An apparatus, and a related method, for unwinding reels and for joining a ply between two reels including a first unwinder adapted to unwind a first reel, a second unwinder adapted to unwind a second reel, a joining device adapted to join a first ply belonging to the first reel with a second ply belonging to the second reel, the joining device including a first pulling bar is able to pull a flap of the first ply along a joining path with the second ply, a second pulling bar is adapted to pull a flap of the second ply along a joining path with the first ply, joining means configured to join, in a joining point along the joining path, the flap of the first ply with the second ply or the flap of the second ply with the first ply, first cutting means configured to cut the first ply or the second ply upstream of the joining point where the joint is performed between the first ply and the second ply, and second cutting means configured to cut the flap of the first ply or the flap of the second ply downstream of the joining point.

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.

An apparatus, and a related method, for unwinding reels and for joining a ply between two reels including a first unwinder adapted to unwind a first reel, a second unwinder adapted to unwind a second reel, a joining device adapted to join a first ply belonging to the first reel with a second ply belonging to the second reel, the joining device including a first pulling bar is able to pull a flap of the first ply along a joining path with the second ply, a second pulling bar is adapted to pull a flap of the second ply along a joining path with the first ply, joining means configured to join, in a joining point along the joining path, the flap of the first ply with the second ply or the flap of the second ply with the first ply, first cutting means configured to cut the first ply or the second ply upstream of the joining point where the joint is performed between the first ply and the second ply, and second cutting means configured to cut the flap of the first ply or the flap of the second ply downstream of the joining point.

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 reel support assembly (14) for a web material processing machine is described. The reel support assembly (14) comprises a support frame (16) and at least a first support arm unit (34a) having at least one holding stub (40) for mounting a reel (12) on the first support arm unit (34a). Furthermore, the reel support assembly (14) comprises an elevator unit (24) having a support element (26) on which a reel (12) may be placed. The support element (26) is supported on the support frame (16) in a vertically movable manner. Additionally, a hotfoil stamping machine (10) is presented which comprises such a reel support assembly (14). The reel support assembly (14) is arranged at an upstream end of the hotfoil stamping machine (10) with respect to a web travelling direction.

An automatic machine includes a load-bearing frame having a base, a vertical side wall, a horizontal wall facing the base, a vertical front wall, defining a machine front with a protruding motor-driven shaft supporting a respective reel of wound material. A plurality of operating stations positioned on the front wall through which a processing path extends along which said material proceeds whilst it is unwound from the reel. A storage unit houses replacement reels is positioned directly associated with the frame close to the shaft. A device picks up reels and positions them on the shaft. The device is positioned directly associated with the frame close to the storage unit. A control unit activates the device in response to a run out signal of the reel present on the shaft.

Systems and methods for connecting the films of a first roll and a second roll in a packaging machine. The system includes a cutting device to cut the film of a first roll at a cutting position upstream side of a holding position with respect to a feeding direction toward a former while the film is held by a holding device. The system also includes a robot to move the second roll to a connecting position where a leading end of second roll film overlaps with a film terminal end of the first roll film. The system further includes a connecting device to connect the film leading end of the second roll film to the film terminal end of the first roll film. The robot to move the second roll from the connecting position to a set position after connecting the films, so that the second roll film is tensioned.

A reel support assembly (14) for a web material processing machine is described. The reel support assembly (14) comprises a support frame (16) and at least a first support arm unit (34a) having at least one holding stub (40) for mounting a reel (12) on the first support arm unit (34a). Furthermore, the reel support assembly (14) comprises an elevator unit (24) having a support element (26) on which a reel (12) may be placed. The support element (26) is supported on the support frame (16) in a vertically movable manner. Additionally, a hotfoil stamping machine (10) is presented which comprises such a reel support assembly (14). The reel support assembly (14) is arranged at an upstream end of the hotfoil stamping machine (10) with respect to a web travelling direction.