Background of the Invention In the production of many paper products, such as tissue and towel products, paper webs are typically formed in a paper making system and initially stored in large parent rolls. The parent rolls are unwound for finishing operations, such as embossing, printing, ply attachment, perforating, and the like and then rewound into retail-sized logs or rolls.

Unwinding and further processing parent rolls made from paper webs, particularly soft and high bulk tissue webs, can be challenging due to the fact that the product can easily break or become damaged.

Unwinding such rolls in a fast and efficient manner can also be problematical. For instance, in many traditional operations, parent rolls are unwound one roll at a time. After a parent roll is unwound, the machine is stopped for the removal of the core and deployment of a new parent roll. The downtime associated with parent roll changeovers, creates a substantial reduction in total available run time that reduces the maximum output that can be obtained from a rewinder line.

A center driven unwind system that has provided great improvements in systems and processes for unwinding parent rolls is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,906, 333 to Fortuna. et al. and U. S. Patent No. 6,030, 496 to Baggot, et al. which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In the above patents, a system is disclosed which includes a pair of horizontally spaced apart side frames. Each

side frame includes an elongated arm capable of engaging a parent roll.

The elongated arms are operably associated with variable speed drive means for unwinding the parent roll. Once the parent roll is partially unwound, the arms move the parent roll to a core placement table which rotatably supports the partially unwound roll. The elongated arms then move away from the core placement table to engage a second parent roll. A leading end portion of the web on the second parent roll is bonded to a trailing end of the partially unwound first parent roll to form a joined web.

Although the above system has provided great advancements, further improvements are still needed in the handling and unwinding of parent rolls. In particular, a need exists for a system capable of unwinding multiple parent rolls without a significant amount of down time. Further improvements are also needed for systems that can unwind high bulk tissue webs without breaking or otherwise damaging the webs as they are unwound.

Summary of The Invention In general, the present invention is directed to a system and method for unwinding rolls of material. The system and process of the present invention can be used to unwind various different types of materials. The system, however, is particularly well suited to unwinding paper webs, especially soft, high bulk tissue webs without damaging the webs.

In one embodiment, the unwind system of the present invention includes a frame defining a primary unwind location and a secondary unwind location. A first drive device adapted to engage a center position of a roll of material to be unwound is positioned to engage the roll of material when the roll of material is in the primary unwind location. As used herein, the"center portion"of a roll of material generally refers to whatever object or device the material is wound around and can include, for instance, a core, a spool, or the material itself in a coreless roll. The

system further includes a second drive device adapted to engage an outside surface of the roll of material when the roll of material is in the primary unwind location. The second drive device operates in conjunction with the first drive device to unwind the roll of material. For instance, the first drive device can be a center unwind device, while the second drive device can be a surface unwind device. The second drive device can include a driven belt that is movable between a roll engagement position and a non-engagement position. In one embodiment, the second drive device is used in conjunction with the first drive device to initially unwind the material. Once the roll of material has reached a preselected unwind speed, however, the second drive device can then be disengaged. In this manner, the second drive device can be used to accelerate the roll of material without causing any material breakage.

The system of the present invention can further include a transfer mechanism that transfers the roll of material from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location after a portion of the material has been unwound from the roll. A third drive device is positioned at the secondary unwind location and is configured to further unwind the roll of material after the roll of material has been transferred to the secondary unwind location.

In one embodiment, the first drive device is configured to move with the roll of material from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location while continuously unwinding the roll. Once transferred to the secondary unwind location, the first drive device can disengage the roll and return to the primary unwind location, while unwinding is continued at the secondary location by the third drive device.

In an alternative embodiment, the second drive device moves with the roll of material from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location for continuous unwinding during the transfer.

The third drive device can be a center unwind device that engages a core or spool of the roll of material that is to be unwound or, alternatively, can be a surface unwind device that engages a surface of the roll of material that is to be unwound. In one embodiment, the third drive device can be configured to move from the secondary unwind location to the primary unwind location to engage a roll of material and continuously unwind the material while the material is being transferred to the secondary unwind location, as opposed to using the first drive device or the second drive device.

As described above, when transferring a roll of material from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location, one of the drive devices can be used to continuously unwind the roll. It should be understood, however, that in one embodiment of the present invention, the roll of material can be transferred from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location without continuous unwinding. In fact, since the primary unwind location and the secondary unwind location are relatively closely spaced together, such a small interruption in the unwinding process will not significantly effect the efficiency of the system.

Once a roll of material is partially unwound and transferred from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location, a second roll of material can be placed in the primary unwind location for subsequent unwinding. In this regard, the system of the present invention can include an air jet nozzle for emitting air onto a leading end of the second roll of material positioned at the primary unwind location.

The air jet nozzle can blow the leading end of the second web onto the first web being unwound at the secondary unwind location. Once the leading end of the second roll of material is placed on top of the first roll of material being unwound, the plies can be attached together through pressure or the use of an adhesive. Once attached together, unwinding of the first roll of material can be ceased causing the material to break.

Continuous unwinding of the second roll of material can then commence while the remains of the first roll of material can be removed from the system.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame can include a staging area and a collecting area in addition to the primary unwind location and the secondary unwind location. Rolls of material to be unwound can be kept in the staging area for transfer to the primary unwind location. For example, in one embodiment, the first drive device can be configured to move to the staging area and engage a roll of material and move with the roll of material to the primary unwind location.

The collecting area can collect the unwound cores or spools of the rolls of material. Once ejected from the secondary unwind location, the remainder of the unwound rolls of material can be fed by gravity to the collecting area.

Although the relative location of the different areas on the frame can be changed as desired, in one embodiment, the staging area can be located generally at the same elevation as the primary unwind location.

The secondary unwind location, on the other hand, can be positioned below the primary unwind location. The collecting area can be positioned at an elevation lower than the secondary unwind location and generally below the staging area.

If desired, the system of the present invention can be completely automated. For instance, the system can include a controller, such as a microprocessor or a programmable logic unit. The controller can be used to control all of the drive devices for unwinding a roll according to the process of the present invention. In order to automate the system, the system can include various sensors for indicating when it is time to transfer rolls from one location to the next. For example, in one embodiment, the system can include a roll diameter sensor that sends information to the controller. The roll diameter sensor can sense

information about the diameter of a roll being unwound in the primary unwind location. Once the roll reaches a predetermined diameter, the controller can be used to automatically transfer the roll to the secondary unwind location.

A speed sensor can also be incorporated into the system for determining the unwind speed of a roll of material in the primary unwind location. The speed sensor can be used to indicate when it is time to engage or disengage the second drive device.

In one embodiment, the above-described system can be used to unwind two or more rolls of material simultaneously. The two or more plies of material being unwound in this embodiment can be fed, for instance, to a converting system for forming a multi-ply product. For instance, the converting system can be used to form a multi-ply bath tissue, facial tissue or paper towel.

When unwinding two rolls of material simultaneously, the system of the present invention can include a first unwinding subsystem for unwinding a first roll of material and a second unwinding subsystem for unwinding a second roll of material. In one embodiment, the first subsystem can be configured to unwind the first roll of material in a first direction, while the second unwinding subsystem can be configured to unwind the second roll of material in a second and opposite direction.

By unwinding or rotating the rolls of material in opposite directions, the same side of a similarly constructed sheet can be used to form the outer surfaces of a multi-ply product.

The first unwinding subsystem and the second unwinding subsystem can be arranged on the frame assembly in various configurations. For example, in one embodiment, the first unwinding subsystem and the second unwinding subsystem can be placed in a side-by-side arrangement on the frame. In an alternative embodiment, the first unwinding subsystem can be placed over the second unwinding subsystem on the frame. Within each unwinding subsystem, the

secondary unwind location can be positioned directly below the primary unwind location or, alternatively, can be placed below and at an angle of greater than about 20° to the primary unwind location.

Other features, and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.

Brief Description of the Drawings A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying Figure in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a system made in accordance with the present invention showing a roll of material being loaded into a staging area; Figure 2 is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 1 showing a roll of material being moved to a primary unwind location ; Figure 3 is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 1 showing the unwinding of a roll at a primary unwind location while a new roll of material is transferred to a staging area; Figure 4 is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 1 showing a roll of material that is unwinding being transferred from a primary unwind location to a secondary unwind location while a new roll of material is being transferred to the primary unwind location; Figure 5 is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 1 showing continued unwinding of a first roll of material at a secondary unwind location, while a second roll of material is being transferred to a primary unwind location; Figure 6 is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 1 showing a first roll of material almost completely unwound at a secondary unwind location being spliced with a second roll of material positioned at a primary unwind location ; Figure 7 is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 1

showing the unwinding of a roll of material at a primary unwind location, while an exhausted roll of material is being transferred to a collecting area; Figure 8 is a top view of the system illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a side view with cut away portions of a drive device positioned at a secondary unwind location ; and Figure 10A is a side view of one embodiment of a system made in accordance with the present invention for unwinding two rolls of material simultaneously ; Figure 10B is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 10A showing continued unwinding of two rolls of material at secondary unwind locations; Figure 11 A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a system made in accordance with the present invention for unwinding two rolls of material simultaneously ; Figure 11 B is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 11A showing continued unwinding of the rolls of material at secondary unwind locations ; Figure 12A is a side view of another alternative embodiment of a system made in accordance with the present invention for unwinding two rolls of material simultaneously; Figure 12B is a side view of the system illustrated in Figure 12A showing continued unwinding of the rolls of material at secondary unwind locations ; and Figure 13 is one embodiment of an unwind system made in accordance with the present invention for unwinding three rolls of material simultaneously.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present invention is generally directed to a system and process for unwinding rolls of material. The system can be used to unwind a single roll of material or can be used to unwind two or more rolls of material simultaneously. The system of the present invention can be used in various applications, such as for unwinding a previously formed paper web, such as a tissue web. While being unwound, the paper web can be fed through various finishing operations, such as calendering, embossing, printing, ply attachment, perforating, and the like. Of particular advantage, the system of the present invention is well adapted to unwinding high bulk and generally low strength products without damaging the products. Further, the system of the present invention is capable of unwinding the materials efficiently without a substantial amount of down time.

Referring to Figures 1 through 9, a system generally 10 made in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. For purposes of explanation, Figures 1 through 7 generally show the sequential steps of how one embodiment of a system of the present invention can be used to unwind rolls of material.

Referring to Figure 1, the system 10 includes a frame 12. As shown, the frame 12 includes a staging area 14 for receiving rolls of

material, a primary unwind location 16, a secondary unwind location 18, and a collecting area 20. In general, a roll of material 22 is first placed in the staging area 14 and transferred to the primary unwind location 16.

The roll of material 22 is partially unwound at the primary unwind location 16 before being transferred to the secondary unwind location 18 where further unwinding takes place. Once unwound, the remainder of the roll is then ejected from the secondary unwind location 18 and is collected at the collecting area 20. Once ejected from the secondary unwind location 18, the remainder of the roll of material can roll by various means including gravity to the collecting area 20.

In Figure 1, the roll of material 22 being loaded onto the system includes a core 24. It should be understood, however, that the system of the present invention can also be used to unwind rolls wound on spools and coreless rolls.

Any suitable roll of material can be unwound according to the process of the present invention. As stated above, however, the system is particularly well suited for unwinding paper products. Such paper products can include paper towels, industrial wipers, bath tissue, facial tissue, and the like. Of particular advantage, the system of the present invention can be used to unwind large rolls of a very soft and high bulk tissue without damaging the tissue.

The tissue can be, for instance, a facial tissue or a bath tissue.

The tissue can be made predominantly of pulp fibers and can be creped or uncreped. For example, the tissue can be a web creped from a Yankee dryer or, alternatively, can be an uncreped through air dried fabric.

One embodiment of a suitable high bulk tissue that can be unwound according to the present invention is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,607, 551 to Farrington, Jr. , et al. which is incorporated herein by reference. The'551 patent particularly describes soft, high-bulk uncreped through dried tissue sheets. Such tissues can be

characterized by bulk values of about 9 cubic centimeters per gram or greater (before calendering), more specifically from about 10 to about 35 cubic centimeters per gram, and still more specifically from about 15 to about 25 cubic centimeters per gram.

The basis weight of paper products processed according to the present invention can vary depending upon the particular application.

For instance, when unwinding paper products, the basis weight of the rolled products can range from about 51bs per ream to about 1201bs per ream. Tissue webs typically have a basis weight of below about 30lbs per ream, and particularly below about 301bs per ream.

The initial diameter of the rolls of materials unwound in the system of the present invention can also vary depending upon the particular application. When unwinding paper products, for instance, the roll of materials can have a diameter of at least about 60 inches and particularly about 80 inches. More particularly, many paper rolls for use in present invention can have diameters greater than about 120 inches, such as from about 130 inches to about 250 inches. The width of such products can also vary such as from about 55 inches to about 225 inches or greater.

As shown in Figure 1, the first roll of material 22 is loaded onto the frame 12 at the staging area 14. For most applications, the roll of material 22 will be loaded onto the frame 12 using a crane or similar lifting device. To help assist in guiding the roll of material onto the frame, the system of the present invention can include one or more guide rails 26. For example, in one embodiment, the system can include two guide rails located on opposite sides of the frame.

As shown in Figure 2, from the staging area 14, the roll of material 22 is transferred to the primary unwind location 16 for unwinding. As shown, at the primary unwind location 16, the roll of material 22 is engaged by a first drive device 28 for unwinding the material.

In general, any suitable transfer mechanism can be used in order

to transfer the roll of material 22 from the staging area 14 to the primary unwind location 16. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the roll of material 22 is guided along opposing rails located on the frame 12 until the roll reaches the primary unwind location. Alternatively, however, a pair of bearings or chucks can engage each side of the roll of material 22 and move the roll to the primary unwind location 16 using movable arms, hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, ball screws, or pushers. In still another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first drive device 28 can move to the staging area 14, engage the roll of material 22 and move it to the primary unwind location 16.

As stated above, once the roll of material is transferred to the primary unwind location, the first drive device 28 engages and unwinds the material. The first drive device 28 is generally referred to as a center unwind device as it engages the center portion 24 of the roll of material 22. For instance, the first drive device 28 can include a retractable chuck that engages the core or spool 24 of the roll 22. The chuck can be placed in operative association with a belt that is driven by a motor.

In accordance with the present invention, besides the first drive device 28, the system can also includes a second drive device 30 positioned at the primary unwind location 16. The second drive device 30 can be a surface unwind device that assists in rotating the roll of material 22 by applying a tangential force to the outside surface of the roll.

In general, any suitable surface unwind device can serve as second drive device 30. For instance, the surface unwind device disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,730, 389 to Biagiotti, which is incorporated herein by reference, can be used in the present invention.

In one embodiment, the second drive device 30 can include a driven belt that is placed in contact with the roll of material 22.

Alternatively, however, one or more driven rollers can also be placed in- contact with the roll.

As shown, the second drive device 30 is moveable between a non-engagement position located off of the roll of material 22 and an engagement position located against the roll of material. In this manner, the second drive device 30 can be used to selectively assist in unwinding rolls if desired according to the present invention.

The present inventors have discovered various benefits and advantages can be obtained when using a center unwind device in conjunction with a surface unwind device. In particular, the second drive device 30 can provide supplemental torque assist from the outside of the roll of material 22 while the first drive device 28 couples to one end or both ends of the core or spool to transmit torque through the layers of material. By providing supplemental torque from the outside of the parent roll, a more equal distribution of torque transmission through each layer of the material is obtained. This method of torque transmission is especially desirable during initial acceleration of low density, high bulk tissue rolls when slippage between layers and breakage is most likely to occur.

Although the second drive device 30 can be used to unwind rolls continuously, for most applications, the second device 30 is only used to initiate unwind acceleration and/or deceleration of very large diameter rolls. For instance, in one embodiment of the present invention, initial rotation of the roll of the material 22 is begun by a combination of the first drive device 28 and the second drive device 30. Once the roll reaches a particular rotational speed, however, the second drive device 30 can be disengaged, allowing all torque transmission to take place via the first drive device 28. When unwinding high bulk tissue webs contained in a roll having a diameter of about 85 inches are larger, it is generally desirable to drive the roll solely through the shaft once the roll has attained a desired unwind speed in order to avoid potential roll/sheet damage that can be caused by certain surface drive devices.

As shown in Figure 2, a web 36 is unwound from the roll of

material 22 and further processed as desired. As described above, the web can be fed through various finishing operations or can simply be unwound in order for repackaging. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the web 36 is shown being fed through a pair of nipped rolls 32 and 34.

Referring to Figure 3, the unwinding of the roll of material 22 is shown after the second drive device 30 has been disengaged. Further rewinding is done solely by the first drive device 28.

As shown, a second roll of material 38 is loaded into the staging area 14 of the frame 12 as unwinding of the first roll of material 22 continues. Referring to Figure 4, once the roll of material 22 has reached a predetermined diameter, the roll can be transferred from the primary unwind location 16 to the secondary unwind location 18.

Simultaneously or consecutively, the second roll of material 38 can be transferred from the staging area 14 to the primary unwind location 16.

Any suitable transfer mechanism can be used to transfer the first roll of material 22 to the secondary unwind location 18. During transfer, unwinding of the roll of material can cease or if desired, can continue.

For instance, as shown in Figure 4, in one embodiment the first drive device 28 can remain engaged with the first roll of material 22 during transfer to the second unwind location 18. In this manner, the first drive device can continue to unwind the first roll of material 22 during the roll change sequence until the roll reaches the secondary unwind location.

. Referring to Figure 5, the roll of material 22 is shown in the secondary unwind location 18. As illustrated, first drive device 28 is still in engagement with the roll of material. Unwinding of the web 36 continues in the secondary unwind location 18. The second roll of material. 38 is shown approaching the primary unwind location 16.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, at the secondary unwind location 18 is a third drive device 40. In this embodiment, as particularly shown in Figure 9, the third drive device 40 includes a belt 42 upon which the roll

of material 22 rests. The belt 42 is driven by a motor 44. The belt 42 can contact the outside surface of the roll of material as a surface drive device. Alternatively, however, as shown in Figure 8, the belt 42 can contact the core or spool upon which the material is wound. In this manner, the third drive device 40 acts more like a center unwind device.

Third drive device 40 is used to continue unwinding the roll 22 as the first drive device 28 disengages from the roll and returns to the primary unwind location 16.

For example, referring to Figure 6, the first drive device 28 is shown returning to the primary unwind location 16 and engaging the second roll of material 38. Unwinding of the first roll of material 22, however, is continued at the secondary unwind location 18 by the third drive device 40. The third drive device 40 unwinds the roll of material 22 at a predetermined unwind speed in preparation for splicing with the second roll of material 38.

As shown in Figure 6, as first drive device 28 engages the second roll of material 38, the second drive device 30 also engages the roll at its outside surface. Through the combination of the first drive device 28 and the second drive device 30, rotation of the second roll of material 38 is initiated. The second roll of material 38 is accelerated by both the first drive device 28 and the second drive device 30 to generally match the web speed of the web 36 being unwound from the secondary unwind location 18. As the second roll of material 38 is unwound, the leading edge of the material falls on top of the web 36 due to the force of gravity.

As shown in Figure 6, the system can include additional means, such as an air nozzle 46 which emits a curtain of air or other gas to facilitate peeling the leading edge of the web from the second roll of material 38 and to ensure that the new web lands onto the existing web 36 that is already threaded through the process. It should be understood, however, that the use of the air nozzle 46 or any other similar device is optional.

Once both webs have been placed together, the webs proceed at the same speed to a ply bonding process downstream. The plies can be bonded together using, for instance, ply crimpers, a set of nip rolls, an embossing roll or through the use of an adhesive. Once the plies have been bonded together, the third drive device 40 ceases torque transmission to the first roll of material 22, which causes the web 36 to sever.

Referring to Figure 7, after the webs have been spliced together and web 36 has been severed, the remaining roll 22 is disengaged from the third drive device 40. The expired roll in the secondary unwind location 18 can be manually or automatically slabbed down for waste removal. The expired roll can be relocated and secured in a convenient, fixed position for the wound material to be cut or peeled off. The waste paper material can fall to the floor or onto a conveyor for subsequent removal from the area beneath the system. If included in the roll, the bare shaft or core can be released from the secondary unwind position and transferred to a collecting position 20 as shown in Figure 7. In one embodiment, the frame 12 can include a set of rails which have a strategic grade so as to permit the shaft or core to roll downhill towards the collecting area 20.

During removal of the first roll of material 22 from the secondary unwind position 18, the second roll of material 38 can be unwound from the primary unwind location 16 as described above. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a third roll of material 48 can be loaded into the staging area 14 of the frame 12 for processing in accordance with the present invention.

As described in the embodiment above, the system and process of the present invention use at least two drive devices to unwind rolls of material and allow for the splicing of the rolls without ever having to stop the operating process. Moreover, since rolls of materials processed by the system of the present invention only move in a direction

perpendicular to their rotational axis as opposed to any movement parallel to their rotational axis, the system can unwind very wide parent rolls, such as rolls having the width of the paper making machine itself without delays associated with cross-directional movement.

Furthermore, the system of the present invention can be completely automated if desired.

For example, as shown in Figure 8, the system can include a controller 50 for controlling all of the drive devices and any transfer mechanisms. The controller 50 can be, for instance, a microprocessor or a programmable logic unit.

In one embodiment, various sensors can be included in the system in order to provide information to the controller 50 for control of the various operations that occur during unwinding. For instance, as shown in Figure 8, the system can include a roll diameter sensor 52 that senses the diameter of the roll of material 22. Based on information received from the sensor 52, the controller can determine when it is time to transfer the roll of material 22 from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location.

Besides a roll diameter sensor, the system can also include a rotational speed sensor. The rotational speed sensor can provide information for determining when it is time to engage and disengage the second drive device 30. Speed sensors can also be used to match the speed between the first roll of material 22 and the second roll of material 38 during splicing.

The system and sequence of events illustrated in Figures 1 through 7 represent one embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that various modifications can be made to the system without departing from the scope of the invention, For instance, in an alternative embodiment, when a roll of material is transferred from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location,. the roll can be engaged by the second drive device 30 instead of the first drive

device 28. The second drive device can continuously unwind the roll of material as the material is placed in the secondary unwind location.

After the roll of material is positioned in the secondary unwind location, the second drive device 30 can then return to the primary unwind location.

As described above, for many applications, the second drive device, 30 is only used to initiate rotation of the roll of material in the primary unwind location. In this embodiment of the present invention, however, the second drive device can be used to initiate the unwinding of the roll of material and then disengage from the material. After the roll of material has partially unwound, the second drive device can once again be brought into engagement with the roll for further unwinding and transfer to the secondary unwind location.

When processing high bulk tissue webs, surface unwind devices can create sheet damage when contacting rolls of materials having relatively large diameters, such as greater than about 85 inches. When the diameter of the roll of material is less than about 85 inches, use of a surface drive device to transmit torque through a high bulk tissue web will normally not damage the web. Thus, when using the second drive device to transfer the roll of material from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location and the roll of material is a high-bulk product, in some applications it may be desirable for the second drive device to initially engage the roll of material, disengage the roll of material, and then re-engage the roll of material after the diameter has been sufficiently reduced.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the third drive device 40 is shown as a surface unwind device. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, however, the third drive device 40 can be a center unwind device that unwinds a roll of material by engaging the center of the roll. When the third drive device 40 is a center unwind device, the device can engage the roll of material on the

side opposite the first drive device 28.

When the third drive device 40 is a center unwind device, in one embodiment, the third drive device can be configured to move between the primary unwind location 16 and the secondary unwind location 18.

In this manner, the third drive device can be used to assist in transferring the roll of material from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location while continuously unwinding the material without interruption. In this embodiment, the third drive device can be configured to move between the different unwinding locations much like the first drive device 28 as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

In addition to unwinding a single roll of material, the system of the present invention can also be used to unwind two or more rolls of material simultaneously. For instance, referring to Figure 10A, one embodiment of a system generally 110 for unwinding two rolls of material simultaneously is shown. As illustrated, the system includes a first unwinding subsystem 113 and a second unwinding subsystem 213.

Each of the subsystems are similar in form to the system illustrated and described in Figures 1 through 7.

As shown in Figure 10A, the first unwinding subsystem 113 is in a side-by-side relationship with the second unwinding system 213. Each unwinding subsystem includes a primary unwind location 116 and 216 and, a staging area 114 and 214. As shown, the system includes a single collecting area 120 for collecting the unwound reels or spools.

In the first unwinding subsystem 113, a first roll of material 122 is unwound at the primary unwind location 116 by a first drive device 128 and a second drive device 130. Similar to the embodiment described in Figures 1-7, the first drive device 128 is a center unwind device, while the second drive device 1. 30 is a surface unwind device that is, for most applications, used to initiate unwinding.

Similar to the first unwinding subsystem 116, the second unwinding subsystem 216 unwinds a second roll of material 222 using a

first drive device 228 and a second drive device 230. A sheet 236 is unwound from the second roll of material 222 while a sheet 136 is unwound from the first roll of material 122. The sheets 136 and 236 are fed into a converting system. For instance, the sheets can be fed in between a pair of nipped rolls 132 and 134. For many applications, especially when the sheets are paper webs, the sheets are attached together and formed into a multi-ply product, such as a bath tissue, a facial tissue, a paper towel, an industrial wiper, and the like.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10A, the first unwinding subsystem 113 is configured to unroll the first roll of material 122 in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow. The second unwinding subsystem 213, on the other hand, is configured to unwind the second roll of material 222 in a clockwise direction. Unwinding the two rolls of material in different directions provides various advantages in some applications. For example, unwinding the two rolls of material in opposite directions enables easy threading of the sheets through the system and can provide for automatic splicing. Also, if the sheets are laminated together, unwinding the rolls in opposite directions allows the same side of the sheet from both rolls to form the outer surface of the laminate. This can be particularly advantageous when two similar sheets having different surface characteristics are combined together to form a product.

After a portion of the rolls 122 and 222 have been unwound, the rolls are transferred from the primary unwind locations 116 and 216 to secondary unwind locations 118 and 218 as shown in Figure 10B.

Winding is continued at the secondary unwind locations until the rolls are exhausted and new rolls of material have been loaded into the primary unwind locations 116 and 216. At the secondary unwind locations 118 and 218, the rolls of material 122 and 222 are unwound by third drive devices (not shown). The third drive devices can be surface unwind devices or center unwind devices.

Depending upon the application, unwinding of the rolls of material can continue while the rolls are being transferred from the primary unwind locations 116 and 216 to the secondary unwind locations 118 and 218.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10B, within the second unwinding subsystem 213, the secondary unwind location 218 is located directly below the primary unwind location 216. In the first unwinding subsystem 113, however, the secondary unwind location 118 is located below and at an angle to the primary unwind location 116. In particular, the secondary unwind location 118 is at an angle of at least 20°, particularly at least 30°, and in the embodiment illustrated at an angle of about 45° to the primary unwind location 116. Having the path of travel from the primary unwind location 116 to the secondary unwind location 118 at an angle can facilitate unwinding of the roll of material 122 and make the transition between the different unwinding locations smoother when unwinding multiple rolls. For example, by having the primary unwind location 116 positioned upstream with respect to the secondary unwind location 118, a free edge of the material being unwound at the primary unwind location will fall on top of a web being unwound at the secondary unwind location. This allows the webs to be easily spliced together when unwinding is being discontinued at the secondary unwind location in lieu of a new roll of material that has been loaded at the primary unwind location.

Once the rolls of material 122 and 222 have been transferred to the secondary unwind locations 118 and 218, further rolls of material from the staging areas 114 and 214 can be transferred to the primary unwind locations 116 and 216. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 10B, rolls of material 148 and 248 can be moved along a rail until being engaged by the drive devices located at the primary unwind locations 116 and 216.

Referring to Figures 11 A and 11 B, another alternative

embodiment of an unwind system for simultaneously unwinding multiple rolls of material is illustrated. Like reference numerals have been used in order to represent the same or similar components. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B, the first and second unwinding subsystems 113 and 213 are placed in a side-by-side arrangement. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B, on the other hand, the first unwinding subsystem 113 is placed over the second unwinding subsystem 213 within the frame assembly 112.

As shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the first unwinding subsystem 113 unwinds a first roll of material 122 at a primary unwind location 116 and a secondary unwind location 118. In this embodiment, the secondary unwind location 118 is located substantially directly below the primary unwind station 116. In the second unwinding subsystem 213, a roll of material 222 is unwound at a primary unwind location 216 and a secondary unwind location 218. As opposed to the first unwinding subsystem 113, in the second unwinding subsystem 213, the secondary unwind location 218 is located below and at an angle to the primary unwind location 216. The angle with respect to the horizontal is at least 20°, particularly at least 30°, and as shown in the Figures, can be about 45°.

One of the advantages to stacking the unwinding subsystems as shown in Figures 11A and 11 B is that the web span from the unwinding locations to the calendar rolls 132 and 134 is approximately equal for both of the unwinding subsystems. Since the web spans are approximately equal, each of the unwinding subsystems will unwind the webs at approximately the same tension.

Another advantage to the stacked arrangement shown in Figures 11A and 11 B is that less floor space is required for the system.

Referring to Figures 12A and 12B, another alternative embodiment of an unwind system for unwinding multiple. rolls of material simultaneously is illustrated. Similar to the embodiment shown in

Figures 10A and 10B, the first unwinding subsystem 113 and the second unwinding subsystem 213 are in a side-by-side arrangement. In this embodiment, however, the staging areas 114 and 214 are located on opposite sides of the rolls of material being unwound.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 12A and 12B, the web span between the unwinding locations and the nipped rolls 132 and 134 remains approximately equal during the entire unwinding process. As shown particularly in Figure 12B, in this embodiment, both of the secondary unwind locations 118 and 218 are located below and at an angle to the primary unwind locations 116 and 216 respectively. More particularly, the secondary unwind location 118 is located below and at an angle to the primary unwind location 116 within the first unwinding subsystem 113. Within the second unwinding subsystem 213, the secondary unwind location 218 is also positioned below and at an angle to the primary unwind location 216. As shown, although the secondary unwind locations 118 and 218 are located at about the same angle to the primary unwind locations 116 and 216, the angles are in opposite directions. In this manner, the web span remains approximately equal between the two unwinding subsystems as the rolls are transferred to the secondary unwind locations and automatic roll change capability is preserved.

Referring to Figure 13, still another alternative embodiment of an unwind system for unwinding multiple rolls of material is illustrated. The unwind system shown in Figure 13 is substantially the same as the unwind system illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B. In the system illustrated in Figure 13, however, instead of being configured to unwind two rolls of material simultaneously, this system is configured to unwind three rolls of material simultaneously. It should be understood, however, that besides two or three rolls of material, the system of the present invention can be used accommodate more rolls by adding further unwinding subsystems.

As shown in Figure 13, the system includes a first unwinding subsystem 113, a second unwinding subsystem 213 and a third unwinding subsystem 313. In the Figure, the secondary unwind locations 118,218 and 318 are shown in phantom below the primary unwind locations 116,216 and 316. As illustrated, the secondary unwind locations 118 and 218 are located below and at an angle to the primary unwind locations 116 and 216. The secondary unwind location 318, however, is located substantially directly below the primary unwind location 316.

These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims.