A sole structure for an article of footwear may include a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, the chamber having a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer about peripheral portions of the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer to define an interior void between the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may also include a tensile member bonded to, and extending between, the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The sole structure may include a bond inhibiting material located between the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer, the tensile member and the first chamber barrier layer being unbonded in an unbonded area in which the bond inhibiting material is disposed. The chamber may include an outwardly extending bulge in the unbonded area.

A shoe includes a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The sole includes a midsole and an outsole. The midsole includes at least one foam midsole member being of foam and at least one gel midsole member being of gel. The at least one gel midsole member is located between the at least one foam midsole member and the outsole and spaces the at least one foam midsole member from the outsole such that when a wearer, wearing the shoe with the outsole in contact with a horizontal surface such as the ground, applies a downward force toward the horizontal surface and against the upper surface of the at least one foam midsole member, all of such downward force is transmitted from the midsole to the outsole via the at least one gel member.

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a footwear midsole configured as an air-filled bladder formed from one or more exterior walls. The interior of the midsole comprises one or more fluids (e.g., gases or liquids). The midsole further includes a covering that partially or fully covers the interior compartment. The covering is formed form an elastomeric material that allows exclusive top-down compression of the midsole. Accordingly, the midsole provides a reactive opposed rebound force supplied by the elastomeric covering in response to compression.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity. The bladder element has a surface with a groove that extends generally parallel with a transverse edge from a lateral side to a medial side, and has a reduced thickness at the groove. A first length along a longitudinal midline of the bladder element from a longitudinal extremity of the bladder element to the groove corresponds with a first footwear size, and a second length along the longitudinal midline of the bladder element from the longitudinal extremity to the transverse edge corresponds with a second footwear size larger than the first footwear size. The sole structure is used in a method of manufacturing an article of footwear.

A fluid-filled chamber is provided and includes a first barrier layer, a second barrier layer attached to the first barrier layer and cooperating with the first barrier layer to define an interior void, and a third layer attached to one of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer including mineral mica that provides the one of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer with an iridescent appearance caused by differential refraction of light waves.

The disclosed invention is directed to a footwear midsole configured as a rigid support comprising a cavity that includes a plurality of fluid-filled bladders. The bladders are formed from an elastomeric material that allows exclusive top-down compression of the midsole. Accordingly, the midsole provides a reactive opposed rebound force supplied by the elastomeric covering in response to compression. Advantageously, no outsole and/or insole is required, and the midsole can optionally be used alone in a shoe or other item of footwear.

A sole structure may include a bladder network. The bladder network may include multiple bladders interconnected by one or more conduits. At least a portion of the bladder network may contain a fluid. The sole structure may further include one or more stems. Each of the one or more stems may be positioned to impinge upon an external surface of, and at least partially deform, a corresponding conduit.

The present disclosure, in general, provides for elastomeric materials which, when they contact water, take up water reversibly, and undergo a dry to wet “character change” in which the appearance of the elastomeric material, its physical properties, or both, is altered.

Foot support systems (and articles of footwear including them) include a midfoot flex component, such as a bi-stable spring element, that moves the article of footwear/sole structure/foot support component/midfoot flex component between an open position/foot insertion or removal configuration and a closed position/foot supporting configuration and vice versa.

A smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized, wherein the smartphone device is configured to actively control the configuration of one or more bladders, compartments, chambers or internal sipes and one or more sensors located in either one or both of a sole or a removable inner sole insert of the footwear of the user and/or located in an apparatus worn or carried by the user, glued unto the user, or implanted in the user. The one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, or sipes, and one or more sensors are configured for computer control. A sole and/or a removable inner sole insert for footwear, including one or more bladders, compartments, chambers, internal sipes and sensors in the sole and/or in a removable insert; or on an insole; all being configured for control by a smartphone or other mobile computer device, general purpose or specialized.