US 12,441,048 B2
Gradient printing a three-dimensional structural component
Todd W. Miller, Portland, OR (US)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Feb. 21, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/583,382.
Application 18/583,382 is a continuation of application No. 18/179,313, filed on Mar. 6, 2023, granted, now 11,938,672.
Application 18/179,313 is a continuation of application No. 16/823,537, filed on Mar. 19, 2020, granted, now 11,618,206, issued on Apr. 4, 2023.
Application 16/823,537 is a continuation of application No. 15/609,205, filed on May 31, 2017, granted, now 10,596,753, issued on Mar. 24, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/343,757, filed on May 31, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2024/0190064 A1, Jun. 13, 2024
Int. Cl. B29C 64/10 (2017.01); A43B 23/02 (2006.01); B29C 64/112 (2017.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.01); B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/10 (2017.08) [A43B 23/0235 (2013.01); A43B 23/024 (2013.01); A43B 23/026 (2013.01); B29C 64/112 (2017.08); B29C 64/386 (2017.08); B29C 64/393 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of printing a three-dimensional structural component onto a base, the method comprising:
receiving a set of predetermined thicknesses for the three-dimensional structural component;
instructing a printing device to print a set of layers of the three-dimensional structural component onto the base; and
printing the three-dimensional structural component onto the base using the set of predetermined thicknesses to form a printed set of layers,
wherein printing the three-dimensional structural component comprises printing a first layer of the set of layers directly onto the base and wherein a separation distance between the base and a printhead assembly of the printing device remains constant during the step of printing the first layer of the set of layers directly onto the base,
wherein the printed set of layers includes an exposed surface of the three-dimensional structural component, the exposed surface comprising a tall region, an intermediate region, and a short region,
wherein the intermediate region abuts the tall region and wherein the intermediate region abuts the short region,
wherein a difference in height between the tall region of the exposed surface and the short region of the exposed surface is greater than the separation distance, and
wherein the intermediate region of the exposed surface has a planar geometry.