A sensing device is for sensing an outer surface of a roll of material. An infrared (IR) laser source is configured to direct IR laser radiation to the outer surface of the roll of material. A single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector is configured to receive reflected IR laser radiation from the outer surface of the roll of material. A controller is coupled to the IR laser source and the SPAD detector to determine a distance to the outer surface of the roll of material based upon a time-of-flight of the IR laser radiation.

A sensing device is for sensing an outer surface of a roll of material. An infrared (IR) laser source is configured to direct IR laser radiation to the outer surface of the roll of material. A single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector is configured to receive reflected IR laser radiation from the outer surface of the roll of material. A controller is coupled to the IR laser source and the SPAD detector to determine a distance to the outer surface of the roll of material based upon a time-of-flight of the IR laser radiation.

A control system for a converting line has a sensor configured to sense a distance between the sensor and a surface of a roll of web material as the roll of web material is unwound from an unwinder and directed to the converting line. The controller is configured to: (i) determine a diameter measurement of the roll as the roll rotates based upon the sensor signals; (ii) store a plurality of data structures in a memory of a controller of a control system wherein the data structures comprise a plurality of data items associated together as the diameter measurements of the roll of the web material; (iii) process by a statistical regression analysis the data structures associated with the diameter; and (iv) generate signals for controlling the converting line based upon the processed diameter measurements.

A control system for a converting line has a sensor configured to sense a distance between the sensor and a surface of a roll of web material as the roll of web material is unwound from an unwinder and directed to the converting line. The controller is configured to: (i) determine a diameter measurement of the roll as the roll rotates based upon the sensor signals; (ii) store a plurality of data structures in a memory of a controller of a control system wherein the data structures comprise a plurality of data items associated together as the diameter measurements of the roll of the web material; (iii) process by a statistical regression analysis the data structures associated with the diameter; and (iv) generate signals for controlling the converting line based upon the processed diameter measurements.

Time required for initial operation and operation immediately after wound body replacement is shortened. A packaging device packages an object to be packaged using a wound body. An elongated sheet-shaped packaging material is wound into the wound body. The wound body includes a recording medium that stores information. The information recorded in the recording medium includes remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of the packaging material in the wound body. The packaging device includes a drive unit that generates driving force in order to rotate the wound body, an information reader that reads the remaining amount information stored in the recording medium, and a controller that controls the packaging device. The controller sets a rotation speed of the wound body based on the remaining amount information read by the information reader.

A method of winding a glass ribbon (10), including: winding an interleaving material (20) and the glass ribbon together to produce a roll (40); and tensioning the interleaving material so as to control a roll inter-layer pressure. By controlling the roll inter-layer pressure, the roll can be formed with straight side walls. The tension in the interleaving material can be controlled so as to be greater than 0 and ≦0.25 pounds per linear inch of width of interleaving material. Also, there is provided an apparatus for winding glass ribbon together with interleaving material into a roll. The apparatus includes: an interleaving material supply path; a glass ribbon supply path; a roll winding mechanism (46); and a means (26) for applying tension to interleaving material traveling along the interleaving material supply path, as the interleaving material is wound into roll (40), so as to produce a pressure between the layers of the roll.

A method of winding a glass ribbon (10), including: winding an interleaving material (20) and the glass ribbon together to produce a roll (40); and tensioning the interleaving material so as to control a roll inter-layer pressure. By controlling the roll inter-layer pressure, the roll can be formed with straight side walls. The tension in the interleaving material can be controlled so as to be greater than 0 and ≦0.25 pounds per linear inch of width of interleaving material. Also, there is provided an apparatus for winding glass ribbon together with interleaving material into a roll. The apparatus includes: an interleaving material supply path; a glass ribbon supply path; a roll winding mechanism (46); and a means (26) for applying tension to interleaving material traveling along the interleaving material supply path, as the interleaving material is wound into roll (40), so as to produce a pressure between the layers of the roll.

Unwinder for paper converting, comprising a support (1) adapted to support a reel (B) from which a web of paper material is unwound and comprising dragging means acting by contact on said reel (B) and adapted to impose a rotation of the reel coil about the respective longitudinal axis (x) with a predetermined speed, the diameter of the reel (B) varying while the latter rotates. The dragging means have a variable configuration. The unwinder comprises reconfiguration means adapted to vary the configuration of the dragging means on the basis of the instantaneous diameter of the reel (B) and control means (5; EU) adapted to control said reconfiguration means such that the contact between the reel (B) and control the dragging means takes place on a contact area (200) having an angular extension (a) substantially constant while the diameter of the reel (B) varies.

A sensor device is provided to detect a filling status of a consumable in a dispenser, the consumable being web material, and the filling status relating to a spatial extension of the consumable in the dispenser. The sensor device includes a capacitive sensor having an elongated and planar sensor area; and a first measurement section configured to measure the filling status of the dispenser. The capacitive sensor includes a first channel and a second channel. The first measurement section is configured to measure the filling status of the dispenser based on changes in capacitance detected by the first channel and the second channel.

A sensor device is provided to detect a filling status of a consumable in a dispenser, the consumable being web material, and the filling status relating to a spatial extension of the consumable in the dispenser. The sensor device includes a capacitive sensor having an elongated and planar sensor area; and a first measurement section configured to measure the filling status of the dispenser. The capacitive sensor includes a first channel and a second channel. The first measurement section is configured to measure the filling status of the dispenser based on changes in capacitance detected by the first channel and the second channel.