An apparatus for the non-compression transportation of a convolutely wound web material parent roll is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a motivator and an end effector operably, cooperatively, and pivotably engaged to the motivator. The end effector provides a pair of opposed core plugs capable of cooperative and penetrating engagement with a core of the parent roll when the first core plug is disposed proximate to a first portion of the core of the parent roll and the second core plug is disposed proximate to a second portion of the core of the parent roll disposed distal therefrom.

A supply roll stand for loading first and second supply rolls each including a core and dispensing material therefrom. The supply roll stand broadly comprises a frame, a lift support, an unwind assembly, and a transfer support. The lift support receives the first supply roll and raises the first supply roll. The unwind assembly unwinds the first supply roll as the lift support raises the first supply roll. The transfer support receives the first supply roll so that the first supply roll is transferred from the lift support. The lift support receives the second supply roll after the first supply roll is transferred to the transfer support. The transfer support dispatches the core of the first supply roll when the first supply roll is depleted of material. The unwind assembly unwinds the second supply roll when the first supply roll is depleted of material.

A method for unwinding includes loading a first reel of web material into a first unwind position where the web is unwound. A splicing unit is then moved in the machine direction toward the first unwind position until there is sufficient space to allow a further reel to be loaded into a second unwind position where the web from the second reel is unwound once loaded. Then, the web from the first reel is spliced to the second reel, and the web of the first reel is thereafter cut. The process continues in the opposite direction after removing the first reel from the first unwind position. The web of the second reel is unwound in the second position, the splicing unit is moved toward the second unwind position until there is sufficient space to allow a further reel to be loaded into the first unwind position.

A supply roll stand for loading first and second supply rolls each including a core and dispensing material therefrom. The supply roll stand broadly comprises a frame, a lift support, an unwind assembly, and a transfer support. The lift support receives the first supply roll and raises the first supply roll. The unwind assembly unwinds the first supply roll as the lift support raises the first supply roll. The transfer support receives the first supply roll so that the first supply roll is transferred from the lift support. The lift support receives the second supply roll after the first supply roll is transferred to the transfer support. The transfer support dispatches the core of the first supply roll when the first supply roll is depleted of material. The unwind assembly unwinds the second supply roll when the first supply roll is depleted of material.