Last devices and methods for forming an article of footwear are disclosed. The last device comprises a last body having a surface for receiving material for the article of footwear and at least two sets of fluid conduits extending separately within the last body and opening to the surface of the last body. The at least two sets of separate fluid conduits are provided to subject the material on the last body to at least two different types of treatment. The last body can be produced by means of additive manufacturing.

Last devices and methods for forming an article of footwear are disclosed. The last device comprises a last body having a surface for receiving material for the article of footwear and at least two sets of fluid conduits extending separately within the last body and opening to the surface of the last body. The at least two sets of separate fluid conduits are provided to subject the material on the last body to at least two different types of treatment. The last body can be produced by means of additive manufacturing.

A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes positioning an upper on a last that defines openings connected by one or more channels in the last, injecting a material through the one or more channels in the last, and forming a structure on the upper with the material.

A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes positioning an upper on a last that defines openings connected by one or more channels in the last, injecting a material through the one or more channels in the last, and forming a structure on the upper with the material.

Methods for manufacturing at least a portion of an upper for an article of footwear that include thermo-forming a pattern on the upper. The methods may include disposing a skin for forming an upper over and inflatable bladder and disposing a mold insert between the skin and a surface of a mold cavity. The mold insert may include a mold pattern including surface features formed in the mold insert. The inflatable bladder may be inflated such that the skin is pressed against the mold insert within a heated mold cavity to form a pattern on an exterior surface of the skin and cause the skin to take on the shape of at least a portion of an upper. In some embodiments, the surface features may be disposed in a gradient pattern configured to provide varying degrees of one or more characteristics to different areas of an upper.

A process for thermo-adhesive bonding of semi-finished products includes preparing an inner sock, an outer sock and an impermeable membrane provided with a thermo-adhesive disposed on an inner surface and/or an outer surface of the membrane; fitting the inner sock onto a rigid reference shape; fitting the membrane over the inner sock; fitting the outer sock over the membrane; heating the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock arranged on the rigid reference shape in an oven until at least partial melting of the thermo-adhesive; cooling the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock arranged on the rigid reference shape until cross-linking of the thermo-adhesive and stable bonding of the membrane to the outer sock and/or the inner sock. Also, exerting a substantially uniform pressure on the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock disposed on the rigid reference shape during cooling, so as to compact them.

An article of footwear having an upper portion and a footbed portion that may be aligned with apertures proximate specified edges or locations. The footbed portion includes a concave edge extending between the footbed toe end and the footbed heel end along the footbed medial side and a plurality of forming apertures along the medial side. The upper portion also includes a plurality of forming apertures extending along the medial side.

An article of footwear having an upper portion and a footbed portion that may be aligned with apertures proximate specified edges or locations. The footbed portion includes a concave edge extending between the footbed toe end and the footbed heel end along the footbed medial side and a plurality of forming apertures along the medial side. The upper portion also includes a plurality of forming apertures extending along the medial side.

An example customizable shoe last includes a solid portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion includes a moldable material that is selectively solidifiable for footwear manufacture. The customizable shoe last also includes an interchangeable mold cover to enclose the adjustable portion.

An example customizable shoe last includes a solid portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion includes a moldable material that is selectively solidifiable for footwear manufacture. The customizable shoe last also includes an interchangeable mold cover to enclose the adjustable portion.