Method for transferring and placing beads for tyres, device for carrying out such a method and spacer to be used in such a method and/or device

Method for transferring and placing beads for tyres, comprising the steps of:

• providing a bead storage unit in which a number of beads are vertically stacked placing spacers in between them,
• providing a collection unit for empty spacers, which collection unit is placed in the vicinity of the bead storage unit,
• providing a tyre building machine for receiving the beads thereon,
• providing a bead retaining means for picking up and retaining a bead, wherein the bead retaining means is provided with engagement jaws that are arranged at equal angular distance in a circumferential direction on the bead retaining means, wherein the engagement jaws are driven or withdrawn in radial direction,
• providing a spacer retaining means for picking up and retaining a spacer, and
• arranging the bead retaining means and the spacer retaining means on a common transfer means, characterised in that the method comprises the steps of:
• providing the spacer retaining means with at least two spacer engagement jaws that are arranged at equal angular distance in a circumferential direction on the spacer retaining means, wherein the spacer engagement jaws are driven or withdrawn in radial direction.