Apparatus and methods for web tension control are provided. In an example, an apparatus can include a tension beam configured to deflect in a predictive manner when under a force load, a first shaft directly coupled to the tension beam and configured to mechanically interface with a torque device, a second shaft directly coupled to the tension beam opposite the first shaft and configured to interface with a structural member of a web machine, and a strain gauge coupled to the tension beam and configured to provide an electrical representation of the force load.

Support pin for supporting reels of paper material, comprising an outer side (PX) and an inner side (PN), with the inner side (PN) that is adapted to be inserted into a reel (1) of paper material and with the outer side (PX) that remains on the outside of the same reel (1) when the inner side (PN) is inside the reel (1), said outer side (PX) being provided with a hooking portion (3) adapted to be engaged by means (CP) adapted to vertically move the pin (P). The outer side (PX) of the pin (P) is constituted by a shank (2) whose longitudinal axis coincides with the longitudinal axis (x-x) of the pin (P) and said hooking portion comprises an eyelet formed on the shank (2) and delimited by two parallel arms (30) that emerge radially from the shank (2) and are joined by a body (31) parallel to said longitudinal axis (x-x).

Device for handling paper reels, comprising a bridge crane (CP) with movable arms (BC) each of which is adapted to engage a pin (P) insertable into a corresponding side of a reel (1) and a platform (PB) adapted for supporting the reel (1). The device further comprises detection means adapted to detect load variations on said arms (BC) during insertion of the pins (P) inside the reel (1), and moving means adapted to achieve a relative movement between the reel (1) and the arms (BC) when the absolute value of a variation of the load detected by said detection means exceeds a predetermined limit up to bring said value below the predetermined limit.

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).

A method for adjusting a printing apparatus, which the printing apparatus includes: a platen for supporting the medium, an imaging unit, a winding shaft for winding the medium, a shaft adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the position of the winding shaft, and a notifying unit configured to perform notification, comprising: a jig installing step for attaching one end of a strip-shaped jig, on which graduations are formed, to the winding shaft, and locking the jig to the platen, along a transporting path at both ends in a width direction of the medium, an imaging step for imaging the graduations by the imaging unit at two locations different from each other, in a direction orthogonal to a transport direction of the medium on the platen, a notifying step for notifying a result based on an image imaged by the imaging unit, and an adjusting step for adjusting the shaft adjusting mechanism.

Expandable pin for supporting reels of paper material, comprising an outer side (PX) and an inner side (PN), with the inner side (PN) that is adapted to be inserted into a reel (1) of paper material and with the outer side (PX) that remains on the outside of the same reel (1) when the inner side (PN) is inside the reel (1). An outer surface of said inner side (PN) is formed by more sectors (4), each of which is formed by a cylindrical surface portion with a free front part (40). The front parts (40) of said sectors (4) define a substantially circular shape with a diameter varying between a maximum value (4a) and a minimum value (4c). Each of said sectors (4) has a part pivoted on a respective hinge (42; 106) and is connected to moving means apt to determine its rotation around said hinge (42; 106) such that the sectors (4) define a cylindrical shape or a conical shape depending on their rotation around said hinge (42; 106).

An apparatus and a system for facilitating the wrapping of articles with wrapping materials is described. In one example, the system includes two or more apparatuses adapted to be secured in adjacent spaced relation to one another on a planar surface so as to support a roll of wrapping material above the planar surface so as to freely rotate between a pair of apparatuses. Each apparatus includes a clamp assembly adapted to be actuated by a user to removably attach its corresponding apparatus to a ledge of the planar surface so that the supported roll is parallel to and above the planar surface.

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.

In one example, an elevator for a roll of print media includes rotatable shafts oriented parallel to one another and translatable supports to support a roll of print media. Each support is operatively connected to the shafts such that rotating the shafts in a first direction raises the supports and rotating the shafts in a second direction opposite the first direction lowers the supports.

A printer device includes: a recessed accommodation part accommodating a roll-shaped continuous paper; a pair of rack gears arranged in a staircase-like shape on a paper conveyance direction side of the continuous paper, and having tooth rows arranged in a first direction orthogonal to the paper conveyance direction so as to face each other; a pinion gear arranged between the pair of rack gears and fitting into the tooth rows of the pair of rack gears, and a pair of paper guides respectively provided at one end portion of an upper rack gear in the first direction and anther end portion of a lower rack gear in the first direction, and supporting side surfaces of the continuous paper accommodated in the accommodation part. The pair of paper guides perform an opening or closing movement in the first direction by the pair of rack gears and the pinion gear.