An injection molded sole (10) has an upper ungrooved portion (2) and a lower tread portion (4). At least two, continuous, undulating S-shaped grooves (6) extend generally longitudinally of the tread portion between the toe and heel ends thereof, and a plurality of grooves extending generally transversely intersect the longitudinally extending undulating grooves. The grooves have a minimum depth of about 5 mm and define individual separated tread areas (28) which can be moved apart during flexing of the sole (10). The flexibility of the sole is such that when it is incorporated in footwear, it does not restrict rolling movements of the foot when walking so that a gait can be adopted which is akin to barefoot walking.

Footwear which can be modified and decorated by a wearer includes a sole through which a set of spaced-apart tunnels are formed which extend the full width of the sole. At least one strip of material is wound through the tunnels and along the opposite sides of the sole and the outer perimeter of the heel region to form loops extending between selected tunnel ends along the right and left sides of the sole and the outer perimeter of the heel region. Ribbons of different colors, shapes and fabrics can be attached to and between the loops enabling a wearer to modify the appearance of the footwear.

A method of printing a three-dimensional structure onto a base having irregularities on the surface is disclosed. A sensing device determines the depth of the irregularity on the surface. A computing system receives an image file including a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed onto the base. The predetermined thickness is adjusted based on the depth of the irregularity. A printing device prints a layer onto the base having the adjusted predetermined thickness print on the irregularity to make the surface substantially smooth.

A method of printing a three-dimensional structure onto a base having irregularities on the surface is disclosed. A sensing device determines the depth of the irregularity on the surface. A computing system receives an image file including a predetermined thickness of a layer to be printed onto the base. The predetermined thickness is adjusted based on the depth of the irregularity. A printing device prints a layer onto the base having the adjusted predetermined thickness print on the irregularity to make the surface substantially smooth.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first sole plate that includes a forefoot region, a foot-receiving surface, and a lower surface opposite the foot-receiving surface. The first sole plate has a plurality of slots including a first slot, and a second slot rearward of the first slot. The plurality of slots is disposed in the forefoot region and extends generally transversely and entirely through the first sole plate from the foot-receiving surface to the lower surface. The sole structure includes at least one rib, referred to as a first rib, disposed between the first slot and the second slot. The sole structure also includes a second sole plate secured to the lower surface of the first sole plate both forward of the plurality of slots and rearward of the plurality of slots. The second sole plate is detached from the first rib.

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a first sole plate that includes a forefoot region, a foot-receiving surface, and a lower surface opposite the foot-receiving surface. The first sole plate has a plurality of slots including a first slot, and a second slot rearward of the first slot. The plurality of slots is disposed in the forefoot region and extends generally transversely and entirely through the first sole plate from the foot-receiving surface to the lower surface. The sole structure includes at least one rib, referred to as a first rib, disposed between the first slot and the second slot. The sole structure also includes a second sole plate secured to the lower surface of the first sole plate both forward of the plurality of slots and rearward of the plurality of slots. The second sole plate is detached from the first rib.

Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Methods for manufacturing articles, including articles of footwear, apparel, and sporting equipment are provided. The methods comprise decorating a plurality of foam particles. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles, or embossing or debossing the foam particles, or both. The decorating can comprise applying a coating on the foam particles by printing, painting, dyeing, applying a film, or any combination thereof. The plurality of foam particles are affixed utilizing aspects of additive manufacturing methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Described are methods of estimating a physical property associated with a region of a sports article. The method includes determining a plurality of structural features within the region, determining, for each structural feature, a feature value, mapping each feature value to a physical property, wherein the mapping is based on a machine learning algorithm from a limited plurality of samples, and wherein each sample associates a feature value with a value of the physical property, and using the mapping to estimate the physical property for the region.

Described are methods of estimating a physical property associated with a region of a sports article. The method includes determining a plurality of structural features within the region, determining, for each structural feature, a feature value, mapping each feature value to a physical property, wherein the mapping is based on a machine learning algorithm from a limited plurality of samples, and wherein each sample associates a feature value with a value of the physical property, and using the mapping to estimate the physical property for the region.