Method for flange bonding
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsFred Dojan, K. Peter Hazenberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is a method for joining two components of a fluid system. The method involves forming a first flange on a first fluid component and placing the first flange in an abutting relationship with a second flange that is formed on a second fluid component. The abutting relationship may be such that conduit portions of the fluid components are axially aligned. The flanges may then be bonded together such that the bond encircles the conduits and prevents fluid from entering or exiting the system from the bond. A bond of this type also places the first and second components in fluid communication. The fluid system may be incorporated into a sole structure of an article of footwear.
Claims42
A method of joining a first conduit with a second conduit such that said first conduit and said second conduit are in fluid communication, said first conduit and said second conduit being formed from a polymer material, the method comprising steps of:
- constructing a first flange on said first conduit;
- constructing a second flange on said second conduit;
- positioning said first flange and said second flange in an abutting relationship;
- forming a bond between said first flange and said second flange;
- and
- incorporating said first conduit and said second conduit into a fluid system and at least partially locating said fluid system within an article of footwear.
A method of joining a first component with second component such that said first component and said second component are in fluid communication, said first component and said second component being formed from a polymer material, the method comprising steps of:
- constructing a first flange on a first conduit portion of said first component;
- constructing a second flange on a second conduit portion of said second component;
- positioning said first flange and said second flange in an abutting relationship such that said conduit portions are axially aligned;
- forming a bond between said first flange and said second flange, said bond circumscribing said conduit portions;
- and
- incorporating said first component and said second component into a fluid system and locating said fluid system within a sole structure of an article of footwear.
A method of joining a first component with a second component such that said first component and said second component are in fluid communication, said first component and said second component being formed from a polymer material, the method comprising steps of:
- constructing a first flange on a first conduit portion of said first component;
- constructing a second flange on a second conduit portion of said second component;
- locating said first conduit portion and said second conduit portion in a securing apparatus following construction of said first flange and said second flange;
- positioning said first flange and said second flange in an abutting relationship such that said conduit portions are axially aligned;
- forming a bond between said first flange and said second flange, said bond circumscribing said conduit portions;
- and incorporating said first component and said component into fluid system and locating said fluid system within a sole structure of an article of footwear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.