Automated production of wound articles

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an article of apparel includes moving a plurality of first sets of protrusions positioned on a conveyor into a work area. Each first protrusion group includes a plurality of protrusions disposed around the winding region. The method includes winding a respective continuous wire on each respective first set of protrusions to form a wire layer comprising a plurality of wire rows, wherein each wire row extends between two respective protrusions and across the winding area. The method further includes, after winding the respective continuous wire, advancing the conveyor to move the first set of protrusions out of the work area and the plurality of second sets of protrusions into the work area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The described embodiments generally relate to clothing and methods of making clothing. In particular, the described embodiments relate to clothing that includes layers made by winding one or more continuous lines around an anchor point. Background Art

[0002] Clothing can be made from a variety of materials using a variety of techniques including weaving and knitting. People generally care about the durability, comfort, and / or performance characteristics of clothing items. This is true for clothing worn for both athletic and non-athletic activities. Appropriate clothing should be durable, comfortable, and provide other beneficial characteristics for an individual. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for innovation in clothing and methods of clothing manufacture to suit an individual in a range of usage scenarios. In particular, there is a need for methods of making materials for clothing that have customizable characteristics but can be effectively manufactured in large quantities and / or large sizes. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A first embodiment (1) of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing a clothing item. The method can include moving a plurality of first protrusion groups located on a conveyor into a work area. Each first protrusion group can include a plurality of protrusions disposed around a winding area. The method can further include winding a respective continuous line around each corresponding first protrusion group to form a line layer on each first protrusion group. The line layer can include a plurality of line rows, where each line row extends between two corresponding protrusions and spans the winding area. The method can further include, after winding the respective continuous line around each in the first protrusion group, advancing the conveyor to move the first protrusion group out of the work area and move a plurality of second protrusion groups into the work area.

[0004] In a second embodiment (2) according to embodiment (1), the line layer can define at least a portion of a shoe upper material.

[0005] In a third embodiment (3) according to the first embodiment (1) or the second embodiment (2), the respective continuous lines can each include a fusible material, and the method can further include fusing the respective continuous lines after winding.

[0006] In a fourth embodiment (4) according to the third embodiment (3), the respective continuous lines can be fused on the conveyor.

[0007] In a fifth embodiment (5) according to the third embodiment (3) or the fourth embodiment (4), the respective continuous lines can be fused on the conveyor and fused after advancing the conveyor to move the plurality of first protrusion groups out of the work area.

[0008] In a sixth embodiment (6) according to any one of embodiments (1)-(5), each of the first plurality of protrusion groups may include a support plate releasably coupled to a conveyor.

[0009] In a seventh embodiment (7) according to the sixth embodiment (6), each of the second plurality of protrusion groups may include a support plate releasably coupled to a conveyor, and the method may further include loading the second plurality of protrusion groups onto the conveyor.

[0010] In an eighth embodiment (8) according to any one of embodiments (1)-(7), the method may further include: before winding a respective continuous line around each of the first protrusion groups and while the line layer is supported on each of the third plurality of protrusion groups, advancing the conveyor to move the third plurality of protrusion groups out of the work area and unloading the line layer from the conveyor.

[0011] In a ninth embodiment (9) according to the eighth embodiment (8), unloading may include: removing the line layer from the third plurality of protrusion groups while the third plurality of protrusion groups remain on the conveyor.

[0012] In a tenth embodiment (10) according to the ninth embodiment (9), removing the line layer from the third plurality of protrusion groups may include: cutting the line layer from a portion of the line that is wound around a single protrusion of each of the third plurality of protrusion groups.

[0013] In an eleventh embodiment (11) according to any one of embodiments (1)-(10), the conveyor may include a conveyor belt, and the plurality of protrusions of each set of the first protrusion groups project from the conveyor belt.

[0014] A twelfth embodiment (12) of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing an article of clothing. The method may include mounting a plurality of support plates on a conveyor. Each support plate includes a plurality of protrusions disposed around a winding area. The method may include advancing the conveyor to move the plurality of support plates through a work area. The method may include winding a respective continuous line around each respective support plate to form a line layer. The line layer may include a plurality of rows of lines, wherein each row of lines extends between two respective protrusions and spans the winding area of the respective support plate. The method may include: after the support plate has left the work area, removing the line layer from each support plate.

[0015] In a thirteenth embodiment (13) according to the twelfth embodiment (12), the respective continuous line may include a fusible material, and the method may include: after the support plate has left the work area, fusing the respective continuous line on each support plate.

[0016] In a fourteenth embodiment (14) according to the twelfth embodiment (12) or the thirteenth embodiment (13), the line layer may define at least a portion of the upper material.

[0017] The fifteenth embodiment (15) of the present application relates to a winding system for manufacturing an article of clothing. The system may include a conveyor. The system may include a plurality of groups of protrusions. Each group of protrusions may include a plurality of protrusions, and the conveyor is configured to move the groups of protrusions mounted thereon. The system may include a wire guide. The system may be configured to actuate the wire guide to wind a continuous wire around the plurality of protrusions of a single group of protrusions among the plurality of groups of protrusions - while mounting the single group of protrusions on the conveyor.

[0018] In a sixteenth embodiment (16) according to the fifteenth embodiment (15), a working area may be defined relative to the conveyor. The conveyor may be configured to move a group of protrusions among the plurality of groups of protrusions into and out of the working area. And the wire guide is not accessible to any one of the groups of protrusions located outside the working area.

[0019] In a seventeenth embodiment (17) according to the sixteenth embodiment (16), the system may be configured to actuate the wire guide by moving the wire guide within the working area to wind the continuous wire around the plurality of protrusions of a single group of protrusions.

[0020] In an eighteenth embodiment (18) according to any one of embodiments (15)-(17), the system may include a connecting station configured to connect the continuous wire to a single group of protrusions, and the conveyor is configured to move the single group of protrusions into and out of the connecting station.

[0021] In a nineteenth embodiment (19) according to the eighteenth embodiment (18), the connecting station may include a hot press.

[0022] In a twentieth embodiment (20) according to any one of embodiments (15)-(19), the wire guide may be a first wire guide. The single group of protrusions may be a first single group of protrusions. The system may further include a second wire guide. And the system may be configured to actuate the second wire guide to wind a second continuous wire around the plurality of protrusions of a second single group of protrusions among the plurality of groups of protrusions - while mounting the second single group of protrusions on the conveyor.

[0023] In a twenty-first embodiment (21) according to the twentieth embodiment (20), the winding of the first continuous wire and the second continuous wire can be performed simultaneously. Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1A A winding system according to some embodiments is shown.

[0025] Figure 1B A winding frame according to some embodiments is shown.

[0026] Figure 1Cis according to some embodiments of Figure 1A Flowchart of the workflow of the system of

[0027] Figure 1D is a schematic diagram of a winding system according to some embodiments.

[0028] Figure 1E is according to some embodiments of Figure 1D Flowchart of the process of the system of

[0029] Figure 1F is a schematic diagram of a winding system according to some embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1G is according to some embodiments of Figure 1F Flowchart of the process of the system of

[0031] Figure 2A Shows a winding system according to some embodiments.

[0032] Figure 2B is according to some embodiments of Figure 2A Flowchart of the workflow of the system of

[0033] Figure 3 Shows a winding system according to some embodiments.

[0034] Figure 4A and 4B Shows a wire layer according to some embodiments.

[0035] Figure 5 Shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer system in which embodiments may be implemented.

[0036] Figure 6 Shows a winding system according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings. References to "some embodiments", "an embodiment", "embodiments", "exemplary embodiments", etc. indicate that the described embodiments may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but each embodiment may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is considered within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0038] The indefinite articles "a / an" and "the" include plural referents unless there is an obvious contradiction or the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0039] The term "comprising" is an open transitional phrase. The list of elements following the transitional phrase "comprising" is a non-exclusive list, such that elements other than those specifically recited in the list may also be present.

[0040] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, references to "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. are not intended to denote order, or that a feature with a higher number requires a feature with a lower number. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, the use of "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. does not necessarily mean that the "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. features have different characteristics or values.

[0041] As used herein, a "thread" refers to a material having a length significantly greater than its width. A "thread" can be a filament, fiber, yarn, cable, rope, tow, tape, ribbon, monofilament, fabric, string, ply yarn, and other forms of material that can be wound and laid in a thread pattern as described herein.

[0042] As used herein, "apparel" can be any item worn or decorated on a person, including clothing and accessories. Clothing can include, but is not limited to, pants, shorts, leggings, socks, shoes, shoe uppers, jackets, coats, hats, sleeves, sweaters, shirts, bras, knits, boots, gloves, arm warmers, knee warmers, elbow warmers, wrist warmers, ankle warmers. Accessories can include, but are not limited to, headbands, belts, straps, wristbands, bracelets, watchbands, shoulder straps, tapes, shin guards, hats, ties, scarves, purses, handbags, wallets, backpacks or rucksacks.

[0043] Apparel items have many uses. Among these, apparel can provide a unique aesthetic appearance, provide warmth or coolness characteristics, provide support for parts of a person's body, and provide other performance characteristics such as breathability, moisture absorption characteristics, compression characteristics. Each of these purposes, alone or in combination, provides comfortable apparel suitable for various situations (e.g., exercise and daily activities). The characteristics of an apparel item (e.g., the materials and components used to make the apparel, and the manner in which these materials / components are made) can be varied to produce desired characteristics such as durability, stiffness, weight, tack, texture, haptic, adhesiveness, and / or breathability.

[0044] An apparel item or a part thereof can be configured to provide various degrees of durability, support, weight, breathability, etc. However, the cost of manufacturing an apparel item is also a consideration. Manufacturers and consumers may desire apparel or a part thereof that is manufactured at a relatively low cost. Apparel that can be manufactured using relatively small amounts of resources (e.g., energy and labor), materials, and time reduces the manufacturing cost and also can reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing.

[0045] Further, a manufacturing apparatus and associated processes that facilitate the efficient manufacture of clothing items may be desirable. Efficient manufacture may be facilitated by an apparatus and process that can perform different operations on different items simultaneously in an operation sequence. Efficient manufacture may also be facilitated by an apparatus and process that can perform the same operation on multiple items simultaneously.

[0046] The methods and systems according to embodiments described herein include a conveyor configured to carry a set of protrusions through a work area. The work area may be an area where one or more machines can wind one or more continuous threads into a desired thread layer or thread pattern on the set of protrusions in the work area. In some embodiments, the continuous thread may be wound around and between anchor points, each anchor point provided by a protrusion in the set of protrusions to form a thread pattern. Winding the continuous thread around the anchor points includes: looping the continuous thread around a first anchor point, extending the continuous thread to a second anchor point, looping the continuous thread around the second anchor point, and so on. The number and location of the anchor points can be used to control the characteristics of the thread pattern and thus the characteristics of the clothing item. Also, the number of times the continuous thread is wound from one anchor point to another can be used to control the characteristics of the thread pattern and thus the characteristics of the clothing item.

[0047] According to embodiments described herein, winding a thread around a set of protrusions to form a thread layer or thread pattern may be one operation in an operation sequence of the process of the present invention. Unloading the thread layer or thread pattern from the conveyor may be another operation in the operation sequence. Loading the set of protrusions onto the conveyor may be another operation in the operation sequence in cases where the set of protrusions is separable from the conveyor. In some embodiments, joining one or more threads within the thread layer or thread pattern may be another operation within the operation sequence. Some manufacturing methods and systems according to embodiments of the present invention are capable of performing different operations simultaneously in an operation sequence on different sets of protrusions or items. Some manufacturing methods or systems of the present invention may include: unloading a thread layer or thread pattern from the conveyor while winding another thread layer or thread pattern in the work area. In some embodiments, the method of the present invention may include: joining one or more threads within a thread layer or thread pattern while another thread layer or thread pattern is being wound in the work area. In some embodiments, the method of the present invention may include: loading a set of protrusions onto the conveyor while forming a thread pattern on another set of protrusions in the work area.

[0048] In some embodiments, continuous lines of a wire layer or wire pattern can be joined within the wire layer or wire pattern. The joining of the continuous lines can reinforce the wire layer or wire pattern and secure the wire rows in a winding pattern. In some embodiments, the joining of continuous lines of a wire layer or wire pattern can be used to control the characteristics of the wire pattern. In some embodiments, a continuous line can be joined to itself within the wire layer or wire pattern. In some embodiments, a continuous line can be joined to itself at one or more anchor points of the wire layer or wire pattern. In some embodiments, a continuous line can be joined to itself at an overlap point between different wire rows of the continuous line (i.e., at a wire row intersection). In some embodiments, different continuous lines of a wire pattern can be joined together. In some embodiments, different continuous lines can be joined to each other at one or more anchor points of the wire pattern. In some embodiments, different continuous lines can be joined to each other at an overlap point between different continuous lines (i.e., at an intersection between different continuous lines). When the wire is wound around an anchor point under tension, the joining of the continuous lines can join the continuous lines under tension.

[0049] In some embodiments, multiple different continuous lines can be wound around an anchor point to form a wire pattern including multiple wire layers. In some embodiments, different continuous lines can be wound in the same layout (i.e., around the same anchor points and along the same path). In some embodiments, different continuous lines can be wound in different layouts (i.e., around one or more different anchor points and / or along different paths between one or more anchor points). The different continuous lines can define different winding wire layers for a clothing article. And these different wire layers can provide different characteristics for the wire pattern and thus for the clothing article.

[0050] The systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention can enable multiple wire layers or wire patterns having the same or similar characteristics to be mass-produced simultaneously. In such embodiments, multiple wire layers or wire patterns can be wound simultaneously on multiple sets of protrusions in one or more work areas. Similarly, other operations within the operation sequence can be performed simultaneously on multiple sets of protrusions, wire layers, or wire patterns elsewhere, such as elsewhere on a conveyor as described herein.

[0051] Figure 1A Shown is a system 100 for producing a wire layer or wire pattern to be incorporated into a clothing article according to some embodiments. System 100 includes a conveyor 110. In some embodiments, conveyor 110 can include one or more conveyor belts, such as Figure 1AAs shown. That is, the conveyor 110 can be any device capable of transporting the set of protrusions 120 as described herein. For example, the conveyor 110 can include one or more rotating platforms or a series of carts on one or more tracks. In some embodiments, as described herein, the conveyor 110 can include a non-linear conveyor 610 in the form of a rotatable plate 600.

[0052] The conveyor 110 is configured to transport the set of protrusions 120. Each set of protrusions 120 includes a plurality of protrusions disposed around a winding region. In some embodiments, the set of protrusions 120 can be positioned within the winding frame 127 as described herein. The conveyor 110 can transport the set of protrusions 120 through one or more work areas 130. The conveyor 110 can move the set of protrusions 120 into and out of the work area 130.

[0053] The work area 130 is an area in which the arm 144 can access the set of protrusions 120 to wind the continuous line 142 around the set of protrusions 120 to produce a line pattern 124 or at least one line layer within the line pattern 124. The line pattern 124 can define any one of a variety of clothing items or portions thereof, including, for example, a shoe upper. Thus, for example, the line layer can define at least a portion of the shoe upper material. The line pattern 124 and the process of forming them will be described in further detail herein. The work area 130 can co - extend with the reach of the arm 144 to wind the line 142 around the set of protrusions 120. Thus, in some embodiments, the arm 144 cannot wind the line 142 around the set of protrusions 120 outside the work area 130. In some further embodiments, the thread guide 140 included in the arm 144 cannot access the set of protrusions 120 outside the work area 130.

[0054] In some embodiments, the line 142 can be a natural fiber yarn. In some embodiments, the line 142 can be a synthetic yarn. In some embodiments, the line 142 can be a fusible material. In some embodiments, the line 142 can be a non - fusible yarn. In some embodiments, the line 142 can include any one or any combination of natural fiber yarns, synthetic yarns, fusible yarns, and non - fusible yarns. In some embodiments including the line 142 that includes - - contains both fusible yarns and non - fusible yarns - -, the fusible yarn can act as a binder, while the non - fusible yarn can provide a winding structure after binding.

[0055] The wire pattern 124 can be wound entirely by a single type of wire 142 or multiple different wires 142. In some embodiments, the different wires 142 can be wound around the set of protrusions 120 in a single winding step within a single work area 130. In some embodiments, in a single winding step within a single work area 130, only one type of wire 142 can be wound onto the set of protrusions 120, and different types of wires 142 can be wound onto the set of protrusions 120 at subsequent work areas 130 in subsequent winding steps, as described herein.

[0056] The arm 144 can be a powered arm, such as a robotic arm. The movement of the arm 144 can be controlled by a controller, such as the computer system 500 included in the system 100, which is configured to control one or more motors that move the arm 144. The motorized movement of the arm 144 controlled by the controller can be automatic, manually controlled, or a combination thereof.

[0057] In some embodiments, the system 100 can include a CNC (computer numerical control) machine that is used to control the arm 144 and wind a wire layer or wire pattern 124 around the protrusions in a set of protrusions. In some embodiments, the arm 144 can include a CNC (computer numerical control) machine. In some embodiments, the system 100 or the arm 144 can include one or more spools for threading and winding the rows of wire for the wire layer or wire pattern 124. In some embodiments, the system 100 or the arm 144 can include one or more wire tensioners configured to apply a desired tension to the wire wound around the protrusions. The CNC machine can include a controller that is configured to wind a desired wire layer or wire pattern 124 around the protrusions using a wire model and input data. The controller can include components of the computer system 500 discussed herein. In some embodiments, the system 100 or the arm 144 can include a winding assembly that includes multiple spools for threading and winding multiple different wires for the wire layer or wire pattern 124. In some embodiments, the spools and wire tensioners can be the same as or similar to those described in U.S. Patent 11,602,196B2, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] The conveyor 110 can enable multiple operations within an operation sequence for producing an article that includes one or more wire layers or wire patterns 124 to be performed simultaneously. In some embodiments, the set of protrusions 120 on which the wire layer or wire pattern 124 will be formed can be loaded onto the conveyor 110 while the arm 144 winds a wire layer or wire pattern 124 around another set of protrusions 120 within the work area 130. In some embodiments, a wire layer or wire pattern 124 can be unloaded from the conveyor 110 while another wire layer or wire pattern 124 is being formed on the set of protrusions 120 within the work area 130.

[0059] In some embodiments, unloading the line pattern 124 from the conveyor 110 may include unloading each line layer included in the line pattern 124 from the conveyor 110. In some embodiments, unloading a line layer or the line pattern 124 from the conveyor 110 may include unloading the set of protrusions 120 on which the line layer or the line pattern 124 is formed from the conveyor 110. In some embodiments, unloading a line layer or the line pattern 124 from the conveyor 110 may include: removing the line layer or the line pattern 124 from the conveyor 110, and removing the line layer or the line pattern 124 from the set of protrusions 120 on which the line layer or the line pattern 124 is formed, while the set of protrusions 120 remains on the conveyor 110.

[0060] In some embodiments, unloading the line layer or the line pattern 124 from the conveyor 110 or removing the line layer or the line pattern 124 from the set of protrusions 120 on which the line layer or the line pattern 124 is formed may include: cutting the line layer or the line layer of the line pattern 124 from the portion of the wire 142 that is wound around a single protrusion of the set of protrusions 120. In some embodiments, after cutting the line layer or the line pattern 124 from the portion of the wire 142 that is wound around a single protrusion of the set of protrusions 120, the portion of the wire 142 that is wound around a single protrusion of the set of protrusions 120 may be cleaned from the set of protrusions 120. The cleaning may be considered part of the unloading step, or may be considered a separate cleaning step performed after the unloading step. In some embodiments, the system 100 may include one or more cutting tools 645 as described herein.

[0061] The conveyor 110 may be further configured to transport the set of protrusions 120 outside the work area 130. Thus, in some embodiments, the conveyor 110 may be configured to transport the set of protrusions 120 from outside the work area 130 into the work area 130. In some embodiments, the conveyor 110 may be configured to transport the set of protrusions 120 from inside the work area 130 to outside the work area 130. In some embodiments, the conveyor 110 may be configured to both transport the set of protrusions 120 from outside the work area 130 into the work area 130 and transport the set of protrusions 120 from inside the work area 130 to outside the work area 130, as Figure 1A shown. In some embodiments, the arm 144 may be configured to access the entire conveyor 110 such that the entire conveyor 110 is within the work area 130. In such an embodiment, the conveyor 110 may not transport the set of protrusions 120 into and / or out of the work area 130.

[0062] The work area 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be large enough to contain any number of sets of protrusions 120 suitable for a given application. In some embodiments, the work area 130 may be large enough to contain multiple sets of protrusions 120, as Figure 1A shown.

[0063] In some embodiments, conveyor 110 can be large enough to support multiple sets of protrusions 120 at each of a plurality of positions along the path of conveyor 110 that conveys the sets of protrusions 120, to facilitate operations within an operation sequence that is performed simultaneously on the multiple sets of protrusions. In such embodiments, a first plurality 121 of sets of protrusions 120 can be loaded onto conveyor 110 while a line layer or line pattern 124 is being formed on a second plurality 122 of sets of protrusions 120 within work area 130. The first plurality of sets of protrusions 121 can optionally be loaded onto conveyor 110 outside of work area 130. Further, in some embodiments, the line layer or line pattern 124 formed on a third plurality 123 of sets of protrusions 120 can be unloaded from conveyor 110 while the line layer or line pattern 124 is being formed on the second plurality 122 of sets of protrusions 120 within work area 130. In some embodiments, the line layer or line pattern 124 can optionally be unloaded from conveyor 110 outside of work area 130.

[0064] In embodiments that include sets of protrusions 120 positioned in a winding frame as described herein, the line layer or line pattern 124 can be unloaded from conveyor 110 by unloading the sets of protrusions 120 from conveyor 110. In some embodiments, the line layer or line pattern 124 can be unloaded from conveyor 110 by removing the line layer or line pattern 124 from the sets of protrusions 120 while leaving the sets of protrusions 120 on conveyor 110.

[0065] In some embodiments, work area 130 can be large enough to contain at least four sets of protrusions 120 arranged adjacent to each other in a row. Thus, each of the plurality of sets of protrusions 120, 121, 122, 123 can include up to four sets of protrusions 120. In some embodiments, the dimensions of work area 130 can be sized to contain exactly one set of protrusions 120, exactly two sets of protrusions 120, exactly three sets of protrusions 120, exactly four sets of protrusions 120, or any other positive number of sets of protrusions 120. In this particular context, "exactly" refers to the number of sets of protrusions 120 that can be fully within work area 130 simultaneously such that arm 144 can form a complete line layer or line pattern 124 thereon. Thus, four sets of protrusions 120 can be within work area 130, the dimensions of which are sized to exactly contain four sets of protrusions 120 without occupying the entire work area 130.

[0066] Arm 144 can be configured to simultaneously wind continuous line 142 around multiple sets of protrusions 120. In particular, arm 144 can be configured to simultaneously wind respective lines 142 around four respective sets of protrusions 120.

[0067] In some embodiments, arm 144 can include one or more wire guides 140. For example, as Figure 1AAs shown, the arm 144 can include four wire guides 140. Each wire guide 140 can be configured to wind one or more continuous wires 142 around the set of protrusions 120. The system 100 can be configured to actuate the wire guides 140 to wind the continuous wires 140 around the multiple protrusions of each individual set of protrusions 120 among the multiple sets of protrusions 120 while mounting the individual set of protrusions 120 onto the conveyor 110.

[0068] The system 100 can be configured to actuate the wire guides 140 by moving the wire guides 140 within the work area 130. The system 100 can include multiple wire guides 140, which include at least a first wire guide 140 and a second wire guide 140. In some embodiments, the system 100 can be configured to actuate the second wire guide to wind a second continuous wire 142 around the multiple protrusions of a second individual set of protrusions 120 among the multiple sets of protrusions 120 while mounting the second individual set of protrusions 120 onto the conveyor 110. In some embodiments, the system 100 can be configured to perform the winding of the first continuous wire 142 and the second continuous wire 142 simultaneously.

[0069] In some embodiments, the arm 144 can be configured to wind the wire 142 around a number of sets of protrusions 120 equal to the number of sets of protrusions 120 that the work area 130 can include. In some embodiments, the arm 144 can be configured to wind the wire 142 around more or fewer sets of protrusions 120 than the number of sets of protrusions 120 included in the work area 130. In some embodiments, the system 100 can include only one arm 144 operating within the work area 130. In some embodiments, the system 100 can include multiple arms 144 operable within a single work area 130.

[0070] The wire guide 140 can include a tube, an eyelet, or other holes through which the continuous wire 142 can pass while being guided by the wire guide 140. For example, in some embodiments, the wire guide 140 can include one or more tubes or any other structure for passing the continuous wire 142 between adjacent protrusions of the set of protrusions 120.

[0071] In some embodiments, the wire guides 140 of the arm 144 can have a fixed spacing relative to each other. Thus, translating the arm 144 can cause each wire guide 140 to translate an equal amount. In such embodiments, the arm 144 can be used to form the same wire layer or wire pattern 124 on multiple sets of protrusions 120 that are complementarily spaced apart from the wire guides 140 within the work area 130.

[0072] Figure 1BShows a winding frame 127 according to some embodiments. The winding frame 127 includes a support plate 125 and a set of protrusions 120 including protrusions 126. The support plate 125 may be configured to releasably couple to a conveyor 110. Each protrusion 126 provides an anchor point for winding the thread 142 into a thread layer or thread pattern 124 as described herein.

[0073] The protrusions 126 are disposed around a winding area 128. The winding area 128 is the area across which the thread 142 extends when a thread layer or thread pattern 124 is formed on the set of protrusions 120. In particular, the threads within the thread layer or thread pattern 124 extend between two protrusions 126 and across the winding area 128.

[0074] The protrusions 126 of the winding frame 127 may together form a single set of protrusions 120. The protrusions 126 are supported by and extend from the support plate 125. In some embodiments, the protrusions 126 may be fixedly or immovably connected to the support plate 125. In some embodiments, the protrusions 126 may be movably connected to the support plate 125.

[0075] In some embodiments, the conveyor 110 may include features for releasably coupling to the support plate 125 such that the support plate 125 can be held in an intended position on the conveyor 110 when a thread layer or thread pattern 124 is formed thereon. In some embodiments, each set of protrusions 120 described above may be provided by a winding frame 127 that is detachably mounted on the conveyor 110. Figure 1A Each set of protrusions 120 described above may be provided by a winding frame 127 that is detachably mounted on the conveyor 110.

[0076] In some embodiments, for example Figure 1B as shown, the winding frame 127 may include only a single set of protrusions 120. In such an embodiment, each set of protrusions 120 within the system 100 may be provided by a corresponding winding frame 127. In some embodiments, the winding frame 127 may provide multiple sets of protrusions 120 supported on a single support plate 125. In such an embodiment, the system 100 may include more sets of protrusions 120 than winding frames 127.

[0077] Figure 1C Schematically illustrates a workflow 160 of a system 100 according to some embodiments. The workflow 160 includes multiple processes, each process including a corresponding sequence of operations performed within the system 100 with respect to a particular set of protrusions 120 or a particular plurality of sets of protrusions 120 to form a thread layer or thread pattern 124 as part of a method for manufacturing a garment or an article of clothing. Thus, the workflow 160 itself may be part of a method for manufacturing a garment or an article of clothing. The workflow 160 may include any number of processes. For example, the workflow 160 of the illustrated embodiment includes three processes - a first process 170, a second process 171, and a third process 172.

[0078] Each of processes 170, 171, 172 includes a loading step 181, a winding step 182, and an unloading step 183. The loading step 181 includes loading one or more groups of protrusions 120 onto the conveyor 110. The winding step 182 follows the loading step 181 and includes: using the arm 144 to wind the wire 142 around one or more groups of protrusions 120 to form a wire layer or wire pattern 124 on each of the one or more groups of protrusions 120 while the one or more groups of protrusions 120 are within the working area 130.

[0079] The winding step 182 may include: winding a respective continuous wire 142 around each respective group of protrusions 120 within the working area 130 to form a wire layer on each first group of protrusions, the wire layer including a plurality of wire rows, where each wire row extends between two respective protrusions and spans the winding area of the respective group of protrusions. The unloading step 183 follows the winding step 182 and includes: unloading the wire layer or wire pattern 124 formed on one or more groups of protrusions 120 from the conveyor 110.

[0080] The workflow 160 may include advancing the conveyor 110 to move the group of protrusions 120 to an appropriate position for each step of processes 170, 171, 172. Thus, in some embodiments, the workflow 160 may include: advancing the conveyor 110 to move the group of protrusions 120 through the working area 130. In some further embodiments where the group of protrusions 120 includes the support plate 125, the workflow 160 may include advancing the conveyor 110 to move the support plate 125 through the working area 130. Each of processes 170, 171, 172 may also include: advancing the conveyor 110 to move a plurality of groups of protrusions 120 located on the conveyor 110 into the working area 130 between the loading step 181 and the winding step 182. Each of processes 170, 171, 172 may also include: after winding the respective continuous wire 142 around each group of protrusions 120, advancing the conveyor 110 to move the plurality of groups of protrusions 120 out of the working area 130 and move a different plurality of groups of protrusions 120 into the working area 130. Thus, the workflow 160 may include: removing the wire layer or wire pattern 124 from each group of protrusions 120 after the group of protrusions 120 leaves the working area 130. In some further embodiments where the group of protrusions 120 includes the support plate 125, the workflow 160 may include: removing the wire layer or wire pattern 124 from each support plate 125 after the support plate 125 leaves the working area 130.

[0081] Processes 170, 171, 172 can be performed at staggered intervals on different sets of protrusions or multiple sets of protrusions. For example, the first process 170 can be performed on the first plurality 121 of sets of protrusions 120, the second process 171 can be performed on the second plurality 122 of sets of protrusions 120, and the third process 172 can be performed on the third plurality 122 of sets of protrusions 120.

[0082] In some embodiments, these processes can be performed as follows. The loading step 181 of the first process 170 can be performed at the first time T1. Then, both the winding step 182 of the first process 170 and the loading step 181 of the second process 171 can be performed at the second time T2. Then, the unloading step 183 of the first process 170, the winding step 182 of the second process 171, and the loading step 181 of the third process 172 can all be performed at the third time T3. Then, the unloading step 183 of the second process 171 and the winding step 182 of the third process 172 can both be performed at the fourth time T4. Then, the unloading step 183 of the third process 172 can be performed at the fifth time T5. In some embodiments, the workflow 160 can include an additional process that begins with the loading step 181 at the fourth time T4 and the fifth time T5.

[0083] In some embodiments, processes 170, 171, 172 can also be repeated on their respective sets of protrusions 120. Thus, according to some embodiments, the workflow 160 can include performing the loading step 181 on the first plurality 121 of sets of protrusions 120, while performing the winding step 182 on the third plurality 123 of sets of protrusions 120, and performing the unloading step 183 on the second plurality 122 of sets of protrusions 120.

[0084] The conveyor 110 can be operated to move the sets of protrusions 120 mounted thereon between each of the times T1, T2, T3, T4, T5. The times T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 are numbered in sequence as they occur. Thus, the system 100 is capable of - on multiple sets of protrusions 120 or multiple sets of multiple sets of protrusions 120 - causing processes including the same sequence of operations to be performed at overlapping times. Thus, the workflow 160 can be more efficient than the following: completing the entire sequence of operations to produce a wire layer or wire pattern 124 on one set of protrusions 120, or on a single set of multiple sets of protrusions 120, and then starting the next set or sets of protrusions 120.

[0085] Figure 1DAnother system 101 according to some embodiments is schematically shown. System 101 may be similar to system 100 in all respects and possible variations. System 101 includes a conveyor 111 that is similar to conveyor 110 in all respects and possible variations. System 101 includes a plurality of work areas, and conveyor 110 is configured to transport the set of protrusions 120 through these work areas. Thus, system 101 may include a first work area 131, a second work area 132, and a final work area 13X. Each work area may be similar to work area 130 in all respects and possible variations. Any number of additional work areas, including zero, may exist between the second work area 132 and the final work area 13X. Further, the second work area 132 may be the final work area 13X. Different arms 144 may operate in each of the work areas 131, 132, 13X of system 101. Each of the work areas 131, 132, 13X of system 101 may be used to apply additional wire layers within the wire pattern 124 to the set of protrusions 120.

[0086] Figure 1E A process 174 of system 101 according to some embodiments is shown. Process 174 sequentially includes a loading step 181, a first winding step 182, a second winding step 185, a final winding step 18X, and an unloading step 183. Each winding step 182, 185, 18X is performed within a respective one of the work areas 131, 132, 13X of system 101. Thus, the first winding step 182 includes: applying a wire layer to one or more sets of protrusions 120 within the first work area 131. The second winding step 185 includes: applying another wire layer to one or more sets of protrusions 120 within the second work area 132. The final winding step 18X includes: applying a final wire layer to one or more sets of protrusions 120 within the final work area 13X. Thus, any number of additional winding steps, including zero, may exist between the second winding step 185 and the final winding step 18X. Further, the second winding step 185 may be the final winding step 18X.

[0087] Similar to the processes 170, 171, 172 described above with respect to Figure 1D the workflow 160, Figure 1E process 174 may be implemented between multiple processes within the workflow. Thus, multiple processes 174 may be executed at staggered intervals on system 101. System 101 is thereby capable of simultaneously applying multiple wire layers within different wire patterns 124 to different sets of protrusions, which may be more efficient than applying a single layer at a time.

[0088] Figure 1FSystem 102 according to some embodiments is schematically shown and is similar in all respects and possible variations to systems 100, 101 described above. System 102 includes a conveyor 112 that is similar in all respects and possible variations to conveyors 110, 111. System 102 further includes a work area 133 that is similar in all respects and possible variations to work area 130. Work area 133 can be one of a plurality of work areas included in system 102. System 102 according to some embodiments can include a plurality of work areas along a path defined by conveyor 112 before a connection station 150. System 102 can further include one or more additional work areas after connection station 150.

[0089] In some embodiments, system 102 can include a single connection station 150 or multiple connection stations 150. In some embodiments, multiple workstations 133 can be scattered between multiple connection stations 150. For example, a first workstation 133 can be positioned along conveyor 112 before connection station 150, and a second workstation 133 can be positioned along conveyor 112 after connection station 150.

[0090] Connection station 150 includes a device configured to connect wire 142 within a wire layer or wire pattern 124. In some embodiments, connection station 150 can include a hot press configured to apply heat and pressure to wire pattern 124 to consolidate wire 142 within the wire layer or wire pattern 124. In such embodiments, the applied heat and pressure can fully or partially melt and compress wire 142. In some embodiments, connection station 150 can include an oven configured to partially or fully melt wire 142 to cure an adhesive applied to the wire layer or wire pattern 124 or both. In some embodiments, connection station 150 can include an applicator configured to apply an adhesive to wire 142 within the wire layer or wire pattern 124. In some embodiments, connection station 150 can include an infrared emitter configured for infrared welding of wire 142. In some embodiments, connection station 150 can include a radio frequency generator configured for radio frequency welding of wire 142. In some embodiments, connection station 150 can include a welding laser.

[0091] Figure 1GIllustrates process 175 of system 102 according to some embodiments. Process 175 in turn includes a loading step 181, a winding step 182, a connecting step 187, and an unloading step 183. During connecting step 187, connecting station 150 connects one or more wire patterns 124 to one or more sets of protrusions 120 within connecting station 150. In embodiments where wire 142 includes a fusible material, the connecting station can connect wire 142 by fusing wire 142. Thus, process 175 can include fusing corresponding continuous wire 142 after winding step 182.

[0092] Similar to processes 170, 171, 172, 174 described above, Figure 1G process 175 can be implemented in multiple processes within a workflow. Thus, multiple processes 175 can be executed on system 102 at staggered intervals. System 102 is thus capable of simultaneously winding wire 142 onto at least one set of protrusions 120 while connecting wire 142 within a wire layer or wire pattern 124 on at least one other set of protrusions 120, which can be more efficient than winding wire 142 onto a single set of protrusions 120 or a single set of multiple sets of protrusions 120 and then connecting, and then starting to wind wire 142 onto another set of protrusions 120 or another set of multiple sets of protrusions 120.

[0093] System 100 can include one or more connecting stations 150 configured to perform any number of successive connecting steps. In some embodiments, one or more connecting stations 150 can include a hot press. In some embodiments, one or more connecting stations 150 can include a cold press. In some embodiments, system 100 can include a first connecting station 150 with a hot press and a second connecting station 150 with a cold press. For example, a first connecting step can include applying a heating element, such as a hot press, while a second connecting step can include applying a cooling element, such as a cold press. In such an embodiment, the hot press can fuse and partially compress the wire layer or wire pattern on the set of protrusions 120, and then the cold press can further compress and solidify the wire layer or wire pattern.

[0094] The various stations, steps, and processes described above can be subdivided or combined to optimize the efficient conveyance of the protrusion group 120 through the system 100. For example, the various stations, steps, and processes described above can be subdivided or combined to require the protrusion group 120 to remain stationary for approximately the same amount of time in successive steps. For example, in some embodiments, the system 100 can include a plurality of work areas 130 and arms 144, each work area and arm configured to wind one or more wire layers onto the protrusion group 120 in approximately the same amount of time that the joining station 150 is configured to apply the joining process to the plurality of wire layers on the protrusion group 120. Configuring the system 100 to require approximately the same amount of time to perform successive processes can minimize the amount of downtime that occurs at any location along the conveyor 110. In some embodiments, the conveyor 110 can branch into parallel lines to apply the processes in parallel to a plurality of protrusion groups 120 on each parallel line, merge the parallel lines into fewer lines after applying the processes in parallel to the plurality of protrusion groups 120 on each parallel line, or both. The branching and merging of the parallel lines can be optimized to avoid delays.

[0095] Figure 2A System 200 is shown in accordance with some embodiments and is similar to system 100 in all respects and possible variations except that the protrusion groups 220 of system 200 are disposed directly on the conveyor 210 rather than through a removable winding frame 127. Accordingly, the winding area of each protrusion group 220 is part of the conveyor 210 around which the protrusions of the protrusion group 220 are arranged. Thus, in some embodiments, the joining wire pattern 124 formed in system 200 can include joining wires 242 on the conveyor 210. In some embodiments where the wire 242 includes a fusible material, the process of manufacturing an article of clothing using system 200 can include fusing the wire 242 on the conveyor 210. In some embodiments, the conveyor 210 includes a conveyor belt and the plurality of protrusions of each protrusion group 220 project from the conveyor belt. System 200 includes a conveyor 210 that can be used to convey the protrusion groups 220 in and out of a work area 230 where an arm 244 can wind the wire 242 onto the protrusion groups 220 to form a wire layer or wire pattern 124. Accordingly, system 200 can be used to perform a sequence of operations on a first plurality 221 of protrusion groups 220, a second plurality 222 of protrusion groups 220, and a third plurality 223 of protrusion groups 220 at staggered intervals.

[0096] In some embodiments, the set of protrusions 220 may be permanently attached to the conveyor 210. In such embodiments, the set of protrusions 220 may not be loaded onto or unloaded from the conveyor 210. In such embodiments, each of the operations described above with respect to the set of protrusions 120 may be similarly performed on the set of protrusions 220, except for loading the set of protrusions 120 onto or unloading the set of protrusions 120 from the conveyor 110. In particular, the arm 244 may be used to form a wire layer or wire pattern 124 on the set of protrusions 220 within the work area 230. Further, the arm 244 may be used to form the same wire layer or wire pattern 124 on multiple sets of protrusions 220 that are complementarily spaced from the wire guide 240 within the work area 230. Further, multiple winding steps in different work areas may be used to wind multiple wire layers or wire patterns 124 on the set of protrusions 220. Still further, a joining step within the joining station 150 may be used to join the wire 242 within the wire layer or wire pattern 124 on the set of protrusions 220. In some embodiments, the joining step may include joining or fusing the wire 242 to the conveyor 210, and the joining step may occur after the conveyor 210 advances to move the set of protrusions 220 having the wire layer or wire pattern 124 formed thereon out of the work area 230.

[0097] In some embodiments, an individual protrusion within the set of protrusions 220 may be removed from the conveyor 210, enabling the set of protrusions 220 itself to be loaded onto and unloaded from the conveyor 210, where the set of protrusions 220 is not part of the winding frame 127, such as described above with respect to system 100.

[0098] Figure 2B Schematically illustrated is a workflow 260 of a system 200 according to some embodiments. The workflow 260 includes multiple processes, each process including a corresponding sequence of operations performed within the system 200 with respect to a particular set of protrusions 220 or particular multiple sets of protrusions 220 to form a wire layer or wire pattern 124, as part of a method for manufacturing a garment or an item of clothing. Thus, the workflow 260 itself may be part of a method for manufacturing a garment or an item of clothing. The workflow 260 may include any number of processes. For example, Figure 2B the illustrated workflow 260 includes a first process 270, a second process 271, and a third process 272.

[0099] Each process 270, 271, 272 includes a winding step 182, followed by an unloading step 283. The winding step 282 includes winding one or more wires 242 around one or more groups of protrusions 220 with an arm 244 to form a wire layer or wire pattern 124 on each of the one or more groups of protrusions 220 when the one or more groups of protrusions 220 are within the work area 230. The unloading step 283 follows the winding step 282 and includes unloading the wire layer or wire pattern 124 formed on the one or more groups of protrusions 220 from the conveyor 210. Each process 270, 271, 272 may include additional winding steps, one or more joining steps, or both, between the winding step 282 and the unloading step 283.

[0100] Processes 270, 271, 272 are performed at staggered intervals on different groups of protrusions or multiple groups of protrusions. For example, the first process 270 may be performed on a first group of 221 groups of protrusions 220, the second process 271 may be performed on a second group of 222 groups of protrusions 220, and the third process 272 may be performed on a third group of 223 groups of protrusions 220. Different steps of multiple overlapping processes may occur at each time, including Figure 2B the times T1, T2, T3, T4 shown. The conveyor 210 may be operated to move the groups of protrusions 220 mounted thereon between each of the times T1, T2, T3, T4. Thus, the system 200 is capable of - on multiple groups of protrusions 220 or multiple sets of multiple groups of protrusions 220 - performing processes including the same sequence of operations at overlapping times. Thus, the workflow 260 may be more efficient than the following way: completing the entire sequence of operations to produce a wire layer or wire pattern 124 on one group of protrusions 220, or the entire sequence of operations to produce a wire layer or wire pattern 124 on a single multiple group of protrusions 220, and then starting the next group or multiple groups of protrusions 220.

[0101] Figure 3 A system 300 is shown according to some embodiments, which is similar in all respects and possible variations to system 300, except that system 300 includes multiple arms 344 operating within a work area 330. In such an embodiment, the work area 330 of the system 300 may be a zone along a path defined by a conveyor 310, where any arm 344 arranged at the same point along the path may form a wire layer or wire pattern 124 on the group of protrusions 320. Each arm 344 may include at least one wire guide 340 configured to wind a wire 342 around the group of protrusions 320. Further, each arm 344 may be controlled independently of the other arms 344. Thus, the system 300 is capable of - on different groups of protrusions 320 within the work area 330 - simultaneously winding different wire patterns 124 or wire layers within different wire patterns 124.

[0102] Similar to systems 100, 200, system 300 includes a conveyor 310 that can be used to transport sets of protrusions 320 in and out of a work area 330. Thus, system 300 can be used to perform a sequence of operations on a first plurality 321 of sets of protrusions 320, a second plurality 322 of sets of protrusions 320, and a third plurality 323 of sets of protrusions 320 at staggered intervals. System 300 can further include a plurality of work areas where a plurality of successive winding steps can be performed on a single set of protrusions 320 before the resulting wire layer or wire pattern 124 is unloaded from the conveyor 310. In some embodiments, system 300 can include one or more joining stations 150 for joining wire 342 within the wire layer or wire pattern 124 on the set of protrusions 320 before unloading the wire layer or wire pattern 124 from the conveyor 310.

[0103] The wire patterns 124 as described herein can each include a plurality of wire layers, such as wire layers 400 and 420 described in further detail below. The winding steps and joining steps described above with respect to systems 100, 101, 102, 200, 300 can be implemented in accordance with the details described below with respect to wire layers 400 and 420. The wire layers (e.g., wire layers 400 and 420) as described herein can each include a wire boundary 450 defined by the space occupied by the rows of wire of the wire layer. The wire boundary 450 for a wire layer is: the space occupied by the rows of wire of the wire layer after the wire layer has been removed (e.g., cut) from an anchor point for winding the wire layer. Each anchor point can be a protrusion such as protrusion 126 within a set of protrusions such as any of the sets of protrusions 120, 220, 320 described above. The plurality of rows of wire within a wire pattern can include a first end located on a first side of the wire boundary 450 and a second end located on a second side of the wire boundary 450. For example, the row of wire 404 of wire layer 400 can include a first end 410 located on a first side of the wire boundary 450 and a second end 412 located on a second side of the wire boundary 450.

[0104] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Wire boundaries 450a - b of wire layers 400 and 420 are shown. For a wire pattern that includes a plurality of wire layers, the wire pattern can include a wire pattern boundary 450 defined by the space occupied by the combination of the individual wire layers.

[0105] As used herein, the sides of a perimeter edge or boundary refer to the top, bottom, right, and left sides of a shape defined by the edge or boundary. The top, bottom, right, and left sides of the shape are located at the top, bottom, right, and left of the geometric center of the shape. Thus, a perimeter edge or boundary will have a top side defined by an edge portion located above the geometric center, a bottom side defined by an edge portion located below the geometric center, a right side defined by an edge or boundary portion located to the right of the geometric center, and a left side defined by an edge or boundary portion located to the left of the geometric center. The top and bottom sides do not overlap. Similarly, the left and right sides do not overlap. The top and left sides overlap at a portion of the edge or boundary located in the upper left of the geometric center. The top and right sides overlap at a portion of the edge or boundary located in the upper right of the geometric center. The bottom and left sides overlap at a portion of the edge or boundary located in the lower left of the geometric center. The bottom and right sides overlap at a portion of the edge or boundary located in the lower right of the geometric center. To determine the shape defined by a perimeter edge or boundary, the material having the edge or boundary is laid out in a flat configuration such that no portion of the material overlaps itself.

[0106] As used herein, a first side of a perimeter edge or boundary can be the top, bottom, right, or left side of the edge or boundary, and a second side of the perimeter edge can be the top, bottom, right, or left side of the edge or boundary, provided that the first side and the second side are not the same side. Similarly, a third side of a perimeter edge or boundary can be the top, bottom, right, or left side of the edge or boundary, and a fourth side of the edge or boundary can be the top, bottom, right, or left side of the edge or boundary, provided that the third side and the fourth side are not the same, and are not the same as the first side or the second side.

[0107] In some embodiments, one or more line layers (e.g., line layers 400 and 420) can include lines that define: (i) a plurality of line rows (e.g., line rows 404 and 424), each line row extending from a first side of a line boundary to a second side of the line boundary and crossing each other at overlap points between two or more line rows; and (ii) a plurality of line rows, each line row extending from a third side of the line boundary to a fourth side of the line boundary and crossing each other at overlap points between two or more line rows. The line rows extending from the first side to the second side can extend continuously from the first side to the second side, and the line rows extending from the third side to the fourth side can extend continuously from the third side to the fourth side.

[0108] The wire layer 400 includes a continuous wire 402 wound around an anchor point 490. The wire layer 420 includes a continuous wire 422 wound around an anchor point 490. In some embodiments, the anchor point 490 can be different sets of anchor points around which different wire layers are wound. In some embodiments, multiple wire layers can be wound around the same set of anchor points 490. In such embodiments, individual wire layers can be wound on top of each other, with one wire layer disposed on top of one or more other wire layers.

[0109] As used herein, an "anchor point" refers to a location that fixedly attaches a wire or a set of wire rows. Each anchor point can be provided by a protrusion within one of the above-described protrusion groups 120, 220, 320, 420, such as protrusion 126. A wire or a set of wire rows can be looped, wound, joined, or otherwise attached at the anchor point. In some embodiments, the anchor point can be a location on a clothing item. For example, the anchor point can be a hole or an opening left by a structure (e.g., a pin, a protrusion, or a bump) for winding a continuous wire of a wire layer and / or a wire pattern. In some embodiments, a wire layer or a wire pattern for a clothing item can not include any anchor point locations because all the anchor point locations present during the winding of the wire layer or the wire pattern have been removed (e.g., cut off). An anchor point can be a structure (e.g., a pin, a protrusion, or a bump) for winding a continuous wire of a wire layer and / or a wire pattern. And the anchor point structure can or can not form part of a wire layer or a wire pattern of a clothing item.

[0110] A continuous wire looped or wound around an anchor point does not need to loop or wind completely (i.e., 360 degrees) around the anchor point. A continuous wire looped or wound around an anchor point can loop or wind around only a part of the anchor point. For example, a continuous wire looped or wound around an anchor point can loop or wind around 25% (90 degrees) of the perimeter of the anchor point, 50% (180 degrees) of the perimeter of the anchor point, 75% (270 degrees) of the perimeter of the anchor point, or 100% (360 degrees) of the perimeter of the anchor point. In some embodiments, the continuous wire can loop or wind around the perimeter of the anchor point more than once before being threaded to the next anchor point. For example, the continuous wire can loop or wind around the perimeter of the anchor point one and a half times (540 degrees) or twice (720 degrees) before being threaded to the next anchor point.

[0111] The continuous wire 402 can loop around multiple anchor points 490 and includes multiple wire rows 404. Each wire row 404 extends between two corresponding anchor points 490.

[0112] The continuous line 402 can be wound around multiple anchor points 490 under tension such that when wound around the anchor points 490, a single thread line row 404 is under tension. In some embodiments, the tension at which the thread line row 404 is wound can be in the range of 0 centinewtons (cN) to 25 cN, including sub-ranges. For example, in some embodiments, the tension at which the thread line row 404 is wound can be in the range of 0.01 cN to 25 cN, 0.1 cN to 25 cN, 1 cN to 25 cN, 5 cN to 25 cN, 10 cN to 25 cN, or 15 cN to 25 cN. In some embodiments, the tension at which the thread line row 404 is wound can be in the range of 2 cN to 10 cN. In some embodiments, the tension at which the thread line row 404 is wound can be in the range of 2 cN to 6 cN.

[0113] The number of thread line rows 404 of the thread layer 400 fixed at the anchor point 490 is defined by the "thread line communication number" of the anchor point 490. As used herein, the "thread line communication number" represents the number of thread line rows extending from one anchor point to different anchor points. Two thread line rows extending between the same two anchor points (i.e., overlapping thread line rows) are only counted as "1" for calculating the thread line communication number of the anchor point. For example, a thread line communication number of five means that the anchor point has five thread line rows extending from it, each of the five thread line rows leading to another different anchor point. As another example, a thread line communication number of six means that the anchor point has six thread line rows extending from it, each of the six thread line rows leading to another different anchor point.

[0114] Similarly, for a thread pattern including multiple thread layers, the number of thread line rows fixed at the anchor point 490 is defined by the "thread line communication number" of the anchor point 490 of the thread pattern. For the thread pattern, the "thread line communication number" of the anchor point 490 is the total number of thread line rows of multiple layers extending from the anchor point to different anchor points.

[0115] The anchor 490 can have an "X" or more number of line row communications for a line layer or a line pattern. In some embodiments, two or more corresponding anchors 490 can have an "X" or more number of line row communications. In some embodiments, all the anchors 490 of a line layer or a line pattern can have an "X" or more number of line row communications. "X" can be, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50, within the range having any two of these values as endpoints. For example, in some embodiments, "X" can be in the range of 2 to 50, 3 to 50, 4 to 50, 5 to 50, 6 to 50, 7 to 50, 8 to 50, 9 to 50, 10 to 50, 15 to 50, 20 to 50, 25 to 50, 30 to 50, 35 to 50, 40 to 50, or 45 to 50. In some embodiments, "X" can be greater than 50. In some embodiments, "X" can be in the range of 2 to 100, 10 to 100, or 20 to 100. In some embodiments, the range of "X" can be 2 to 100, 10 to 100, 20 to 100, 10 to 200, 20 to 200, 50 to 200, 10 to 300, 20 to 300, or 50 to 300.

[0116] A line layer, such as line layer 400, can include any suitable number of line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 10 or more line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 20 or more line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 50 or more line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 100 or more line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 200 or more line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 300 or more line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 500 or more line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include a number of line rows in the range of 10 to 300. For example, the line layer can include 10 to 300, 50 to 300, 100 to 300, or 150 to 300 line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 10 to 500 line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 100 to 500 line rows. In some embodiments, the line layer can include 100 to 1000 line rows.

[0117] In some embodiments, the wire array 404 can be joined at the anchor point 490. In such embodiments, the wire array 404 can be joined at the anchor point 490 via an adhesive, a joining layer, thermal (conduction or convection) heating (e.g., in a hot press or oven), IR (infrared) heating, laser heating, microwave heating, steam, mechanical fasteners (e.g., clips), hook-and-loop fasteners, needle punching, hydroentanglement, ultrasonic / vibrational entanglement, felting, knotting, chemical bonding with a catalyst of a biomaterial, spray gluing (e.g., CNC spray glue deposition), or by pushing the wire array through other wire arrays.

[0118] In some embodiments, the wire arrays 404 can be directly joined together at the anchor point 490. In some embodiments, the wire arrays 404 can be directly joined together at the anchor point 490 via the polymeric material of the continuous wire 402. For example, heat and / or pressure can be applied to directly join the wire arrays 404 at the anchor point 490. In embodiments where heat and / or pressure are utilized to directly join the polymeric material of the wire arrays 404, the wire arrays 404 can be heat melted together at one or more anchor points 490. In embodiments that include directly joining the wire arrays 404 at the anchor point 490, the wire arrays 404 can be directly joined at the anchor point 490 without using an adhesive or a joining layer.

[0119] In some embodiments, the wire arrays 404 can be joined together via a joining layer. In some embodiments, the wire arrays 404 can be joined together at the anchor point 490 via a joining layer. In such embodiments, the joining layer can be, for example, a laminate layer, an adhesive layer, a suture layer, a curing layer, a screen printing layer, or a blown fiber layer. In some embodiments, the blown fiber layer can include polymeric fibers capable of joining the wire arrays 404.

[0120] In some embodiments, the wire arrays 404 can be joined together without using a joining layer. For example, in some embodiments, the wire arrays 404 can be directly joined together via, for example but not limited to, direct local joining of the material of the wire arrays 404, needle punching, hydroentanglement, and ultrasonic / vibrational entanglement.

[0121] In some embodiments, the wire arrays 404 can be joined at the points where two or more wire arrays 404 overlap in the wire layer 400 (i.e., the crossover points 406). The wire arrays 404 can be joined at the crossover points 406 via an adhesive, a joining layer, thermal (conduction or convection) heating (e.g., in a hot press or oven), IR (infrared) heating, laser heating, microwave heating, steam, mechanical fasteners (e.g., clips), hook-and-loop fasteners, needle punching, hydroentanglement, ultrasonic / vibrational entanglement, felting, knotting, chemical bonding with a catalyst of a biomaterial, spray gluing (e.g., CNC spray glue deposition), or by pushing the wire arrays through other wire arrays. The crossover points 406 for the wire arrays can be referred to as "overlap points" or "points of overlap".

[0122] In some embodiments, the line rows 404 may be directly joined together at the intersections 406. In some embodiments, the line rows 404 may be directly joined together at the intersections 406 via the polymeric material of the continuous line 402. In embodiments including directly joining the line rows 404 at the intersections 406, the line rows 404 may be joined at the intersections 406 without using an adhesive or joining layer. For example, heat and / or pressure may be applied to the line layer 400 to directly join the line rows 404 at the intersections 406. In embodiments utilizing heat and / or pressure to directly join the polymeric material of the line rows 404, the line rows 404 may be heat melted together at one or more intersections 406.

[0123] In some embodiments, a joining layer may join the line rows 404 together at multiple intersections 406 within the line layer 400. In such embodiments, the joining layer may be, for example, a laminated layer, an adhesive layer, a stitched layer, a cured layer, a screen printed layer, or a blown fiber layer, which includes polymeric fibers that may join the line rows 404.

[0124] In some embodiments, the continuous line 402 may include superposed line rows 404. As used herein, "superposed line rows" refers to two or more line rows along the same path between two corresponding anchor points. The superposed line rows do not need to directly overlap each other. Two or more line rows are considered superposed as long as they extend between the same two anchor points.

[0125] The line rows 404 of the line layer 400 may not be woven or knitted together. In such embodiments, the line rows 404 may be referred to as "non-woven" and "non-knitted" line rows. The line rows 404 of the line layer 400 may not be embroidery threads stitched to a base layer. In such embodiments, the line rows 404 may be referred to as "non-embroidery" line rows.

[0126] In some embodiments, the continuous line 402 may be a polymeric line. As used herein, "polymeric line" refers to a line that is at least partially composed of a polymeric material. In some embodiments, the polymeric line may be entirely composed of one or more polymeric materials. In some embodiments, the polymeric line may include a polymeric material coated around a core (which may or may not include polymeric material).

[0127] Suitable polymeric materials for the polymeric line discussed herein include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), rubber, and silicone. In some embodiments, the TPU may be recycled TPU.

[0128] In some embodiments, the polymeric material for the polymeric line may include a melting temperature in the range of greater than or equal to 110 °C to less than or equal to 150 °C. In such embodiments, the polymeric material may be referred to as a "low melting temperature polymeric material".

[0129] In some embodiments, the continuous threads 402 of the thread layer 400 may have a denier in the range of 1 denier to 3000 denier, including sub-ranges. For example, the continuous threads 402 may have a denier of 1, 10, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2500, or 3000 denier, or in any range having any two of these values as endpoints. For example, in some embodiments, the continuous threads 402 may have a denier in the range from 10 denier to 2500 denier, from 50 denier to 2000 denier, from 100 denier to 1900 denier, from 200 denier to 1800 denier, from 300 denier to 1700 denier, from 400 denier to 1600 denier, from 500 denier to 1500 denier, from 600 denier to 1400 denier, from 700 denier to 1300 denier, from 800 denier to 1200 denier, from 900 denier to 1100 denier, or from 900 denier to 1000 denier.

[0130] The thread patterns as described herein may include any number of thread layers. For example, the thread pattern may include two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, ten or more, fifteen or more, or twenty or more thread layers. For example, the thread pattern may include the thread layer 400 and the thread layer 420.

[0131] The continuous threads of any thread layer may be wound around the anchor points 490 and extend therebetween in the same manner as the continuous threads 402 described above. Further, the rows of continuous threads of any thread layer may be joined in the same manner as the thread layer 400 described above.

[0132] Similar to the continuous threads 402, the continuous threads for other thread layers may include multiple rows wound around two corresponding anchor points and extending between the two corresponding anchor points. In some embodiments, the continuous threads of different thread layers may be the same thread material. In some embodiments, the continuous threads of different thread layers may include different thread materials. In such embodiments, the materials for the different continuous threads in the thread pattern may be selected to provide target characteristics to the regions of the thread pattern, and thus to the garment item. In some embodiments, the denier of the continuous threads in different thread layers within the thread pattern may be selected to provide different degrees of characteristics (e.g., strength or stretchability) to different regions of the thread pattern.

[0133] In embodiments that include a line pattern having multiple line layers, the multiple line layers may be stacked on top of each other. For example, line layer 400 may define the line pattern of a first layer, and a second line layer 420 may define the line pattern of a second layer. Different line layers of a line pattern may be disposed overlapping each other in an overlapping region between the two line layers. For example, the first line layer 400 may be disposed on top of the second line layer 420 in the overlapping region between the two line layers, or vice versa.

[0134] In embodiments that include a line pattern having multiple line layers, the multiple line layers may be joined to each other in the line pattern. In some embodiments, one or more of the layers may be directly joined to each other via a polymeric material of a continuous line, where the continuous line defines a row of lines for at least one of the layers. In some embodiments, one or more of these layers may be joined via a joining layer. In such embodiments, the joining layer may be, for example, a laminate layer, an adhesive layer, a stitching layer, a curing layer, a screen printing layer, or a blown fiber layer.

[0135] In some embodiments, one or more line layers of a line pattern may be used to join together other line layers of the line pattern. In such embodiments, these one or more line layers may be wound with polymeric lines that, when heated, join together the other layers of the line pattern at the anchor points and / or crossover points between the continuous lines. For example, in a line pattern that includes three line layers, one of the three line layers (e.g., the middle line layer) may be wound with polymeric lines for joining together all three line layers. In some embodiments, one or more line layers of a line pattern may be defined by a continuous line that is wound and coated with or impregnated with an adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be activated by applying heat. In some embodiments, the adhesive may be a soluble adhesive that dissolves completely or partially when contacted with a solvent such as water to join the line layers together.

[0136] Figure 5 An exemplary computer system 500 is shown, in which an embodiment or portions thereof may be implemented as computer-readable code. For example, aspects of the methods discussed herein may be implemented in computer system 500 using hardware, software, firmware, a tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, or a combination thereof, and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems.

[0137] If programmable logic is used, such logic may be executed on a commercially available processing platform or a dedicated device. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be implemented with a variety of computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, and mainframe computers, computers with distributed functions linked or grouped together, and pervasive or miniature computers that may be embedded in almost any device.

[0138] For example, at least one processor device and a memory can be used to implement the above embodiments. The processor device can be a single processor, multiple processors, or a combination thereof. The processor device can have one or more processor "cores".

[0139] The various embodiments described herein can be implemented in accordance with this exemplary computer system 500. After reading this specification, those skilled in the relevant art will understand how to implement one or more of the described embodiments using other computer systems and / or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as sequential processes, some operations can actually be performed in parallel, concurrently, and / or in a distributed environment, and have program code stored locally or remotely for access by a single or multi-processor machine. Additionally, in some embodiments, the order of operations can be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.

[0140] The processor device 504 can be a dedicated or general-purpose processor device. As will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art, the processor device 504 can also be a single processor in a multi-core / multi-processor system, such a system operating alone, or in a group of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. The processor device 504 is connected to a communication infrastructure 506, such as a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core messaging scheme.

[0141] The computer system 500 also includes a main memory 508, such as random access memory (RAM), and can also include an auxiliary memory 510. The auxiliary memory 510 can include, for example, a hard disk drive 512 or a removable storage drive 514. The removable storage drive 514 can include a floppy disk drive, tape drive, optical disk drive, flash memory, universal serial bus (USB) drive, etc. The removable storage drive 514 reads from and / or writes to a removable storage unit 518 in a well-known manner. The removable storage unit 518 can include floppy disks, tapes, optical disks, etc., which are read from and written to by the removable storage drive 514. As will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art, the removable storage unit 518 includes a computer-usable storage medium in which computer software and / or data are stored.

[0142] The computer system 500 optionally includes a display interface 502 (which can include input and output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, etc.), which forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 506 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on the display unit 530.

[0143] In additional and / or alternative implementations, the secondary storage 510 may include other similar means for allowing a computer program or other instructions to be loaded into the computer system 500. Such means can include, for example, a removable storage unit 522 and an interface 520. Examples of such means can include a program cartridge memory and cartridge interface (such as found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 522 and interfaces 520 that allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 522 to the computer system 500.

[0144] The computer system 500 may also include a communication interface 524. The communication interface 524 allows software and data to be transferred between the computer system 500 and external devices. The communication interface 524 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. The software and data transferred via the communication interface 524 may be in the form of signals, which may be electrical, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals that can be received by the communication interface 524. These signals may be provided to the communication interface 524 via a communication path 526. The communication path 526 carries the signals and may be implemented using wires or cables, optical fibers, telephone lines, cellular phone links, RF links, or other communication channels.

[0145] In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer usable medium" are used generally to refer to media such as the removable storage unit 518, the removable storage unit 522, and the hard disk installed in the hard disk drive 512. The computer program medium and the computer usable medium may also refer to memories, such as the main memory 508 and the secondary storage 510, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAM, etc.).

[0146] The computer program (also referred to as computer control logic) is stored in the main memory 508 and / or the secondary storage 510. The computer program may also be received via the communication interface 524. When such a computer program is executed, it enables the computer system 500 to implement the embodiments discussed herein. In particular, the computer program, when executed, enables the processor device 504 to implement the processes of the embodiments discussed herein. Thus, such a computer program represents the controller of the computer system 500. In the case of implementing an embodiment using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into the computer system 500 using the removable storage drive 514, the interface 520, and the hard disk drive 512 or the communication interface 524.

[0147] Figure 6Shows a system 600 according to some embodiments. The system 600 includes a non-linear conveyor 610 in the form of a rotatable plate. A plurality of sets of protrusions 620 are located on the surface of the conveyor 610.

[0148] The conveyor 610 rotates to move the sets of protrusions 620 through successive work areas to form a line layer or line pattern 124 on the sets of protrusions 620. In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor 610 is configured to advance the sets of protrusions 620 through two successive work areas 630. For each of the two work areas 630, the system 600 includes a respective arm 644 configured to wind one or more line layers 400 around the sets of protrusions 620. The system 600 may include any number of successive work areas 630.

[0149] The system 600 further includes two successive linking stations 650. The conveyor 610 is configured to advance the sets of protrusions 620 through two successive linking stations 650. The system 600 may include any number of linking stations 650. The linking stations 650 within the system 600 may be of different types. In some embodiments, the linking stations 650 within the system 600 may be configured to perform complementary linking operations. For example, the first linking station that the sets of protrusions 620 reach may include a heating element, such as a hot press, while the second linking station that the sets of protrusions 620 reach may include a cooling element, such as a cold press. In some embodiments, the hot press may fuse and partially compress one or more line layers 400 on the sets of protrusions 620, and then the cold press may further compress and then cure one or more line layers 400.

[0150] The system 600 further includes a cutting tool 645. The cutting tool 645 can be used to cut the line layer 400 or line pattern 124 that does not have the sets of protrusions 620. In some embodiments, the cutting tool 645 may be automatic. For example, the cutting tool 645 according to some embodiments may include a robotic arm and a blade or a laser, where the robotic arm is configured to move the blade or the laser. After the cutting tool 645 cuts the line pattern 124, the remaining portion of the line can be cleaned from the sets of protrusions 620. After cleaning, the sets of protrusions 620 can be rotated back to the first work area 630 to wind a new line layer 400 or line pattern on the sets of protrusions 620.

[0151] It should be understood that the detailed description section, rather than the summary and abstract sections, is intended to interpret the claims. The summary and abstract sections may set forth one or more, but not all, of the exemplary embodiments contemplated by the inventors, and thus are not intended to limit the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0152] The present invention has been described above by means of functional building blocks that illustrate the implementation of specific functions and their relationships. For ease of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein. Replacement boundaries can be defined as long as the specified functions and their relationships are appropriately performed.

[0153] The description of the above specific embodiments will fully disclose the general nature of the present invention, so that others can, by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art, easily modify and / or adapt these specific embodiments for various applications without undue experimentation without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, based on the teachings and guidance presented herein, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the language or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation, so that the terms or language of this specification are to be interpreted by those skilled in the art in light of the teachings and guidance.

[0154] The breadth and scope of the present application should not be limited by any of the above exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an article of clothing, the method comprising: moving a plurality of first protrusion groups positioned on a conveyor into a working area, each first protrusion group including a plurality of protrusions disposed around a winding area; winding a respective continuous wire on each respective first protrusion group to form a wire layer on each first protrusion group, the wire layer comprising a plurality of wire rows, wherein each wire row extends between two respective protrusions and across the winding area; as well as After wrapping the respective continuous wire around each of the first protrusion groups, the conveyor is advanced to move the first protrusion groups out of the working area and to move a plurality of second protrusion groups into the working area. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the thread layer defines at least a portion of a material for an upper.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective continuous threads each comprise a fusible material, and the method further comprises fusing the respective continuous threads after the winding.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the respective continuous threads are fused on the conveyor.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the respective continuous lines are fused on the conveyor and occurs after advancing the conveyor to move the plurality of first protrusion groups out of the working area.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of protrusion sets comprises a support plate releasably coupled to the conveyor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the second plurality of projection groups comprises a support plate releasably coupled to the conveyor, and the method further comprises loading the second plurality of projection groups onto the conveyor.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: prior to winding the respective continuous wire on each of the first protrusion groups and while the wire layer is supported on each of the protrusion groups in the third plurality of protrusion groups, advancing the conveyor to move the third plurality of protrusion groups out of the working area; as well as The wire layer is unloaded from the conveyor.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the uninstalling comprises: The wire layer is removed from the third plurality of protrusion groups while the third plurality of protrusion groups remain on the conveyor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein removing the wire layer from the third plurality of protrusion groups comprises: The wire layer is cut from the portion of the wire enclosed around a single protrusion of each of the third plurality of protrusion groups.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, and the plurality of protrusions of each first protrusion group protrude from the belt.

12. A method of manufacturing an article of apparel, the method comprising: mounting a plurality of support plates on the conveyor, each support plate including a plurality of protrusions disposed about the wrapping area; advancing the conveyor to move the plurality of support plates through a work area; Winding a respective continuous wire on each respective support plate to form a wire layer, the wire layer comprising a plurality of wire rows, wherein each wire row extends between two respective protrusions and across the winding region of the respective support plate; and The wire layers are removed from each support plate after the support plates leave the working area.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the respective continuous lines comprise a fusible material, and the method comprises: The respective continuous lines on each support sheet are fused after the support sheets have left the working area.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the thread layer defines at least a portion of a material for an upper.

15. A winding system for manufacturing an article of apparel, the system comprising: conveyor; a plurality of protrusion groups, wherein each protrusion group includes a plurality of protrusions, and the conveyor is configured to move the protrusion groups mounted to the conveyor; as well as Wire guide; Wherein the system is configured to actuate the wire guide to wind a continuous wire around the plurality of protrusions of the single protrusion group of the plurality of protrusion groups while the single protrusion group is mounted to the conveyor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: A working zone is defined relative to the conveyor, the conveyor is configured to move groups of the plurality of groups of projections into and out of the working zone, and any group of the plurality of groups of projections located outside of the working zone is inaccessible to the wire guide.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the system is configured to actuate the wire guide by moving the wire guide within the working area to wind the continuous wire around the plurality of protrusions of the single protrusion group.

18. The system of claim 15, comprising a joining station configured to join the continuous line to the individual groups of projections, wherein the conveyor is configured to move the individual groups of projections into and out of the joining station.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the bonding station comprises a heat press.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein: The wire guide is a first wire guide, the single protrusion group is a first single protrusion group, The system also includes a second wire guide, and The system is configured to actuate the second wire guide to wind the second continuous wire around the plurality of protrusions of the second single protrusion group of the plurality of protrusion groups while the second single protrusion group is mounted to the conveyor.

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