Abstract: The mandrel is formed from flexible and elastic material, and after the roll is wound, the mandrel is pulled longitudinally and withdrawn from the roll of paper to form a coreless roll.

Abstract: A flexible mandrel is provided for holding cores or core segments so that a roll of sheet material can be wound on the core segments in a winding machine. The mandrel and core segments are coupled through elastic interference between the mandrel and the core segments so that the core segments are arranged either adjacent to each other or spaced apart. A method for producing rolls of sheet material on the novel combination of mandrel and core segments feeds cores in an apparatus, transversely cuts the cores to form portions of core or core segments, feeds a flexible mandrel into the core segments for supporting and maintaining the axial position of the core segments. Coupling is by elastic interference between the flexible mandrel and the core segments to form an assembly in which the core segments are arranged on the mandrel spaced apart or adjacent one to the other.

Abstract: A coreless roll of paper is formed by winding a web of paper around an elongated mandrel to form a roll of convolutely wound paper. The mandrel is formed from flexible and elastic material, and after the roll is wound, the mandrel is pulled longitudinally and withdrawn from the roll of paper to form a coreless roll. Alternatively, the mandrel can be pressurized to expand the mandrel radially before or during the winding of the web around the mandrel. After the roll is wound, the pressure in the mandrel is relieved so that the mandrel contracts radially, and the mandrel is withdrawn from the roll. A novel clasp is used to grasp and extract a tubular mandrel from the roll. The clasp includes a rigid shaft which is adapted to be inserted into a tubular mandrel. A plurality of clamping blocks are spaced radially outwardly from the shaft and are spaced circumferentially around the shaft.