Method and apparatus for manufacturing belted garments

Apparatus (60) for manufacturing a belted garment (10), said garment comprising a first belt half (16) and a second belt half (18), each belt half having a longitudinal extension, and a carrier web (20) to which said first and second belt halves are to be affixed, said carrier web having a first surface (30), a second surface (32) and a predetermined width, said apparatus comprising:

• means (74) for placing said first belt half (16) and said second belt half (18) in a partially overlapping relationship such that a first end region (22) of said first belt half and a first end region (24) of said second belt half contact each other in a region of overlap (48), and that a second end region (34) of said first belt half and a second end region (36) of said second belt half remain uncovered;
• means (76) for releasably joining together said first end regions (22;24) of said first and second belt halves to create a temporary laminate (50);
• means (80) for bringing said first surface (30) of said carrier web (20) and said temporary laminate (50) into mutual contact such that said first surface of said carrier web contacts said laminate in said region of overlap (48) of said first end regions of said belt halves, and
• means (84) for causing at least a portion of said second end region (34) of said first belt half (16) and at least a portion of said second end region (36) of said second belt half (18) to maintain contact with said second surface (32) of said carrier web (20).