Abstract: An apparatus forms stacks of interfolded sheets. First and second folding rolls receive the plurality of sheets, move the plurality of sheets through the nip, and fold the plurality of sheets into a stack of interfolded sheets downstream of the nip. A packing finger is associated with each folding roll, and the respective packing fingers move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the corresponding folding roll with alternate movement relative to each other between the retracted position and the extended position to engage the plurality of sheets and form the stack of interfolded sheets. A liquid delivery system delivers liquid to a sheet in the plurality of sheets when the sheet is on one of the folding rolls and before the sheet is moved to the stack.

Abstract: A rewinding machine winds a web material into a log about a core. The web material to be wound is directed about a rotating winding drum. A continuous loop is spaced from the winding drum and with the winding drum defines a nip through which the core is inserted and through which the web material is directed. A surface of the continuous loop opposite the winding drum across the nip is configured to move in a direction generally opposite of the winding drum for winding the web material about the core. A rider roll defines a winding space with the winding drum and the continuous loop. The rider roll is movable relative to the continuous loop and the winding drum to allow for an increase in a diameter of the log in the winding space during winding of the web material about the core.

Abstract: In a controller for a converting line: (a) mechanical characterization module generates an estimate of an applied web force at a driven roller based upon velocity and torque signals, and mechanical properties associated with an upstream and downstream roller, one or both of which may be the driven roller; (b) a web stiffness estimator module generates a span stiffness estimate, a previous span tension estimate, and a span time constant based upon the span length, the velocity signals from the upstream and downstream roller sensors, a span tension signal from the span tension sensor, and the applied web force estimate from the mechanical characterization module; and (c) a tension control module generates a velocity trim command signal for the driven roller based on the span stiffness estimate, the previous span tension estimate, a web span time constant, a span tension signal, and a span tension setpoint.

Abstract: A processing line includes a conveyor for conveying product from upstream processing equipment to downstream processing equipment. Data structures stored in a memory of a controller comprise a backlog set point for a product type to be processed. A product sensor for the conveyor is enabled to generate signals representative of a number of the products moving on the conveyor from the upstream processing equipment for delivery to the downstream processing equipment. A conveyor speed sensor for the conveyor is enabled to generate signals representative of a speed of the conveyor. A backlog measurement based upon the product sensor signals and the conveyor speed sensor signals is determined. The backlog measurement is compared to the backlog set point to determine a difference in backlog. The controller is enabled to generate signals for controlling the processing line based upon the difference in backlog and additional information related to the product type.

Abstract: Rolls of an embosser laminator unit may be calibrated with an iterative process of moving axial ends of the roll a set incremental distance until contact between the rolls is made and then making a correction to the distance based upon the end of the roll making contact. The rolls may be move an initial position where the faces of the rolls are devoid of contact with each other. One or both of the rolls may be rotated. The distance between the ends of the rolls may be decreased until the faces of the rolls make contact with each other. The distance between the first ends of the rolls may be increased by an incremental amount, and a determination of contact between the faces of the rolls may be made by alternate movement of the rolls by the incremental amount and position prior to contact.

Abstract: A converting line has a unwind machine with a load station assembly and a vertical movement assembly. The load station assembly rotatably supports a roll as the web is unwound during a first portion of an unwind cycle. The vertical movement assembly rotatably supports the roll during movement between lowered and raised positions during a second portion of the unwind cycle. A lower brake assembly controls rotation of the roll in the load station assembly, and an upper brake assembly controls rotation of the roll with the roll in the vertical movement assembly. With the roll rotatably supported in the load station assembly, the converting line control generates signals for the lower brake assembly to control an unwind rotation rate of the roll. With the roll rotatably supported by the vertical movement assembly, the control generates signals for the upper brake assembly to control the unwind rotation rate.

Abstract: A method for unwinding includes loading a first reel of web material into a first unwind position where the web is unwound. A splicing unit is then moved in the machine direction toward the first unwind position until there is sufficient space to allow a further reel to be loaded into a second unwind position where the web from the second reel is unwound once loaded. Then, the web from the first reel is spliced to the second reel, and the web of the first reel is thereafter cut. The process continues in the opposite direction after removing the first reel from the first unwind position. The web of the second reel is unwound in the second position, the splicing unit is moved toward the second unwind position until there is sufficient space to allow a further reel to be loaded into the first unwind position.

Abstract: An apparatus forms stacks of interfolded sheets. First and second folding rolls receive the plurality of sheets, move the plurality of sheets through the nip, and fold the plurality of sheets into a stack of interfolded sheets downstream of the nip. A packing finger is associated with each folding roll, and the respective packing fingers move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the corresponding folding roll with alternate movement relative to each other between the retracted position and the extended position to engage the plurality of sheets and form the stack of interfolded sheets. A fluid delivery system delivers fluid to a sheet in the plurality of sheets at or after the folding rolls.

Abstract: A blade guard assembly for a circular saw blade of a saw house includes a blade cover with a face panel and an edge portion that extends from the face panel. An actuator is mountable the blade cover and the structure of the saw house. When the blade guard assembly is mounted in saw house, the blade cover is movable with the actuator between a covered position and an exposed position. In the covered position, the face panel and edge portion at least partially surround the saw blade. In the exposed position, the face panel is spaced from the saw blade.

Abstract: An accumulator has a control system for controlling motion of a plurality of buckets on a continuous loop and logs traversing on a log transfer device. The log transfer device delivers a log from an entrance of the log transfer device to a bucket infeed on the accumulator. The bucket infeed receives a log from the log transfer device and allows a bucket to receive the log from the log transfer device. A time for the log to move from the entrance of the log transfer device to the bucket infeed is determined. Based on the time for the log to move from the entrance of the log transfer device to the bucket infeed, the control system controls the accumulator drive to move the continuous loop such that a bucket in the plurality of buckets is positioned at the bucket infeed with sufficient time to allow the bucket to receive the log from the log transfer device.