US 12,122,093 B2
Systems and processes for reinforcing components of articles of wear
Steven Edmund Jan Cornelis Ploem, Portland, OR (US); and Thi Tran, Ho Chi Minh (VN)
Assigned to NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed by NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US)
Filed on Jun. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/341,091.
Application 17/341,091 is a continuation of application No. 15/901,646, filed on Feb. 21, 2018, granted, now 11,027,486.
Claims priority of application No. 1-2017-00602 (VN), filed on Feb. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0291439 A1, Sep. 23, 2021
Int. Cl. B29C 64/153 (2017.01); A43B 7/14 (2022.01); A43B 9/00 (2006.01); A43D 8/02 (2006.01); A43D 8/04 (2006.01); A43D 95/08 (2006.01); A43D 95/10 (2006.01); A43D 117/00 (2006.01); A43D 119/00 (2006.01); B29D 35/06 (2010.01); B29D 35/12 (2010.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); A41H 42/00 (2006.01); B29K 101/12 (2006.01); B29L 31/50 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 64/153 (2017.08) [A43B 7/14 (2013.01); A43B 9/00 (2013.01); A43D 8/02 (2013.01); A43D 8/04 (2013.01); A43D 95/08 (2013.01); A43D 95/10 (2013.01); A43D 117/00 (2013.01); A43D 119/00 (2013.01); B29D 35/065 (2013.01); B29D 35/12 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); A41H 42/00 (2013.01); A43D 2200/10 (2013.01); A43D 2200/40 (2013.01); A43D 2200/60 (2013.01); B29K 2101/12 (2013.01); B29L 2031/505 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for reinforcing a footwear component, the system comprising:
a vision system capable of identifying the footwear component, determines its orientation, and provides a pattern of application for a thermoplastic powder on the footwear component, wherein the vision system is configured to determine one or more of a type, a size, a shape, or a position of the footwear component;
a powder applicator capable of applying the thermoplastic powder to the footwear component based on the pattern of application;
a leveler capable of leveling at least a portion of the thermoplastic powder, wherein the leveler includes a flat bar and is positioned a defined height above the footwear component; and
a thermal energy source capable of applying thermal energy to the footwear component to at least partially bond the thermoplastic powder with the footwear component.