Abstract: Apparatus for handling reels (10) by means of a vertical reel conveyor (15). The latter is provided with a lifting head (18) which can be moved up and down on a vertical bearing column (17) and has a projecting conveyor journal (19) for moving into a centre opening (11) in a reel (10) which is to be picked up. The reels (10) are arranged one above the other in the region of a stock of reels (13), with their centre openings (11) running vertically. The lifting head (18) or part of this head can be rotated in order to transfer the reel (10) to the working journal (16).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for connecting material webs, namely one end of a new web (34) to one end of a runoff web (58).The new web (34), on the one hand, and run-off web (29), on the other hand, are each gripped individually, and stopped, by clamping parts (49, 50; 51, 52). The run-off web (29) and new web (34) are then severed. The fixed web ends--run-off end (58) and new, initial portion (59)--are positioned in a common plane by the clamping parts (49, 50; 51, 52) and connected to one another by a tape (60).