Elastomeric components, such as a shoe outsole, are treated with a plasma application to clean and activate the elastomeric component. The application of plasma is controlled to achieve a sufficient surface composition change to enhance adhesion characteristics while not adversely physically deforming the elastomeric component. The plasma treatment is applied to increase carbonyl functional group concentrations within an altered region of the elastomeric component to within at least a range of 2%-15% of carbon atomic percentage composition. The cleaning and activation is controlled, in part, by ensuring a defined height offset range is maintained between the elastomeric component and the plasma source by a generated tool path. The elastomeric component may then be adhered, with an adhesive, to another component.

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Aspects of the present invention customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Aspects of the present invention customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.

A method of preparing shoe components includes the steps of: providing a first shoe component and a second shoe component, forming an adhesive member on one of the first and second shoe components, stacking the first and second shoe components such that the adhesive member is disposed therebetween, heating to melt the adhesive member so as to adhere the first and second shoe components to each other, and suctioning air to adhere the first and second shoe components closely to each other.

Elastomeric components, such as a shoe outsole, are treated with a plasma application to clean and activate the elastomeric component. The application of plasma is controlled to achieve a sufficient surface composition change to enhance adhesion characteristics while not adversely physically deforming the elastomeric component. The plasma treatment is applied to increase carbonyl functional group concentrations within an altered region of the elastomeric component to within at least a range of 2%-15% of carbon atomic percentage composition. The cleaning and activation is controlled, in part, by ensuring a defined height offset range is maintained between the elastomeric component and the plasma source by a generated tool path. The elastomeric component may then be adhered, with an adhesive, to another component.

Elastomeric components, such as a shoe outsole, are treated with a plasma application to clean and activate the elastomeric component. The application of plasma is controlled to achieve a sufficient surface composition change to enhance adhesion characteristics while not adversely physically deforming the elastomeric component. The plasma treatment is applied to increase carbonyl functional group concentrations within an altered region of the elastomeric component to within at least a range of 2%-15% of carbon atomic percentage composition. The cleaning and activation is controlled, in part, by ensuring a defined height offset range is maintained between the elastomeric component and the plasma source by a generated tool path. The elastomeric component may then be adhered, with an adhesive, to another component.

Elastomeric components, such as a shoe outsole, are treated with a plasma application to clean and activate the elastomeric component. The application of plasma is controlled to achieve a sufficient surface composition change to enhance adhesion characteristics while not adversely physically deforming the elastomeric component. The plasma treatment is applied to increase carbonyl functional group concentrations within an altered region of the elastomeric component to within at least a range of 2%-15% of carbon atomic percentage composition. The cleaning and activation is controlled, in part, by ensuring a defined height offset range is maintained between the elastomeric component and the plasma source by a generated tool path. The elastomeric component may then be adhered, with an adhesive, to another component.

Elastomeric components, such as a shoe outsole, are treated with a plasma application to clean and activate the elastomeric component. The application of plasma is controlled to achieve a sufficient surface composition change to enhance adhesion characteristics while not adversely physically deforming the elastomeric component. The plasma treatment is applied to increase carbonyl functional group concentrations within an altered region of the elastomeric component to within at least a range of 2%-15% of carbon atomic percentage composition. The cleaning and activation is controlled, in part, by ensuring a defined height offset range is maintained between the elastomeric component and the plasma source by a generated tool path. The elastomeric component may then be adhered, with an adhesive, to another component.

Footwear components are made from lightweight textile structures (e.g., including circular knitted structures made from natural or synthetic fibers, such as socks or sock-type structures). The textile structures are selectively supported at various areas to provide desired local characteristics. Additional aspects relate to methods of making such components, precursors to such components, and articles of footwear containing such components.

Footwear components are made from lightweight textile structures (e.g., including circular knitted structures made from natural or synthetic fibers, such as socks or sock-type structures). The textile structures are selectively supported at various areas to provide desired local characteristics. Additional aspects relate to methods of making such components, precursors to such components, and articles of footwear containing such components.