The lap winder (10) has a belt loop (20) round the winding lap roll (12) and a mechanism (24) to be moved into the belt loop (20) with a unit (26) to spread it apart, and away from the lap roll (12) surface, for the fully wound roll (12) to be removed axially. Also claimed is an operation where the belt loop (20) spreader (26) is moved into the belt loop (20) to move the belt clear of the surface of the fully wound lap roll (12), before it is removed axially.
