Knitting of multiple uppers on a machine
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsWilliam C. McFarland, II, Kristen Orme
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear including forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with formation of the first upper. The first upper and the second upper are formed at separate locations of the textile manufacturing machine.
Claims20
A knitting machine, comprising:
- a first section adapted for knitting a first upper on the knitting machine;
- a second section adapted for knitting a second upper on the knitting machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with the knitting of the first upper;
- and
- a separation element located between the first section and the second section,
- wherein the separation element provides a physical barrier between the first section and the second section.
A textile manufacturing machine, comprising:
- a first section adapted for forming a first upper on the textile manufacturing machine, the first section comprising one or more first feeders;
- and
- a second section adapted for forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with the formation of the first upper, the second section comprising one or more second feeders,
- wherein the one or more first feeders of the first section do not extend into the second section, and
- wherein the one or more second feeders of the second section do not extend into the first section.
A method of manufacturing uppers on a textile manufacturing machine that includes a first section, a second section, and a middle portion separating the first section and the second section, the method comprising:
- forming a first upper using one or more first feeders located in the first section of the textile manufacturing machine;
- and
- forming a second upper using one or more second feeders located in the second section of the textile manufacturing machine, wherein the second upper is formed at a time that at least partially overlaps with the formation of the first upper,
- wherein the first upper and the second upper are formed without being connected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.