Cross web layer application device

In combination, an elongate web of polymeric material having first and second parallel edges and opposite major surfaces and adapted to be incorporated in a disposable garment such as a diaper, layers of elastic material, and an application device for applying the layers of material in spaced relationship generally transversely across the web, and means for constantly moving said web through said device, said device comprising:

• a frame;
• means on said frame for defining a through path for the web including means for defining
• an inlet path portion along which inlet path portion the edges of the web move generally in imaginary parallel planes disposed at right angles to the surfaces of the web, which inlet path portion terminates at a terminal end,
• an outlet path portion along which outlet path portion the edges of the web move generally in imaginary parallel planes parallel to and spaced from said planes in which generally move the edges of the web along the inlet path portion, said spacing being in a direction normal to the edges of the web along the inlet path portion, which outlet path portion begins at a beginning end adjacent said terminal end, and
• a transverse path portion between said terminal and beginning ends of the inlet and outlet path portions;
• means on said frame for periodically moving said means for defining the transverse path portion so that a portion of the web along the transverse path portion moves generally edgewise in a direction parallel to said planes while the individual lengths of the inlet and outlet path portions are simultaneously changed, which movement of said means for defining the transverse path portion is between a first position at which the inlet path portion has its minimum length and a second position at which the inlet path portion has its maximum length;
• and
• means on said frame for applying the layers of material generally transversely across a portion of the web along the transverse path portion during movement of said means for defining the transverse path portion from said first position to said second position;
• said web being moved lengthwise at a predetermined speed in a first direction along said inlet and outlet path portions and said means for defining the transverse path portion being moved from said first position to said second position at said predetermined speed so that the longitudinal movement of the portion of the web along the transverse path portion is essentially stopped, and the layers of material are applied transversely across the portion of the web along the transverse path portion by said means for applying.

A method for applying layers of material in spaced relationship generally transversely across one surface of an elongate web having first and second parallel edges, the method comprising the steps of:

• defining a through path for the web including an inlet path portion terminating at a terminal end along which inlet path portion the edges of the web define parallel planes at right angles to the surfaces of the web, an outlet path portion beginning at a beginning end adjacent said terminal end along which outlet path portion the edges of the web define parallel planes at right angles to the surfaces of the web and spaced from the planes defined by the edges of the web along the inlet path portion, and a transverse path portion between said terminal and beginning ends of the inlet and outlet path portions;
• moving the web lengthwise at a predetermined speed in a first direction along said inlet and outlet path portions;
• periodically moving the portion of the web along the transverse path portion generally edgewise in a direction parallel to the first direction and at about said predetermined speed during said step of moving the web to essentially stop longitudinal movement of the portion of the web along the transverse path portion;
• and
• applying a layer of material generally transversely across the portion of the web along the transverse path portion during said periodically moving step.