A reel handling robot for handling reels of web material, includes a movable arm carrying an end effector having a base, a reel picking tool, and a web gripping tool configured for gripping a head portion of a web on an outer surface of the reel.

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.

The invention describes a roll-removal device by means of which a plurality of rolls which have been wound to completion are transported away from a winding shaft having a displacement device for displacing the rolls relative to the winding shaft, in order to withdraw the rolls from the winding shaft, having a receiving device for receiving the rolls, and having a transfer device for transferring the rolls from the displacement device to the receiving device, wherein the rolls can be rolled freely at least in certain regions, the rolls rolling about their rolling axes.

By means of this device for changing the position of the rolls axes, the roll axes of two adjacent rolls can be moved to an angle of less than 180 degrees in relation to one another.

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.

Disclosed is an unwinder with system for loading and unloading reels. The unwinder includes a rotating support with a rotation axis and provided with engaging members for engaging the reels. The unwinder further includes a positioning system for loading the reels onto the rotating support and an unloading system for unloading the reels from the rotating support. The positioning system includes a first conveyor for the reels and a pusher configured and arranged to push the reels from the first conveyor towards abutment members defining a pick-up position where the reel is taken by the rotating support. The positioning system and the unloading system are arranged at opposite sides of the rotating support.

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.

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.

The invention describes a roll-removal device by means of which a plurality of rolls which have been wound to completion are transported away from a winding shaft having a displacement device for displacing the rolls relative to the winding shaft, in order to withdraw the rolls from the winding shaft, having a receiving device for receiving the rolls, and having a transfer device for transferring the rolls from the displacement device to the receiving device, wherein the rolls can be rolled freely at least in certain regions, the rolls rolling about their rolling axes. By means of this device for changing the position of the rolls axes, the roll axes of two adjacent rolls can be moved to an angle of less than 180 degrees in relation to one another.

The invention relates to a coil-transporting carriage with adjustable retaining arms and to a method for the reliable handling of metal coils of small external diameter, or of sleeves, on a coiler mandrel. The coil-transporting carriage has a vertically displaceable coil saddle for accommodating a coil or a sleeve, also has two retaining arms for stabilizing the coil or the sleeve, the retaining arms being arranged opposite one another on the coil saddle and being pivotable by means of rotary drives, and additionally has a second drive unit for moving the coil-transporting carriage. For pulling off from a coiler mandrel, the coil saddle is positioned against a coil located on the coiler mandrel and the retaining arms are pivoted onto the coil. For pushing onto a coiler mandrel, first a sleeve is placed on the coil saddle of the coil-transporting carriage and is thereby guided by the retaining arms.

Disclosed is an unwinder with system for loading and unloading reels. The unwinder includes a rotating support with a rotation axis and provided with engaging members for engaging the reels. The unwinder further includes a positioning system for loading the reels onto the rotating support and an unloading system for unloading the reels from the rotating support. The positioning system includes a first conveyor for the reels and a pusher configured and arranged to push the reels from the first conveyor towards abutment members defining a pick-up position where the reel is taken by the rotating support. The positioning system and the unloading system are arranged at opposite sides of the rotating support.