A method and apparatus for printing onto a curved surface of an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include receiving the article and extruding a composite yarn from a nozzle. A method may include attaching the composite yarn to the curved surface by moving the nozzle in a direction aligned with a first axis and a direction aligned with second axis along the curved surface. The first axis may be approximately normal to the print surface and the second axis may be approximately normal to the first direction. The article may be repositioned during printing to accommodate nozzle movement.

A method and apparatus for printing onto a curved surface of an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include receiving the article and extruding a composite yarn from a nozzle. A method may include attaching the composite yarn to the curved surface by moving the nozzle in a direction aligned with a first axis and a direction aligned with second axis along the curved surface. The first axis may be approximately normal to the print surface and the second axis may be approximately normal to the first direction. The article may be repositioned during printing to accommodate nozzle movement.

A footwear assembly having an upper that comprises a neoprene sock with a foot portion integrally connected to a leg portion. The foot portion has heel, vamp and under-foot portions. The leg portion has front shin, side wall, and rear calf-side portions. The upper has a unitary, outer, injection molded layer molded directly onto the foot and shin portions of the neoprene sock, while the sidewall and rear calf-side portions remain substantially uncovered by the injection molded layer. The injection molded layer encases the foot portion of the neoprene sock. The injection molded layer on the shin portion defines a shin guard portion having a necked down area integrally connected to the injection molded layer at the vamp portion, wherein the shin guard extends upwardly from the necked-down portion in an outwardly diverging shape away from the vamp.

A footwear assembly having an upper that comprises a neoprene sock with a foot portion integrally connected to a leg portion. The foot portion has heel, vamp and under-foot portions. The leg portion has front shin, side wall, and rear calf-side portions. The upper has a unitary, outer, injection molded layer molded directly onto the foot and shin portions of the neoprene sock, while the sidewall and rear calf-side portions remain substantially uncovered by the injection molded layer. The injection molded layer encases the foot portion of the neoprene sock. The injection molded layer on the shin portion defines a shin guard portion having a necked down area integrally connected to the injection molded layer at the vamp portion, wherein the shin guard extends upwardly from the necked-down portion in an outwardly diverging shape away from the vamp.

Manufacturing process for the production of flexible three-dimensional items which entails: cutting the pieces (4) which will form the outer material of the item to be produced, preparing a mould (1) and a counter mould (3) with smooth opposing surfaces onto which the cut pieces (4) which will form the outer material are placed, these cut pieces, alongside the mould and counter mould, delimiting a network of channels (6) through which a molten plastic material is injected.

Manufacturing process for the production of flexible three-dimensional items which entails: cutting the pieces (4) which will form the outer material of the item to be produced, preparing a mould (1) and a counter mould (3) with smooth opposing surfaces onto which the cut pieces (4) which will form the outer material are placed, these cut pieces, alongside the mould and counter mould, delimiting a network of channels (6) through which a molten plastic material is injected.

A system configured to facilitate formation of additive manufacturing objects is described. The system may obtain a virtual three-dimensional representation of an object, determine positions for a layered series of contour lines for the object based on the three-dimensional representation; and determine individual wave functions that correspond to a given contour line for a given layer. An individual wave function may indicate a three or more dimensional waveform pathway for an additive manufacturing platform to follow within a given layer when forming the given layer of the object. The system may control movement of the additive manufacturing platform to additively manufacture the object following waveform pathways. Controlling movement of the additive manufacturing platform based on the wave functions facilitates additively manufacturing objects without a need for support material for overhanging features. The present system is controlled to additively manufactured objects having a knit, weave, and/or other fabric-like texture.

A system configured to facilitate formation of additive manufacturing objects is described. The system may obtain a virtual three-dimensional representation of an object, determine positions for a layered series of contour lines for the object based on the three-dimensional representation; and determine individual wave functions that correspond to a given contour line for a given layer. An individual wave function may indicate a three or more dimensional waveform pathway for an additive manufacturing platform to follow within a given layer when forming the given layer of the object. The system may control movement of the additive manufacturing platform to additively manufacture the object following waveform pathways. Controlling movement of the additive manufacturing platform based on the wave functions facilitates additively manufacturing objects without a need for support material for overhanging features. The present system is controlled to additively manufactured objects having a knit, weave, and/or other fabric-like texture.

A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.

A knitted or woven component including an upper of an article of footwear, the upper including a knitted textile that is knitted together via a plurality of yarn such that the plurality of knitted yarn at least partially forms the knitted component. The article of footwear includes a midsole coupled to the knitted textile of the upper such that the midsole is positioned adjacent to the plurality of knitted yarn that at least partially forms the knitted component of the article of footwear, and an outsole coupled to the midsole on an opposite side of the knitted textile of the upper such that the outsole is separated from the plurality of knitted yarn that at least partially forms the knitted component of the article of footwear by the midsole disposed therebetween.