Disclosed is a tubular core on which sheets of metal or other material can be wound and supported, for shipment, handling and dispersal, and a method for forming the core. The core comprises a metal sheet or strip which has a rectangular-ribbed cross-sectional profile of flattened ribs, and which is wound spirally into a tubular configuration. The core is formed by passing the strip through a plurality of roll-forming stands, to initiate forming and progressively form an arcuate ribbed sinusoidal profile, then a final roll-forming pass is used (or several such passes are used) to flatten the ribs of the profile so that the rectangular flattened ribs collectively form a support surface for the sheets which are wound and supported on the core.

A flange for use on a reel, a flange adapter, and a flange stand are provided. The flange may include an outer circumference, a hub assembly, and an arbor hole adapter that is adapted to engage an arbor hole to secure the flange to the reel. The arbor hole adapter may include an expandable portion that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. First and second expansion plates may be coupled to the arbor hole adapter and connected by shoulder bolts that guide movement of the plates between an abutting configuration and a spaced-apart configuration, allowing movement of the expandable portion relative to the reel for modified engagement. The flange stand may include a base, a support portion, and a coupler for engaging a central extension of the flange to allow the flange to be supported in an upright position.

A reel for winding metal strip, in particular rolled hot strip, having a mandrel shaft (2), which has a first shaft end piece (18), which is rotably mounted by means of at least one bearing (4) provided in the machine frame (3) of the reel, a clamping device (5) arranged between the at least one bearing (4) and the mandrel shaft (2), such that, in a clamped operating state, a frictional connection can be produced between the at least one bearing (4) and the mandrel shaft (2).

A reel for winding metal strip, in particular rolled hot strip, having a mandrel shaft (2), which has a first shaft end piece (18), which is rotably mounted by means of at least one bearing (4) provided in the machine frame (3) of the reel, a clamping device (5) arranged between the at least one bearing (4) and the mandrel shaft (2), such that, in a clamped operating state, a frictional connection can be produced between the at least one bearing (4) and the mandrel shaft (2).

A transport system has a dedicated trailer for transporting a small transport reel (i.e., <18-ft in diameter) of continuous rod to the field. The trailer has a pedestal that can pivot the reel. A hub motor on the pedestal can turn the reel, and a transfer unit and rod bender on the trailer can curve or straighten the rod when being fed into or out of the reel. A power and hydraulic system operates the various hydraulic components on the trailer. In other aspects, the transport system includes stands that can hold the small transport reels on a trailer within a defined transport envelope. When empty, these stands can be stacked on top of one another on the trailer for return to a facility.

A transport system has a dedicated trailer for transporting a small transport reel (i.e., <18-ft in diameter) of continuous rod to the field. The trailer has a pedestal that can pivot the reel. A hub motor on the pedestal can turn the reel, and a transfer unit and rod bender on the trailer can curve or straighten the rod when being fed into or out of the reel. A power and hydraulic system operates the various hydraulic components on the trailer. In other aspects, the transport system includes stands that can hold the small transport reels on a trailer within a defined transport envelope. When empty, these stands can be stacked on top of one another on the trailer for return to a facility.

A pair of flanges attachable to the arbor hole of a reel is disclosed. The flanges provide a mechanism to allow the reel to be easily loaded, and lifted into place. Once loaded into place, the flanges may include a locking mechanism that locks the reel in place, centered on the flanges. Additionally, the flanges are attachable using a hub that allows them to rotate independently from one another, and from the reel to which they are attached.

A pair of flanges attachable to the arbor hole of a reel is disclosed. The flanges provide a mechanism to allow the reel to be easily loaded, and lifted into place. Once loaded into place, the flanges may include a locking mechanism that locks the reel in place, centered on the flanges. Additionally, the flanges are attachable using a hub that allows them to rotate independently from one another, and from the reel to which they are attached.

A pair of flanges attachable to the arbor hole of a reel is disclosed. The flanges provide a mechanism to allow the reel to be easily loaded, and lifted into place. Once loaded into place, the flanges may include a locking mechanism that locks the reel in place, centered on the flanges. Additionally, the flanges are attachable using a hub that allows them to rotate independently from one another, and from the reel to which they are attached.

A transport system has a dedicated trailer for transporting a small transport reel (i.e., <18-ft in diameter) of continuous rod to the field. The trailer has a pedestal that can pivot the reel. A hub motor on the pedestal can turn the reel, and a transfer unit and rod bender on the trailer can curve or straighten the rod when being fed into or out of the reel. A power and hydraulic system operates the various hydraulic components on the trailer. In other aspects, the transport system includes stands that can hold the small transport reels on a trailer within a defined transport envelope. When empty, these stands can be stacked on top of one another on the trailer for return to a facility.