Patent ID: 6938309
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for stretching a web, the apparatus comprising: a web path comprising a down-web direction extending from an input end to an output end and a cross-web direction transverse to the down-web direction, wherein the web path further comprises first, second, and third zones, each of the first, second, and third zones comprising a portion of the width of the web path and extending along a length of the web path in the down-web direction, wherein the second zone is located between the first and third zones; and wherein the first zone and the third zone comprise neutral positions relative to each other in which the first, second, and third zones are aligned in the cross-web direction; and wherein the first zone and the third zone comprise stretch positions relative to each other in which the first zone and the third zone are displaced from each other in a stretch direction that is perpendicular to both the down-web and the cross-web directions, wherein the web path defines a stretch distance over which the first zone and third zone are displaced relative to each other in the stretch direction; and further wherein the second zone of the web path spans between the first zone and the third zone and is unsupported therebetween over the stretch distance.