Knitting of multiple uppers on a machine

Abstract

Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear including forming a first upper on a textile manufacturing machine and forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with formation of the first upper. The first upper and the second upper are formed at separate locations of the textile manufacturing machine.

1 . A knitting machine, comprising:
 a first section adapted for knitting a first upper on the knitting machine;   a second section adapted for knitting a second upper on the knitting machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with the knitting of the first upper; and   a separation element located between the first section and the second section,   wherein the separation element provides a physical barrier between the first section and the second section.   
     
     
         2 . The knitting machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first section includes a first feeder and a first carriage, wherein the second section includes a second feeder and a second carriage, and wherein the separation element prevents the first feeder and the first carriage from traveling into the second section. 
     
     
         3 . The knitting machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first section includes a first feeder and a first carriage, wherein the second section includes a second feeder and a second carriage, and wherein the separation element prevents the second feeder and the second carriage from traveling into the first section. 
     
     
         4 . The knitting machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first section includes a first needle bed, wherein the second section includes a second needle bed, and wherein the first needle bed and the second needle bed are separated by the separation element. 
     
     
         5 . The knitting machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first section includes two rails, and wherein the second section includes two rails. 
     
     
         6 . The knitting machine of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first standard feeder and a first combination feeder coupled to the two rails of the first section, and   a second standard feeder and a second combination feeder coupled to the two rails of the second section.   
     
     
         7 . A textile manufacturing machine, comprising:
 a first section adapted for forming a first upper on the textile manufacturing machine, the first section comprising one or more first feeders; and   a second section adapted for forming a second upper on the textile manufacturing machine at a time that at least partially overlaps with the formation of the first upper, the second section comprising one or more second feeders,   wherein the one or more first feeders of the first section do not extend into the second section, and   wherein the one or more second feeders of the second section do not extend into the first section.   
     
     
         8 . The textile manufacturing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the textile manufacturing machine is a knitting machine. 
     
     
         9 . The textile manufacturing machine of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of needles located between the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         10 . The textile manufacturing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of needles are deactivated. 
     
     
         11 . The textile manufacturing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of needles are locked. 
     
     
         12 . The textile manufacturing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of needles are not programmed for use. 
     
     
         13 . The textile manufacturing machine of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of needles are located in a middle section positioned between a first needle bed located in the first section and a second needle bed located in the second section. 
     
     
         14 . The textile manufacturing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the first section and the second section are configured to form the first upper and the second upper simultaneously and such that the first upper and the second upper are not connected. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing uppers on a textile manufacturing machine that includes a first section, a second section, and a middle portion separating the first section and the second section, the method comprising:
 forming a first upper using one or more first feeders located in the first section of the textile manufacturing machine; and   forming a second upper using one or more second feeders located in the second section of the textile manufacturing machine, wherein the second upper is formed at a time that at least partially overlaps with the formation of the first upper,   wherein the first upper and the second upper are formed without being connected.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the textile manufacturing machine is a knitting machine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the middle portion includes a separation element that provides a physical barrier between the first section and the second section. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first section includes a first needle bed, wherein the second section includes a second needle bed, and wherein the first needle bed and the second needle bed are spaced apart by the separation element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first section includes a first needle bed, wherein the second section includes a second needle bed, and wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of needles that are deactivated. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first section includes a first needle bed, wherein the second section includes a second needle bed, and wherein the middle portion includes a plurality of needles that are locked.