Elastic laminates with curved elastics and methods for manufacturing

A method for forming an elasticated material, the method comprising:

• advancing a first continuous substrate material having an upper surface and a lower surface in a machine direction;
• advancing a second continuous substrate material having an upper surface and a lower surface in the machine direction;
• advancing an elastomeric strand in a stretched state in the machine direction, wherein the elastomeric strand is positioned between the lower surface of the first continuous substrate material and the upper surface of the second continuous substrate material;
• advancing the first continuous substrate material and the second continuous substrate material with the elastomeric strand positioned therebetween to a bonding apparatus, wherein the bonding apparatus comprises:
• a first bonding element,
• a second bonding element disposed proximate the first bonding element and forming a bonding nip with the first bonding element, and
• a guide element disposed proximate the second bonding element and forming a guide nip with the second bonding element;
• oscillating the elastomeric strand in a cross-machine direction;
• advancing the second continuous substrate and the elastomeric strand through the guide nip so that the second continuous substrate and the elastomeric strand contact the second bonding element prior to the bonding nip;
• and
• advancing the first continuous substrate material, the second continuous substrate material, and the elastomeric strand through the bonding nip and bonding the first continuous substrate material to the second continuous substrate material with the elastomeric strand disposed therebetween with at least a first bond and a second bond,
• wherein the first bond and the second bond are disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strand and spaced apart a distance less than an un-tensioned diameter of the elastomeric strand,
• wherein the second bonding element is a roll having an outer edge comprising a circumference, and wherein the guide nip is disposed such that a distance between the bonding nip and the guide nip, along the outer edge of the second bonding element, is between about 5% and about 75% of the circumference, and
• wherein the first bond and the second bond are located along a portion of the elastomeric strand which extends in an arcuate manner.