Apparatus and Method for Isolating a Broken Elastic Strand

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

• advancing an elastic strand in a first direction to a first tangent point on an outer circumferential surface of a drum;
• wrapping the elastic strand along the outer circumferential surface of the drum, wherein the elastic strand extends from the first tangent point to a second tangent point on the outer circumferential surface of the drum;
• advancing the elastic strand from the second tangent point on the outer circumferential surface of the drum in a second direction;
• positioning a snare member adjacent the drum, wherein the snare member has an outer circumferential surface and defines a length defined between a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the length of the snare member extends in a third direction across the first direction of advancement of the elastic strand, and wherein the snare member is positioned between the elastic strand and a plane extending through the second tangent point;
• separating the elastic strand in the second direction to create an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion;
• retracting the upstream end portion toward the drum;
• and
• wrapping the upstream end portion along the outer circumferential surface of the snare member.

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

• advancing an elastic strand in a first direction to a first tangent point on an outer circumferential surface of a drum;
• wrapping the elastic strand along the outer circumferential surface of the drum, wherein a wrapped length of the elastic strand extends from the first tangent point to a second tangent point on the outer circumferential surface of the drum;
• advancing the elastic strand from the second tangent point on the outer circumferential surface of the drum in a second direction;
• positioning a snare member adjacent the drum, wherein the snare member has an outer circumferential surface and defines a length defined between a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the length of the snare member extends in a third direction across the first direction of advancement of the elastic strand, wherein the snare member is positioned between a first plane extending through the first tangent point and a second plane extending through the second tangent point;
• separating the elastic strand in the second direction to create an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion;
• retracting the upstream end portion toward the drum;
• unwrapping the upstream end portion from the outer circumferential surface of the drum;
• and
• wrapping the upstream end portion along the outer circumferential surface of the snare member.