Roller apparatus

A roller apparatus for treating at least one elasticized web for producing a wearable absorbent product passing through the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a pattern roller in the form of a first cylindrical body mounted for rotation around an elongate axis of the first cylindrical body, and

• an anvil roller in the form of a second cylindrical body mounted for rotation around an elongate axis of the second cylindrical body, the pattern and anvil rollers being located adjacent each other to define a nip between outer cylindrical surfaces of the first and second cylindrical bodies, and the first and second cylindrical bodies being configured to rotate, in use, in opposite directions to each other so as to draw the at least one web through the nip defined between the outer cylindrical surfaces of the first and second cylindrical bodies;
• wherein the outer cylindrical surface of the first cylindrical body defines a raised profile section having a predetermined shape selected to deaden an elasticity in a selected portion of the at least one elasticized web by the application of pressure and heat, the raised profile section extending both widthwise and circumferentially of the first cylindrical body;
• and
• the pattern roller incorporates an elongate cartridge heater extending widthwise of the first cylindrical body along or near the elongate axis of the first cylindrical body, the cartridge heater defining at least two outer zones located widthwise on opposite sides of a centrally located middle zone and the cartridge heater being configured to generate, in use, more heat in the outer zones than in the middle zone, the amount of heat applied by the cartridge heater in the middle and outer zones being controlled to maintain the size of the nip consistent across the width of the first and second cylindrical bodies, wherein a pressure applied to the elasticized web is consistent across the web as it passes through the apparatus.