EP4642633A1

EP4642633A1 - Apparatus and process for building green tyres for bicycles

Info

Publication number: EP4642633A1
Application number: EP23844000.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Enrico BIRAGHI; Dario GIAMBERSIO; Angelo MAZZUCATO
Original assignee: Pirelli SpA; Pirelli Tyre SpA
Current assignee: Pirelli and C SpA; Pirelli Tyre SpA
Priority date: 2022-12-28
Filing date: 2023-12-20
Publication date: 2025-11-05
Also published as: MX2025007297A; CN120418076A; WO2024141867A1; IT202200026937A1

Abstract

An apparatus for building green tyres (100) for bicycles comprises a building drum (2) rotating around a primary rotation axis (A) placed at a predetermined first height (Q1), a feeding group (4) for feeding at least one carcass ply (103) towards the building drum (2) located above a top portion (3) of the building drum (2) and a first feeding line (5) configured for feeding a first insert (106) towards a first pointing section (2f) of the building drum (2), in which the first pointing section (2f) is situated at height lower than or equal to said predetermined first height (Q1).

Description

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR BUILDING GREEN TYRES FOR BICYCLES

The presence invention relates to an apparatus and a process for building green tyres for bicycles.

The building of a tyre for bicycles normally provides that one or more carcass plies be applied according to a cylindrical configuration around an outer surface of a building drum. A pair of bead cores are fit or applied, each around one of the axially opposite end flaps of the carcass ply. The end flaps are then turned up around the respective bead cores. Then, the application of a tread band is carried out, such tread band made of in strip form and of elastomeric material cut to size, that is then wound around the carcass ply lying against the building drum, in axially centred position with respect to the bead cores. At the end of the winding, the opposite ends of the tread band are slightly superimposed and mutually joined by a head-head joint.

The mutual axial distance between the bead cores remains unchanged in the course of the entire building process, including the application of the tread band. This process aspect represents a particular characteristic that distinguishes the tyres for bicycles from the tyres for motor vehicles. Indeed for the latter, provision is normally made for a step of mutual approaching of the bead cores in order to shape the carcass structure according to a toroidal configuration during coupling with a belt structure having a diameter greater than that of the bead cores.

Upon completed building, the built green tyre for bicycles is removed from the drum and transferred into a vulcanisation press, in order to be subjected to a moulding and vulcanisation treatment aimed to determine the structural stabilisation thereof through crosslinking of the elastomeric material present therein, as well as possibly to impart a desired tread pattern on the tread band.

By "insert" it is intended an elongated element or strip made of elastomeric material. Preferably said strip is cut to size. It is noted that the strip can comprise one or more metallic, textile or hybrid cords parallel to each other and arranged according to the longitudinal direction of said strip.

The term "semifinished product" will be used for defining an element provided with the insert (in the form of operating tape not yet cut to size) and with a service tape.

By "elastomeric material", it is intended a composition comprising at least one elastomeric polymer and at least one reinforcement filler. Preferably, such composition also comprises additives such as crosslinking agents and/or plasticising agents. Due to the presence of the crosslinking agents, such material can be crosslinked by heating, so as to form the final manufactured product.

With "carcass structure" it is instead intended to define a set formed by or provided with at least one carcass ply having mutually parallel cords, incorporated in an elastomeric matrix; such expression therefore defines the carcass structure in any building step thereof, from the single carcass ply to a more advanced step in which further components are added to the carcass ply such as bead cores, inserts or further carcass plies.

The terms "pointing" and "to point" will be used to identify the step in which the front end of the insert (or of the semifinished product) is initially fixed to or pressed on the carcass structure, in an initial step of the process of application and winding of the reinforcement insert.

The term "automation" will be used to define the execution of processes and movements by means of mechanical, electromechanical members governed by a control unit, for the completion of which the manual intervention of an operator is not necessary (or it is only in a marginal/residual manner).

The terms "radial" and "axial" and the expressions "radially inner/outer" and "axially inner/outer" are used with reference to the rotation axes of the components, in particular to a primary rotation axis of the building drum or of the finished tyre.

The terms "circumferential" and "circumferentially" are instead used with reference to the annular extension of a component, in particular of the building drum or of rolling elements such as rollers or small rollers.

The expressions "low", "under", "below" or "on the lower part", and "high", "above", "upper" or "on the upper part" are used to indicate a relative position of one element with respect to another and/or of one element with respect to the ground (or to a horizontal support plane).

By "top portion" it is intended an angular sector of the building drum which, in each instant, defines the drum portion situated at the greatest distance from the horizontal support plane (or ground). Preferably, the top portion is defined by an angular sector with bisector defined by a vertical plane passing through a primary rotation axis of the building drum and having width lower than 120°, more preferably lower than 90°. For example, visible in the video clip https://youtu.be/e3sHyJKaFMo?t=879 (time counter from 14' 37" to 15' 50" - final viewing 17/12/2022), is the sequential deposition of the carcass ply, of the bead cores, of the sidewall reinforcements, of the reinforcements to the beads and of the tread band, for the purpose of building a tyre for bicycles on a building drum. Each of these components is obtained simultaneously with its deposition from a semifinished product in continuous strip form, coming from a respective feeding group which guides it to the immediate vicinity of the point of application on the building drum, where an operator provides for the execution of the operations necessary for their application. The application of each component provides that a head end of the respective semifinished product be manually fixed on the deposition surface of the drum, after which the drum completes one or more revolutions around a rotation axis thereof in order to determine the circumferential winding of the semifinished product around the deposition surface. For several components, such as for example carcass ply, sidewall reinforcements, bead reinforcements and tread band, the operator is required to act manually on the semifinished product and/or on the building drum during winding, in order to facilitate a correct distribution and application of the material.

For the sidewall reinforcements, the operator is also required to manually guide the semifinished product for the purpose of the correct alignment and to manually control the tensioning thereof. At the end of the winding of each component, the rotation of the drum is stopped and the operator must manually cut the semifinished product and join the tail end of the obtained component on the head end already applied on the deposition surface.

DE102019131336 illustrates the use of applicator trolleys situated above the drum, in a front zone that is accessible by an operator, who in such a manner can interact with the trolley in order to pick up, point or cut the inserts necessary for the building of a given tyre.

Therefore, at the present state of the art, the operations of assembly of the components on the building drum, even if assisted by automatic or semiautomatic systems for feeding the semifinished products, require the use of specialised labour, in order to obtain a correct positioning, distribution, tensioning and/or cutting to size of the semifinished products themselves for the purpose of manufacturing the components on the building drum.

Such reduced automation can lead to reduced precision and a poor repeatability of the process, as well as to a limited production capacity.

The Applicant has therefore proposed increasing the level of precision, repeatability and/or production capacity of the processes of building tyres for bicycles, and has observed that the machines and methods normally employed in the manufacturing of tyres for motor vehicles, such as cars and/or motorcycles, which instead have a high level of automation, cannot be employed in making tyres for bicycles. The operations of building tyres for bicycles in fact require the preparation and handling of manufactured products that extremely thin and delicate. Many components, e.g. the liner, the carcass plies, and other textile reinforcement structures can have thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, with width-wise extensions that can reach and exceed values of 450 mm. Also the components made of elastomeric material, such as for example the liner, can have thickness within the above-indicated interval, e.g. lower than 0.5 mm and with width greater than 120 mm. These size characteristics almost always lead to the use of semifinished products that lack sufficient structural strength to allow the correct handling thereof by the machines normally used in building tyres for motorcycles or cars.

Due to the reduced size and limited weight both of the inserts and of the plies, most of the additional components is therefore pointed and cut to size by an intervention directed by the personnel, which clearly involves several critical features with regard to worker safety.

Nevertheless, the Applicant has indicated that in the apparatuses known up to now, several components are hard to apply automatically due to a technical difficulty of pointing, also dictated by positioning and bulk grounds.

The type of materials treated makes it quite complex to execute the pointing of the inserts by release from above and without intervention of the operator.

If - with regard to the inserts applied continuously, still in coupling condition with the service tape - the solutions analogous to that of DE102019131336 provide an interesting starting point, the range of proposals that the market offers for the application of inserts pre-cut to size is quite lacking.

Such situation appears in open contrast with the evolution of the bike sector, in which the tyres are becoming increasingly more complex, requiring a considerable variety of inserts so that it is not possible to employ the solutions normally used in building tyres for cars or motorcycles; the dimensions of the inserts are in fact considerably smaller, along with the rigidity of the components, which cannot be released at a distance from the building drum, and must be guided, in particular manually, adjacent to the pointing zone.

The Applicant has therefore perceived that the correct use of the space surrounding the drum could be the key in attaining apparatuses capable of making, in an automated manner, a high number of building schemes.

The Applicant has finally found that the use of an applicator device situated near or below a height of the rotation axis of the drum and preferably in opposite position with respect to an access zone for the operator, allows providing the apparatus with a system for applying pre-cut inserts useful for completing the range of processing actuatable in an automated manner.

In accordance with a first aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for building green tyres for bicycles.

Preferably, provision is made for a building drum rotating around a primary rotation axis placed at a predetermined first height with respect to a horizontal support plane.

Preferably, provision is made for the presence of a feeding group for feeding at least one carcass ply towards said building drum.

Preferably, the feeding group is provided with at least one section for releasing said carcass ply located above a top portion of said building drum.

Preferably, provision is made for the presence of a first feeding line configured for feeding at least one first semifinished product comprising a first insert towards a first pointing section of said building drum.

Preferably, the first feeding line comprises a first applicator device.

Preferably, the first applicator device is located below said top portion of said building drum.

Preferably, the first applicator device is movable close to and away from the building drum between a first position, distal from said building drum, and a second position, proximal to said building drum.

Preferably, the first pointing section is situated at height lower than or equal to said predetermined first height.

The Applicant has indicated that the placement of the first pointing zone below the height of the rotation axis allows using a normally free zone of the apparatus and automatically pointing the insert.

In accordance with a second aspect, the invention refers to a process for building green tyres for bicycles.

Preferably, a building drum is arranged that is rotatable around a primary rotation axis placed at a predetermined first height with respect to a horizontal support plane. Preferably, provision is made for feeding a carcass ply towards the building drum.

Preferably, such feeding occurs starting from a release zone placed at a higher height, with reference to said horizontal support plane, to a top portion of the building drum.

Preferably, provision is made for fixing an end portion of the carcass ply on said building drum.

Preferably, provision is made for imparting a first rotation to said building drum in order to wind said carcass ply on said building drum.

Preferably, provision is made for feeding a first insert towards a first pointing section of said building drum.

Preferably, provision is made for winding said first insert around said building drum.

In at least one of the aforesaid aspects, the invention comprises one or more of the following preferred characteristics that are described hereinbelow.

Preferably, said primary rotation axis of the building drum lies in a horizontal section plane that divides the drum into an upper half-part and a lower half-part, respectively distal and proximal to said horizontal support plane.

Preferably, the first pointing section is situated at said lower halfpart.

Preferably, at least one second feeding line is provided for, configured for dispensing at least one second semifinished product comprising a second insert towards a second pointing section of said building drum.

Preferably, the second feeding line comprises a second applicator device.

Preferably, the second applicator device is located above said top portion of said building drum.

Advantageously, in such a manner, the bulk of the apparatus is considerably reduced, allowing the application of the thinner reinforcements in the upper part of the drum and that of the bulkier inserts, such as flipper and sidewall reinforcement, in the lower part. Preferably, said second pointing section is situated at a height greater than said predetermined first height, near said top portion.

Preferably, said primary rotation axis of the building drum lies in a vertical section plane that divides the drum into a front halfpart, accessible for an operator, and a rear half-part.

Preferably, the feeding group is situated at position distal from the front half-part with respect to the rear half-part.

Preferably, said first feeding line is situated at position distal from the front half-part with respect to the rear half-part.

Preferably, the first pointing section is situated at said rear halfpart.

Preferably, the second pointing section is situated at said front half-part.

Advantageously, a layout thus organized allows maximising the use of the spaces that are radially outer with respect to the building drum, also leaving sufficient frontal accessibility for possible manual operations by the operators.

Preferably, the first applicator device comprises a carriage movable close to and away from the building drum between said first and second position.

Preferably, the first applicator device comprises a pointer element connected to said carriage and elastically movable along a pointing direction and away from said building drum.

Advantageously, the presence of a rigidly movable carriage and a movable pointer element allows an automatic pointing, i.e. fixing, of the insert without risking damage of the material.

Preferably, said pointer element comprises a pushing slider provided with an application surface. Preferably, in the second position of the first applicator device, said application surface is oriented tangentially to said first pointing section.

Preferably, the pointing direction has an orientation comprised between the horizontal and a radial direction incident on said first pointing section.

This allows making the autonomous modulation of the thrust action efficient during the pointing and the closure of the insert. Preferably, said pointing direction is parallel to a movement direction of the first applicator device between the first and the second position.

More preferably, the two directions are parallel and aligned in order to facilitate the building of the component and reduce the transverse stresses.

Preferably, the first applicator device comprises a movable transport belt, starting from a feeding zone of said first insert, along a transport direction.

Preferably, said transport belt is slidably associated with said pointer element and interposed between the pointer element and the building drum.

Preferably, the transport belt is slidable along said application surface of the pushing slider.

Preferably, said first applicator device comprises a moving group for moving the transport belt provided with pulleys or transmission elements arranged along a movement path of the transport belt.

Preferably, the pointer element is interposed between two successive pulleys or transmission elements between which a deformable application section of the transport belt is delimited. This allows the belt to be adapted to the shape of the building drum, facilitating the precision of the pointing.

Preferably, the transport belt has a transport face opposite a toothed traction face.

Thus, the slipping is minimised, increasing the precision of the movement and of the pointing of the first insert.

Preferably, the carriage of said first applicator device comprises a frame provided with curved terminal edge placed at the pointer element.

Preferably, said terminal edge has a curvature counter-shaped with respect to a curvature of a radially outer surface of the building drum.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a control unit configured for stopping a first rotation of the building drum around the primary rotation axis.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for imparting, to said first applicator device, a first movement from the first to the second position in order to fix a first end of the first insert on the carcass ply.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for imparting, to said first applicator device, a second movement from the second position in the direction of the first position up to a position moved-away from said building drum.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for starting a second rotation of the building drum around the primary rotation axis so as to wind the first insert around the carcass ply.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for imparting, to said first applicator device, a third movement from the moved-away position to the second position in order to fix a second end of the first insert on said first end of said first insert.

The Applicant has identified that such movement allows automating the pointing of said first insert without negatively affecting the precision and the quality of its application.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for imparting, to said first applicator device, a fourth movement from the second position to the first position following the fixing of the second end on said first end of the first insert.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for starting the second rotation of the building drum around said primary rotation axis between said first and said second movements.

This allows having, for a brief time interval, the pressing action by the pointer element simultaneous with the rotation of the drum, facilitating a greater distribution of the pointing action.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for stopping the second rotation after the end of the third movement.

This allows having, for a brief time interval, the pressing action by the pointer element simultaneous with the rotation of the drum, facilitating a greater distribution of the closing action.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for activating the feeding group in order to fix an end portion of the carcass ply on the building drum.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for starting said first rotation of said building drum in order to wind the carcass ply on said building drum.

Preferably, said first and said second rotation of the building drum are executed in counter-rotation.

Preferably, the first feeding line comprises a first feeding station configured for feeding said first insert to the first applicator device, cutting it to size.

Preferably, said first feeding station comprises a loading group provided with at least one reel shaped for receiving said first semifinished product wound in a reel and configured for unwinding said reel, advancing the first semifinished product along a first feeding direction, said first semifinished product comprising a first operating tape.

Preferably, said first feeding station comprises a cutting group placed downstream of said loading group.

Preferably, the cutting group is provided with a cutting member configured for cutting said operating tape of the first semifinished product into discrete portions of predetermined length.

Preferably, each discrete portion of the first operating tape defines said first insert cut to size.

Advantageously, the second feeding line is thus configured for dispensing inserts cut to size.

Preferably, said first semifinished product comprises said operating tape and a service tape that are coupled to each other. Preferably, the loading group comprises a separating member configured for separating said operating tape from said service tape of the first semifinished product.

Preferably, the cutting group comprises a measuring member configured for detecting the length of a terminal section of the first operating tape situated, with reference to the feeding direction, downstream of the cutting member.

This ensures that the measurement of the insert corresponds with that predetermined, except for possible slips and/or contractions of the material. Preferably, the measuring member comprises a sensor element associated with the transport belt of the first applicator device and configured for generating an activation signal upon the attainment, by said terminal section of the first operating tape, of said predetermined length.

Preferably, the cutting group comprises a control unit configured for stopping the loading group and for activating the cutting member upon reception of said activation signal by the sensor element.

The uncoupling between the feeding group and the applicator device allows exploiting the stop time of the machine cycle to carry out the necessary movements of the inserts, preparing them for application and thus reducing the cycle time.

Preferably, said control unit is configured for imparting a stop also to the transport belt of the first applicator device upon reception of said activation signal by the sensor element.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises two first feeding lines that are parallel to and side-by-side.

Preferably, each first feeding line comprises a first applicator device and a respective feeding station.

This entirely frees the two application lines, facilitating both the maintenance and the setup of each of these without compromising the function of the other.

Preferably, said first applicator devices of the two first feeding lines are movable in mutual approaching and moving apart along an adjustment direction, orthogonal to the transport direction of the first insert and parallel to the primary rotation axis of the building drum.

The apparatus is thus extremely flexible and adapted to different tyre sizes. Moreover, the use of movable applicator devices arranged downstream of the fixed feeding stations considerably simplifies the attainment of the apparatus, reducing the complexity of the actuators and maintaining extremely accessible the zones of substitution of the consumable materials (which remain external).

Preferably, the apparatus comprises an adjustment member associated with each first applicator device and configured for moving the respective first applicator device along the adjustment direction between a loading position, aligned with said feeding direction, and a release position, misaligned with respect to the feeding direction and approached to the other first applicator device.

Preferably, each adjuster member comprises an actuator and a guide.

Preferably, said carriage of the first applicator device is slidably associated with said guide and connected to the actuator in order to be moved along the adjustment direction.

Preferably, the control unit is configured for imparting, to the actuator of the adjuster member, a movement from the loading position to the release position following the activation of the cutting member.

Preferably, provision is made for dispensing at least one second insert towards a second pointing section of said building drum. Preferably, provision is made for fixing said second insert at said second pointing section and winding said second insert around said building drum.

Preferably, the second pointing section is situated at said top portion of the building drum. Preferably, the second pointing section is situated at a front halfpart of the building drum.

A process thus structured allows maximising the use of the space surrounding the drum, facilitating the automation of the operations.

Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises approaching a first end of the first insert from a first position, distal from said building drum, to a second position, proximal to said building drum.

Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises fixing said first end of the first insert on said carcass ply at said first pointing section, by exerting a first pressure in order to press the first insert on said carcass ply.

Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises imparting a second rotation to said building drum in order to wind said first insert around said building drum, in which said second rotation is opposite the first rotation.

Advantageously, this facilitates the application of the first insert in the lower and rear zone of the building drum.

Preferably, said exercise of the first pressure and said second rotation are in part simultaneous.

Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises fixing a second end of the first insert on said first end of said first insert, by exerting a second pressure, pressing the second end on said first end of the first insert when the building drum has completed or is close to completing a revolution along said second rotation.

Preferably, said exercise of the second pressure and said second rotation and are in part simultaneous. This optimises the fixing of the insert during the closure. Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises interrupting said second rotation during the application of said second pressure.

Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises advancing a first operating tape along a feeding direction.

Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises cutting said first operating tape in discrete portions of predetermined length, in which each discrete portion defines a first insert.

Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises arranging a first semifinished product comprising a first service tape coupled to said first operating tape.

Preferably, feeding and winding the first insert comprises separating said first service tape from said first operating tape.

Preferably, provision is made for arranging two of said first inserts oriented parallel with respect to each other and placed at a predetermined first distance, evaluated parallel to the primary rotation axis.

Preferably, provision is made for approaching said two first inserts along an adjustment direction parallel to said primary rotation axis of the building drum up to reaching a predetermined second distance.

Preferably, provision is made for feeding said two first inserts parallel towards the first pointing section of the building drum.

Preferably, provision is made for winding said first inserts parallel around the building drum.

Preferably, the approaching of said two first inserts is executed after the cutting of the respective first operating tape.

Preferably, said first insert has a thickness lower than 1 mm, more preferably comprised between 0.2 and 0.8 mm. Preferably, said first insert is extended along a transport direction thereof between a first and a second end and has a width, measured orthogonally to said transport direction, comprised between 10 and 120 mm, more preferably comprised between 25 and 110 mm.

Preferably, said first insert is extended along a transport direction thereof between a first and a second end, both provided with an end edge that is tilted with respect to said transport direction by an angle comprised between 30° and 60°, more preferably 45°.

Preferably, the feeding and the winding of the first insert are carried out immediately downstream of the winding of said carcass ply on the building drum.

Preferably, fixing and winding said second insert at said second pointing section of the building drum provide for positioning and winding, on the carcass ply, two annular bead cores that are parallel to each other and arranged such that a lateral end flap extends beyond, from each bead core, away from the other. Preferably, said process comprises turning up each lateral end flap of said carcass ply around the respective bead core.

Preferably, the feeding and the winding of the first insert are carried out after said turning up of the lateral flaps.

Further characteristics and advantages will be clearer from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an apparatus and a process for building green tyres for bicycles in accordance with the presence invention. Such description will be set forth hereinbelow with reference to the enclosed drawings, provided only as a non-limiting example, in which: - figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for building green tyres for bicycles in accordance with the presence invention;

- figure la shows the enlargement of a detail of figure 1;

- figures 2 and 3 show front and rear perspective views of one portion of the apparatus of figure 1;

- figures 4 and 5 show plan views of the apparatus of figure 1 in two different operating positions;

- figures 6 to 13 schematically show several movements of the apparatus of figure 1;

- figure 14 shows the schematic structure of a tyre for bicycles;

- figure 15 schematically shows the structure of a first semifinished product used in the process according to the present invention.

With reference to the enclosed figures, reference number 1 indicates an apparatus for building tyres for bicycles.

The presence invention is intended for processing tyres 100 for bicycles, of the type schematically exemplified in figure 14, for example for use on road, track, mountain bikes, e-bikes etc..

The following are identifiable in tyre 100: a radially inner surface 101a, substantially facing towards a geometric rotation axis of the tyre 100, and a radially outer surface 101b substantially facing away from the geometric rotation axis.

The tyre 100 for bicycles has a carcass structure 102 comprising at least one carcass ply 103 having mutually parallel cords, incorporated in an elastomeric matrix.

Axially opposite end flaps 103a of the carcass ply or plies 103 are engaged with respective bead cores 104, i.e. anchoring annular structures integrated in the zones normally identified with the name "beads", at which the mechanical engagement occurs between the tyre 100 in use conditions and a respective mounting rim.

In radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure 102, a tread band 105 is applied that is made of elastomeric material.

In the building of the tyre 100, reinforcement inserts are usually applied to the carcass structure 102, and such reinforcement inserts can be applied and positioned in different steps of the building depending on their function and on the building scheme. Such inserts, which have different nature and/or function, can be used for reinforcing the beads (chafers, flippers), the sidewall zone (sidewall reinforcement), the tread application zone (breaker, rubber base), the carcass structure (bead to bead layer) or the intrados of the tyre (liner).

All the inserts have very limited dimensions, with thicknesses preferably lower than 2 mm and, in most cases, lower than 1 mm, preferably comprised between 0.2 and 0.8 mm.

The width of the inserts instead has considerable variability, preferably from 30 to 100 mm.

It is also noted that, depending on the type, the inserts can be continuously applied and cut after the application or cut to size, in a step preceding the application.

The tyre 100 preferably comprises first inserts 106 and second inserts 107.

The first inserts 106 are preferably pre-cut to size (i.e. cut/sized before the application to the carcass structure 102) and have very reduced thicknesses (lower than 1 mm, preferably lower than 0.8 mm) associated with non-negligible widths, preferably comprised between 30 and 100 mm.

Examples of such first inserts 106 are the flipper and the sidewall reinforcement.

The tyre 100 also comprises second inserts 107, preferably of the type cut after the application.

Examples of such second inserts are the bead cores 104, the fillers 112, breaker, rubber base, and liner. In figure 14, as an example, the following are schematically illustrated: a carcass ply 103, the bead cores 104, the flippers 106, the chafers 107, the tread band 105, the fillers 112 and the bead to bead 113. That illustrated depends on the scheme of the tyre that one wishes to manufacture and might not comprise any component. For example, in other structural schemes, not illustrated, the sidewall reinforcements are present and bead to bead, fillers and flippers are not present.

Preferably, in addition, on the radially outer surface 101b of the tyre 100 for bicycles, portions of carcass ply 103 directly exposed towards the outside environment are identifiable, between the axially outer edges of the tread band 105 and the bead cores 104. The tyre 100 for bicycles typically lacks sidewalls, i.e. layers of elastomeric material applied laterally to the outside of the carcass structure 102, each extended between one of the beads and the respective axially outer edge of the tread band.

The building of the tyre 100 described above therefore occurs with the aid of an apparatus 1 configured for applying the single components on a building drum 2 so as to attain a predetermined building scheme. The building drum 2 preferably has substantially cylindrical form and therefore comprises an outer surface 2a, or extrados, extended around a primary rotation axis "A" thereof.

Such primary rotation axis "A" is placed at a predetermined first height "QI" with respect to a horizontal support plane "G".

Preferably, the building drum 2 is provided with a rotation shaft (not illustrated) coaxial with the primary rotation axis "A" and integral with the drum itself in order to rotate it.

It is noted that said primary rotation axis "A" lies in a horizontal section plane (not illustrated) and in a vertical section plane (not illustrated).

Preferably, the horizontal section plane divides the building drum 2 into an upper half-part 2b and a lower half-part 2c, respectively distal and proximal with respect to said horizontal support plane "G".

The upper half-part 2b therefore comprises a top portion 3 of the building drum 2.

Preferably, the vertical section plane divides the building drum 2 into a front half-part 2d, accessible for an operator, and a rear half-part 2e.

The terms "front" and "rear" are used with reference to a zone for picking up the built tyre 100, in which the front zone is as stated preferably accessible for an operator and the rear zone is in part hidden from the building drum 2.

Preferably, provision is made for the presence of a feeding group 4 for feeding at least one carcass ply 103 towards said building drum 2.

The feeding group 4, which will not be described in detail, is provided with at least one release section 4a for releasing carcass ply 103 which, preferably, is located above the top portion 3 of the building drum 2.

Preferably, it is noted that the feeding group 4 is situated at position distal from the front half-part 2d with respect to the rear half-part 2e of the building drum 2.

In other words, preferably the feeding group 4 is situated to the rear of the building drum 2 and is configured for feeding the carcass ply 103 along a direction oriented towards the front portion 2d.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a first feeding line 5 configured for feeding at least one first semifinished product 108 comprising a first insert 106 towards a first pointing section 2f of said building drum 2.

Preferably, the semifinished product 108 is wound in a reel 108a on a rotatable first reel 15a which allows the unwinding thereof.

Preferably, it is noted that the semifinished product comprises a first operating tape 109a and a first service tape 109b that are coupled together.

The first service tape 109b has belt-like shape and is coupled to the first operating tape 109a with the function of protection and size control.

Preferably, the first service tape 109b and the first operating tape 109a are longitudinally coupled.

It is noted that the first operating tape 109a defines the first insert 106 described above.

In particular, the first operating tape 109a comprises a continuous strip of material having the size characteristics of the first insert 106 discussed above.

Preferably, once the first operating tape 109a is divided into discrete portions of predetermined length, each discrete portion defines a respective first insert 106.

The first insert 106, therefore, is extended preferably between a first 106a and a second end 106b spaced longitudinally from the extension of the first insert itself 106 along a main extension direction thereof.

The first operating tape 109a (and therefore the first insert 106) is preferably made of elastomeric material. Preferably, moreover, the first service tape 109b is made of polythene.

It is noted that depending on the type of first insert 106 applied, the first feeding line 5 can be configured for applying the first insert 106 on a single (first) carcass ply 103 wound on the building drum 2 or on a structure defined by one or more carcass plies 103 that have been previously turned up.

Preferably, the first feeding line 5 comprises a first feeding station 6 of the first insert 106 and a first applicator device 7 configured for pointing and applying the first insert 106 on the carcass ply 103 arranged around the building drum 2.

Preferably, the applicator device 7 is located below said top portion 3 of the building drum 2.

Therefore, preferably the applicator device 7 is arranged below the feeding group 4 of the carcass ply 103.

Preferably, moreover, the applicator device 7 is movable close to and away from the building drum 2 between a first position, distal from said building drum 2, and a second position, proximal to said building drum 2.

According to one aspect of the invention, the first pointing section 2f is situated at height lower than or equal to the predetermined first height "QI". In other words, the first pointing section 2f is situated at the same height or below the primary rotation axis "A" of the building drum 2.

Therefore, preferably, the first pointing section 2f is situated in the lower half-part 2c of the building drum.

Preferably, moreover, the applicator device 7 is situated at position distal from the front half-part 2b with respect to the rear half-part 2c of the building drum 2.

In other words, preferably the applicator device 7 is situated to the rear of the building drum 2 and is configured for feeding the first insert 106 along a transport direction "B" oriented towards the front portion 2b.

Preferably, therefore, the feeding group 4 and the first applicator device 7 are both situated to the rear of the building drum 2, with the feeding group 4 situated above the top portion 3 and the first applicator device 7 configured for pointing the first insert 106 below the first height "QI".

More preferably, the first applicator device 7 is configured for pointing the first insert 106 in a fourth of the building drum 2 contained both in the lower half-part 2c and in the rear half-part 2e.

The Applicant, in fact, has detected that the placement of the first pointing zone 2f below the primary rotation axis "A" allows using a normally free zone of the apparatus and automatically pointing the insert.

Preferably, moreover, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one second feeding line 8 configured for dispensing at least one second semifinished product 110 comprising a second insert 107 towards a second pointing section 2g of said building drum 2. Preferably, also second semifinished product 110 is wound in a reel on a respective rotatable reel 8a which allows the unwinding thereof.

It is noted that depending on the type of second insert 107 applied, the second feeding line 8 can be configured for applying the second insert 107 on a single (first) carcass ply 103 applied on the building drum 2 or on a structure defined by one or more carcass plies 103 that are previously turned up.

Preferably, the second feeding line 8 comprises a second applicator device 9 situated above the top portion 3 of said building drum 2.

Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the feeding group 4 and the second applicator device 9 are situated above the top portion 3, while the first applicator device 7 is located below said top portion 3.

Due to such arrangement, the bulk of the apparatus 1 is considerably reduced, allowing the application of thinner reinforcements (second inserts 107) in the upper part of the building drum and that of the bulkier inserts (first inserts 106), such as the flipper and sidewall reinforcement, in the lower part. More in detail, preferably, the second pointing section 2g is situated at height greater than said predetermined first height "QI", near said top portion 3.

In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the feeding group 4 and the second applicator device 9 are configured for applying the carcass ply 103 and the second insert 107 at the top portion 3 of the building drum 2, while the first applicator device 7 is configured for applying the first insert 106 at or below the first height "QI". Preferably, moreover, the second pointing section 2g is situated at said front half-part 2d.

Advantageously, a layout thus organized allows maximising he use of the spaces that are radially outer with respect to the building drum, also allowing sufficient frontal accessibility for possible manual operations by the operators.

Preferably, the first applicator device 7 comprises a carriage 10 and a pointer element 11.

The carriage 10 is preferably movable close to and away from the building drum 2 between said first and second position.

The pointer element 11 is instead connected to said carriage 10.

The pointer element 11 is preferably elastically movable along a pointing direction "C" and away from said building drum 2.

In other words, the pointer element 11 is movable away from the first pointing section 2f so as to generate a modulated pressure on the first pointing section 2f upon contact therewith. Preferably, the pointer element 11 is configured for generating a thrust on said first pointing section 2f comprised between 5 and 50 N.

This advantageously allows an automatic pointing, i.e. fixing, of the first insert 106 without risking damage of the material.

Therefore, the pointer element 11 has a degree of freedom substantially linear, parallel to and opposite the pointing direction of the first insert 106 (oriented towards the building drum 2).

On such matter, preferably said pointing direction "C" has an orientation comprised between the horizontal and a radial direction incident on said first pointing section 2f.

Preferably, the pointer element 11 comprises a pushing slider 12 provided with an application surface 12a.

In the preferred embodiment, the pushing slider 12 is connected to the carriage 10 through an elastic connection member, preferably by means of an elastic cylinder.

The application surface 12a faces, at least in the second position, the building drum 2 so as to point and apply the first insert 106. It is noted that, preferably, in the second position of the first applicator device 7, the application surface 12a of the pushing slider 12 is oriented tangentially to said first pointing section 2f.

This advantageously allows carrying out a pointing of the first insert 106 which results simultaneously strong and "soft", without pressure peaks on the material, making the autonomous modulation of the thrust action efficient during the pointing and the closure of the first insert 106.

Preferably, the pointing direction "C" is parallel to a movement direction "D" of the first applicator device 7 between the first and the second position.

In the preferred embodiment, the two directions are parallel and aligned in order to facilitate the design of the component and reduce the transverse stresses.

The first applicator device 7 therefore comprises an actuator associated with the carriage 10 and configured for translating it linearly along the movement direction "D", between the first and the second position.

Preferably, the first applicator device 7 also comprises a transport belt 13 movable along the transport direction "B" in order to move the first insert 106.

The transport belt 13 is movable between a feeding zone 13a of said first insert 106 and the pointer element 11. Preferably, the transport belt 13 has a transport face 13c, on which the first insert 106 lies during use, opposite a traction face 13d, associated with a moving group 14 for moving the belt itself.

Preferably, the moving group 14 for moving the transport belt 13 is provided with pulleys or transmission elements arranged along a movement path of the transport belt 13 in part coinciding with the transport direction "B".

It is noted that between two successive pulleys 14a, deformable sections of the transport belt 13 are defined.

In the preferred embodiment, the traction face 13d of the transport belt 13 is toothed.

The teeth of the traction face 13d are therefore coupled to respective teeth of the pulleys, which in the preferred embodiment are therefore pinions or toothed wheels.

In such a manner, the slips are minimised, increasing the precision of the movement and of the pointing of the first insert. It is noted that the transport belt 13 is slidably associated with the pointer element 11 in order to move the first insert 106 on the pointer element during the pointing (and if necessary during the application).

More preferably, the transport belt 13 is interposed between the pointer element 11 and the building drum 2.

In more detail, the transport belt 13 is preferably slidable along said application surface 12a of the pushing slider 12.

Preferably, the pointer element 11 is situated at one of said deformable sections, defined for its application section 13b function.

In such a manner, the transport belt 13 follows the movement of the pointer element 12 and is adapted to the shape of the building drum 2.

Preferably, moreover, the carriage 10 of said first applicator device 7 comprises a frame 10a provided with curved terminal edge 10b.

The terminal edge 10b is placed at the pointer element 11 and has a curvature counter-shaped with respect to a curvature of a radially outer surface of the building drum 2.

In other words, the pointer element 11 (i.e. the pushing slider 12) projects from the terminal edge 10b along a pointing direction, thus being able to movably slide in contact with the the building drum 2 without risking interferences.

As already discussed above, the first feeding line 5 comprises a first feeding station 6 operatively arranged upstream of the first applicator device 7.

Said first feeding station 6 is preferably configured for feeding said first insert 106 to the first applicator device 7, cutting it to size.

On such matter, preferably the first feeding station 6 comprises a loading group 15 and a cutting group 16.

The loading group 15 is provided with said first reel 15a shaped for receiving said first semifinished product 108 wound in a reel 108a.

The first reel 15a is configured for unwinding the reel 108a, advancing the first semifinished product 108 along a first feeding direction "F".

Preferably, moreover, the loading group 15 comprises a separating member 15b configured for separating the first operating tape 109a from said first service tape 109b of the first semifinished product 108.

Such separating member 15b in particular comprises a recovery group of the first service tape 109b arranged for winding said first service tape 109b, uncoupled from the first operating tape 109a, in a discard reel.

The cutting group 16 is operatively placed downstream of the loading group 15 and is provided with a cutting member 16a configured for cutting said operating tape 109a of the first semifinished product 108 into said discrete portions of predetermined length.

Preferably, the cutting member 16a is arranged along a movement element 16b associated with the loading group 15.

It is noted that, in the preferred embodiment, the cutting member 16a has a tilt lower than 90° with respect to the feeding direction "F", i.e. with respect to an operating direction of the movement element 16b.

In the preferred embodiment, such tilt is comprised between 30° and 60°, more preferably about 45°.

In such a manner, following the cutting manufactured by the cutting member 16a, the first 106a and the second end 106b of the first insert 106 appear tilted with respect to the transport direction.

In the preferred embodiment, the cutting member 16a comprises a blade (metal or laser) selectively movable between an active position and a rest position which, in the active position, traverses the first operating tape 109a in order to section it.

On such matter, preferably, the movement element 16b is extended along the operating direction thereof up to reaching a cutting section of the cutting member 16a, at which an interruption of a lying plane of the operating tape 109a is present.

Preferably, the feeding zone 13a of the transport belt 13 of the first applicator device 7 is situated, as continuation of the feeding direction "F", immediately downstream of the movement element 16b.

In other words, the cutting member 16a is interposed, with reference to the feeding direction "F", between the movement element 16b and the transport belt 13, which are separated from each other by said interruption of the lying plane.

It is noted that, preferably, the cutting member 16a has tilt lower than 90° with respect to the feeding direction "F", but the end edges facing each other of the movement element 16b and of the transport belt 13 are orthogonal to the feeding direction

On such matter, preferably the cutting member 16a, in its active position, does not traverse the lying plane and provides for sectioning the operating tape 109a in a raised condition thereof with respect to said lying plane.

Preferably, in order to allow a correct sizing of the first insert 106, the cutting group 16 comprises a measuring member 17 configured for detecting the length of a terminal section of the first operating tape 109a situated, with reference to the feeding direction "F", downstream of the cutting member 16a.

This ensures that the measurement of the insert corresponds with that predetermined, except for possible slips and/or contractions of the material.

Preferably, the measuring member 17 comprises a sensor element 17a associated with the transport belt 13 of the first applicator device 7 and configured for generating an activation signal when said terminal section of the first operating tape 109a reaches said predetermined length.

In the preferred embodiment, the sensor element 17a is of optical type, e.g. photocell.

It is noted that, preferably, the cutting group 16 comprises a control unit 16c configured for stopping the loading group 15 and for activating the cutting member 16a upon reception of said activation signal by the sensor element 17a.

More preferably, the control unit 16c is configured for imparting a stoppage also to the transport belt 13 of the first applicator device 7 upon reception of said activation signal by the sensor element 17a.

Preferably, moreover, the apparatus 1 comprises two first feeding lines 5 parallel to and side-by-side.

Preferably, therefore each first feeding line 5 comprises a first applicator device 7 and a respective first feeding station 6 according to that described up to now.

Preferably, the first applicator devices 7 of the two first feeding lines 5 are movable in mutual approaching and moving apart along an adjustment direction "H" orthogonal to the transport direction "B" of the first insert 106.

Such adjustment direction "H" is preferably parallel to the primary rotation axis "A" of the building drum 2 in order to allow varying the axial distance between the first inserts 106 of a same tyre 100. The apparatus is thus extremely flexible and suitable to different tyre sizes. In addition, the use of movable applicator devices arranged downstream of the fixed feeding stations considerably simplifies the attainment of the apparatus, reducing the complexity of the actuators and maintaining extremely accessible the zones of substitution of the consumable materials (which remain external).

Preferably, provision is made for the presence of an adjustment member 18 associated with each first applicator device 7 and configured for moving the respective first applicator device 7 along the adjustment direction "H" between a loading position, aligned with said feeding direction "F", and a release position, misaligned with respect to the feeding direction "F" and approached to the other first applicator device 7.

Preferably, each adjuster member 18 comprises an actuator 18a and a guide 18b.

The carriage 10 of each first applicator device 7 is slidably associated with said guide 18b in order to be moved along the adjustment direction "H".

The actuator 18a is connected to the carriage 10 in order to move it along the guide 18b.

In the preferred embodiment, the actuator 18a comprises a cylinder, preferably hydraulic, connected to said carriage 10; more preferably, so as to balance the stresses, each carriage 10 is associated with two actuators 18a that are parallel and spaced along the transport direction "B".

In order to drive the movements of the apparatus 1, provision is made for the presence of a control unit 19. Preferably, but not necessarily, the control unit 19 also comprises the control unit 16c of each cutting device 16.

The control unit 19 is configured for activating the feeding group 4 in order to fix one end portion of the carcass ply 103 on the building drum 2.

The fixing (or pointing) of the carcass ply 103 on the building drum 2 can be made by means of mechanical or pneumatic means, not described in detail herein.

Preferably, moreover, the control unit 19 is configured for starting a first rotation of said building drum 2 around the primary rotation axis "A" so as to wind the carcass ply 103 on said building drum 2, i.e. around the building drum 2.

The control unit 19 is therefore configured for stopping the first rotation of the building drum 2 and imparting, to said first applicator device 7 (or to both the applicator devices 7, if present), a first movement from the first to the second position in order to fix a first end 106a of the first insert 106 on the carcass ply 103.

In such a manner, the first insert 106 is therefore pointed at the first pointing section 2f of the building drum 2.

Preferably, therefore, the control unit 19 at this point imparts to the first applicator device 7 (or to both the applicator devices 7, if present) a second movement from the second position in the direction of the first position, up to a position moved-away from said building drum 2.

It is noted that the moved-away position could be the first position or, differently, an intermediate position between the first and the second position.

The control unit 19 is therefore configured for starting a second rotation of the building drum 2 around the primary rotation axis "A" so as to wind the first insert 106 around the carcass ply 103. Preferably, the second rotation is opposite the first rotation.

More preferably, the first rotation is oriented such that, along the rear half-part 2e of the building drum 2, each point of the building drum 2 passes first through the first pointing section 2f and then through the top portion 3.

In accordance therewith, the second rotation is preferably oriented such that, along the rear half-part 2e of the drum, each point of the building drum 2 first passes through the top portion 3 and then through the first pointing section 2f.

In the preferred embodiment, the control unit 19 is configured for starting the second rotation of the building drum 2 around said primary rotation axis "A" between said first and said second movement.

In other words, the second rotation of the building drum 2 is preferably started when the first applicator device 7 is situated in the second position, with the pressing element 11 abutted against the building drum 2.

In the preferred embodiment, the second movement is started after a brief time interval from the start of the second rotation; such time interval is preferably comprised between 0 and 2s.

This allows having, for a brief time interval, the pressing action by the pointer element 11 simultaneous with the rotation of the building drum 2, facilitating a greater distribution of the pointing action.

Preferably, moreover, the control unit 19 is configured for imparting, to said first applicator device 7 (or to both first applicator devices 7, if present), a third movement from the moved-away position to the second position, in order to fix a second end 106b of the first insert 106 on its first end 106a.

It is noted that, preferably, the control unit 19 is configured for stopping the second rotation after the end of the third movement.

In other words, the second rotation of the building drum 2 is preferably stopped when the first applicator device 7 is already situated in the second position at the end of the third movement, with the pressing element 11 abutted against the building drum 2.

In the preferred embodiment, the second rotation is stopped after a brief further time interval from the attainment, by the first applicator device 7, of the second starting position; such further time interval is preferably comprised between 0 and 2s. Preferably, moreover, the control unit 19 is configured for imparting, to said first applicator device 7 (or to said first applicator devices, if present), a fourth movement from the second position to the first position following the fixing of the second end 106b on said first end 106a of the first insert 106.

Preferably, moreover, the control unit 19 is configured for imparting, to the actuator 18a of the adjuster member 18 associated with each first applicator device 7, a movement from the loading position to the release position following the activation of the cutting member 16a.

More precisely, in the preferred embodiment, the control unit 19 is configured for activating the transport belt 13 following the cutting action by the cutting member 16a and, simultaneously or after such activation, commanding the actuator 18a to move from the loading position to the release position.

Advantageously, such succession of operations makes the positioning of the first insert 106 particularly efficient and considerably reduces the cycle time.

Preferably, moreover, the control unit 19 is also configured for driving the second feeding line 8; in the preferred embodiment, indeed, in a step before or after those which involve the first feeding line 7, the control unit 19 is configured for activating the second applicator device 9, coordinating it with a first or second rotation of the building drum 2 so as to point and apply the second insert 107.

During use, the apparatus 1 as described above allows implementing a process for building tyres for bicycles according to the present invention.

It is noted that in the description of the process, the same reference used up to now in the description of the apparatus 1 will be used for the same technical characteristics.

In any case, it is indicated that all the characteristics of the apparatus 1, even if not explicitly identified or used in the following description of the process, are to be considered as applicable thereto.

Provision is made for arranging the building drum 2 and feeding a carcass ply 103 towards the building drum 2 starting from a release zone placed at a higher height, with reference to said horizontal support plane "G", to the top portion 3 of the building drum 2.

Preferably, provision is made for fixing an end portion of the carcass ply 103 on said building drum 2, more preferably at said top portion 3.

Preferably, provision is made for imparting the first rotation to said building drum 2 in order to wind said carcass ply 103 on said building drum 2.

Preferably the process provides for feeding the first insert 106 towards the first pointing section 2f of the building drum 2, with the first pointing section 2f situated at height lower than or equal to the predetermined first height "QI", preferably at the rear half-part of the building drum 2.

Provision is also made for winding said first insert 106 around said building drum 2, more precisely around the previously arranged carcass ply 103, by imparting the second rotation to said building drum 2.

Preferably, the feeding and the winding of the first insert 106 provide for the execution of a series of operations carried out in succession.

Preferably, a first semifinished product 108 is arranged, comprising the first service tape 109a coupled to said first operating tape 109b.

The first service tape 109b is preferably separated from the first operating tape 109a, preferably through a separation operation.

The separated service tape 109b is preferably recovered by a rewinding step.

After the separation, preferably the first operating tape 109a is advanced along a feeding direction "F".

The first operating tape 109a is therefore cut into discrete portions of length predetermined.

Each discrete portion defines a first insert 106.

Provision is made for approaching the first end 106a of the first insert 106 from a first position, distal from said building drum 2, to a second position, proximal to said building drum 2,

In particular, in the second position, the first end 106a of the first insert 106 is abutted against the building drum 2, in contact with the carcass ply 103.

Said first end 106a of the first insert 106 is therefore fixed on said carcass ply 103 at the first pointing section 2f, by exerting a first pressure in order to press said first insert 106 on said carcass ply 103.

Preferably, the pressure is exerted by means of the pointer member 11.

Said second rotation is then imparted to the building drum 2, so as to wind the first insert 106 around the building drum 2. Preferably, the second rotation is opposite the first rotation.

More preferably, the first rotation is oriented such that, along the rear half-part 2e of the drum, each point of the forming drum 2 passes first through the first pointing section 2f and then through the top portion 3.

In accordance therewith, the second rotation is preferably oriented such that, along the rear half-part 2e of the drum, each point of the forming drum 2 passes first through the top portion 3 and then through the first pointing section 2f.

It is noted that, preferably, the exercise of the first pressure and the second rotation are in part simultaneous.

In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the first pressure is exerted simultaneously with the second rotation for a brief time interval; such time interval is preferably comprised between 1 and 2s.

Preferably, moreover, the method provides for fixing the second end 106b of the first insert 106 on the first end 106a.

In other words, such step of the method provides for, upon reaching a predetermined rotation angle of the building drum 2, preferably about 360°, superimposing the second end 106b on the first end 106a (already fixed) of the first insert 106.

Such step is to be considered a step for closing the first insert 106.

Preferably, the fixing of the second end 106b is executed by exerting a second pressure in order to press the second end 106b on said first end 106a when the building drum 2 has completed or is close to completing a revolution along said second rotation.

Also the second pressure is preferably executed by means of the pointer member 11.

Preferably, the second rotation and the exercise of the second pressure are in part simultaneous.

In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the second pressure is exerted simultaneously with the second rotation for a brief time interval; such time interval is preferably comprised between 0 and 2s.

At the end of said time interval, the second rotation is preferably interrupted, therefore the building drum 2 is stopped.

It is noted that, preferably, the method provides for applying two first inserts 106 in parallel and a predefined axial distance.

In particular, preferably provision is made for feeding two of said first inserts 106 parallel towards the first pointing section 2f of the building drum 2 and for winding such first inserts 106 parallel around the building drum 2.

It is noted that, preferably, the method provides for executing the cutting of the respective first operating tapes 109a at a first distance (evaluated orthogonal to the feeding direction "F") and for approaching the two first inserts 106 thus manufactured downstream of the cutting.

Upon reaching a predetermined (second) distance, the approaching is interrupted and the feeding of the first inserts 106 towards the building drum 2 can start.

Preferably, the method also provides for dispensing also the second insert 107 towards the second pointing section 2g of said building drum 2.

Then, said second insert 107 is fixed at said second pointing section 2g and the second insert 107 is wound around said building drum 2 (in particular with the carcass ply 103), where the second pointing section 2g is situated at the top portion of the building drum 2, preferably at the front half-part.

The winding of the second insert 107 around the carcass ply 103 occurs by imparting, to the building drum, a rotation in accordance with said first or said second rotation, preferably with said first rotation.

For example, the application of the second insert 107 can provide for positioning and winding, on the carcass ply 103, two annular bead cores 104 that are parallel to each other and arranged such that a lateral end flap 103a of the carcass ply 103 extends beyond, from each bead core 104, away from each other.

At this point, provision is made for turning up each lateral end flap 103a around the respective bead core.

It is noted that the steps described up to now can also be actuated in a different order with respect to that in which they have been presented herein, possibly without requiring that all the listed steps are actually actuated.

For example, in several embodiments, the method provides for feeding and winding a first insert 106 on the carcass ply 103, immediately downstream of the winding of said carcass ply 103 on the building drum 2.

This occurs when the first insert 106 for example corresponds with the flipper.

As an alternative or jointly, in other embodiments, the feeding and the winding of the first insert 106 (or of the first inserts) are carried out after the positioning of the bead cores 104 and the turning up of the lateral flaps 103a. Examples of such embodiment can be found in the positioning of first inserts 106 such as the sidewall reinforcements.

Claims

1. Apparatus for building green tyres (100) for bicycles comprising:

- a building drum (2) rotating around a primary rotation axis (A) placed at a predetermined first height (QI) with respect to a horizontal support plane (G),

- a feeding group (4) for feeding at least one carcass ply (103) towards said building drum (2) provided with at least one section (4a) for releasing said carcass ply (103) located above a top portion (3) of said building drum (2),

- a first feeding line (5) configured for feeding at least one first semifinished product (108) comprising a first insert (106) towards a first pointing section (2f) of said building drum (2), wherein said first feeding line (5) comprises a first applicator device (7):

- located below said top portion (3) of said building drum (2),

- movable close to and away from the building drum (2) between a first position, distal from said building drum (2), and a second position, proximal to said building drum (2), wherein said first pointing section (2f) is located at a height lower than or equal to said predetermined first height (QI).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first applicator device (7) comprises:

- a carriage (10) movable close to and away from the building drum (2) between said first and second position;

- a pointer element (11) connected to said carriage (10) and elastically movable along a pointing direction (C) and away from said building drum (2).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said pointer element (11) comprises a pushing slider (12) provided with an application surface (12a) which, in the second position of the first applicator device (7), is oriented tangentially to said first pointing section (2f).

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said pointing direction (C) has an orientation comprised between the horizontal and a radial direction incident on said first pointing section (2f).

5. Apparatus according to any one of the claims from 2 to 4, wherein the first applicator device (7) comprises a transport belt (13) that is movable starting from a feeding zone (13a) for feeding said first insert (106), along a transport direction (E); said transport belt (13) being slidably associated with said pointer element (11) and interposed between the pointer element (11) and the building drum (2).

6. Apparatus according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the transport belt is slidable along said application surface (12a) of the pushing slider (12).

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said first applicator device (7) comprises a moving group (14) for moving the transport belt (13) provided with pulleys (14a) or transmission elements arranged along a movement path of the transport belt (13), wherein the pointer element (11) is interposed between two successive pulleys (14a) or transmission elements between which a deformable application section of the transport belt (13) is delimited.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the claims from 5 to 7, wherein the transport belt (13) has a transport face (13a) opposite a toothed traction face (13b).

9. Apparatus according to any one of the claims from 2 to 8, wherein the carriage (10) of said first applicator device (7) comprises a frame (10a) provided with curved terminal edge (10b) placed at the pointer element (11) and having a curvature counter-shaped with respect to a curvature of a radially outer surface of the building drum (2).

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (19) configured for:

- stopping a first rotation of the building drum (2) around the primary rotation axis (A);

- imparting, to said first applicator device (7), a first movement from the first to the second position in order to fix a first end (106a) of the first insert (106) on the carcass ply (103);

- imparting, to said first applicator device (7), a second movement from the second position in the direction of the first position up to a position moved-away from said building drum (2);

- starting a second rotation of the building drum (2) around the primary rotation axis (A) so as to wind the first insert (106) around the carcass ply (103);

- imparting, to said first applicator device (7), a third movement from the moved-away position to the second position in order to fix a second end (106b) of the first insert (106) on said first end (106a) of said first insert (106).

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit (19) is configured for imparting, to said first applicator device (7), a fourth movement from the second position to the first position following the fixing of the second end (106b) on said first end (106a) of the first insert (106).

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control unit (19) is configured for:

- starting the second rotation of the building drum (2) around said primary rotation axis (A) between said first and said second movement, and/or

- stopping the second rotation following the end of the third movement.

13. Apparatus according to any one of the claims from 10 to 12, wherein the control unit is configured for:

- activating the feeding group (4) in order to fix an end portion of the carcass ply (103) on the building drum (2);

- starting said first rotation of said building drum (2) in order to wind the carcass ply (103) on said building drum (2), wherein said first and said second rotation of the building drum (2) are executed in counter-rotation.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one second feeding line (8) configured for dispensing at least one second semifinished product (110) comprising a second insert (107) towards a second pointing section (2g) of said building drum (2), wherein said second feeding line (8) comprises a second applicator device (9) located above said top portion (3) of said building drum (2), wherein said second pointing section (2g) is located at a height greater than said predetermined first height (QI), near said top portion.

15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said primary rotation axis (A) of the building drum (2) lies in a vertical section plane that divides the drum into a front half-part (2d), accessible for an operator, and a rear half-part (2e), wherein:

- said feeding group (4) and said first feeding line (5) are both located in a position distal from the front half-part (2d) with respect to the rear half-part (2e);

- said first pointing section (2f) is located in said rear half-part (2e).

16. Apparatus according to claims 14 and 15, wherein the second pointing section (2g) is located in said front half-part (2d).

17. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first feeding line (5) comprises a first feeding station (6) configured for feeding said first insert (106) to the first applicator device (7), cutting it to size.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first feeding station (6) comprises:

- a loading group (15) provided with at least one reel (15a) shaped for receiving said first semifinished product (108) wound in a reel and configured for unwinding said reel, advancing the first semifinished product (108) along a first feeding direction (F); said first semifinished product (108) comprising a first operative tape (109a);

- a cutting group (16) placed downstream of said loading group (15) and provided with a cutting member (16a) configured for cutting said first operative tape (109a) of the first semifinished product (108) in discrete portions of predetermined length, wherein each discrete portion of the first operative tape (109a) defines said first insert (106) cut to size.

19. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two first feeding lines (5) parallel to and side-by-side each other, wherein said first applicator devices (7) of the two first feeding lines (5) are movable in mutual approaching and moving apart along an adjustment direction (H), orthogonal to the transport direction (B) of the first insert (106) and parallel to the primary rotation axis (A) of the building drum (2).

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, comprising an adjustment member (18) associated with each first applicator device (7) and configured for moving the respective first applicator device (7) along the adjustment direction (H) between a loading position, aligned with said feeding direction (F), and a release position, misaligned with respect to the feeding direction (F) and approached to the other first applicator device (7).

21. Process for building green tyres (100) for bicycles comprising:

- arranging a building drum (2) rotatable around a primary rotation axis (A) placed at a predetermined first height (QI) with respect to a horizontal support plane (G),

- feeding a carcass ply (103) towards the building drum (2) starting from a release zone placed at a higher height, with reference to said horizontal support plane (G), to a top portion (3) of the building drum (2),

- fixing an end portion of the carcass ply (103) on said building drum (2) and imparting a first rotation to said building drum (2) in order to wind said carcass ply (103) on said building drum (2),

- feeding a first insert (106) towards a first pointing section (2f) of said building drum (2) and winding said first insert (106) around said building drum (2), wherein said first pointing section (2f) is located at a height lower than or equal to said predetermined first height (QI).

22. Process according to claim 21, wherein feeding and winding the first insert (106) comprises:

- moving a first end (106a) of the first insert (106) from a first position, distal from said building drum (2), close to a second position, proximal to said building drum (2),

- fixing said first end (106a) of the first insert (106) on said carcass ply (103) at said first pointing section (2f) by exerting a first pressure in order to press the first insert (106) on said carcass ply (103);

- imparting a second rotation on said building drum (2) in order to wind said first insert (106) around said building drum (2), wherein said second rotation is opposite the first rotation.

23. Process according to claim 22, wherein feeding and winding the first insert (106) comprises:

- fixing a second end (106b) of the first insert (106) on said first end (106a) of said first insert (106) by exerting a second pressure, pressing the second end (106b) on said first end (106a) of the first insert (106) when the building drum (2) has completed or is close to completing a revolution along said second rotation.

24. Process according to claim 22 or 23, wherein:

- said exercise of the first pressure and said second rotation are in part simultaneous, and/or

- said exercise of the second pressure and said second rotation are in part simultaneous.

25. Process according to claim 23 or 24, wherein feeding and winding the first insert (106) comprises interrupting said second rotation during the application of said second pressure.

26. Process according to any one of the claims from 21 to 25, wherein feeding and winding the first insert (105) comprises:

- advancing a first operative tape (109a) along a feeding direction (F); - cutting said first operative tape (109a) into discrete portions of predetermined length, wherein each discrete portion defines a first insert (106).

27. Process according to any one of the claims from 21 to 26, comprising:

- arranging two of said first inserts (106) oriented parallel with respect to each other and placed at a predetermined first distance, evaluated parallel to the primary rotation axis (A);

- approaching said two first inserts (106) along an adjustment direction (H) parallel to said primary rotation axis (A) of the building drum (2) up to reaching a predetermined second distance;

- feeding two of said first inserts (106) parallel towards the first pointing section (2f) of the building drum (2) and winding said first inserts (106) parallel around the building drum (2).

28. Process according to any one of the claims from 21 to 27, also comprising:

- dispensing at least one second insert (107) towards a second pointing section (2g) of said building drum (2);

- fixing said second insert (107) at said second pointing section (2g) and winding said second insert (107) around said building drum (2), wherein the second pointing section (2g) is situated at:

- said top portion (3) of the building drum (2);

- a front half-part (2d) of the building drum (2).

29. Process according to any one of the claims from 21 to 28, wherein said first insert (106) has a thickness lower than 1 mm.

30. Process according to any one of the claims from 21 to 29, wherein said first insert (106) is extended along a transport direction (B) thereof between a first end (106a) and a second end (106b) and has a width, measured orthogonally to said transport direction (B), comprised between 10 and 120 mm.