US 11,964,445 B2
Method for the manufacture of a shoe sole, shoe sole, and shoe with pre-manufactured TPU article
Christopher Edward Holmes, Herzogenaurach (DE); Sabrina Kerling, Herzogenaurach (DE); and Tru Huu Minh Le, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Assigned to adidas AG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed by adidas AG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/854,272.
Application 17/854,272 is a continuation of application No. 15/602,474, filed on May 23, 2017, granted, now 11,407,191.
Claims priority of application No. 102016209046.1 (DE), filed on May 24, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0332073 A1, Oct. 20, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B29D 35/14 (2010.01); A43B 13/04 (2006.01); A43B 13/12 (2006.01); B29B 11/08 (2006.01); B29D 35/12 (2010.01); B29K 75/00 (2006.01); B29K 105/04 (2006.01)
CPC B29D 35/142 (2013.01) [A43B 13/04 (2013.01); A43B 13/12 (2013.01); B29B 11/08 (2013.01); B29D 35/122 (2013.01); B29K 2075/00 (2013.01); B29K 2105/048 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for producing a pre-manufactured TPU article, wherein the method comprises melting TPU within a plasticizing unit of an injection molding machine to form a material, and then injecting the material into a mold to form the pre-manufactured article, wherein the method further comprises:
a) adding an additive to increase the viscosity of the material of the pre-manufactured TPU article in an amount from 1 to 15% by weight based on 100% by weight of the TPU material of the pre-manufactured article, wherein the material consists of TPU and wherein the additive consists of a single additive, or
b) subjecting the material of the pre-manufactured TPU article to at least one annealing step at a temperature in the range of from 100 to 150° C. and for a time period from 2 to 20 hours, wherein the material consists of TPU or TPU and a single additive.