Abstract: A processing line processes logs of convolutely wound web material and has upstream and downstream sections. A main accumulator has buckets that receive, hold, and release logs. An input feeder receives logs from the upstream section and conveys them to a bucket of main accumulator. A loader has a loader accumulator and loader buckets that receive, hold, and release logs. A transfer conveyor between the main accumulator and the loader receives a log from the main accumulator bucket and conveys the log a loader bucket independently of the input feeder. The loader receives a log from the transfer conveyor. The loader conveys the log in the loader bucket to a discharge of the loader. The loader discharge discharges the log from the loader bucket to the downstream section of the processing line.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a converting line. The converting line has an unwinder for unwinding web material from a roll of web material and at least one independently driven roll for directing the web material unwound from the unwinder to the converting line. The control system has a controller and a tension sensor configured to be arranged downstream of the at least one driven roll. The tension sensor is configured to sense a tension in the web as the web is passed downstream of the driven roll, generate a signal indicative of sensed web tension, and transmit the signal of sensed web tension to the controller. The controller is configured to a generate and transmit to the unwinder a signal to change the speed of the unwinder based upon the tension sensed by the tension sensor.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a blade of a log saw of a converting line comprises applying a cleaning agent to a saw blade. The saw blade is adapted to cut a log of web material into rolls as the log of web material advances on a conveyor. In an another step of the method the log is advanced on the conveyor for cutting with the saw blade. In another step of the method, the saw blade is cleaned by cutting the log with the saw blade with the cleaning agent applied to the saw blade.

Abstract: An apparatus supports a convolutely wound log of web material during cutting of the convolutely wound log, and includes a bottom support link operatively pivotally coupled to a support frame and a side support link operatively pivotally coupled to the support frame and the bottom support link. A flexible member operatively coupled to a distal end of the side support link extends tangentially from the side support link and curves away from the side support link and the bottom support link so that a portion of the flexible member is spaced away from the side support link and the bottom support link. The spaced away portion of the flexible member together with the side support link and the bottom support link at least in part define a support surface for supporting the convolutely wound log when the log is directed into the apparatus.

Abstract: A packer forms stacks of segments cut from a web of material. The packer has a shoe that contacts the segment and pushes the segment onto the stack. A follower is operatively connected to the shoe. A drive shaft is operatively connected to a motor. A drive crank is operatively mounted to the drive shaft operatively pivotally connected to the follower. A motion control assembly is configured for synchronized motion with the drive shaft. The motion control assembly has a member operatively connected to the follower. When the drive shaft rotates, the drive crank moves the follower toward and away from a face of the segment and the motion control assembly operates in a manner to move the follower toward and away from a leading edge of the segment.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a converting line. The converting line has an unwinder for unwinding web material from a roll of web material and at least one independently driven roll for directing the web material unwound from the unwinder to the converting line. The control system has a controller and a tension sensor configured to be arranged downstream of the at least one driven roll. The tension sensor is configured to sense a tension in the web as the web is passed downstream of the driven roll, generate a signal indicative of sensed web tension, and transmit the signal of sensed web tension to the controller. The controller is configured to a generate and transmit to the unwinder a signal to change the speed of the unwinder based upon the tension sensed by the tension sensor.

Abstract: A control system for a converting line has a sensor configured to sense a distance between the sensor and a surface of a roll of web material as the roll of web material is unwound from an unwinder and directed to the converting line. The controller is configured to: (i) determine a diameter measurement of the roll as the roll rotates based upon the sensor signals; (ii) store a plurality of data structures in a memory of a controller of a control system wherein the data structures comprise a plurality of data items associated together as the diameter measurements of the roll of the web material; (iii) process by a statistical regression analysis the data structures associated with the diameter; and (iv) generate signals for controlling the converting line based upon the processed diameter measurements.

Abstract: An embosser/laminator machine has an adhesive unit releasably connectable with a main frame structure of the machine, and a roll extractor configured to move a roll between the main frame structure and an exchange position between the main frame structure and the adhesive unit when the adhesive unit is spaced from the main frame structure during removal and installation of the roll. The sub-frame comprising the adhesive unit may be formed with a bearing cap that cooperates with the main frame structure such that when the adhesive unit is connected with the main frame structure, the roll is operatively secured to the machine between main frame structure and the sub-frame of the adhesive unit for normal operation of the machine. When the sub-frame comprising the adhesive unit is released and spaced from main frame structure, the roll may be removed from and installed into the main frame structure.

Abstract: A blade storage array is detachably mountable with a tissue log cutting saw. The saw has a cutting arm with a tool holder receptacle adapted and configured to hold a circular saw blade for the saw. The array has a plurality of storage units. Each storage unit is adapted and configured to store a circular saw blade for the saw. Each storage unit has a tool holder receptacle adapted and configured to hold a circular saw blade. Each storage unit is adapted and configured to move perpendicularly to the saw blade center axis.

Abstract: A blade storage array is detachably mountable with a tissue log cutting saw. The saw has a cutting arm with a tool holder receptacle adapted and configured to hold a circular saw blade for the saw. The array has a plurality of storage units. Each storage unit is adapted and configured to store a circular saw blade for the saw. Each storage unit has a tool holder receptacle adapted and configured to hold a circular saw blade. Each storage unit is adapted and configured to move perpendicularly to the saw blade center axis.

Abstract: A processing line processes logs of convolutely wound web material and has upstream and downstream sections. A main accumulator has buckets that receive, hold, and release logs. An input feeder receives logs from the upstream section and conveys them to a bucket of main accumulator. A loader has a loader accumulator and loader buckets that receive, hold, and release logs. A transfer conveyor between the main accumulator and the loader receives a log from the main accumulator bucket and conveys the log a loader bucket independently of the input feeder. The loader receives a log from the transfer conveyor. The loader conveys the log in the loader bucket to a discharge of the loader. The loader discharge discharges the log from the loader bucket to the downstream section of the processing line.

Abstract: An apparatus supports a convolutely wound log of web material during cutting of the convolutely wound log, and includes a bottom support link operatively pivotally coupled to a support frame and a side support link operatively pivotally coupled to the support frame and the bottom support link. A flexible member operatively coupled to a distal end of the side support link extends tangentially from the side support link and curves away from the side support link and the bottom support link so that a portion of the flexible member is spaced away from the side support link and the bottom support link. The spaced away portion of the flexible member together with the side support link and the bottom support link at least in part define a support surface for supporting the convolutely wound log when the log is directed into the apparatus.

Abstract: An embosser/laminator machine has an adhesive unit releasably connectable with a main frame structure of the machine, and a roll extractor configured to move a roll between the main frame structure and an exchange position between the main frame structure and the adhesive unit when the adhesive unit is spaced from the main frame structure during removal and installation of the roll. The sub-frame comprising the adhesive unit may be formed with a bearing cap that cooperates with the main frame structure such that when the adhesive unit is connected with the main frame structure, the roll is operatively secured to the machine between main frame structure and the sub-frame of the adhesive unit for normal operation of the machine. When the sub-frame comprising the adhesive unit is released and spaced from main frame structure, the roll may be removed from and installed into the main frame structure.

Abstract: An embosser/laminator machine has an adhesive unit releasably connectable with a main frame structure of the machine, and a roll extractor configured to move a roll between the main frame structure and an exchange position between the main frame structure and the adhesive unit when the adhesive unit is spaced from the main frame structure during removal and installation of the roll. The sub-frame comprising the adhesive unit may be formed with a bearing cap that cooperates with the main frame structure such that when the adhesive unit is connected with the main frame structure, the roll is operatively secured to the machine between main frame structure and the sub-frame of the adhesive unit for normal operation of the machine. When the sub-frame comprising the adhesive unit is released and spaced from main frame structure, the roll may be removed from and installed into the main frame structure.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a blade of a log saw of a converting line comprises applying a cleaning agent to a saw blade. The saw blade is adapted to cut a log of web material into rolls as the log of web material advances on a conveyor. In an another step of the method the log is advanced on the conveyor for cutting with the saw blade. In another step of the method, the saw blade is cleaned by cutting the log with the saw blade with the cleaning agent applied to the saw blade.

Abstract: A method involves conveying tissue logs in a saw conveyor. The conveyor has independent lane control cutting and variable conveyor flight length. In one aspect of the method a first tissue log is received in a lane of a conveyor. With a first log advancement member, the first tissue log is advanced in the lane of the conveyor for cutting with a tissue log saw. A second tissue log is received in the lane of the conveyor when the first tissue log has advanced sufficiently in the lane to accommodate the second tissue log in the lane. With a second log advancement member, the second tissue log is advanced in the lane of the conveyor for cutting with the tissue log saw independently of the step of advancing the first tissue log in the lane. The conveyor may also have multiple lanes.

Abstract: A control system for a converting line has a sensor configured to sense a distance between the sensor and a surface of a roll of web material as the roll of web material is unwound from an unwinder and directed to the converting line. The controller is configured to: (i) determine a diameter measurement of the roll as the roll rotates based upon the sensor signals; (ii) store a plurality of data structures in a memory of a controller of a control system wherein the data structures comprise a plurality of data items associated together as the diameter measurements of the roll of the web material; (iii) process by a statistical regression analysis the data structures associated with the diameter; and (iv) generate signals for controlling the converting line based upon the processed diameter measurements.

Abstract: A method involves conveying tissue logs in a saw conveyor. The conveyor has independent lane control cutting and variable conveyor flight length. In one aspect of the method a first tissue log is received in a lane of a conveyor. With a first log advancement member, the first tissue log is advanced in the lane of the conveyor for cutting with a tissue log saw. A second tissue log is received in the lane of the conveyor when the first tissue log has advanced sufficiently in the lane to accommodate the second tissue log in the lane. With a second log advancement member, the second tissue log is advanced in the lane of the conveyor for cutting with the tissue log saw independently of the step of advancing the first tissue log in the lane. The conveyor may also have multiple lanes.

Abstract: A conveyor system for advancing tissue logs has a first log advancement member that conveys a lead tissue log toward a discharge end of a lane via a first drive, and a second log advancement member that conveys a successive tissue log after the lead tissue log toward the discharge end of the lane via a second drive. A controller is coupled to the first and second drives. The controller is adapted and configured to control: the first drive to move the first log advancement member between a start and finish position, the second drive to move the second log advancement member between the start and finish position, and the first drive independently of the second drive. A plurality of like lanes may be provided and the controller may also control the first and second drives of one lane independently of the first and second drives of another lane.

Abstract: A conveyor system for advancing tissue logs has a first log advancement member that conveys a lead tissue log toward a discharge end of a lane via a first drive, and a second log advancement member that conveys a successive tissue log after the lead tissue log toward the discharge end of the lane via a second drive. A controller is coupled to the first and second drives. The controller is adapted and configured to control: the first drive to move the first log advancement member between a start and finish position, the second drive to move the second log advancement member between the start and finish position, and the first drive independently of the second drive. A plurality of like lanes may be provided and the controller may also control the first and second drives of one lane independently of the first and second drives of another lane.