Method for applying adhesive on an elastic strand in assembly of a personal disposable hygiene product

A method of dispensing adhesive onto a stretched elastic strand during the manufacturing of personal disposable hygiene products, the method comprising:

• moving the stretched elastic strand in a machine direction;
• dispensing a first volume, a second volume, and a third volume of adhesive onto the elastic strand by a single dispensing nozzle including first and second valves controlling flow from one or more adhesive supplies, the dispensing further comprising:
• opening the first valve while leaving the second valve closed to apply the first volume of adhesive onto a first portion of the elastic strand;
• closing the first valve to stop applying the first volume of adhesive;
• opening the second valve while leaving the first valve closed to apply the second volume of adhesive onto a second portion of the elastic strand located downstream from the first portion of the elastic strand relative to the machine direction;
• closing the second valve to stop applying the second volume of adhesive;
• and
• opening the first valve while leaving the second valve closed to apply a third volume of adhesive onto a third portion of the elastic strand located downstream from the second portion of the elastic strand relative to the machine direction, wherein the second volume of adhesive is less than each of the first volume of adhesive and the third volume of adhesive;
• contacting the stretched elastic strand having the first, second, and third volumes of adhesive thereon with first and second substrate layers to adhesively secure the stretched elastic strand between the first and second substrate layers and to form a bond therebetween;
• and
• releasing the stretched elastic strand to allow the elastic strand to retract from its stretched condition, thereby collectively defining an elasticized portion of the hygiene product with the first and second substrate layers;
• wherein the first and third portions of the elastic strand defining opposing ends of the elastic strand when secured between the first and second substrate layers, and the second portion of the elastic strand defining a central portion of the elastic strand extending between the opposing ends when secured between the first and second substrate layers;
• and
• wherein the first and third portions of the elastic strand collectively define a first length and the second portion of the elastic strand defines a second length larger than the first length such that the second volume of adhesive is applied over a majority of the elastic strand, which results in the first and third volumes of adhesive being sufficient to limit movement of the opposing ends of the elastic strand while maintaining the bond and the second volume of adhesive being sufficiently low to allow the elastic strand to retract from its stretched condition.