Method of Manufacturing An Article of Footwear Having A Knit Upper With A Polymer Layer
First Claim
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1. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising:
- utilizing a flat knitting process to form a knitted component having a first surface and an opposite second surface;
bonding a polymer layer to the first surface of the knitted component; and
incorporating the knitted component and the polymer layer into an upper of the article of footwear, the polymer layer forming a majority of an exterior surface of the upper.
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing an article of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper is described. The upper includes a knitted component and a polymer layer. The knitted component is formed of unitary knit construction and extends along a lateral side of the upper, along a medial side of the upper, over a forefoot region of the upper, and around a heel region of the upper. The polymer layer is bonded to the knitted component and may form a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. The polymer layer may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear, the method comprising:
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utilizing a flat knitting process to form a knitted component having a first surface and an opposite second surface; bonding a polymer layer to the first surface of the knitted component; and incorporating the knitted component and the polymer layer into an upper of the article of footwear, the polymer layer forming a majority of an exterior surface of the upper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear including an upper incorporating a knitted component, the method comprising:
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forming the knitted component of unitary knit construction during a knitting process, the knitted component including a tubular structure comprising a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer that are overlapping and joined along opposite edges to form an unsecured central area of the tubular structure; inlaying a strand having a configuration of a one-dimensional material within at least a portion of a length of the unsecured central area of the tubular structure during the knitting process; securing a polymer layer to the knitted component, the polymer layer forming a majority of an exterior surface of the upper; and wherein the polymer layer infiltrates and is secured to the first knitted layer of the tubular structure and remains unsecured to the second knitted layer of the tubular structure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification