Methods of manufacturing articles utilizing foam particles
US11806924B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2021 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2982
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the additive manufacturing methods comprise increasing the temperature of a plurality of foam particles with actinic radiation under conditions effective to fuse a portion of the plurality of foam particles comprising one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Increasing the temperature of the foam particles can be carried out for one or multiple iterations. The disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that exhibit differing degrees of fusion between the foam particles, thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.