Patent ID: 8080198

Claim:
A method of making an elastic diaper component, comprising the steps of: providing an elastic laminate including an elastic layer and a first fabric layer, wherein the elastic laminate has a recoverable extension of at least 20% when an extension force E1 is applied; and integratively pre-stretching in an amalgamated manner across a width of the elastic laminate so that the elastic laminate will stretch to the same recoverable extension when a reduced extension force E2 is applied; manner wherein the integratively pre-stretching step comprises urging the elastic laminate laterally outward to temporarily widen its span, causing the elastic laminate to travel through a curved route to temporarily widen its span, and/or conveying a portion of the elastic laminate through an offset path to temporarily widen its span; whereby, when the elastic laminate is used in the elastic diaper component, a lesser fitting force F fit is required to extend the elastic component to a desired length during an initial fitting of a diaper on a wearer, compared to the fitting force required to extend an elastic diaper component comprising a laminate that has not been prestretched.