CPC A61F 13/15699 (2013.01) [A61F 13/15658 (2013.01); B29C 65/08 (2013.01); B29C 65/7894 (2013.01); B32B 37/0076 (2013.01); B32B 37/20 (2013.01); A61F 2013/15869 (2013.01); A61F 2013/15991 (2013.01); B29L 2031/4878 (2013.01); B32B 2307/51 (2013.01); B32B 2555/02 (2013.01)] | 6 Claims |
1. An apparatus for manufacturing an elastic composite structure, the apparatus comprising:
at least one means for transporting a first web layer and a second web layer in a machine direction;
at least one means for transporting an elastic thread in the machine direction in a tensioned state; and
a bonding unit configured to:
bond the first web layer to the second web layer absent adhesive via a bond pattern comprising at least one bond line having at least one pair of adjacent bonds; and
anchor the elastic thread within a passage defined by the at least one pair of adjacent bonds, the passage having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the elastic thread in a non-tensioned state;
wherein the bonding unit comprises an ultrasonic bonding unit having a face with at least one welding line defined thereon, each welding line of the at least one welding line arranged to form the bond pattern;
wherein the at least one welding line comprises a notch positioned between a pair of projections;
wherein the notch has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the elastic thread in the non-tensioned state, and
wherein the notch has a stepped geometry.
|