In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knitted component with a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, the interior surface defining a void. The knitted component may further include a tongue, where the tongue extends through a throat area of the upper, and where the tongue comprises a lateral edge and a medial edge. The knitted component may further include at least one raised element extending a height above the exterior surface of the knit element and extending a length along at least one of the lateral edge and the medial edge of the tongue, where the tongue and the at least one raised element have a common yarn.

Computer based systems and methods for designing and manufacturing consumer products, including knit footwear uppers, and the like. The system provides digital controls for the customization of knitted components, including complex multi-structured knitted components. The system simulates deformations of knit structures and allows the user to control and visualize compensations in the structure(s) of the knitted component to better match between an intended knit design and the actual physical knitted component outcome. They system may manufacture/fabricate a knitted component based on the predicted/estimated deformation behavior of the knit.

Computer based systems and methods for designing and manufacturing consumer products, including knit footwear uppers, and the like. The system provides digital controls for the customization of knitted components, including complex multi-structured knitted components. The system simulates deformations of knit structures and allows the user to control and visualize compensations in the structure(s) of the knitted component to better match between an intended knit design and the actual physical knitted component outcome. They system may manufacture/fabricate a knitted component based on the predicted/estimated deformation behavior of the knit.

A customized, flat-knit multi-zonal element for a shoe upper and a method of producing such an element that allows for continuous knitting while controlling positioning of individual threads. One or more carriages may move continuously along the needle bed while threads are provided to the needles for a complete stroke. Knit elements may include multiple zones with differing properties. Threads may alter positions within knit structures from zone to zone. A knit element may include a first zone in a first plane that includes at least two merged threads to form a merged knit structure and a second zone in a second plane connected to the first zone seamlessly. Some knit structures may be positioned throughout the knit element such that they control a position of zones relative to each other.

The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. The interior surface may define a void. A tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper. The tongue may comprise a lateral edge, a medial edge, and a forward portion. At least one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion may be unsecured to the knit element. The tongue may be secured to the knit element at least at one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion of the throat area.

The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. The interior surface may define a void. A tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper. The tongue may comprise a lateral edge, a medial edge, and a forward portion. At least one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion may be unsecured to the knit element. The tongue may be secured to the knit element at least at one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion of the throat area.

A knit fabric is created using on a flatbed knitting machine to create a whole garment having an inner surface and an outer surface. The knit fabric includes a support matrix comprised of base yarns with reflective yarns supported on the support matrix. The knit fabric comprises a jacquard knit structure formed from the base yarns and the reflective yarns, wherein elongate loops of the reflective yarns are outwardly exposed from the outer surface of the knit fabric. The inner surface of the knit fabric includes outwardly exposed floats of the reflective yarns.

A composite fabric is disclosed in which an information beacon is embedded within the composite fabric to assist with loss prevention, anti-counterfeiting, locating lost individuals or the like. In embodiments, layers of fabric may be joined using adhesive, stitching, quilted stitching, riveting, or other means to securely house an information beacon. In embodiments of the invention, an information beacon may be encased in a housing that provides resistance to environmental factors such as moisture and temperature and allows the fabric to be washed in a conventional laundry cycle. In embodiment, Bluetooth Low Energy device that utilizes a smartphone and mobile application software to provide the location of the beacon. In alternate embodiments, RFID or other technology may be used. The composite fabric of the present invention has myriad uses and may be used to fabricate articles such as clothing, handbags, wallets, shoes, and so forth.

A composite fabric is disclosed in which an information beacon is embedded within the composite fabric to assist with loss prevention, anti-counterfeiting, locating lost individuals or the like. In embodiments, layers of fabric may be joined using adhesive, stitching, quilted stitching, riveting, or other means to securely house an information beacon. In embodiments of the invention, an information beacon may be encased in a housing that provides resistance to environmental factors such as moisture and temperature and allows the fabric to be washed in a conventional laundry cycle. In embodiment, Bluetooth Low Energy device that utilizes a smartphone and mobile application software to provide the location of the beacon. In alternate embodiments, RFID or other technology may be used. The composite fabric of the present invention has myriad uses and may be used to fabricate articles such as clothing, handbags, wallets, shoes, and so forth.

Computer based systems and methods for designing and manufacturing consumer products, including knit footwear uppers, and the like. The system provides digital controls for the customization of knitted components, including complex multi-structured knitted components. The system simulates deformations of knit structures and allows the user to control and visualize compensations in the structure(s) of the knitted component to better match between an intended knit design and the actual physical knitted component outcome. They system may manufacture/fabricate a knitted component based on the predicted/estimated deformation behavior of the knit.