US20160206049A1 - Shape Memory Polymer Footwear Last - Google Patents

Shape Memory Polymer Footwear Last Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20160206049A1
US20160206049A1 US14/996,539 US201614996539A US2016206049A1 US 20160206049 A1 US20160206049 A1 US 20160206049A1 US 201614996539 A US201614996539 A US 201614996539A US 2016206049 A1 US2016206049 A1 US 2016206049A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
footwear last
footwear
smp
last
mold
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/996,539
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ravishkar N. Kallayil
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nike Inc
Original Assignee
Nike Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nike Inc filed Critical Nike Inc
Priority to US14/996,539 priority Critical patent/US20160206049A1/en
Assigned to NIKE, INC. reassignment NIKE, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KALLAYIL, RAVISHKAR N.
Assigned to NIKE, INC. reassignment NIKE, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KALLAYIL, RAVISHANKAR N.
Publication of US20160206049A1 publication Critical patent/US20160206049A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
    • A43D3/00—Lasts
    • A43D3/02—Lasts for making or repairing shoes
    • A43D3/025—Longitudinally expansible lasts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
    • A43D1/00—Foot or last measuring devices; Measuring devices for shoe parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
    • A43D1/00—Foot or last measuring devices; Measuring devices for shoe parts
    • A43D1/02—Foot-measuring devices
    • A43D1/022—Foot-measuring devices involving making footprints or permanent moulds of the foot
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
    • A43D3/00—Lasts
    • A43D3/04—Pneumatic lasts; Elastic lasts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43D—MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR
    • A43D3/00—Lasts
    • A43D3/14—Stretching or spreading lasts; Boot-trees; Fillers; Devices for maintaining the shape of the shoe
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C61/00—Shaping by liberation of internal stresses; Making preforms having internal stresses; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C61/06—Making preforms having internal stresses, e.g. plastic memory

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to a dynamic footwear last.
  • the dynamic footwear last has the ability of being formed and reformed into a plurality of sizes and shapes depending on the present need of the dynamic footwear last in a footwear manufacturing process.
  • Footwear lasts are essential in the manufacturing of footwear. Footwear lasts come in many different shapes and sizes tailored to approximate a human foot and the particular footwear being made. Typical footwear lasts are made from hardwoods, cast iron or high-density polyethylene, the latter being preferable in factory type settings where mass production of articles of footwear take place. These high density polyethylene footwear lasts are preferred in factory type settings due to their cost efficiency and ability to be recycled when worn out.
  • the disadvantage of these type of footwear lasts is that a large inventory of footwear lasts of different shapes and sizes is needed for the construction of footwear of different shapes and sizes, or even the same type of footwear in different sizes. Therefore, a particular footwear manufacturing facility may be limited to the manufacture of footwear that can be manufactured on the particular footwear lasts that is able to store in its inventory.
  • An average footwear manufacturing facility must carry a vast number of footwear lasts to account for different footwear styles and sizes, in addition to multiples of each particular footwear last for replacement of worn out or damaged footwear lasts.
  • the vast number of footwear lasts may take up a significant amount or real estate for storage. For example, a manufacturing facility carrying 60,000 or more lasts would require about 55,000 sq. ft. dedicated for footwear last storage, which is roughly the size of a soccer field.
  • each manufacturing facility is limited to the manufacturing of a select set of products requiring the types of lasts and tooling equipment they are able to house in the particular manufacturing facility.
  • a dynamic footwear last may be constructed from a shape memory material, such as a shape memory polymer (SMP).
  • SMP shape memory polymer
  • a single dynamic footwear last may be repeatedly adapted to conform to any size and shape of footwear last with very good accuracy and reliability, thereby dramatically reducing the total number of lasts required at a particular footwear manufacturing facility. Therefore reducing the amount of real estate needed for footwear last storage at the particular manufacturing facility, thereby greatly reducing operational and maintenance costs.
  • the dynamic footwear last in accordance with aspects herein could give the manufacturing facility greater flexibility as to the types of footwear and the sizes of footwear it can manufacture.
  • the SMP materials used for the footwear last manufacture in accordance with aspects herein are smart materials that have the property of having at least two states.
  • the two states are generally known as a deformed state (temporary) and an original state (permanent).
  • the switching between these at least two states may be induced by temperature (transition temperature ‘T’), by a magnetic field, or in some cases by an electric field.
  • T transition temperature
  • SMP materials may exhibit one or more of different physical properties such as hardness, elasticity, biodegradability, resiliency, etc.
  • the SMP material that may be originally rigid when heated above its threshold or transition temperature T, will become elastic for manipulation into a new temporary shape.
  • the new temporary shape may be retained by the SMP material by cooling the SMP material below its transition or threshold temperature, at which point the SMP material becomes rigid again. Subsequently when reheated to above the transition or threshold temperature, the SMP material will return to its memorized original shape, and when cooled, will become rigid again.
  • Another characteristic of SMP materials is that while rigid, they demonstrate the strength to weight ratio of rigid polymers, and while flexible and elastic, their flexibility may be comparable to high quality elastomer polymers.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last in accordance with the present invention may provide equal or greater benefits to the conventional polyethylene footwear lasts.
  • the dynamic footwear last may have equal or greater hardness, i.e. durability than the conventional high density polyethylene footwear last, which has a shore D hardness of approximately D69.
  • the changeover from one size to another or from one shape to another of the dynamic SMP footwear last in accordance with aspects herein, may be done quickly and inline without disruption of production, thereby eliminating the steps of identifying a new last, searching for the new last in the inventory, retrieving the new last from the inventory, transporting the new last to the manufacturing system, and replacing the old last with the new last.
  • the dynamic footwear last in accordance with the present invention may be formed from a dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form having a first size and a first shape that is generally smaller than the smallest size and shape of a footwear last required in a footwear manufacturing process, in an exemplary aspect.
  • the last pre-form may also have a first size comparable to a desired last size and shape, in alternative aspects.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may comprise an exterior surface and an interior surface, an internal volume defined by the interior surface, and an opening passing from the exterior surface to the interior volume.
  • the SMP material of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may have a threshold transition temperature (T) at which the SMP material changes from a rigid state, to a moldable state, whereas when the SMP material is at a temperature that is below T, it is in its rigid state and when the SMP material is at a temperature above T, it is in its moldable state.
  • T threshold transition temperature
  • a dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be produced by injection molding, heat molding, or any other suitable means, from an SMP material having a transition or threshold temperature T in a range suitable for a footwear last to be used in a footwear manufacturing process.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be placed inside a mold having a molding cavity corresponding to the footwear last size and shape desired. Once the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form is placed inside the molding cavity of the mold, the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be attached to a fluid source.
  • the mold may be heated to at least the threshold temperature T of the SMP material of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form to induce the moldable state of the SMP material.
  • the internal volume of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form inside the molding cavity of the mold may be filled with a fluid, such as air, to expand the internal volume until the exterior surface of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form is in contact with the molding cavity walls of the mold.
  • a fluid such as air
  • the necessary pressure inside the internal volume may be maintained by maintaining the fluid flowing to the internal volume of the formed footwear last while the footwear last is cooled to a temperature below T inside the mold to induce the SMP rigid state, finalizing the desired footwear last.
  • the pressure inside the footwear last mold and the internal volume of the formed footwear last may be regulated with a pressure regulator.
  • the finalized footwear last may be removed from the molding cavity of the mold for use in a footwear manufacturing process in a conventional manner.
  • the process of heating the footwear last above the threshold temperature may be repeated using a second mold for the new type of footwear last needed.
  • the formed footwear last may be placed in a mold having a molding cavity corresponding to the next size of a footwear last, and the forming process repeated beginning at the heating above the threshold temperature T.
  • the SMP dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be heated above the threshold temperature T outside the desired footwear last mold. Once heated above T, the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be inserted into the molding cavity of the desired footwear last mold with the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form being in fluid communication with a fluid source. While the heated dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form is inside the molding cavity of the desired footwear last mold, a constant stream of fluid may be introduced into the interior volume of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form to cause the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form to expand and conform to the molding cavity of the footwear last mold.
  • the fluid source may maintain the necessary pressure inside the internal volume of the formed footwear last while the formed footwear last is cooled to below T inside the footwear last mold to induce the rigid state of the SMP material of the footwear last. Once cooled, the fluid source may be removed from the footwear last, and the footwear last may be removed from the molding cavity of the mold.
  • the footwear last may be used in a footwear manufacturing process in a conventional manner.
  • a new type e.g., size, shape
  • the process of heating the footwear last above the threshold temperature may be repeated.
  • the footwear last may be heated outside a mold to induce the SMP material to return to its dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form state (e.g., a learned shape) and to its moldable state.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form Once the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form is in its moldable state, the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be placed inside a second mold for the new type of footwear last needed.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be placed in a mold having a molding cavity corresponding to the next size of a footwear last, or a completely different type of footwear last, and the forming process may be repeated beginning at the application of pressurized fluid to expand the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form so that it conforms to the molding cavity of the mold.
  • the SMP dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be placed inside a desired mold and attached to the fluid source. Then, once the desired mold is secured, a fluid heated above T may be pushed into the internal cavity of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form thereby heating the SMP material above T and inducing the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form moldable state. Once in its moldable state, the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be expanded to conform to the molding cavity of the footwear last mold. Once the footwear last is fully formed, the formed footwear last may be cooled by switching to a fluid cooled below T and pushing the cooled fluid through the fluid source. This and other aspects will be discussed in further detail in the Detailed Description.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form and an outline of a formed footwear last in accordance with an aspect hereof;
  • FIG. 2A depicts a dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form in fluid communication with a fluid source in accordance with an aspect hereof;
  • FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form in FIG. 2A along the plane defined by the line 2 B- 2 B, in accordance with an aspect hereof;
  • FIG. 2C depicts a cross-sectional view of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form in FIG. 2A along the plane defined by the line 2 C- 2 C, in accordance with an aspect hereof;
  • FIG. 3 depicts a footwear last mold in accordance with an aspect hereof
  • FIG. 4 depicts a closed mold enclosing a dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form in accordance with an aspect hereof;
  • FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram representing a method of forming a footwear last from a dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form in accordance with an aspect hereof;
  • FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of an alternative method of forming a footwear last from a dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form in accordance with an aspect hereof;
  • FIG. 7 depicts a cycle of using and re-using a dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form in accordance with an aspect hereof;
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B depict a formed footwear last in use in accordance with an aspect hereof.
  • FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram representing a method for forming and using an SMP alloy footwear last pre-form in accordance with an aspect hereof.
  • aspects hereof provide systems and methods for providing a dynamic shape memory material, such as a shape memory polymer (SMP), footwear last that can be formed and reformed multiple times into footwear lasts of different shapes and sizes, thereby reducing the amount of footwear last inventory needed at a footwear manufacturing facility, while retaining the ability to manufacture the same number, or an increased number of footwear types and footwear sizes.
  • SMP shape memory polymer
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 may be the SMP material of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form' s original (a learned state that the SMP will return to with appropriate trigger stimulus) state.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 may take on any shape having two main characteristics: an internal volume and an opening in communication with the internal volume, in an exemplary aspect.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 may be defined by at least an external surface and the internal volume may be defined by at least an internal surface.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 may also have a thickness between the internal surface and the external surface. The thickness may be constant or may vary along portions of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 .
  • An exemplary thickness is depicted in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes.
  • a dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 may be originally shaped into the general shape of a footwear last having an interior surface (not shown), an internal volume (not shown), an external surface 120 , top surface 140 , and an opening 130 .
  • the original (learned/memorized) shape of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 may be of a size and shape that is smaller than the smallest footwear last needed in a certain footwear manufacturing process, giving the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 the flexibility to be formed into a wide variety of footwear last shapes and sizes.
  • a single dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be formed into footwear lasts ranging from US size 1 to US size 16.
  • dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form may be formed into a first footwear last 150 for use in the manufacture of a first footwear style and size.
  • footwear last 150 may be returned to the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 110 original shape and re-formed into a second footwear last 160 for use in the manufacture of a second footwear size for the same style or a different style.
  • the returning of the footwear last to its original shape may or may not be necessary.
  • dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 200 may comprise an interior surface 225 , an internal volume 270 , an external surface 220 , a top surface 240 , and an opening 230 located at the top surface 240 of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form 200 .
  • the opening 230 may be adapted to snuggly fit a fluid source pipe 290 from a fluid source (not shown), or alternatively, a connection valve 280 may be used to snuggly connect the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form opening 230 to the fluid source pipe 290 .
  • connection valve 280 may allow for a snug fit between the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form and the fluid source to allow the fluid from the fluid source to travel from the fluid source to the internal volume of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form at a controllable rate and pressure.
  • the fluid 210 provided by fluid source may be a gas or a liquid.
  • the fluid may, for example, be pressurized air, water, or any other pressurized fluid suitable for use according to aspects herein.
  • FIG. 2B a cross-sectional view along the plane defined by the line 2 B- 2 B in FIG. 2A is shown
  • FIG. 2C a cross-sectional view along the plane defined by the line 2 C- 2 C is shown.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 200 comprises a thickness 250 between the interior surface 225 and the external surface 220 .
  • the internal volume 270 is in fluid communication with the fluid 210 entering from the fluid source pipe 290 .
  • the pressurized fluid 210 is used for the deformation of the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form, once the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form SMP material's moldable state has been activated.
  • SMP materials have a transition or threshold temperature T at which they exist in their memorized form and become deformable or moldable.
  • the T is adjustable or tunable according to the molecular composition and structure of the SMP material of choice.
  • the SMP material may be chosen to have a T that falls within a range of 50-80° C. In other aspects, T may be chosen to be at least 75° C.
  • the SMP material of choice may be in its rigid state below T, and in a moldable and elastic state above T.
  • a T that is above a temperature at which certain adhesives used in an upper manufacturing process may be desired such that the footwear last does not deform under the upper while the adhesives used on the upper are being activated.
  • a T that is above a temperature at which the adhesives used for attaching a midsole and outsole to the upper, are activated may be desirable for the same reasons.
  • an electrical field, or a magnetic field may be used.
  • aspects herein will continue to be described in terms of a dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 200 having temperature as its trigger for inducing the change from an original state to a deformable state.
  • the mold 300 may be made of any suitable rigid material such as metal, synthetic materials (e.g. polymers), wood, etc.
  • the molding cavity 320 of the mold 300 corresponds to a footwear last size and shape to be manufactured from the dynamic SMP footwear last-pre-form 200 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C .
  • the mold 300 may have an opening for allowing the fluid source to be in fluid communication with the internal volume of the dynamic SMP-footwear last pre-form while the SMP footwear last pre-form is inside the molding cavity 320 of mold 300 .
  • the opening of the mold 300 may have at least a first section 324 to accommodate the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form and a second section 322 to accommodate the fittings for the fluid source such as, but not limited to the fluid source pipe 290 .
  • a connection valve 280 if used, may also need to be accommodated inside the molding cavity 320 of the mold 300 .
  • FIG. 3 a mold 300 having only one molding cavity 320 is illustrated. However, the mold 300 may also comprise two or more molding cavities 320 , for molding a pair or more of footwear lasts at one time, as opposed to a single footwear last at a time.
  • FIG. 4 an assembled footwear last forming system is depicted, where the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form 430 is inside the molding cavity 420 of the closed mold 400 .
  • the fluid source pipe 490 is securely attached to the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form such that the fluid 410 from the fluid source is in fluid communication with the internal volume of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form.
  • the system may further comprise a pressure regulator for ensuring precision, accuracy, and safety in the footwear last forming process.
  • the system may additionally include a heating source and a cooling system (not shown).
  • the heating source may be, for example, a conventional oven, an induction system, a convection oven, a microwave oven, or any other heating source suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.
  • the cooling system may be, for example, a fluid cooling system, a gas cooling system, or any other suitable cooling system suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form will always be smaller than the molding cavity 420 of the mold 400 so that the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form can be expanded to conform with the molding cavity 420 of the mold 400 for manufacturing a footwear last of the size and shape corresponding to the molding cavity 420 of the mold 400 .
  • FIG. 5 a flow chart 500 for illustrating a method in which a footwear last of a first size and shape may be formed from a dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form and used in a footwear manufacturing process is illustrated in accordance with aspects hereof. For example, two potential pathways are shown in flow chart 500 .
  • a dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form at step 502 is initially provided, the SMP footwear last pre-form may have a first size and shape that is smaller than a smallest size of footwear last required, for example, smaller than footwear size 1.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be placed into a molding cavity of a footwear last mold, and connected to a fluid source.
  • the mold may be heated to above a threshold temperature T of the SMP material at step 506 , at which the SMP material changes from its rigid state to its moldable state.
  • a steady flow of pressurized fluid may be applied to the internal volume of the dynamic footwear last pre-form at step 508 .
  • the pressurized fluid may induce the internal volume of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form to expand at a controlled rate and pressure, pushing the external surface and the internal surface of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form to conform to the internal molding cavity of the mold.
  • a pressure inside the internal volume of the formed footwear last may be maintained at step 509 , while the expanded footwear last pre-form is cooled below the threshold temperature T at step 510 to induce the rigid state of the SMP polymer material to finalize the formation of the footwear last of the first size and shape.
  • the cooling may be performed in a fluid cooling system or an air cooling system.
  • the footwear last is ready to be used in a footwear manufacturing process at step 516 .
  • a new footwear last mold for a bigger footwear last or the next footwear size last may be chosen at step 520 . Then, the process may be repeated for the new mold starting at step 504 (or 524 in exemplary aspects).
  • a dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form at the step 502 is the initial starting point for this example.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be pre-heated to above its threshold temperature T prior to placing the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form in the molding cavity of a mold at step 524 .
  • the pre-heating may be done in a conventional oven, using a convection system, or alternatively, using a microwave oven.
  • the pre-heated and moldable dynamic footwear last pre-form may be connected to the fluid source and then be placed in the molding cavity of a footwear last mold at step 526 .
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be connected to the fluid source after the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form is placed in the molding cavity of the mold.
  • a necessary amount of pressurized fluid may be applied and maintained inside the internal volume of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form in steps 508 and 509 .
  • the formed footwear last may be cooled at step 510 .
  • the pressurized fluid flow to the internal volume may be stopped at step 512 and the formed footwear last may be removed from the molding cavity of the mold at step 514 .
  • the formed footwear last may be ready for use in a footwear manufacturing process at step 516 .
  • the formed footwear last may be heated above its threshold temperature T once again at step 518 , for allowing the formed footwear last to return to its original footwear last pre-form shape at step 528 .
  • the return to the last pre-form shape may be accomplished by leveraging the learned/memorized characteristics of the SMP. Therefore, an additional mechanical mechanism may be avoided that molds the footwear last pre-form back to the starting shape/size.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be placed in a new mold for forming a new footwear last at step 526 , and the process repeated multiple times.
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be cycled through 500 to 10,000 times without loss of dimensions.
  • an alternative method 600 for cycling the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form is shown, in accordance with aspects hereof. Similar to the method shown in FIG. 5 , the method 600 also has two pathways. For instance, for the first pathway, a dynamic footwear last pre-form may be provided at step 602 . The dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be placed in a molding cavity of a first footwear last mold at step 604 . The dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be connected to a fluid source prior to, or after being placed in the molding cavity of the first footwear last mold.
  • a hot pressurized fluid heated to a temperature above the SMP material's transition or threshold temperature T, of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be applied to the internal volume of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form at step 606 .
  • the heated fluid may be switched to a cooled fluid, the temperature of the fluid being below T to cool the formed last, while maintaining the necessary pressure inside the internal volume of the formed footwear last.
  • the pressure inside the internal volume of the footwear last may be regulated by any suitable means such as a pressure regulator, to ensure the safety.
  • the fluid source may be stopped at step 610 .
  • the formed footwear last may be removed from the molding cavity of the first mold at step 612 , and used in a footwear manufacturing process at step 614 .
  • the formed footwear last may be placed in a molding cavity of a second mold corresponding to a bigger size of footwear last, for example, a next size footwear last at step 616 , and the method may be repeated at step 606 .
  • the footwear last used in the footwear manufacturing process at step 614 may be heated above T at step 618 to return the footwear last to its footwear last pre-form state at step 620 by way of the SMP learned characteristics.
  • the heating of the footwear last at step 618 may be done by using, for example, the fluid source to pump a heated fluid to the internal volume of the footwear last, a conventional oven, a microwave oven, an induction system, or any other suitable means.
  • the process may be repeated at step 604 using a new mold.
  • FIG. 7 depicts the cycling 700 of the dynamic footwear last pre-form 710 described above in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 .
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form 710 may be formed into a sized footwear last 730 by heat and pressure molding at 720 , where the heat is above a threshold or transition temperature T of the SMP material of the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form.
  • T transition temperature
  • the sized last 730 may be returned to its original footwear last pre-form state 710 by applying heat above T of the SMP material at 740 .
  • the dynamic SMP footwear last pre-form may be cycled through 700 from 500 to 10,000 times without exhibiting dimensional loss and physical stability.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B depict a formed SMP footwear last 810 in use in a footwear manufacturing process 800 .
  • the footwear last 810 may be used to form upper 820 into the final shape of the footwear to be manufactured.
  • FIG. 8B depicts footwear last 810 holding upper 820 in place for further footwear manufacturing steps such as, for example, attaching a strobel, attaching a midsole, attaching an outsole, or any combination thereof.
  • the footwear last may be used to hold the footwear upper in place while the upper is further reinforced, or embellished, depending on the footwear type.
  • the footwear last may be used in any conventional way, or any necessary way for the manufacture of footwear.
  • FIG. 9 depicts a different method for forming a footwear last in accordance with the present invention.
  • the transition or threshold temperature T of SMP materials is tunable to the specific requirements needed in the processes employing the SMP materials.
  • Another property of the SMP materials is that some SMP materials may be compatible and mixable, thereby rendering an SMP “alloy.” For example, two or more SMP materials having different transition temperatures may be mixed together to form the SMP alloy. Then, the SMP alloy material may be formed into a first memorized shape at a first transition temperature T 1 . Then, the SMP alloy material may be formed into a second memorized shape at a second transition temperature T 2 , and so on for the number of SMP materials included in the SMP alloy material.
  • an SMP alloy footwear last pre-form may or may not comprise an internal volume.
  • the heat may be applied in any suitable way such as, a fluid source to pump a heated fluid to the internal volume of the footwear last pre-form, a conventional oven, a microwave oven, an induction system, or any other suitable means.
  • This SMP alloy footwear last pre-form may not require a mold to transition from a first footwear last size to a second footwear last size.
  • an SMP alloy footwear last pre-form may be provided at step 910 .
  • the SMP alloy footwear last pre-form material may have a combination of, for example, three SMP materials having different transition temperatures T 1 , T 2 , and T 3 respectively.
  • the SMP alloy material may be “taught” to have a footwear last pre-form size and shape at T 1 , a first footwear last size at T 2 , and a second footwear last size at T 3 .
  • the SMP alloy footwear last pre-form may be heated by applying a fluid heated to T 2 at step 920 , and rapidly cooled, in order to form a first footwear last having a first size at step 930 .
  • a fluid heated to T 3 may be applied to the first footwear last at step 940 , and rapidly cooled, in order to form a second footwear last at step 950 .
  • the second footwear last formed at step 950 may be returned to its pre-form state by applying a fluid heated to T 1 at step 960 , and the second footwear last may return to its pre-form state at step 970 .
  • This process may be repeated multiple times for as many materials are included in the SMP alloy material.
  • a mold may or may not be used in the method 900 .
  • the change from one size to the other may be induced by simply exposing the SMP alloy footwear last pre-form to the different transition temperatures of the alloy components to induce a particular footwear last size.
  • the SMP alloy footwear last pre-form material may be exposed to heat via, for example, a conventional oven, a microwave oven, an induction system, or any other suitable means.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
US14/996,539 2015-01-16 2016-01-15 Shape Memory Polymer Footwear Last Abandoned US20160206049A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/996,539 US20160206049A1 (en) 2015-01-16 2016-01-15 Shape Memory Polymer Footwear Last

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562104620P 2015-01-16 2015-01-16
US14/996,539 US20160206049A1 (en) 2015-01-16 2016-01-15 Shape Memory Polymer Footwear Last

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20160206049A1 true US20160206049A1 (en) 2016-07-21

Family

ID=55451547

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/996,539 Abandoned US20160206049A1 (en) 2015-01-16 2016-01-15 Shape Memory Polymer Footwear Last

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20160206049A1 (de)
EP (1) EP3244768B1 (de)
KR (1) KR101912551B1 (de)
CN (1) CN106102502A (de)
MX (1) MX2017009092A (de)
TW (1) TWI556757B (de)
WO (1) WO2016115461A1 (de)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180242693A1 (en) * 2017-02-28 2018-08-30 Under Armour, Inc. Last for an article of footwear
CN112674432A (zh) * 2019-10-18 2021-04-20 株式会社爱世克私 鞋楦、鞋楦的制造方法、鞋面的制造方法
EP3838045A1 (de) 2019-12-19 2021-06-23 ASICS Corporation Leisten, verfahren zur herstellung eines leisten und verfahren zur herstellung eines schuhoberteils
EP3900569A1 (de) 2020-04-24 2021-10-27 ASICS Corporation Leisten, verfahren zur herstellung eines leisten und verfahren zur herstellung von schuhwerkoberteilen
EP3900568A1 (de) 2020-04-24 2021-10-27 ASICS Corporation Leisten, verfahren zur herstellung eines leisten und verfahren zur herstellung von schuhwerkoberteilen
EP4147835A1 (de) 2021-09-14 2023-03-15 ASICS Corporation Schneidunterstützungsvorrichtung, schnittmustererzeugungsverfahren und schneidsystem
EP4169412A1 (de) 2021-10-22 2023-04-26 ASICS Corporation Leisten- und schuhoberformwerkzeug
EP4169411A1 (de) 2021-10-22 2023-04-26 ASICS Corporation Leisten
EP4169410A1 (de) 2021-10-22 2023-04-26 ASICS Corporation Leisten
US11678724B2 (en) * 2017-06-14 2023-06-20 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Customizable lasts
US11701823B1 (en) 2021-05-19 2023-07-18 Under Armour, Inc. Method of making footwear components

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI646982B (zh) 2017-06-23 2019-01-11 國立臺北科技大學 形狀記憶立體織物複合材料
CN108514186B (zh) 2018-05-09 2020-08-11 温州中熙进出口有限公司 一种抗菌减震鞋的生产方法
TWM577021U (zh) * 2018-11-19 2019-04-21 台北智慧材料股份有限公司 墊體複合材結構、墊體及護具
FR3093408B1 (fr) * 2019-03-05 2021-12-10 Mfc Eram procédé de reconditionnement d’un article chaussant et article chaussant obtenu par la mise en œuvre du procédé
KR102168667B1 (ko) * 2019-03-25 2020-10-21 임춘택 주문 제작이 용이한 신발의 제조방법
KR102373990B1 (ko) * 2019-11-14 2022-03-17 삼덕통상 주식회사 족형 데이터를 이용한 맞춤형 신발의 제조시스템
KR102465922B1 (ko) * 2020-11-09 2022-11-14 삼덕통상 주식회사 갑피의 자동화 제조방법

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020023306A1 (en) * 1999-12-21 2002-02-28 Sajedi Mohammad Hassan System, method and computer program product for forming a reconfigurable cavity and an expandable shoe last and for constructing a shoe
US7622069B1 (en) * 2008-11-24 2009-11-24 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Molding methods using shape memory polymers
US20140075688A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2014-03-20 Nike, Inc. Method of Using an Inflatable Member to Customize an Article
US20140180866A1 (en) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Ebay Inc. Methods and systems to re-create an internal shape of a shoe
US8968633B2 (en) * 2006-05-03 2015-03-03 Nike, Inc. Method for manufacturing footwear last, and footwear last manufactured by the method
US20150101134A1 (en) * 2013-10-16 2015-04-16 Adidas Ag Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5058946U (de) * 1973-10-08 1975-05-31
JPH04109903A (ja) * 1990-08-30 1992-04-10 Paramaunto Seika Kiyoudoushiya:Kk 注文靴用靴型の製造方法
CN1064006A (zh) * 1991-02-12 1992-09-02 马松振 复合鞋楦及其制造方法
WO2002083767A1 (en) * 2001-04-11 2002-10-24 Cheong Seok Hong Shape memory polymer structure having lattic frame
US7287293B2 (en) * 2005-08-12 2007-10-30 Nike, Inc. Custom fit system with adjustable last and method for custom fitting athletic shoes
US7930837B1 (en) * 2008-09-29 2011-04-26 Michael James Huebner Preserver including an expandable bladder
US8162022B2 (en) * 2008-10-03 2012-04-24 Nike, Inc. Method of customizing an article and apparatus
CN201328432Y (zh) * 2008-11-28 2009-10-21 浙江大学宁波理工学院 防潮气囊鞋楦
US9107479B2 (en) * 2009-06-24 2015-08-18 Nike, Inc. Adjustable last
US20130291399A1 (en) * 2012-02-09 2013-11-07 Mx Orthopedics, Corp. Insole and foot orthotics made of shape memory material (smm) three-dimensional spacer fabrics
US9585438B2 (en) * 2013-02-22 2017-03-07 Nike, Inc. System and method for forming an article
KR102173477B1 (ko) * 2013-03-13 2020-11-04 디에스엠 아이피 어셋츠 비.브이. 가요성 복합체 재료로부터 삼차원 제품을 제조하기 위한 시스템 및 방법
US9456651B2 (en) * 2013-04-23 2016-10-04 Nike, Inc. Holding assembly with locking systems for articles
EP4371753A3 (de) * 2016-05-16 2024-10-09 adidas AG Strukturiertes dreidimensional geformtes schuhwerk und verfahren zur herstellung davon

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020023306A1 (en) * 1999-12-21 2002-02-28 Sajedi Mohammad Hassan System, method and computer program product for forming a reconfigurable cavity and an expandable shoe last and for constructing a shoe
US8968633B2 (en) * 2006-05-03 2015-03-03 Nike, Inc. Method for manufacturing footwear last, and footwear last manufactured by the method
US7622069B1 (en) * 2008-11-24 2009-11-24 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Molding methods using shape memory polymers
US20140075688A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2014-03-20 Nike, Inc. Method of Using an Inflatable Member to Customize an Article
US20140180866A1 (en) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Ebay Inc. Methods and systems to re-create an internal shape of a shoe
US20160018804A1 (en) * 2012-12-21 2016-01-21 Ebay Inc. Re-creating an internal shape of a clothing item
US20150101134A1 (en) * 2013-10-16 2015-04-16 Adidas Ag Three-Dimensional Shoe Manufacturing

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180242693A1 (en) * 2017-02-28 2018-08-30 Under Armour, Inc. Last for an article of footwear
US10827801B2 (en) * 2017-02-28 2020-11-10 Under Armour, Inc. Last for an article of footwear
US12082649B2 (en) 2017-02-28 2024-09-10 Under Armour, Inc. Last for an article of footwear
US11284674B2 (en) 2017-02-28 2022-03-29 Under Armour, Inc. Method of forming an article of footwear
US11633015B2 (en) * 2017-02-28 2023-04-25 Under Armour, Inc. Last for an article of footwear
US11678724B2 (en) * 2017-06-14 2023-06-20 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Customizable lasts
CN112674432A (zh) * 2019-10-18 2021-04-20 株式会社爱世克私 鞋楦、鞋楦的制造方法、鞋面的制造方法
EP3808202A1 (de) 2019-10-18 2021-04-21 ASICS Corporation Leisten, verfahren zur herstellung eines leisten und verfahren zur herstellung eines schuhoberteils
US20210112926A1 (en) * 2019-10-18 2021-04-22 Asics Corporation Last, method for producing last, and method for producing shoe upper
EP4209144A1 (de) 2019-10-18 2023-07-12 ASICS Corporation Last, method for producing last, and method for producing shoe upper
US11622604B2 (en) 2019-12-19 2023-04-11 Asics Corporation Last, method for producing last, and method for producing shoe upper
EP3838045A1 (de) 2019-12-19 2021-06-23 ASICS Corporation Leisten, verfahren zur herstellung eines leisten und verfahren zur herstellung eines schuhoberteils
EP3900568A1 (de) 2020-04-24 2021-10-27 ASICS Corporation Leisten, verfahren zur herstellung eines leisten und verfahren zur herstellung von schuhwerkoberteilen
US11589654B2 (en) 2020-04-24 2023-02-28 Asics Corporation Last, method for manufacturing last, and method for manufacturing footwear upper
US11547181B2 (en) 2020-04-24 2023-01-10 Asics Corporation Last, method for manufacturing last, and method for manufacturing footwear upper
US11903454B2 (en) 2020-04-24 2024-02-20 Asics Corporation Last, method for manufacturing last, and method for manufacturing footwear upper
EP3900569A1 (de) 2020-04-24 2021-10-27 ASICS Corporation Leisten, verfahren zur herstellung eines leisten und verfahren zur herstellung von schuhwerkoberteilen
EP4179913A1 (de) 2020-04-24 2023-05-17 ASICS Corporation Leisten zur herstellung eines schuhoberteils
US11701823B1 (en) 2021-05-19 2023-07-18 Under Armour, Inc. Method of making footwear components
EP4147835A1 (de) 2021-09-14 2023-03-15 ASICS Corporation Schneidunterstützungsvorrichtung, schnittmustererzeugungsverfahren und schneidsystem
EP4169410A1 (de) 2021-10-22 2023-04-26 ASICS Corporation Leisten
EP4169411A1 (de) 2021-10-22 2023-04-26 ASICS Corporation Leisten
US12029281B2 (en) 2021-10-22 2024-07-09 Asics Corporation Shoe last
US12075891B2 (en) 2021-10-22 2024-09-03 Asics Corporation Last and shoe upper forming tool
EP4169412A1 (de) 2021-10-22 2023-04-26 ASICS Corporation Leisten- und schuhoberformwerkzeug
US12108845B2 (en) 2021-10-22 2024-10-08 Asics Corporation Last

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW201630546A (zh) 2016-09-01
KR101912551B1 (ko) 2018-10-26
KR20170107005A (ko) 2017-09-22
EP3244768B1 (de) 2019-02-27
WO2016115461A1 (en) 2016-07-21
TWI556757B (zh) 2016-11-11
CN106102502A (zh) 2016-11-09
MX2017009092A (es) 2017-11-23
EP3244768A1 (de) 2017-11-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20160206049A1 (en) Shape Memory Polymer Footwear Last
CN106536161B (zh) 滑动工具以及使用该滑动工具用于模制的系统和方法
CN105764669B (zh) 用于制造复合构件的方法和复合构件
JP2016104579A (ja) 簡素化された冷却システムを有する射出成形金型
CN105479674B (zh) 用于制造光学元件的模具和方法
CN104159722A (zh) 吹塑装置
EP3573808B1 (de) Adaptive form
CN103619562A (zh) 通过注塑和吹塑制造聚合物内假体的方法和系统
CN103118854B (zh) 具有集成垫圈的双轴向定向塑料管套接件制造设备及其工艺
CN109762197B (zh) 一种etpu发泡体的改进型成型方法
US11938694B2 (en) High speed injection molding with heat/cool cycle for making optical articles
WO2020209308A1 (ja) 樹脂製容器の製造方法
CA2859070C (en) Molding apparatus and method for applying positive pressure to molded container
WO2003051602A8 (fr) Procede de moulage par injection d'un element optique en matiere synthetique thermoplastique
JP6082618B2 (ja) 樹脂成形方法
CN107667004A (zh) 固化聚合物形式的方法和用于使用热膨胀固化聚合物材料的固化装置
EP3735345A1 (de) Formteile aus formgedächtnislegierung
US20200009782A1 (en) Method of Shaping Products made of HDPE or PA, particularly Spatial Shaping of HDPE or PA Tubes, and a Device for Performing it
RU2515880C2 (ru) Способ изготовления замкнутого полого изделия из полиуретанового эластомера и литейная разборная форма для осуществления способа
DK180700B1 (en) A moulding system for direct injection manufacturing of footwear
KR100676275B1 (ko) 사출성형방법
CN106827377A (zh) 一种包胶滚轴注塑成型方法
CN204141849U (zh) 注塑成型的多层式电热水器内胆
EP3173203A1 (de) System und verfahren zur kühlung eines rohlings aus einem ethylen-vinylacetatmaterial
Balliet et al. Injection Molding

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NIKE, INC., OREGON

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KALLAYIL, RAVISHKAR N.;REEL/FRAME:037831/0109

Effective date: 20150127

AS Assignment

Owner name: NIKE, INC., OREGON

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KALLAYIL, RAVISHANKAR N.;REEL/FRAME:038911/0582

Effective date: 20160412

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION