Abstract: A method and apparatus for splicing the lead end of a full roll of sheet material to the terminal end of a depleted roll of sheet material comprising first and second pairs of material engageable roller members, each pair of roller members being relatively movable between a spaced open loading position and an adjacent splicing position; and each pair of roller members being spaced from the other pair of roller members a relatively short distance defining a splicing cavity therebetween; a splicing table mounted for movement relative to the roller members within the splicing cavity between a loading position and a splicing position, the loading table supporting the lead end of the new roll with one adhesive surface of a double backed adhesive strip of material attached to the lead end; operating means to move the loading table to the splicing position and to move the roller members to the splicing position to effect attachment of the lead end of the new roll to the terminal end of the depleted roll by adhesion

Abstract: Roll handling apparatus comprising a rotatable body having peripherally spaced axially extending mounting surfaces inclined to the axis of rotation; a plurality of cylinder-engaging elements adapted to be received within a hollow cylinder and to engage the inner surface of the cyliner and movable relative to said mounting surfaces between a radially inner configuration and a radially outer configuration to engage the inner surface of the cylinder; actuating means, having an abutment surface extending radially outwardly beyond said elements and located for engagement with a side surface of the hollow cylinder during association of said elements within the hollow cylinder, for acting on said elements to move them relative to the mounting surfaces between said radially inner and outer configurations; and spring means for biasing said elements axially into their radially inner configuration.