One-Way Projection Snare Apparatus and Method for Isolating A Broken Elastic Strand

An apparatus for isolating a broken elastic strand, the apparatus comprising:

• a base member including an outer surface;
• an aperture extending through the base member and defining a perimeter;
• a plurality of projections, each projection having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the proximal end portion connected with the base member, wherein the projections are arranged along the perimeter of the aperture;
• a gap separating the distal end portions of two neighboring projections, the gap extending from the distal end portions of the two neighboring projections toward the proximal end portions of the two neighboring projections;
• an opening in the outer surface of the base member;
• and
• a channel extending through the base member and connecting the opening with the gap.

A method for isolating broken strands of elastic, the method comprising the steps of:

• advancing an elastic strand in a first direction through an aperture in a base member and along a plurality of projections, each projection having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the proximal end portion connected with the base member;
• separating the elastic strand in the first direction to create an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion;
• retracting the upstream end portion in a second direction toward the aperture;
• and
• capturing the upstream end portion in a gap separating the distal end portions of two neighboring projections.