APPARATUS FOR PREPARING REELS OF SHEET MATERIAL FOR UNWINDING

摘要

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 DEG 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.