The utilization of heat in the manufacturing of footwear may be accomplished through microwave energy. The microwave energy is conveyed to the footwear components through a microwave transparent window of a tool. The microwave transparent tool window forms as least a portion of a part-contacting surface of the tool. Another surface of the tool is formed from a microwave reflecting material, such as aluminum. The footwear component(s) are exposed to microwave energy while within the tool such that the microwave energy passes through the tool window to cause a dielectric heating of one or more materials within a tool cavity of the tool.

A method of preparing shoe components includes the steps of: providing a first shoe component and a second shoe component, forming an adhesive member on one of the first and second shoe components, stacking the first and second shoe components such that the adhesive member is disposed therebetween, heating to melt the adhesive member so as to adhere the first and second shoe components to each other, and suctioning air to adhere the first and second shoe components closely to each other.

A method of preparing shoe components includes the steps of: providing a first shoe component and a second shoe component, forming an adhesive member on one of the first and second shoe components, stacking the first and second shoe components such that the adhesive member is disposed therebetween, heating to melt the adhesive member so as to adhere the first and second shoe components to each other, and suctioning air to adhere the first and second shoe components closely to each other.

A method for manufacturing a shoe body, comprising the following steps: overlap and fix a tensile film and a composite material film; move a vamp having a three-dimensional shape to make a surface of the vamp abutting against the composite material film, so that both of the tensile film and the composite material film have a predetermined tension; heat the composite material film in a contactless manner, so that the composite material film is joined to the surface of the vamp; move the tensile film away from the composite material film. An apparatus for utilizing such method includes a fixture which is adapted to fix the tensile film and the composite material film; a fixing member which is adapted to support the vamp; a driving device which is adapted to drive the fixing member or the fixture; a contactless heating device which is adapted to heat the composite material film.

A method for manufacturing a shoe body, comprising the following steps: overlap and fix a tensile film and a composite material film; move a vamp having a three-dimensional shape to make a surface of the vamp abutting against the composite material film, so that both of the tensile film and the composite material film have a predetermined tension; heat the composite material film in a contactless manner, so that the composite material film is joined to the surface of the vamp; move the tensile film away from the composite material film. An apparatus for utilizing such method includes a fixture which is adapted to fix the tensile film and the composite material film; a fixing member which is adapted to support the vamp; a driving device which is adapted to drive the fixing member or the fixture; a contactless heating device which is adapted to heat the composite material film.

A method for manufacturing a shoe body, comprising the following steps: overlap and fix a tensile film and a composite material film; move a vamp having a three-dimensional shape to make a surface of the vamp abutting against the composite material film, so that both of the tensile film and the composite material film have a predetermined tension; heat the composite material film in a contactless manner, so that the composite material film is joined to the surface of the vamp; move the tensile film away from the composite material film. An apparatus for utilizing such method includes a fixture which is adapted to fix the tensile film and the composite material film; a fixing member which is adapted to support the vamp; a driving device which is adapted to drive the fixing member or the fixture; a contactless heating device which is adapted to heat the composite material film.

A method for manufacturing a shoe body, comprising the following steps: overlap and fix a tensile film and a composite material film; move a vamp having a three-dimensional shape to make a surface of the vamp abutting against the composite material film, so that both of the tensile film and the composite material film have a predetermined tension; heat the composite material film in a contactless manner, so that the composite material film is joined to the surface of the vamp; move the tensile film away from the composite material film. An apparatus for utilizing such method includes a fixture which is adapted to fix the tensile film and the composite material film; a fixing member which is adapted to support the vamp; a driving device which is adapted to drive the fixing member or the fixture; a contactless heating device which is adapted to heat the composite material film.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

Waterproof upper components of shoes, and methods of making waterproof shoes and waterproof upper components thereof are described.

Waterproof upper components of shoes, and methods of making waterproof shoes and waterproof upper components thereof are described.