Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Aaron Gander

Eric-John Raoul Gilgenbach

Phillip J Poisson

Suzanne Laughrin

Pramod R Raul

Daniel K Buck

A web handling system and method for controlling tension in a web of material is disclosed. For instance, the web handling system is particularly well suited for maintaining web tension within predefined setpoints during temporary interruptions in the process, such as during splicing operations. The web handling system includes an accumulator or festoon that accumulates amounts of the material as the material is being fed downstream. At least one guide roll within the festoon is coupled to a drive device, such as a motor. The system also includes at least one tension sensing device. The drive device accelerates or decelerates the guide roll based upon information obtained from the tension sensing device. In one embodiment, the system further includes an electronic gearing configuration between a roll of material being unwound and the guide roll within the festoon for better synchronization and further minimizing tension swings. The electronic gearing can include a diameter calculator for the roll of material being unwound based on speed feedback of a driven guide roll.

Tension regulating directly driven roller festoon

An apparatus () for controlling the unwinding of a web () wound on a core is disclosed. The apparatus () includes a turnbar (), an actuator (), a sensor (), and a controller (). The turnbar () includes a target location to receive the web (). The actuator () is coupled to the turnbar () and includes an axis of movement (). The sensor () measures transverse placement of the web () relative to the target location and transmits an input signal to the controller () when transverse placement of the web () differs from the target location. The controller () provides an output signal to the actuator (to move the turnbar () along the axis of movement () such that the web () maintains substantial alignment with the target location.

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Aaron Gander