Printed polymeric articles, systems and methods
Composite articles, and associated methods and systems, are generally provided.
1. A method of forming a composite article, comprising:
depositing a first polymer onto a substrate to form a first layer comprising the first polymer;
depositing a pigment onto the first layer to form a second layer comprising the pigment; and
depositing a second polymer onto the second layer to form a third layer comprising the second polymer.
2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the pigment is in the form of islands.
3. A method as in claim 2 , wherein the islands are not interconnected.
4. A method as in claim 2 , wherein an average size of the islands is less than or equal to 5 mm.
5. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the first polymer is the same as the second polymer.
6. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the pigment is at least partially embedded in the first layer comprising the first polymer.
7. A method as in claim 1 , wherein one or more of the layers comprising the polymers are continuous.
8. A method as in claim 1 , wherein depositing the first polymer comprising spraying the first polymer and/or depositing the second polymer comprises spraying the second polymer.
9. A method as in claim 1 , wherein depositing the first polymer comprises printing the first polymer from a print head positioned on a robotic gantry and/or depositing the second polymer comprises printing the second polymer from a print head positioned on a robotic gantry.
10. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the first polymer comprises a polyurethane and/or the second polymer comprises a polyurethane.
11. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the layer comprising the pigment further comprises an additional polymer.
12. A method as in claim 11 , wherein the additional polymer is the same as the first polymer or the second polymer.
13. A method as in claim 11 , wherein the additional polymer is different from the first polymer and different from the second polymer.
14. A method as in claim 11 , wherein the additional polymer forms a majority of the layer comprising the pigment.
15. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the layer comprising the pigment further comprises a second pigment.
16. A method as in claim 15 , wherein the second pigment is a different color than the pigment.
17. A method as in claim 1 , wherein a portion of the layer comprising the pigment lacks any type of pigment.
18. A method of forming a composite article, comprising:
depositing a first polymer onto a substrate to form a first layer comprising the first polymer;
depositing an ink jet ink onto the first polymer.
19. A method as in claim 18 , further comprising depositing a second polymer onto the ink jet ink.
20. A method as in claim 18 , wherein the composite article comprises a gradient in one or more properties.
21. A method as in claim 20 , wherein the property is selected from the group consisting of average stiffness, average Shore A hardness, average Shore D hardness, average Asker C hardness, average density, color, average surface roughness, average reflectivity, average strength, average elongation at break, average tensile elastic modulus, and average modulus at 100% strain.
22. A method as in claim 20 , wherein the gradient is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to a surface of the fabric.
23. A method as in claim 18 , wherein depositing the first polymer comprising spraying the first polymer.
24. A method as in claim 18 , wherein depositing the first polymer comprises printing the first polymer from a print head positioned on a robotic gantry.
25. A method as in claim 18 , wherein the first polymer comprises a polyurethane.
26. A method as in claim 18 , wherein depositing the first polymer comprises expelling a curable composition configured to cure to form the first polymer from a print head.
27. A method as in claim 26 , wherein the curable composition comprises more than one component.
28. A method as in claim 18 , wherein the composite article forms part of an upper and/or comprises an upper.
29. A method as in claim 18 , wherein the ink jet ink forms a continuous layer.