horizontally stacked on each other and divided by a separator; the operator loads such structures one at a time in the respective seats28of the baskets21a,21b.Each basket21a,21bcan be completely or partially loaded. The walking zone therefore constitutes an area for loading the baskets21a,21b.

In the work position, the basket21a,21bfaces the second side20bof the storage20and projects slightly beyond the framework22. As is more visible inFIG. 3, in the work position, the final end27of the lower baskets21aprojects more than the final end27of the upper baskets21b.

Between the first group23and the second group24of baskets21a,21b, a through free space pass or opening34(FIGS. 2 and 4) is delimited, which is opened both on the first side20aand on the second side20band places such sides in communication. According to that illustrated inFIG. 4, the opening34is further delimited by two of the columns of the framework22. Such opening34has a passage section such to allow the movement and/or stopping of the operator “O” possibly provided with work tools. For example, the opening34has a rectangular passage section with a width “L” comprised between about 1500 mm and about 2500 mm, preferably equal to about 2000 mm, and a height “H” comprised between about 2200 mm and about 2500 mm, preferably equal to about 2200 mm.

The opening34preferably allows the operator who is in the loading area to see from one side to the other through the storage20.

The station14dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures6comprises a handling device35mounted and moveable on a guide36installed on the framework22. The guide36is extended parallel to the main extension direction “X-X” and is positioned above the framework22preferably towards the second side20bthereof (FIGS. 2,3and4). The handling device35and the storage20form an apparatus for controlling the management of the annular anchoring structures during the building of the tyre2.

The handling device35comprises a carriage37slidably mounted on the guide36and moveable in translation along the same by means of a motor, not illustrated. On the carriage37, a first arm38is installed which can slide with respect to said carriage37by means of a motor, not illustrated, along a direction orthogonal to the guide36and parallel to the ground. At one end of the first arm38that projects from the second side20bof the storage20, a second arm39is positioned that can slide with respect to said first arm38, by means of a motor, not illustrated, along a vertical direction orthogonal to the guide36and to the first arm38. On a lower end of the second arm39, a gripper40is mounted which can rotate, preferably by means of a motor, not illustrated, around the abovementioned vertical direction. The gripper40is moveable along three axes “X, Y, Z” and rotatable around the vertical axis “Z”. The gripper40is moveable in front of the second side20bof the storage20and can come to grasp and pick up each of the annular anchoring structures6placed at the final end27of each of the baskets21a,21bsituated in the work position. In particular, the gripper40, in order to grasp the annular anchoring structure6, comes to be positioned in a predefined single area41for picking up a respective basket21a,21barranged at an upper portion of the final end27of said basket21a,21b.Since the annular anchoring structure6is hung, such predefined single picking up area41does not vary upon the variation of the type/size of the annular anchoring structure6.

The guide36passes above the opening34and the handling device35is capable of moving the gripper40from the first group23to the second group24of baskets21a,21b,making it move above the opening34without interferences with the volume defined by the opening itself.

The handling device35is sized to carry a maximum load of about 12 Kg, i.e. the weight of the gripper40and of an annular anchoring structure6which is usually comprised between about 0.2 Kg and about 0.7 Kg.

The station14dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures6comprises a tyre bead-forming machine42which is positioned in front of the second side20bof the storage20and at the opening34which is therefore faced on the machine itself42.

The tyre bead-forming machine42has a lower area43or work area, arranged at a base of the machine, which comprises devices44for supporting a building drum11provided with a carcass sleeve and bead formation devices45, illustrated only schematically since per se known; such devices44are adapted to retain, at axially opposite sides of the building drum11, a pair of annular anchoring structures6, to fit each of said annular anchoring structures6on the opposite terminal zones of said carcass sleeve and to subsequently turn up the zones around the annular anchoring structures6to form the beads5. Such lower work area is open towards the opening34or in any case allows an operator situated in the opening34or in front of the opening34to see the carcass sleeve11being processed inside the tyre bead-forming machine42and to access, by moving through the opening34, the carcass sleeve11positioned in such lower area43if necessary.

The tyre bead-forming machine42has an upper area46, placed above the lower area43at a height about equal to or greater than the height “H” of the opening34. The upper area46houses receiving devices47, illustrated only schematically, for receiving the annular anchoring structures6which are conveyed by the handling device35. The receiving devices47are capable of retaining and supporting one pair of annular anchoring structures6at a time, which are delivered thereto by the handling device35. The handling device35is operatively active between the second side20band the tyre bead-forming machine42and is moveable between a position for picking up the annular anchoring structures6from the storage20and a position for releasing the annular anchoring structures6to the receiving devices47of the tyre bead-forming machine20.

The tyre bead-forming machine42further comprises conveying devices48, illustrated only schematically, which provide for moving the pair of annular anchoring structures6retained by the receiving devices47up to the lower area43of the tyre bead-forming machine42and releasing them to the bead formation devices45.

The station14dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures6comprises a conveyor device49which in the represented embodiment is defined by an anthropomorphic robot arm, per se known, having a base50rested adjacent to the tyre bead-forming machine42on the opposite side with respect to the storage20(FIGS. 2 and 3). The anthropomorphic arm49comprises a gripping end51which is capable of grasping, conveying and releasing a building drum11. The anthropomorphic arm49is operatively positioned between the tyre bead-forming machine42and the building stations13arranged upstream and downstream of said machine42(FIG. 1). More particularly, the anthropomorphic arm49is capable of conveying the building drums11between the building station13upstream and the tyre bead-forming machine42and between the tyre bead-forming machine42and the building station13downstream. The anthropomorphic arm49is sized to carry a maximum load of about 350 Kg, i.e. the weight of a building drum11which is usually comprised between about 180 Kg and about 220 Kg.

During use and in accordance with the method according to the present invention, the operator “O” positioned in the loading area carries out the manual loading of the annular anchoring structures6in the baskets21a,21bof the storage20while the baskets21a,21bare situated in the respective extracted position on the first side20aof the storage20itself.

Once partly or completely filled, each basket21a,21bis manually reinserted in the work position.

On the basis of control logics that among other things account for the type of tyre2to be built and the availability of the annular anchoring structures6in the baskets21a,21b,the handling device35picks up pairs of annular anchoring structures6and delivers them to the receiving devices47.

The conveying devices48provide for moving the pair of annular anchoring structures6retained by the receiving devices47up to the lower area43of the tyre bead-forming machine42and releasing them to the bead formation devices45.

The conveyor device49picks up a building drum11provided with a carcass sleeve from the processing station13situated upstream of the tyre bead-forming machine42and delivers it to the devices44for supporting the building drum11of the machine itself42.

Here the machine42provides for forming the beads5, in a per se known manner.

During the formation of the beads5, the handling device35is already brought back to the second side20bof the storage20in order to pick up the annular anchoring structures6intended for the subsequent tyre2.

The handling device35, during each movement thereof, does not move in front of the opening34but passes above or adjacent thereto. In this manner, the operator “O” is capable of visually inspecting the work area43and/or accessing the work area43itself during the entire work cycle of the machine42or, more generally, of the station14dedicated for the integration of the annular anchoring structures6, i.e., during the picking up of the two annular anchoring structures6from the storage20, the loading of the two annular anchoring structures6on the tyre bead-forming machine42, the positioning of the building drum11in the tyre bead-forming machine42, the extracting of the building drum11provided with the beads5from the tyre bead-forming machine42.