Multiple-nozzle defined edge tool

Abstract

Systems apply a material (e.g., adhesive) to an article (e.g., a component in an article of footwear) with a multiple-nozzle tool. A first nozzle of the multiple-nozzle tool is effective to provide an edge application of the material that is consistent in application of the material. A second nozzle of the multiple-nozzle tool is effective to provide a greater material coverage application than the first nozzle. The second nozzle may be implemented to apply the material at an interior area from the edge at which the first nozzle applies the material, in an exemplary aspect.

1 . A multiple-nozzle tool, comprising:
 a first nozzle having a first application pattern; and   a second nozzle having a second application pattern,
 the first application pattern has a smaller coverage area than the second application pattern, and 
 the first nozzle and the second nozzle are positioned such that the first application pattern and the second application pattern partially overlap. 
   
     
     
         2 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle is an edge applicator and the second nozzle is an interior applicator, wherein the first nozzle applies a smaller volume of material than the second nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are coupled to a common movement mechanism able to move the first nozzle and the second nozzle in at least two directions. 
     
     
         4 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1  further comprising a computing device, wherein the computing device controls the first application pattern and the second application pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 4  further comprising a vision system, the vision system is logically coupled with the computing device. 
     
     
         6 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle applies material to the article having a depth in a range of about 10 micrometers to about 60 micrometers. 
     
     
         7 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle is independently operable from the second nozzle to apply a material. 
     
     
         8 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are fluidly coupled to a material dispensing device effective to dispense a material applied by the first nozzle and the second nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle is fluidly coupled to a first material reservoir and the second nozzle is fluidly coupled to a second material reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle distributes a smaller quantity of material than the second nozzle during a comparable application time, wherein the first nozzle distributes material in a range of 0.1 grams/second to 0.3 grams/second. 
     
     
         11 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle apply material contemporaneously. 
     
     
         12 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle is positioned at a perimeter of an article onto which the first application pattern is directed and the second nozzle is positioned at a more interior position of the article onto which the second application pattern is directed. 
     
     
         13 . The multiple-nozzle tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle are positioned equidistant from an article. 
     
     
         14 . A method of applying material with a multiple-nozzle tool, the method comprising:
 applying the material from a first nozzle of the multiple-nozzle tool to an article; and   contemporaneously applying the material from a second nozzle of the multiple-nozzle tool to the article, wherein the first nozzle applies the material at an application perimeter edge and the second nozzle applies the material more interior on the article from the application perimeter edge.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the article is a component in an article of footwear. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the material is an adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising capturing the article with a vision system, wherein the vision system is logically coupled with a computing device and the computing device is logically coupled with a movement mechanism effective to move the multiple-nozzle tool. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the applying the material from the first nozzle applies less volume of the material during a same time as applying the material from the second nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 overlapping the material applied from the first nozzle with the material applied from the second nozzle; and 
 moving the multiple-nozzle tool while applying the material such that the material applied from the second nozzle at a first time overlaps with the material applied by the second nozzle at a second time. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first nozzle travels a greater distance than the second nozzle while applying the material to the article.