# US 10,245,846 B2 · Additive color printing using multiple color graphic layers

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- Number: US 10,245,846 B2
- Document ID: US10245846B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/424,445
- Filed: 2017-02-03
- Published: 2017-08-10
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2016-02-05
- Assignees: NIKE, Inc.
- Applicants: NIKE, Inc.
- Inventors: Todd W. Miller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245846B2

## CPC

- B29C 64/112: using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
- A41D 1/00: Garments (for children A41D11/00)
- A41D 31/02: Layered materials (characterised by special function or use A41D31/04)
- A43B 23/0235: {Different layers of different material}
- A43D 95/14: incorporating marking, printing, or embossing apparatus (ornamentation of shoe part blanks A43D8/16; printing per se , stamping per se B41)
- B29C 64/106: using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
- B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing
- B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing
- B41J 2/21: for multi-colour printing
- B41J 3/4073: {Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects (B41J3/283, B41J3/286 take precedence; building up a 3D object using individual droplets from jetting heads B29C64/112)}
- B41J 3/4078: {Printing on textile}
- B41M 5/0047: {by ink-jet printing}
- B41M 5/0064: {on plastics, horn, rubber, or other organic polymers}
- A43B 1/0072: {made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials}
- A43B 3/0078: {provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration (A43B23/24 takes precedence)}
- A43B 23/0215: {Plastics or artificial leather}
- A43D 8/22: by embossing or printing (printing per se, stamping per se B41)
- B29K 2995/0021: Multi-coloured
- B29L 2031/48: Wearing apparel
- B29L 2031/504: {Soles}
- B29L 2031/505: {Uppers}
- B41M 2205/38: Intermediate layers; Layers between substrate and imaging layer
- B41M 2205/42: Multiple imaging layers
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43D: MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
- B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for color printing. For example, a method of printing is provided, including printing a three-dimensional object onto a substrate using a printing device. The method includes receiving color graphic design information at the printing device and receiving the substrate at the printing device. The color graphic design information represents a color graphic. The method further includes printing a lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the substrate using the color graphic design information and printing a transparent structural layer of the three-dimensional object onto the lower color graphic layer. The method further includes printing an upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the transparent structural layer using the color graphic design information. A combination of the upper color graphic layer and the lower color graphic layer visually matches the color graphic.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for printing a three-dimensional object onto a substrate using a printing device, the method comprising:
receiving color graphic design information at the printing device, the color graphic design information representing a color graphic image;
receiving the substrate at the printing device;
printing a lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the substrate using the color graphic design information;
printing one or more transparent structural layers of the three-dimensional object onto the lower color graphic layer; and
printing an upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto an uppermost layer of the one or more transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information, wherein the upper color graphic layer and the lower color graphic layer collectively visually depict the color graphic image.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the color graphic design information includes at least a first set of graphic information representing a first portion of the color graphic image and a second set of graphic information representing a second portion of the color graphic image;
wherein the printing the lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the substrate using the color graphic design information prints the lower color graphic layer using the first set of graphic information; and
wherein the printing the upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the uppermost layer of the one or more transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information prints the upper color graphic layer using the second set of graphic information.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein the lower color graphic layer comprises one or more pigments different than one or more pigments of the upper color graphic layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the color graphic design information includes a single set of graphic information representing a portion of the color graphic image;
wherein the printing the lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the substrate using the color graphic design information prints the lower color graphic layer using the single set of graphic information; and
wherein the printing the upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the uppermost layer of the one or more transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information prints the upper color graphic layer using the single set of graphic information.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the color graphic design information indicates a target color composition;
wherein the lower color graphic layer includes a first portion of the target color composition;
wherein the upper color graphic layer includes a second portion of the target color composition; and
wherein the first portion and the second portion collectively comprise the target color composition.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising printing a protective transparent layer of the three-dimensional object onto the upper color graphic layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein a first portion of the lower color graphic layer has a different composition of print material than a second portion of the lower color graphic layer.

### Claim 8

A method for printing a three-dimensional object onto a non-white substrate using a printing device, the method comprising:
receiving color graphic design information at the printing device, the color graphic design information representing a color graphic image;
receiving the non-white substrate at the printing device;
printing a white layer of the three-dimensional object onto the non-white substrate;
printing a lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the white layer using the color graphic design information;
printing one or more transparent structural layers of the three-dimensional object onto the lower color graphic layer; and
printing an upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto an uppermost layer of the one or more transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information, wherein the upper color graphic layer and the lower color graphic layer collectively visually depict the color graphic image.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the color graphic design information includes at least a first set of graphic information representing a first portion of the color graphic image and a second set of graphic information representing a second portion of the color graphic image;
wherein the printing the lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the white layer using the color graphic design information prints the lower color graphic layer using the first set of graphic information; and
wherein the printing the upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the uppermost layer of the one or more transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information prints the upper color graphic layer using the second set of graphic information.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, wherein the lower color graphic layer comprises one or more pigments different than one or more pigments of the upper color graphic layer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the color graphic design information includes a single set of graphic information representing a portion of the color graphic image;
wherein the printing the lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the white layer using the color graphic design information prints the lower color graphic layer using the single set of graphic information; and
wherein the printing the upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the uppermost layer of the one or more transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information prints the upper color graphic layer using the single set of graphic information.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the color graphic design information indicates a target color composition;
wherein the lower color graphic layer includes a first portion of the target color composition;
wherein the upper color graphic layer includes a second portion of the target color composition; and
wherein the first portion and the second portion collectively comprise the target color composition.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, further comprising printing a protective transparent layer of the three-dimensional object onto the upper color graphic layer.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein a first portion of the lower color graphic layer has a different composition of print material than a second portion of the lower color graphic layer.

### Claim 15

A method for printing a three-dimensional object onto a substrate using a printing device, the method comprising:
receiving color graphic design information at the printing device, the color graphic design information representing a color graphic image;
receiving the substrate at the printing device;
printing a lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the substrate using the color graphic design information;
printing one or more inner transparent structural layers of the three-dimensional object onto the lower color graphic layer;
printing an intermediate color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto an uppermost layer of the one or more inner transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information;
printing one or more outer transparent structural layers of the three-dimensional object onto the intermediate color graphic layer; and
printing an upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto an outermost layer of the one or more outer transparent structural layer using the color graphic design information, wherein the upper color graphic layer, the intermediate color graphic layer, and the lower color graphic layer collectively visually depict the color graphic image.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method according to claim 15, wherein the color graphic design information includes at least a first set of graphic information representing a first portion of the color graphic image, a second set of graphic information representing a second portion of the color graphic, and a third set of graphic information representing a third portion of the color graphic image;
wherein the printing the lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the substrate using the color graphic design information prints the lower color graphic layer using the first set of graphic information;
wherein the printing the intermediate color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the one or more inner transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information prints the intermediate color graphic layer using the third set of graphic information; and
wherein the printing the upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the one or more outer transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information prints the upper color graphic layer using the second set of graphic information.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method according to claim 16, wherein the lower color graphic layer comprises one or more pigments different than one or more pigments of the intermediate color graphic layer and wherein the lower color graphic layer comprises one or more pigments different than one or more pigments of the upper color graphic layer.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method according to claim 15, wherein the color graphic design information includes a single set of graphic information representing a portion of the color graphic image;
wherein the printing the lower color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the substrate using the color graphic design information prints the lower color graphic layer using the single set of graphic information;
wherein the printing the intermediate color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the one or more inner transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information prints the intermediate color graphic layer using the single set of graphic information; and
wherein the printing the upper color graphic layer of the three-dimensional object onto the one or more outer transparent structural layers using the color graphic design information prints the upper color graphic layer using the single set of graphic information.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The method according to claim 15, wherein the color graphic design information indicates a target color composition;
wherein the lower color graphic layer includes a first portion of the target color composition;
wherein the upper color graphic layer includes a second portion of the target color composition;
wherein the intermediate color graphic layer includes a third portion of the target color composition; and
wherein a combination of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion is the target color composition.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The method according to claim 15, further comprising printing a protective transparent layer of the three-dimensional object onto the upper color graphic layer.