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Article of footwear of nonwoven material and method of manufacturing same

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-12-07
NIKE INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide a method of forming an article of footwear that includes a step of depositing polymeric fibers onto a surface of a last to form a nonwoven material having a shape that corresponds with the surface of the last. The nonwoven material may then be incorporated into an article of footwear. Such footwear provides improved breathability and moldability, abrasion resistance, stretch and recovery, water resistance, and recyclability.
[0014] Substantial advantage is achieved by forming an article of footwear or an upper of an article of footwear of a nonwoven material. In particular, certain embodiments produce an upper that is breathable and comfortable, with improved moldability, abrasion resistance, stretch and recovery, and recyclability. Such footwear also has unique performance and aesthetic characteristics and reduced waste.

Problems solved by technology

Melt-blown fibers often include both continuous and discontinuous fibers, since their smaller diameters tends to result in breakage of the continuous fibers, as contrasted with spunbond fibers that include primarily continuous fibers.

Method used

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  • Article of footwear of nonwoven material and method of manufacturing same
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  • Article of footwear of nonwoven material and method of manufacturing same

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Embodiment Construction

[0020] Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, an upper for an article of footwear a method of forming an article of footwear and in accordance with various embodiments are illustrated. The accompanying figures illustrate only the formation of an article of footwear intended for use on a left foot of a wearer. It is to be appreciated that the various embodiments also include a right article of footwear, such footwear being the mirror image of the left foot article depicted herein.

[0021] An article of footwear 10 in accordance certain embodiments is depicted in FIG. 1 and includes an upper 12. Attached to the lower portion of upper 12 is a conventional sole assembly 14. As seen here, sole assembly 14 includes a midsole 16 to which upper 12 is secured by adhesive, stitching or any other suitable fastening means. An outsole 18 is secured to midsole 16 by adhesive or other suitable fastening means. It is to be appreciated that is certain embodiments, so...

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Abstract

A method of forming a portion of an article of footwear includes the steps of providing a last having an exterior surface, extruding a plurality of polymeric fibers, projecting a stream of the extruded polymeric fibers onto the last to form a mat having the shape of the exterior of the last, and subjecting the mat to heat and pressure in a mold.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to an article of footwear formed of a nonwoven material and a method of manufacturing an article of footwear formed of a nonwoven material. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Nonwoven fabrics, herein defined as structures made by bonding and / or interlocking polymeric fibers by mechanical or thermal means, are commonly used in many industries for many applications including, for example: (i) medical products, including surgical gowns, drapes, face masks, bouffant caps, surgical caps, footwear coverings, and slippers; (ii) protective coverings for automobiles, boats, airplanes, bicycles, lawn furniture, lawn mowers, and grills; (iii) apparel, including industrial work wear, pants, shirts, jackets, gloves, headwear, and socks; (iv) personal care products such as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products; and (v) filtration. [0003] Two common methods of forming nonwoven fabrics are melt-blowin...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): D04H1/56D04H3/16
CPCA43B7/125B29D35/0072D04H1/565D04H1/56B29D35/146Y10T442/68Y10T442/681
Inventor DUA, BHUPESHTHOMAS, EDWARD N.
Owner NIKE INC
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