Apparatus and a method for entrapping an elastomeric material with form-fitting elastomeric regions

A system for fabricating an elasticized material having at least one elastic strand transversely positioned across the apparatus, the system comprising:

• a supply station;
• and
• a processing station that includes a first bonding module and a second bonding module positionable in proximity to the first bonding module,
• wherein at least one of the first bonding module and the second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about an axis, the face having a repeating contour pattern containing a plurality of ridges,
• wherein the plurality of ridges contain at least a first ridge and a second ridge adjacent to the first ridge, the first ridge and the second ridge each comprising a plurality of entrapment elements containing notches constructed to receive and hold the at least one elastic strand along an elastic strand velocity vector direction,
• wherein the first ridge includes a notch aligned with a corresponding notch in the second ridge such that said notch and said corresponding notch are arranged to accept the at least one elastic strand, and
• wherein said notch and said corresponding notch each have a different longitudinal axis that is between −30° and +30° from the elastic strand velocity vector direction.

A method for fabricating an elasticized material having a curved elastic section containing the at least one elastic strand, the method comprising:

• positioning a first bonding module in proximity to a second bonding module, wherein:
• at least one of the first bonding module and the second bonding module has a face with a width dimension and a circumferential axis and is rotatable about an axis, the face having a repeating contour pattern containing a plurality of ridges,
• wherein the plurality of ridges contain at least a first ridge and a second ridge adjacent the first ridge, the first ridge and the second ridge each comprising lands and notches constructed to receive and hold the at least one elastic strand along an elastic strand velocity vector direction,
• wherein the first ridge comprises a notch aligned with a corresponding notch in the second ridge such that said notch and said corresponding notch are arranged to accept the at least one elastic strand, and
• wherein said notch and said corresponding notch each have a different longitudinal axis that is between −30° and +30° from the elastic strand velocity vector direction.