One-way snare apparatus and method for isolating a broken elastic strand

An apparatus for isolating a broken elastic strand, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a snare member movably connected with the housing, the snare member movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the snare member is telescopically received within the housing;
• a pathway extending through the housing adapted to receive an advancing elastic strand;
• wherein the pathway is relatively wide when the snare member is in the first position;
• and
• wherein the pathway is relatively narrow when the snare member is in the second position.

A method for isolating broken strands of elastic with a one way snare comprising a housing and a snare member movably connected with the housing, wherein the snare member is telescopically received within the housing, and wherein the housing defines an inner diameter and the snare member includes an end portion that defines an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the housing, the method comprising the steps of:

• advancing an elastic strand in a first direction through the housing and through the snare member;
• placing the snare member in a first position;
• separating the elastic strand in the first direction to create an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion;
• retracting the upstream end portion in a second direction toward the housing, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction;
• and
• capturing the upstream end portion by moving the snare member in the second direction to a second position and compressing the end portion of the snare member with the housing.