A computer-implemented method of generating one or more variable stiffness structures includes determining a thickness of a first portion of a variable stiffness structure; determining a pressure that is to be applied to a surface of the first portion; selecting a first predetermined value for a stiffness attribute based on the thickness of the first portion and the pressure; and generating a model of at least part of the variable stiffness structure that includes the first portion, wherein the first portion has the predetermined value for the stiffness attribute.

A shoe sole or insert of a unitary material having a gradual change in hardness and/or density characteristics and a method manufacturing the same.

The present disclosure is related to three-dimensionally printed articles for use in footwear and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a closed-cell foam. The closed-cell foam may have a gradient in and/or may be a single integrated material. In some embodiments, a three-dimensionally printed article may comprise a sensor. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.

A method for making an electrotherapeutic sole, where the electrotherapeutic sole includes of nitrile-butadiene rubber (38%42% by weight), conductive carbon black (37%42% by weight), a softening oil (14%17% by weight), a processing aid (3%5% by weight), and an accelerant (1%2% by weight) and has a top portion protrudingly provided with a plurality of electrode protuberances that correspond in positions to the acupoints in a human sole; the electrotherapeutic sole is also provided with a socket, thereby an electrotherapeutic pulse output terminal inserted into the socket can send the electrotherapeutic pulses generated by an electrotherapeutic pulse generator sequentially through the socket and the conductive carbon black in the electrotherapeutic sole to the tips of the electrode protuberances to massage the corresponding acupoints in the human sole.

Provided herein are embodiments of a shoe component. The shoe component may include a toebox, an insole, an adhesive membrane, a thermal-resistant insert, a midsole, and an outsole. The insert may further include a footbed. The footbed may include an upper surface and a bottom surface. The insert may further include an upper laminate on the upper surface of the footbed and a lower laminate on the bottom surface of the footbed.

A method of manufacturing a shoe component may include injecting a material into a mold cavity to create a thin sheet of molded material formed as a single piece with molded holes extending through the molded material and formed as part of the injection molding process. The thin sheet of molded material may be in a shape that can be secured together to form a shoe upper including a vamp, a medial portion, and a lateral portion. The method may include removing, from the mold cavity, the sheet of molded material, folding the sheet of molded material, optionally cementing a first portion of the sheet of molded material to a second portion of the sheet of molded material, and cementing a third portion of the sheet of molded material to a sole to form a shoe. The completed shoe may also include an insole, a tongue, and laces.

A holistically improved shoe that incorporates beneficial aspects relating to a variety of interconnected elements, including comfort, sustainability, washability, ease of manufacturing, style, freedom and natural movement of the foot, as well as the sensory experience of a user. The shoe contains a removable insert that is configured to be removed and washed in between uses or as needed, such that a sock or other liner is unnecessary. The shoe further includes a footbed and an outsole that contain matching tread patterns. The matching tread patterns of the present technology allow the footbed and the outsole to move in concert by splaying during a stride in order to better absorb shock by mimicking the natural movements of the foot.

There is provided a footwear capable of efficiently removing vibrations of specific frequencies that could propagate to the human body upon landing during running or walking. A footwear includes a sole; an upper connected to an upper-side perimeter region of the sole; and a vibration absorbing unit which absorbs vibration generated by an impact upon landing. The vibration absorbing unit includes a platy flexible support portion which has a smaller rigidity in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, and a weight portion provided in the support portion. The support portion is fixed to the sole or the upper, surrounding a perimeter of the weight portion.

A mold stepped on by a foot includes a seat, a plurality of telescopic rods, an image capturing device and an insole material. The telescopic rods are parallel to each other and are disposed in the seat. The telescopic rods stepped on by the foot generate a plurality of restoring forces, respectively. The image capturing device is disposed on the seat. The telescopic rods are captured by the image capturing device to generate a plurality of three-dimensional data of the telescopic rods. The insole material is disposed below the telescopic rods for molding an insole.

The present disclosure relates generally to three-dimensionally printed molds, and associated methods, for use in manufacturing articles such as footwear. In some embodiments, for example, a three-dimensionally printed mold may be a master mold that is used to manufacture a secondary mold. The secondary mold may be used, in certain embodiments, to provide a cured material that can be transferred to a substrate, such as a textile, thereby providing the manufactured article. The use of such arrangements can, according to certain embodiments, allow for the production of improved articles of footwear and/or customized articles of footwear.