Apparatuses and methods for fabricating elastomeric laminates
The present disclosure relates to methods for manufacturing absorbent articles, and in particular, to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. And the methods and apparatuses according to the present disclosure may be configured to automatically rethread elastic materials that may break during the assembly process.
1. A method for making an elastomeric laminate, the method comprising the steps of:
rotating a first roller about a first axis of rotation, the first roller having an outer circumferential surface having a surface speed V 1 ;
rotating a second roller about a second axis of rotation, the second roller having an outer circumferential surface having a surface speed V 1 , wherein the first roller and the second roller rotate in opposite directions, and wherein the first roller is adjacent the second roller to define a first nip between the first roller and the second roller;
rotating a third roller about a third axis of rotation, the third roller having an outer circumferential surface having a surface speed V 2 , wherein V 2 is greater than V 1 ;
supplying a first substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface;
continuously advancing the first substrate at speed V 2 in a machine direction, wherein the first surface of the first substrate travels in an opposing direction to and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the second roller, and wherein the second surface of the first substrate travels in the same direction as and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the third roller;
stretching an elastic material in the machine direction by advancing the elastic material through the first nip to the third roller; and
joining the elastic material with the first surface of the first substrate while the second surface of the first substrate contacts the outer circumferential surface of the third roller.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying adhesive to the elastic material subsequent to advancing through the first nip and before joining the elastic material with the first surface of the first substrate.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
supplying a second substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and
joining second surface of the second substrate with the elastic material and the first surface of the first substrate.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of:
rotating a fourth roller about a fourth axis of rotation, the fourth roller having an outer circumferential surface having a surface speed V 2 , and wherein the fourth roller is adjacent the third roller to define a second nip between the third roller and the fourth roller; and
advancing the first substrate, the second substrate, and the elastic material through the second nip.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:
rotating a fourth roller about a fourth axis of rotation, the fourth roller having an outer circumferential surface having a surface speed V 2 ;
continuously advancing the second substrate at speed V 2 in the machine direction, wherein the first surface of the second substrate travels in the same direction as and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the fourth roller; and
joining second surface of the second substrate with elastic material and the first surface of the first substrate subsequent to joining the elastic material with the first surface of the first substrate.
6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of:
continuously advancing the second substrate at speed V 2 in the machine direction, wherein the second surface of the second substrate travels in an opposing direction to and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first roller.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of providing a scraper member in contact with the second surface of the second substrate.
8. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of providing a shield adjacent the first nip between the elastic material and the second surface of the second substrate.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first substrate comprises a nonwoven.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the first substrate is below the elastic material.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastic material comprises an elastic strand.