Patent ID: 6375771
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: B65C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of applying an elastic segment of sheet material having a leading end and a trailing end unattached to the leading end, to the surface of an article which presents a zone of maximum diameter or circumference and one or more adjacent areas of lesser diameter or circumference, said method comprising:(1) stretching the segment to increase the distance between the leading and trailing ends, and (2) applying said segment to the article to overlie said zone of maximum diameter or circumference and said adjacent area or areas by adhering the leading end of the stretched segment to the article, moving said article at a surface speed greater than the speed of the transferred segment so as to stretch said segment during transfer, wrapping the segment in a stretched condition around said article so as to overlie said zone and said adjacent area or areas and securing the trailing end of the stretched segment to said leading end or directly to the article, the stretched segment being spaced from the areas of lesser diameter or circumference under said stretched segment, the stretching of said segment being sufficient that, when the applied stretching force is relinquished, the length of said segment between the leading and trailing ends of the portions of the segment overlying the lesser diameter areas will decrease and, upon relaxing, said segment will adhere closely and tightly to such areas or closely enough that the segment can then be heat shrunk onto such area or areas, and the portion of said segment overlying said zone of maximum diameter remains in a stretched condition.