Apparatuses and Methods for Fabricating Elastomeric Laminates

A method for making an elastomeric laminate, the method comprising the steps of:

• rotating a first roller about a first axis of rotation, the first roller having an outer circumferential surface having a surface speed V1;
• rotating a second roller about a second axis of rotation, the second roller having an outer circumferential surface having a surface speed V1, wherein the first roller and the second roller rotate in opposite directions, and wherein the first roller is adjacent the second roller to define a first nip between the first roller and the second roller;
• rotating a third roller about a third axis of rotation, the third roller having an outer circumferential surface having a surface speed V2, wherein V2 is greater than V1;
• supplying a first substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface;
• continuously advancing the first substrate at speed V2 in a machine direction, wherein the first surface of the first substrate travels in an opposing direction to and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the second roller, and wherein the second surface of the first substrate travels in the same direction as and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the third roller;
• advancing an elastic material in the machine direction through the first nip and to the third roller;
• stretching the elastic material in the machine direction between the first nip and to the third roller;
• separating the elastic material in the machine direction between the first nip and the third roller to create an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion;
• joining the upstream end portion of the elastic material with the first surface of the first substrate;
• and
• restretching the elastic material by conveying the upstream end portion of the elastic material with the first surface of the first substrate past the third roller.