Methods and apparatus for applying an elastic material in a curvilinear pattern on a continuously moving substrate

A method for applying at least one web of elastic material in a curvilinear path onto a continuously moving substrate, said method comprising:

• (a) moving the substrate along the substrate path;
• (b) supplying the elastic material to an oscillation unit having at least a first roll having a first roll axis, said first roll being mounted for rolling engagement with a surface of said substrate, and said first roll pivoting about a pivot axis transverse to the surface of said substrate and thus being effective to apply the elastic material to said substrate along the curvilinear path, the pivot axis lying in a plane perpendicular to and offset from the first roll axis such that the first roll is operative to pivot while rolling;
• (c) oscillating the oscillation unit in a path generally transverse to the substrate path;
• (d) applying the elastic material from the first roll to the substrate in the curvilinear path configuration;
• and
• (e) bonding the elastic material, in the curvilinear path configuration, to the substrate.

Apparatus for applying at least one web of elastic material in a curvilinear path onto a continuously moving substrate, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) transporting apparatus for continuously moving the substrate along a substrate path;
• (b) a rotatable transfer roll, having a transfer roll axis, and being adapted to be in rolling engagement with the substrate and to press the elastic material against the substrate along the curvilinear path;
• (c) an oscillation unit having at least a first roll having a first roll axis, said first roll being mounted for rolling engagement with a surface of said transfer roll, and said first roll pivoting about a pivot axis transverse to the surface of said transfer roll and thus being effective to apply the elastic material to said transfer roll along the curvilinear path, the pivot axis lying in a plane perpendicular to and offset from the first roll axis such that the first roll is operative to pivot while rolling;
• (d) an elastic material supply providing the elastic material to said first roll of said oscillation unit;
• (e) an oscillating drive connected to said oscillation unit and oscillating said oscillation unit along a path generally transverse to the substrate path;
• and
• (f) bonding apparatus securing the elastic material to the substrate along the curvilinear path when the elastic material is pressed onto the substrate by said transfer roll.

Apparatus for applying at least one web of elastic material in a curvilinear path onto a continuously moving substrate, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) transporting apparatus for continuously moving the substrate along a substrate path;
• (b) an oscillation unit having at least a first roll having a first roll axis, said first roll being mounted for rolling engagement with the substrate, and said first roll pivoting about a pivot axis transverse to the surface of said substrate and thus being effective to apply the elastic material to the substrate along the curvilinear path, the pivot axis lying in a plane perpendicular to and offset from the first roll axis such that the first roll is operative to pivot while rolling;
• (c) an elastic material supply for providing the elastic material to said first roll of said oscillation unit;
• (d) an oscillating drive connected to said oscillation unit and oscillating said oscillation unit along a path generally transverse to the substrate path;
• and
• (e) a bonding apparatus securing the elastic material to the substrate along the curvilinear path when the elastic material is pressed onto the substrate by said transfer roll.