Device for holding and unwinding a reel

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for holding and unwinding a reel (1) comprising a shaft and two bearing surfaces (4a, 4b), said shaft having two shaft sections (5a, 5b), said shaft being able to be placed: - in an assembled position, in which a reel can be arranged around said shaft, the bearing surfaces being suitable for holding the reel in position, and - in a disassembled position, allowing a reel to be placed on said device for unwinding, or a reel to be removed from said device. This device is particular in that said shaft can be placed in several distinct assembled positions, each corresponding to a shaft length, and in that said device includes a means for fine-tuning the distance between the bearing surfaces (4a, 4b) independent of the length of said shaft. The invention also relates to a method of using the device (1), and a palletizer incorporating the device (1). Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for holding and unwinding a reel technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of reel unwinding used in various fields such as forestry, agriculture, materials handling, and packaging, for holding a reel and unwinding a windable product wound onto that reel. More particularly, it relates to a device allowing for coarse adjustment, to accommodate various reel sizes, and fine adjustment, to best manage the forces exerted on the reel during unwinding. Previous technique

[0002] Logs are commonly packaged on pallets for transport and storage. This packaging is achieved using a palletizer, which includes a cage to hold the logs above the pallet. The cage is progressively removed as a packaging net, previously attached to the pallet, is wrapped around the logs.

[0003] In most existing palletizers, the unwinder is adapted to a single reel size, which requires having several unwinders, and changing them when it is desired to use reels of different sizes.

[0004] Some unwinders offer the possibility of adapting to the length of the reel, for example by means of a rotating handle that allows the ends of the unwinder to be moved closer together or further apart. However, this adjustment has consequences for the pressure exerted on the reel core, and therefore on its unwinding. Indeed, a core subjected to too little pressure can rotate with the unwinder, which prevents the product wound on the core from unwinding, while too much pressure can damage the core. Description of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing a device for holding and unwinding a reel, said reel comprising a core around which a windable product is wound, said device comprising a shaft and two bearing surfaces, each located at one end of said shaft, said shaft comprising two shaft sections, each located on the side of one of the bearing surfaces, said shaft being able to: - in the assembled position, in which the shaft sections are fixed together, and a coil can be arranged around said shaft, the bearing surfaces on the longitudinal ends of the coil core being capable of holding the coil in position during unwinding, and - in disassembled position, in which the shaft sections are separated from each other, allowing a reel to be placed on said device for unwinding, or a reel to be removed from said device.

[0006] The device according to the invention is particular in that said shaft can be placed in a plurality of distinct assembled positions, each of these assembled positions corresponding to a different shaft length, and in that said device includes a means for fine adjustment of the distance between the bearing surfaces independent of the length of said shaft.

[0007] Thanks to these arrangements, the invention makes it possible to use a single unwinder for reels of different lengths, while precisely adjusting the pressure applied to the core of the reel, which allows for optimal control of the unwinding of the product from the reel.

[0008] The shape of at least one of said support surfaces can be configured to be adaptable to different core diameters, which makes it possible to use a single device according to the invention with different coils of different diameters, without having to change parts.

[0009] One of the support surfaces may include protruding elements or hollows configured to oppose the relative rotation of said support surface and the core of a coil during the unwinding of said coil, in order to prevent the rotation of the core with respect to the support surface.

[0010] The shaft may include a linear ratcheting mechanism, said ratcheting mechanism being able to permit a relative movement of one section of the shaft with respect to the other in order to reduce the length of the shaft, and opposing a relative movement of one section of the shaft with respect to the other in order to increase the length of the shaft, which is a robust and efficient means of implementing the invention.

[0011] One of the sections of the shaft may have a plurality of notches, and the other section of the shaft may have a finger arranged to cooperate with said notches to form said ratcheting mechanism, which is a robust and efficient means of implementing the invention.

[0012] Said finger can be mobile in rotation about a disengagement axis, said disengagement axis being perpendicular and intersecting the axis of the shaft, and the shaft section comprising the finger can include a retaining profile, said finger being disposed in said retaining profile, which makes it easy to engage and disengage the ratcheting mechanism, while facilitating ratcheting when putting the shaft into the assembled position.

[0013] The shaft section having the notches may include a notch profile, the notches being arranged on said notch profile, said notch profile being able to be partially located inside the retaining profile when the shaft is in the assembled position, which makes it easy to activate the snap-lock mechanism when bringing the shaft profiles together.

[0014] Said device can be configured to hold a coil so that the shaft is vertical, said device being able to include a means for holding the ratcheting mechanism in the engaged position, said holding means being able to be gravity-driven, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention.

[0015] Said finger can be attached to a weight, the shape and dimensions of said weight being able to be configured so that it has the effect of driving said finger towards the side of the shaft axis where the notches are located, and thus keeping said finger in a clicked position in a notch, which is a simple and effective embodiment of the invention.

[0016] The fine adjustment means for the distance between the bearing surfaces may comprise: - a handle, and a first threaded element, respectively tapped, integral with or integrated into said handle, one of the bearing surfaces being configured to be located between the handle and the shaft, and - a second tapped element, respectively threaded, fixed or integrated into one of the sections of the shaft, and cooperating with the thread, respectively tapping, of said first element, said device being configured so that a rotation of the handle generates a displacement of one of the bearing surfaces along the shaft, which makes it possible to make this fine adjustment particularly easy, the operator being able to easily estimate the pressure according to the force to be applied to screw the handle.

[0017] Said holding and unwinding device may include a support roller whose axis is parallel to the axis of the shaft, said device may include a return means configured so that the support roller exerts pressure on the outside of a reel disposed between the bearing surfaces of the device, which makes it possible to ensure that the end of the product wound on the reel remains in contact with the rest of the reel.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a method of using a holding and unwinding device according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - placing the shaft in a disassembled position, - placing a reel in contact with one of the support surfaces, - positioning the shaft in its assembled position, choosing the assembled position corresponding to the shortest possible distance between the bearing surfaces without exerting pressure on the coil core, - fine adjustment of the distance between the support surfaces, in order to adjust the pressure exerted by the support surfaces on the coil.

[0019] Thanks to these arrangements, the invention makes it possible to use a single unwinder for reels of different lengths, while precisely adjusting the pressure applied to the core of the reel, which allows for optimal control of the unwinding of the product from the reel.

[0020] The present invention further relates to a log palletizer comprising a cage for holding logs on a pallet, a holding and unwinding device according to the invention, and a lifting means configured to be able to lift the cage and the holding and unwinding device in a synchronized manner, while rotating the holding and unwinding device around the cage, in order to wrap a rollable packaging product around the logs.

[0021] Thanks to these provisions, the packaging of logs on a pallet is simplified, and benefits from the previously mentioned advantages of the unwinder according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The present invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the following description of several embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a device according to a mode of preferred embodiment of the invention, the tree being in the assembled position, with a reel in the position to be unwound,

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the device in [Fig.1], the tree being in assembled position, without a coil,

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the device in [Fig.1], the tree being in disassembled position, with a coil placed on one of the support surfaces,

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the device in [Fig.1], the tree being in disassembled position, without coil,

[0027] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a cross-sectional view of the device in [Fig. 1], the tree being in assembled position, with a ratchet mechanism engaged, and

[0028] [Fig. 6] [Fig. 6] is a cross-sectional view of the device in [Fig. 1], the tree being in assembled position, with a disengaged ratchet mechanism. Description of the implementation methods

[0029] In the illustrated embodiments, identical elements or parts bear the same reference numbers. Furthermore, terms that have a relative meaning, such as Vertical, horizontal, right, left, front, back, above, below, etc., must be interpreted under normal conditions of use of the invention, and as shown in the figures. The X, Y, and Z axes are defined by an orthonormal coordinate system illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Furthermore, the geometric positions indicated in the description and claims, such as "perpendicular," "parallel," and "symmetrical," are not limited to the strict sense defined in geometry, but extend to geometric positions that are close, that is, that allow a certain tolerance within the technical field considered, without affecting the result obtained. This tolerance is notably introduced by the adverb "approximately," without this term necessarily being repeated before each adjective.

[0030] With reference to the figures, the device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to keep a reel in position to be unwound, and to keep the reel 2 in position during its unwinding.

[0031] The reel comprises a core 2, around which a windable product 3 is wound. The core 2 is usually tubular and open at both ends. The product 3 is, for example, a packaging or wrapping net, which may be made of plastic, a packaging or wrapping film, which may be made of plastic, an adhesive or non-adhesive tape, a wire, for example, an electrical wire or fishing line, a set of electrical wires, a binding twine, paper, a sheet of paper, plastic or fabric, a linoleum floor covering, a strapping, etc. This list is not exhaustive, as the invention can be used for a wide variety of products 3.

[0032] The device 1 comprises a shaft and two bearing surfaces 4a, 4b. The bearing surfaces 4a, 4b are each located at one end of the shaft. The device 1 is thus configured to hold a coil whose core 2 is arranged around the shaft, the core 2 being held by contact, at each of its two ends, with a bearing surface 4a, 4b.

[0033] In the following description, the longitudinal axis of the shaft, which is the axis around which the core is arranged, and the axis around which the coil rotates during its unwinding, is called the "shaft axis";

[0034] The shaft comprises two shaft sections 5a, 5b, which can be assembled in line with each other, and each connected to one of the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b. Assembling the shaft sections 5a, 5b allows the shaft to be placed in the assembled position, or in the disassembled position.

[0035] In the assembled position, the shaft sections 5a, 5b are fixed together to form the shaft. A coil can then be placed around the shaft, and the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b on the ends of the core 2 allow the coil to be held in position.

[0036] In the disassembled position, the shaft sections 5a, 5b are separated. This allows a coil to be inserted around one of the shaft sections 5a, 5b, or a coil to be removed from the device 1.

[0037] The assembly of the shaft sections 5a, 5b offers several possible mounting configurations, allowing the shaft to be placed in several distinct assembled positions. These different configurations make it possible to adjust the shaft length, and therefore the distance between the bearing surfaces. The device 1 can thus be adapted to different coil lengths. This adjustment of the distance is a so-called "coarse" adjustment, in contrast to the "fine" adjustment described later.

[0038] Device 1 further includes a means for fine-tuning the distance between the bearing surfaces, the fine-tuning means being independent of the choice of the assembled position of the shaft. Thus, the fine-tuning of the distance between the bearing surfaces is carried out at a fixed shaft length.

[0039] The coarse adjustment means described above thus allows adaptation to the length of the reel to be unwound, and the fine adjustment means allows precise adjustment of the pressure exerted by the bearing surfaces on the core 2 of the reel. This pressure must be carefully chosen, as it influences the force required to unwound the product 3. Indeed, in most cases, it is undesirable for this force to be too low, otherwise the product 3 unwounds too easily and is not sufficiently taut when used as it exits the reel. It is also undesirable for this force to be too high, otherwise unwinding cannot occur without unnecessary energy consumption. Furthermore, since the force depends on the distance between the axis of the reel and the product 3 exiting the reel, it may be useful, or even necessary, to modify the pressure exerted by the bearing surfaces on the core 2 during unwinding.

[0040] At least one of the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b, and preferably both bearing surfaces 4a, 4b, may have a surface whose shape is configured to accommodate cores 2 of different diameters. This shape may, for example, be conical, as shown in the figures. The axis of the cone then coincides with the axis of the shaft. The cross-section of the cone preferably decreases towards the middle of the shaft, so that the conical bearing surface 4a, 4b can partially enter the core 2, thus improving the retention of the core 2. Other shapes are conceivable, such as a convex or concave surface, or even a stepped surface, widening in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft.This arrangement also allows for finer adjustment of the pressure exerted by the support surfaces 4a, 4b on the cone, because for an equal distance between the support surfaces 4a, 4b, the pressure differential is less significant than if the support surfaces 4a, 4b were flat.

[0041] At least one of the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b may have protruding or recessed features, for example radial grooves, to prevent relative rotation between this bearing surface 4a, 4b and the core 3. Thus, the force required to rotate the coil around the shaft is not dependent on the force required to slide the core 3 on the bearing surface 4a, 4b. It is then necessary to consider the force required to set the bearing surface 4a, 4b in motion relative to the shaft, which is independent of the type of coil being unwound and its unwinding level, which affects its weight. For example, the bearing surface 4a, 4b may be integral with a first sliding surface 6a, which, during the unwinding of the coil, slides against a second sliding surface 6b, integral with the shaft.It is then simply a matter of sizing and selecting the correct materials and the correct pressure of one sliding surface 6a, 6b on the other, to anticipate the force required for this sliding. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the figures, one of the bearing surfaces 4a and the first sliding surface 6a are made from a single piece. This single piece is advantageously made of a softer material than the second sliding surface, so that in use only this piece wears and needs to be replaced regularly. When the device 1 is used with its axis in a vertical position, the bearing surface 4a having protruding elements or recesses is preferably the lower bearing surface 4a. Indeed, the weight of the coil rests on it, and therefore the advantages described above are more relevant for this bearing surface 4a.

[0042] The shaft assembly means is preferably a linear ratcheting mechanism. During assembly, the shaft sections 5a, 5b are thus displaced relative to each other along the shaft axis. When this displacement tends to shorten the shaft, the ratcheting mechanism does not oppose it. Conversely, when this displacement tends to lengthen the shaft, the ratcheting mechanism opposes it. Thus, during the unwinding preparation, a reel is first placed around a first shaft section 5a. The second shaft section 5b is then placed in line with the first shaft section 5a, and then the shaft sections 5a, 5b move relative to each other, shortening the shaft and thus bringing the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b closer together.When the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b come into contact with the core 2 of the coil, the movement of the shaft sections is blocked in one direction by the stops formed by the core 2 on the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b, and in the other direction by the ratcheting mechanism. In order to remove the coil, it is therefore necessary to disengage the ratcheting mechanism to extend the shaft and separate the shaft sections 5a, 5b.

[0043] The snap-on mechanism includes, for example, a finger 7 cooperating with notches 8. The notches 8 may, for example, be through openings, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, or non-through grooves. The finger 7 forms part of one of the shaft sections 5a and is preferably located near the end of this shaft section 5a, away from the bearing surface 4a to which it is connected. The notches 8 are located on the other shaft section 5b and are offset along the shaft axis. In this embodiment, the plurality of notches 8 allows, with a single finger 7, for several assembly configurations, and thus for varying the shaft length. It should be noted that a similar system can be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention, in which the ratcheting mechanism comprises a single notch cooperating with a plurality of fingers.Furthermore, in the examples shown, it is the geometry of the finger 7 that dictates the direction of engagement, but it is entirely possible to implement, within the scope of the present invention, a ratcheting mechanism in which the geometry of the notches 8 dictates the direction of engagement. Finally, in the example shown, the shaft is arranged vertically and the finger 7 is located on the lower shaft section 5a, and the notches on the upper shaft section 5b. The reverse is of course possible, that is to say, within the scope of the present invention, the finger(s) 7 can be arranged on the upper shaft section 5b, and the notch 8 or notches 8 on the lower shaft section 5a.

[0044] In order to move from an engaged to a disengaged position and vice versa of the ratcheting mechanism, the finger 7 of the ratcheting mechanism can be rotated about a disengagement axis 9. The disengagement axis 9 is perpendicular and intersecting the axis of the shaft. In other embodiments, a plurality of fingers 7, a notch 8, or a plurality of notches 8 can be rotated about the disengagement axis 9 to allow the engagement and disengagement of the ratcheting mechanism.

[0045] In this embodiment, the finger 7 is preferably limited in its rotation around the disengagement axis 9 by being disposed in a retaining profile 10. This retention ensures that the finger 7 is permanently in position, or close to being in position, to be engaged with the notches. If a plurality of fingers, or one or more notches 8, are movable around the disengagement axis 9, a retaining profile 10 may also be provided to limit this rotation for the same purpose.

[0046] In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the notches 8 are arranged on a notch profile 11, and during snap-fitting, the notch profile 11 is inserted into the retaining profile 9, the positions of the finger 7 and the notches 8 being thus guided so that the finger 7 successively faces the different notches 8 during the movement of the shaft sections 4a, 4b relative to each other along the axis of the shaft.

[0047] The device according to the invention preferably comprises a means for retaining the ratcheting mechanism in the engaged position. This retaining means is, for example, a return means such as a spring, which applies pressure pushing one section of the shaft 5a against the other at the ratcheting point, in order to keep the ratcheting mechanism engaged. To disengage it, a handle may be provided to cancel the effect of the retaining means, for example, by compressing or extending the spring that constitutes it.

[0048] In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the device is configured so that, during the unwinding of the reel, the shaft is vertical. In this case, a means for maintaining the gravity-driven ratcheting mechanism in the engaged position can be provided. An example of such a means is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, with an engaged position in [Fig. 5] and a disengaged position in [Fig. 6]. In this example, the finger 7 is fixed to a weight 12, and the weight 12 drives the finger 7 towards the notches 8. If one or more other elements are rotatable about the disengagement axis 9, as described above, these elements can be fixed to the weight. The weight 12 therefore allows the finger 7 to be held in a clicked position in a notch 8. To disengage, it is therefore sufficient to lift the weight 12 to compensate for its action, which is illustrated as an example by the passage from [Fig.5] to [Fig.6].

[0049] The disengagement shaft 9 is preferably located outside the volume of the spool, so that the weight 12 can be positioned on one side (top or bottom in the figures) of the spool. In the example shown, the weight 12 is located below the spool, but it can very well also be positioned above the spool.

[0050] The fine adjustment means for the distance between the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b is, for example, operated by means of a handle 13, which may be integrated into or integral with a first threaded element 14. The fine adjustment means then also includes a second threaded element 19, integrated into one of the shaft sections 5b, or integral with this section, and configured to cooperate with the first element 14. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the first threaded element is a threaded rod fixed inside the handle 13, and the second threaded element is one end of the shaft section 5b. Alternatively, the first element may be tapped and the second element threaded, which does not change the principle described here.One of the bearing surfaces 4b is located between the handle 13 and the shaft, so that when the handle 13 is rotated to move the first threaded element 14 along the second tapped element 19 parallel to the axis of the shaft, the bearing surface 4b is moved towards the middle of the shaft. Thus, without changing the length of the shaft, the distance between the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b is reduced. Similarly, when the handle 13 is rotated in the opposite direction, the distance between the... The bearing surfaces 4a, 4b are increased without changing the length of the shaft. This allows for easy fine-tuning, as rotating the handle is a particularly simple action, making it possible to precisely adjust the pressure of the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b on the core 2 of the spool.

[0051] The holding device preferably comprises a support roller 15. The support roller 15 is positioned parallel to the reel in the unwinding position. It is mounted on a return means 16 so that it exerts constant pressure on the product located furthest from the reel, which is about to be unwound. This prevents accidental unwinding, for example, due to the product's gravity.

[0052] Device 1 can be used in a process comprising the following steps: - putting the tree in a disassembled position, i.e. separating the tree sections 5a, 5b, as illustrated as an example in [Fig.4], - installation of a coil, in contact with one of the support surfaces 4a, one of the shaft sections 5a then being located in the core 2 of the coil, as illustrated as an example in [Fig.3], - The assembled position of the shaft is formed, i.e., the two shaft sections 5a, 5b are joined together. The assembled position corresponding to the shortest possible distance between the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b, without exerting pressure on the coil core 2, is chosen. To do this, for example, the ratcheting mechanism is used to reduce the shaft length as much as possible until the two bearing surfaces 4a are in contact with the core 2, as illustrated as an example in [Fig. 1]. - fine adjustment of the distance between the bearing surfaces 4a, 4b, in order to adjust the pressure exerted by the bearing surfaces on the coil, for example by screwing the handle 13 onto the threaded rod 14.

[0053] Device 1 can be integrated into a machine incorporating other functions. For example, the device 1 can be integrated into a palletizer, a stretch wrapper, a packaging machine, a wrapping machine, a baling press, etc. A first part of the device 1, including a first shaft section 5a, can then be fixed to the machine body, and the second part of the device, including a second shaft section 5b, can be free to move translationally relative to the first bearing surface along the shaft axis. For example, the first part of the device 1 can be fixed to a body profile 17 of the machine body, and the second part of the device 1 can be fixed to a part 18 sliding along the body profile 17, the part 18 constituting a captive system to prevent the second part of the device 1 from being inadvertently separated from the machine, as illustrated by way of example in Figures 3 and 4.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device can be integrated into a log palletizer. The palletizer then comprises a cage for holding the logs on a pallet, and a lifting means configured to be able to lift the cage and the device 1 in a synchronized manner, while rotating the device 1 around the cage 1.

[0055] The log palletizer can be used according to the following method: - positioning the cage immediately above a pallet, - inserting logs into the cage, for example via an inclined conveyor, - attaching one end of a rolled packaging product, for example a net, to the pallet, and placing the reel in device 1 of the palletizer in the unwinding position, - simultaneous lifting of the cage and device 1, and movement of device 1 around the cage, so as to unwind the packaging product from the reel, and to wind it around the logs and / or around the cage.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art, within the limits of the appended claims. Furthermore, the technical features of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above may be combined, in whole or in part.

Claims

Demands

1. A device for holding and unwinding a reel (1), said reel comprising a core (2) around which a windable product (3) is wound, said device (1) comprising a shaft and two bearing surfaces (4a, 4b), each located at one end of said shaft, said shaft comprising two shaft sections (5a, 5b), each located on the side of one of the bearing surfaces (4a, 4b), said shaft being able to be placed: - in an assembled position, in which the shaft sections (5a, 5b) are fixed together, and a reel can be arranged around said shaft, the supports of the bearing surfaces (4a, 4b) on the longitudinal ends of the core (2) of the reel being able to hold the reel in position during unwinding, and - in a disassembled position, in which the shaft sections (5a, 5b) are separated from each other, allowing a reel to be placed on said device for the purpose of its unwinding, or the removal of a reel from said device,characterized in that said tree can be placed in a plurality of distinct assembled positions, each of these assembled positions corresponding to a different tree length, and in that said device comprises a means for fine-tuning the distance between the bearing surfaces (4a, 4b) independent of the length of said tree.

2. Holding and unwinding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of at least one of said support surfaces (4a, 4b) is configured to be adaptable to different core diameters (2).

3. Holding and unwinding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that one of the support surfaces (4a) comprises protruding elements or hollows configured to oppose the relative rotation of said support surface (4a) and the core (2) of a reel during the unwinding of said reel.

4. A holding and unwinding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shaft comprises a linear ratcheting mechanism, said ratcheting mechanism allowing relative movement of one section of the shaft (5a, 5b) with respect to the other in order to reduce the length of the shaft, and opposing to a relative movement of one section of the tree (5a, 5b) with respect to the other in order to increase the length of the tree.

5. Holding and unwinding device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that one of the sections of the shaft (5b) has a plurality of notches (8), and the other section of the shaft (5a) has a finger (7) arranged to cooperate with said notches (8) to form said ratcheting mechanism.

6. Holding and unwinding device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said finger is rotationally movable about a disengagement axis (9), said disengagement axis (9) being perpendicular and intersecting the axis of the shaft, and the shaft section (5a) comprising the finger (7) comprises a holding profile (10), said finger (7) being disposed in said holding profile (10).

7. Retaining and unwinding device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the shaft section (5b) having the notches (8) has a notch profile (11), the notches (8) being arranged on said notch profile (11), said notch profile (11) being partially located inside the retaining profile (10) when the shaft is in the assembled position.

8. Holding and unwinding device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that it is configured to hold a reel so that the shaft is vertical, said device comprising a means for holding the ratcheting mechanism in the engaged position, said holding means being gravity-driven.

9. Holding and unwinding device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said finger is integral with a weight (12), the shape and dimensions of said weight (12) being configured so that it has the effect of driving said finger (7) towards the side of the shaft axis where the notches (8) are located, and thus of holding said finger (7) in a clicked position in a notch (8).

10. A holding and unwinding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the means for fine-tuning the distance between the bearing surfaces (4a, 4b) comprises: - a handle (13), and a first threaded element, respectively tapped, integral with or incorporated into said handle, one of the bearing surfaces (4b) being configured to be located between the handle (13) and the shaft, and - a second tapped element, respectively threaded, fixed or integrated into one of the sections of the shaft (5b), and cooperating with the thread, respectively tapping, of said first element, said device being configured so that a rotation of the handle (13) generates a displacement of one of the bearing surfaces (4b) along the shaft.

11. Holding and unwinding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a support roller (15) whose axis is parallel to the axis of the shaft, said device comprising a return means (16) configured so that the support roller (15) exerts pressure on the outside of a reel disposed between the support surfaces (4a, 4b) of the device.

12. A method of using a holding and unwinding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the following steps: - placing the shaft in the disassembled position, - placing a reel in contact with one of the support surfaces (4a), - placing the shaft in the assembled position, choosing the assembled position corresponding to the shortest possible distance between the support surfaces (4a, 4b) without exerting pressure on the core (2) of the reel, - fine adjustment of the distance between the support surfaces (4a, 4b), in order to adjust the pressure exerted by the support surfaces (4a, 4b) on the reel.

13. Log palletizer comprising a cage for holding logs on a pallet, a holding and unwinding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a lifting means configured to be able to lift the cage and the holding and unwinding device (1) in a synchronized manner, while rotating the holding and unwinding device (1) around the cage, in order to wrap a rollable packaging product (2) around the logs.

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