Nike, Inc.

Dong Youp Yang

Patrick Conall Regan

Dong Woo Lee

Yong Joo Chon

Jong Cher Seo

Sang Gyu Lee

Byung Gi Kim

Geun Rok Park

Foam items may be buffed using particles such as particulate sodium bicarbonate in accordance with the present invention. Foam items may be, for example, expanded EVA foam items pre-formed into an intermediate size and shape. A skin layer may be formed during the expansion of the foam item to form an expanded foam item which may be entirely or partially removed by buffing the item using particles projected with selected buffing parameters. The buffing parameters may be varied based upon the thickness of at least a portion of the skin layer and/or the desired degree of moldability for the foam item after buffing. Particulate sodium bicarbonate or other types of particles used for buffing may be recycled and reused for further buffing of foam items.

Buffing expanded foam items

Growing community of inventors

Kimhae, South Korea

Dong Youp Yang