The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for efficiently and rapidly cleaning the bottom of a shoe. The system includes a base having a plurality of alternating, complementary shaped cleansing portions separated by grooves. The configuration of the cleansing portions provides for a sturdy and efficient device for cleaning the bottom of a shoe.

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.

Footwear upper components include a fabric element having a first thermoplastic polyurethane component and a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid. The bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and at least a portion of this outer perimeter seam is engaged with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element. The outer perimeter seam seals two thermoplastic sheets together to form the bladder component. At least a portion of a major exterior surface of one thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber may be bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and/or the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element may be bonded in an adhesive free manner.

Footwear uppers include a footwear upper base formed from one or more component parts and including: (i) an instep region including at least one of a tongue base region or instep base region and (ii) a heel-containing region. A bladder is engaged with the footwear upper. The bladder includes: (i) at least a first instep chamber engaged with the instep region, (ii) at least a first heel and/or ankle support chamber engaged with the heel-containing region, and (iii) a first fluid line connecting the first instep chamber and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber and placing the first instep chamber in fluid communication with the first heel and/or ankle support chamber. Fluid moving from the first instep chamber to the first heel and/or ankle support chamber (e.g., under force applied by a footwear securing strap) provides further support for the wearer's heel and/or ankle.

An article of footwear has a tubular structure. The tubular structure may include tab portions that extend away from a tunnel portion of the tubular structure. The tab portions may engage parts of the article of footwear. The tab portions may engage an upper or sole structure along a bite line. The tab portions may be attached to a heel counter, eyestay, or other structure on the article of footwear.

An article of footwear has a tubular structure. The tubular structure may include tab portions that extend away from a tunnel portion of the tubular structure. The tab portions may engage parts of the article of footwear. The tab portions may engage an upper or sole structure along a bite line. The tab portions may be attached to a heel counter, eyestay, or other structure on the article of footwear.

An article of footwear includes a sole structure. The article of footwear further includes a first member that extends away from the sole structure. The first member at least partially defines a medial side and a lateral side of the article of footwear. Moreover, the second member has a body, a first support arm, and a second support arm. The body is attached to the first member such that the first member and the body cooperate to define a void that is configured to receive a foot. The body is also attached to the sole structure. The first support arm is attached to the first member on the medial side, and the second support arm is attached to the first member on the lateral side.

An upper for an article of footwear includes a first material defining a void operable to selectively receive a foot. The first material includes an outer surface. The upper also includes a first edge at least partially circumscribing the void at an uppermost extremity of the upper and a second edge disposed at a lowermost extremity of the upper. The upper further includes a first biasing member (i) disposed at the outer surface of the upper, (ii) attached to the first material, and (iii) spaced apart from the first edge and the second edge. The first biasing member is operable to exert a biasing force on the first material to bias the first edge away from the second edge.

An article of footwear may include a sole assembly and an upper, positioned above the sole assembly, formed from a stretchable material such as a stretchable canvas. The upper may include stitching, with a stretchability of the stretchable canvas being maintained in an area of the upper where the stitching extends. The stitching may include, for example, double needle cover stitching.

A footwear article configured to accommodate an orthotic device. The footwear article includes a sole and a body. The sole and body extend around and form an interior space sized to receive the user's foot and the orthotic device. The body includes an elastic section configured to expand when the footwear article is worn by the user to increase the size of the interior space to accommodate the user's foot and the orthotic device. The stretching action further applies a force on the user's foot to maintain the position of the orthotic device relative to the foot.