Patent ID: 9243104
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: A43B,B29C,B29D,B29K,C08G,C08J,C08L

Claim Text:
1. A method of forming a molded article of a thermoplastic elastomer having areas of different density, comprising (a) preparing pellets of a thermoplastic elastomer having a first density by infusing the pellets with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, removing the pellets from the container and foaming the pellets by one of (i) heating the pellets with a fluid or (ii) irradiating the pellets with infrared or microwave radiation to make foamed pellets of a first density; (b) preparing pellets of the thermoplastic elastomer having a second density by infusing the pellets with a supercritical fluid in a pressurized container, removing the pellets from the container and foaming the pellets by one of (i) heating the pellets with a fluid or (ii) irradiating the pellets with infrared or microwave radiation to make foamed pellets of a second density different from the first density; (c) placing foamed pellets having the first density in a first area of a mold and placing foamed pellets having the second density in a second area of the mold and molding the pellets to form the molded article, further comprising annealing the foamed pellets made in one or both of steps (a) and (b) before molding in step (c).