REINFORCEMENT ELEMENT AND PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A FUNCTIONAL HYBRID REINFORCEMENT ELEMENT

Abstract

A reinforcing element, suited in particular for shoes, bags or orthopedic applications, comprises a support layer, and a reinforcing layer. The support layer is formed such that it protrudes at least in parts laterally beyond the reinforcing layer to form an edge region. A method for producing such a reinforcing element.

Claims

1. Reinforcing element, in particular for shoes, bags or orthopedic applications, comprising a support layer, and a reinforcing layer surface-connected with the support layer, wherein the support layer protrudes at least in parts laterally beyond the reinforcing layer to form an edge region.

2. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the edge region surrounds the reinforcing layer completely.

3. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the edge region has a substantially constant width.

4. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer are produced from a prefabricated material.

5. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer are made from a powdery material.

6. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the support layer and the reinforcing layer are made from different materials.

7. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein an outer contour of the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer is obtained by punching and/or cutting.

8. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein an outer contour of the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer is obtained directly during manufacture.

9. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is provided on an outer side of the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer.

10. Reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing layer is produced in a 3D printing method.

11. Method for producing a reinforcing element in which a reinforcing layer is connected with a support layer, and an edge region is formed so that the support layer protrudes at least in part laterally beyond the reinforcing layer.

12. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 11, in which the edge region surrounds the reinforcing layer completely.

13. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 11, in which the edge region has a substantially constant width.

14. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 11, in which the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer are made of prefabricated plate material or rolled material.

15. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 11, in which the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer are made from a powdery material.

16. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 15, in which powder particles are arranged in one layer at least substantially in the final shape of an outer contour of the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer.

17. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 16, in which a layer of powder particles for forming the reinforcing layer is arranged on the support layer formed by powder particles.

18. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 17, in which the powder particles are compounded in particular by applying heat and/or pressure.

19. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 11, in which the support layer and/or the reinforcing layer are produced separately and the support layer is connected with the reinforcing layer.

20. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 1, in which the support layer and the reinforcing layer are produced together.

21. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 11, in which the reinforcing layer is arranged on the support layer by depositing a layer of powder particles.

22. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 11, in which the support layer and the reinforcing layer are made from different materials.

23. Method for producing a reinforcing element of claim 11 in which the reinforcing layer is produced preferably directly on the support layer using a 3D printing method.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the Figures:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment for producing a reinforcing element of the present disclosure,

[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment for producing a reinforcing element of the present disclosure,

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a third embodiment for producing a reinforcing element of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment for producing a reinforcing element of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030] In an embodiment of the present disclosure (FIG. 1), a support layer 10 and/or a reinforcing layer 12 are produced from powdery material. In this regard, different approaches are possible. For example, the support layer 10 and the reinforcing layer 12 may be produced such that they already exist in their final form and are compacted or joined by the application of pressure and temperature. The joining of the support layer 10 with the reinforcing layer 12 may be effected by temperate and/or pressure. This is possible in particular if the two layers are made of the same or compatible powder materials.

[0031] As an alternative, the support layer 10 made of powder can be finished and, thereafter, powder for the reinforcing layer 12 can be arranged on the inner side of the support layer 10. Subsequently, the powder of the reinforcing layer is compacted or compounded by the application of temperature and/or pressure.

[0032] It is particularly preferred not yet to compound or compact the powder of the support layer 10, but to first provide powder for the reinforcing layer 12 on parts of the support layer 10. Thereafter, the powder of the support layer 10 and of the reinforcing layer 12 are compounded or compacted together by the application of temperature and/or pressure.

[0033] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the reinforcing layer 12 is arranged such on the support layer 10 which has larger that a circumferential edge region is formed thereby. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the edge region 14 has a substantially constant width and surrounds the reinforcing layer completely.

[0034] In another alternative embodiment, the support layer 10 is made of a plate material. Here, the support layer 10 e.g., already has the final outer contour obtained e.g., by cutting or punching. The forming of the outer contour may also be the last production step, if so intended. Thereafter, the powdery material of the reinforcing layer 12 is deposited in parts. If so intended, the inner side can be coated with a bonding agent to ensure a reliable joining of the support layer 10 and the reinforcing layer 12. After the powder of the reinforcing layer 12 has been deposited on the inner side of the support layer 10, temperature and/or pressure are applied again to produce the reinforcing layer. In this regard, it is particularly preferred that the reinforcing layer 12 is joined directly with the support layer 10, so that no bonding agent has to be provided.

[0035] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate further alternative preferred embodiments of the reinforcing element of the disclosure, wherein similar and identical components are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0036] In FIG. 2, a reinforcing layer 12 is joined with the support layer 10, wherein, again, an edge region is provided that extends all around the circumference of the reinforcing layer 12. Here, the edge portion has a relatively narrow edge portion 16 at the upper and the lower side and two wider edge regions 18 at the sides. In this case, the edge regions 18 can e.g., form the lateral regions of a heel cap so that a good and reliable connection with the shoe material is ensured.

[0037] In FIG. 2, two reinforcing layers 12 are arranged on the support layer 10. These are arranged at a distance from each other so that in an intermediate region 18 only one layer of the support layer 10 is provided. At the sides, the two reinforcing layers 12 are each again surrounded by an edge region 14.

[0038] Possibly, the support layer 10 and/or the reinforcing layer 12 can also be produced using a 3D printing method, in particular a FDM method or a SLS method, with combinations of the different methods being possible as well.

[0039] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, it is also possible to form a gridshaped reinforcing layer 20 on the support layer 10. The former may be produced separately or, in particular, be provided directly on the upper side of the support layer 12 using a 3D printing method.