Elastic composites for garments

An elastic composite comprising a substrate and an elastic member secured to the substrate along a securement path extending longitudinally along the substrate, the securement path varying laterally relative to the substrate as it extends longitudinally along the substrate, the position of the elastic member varying transversely within the securement path to at least partially define a width of the securement path.

An elastic composite comprising a substrate and an elastic member secured to the substrate along a crooked securement path, the position of the elastic member varying transversely within the securement path to at least partially define a width of the securement path.

A disposable absorbent article comprising a liner adapted for contiguous relation with the wearer's skin, an outer cover, an absorbent body between the liner and the outer cover for absorbing liquid body waste, and at least one elastic member secured within the article along a generally crooked securement path, the position of said at least one elastic member varying transversely within the securement path to at least partially define a width of said securement path.

A disposable absorbent article comprising a liner adapted for contiguous relation with the wearer's skin, an outer cover, an absorbent body between the liner and the outer cover for absorbing liquid body waste, and at least one elastic member secured within the article along a securement path, the position of said at least one elastic member varying transversely within the securement path in a generally periodic wave pattern having at least one period within said securement path, said periodic wave pattern being shaped such that said article is more stretchable in the direction of the securement path than transverse to the securement path.

A method of forming an elastic composite comprising the steps of:

• moving a substrate in a flow direction thereof;
• guiding an elongate elastic member onto the substrate and securing the elastic member to the substrate along a securement path, said guiding step comprising varying the lateral position of the elastic member relative to the flow direction of the substrate to vary the position of the elastic member transversely within the securement path in a generally periodic wave pattern wherein the periodic wave pattern is shaped such that the formed elastic composite is more stretchable in the direction of the securement path than transverse to the securement path.

An elastic composite comprising a substrate and a pair of elastic members secured to the substrate in generally transversely spaced relationship with each other along a crooked securement path, the transverse spacing between the elastic members defining a width of the securement path, said securement path width varying along its length.