Patent ID: 6355139
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A method of making and processing a high bulk tissue web, comprising:depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web, drying the web to form a dried web having a bulk of 9.0 grams per cubic centimeter or greater, and winding the dried web to form a plurality of large diameter parent rolls each comprising a web wound on a core; transporting the parent rolls to an unwind stand having torque transmitting clamping means for engaging opposite end surfaces of the parent rolls; providing a backing plate operably connected to and rotatable with an unwind shaft connected to an electric drive means; providing an inflatable bladder mounted on the backing plate; engaging the clamping means on a first parent roll by inflating the bladder such that the opposite end surfaces of the roll are sandwiched between the side clamping mechanisms; partially unwinding the first parent roll using variable speed drive means operably associated with the clamping means; rotatably supporting the partially unwound first parent roll on a core placement table adapted to receive the partially unwound first parent roll from the clamping means; engaging torque transmitting clamping means on a second parent roll; joining a leading end portion of the web on the second parent roll to a trailing end portion of the partially unwound first parent roll to form a joined web without glue; and rewinding the joined web.