Bead core covering method and bead core covering apparatus

A bead core covering apparatus for covering an annular bead core with a long, belt-like rubber sheet having a predetermined width, the apparatus comprising:

• a covering device that supports the bead core and rotates the bead core that is supported;
• a drive roller for winding and bonding the rubber sheet under pressure on an outer surface of the bead core, the drive roller being provided to the covering device;
• and
• a control unit that controls the covering device and the drive roller,
• wherein the control unit is configured to affix, from a front end of the rubber sheet, a part in a width direction of the rubber sheet onto the outer surface of the bead core that is rotating, and to bond under pressure a remaining part in the width direction of the rubber sheet having been affixed to the outer surface of the bead core along a cross-sectional shape of the bead core sequentially from the part in the width direction toward an end in the width direction by an outer peripheral surface of the drive roller that is rotating, and
• a peripheral speed of the outer peripheral surface of the drive roller is higher than a peripheral speed of the outer surface of the bead core.