A method of manufacturing an article may include positioning a first textile sheet against a second textile sheet and reciprocating a single needle of an embroidery machine through the first textile sheet and the second textile sheet, the needle forcing fibers of the second textile sheet through the first textile sheet. The fibers may have terminal ends extending outward of an exterior side of the first textile sheet through which the fibers are forced. A method may include forcing fibers from a second side to an opposite side of a single textile sheet to create a pattern of the fibers on the opposite side. Various articles such as footwear uppers may be manufactured according to the method.

In a shoe, an upper has an opening through which a foot of a wearer is inserted when the wearer puts on the shoe, and includes a shoelace tightening region located forward of the opening. A tape member is higher in rigidity than the upper body. A first portion is located in the shoelace tightening region and extends in a front-rear direction of the upper. A folded portion is contiguous to at least one of a front end portion and a rear end portion of the first portion. The folded portion is formed by folding the tape member downward when viewed from the first portion. A second portion extends downward from the folded portion. The first portion is sewn onto the upper body such that gaps through which a shoelace passes are provided between the first portion and the upper body.

In a shoe, an upper has an opening through which a foot of a wearer is inserted when the wearer puts on the shoe, and includes a shoelace tightening region located forward of the opening. A tape member is higher in rigidity than the upper body. A first portion is located in the shoelace tightening region and extends in a front-rear direction of the upper. A folded portion is contiguous to at least one of a front end portion and a rear end portion of the first portion. The folded portion is formed by folding the tape member downward when viewed from the first portion. A second portion extends downward from the folded portion. The first portion is sewn onto the upper body such that gaps through which a shoelace passes are provided between the first portion and the upper body.

A method for producing a textile material, in particular a shoe upper, including the steps of: providing a shaping support, in particular a last; melting a polymer composition at a first temperature; applying the molten polymer composition to the shaping support. The molten polymer composition is applied to the shaping support by a nozzle which has an outlet opening for the molten polymer composition and a plurality of air exit openings which are provided around the outlet opening and from which compressed air is supplied to the exiting polymer composition in such a way that the molten polymer composition which has exited from the nozzle is applied as a helical filament to the shaping support.

A method for producing a textile material, in particular a shoe upper, including the steps of: providing a shaping support, in particular a last; melting a polymer composition at a first temperature; applying the molten polymer composition to the shaping support. The molten polymer composition is applied to the shaping support by a nozzle which has an outlet opening for the molten polymer composition and a plurality of air exit openings which are provided around the outlet opening and from which compressed air is supplied to the exiting polymer composition in such a way that the molten polymer composition which has exited from the nozzle is applied as a helical filament to the shaping support.

An algae-elastomer composite including an elastomer matrix; algae; and a mixing additive sufficient to achieve a desired property. The algae can be present in a milled condition having a particle size value of between about 10 and 120 microns. The algae is mixed with the elastomer matrix in a dry condition having a moisture content of below about 10%. A method of preparing the algae-based elastomer composite is provided that includes the steps of: premixing an elastomer matrix; adding an algae filler; adding a mixing additive that includes a plasticizer; forming an elastomer-algae blend by blending the algae and elastomer to a temperature sufficient to be further mixed, wherein the temperature is about 10 C. higher than the temperature sufficient for the elastomer alone; adding and mixing a curing or vulcanizing agent for the elastomer dispersing the elastomer-algae blend; and heating and curing the elastomer-algae blend into a final form.

An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper, and an inflatable bladder disposed on the upper. The upper includes a leno woven fabric having a continuous leno weave pattern of a plurality of warp yarns extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of weft yarns extending in a transverse direction. The weft yarns include an elastic material.

An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper, and an inflatable bladder disposed on the upper. The upper includes a leno woven fabric having a continuous leno weave pattern of a plurality of warp yarns extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of weft yarns extending in a transverse direction. The weft yarns include an elastic material.

A fiber bound engineered material is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. A fiber layer is entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections. Variations in the fibers and/or inclusion of scrim materials prior to entanglement allows for an intended characteristic (e.g., a functional characteristic) at an intended relative location (e.g., a position determined by an article to be formed therefrom).

Methods of bonding components are provided that provide for improved bonding when one or both of the components include a polyolefin resin. Articles of footwear, athletic apparel, sporting equipment, and portions thereof are also provided including the components, at least one of which includes a polyolefin resin, and the component are adhesively bonded together by methods and/or compositions described herein. Methods can include (i) treating a surface of the first component with high-energy discharge to produce a treated surface; (ii) applying chlorinated polyolefin primer to the treated surface to produce a primed surface; (iii) applying waterborne polyurethane adhesive to the primed surface to produce an adhesive surface; and (iv) contacting a surface of the second component to the adhesive surface to adhesively bond the components. In some aspects, the first component is a plate including a textile disposed on a surface of the plate.