Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100122476 | Decorated Sole Elements for Articles of Footwear and Processes for Making Thereof - A method of forming a decorated midsole element for articles of footwear includes obtaining a decorated film having one or more graphic elements applied to a first surface of the film and placing the decorated film in a mold. A midsole element is obtained and placed in the mold, and pressure is applied to the mold to form a midsole element having a decorated surface. The decorated film may include a layer of polyether-block co-polyamide polymer and the midsole element may be formed of ethylvinylacetate. A midsole assembly and an article of footwear having decorated midsole top layers are also described. | 05-20-2010 |
20120297643 | Shoe with Composite Upper and Method of Making the Same - Uppers for article of footwear may include one or more skin layers attached to a base layer, wherein at least one of the skin layers is at least partially transparent or translucent. The transparent or translucent skin layer may be applied over other elements of the upper (e.g., other skin layers, base layers, reinforcing layers, etc.) to provide interesting color change options and color palettes for the upper. Additional aspects of this invention relate to production of curved tongue composite structures and/or footwear having a bonded (hot melt) side seam for forming the upper (and optionally do not include a rear heel seam). | 11-29-2012 |
20130152428 | ARTICULATED SOLE STRUCTURE WITH REARWARDLY ANGLED MEDIOLATERAL MIDFOOT SIPES - A footwear sole structure may include a plurality of discrete sole elements defined by a plurality of sipes. The sipes may include a plurality of sipes that extend in a direction extending from a medial side of the sole structure to a lateral side of the sole structure and be rearwardly angled. Those sipes may be located in a midfoot region. The sole structure may include a plurality of additional sipes having longitudinal, transverse and other orientations. | 06-20-2013 |
20130312284 | Article of Footwear Having Welded Upper - An article of footwear may include an upper, including a skin layer forming at least a portion of an external surface of the upper. The upper may also include a reinforcing material selectively located internal and adjacent to portions of the skin layer, thereby defining reinforced portions of the skin layer and unreinforced portions of the skin layer. The reinforcing material may be selectively joined with the skin layer at a bonded area by welding, the bonded area having an externally exposed surface that defines a portion of the external surface of the upper. In addition, the skin layer may have a first color and the externally exposed surface of the bonded area may have a second color that is different from the first color. | 11-28-2013 |
20140237853 | Bottom-Down Last For 3D Forming - A method and system for making uppers for articles of footwear is disclosed. The system comprises a last assembly as well as a pressing system for forming uppers with the last assembly. The last assembly includes a last member and a base member. The last member is inverted so that the bottom surface of the last member is oriented away from the base member. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239556 | System And Method For Applying Heat And Pressure To Three-Dimensional Articles - A flexible manufacturing system can be used to fuse different layers of material together for forming an article of footwear. The system includes a base portion, an intermediate member and an upper member. The intermediate member includes a flexible membrane. The intermediate member can be sealed with the base portion and a vacuum can be provided to pull the flexible membrane over layers of material placed on the base portion. The upper member can be sealed against the intermediate member so that external pressure can be applied to the flexible membrane. The intermediate member and the upper member can be moved independently. | 08-28-2014 |
20160107404 | System And Method For Applying Heat And Pressure To Three-Dimensional Articles - A flexible manufacturing system can be used to fuse different layers of material together for forming an article of footwear. The system includes a base portion, an intermediate member and an upper member. The intermediate member includes a flexible membrane. The intermediate member can be sealed with the base portion and a vacuum can be provided to pull the flexible membrane over layers of material placed on the base portion. The upper member can be sealed against the intermediate member so that external pressure can be applied to the flexible membrane. The intermediate member and the upper member can be moved independently. | 04-21-2016 |
20160135536 | Decorated Sole Elements for Articles of Footwear and Processes for Making Thereof - A method of forming a decorated midsole element for articles of footwear includes obtaining a decorated film having one or more graphic elements applied to a first surface of the film and placing the decorated film in a mold. A midsole element is obtained and placed in the mold, and pressure is applied to the mold to form a midsole element having a decorated surface. The decorated film may include a layer of polyether-block co-polyamide polymer and the midsole element may be formed of ethylvinylacetate. A midsole assembly and an article of footwear having decorated midsole top layers are also described. | 05-19-2016 |
20160136912 | Decorated Sole Elements for Articles of Footwear and Processes for Making Thereof - A method of forming a decorated midsole element for articles of footwear includes obtaining a decorated film having one or more graphic elements applied to a first surface of the film and placing the decorated film in a mold. A midsole element is obtained and placed in the mold, and pressure is applied to the mold to form a midsole element having a decorated surface. The decorated film may include a layer of polyether-block co-polyamide polymer and the midsole element may be formed of ethylvinylacetate. A midsole assembly and an article of footwear having decorated midsole top layers are also described. | 05-19-2016 |