Abstract:
A pants-type diaper, is provided which is equipped with leg-hole elastics which effectively encircle the leg-holes without traversing the crotch region. Also provided are methods for producing such diapers. Typical products of this type are provided with an outer laminate, formed of an inner liner material and an outer backsheet material between which the leg-hole elastics are disposed. The invention provides for the removal of a strip of inner liner material carrying undesirable crotch-region elastic strands prior to lamination or combining of the remaining inner liner with a complementary outer layer backsheet.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 10/085,908, filed Feb. 28, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/537,157, filed Mar. 29, 2000, and which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,278. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to disposable garments, and more particularly, a pants-type diaper, which is equipped with elastics strips effectively encircling the leg-holes without traversing the crotch region and to a method for producing such diapers.  
           [0003]    Disposable diapers of the children&#39;s training pant type, or of the adult incontinence type, are typically equipped with elastic strands, which encircle the leg-holes. These strands of elastic are typically captured with adhesive between two layers of non-woven materials. Various methods are used to position these elastic strands so that they produce the desired encircling effect.  
           [0004]    In one method of manufacture, the diapers are produced in an orientation whereby product flow is in the form of a single continuous web and the direction of travel is at a right angle with respect to what would be described as the crotch line of the diaper, i.e., the normal direction of product flow is parallel to the waist as opposed to parallel to the crotch.  
           [0005]    One method of creating the desired effect of encircling the leg holes of the pant with elastics is to interleave two swaths of elastic strands, each curving across the face of the traveling web, encircling about one half of the leg-hole areas and crossing the path of the other. As a pair, they create a boundary around each leg-hole cutout, which resembles a circle or ellipse. In practice, however, the lateral excursions of the elastic lay-down device are speed-limited. As the traveling web is moving at some speed in one direction, and as the elastic lay-down device has speed and acceleration limits in the cross-direction, there is a limit to the steepness of the oblique angle which it is possible to form between the two. The result of this limitation is usually seen in the form of apparent incompleteness in the formation of the leg-hole-encircling pattern, particularly at the crotch line, where the two swaths cross each other.  
           [0006]    From the point on the web at which one leg-hole pattern has been completed to the point at which the next can be begun, the elastic laydown device must reposition itself to a favorable starting point. This period of repositioning occurs as the crotch region passes the laydown device. As a result, the elastic strands must also cross this region of the product, at which they may or may not be attached by means of adhesives to the carrier webs. Various means are used to control or limit the positional relationships of the elastic strands in this region. The two sets of strands may cross over each other, creating an “X” pattern, or, they may loop back over to their respective sides, creating an “O” at the center of the crotch region. Alternatively, they may be mechanically stopped and prevented from crossing each other, creating two sets of generally parallel lines at the crotch The lay-down pattern used at the crotch will determine the final appearance of the product in this area.  
           [0007]    The shirring effect created by elastic strands when laminated with any flexible fabric is well known. However, to have this shirring effect applied to the crotch of a pant-type garment can be undesirable. The elastics create a contractile force, which tends to distort the garment at this location, thereby reducing the garment&#39;s aesthetic appeal, effectiveness and comfort. Thus various methods of reducing or eliminating the effects of the elastic tension normally occurring at the crotch have been attempted. These methods include the elimination of the adhesive bond between the strands and the liner materials described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,922 as “unsecured space” as well as various methods of cutting the strands to eliminate their effects.  
           [0008]    While the presence of the leg-hole elastic strands at the crotch region is claimed by some to be of benefit in biasing the diaper&#39;s inner cuffs against the user&#39;s legs see U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,627; Igaue, et al, it is believed by the present applicants that the disadvantages, described above, outweigh any advantages.  
           [0009]    As mentioned, one method of eliminating the undesired effects of the elastic strands which cross the crotch region is to sever them. This method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,657. Unfortunately, such severing usually requires the introduction of a transversely extending cut, which can result in a loss of web tension in the severed part of the carrier web. This also creates an undesirable opening in the diaper backsheet. A proposed solution for this problem is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,470, wherein an ultrasonic device is used to sever the elastic members, while the carrier webs which encapsulate the elastics are left intact. See, also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,396. Another problem associated with such severing lies in the tendency of the unsecured severed ends of elastic to retract to some point beyond the limits of any adhesive pattern. Thus, the elastic strands are not controlled or anchored near the ends of the adhesion pattern and may snap back to further into the adhesive pattern. This results in an incomplete elastic pattern and poor product characteristics.  
           [0010]    One method of compensating for the incompleteness of the encircling pattern entails insertion of an additional set of elastic strips, running parallel to the crotch line and transverse to the web path. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,634,917 and 5,660,657. Typical products of this type are provided with an outer laminate, which is formed of an inner liner material and an outer backsheet material, between which the leg-hole elastics are disposed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    It is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved method of producing pants type diapers and to provide the resultant improved diapers. A pants-type diaper, is provided which is equipped with leg-hole elastics which effectively encircle the leg-holes without traversing the crotch region.  
           [0012]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, elastic strands are eliminated from the crotch region of a pants type diaper. In accordance with a related aspect, the invention provides a method wherein undesirable elastic material is encapsulated and then an interior longitudinal zone of material which contains the undesirable elastic is cut away and removed. The invention provides for the removal of a strip of inner liner material carrying the undesirable crotch-region strands before the remaining inner liner is combined or laminated with its complementary outer backsheet layer.  
           [0013]    In accordance with a further related aspect, the remaining webs, which contain elastic strands, are subsequently laminated with a cover sheet. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the remaining webs may be rejoined before lamination, thereby reducing the segment of leg opening perimeter which is removed.  
           [0014]    In one embodiment, the leg-hole elastic swaths are laid down on an inner non-woven carrier web, following appropriate curving patterns. The resultant composite web is then longitudinally slit into two narrower webs. The inside edge of each narrower web is then folded longitudinally to cover that part of the elastic pattern which is to be removed. This operation serves to cover the exposed adhesive and to entrap the elastics in this area. The entrapped elastics and the material within which they are enclosed are then removed by again slitting the edge of the webs and scrapping the waste edges. The remaining webs, with their semicircular elastic patterns intact may then be subsequently brought back to positions of contiguity by guiding means. This relocation brings the two semi-circles together to form more nearly perfect elastic circles or ellipses. The two narrower webs are then laminated with an outer carrier web, which entraps the remaining elastic swaths, creating a final laminated outer backsheet for the pant-type diaper. Subsequent processes insert an absorbent chassis or pad, cut out the leg-hole, fold the web longitudinally, and seal and cut the web into individual pants type diapers.  
           [0015]    A second embodiment of the invention involves a similar process, but differs, in that instead of folding the slit edge of the web over to cover and entrap the elastics which are to be removed, separate strips of web material are introduced for this purpose. Such web strips may be obtained by slitting them from either the outer or inner edges of two narrow webs.  
           [0016]    A third embodiment, a variant of the second embodiment, covers and entraps the elastics with a single, wider strip of material. Such web may be an edge previously cut and removed from the inner liner material or may be separate material provided for this purpose.  
           [0017]    A fourth embodiment may be similar to one of the first, second or third embodiments, but differs in that the two narrow webs are not brought together prior to lamination. Instead, the gaps or missing segments between two semi-circles around the leg openings are replaced by elastics provided in the edges of an absorbent chassis or pad, which overlays the crotch area.  
           [0018]    In a yet further embodiment of the invention the intermediate narrow strip of material is eliminated. A single web, or if desired, a pair of traveling webs are provided onto each of which an adhesive pattern is applied. The elastic strips are laid down on the adhesive in a serpentine pattern. The strips may be firmly secured to the adhesive by pressing them into the adhesive, for example, by using a pressure roll. A chilled slitting knife may be used in order to minimize adhesive build-up or contamination on the knives. Also, the adhesive can be applied in a pattern which leaves a gap in a strip along which slitting takes place, order to facilitate clean cutting of the composite web. After slitting and removal of the trim, a back sheet is applied which results in the elastic strips being sandwiched between the slit webs and the backsheet.  
           [0019]    Briefly, a preferred method of the invention includes the steps of providing a web, defining on the web a portion of a pants type diaper including locations for leg openings and a crotch area there between. Then, a layer of adhesive is applied around the leg openings and across the crotch area.  
           [0020]    An elastic ribbon is laid down on the adhesive in a semicircular pattern around the leg openings and across the crotch area. Subsequently a narrow web is laid down over the elastic and the adhesive in the crotch area. Then the web is longitudinally slit to sever at least a portion of the narrow web and the unwanted elastic in the crotch area. The removed materials are scrapped, resulting in a pants-type diaper without elastic in the crotch region.  
           [0021]    A cover sheet is laminated over the remaining web, and, all material is removed from the leg openings. An absorbent pad is preferably attached over the crotch area. The absorbent pad may optionally be provided with elastic strips adjacent opposite lateral edges which serve to complete the encirclement of the leg openings by elastic material.  
           [0022]    The invention, thus, produces a disposable garment including a front body portion, a back body portion and an intermediate crotch portion with spaced left and right leg openings on opposite sides of said crotch portion. The edges of the front and back body portions are joined to form a waist portion, the leg openings each having an upper periphery adjacent to the waist portion and a lower periphery adjacent to the crotch portion. The garment, further, includes a back sheet which forms an outer surface thereof, a top sheet and an absorbent pad positioned in the crotch area. In accordance with the invention, there are front left and right elastic strands which extend, respectively, around a quadrant of each of the leg openings from forward ends which terminate at a forward part of the crotch portion and around the upper periphery of each of the left and right leg openings to the side seam. Similarly, rear left and right elastic strands extend, respectively, around another quadrant of each of the leg openings from rearward ends which terminate at a rearward part of the crotch portion and extend around the upper periphery of each of the left and right leg openings to the side seam. The strands are adhered to the top sheet, and to first and second narrow webs sandwiched between the top sheet and the back sheet. The first narrow web is adhered to the forward ends of each of the left and right elastic strands and the second narrow web is adhered to the rearward ends of each of the left and right elastic strands.  
           [0023]    In its most basic form, the invention provides a method of forming pants type diapers which includes the steps of (a) providing a traveling fabric web upon which is defined a portion of a pants type diaper including locations thereon for leg openings and a crotch area therebetween, (b) applying an adhesive pattern on the web around the leg openings, (c) laying down strips of elastic material on the adhesive in an undulating pattern around the leg opening locations on the traveling web and across the crotch area, (d) forming a pair of parallel longitudinal slits along the center of the traveling web to sever the central portion of the web thereby severing the elastic in the crotch area, (e) removing the severed portion of the traveling web and the elastic, laminating a cover sheet over the severed halves of the traveling web, (f) cutting and removing all material from the leg openings, (g) severing the web into individual diaper blanks, (h) folding the blanks in half across the crotch area, and, (i) sealing the edges of the blank together on each side thereof to form a pants-type diaper.  
           [0024]    Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, the attached claims and the drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 1 a - 1   c , collectively, are a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the invention in somewhat diagrammatic fashion;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the equipment and process shown in FIGS. 1 a - 1   c;    
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 3 a - 3   b  are, collectively, a perspective view showing in somewhat diagrammatic fashion an alternative embodiment of the invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view further illustrating the process and equipment shown in FIGS. 3 a - 3   b;    
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 5 a - 5   g  are a series of fragmentary plan views showing sections of the web as it passes through the process and apparatus of FIGS. 1 a - 1   c  and  2 ;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 h  is a fragmentary plan view showing a step subsequent to that depicted in FIG. 5 g  but viewed from the opposite side of the web;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 a  is a fragmentary plan view showing a web section at a point where it leaves combining role number  124  in FIG. 3 a;    
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 b  is a fragmentary plan view viewed from the opposite direction shown in FIG. 6 a  and showing a section of the web after it leaves roller  46  depicted in FIG. 3 b;    
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 7 a - 7   g  are fragmentary top plan views showing yet another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 h  is a fragmentary top plan view taken from the opposite of the web shown in FIGS. 7 a - 7   g  at a subsequent point in the process;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 is a top plan view showing an unfolded diaper blank produced in accordance with the invention with the leg openings removed;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 9 a  is a perspective view of the diaper blank of FIG. 8;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 9 b  is a perspective view showing the diaper of FIGS. 8 and 9 a  after final assembly thereof;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view showing the leg opening and elastics of the diaper of FIG. 9 b;    
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another embodiment of the invention in somewhat diagrammatic fashion;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 12 a - 12   c  are a series of fragmentary plan views showing sections of webs as passing through the process and apparatus of FIG. 11; and,  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 13 a - 13   c  are another series of fragmentary plan views showing sections of webs as passing through the apparatus of FIG. 11 in accordance with a modified process. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0042]    Referring first to FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b  and  1   c , one of the preferred embodiments of the process of this invention and related apparatus are illustrated. The process utilizes two main carrier webs; a non-woven web  11  which forms an inner liner web, while web  12  forms an outwardly facing layer in the finished diaper. In this embodiment, non-woven web  11  is slit, at slitter station  15 , by rotary knives  14  along three lines. One of these, line  16 , is on approximately the centerline of web  11  and two additional lines  17  and  18  are parallel to and spaced a short distance from centerline  16 . (See FIG. 5 a .) The effect is twofold, first, to separate web  11  into two halves, as also seen in FIG. 5 b . One half,  19 , will become the inside of the front of the diaper  50  and the second half,  20 , will become the inside of the back of that garment. Second, two separate, relatively narrow strips  22  and  24  are formed which are subsequently used to cover and entrap portions of the leg-hole elastics  25  and  26 . Strips  22  and  24  are separated physically by an angularly disposed spreader roll  23  and aligned laterally with their downstream target positions on the inner edges of webs  19  and  20 .  
         [0043]    As shown in FIG. 5 c , adhesive patterns  21  and  27  are applied to the web halves  19  and  20  in the target areas for the leg hole elastics  25  and  26 . A spray gun assembly  29  of a type known in the art is preferably used to apply adhesive patterns  21  and  27 . Two sets of leg-hole elastic strands  25  and  26  are introduced through laydown guides  28  and  30 , which reciprocate from side to side past each other. Strands  25  and  26  are glued to the web sections  19  and  20 , their laydown patterns following a serpentine path. Given the absence of adhesive in the area separating web  19  from web  20 , for some portion of each successive diaper product, the strands  25  and  26  each track parallel to the inner slit edges of the web sections  19  and  20 . Laydown guides  28  and  30 , thus, apply the strands  25  and  26  which form leg-hole elastics as the web sections  19  and  20  are carried along the face of a drum or roll  32 . Those parts of the elastic patterns which are near the inner slit edges of webs  19  and  20  are then covered by the introduction of an adhesive lamination thereover of the strips  22  and  24  of non-woven web also against the drum  32 .  
         [0044]    The side-to-side excursions of the leg-hole elastic laydown guides  28  and  30  result in arcuate segments of elastic strands extending on each side of the web centerline as seen in FIGS. 5 d  and  5   e . After the non-woven strips  22  and  24  have been applied to cover and entrap those parts of the elastics  25  and  26  which run nearest to and parallel to the inner edges of the webs  19  and  20 , a second pair of slitter knives  34  (FIG. 2) are used to trim away a portion of the narrow non-woven strips  22 ,  24 , along with that part of the inner liner webs  19 ,  20  to which they are laminated. This also removes those portions of the elastic strands  25 ,  26  which are contained within the laminations. The resultant trimmed scrap strips  36  are removed from the process for disposal elsewhere.  
         [0045]    The effect of the last-described step is to totally remove the cut away portions of the elastic, eliminating its corresponding unwanted gathering effect from the crotch region of the garments  50 . The remaining portions of the curved elastic strands create a gathering effect around the leg openings of the finished garments  50 .  
         [0046]    Subsequent to the combining and trimming of the inner webs  19 ,  20  and the cover strips  22 ,  24 , the combining drum  32  carries the webs to a point of approximate tangency with a second combining drum  38 , where the web sections  19 ,  20 , with their respective curved elastic patterns  21  and  27  exposed, are transferred to and laminated adhesively against the inside face of outer liner web  12 . This process entraps the curved elastic patterns  25 ,  26  between the inner and outer chassis webs  19 ,  20  and web  12  thereby forming a composite web  39 .  
         [0047]    A succession of absorbent pads  40  are picked up at a supply station  41  by vacuum heads  44  of a pad supplying/turning device  42 . The absorbent pads  40  are comprised of various absorbent materials contained within a non-woven cover stock which are well known in the art. The pads are rotated 90° and applied, successively, to the crotch areas of the composite web  39  by a transfer roll  46  where they are attached adhesively to the inside of the web  39  which forms the garment chassis. FIG. 5 h  shows a pad  40  attached to the composite web  39 . It should be noted that in FIG. 5 h  the web  39  is being viewed from the opposite side from that which is shown in FIGS. 5 a  through  5   g.    
         [0048]    Leg hole materials  48 , if not previously removed, are cut at a cutting station  47 , thereby removing the material  48  contained within an approximate perimeter defined by the curved pattern of the elastics  25 ,  26 . The running composite chassis web  39  is folded, before or after cutting out of the leg holes, longitudinally along its centerline, thereby aligning its front waist edge  51  with its back waist edge  52 . The regions  53  which are to become the side seams  54  of the garments  50  are then welded by a sealing device  49  either ultrasonically or by heat. Note that the leg-holes are preferably cut out before this point, leaving only a narrow zone for welding. The weld pattern is preferably wide enough to extend into both the left side seam of one garment and the right side seam of the adjacent garment. The garments  50  are then separated by passing through a cut-off knife assembly  55 , which severs the web along the transverse axis of the side seam weld  53 .  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the invention which provides a process that results in bringing of the front and back leg hole elastics into closer proximity with each other. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , this is accomplished by beginning with a web of material  111  and slitting the same, for example, by means of a rotary knife  114  into two halves,  119  and  120 . It will be appreciated that instead of cutting the web  111  into halves that the process could also be practiced by providing the narrower webs  119  and  120  from two separate sources of material. As shown, the two webs  119  and  120  are brought into the process utilizing two separate combining drums,  121  and  122 , each of which lays down its respective web  119  and  120  onto a larger rotating drum  124 . In the illustrated embodiment a narrow strip  126  is removed by means of a rotary knife  125  from web  119 . Similarly a rotary knife  128  removes a strip  129  from web  120 . As shown in FIG. 3 a , elastic strands  130  are applied in an oscillating pattern onto web  119  at combining drum  121  and the inwardly facing edges thereof are covered by the narrow web  126 . Similarly an elastic  132  is applied to web  120  immediately prior to covering of the inwardly facing edge thereof by means of narrow web  129 . Adhesive patterns are applied by applicators  134  and  136 , respectively, to form spray patterns  140  and  138  which are shown in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b . After the elastic  130  has been laid upon web  119  on combining drum  121 , the inwardly facing edge thereof is cut by means of a rotary cutter  142 , thereby removing a strip of scrap material  144  which includes the inner edges of web  119  and narrow strip  126  together with that portion of elastic  130  which is sandwiched therebetween. The identical process takes place on combining drum  122  with respect to web half  120  where, after lamination of elastic  132  between the inner edge of web  120  and narrow strip  129 , a rotary knife  146  removes the severed portion of the webs and elastic  148 . The resultant laminated webs  119  and  120  are then applied to a backsheet web  150  on combining drum  124 . This results in a combined web  152 , also illustrated in FIG. 6 a.    
         [0050]    Then, as in the case of the earlier described embodiment, a pad turning and supplying assembly  42  utilizing vacuum heads  40  supplies a series of absorbent pads  153  to a transfer roll  46  which applies each pad successively in each crotch area on the combined web  152 . As best seen in FIG. 6 b , the absorbent pads  153  may be supported on a sheet of absorbent web material  154  which is bonded to the composite web  152  by means of ultrasonic welding, heat, or, if desired, by means of adhesives. As best seen in FIG. 6 a  the bringing of the webs  119  and  120  into close proximity to each other makes it possible for the elastics  130  and  132  to effectively encircle the leg areas with only an insignificant gap between them. This reduces or eliminates the need for introducing elastics along the lateral edges of the pads  153 .  
         [0051]    The embodiment of FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  is shown in diagrammatic form in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 also illustrates the steps of folding the composite web in half at a folding station  156 , cutting out the leg hole material  159  and a cutting station  158 . Then, side seams  161  are formed at a sealing station  160 . The side seams  161  are severed along their approximate center line at another cutting station  162 . This results in the finished diaper garment  164  which have side seams  161  on each side of the garment.  
         [0052]    Referring to FIGS.  8 - 10 , there is seen, in FIGS. 8 and 9 a , a blank for a diaper garment  50  which may be produced by the apparatus and method shown in FIGS.  1 - 1   c  or, alternatively, by that shown in FIGS. 7 a - 7   h . In this embodiment the leg openings have been cut out leaving the strands  25  and  26  partially encircling the leg openings. A pad  40  supported on a web  60 , which may also be formed of non-woven absorbent material, has been applied to the crotch area. A separate strand of elastic material  62  and  64  positioned on opposite sides of the pad  40  provides a means to complete the approximate encirclement of the leg openings by means of elastic material which, as in the earlier described embodiment, is somewhat discontinuous. Thus, the ends of elastic strands  25  and  26  which are inwardly terminating in the crotch area are secured by the narrow webs  22  and  24  as seen in FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b , as well as in FIG. 10. The elastic strands  62  and  64  are thus spaced away from the ends of elastics  25  and  26 . This arrangement provides for a comfortable fit around the legs of a wearer but without any bunching tendency in the crotch area which might cause discomfort.  
         [0053]    Also, as seen in FIGS.  9 - 10  waist elastics  66  are provided on opposite sides of the garment blank which, after folding together and formation of the side seams  54 , entirely encircle the waist area of the finished garment  50 . Note, also, in FIGS. 9 b  and  10  that the ends of the elastics  25  and  26  which extend furthest away from the crotch area also become secured by means of the side seams  54 .  
         [0054]    Referring next to FIGS. 7 a - 7   h , there is illustrated a sequence of steps illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention. In accordance with the embodiment of  7   a - 7   h , a web  211 , as depicted in FIG. 7 a , is slit into two halves  219  and  220  as it travels through the process. Then, adhesive patterns  221  and  227  are applied, as shown in FIG. 7 c , to the respective web halves  219  and  220 . Elastic strips  225  and  226  are then applied in an undulating pattern, as shown in FIG. 7 d . Then, the inner edges of the webs  219  and  220  are folded over on themselves thereby covering and securing the portions of elastic strips  225  and  226  which are nearest the cut line  218  between webs  219  and  220 . As also seen, the portions of elastic strands  225  and  226  which traverse the crotch region of the diaper being manufactured are captured along the fold line between folded over strip  222  and the remainder of web  219  and similarly along the fold line between the folded over portion  224  and the remainder of web  220 .  
         [0055]    Referring to FIG. 7 f , the two web halves  219  and  220  are seen after severance therefrom of the inner edges or folds of the folded over flap portions  222  and  224 . Thus, it will be appreciated that the ends of elastic strands  225  and  226  nearest the crotch region of the diaper are anchored in place by the remaining width of the strips  222  and  224  and the webs  219  and  220 , respectively.  
         [0056]    In FIG. 7 g  a cover sheet  212  has been laminated over the web halves  219  and  220 . The adhesive areas  221  and  227  which flow into the webs  219  and  220  are not shown in this view, since they are no longer discrete entities. The elastic strands  225  and  226  have been at this point sandwiched between the layers  212  and  219  or  220 , respectively with the ends thereof firmly anchored by the narrow strips  222  and  224  which are also sandwiched between the covering web  212  and the original web halves  219  and  220 .  
         [0057]    Referring to FIG. 7 h , the assembled diaper forming materials of FIG. 7 g  are shown from the opposite side of the web and with an absorbent pad  240  secured thereto. As in the earlier embodiments, pad  240  is attached to a supporting web  260 . Also, in this case elastic strands  262  and  264  are attached to the carrier web  260  so that the gaps between the ends of each of the elastics  225  and  226  which lie closest to the diaper crotch area are provided with an elastic material. Note, again, that the strands  262  and  264  are displaced slightly from the ends of the strands  225  and  226  which are anchored by the narrow strips  222  and  224 . It will, thus, be appreciated that after the removal of the leg opening materials from the combined webs of FIG. 7 h , a blank is provided which is virtually identical to that shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 a . Accordingly, the resultant diaper is also virtually identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 9 b  and  10 .  
         [0058]    Referring to FIG. 11, there is seen a modified process of this invention wherein the narrow covering strips  22  and  24 , shown in connection with the earlier described embodiments, are not used. Instead, diapers and diaper blanks are produced wherein elastic strands  25  and  26  become sandwiched between a fabric web  311  and a back sheet  12 . In FIG. 11 the apparatus and components having the same numbers used in connection the earlier described embodiments refer to the same components.  
         [0059]    As seen in FIG. 11, a non-woven web  311  is cut along its center line, longitudinally, by means of a rotary knife  14  along a central cut line  318 , thus forming two narrower web halves  319  and  320 . A sequence of the processing steps relating to the web halves  319  and  320  are illustrated in part in FIGS. 12 a - 12   c , steps which are omitted being similar to those shown in connection with the earlier-described embodiments. As in the case of the earlier embodiments, adhesive patterns  320  and  321  are applied to the web halves  319  and  320  by means of an adhesive applicator  29 . Then, elastic strands  25  and  26  are laid down by means of reciprocating feeding devices  328  and  330 , resulting in a pattern such as illustrated in FIG. 12 b . Note that intended trim lines  340  and  342  are shown for illustrative purposes in FIGS. 12 a  and  12   b  by means of phantom lines. Note also from these figures that the adhesive patterns  321  and  327  are omitted from strips over the cut lines  340  and  342 . This procedure facilitates slitting of the webs  319  and  320  along the trim lines  340  and  342 , respectively. The slitting knives, thus, serve to cut the webs along these lines  340  and  342  without undo accumulation of adhesive on the knives.  
         [0060]    The web halves  319  and  320  are shown subsequent to slitting and removal of the elastic strips  25  and  26  from the crotch area in FIG. 12 c . It will then be appreciated that when an outside covering web  12  is applied over the parallel traveling web halves  319  and  320  that the elastic strands  325  and  326  will be sandwiched between the webs  12  and  319  or  320  and thus firmly held in place. Only a small, inconsequential end of each of the strands  25  or  26  adjacent to the slit lines  340  and  342  is left unanchored by the adhesives.  
         [0061]    Referring to FIGS. 13 a - 13   c  in conjunction with FIG. 11, a further embodiment of the invention will be described. In this variation the web  311  is not slit by a rotary knife prior to application of the adhesive patterns thereto. Thus, the rotary knife  14  of FIG. 11 can be omitted. As seen in FIG. 13 a , the web  311  is intact when the adhesive patterns  421  and  427  are applied. In other respects, these adhesive patterns are similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 12 a - 12   c . As in that case, the trim lines  440  and  442  are again shown by means of phantom lines. Also, again, the adhesive patterns  421  and  427  can be configured so that adhesive is omitted from strips along the intended trim lines. After application of elastic strands  25  and  26  over the adhesive patterns  421  and  427 , the web  311  is slit along the two parallel lines  440  and  442  resulting in two web segments  419  and  420 , as seen in FIG. 13 c . As noted by a comparison of FIGS. 12 c  and  13   c , both of these procedures result in virtually identical diaper blanks. Subsequently, the leg hole areas are removed as in the case of the earlier embodiments and waistband elastics can be applied at a convenient point in the process. Then, the blanks are formed into finished diapers, just as in the case of the earlier described embodiments.  
         [0062]    While various preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additional modifications can be made falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.