Layered sole structure for a shoe
Assigneeadidas AG
InventorsMatteo E. PADOVANI, Fionn CORCORAN-TADD
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Abstract
A device and method of making a sole structure through layer-by-layer additive manufacturing is provided. The sole structure has layers of a plurality of preformed-foam pieces bonded together to define a sole structure shape. A first layer of a portion of the foam pieces is deposited. An area of the foam pieces is selectively bonded in the first layer to define a sole structure shape. A second layer of a portion of the foam pieces is deposited. The area of the foam pieces is selectively bonded in the second layer to define the sole structure shape.
Claims20
A method of making a sole structure, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of foam pieces;
- depositing a portion of the foam pieces in a first layer;
- selectively bonding an area of the foam pieces in the first layer to define a sole structure shape within the first layer;
- depositing a second portion of the foam pieces in a second layer;
- and
- selectively bonding the second layer to the first layer in the area.
A sole structure of a shoe, comprising:
- a first layer having a first plurality of preformed-foam pieces bonded together to define a sole structure shape;
- and
- a second layer having a second plurality of foam pieces bonded together and bonded to the first layer,
- wherein the first and second plurality of preformed-foam pieces define an irregular lattice structure having a plurality of irregular voids defined between the preformed-foam pieces in the first and second layers.
A system for forming a sole structure of a shoe layer-by-layer, the system comprising:
- a building bed;
- a reservoir to hold a plurality of foam pieces;
- a distribution device to supply the foam pieces in layers on the building bed;
- and
- a bond device to selectively adhere the foam pieces in an area to define a sole structure shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.