This application is generally directed to articles including cage structures and related systems and methods. The cage structures have utility in footwear and apparel (e.g., articles of clothing, braces, accessories). In some cases, the article is a footwear article. In some cases, the article is an article of apparel. In some embodiments, the article includes a textile. In some embodiments, the article includes a cage structure (e.g., comprising a polymer) attached to a substrate (e.g., a textile). In some embodiments, the interface of attachment between the substrate and the cage structure is substantially free of an adhesive.

Manufacturing of a shoe is enhanced by creating 3-D models of shoe parts. For example, a laser beam may be projected onto a shoe-part surface, such that a projected laser line appears on the shoe part. An image of the projected laser line may be analyzed to determine coordinate information, which may be converted into geometric coordinate values usable to create a 3-D model of the shoe part. Once a 3-D model is known and is converted to a coordinate system recognized by shoe-manufacturing tools, certain manufacturing steps may be automated.

Manufacturing of a shoe is enhanced by creating 3-D models of shoe parts. For example, a laser beam may be projected onto a shoe-part surface, such that a projected laser line appears on the shoe part. An image of the projected laser line may be analyzed to determine coordinate information, which may be converted into geometric coordinate values usable to create a 3-D model of the shoe part. Once a 3-D model is known and is converted to a coordinate system recognized by shoe-manufacturing tools, certain manufacturing steps may be automated.

A tool path for treating a shoe upper may be generated to treat substantially only the surface of the shoe bounded by a bite line. The bite line may be defined to correspond to the junction of the shoe upper and a shoe bottom unit. Bite line data and three-dimensional profile data representing at least a portion of a surface of a shoe upper bounded by a bite line may be utilized in combination to generate a tool path for processing the surface of the upper, such as automated application of adhesive to the surface of a lasted upper bounded by a bite line.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the heel cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the heel cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.

The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an artificial leather shoe upper which comprises steps of preparing plural pieces of artificial leather upper material, setting a thermoforming machine, placing the plural pieces of artificial leather upper material in the thermoforming machine, pumping out excess air of a lower die block of the thermoforming machine, thermoforming the plural pieces of artificial leather upper material to obtain a semi-finished product, and demoulding, image recognition, laser cutting and coloring the semi-finished product to obtain the artificial leather shoe upper.

A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability.

A sole structure for an article of footwear is disclosed. The sole structure comprises a fluid filled member and a plurality of slots. The slots are associated with connecting portions that connect portions of the sole structure in the generally longitudinal direction and provide for increased fit, flexibility and stability.

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the heel cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the heel cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.

An upper for an article of footwear and a method of manufacturing the upper for an article of footwear are disclosed. The upper incorporates a textile element with edges that are joined together to define at least a portion of a void for receiving a foot. The joined edges form a plurality of seams within the textile element, including a longitudinal seam extending on the lower region of the upper from a heel region to a forefoot region. Various warp knitting or weft knitting processes, including circular knitting, may be utilized to form the textile element.