Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Paper Converting Machine Company

Michael Earl Daniels

James Leo Baggot

Paul Kerner Pauling

Larry E Birnbaum

Rudolph S Fortuna

David Robert Gruber

James D Ba Dour, Jr

Ronald Frederick Gropp

James Monroe Perkins

James B Ba Dour, Jr

David R Gruber

A packaging process line that compacts rolled products as they are packaged is disclosed. A firmness measuring device is used to measure the firmness of the rolls as the rolls, for instance, enter the process line. The roll firmness device is placed in communication with a controller, such as a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to receive information from the roll firmness device and control one or more elements within the process line that apply a compressive force to the rolls. In particular, the controller is configured to adjust any packaging equipment that applies a compressive force to the rolls so that a substantially uniform amount of force is applied to the rolls throughout the system. In this manner, the system is capable of automatically making adjustments based upon any variation in the product. Misfeeds, miscounts and the like are minimized for improving process efficiency and minimizing process downtime. Fully automatic grade changes can also be achieved with this information and control.

Variable position constant force packaging system and process for using same

A method for processing high bulk tissue webs is disclosed for forming a wet web, drying the web, winding the dried web to form a plurality of parent rolls, unwinding the parent rolls by transmitting torque through the roll center and/or ends, moving the partially unwound roll to effect splicing with a subsequent parent roll, and rewinding the thus united web. In particular embodiments, the torque transmitting means comprise side clamping mechanisms that engage only the end surfaces of the parent rolls. In other embodiments, an automated off-line method for splicing tissue webs from different parent rolls utilizes a finishing unit that substantially continuously impacts each web during unwinding to splice the webs together. In one aspect, a method of making and processing high bulk tissue webs is disclosed for the production of a soft, high bulk uncreped throughdried tissue web by depositing an aqueous suspension of paper-making fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web and drying the web by throughdrying to final dryness without any significant differential compression to form a dried web having a bulk value of about 15 to 25 cubic centimeters per gram or greater, an MD Stiffness Factor of 50 to 100 kilograms, a machine direction stretch of 15 to 25 percent, and a substantially uniform density.

Methods for making and processing high bulk tissue webs

A partially unwound roll is moved for splicing with a subsequent parent roll, and the united web is rewound. The torque transmitting means include side clamping mechanisms engaging only the end surfaces of the parent rolls. In one aspect, an automated off-line apparatus and method splice tissue webs from different parent rolls in a finishing unit, and substantially continuous impacts on each web during unwinding splice the webs together. In one aspect, an apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of a soft, high bulk uncreped throughdried tissue web by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web and through drying the web to final dryness without any significant differential compression to form a dried web having a bulk value of about 15 to 25 cubic centimeters per gram or greater, an MD Stiffness Factor of 50 to 100 kilograms, a machine direction stretch of 15 to 25 percent, and a substantially uniform density. A torque transfer device for unwinding a tissue roll includes a frame having a pair of arms spaced apart to accommodate the width of the roll, each arm having a side clamping mechanism mounted thereon to engage one of the opposite end surfaces of the tissue roll. The side clamping mechanism includes a backing plate connected to and rotatable with an unwind shaft connected to an electric drive, an inflatable bladder mounted on the backing plate, and means for inflating the bladder such that the opposite end surfaces of the roll are sandwiched between the side clamping mechanisms.

High bulk tissue web

A high bulk tissue web is made by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto a forming fabric to form a web, drying the web, winding the dried web to form a plurality of large diameter parent rolls wound on a core, and transporting the parent rolls to an unwind stand having torque transmitting clamping means for engaging opposite end surfaces of the parent rolls. A backing plate is connected to and rotatable with an unwind shaft connected to an electric drive. An inflatable bladder is mounted on the backing plate. The clamping means engage a first parent roll by inflating the bladder such that the opposite end surfaces of the roll are sandwiched between the side clamping mechanisms for partially unwinding the first parent roll using a variable speed drive operably associated with the clamping means. The torque transmitting clamping means engage a second parent roll, and a leading end portion of the web on the second parent roll is joined to a trailing end portion of the partially unwound first parent roll to form a joined web without glue. In one aspect, the leading end portion of the web on the second parent roll is transported with a thread-up conveyor. In one aspect, the leading end portion of the web on the second parent roll is transported with vacuum means operably associated with an endless screen belt means with decreasing amounts of vacuum as the web is transported over the endless screen belt means.

Processed tissue webs

A method of making a tissue web is disclosed for forming a wet web, drying the web, winding the dried web to form a plurality of parent rolls, unwinding the parent rolls using center drive unwind means, moving the partially unwound roll to effect splicing with a subsequent parent roll, and rewinding the thus united web. In one aspect, a method of making a tissue web is disclosed for the production of a soft, high bulk uncreped throughdried tissue web by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web and drying the web by throughdrying to final dryness without any significant differential compression to form a dried web having a bulk value of about 15 to 25 cubic centimeters per gram or greater, an MD Stiffness Factor of 50 to 100 kilograms, a machine direction stretch of 15 to 25 cubic percent, and a substantially uniform density.

Making a web

A center driven unwind system including a pair of horizontally spaced-apart side frames defining the beginning of a path of travel of the web being unwound from a parent roll for processing by a rewinder, a U-shaped arm structure pivotally mounted adjacent the U-shape base on each side frame with each arm of the U-shape adjacent the arm free end being equipped with a retractable chuck for insertion into a parent roll core, a variable speed drive operably associated with each chuck and adapted to develop an increasing rotational speed characteristic in the chuck as a parent roll carried by the chuck is unwound, a core table positioned adjacent the frame and adapted to receive from the U-shaped arm structure a partially unwound parent roll, the core table being equipped with a cradle for rotatably supporting the partially unwound roll after the chucks have been retracted therefrom, sensors provided on the U-shaped arm structure for positioning the chucks for introduction into the core of a parent roll to be subsequently unwound, and a thread-up conveyor adjacent the core table for conducting a leading edge portion of a web from the parent roll to be subsequently unwound toward the tail end portion of a web from the partially unwound parent roll for simultaneous introduction into a rewinder.

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Michael Earl Daniels