Method and apparatus for producing an elastic profile with longitudinally recurring transverse protrusions

An apparatus for producing an elastic profile with longitudinally recurring transverse protrusions, comprising:

• a primary extruder arranged for extruding a primary profile,
• a secondary extruder arranged for extruding a secondary profile, said secondary profile comprising a substrate layer and transverse protrusions, said secondary extruder comprising an extrusion die, wherein a rotatable molding wheel forms a wall of said extrusion die, said molding wheel having recesses functioning as molds for said transverse protrusions within said extrusion die;
• and
• a nip formed between said molding wheel and a moving flat bedding, for joining said primary profile and said secondary profile for fusion bonding forming a composite structure.

A method of producing an elastic profile with longitudinally recurring transverse protrusions, comprising:

• extruding a primary profile at a primary extruder;
• extruding a secondary profile at a secondary extruder, said secondary profile comprising a substrate layer and transverse protrusions, said secondary extruder comprising an extrusion die, wherein a rotating molding wheel forms a wall of said extrusion die, said molding wheel having recesses functioning as molds for said transverse protrusions within said extrusion die;
• and
• joining said primary profile and said substrate layer of said secondary profile by fusion bonding to form a composite structure, said joining occurring at a nip formed between said molding wheel and a flat bedding,
• wherein a pressing wheel that is separate and distinct from the molding wheel, presses on the composite structure against the bedding and includes recesses that touch said substrate layer but do not touch said transverse protrusions.

An apparatus for producing an elastic profile with longitudinally recurring transverse protrusions, comprising:

• a primary extruder arranged for extruding a primary profile,
• a secondary extruder arranged for extruding a secondary profile, said secondary profile comprising a substrate layer and transverse protrusions, said secondary extruder comprising an extrusion die, wherein a rotatable molding wheel forms a wall of said extrusion die, said molding wheel having recesses functioning as molds for said transverse protrusions within said extrusion die;
• and
• a nip formed between said molding wheel and a flat bedding for joining said primary profile and said secondary profile for fusion bonding forming a composite structure,
• wherein a pressing wheel that is separate and distinct from the molding wheel, presses on the composite structure against the bedding and includes recesses that touch said substrate layer but do not touch said transverse protrusions.