Multi-up slip-cut unit for cutting varying product sizes of absorbent articles and discrete components of a continuous web

Abstract

A slip-and-cut system includes an anvil roll, the anvil roll comprising a vacuum ring including a plurality of arcuate segments including a plurality of vacuum ring holes and a plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates spaced around the vacuum ring between the arcuate segments of vacuum ring holes; and an internal vacuum drum configured to receive the vacuum ring, the internal vacuum drum comprising a first plurality of holes for communication with the plurality of vacuum ring holes and a second plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, wherein the internal vacuum drum communicates the vacuum source to the plurality of vacuum ring holes; a knife roll, the knife roll configured to periodically align a knife blade with the plurality of knife plates in the anvil roll; and a transfer roll, the transfer roll forming a nip with the anvil roll.

Description

MULTI-UP SLIP-CUT UNIT FOR CUTTING VARYING PRODUCT SIZES OF ABSORBENT ARTICLES AND DISCRETE COMPONENTS OF A CONTINUOUS WEBCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 574,569 filed on April 4, 2024, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] In the manufacture of absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, and adult incontinence products, by way of example, discrete parts or segments of the absorbent article can be cut from a continuous web in a “slip-and-cuf ’ manufacturing process, which can then position or adhere the discrete segment on another continuous web. The slip-and-cut process can also be used to cut a continuous assembly into discrete absorbent products and repitch those products in preparation for downstream processes such as folding and packaging.

[0003] Typical slip-and-cut manufacturing systems use a vacuum drum rotating at a speed faster than an incoming web from which the deposited segment is to be cut. The incoming web thus slips on the drum surface until a cut-off knife cuts a correct length of the web to form the discrete segment. The cut-off knife may be mounted on a knife or cutting roll which moves with a surface velocity similar to that of the rotating vacuum drum and which cuts the segment from the incoming web when the knife comes into contact with the rotating vacuum drum. The cut segment is held to the surface of the drum by a vacuum drawn through holes provided in the drum, and transported on the drum to a transfer point where the segment is transferred to the continuously moving product web forming at least a portion of the absorbent article. A vacuum slip roll or anvil roll may be used when cutting, transporting, and transferring the segment.

[0004] When using a slip-and-cut system, discrete component or product sizes can be varied by varying the speed of the web, varying the speed of an anvil, or varying or not varying the speed of the cutting knife while maintaining the web feed speed onto the anvil constant. To provide a proper cut, however, the knife blade should cut against a solid portion of the anvil, not against the surface that contains vacuum holes. The location where cuts can be made, and sizes, therefore, is limited when using these types of systems. Further, although varying the speed can be successfully used for minor variations in sizes, this method cannot be used when the changesin sizes are large. The present disclosure addresses these and other issues with slip-and-cut systems.SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure addresses an anvil roll for use in a slip-and- cut system, the anvil roll comprising: an internal vacuum drum comprising a recessed center portion; and a vacuum ring removably coupled to the recessed central portion of the vacuum drum, and including a plurality of arcuate segments including vacuum ring holes and a plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates spaced around the vacuum ring between the arcuate segments of vacuum ring holes. The internal vacuum drum comprises a first plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, and a second plurality of holes in the recessed central portion for communicating the vacuum source to the plurality of vacuum ring holes.

[0006] The anvil roll can include arcuate segments that are individual segments coupled to the vacuum drum, and the plurality of knife plates can individual segments that are coupled between successive arcuate segments. The recessed central portion of the internal vacuum drum can be located between right and left shoulder portions, and an outer surface of each of the plurality of arcuate segments can substantially align with an outer surface of the right and left shoulder portions of the internal vacuum drum. An outer surface of each of the plurality of the knife plates can extend above the outer surface of the right and left shoulder portions of the internal vacuum drum.

[0007] The first plurality of holes in the internal vacuum drum can be provided in an end plate of the internal vacuum drum, and wherein a vacuum manifold is removably coupled to the internal vacuum drum.

[0008] The plurality of arcuate segments can comprise a central groove, and a second plurality of vacuum ring apertures provided in the central groove.

[0009] The plurality of vacuum ring holes can comprise at least one hole that angles from an upper surface of the arcuate segment to a lower surface of the arcuate segment. The at least one hole that angles from an upper surface of the arcuate segment to a lower surface of the arcuate segment can be positioned adjacent one of the plurality of knife plates. A second hole that angles from an upper surface of the arcuate segment to a lower surface of the arcuatesegment can be provided, and can be is positioned adjacent an opposing side of the one of the plurality of knife plates from the at least one hole.

[0010] In another aspect of the disclosure, a slip-and-cut system for separating a discrete section from a first web of material and positioning the discrete section on a second web of material is disclosed. The slip-and-cut system includes an anvil roll, the anvil roll comprising a vacuum ring including a plurality of arcuate segments including a plurality of vacuum ring holes and a plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates spaced around the vacuum ring between the arcuate segments of vacuum ring holes; and an internal vacuum drum configured to receive the vacuum ring, the internal vacuum drum comprising a first plurality of holes for communication with the plurality of vacuum ring holes and a second plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, wherein the internal vacuum drum communicates the vacuum source to the plurality of vacuum ring holes; a knife roll, the knife roll configured to periodically align a knife blade with the plurality of knife plates in the anvil roll; and a transfer roll, the transfer roll forming a nip with the anvil roll.

[0011] The slip-and-cut system can include an electronic drive programmed to vary the rotational speed of the knife roll and to periodically align the knife blade with the plurality of knife cutting plates on the anvil roll.

[0012] The knife roll can comprise a plurality of knife cutting surfaces, the plurality of knife blades being positioned on the knife roll to align with the corresponding knife cutting surfaces as the knife roll and anvil roll rotate. The knife blade can be positioned at an interfering position relative to the plurality of knife cutting plates.

[0013] The arcuate segments and knife plates can be removably coupled to a recessed center portion of the internal vacuum drum. The arcuate segments and knife plates can also be individually coupled to the internal vacuum drum.

[0014] The vacuum ring can also be removably coupled to the anvil roll.

[0015] In another aspect of the disclosure, a kit for an anvil for use with a slip-and-cut system to provide varying cut sizes is provided, The kit can comprise an internal vacuum drum, the internal vacuum drum comprising a first plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, and a second plurality of holes for communicating the vacuum source to an outer surface of the internal vacuum drum; a first plurality of arcuate segments configured to be removablycoupled to an outer surface of the internal vacuum drum to form a vacuum ring on the internal vacuum drum, each of the plurality of arcuate segments comprising a plurality of vacuum ring holes for communicating the vacuum source to the outer surface; and a first plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates configured to be positioned between successive ones of the first plurality of arcuate segments on the surface of the internal vacuum drum. The kit can also include a second plurality of arcuate segments configured to be removably coupled to an outer surface of the internal vacuum drum to form a vacuum ring on the internal vacuum drum, each of the plurality of arcuate segments comprising a plurality of vacuum ring holes for communicating the vacuum source to the outer surface; and a second plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates configured to be positioned between successive ones of the second plurality of arcuate segments on the surface of the internal vacuum drum. The first plurality of arcuate segments and the first plurality of knife cutting plates can provide a first set of cutting positions when received on the internal vacuum drum, and the second plurality of arcuate segments and the second plurality of knife cutting plates can provide a second set of cutting positions when received on the internal vacuum drum. The first plurality of arcuate segments can have a radial length different than a radial length of the second plurality of arcuate segments.

[0016] In another aspect of the disclosure, a method of controlling a slip-and-cut system to provide varying cut sizes is disclosed. The method includes feeding an incoming web onto an anvil roll comprising a vacuum ring including a plurality of arcuate segments including a plurality of vacuum ring holes and a plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates spaced around the vacuum ring between the arcuate segments of vacuum ring holes, and an internal vacuum drum configured to receive the vacuum ring, the internal vacuum drum comprising a first plurality of holes for communication with the plurality of vacuum ring holes and a second plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, wherein the internal vacuum drum communicates the vacuum source to the plurality of vacuum ring holes; and electronically controlling rotation of a knife roll to periodically align a knife blade with the plurality of knife plates in the anvil roll by accelerating or decelerating the knife roll between cutting events. The method can further comprise controlling the rotational speed of the knife roll to so a surface speed of the knife blade matches a surface speed of the knife plates at the moment of a cutting event.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0001] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a slip-and-cut system;

[0002] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an anvil roll in the slip-and-cut system of Fig. 1;

[0003] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an arcuate segment that forms part of the outer surface of the anvil roll of Fig. 2;

[0004] Fig. 4 is a front view of the anvil roll of Fig. 2 with the arcuate segment of Fig. 3 removed, illustrating an internal vacuum drum;

[0005] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the drum of Fig. 4;

[0006] Fig. 6 is a partial cutaway side view of the slip-and-cut system of Fig 1, illustrating an anvil roll and a knife roll;

[0007] Fig. V is a perspective view of a knife roll that can be used in the system of Fig. 1;

[0008] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a knife roll that can be used in the system of Fig. 1;

[0009] Fig. 9 is a cutaway view of the knife roll of Fig 8 illustrating the position of one set of knife blades;

[0010] Fig. 10 is a cutaway view of the knife roll of Fig 8 illustrating the position of another set of knife blades.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring now to the Figures, and more specifically to Fig. 1, a slip-and-cut system 10 including an anvil roll 12 and a knife roll 14 is shown. As illustrated here, an incoming web 24, is directed onto the surface of the anvil roll 12 and is rotated toward the knife roll 14. The surface speed of the anvil roll 12 is greater than the speed at which the web 24 is fed onto the anvil roll 12, which causes the web 24 to slip against an outer surface of the anvil roll 12. The incoming web 24 may be a single layer web, a multi-layer web, a composite web containing multiple continuous web layers, or a composite web containing continuous and discrete components, according to exemplary, non-limiting embodiments. The incoming web 24 may be elasticized or non-elasticized. The incoming web 24 may be a continuous stream of absorbent products or a segment or component of such absorbent products. In embodiments where the incoming web 24 is provided to form discrete components of an absorbent product, the incoming web 24 may take the form of any number of known discrete components of an absorbent product, such as, an acquisition distribution layer, a front or back ear, an extensionpanel, a patch provided to create a pocket in an absorbent product, a fastener component (e.g., hook), disposal tape, siliconized release liner, impermeable backsheet film, a patch provided to impart elasticity in a region of the product (e.g., the waist or cuff), a tag or label, or any other intermittent or discrete component of the product.

[0018] Referring still to Fig. 1, the knife roll 14 has a knife blade or cutting edge 30 which engages against one of a plurality of knife plates or anvil inserts 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, which function as cutting surfaces on the anvil roll 12 to separate a discrete section 26 from the incoming web 24. The knife blade 30 may be tool steel or carbide according to exemplary, nonlimiting embodiments. The knife blade 30 may be positioned in a non-interfering position relative to the anvil inserts 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d or may be positioned in an interfering position relative to the anvil inserts 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, meaning that an interference in a range of approximately 0.002” to 0.007” is created therebetween causing the knife blade to flex upon impact with a respective anvil insert. The anvil roll 12 then directs the discrete section 26 onto a transfer web material 19 and through a nip defined between the anvil roll 12 and a transfer roll 18, which maintains a continuous pressure on the discrete section 26 as it moves through the nip. As illustrated, the incoming web 24 may be sprayed with an adhesive at adhesive station 16, and therefore can be adhered to the transfer web 19 as it leaves the anvil roll 12 and moves through the nip. As illustrated here, the anvil roll 12 includes both an internal drum 20 and an outer shell or vacuum ring 22, which can be selectively removed and replaced to enable the slip-and-cut system 10 to adjust for various sizes of cuts, as described below.

[0019] Referring now to Fig. 2, a perspective view of the anvil roll 12 is shown. The internal drum 20 of the anvil roll includes end plates 21 at opposing ends which include holes or openings 23, at least some of which are in fluid communication with a vacuum manifold 29 that provides vacuum suction to the anvil roll 12. A vacuum ring 22 is provided in the outer surface of the drum 20.

[0020] Referring now also to Fig. 3, the vacuum ring 22 can be constructed from one or more arcuate inserts 34. The arcuate inserts 34 can comprise one or more holes or apertures 25 for directing vacuum to maintain the web 24 against an outer surface of the anvil roll 12 in operation, as illustrated in Fig. 1. In some embodiments an optional central groove 38 can be formed in the arcuate segment 34, substantially centered from side to side and extending along alength dimension of the arcuate segment 34. The central groove 38 includes a plurality of openings (not shown) for directing vacuum at the center of the arcuate segment 34. The central groove 38 therefore helps to maintain the incoming web 24 (Fig. 1) centered on the anvil roll 12, preventing mis-tracking of the web 24 which may, for example, be caused by memory in the web 24 that may cause the web 24 to twist after the web 24 is pulled transversely from a spool and helically unwound.

[0021] Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, a front view and a perspective view of the internal drum 20 of anvil roll 12 are shown. The surface of the internal drum 20 includes a recessed center portion 36 which is configured to receive the arcuate segments 34 forming the vacuum ring 22, and which is positioned between opposing right and left shoulder portions 40 and 42 that extend outward to a greater diameter than the recessed center portion 36. A plurality of openings 28 are provided in the central groove 38 to provide vacuum suction to the vacuum ring 22. As illustrated here, the openings 28 can be elongate openings that extend substantially from side to side transversely to a length dimension of the recessed center portion 36. Referring now again to Fig. 2, an anvil insert or knife plate 27 can be removably inserted between subsequent pairs of arcuate segments 34 to provide a cutting surface 32 for interaction with the knife blade 30 (Fig. 1). The knife plate 27 is received in a mounting aperture 29 that extends across the recessed center portion 36 and into the right and left shoulder portions 40 and 42. The arcuate segments 34 and knife plates 27 can be coupled to the inner drum 20 of the anvil roll 12 using threaded fasteners received in corresponding holes, or using other coupling devices, including rivets, adhesives, or other devices and methods which will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the arcuate segments 34 of the vacuum ring 22 substantially align with the shoulder portions 40 and 42 of the inner drum 20 when positioned in the recessed center portion 36. The knife plate 27, however, extends above the surface of the vacuum ring 22 a distance of approximately 0.010”, in a range extending between 0.008”-0.012” to avoid inadvertent contact between the cutting edge 30 of the knife roll 14 and the outer surface of the vacuum ring 22.

[0022] Referring now to Fig. 6, a cutaway side view of the anvil roll 12 and knife roll 14 is shown. As illustrated here, the vacuum ring 22 in anvil roll 12 is comprised of four separate removable arcuate segments 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. The arcuate segments are separated fromeach other by removable knife plates 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d, respectively. Here, the knife plate 27c is one hundred and eighty degrees from knife plate 27a. When cuts are made at these two knife plates, therefore, two cuts per rotation can be made. The knife plate 27c is positioned one hundred and twenty degrees from knife plates 27b and 27d. This set of knife plates 27b, 27c, and 27d can be used to cut three discrete segments 26. As illustrated here and also in Fig. 7, the knife roll 14 includes a profded outer surface 46. As the knife roll 14 rotates around an axis in the opposite direction from rotation of the anvil roll 12, the knife roll 14 successively aligns the knife surface 30 with the cutting surfaces or knife plates 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d, respectively, thereby cutting successive segments 26. Depending on how the knife roll is cammed, cuts can be made at knife plates 27c and 27a, or at knife plates 27b, 27c, and 27d.

[0023] Referring again to Fig. 6, the holes or apertures 25 in arcuate segments 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d can include apertures 44 which extend along a straight line from an outer surface of the corresponding arcuate segment 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d to an inner surface, and which are aligned with the vacuum openings 28 in the recessed center portion 36 of drum 20. Holes or apertures 25 in arcuate segments 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d can also include apertures 46 which are angled or provided in angled pairs. Angled apertures 46a and 46b can, for example, can be provided adjacent both sides of the knife plates 27a, 27b, 27 c, and 27d. When positioned adjacent a knife plate, as a discrete segment 26 is cut from the web 24, the angled aperture 46a retains the cut end of the discrete section 26 against the anvil roll 12, while the angled aperture 46b retains the leading edge of the web 24 against the anvil roll 12. One or more of the segments 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d may also include one or more additional angled aperture 46c which can, for example, be positioned to retain the leading edge of the discrete segment 26 in position as the trailing edge is cut.

[0024] Referring now to Fig. 7, a first embodiment of a knife roll 14 is shown. Rotation of the knife roll 14 is controlled via a drive 50 (Fig. 1), such as, for example, a servo motor or other known drive type, which electronically varies the rotational speed of the knife roll 14, thus enabling the knife roll to rotate at a speed selected to engage one or more of the knife plates 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d. In operation, the drive 50 accelerates or decelerates the knife roll 14 between cuts such that the knife blade 30 contacts one or more of the knife plates 32 to create cuts at a desired spacing. Cuts of different lengths can thus be made by varying which knife plates 32 theknife blade 30 is brought into contact with. The drive 50 controls the rotational speed of the knife roll 14 such that the surface speed of the knife blade 30 matches the surface speed of the anvil insert 32 at the moment of the cutting event. The outer profile 46 of the knife roll 14 is designed to have the minimum rotational inertia while maintaining sufficient beam flexural strength to resist the force generated by the interference cutting event.

[0025] Referring now to Fig. 8, in an alternate embodiment, a round knife roll 14 can be used. Here, instead of camming the knife roll 14 to cause the knife surface 30 to align with various knife plates 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d, a removable outer shell 48 can be provided on the knife roll. The removable outer shell can include a selected number of spaced knife blades 30. Referring first to Fig. 9, here the knife roll 14 includes three knife blades or surfaces 30a, 30b, and 30d, which are offset one hundred and twenty degrees to align with corresponding knife plates 27a, 27b, and 27d. Three cuts, therefore, can be made in the web 24 to create discrete segments 26 in each rotation. Referring now to Fig. 10, alternatively, knife blades 30a and 30c can be offset one hundred and eighty degrees to align with knife plates 27a and 27c, respectively, thereby providing two cuts in each rotation, and providing a comparatively longer discrete section 26.

[0026] The arcuate segments 34 can constructed of materials such as steel or plasma coated aluminum, which allows for easier removal of extraneous glues or adhesives from the surface of the arcuate segments 34. The knife plates 27 can be constructed of materials such as tool steel, ductile iron, cast iron, or tungsten carbide, as non-limiting examples.

[0027] Referring again to Fig. 1, in operation, an incoming web of material 19 is fed along a machine direction 11 through a nip formed between anvil roll 12 and transfer roll 18. The anvil roll 12 and transfer roll 18 are rotating in opposing directions. A second web 24 is fed to the anvil roll 12 in a direction opposite of the machine direction, and is maintained on the anvil roll 12 as it rotates through vacuum force applied through holes 28 and 25 in the anvil roll 12. A knife roll 14 rotating in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the anvil roll 12 periodically aligns with cutting surfaces 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d on the anvil roll, cutting a piece of web 24 to form a discrete piece 26. As the anvil roll 12 rotates, the discrete piece 26 is then rotated toward a transfer position. In embodiments where the discrete piece 26 is a subcomponent of a product, the discrete piece 26 is transferred to a transfer web 19 at thetransfer position. At the nip formed between the anvil roll 12 and transfer roll 18, the discrete piece 26 is applied to the transfer web 19. The nip gap may be a structurally defined fixed gap or controlled via air cylinders (not shown). An adhesive can optionally be applied to the web material 24 at an optional adhesive station 16, and the discrete piece 26 can therefore be adhered to the web 19. In an alternative embodiment, the discrete piece 26 can be transferred from the anvil roll 12 to a bonding anvil roll (not shown) provided either in addition to or in place of the transfer roll 18 and combined to the web 19 on the bonding anvil roll via any known mechanical bonding means such as, ultrasonic, pressure, or thermal bonding equipment. In embodiments where the discrete piece 26 an absorbent product, at the transfer position the discrete piece 26 may be transferred to a conveyor on which it may travel to additional processing steps (e.g., folding and packaging).

[0028] To adjust the size of the discrete pieces, the camming of the knife rolls 14 may be varied. Further, vacuum rings 22 comprised of different sized arcuate segments 34 and differently located knife plates 27 can be coupled to the inner vacuum drum 20 of the anvil roll. In some applications, knife plates and arcuate segments may be combined in a single piece.

[0029] The arcuate segments 34 and knife plates 27 can, in some applications, be provided in a kit having a single or multiple sets of arcuate segments 34 and corresponding knife plates 27 forming vacuum rings with varying cutting positions.

Claims

We claim:

1. An anvil roll for use in a slip-and-cut system, the anvil roll comprising: an internal vacuum drum comprising a recessed center portion; and a vacuum ring removably coupled to the recessed center portion of the vacuum drum, and including a plurality of arcuate segments including vacuum ring holes and a plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates spaced around the vacuum ring between the arcuate segments of vacuum ring holes; wherein the internal vacuum drum comprises a first plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, and a second plurality of holes in the recessed center portion for communicating the vacuum source to the vacuum ring holes.

2. The anvil roll of claim 1, wherein the arcuate segments are individual segments coupled to the vacuum drum, and wherein the plurality of knife cutting plates are individual segments that are coupled between successive arcuate segments.

3. The anvil roll of claim 2, wherein the recessed center portion of the internal vacuum drum is located between right and left shoulder portions, and wherein an outer surface of each of the plurality of arcuate segments substantially aligns with an outer surface of the right and left shoulder portions of the internal vacuum drum.

4. The anvil roll of claim 3, wherein an outer surface of each of the plurality of the knife cutting plates extends above the outer surface of the right and left shoulder portions of the internal vacuum drum.

5. The anvil roll of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of holes in the internal vacuum drum are provided in an end plate of the internal vacuum drum, and wherein a vacuum manifold is removably coupled to the internal vacuum drum.

6. The anvil roll of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of arcuate segments comprises a central groove, and a second plurality of vacuum ring apertures provided in the central groove.

7. The anvil roll of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vacuum ring holes comprise at least one hole that angles from an upper surface of the arcuate segment to a lower surface of the arcuate segment.

8. The anvil roll of claim 7, wherein the at least one hole that angles from an upper surface of the arcuate segment to a lower surface of the arcuate segment is positioned adjacent one of the plurality of knife cutting plates.

9. The anvil roll of claim 7, further comprising a second hole that angles from an upper surface of the arcuate segment to a lower surface of the arcuate segment, and wherein the second hole is positioned adjacent an opposing side of the one of the plurality of knife cutting plates from the at least one hole.

10. A slip-and-cut system for separating a discrete section from a first web of material and positioning the discrete section on a second web of material, the slip-and-cut system comprising: an anvil roll, the anvil roll comprising: a vacuum ring including a plurality of arcuate segments including a plurality of vacuum ring holes and a plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates spaced around the vacuum ring between the arcuate segments of vacuum ring holes; and an internal vacuum drum configured to receive the vacuum ring, the internal vacuum drum comprising a first plurality of holes for communication with the plurality of vacuum ring holes and a second plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, wherein the internal vacuum drum communicates the vacuum source to the plurality of vacuum ring holes; a knife roll, the knife roll configured to periodically align a knife blade with the plurality of knife cutting plates in the anvil roll; and a transfer roll, the transfer roll forming a nip with the anvil roll.

11. The slip-and-cut system of claim 10, further comprising an electronic drive programmed to vary the rotational speed of the knife roll and periodically align the knife blade with the plurality of knife cutting plates on the anvil roll.

12. The slip-and-cut system of claim 10, wherein the knife roll comprises a plurality of knife blades, the plurality of knife blades being positioned on the knife roll to align with the corresponding knife cutting plates as the knife roll and anvil roll rotate.

13. The slip-and-cut system of claim 10, wherein the knife blade is positioned at an interfering position relative to the plurality of knife cutting plates.

14. The slip-and-cut system of claim 10, wherein the arcuate segments and knife cutting plates are removably coupled to a recessed center portion of the internal vacuum drum.

15. The slip-and-cut system of claim 10, wherein the arcuate segments and knife cutting plates are individually coupled to the internal vacuum drum.

16. The slip-and-cut system of claim 10, wherein the vacuum ring is removably coupled to the anvil roll.

17. A kit for an anvil for use with a slip-and-cut system to provide varying cut sizes, the kit comprising: an internal vacuum drum, the internal vacuum drum comprising a first plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, and a second plurality of holes for communicating the vacuum source to an outer surface of the internal vacuum drum; a first plurality of arcuate segments configured to be removably coupled to an outer surface of the internal vacuum drum to form a vacuum ring on the internal vacuum drum, each of the plurality of arcuate segments comprising a plurality of vacuum ring holes for communicating the vacuum source to the outer surface; anda first plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates configured to be positioned between successive ones of the first plurality of arcuate segments on the surface of the internal vacuum drum; a second plurality of arcuate segments configured to be removably coupled to an outer surface of the internal vacuum drum to form a vacuum ring on the internal vacuum drum, each of the plurality of arcuate segments comprising a plurality of vacuum ring holes for communicating the vacuum source to the outer surface; and a second plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates configured to be positioned between successive ones of the second plurality of arcuate segments on the surface of the internal vacuum drum; wherein the first plurality of arcuate segments and the first plurality of knife cutting plates provides a first set of cutting positions when received on the internal vacuum drum, and the second plurality of arcuate segments and the second plurality of knife cutting plates provides a second set of cutting positions when received on the internal vacuum drum.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the first plurality of arcuate segments have a radial length different than a radial length of the second plurality of arcuate segments.

19. A method of controlling a slip-and-cut system to provide varying cut sizes, the method comprising: feeding an incoming web onto an anvil roll comprising a vacuum ring including a plurality of arcuate segments including a plurality of vacuum ring holes and a plurality of knife cutting plates, the knife cutting plates spaced around the vacuum ring between the arcuate segments of vacuum ring holes, and an internal vacuum drum configured to receive the vacuum ring, the internal vacuum drum comprising a first plurality of holes for communication with the plurality of vacuum ring holes and a second plurality of holes for communication with a vacuum source, wherein the internal vacuum drum communicates the vacuum source to the plurality of vacuum ring holes; andelectronically controlling rotation of a knife roll to periodically align a knife blade with the plurality of knife cutting plates in the anvil roll by accelerating or decelerating the knife roll between cutting events.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising controlling the rotational speed of the knife roll to so a surface speed of the knife blade matches a surface speed of the knife cutting plates at the moment of a cutting event.

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