Patent Publication Number: US-11661301-B2

Title: Method for perforating a nonlinear line of weakness

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/124,540, filed on Dec. 17, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/923,058, filed on Mar. 16, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,889,459, granted Jan. 12, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/072,412, filed on Mar. 17, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,950,892, granted Apr. 24, 2018, which claims the benefit, under 35 USC § 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/134,039, filed on Mar. 17, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are fully incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to lines of weakness for web materials, and more specifically, relates to a method for producing a nonlinear line of weakness on a web material. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many articles and packages include or can include a line of weakness having one or more perforations to facilitate tearing the article or package. These perforations are typically provided in a straight line because providing nonlinear lines of weakness is costly and technically complex. 
     One particular problem relating to providing nonlinear lines of perforation is that of equipment wear. Perforating typically involves a perforating blade interacting with a counterpart such as another blade, an anvil, or a male or female counterpart. In addition, either the perforating blade or its counterpart has a plurality of teeth, thereby causing a line of perforations to be imparted on a web moving between the perforating blade and its counterpart. This consistent interaction between the perforating blade and its counterpart causes both components to wear over time. Because of the teeth, wear of the components will be uneven. For example, the non-toothed component will experience grooves where it interacts with the teeth. This localized wear necessitates replacing or repairing a component while it still has unworn, functional sections. 
     With shaped lines of perforations, uneven wear is more challenging. For example, one section of a straight perforating blade may consistently hit the apex of a shaped anvil, another section may consistently hit the side of the shape at a particular angle, while yet another section may not be aligned with the anvil at all because of the shape. In such example, the section of the blade interacting with the apex will wear much faster than the section that sees no interaction with the anvil, and will wear at a different rate that the section hitting the anvil&#39;s side. If the blade in this example comprised teeth, the teeth would experience different wear patterns due to their interactions with different sections of the shape. Likewise, sections of the shaped anvil would experience different wear patterns due to their interactions with different sections of the blade (i.e., the sections having teeth versus recessed areas between the teeth). Indeed, the varying angles of interaction may cause both the toothed component and the non-toothed component to experience uneven wear. The issue is even more pronounced when a blade and counterpart are not parallel, such as when a shape is helixed about a rotating roll causing even greater variation in the angles of interaction. Likewise, the problem is exasperated where the nonlinear shape also comprises a three-dimensional, shaped cross-section such as a triangle, trapezoid, etc., which also creates variation in the angles of interaction between the blade and its counterpart. As noted above, the resulting localized wear requires premature, piecemeal repair or replacement or complete replacement of components. 
     Separately, manufacturers often have multiple product lines and may desire to create differently shaped lines of weakness, or different perforation patterns, on those different products. Doing so often requires equipment or component changes, new equipment and/or separate machines. This can lead to higher costs and production delays. 
     Accordingly, there is a continuing unmet need to provide an improved perforating apparatus and method to manufacture a web with a shaped lined of weakness. In particular, there continues to be an unfulfilled need to provide an apparatus and method that minimizes uneven blade and/or counter component wear and reduces the need for equipment repairs and replacement. In addition, there is a need for an apparatus having greater flexibility and the ability to provide different patterns of perforations with little to no equipment modifications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention can address one or more of the foregoing problems by providing a method for providing a nonlinear line of weakness on a web material. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: providing a counter component comprising a nonlinear shape, where the nonlinear shape has a shape width, W; providing a blade in operative relationship with the counter component and comprising a plurality of teeth; rotating at least one of the blade and the counter component into interacting relationship with the other of the blade and the counter component; feeding a web between the counter component and the blade such that while in interacting relationship the blade cooperates with the counter component to perforate the web, wherein the web is moving in a machine direction; and reciprocally shifting one of the counter component and the blade for a distance, D, in a shifting direction, wherein D is at least the translational distance that one tooth travels to cover the shape width, W. 
     In another embodiment, a method for providing a nonlinear line of weakness on a web material includes the steps of: providing a blade having a nonlinear shape, where the nonlinear shape has a shape width, W; providing a counter component in operative relationship with the blade and comprising a plurality of teeth; rotating at least one of the blade and the counter component into interacting relationship with the other of the blade and the counter component; feeding a web between the counter component and the blade such that while in interacting relationship, the blade cooperates with the counter component to perforate the web where the web is moving in a machine direction; and reciprocally shifting one of the counter component and the blade for a distance, D, in a shifting direction, wherein D is at least the translational distance that one tooth travels to cover the shape width, W. 
     In still another embodiment, a method includes the steps of: providing a shaped component comprising a nonlinear shape having a shape width, W; providing a toothed component in operative relationship with the shaped component, wherein the toothed component comprises a plurality of teeth; rotating at least one of the toothed component and the shaped component into interacting relationship with the other of the toothed component and the shaped component; feeding a web between the toothed component and the shaped component such that while in interacting relationship, the toothed component cooperates with the shaped component to perforate the web, wherein the web is moving in a first direction; reciprocally shifting the shaped component for a distance, D 1 , in a second direction; and reciprocally shifting the toothed component for a distance, D 2 , in a third direction, wherein the sum of D 1  and D 2  is at least the translational distance that one tooth travels to cover the shape width, W. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of nonlimiting embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a perforating apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a perforating apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic representation of a base and counter components in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic representation of a support and blades in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4 A  is a schematic representation of a support and blades in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 Q  are schematic representations of profiles of a shaped component in accordance with nonlimiting examples of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a front elevation view of a shaped component in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  6 A-F  are cross sectional views of Section  6 A- 6 F of  FIG.  6    in accordance with nonlimiting examples of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic representation of a shaped component in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a schematic representation of a shaped component in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic representation showing the interaction between teeth and a shaped component in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a schematic representation showing the interaction between a tooth and the shaped component of Section  8 A of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  8 B  is a schematic representation showing the interaction between a tooth and the shaped component of Section  8 B of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a driving means in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a plan view of a web in position to be perforated by a perforating apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic representation of a perforating apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic representation of a perforating apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  12 A  is a schematic representation showing various perforating paths in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  13 A  is a side elevation view of a perforating apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  13 B  is a side elevation view of a perforating apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic representation of a perforating apparatus in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic representation of a perforating apparatus in accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     “Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises one or more fibrous elements. In one example, a fibrous structure according to the present disclosure means an association of fibrous elements that together form a structure capable of performing a function. A nonlimiting example of a fibrous structure of the present disclosure is an absorbent paper product, which can be a sanitary tissue product such as a paper towel, bath tissue, facial tissue or other absorbent paper product. 
     Nonlimiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures include known wet-laid papermaking processes, air-laid papermaking processes, and wet, solution, and dry filament spinning processes, for example meltblowing and spunbonding spinning processes, that are typically referred to as nonwoven processes. Such processes can comprise the steps of preparing a fiber composition in the form of a suspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically aqueous medium, or dry, more specifically gaseous, i.e. with air as medium. The aqueous medium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimes referred to as fiber slurry. The fibrous suspension is then used to deposit a plurality of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonic fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bonding the fibers together results in a fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous structure can be carried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For example, in typical papermaking processes, the finished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the end of papermaking and can subsequently be converted into a finished product (e.g., a sanitary tissue product). In one nonlimiting example, the fibrous structure is a through-air-dried fibrous structure. 
     “Fibrous element” as used herein means an elongate particulate having a length greatly exceeding its average diameter, i.e. a length to average diameter ratio of at least about 10. A fibrous element may be a filament or a fiber. In one example, the fibrous element is a single fibrous element rather than a yarn comprising a plurality of fibrous elements. 
     “Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means one or more finished fibrous structures, that is useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and post-bowel movement cleaning (e.g., toilet tissue, also referred to as bath tissue, and wet wipes), for otorhinolaryngological discharges (e.g., facial tissue), and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning and drying uses (e.g., paper towels, shop towels). The sanitary tissue products can be embossed or not embossed and creped or uncreped. The sanitary tissue product can be convolutely wound upon itself about a core or without a core to form a sanitary tissue product roll or can be in the form of discrete sheets. 
     “Machine Direction,” MD, as used herein is the direction of manufacture for a perforated web. The machine direction can be the direction in which a web is fed through a perforating apparatus that can comprise a rotating cylinder and support, as discussed below in one embodiment. The machine direction can be the direction in which web travels as it passes through a blade and a counter component of a perforating apparatus. 
     “Cross Machine Direction,” CD, as used herein is the direction substantially perpendicular to the machine direction. The cross machine direction can be the direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which web travels as it passes through a blade and a counter component. 
     “Interacting relationship” as used herein means that two or more components are positioned such that they may cooperate to perforate a web. In one nonlimiting example, said components are placed into contacting relationship. In another nonlimiting example, said components are positioned in close proximity such that the web perforated without actual contact between the components (e.g., the web may be essentially pinched between them). 
     “Shifted” or “reciprocally shifting” as used herein means a substantially lateral, linear, translational movement in a first direction followed by travel back in the opposite direction. A component may be shifted in a regular manner (e.g., oscillation) or in an irregular manner (e.g., changes in velocity during the shifting stroke). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a perforating apparatus  10  is shown for forming a shaped line of weakness  12  comprising one or more perforations  14  on a web  16 . The perforating apparatus  10  may comprise two interacting components  18 : a blade  20  and a counter component  22  which can be positioned into interacting relationship with the blade  20 . A web  16  may be fed in a machine direction, MD, between the blade  20  and counter component  22  such that the blade  20  cooperates with the counter component  22  to perforate the web  16 . One of the components  18   a  can comprise a nonlinear shape  24 , which may be repeated on the shaped component  18   a . The other, remaining component  18   b  can comprise a plurality of teeth  26 . The shaped component  18   a  may rotate. At least one of the components  18  may be associated with a driving means  28 , which provides that component  18  with a reciprocal shifting motion. The reciprocal shifting may cover a distance corresponding to at least the full width of the nonlinear shape  24  which is disposed on the shaped component  18   a . By way of nonlimiting example, the two interacting components  18  may comprise a blade  20  having a plurality of teeth  26  and an anvil  22   a  comprising a nonlinear shape  24 . The blade  20  and the anvil  22   a  may cooperate to perforate the web  16  in such a way to create a nonlinear line of weakness  12 . The blade  20  may be associated with a driving means  28  causing the blade  20  to reciprocally shift for a distance, D, that corresponds to the width of the shape, W. 
     The apparatus  10  may be configured in any way suitable to achieve a shaped line of weakness  12 . In one nonlimiting example, the apparatus  10  may comprise components  18  being configured as and/or having any of the features disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/301,392 which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the counter components  22  may comprise an anvil  22   a  or a counterblade  22   b . The counter component  22  may disposed on a base  30 . By “disposed” is meant that the counter component  22  can be attached, integral with, removeably attached, clamped, bolted, or otherwise joined to or held by the base  30  in a stable operative position. The base  30  may comprise any shape and size suitable to hold a counter component  22 . In one nonlimiting example, the base  30  is a cylinder  30   a  as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . The cylindrical base  30   a  may be rotated about its longitudinal axis  31  when the apparatus  10  is in operation and thus cause the counter component  22  to rotate. The counter component  22  may be made to rotate such that is rotated into interacting relationship with the blade  20 . In an alternative embodiment, the counter component  22  and/or the base  30  does not rotate. The base  30  can be placed in a non-rotatable position during the perforation operation. In a further embodiment, the base  30  may be turned or otherwise repositioned while the apparatus  10  is not in operation and then fixed in a position so that a different counter component  22  can be placed in interacting relationship with the blade  20  or the same counter component  22  can be placed in interacting relationship with a different blade  20 . 
     The base  30  may comprise one or more counter components  22 . In one nonlimiting example, the base  30  comprise more than 2 about counter components  22 , or more than about 4 counter components  22 , or between about 3 and about 9 counter components  22 , or about 7 counter components  22 . In one nonlimiting example, the counter components  22  are disposed in rows on the base  30 . In an embodiment, at least two counter components  22  disposed on the base  30  are different. In one nonlimiting example shown in  FIG.  3   , a first counter component  222  comprises a first design  224 . The first design  224  may comprise a first nonlinear shape  225 . A second counter component  226  disposed on the base  30  may comprise a second design  228 . The second design  228  may comprise a straight line and/or a second nonlinear shape  229 . The first design  224  may be the same or may be different from the second design  228 . Nonlimiting examples of potential differences in designs  224 ,  228  include variations in shape, arrangement of design elements, size and/or spacing or stretching of the design. Each counter component  22  may comprise one or more counter component segments. 
     In yet another embodiment, at least one of the counter components  22  may be disposed at an angle with respect to the base  30  as shown in  FIG.  3   . For example, the counter component  22  may be disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis  31  of the cylindrical base  30   a . In another nonlimiting example, the counter component  22  is helixed about the cylindrical base  30   a . The counter component  22  can be at an angle α to the longitudinal cylinder axis  31  of from greater than 0 degrees to about 45 degrees and/or from about 2 degrees to about 20 degrees and/or from about 4 degrees to about 8 degrees. When used with a blade  20  positioned substantially parallel to cylinder axis  31 , the helically mounted counter component  22  can reduce the number of simultaneous interaction points at a given period in time between the counter component  22  and the blade  20 . Moreover, the angle α may be used in conjunction with nonlinear shape  24  to customize the counter component  22 . For example, by manipulating α and the shape width, W, one could arrive a perfectly repeating shape  24  helixed about the cylinder  30   a  (i.e., the shape  24  is not cut off on the edges). 
     Returning to  FIG.  2   , the counter component  22  may comprise a length, L CC , which is the counter component&#39;s  22  longest dimension. The blade may comprise a length, L B , which is the blade&#39;s  20  longest dimension. In an embodiment, the blade length, L B , is greater than the counter component length, L CC  In such embodiment, the blade  20  may be sufficiently long such that the blade  20  can be placed into interacting relationship with the counter component  22  at any point during the shifting. This arrangement may prevent the ends of the counter component  22  from wearing at a slower rate than the remaining sections of the counter component  22 . Such uneven wear could lead to perforation quality issues. In another embodiment, the blade length, L B , is less than the counter component length, L CC  In such embodiment, the counter component  22  may be sufficiently long such that the counter component  22  can be placed into interacting relationship with the blade  20  at any point during the shifting. This arrangement may prevent the ends of the blade  20  from wearing at a slower rate than the remaining sections of the blade  20 . Again, such uneven wear could lead to perforation quality issues. In one nonlimiting example, the blade length, L B , exceeds the counter component length, LCC, by at least about 7% (i.e., L B ≥1.07*L CC ), or by from about 8% to about 25%, or by from about 10% to about 20%. In another nonlimiting example, the counter component length, L CC , exceeds the blade length, L B , by at least about 7% (i.e., L CC ≥1.07*L B ), or by from about 8% to about 25%, or by from about 10% to about 20%. The relative lengths of the components  18  may be selected based on the machine constraints, costs, tendency for wear, the length of the shifting stroke and like considerations. 
     The blade  20  may be disposed on a support  32 . By “disposed” is meant the blade can be integral with, attached, removeably attached, clamped, bolted, or otherwise joined to or held by the support  32  in a stable operative position. In an embodiment, the blade  20  and/or the support  32  is moveable with respect to the counter component  22  and/or the base  30 . In a further embodiment, the counter component  22  and/or base  30  is moveable with respect to the blade  20  and/or support  32 . The support  32  may comprise any shape or size that would adequately support a blade  20 . In one nonlimiting example, the support  32  can be placed in a non-rotatable position during interacting relationship with the counter component  22 , independent of the shape of the support  32 . The support  32  may comprise a cylinder  32   a , as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  4   . The cylinder  32   a  may or may not be rotatable about its longitudinal axis  33 . In another nonlimiting example, the support  32  rotates while the apparatus  10  is in operation such that the blade  20  is rotated into interacting relationship with the counter component  22 . In one nonlimiting example illustrated in  FIG.  4 A , the blade  20  may be disposed at an angle α with respect to the support  32 . For example, the blade  20  may be disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis  33  of the cylindrical support  32   a . In another nonlimiting example, the blade  20  is helixed about the cylindrical support  32   a . The blade  20  can be at an angle α to the support longitudinal axis  33  of from greater than 0 degrees to about 45 degrees and/or from about 2 degrees to about 20 degrees and/or from about 4 degrees to about 8 degrees. When used with a counter component  22  positioned substantially parallel to support longitudinal axis  33 , the helically mounted blade  20  can reduce the number of simultaneous interaction points at a given period in time between the counter component  22  and the blade  20 . Moreover, the angle α may be used in conjunction with nonlinear shape  24  to customize the blade  20 . For example, by manipulating γ and the shape width, W, one could arrive a perfectly repeating shape  24  helixed about the cylinder  32   a  (i.e., the shape  24  is not cut off on the edges). In another embodiment, the counter component  22  and/or the base  30  is moveable with respect to the blade  20  and/or support  32 . In a further embodiment, the support  32  may be turned or otherwise repositioned while the apparatus  10  is not in operation and then fixed in a position so that a different blade  20  can be placed in interacting relationship with the counter component  22  or the same blade  20  can be placed in interacting relationship with a different counter component  22 . 
     One or more blades  20  can be disposed on the support  32 , as shown for example in  FIGS.  4  and  4 A . For example, the support  32  may comprise 2 or more blades  20 , or from about 2 to about 10 blades, or about 6 blades or about 4 blades. In one nonlimiting example, the blades  20  are disposed in rows on the support  32 . In an embodiment, two blades  20   a ,  20   b  disposed on the support  32  can comprise different shapes as shown in  FIG.  4   . Each blade  20  may comprise one or more blade segments. 
     The counter component  22  and/or the blade  20  may comprise a nonlinear shape  24  (also referred to as a curvilinear shape). In other words, the shaped component  18   a  may comprise the blade  20 , or the shaped component  18   a  may comprise the counter component  22 . Nonlimiting examples of possible profiles or designs that the shaped component  18   a  may comprise are illustrated in  FIGS.  5 A-Q . For example, the counter component  22  and/or the blade  20  may comprise a sinusoidal shape or saw-tooth shape. The profile of the shaped component  18   a  may correspond to the nonlinear line of weakness  12  imparted on the web  16  and may comprise one or more nonlinear shapes  24 . The profiles depicted in  FIGS.  5 A-Q  can be described as exhibiting a sinusoidal shape, as being a group of two or more linear elements each connecting at a single inflection point with an adjacent linear element (considered as a whole to be a nonlinear shape  24 ), or a combination of curvilinear and linear elements. 
     The shaped component  18   a  may comprise a shaped cross section as illustrated in  FIGS.  6 - 6 F . In one embodiment, the shaped component  18   a  can have a substantially square or rectangular cross section. In another nonlimiting example, the shaped component  18   a  can have a substantially flat top. Similarly, the counter component  22  and/or the blade  20  can have a substantially concave or convex cross section. Still in another embodiment, the counter component  22  and/or the blade  20  can have a substantially triangular cross section. Other cross sections that would allow for the components  18  to be in interacting relationship may be utilized. 
     The non-linear shape  24  can comprise a shape width, W shown for example in  FIGS.  7  and  7 A . The shape width, W, is the distance along the shape  24  that two teeth  26  would need to move in order to each experience the substantially the same amount of work during a perforation operation. In one nonlimiting example, the nonlinear shape  24  is periodic such as a sinusoidal shape. In such nonlimiting example, the shape width, W, is the full wavelength, WL, of the periodic shape when that shape  24  is provided at angle on the base  30  or support  32  as shown, for example, in  FIGS.  3  and  7 A . The wavelength, WL, is the distance measured between adjacent crests or adjacent troughs. The shape width, W, in such nonlimiting example is not half of the wavelength, WL, because the angle of interactions between the blade  20  and the counter component  22  will vary despite the mirror image and uniformity of the shape. A shaped cross section (discussed above) will also cause the angles of interaction to vary along the shape width, W, especially where one of the components  18  is rotating.  FIGS.  8 - 8 B  illustrate different types of interactions that may be made depending on where a tooth  26  strikes on the shape  24  (e.g., an ascending side, a descending side, a crest, a trough, etc.). For example, where the shape  24  is periodic and skewed as in  FIG.  8   , a tooth  26   a  striking at the top  240  of the wave is almost parallel to the shaped component  18   a  at the point of interaction A, whereas the tooth  26   b  striking (or otherwise interacting with) the steepest point,  242 , along the wave, is almost perpendicular to the shaped component  18   a  at the point of interaction B. In such nonlimiting example, the interaction area (e.g., surface contact area) is less at the steepest point  242  along the wave and thus the stress is significantly lower than at the top  240  of the wave where a greater amount of surface area is involved in the interaction between the two components  18 . 
     The shape width, W, and the resulting shifting distance, D, (discussed below) will vary based on the uniformity or nonuniformity of the shape  24  such as variations in amplitude or wavelength, WL, the angle at which the shape  24  is positioned with respect to the toothed component  18   a , rotational speed(s) (if any), dimensions of the equipment  18 ,  30 ,  32 , variations in the size and/or shape of the teeth  26  and like considerations. 
     The blade  20  and/or the counter component may comprise teeth  26 . In other words, the toothed component  18   b  may comprise the blade  20 , or the toothed component  18   b  may comprise the counter component  22 . In one nonlimiting example, the blade  20  comprises teeth  26  and the counter component  22  comprises the nonlinear shape  24 . In another nonlimiting example, the counter component  22  comprises teeth  26  and the blade  20  comprises the nonlinear shape  24 . In yet another nonlimiting example, both the blade  20  and the counter component  22  comprise teeth  26 , which may be the same or different (e.g., same or different dimensions or spacing) and at least one of the blade  20  and the counter component  22  further comprises a nonlinear shape  24 . In still a further nonlimiting example, both the blade  20  and the counter component  22  comprise nonlinear shapes  24 , which may be the same or different (e.g., same or different design, length, etc.), and at least one of the components  18  further comprises a plurality of teeth  26 . 
     The shaped component  18   a  may be in operative engagement or be operatively engageable with the toothed component  18   b . Said differently, the blade  20  and/or the base  30  may be operatively engaged or engageable with the counter component  22  and/or the support  32 . Operative engagement means the equipment  20 ,  22 ,  30 ,  32  is arranged such that the blade  20  can interact with the counter component  22  in a manner sufficient to make one or more perforations  14  in a web  16  that passes between the components  18 . In one nonlimiting example, the support  32  can be arranged in relationship to a rotatable cylindrical base  30   a  (that comprises a counter component  22 ) such that the blade  20  can interact with the counter component  22  as the counter component  22  rotates past the blade  20 ; the interaction sufficient to make one or more perforations  14  in a web  16 . 
     The present inventors have surprisingly found that providing a means  28  to reciprocally shift one of the components  18 , such that the shifting covers a distance, D, that corresponds to the shape width, W, of the nonlinear shape  24 , greatly minimizes the problem of uneven component  18  wear, especially where a shape  24  is provided at an angle to the toothed component  18   b . Generally, the shaped component  18   a  interacts with the toothed component  18   b . The failure to reciprocally shift for the distance, D, causes the shaped component  18   a  to develop grooves where the teeth  26  repeatedly strike. Further, the toothed component  18   b  would experience uneven wear as the individual teeth  26  would perform different levels of work. Shifting for only a short distance, for example a couple of tooth widths, would not permit every tooth  26  to experience equal work because of variation in the angles of interaction involved with nonlinear shapes  24  and components  18  having shaped cross sections. Again,  FIGS.  8 - 8 B  illustrate different types of interactions that may be made depending on where a tooth  26  strikes on the shape  24  (e.g., an ascending side, a descending side, a crest, a trough, etc.). 
     In one embodiment, the toothed component  18   b  is reciprocally shifted. In another embodiment, the shaped component  18   a  is reciprocally shifted. In one nonlimiting example, the blade  20  is reciprocally shifted. In another nonlimiting example, the counter component  22  is reciprocally shifted. In a further nonlimiting example, the driving means  28  is associated with the support  32 , causing the support  32  to reciprocally shift and therefore causing the blade  20  to reciprocally shift. In another nonlimiting example, the counter component  22  is reciprocally shifted. In a further nonlimiting example, the driving means  28  is associated with the base  30 , causing the base  30  to reciprocally shift and therefore also causing the counter component  22  to reciprocally shift. 
     The driving means  28  may be associated with a component  18  by any suitable means. The driving means  28  may be any means suitable for providing a reciprocal shifting motion to the component  18  with which the driving means  28  is associated. In an embodiment, the driving means  28  is a linear actuator  28   a  as shown in  FIG.  9   . In one nonlimiting example, the linear actuator  28   a  is attached to the support  32  and/or base  30  with brackets  280  and a coupling assembly  282 . 
     One or more components  18  may reciprocally shift for a distance, D, which corresponds to the shape width, W. One nonlimiting example of reciprocal shifting movement is oscillation where the shifting motion is a regular, repeatable back and forth movement at a regular rate. In another embodiment, the component  18  may be reciprocally shifted at in an irregular manner (e.g., at varying velocities) in order to more effectively prevent uneven equipment wear. For example, the velocity of the shifting movement may vary at different positions along the shape  24 . The manner of reciprocal shifting (e.g., rate variations, acceleration changes, dwell periods) may be determined by considering various factors including but not limited to the shape  24 , production conditions such as line speed and the type of web material  16 , physical constraints, the structure and placement of teeth  26 , angles of interaction between the components  18  as well as the force exerted on the web and resulting web movement. The manner of reciprocal shifting may be controlled by a predetermined movement profile. The movement profile may comprise one of the group of an acceleration profile, a deceleration profile, a velocity profile, a dwell position, a dwell duration, a distance profile, position versus time profile, shift position versus interaction position profile and combinations thereof. In one nonlimiting example, an algorithm is used to create the movement profile to control the reciprocal shifting. In another nonlimiting example, the driving means  28  is programmed to operate in accordance with the movement profile. In yet another nonlimiting example, the driving means  28  is servo-controlled. In still another nonlimiting example, the driving means  28  comprises a servo linear actuator. 
     The shifting distance, D, is substantially equivalent to distance that one tooth  26  laterally travels to cover the shape width, W. One of skill in the art will recognize that D will vary based on the angle of the nonlinear shape  24  with respect to the toothed component  18   b . In one nonlimiting example, the toothed component  18   b  is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  31 ,  33  of a cylinder  30   a ,  32   a  upon which the shaped component  18   a  is disposed. Where the nonlinear shape  24  is generally parallel to the toothed component  18   b  as shown in  FIG.  7    (where it is assumed that the toothed component  18   b  is parallel to the longitudinal axis  31 ,  33 ), the shifting distance, D, will be substantially equal to the actual shape width, W. Where the shape  24  is provided at an angle with respect to the toothed component  18   b  as shown in  FIG.  7 A , the shifting distance, D, may be less than the actual shape width, W. Essentially, the shifting distance, D, can form one leg of a triangle, the shape width, W, can form the hypotenuse of the triangle, and geometric calculations can be used determine the actual shifting distance, D, given the shape width, W and respective angles. In one nonlimiting example, the shape  24  is disposed in a helix about a cylinder  30   a ,  32   a  at an angle of 4 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder  31 ,  33  and the toothed component  18   b  is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  31 ,  33  of the cylinder  30   a ,  32   a  during the perforating operation. In such nonlimiting example, the shifting distance, D, would be substantially equal to W*cos 4. 
     In another nonlimiting example, a component  18 , base  30  and/or support  32  is reciprocally shifted for less than the above described shifting distance, D. In an embodiment, the component  18 , base  30  and/or support  32  is reciprocally shifted for half of the shape width, W. In yet another nonlimiting example, a component  18 , base  30  and/or support  32  is reciprocally shifted for a distance greater than the shifting distance, D. In one nonlimiting example, a component  18 , base  30  or support  32  is reciprocally shifted for a distance, Y, where Y is an integer multiple D. In this case, the component  18 , base  30  or support  32  is reciprocally shifted for a distance corresponding to multiple shape widths, W. In still another nonlimiting example, the shifting distance, D, is about 10 inches or less, or about 5 inches or less, about 3 inches or less, or about 1.4 inches or about 0.1 inch or greater, or about 0.5 inch or greater. 
     In an embodiment, a component  18  is shifted while interacting with another component  18 . In another embodiment, the components  18  are moved out of interacting relationship prior to one or more of the components  18  being shifted. In one nonlimiting example, a shaped component  18   a  is rotated into interacting relationship with a toothed component  18   b , and then rotated out of interacting relationship with the toothed component  18   b . In such nonlimiting example, the shaped component  18   a  and/or toothed component  18   b  may be shifted while out of interacting relationship. 
     In one embodiment, the direction of shifting, SD, is substantially parallel to the longest dimension of the shifting component  18 , such as L B  and L CC . In another embodiment, the component  18  being reciprocally shifted is disposed on a cylinder  30   a ,  32   a , and the direction of shifting, SD, is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder  31 ,  33 . In still a further embodiment, the direction of shifting, SD, is substantially perpendicular to the machine direction, MD as shown in  FIG.  1   . Turning to  FIG.  10   , another embodiment is shown wherein the shifting direction, SD, is at an angle θ with respect to the CD of the web  16 . In such nonlimiting example, one or more components  18  may also be at angle θ with respect to the CD of the web  16  such that the component  18  is skewed with respect to web  16 . 
     In yet another embodiment shown in  FIG.  11   , a driving means  28  is associated with both the shaped component  18   a  and the toothed component  18   b . The shaped component  18   a  may be reciprocally shifted for a distance, D 1 , beginning in a second direction, 2D. The toothed component  18   b  may be reciprocally shifted for a distance, D 2 , beginning in a third direction, 3D. The second direction, 2D, may be opposite to the third direction, 3D. The sum of D 1  and D 2  may be substantially equal to at least the translational distance that one tooth travels to cover the shape width, W. In other words, the sum of D 1  and D 2  may be substantially equivalent to the shifting distance, D. In one nonlimiting example, the driving means  28  is associated with both the blade  20  and the counter component  22  (or any configuration that will cause both the blade  20  and the counter component  22  to reciprocally shift) and the sum of the distance traveled by the blade and the distance traveled by the counter component is substantially equivalent the shifting distance, D (i.e., the translational distance that one tooth  26  travels to cover with the entire the shape width, W). The shifting of the shaped component  18   a  may occur before, after or at least partially simultaneously with the shifting of the toothed component  18   b.    
     A web material  16  may be passed between the blade  20  and the counter component  22  such that the web  16  is perforated when the blade  20  and counter component  22  are in interacting relationship. The blade  20  may comprise teeth  26  and thus be the toothed component  18   b , and the counter component  22  may comprise a nonlinear shape  24  and thus be the shaped component  18   a . In another nonlimiting example, the counter component  22  is the toothed component  18   b  and the blade  20  is the shaped component  18   a . In one embodiment, the web  16  is perforated as the web  16  passes between the base  30  and the support  32  and the blade  20  cooperates with the counter component  22 . The web material  16  may comprise a fibrous structure, such as a sanitary tissue product. The web material travels in a machine direction, MD. In one nonlimiting example, the shifting direction, SD, is substantially perpendicular to the machine direction, MD. In another nonlimiting example, the shifting direction, SD, is at an angle θ with respect to the CD of the web  16 . In such nonlimiting example, one or more components  18  may also be at angle θ with respect to the CD of the web  16  such that component  18  is skewed with respect to web  16 . 
     Turning to  FIGS.  12  and  12 A , the apparatus  10  may provide multiple alternative paths  325 ,  425 ,  625  for the web material  16 . The apparatus  10  may comprise a plurality of rolls  300 ,  400 ,  600  that are operatively engageable with a support  500 . In one embodiment, the apparatus  10  comprises a first roll  300 , a second roll  400  and a support  500  that is operatively engageable with the first roll  300  and the second roll  400 . The rolls  300 ,  400  and the support  500  may be arranged in any way that permits operative engagement (e.g., side to side as shown in  FIG.  12   , vertical alignment (not shown), triangular positioning wherein, for example, the support  500  sits a different vertical height than the rolls, etc.). The first roll  300  comprises a first longitudinal axis  305  about which the roll  300  rotates. The second roll  400  comprises a second longitudinal axis  405  about which it  400  rotates. The first longitudinal axis  305  can be substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis  405 . In another nonlimiting example, the first longitudinal axis  305  is not substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis  405 . The support  500  may be moveable with respect to the first roll  300  and/or the second roll  400 . Likewise, the first roll  300  and/or second roll  400  may be moveable with respect to the support  500 . In one nonlimiting example, the support  500  comprises a cylindrical support  500   a  having a support longitudinal axis  505 . The cylindrical support  500   a  may or may not rotate about the axis  505 . 
     A first path  325  is defined between the first roll  300  and the support  500 , such that when a web  16  is perforated as it  16  passes between the first roll  300  and the support  500  and the components  18  on the first roll  300  and the support  500  cooperate in interacting relationship. A second path  425  is defined between the support  500  and the second roll  400 , such that when a web  16  is perforated as it  16  passes between the second roll  400  and the support  500  and the components  18  on the second roll  400  and the support  500  cooperate in interacting relationship. The support  500  may be capable of adopting a first position, P 1 , wherein the support  500  is brought into engaging relationship with the first roll  300  ( FIG.  13 A ) and a second position, P 2 , wherein the support  500  is brought into engaging relationship with the second roll  400  ( FIG.  13 B ). A driving means  28  may be associated with the first roll  300 , the second roll  400  and/or the support  500  to reciprocally shift at least one of the first roll  300 , the second roll  400  and the support  500 . 
     In a further embodiment, the first roll  300  comprises a first anvil  310  having a first design  315 . The first design  315  may comprise a first shape  320 , which may be nonlinear or partially nonlinear. The second roll  400  may comprise a second anvil  410 , which may comprise a second design  415 . The second design may comprise a second shape  420 , which may be nonlinear or partially nonlinear. The first shape  320  may be the substantially same as or different from the second shape  420 . Likewise, the first design  315  and second design  415  may be substantially the same or different. The support  500  may comprise at least one blade  20 . In one nonlimiting example, the support  500  comprises a first blade  200  that is disposed on the support  500  so as to cooperate with the first anvil  310 . The support  500  may also comprise a second blade  210  disposed on the support  500  in such a way as to cooperate with the second anvil  410 . The support  500  may be turned or otherwise repositioned then fixed in a position such that a different blade  20 ,  200 ,  210  may be placed in interacting relationship with the first anvil  310  or second anvil  410  or such that the same blade  20 ,  200 ,  210  can be placed in interacting relationship with the different anvil  310 ,  410 . The blades  20 ,  200 ,  210  may have any of the blade  20  features disclosed herein. The anvils  310 ,  410  may have any of the counter component  22  features disclosed herein, including for example, the anvils  310 ,  410  may be positioned at angle with respect to the blade  20  or the roll longitudinal axis  305 ,  405 . Any one or more of the blades  20 ,  200 ,  210  or the anvils  310 ,  410  may comprise a plurality of teeth  26 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG.  14   , the first roll  300  may comprise a first blade  200  which may comprise a first blade design  201 . The first blade design  201  may comprise a nonlinear shape  202 . The second roll  400  may comprise a second blade  210  having a second blade design  211 . The second blade design  211  may comprise a nonlinear shape  212 . The first and second blade designs  201 ,  211  may be substantially the same or different. Likewise, the nonlinear shapes  202 ,  212  on the first and second blades  200 ,  210  may be the same or different. The support  500  may comprise at least one counter component  22 . The counter component  22  may comprise an anvil  22   a . In one nonlimiting example, the support  500  comprises a first counter component  222  disposed on the support  500  so as to cooperate with the first blade  200 . The support  500  may further comprise a second counter component  226  disposed on the support  500  so as to cooperate with the second blade  210 . The support  500  may be turned or otherwise repositioned and then fixed in a position such that a different counter component  22 ,  222 ,  226  may interact with the first blade  200  or the second blade  210  or the same counter component  22 ,  222 ,  226  can be placed in interacting relationship with a different blade  200 ,  210 . The blades  200 ,  210  may have any of the blade  20  features disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the blades  200 ,  210  may be positioned at angle with respect to the counter components  22  or the roll longitudinal axis  305 ,  405 . The counter components  22 ,  222 ,  226  may have any of the counter component  22  features disclosed herein. Any one or more of the blades  200 ,  210  or the counter components  22 ,  222 ,  226  may comprise a plurality of teeth  26 . 
     In yet another embodiment shown in  FIG.  15   , the first roll  300  may comprise a first counter component  222 , and the second roll  400  may comprise a second counter component  226 . The support  500  may comprise a first blade  200  having a nonlinear shape  202  and being disposed on the support  500  so as to cooperate in interacting relationship with the first counter component  222  or the second counter component  226  depending on the support  500  position and/or the rolls&#39;  300 ,  400  positions with respect to the support  500 . The support  500  may comprise a cylindrical support  500   a  and a support longitudinal axis  505  about which the support  500  rotates. The first counter component  222  and/or the second counter component  226  may comprise an anvil  22   a . The first blade  200  may have any of the blade  20  features disclosed herein. In one nonlimiting example, the first blade  200  may be positioned at angle with respect to a counter component  22  or the support longitudinal axis  505 . The counter components,  222 ,  226  may have any of the counter component  22  features disclosed herein. Any one or more of the blades,  200 ,  210  or the counter components  222 ,  226  may comprise a plurality of teeth  26 . 
     One of skill in the art will appreciate that the apparatus  10  may comprise more than two rolls  300 ,  400  operatively engageable with the support  500 . In one nonlimiting example, the apparatus  10  comprises a third roll  600  (shown in  FIG.  12 A ) which may comprise one or more blades and/or counter components (not illustrated), where the blades  20  and counter components  22  may comprise any of the respective features disclosed herein. Together with the support  500 , the third roll  600  defines a third path  625  for the web  16 . In such example, the support  500  may adopt a third position (not shown) wherein the support  500  is brought into engaging relationship with the third roll  600 . 
     The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.