In certain aspects, the inventive subject matter is directed to production of constructs of footwear and components thereof by jet extrusion. The inventive subject matter contemplates novel processes for making such constructs using jets or streams of materials that solidify as fibers, and which form into two- or three-dimensional webs as they are collected. The webs may be in the nature of films, membranes, or mats. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter generally relates to nonwoven textiles consisting of webs of superfine fibers, i.e., fibers with diameters in nanoscale or micronscale ranges.

Manufacturing of article of footwear include temporarily mating a sole and an upper to determine processes to be performed to the sole and/or the upper before permanently mating. As specific operations are determined based on the particular combination of a sole and an upper, the sole and upper are individually tracked through the subsequent processes to ensure the correct pairing is achieved at the time of permanent mating. The tracking may leverage identifiers in the tooling supporting the upper and in the sole.

Manufacturing of article of footwear include temporarily mating a sole and an upper to determine processes to be performed to the sole and/or the upper before permanently mating. As specific operations are determined based on the particular combination of a sole and an upper, the sole and upper are individually tracked through the subsequent processes to ensure the correct pairing is achieved at the time of permanent mating. The tracking may leverage identifiers in the tooling supporting the upper and in the sole.

The present invention is directed towards customized 3D printed footwear articles and methods for designing and manufacturing 3D printed footwear having improved cosmetics, comfort and ventilation. The improved footwear articles and methods provide greater integration and/or customization of different components. The method used to manufacture the 3D printed footwear can be conceptualized, prototyped, designed both physically and digitally and then finally designed with specific additive manufacturing processes in mind. Upon completion of printing, the components are cleaned and then in any combination, the components are bonded and coated, or coated and bonded to each other.

A method of using an inflatable member to customize an article is described. An inflatable member includes at least one adjustable portion. The inflatable member may be inserted into an article. The position of the adjustable portion can be changed according to the size of the article. The inflatable member can also be filled with fluid according to the size of the article. The inflatable member may be used to adjust the size of an article. The inflatable member may be used to apply a graphic to an article.

A method of using an inflatable member to customize an article is described. An inflatable member includes at least one adjustable portion. The inflatable member may be inserted into an article. The position of the adjustable portion can be changed according to the size of the article. The inflatable member can also be filled with fluid according to the size of the article. The inflatable member may be used to adjust the size of an article. The inflatable member may be used to apply a graphic to an article.

A method and corresponding apparatus is disclosed for generating a digital last for the manufacture of a shoe for a person. The method comprises obtaining a predefined digital last, the predefined digital last comprising an axis relating to the shape of the last; obtaining data of a foot of the person; and modifying the obtained predefined digital last based on the obtained data, wherein modifying comprises at least one of translation and rotation of the axis.

A method and corresponding apparatus is disclosed for generating a digital last for the manufacture of a shoe for a person. The method comprises obtaining a predefined digital last, the predefined digital last comprising an axis relating to the shape of the last; obtaining data of a foot of the person; and modifying the obtained predefined digital last based on the obtained data, wherein modifying comprises at least one of translation and rotation of the axis.

An article of footwear flat pattern upper (126, 300, 302) having an upper portion (302) and a footbed portion (304) is provided. The upper portion (302) and the footbed portion (304) are integrally coextensive such that the upper portion (302) lateral side (317) converges with the footbed lateral side (317). The footbed portion (304) includes a concave edge (319) extending between the footbed toe end (312) and the footbed heel end (314) along the footbed medial side (315) and a plurality of forming apertures along the medial side (315). The upper portion (302) also includes a plurality of forming apertures extending along the medial side (315).

An article of footwear flat pattern upper (126, 300, 302) having an upper portion (302) and a footbed portion (304) is provided. The upper portion (302) and the footbed portion (304) are integrally coextensive such that the upper portion (302) lateral side (317) converges with the footbed lateral side (317). The footbed portion (304) includes a concave edge (319) extending between the footbed toe end (312) and the footbed heel end (314) along the footbed medial side (315) and a plurality of forming apertures along the medial side (315). The upper portion (302) also includes a plurality of forming apertures extending along the medial side (315).