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).

An apparatus, system and method for providing an automated contact cutter. The contact cutter includes a contact reel holder for holding therein a bandoleer comprising a plurality of stamped contacts; at least an inlet roller comprising an inlet pin, a turn roller, and a receiving roller mechanically connected by at least one motor drive belt to a drive motor, wherein the inlet roller is capable of receiving an end portion of the bandoleer onto the inlet pin for loading; a cutter between the turn roller and the receiving roller that is capable of cutting ones of the stamped contacts from the bandoleer for picking by a pick and place robot; and a comb capable of combing at least the bandoleer and cut and partially cut ones of the stamped contacts.

A spool-less system for deployment, recovery and manipulation of a traversable road covering track. The system includes an arcuate guide member detachably coupled to a retaining member; the guide member and retaining member defining a volume for receiving a roll of traversable road covering; the guide member arranged to contact the roll along a first arcuate range and the retaining member configured to contact the roll along a second arcuate range; and wherein the guide member and retaining member are detachably coupleable having, a first position in which, the guide member and retaining member are separated at a first diameter whereby the roll of traversable road covering may be deployed or recovered when the host machine is in motion, and a second position in which, the guide member and retaining member are separated at a second diameter in which the roll of traversable road covering is retained.

A spool-less system for deployment, recovery and manipulation of a traversable road covering track is provided. The system includes an arcuate guide member detachably coupled to a retaining means; the guide member and retaining means defining a volume for receiving a roll of traversable road covering; the guide member arranged to contact the roll along a first arcuate range and the retaining means configured to contact the roll along a second arcuate range; and wherein the guide member and retaining means are detachably coupleable having, a first position in which, the guide member and retaining means are separated at a first diameter whereby the roll of traversable road covering may be deployed or recovered when the host machine is in motion, and a second position in which, the guide member and retaining means are separated at a second diameter in which the roll of traversable road covering is retained.

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).

Rolling assembly for packaging web material in a roll having a base member with concave arcuate feed surface defining an upwardly-extending ramp, first intermediate member movably coupled to base member, and top member moveably coupled to at least one of base member or first intermediate member, top member having a concave arcuate pressure surface facing feed surface of base member. The base member, first intermediate member and top member collectively forming an iris with a feed space, the iris moveable between a first condition and a second condition, and configured to receive web material along the feed surface and direct the web material upwardly toward the top member to form a roll within the feed space, the iris moving toward a second condition as the roll of web material increases in cross dimension against the pressure surface of the top member.

Rolling assembly for packaging web material in a roll having a base member with concave arcuate feed surface defining an upwardly-extending ramp, first intermediate member movably coupled to base member, and top member moveably coupled to at least one of base member or first intermediate member, top member having a concave arcuate pressure surface facing feed surface of base member. The base member, first intermediate member and top member collectively forming an iris with a feed space, the iris moveable between a first condition and a second condition, and configured to receive web material along the feed surface and direct the web material upwardly toward the top member to form a roll within the feed space, the iris moving toward a second condition as the roll of web material increases in cross dimension against the pressure surface of the top member.

Rolling assembly for packaging web material in a roll having a base member with concave arcuate feed surface defining an upwardly-extending ramp, first intermediate member movably coupled to base member, and top member moveably coupled to at least one of base member or first intermediate member, top member having a concave arcuate pressure surface facing feed surface of base member. The base member, first intermediate member and top member collectively forming an iris with a feed space, the iris moveable between a first condition and a second condition, and configured to receive web material along the feed surface and direct the web material upwardly toward the top member to form a roll within the feed space, the iris moving toward a second condition as the roll of web material increases in cross dimension against the pressure surface of the top member.

A printing apparatus includes a first and a second housing parts, a printing part, and a conveying part which includes a holding part that holds a first paper sheet and a second paper sheet in an overlapped state and respectively pulled out from a first paper roll and a second paper roll, and conveys the first paper sheet out of the first paper sheet and the second paper sheet held by the holding part to the printing part. The holding part includes a contacting member contacting the second paper sheet out of the first paper sheet and the second paper sheet in an overlapped state, and an opposing member arranged opposing the contacting member and contacting the first paper sheet. A first frictional force between the contacting member and the second paper sheet is larger than a second frictional force between the opposing member and the first paper sheet.

A printing apparatus includes a first and a second housing parts, a printing part, and a conveying part which includes a holding part that holds a first paper sheet and a second paper sheet in an overlapped state and respectively pulled out from a first paper roll and a second paper roll, and conveys the first paper sheet out of the first paper sheet and the second paper sheet held by the holding part to the printing part. The holding part includes a contacting member contacting the second paper sheet out of the first paper sheet and the second paper sheet in an overlapped state, and an opposing member arranged opposing the contacting member and contacting the first paper sheet. A first frictional force between the contacting member and the second paper sheet is larger than a second frictional force between the opposing member and the first paper sheet.