Device and method for processing a paperboard reel

Abstract

The present application relates to a device and a method for processing paperboard reels, the device comprising a main body (8) having a stem (45) on which are arranged: - a first unit having two plates (91, 92) opposite in the axial direction, said two plates (91, 92) being provided with respective radially expandable portions (913, 923), and said two plates (91, 92) being spaced apart along the axial direction (A9) of said stem (45) by a predetermined value to form between them a pressurizable space (S) delimited above and below by the opposite surfaces of said two plates (91, 92); - means for controlling the radial expansion of said radially expandable portions (913, 923); - pressurization means for pressurizing said space (S).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for processing paperboard reels, in particular to a device and a method for processing paperboard reels fed to a machine for producing paperboard tubes, in particular for manufacturing paper rolls having an internal tubular core. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known that the production of paper material rolls, from which paper rolls or kitchen paper rolls can be obtained, for example, involves the feeding of a paper web formed by one or more superimposed plies along a predetermined path along which various operations are performed before the formation of the roll, including the transversal pre-cutting of the web to form pre-cut lines that divide the web into tearable sheets. The formation of the roll generally involves the use of a paperboard tube, commonly referred to as "core", on the surface of which a predetermined amount of glue is distributed, allowing the paper web to be glued to the core, which is gradually introduced into a machine for producing the roll, commonly referred to as "rewinder".

[0003] When the sheets wound on the core reach a predetermined number, the last sheet of the finished roll is separated from the first sheet of the subsequent roll, for example by means of a jet of compressed air directed at the corresponding pre-cut line. At this point, the roll is unloaded from the rewinder. Patent EP1700805 describes a rewinding machine that works according to the above-described operating scheme. The rolls thus produced are then conveyed to a buffer that provides one or more cutting machines by means of which the rolls are transversally cut to obtain rolls of the desired length.

[0004] The tubular core is produced by means of a machine commonly referred to as "tube forming" machine, which is configured to wind one or more paperboard webs around a mandrel, forming a spiral winding. Examples of tube forming machines arranged in this way are provided in EP3099481 and EP3212391B.

[0005] The reels from which the paperboard web is unwound are loaded onto a dedicated unwinding unit, which supports the reels themselves during the production of the tube, by means of lifting devices controlled by an operator. For this purpose, the reels are arranged in a storage station in a manner superimposed on a tray, from which they must be picked up one at a time to be conveyed to the tube unwinding unit. A frequent drawback consists in the fact that the superimposed reels tend to adhere to each other at the abutments of the respective bases, in relation to the fact that in the production phase it can not be possible to completely separate the individual reels from each other. The operator assigned to pick up the reels is therefore often forced to exert a mechanical action on the reels in order to separate them and thus facilitate the pick-up. This involves a waste of time and a safety risk for the operator. SUMMARY

[0006] The main purpose of the present application is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0007] According to the present application, this result is achieved by adopting the concept of manufacturing a device and a method having the characteristics described in the present application.

[0008] Thanks to the present application, it is always possible to ensure the most correct separation of each reel of the superimposed set arranged in the reel storage station controlled by one or more tube forming machines, from the underlying reel. Moreover, the device according to the present application is relatively simple both from a structural and functional point of view, and contributes to improving the efficiency of the paperboard tube manufacturing process. In addition to this, the physical activity of the assigned operator is greatly reduced, which facilitates the activity of the operator himself and improves the safety of the process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other advantages and features of the present application will become better understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example but are not to be considered as limiting thereof, wherein:

[0010] - Figures 1-2B is a simplified diagram relating to the possible positioning of the tube mould and the associated unwinding machine in a station for producing paperboard tubes;

[0011] - Figures 3-5 different operating configurations of the device for handling paperboard reels according to possible embodiments are shown;

[0012] - Figure 6 is a simplified block diagram relating to a possible configuration of the system for controlling the moving parts of the device according to the present application;

[0013] - Figure 7 details of Figure 3 are shown;

[0014] -Figure 8 It also shows Figure 3 Details;

[0015] - Figure 9 yes Figure 3 The magnified details show the structure of plates 91, 92 and the pressurizable space S;

[0016] - Figure 10 It is shown according to different cross-sectional planes. Figure 9 The same elements shown are used to better highlight the pipe 420;

[0017] - Figure 11 and Figure 12 These are two other views of the device according to the invention;

[0018] - Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the device according to the invention mounted on the movable arm 200;

[0019] - Figure 14 Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Reduced to its basic structure and referring to the figures in the accompanying drawings, the device D according to the invention is configured to operate on individual spools 1 of a stack of spools 2 arranged at a storage point P controlled by one or more tube-forming machines 3 that use the spools 1 to produce cardboard tubes. The spools 1 are formed from a predetermined number of cardboard webs wrapped around a central tubular core 1C. The stacks 2 are formed from a predetermined number of stacked spools 1. The tube-forming machines 3 are machines known per se, such as those described in the above-cited documents.

[0021] exist Figure 1 In the block diagram, there is only one tube forming machine 3, such that all the rolls 1 taken from the stack 2 will be fed to the same tube forming machine. Figure 2A In the block diagram, there are two different tube forming machines 3, such that the reel taken from the stack 2 will be fed to both tube forming machines. Figure 2B In the block diagram, there is only one tube forming machine 3, which is fed by three unwinding machines 30 to produce so-called multi-strip cardboard tubes, i.e., these multi-strip cardboard tubes are formed by overlapping cardboard strips fed by the unwinding machines 30. In practice, in Figures 1-2B In this process, the spool 1 is transported from storage point P to one or more unwinding machines 30, each of which supplies to the tube forming machine 3.

[0022] The device according to the present application is configured and structured so as to facilitate the separation of each reel 1 of the stack 2 from the underlying reel.

[0023] With reference to the example illustrated in the accompanying drawings Figures 3-5 The device according to the present application comprises coaxial first and second ducts 4, 5 having an upper side and a lower side, connected to respective upper and lower inlets 40, 50 for the introduction of compressed air, arranged on a distributor 6 positioned on the upper side of the first and second ducts 5. Each of said upper and lower inlets 40, 50 is controlled by a respective solenoid valve 41, 51, in turn operated by means of a programmable control unit 7, as further described below.

[0024] In the example of the accompanying drawings, the first duct 4 is inside the second duct 5. The distributor 6 is mounted on the upper side of the second duct 5 by means of a bolt 65 screwed into the upper side of the duct. The upper and lower inlets 40, 50 are oriented radially with respect to the coaxial first and second ducts 4, 5 and are spaced apart by a predetermined value h in the distributor 6, thus forming the upper and lower inlets 40, 50 for the compressed air. The upper inlet 40 communicates with the first duct 4, while the lower inlet 50 communicates with the second duct 5. Figures 3-5 The lower base 60 of the distributor 6 is integral with the upper base 80 of a box-shaped body 8, which is crossed by the first and second ducts 4, 5 and has a lower base shaped as a flange 81. The box-shaped body 8 is integral with a handling portion 800, which can be moved towards or away from the stack 2 by means of a mobile arm 200, as further described below. In the example illustrated in

[0025] In the example illustrated in the accompanying drawings, said handling portion 800 is formed by a plurality of vertical bars 801 connecting an upper flange 802 and the flanged lower base 81 of said body 8, to house said body 8 and distributor 6 inside the handling portion. Figures 3-5

[0026] ​On the lower side of the stem 45 formed by the coaxial first duct 4 and second duct 5, two plates 91, 92 are mounted, placed at a predetermined distance from each other, so as to form an upper plate 91 and a lower plate 92. The upper plate 91 comprises an upper fixed flange 911 keyed on the stem 45, a lower movable flange 912 adapted to slide on the stem 45 itself, and a radially expandable portion 913 positioned between the upper fixed flange 911 and the lower movable flange 912 in a coaxial manner with respect to the stem 45. Similarly, the lower plate 92 comprises a lower fixed flange 921 integral with the lower end of the stem 45, an upper movable flange 922 adapted to slide on the stem 45, and a radially expandable portion 923 positioned between the lower fixed flange 921 and the upper movable flange 922 in a coaxial manner with respect to the stem 45. For example, the lower fixed flange 921 is locked on the lower end of the stem 45 by means of bolts 95. The outlet 42 of the first duct 4 is between the movable flanges 912, 922 of the plates 91, 92. The drawings also show two ducts 420 which pneumatically connect the movable flanges 912, 922 with the outlet 42 of the first duct 4. In practice, by introducing compressed air from the upper inlet 40, the movable flanges 912, 922 are moved in the direction of the respective fixed flanges 911, 921, each movable flange 912, 922 compressing the corresponding radially expandable portion 913, 923, thus forcing the corresponding radially expandable portion 913, 923 to expand radially outwards.

[0027] In Figures 3-5The device, shown by way of example, also comprises a mechanism adapted to engage the inner surface of the central tubular core 1C of the reel 1. For example, the mechanism comprises a plurality of jaw members 100, which are constituted by lever members in the shape of an inverted "L" having a toothed front side 101, a rear side 102 constrained to a bushing 104 adapted to slide on the surface of the second duct 5, and an intermediate portion pivotally connected to a pin 103 oriented perpendicularly to the surface of a housing 880 which extends below the flanged portion 81. Said housing has a suitable opening 881 to allow the jaw members 100 to come out. Thus, by sliding the bushing 104 along the second duct 5, a rotation of the jaw members 100 about the pin 103 is achieved; this rotation causes the toothed front side 101 to move away from the bushing 104 when the latter is pushed upwards, and vice versa, it causes the toothed front side 101 to move towards the bushing 104 when the latter is pushed downwards. In other words, said rotation causes the jaw members 100 to move radially away from the axial direction A9 of the device and radially towards the axial direction A9 of the device. The upper portion of the bushing 104 has a flange 105 which, by cooperating with the lower cup-shaped appendix 82 of the lower base 81 of the box-shaped body 8, defines a housing for a resilient element 106 which is fitted coaxially on the bushing 104. The flange 105 arranged on the upper portion of the bushing 104 is integral with a pneumatic piston 107 arranged between the flange 105 and the upper base 80 of the box-shaped body 8. In addition, the upper base 80 of the box-shaped body 8 has an inlet 83 for the introduction of compressed air into the box-shaped body 8. Thus, by introducing compressed air into the box-shaped body 8 via the inlet 83, the pneumatic piston 107 is lowered, overcoming the resistance of the resilient element 106 and causing the bushing 104 to lower, i.e. the toothed front side of the jaw members 100 moves towards the bushing 104. On the other hand, when the introduction of compressed air through the inlet 83 of the box-shaped body 8 is interrupted, the bushing 104 is pushed upwards by the resilient element 106, which causes the toothed front side of the jaw members 100 to move away from the bushing 104. The inlet 83 is also controlled by an electromagnetic valve 830 operated by the control unit 7. The drawing also shows two ducts 420 which pneumatically connect the movable flanges 912, 922 with the outlet 42 of the first duct 4.

[0028] In Figure 13 The above-described device is mounted on a mobile arm 200 which allows moving the above-described device towards or away from the stack 2 built in the deposit point P of the reel 1, as indicated with the double arrow "M". Figure 13The reference "AC" in the figures indicates the axis of the reel 1. The mobile arm 200 is provided with a carrier 201 which slides on a column 202. The carrier 201 is connected to an electric motor 203, which is arranged on the column 202, by means of a screw-nut screwing connection 204, 205. The electric motor 203 controls the movement of the mobile arm 200, as indicated with the double arrow "M", towards or away from the stack 2. The length of the mobile arm 200 is chosen so that the device D moves along the above-mentioned axis AC towards and away from the stack 2. The column 202 is mounted on a rotating base 206, the rotation of which is controlled by a corresponding electric motor 207. The axis of rotation of the rotating base 206 is indicated with the reference "A6". Thus, the mobile arm 200 can be moved in the direction indicated with the double arrow "F", i.e. along a direction parallel to the column 202, and can be rotated about the axis A6 of the rotating base 206. Thus, by coordinating these movements, the mobile arm 200 can travel along a predetermined trajectory, in particular the transport trajectory of the reel from the storage point P to the unwinder 30.

[0029] The surface engagement means of the central tubular core 1C can be dispensed with.

[0030] Figure 14 A further embodiment of the application is shown, in which the device D is equipped with a suction cup 300 for engagement with the upper face 10 of the upper reel of the stack 2, instead of with the central tubular core 1C of the reel, as in the previous example. The suction cup 300 is formed by a disc-shaped extension of the body 8, which is equipped with a sealing gasket 301 formed on the lower side of the extension. On the upper side of the suction cup 300 a pneumatic suctioner 302 is mounted, to create a vacuum in the space formed between the reel 1 and the suction cup 300.

[0031] If the above-described device also comprises engagement means of the central tubular core 1C, the above-described device can be used in the following way.

[0032] By means of the mobile arm 200, the box-shaped body 8 is brought into contact with the lower base 81 of the box-shaped portion 8 with the upper base of the stack 2 of the reels 1 which is higher. The contact is detected by means of mechanical probes not visible in the figures. In this case, the upper plate 91 is inside the central tubular core 1 C of the reel 1 which is in contact with said base 81, while the plate 92 is inside the central tubular core 1 C of the lower reel. In fact, the predetermined distance k between the plates 91, 92 is such that, when the base 81 is placed against the upper face of the reel 1 which is higher than the stack 2, the plates 91, 92 are one inside the reel 1 and the other inside the lower reel. At this stage, compressed air is introduced through the inlet 83, thus causing the jaws 100 to move backwards, i.e. to approach the bushings 104. At this point, compressed air is blown through the first duct 4. This causes the movable flange 912 of the plate 91 to move towards the respective fixed flange 911, and at the same time, the movable flange 922 of the plate 92 to move towards the respective fixed flange 921. Therefore, the radially expandable portions 913, 923 are compressed and expand to adhere to the inner surface of the central tubular core 1 C of the uppermost reel of the stack 2 and of the central tubular core 1 C of the reel below the uppermost reel. In this way, a substantially air-impermeable space S is formed between the plates 91, 92. Then, compressed air is introduced through the second duct 5, which flows into the space S mentioned above and is released at the interface between the lower base of the reel in which the plate 91 is inserted and the upper base of the reel in which the plate 92 is inserted. Therefore, a pressure is generated in the space S between the plate 91 and the plate 92, which causes the upper reel to separate from the lower reel.

[0033] Subsequently, the injection of compressed air into the first pipe 4, the second pipe 5, and through the inlet 83 is interrupted. With the interruption of compressed air in the first pipe 4, the movable flanges of plates 91 and 92 return to their initial positions, and the radially expandable portions 913 and 923 also return to their initial state where they are not in contact with the central tubular core 1C. At this stage, it is no longer necessary to supply compressed air to the second pipe 5, because the reel has been separated due to the pressurization of the space S in the previous operation. The interruption of the compressed air supply through the inlet 83 arranged on the box-shaped body 8 causes the bushing 104 to be pushed upward by the elastic element 106 and thus causes the jaw 100 to rotate about the pin 103, thereby moving the toothed front portion 101 of the jaw 100 away from the bushing 104 and engaging with the inner surface of the central tubular core 1C of the upper reel of the stack 2. In this state, the upper spool 1 of the stack 2 is engaged by the arm 800 via an engagement mechanism, which in the above example includes a jaw member 100. The moving arm 200 is then guided to the unwinding machine 30 after the spool 1 is hooked to it. Release of the spool is achieved by introducing fresh compressed air through the inlet 83, which brings the jaw member 100 closer to the bushing 104 and thus disengages the toothed front portion of the jaw member from the inner surface of the corresponding central tubular core 1C.

[0034] Reference Figure 14 In the embodiment shown, instead of a mechanism for engaging with the central tubular core 1C, a suction cup 300 is provided. As previously described, the pressurization phase of the space S and the separation of the upper and lower reels of the stack occur. In this case, engagement with the upper reel is achieved due to the action of the suction cup 300, thereby removing the upper reel from the stack 2. The suction cup 300 engages the reel itself with the device D by acting on the upper side of the reel, rather than on the corresponding central tubular core 1C as in the previous example, and thus engages the reel itself with the arm BM.

[0035] As previously stated, the device according to the invention may not require a joining mechanism for the central tubular core 1C. In this case, the aforementioned steps related to joining the central tubular core 1C do not occur, and the device is used only to separate the spool of the stack from the lower spool by pressurizing the space S between plates 91 and 92. The transport of the separated spool from the storage point P of the stack 2 to the unwinding machine 30 to which the spool is to be used can be carried out by known methods, for example, by using a so-called "gravity-free" manipulator.

[0036] More generally, the device D for handling paperboard reels according to the present application is a device configured to engage with a stack of paperboard reels 1 and comprises a bar 45 on which are arranged:

[0037] - a unit having two plates 91, 92 opposite in the axial direction, provided with respective radially expandable portions 913, 923 and spaced apart by a predetermined distance k along the axial direction A9 of said bar, so as to form between them a pressurizable space S, said space S being delimited above and below by opposite surfaces of said plates 91, 92;

[0038] - means for controlling the radial expansion of said radially expandable portions 913, 923;

[0039] - pressurization means for pressurizing said space S.

[0040] According to the present application, the device D can also comprise a mechanism for engaging with the reels, which mechanism has:

[0041] - a second unit positioned above the first unit on said bar 45, which second unit comprises a predetermined number of radially extendable and retractable jaw members 100;

[0042] - means for moving said jaw members 100 in the radial direction.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the present application, the device D can also comprise a mechanism for engaging with the reels, which mechanism has:

[0044] - a second unit positioned above the first unit on said bar 45, which second unit comprises a suction disc 300 controlled by a pneumatic suctioner 302 mounted on the suction disc 300.

[0045] According to the application, the units can be integrated in a single device even if they are used to perform different functions: a first unit controls the separation of the upper reel from the lower reel of the stack, while a second unit controls the extraction of the upper reel from a portion of the device itself, which is therefore configured so as to facilitate the separation of the reels and also to grip the reels separated from the stack. According to the operating phase of use of the handling device, the units can all be activated simultaneously, or, as previously mentioned, they can be activated at different times. In particular, the units can be activated according to an order which successively involves: the radial expansion of the radially expandable portions of the plates 91, 92; the pressurization of the space S; and subsequently the actuation, i.e. the extension of the jaw 100. In the subsequent phase, the units can be activated according to an order which involves: the retraction of the radially expandable portions of the plates 91, 92; and subsequently, the retraction of the jaw 100 to achieve the release of the reel 1 previously engaged with the jaw 100. Alternatively, the units can be activated according to an order which successively involves: the radial expansion of the radially expandable portions of the plates 91, 92; the pressurization of the space S; and subsequently the activation of the pneumatic suctioner 302; and in the subsequent phase the deactivation of the pneumatic suctioner 302 to achieve the release of the reel 1 previously engaged by the suction disc 300.

[0046] The activation of the first and second units is controlled by the control unit 7 by activating the solenoid valves 41, 58, 830 in the desired order. In the Figure 6 In the diagram, the programmable control unit 7 is also connected to the pneumatic suctioner 302 and to the electric motors 203, 207.

[0047] Preferably, the plates 91, 92 are controlled by a first duct 4 which supplies compressed air with which the respective radially expandable portions 913, 923 are expanded.

[0048] Furthermore, preferably, the pressurization of the space S between the plates 91, 92 is achieved by means of a second duct 5 which is coaxial to the first duct 4 and external to the first duct 4.

[0049] Preferably, according to the application, the above-mentioned rod 45 is constituted by the coaxial first duct 4 and second duct 5.

[0050] Preferably, according to the application, the actuation of the jaw 100 involves the use of an elastic element 106 which, by means of a guide, in the above-mentioned example made by the bushing 104, cooperates with a pneumatic piston 107, both the elastic body 106 and the pneumatic piston 107 acting on the guide.

[0051] According to the example described above, the axial direction A9 coincides with the common axis of the first duct 4 and of the second duct 5, while the opposite surfaces delimiting the pressurizable space S below and above are defined by the movable flanges 912, 922.

[0052] Furthermore, in the example described in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3-5 , the means for controlling the radial expansion of the radially expandable portions 913, 923 comprise an assembly formed by the respective pairs of fixed flanges 911, 921 and movable flanges 912, 922 and a control system for the introduction of compressed air through the first duct 4.

[0053] The possible way of pressurizing the space S between the plates 91, 92 comprises providing the second duct 5, the outlet of which corresponds precisely with the space S.

[0054] In the example described in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3-5 , the jaw 100 comprises lever elements which are pivoted about the pin 103 and constrained at the rear part of the bushing 104. In the example described in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3-5 , the lever elements are moved by means of the elastic element 106 and the pneumatic piston 107.

[0055] The device according to the present application can be used to implement an operating method comprising the following operating steps:

[0056] - arranging the stack 2 of paperboard reels 1 in a deposit point P of a site for producing paperboard tubes, the site comprising at least one tube forming machine 3 and a corresponding unwinder 30, by means of which the tube forming machine 3 receives a strip of paperboard unwound from a reel 1 positioned on the unwinder 30, each reel 1 having a central tubular core 1C;

[0057] - inserting, in the central tubular core 1C of the upper reel of the stack 2, two plates 91, 92 spaced apart by a predetermined value along a predetermined axial direction A9 and provided with respective radially expandable portions 913, 923, so as to form a pressurizable space S at the interface between the reel and the lower reel of the stack 2, said pressurizable space S being formed by opposite surfaces of said plates;

[0058] - pressurizing said space S so as to achieve the separation of the reel from the lower reel.

[0059] The operating method described above can also comprise the following further operating phases:

[0060] - engaging from the inside with said central tubular core 1C;

[0061] - restoring the pressure in said space S to a value corresponding to atmospheric pressure;

[0062] - moving said reel along a predetermined path while engaging from the inside the respective central tubular core 1C.

[0063] Alternatively, engagement with the uppermost reel of the stack can be made on the outer surface of the uppermost reel, for example on the upper face of the uppermost reel as previously described.

[0064] Preferably, according to the above method of operation, the radially expandable portion 913, 923 of the plates 91, 92 is an elastic gasket which expands radially when compressed and returns to the initial unexpanded configuration when not compressed.

[0065] Furthermore, preferably, the compression of the elastic gasket is due to the extrusion of the gasket itself between the two opposite surfaces of the plates 91, 92, the fixed surface and the movable surface of each plate 91, 92, between which the radially expandable portion 913, 923 is positioned. Preferably, the extrusion is achieved by moving the movable surfaces by means of compressed air which pushes each movable surface towards the respective fixed surface.

[0066] Preferably, according to the method of operation, the space is pressurized by means of a second duct 5 fed with compressed air and having an outlet corresponding to the space S.

[0067] Furthermore, preferably, according to the method of operation, engagement from the inside with the central tubular core 1C is made by means of a jaw 100 inserted in the central tubular core 1C and adapted to exert a radial pressure on the inner surface of the central tubular core 1C.

[0068] It is also advantageously provided to engage with the uppermost reel of the stack on the upper face of the uppermost reel by means of a suction cup 300.

[0069] In practice, for the elements described and illustrated, the execution details can be changed in any case, in an equivalent manner, without thereby departing from the idea of the solution adopted, and therefore remaining within the scope of protection granted to the present patent according to the claims attached.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing paperboard rolls, characterized in that, The device includes a main body (8) having a rod (45) on which: - A first unit having two plates (91, 92) opposite each other in the axial direction, the two plates (91, 92) being provided with corresponding radially expandable portions (913, 923), and the two plates (91, 92) being spaced apart by a predetermined value along the axial direction (A9) of the rod (45) to form a pressurizable space (S) between the two plates, the space (S) being defined above and below by the opposing surfaces of the two plates (91, 92); -A device for controlling the radial expansion of the radially expandable portions (913, 923); - A pressurizing device for pressurizing the space (S).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device includes: - A second unit, positioned above the first unit, the second unit comprising a predetermined number of jaws (100) that can extend radially and retract accordingly; - A means for moving the jaws (100) in the radial direction.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device includes a suction cup (300) connected to a corresponding pneumatic suction device (302).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the two plates (91, 92) includes a fixed flange (911, 921) and a movable flange (912, 922), which are positioned on the rod (45) such that the movable flanges (912, 922) are opposite each other, thereby forming the pressurizable space (S) described above. A radially expandable portion exists between the fixed flange and the movable flange of each plate. When the radially expandable portion is compressed, it extends in the radial direction. The movable flange of each plate is positioned on the rod (45) to move pneumatically toward the corresponding fixed flange, thereby compressing the corresponding radially expandable portion.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pneumatic movement of the movable flanges (912, 922) is controlled by introducing compressed air into a first conduit (4), which has an outlet corresponding to the movable flange.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Pressurization of the space (S) between the two plates (91, 92) is achieved by means of the second conduit (5).

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, Pressurization of the space (S) between the two plates (91, 92) is achieved by means of a second conduit (5), the first conduit (4) and the second conduit (5) being coaxial with each other, wherein the second conduit (5) is located outside the first conduit (4), and the first conduit (4) and the second conduit (5) form the rod (45).

8. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The jaw assembly (100) includes a pneumatic piston (107) and a lever controlled by an elastic element (106).

9. A method for processing paperboard reels, the method comprising the step of preparing a stack (2) of paperboard reels (1) at a storage point (P) in a site for producing paperboard tubes, the site comprising at least one tube forming machine (3) and a corresponding unwinding machine (30), the tube forming machine (3) receiving, by means of the unwinding machine (30), strips of paperboard unwound from reels (1) positioned on the unwinding machine (30), each reel (1) having a central tubular core (1C), the method being characterized in that the method comprises the following additional operational phases: - Two plates (91, 92) are inserted into the central tubular core (1C) of the top roll of the stack (2). The two plates (91, 92) are spaced apart by a predetermined distance (k) along a predetermined axial direction (A9) and are provided with corresponding radially expandable portions (913, 923), thereby forming a pressurizable space (S) at the docking portion between the top roll and the lower roll of the stack (2). The pressurizable space (S) is formed by the opposing surfaces of the two plates. - Pressurize the space (S) to separate the top reel from the bottom reel.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method involves an additional engagement step of the top reel, which is separated from the lower reel after the space (S) has been pressurized.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The top reel, which separates from the lower reel, is joined at the corresponding central tubular core (1C).

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The top reel, which is separated from the lower reel, is joined at the corresponding location on the upper surface (10) of the top reel.

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