Method and apparatus for applying a curved elastic to a moving web

An apparatus for applying an elastic member onto a substrate along a selected curvilinear location, said apparatus comprising:

• transporting means for moving said substrate along a selected substrate path;
• elastic supplying means for providing an elastomeric material:
• conveying surface for directing said elastomeric material along said selected elastic path;
• a rotatable nip roll for contacting said elastomeric material onto said substrate along said curvilinear location;
• means for providing a carrier web which supports said elastomeric material on said conveying surface to provide a composite elastic member;
• bonding means for providing an adhesive in an arrangement which secures said elastic member to said web and secures said elastic member to said substrate along said curvilinear location, said bonding means located adjacent said conveying surface;
• guiding means for delivering said composite elastic member from said conveying surface across a free-span distance onto said nip roll while selectively changing a lateral positioning of said composite elastic member relative to a predetermined cross-direction, said guiding means including a guide roller mounted on a pivotable arm, said arm arranged to pivot about an axis which is aligned generally along said substrate path and generally perpendicular to a selected elastic path into said guiding means.

A method for applying an elastic member onto a moving substrate along a selected curvilinear location, said method comprising the steps of:

• moving said substrate along a selected substrate path;
• conveying an elastomeric material on a conveying surface along a selected elastic path;
• securing said elastomeric material onto a carrier web which supports said elastomeric material on said conveying surface to provide a composite elastic member;
• contacting said composite elastic member onto said substrate along said curvilinear location with a rotatable nip roll;
• securing said composite elastic member to said substrate along said curvilinear location;
• delivering said composite elastic member from said conveying surface across a free-span distance onto said nip roll while selectively changing a lateral positioning of said composite elastic member relative to a predetermined cross-direction, said delivering provided by moving said composite elastic member with a guide roller mounted on a pivotable arm pivoting about an axis which is aligned generally along said substrate path and generally perpendicular to a selected elastic path onto said guide roller.

A method for applying an elastic member onto a substrate along a selected curvilinear location, comprising the steps of:

• moving said substrate along a selected substrate path;
• directing said elastic member along a selected elastic path with a conveying surface;
• placing said elastic member onto said substrate along said curvilinear location with a rotatable nip roll;
• providing an adhesive in an arrangement which secures said elastic member to said substrate along said curvilinear location;
• providing a web to said conveying surface, said web arranged to support said elastic member on said conveying surface and to substantially avoid contact between said adhesive said conveying surface;
• delivering said web and elastic member from said conveying surface along said elastic path;
• and
• guiding said web and elastic member from said elastic path across a free-span distance directly onto said nip roll while selectively changing a lateral positioning of said elastic member relative to a predetermined cross-direction.

An apparatus for applying an elastic member onto a substrate along a selected curvilinear location, said apparatus comprising:

• transporting means for moving said substrate along a selected substrate path;
• a rotatable nip roll for directing a plurality of elastic strands along a selected elastic path and for placing said elastic strands onto said substrate along said curvilinear location;
• bonding means for providing an adhesive in an arrangement which secures said elastic strands to said substrate along said curvilinear location, said bonding means located adjacent a conveying surface of said nip roll;
• means for providing a web to said conveying surface, said web arranged to carry said elastic and to substantially prevent contact between said adhesive and said nip roll;
• guiding means positioned along said elastic path for delivering said elastic strands and said web from a conveying portion of said nip roll across a free-span distance onto a nip region said nip roll while periodically oscillating along a predetermined cross-direction through a selected angle to change a lateral positioning of said elastic member relative to said predetermined cross-direction, said web arranged to substantially prevent contact between said adhesive and said guiding means.