Methods for providing heat to articles using heated formable media
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorMirko Bianconi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for providing heat to a three-dimensional article are disclosed. The method can include inserting at least a portion of the article over a form. The method can further include inserting the form and article at least partially within an article container and moving the form and article into engagement with a flexible membrane where the membrane and the article container form an airtight chamber. The method can further include exposing the airtight chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure to pull the membrane against at least a portion of the article and exposing the membrane to a heated deformable media.
Claims12
A method for attaching an element to an article, the method comprising:
- inserting at least a portion of the article over a form;
- placing the element on the article in a desired location;
- inserting the form, article and element at least partially within an article container;
- moving into engagement the form, article and element with a flexible membrane, the membrane and the article container forming an airtight chamber;
- exposing the airtight chamber to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure to pull the membrane against at least a portion of the article and the element;
- and
- exposing the membrane to a heated deformable media, wherein the deformable media comprises at least one of ceramic microspheres, glass microspheres, corundum or sand.
A method for providing heat to an article, the method comprising:
- inserting at least a portion of the article over a form;
- inserting the form and article at least partially within an article container;
- moving into engagement the form and article with a flexible membrane;
- and
- exposing the membrane to a heated deformable media, wherein the media comprises a volume of solid particles that conform to the shape of the article container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.