System for measuring and controlling cut length of discrete components in a high-speed process

US7004053B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Kent A. Franklin · Appleton, US
• Henry L. Carbone, II · Windom, US
• David P. Hunter · Mountain View, US
• Robert Lee Popp · Hortonville, US
• Gregory M. Blincoe · Appleton, US
• Christopher Scott Larsen · Plymouth, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 2000
• Grant date: Feb 28, 2006
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T83/505
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A closed-loop system can maintain a pre-set cut length of a material as the material is cut and placed on a web. The system has the ability to measure the actual cut length, compare the average actual cut length to a target cut length, and to adjust web tension or feed roll speed to achieve the target cut length. Actual cut length variation is thereby reduced. Furthermore, short term cut length variation is further reduced by minimizing the tension of the web just prior to the material being cut.