Abstract Apparatus for preparing large and heavy reels of sheet material such as paper or thin board for a subsequent unwinding operation, comprise a stand for supporting a reel and allowing the reel to rotate about a horizontal axis and means to allow pivotal movement of the stand about a vertical axis, so that damaged outer layers of the reel can be removed and the reel can be turned through 180* if necessary to ensure that the direction of web pull-off is correct. The stand preferably also comprises weighing means for indicating the weight of the reel and of any waste material removed from it. A jack and rollers may be used to allow the reel to be rotated. A support unit with an individual elevating jack may be used to raise each reel to the correct height for engagement with supporting means on a transporter which carries the prepared reels to an unwind station.
Apparatus for preparing a plurality of wound reels of sheet material for a subsequent unwind operation, including at least one platform, at least two reel receiving stations on each platform, each platform providing a path for reels to be rolled in one direction to said receiving stations, and each reel receiving station comprising a reel support for engaging a reel solely by the external wound surface thereof, and means for raising and lowering said support between a position below the surface of the platform and a selected height above said platform surface which permits axial adjustment of a supported reel held clear of said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for preparing a plurality of wound reels of sheet material for a subsequent unwind operation, including at least one platform, at least two reel receiving stations on each platform, each platform providing a path for reels to be rolled in one direction to said receiving stations, and each reel receiving station comprising a reel support for engaging a reel solely by the external wound surface thereof, and means for raising and lowering said support between a position below the surface of the platform and a selected height above said platform surface which permits axial adjustment of a supported reel held clear of said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said reel support includes a pair of rollers, parallel to the reel axis, which cradle the reel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each platform has an array of reel receiving stations spaced in said one direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and including means located upstream of the platform for rotating each reel about a substantially vertical axis, while supporting that reel for rotation about its own axis.