Zoned stretching of a web

摘要

Apparatus and methods for stretching one or more zones of a web are disclosed. Webs including stretched or activated zones are also disclosed. Each of the zones in the web is stretched in the cross-web direction, i.e., the direction transverse to the down-web direction. The stretching it can be performed continuously as the web is advancing through the apparatus in the down-web direction. The stretching can occur in the absence of physical contact with the stretched zone of the web. Strain induced on the stretched zones can be introduced gradually over a stretch distance. The strain may increase at a linear rate. The stretching methods and apparatus may be used to activate an elastic zone or zones within a web.