Apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material

An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material, the apparatus comprising:

• a first bonding module;
• a second bonding module positioned in close proximity to the first bonding module;
• and
• a pinching device positioned in close proximity to the second bonding module, the pinching device comprising a base, a biasing element, and a roller, wherein the biasing element biases the roller into contact with the second bonding module.

A system for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material, the system comprising:

• a supply station comprising:
• a first supply roll configured to supply a first nonwoven fabric;
• a second supply roll configured to supply a second nonwoven fabric;
• and
• at least one supply spool configured to supply at least one elastic strand;
• a processing station comprising:
• a first bonding module;
• a second bonding module configured to cooperate with the first bonding module to perform a bonding operation of the elastic strand between the first nonwoven fabric and the second nonwoven fabric, the second bonding module being positioned in close proximity to the first bonding module;
• and
• a pinching device adapted to limit a snap-back potential of the at least one elastic strand if the at least one elastic strand becomes severed during bonding.