Abstract: A doctor cooperates with the peripheral surface of a Yankee dryer for peeling the tissue away from the peripheral surface such that when the tissue is peeled from the surface, a series of microfolds are generated in the resultant tissue. An adjusting mechanism is connected to the doctor for adjusting an angle defined between the doctor and the peripheral surface. The arrangement is such that when the angle is adjusted, the physical dimensions of the microfolds change. A sensor is disposed downstream relative to the doctor for sensing the physical dimensions of the microfolds. A control circuit is electrically connected to the sensor and responsive to the sensor. The control circuit is electrically connected to the adjusting mechanism for varying the angle of the doctor so that the physical dimensions of the microfolds are optimized.

Abstract: A vacuum/blowing sheave on the end of the lower calender roll of a papermaking machine threads a tissue web tail from a Yankee dryer to a take-up reel through the calender. The sheave is positioned adjacent to the outlet of the threader tube from the Yankee dryer, where the vacuum portion of the sheave picks up the tail and transports it towards the take-up reel. Upon transiting the closed nip of the calender, the tail is blown by a short blowing section on the sheave into the tube threader which leads to the take-up reel.