发明人：
ADAMI, GIOVANNI | AMIS, SAM | BIANCONI, MIRKO | CAVALIERE, SERGIO | CHEN, YUCHUNG K. | GREEN, JESSICA | HIPP, STEPHEN | HURD, JOHN | MCLACHLAN, OLIVER | MENENGHINI, NICOLAS | MOLYNEUX, JAMES | PINI, PIERANGELO | RUSHBROOK, THOMAS J. | SMITH, TIMOTHY J. | WINCEK, CHRISTIANNA
摘要：
A process for manufacturing an article, comprising: receiving a first element comprising a low processing temperature polymeric composition, and/or receiving a second element comprising a high processing temperature polymeric composition; placing at least a portion of each element on a molding surface; increasing a temperature of the entire article to a temperature that is above the melting temperature Tm of the low processing temperature polymeric composition (which is 80-135 °C) and below: 1) the creep relaxation temperature Tcr; 2) the heat deflection temperature Thd; and 3) the Vicat softening temperature Tvs of the high processing temperature polymeric composition (which are each at least 10 °C greater than said Tm); and then, while the at least a portion of the article remains on the molding surface, decreasing the temperature of the entire article to below said Tm, thereby forming an article. Also related processes and products.
技术问题语段：
The patent text discusses the traditional methods of making articles of wear, such as footwear, which involve cutting and combining multiple pieces of material. These methods are wasteful, labor-intensive, and prone to errors. The technical problem addressed in the patent is to provide a more efficient and accurate way of combining components to create articles of wear.
技术功效语段：
The present patent is directed to articles, such as apparel, footwear, and sporting equipment, that are made by combining multiple pieces of material that are individually cut and sewn together. This traditional method of making articles is wasteful, labor-intensive, and error-prone. The present invention provides a solution by using a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition in a single material. This allows for the creation of articles that are more efficient, precise, and better-performing. The invention also provides methods for making these articles using the low and high processing temperature polymeric compositions.
权利要求：
1. A process for manufacturing an article, the process comprising: receiving a first element selected from a first shaped component, a first film, a first textile, a first yarn, and a first fiber; and/or receiving a second element selected from a second shaped component, a second film, a second textile, a second yarn, or a second fiber; wherein the first element comprises a low processing temperature polymeric composition, the low processing temperature polymeric composition comprising one or more first thermoplastic polymers and exhibiting a melting temperature Tm that is from 80 °C to 135 °C, wherein the second element comprises a high processing temperature polymeric composition, the high processing temperature polymeric composition comprising one or more second thermoplastic polymers, and wherein the high processing temperature polymeric composition exhibits: 1) a creep relaxation temperature Tcr; 2) a heat deflection temperature Thd; and 3) a Vicat softening temperature Tvs that are each at least 10 °C greater than the melting temperature Tm of the low processing temperature polymeric composition; placing at least a portion of the first element and at least a portion of the second element on a molding surface; while the at least a portion of the first element and the at least a portion of the second element is on the molding surface, increasing a temperature of the entire article to a temperature that is above the melting temperature Tm of the low processing temperature polymeric composition and below: 1) the creep relaxation temperature Tcr; 2) the heat deflection temperature Thd; and 3) the Vicat softening temperature Tvs of the high processing temperature polymeric composition; and subsequent to the increasing the temperature of the entire article, while the at least a portion of the article remains on the molding surface, decreasing the temperature of the entire article to a temperature below the melting temperature Tm of the low processing temperature polymeric composition; thereby forming an article comprising a first reflowed material; wherein the first reflowed material is a melted and re-solidified product of the first element selected from the first shaped component, the first film, the first yarn, the first fiber, the first textile, or any combination thereof; wherein the first reflowed material comprises a low processing temperature polymeric composition, the low processing temperature polymeric composition comprising one or more first thermoplastic polymers.
2. The process for manufacturing an article according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises an outward most layer that includes at least a portion of the first element comprising the low processing temperature polymeric composition, the outward most layer comprising a first area and a second area, wherein the first area comprises an increased concentration of the element comprising the low processing temperature polymeric composition compared to the second area.
3. The process for manufacturing an article according to claim 2, wherein the outward most layer comprises a transition area positioned between the first and second areas, wherein the transition area includes a decreased concentration of the first shaped component, the first film, the first textile, the first yarn, or the first fiber comprising the low processing temperature polymeric composition compared to the first area.
4. The process for manufacturing an article according to claim 3, wherein the transition area comprises an increased concentration of the first element comprising the low processing temperature polymeric composition compared to the second area.
5. The process for manufacturing an article according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first area comprises a ground-facing outsole area, a sole perimeter area, a heel area, and/or a toe-box area.
6. The process for manufacturing an article according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second area comprises a forefoot opening area and/or an ankle collar area.
7. The process for manufacturing an article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first film, the first textile, the second film, or the second textile, or combinations thereof, further comprise embroidery on at least a portion thereon.
8. The process for manufacturing an article according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more first thermoplastic polymers comprise one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, polyurethanes and polyolefins.
9. The process for manufacturing an article according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more first thermoplastic polymers comprise one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, polyurethanes, and combinations thereof.
10. The process for manufacturing an article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first element includes a first yarn essentially free of dye.
11. The process for manufacturing an article according to any preceding claim, wherein the article is an article of footwear, apparel, or sporting equipment; or wherein the article is a component of an article of footwear, apparel, or sporting equipment.