METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A CURVED ELASTIC TO A MOVING WEB

摘要

A distinctive method and apparatus for applying an elastic member onto a moving substrate along a selected curvilinear location includes a transporting mechanism for moving the substrate along a selected substrate path. A rotatable nip roll contacts the elastic member to place the elastic member onto the substrate along the curvilinear location. A guiding mechanism delivers the elastic member across a free-span distance directly onto the nip roll while selectively changing a lateral positioning of the elastic member relative to a cross direction of the invention. A conveying mechanism directs the elastic member along a selected elastic path into the guiding mechanism, and an elastic supplying mechanism provides the elastic member to the conveying mechanism. In one aspect of the invention, a bonding mechanism provides an adhesive in an arrangement which secures the elastic member to the substrate along the curvilinear location. The adhesive arrangement is configured to substantially avoid contact with the nip roll.