Method for making a central unwinding roll and resulting roll

A method of forming a coreless roll including a sheet of flexible material, the method comprising:

• positioning at least one end portion of a sheet of flexible material upon a first winding spindle defining a winding axis, the at least one end portion having first and second longitudinal edges;
• displacing the at least one end portion along the winding axis such that at least one of the first and second longitudinal edges forms an angle (α) other than zero relative to the winding axis;
• cutting the sheet of flexible material transversely to form at least one angled end portion;
• winding the sheet of flexible material starting with the at least one angled end portion about a second winding spindle to form a roll having a center portion, at least a portion of the at least one angled end portion projecting from the center portion of the roll to form a leader;
• supporting the roll on at least one cylinder that extends parallel to the second winding spindle;
• shifting the roll relative to and away from the at least one cylinder in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second winding spindle and supporting the roll on at least one support;
• and
• subsequent to the shifting and supporting, positioning a third winding spindle adjacent the at least one cylinder, the sheet of flexible material extending between the at least one support and the at least one cylinder.