Patent ID: 6719240
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
An unwind system comprising:a frame defining a primary unwind location and a secondary unwind location; a first drive device adapted to engage a center portion of a roll of material to be unwound, said first drive device being positioned to engage said roll of material when said roll of material is in the primary unwind location; a second drive device adapted to engage an outside surface of said roll of material when said roll of material is in the primary unwind location, said second drive device operating in conjunction with said first drive device to unwind said roll of material, the second drive device providing supplemental torque to the outside surface of the roll of material; a transfer mechanism that transfers said roll of material from the primary unwind location to the secondary unwind location after a portion of said material has been unwound from said roll; and a third drive device positioned at the secondary unwind location, the third drive device for further unwinding said roll of material.