Method of knitting a plurality of uppers on a machine and upper for an article of footwear

Abstract

The present application relates to methods of knitting multiple uppers on a machine and uppers for articles of footwear. A method for manufacturing an article of footwear includes forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at least partially overlapping in time with forming the first upper. The first upper and the second upper are formed at separate locations of the textile manufacturing machine.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application filed on September 7, 2017, with application number 202010754083.9 and invention title "Method for knitting multiple shoe uppers on a machine and shoe uppers for footwear articles".

[0002] The application filed on September 7, 2017, with application number 202010754083.9 and entitled "Method for knitting multiple shoe uppers on a machine and shoe uppers for footwear articles", is a divisional application of the application filed on September 7, 2017, with application number 201780054761.7 and entitled "Method for knitting multiple shoe uppers on a machine and shoe uppers for footwear articles". Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to footwear articles and methods for manufacturing footwear articles on textile manufacturing machines. More specifically, this invention relates to a method of knitting two uppers on a textile manufacturing machine to form multiple uppers (such as a pair of shoes). Background Technology

[0004] Textile manufacturing machines are used to perform processes including, but not limited to, weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, and felting to produce textiles that can be made from one or more types of yarns and other materials or components. These manufactured textiles can be used to make a variety of items, such as clothing, footwear, and other goods.

[0005] Footwear generally comprises an upper or upper and sole structure. The upper can be attached or secured to the sole structure, which provides support and comfort to the wearer's foot, while also providing a structure between the foot and the ground. Various materials and other components can be used to create the sole structure to provide support and comfort. The upper of a footwear item generally surrounds the wearer's foot and can extend along the top or instep area, the toe area, the outer and inner sides of the foot, around the rear or ankle / heel area, and under the foot. Various materials, components, and / or one or more layers of these materials and components can be used to create the upper to provide comfort, support, flexibility, abrasion resistance, breathability, compressibility, tensile strength, sweat absorption, and other characteristics.

[0006] An example of textile manufacturing machinery is a knitting machine. Knitting machines are used to produce knitted textiles to form the uppers of footwear items. Different types of knitting machines include, but are not limited to, flat knitting machines, such as V-bed flat knitting machines and circular knitting machines.

[0007] Knitting machines typically knit one shoe upper at a time. However, on some machines (such as flat knitting machines), knitting a single shoe upper can take a significant amount of time, for example, at least 25 minutes, depending on the structure and complexity of the upper involved. For instance, a knitting machine might knit the upper for a shoe for the wearer's left foot, and once the left upper is finished, the machine would knit the upper for the wearer's right foot, or vice versa. In this process, each upper is knitted along its length, which often requires the knitting machine's carriage and needles to travel the length of the upper along the needle bed to produce one row of the upper, and then travel back the same distance to begin knitting subsequent rows of the upper. This potentially significant time spent manufacturing each upper can result in low productivity in manufacturing a pair of uppers for the wearer, including slower production times and increased effort and expense in machine use. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing footwear articles, the method comprising forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine, and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time at least partially overlapping with the formation of the first upper. The first and second uppers are formed at separate locations on the textile manufacturing machine.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention relates to an upper for footwear articles, the upper comprising a pre-folded shape initially formed on a textile manufacturing machine and a folded shape defining the final shape of the upper. The pre-folded shape includes a length along a manufacturing direction on the textile manufacturing machine and a width substantially transverse to that length. The upper includes a first end and a second end along the length of the pre-folded shape. The first end includes a toe region, and a central region disposed between the first end and the second end includes a heel region.

[0010] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing footwear articles, the method comprising forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine, and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time at least partially overlapping with the formation of the first upper. The first upper is formed on the textile manufacturing machine in a configuration having a length and a width. The length is at least twice the width.

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of this specification, together with the general description given above and the detailed description below, serve to illustrate the features of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 A top view of an embodiment of the shoe upper in its pre-folded shape is shown;

[0013] Figure 2Two knitted pieces are shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the implementation scheme of the knitting machine for the folded front upper of the shoe;

[0014] Figure 3 Two knitted pieces are shown Figure 1 The folded front of the shoe upper Figure 2 Front view of a knitting machine;

[0015] Figure 4 Two knitted pieces are shown Figure 1 The folded front of the shoe upper Figure 2 Another front view of the knitting machine;

[0016] Figure 5 Two knitted pieces are shown Figure 1 The folded front of the shoe upper Figure 2 Another front view of the knitting machine;

[0017] Figure 6 It shows the shape before folding. Figure 1 A perspective view of the shoe upper;

[0018] Figure 7 It shows the shape folded to conform to the foot. Figure 1 A perspective view of the shoe upper;

[0019] Figure 8 It shows the shape folded to conform to the foot. Figure 1 Another perspective view of the shoe upper;

[0020] Figure 9 It shows the shape folded to conform to the foot. Figure 1 Another perspective view of the shoe upper;

[0021] Figure 10 It shows a folded shape Figure 1 A perspective view of the shoe upper;

[0022] Figure 11 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a pair of folded uppers; and

[0023] Figure 12 A top view of a second embodiment of the shoe upper in its pre-folded shape is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Figure 1 An embodiment of an upper 100 for footwear articles is shown, the upper 100 being in a shape before folding or a two-dimensional (2D) shape. Figure 1 The shoe upper 100 shown can be the left shoe upper of a pair of shoes, in other words, an upper configured for the wearer's left foot; or the right shoe upper of a pair of shoes, which is configured for the wearer's right foot. Figure 1 It will be described as showing the left shoe upper, and this description is used to aid the discussion, and it is envisioned that... Figure 1 The upper 100 shown can also be configured for the right upper. Except that the right upper is flipped along its width, the right upper can be symmetrical to the left upper.

[0025] The upper 100 includes a length 102 and a width 104. The length 102 of the upper 100 extends from a first end 106 to a second end 107. The width 104 of the upper 100 is the maximum width of the upper 100 along its length 102. In various embodiments of this disclosure, the length 102 of the upper 100 is at least twice the width 104 of the upper 100.

[0026] Before folding, the upper 100 also includes a toe area 108, a central area 110, a tongue 112, and a gusset 114. The toe area 108 extends from the first end 106 of the upper 100 along the inner side 116 of the toe area 108 and along the outer side 118 of the toe area 108. The dimensions of the upper 100 and the dimensions of each corresponding side and / or area of ​​the upper 100 will vary according to the foot size of the intended wearer of the upper 100.

[0027] The central region 110 of the upper 100 extends a portion of the length 102 of the upper 100 from the toe region 108. The central region 110 includes a heel region 122, which, when folded, is configured to extend around the wearer's heel. When the upper 100 is folded, as... Figures 10 to 11 As shown, a portion of the central region 110 of the upper 100 extends along the outer side of the upper 100, and a portion of the central region 110 also extends along the inner side of the upper 100. The central region 110 and / or the toe region 108 may include a plurality of slits or holes 120 for receiving shoelaces.

[0028] The tongue 112 of the upper 100 extends from the central region 110 of the upper 100, covering a portion of the length 102 of the upper 100. The tongue 112 may also include a plurality of slits or holes 120 for receiving shoelaces. The lining 114 of the upper 100 extends from the tongue 112 to a second end 107 of the upper 100. In one embodiment, when the upper 100 is folded, the lining 114 may extend below the toe region 108 and / or a portion of the central region 110.

[0029] The upper 100 can be manufactured using textile manufacturing machines. Figure 2An embodiment of a textile manufacturing machine 200 as a flat knitting machine is shown. The knitting machine 200 includes a first section 202 and a second section 204. One of the first section 202 and the second section 204 can knit either the left or right shoe upper, while the other of the first section 202 and the second section 204 can knit either the left or right shoe upper. Alternatively, the first section 202 and the second section 204 can knit both right shoe uppers and then knit both left shoe uppers, and vice versa. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the right upper is knitted in the first section 202, and the left upper 100 is knitted in the second section 204.

[0030] The knitting machine 200 can be programmed such that the carriage and / or feeder of one section does not extend into another section. The knitting machine 200 can also be programmed such that the needles in the middle portion of the row of needle beds 208, 210 (i.e., the portion between the first section 202 and the second section 204) are locked, deactivated, or programmed to be unused, so that no knitting occurs in the middle portion, and knitting occurs only in the first section 202 and the second section 204. In an alternative configuration, the knitting machine 200 may include a separating element between the first section 202 and the second section 204 to provide a physical barrier between them. The separating element can prevent the carriage and / or feeder of one section from extending into another section (described in detail below).

[0031] Each section 202, 204 of the knitting machine 200 includes two needle beds 208, 210. The needle beds 208, 210 are angled relative to each other to form a V-shape, also known as a V-bed flat knitting machine. Each of the needle beds 208, 210 includes multiple needles 212. In one position, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the needles 212 of needle beds 208 and 210 maintain a V-shape. In another position, the needles 212 can travel upwards along needle beds 208 and 210, such that the needles 212 of one needle bed 208 and the needles 212 of the other needle bed 210 pass close together and intersect to form an X-shape. Figure 2 As shown, needle beds 208 extend continuously in rows from the first section 202 to the second section 204, and needle beds 210 also extend continuously in rows from the first section 202 to the second section 204. If, as previously described, the knitting machine 200 includes a separating element between the first section 202 and the second section 204, then the needle beds 208 of the first section 202 will be separated from the needle beds 208 of the second section 204 by the separating element, and the needle beds 210 of the first section 202 will also be separated from the needle beds 210 of the second section 204 by the separating element.

[0032] The knitting machine 200 may include two guide rails 214 and 216. Guide rails 214 and 216 are positioned above needle beds 208 and 210. Guide rails 214 and 216 provide attachment points for a standard feeder 218 and a combined feeder 220. If, as previously described, the knitting machine 200 includes a separating element between a first section 202 and a second section 204, then each section 202 and 204 of the knitting machine 200 may each include two guide rails 214 and 216. Each guide rail 214 and 216 includes two sides. One side is available for attaching the standard feeder 218, and the other side is available for attaching the combined feeder 220. Figure 2 A standard feeder 218 and a combined feeder 220 are shown for each section 202, 204; however, any number and / or configuration of standard feeders 218 and / or combined feeders 220 on guides 214, 216 may be used on the knitting machine 200. Although Figure 2 Two guide rails 214 and 216 are shown, but the knitting machine 200 may also include additional guide rails to provide attachment points for more feeders 218 and 220.

[0033] Feeders 218 and 220 supply yarn or other materials, such as silk, thread, rope, webbing, cable, warp, or other components, to needles 212 for manufacturing and knitting the upper 100. Standard feeder 218 supplies yarn 222 to needles 212, and needles 212 knit, tuck, and / or float the yarn 222. Combined feeder 220 can also supply yarn 224 to needles 212 for knitting, tuck, and / or floating, and can also inlay the yarn 224. Furthermore, combined feeder 220 can be used to supply or inlay any strand other than yarn, such as silk, thread, rope, webbing, cable, warp, or other strands. In addition to combined feeder 220, conventional inlay feeders can also be provided and used for inlaying yarn. Each standard feeder 218 and combined feeder 220 includes one attachment point for one of the guide rails 214, 216. In contrast, a conventional embedded feeder includes two attachment points for one of the guide rails 214, 216.

[0034] The knitting machine 200 includes multiple spools 226 for supplying yarn to a feeder. Figure 2 A spool 226 is shown supplying yarn 224 to a combined feeder 220. Yarn 224 extends from spool 226 to one of a plurality of yarn guides 228, to a yarn take-back spring 230, to a yarn tensioner 232, and then to the feeder 220. Additional spools (not shown) may be used to supply yarn to a standard feeder 218 in a similar manner to spool 226.

[0035] The yarn 222 used for the standard feeder 218 and the yarn 224 used for the combined feeder 220 can be the same or different. Furthermore, additional spools can be provided to supply different yarns to the standard feeder 218 and the combined feeder 220. For example, one type of yarn can be used for the toe area 108 of the knitted upper 100, and another type of yarn can be used for the central area 110 of the knitted upper 100. Different types of yarn can also be used to form various patterns within the upper 100. The combined feeder 220 can also be used to embed yarns or other strands, such as silk, thread, rope, webbing, cable, warp yarns, or other strands, into one area of ​​the upper 100.

[0036] Feeders 218, 220 travel along guide rail 214 via carriage 234 to supply yarn to needle 212. Each section 202, 204 of the knitting machine 200 may include a carriage 234 for a corresponding feeder 218, 220 for each section 202, 204.

[0037] Figures 3 to 5 The image shows the left and right uppers 100, knitted simultaneously or at least partially overlapping by a knitting machine 200, in their pre-folded shapes, which are two-dimensional (2D) shapes. Despite Figures 3 to 5The illustration shows a left and right shoe upper 100 knitted by a knitting machine 200 in a two-dimensional (2D) shape. However, in alternative embodiments, the left and right shoe uppers 100 may include multiple portions, such as a toe area 108, a central area 110, a tongue 112, a lining 114, a heel area 122, and / or other portions, which have a three-dimensional (3D) curvature when knitted by the knitting machine 200 to reduce post-knitting folding steps of the shoe upper 100. The knitting machine 200 forms the shoe upper 100 by forming multiple intermeshed loops using yarn. These loops define horizontal rows and vertical warps of the knitted textile. The horizontal rows are formed generally parallel to the directions of guides 214, 216, and the vertical warps are formed generally perpendicular to the directions of guides 214, 216. As previously described, the knitting machine 200 can be programmed such that the feeders 218, 220 and carriages 234 within each segment 202, 204 remain within their respective segments and do not travel along the entire length of guide rails 214 or 216. As previously described, the middle section of the row of needle beds 208, 210 can also be programmed to lock or deactivate, preventing knitting from occurring in the middle section and ensuring that knitting only occurs in the first segment 202 and the second segment 204. In an alternative embodiment, when the knitting machine 200 includes a separating element, the separating element provides a physical barrier to prevent the feeders 218, 220 and carriages 234 in one segment from traveling to another segment.

[0038] To knit each row, feeders 218, 220 can travel only the distance along guides 214, 216 within their respective segments 202, 204 to supply yarn to the needles 212 within each respective segment 202, 204. Therefore, to knit each upper 100, feeders 218, 220 do not need to travel the entire length of each guide 214 or 216 in both segments 202, 204 to supply yarn to the needles 212 for knitting the upper 100. This shorter travel distance allows feeders 218, 220 to supply yarn to the needles 212 more quickly, and thus knit the upper 100 at a faster speed.

[0039] Where a shorter distance is available for feeders 218, 220, each upper 100 is knitted along the width of each region of the upper 100 in its pre-folded shape. In other words, the length of each guide rail 214, 216 used in section 202 or section 204, and the length of each needle bed 208, 210 used, can be less than the length 102 of each upper 100. Therefore, as Figures 3 to 5As shown, the right and left shoe uppers 100 are knitted such that each shoe upper 100 is knitted from the knitting machine 200, and the length 102 of each shoe upper 100 is perpendicular to the direction of the guide rails 214, 216, and the width 104 of each shoe upper 100 is parallel to the direction of the guide rails 214, 216.

[0040] Knitting two shoe uppers 100 simultaneously or at least partially overlapping on the same knitting machine increases the production efficiency of a pair of shoe uppers for a shoe. Production efficiency is increased by reducing the time spent knitting one or more shoe uppers (including a pair of shoe uppers for the wearer's left and right feet) on the same knitting machine.

[0041] Once the knitting is complete, the upper 100 can be steamed or treated to help stretch and mold or otherwise shape the upper 100 into its folded shape. Figures 6 to 9 An upper 100 folded around a die 236 is shown, in this embodiment being the left upper. The shape of the die 236 corresponds to the shape of the left or right foot and provides a three-dimensional (3D) shape to help stretch and mold the two-dimensional (2D) upper 100 into its folded three-dimensional (3D) shape. As previously described, portions of the upper 100 may already include 3D shapes or curvatures after knitting from the knitting machine 200 and before the upper 100 is folded. Figures 6 to 9 The shape of the mold 236 shown corresponds to the shape of the left foot. It should be understood that the mold 236 for the right foot can be used to stretch and mold the upper 100 for the right foot, and... Figures 6 to 9 Shown for illustrative purposes. Figures 6 to 9 The steps shown are an exemplary embodiment for forming the upper 100 into a three-dimensional (3D) shape. In alternative embodiments, the positioning of the upper 100 on the mold 236 can be adjusted as needed to accommodate different sizes and shapes.

[0042] from Figure 7 Initially, the second end 107 of the upper 100 can be positioned on the outer side 240 of the mold 236. The lining 114 of the upper 100 then extends from the outer side 240 of the mold 236 toward the instep 238 of the mold 236, and the tongue 112 of the upper 100 extends above the instep 238 of the mold 236. The central region 110 of the upper 100 then extends from the instep 238 of the mold 236 along the inner side 242 of the mold 236 toward the heel region 246 of the mold 236.

[0043] like Figure 8As shown, the heel region 122 of the central region 110 of the upper 100 then extends around the heel region 246 of the mold 236, and the central region 110 of the upper 100 extends from the heel region 246 of the mold 236 along the outer side 240 of the mold 236. As the central region 110 of the upper 100 extends along the outer side 240 of the mold 236, the central region 110 extends on the lining 114 of the upper 100.

[0044] like Figure 9 As shown, after the central region 110 of the upper is positioned along the outer side 240 of the mold 236, the toe region 108 of the upper 100 extends from the outer side 240 of the mold 236 across the toe region 242 of the mold 236. A plurality of slits 120 adjacent to the tongue 112 and a plurality of slits 120 adjacent to the toe region 108 are now positioned parallel to each other on each side of the tongue 112 of the upper 100. Figure 10 The upper 100, in its folded three-dimensional (3D) shape, is shown as the left upper in this embodiment. Figure 11 A pair of shoe uppers 100 are shown in their folded three-dimensional (3D) shape.

[0045] After the upper 100 is molded or otherwise folded into its three-dimensional (3D) folded shape, the overlapping portions of the upper 100 in the folded shape (including, for example, the portion where the central region 110 overlaps with the lining 114) may be sewn, knitted, melted, glued together or otherwise secured to each other to keep the upper 100 in its three-dimensional (3D) folded shape.

[0046] like Figure 11 As shown, different elements can be added to the upper 100 to form a shoe including a sole 244. Laces can be used and positioned through multiple slits 120 to tighten the upper 100 to the wearer's foot. A strobel can also be positioned on the sole 244 to provide cushioning or support to the sole of the wearer's foot.

[0047] Figure 12 A second embodiment of a shoe upper 300 for footwear articles, in its pre-folded shape, is shown. The shoe upper 300 can be either the left or right shoe upper. Figure 12 It will be described as showing the left shoe upper, and this description is used to aid the discussion, and it is envisioned that... Figure 12 The upper 300 shown can also be constructed for the right upper. The right upper can be symmetrical to the left upper, except that the right upper is flipped along its width.

[0048] The upper 300 includes a length 302 and a width 304. The length 302 of the upper 300 extends from a first end 306 to a second end 307. The width 304 of the upper 300 is the maximum width of the upper 300 along its length 302. In various desired embodiments, the length 302 of the upper 300 may be at least twice the width 304 of the upper 300.

[0049] Before folding, the upper 300 also includes a toe region 308, a central region 310, a tongue 312, and a lining 314. The toe region 308 extends from a first end 306 of the upper 300 along the inner side 316 of the toe region 308 and along the outer side 318 of the toe region 308. The lining 314 of the upper 300 extends from the toe region 308 for a portion of the length 302 of the upper 300. In one embodiment, when the upper 300 is folded, the lining 314 extends over a portion of the central region 310 adjacent to the tongue 312. The dimensions of each corresponding side and / or region of the upper 300 and the upper 100 will vary according to the size of the wearer's foot.

[0050] The central region 310 of the upper 300 extends a portion of the length 302 of the upper 300 from the toe region 308. The central region 310 includes a heel region 322, which, when folded, is configured to extend around the wearer's heel. When the upper 300 is folded similarly to the upper 100, a portion of the central region 310 of the upper 300 extends along the inner side 316 of the upper 300, and a portion of the central region 310 also extends along the outer side 318 of the upper 300. The central region 310 and / or the toe region 308 may include a plurality of slits or holes 320 for receiving shoelaces.

[0051] The tongue 312 of the upper 300 extends from the central region 310 of the upper 300 for a portion of the length 302 of the upper 300. The tongue 312 may also include a plurality of slits or holes 320 for receiving shoelaces.

[0052] A pair of uppers 300 can be manufactured using a knitting machine 200 and the processes described above for manufacturing uppers 100. Uppers 300 can also be processed or finished and then folded using the processes described above to fold the uppers 100 into a three-dimensional (3D) shape. As previously described with respect to uppers 100, portions of uppers 100 may already include 3D shapes or curvatures after being knitted from the knitting machine 200 and before the uppers 100 are folded. However, in this embodiment, with the lining 314 adjacent to the toe region 308 of the upper 300 in its pre-folded shape, when the upper 300 is folded, the lining 314 will extend over a portion of the central region 310 of the tongue 312 adjacent to the upper 300.

[0053] After the upper 300 is molded or otherwise folded into its three-dimensional (3D) folded shape, the overlapping portions of the upper 300 in the folded shape (including, for example, the portion where the lining 314 overlaps with a portion of the central region 310) may be sewn, knitted, melted, glued together or otherwise secured to each other to keep the upper 300 in its three-dimensional (3D) folded shape.

[0054] Advantageously, this embodiment increases the productivity of a knitting machine by simultaneously or at least partially overlapping the knitting times for a pair of uppers intended for the wearer on the same knitting machine. For example, the reduced knitting time for a pair of uppers reduces machine usage and associated costs, including machine power and wear. Increased output allows for faster production of uppers, and thus, the production of more uppers over a given period.

[0055] As another advantage, this implementation reduces the distance the carriage and feeder need to travel across the needle bed to create the upper. This reduced travel distance of the carriage and associated feeder also improves the knitting machine's productivity. For example, instead of having to travel a distance across the needle bed (i.e., the length of the upper) to knit a row on the upper, and then having to travel the same distance back across the needle bed to knit subsequent rows, the travel distance of the carriage and associated feeder is reduced to less than the length of the upper.

[0056] As another advantage, this implementation allows for efficient shoe customization. For example, a customer can order a custom-made pair of shoes, which may include, but is not limited to, different yarn colors or types chosen by the customer for the shoes. For a custom-made pair of shoes, the left and right uppers may include the same yarn pattern, or the left upper may include a different yarn pattern than the right upper, and vice versa. This implementation allows for the completion of a custom shoe order in a reduced amount of time, which allows for faster and more frequent production and sales of customer-customized shoes.

[0057] Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can therefore be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications as defined by the claims.

[0058] This application also relates to the following:

[0059] 1) A method for manufacturing footwear articles, the method comprising:

[0060] The first shoe upper is formed on a textile manufacturing machine; and

[0061] The second upper is formed on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with the formation of the first upper;

[0062] The first and second shoe uppers are formed at separate locations on the textile manufacturing machine.

[0063] 2) According to the method of 1), wherein the first upper is formed using a first set of needles of the textile manufacturing machine, wherein the second upper is formed using a second set of needles of the textile manufacturing machine, and wherein the first set of needles is separated from the second set of needles.

[0064] 3) The method according to 1), wherein the textile manufacturing machine forms the first upper and the second upper in their pre-folded shapes, and wherein at least one subsequent folding step forms the first upper and the second upper in their final shapes.

[0065] 4) The method according to 1), wherein the first upper is associated with one of the right shoe or the left shoe, and the second upper is associated with the other of the right shoe or the left shoe, such that the upper for a pair of shoes is formed during the at least partially overlapping time.

[0066] 5) The method according to 1), wherein the first upper is formed using material supplied by one or more first feeders, and the second upper is formed using material supplied by one or more second feeders.

[0067] Wherein, one or more first feeders do not provide material for forming the second shoe upper, and one or more second feeders do not provide material for forming the first shoe upper.

[0068] 6) According to the method of 1), wherein the first shoe upper includes a first end and a second end along the length of the first shoe upper in its pre-folded shape, wherein the first end includes a toe region, and a central region disposed between the first end and the second end includes a heel region.

[0069] 7) The method according to 1), wherein the first upper is formed on the textile manufacturing machine in a configuration having a length and a width, wherein the length is at least twice the width.

[0070] 8) An upper for footwear articles, said upper comprising:

[0071] The shape formed initially on a textile manufacturing machine before folding; and

[0072] The fold shape that defines the final shape of the shoe upper.

[0073] The shape before folding includes a length along the manufacturing direction on the textile manufacturing machine, and a width that is generally transverse to the length.

[0074] The upper includes a first end and a second end along the length of the upper in the shape before folding, wherein the first end includes a toe area and a central area between the first end and the second end includes a heel area.

[0075] 9) The upper according to 8), wherein the upper is folded at the central region such that the second end overlaps with the toe region in the folded shape.

[0076] 10) The upper according to 8), wherein the central region of the shape before folding becomes the heel region of the upper in the folded shape.

[0077] 11) The upper according to 8), wherein the second end includes a lining.

[0078] 12) The upper according to 8) further includes a tongue region, which is disposed between the central region and the second end in the shape before folding, wherein, in the folded shape, the tongue region becomes the tongue of the upper.

[0079] 13) The upper according to 8), wherein, in the shape before folding, the length is at least twice the width.

[0080] 14) A method for manufacturing footwear articles, the method comprising:

[0081] The first shoe upper is formed on a textile manufacturing machine; and

[0082] The second upper is formed on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with the formation of the first upper.

[0083] The first shoe upper is formed on the textile manufacturing machine with a length and a width, wherein the length is at least twice the width.

[0084] 15) The method according to 14) further includes the first and second uppers being located at a separate position on the textile manufacturing machine.

[0085] 16) The method according to 15), wherein the first upper is formed using a first set of needles of the textile manufacturing machine, wherein the second upper is formed using a second set of needles of the textile manufacturing machine, and wherein the first set of needles is separated from the second set of needles.

[0086] 17) The method according to 14), wherein the textile manufacturing machine forms the first upper and the second upper in their pre-folded shapes, and wherein at least one subsequent folding step forms the first upper and the second upper in their final shapes.

[0087] 18) The method according to 14), wherein the first upper is associated with one of the right shoe or the left shoe, and the second upper is associated with the other of the right shoe or the left shoe, such that the upper for a pair of shoes is formed at the time of at least partial overlap.

[0088] 19) The method according to 14), wherein the first upper is formed using material supplied by one or more first feeders, and wherein the second upper is formed using material supplied by one or more second feeders.

[0089] Wherein, one or more first feeders do not provide material for forming the second shoe upper, and one or more second feeders do not provide material for forming the first shoe upper.

[0090] 20) According to the method of 17), wherein the first shoe upper includes a first end and a second end along the length of the first shoe upper in the shape before folding, wherein the first end includes a toe region, and a central region disposed between the first end and the second end includes a heel region.

Claims

1. A knitting machine, comprising: The first section is suitable for knitting the first shoe upper on the knitting machine; The second section is adapted to knit a second upper on the knitting machine during a time that at least partially overlaps with the knitting of the first upper; and A separating element, positioned between the first segment and the second segment. The separating element provides a physical barrier between the first segment and the second segment to prevent the carriage and / or feeder of one segment from extending into the other segment.

2. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein, The first section includes a first feeder and a first carriage, wherein the second section includes a second feeder and a second carriage, and wherein the separating element prevents the first feeder and the first carriage from traveling into the second section.

3. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein, The first section includes a first feeder and a first carriage, wherein the second section includes a second feeder and a second carriage, and wherein the separating element prevents the second feeder and the second carriage from traveling into the first section.

4. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein, The first segment includes a first needle bed, wherein the second segment includes a second needle bed, and wherein the first needle bed and the second needle bed are separated by the separating element.

5. The knitting machine according to claim 1, wherein, The first section includes two guide rails, and the second section includes two guide rails.

6. The knitting machine according to claim 5, further comprising: A first standard feeder and a first combined feeder, the first standard feeder and the first combined feeder being connected to the two guide rails of the first section, and A second standard feeder and a second combined feeder are connected to the two guide rails of the second section.

7. A textile manufacturing machine, comprising: A first section, adapted to form a first shoe upper on the textile manufacturing machine, the first section comprising one or more first feeders; A second section, adapted to form a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time at least partially overlapping with the formation of the first upper, the second section comprising one or more second feeders; and The middle section, located between the first segment and the second segment, wherein no knitting occurs in the middle section and knitting only occurs in the first segment and the second segment. Wherein the first section, one or more first feeders do not extend into the second section, and The one or more second feeders in the second section do not extend into the first section.

8. The textile manufacturing machine according to claim 7, wherein, The textile manufacturing machine is a knitting machine.

9. The textile manufacturing machine of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of needles positioned between the first section and the second section.

10. The textile manufacturing machine according to claim 9, wherein, The aforementioned needles were deactivated.

11. The textile manufacturing machine according to claim 9, wherein, The multiple needles are locked.

12. The textile manufacturing machine according to claim 9, wherein, The multiple pins are programmed to be unused.

13. The textile manufacturing machine according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of needles are positioned in an intermediate section, which is located between a first needle bed in the first section and a second needle bed in the second section.

14. The textile manufacturing machine according to claim 7, wherein, The first segment and the second segment are configured to simultaneously form the first upper and the second upper, such that the first upper and the second upper are not connected.

15. A method for manufacturing a shoe upper on a textile manufacturing machine, the textile manufacturing machine comprising a first section, a second section, and an intermediate portion separating the first section and the second section, the method comprising: The first upper is formed using one or more first feeders located in the first section of the textile manufacturing machine; and The second upper is formed using one or more second feeders located in the second section of the textile manufacturing machine, wherein the second upper is formed at a time that at least partially overlaps with the formation of the first upper. The first and second shoe uppers are formed without being connected. The intermediate portion is located between the first segment and the second segment, and knitting does not occur in the intermediate portion and knitting only occurs in the first segment and the second segment.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The textile manufacturing machine is a knitting machine.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The intermediate portion includes a separating element that provides a physical barrier between the first segment and the second segment.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The first segment includes a first needle bed, wherein the second segment includes a second needle bed, and wherein the first needle bed and the second needle bed are separated by the separating element.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The first section includes a first needle bed, the second section includes a second needle bed, and the intermediate portion includes a plurality of deactivated needles.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein, The first section includes a first needle bed, the second section includes a second needle bed, and the intermediate portion includes a plurality of locked needles.

21. A method for manufacturing footwear articles, the method comprising: The first shoe upper is formed on the first section of the textile manufacturing machine; and The second upper is formed on a second section of the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with the time at which the first upper is formed; The first and second uppers are formed at separate locations on the textile manufacturing machine, wherein a physical barrier is provided by a separating element positioned between the first and second sections to prevent the carriage and / or feeder of one of the first and second sections from extending into the other of the first and second sections.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The first upper is formed using a first set of needles of the textile manufacturing machine, wherein the second upper is formed using a second set of needles of the textile manufacturing machine, and wherein the first set of needles and the second set of needles are separated.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The textile manufacturing machine forms the first and second uppers in their pre-folded shapes, and wherein at least one subsequent folding step forms the first and second uppers in their final shapes.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The first upper is associated with one of the right or left shoes, and the second upper is associated with the other of the right or left shoes, such that the uppers for a pair of shoes are formed at the time of at least partial overlap.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The first upper is formed using material supplied by one or more first feeders, while the second upper is formed using material supplied by one or more second feeders. Wherein, one or more first feeders do not provide material for forming the second shoe upper, and one or more second feeders do not provide material for forming the first shoe upper.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The first shoe upper includes a first end and a second end along the length of the first shoe upper in the shape before folding, wherein the first end includes a toe region and a central region between the first end and the second end includes a heel region.

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The first shoe upper is formed on the textile manufacturing machine with a configuration having a length and a width, wherein the length is at least twice the width.

28. A method for manufacturing footwear articles, the method comprising: The first shoe upper is formed on the first section of the textile manufacturing machine; and The second upper is formed on the second section of the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with the formation of the first upper. The first shoe upper is formed on the textile manufacturing machine with a configuration having a length and a width, wherein the length is at least twice the width. The textile manufacturing machine includes locked, deactivated, or programmed-to-not-use needles that separate the first section from the second section, such that no knitting occurs in the middle section between the first section and the second section, and knitting only occurs in the first section and the second section.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising forming the first upper and the second upper at a separate location on the textile manufacturing machine.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein, The first upper is formed using a first set of needles of the textile manufacturing machine, wherein the second upper is formed using a second set of needles of the textile manufacturing machine, and wherein the first set of needles and the second set of needles are separated.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein, The textile manufacturing machine forms the first and second uppers in their pre-folded shapes, and wherein at least one subsequent folding step forms the first and second uppers in their final shapes.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein, The first upper is associated with one of the right or left shoes, and the second upper is associated with the other of the right or left shoes, such that the uppers for a pair of shoes are formed at the time of at least partial overlap.

33. The method according to claim 28, wherein, The first upper is formed using material supplied by one or more first feeders, while the second upper is formed using material supplied by one or more second feeders. Wherein, one or more first feeders do not provide material for forming the second shoe upper, and one or more second feeders do not provide material for forming the first shoe upper.

34. The method according to claim 31, wherein, The first shoe upper includes a first end and a second end along the length of the first shoe upper in the shape before folding, wherein the first end includes a toe region and a central region disposed between the first end and the second end includes a heel region.

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