Method for controlling retraction of composite materials

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for heat treatment of non-woven composite elastic material including a non-woven elastic layer; and a non-woven gatherable layer. The process includes stretching the material, heating the material and cooling the material. The material has a softer more cloth like feel.

1 - 19 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for activating a composite elastic material comprising 
 a) a material source providing the composite elastic material;    b) a heating mechanism for heating the composite elastic material;    c) a retracting mechanism receiving the composite elastic material from the cooling mechanism; and    d) a cooling mechanism for cooling the composite elastic material from the heating mechanism.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the material is a continuous web, the material is moved at a first speed and a second speed in the retracting mechanism.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second speeds are different.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the first speed is about 846 feet per minute.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the material moves at a third speed in the retracting mechanism.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first and third speeds are different.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first speed is greater than the third speed.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the second and third speeds are different.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the second speed is greater than the third speed.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the second speed is less than the third speed.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first speed is about 846 feet per minute.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the second speed is about 805 feet per minute.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the third speed is about 769 feet per minute.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the first speed is about 846 feet per minute, wherein the second speed is about 805 feet per minute, and wherein the third speed is about 769 feet per minute.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the retracting mechanism includes a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller, the material moves at the first speed on the first roller, the material moves at the second speed on the second roller, the material moves at the third speed on the third roller.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the cooling mechanism includes a winder receiving the material from the retracing mechanism, and the material moves onto the winder at a fourth speed.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the fourth speed is less than the first speed.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the first speed is greater than both the second speed and the third speed.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the first speed is about 846 feet per minute, wherein the second speed is about 805 feet per minute, wherein the third speed is about 769 feet per minute, and wherein the fourth speed is about 800.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the retracting mechanism comprises: 
 a first roller in contact with the material;    a second roller in contact with the material subsequent to the first roller; 
 wherein the heating mechanism comprises:  
   a heat source for supplying a heated gas;    a first vacuum inlet positioned within the first roller to draw the heated gas through the material and the first roller; and 
 wherein the cooling mechanism comprises:  
   a coolant source for supplying a coolant; and    a second vacuum inlet positioned within the second roller to draw the coolant through the material and the second roller.    
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the material is a continuous web, the material exits the first roller at a first temperature, the material exits the second roller at a second temperature, the second temperature being less than the first temperature.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the retracting mechanism includes a third roller receiving the material from the first roller prior to the second roller, the material exits the third roller at a third temperature, and the third temperature is greater than both the first temperature and the second temperature.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the material at the material source is at a fourth temperature, and the fourth temperature is less than both the first temperature and the second temperature.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the third temperature is about 145 degrees F., the second temperature is about 118 degrees F., and the fourth temperature is about 80 degrees F.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the material moves from the material source at a speed of about 846 feet per minute and a temperature of about 80 degrees F.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the retracting mechanism moves the material at a first speed of about 846 feet per minute on the first roller and at a second speed of about 805 feet per minute on the third roller, and wherein the heating mechanism heats the material to about 145 degrees F. when the material is traveling at the second speed on the third roller.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the heating mechanism heats the material while the material travels through the retracting mechanism, and wherein the cooling mechanism subsequently cools the material as the material travels through the retracting mechanism.  
     
     
         48 . (Cancelled)