a web speed metering device to which a moving web is fed at a constant web infeed speed and from which the web periodically exits at a different speed that is correlated with the timing of a downstream operation performed on the moving web . the metering device is a rotatable member that is non - axisymmetric and that has a cross - sectional shape having a centroid that is offset from the axis of rotation of the rotatable member to change the web output speed as the web exits from the metering device . the metering device allows a web to be fed to a downstream cutting device and enables the web output speed to be regulated so that the web as it leaves the metering device can be cut transversely by a non - instantaneous cut that takes place over a predetermined machine - direction distance , such as a chevron - shaped cut .