Manufacturing device for manufacturing an apparel part, manufacturing system, method for manufacturing an apparel part, and method for manufacturing a manufacturing device

Abstract

The invention concerns a manufacturing device (10a-c) for manufacturing an apparel part having a textile element, in particular for manufacturing a footwear part (14a) having a textile upper element (16a), comprising: a shaping carrier (20a-c, 602, 700, 800, 900, 1000), in particular a footwear last, for shaping the textile element, in particular the textile upper element (16a), thereon, wherein the shaping carrier (20a-c, 602, 700, 800, 900, 1000) comprises at least one inflatable part (42a-c, 802, 902, 1002, 1100). Furthermore, the invention pertains to a manufacturing system (12a) comprising such a manufacturing device (10a) and to a method for manufacturing an apparel part having a textile element using such a manufacturing device (10a-c) and / or such a manufacturing system (12a). Further still, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing such a manufacturing device.

Description

[0001] On Clouds GmbH 1 / 34

[0002] Manufacturing device for manufacturing an apparel part, manufacturing system, method for manufacturing an apparel part, and method for manufacturing a manufacturing device

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a manufacturing device for manufacturing an apparel part having a textile element, in particular for manufacturing a footwear part having a textile upper element, and a manufacturing system comprising such a manufacturing device. In addition, the present invention pertains to a method for manufacturing an apparel part having a textile element and to a method for manufacturing such a manufacturing device.

[0005] Background

[0006] Apparel and footwear manufacturing continues to evolve to meet modern expectations for products that are high-performing, comfortable, lightweight, and sustainably produced. Traditionally, techniques such as knitting, weaving, or cut-and-sew have dominated the production of textile-based components. However, these methods often involve significant material waste, require multiple production steps, and depend heavily on manual labor, limiting scalability and efficiency.

[0007] To address these challenges, innovations have emerged that aim to automate the production process, reduce waste, and improve the functional characteristics of textile components. One such innovation is described in WO 2022 / 069583 A1 , which discloses a method for producing a textile material, particularly a shoe upper, by applying a molten thermoplastic filament directly onto a shoe last. The filament is extruded from a spray head in the form of a helical strand and applied in a series of superimposed loops, forming a seamless and structured textile layer directly on the three-dimensional surface of the last.

[0008] This approach represents a significant step toward more automated and material-efficient manufacturing. By depositing material directly onto a shaping tool, it becomes possible to precisely control the placement, layering, and geometry of textile structures. This reduces the need for additional assembly steps and offers the potential for custom-fitted, performance-oriented footwear components.

[0009] However, despite the advantages of such additive and direct-application techniques, fully automating the manufacturing process introduces new technical challenges, particularly regarding the handling and fixation of footwear elements during processing. There remains a need for improved solutions that that allow a highly automated manufacturing process. Addressing these limitations is essential for achieving high-throughput, high-precision, and economically viable automated production systems in the footwear industry.

[0010] Summary

[0011] The invention concerns a manufacturing device for manufacturing an apparel part having a textile element, in particular for manufacturing a footwear part having a textile upper element, the manufacturing device comprising a shaping carrier, in particular a footwear last, for shaping the textile element, in particular the textile upper element, thereon. Herein, the shaping carrier comprises at least one inflatable part.

[0012] The invention further pertains to a manufacturing system comprising a manufacturing device as disclosed herein.

[0013] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 2 / 34

[0014] Furthermore, the invention pertains to a method for manufacturing an apparel part having a textile element, in particular for manufacturing a footwear part having a textile upper element, using a manufacturing device and / or a manufacturing system as described herein. The method for manufacturing the apparel part comprises a step of inflating the at least one inflatable part of the shaping carrier and a step of shaping the textile element, in particular the textile upper element, on the shaping carrier.

[0015] In addition, the invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a manufacturing device as described herein.

[0016] This allows for advantageously increased flexibility and efficiency. The solution according to the invention enables particularly easy removal of the apparel part from the shaping carrier after shaping the textile element on the shaping carrier. Thereby, apparel parts can be made available automatically and conveniently for further processing and / or sale once they have been manufactured. The at least one inflatable part allows to provide a particularly space-saving shaping carrier, so that it can be stored and transported particularly easily and can be moved flexibly, especially during the manufacturing of apparel parts. The inflatable nature of the shaping carrier allows its form to be adjusted flexibly, easily, and rapidly to meet varying requirements. This enables the production of different apparel parts without the need for a new shaping carrier each time, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0017] The apparel part may be part of an article of apparel, may be an article of apparel, or may comprise the entire article of apparel. In the context of the present disclosure, the apparel part may be any personal item able to be worn and / or carried by a human. In particular, this may include footwear, top clothing, e.g. shirts, pullovers or the like, pants, headwear, e.g. helmets, caps or the like, socks, gloves, belts, sweatbands or bags, in particular backpacks.

[0018] The apparel part may comprise one or more textile elements. The textile element may preferably be a textile. In a preferred embodiment, the textile element may be made from a filament, preferably a thermoplastic filament, e.g. made from a polymer composition. The polymer composition may comprise, for example, polyester, polyamide, polyether block amide (PEBA), for example PEBAX® (Arkema), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), such as Desmopan® 2790A or Desmopan® 9392A (Covestro), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or mixtures thereof. The filament of the textile element may comprise a plurality of path segments, preferably in the form of loops. In other words, the filament forming the textile element may be arranged in a looped manner having several intersecting turns. Such structure is, for example, disclosed in WO 2022 / 069583 A1.

[0019] The apparel part may comprise at least one apparel element. The at least one apparel element may also be a textile but, alternatively, the at least one apparel element may be a leather element, a rubber element, a synthetic leather element, a (thermo-)plastic element, e.g. an EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) element, a PU (Polyurethane) element, etc., a feather element, a foam element, a metal element, or the like.

[0020] The shaping carrier may be part of a manufacturing device for manufacturing the apparel part. The shaping carrier may be set up to shape the textile element. For example, the shaping carrier may have a surface, in particular a textile element contact surface, that may be configured to define the shape of the textile element. For example, the textile element may be shaped by applying it to the surface, in particular the textile element contact surface, of the shaping carrier. The textile element contact surface may

[0021] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 3 / 34

[0022] particularly refer to a surface of the shaping carrier on which the textile element rests after being applied to the shaping carrier.

[0023] The shaping carrier may comprise a base body, at which at least one movable part may be movably arranged, for example so as to be linearly and / or rotatably movable relative to the base body. By moving the at least one movable part, in particular relative to the base body, geometric properties of the shaping carrier may be modified.

[0024] A sensor unit may be configured to detect or sense a pose of the at least one movable part, for example optically.

[0025] Preferably, the shaping carrier may comprise an actuator for changing the pose of the at least one movable part, in particular relative to the shaping carrier. The actuator may be a screw, a slider, a rotary knob, or the like. The actuator may be integrally formed with the base body and / or the at least one movable part or may be detachably attachable to the at least one movable part for changing a pose of the at least one movable part.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, it may be envisaged that the shaping carrier comprises a drive, for example at least one electric servo motor or the like, to change the pose of the at least one movable part, in particular relative to the base body. The drive may be embedded in the base body of the shaping carrier. The drive may be a chargeable electric servo motor.

[0027] The pose may comprise a position and / or a orientation of the at least one movable part, in particular relative to the base body. The drive may be connected to a communication unit to transfer the information of the drive pertaining the pose of the at least one movable member to the manufacturing system, in particular a control unit. The drive may be connected wirelessly and / or via a wired connection to the communication unit.

[0028] It may be envisaged that the shaping carrier comprises an enclosure skin, that may preferably form an outer surface of the shaping carrier. The enclosure skin may be implemented separately from the at least one movable part and / or the base body. The enclosure skin may be implemented as a flexible wrapping layer. The enclosure skin preferably encloses the at least one movable part and / or the base body. The enclosure skin may be configured to stretch and / or contract, depending on the pose of the at least one movable part, in particular relative to the base body. The enclosure skin may be configured to bridge gaps of the shaping carrier that may be generated by moving the at least one movable part, in particular to avoid gaps at the outer surface of the shaping carrier. It may be envisaged that the enclosure skin is detachably wrapped around the base body and / or the at least one movable part. It may also be envisaged that the enclosure skin may be detached from the base body and / or the at least one movable part for configuring the shaping carrier, in particular for moving the at least one movable part, preferably manually. For example, the enclosure skin is removed from the base body and the at least one movable part and the actuator is detachably attached to the at least one movable part to adjust a pose of the at least one movable part, preferably relative to the base body.

[0029] After the pose of the at least one movable part is adjusted via the actuator, the actuator may be detached from the at least one movable part and the enclosure skin may be arranged around the base body and / or the at least one movable part.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention, the movable part may be a heel section being moveable relative to the base body of the shaping carrier. The heel section may also be removably arranged ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 4 / 34

[0031] at the base body. The movable heel section may enable an easier removal of the textile element, preferably the textile upper element from the shaping carrier after manufacturing of the textile upper element. In addition, the movable heel section also allows an easier insertion of the shaping carrier back into the textile upper element. The heel section may be designed in such a way that it enables the heel section to easily slide and glide along the textile upper element but still holds the textile upper element tightly to the shaping carrier. The movable heel section can simplify rework processes during the production of the footwear part and repair processes of the article of footwear, which can reduce waste and defect ratios.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the movable part may also be a middle foot section and / or a toe section of the shaping carrier, or the like

[0033] Preferably, the apparel part is a footwear part, wherein the footwear part may be part of an article of footwear or comprise the entire article of footwear. An article of footwear may comprise at least an upper, a sole unit and / or a fastening unit. The sole unit preferably comprises an outsole and a midsole and may additionally comprise an insole. In a preferred embodiment, the article of apparel, in particular the apparel part, is a sports shoe, in particular a running shoe, a tennis shoe, or the like, a sneaker, a hiking shoe, or the like.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the textile element may be a textile upper element of the footwear part. The textile upper element may be part of the upper or form the entire upper, i.e. the upper may comprise one or more upper elements. The upper may also comprise one or more additional upper elements, wherein the additional upper element may also be a textile, but alternatively a leather element, a rubber element, a synthetic leather element, a (thermo-)plastic element, e.g. an EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) element, a PU (Polyurethane) element, etc., a feather element, a foam element, a metal element, or the like.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the shaping carrier may be implemented as a footwear last. The footwear last may be used to define the shape of at least the textile upper element and preferably the shape of the upper. In particular, in the preferred embodiment in which the apparel part is implemented as a footwear part, the at least one apparel element may be a sole element. The sole element may be part of the sole unit or form the entire sole unit. The sole element may, for example, be part of the midsole, the outsole, orthe insole, or form the corresponding component. The sole element may, for example, be made, in particular at least partially, from polyester, polyamide, polyether block amide, polyurethane, EVA, polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or mixtures thereof.

[0036] One preferred material combination may be PEBAX® (Arkema) for the midsole and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), such as Desmopan® 2790A or Desmopan® 9392A (Covestro), for the thermoplastic filament. A synthetic rubber may be preferred for the outsole.

[0037] When manufacturing the midsole, softened PEBAX® (Arkema) may be i-molded and foamed. Alternatively, PEBAX® (Arkema) may be 3D-printed and possibly then foamed to form the midsole. The midsole may afterwards be attached to the footwear last. The rubber outsole may be attached to the midsole by glueing or any other applicable method, in particular before or after attaching the midsole to the footwear last. Finally, the thermoplastic filament, made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), may be applied to the footwear last to form the textile upper element. The midsole may be connected to the textile upper element by applying the thermoplastic filament also partly onto the midsole.

[0038] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 5 / 34

[0039] Alternatively, the textile upper element may be formed by applying the thermoplastic filament, made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), on the footwear last first, whereupon softened PEBAX® (Arkema) may be directly injection-molded or 3D-printed to an underside of the textile upper element and / or the footwear last, and may afterwards possibly be foamed, to form the midsole. Finally, the rubber outsole may be fastened to an underside of the midsole by any applicable method, for example glueing.

[0040] For increased recyclability, the thermoplastic filament and the sole unit, in particular the midsole, the outsole, and possibly the insole, may all be made from the same material or the same material composition, or at least from chemically similar materials or chemically similar material compositions, like, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0041] The textile element contact surface is preferably part of an apparel part contact surface of the shaping carrier. The apparel part contact surface particularly refers to a surface of the shaping carrier on which the apparel part after being manufactured rests. Preferably, the apparel part contact surface may comprise an apparel element contact surface, in particular a sole element contact surface. The apparel element contact surface, in particularthe sole element contact surface, may referto a surface of the shaping carrier on which the at least one apparel element, in particular the sole element, rests when held to the shaping carrier.

[0042] The manufacturing device may be configured to apply the textile element to the shaping carrier to shape the textile element thereon. The at least one apparel element, in particular the sole element, is preferably fixed to the shaping carrier, in particular the footwear last, at least while the textile element, in particular the textile upper element, is applied to the shaping carrier. The manufacturing device may comprise a textile output unit to provide a filament for application onto the shaping carrier to form the textile element. The textile output unit may comprise a dosing unit, a melting unit, and / or a nozzle unit. An example of such a textile output unit is disclosed in WO 2022 / 069583 A1 .

[0043] The melting unit may be configured to melt a filament material, e.g. a polymer composition or the like, which may then be used to manufacture the textile element. The melting unit may include an extruder, with the extruder possibly having a barrel and a screw. The screw may be arranged inside the barrel. The melting device may also include an output material heating unit. The filament material may be melted by the output material heating unit. By means of the nozzle unit the molten filament material may be dispensed.

[0044] The dosing unit may comprise a pump, a pump drive and a dosing head. The pump may be configured to generate pressure for dispensing the molten filament material, as the filament in particular through the nozzle unit. The pump may be configured to control, in particular fine tune, the output pressure of the molten filament material through the nozzle unit. The nozzle unit may comprise one or more gas outlet openings, through which a flow of gas, in particular compressed air, may be output. The flow of gas may be provided to influence the filament emerging from the nozzle unit. Preferably, the nozzle unit is designed in such a way that a helical filament is produced. In a preferred embodiment, this helical shape of the filament may be generated by a corresponding application of gas flow from several gas outlet openings. Alternatively, the nozzle unit may also be rotated to create the helical shape of the filament.

[0045] The manufacturing device may comprise a handling unit to control an application path of the filament onto the shaping carrier. The application path preferably refers to the relative movement path of the nozzle unit with regard to the shaping carrier. The handling unit may be configured to generate a relative movement of the shaping carrier and the textile output unit, in particular the nozzle unit. For example, the ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 6 / 34

[0046] handling unit may be, preferably detachably, connected to the shaping carrier to move it. Alternatively, or additionally, the handling unit may be connected to the nozzle unit or may also be part of the textile output unit to move the nozzle unit. The handling unit may be implemented as or may comprise a robotic handler or the like.

[0047] The textile element, in particular the textile upper element, may at least partially be applied to the at least one apparel element, in particular the sole element, thereby connecting the textile element, in particular the textile upper element, to the at least one apparel element, in particular the sole element. The connection of the textile element, in particular the textile upper element, and the at least one apparel element, in particular the sole element, is preferably a material bond.

[0048] Connecting the textile element to the at least one apparel element may be performed while shaping the textile element. Thus, the creation and shaping of the textile element, as well as its connection to the at least one apparel element, can be carried out in a single process step.

[0049] For example, a first part of the textile element may be formed on the shaping carrier and on the at least one apparel element simultaneously. By applying the filament onto the at least one apparel element, a connection between the filament, in particular the textile element, and the at least one apparel element may be established. Connecting the textile element to the at least one apparel element may be performed while shaping the textile element, which may be understood to mean also that a first part of the textile element is initially formed by applying the filament to the at least one apparel element to establish the connection between the textile element and the at least one apparel element prior to applying the filament onto the shaping carrier to form a second part of the textile element. The first part may be configured for the connection of the textile element, in particular the textile upper element, to the at least one apparel element, in particular the sole element. The second part may form the actual part of the textile element, in particular the textile upper element, shaped on the shaping carrier. The first part preferably represents a transition area between the at least one apparel element, in particular the sole element, and the actual textile element, in particular the actual textile upper element, shaped on the shaping carrier. The first part and the second part of the textile element are preferably integrally connected, i.e. preferably formed in one piece, and are, in particular, formed from a continuous filament. Preferably, the textile element is formed from a continuous filament or at least from a filament having a length of more than 500 m, in particular of more than 750 m, preferably of more than 1000 m and most preferably of more than 1250 m. Alternatively, the application of the textile element may also proceed in the opposite order, meaning that initially, a first part of the textile element is shaped on the shaping carrier.

[0050] The at least one inflatable part may assume an inflated state and a deflated state. The at least one inflatable part may be switchable between the deflated state and the inflated state. The at least one inflatable part may also be partially inflatable and / or partially deflatable. The at least one inflatable part may be part of a switching unit. The switching unit may be part of the manufacturing device. The shaping carrier may be switchable between a release mode and a standard mode, preferably by the switching unit, in particular by switching between the deflated state and the inflated state of the at least one inflatable part. The inflated state may correspond to the standard mode and the deflated or at least partially deflated state of the at least one inflatable part may correspond to the release mode. The release mode may be configured for detaching, in particular removing, the apparel part from the shaping carrier. Switching the shaping carrier into the release mode may correspond to changing a property of the shaping carrier, in particular the at ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 7 / 34

[0051] least one inflatable part, in such a way that the removal of the apparel part from the shaping carrier may be supported, in particular may be easier. Switching the shaping carrier into the release mode may be performed before or simultaneously to removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier. By switching the shaping carrier into the release mode, the apparel part may be released and / or removed from the shaping carrier. The standard mode may correspond to a state of the shaping carrier that may be configured for the application of the textile element thereon. The switching unit may be actuated by means of the handling unit, in particular the robotic handler.

[0052] Switching the shaping carrier into the release mode may comprise changing at least one outer dimension of the shaping carrier, in particular of the at least one inflatable part. Changing at least one outer dimension of the shaping carrier, in particular of the at least one inflatable part, may comprise a reduction of the at least one outer dimension of the shaping carrier, preferably of the at least one inflatable part. The outer dimension may correspond to a length, a width, and / or a height of the shaping carrier, in particular of the at least one inflatable part. In a preferred embodiment, switching the shaping carrier into the release mode may comprise changing at least more than one outer dimension, for example a length, a width and / or a height of the shaping carrier, in particular of the at least one inflatable part. The switching unit may be configured to change the at least one outer dimension of the shaping carrier, in particular of the at least one inflatable part. The switching unit may be configured to deflate the shaping carrier, in particular the at least one inflatable part, when the shaping carrier is switched into the release mode. The switching unit may be configured to inflate the shaping carrier, in particular the at least one inflatable part, when the shaping carrier is switched from the release mode into the standard mode.

[0053] The at least one inflatable part may comprise at least a part of the apparel part contact surface, in particular the textile element contact surface and / or a production element contact surface of the shaping carrier. The production element contact surface may refer to a surface of the shaping carrier on which a production element rests when held to the shaping carrier.

[0054] The production element may be part of the apparel part to be manufactured, for example the at least one apparel element, in particular the sole element. The production element may also be a further apparel element of the apparel part. For example, the production element may be a part of the upper of the footwear part, that may, for example, be connected to the textile element, in particular the textile upper element. The production element may be a padding element, a stiffening element, a reinforcing element, a damping element, an insulating element, a liquid-repellent element, an abrasion protection element or the like.

[0055] Alternatively, the production element may also be an element that is only used during manufacturing the apparel part but is not part of the finished apparel part. Such a production element may be, for example, used for shaping the textile element, wherein the production element may be held onto the textile element contact surface area of the shaping carrier, and the textile element may be shaped at least partially by the production element when applied onto the shaping carrier. The production element may also be a mold of the manufacturing device that may be configured to interact with the shaping carrier to produce the apparel element of the apparel part, in particular the sole element, by molding in a mold cavity, that may be defined by the mold and the shaping carrier and / or a textile element shaped onto the shaping carrier.

[0056] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 8 / 34

[0057] The production element contact surface may correspond to the apparel element contact surface, in particular if the production element corresponds to the at least one apparel element. For example, the shaping carrier may comprise the base body at which the at least one inflatable part may be arranged. The base body may comprise at least a part of the apparel part contact surface, in particular the textile element contact surface and / or the production element contact surface. It may also be envisaged that the at least one inflatable part may constitute the complete apparel element contact surface, in particular the complete textile element contact surface and / or the complete production element contact surface, wherein the at least one inflatable part may encompass a majority, in particular at least 50 %, preferably at least 75 % and particularly preferable at least 90 % of the outer surface, of the base body.

[0058] The at least one inflatable part also may encompass a minority, in particular less than 50 % of the outer surface of the base body. The at least one inflatable part may be detachably held at the shaping carrier. It may be envisaged that the shaping carrier comprises an outer skin, that may preferably form the apparel part contact surface of the shaping carrier. The outer skin may be implemented separately from the at least one inflatable part and / or the base body. The outer skin may be configured to stretch and / or contract, depending on an inflation state of the at least one inflatable part. The outer skin may be configured to bridge gaps of the shaping carrier that may be generated by inflating and / or deflating the at least one inflatable part, in particular to avoid gaps at the apparel part contact surface of the shaping carrier. It may be envisaged that the outer skin is detachably arranged at the base body and / or the at least one inflatable part. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one inflatable part may substantially form the shaping carrier, wherein the shaping carrier may, in particular, be implemented without the base body. In this way, a shaping carrier can be provided which is particularly space-saving in a deflated state and is therefore particularly easy to handle. Advantageously, the shaping carrier can be separated from the apparel part particularly easily and with particularly little effort after the textile element has been applied to the shaping carrier.

[0059] The at least one inflatable part may furnish at least 50 %, at least 75 %, or at least 90 % of a total outer surface area of the shaping carrier.

[0060] By inflating the at least one inflatable part, different circumference steps, preferably between 1 mm and 10 mm, of the shaping carrier may be achieved. The at least one inflatable part may be fluidically connected to a gas exchange interface of the manufacturing device, in particular of the shaping carrier, to deflate and / or inflate the at least one inflatable part. Two or more inflatable parts may be inflated and / or inflated simultaneously and / or independently of each other. The at least one inflatable part may be directly fluidically connected to the gas exchange interface or via at least one gas duct of the switching unit. Preferably, the gas exchange interface is attached to the at least one inflatable part.

[0061] The at least one inflatable part and / or the gas exchange interface may be connected to a gas supply of the manufacturing device and / or the manufacturing system for inflating the at least one inflatable part. The gas supply may at least partially be embodied as a compressed gas supply line and / or may comprise a compressor to provide compressed gas, a blower, a gas pump, or the like. The gas supply may be implemented separately from the shaping carrier, in particular separately from the at least one inflatable part. For example, the gas supply may be at least partially integrated with the handling unit. Alternatively, the gas supply may be at least partially integrated with the shaping carrier. The gas may be air or any other suitable gas for inflating the at least one inflatable part. The manufacturing device, in particular the switching unit, may comprise at least one pressure relief valve that may be fluidically connected to the at least one ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 9 / 34

[0062] inflatable part. Preferably, the at least one pressure relief valve is arranged at the inflatable part. The at least one pressure relief valve may be part of the gas exchange interface. The manufacturing device, in particular the switching unit, may comprise a pressure reducer that is arranged between the at least one inflatable part and the gas supply. The pressure reducer may be configured to reduce a pressure of the gas supplied by the gas supply to suit the desired pressure for the at least one inflatable part. The pressure reducer may be part of the gas exchange interface.

[0063] The manufacturing device, in particular the switching unit, may comprise at least one closeable gas port that may be opened for deflating the at least one inflatable part. The at least one closeable gas port may be part of the gas exchange interface. The closeable gas port may also be used to inflate the at least one inflatable part. Alternatively, the closeable gas port may be implemented separately from a gas port of the switching unit for inflating the at least one inflatable part. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one inflatable part may be fluidically connected to a negative pressure unit of the manufacturing device and / or the manufacturing system for deflating the at least one inflatable part, preferably via the gas exchange interface. The negative pressure unit may comprise a vacuum pump or the like. The negative pressure unit may be arranged separately from the shaping carrier. Alternatively, the negative pressure unit may be at least partially integrated with the shaping carrier. The at least one inflatable part, the gas exchange interface, the negative pressure unit and / orthe gas supply may be part of the switching unit. The negative pressure unit and / or the gas supply may be fluidically connected to the gas exchange interface via a gas duct unit of the manufacturing device and / or of a manufacturing system comprising the manufacturing device. The gas duct unit may integrally formed with the handling unit or alternatively implemented separately from the handling unit.

[0064] The at least one inflatable and / or the outer skin part may be 3D-printed. This allows different shapes of the at least one inflatable part and / orthe outer skin to be created quickly and flexibly. Complex geometries for the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin can also be realized. In addition, 3D printing offers cost and time savings in the production of the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin.

[0065] Through 3D printing, the at least one inflatable part may be provided without seams and / or adhesives, in particular without parting lines, ejector pin marks or the like. The at least one inflatable part may have anisotropic properties as a result of 3D printing. The at least one inflatable part may exhibit a layer structure as a result of 3D printing, that may be particularly visible at curved surfaces. Preferably, the at least one inflatable part may be 3D-printed in the method of manufacturing the manufacturing device.

[0066] The 3D-printing is preferably performed in a semi-solid environment, for example in a suspension gel, or the like. In other words, the 3D-printing of the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin may be performed at least partly without a solid support for the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin. The at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin may be rinsed with water or the like after printing. The at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin may be made from silicone, polyurethane rubber, foam, plastics, resins, biological materials, liquid wood pulp, liquids metals or any other solidifying material. Examples of foams include urethane and silicone foams. Examples of plastics include chemically-cured plastics, such as urethanes, acrylics, and poly(methyl methacrylate), as well as radiation-cured plastics and moisture-cured plastics. Examples of resins include epoxy resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins, anaerobic resins, and cyanoacrylates. Examples of silicones include addition and condensation-cured silicone rubbers ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 10 / 34

[0067] with a hardness ranging from Shore 00-10 to Shore 60A when solidified. Examples of urethane rubbers include materials with a hardness of ranging from Shore 10A to Shore 90D. Examples of liquid wood pulp include cellulose, lignin and other paper fiber mixes with both natural and synthetic fibers. Examples of liquid metals include metals and alloys that have a melting point below about 100° C, such as field's metal, wood's metal, and rose's metal. Such type of 3D printing is described, for example, in US 10,953,605 B2.

[0068] The base body of the shaping carrier may comprise at least one recess area configured to accommodate the at least one inflatable part. The at least one recess area may have various depths into the shaping carrier according to different embodiments of the invention. It may be envisaged that the at least one inflatable part inserted into the at least one recess area is completely accommodated with the at least one recess area or at least partially protrudes from the at least one recess area according to the inflation state of the at least one inflatable part and / or the depth of the recess area into the shaping carrier.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer surface comprise sections with different flexibilities. Thus, the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer surface can exhibit different properties and be adapted to various manufacturing requirements. In particular, specific shapes can be realized especially easily during inflation.

[0070] In other words, the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin may comprise at least two sections with different mechanical deformation behaviors. The different mechanical deformation behaviors and / or flexibilities may be realized by different materials, different wall thickness, different surface structures, and / or via attached, particularly adhered, elements.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin comprise sections with different wall thicknesses. This allows different flexibility characteristics to be implemented particularly easily.

[0072] The varying of the wall thickness may be continuous and / or discontinuous. For example, it may be envisaged that the at least one inflatable part and / or the outer skin comprise at least two sections that each have a constant wall thickness that differs from each other. For example, the at least one inflatable part and / or outer skin may comprise at least one first section having a first thickness and at least one second section having a second thickness. The first thickness may differ from the second thickness, preferably at least by at least 10 %, by at least 20 % or by at least 50 %.

[0073] The at least one inflatable part may comprise at least one surface area that is structured. By structuring the surface of the at least one inflatable part, the properties of the thermoplastic filament can be influenced when it is applied to the shaping carrier and advantageously adapted to different requirements. Since the at least one surface area is structured, the flexibility characteristics of the shaping carrier and its mechanical form can also be influenced.

[0074] The structure may be regular or irregular. The structure of the at least one surface may be a grooved structure, a honeycomb structure, a knobbed structure, a scale-like structure, a mesh structure, a combination thereof, or the like. The at least one surface area may be part of the apparel part contact surface, in particular the textile element contact surface and / or the production element contact surface.

[0075] The at least one inflatable part may comprise at least one cavity arranged at, preferably on or in, a wall of the at least one inflatable part. This allows for the arrangement of elements used during manufacturing in the at least one cavity.

[0076] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 11 / 34

[0077] The at least one cavity may be an indentation, a groove, a channel, or the like. The wall may enclose an inflation chamber of the at least one inflatable part into which gas is introduced to inflate the at least one inflatable part, preferably via the gas exchange interface. In other words, the inflation chamber may correspond to an inflatable volume of the at least one inflatable part.

[0078] The at least one cavity is implemented separately from the inflation chamber of the at least one inflatable part. For example, the at least one cavity may be implemented as a channel running in the wall. As an alternative example, the at least one cavity may be implemented as an indentation that is arranged on an outer surface of the at least one inflatable part, in particular of the wall. The at least one cavity, in particular the indentation, may be located on the textile element contact surface and / or on the production element contact surface. The at least one cavity, in particular the indentation, may be formed in such a way, for example by using a comparatively large amount of material, that the at least one cavity is preserved even in the inflated state. The at least one cavity may be configured for housing at least one support element. By shaping a textile element onto the shaping carrier comprising a cavity on the wall of the at least one inflatable part, a corresponding cavity, for example indentation, may be formed in the apparel part that may be used for example to insert a tracking chip or the like.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one inflatable part may comprise at least one protrusion. The at least one cavity and / or the at least one protrusion may be different from the structured surface. The structured surface may be a continuous and / or a repetitive surface texture of the at least one inflatable part, wherein the at least one cavity and / or the at least one protrusion may be individual feature / s.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the manufacturing device may further comprise at least one, in particular the previously mentioned, support element that is arranged at, in particular in or on, the at least one inflatable part. This means that a precise shape of the at least one inflatable part can be reliably provided in the inflated state. A particularly stable shape for the at least one inflatable part in the inflated state can therefore be provided.

[0081] The at least one support element may be implemented as a wire, a rod, a plate, a rib, or the like. The at least one support element may be arranged in the at least one cavity, on an outer side of the wall or an inner side of the wall. The at least one support element may be detachably arranged at the at least one inflatable part, in particular in the at least one cavity. Additionally or alternatively, the support element may be implemented as a strap- or thread-like element, which may be attached at its ends to opposite positions of the inner side of the wall of the at least one inflatable part.

[0082] The at least one support element may be configured to stabilize a shape of the at least one inflatable part, in particular in the inflated state. The at least one support element may, alternatively or additionally, be configured to predetermine the shape of the at least one inflatable part, in particular in the inflated state. In other words, the at least one support element may have a shaping function for the at least one inflatable part. The at least one support element may be made at least partially from PVC, metal, a fibrous material, a combination thereof, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, in which the shaping carrier is designed as a footwear last, the at least one support element may, for example, represent a heel shape, a sole shape, a dorsum shape, or the like.

[0083] The at least one support element may be integrally formed with the at least one inflatable part. This enables particularly simple manufacturing of the shaping carrier.

[0084] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 12 / 34

[0085] The support element integrally formed with the at least one inflatable part may be implemented as reinforced wall structures, i.e. ribs or the like, of the at least one inflatable part, which are preferably arranged on an inner side of the wall of the at least one inflatable part. The support element may be integrally formed with the at least one inflatable part during 3D printing. It may be envisaged that the support element and the at least one inflatable part are implemented in one piece, wherein, for example, the support element may be implemented as increased wall thickness of the wall of the at least one inflatable part, in particular as a rib implemented in one piece with the wall of the at least one inflatable part or the like.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, the manufacturing device may comprise a closure unit for a leaktight closure of the at least one inflatable part. This allows the inflated state to be maintained particularly easily. Moreover, the shaping carrier, in particular the at least one inflatable part, can be disconnected from the gas supply after the inflated state has been generated, and can thus be handled in a particularly simple and flexible manner.

[0087] The closure unit may comprise at least one valve, for example a check valve, a controllable valve orthe like. The closure unit may be arranged at the shaping carrier. The closure unit may be part of the gas exchange interface. Alternatively, the closure unit may also be implemented and / or arranged separately to the gas exchange interface. The closure unit may be controlled via the handling unit orthe like. It may be envisaged that the closure unit, in particularthe at least one valve, constitutes at least a part of the gas port for deflating and / or inflating the at least one inflatable part.

[0088] The shaping carrier may comprise at least one further inflatable part. The at least one inflatable part and the at least one further inflatable part can mutually support one another to ensure a particularly stable shape of the shaping carrier in the inflated state. Individual elements can be replaced or adapted as required without changing the entire system. Furthermore, the at least one inflatable part and the at least one further inflatable part may have different flexibility properties, for example by being made at least in part of different materials and / or having different wall thicknesses. This allows the shaping carrier to be particularly well adapted to different requirements. In principle, the at least one further inflatable part may be designed analogously to the at least one inflatable part. In a preferred embodiment, wherein the shaping carrier is implemented as a footwear last, the at least one inflatable part may form a rear portion of the footwear last, including, for example, a heel area, and the at least one further inflatable part may form a front portion of the footwear last, including, for example, a toe area.

[0089] The at least one inflatable part and the at least one further inflatable part may be inflatable independently from each other. Thus, the properties of the shaping carrier can be used in a particularly flexible manner and can be precisely adapted to different requirements. Advantageously, the functionality of the shaping carrier can be at least partially maintained if one of the elements fails or leaks.

[0090] The gas exchange interface may comprise at least one gas port for the at least one inflatable part and the at least one further inflatable part respectively for independently inflating the at least one inflatable part and the at least one further inflatable part.

[0091] The manufacturing device may comprise a holding unit for holding at the least one production element at the shaping carrier. Thus, it can be ensured that the textile element is applied onto the shaping carrier while the production element is fixed to the shaping carrier.

[0092] By holding the production element at the shaping carrier, the apparel part may be held at the shaping carrier. The holding unit may configured to interact with at least one corresponding holding element ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 13 / 34

[0093] that may be part of the production element or part of a fixation unit that is attached to the production element to hold the production element at the shaping carrier. It may be envisaged that the holding unit interacts directly with the production element for holding the production element at the shaping carrier, wherein the production element may be implemented without a specific holding element specifically designed to interact with the holding unit.

[0094] The holding unit may be adjustable, i.e. a holding function for holding the production may be enabled, disabled or a holding strength may be adjusted. Preferably, the holding unit may be configured to hold the production element, in particular the at least one apparel element, to the shaping carrier at least while applying the textile element onto the shaping carrier.

[0095] The holding unit may be integrated with the shaping carrier. The holding unit may be detachably or permanently integrated with the shaping carrier. The holding unit may be arranged at least partially on an outer side of the shaping carrier. The holding unit may be arranged on the apparel part contact surface, in particular on the production element contact surface. The holding unit may form at least part of an outer surface of the shaping carrier, for example, at least part of the apparel part contact surface, in particular at least part of the production element contact surface. The holding unit may be arranged at or in the at least one inflatable part. This allows a holding function provided by the holding unit to be released particularly easily, for example when the inflatable part is in the deflated state.

[0096] It may be envisaged that the production element is held at the shaping carrier by a negative pressure, in particular provided by the negative pressure unit. The holding unit may comprise at least one feedthrough for holding the production element at the shaping carrier by the negative pressure. The feedthrough may be arranged on the shaping carrier, in particular on the production element contact surface. The negative pressure at the feedthrough may be provided by a, in particular the previously mentioned, negative pressure unit that may be part of the manufacturing device. The negative pressure unit may be fluidically connected to the feedthrough, for example, via the gas duct unit.

[0097] A negative pressure holding element that is particularly suited for holding the production element at the shaping carrier via negative pressure may be part of the production element or part of the fixation unit that is attached to the production element. The negative pressure holding element may be implemented as a surface and / or made from a material that is particularly suited for holding the production element at the shaping carrier via negative pressure, e.g. a rubber element or the like. The production element may be held directly at the shaping carrier by negative pressure, wherein the production element may be implemented without a negative pressure holding element specifically designed for holding the production element at the shaping carrier.

[0098] The holding unit may comprise a plurality of feedthroughs. The plurality of feedthroughs may be arranged, preferably evenly, on the shaping carrier, in particular on the production element contact surface. The plurality of feedthroughs may also be arranged in specific formations and / or patterns, for example in several spaced-apart islands, each having one or more feedthroughs. The islands may have different shapes, such as circle-shaped, square-shaped, rectangle-shaped, line-shaped, triangle-shaped, ellipticalshaped or the like. The feedthroughs may be distributed over a majority area of the production element contact surface. The feedthroughs may have various shapes, such as circular, rectangular, square, triangular, or the like. The feedthroughs may have different sizes. Alternatively, the feedthroughs may also be identical, at least in terms of size and / or shape.

[0099] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 14 / 34

[0100] The shaping carrier, in particular the holding unit, may comprise at least one gas duct channel connected to the at least one feedthrough. The at least one gas duct channel may be configured to connect the at least one feedthrough fluidically to a gas exchange interface of the manufacturing device, in particular the shaping carrier. The at least one gas duct channel may run inside the shaping carrier, for example in the wall of the at least one inflatable part. The gas exchange interface may be arranged on the shaping carrier, in particular separate to the production element contact surface and / or the textile element contact surface of the shaping carrier. The gas exchange interface may be configured for the supply of negative pressure and / or gas, for example compressed air, to the shaping carrier, in particular to the holding unit and / or to the at least one inflatable part.

[0101] The negative pressure may also be generated by the use of compressed air supplied by a, in particularthe previously mentioned, gas supply of the manufacturing device, for example by use of a venturi nozzle or the like. The at least one feedthrough may be fluidically connected to the gas exchange interface via a suction port of the venturi nozzle. By guiding compressed air through the venturi nozzle, a negative pressure may be generated at the suction port of the venturi nozzle, which may be used to hold the production element at the shaping carrier. The venturi nozzle may be part of the manufacturing device, preferably the holding unit.

[0102] Alternatively or additionally, the holding unit may comprise a magnetic unit for magnetically holding the production element at the shaping carrier. The magnetic unit may comprise one or more magnetic elements. The at least one magnetic element may, for example, be a permanent magnet or at least partially made from a ferri- or preferably ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, or additionally, the magnetic unit may comprise one or more electromagnets, such that a holding function via the magnetic unit may be adjustable, in particular enabled, disabled, and / or adjusted in strength. The magnetic unit may preferably be configured to interact with at least one corresponding magnetic holding element that may be part of the production element or part of the fixation unit attached to the production element. The at least one magnetic holding element may be a permanent magnet or at least partially made from a ferri- or preferably ferromagnetic material.

[0103] The holding unit may comprise at least one magnet element arranged at a bottom side of the shaping carrier, in particular of the inflatable part, for magnetically connecting to the at least one corresponding magnetic holding element arranged at the sole element.

[0104] The holding unit may comprise an electric unit for holding the production element at the shaping carrier via an electric force. The electric unit may comprise at least one electric element. The electric element may be at least partially made from an electrostatically chargeable material, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or the like, implemented as an electrostatic holding surface, for example in the form of electrodes or conductive materials, as an electrostatic coating, as a wire, a graphene polymer composition filament, or the like. The electric element may preferably be arranged on a surface of the shaping carrier, in particular of the at least one inflatable part, for example by printing, by gluing, by mechanically fixing, by chemical vapor deposition, by physical vapor deposition or the like.

[0105] The electric unit may preferably be configured to interact with at least one corresponding electric holding element that may be part of the production element or part of the fixation unit attached to the production element. The at least one electric holding element may be at least partially made from a material that is suitable to be held by an electric force. The electric unit may interact directly with the production ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 15 / 34

[0106] element for holding the production element at the shaping carrier, wherein the production element may be implemented without an electric holding element specifically designed to interact with the electric unit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the production element may be held at the shaping carrier by an electric force, in particular by the electric unit. A holding function via the electric unit may be adjustable, in particular enabled, disabled, and / or adjusted in strength.

[0107] The holding unit may comprise a mechanical fixing unit for mechanically holding the production element at the shaping carrier. The mechanical fixing unit may comprise at least one mechanical fixing element that may be implemented as a pin, as a needle, as a clamping element, as a form-fitting element, as a hook-and-loop surface, or the like. The at least one mechanical fixing element may be implemented as a penetrating element for at least partially penetrating the production element. The mechanical fixing unit is preferably configured to interact with at least one corresponding mechanical holding element that is part of the production element or part of the fixation unit attached to the production element. The at least one mechanical holding element may be implemented to correspond to the at least one mechanical fixing element of the mechanical fixing unit, for example, as a pinnable material, as a corresponding clamping element, in particular as a clamping recess or the like, as a corresponding form-fitting element, or the like. The mechanical fixing unit may interact directly with the production element for holding the production element at the shaping carrier, wherein the production element may be implemented without a mechanical holding element specifically designed to interact with the mechanical fixing unit. The production element may be held mechanically at the shaping carrier, in particular the at least one inflatable part, by the mechanical fixing unit. The mechanical fixing unit may be arranged at the at least one inflatable part.

[0108] According to an embodiment of the invention, the mechanical fixing unit may comprise a holding element. The holding element may enclose at least part of the apparel element, preferably the midsole and the shaping carrier. The holding element may be made from a textile fabric, a silicone or the like. The holding element may comprise at least one fastening element so that the holding element can be attached to and later be detached from the shaping carrier and the apparel element during or after applying the thermoplastic filament onto the shaping carrier. The fastening element may be a hook and loop fastener, a button fastener, a hook fastener or the like. The fastening element may preferably be positioned in an area of the holding element located at the midsole.

[0109] The holding unit may comprise an adhesive unit for adhesively holding the production element at the shaping carrier. The adhesive unit may comprise one or more adhesive elements. The at least one adhesive element may be part of the shaping carrier, in particularthe at least one inflatable part, or may be constructed separately from the shaping carrier, in particularthe at least one inflatable part. The adhesive element may be implemented as an adhesive tape, for example as a double-sided adhesive tape, or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, a holding function may also be provided adhesively by making the production element, in particularthe at least one apparel element, and / or the shaping carrier sticky.

[0110] The adhesive unit is preferably configured to interact with at least one corresponding adhesive holding element that is part of the production element or part of the fixation unit attached to the production element. The at least one adhesive holding element may be implemented as an adhesive tape, for example as a double-sided adhesive tape, or the like. The adhesive unit may interact directly with the production element for holding the production element at the shaping carrier, wherein the production element may be

[0111] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 16 / 34

[0112] implemented without an adhesive holding element specifically designed to interact with the adhesive unit. The production element may be adhesively held at the shaping carrier, in particular by the adhesive unit.

[0113] The, preferably separate, fixation unit may be detachably fixed to the production element, prior to detachably fixing the production element to the shaping carrier using the fixation unit. Advantageously, the fixation unit is removed after the manufacturing of the apparel part. The fixation unit may comprise at least one fixation element, e.g. the at least one mechanical holding element and / or the at least one negative pressure holding element. The at least one fixing element may preferably be implemented corresponding to the holding unit to enable interaction with it for holding purposes.

[0114] The type of attachment between the fixation unit and the production element, in particular the at least one apparel element, may differ from the type of attachment between the fixation unit and the shaping carrier, in particular the holding unit. Alternatively, the types of attachment between the fixation unit and the production element and between the fixation unit and the shaping carrier, in particular the holding unit, may also be the same. Preferably, the fixation unit may be mechanically fixed, for example via one or more pins or needles, or the like, adhesively fixed, for example, via adhesive tape, or via another fixing method that would seem reasonable to a skilled person. The fixation unit is preferably part of the manufacturing device.

[0115] The fixation unit may be detached from the production element, in particular the at least one apparel element, by using a release unit of the fixation unit. The release unit may comprise at least one release element that is attached to the at least one fixation element of the fixation unit. The release element may be, for example, a push element, a slide element, a hook element, a strap or strip element, or the like. The detaching of the fixation unit from the production element may be performed manually or automatically, preferably via the handling unit. By using the release element, the fixation element may be detached from the production element, in particular the at least one apparel element.

[0116] The holding unit may be integrally formed with the at least one inflatable part. This allows the holding unit to be arranged in a particularly space-saving, secure manner, and optimally for providing a holding function.

[0117] The holding unit may be integrally formed with a wall of the at least one inflatable part. It may be envisaged that the holding unit is at least partially embedded in the wall of the at least one inflatable part. The holding unit may be integrally formed with the at least one inflatable part, preferably embedded with the at least one inflatable part, during 3D printing. The at least one inflatable part may for example be made of a material that is electrostatically chargeable to enable a holding function for holding the at least one production element at the shaping carrier.

[0118] The manufacturing device and / or the manufacturing system may comprise the control unit to control the manufacturing method, in particular the textile output unit, the holding unit, the switching unit and / or the handling unit. The control unit may be part of the handling unit or alternatively, is implemented separately to the handling unit. In a preferred embodiment, the holding unit and / or the switching unit may be supplied via the handling unit and / or a supply unit of the manufacturing device with a suitable energy. The handling unit and / or the supply unit may comprise an interface unit for connecting to an operating resource interface of the shaping carrier for energy supply, for example to the gas exchange interface to exchange gas with the shaping carrier, in particular the holding unit, for providing negative pressure and / or gas, for example compressed air. Alternatively, the supply unit may also be part of the holding unit and may be integrated with the shaping carrier, too. The gas supply and / or the negative pressure unit may be part ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 17 / 34

[0119] of the supply unit and / or the handling unit. The supply unit may be integrated with the handling unit. Alternatively, the supply unit may be implemented separately from the handling unit. The gas exchange interface may be part of the operating resource interface. Other operating resources may be electrical energy or the like.

[0120] The manufacturing device and / or the manufacturing system may comprise an input unit for a manual user input to control operating parameters of the manufacturing device and / or the manufacturing system. The input unit may be connected to the control unit for the transmission of control commands, in particular data transmission. The input unit may comprise a touchscreen, a keyboard, a button, a knob, or the like.

[0121] The manufacturing device may and / or the manufacturing system comprise the gas duct unit for connecting the shaping carrier, in particular the feedthrough, to the negative pressure unit and / or the gas supply, preferably via the operating source interface. The gas duct unit may comprise one or more gas ducts, in particular gas pipes and / or gas tubes and / or the like for fluidically connecting the operating source interface, in particular the gas exchange interface, with the negative pressure unit and / or the gas supply. The feedthrough may be fluidically connected to the negative pressure unit and / or the gas supply via the gas duct unit and the at least one gas duct channel.

[0122] For example, the manufacturing system may additionally comprise a printer unit to apply a print onto the apparel part. The manufacturing system may comprise a plasma unit to treat the apparel part, in particular a surface of the textile element and / or the at least one apparel element, for example prior to applying the print via the printer unit. The handling unit may convey the apparel part at least between the textile output unit, the printer unit, a heating chamber, and the plasma unit. The heating chamber may be configured for heating the production element and / or the shaping carrier, preferably prior to the application of the textile element. The holding unit may be heat-resistant, i.e. may be made from heat resistant materials, up to a temperature of 250°C, preferably up to 300°C and particularly preferable up to 350°C.

[0123] The heating chamber may be implemented as an oven, a heating tunnel, and / or the like. The heating chamber may comprise a controller to maintain a certain temperature of the production element and / or the shaping carrier. After heating via the heating chamber, the production element and / or the shaping carrier may be conveyed to a further manufacturing station, preferably the textile output unit. The conveying is preferably carried out by the robotic handler of the handling unit. The robotic handler may be configured to automatically pick up the production element and / or the shaping carrier from the heating chamber and to convey the production element and / or the shaping carrier to the textile output unit.

[0124] The manufacturing system may be implemented as a footwear manufacturing station that enables the preferably automated production of an article of footwear, in particular of a footwear part. The manufacturing device, the handling unit, the supply unit, the printer unit, and / or the plasma unit may be integrated in the footwear manufacturing station. The footwear manufacturing station may comprise a frame unit, in which the manufacturing device, the handling unit, the supply unit, the printer unit, and / orthe plasma unit may be arranged. The manufacturing device, the handling unit, the supply unit, the printer unit, and / or the plasma unit may be connected to the frame unit. The frame unit may be an enclosure.

[0125] The method for manufacturing the apparel part may comprise heating the shaping carrier and / or the production element, for example in the heating chamber and / or a direct heat unit of the manufacturing device for heating via a direct heat input. The heating of the at least one apparel element in the heating ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 18 / 34

[0126] chamber and / or by direct heat input may soften and / or melt the at least one apparel element for connecting the textile element to the at least one apparel element. A direct heat input may be a fluid flow-free, in particular a gas flow-free, heat input. In other words, heat input occurs without the use of fluid flow, particularly without gas flow. For example, the direct heat input may be provided by irradiation and / or thermal conduction. The thermal conduction may comprise thermal conduction by direct contact of a heating element of the direct heat unit with the production element or via intermediate, adjacent additional components, for example of the shaping carrier. The at least one inflatable part may be heat-resistant, in particular with regard to heating in the heating chamber and / or by the direct heat unit, i.e. the at least one inflatable part may be made from heat-resistant materials, up to a temperature of 250°C, up to 300°C, or up to 350°C.

[0127] The method for manufacturing the apparel part may comprise a step of connecting the handling unit to the shaping carrier for conveying the shaping carrier to the textile output unit. The step of connecting the handling unit to the shaping carrier may comprise connecting the handling unit to gas exchange interface.

[0128] The at least one inflatable part may be inflated by a gas supplied by the gas supply.

[0129] During the step of inflating the at least one inflatable part the at least one inflatable part may be heated by inflating with a gas heated above ambient temperature. This means that an optimum temperature can be provided for the surface of the shaping carrier for the application of the thermoplastic filament, or at least provided more quickly. Advantageously, the manufacturing process can be accelerated and improved in a particularly simple way. The gas may have a temperature of at least 80°C, of at least 110°C, or of at least 200°C. The gas may have a maximum temperature of 350°C or of 250°C.

[0130] The production element may be fixed to the shaping carrier by means of the holding unit and may be conveyed to the textile output unit for applying the textile element onto the shaping carrier.

[0131] It may also be envisaged that the method for manufacturing the apparel part may comprise a step in which the at least one inflatable part at least contributes when sealing a, in particular the previously mentioned, mold for producing at least one, in particular the previously mentioned, apparel element, for example the sole element, of the apparel part by arranging the at least one inflatable part in an opening of the mold. Thus, no separate measures, like sealing gaskets, are required for sealing the mold.

[0132] The at least one inflatable part may contribute when sealing the mold by sealing the mold, wherein the mold cavity may be defined by the at least one inflatable part and the mold. Alternatively, the at least one inflatable part may contribute when sealing the mold after the textile element is applied to the shaping carrier, wherein the at least one inflatable part may be arranged in the opening of the mold such that the mold cavity is defined by the mold and by the textile element shaped onto the shaping carrier, in particular the at least one inflatable part, and possibly by the shaping carrier, in particular the at least one inflatable part. It may be envisaged that the at least one inflatable part is at least partially deflated when arranged in the opening of the mold and inflated again after the at least one inflatable part is arranged in the opening of the mold.

[0133] In particular when the mold cavity is defined by the at least one inflatable part and the mold, the at least one holding element configured to interact with the holding unit, may be arranged in the mold cavity before molding and may preferably connected to the holding unit. The at least one holding element may comprise at least one attachment element for an attachment of the at least one holding element to the ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 19 / 34

[0134] apparel element molded in the mold cavity. By molding the apparel element in the mold cavity, the apparel element may be, preferably detachably, fixed to the at least one holding element, in particular via the at least one attachment element. The attachment element may be implemented as a pin, a needle, or the like.

[0135] The textile element may be shaped on the shaping carrier by applying a thermoplastic filament onto the shaping carrier to form a plurality of path segments, in particular loops, on the shaping carrier along the application path. This allows for a process that enables the production of a textile element in a very short time. In this way, production costs can particularly be saved. In this context, reference is made to WO 2022 / 069583 A1 , in which the application of a helical filament of a molten polymer composition onto a shaping carrier to form an upper of a footwear article is described. At least part of the textile element may be applied onto the at least one apparel element to form a plurality of path segments, in particular loops, along the application path, and connecting the textile element to the at least one apparel element.

[0136] It may be envisaged that an inflation state of the at least one inflatable part is changed during the step of shaping the textile element on the shaping carrier. This allows the properties of the textile element to be influenced and adapted to different requirements. For example, pre-tensioning can be realized in the textile element.

[0137] The inflation state may denote a strength of the inflation of the at least one inflatable part. The degree of inflation may, for example, be increased and / or decreased while shaping the textile element on the shaping carrier.

[0138] The method for manufacturing the apparel part may further comprise a step of detaching the apparel part from the shaping carrier by at least partially deflating the at least one inflatable part. Thereby, the apparel part can be provided for further processing, shipping and / or sale.

[0139] The apparel part may be, for example automatically, detached after the textile element is shaped on the shaping carrier and / or a print is applied and / or the apparel part is treated via the plasma unit. The step of detaching the apparel part from the shaping carrier may comprise releasing the apparel part from the shaping carrier. The apparel part, in particular the production element, may still be connected to the shaping carrier after being released from the shaping carrier at least by means of the applied textile element. Releasing the apparel part from the shaping carrier may correspond to switching off a holding function of the holding unit and / or deflating the at least one inflatable part.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment, the method for manufacturing the apparel part may comprise a step of, preferably automatically, removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier. Preferably, the apparel part is released from the shaping carrier before or simultaneously to removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier. Removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier may correspond to separating the apparel part from the shaping carrier. “Automatically detaching” may correspond to automatically releasing the apparel part from the shaping carrier and / or automatically removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier. The apparel part may be robotically removed from the shaping carrier. The apparel part may be robotically removed from the shaping carrier by means of the handling unit, in particular the robotic handler. The manufacturing system and / orthe manufacturing device may comprise a pull-off device, for example a hook, a clamp, a mount for holding the apparel part, or the like. The apparel part may be conveyed to the pull-off device, preferably by the handling unit, for removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier. For example, the apparel part may be connected to the pull-off device in such a way that the apparel part may be released from the shaping carrier by a robotically generated relative movement of the apparel part with respect to ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 20 / 34

[0141] the pull-off device. The relative movement between the apparel part and the pull-off device to remove the apparel part from the shaping carrier may be generated by a movement of the shaping carrier and / or the pull-off device.

[0142] The devices and methods disclosed herein are not intended to be limited to the applications and embodiments described above. In particular, these may include a number of individual elements, components, units, and process steps that deviates from the number specified herein to achieve the functionality described. Furthermore, values within the specified ranges in this disclosure are considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily, even if they fall within the stated limits.

[0143] It is specifically noted that all features and characteristics described with respect to a device, as well as methods, are also applicable to methods in an analogous manner and can be used as method steps within the scope of the invention, and are considered disclosed as such. Likewise, method steps disclosed within the context of the present invention are to be regarded as device features that can be incorporated into a device. This means that structural, device-related features mentioned with respect to methods can also be taken into account, claimed, and counted as part of the disclosure within the context of the device claims.

[0144] The present invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures, the description, and the claims include numerous features in combination. The skilled person will appropriately consider the features individually and use them in a sensible combination within the scope of the claims.

[0145] If more than one instance of any of the components described below is present, only one of them may be assigned a reference numeral in the figures and description. The description of this instance can be correspondingly applied to the other instances of the component. If objects are specifically named using ordinal numbers, such as first, second, third object, etc., these serve for naming and / or assigning objects. Therefore, for example, a first object and a third object but not a second object may be included. However, based on the numerals, the number and / or order of the objects could additionally be inferred.

[0146] Brief description of the drawings

[0147] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

[0148] Fig. 1 contains a schematic representation of a manufacturing system for manufacturing an apparel part, in particular a footwear part, comprising a manufacturing device.

[0149] Fig. 2 shows the footwear part manufactured using the manufacturing system in a perspective view.

[0150] Fig. 3 contains a cross-sectional side view of the manufacturing device in a side view.

[0151] Fig. 4 contains a schematic representation of a shaping carrier of the manufacturing device with a sole element attached.

[0152] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a handling unit of the manufacturing system in interaction with a pull-off device.

[0153] Fig. 6 depicts a schematic sequence of a method for manufacturing the footwear part.

[0154] Fig. 7 depicts a schematic sequence of a method for manufacturing the shaping carrier.

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[0156] Fig. 8 shows a shaping carrier of a manufacturing device of a second embodiment in a schematic side view.

[0157] Fig. 9 shows a section of a surface of the shaping carrier of Fig. 8 in a cross-sectional view. Fig. 10 depicts a shaping carrier of a manufacturing device of a third embodiment in a schematic side view.

[0158] Fig. 11 shows a top view of a shaping carrier and a sole element in a fourth alternative embodiment.

[0159] Fig. 12 shows a bottom view of the shaping carrier and the sole element in the fourth alternative embodiment.

[0160] Fig. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of a shaping carrier in a fifth alternative embodiment. Fig.14 shows a side view of a shaping carrier in a sixth alternative embodiment.

[0161] Fig.15 shows a side view of a shaping carrier in a seventh alternative embodiment.

[0162] Fig.16 shows an isometric view of a shaping carrier in an eight alternative embodiment.

[0163] Fig. 17 shows cross-sectional views of the shaping carrier in the eight alternative embodiment. Fig. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of an inflatable part in a ninth alternative embodiment.

[0164] Detailed Description

[0165] Fig. 1 shows a schematic overview of a manufacturing system 12a comprising a manufacturing device 10a for manufacturing a footwear part 14a.

[0166] The manufactured footwear part 14a is depicted schematically in Fig. 2. The footwear part 14a is part of an article of footwear, in particular a running shoe. The footwear part 14a comprises a textile upper element 16a and a sole element 18a. The sole element 18a is part of a sole unit of the article of footwear. The sole element 18a is a midsole. The article of footwear, in particular the sole unit, comprises an outsole that is attached to the sole element 18a (not shown here). Alternatively, the manufacturing device 10a can also be configured for manufacturing an apparel part different from a footwear part, having a textile element and / or an apparel element, for example a backpack.

[0167] The textile upper element 16a forms an upper of the footwear part 14a. The textile upper element 16a is a textile made from a polymer composition. The textile upper element 16a is formed by a thermoplastic filament. The filament forming the textile upper element 16a consists of a plurality of path segments in the form of intersecting loops (not shown here). Alternatively, the upper can comprise one or more additional upper elements, for example a further textile element, a leather element, a rubber element, a synthetic leather element, a plastic element, a feather element, a foam element, a metal element, or the like, connected to the textile upper element 16a.

[0168] The manufacturing device 10a comprises a shaping carrier 20a for shaping the textile upper element 16a thereon. The shaping carrier20a is embodied as a footwear last. By applying the textile upper element 16a onto a textile element contact surface 26a of the shaping carrier 20a a shape of the textile upper element 16a can be defined (cf. Fig. 1).

[0169] The manufacturing device 10a comprises a textile output unit 62a to apply the textile upper element 16a onto the shaping carrier 20a. The textile output unit 62a is configured for applying at least part of the textile upper element 16a onto the sole element 18a and for connecting the textile upper element 16a to the sole element 18.

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[0171] The textile output unit 62a provides a filament F for applying onto the shaping carrier 20a to form the intersecting loops of the textile upper element 16a. The textile output unit 62a comprises a dosing unit 78a, a melting unit 64a and a nozzle unit 76a.

[0172] The melting unit 64a is configured to melt a polymer composition, which is then used to manufacture the textile upper element 16a. The melting unit 64a comprises an extruder having a barrel 66a and a screw 68a. The screw 68a is arranged in the barrel 66a. For melting the polymer composition, the melting unit 64a comprises an output material heating unit (not shown).

[0173] The nozzle unit 76a is configured to dispense the molten polymer composition. The dosing unit 78a comprises a pump 72a, a pump drive 74a to drive the pump 72a and a dosing head 70a. The pump 72a generates pressure for dispensing the molten polymer composition as the filament F through the nozzle unit 76a. The pump 72a is configured to control, in particular fine tune, the output pressure of the molten polymer composition through the nozzle unit 76a. The nozzle unit 76a comprises a plurality of gas outlet openings (not shown here), through which a flow of gas, in particular compressed air, is output. The flow of gas output by the gas outlet openings is used to influence the filament emerging from the nozzle unit 76a to form a helical shaped filament F.

[0174] The textile output unit 62a and the method of forming the helical shaped filament F is disclosed in more detail in WO 2022 / 069583 A1.

[0175] The polymer composition is a thermoplastic polyurethane, such as Desmopan® 2790A or Desmopan® 9392A (Covestro). The sole element 18a may be made from PEBAX® (Arkema).

[0176] The manufacturing device 10a comprises a handling unit Rto control an application path P of the filament F onto the shaping carrier 20a (in Fig. 1 only part of the application path P is depicted as an example). The handling unit R is configured to generate a relative movement of the shaping carrier 20a and the textile output unit 62a, in particular the nozzle unit 76a. The handling unit R is detachably connectable to the shaping carrier 20a to create the relative movement during the application of the filament F onto the shaping carrier 20a to form the textile upper element 16a. The handling unit R is also configured to move the shaping carrier 20a during the manufacturing process between different manufacturing stations of the manufacturing system 12a. The textile output unit 62a is one such manufacturing station. The handling unit R is implemented as a robotic handler.

[0177] Fig. 4 shows the shaping carrier 20a and a holding unit 34a comprising a magnetic unit 28a for magnetically holding a production element 24a at the shaping carrier 20a. The holding unit 34a is part of the manufacturing device 10a. The magnetic unit 28a is permanently integrated with the shaping carrier 20a. The production element 24a corresponds to the sole element 18a. Alternatively, the production element 24a may be an element used during manufacturing of the apparel part but is not part of the finished apparel part.

[0178] The magnetic unit 28a comprises two magnetic elements 30a, implemented as permanent magnets. The magnetic unit 28a is configured to interact with two corresponding magnetic holding elements 32a. The two magnetic holding elements 32a are detachably fixed to the production element 24a.

[0179] The magnetic unit 32a is configured to hold the production element 24a at a production element contact surface 36a of the shaping carrier 20a. The production element contact surface 36a refers to a surface of the shaping carrier 20a on which the production element 24a, in particular the sole element 18a, rests when held at the shaping carrier 20a.

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[0181] The manufacturing device 10a comprises a heating chamber 58a. The heating chamber 58a is one of the previously mentioned manufacturing stations of the manufacturing system 12a. A printer unit to apply a print to the footwear part 14a and / or a plasma unit to treat the footwear part 14a are possible further manufacturing stations of the manufacturing system (not shown here). The heating chamber 58a is configured to heat the shaping carrier 20a and the production element 24a prior to application of at least the part of the textile upper element 16a onto the production element 24a. According to an embodiment, the heating chamber 58a comprises a controller. The controller is configured to maintain a certain temperature of the shaping carrier 20a and / or the production element 24a in the heating chamber 58a. The robot of the handling unit R is configured to automatically pick up the shaping carrier 20a and / or the production element 24a from the heating chamber 58a and to move the shaping carrier 20a and / or the production element 24a during the manufacturing process between different manufacturing stations of the manufacturing system 12, preferably the textile output unit 62a.

[0182] The manufacturing device 10a comprises a direct heat unit 100a for heating the production element 24a prior and / or while applying the textile upper element 16a onto the shaping carrier 20a by a direct heat input. This allows the production element 24a to be heated both in the heating chamber 58a and by the direct heat unit 100a. For example, the production element 24a can first be heated in the heating chamber 58a and then specifically with the direct heat unit 100a. The manufacturing device 10a may also be implemented solely with the heating chamber 58a or the direct heat unit 100a.

[0183] The heating of the production element 24a in the heating chamber 58a and / or by direct heat input may soften and / or melt the production element 24a for connecting the textile upper element 16a to the production element 24a when the textile upper element 16a is applied onto the shaping carrier 20a. The direct heat input is provided by irradiation, in particular at least partially electromagnetic radiation. Thus, the direct heat unit 100a comprises an irradiation unit. The irradiation unit comprises a laser unit to provide laser light. Alternatively, or additionally, the electromagnetic radiation may comprise microwave radiation. Additionally or alternatively, the irradiation unit may also comprise an acoustic unit for providing acoustic radiation for heating the production element 24a, in particular by ultrasound.

[0184] The shaping carrier 20a comprises an inflatable part 42a. The inflatable part 42a can assume an inflated state and a deflated state. The inflatable part 42a is part of a switching unit 92a. The switching unit 92a is part of the manufacturing device 10a. The shaping carrier 20a is switchable between a release mode and a standard mode, preferably by the switching unit 92a, in particular by switching between the deflated state and the inflated state of the inflatable part 42a. The inflated state corresponds to the standard mode and the deflated state of the inflatable part 42a corresponds to the release mode. The release mode is configured for detaching, in particular removing, the footwear part 14a from the shaping carrier 20a.

[0185] Switching the shaping carrier 20a into the release mode corresponds to changing a property of the shaping carrier 20a in such a way that the removal of the footwear part 14a from the shaping carrier 20a is supported. Switching the shaping carrier 20a into the release mode is performed before or simultaneously to removing the footwear part 14a from the shaping carrier 20a. By switching the shaping carrier 20a into the release mode, the footwear part 14a is released from the shaping carrier 20a. The standard mode corresponds to a state of the shaping carrier 20a that is configured forthe application of the textile element thereon. The switching unit 92a is actuatable by means of the handling unit R, in particular the robotic handler.

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[0187] Switching the shaping carrier 20a into the release mode comprises changing at least one outer dimension of the inflatable part 42a. Switching the shaping carrier 20a into the release mode comprises changing, in particular reducing, a length, a width and a height of the inflatable part 42a. The switching unit 92a is configured to deflate the inflatable part 42a when the shaping carrier 20a is switched into the release mode. The switching unit 92a is configured to inflate the inflatable part 42a when the shaping carrier 20a is switched from the release mode into the standard mode.

[0188] The inflatable part 42a comprises an apparel part contact surface, in particular the textile element contact surface 26a and the production element contact surface 36a of the shaping carrier 20a.

[0189] The inflatable part 42a is fluidically connected to a gas exchange interface 94a of the manufacturing device 10a, in particular the shaping carrier 20a to deflate and / or inflate the inflatable part 42a. The inflatable part 42a is directly fluidically connected to the gas exchange interface 94a.

[0190] The inflatable part 42a is connected to a gas supply 98a of the manufacturing device 10a for inflating the inflatable part 42a. The gas supply 98a is implemented separately to the shaping carrier 20a. The gas supply 98a is fluidically connected to the gas exchange interface 94a via a gas duct unit 102a of the manufacturing device 10a. The gas supply 98a and the gas duct unit 102a are depicted schematically. The gas supply 98a comprises a compressor or the like. The gas duct unit 102a comprises a gas pipe 104a for fluidically connecting the gas supply 98a to the shaping carrier 20a, in particular to the inflatable part 42a via the gas exchange interface 94a.

[0191] The switching unit 92a comprises a closeable gas port 96a that may be opened for deflating the at least one inflatable part 42a. The closeable gas port 96a is be part of the gas exchange interface 94a. The closeable gas port 96a is also used to inflate the at least one inflatable part 42a.

[0192] The inflatable part 42a, the gas exchange interface 94a and the gas supply 98a are part of the switching unit 92a.

[0193] The inflatable part 42a substantially forms the shaping carrier 20a. Except for the gas exchange interface 94a, the inflatable part 42a forms the shaping carrier 20a. The inflatable part 42a is 3D-printed. The inflatable part 42a is made from silicone.

[0194] Fig. 4 shows that the inflatable part 42a comprises sections 78a, 80a with different flexibility. The inflatable part 42a comprises sections 78a, 80a with different wall thicknesses. The inflatable part 42a comprises three sections 78a having a first wall thickness and three sections 80a each having a second wall thickness. The second wall thickness is greater than the first wall thickness. The sections 78a with the first wall thickness and the sections 80a with the second wall thickness are alternately arranged.

[0195] The manufacturing device 10a comprises a three support elements 88a that are arranged at the inflatable part 42a. The support elements 88a are constituted by the three sections 80a each having the second wall thickness. The support elements 88a are integrally formed with the inflatable part 42a, in particular with a wall 124a of the inflatable part 42a. The support elements 88a and the inflatable part 42a are formed in one piece. Alternatively or additionally, the support elements 88a may may be implemented as strap- or thread-like elements, which are attached at their ends to opposite positions of an inner side of the wall 124a of the inflatable part 42a.

[0196] The manufacturing device 10a comprises a closure unit 90a for a leaktight closure of the at least one inflatable part 42a. The closure unit 90a comprises a controllable valve 106a for a selectively leaktight closure of the inflatable part 42a. The valve 106a can be actuated by the handling unit R. The closure unit ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 25 / 34

[0197] 90a, in particular the controllable valve 106, is configured for selectively opening and closing the gas port 96a.

[0198] Fig. 6 shows a schematic sequence of a method for manufacturing the footwear part 14a having the textile upper element 16a and the production element 18a.

[0199] In a step, in particular in a heating step 56a, the production element 24a is heated in the heating chamber 58a. Also, the shaping carrier 20a is heated in the heating chamber 58a.

[0200] In a step, in particular in a handling step 110a, the handling unit R connects to the shaping carrier 20a, for conveying the shaping carrier 20a to the textile output unit 62a. The handling unit R is connected to the gas exchange interface 94a. The gas exchange interface 94a and the inflatable part 94a are connected to the gas supply 98a via the handling unit R. The handling unit R comprises the gas duct unit 102a.

[0201] In a step, in particular in an inflation step 108a, the inflatable part 42a is inflated by a gas supplied by the gas supply 98a. The inflatable part 42a is heated during the inflation step 108a by inflating the inflatable part 42a with a gas heated above ambient temperature.

[0202] In a step, in particular in a molding step 48a, the inflatable part 42a contributes when sealing a mold 128a of the manufacturing device 10a for producing the production element 24a by arranging the inflatable part 42a in an opening of the mold 128a (cf. Fig. 3). The inflatable part 42a contributes when sealing the mold 128a by sealing the mold 128a. A mold cavity 130a may be defined by the at least one inflatable part 42a and the mold 128a. The production element 24a is produced by foaming the mold cavity 130a sealed by the inflatable part 42a.

[0203] The magnetic holding elements 32a are arranged in the mold cavity 130a before molding and are connected to the holding unit 34a. The magnetic holding elements 32a each comprise an attachment element 132a for an attachment of the magnetic holding elements 32a to the production element 24a molded in the mold cavity 130a. By molding the production element 24a in the mold cavity 130a, the production element 24a is detachably fixed to the magnetic holding elements 32a via the attachment elements 132a. The attachment elements 132a are implemented as pins. Alternatively, the production element 24a is produced previously and is detachably fixed to the shaping carrier 20a via the magnetic unit 28a. The production element 24a is magnetically held at the shaping carrier 20a by means of the magnetic unit 28a. The magnetic unit 28a is heat-resistant, i.e. may be made from heat-resistant materials, up to a temperature of at least 350°C.

[0204] In a step, in particular in a conveying step 112a, the shaping carrier 20a together with the affixed production element 24a is conveyed to the textile output unit 62a, and in particular held in front of the nozzle unit 76a, in particular via the handling unit R that was previously connected to the shaping carrier 20a. The inflated state of the inflatable part 42a is maintained by the closure unit 90a.

[0205] In a step, in particular in a further heating step 60a, the production element 24a is heated by direct heat input, in particular via the direct heat unit 100a. The direct heat unit 100a heats an upper edge area of the production element 24a, onto which the textile upper element 16a is then applied for connection. By heating the upper edge area of the production element 24a, the production element 24a is intended to be softened and / or melted for bonding with the textile upper element 16a. The handling unit R moves the shaping carrier 20a and thus, the production element 24a relative to the direct heat unit 100a in such a way that the upper edge area of the production element 24a is heated.

[0206] ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 26 / 34

[0207] In a step, in particular in a shaping step 44a, the textile upper element 16a is shaped on the shaping carrier 20a. In a step, in particular in a connecting step 50a, the textile upper element 16a is connected to the production element 24a. Connecting the textile upper element 16a to the production element 24a is performed while shaping the textile upper element 16a. For this purpose, the filament F is applied also onto the production element 24a, in particular onto the upper edge area of the production element 24a, for connecting the textile upper element 16a to the production element 24a. The textile upper element 16a is shaped on the shaping carrier 20a by applying a thermoplastic filament F onto the shaping carrier 20a to form a plurality of path segments, in particular intersecting loops, on the shaping carrier 20a along the application path P.

[0208] During shaping the textile upper element 16a onto the shaping carrier 20a an inflation state of the inflatable part 42a is increased and / or decreased once or multiple times to realize different properties, for example pre-tensioned areas, for the textile upper element 16a. Alternatively, it may be envisaged that the inflation state is unchanged during shaping the textile upper element 16a onto the shaping carrier 20a.

[0209] In a step, in particular a print step 114a, a print is applied to the footwear part 14a and the footwear part 14a is treated via a plasma unit (not shown here).

[0210] In a step, in particular a detaching step 46a, the apparel part, in particular the footwear part 14a, is automatically detached from the shaping carrier 20a. The apparel part is automatically detached after the textile upper element 16a is shaped on the shaping carrier 20a and / or a print is applied and / or the apparel part is treated via the plasma unit. The detaching step 46a comprises releasing the apparel part from the shaping carrier 20a.

[0211] Detaching the footwear part from the shaping carrier comprises deflating the inflatable part 42a by opening the gas port 96a.

[0212] In a step, in particular the detaching step 46a, the apparel part is automatically removed from the shaping carrier 20a. The apparel part is released from the shaping carrier 20a before or simultaneously to removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier 20a. Removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier 20a corresponds to separating the apparel part from the shaping carrier 20a. The apparel part is robotically removed from the shaping carrier 20a. The apparel part may be robotically removed from the shaping carrier 20a by means of the robotic handler.

[0213] The manufacturing system 12a, in particular the manufacturing device 10a comprises a detachment device 38a for removing the apparel part from the shaping carrier 20a. The handling unit R and the switching unit 92a are part of the detachment device 38a. The detachment device 38a comprises a pull-off device 40a. Fig. 5 shows the handling unit R connected to the shaping carrier 20a, wherein the footwear part 14a arranged on the shaping carrier 20a, and the pull-off device 40a. The pull-off device 40a is implemented as a mount for holding the footwear part 14a. The footwear part 14a is conveyed to the pull-off device 40a by the handling unit R for removing the footwear part 14a from the shaping carrier 20a. The footwear part 14a is connected to the pull-off device 40a in such a way that the footwear part 14a is removed from the shaping carrier 20a by a robotically generated relative movement of the footwear part 14a to the pull-off device 40a. The relative movement between the footwear part 14a and the pull-off device 40a to remove the footwear part 14a from the shaping carrier 20a is generated by a movement of the shaping carrier 20a via the handling unit R.

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[0215] In a process step 116a, the footwear part 14a is put into a sales box 52a after the step of removing the footwear part 14a from the shaping carrier 20a. The sales box 52a is arranged relatively to the pull-off device 40a in such a way that the footwear part 14a falls into the sales box 52a automatically after separating the shaping carrier 20a from the footwear part 14a.

[0216] Fig. 7 shows a schematic sequence of a method for manufacturing the manufacturing device 10a, in particular the shaping carrier 20a.

[0217] In a step, in particular in a 3D-printing step 118a, the inflatable part 42a is 3D-printed. The material used to producing the inflatable part 42a is silicone. The magnetic unit 28a, in particular the magnetic elements 30a, are integrated into the inflatable part 42a, in particular into a sole area of the inflatable part 42a, during the 3D-printing step 118a. The 3D-printing is performed in a suspension gel. The suspension gel is configured for holding the inflatable part 42a to be printed. The method for 3D-printing is analogous to the method described in US 10,953,605 B2.

[0218] In a step of manufacturing the shaping carrier 20a, in particular in an attaching step 120a, the gas exchange interface 94a is attached to the inflatable part 42a. The gas exchange interface 94a is attached to the inflatable part 42a for example by gluing, clamping a combination thereof or the like. It may also be envisaged that the gas exchange interface 94a is attached to the inflatable part 42a during the 3D-printing step 118a.

[0219] Fig. 8 to Fig. 10 show further embodiments of the invention. The following descriptions and drawings are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, whereby reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and / or description of the other embodiments, in particular to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7, with regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference signs. To differentiate between the embodiments, the letter “a” is placed after the reference signs of the embodiment of Fig. 1 to Fig. 7. In the embodiments of Fig. 8 to Fig. 10, the letter “a” is replaced by the letters “b” and “c”.

[0220] Fig. 8 shows a shaping carrier 20b of a manufacturing device 10b that is implemented as a footwear last. The shaping carrier comprises an inflatable part 42b and a further inflatable part 54b. The further inflatable part 54b is designed analogously to the inflatable part 42b, wherein the inflatable part 42b and the further inflatable part 54b differ in that the further inflatable part 54b forms a rear portion of the footwear last including a heel area and the inflatable part 42b forms a front portion of the footwear last, including a toe area.

[0221] The inflatable part 42b and the further inflatable part 54b are inflatable independently from each other. A gas exchange interface 94b of the manufacturing device 10b comprises separate gas ports (not shown here) for the inflatable part 42b and the further inflatable part 54b for gas supply.

[0222] The inflatable part 42b comprises part of a surface area 82b that is structured. Figure 9 shows a section 84b of the surface area 82b of the inflatable part 42b. The structure of the surface area 82b is a grooved structure. Alternatively the structure of the surface area 82b may be a honeycomb structure, a knobbed structure, a scale-like structure, a mesh structure, a combination thereof or the like. The surface area 82b corresponds to a textile element contact surface 26b. The surface area 82b, in particularthe textile element contact surface 26b, also extends over the further inflatable part 54b.

[0223] Fig. 10 shows a shaping carrier 20c of a manufacturing device 10c. The shaping carrier 20c comprises an inflatable part 42c. The inflatable part 42c comprises a cavity 86c. The cavity 86c is arranged ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 28 / 34

[0224] on a wall 124c of the inflatable part 42c. The cavity 86c is arranged on an outer surface of the inflatable part 42c.

[0225] The wall 124c encloses an inflation chamber 126c of the inflatable part 42c into which gas is introduced to inflate the inflatable part 42c. The cavity 86c is implemented separately from the inflation chamber 126c.

[0226] The cavity 86c is formed in such a way, in particular by using a comparatively large amount of material, that the cavity 86c is preserved even in the inflated state of the inflatable part 42c. The cavity 86c is an indentation. By shaping a textile upper element onto the shaping carrier 20c, an indentation can be formed in the apparel part that may be used for example to insert a tracking chip or the like.

[0227] The inflatable part 42c comprises one further cavity 122c that is arranged in the wall 124c. The further cavity 122c is arranged in a bottom part of the wall 124c. The further cavity 122c is implemented as a channel running in the wall 124c. The further cavity 122c is configured for housing a support element (not shown here). The support element is a metal rod. Alternatively, the support element may be a wire, a plate, a rib, or the like. Alternatively, the support element may be made at least partially PVC, metal, a fibrous material, a combination thereof, or the like. The support element is detachably arranged in the further cavity 122c. The support element is configured to stabilize a shape of the inflatable part 42c in the inflated state. The support element is configured to predetermine the shape of the inflatable part 42c in the inflated state.

[0228] To differentiate between the embodiments, in the embodiments of Fig. 11 to Fig. 18, the numbers “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, “10” and “11” are added in front of the reference sign.

[0229] Fig.11 and Fig.12 show a further embodiment, in which a sole unit, preferably a midsole 600 is detachably held at a shaping carrier 602 by a holding element 604. The holding element 604 encloses part of the midsole 600 and part of the shaping carrier 602. In this embodiment the holding element 604 is made from a textile fabric. The holding element 604 extends along parts of different sections of the shaping carrier 602. The holding element 604 extends along parts of a toe section, a middle foot section and an ankle section of the shaping carrier 602.

[0230] The midsole 600 comprises retaining paths 606, which are essentially designed as recesses. The holding element 604 extends from the shaping carrier602 along the retaining paths 606 of the midsole 600. The retaining paths 606 are configured to keep the holding element 604 in position and prevent the holding element 604 from slipping off the midsole 600 and / or the shaping carrier 602.

[0231] The holding element 604 further comprises two fastening elements 608 for attaching the holding element 604 to and detaching the holding element 604 from the shaping carrier 602 or the midsole 600. In this embodiment, the fastening elements 608 are hook and loop fasteners. The fastening elements 608 are positioned on the side of the holding element 604 that is located at the midsole 600.

[0232] Fig. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a shaping carrier 700. The shaping carrier 700 comprises a base body 702 and one movable part 704 that is movably arranged at the base body 702. According to this embodiment, the movable part 704 is designed as a heel section 706 of the shaping carrier 700. The heel section 706 is linearly movable relative to the base body 702. The pose of the heel section 706 corresponds to a position of the heel section 706, in particular relative to the base body 702. Alternatively or additionally, the pose may comprise an orientation of the heel section 706, preferably relative to the base body 702.

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[0234] The heel section 706 is movable by means of an actuator 708. The actuator 708 is detachably fixable to the heel section 706 for changing the pose, in particular the position, of the heel section 706. In Fig. 13, the actuator 708 is detachably fixed to the heel section 706 and may be pushed and / or rotated to move the heel section 706 relative to the base body 702, in particular parallel to a longitudinal axis of the actuator 708. The base body 702 comprises a channel 710 that is assigned to the heel section 706 respectively.

[0235] Alternatively or additionally, it may be envisaged that the shaping carrier 700 comprises a drive 712, for example at least one electric servo motor or the like, to change the pose of the heel section 706, in particular relative to the base body 702. The drive 712 is embedded in the base body 702 of the shaping carrier 700.

[0236] The shaping carrier 700 comprises an enclosure skin 714. The enclosure skin 714 forms an outer surface of the shaping carrier 700. The enclosure skin 714 is implemented separately from the heel section 706 and the base body 702. The enclosure skin 714 is implemented as a flexible wrapping layer. The enclosure skin 714 encloses the heel section 706 and the base body 702. The enclosure skin 714 is configured to stretch and / or contract, depending on the pose of the heel section 706, in particular relative to the base body 702. The enclosure skin 714 is configured to bridge gaps of the shaping carrier 700 that may be generated by moving the heel section 706, in particular to avoid gaps at the outer surface of the shaping carrier 700. The enclosure skin 714 is removed for adjusting the pose of the heel section 706 and subsequently reattached.

[0237] The pose of the movable part 704 is determined by a sensor unit (not shown here) of a manufacturing system for manufacturing a footwear part. The sensor unit comprises an optical sensor, such as a camera or image sensor, or the like, for sensing the pose of the movable part 704.

[0238] Fig.14 shows a shaping carrier 800 comprising a plurality of inflatable parts 802. The inflatable parts 802 comprise an apparel part contact surface 804. The inflatable parts

[0239] 802 are fluidically connected to a gas exchange interface (not shown here) of the shaping carrier 800 to deflate and / or inflate the inflatable parts 802. The inflatable parts 802 can be inflated and / or deflated simultaneously and / or independently of each other.

[0240] The inflatable parts 802 are connected to a gas supply (not shown here) of a manufacturing system for inflating the inflatable parts 802. The gas supply is fluidically connected to the gas exchange interface via a gas duct unit (not shown here) of the manufacturing system.

[0241] The inflatable parts 802 are arranged onto a middle foot section of the shaping carrier 800. The inflatable parts 802 are arranged in an area on the shaping carrier 800 that is opposite to the area the sole unit is arranged on the shaping carrier 800. The inflatable parts 802 are essentially designed as cushion elements and come in different geometric shapes. The first inflatable part 806 has a circular geometry. The other two inflatable parts 808 have curved geometries, each extending around half of the circle of the first inflatable part 806.

[0242] An outer skin 810 is attached to the shaping carrier 800 and the inflatable parts 802. The outer skin 810 forms the apparel part contact surface 804 of the shaping carrier 800. The outer skin 810 is implemented separately from the inflatable parts 802 and the shaping carrier 800. The outer skin 810 encloses the inflatable parts 802 and the shaping carrier 800. The outer skin 810 is configured to stretch and / or contract, depending on the inflation state of the inflatable parts 802, in particular relative to the ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 30 / 34

[0243] shaping carrier 800. The outer skin 810 is configured to bridge gaps of the shaping carrier 800 that may be generated by inflating the inflatable parts 802, in particular to avoid gaps at the apparel part contact surface 804 of the shaping carrier 800.

[0244] The inflatable parts 802 and the outer skin 810 are 3D-printed. The inflatable parts 802 and the outer skin 810 are made from silicone.

[0245] Fig.15 shows a further embodiment of a shaping carrier 900 comprising an inflatable part 902. The inflatable part 902 comprises an apparel part contact surface 904. The inflatable part 902 is arranged onto a middle foot section of the shaping carrier 900. The inflatable part 902 is arranged in an area on the shaping carrier 900 that is opposite to the area the sole unit is arranged on the shaping carrier 900. The inflatable part 902 is essentially designed as a cushion element. An outer skin 906 is attached to the shaping carrier 900 and the inflatable part 902. The outer skin 906 forms the apparel part contact surface 904 of the shaping carrier 900.

[0246] The shaping carrier 900 comprises a recess area 908 configured to accommodate the inflatable 902 part. The depth of the recess area 908 into the shaping carrier 900 is configured in such a way that the inflatable part 902 protrudes from the recess area 908 in an inflated state of the inflatable part 902.

[0247] The inflatable part 902 is arranged on the shaping carrier 900 in such a way that, when inflated, it expands the outer skin 906 of the shaping carrier 900 especially in the direction of the height H of the shaping carrier 900. The inflatable part 902 is designed to provide the outer skin 906 of the shaping carrier 900 in an inflated state with at least a partially rounded area 910 in the height direction H of the shaping carrier 900.

[0248] The inflatable part 902 and the outer skin 906 are 3D-printed. The inflatable part 902 and the outer skin 906 are made from silicone.

[0249] Fig.16 and Fig. 17 show a further embodiment of a shaping carrier 1000 comprising two inflatable parts 1002. The inflatable parts 1002 comprise an apparel part contact surface 1004. The inflatable parts 1002 are arranged onto a middle foot section of the shaping carrier 1000. The inflatable parts 1002 are arranged in an area on the shaping carrier 1000 that is opposite to the area the sole unit is arranged on the shaping carrier 1000. The inflatable parts 1002 are essentially designed as cushion elements. An outer skin 1006 is attached to the shaping carrier 1000 and the inflatable parts 1002. The outer skin 1006 forms the apparel part contact surface 1004 of the shaping carrier 1000.

[0250] The shaping carrier 1000 comprises two recess areas 1008 configured to accommodate the inflatable parts 1002. The depth of the recess areas 1008 into the shaping carrier 1000 are configured in such a way that the inflatable parts 1002 protrude from the recess areas 1008 in an inflated state of the inflatable parts 1002.

[0251] The inflatable parts 1002 are arranged on the shaping carrier 1000 in such a way that, when inflated, it expands the outer skin 1006 of the shaping carrier 1000 especially in the direction of the width W of the shaping carrier 1000. Fig.17 shows different sectional views of the expansion in the direction of the width W of the outer skin 1006 in relation to the direction of the length L of the shaping carrier 1000. The inflatable parts 1002 are designed so that when inflated, the inflatable parts 1002 do not form a round shape, but rather a flattened shape that still protrudes from the shaping carrier 1000. According to further embodiments, this flattened shape of the inflatable parts 1002 can also be achieved by incorporating flattening elements and / or outlets (not shown here) into the inflatable parts 1002. The flattening elements ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 31 / 34

[0252] and / or outlets can be incorporated into the inflatable parts 1002 subsequently and / or during the manufacturing process of the inflatable parts 1002, preferably by 3D-printing.

[0253] The inflatable parts 1002 and the outer skin 1006 are 3D-printed. The inflatable parts 1002 and the outer skin 1006 are made from silicone.

[0254] Fig.18 shows a cross-sectional view of an inflatable part 1100 according to a further embodiment. The inflatable part 1100 is arranged between an outer skin 1102 and a shaping carrier (not shown here). The outer skin 1102 comprises sections with different wall thicknesses. The outer skin 1102 comprises sections with a higher wall thickness 1104 and a section with a lower wall thickness 1106 compared to the sections with the higher wall thickness 1104. The inflatable part 1100 is arranged at the section with the lower wall thickness 1106, so that it can protrude out of the shaping carrier in an inflated state of the inflatable part 1100. The sections with the higher wall thickness 1104 increase the stiffness of the outer skin 1102.

[0255] ONA-21579-P-WO

Claims

On Clouds GmbH 32 / 34Claims1. A manufacturing device (10a-c) for manufacturing an apparel part having a textile element, in particular for manufacturing a footwear part (14a) having a textile upper element (16a), comprising: - a shaping carrier (20a-c, 602, 700, 800, 900, 1000), in particular a footwear last, for shaping the textile element, in particular the textile upper element (16a), thereon,wherein the shaping carrier (20a-c, 602, 700, 800, 900, 1000) comprises at least one inflatable part (42a-c, 802, 902, 1002, 1100).

2. The manufacturing device (10a-c) according to claim 1 ,wherein the at least one inflatable part (42a-c, 802, 902, 1002, 1100) substantially forms the shaping carrier (20a-c, 602, 700, 800, 900, 1000).

3. The manufacturing device (10a-c) according to claim 1 or 2,wherein the at least one inflatable part (42a-c, 802, 902, 1002, 1100) is 3D-printed.

4. The manufacturing device (10a; 10c) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inflatable part (42a; 42c, 802, 902, 1002, 1100) comprises sections with different flexibilities.

5. The manufacturing device (10a; 10c) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inflatable part (42a; 42c, 802, 902, 1002, 1100) comprises sections with different wall thicknesses.

6. The manufacturing device (10b) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the at least one inflatable part (42b) comprises at least one surface area (82b) that is structured.

7. The manufacturing device (10c) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the at least one inflatable part (42c) comprises at least one cavity (86c, 122c) arranged at a wall (124c) of the at least one inflatable part (42c).

8. The manufacturing device (10a) according to any one of the preceding claims,further comprising:- at least one support element (88a) that is arranged at the at least one inflatable part (42a).

9. The manufacturing device (10a) according to claim 8,wherein the at least one support element (88a) is integrally formed with the at least one inflatable part (42a).

10. The manufacturing device (10a) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:- a closure unit (90a) for a leaktight closure of the at least one inflatable part (42a).ONA-21579-P-WOOn Clouds GmbH 33 / 3411. The manufacturing device (10a) according to any one of the preceding claims,further comprising:- a holding unit (34a) for holding at least one production element (24a) at the shaping carrier (20a), the production element (24a) being, in particular, a part of the apparel part or an element used during manufacturing of the apparel part.

12. The manufacturing device (10a) according to claim 11 ,wherein the holding unit (34a) is arranged at the at least one inflatable part.

13. The manufacturing device (10a) according to claim 12,wherein the holding unit (34a) is integrally formed with the at least one inflatable part (42a).

14. A manufacturing system (12a) comprising a manufacturing device (10a-c) according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. A method for manufacturing an apparel part having a textile element, in particular for manufacturing a footwear part (14a) having a textile upper element (16a), using a manufacturing device (10a-c) according to any one of the claims 1 to 13 and / or a manufacturing system (12a) according to claim 14, comprising:- a step of inflating the at least one inflatable part (42a-c, 802, 902, 1002, 1100) of the shaping carrier (20a-c, 602, 700, 800, 900, 1000); and- a step of shaping the textile element, in particular the textile upper element (16a), on the shaping carrier (20a).

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:- a step of detaching the apparel part from the shaping carrier (20a-c, 602, 700, 800, 900, 1000) by at least partially deflating the at least one inflatable part (42a-c, 802, 902, 1002, 1100).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16,- a step in which the at least one inflatable part (42a) at least contributes when sealing a mold (128a) for producing at least one element of the apparel part by arranging the at least one inflatable part (42a in an opening of the mold (128a).

18. The method according to any one of the claims 15 to 17,wherein during the step of inflating the at least one inflatable part (42a) the at least one inflatable part (42a) is heated by inflating with a gas heated above ambient temperature.

19. The method according to any one of the claims 15 to 18,wherein an inflation state of the at least one inflatable part (42a) is changed during the step of shaping the textile element on the shaping carrier (20a).

20. A method for manufacturing a manufacturing device (10a-c), in particular the shaping carrier(20a- 20c, 602, 700, 800, 900, 1000), according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.ONA-21579-P-WO

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