Footwear fabrication by composite filament 3D printing
First Claim
1. A method of reinforcing a footwear upper, comprising:
- supplying a core reinforced filament having a matrix material impregnating reinforcing strands aligned along the filament;
supplying a fill material separately from the core reinforced filament;
depositing at least one shell of fill material within an upper shape upon a print bed;
depositing the core reinforced filament to fuse to the fill material within a first reinforcing region formed with respect to the upper shape;
actuating a cutter upstream of the nozzle tip to cut the core reinforced filament;
depositing a remainder of the core reinforced filament to complete the first reinforcing region; and
applying pressure with a nozzle tip to continuously compact the core reinforced filament toward the upper shape as the core reinforced filament is fused to the fill material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A footwear insole shape is generated by supplying a core reinforced filament having a matrix material impregnating reinforcing strands aligned along the filament, as well as a fill material separately from the core reinforced filament and depositing at least one shell of fill material within an insole shape upon a print bed. The core reinforced filament is deposited to fuse to the fill material within a first reinforcing region formed with respect to the insole shape. A cutter upstream of the nozzle tip cuts the core reinforced filament, and a remainder of the core reinforced filament is deposited to complete the first reinforcing region. A nozzle tip applies pressure to continuously compact the core reinforced filament toward the insole shape as the core reinforced filament is fused to the fill material.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of reinforcing a footwear upper, comprising:
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supplying a core reinforced filament having a matrix material impregnating reinforcing strands aligned along the filament; supplying a fill material separately from the core reinforced filament; depositing at least one shell of fill material within an upper shape upon a print bed; depositing the core reinforced filament to fuse to the fill material within a first reinforcing region formed with respect to the upper shape; actuating a cutter upstream of the nozzle tip to cut the core reinforced filament; depositing a remainder of the core reinforced filament to complete the first reinforcing region; and applying pressure with a nozzle tip to continuously compact the core reinforced filament toward the upper shape as the core reinforced filament is fused to the fill material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification