	US 12,226,973 B2
	Footwear assembly method with 3D printing
David P. Jones, Beaverton, OR (US); and Ryan R. Larson, Portland, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Dec. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/390,807.
Application 17/389,876 is a division of application No. 15/911,007, filed on Mar. 2, 2018, granted, now 11,097,501, issued on Aug. 24, 2021.
Application 14/645,714 is a division of application No. 13/553,368, filed on Jul. 19, 2012, granted, now 9,005,710, issued on Apr. 14, 2015.
Application 18/390,807 is a continuation of application No. 17/389,876, filed on Jul. 30, 2021, granted, now 11,993,048.
Application 15/911,007 is a continuation of application No. 14/645,714, filed on Mar. 12, 2015, granted, now 9,914,274, issued on Mar. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0123699 A1, Apr. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. B29D 35/12 (2010.01); A43B 3/00 (2022.01); A43B 13/14 (2006.01); A43B 23/02 (2006.01); A43D 11/00 (2006.01); B29C 64/112 (2017.01); B29C 70/78 (2006.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); B29L 31/50 (2006.01)

CPC B29D 35/122 (2013.01) [A43B 3/0084 (2013.01); A43B 13/14 (2013.01); A43B 23/0235 (2013.01); A43B 23/026 (2013.01); A43D 11/00 (2013.01); B29C 64/112 (2017.08); B29C 70/78 (2013.01); B29D 35/12 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); A43D 2200/00 (2013.01); A43D 2200/60 (2013.01); B29K 2713/00 (2013.01); B29L 2031/50 (2013.01)]

25 Claims

1. A method of three-dimensional printing onto a footwear portion of an article of footwear, comprising:

positioning a footwear portion on a holder in a three-dimensional printing system to provide a printing substrate for printing at least a portion of a sole structure of an article of footwear that comprises the footwear portion;

printing at least one three-dimensional material directly onto the printing substrate based on at least one first three-dimensional pattern, wherein the printing of the at least one three-dimensional material onto the printing substrate comprises:

printing a first layer of a first three-dimensional material of the at least one three-dimensional material onto the printing substrate while the footwear portion is positioned on the holder in the three-dimensional printing system such that the first layer extends above the printing substrate with a first thickness;

printing a second layer of a second three-dimensional material of the at least one three-dimensional material onto the first layer of the first three-dimensional material while the footwear portion is positioned on the holder in the three-dimensional printing system such that the second layer extends above the first layer with a second thickness; and

allowing the second layer of the second three-dimensional material to at least partially solidify to bond to the first layer; and

removing the footwear portion from the holder.