Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention provides a new latch mechanism which is controlled by a camshaft which is mounted axially in the bedroll and by a servo motor which rotates the camshaft. The servo motor normally rotates the camshaft in the same direction and at the same speed as the bedroll. When the web is to be severed, the speed of the servo motor is either increased or decreased to rotate the camshaft relative to the bedroll. The rotation of the camshaft allows push rods in the bedroll to move radially inwardly to release the severing and transferring mechanism. Cam followers for the severing and transferring mechanism engage a stationary cam and control the movement of the mechanism. After the web is severed and transferred, the camshaft is rotated to force the push rods radially outwardly to relatch the severing and transferring mechanism.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 sub