Systems and methods of manufacturing a shoe outsole are provided wherein at least a portion of the resulting shoe outsole includes embedded particles. An example method includes applying adhesive to at least one region of the shoe outsole, depositing selected particles onto the adhesive to provide the shoe outsole with a first coat of particles, and at least partially curing the adhesive. The method continues by applying additional adhesive over the first coat of particles, depositing additional particles onto the adhesive to provide the shoe outsole with a second coat of particles, and at least partially curing the subsequent application of adhesive.

An article of cleated footwear includes an outsole plate and an upper. The outsole plate includes a rigid first member and a second rigid member. The first rigid member extends substantially along the length of the outsole, and the rigid second member is attached to the first member. The first member and/or the second member has a ground-engaging profile. The upper is attached to the first member.

An article of cleated footwear includes an outsole plate and an upper. The outsole plate includes a rigid first member and a second rigid member. The first rigid member extends substantially along the length of the outsole, and the rigid second member is attached to the first member. The first member and/or the second member has a ground-engaging profile. The upper is attached to the first member.

In general, one or more aspects of the disclosure relates to an athletic shoe comprising an upper and a sole. The sole further comprises an upper midsole, a lower midsole and a plate disposed between the upper midsole and the lower midsole. The plate comprises a toe region having a planar shape. The toe region is encapsulated between the upper midsole and the lower midsole. The plate additionally comprises a heel region having a contoured incurvature. The heel region protrudes externally from between the upper midsole and the lower midsole to form a sidewall that encompasses a heel region of the upper midsole. The unique combination of the two shapes of the plate provides comfort and stability as well as enhanced energy return in the heel with less force upon the heel of the wearer and with the sidewalls provides stability and then the planar forefoot shape placed between the two midsoles offers propulsion, at the metatarsal flex and toe area during the gait cycle.

In general, one or more aspects of the disclosure relates to an athletic shoe comprising an upper and a sole. The sole further comprises an upper midsole, a lower midsole and a plate disposed between the upper midsole and the lower midsole. The plate comprises a toe region having a planar shape. The toe region is encapsulated between the upper midsole and the lower midsole. The plate additionally comprises a heel region having a contoured incurvature. The heel region protrudes externally from between the upper midsole and the lower midsole to form a sidewall that encompasses a heel region of the upper midsole. The unique combination of the two shapes of the plate provides comfort and stability as well as enhanced energy return in the heel with less force upon the heel of the wearer and with the sidewalls provides stability and then the planar forefoot shape placed between the two midsoles offers propulsion, at the metatarsal flex and toe area during the gait cycle.

This document relates to adhesive application devices and methods for applying an adhesive on a shoe during manufacturing.

Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated manner. For example, shoe parts may be retrieved and temporarily assembled according to preset relative positions to form part stacks. The part stacks may be retrieved with the relative positioning of the shoe parts being maintained and placed at a stitching machine for more permanent attachment via stitching of the parts to form a shoe assembly. Movement during stitching of a conveyance mechanism that transfers the part stack from the stacking surface to the stitching machine and movement of a needle associated with the stitching machine may be controlled by a shared control mechanism such that the movements are synchronized with respect to one another. Vision systems may be leveraged to achieve movement and position information between and at machines and locations.

Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated manner. For example, shoe parts may be retrieved and temporarily assembled according to preset relative positions to form part stacks. The part stacks may be retrieved with the relative positioning of the shoe parts being maintained and placed at a stitching machine for more permanent attachment via stitching of the parts to form a shoe assembly. Movement during stitching of a conveyance mechanism that transfers the part stack from the stacking surface to the stitching machine and movement of a needle associated with the stitching machine may be controlled by a shared control mechanism such that the movements are synchronized with respect to one another. Vision systems may be leveraged to achieve movement and position information between and at machines and locations.

A nozzle dispenses a material, such as an adhesive, primer, paint, or other coating, through a dispensing port on to a substrate. The spray pattern provided by the nozzle defines, at least in part, an application pattern of the material on to the substrate. An air mask port integral with the nozzle or a separate nozzle expels a mask stream of pressurized gas. The mask stream projects toward the substrate to aid in limiting an application of the material beyond an application line on the substrate. The air-mask port and the dispensing port may be moved relative to the substrate and/or the application line such that the mask stream provides a barrier to the material being applied.

The manufacturing of footwear includes the joining of components. The joining may be accomplished with adhesive. The adhesive, such as a polyurethane, is applied as a single-sided adhesive to a footwear component. The application of the adhesive can contaminate the system that is applying the adhesive with intentional over spray of the footwear component. The over spray ensures adequate coverage of the footwear component to allow a sufficient bond. A masking platform of the system masks portions of the system to limit the contamination caused by the over spray. Additionally, material brushes and scrapers may engage with components of the system to remove or limit adhesive contamination on those components. A vision system maps a surface of the footwear component to ensure the adhesive is applied for the specific article.