Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system includes a first display device that is transparent and which may be used to superimpose graphics over an article to align the article with the printing system. An optical device and a second display device provide a fixed viewing angle for a user aligning the article under the first display device.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system also includes a projection system for aligning a projected graphic with a predetermined portion of the article prior to printing the graphic to the article. The graphic can include a masked portion that corresponds to a design element on the article.

Abstract: A customization system for an article of equipment includes a printing system for printing a graphic onto the article. The customization system also includes a cylinder for holding the article for printing a graphic upon the article. The cylinder can include one or more recesses in the outer surface of the cylinder to accommodate the article. A partial vacuum applied to the article when disposed within the recess through ports in the bottom surface of the recess holds the article in place within the recess while the cylinder rotates during printing. A gasket can be included between the recess in the cylinder and the article to provide an airtight seal to hold the article in place.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system also includes a projection system for aligning a projected graphic with a predetermined portion of the article prior to printing the graphic to the article. The graphic can include a masked portion that corresponds to a design element on the article.

Abstract: A holding assembly for articles can be used with a flexible manufacturing system to hold an article in place. The holding assembly can be used with a printing system to print onto the article. The holding assembly can expand to fit the article. The holding assembly can include a moldable surface that can be provided with a temporarily fixed geometry through the use of a vacuum. The holding assembly can help provide a flattened outer surface for the article to facilitate printing.

Abstract: Footwear fabrication methods are disclosed, having reduced material consumption and/or waste requirements, compared to conventional methods, as well as the footwear articles made by such methods. The fabrication methods and articles are characterized by the selective use of a bonding agent, in the form of a powder or tackified (e.g., preheated) powder, to bond various material panels, such substrate, mesh, and/or skin panels in the formation of a composite panel (e.g., a bonded mesh composite panel), which may in turn be used to provide a footwear upper and ultimately an article of footwear. The bonding agent is particularly applicable to fabrication processes utilizing a combination of heat and pressure for bonding or fusing material panels, each having a suitable composition, size, shape, and thickness, into the particular configuration of the footwear upper.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system also includes a projection system for aligning a projected graphic with a predetermined portion of the article prior to printing the graphic to the article. The graphic can include a masked portion that corresponds to a design element on the article.

Abstract: A customization system for a tubular article of apparel includes a printing system for printing a graphic onto the tubular article. The customization system also includes a cylinder for holding the tubular article for printing a graphic upon the article. The cylinder can include one or more recesses in the outer surface of the cylinder to accommodate one or more regions of increased thickness on the tubular article. By providing recesses in the cylinder that correspond to the regions of increased thickness, the tubular article can present a substantially uniform flat surface for printing the graphic upon.

Abstract: An article, such as an article of footwear or an article of apparel, includes an upper having a gradient-like coloring pattern. The article further includes protruding elements configured in a pattern that corresponds to the coloring pattern. The article may have a layered structure including a base layer, a coloring ink layer and a layer of protruding elements.

Abstract: An article having optical structures disposed on a base material element. Optical structures include lenticular lens structures and discrete coloring elements. Lenticular lens structure has several lens layers. The article has a different appearance when an observer views the article at various angles. The appearance may differ in terms of coloring scheme.

Abstract: A customization system for a tubular article of apparel includes a printing system for printing a graphic onto the tubular article. The customization system also includes a cylinder for holding the tubular article for printing a graphic upon the article. The cylinder can include one or more recesses in the outer surface of the cylinder to accommodate one or more regions of increased thickness on the tubular article. By providing recesses in the cylinder that correspond to the regions of increased thickness, the tubular article can present a substantially uniform flat surface for printing the graphic upon.

Abstract: Footwear fabrication methods are disclosed, having reduced material consumption and/or waste requirements, compared to conventional methods, as well as the footwear articles made by such methods. The fabrication methods and articles are characterized by the selective use of a bonding agent, in the form of a powder or tackified (e.g., preheated) powder, to bond various material panels, such substrate, mesh, and/or skin panels in the formation of a composite panel (e.g., a bonded mesh composite panel), which may in turn be used to provide a footwear upper and ultimately an article of footwear. The bonding agent is particularly applicable to fabrication processes utilizing a combination of heat and pressure for bonding or fusing material panels, each having a suitable composition, size, shape, and thickness, into the particular configuration of the footwear upper.

Abstract: A method of printing onto an article includes placing an article on a holding assembly, flattening a portion of the article and printing onto the flattened portion of the article. Flattening can be accomplished using a flattening plate and by controlling the shape of a surface of the holding assembly using a vacuum.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system includes a first display device that is transparent and which may be used to superimpose graphics over an article to align the article with the printing system. An optical device and a second display device provide a fixed viewing angle for a user aligning the article under the first display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including receiving an undistorted three-dimensional pattern for display on the article, the undistorted three-dimensional pattern configured for placement on an irregular three-dimensional surface; creating a predistorted three-dimensional pattern from the undistorted three-dimensional pattern for printing onto a simple three-dimensional shaped object; receiving the predistorted three-dimensional pattern in a three-dimensional printing system; and printing the predistorted three-dimensional pattern onto the article.

Abstract: A printing assembly includes a printing device and a retractable screen assembly that blocks UV light. As the printing device moves across a platform, the retractable screen assembly may fasten to support members, thereby causing a screen member to extend from the retractable screen assembly and prevent UV light from traveling along a range of viewing angles.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system also includes a projection system for aligning a projected graphic with a predetermined portion of the article prior to printing the graphic to the article. The graphic can include a masked portion that corresponds to a design element on the article.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printer head with an airflow management system. The airflow management system includes an air splitter on the leading edge of the printer head and side members that extend the length of the printer head. The air splitter and members are positioned so that a gap is formed between the printer head and the air splitter and members. A vacuum fan positioned within a duct on top of the printer head can draw air through the gap at the leading edge of the printer head and return the air on the trailing side of the printer head. The airflow management system can permit increased printing distances.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system for an article of footwear includes a printing system for printing graphics onto the footwear. The flexible manufacturing system includes a first display device that is transparent and which may be used to superimpose graphics over an article to align the article with the printing system. An optical device and a second display device provide a fixed viewing angle for a user aligning the article under the first display device.

Abstract: A method and system for printing to apparel includes a receptacle configured to receive articles of apparel, such as socks. The receptacle includes perforations and an inner ink absorbing layer. The receptacle is rotated beneath a print head assembly. The ink can be cured using heating devices.