Apparatus for moving rolls from a loading station to an unwinding

Abstract

A material handling apparatus is used to sequentially move rolls of material having cores from a loading station to an unwinding station and to sequentially move empty roll cores from the unwinding station. The apparatus includes a generally H-shaped transfer frame having spindle assemblies at opposite ends of the transfer frame. When spindle assemblies at one end of the frame have engaged the core of a first roll at the loading station, the frame is pivoted about the central axes of the spindle assemblies while the first roll remains stationary at the loading station. This pivotal movement moves an empty core along an arcuate path from the unwinding station to a position above the stationary first roll at the loading station. The first roll is then moved from the loading station to the unwinding station. The spindle assemblies have wheels which roll along rails during movement of the first roll from the loading station to the unwinding station. As the first roll moves along the rails from the loading station to the unwinding station, the frame is pivoted about the central axis of the core of the first roll and the empty core is moved downwardly to the loading station. In order to position a roll with its core horizontal, photoelectric sensors are used to detect when opposite end portions of the core are at the same level.