Expanded pellets and method for manufacturing molded components using them

US11992981B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• adidas AG · DE

Inventors

• Christopher Edward Holmes · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Tru Huu Minh Le · Erlangen, DE
• Sabrina Kerling · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Dharan Kirupanantham · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Volker Altstädt · Hamburg, DE
• Amir Fathi · Bayreuth, DE
• Daniel Raps · Bayreuth, DE
• Clemens Keilholz · Bayreuth, DE
• Thomas Koeppl · Bayreuth, DE
• Paul Leonard Michael Smith · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Jan Hill
• Angus Wardlaw · Nuremberg, DE
• Daniel Stephen Price · Herzogenaurach, DE
• James Tarrier · Nuremberg, DE
• Christopher Robertson · Herzogenaurach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 11, 2021
• Grant date: May 28, 2024
• Expiry date: Aug 11, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G10K11/162
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded to polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.