Method for separating portions from a web and recombining these onto the web machine-directionally offset

Method for repositioning and recombining separated portions of a web material machine-directionally offset,

• said method comprising the steps of:
• 1) providing
• a. a web material exhibiting lateral side margins;
• b. a separation unit for forming at least partially separated portions in predetermined regions of said web material;
• c. a transfer unit for transferring said at least partially separated portions of said web material;
• d. a web guide unit for said web material;
• e. a combination unit;
• 2) feeding said web material along a first web path to said separation unit;
• 3) applying an essentially continuous separation line, thereby creating a series of at least partially separated portions in predetermined regions of said web material in said separation unit,
• such that said web material remains essentially continuous along its side margins,
• whilst the at least partially separated portions of said web material are circumscribed by said essentially continuous separation line or an essentially cross-directionally extending connection and fold fine that connects end points of said separation line;
• 4) guiding said web material by said web guide unit along a second part of said essentially continuous web path from said separation unit to said combining unit;
• 5) transferring at least a leading portion of said at least partially separated portions by said transfer unit along a separated portions path, differing from said second part of said web path;
• 6) recombining said web material and separated portions in said combination unit;
• whereby in said method said separated portions are positioned machine-directionally offset relative to said predetermined regions from which they are separated.