APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING ELASTIC STRIP MATERIAL TO A MOVING WEB

摘要

An apparatus and method is disclosed for attaching a continuously moving elastic ribbon to a continuously moving web such that only selected discrete areas of a finished conformable garment fabricated from the web are elasticized. The web is moved into engagement with a continuously moving first conveyor means having a plurality of spaced apart gaps in its surface and the first conveyor means travels along an inclined guide means toward a second conveyor means traveling opposite to and in the same direction as the first conveyor means. The second conveyor means carries a plurality of spaced apart web tucking means which are moved by the second conveyor means into registry with the gaps in the first conveyor means. As each of the web tuck means move in registry with the gaps, the web tuck means are inserted into the gaps to form tucks in the web due to the movement of the first conveyor means toward the second conveyor means. After forming of the tucks in the web, the continuously moving elastic ribbon is applied to the web such that it spans the tucks and adheres to the area of the web between the tucks. The elastic ribbon is then cut opposite the tuck locations of the web and the tucks are removed from the web.