The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jun. 07, 2022

Filed:

Aug. 28, 2020
Applicant:

Nike, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US);

Inventors:

Bryan N. Farris, North Plains, OR (US);

David Turner, Portland, OR (US);

Assignee:

NIKE, Inc., Beaverton, OR (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
C08J 9/00 (2006.01); A43B 13/02 (2022.01); A43B 3/00 (2022.01); B29C 44/08 (2006.01); C08J 9/12 (2006.01); A43B 13/12 (2006.01); A43B 13/14 (2006.01); A43B 13/18 (2006.01); B29D 35/00 (2010.01); B29C 44/34 (2006.01); B29L 31/50 (2006.01); B29K 75/00 (2006.01); B29K 101/12 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
C08J 9/122 (2013.01); A43B 13/125 (2013.01); A43B 13/14 (2013.01); A43B 13/181 (2013.01); A43B 13/187 (2013.01); B29C 44/3453 (2013.01); B29D 35/00 (2013.01); A43D 2200/60 (2013.01); B29C 44/08 (2013.01); B29K 2075/00 (2013.01); B29K 2101/12 (2013.01); B29L 2031/50 (2013.01); C08J 2300/22 (2013.01);
Abstract

A method of making a foamed article, for example a foamed component for an article or footwear, comprises forming a structure of interconnected, unfoamed, thermoplastic polymeric members spaced to define openings between the thermoplastic polymeric members. The structure may be made by printing a thermoplastic polymeric material with a three-dimensional printer. The thermoplastic polymeric members are heated to a first temperature to soften the thermoplastic polymeric members and the softened thermoplastic polymeric members are infused with at least one inert gas at a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The first pressure is sufficient to cause the at least one inert gas to permeate into the softened thermoplastic polymeric members. After being infused with the inert gas, the pressure is reduced to at least partially foam the thermoplastic polymeric members.


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