A perforating apparatus has a base having at least one counter component. The counter component has a length, L.sub.CC, and a nonlinear shape having a shape width, W. A support is operatively engaged with the base. A blade having a length, L.sub.B, is disposed on the support so as to cooperate in interacting relationship with the counter component. The blade has a plurality of teeth. A web material is perforated as it passes between the base and the support and the blade cooperates with the counter component. A driving means is associated with one of the support and the base to reciprocally shift the one of the support or the base for a distance, D, in a shifting direction. The distance, D, is at least the translational distance that one tooth travels to cover the shape width, W.

A perforating apparatus has a base having at least one counter component. The counter component has a length, L.sub.CC, and a nonlinear shape having a shape width, W. A support is operatively engaged with the base. A blade having a length, L.sub.B, is disposed on the support so as to cooperate in interacting relationship with the counter component. The blade has a plurality of teeth. A web material is perforated as it passes between the base and the support and the blade cooperates with the counter component. A driving means is associated with one of the support and the base to reciprocally shift the one of the support or the base for a distance, D, in a shifting direction. The distance, D, is at least the translational distance that one tooth travels to cover the shape width, W.

A disposable absorbent having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, is described herein. The topsheet is a two layer composite or laminate web having a first layer and a second layer. The composite or laminate has a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures, wherein the first plurality of apertures have sidewalls that extend in a first direction, wherein the second plurality of apertures have sidewalls that extend in second direction that is different than the first direction, and wherein the composite or laminate also includes a plurality of embossments which extend in a third direction opposite the first direction.

A disposable absorbent having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, is described herein. The topsheet is a two layer composite or laminate web having a first layer and a second layer. The composite or laminate has a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures, wherein the first plurality of apertures have sidewalls that extend in a first direction, wherein the second plurality of apertures have sidewalls that extend in second direction that is different than the first direction, and wherein the composite or laminate also includes a plurality of embossments which extend in a third direction opposite the first direction.

The present invention relates to a cutting tool (100) for providing holes in a core material layer (10). The cutting tool (100) comprises a cutting knife (110) having a cutting edge (112) configured to cut through the core material layer (10), and a support structure (120) onto which the cutting knife (110) is attached, wherein the support structure (120) is at least partly formed by an elastic material.

A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is described herein. The precursor web comprises a film layer and a nonwoven layer having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The forming apparatus heats and stretches the precursor web forming apertures therein.

A method for making apertures in a precursor web using a forming apparatus is described herein. The precursor web comprises a film layer and a nonwoven layer having molecular orientation and the forming apparatus comprises an arrangement of teeth. The forming apparatus heats and stretches the precursor web forming apertures therein.

A plate configured to contact a web includes a first region having a first characteristic and a second region having a second characteristic different than the first characteristic. The plate has a substantially arcuate wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of vacuum holes extends between the inner and outer surfaces and are configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. A vacuum region is adapted to contact the first region of the web and a reduced-vacuum region is adapted to receive the second region of the web. The plurality of vacuum holes are configured such that, when attached to the vacuum source, a vacuum pressure at the vacuum region is greater than a pressure at the reduced-vacuum region so that the first region of the web is held against the plate with a greater force than the second region.

A plate configured to contact a web includes a first region having a first characteristic and a second region having a second characteristic different than the first characteristic. The plate has a substantially arcuate wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of vacuum holes extends between the inner and outer surfaces and are configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. A vacuum region is adapted to contact the first region of the web and a reduced-vacuum region is adapted to receive the second region of the web. The plurality of vacuum holes are configured such that, when attached to the vacuum source, a vacuum pressure at the vacuum region is greater than a pressure at the reduced-vacuum region so that the first region of the web is held against the plate with a greater force than the second region.

An apparatus and a method for processing a digitally printed-on paper web, conveyed continuously through the apparatus includes a perforating tool for perforating the paper web transverse to its movement direction, and a cutting tool for cutting print sheets from a downstream end of the paper web. The tools are attached spaced-apart to a tool carrier which can be moved to two operating positions in which respectively one of the tools can be made to engage with a counter tool on a rotating cutting drum.