A PROCESS FOR ASSEMBLING ELASTICIZED EAR PORTIONS

• Main Author: FRIES, DONALD, MERLIN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 14.06.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; CONVEYING; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS,CABLES; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PROSTHESES; STORING; TRANSPORTING; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

A distinctive technique for forming an elasticized article includes the steps of providing first and second webs of elasticized side panel material. The side panel material is constructed to be elastically stretchable at least along an appointed lateral cross direction. At least one first fastener is attached to the first web of side panel material, and at least one second fastener is attached to the second web of side panel material. A web of bridge material is provided with first and second side edge regions thereof. The first web of side panel material is attached to the first side edge region of the web of bridge material, and the second web of side panel material is attached to the second side edge region of the web of bridge material. The second web of side panel material is arranged to provide a cross-directional alignment between at least one corresponding, laterally opposed pair of the first and second fasteners. The web of bridge material and the first and second webs of side panel material are divided to provide at least one composite bridge assembly having a bridge member interconnecting a laterally opposed pair of first and second side panel members. The composite bridge assembly is secured to an appointed article web with the first and second side panels of the laterally opposed pair of side panel members located at opposite side regions of the article web.