Abstract: A method of preparing an elongate web of sheet material for dividing into discrete stacks of web portions after reeling the web onto a drum is provided. The method includes forming transverse discontinuities in the web at spaced intervals corresponding to edges of the discrete stacks to be formed, the intervals progressively increasing along the web so that the discontinuities form angularly-aligned groups when reeled onto the drum.

Abstract: A drum arranged for reeling and dividing an elongate web of sheet material to produce discrete stacks of web portions is provided. The drum includes a series of faces forming a web-receiving loop that extends around a central axis of the drum, each face of the drum being defined by a respective drum segment that is configured to support a respective stack of web portions of a web reeled onto the web-receiving loop. The drum segments are movable to enable the web-receiving loop to expand to increase tension in a web reeled onto the web-receiving loop to divide the elongate web into discrete stacks.