An unwind apparatus for obtaining, loading, splicing, and unwinding convolutely wound rolls of web material and forwarding the web material unwound from each of the convolutely wound rolls uninterruptedly to a downstream apparatus is disclosed. The unwind apparatus provides for a multi-axis robot and an end effector operatively connected to the multi-axis robot. The end effector provides for a stationary motor, a rotational coupling mechanically coupled to the stationary motor, and, a mandrel mechanically coupled to the rotational coupling. The mandrel is capable of releasably engaging the convolutley wound rolls of web material.

A web unwind stand for obtaining, loading, splicing, and unwinding convolutely wound rolls of web material and forwarding the web material unwound from each of the convolutely wound rolls uninterruptedly to a downstream apparatus is disclosed. The unwind stand comprises splicing means, a first positionable roll grasping apparatus for obtaining and disposing a first of the convolutely wound rolls proximate to, and relative to, the splicing means, and, second positionable roll grasping apparatus for obtaining and disposing a second of the convolutely wound rolls proximate to, and relative to, the splicing means.

A system includes a drum assembly that includes a support bar having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of drum segments coupled to the support bar. The drum segments are movable between retracted and extended positions, and the drum assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior region of a coil of flexible pipe when the plurality of drum segments are in the retracted position. The system also includes a first containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the first end, a second containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the second end, a first coupling device configured to removably couple the first containment flange to the drum assembly, and a second coupling device configured to removably couple the second containment flange to the drum assembly. The first and second containment flanges are configured to contain the flexible pipe.

A mandrel suitable for supporting and unwinding a convolutely wound web material is disclosed. The mandrel has a mandrel shaft with a longitudinal axis, a plurality of mandrel arms extending from the mandrel shaft, and at least one expansion element disposed upon one of the mandrel arms. The mandrel shaft is capable of rotating about the longitudinal axis. Each of the mandrel arms is disposed and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The at least one expansion element is expandable radially away from the mandrel arm relative to the longitudinal axis. The convolutely wound web material is disposable about each of the mandrel arms. Further, the at least one expansion element is expandable into contacting and releasable engagement with the convolutely wound web material. The convolutely wound web material is fixably and releasably disposed about each of the mandrel arms.

A mandrel suitable for supporting and unwinding a convolutely wound web material is disclosed. The mandrel has a mandrel shaft with a longitudinal axis, a plurality of mandrel arms extending from the mandrel shaft, and at least one expansion element disposed upon a respective each of the mandrel arms. The mandrel shaft is capable of rotating about the longitudinal axis. Each of the mandrel arms is disposed and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The at least one expansion element is expandable radially away from the respective mandrel arm relative to the longitudinal axis. The convolutely wound web material is disposable about each of the mandrel arms. Further, the at least one expansion element is expandable into contacting and releasable engagement with the convolutely wound web material. The convolutely wound web material is fixably and releasably disposed about each of the mandrel arms.

A mandrel suitable for supporting and unwinding a convolutely wound web material is disclosed. The mandrel has a mandrel shaft with a longitudinal axis, a plurality of mandrel arms extending from the mandrel shaft, and at least one expansion element disposed upon one of the mandrel arms. The mandrel shaft is capable of rotating about the longitudinal axis. Each of the mandrel arms is disposed and rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The at least one expansion element is expandable radially away from the mandrel arm relative to the longitudinal axis. The convolutely wound web material is disposable about each of the mandrel arms. Further, the at least one expansion element is expandable into contacting and releasable engagement with the convolutely wound web material. The convolutely wound web material is fixably and releasably disposed about each of the mandrel arms.

A method for extracting a core (1) from a reel (2) of paper is described, where the reel (1) has been wound in a winding station upstream of an extraction station (100) of the core (1); the method comprises the steps of providing an extraction element (3) having an expandable element (4), shaped to enter, when in the non-expanded form, within a cavity (5) defined by the inner wall (6) of the core (1) of the reel (2), the core (1) extends according to a central axis (X) which is substantially horizontal when the reel (2) is positioned for extraction; inserting the expandable element (4) of the extraction element (3) in the cavity (5) of the core (1) on which a roll of paper (20) is wound; expanding the expandable element (4) until it engages the inner wall (6) of the core (1); pulling the extraction element (3) in the opposite direction to that of insertion, to extract the core (1) from the reel (2); bring the expandable element (4) back to the non-expanded form; extracting the expandable element (4) from the core (1). A machine (10) for extracting a core (1) from a reel (2) of paper by means of such method and an extraction station (100) for extracting a core (1) from a reel (2) of paper comprising such machine (10) are further described.