Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming a tensioned garter and bonding it to a substrate while holding the garter in a predetermined shape. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment mandrels having a perimeter of the desired garter shape are mounted to a rotating drum. Tensioned elastic ribbons are progressively wrapped, sealed, and cut around the mandrels to form individual tensioned garters which cling to the side walls of the mandrels. In another embodiment each mandrel has a top surface. The upper portion of a garter has sufficient elastic tension to cause it to fold over the mandrel top surface to form a garter flange thereon. A substrate is then engaged with the garter flange and an external sealing means seals the flange to the substrate, using the mandrel top surface as an anvil. In still another embodiment the mandrel top surface has a raised outer rim. An ultrasonic horn seals a garter flange to a substrate where they are supported by the mandrel rim. The mandrel rim is shaped to provide a continuous seal which is weakened at its inner edge. When the weakened edge is broken, substrate and garter materials inside the seal edge are removed, thereby forming a hole around which the remaining portion of the garter may contract. Vacuum is applied from the mandrel top surface to the substrate inside the garter in this embodiment in order to break the seal edge and remove this material as the substrate and garter are stripped off the mandrel.

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First Claim