A shoe last for air activation and air cooling utilized to heat and activate as well as cool and shape a semi-finished shoe made up of a midsole and a vamp includes a body, at least one inlet, and at least one jet outlet. The body has an outer surface. The at least one inlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body. The at least one jet outlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body, is spaced apart from the at least one inlet, and fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet. The semi-finished shoe is sleeved on the body and covers the at least one jet outlet. Gas is injected into the body via the at least one inlet, flows out of the body via the at least one jet outlet, and is ejected to the semi-finished shoe.

A shoe last for air activation and air cooling utilized to heat and activate as well as cool and shape a semi-finished shoe made up of a midsole and a vamp includes a body, at least one inlet, and at least one jet outlet. The body has an outer surface. The at least one inlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body. The at least one jet outlet is disposed on the outer surface of the body, is spaced apart from the at least one inlet, and fluidly communicates with the at least one inlet. The semi-finished shoe is sleeved on the body and covers the at least one jet outlet. Gas is injected into the body via the at least one inlet, flows out of the body via the at least one jet outlet, and is ejected to the semi-finished shoe.

A method for assembling shoe components includes the steps of: providing at least two shoe components, a shoe last and a film unit; placing the at least two shoe components on an outer surface of the shoe last; removably covering an assembly of the at least two shoe components and the shoe last with the film unit such that the film unit and the shoe last cooperatively define a confining space therebetween; and pumping air out of the confining space and heating the at least two shoe components to shrink and deform the film unit so as to press the at least two shoe components to adhere tightly to each other.

A method for assembling shoe components includes the steps of: providing at least two shoe components, a shoe last and a film unit; placing the at least two shoe components on an outer surface of the shoe last; removably covering an assembly of the at least two shoe components and the shoe last with the film unit such that the film unit and the shoe last cooperatively define a confining space therebetween; and pumping air out of the confining space and heating the at least two shoe components to shrink and deform the film unit so as to press the at least two shoe components to adhere tightly to each other.

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.

An inflatable shoe insert assembly may have an elongated lower element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a tubular inflation chamber that is narrow and elongated and is configured to seal inflation fluid therein; a shoe-upper element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a shoe-upper inflation chamber configured to seal inflation fluid therein; wherein lower and upper inflation chambers are configured and dimensioned to fit together into a shoe and support each other in an installed position to cooperatively support and maintain the shape of the shoe upper.

An inflatable shoe insert assembly may have an elongated lower element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a tubular inflation chamber that is narrow and elongated and is configured to seal inflation fluid therein; a shoe-upper element formed of opposing, flexible, polymeric plies that are sealed together to define a shoe-upper inflation chamber configured to seal inflation fluid therein; wherein lower and upper inflation chambers are configured and dimensioned to fit together into a shoe and support each other in an installed position to cooperatively support and maintain the shape of the shoe upper.

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.

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.