Methods for manufacturing cushioning elements for sports apparel are described. A method is provided for manufacturing a cushioning element for sports apparel from randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The method includes positioning a functional element within a mold and loading the mold with the particles of the expanded material, wherein the loading occurs through at least two openings within the mold and/or wherein the loading occurs between different movable parts of the mold.

A method of forming upholstery of a foam seat element including the steps of: inserting, into an injection mold, a plastic film delimiting at least one first foam injection area; injecting foam to form the upholstery in one piece, the film disappearing with the polymerization of the foam.

A fluid-filled chamber is provided and includes a first barrier layer, a second barrier layer, a foam structure, and a tensile member. The second barrier layer is secured to the first barrier layer to define an interior void between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer. The interior void contains a predetermined volume of fluid. The foam structure and the tensile member are disposed within the interior void, whereby the tensile member includes a plurality of fibers extending in a first direction between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer.

A method for making spectacle arms from composite material with differentiated rigidity, the arms defining a first portion and an adjacent second portion which is less rigid than the first portion. The method includes: providing a first layer of non-cross-linked fiber-reinforced polymer material in the first and second portions; providing a separating element in the first portion, and superimposing a second layer of non-cross-linked fiber-reinforced polymer material on the first layer so as to cover the separating element at the first portion and contact the first layer at the second portion; subjecting the first layer, the second layer, and the separating element interposed between them to a molding process at predetermined pressure and temperature levels so as to cross-link the polymer of the composite material, thus obtaining a thickness and rigidity of the arm at the first portion which are greater than the thickness and rigidity at the second portion.

Disclosed is a shoe including a sole and an upper, wherein the upper includes an inner upper and an outer upper, wherein the inner upper includes 90% or more of a wool fiber and the outer upper includes a combination of 50 to 80% by weight of the wool fiber and 20 to 50% by weight of a synthetic fiber, based on the total weight of the outer upper.

The shoe according to the present invention can facilitate discharge of sweat generated during exercise through the upper made of natural wool fiber and thus offer fresh wear sensation and can be worn without socks. In addition, elasticity of wool fabric can reduce resistance of shoes depending on shape change of feet during exercise or in a daily life, thus impairing foot comfort. As a result, people whose feet swell readily, such as pregnant women, can wear the shoes without irritation. Furthermore, the shoes according to the present invention are suitable for diabetic patients whose feet need to be protected from injury because they are made of wool which is a soft elastic fiber.

A template made of plywood or similar material is inserted into a cover for a protective helmet so that the cover is stretched and once the template is inserted the assembled combination of the cover and the template resembles the shape of a disk. The disk-shaped assembly is placed on top of the bottom plate of a heat press. A layer with a decal or sticker is placed on top of the disk-shaped assembly. A heat press cover sheet is then placed on top of the disk-shaped assembly so that it also becomes into contact with the top plate of the heat press when the heat press is closed. The heat press may be set to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit and it can be set in a closed position for about 30 seconds in order to transfer sufficient heat so that the decal or sticker is applied or affixed to the cover surface.

An apparatus for and method of manufacturing an improved wire-reinforced plastic tubing for medical and other applications is disclosed. A plurality of spaced-apart wire segments may be wound onto successive portions of a long segment of plastic tubing which portions are supported for rotation to wind coil wire thereon by rotating the plastic tubing while a supply of coil wire is wound onto the plastic tubing. When multiple winding segments have been wound on the long segment of plastic tubing, the segments may be separated into individual wire-reinforced tubing products each having one or more wire windings thereupon.

Methods for manufacturing cushioning elements for sports apparel are described. A method is provided for manufacturing a cushioning element for sports apparel from randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The method includes positioning a functional element within a mold and loading the mold with the particles of the expanded material, wherein the loading occurs through at least two openings within the mold and/or wherein the loading occurs between different movable parts of the mold.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite element comprising a single- or multi-part core and an envelope which are in a force fit combination with each other, at least comprising providing a single- or multi-part core of an evacuable organic material; at least partly enveloping the core with an envelope to obtain a composite element precursor; and treating the composite element precursor for a period leading to an at least partial softening of the evacuable organic material and of the envelope surface apposing the core. The present invention further relates to composite elements obtained or obtainable by a method of the present invention and also to the method of using a composite element of the present invention as a vacuum insulation panel or as a thermal insulation material.

A shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole has a lower sole member, a heel member, a shank member, a heel cushion, and a foot pad. The heel member extends downwardly from the lower sole member. The heel member includes a heel outer peripheral surface and an open top heel cavity. The lower sole member includes a top surface and a lower sole cavity extending downwardly from the top surface. The shank member has a shank midfoot portion and a shank heel portion. The shank midfoot portion is in the lower sole cavity and the shank heel portion is in the heel cavity. The heel cushion is in the heel cavity. The shank heel portion is sandwiched between the heel cushion and the heel member.