Skate boot with additive manufactured layer

Abstract

An ice skate boot and method of manufacturing the same includes a sacrificial additive manufacturing layer and a cured composite outer shell directly interfacing the sacrificial additive manufacturing layer. During manufacture, the sacrificial additive manufacturing layer is supported by a mold and serves as a substrate for one or more wet composite layers that are subsequently cured to form the outer shell. In certain embodiments, the sacrificial additive manufacturing layer functions as a barrier between a wet resin system and the mold. Unlike conventional structural boot shells, the sacrificial additive manufacturing layer is residually retained within the finished skate boot while providing little or no substantial structural support relative to the cured composite outer shell. The sacrificial additive manufacturing layer can include portions of a toe box, heel region, sidewalls, and boot sole and can comprise one or more sections.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.