Nike, Inc.

Nike Innovate C.v.

Pu-Yuan Chang

Kuo-Hung Lee

Chun-Wei Huang

Guo-Chang Wang

Jen-Chuan Lin

Chin-Ming Chan

San-Bei Huang

Tsung-Sheng Huang

Su-Wen Kao

Systems and processes for packing complementary articles of footwear into a container are disclosed. The processes can include utilizing a reusable packing sheet positioned underneath complementary articles of footwear to transfer the complementary articles of footwear into a container. The processes can also include removing the reusable packing sheet from underneath the complementary articles of footwear while the complementary articles of footwear remain positioned in the container. Additional processes can include aligning and sizing complementary articles of footwear for packing in a container.

Systems and processes for packing articles of footwear

Elastomeric components, such as a shoe outsole, are treated with a plasma application to clean and activate the elastomeric component. The application of plasma is controlled to achieve a sufficient surface composition change to enhance adhesion characteristics while not adversely physically deforming the elastomeric component. The plasma treatment is applied to increase carbonyl functional group concentrations within an altered region of the elastomeric component to within at least a range of 2%-15% of carbon atomic percentage composition. The cleaning and activation is controlled, in part, by ensuring a defined height offset range is maintained between the elastomeric component and the plasma source by a generated tool path. The elastomeric component may then be adhered, with an adhesive, to another component.

Plasma treatment of an elastomeric material for adhesion

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Taichung, Taiwan

Pu-Yuan Chang