Method for the handling of parent reels in paper converting plants, comprising the following steps: (a) providing at least one platform with a base adapted to support a parent reel in a waiting station and at least one unwinder (S) adapted to receive said reel in an unwinding station where the parent reel is unwound; (b) positioning a parent reel (1) on the platform at the waiting station; (c) transporting the parent reel (1) along a predefined path from said platform to said unwinder (S) by means of a bridge crane (CP) equipped with movable arms (BC). The step (c) is preceded by a first step consisting in the temporary association of two pins (P) to the arms (BC) of the bridge crane (CP) and by a second step consisting in inserting the two pins (P) in two opposite bases of the parent reel (1) using the same arms (BC); and the step (c) involves the transport of the reel (1) along a path comprising at least one ascending or descending portion with the pins (P) thus inserted into the parent reel (1).

The present invention includes a method and an apparatus (1) for handling flat material and/or film material wound onto rolls (5) and that serves as packaging material for the packaging of piece goods, bundles, or the like sets of articles. Rolls (5), which are at least partially unwound, are alternately removed from at least one installation position (EB1; EB2) of a packaging machine (3), and in each case a new roll (5) of flat material and/or film material is mounted in the particular installation position (EB1; EB2). After each mounting, an externally arranged layer (15) is extracted from the particular new roll (5) near or in the area of its free end attached to a section of a material web of a further roll (5) being guided in the packaging machine (3). This is done in a manner such that flat material and/or film material is unwound interruption-free.

The present invention includes a method and an apparatus (1) for handling flat material and/or film material wound onto rolls (5) and that serves as packaging material for the packaging of piece goods, bundles, or the like sets of articles. Rolls (5), which are at least partially unwound, are alternately removed from at least one installation position (EB1; EB2) of a packaging machine (3), and in each case a new roll (5) of flat material and/or film material is mounted in the particular installation position (EB1; EB2). After each mounting, an externally arranged layer (15) is extracted from the particular new roll (5) near or in the area of its free end attached to a section of a material web of a further roll (5) being guided in the packaging machine (3). This is done in a manner such that flat material and/or film material is unwound interruption-free.

A web roll handling and loading system and methods employ hubs positioned on opposing sides of a roll of web material wound on a hollow tubular core. Hub faces have an annular shape configured to be seated in respective ends of the hollow tubular core. The hubs are pivotably supported for pivoting between an operational position and a deflected position. The roll of web material is loaded on the hubs by lifting it from beneath the hubs to deflect the hub faces arcuately upward, then lowering the roll to allow the hub faces to pivot downward and become seated in the ends of the hollow tubular core. Alternatively, the roll is loaded into a pick-up tool by lowering the pick-up tool downward to the roll so the hubs deflect arcuately upward, then raising the tool so the hubs pivot downward and become seated in the hollow tubular core.

A corrugating roll unit conveyance apparatus includes a mounting base having a first accommodation part for accommodating a corrugating roll unit to be removed and a second accommodation part for accommodating a corrugating roll unit to be installed; and a movement device for moving the mounting base to a first replacement position at which the first accommodation part faces the existing corrugating roll unit, a second replacement position at which the second accommodation part faces a space from which the existing corrugating roll unit has been removed, and a retracted position separated from the first replacement position and the second replacement position.

A corrugating roll unit conveyance apparatus includes a mounting base having a first accommodation part for accommodating a corrugating roll unit to be removed and a second accommodation part for accommodating a corrugating roll unit to be installed; and a movement device for moving the mounting base to a first replacement position at which the first accommodation part faces the existing corrugating roll unit, a second replacement position at which the second accommodation part faces a space from which the existing corrugating roll unit has been removed, and a retracted position separated from the first replacement position and the second replacement position.

A capstan includes a lift motor, a flexible lifting member, and a tether assembly. The lift motor is operatively connected to a shaft. The flexible lifting member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the shaft. The flexible lifting member connects a lift assembly to the lift motor via the shaft. The tether assembly includes a switch arranged between a portion of the flexible lifting member and a portion of the capstan. The second end is connected to the tether assembly. The switch acts as a safety in case of a broken flexible lifting member and allows for an automated unloading cycle.

A printing system comprises a first bearing support for a first media roll of a first print medium and a second bearing support for a second media roll of a second print medium. Said first and second bearing supports are spaced apart from one another. A first print transport path extends from the first bearing support from the first media roll to a main transport path of the printing system. A second print transport path extends from the second bearing support to the main transport path of the printing system. An attachment transport path extends between the first and the second bearing support. The attachment transport path allows both print media to be brought together and attached to one another. Thereby, a relatively stiffer medium may be attached as a leader section to a relatively weaker medium.

The invention describes a sleeve for sliding onto and removing from a winding shaft, which comprises a one-piece workpiece defining a cylinder, which workpiece comprises two edge regions each having an edge, the edge regions overlapping one another, the sleeve having a first diameter in a relaxed state, the sleeve in a clamped state having a second diameter which is different from the first diameter, the sleeve in the clamped state experiencing an elastic deformation as compared to the relaxed state.

A reeling shaft transfer rail system has two parallel substantially horizontal or slightly sloped rails for supporting the ends (25) of a reeling shaft (20). Hoses are arranged on each of the transfer rails (15) and filled or drained to move and hold the reeling shaft (20). In a method of transferring reeling shafts on transfer rails, the reeling shafts (20) are transferred on two parallel, substantially horizontal or slightly downstream of a main transfer direction inclined transfer rails (15) for supporting each of the supporting ends (25) of a reeling shaft (20). The reeling shafts (20) are transferred or positioned in the reeling shaft transfer rail system (10) by pressurizing hoses (17) arranged on each of the transfer rails. The hoses are arranged so fluid added to or withdrawn from the hoses pushes or holds the reeling shaft (20) on the transfer rails (15).