Apparatus and method for stretching and repitching elastic members

US11510823B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ONTEX GROUP NV · BE

Inventors

• Thomas HEEGE · Düngenheim, DE
• Michael HOCHHAUSEN · Münstermaifeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 3, 2021
• Grant date: Nov 29, 2022
• Expiry date: Mar 3, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2031/4878
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The current invention concerns a method and apparatus for stretching and repitching an elastic member for attachment to a moving substrate, the elastic member being stretchable in at least a longitudinal direction and said elastic member in an essential non-stretched condition comprising an initial length along said longitudinal direction, the method comprising the steps of: (1) providing the elastic member in essentially non-stretched condition to a set of repitching members with an initial supply pitch, said set of repitching members comprising at least a first repitching member and a second repitching member, and optionally one or more repitching members arranged between said first and said second repitching member; (2) receiving said elastic members arranged in non-stretched condition between said set of repitching members, whereby the distance between the first and the second repitching member corresponds to the initial length of the elastic member; (3) moving at least said first and said second repitching members following trajectories diverging from each other, thereby stretching said elastic members arranged between the repitching members to an application length which is l…