An article of footwear is provided that includes a sole structure and an upper attached to the sole structure. The upper includes an exterior layer and a base layer, and the exterior layer includes a biodegradable layer and a biologically active agent capable of biodegrading the biodegradable layer.

A method of manufacturing a non-woven fabric includes the steps of: (a.) providing a substrate, wherein the substrate is air permeable in at least a portion of its surface; (b.) providing a fiber transfer device adapted to transfer fibers onto the substrate; (c.) transferring a first plurality of fibers onto the substrate; and (d.) applying a pressure differential to the air permeable portion of the substrate, wherein the strength of the pressure differential is varied across the surface of the substrate.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a unitary cushioning component comprising a plurality of scrap foam pieces configured as a plurality of different polyhedron shapes and a resin binder securing the scrap foam pieces to one another. The sole structure may comprise a midsole including an outer shell defining a central cavity. The cushioning component may be disposed in the central cavity as a core of the midsole. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear cutting the scrap foam body into pieces, mixing the pieces with a resin binder, and compression molding the mixed pieces and resin binder in a mold to form a cushioning component of a sole structure of the article of footwear.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a particle foam part, in particular a cushioning element for sportswear, such as a shoe sole, or a cushioning element, which has been produced by such a method, in particular a shoe sole. The method for manufacturing a cushioning element for sportswear such as a shoe sole, may comprise the steps of feeding foam particles into a mold cavity of a mold tool, and welding of the foam particles in the mold cavity while applying a predetermined pressure, wherein the foam particles comprise a fraction of at least 10% by weight of recycled, shredded foam particles (regenerated material) and the welding of the foam particles is effected by means of electromagnetic waves.

Articles of footwear and methods of making articles of footwear including one or more continuous threads wound around anchor points. The winding of the one or more continuous threads forms a thread pattern that imparts desired characteristics to components of the article of footwear. Thread lines of the thread pattern may be bonded together. In some embodiments, thread lines may be bonded with a bonding layer.

A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.

A sports shoe includes an upper wherein a majority by weight of the upper is made from a thermoplastic base material and a sole wherein a majority by weight of the sole is made from the same thermoplastic base material. The sole and the upper are individually fabricated and joined to each other. The thermoplastic base material includes at least one of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane TPU, polyamide PA, polyethylene terephthalate PET, or polybutylene terephthalate PBT.

A midsole for an article of footwear including a three dimensional mesh including interconnected unit cells and methods of making the same. The interconnected unit cells each include a plurality of struts defining a three dimensional shape. The interconnected unit cells are connected at nodes having a valence number defined by the number of struts connected at that node. The valence number of the nodes may vary to provide customized characteristics to zones or portions of the midsole. The plurality of interconnected unit cells may be organized in a warped cubic lattice structure. The warped cubic lattice structure and the size/shape of interconnected unit cells may vary to provide customized characteristics to zones or portions of the midsole. The three dimensional mesh may be customized based on a biometric data profile for an individual, or group of individuals. The midsole may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

A sandal having releasable strap fastening, comprising a sole, at least one strap and at least one clamping buckle and/or at least one anchor buckle. According to the invention, the sandal is modularly constructed and can be easily assembled and disassembled. The sole and the at least one strap are connected to each other by guiding the at least one strap through eyes provided in the sole. The two ends of the at least one strap, which form two strap ends, are either fastened to the strap again by means of at least one of the clamping buckles so as to form a loop or are anchored to one of the eyes by means of at least one of the anchor buckles.

An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper, an outsole, and a midsole. The upper is configured to receive a foot, and the outsole is secured to the upper. The outsole defines a plurality of apertures extending entirely through the outsole. In addition, the outsole has a ground-engaging surface positioned at a first elevation. The midsole is positionable such that a lower surface of the midsole extends into the apertures of the outsole and is exposed by the apertures.