Knit component bonding
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsBhupesh Dua, Karen A. Hawkinson, Benjamin A. Shaffer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite structure may include a knit component and a bonded component. The knit component has a first surface and an opposite second surface, and the knit component includes a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that form a knitted structure. The fusible yarn is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, and the fusible yarn is located on at least the first surface. The bonded component is positioned adjacent to the first surface, and the bonded component is thermal bonded to the first surface with the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
Claims33
A composite structure comprising:
- a knit component having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the knit component incorporating a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that form a knitted structure, the fusible yarn being at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, the fusible yarn forming a plurality of first interlocked loops that substantially define the first surface and a plurality of second interlocked loops that substantially define the second surface;
- and
- a bonded component positioned adjacent to the first surface, the bonded component being thermal bonded to the first surface with the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure, the upper comprising:
- a knit component extending through at least a portion of a length of the footwear, the knit component having a first surface and an opposite second surface, and the knit component incorporating a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that are knitted together to form a knitted structure, the fusible yarn being at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, and the fusible yarn being located on at least the first surface;
- and
- a bonded component that is independent of the knitted structure of the knit component, the bonded component overlaid on and thermal bonded to the first surface via thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure, the upper comprising:
- a base component extending through a length of the article of footwear and defining an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface, the exterior surface facing outward from the article of footwear, and the interior surface defining at least a portion of a void within the upper for receiving a foot of a wearer;
- and
- a knit component having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the knit component incorporating a fusible yarn and a non-fusible yarn that are knitted together to form a knitted structure that is independent of the base component, the fusible yarn being located on at least the first surface, and the fusible yarn being at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material, the first surface of the knit component being overlaid on and thermal bonded to the base component via the thermoplastic polymer material of the fusible yarn.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.