Method of and apparatus for manipulating bobbins

Apparatus for transferring discrete bobbins of the type wherein a web of flexible material is convoluted around the external surface of a hollow core further having an internal surface coaxial with the external surface from a stack of superimposed layer of bobbins having a first orientation to a receiver whereon a bobbin has a different second orientation, the layers of the stack being separated from each other by sheet-like partitions, comprising:

• a first gripper having first jaws receivable in the core of a bobbin and means for moving the jaws relative to the axis of the bobbin into and from engagement with the internal surface of such core, wherein said first jaws are movable at least substantially radially of the axis of a core into engagement with the internal surface of a core at said stack and from engagement with the internal surface of a core at said receiver;
• a second gripper having second jaws movable to positions adjacent the external surface of a core and means for moving the second jaws into and from engagement with the external surface of such core;
• suction-operated lifting means for attracting a partition upon removal of a layer from the stack;
• means for moving the grippers and the lifting means between the stack and the receiver;
• means for changing the orientation of said grippers;
• and
• a substantially plate-like pusher and means for moving said pusher relative to the first jaws at least substantially axially of the core being engaged by said first jaws between the stack and the receiver, wherein said second jaws are borne by said pusher.