A method of making a knitted shoe includes the steps of: (A) preparing a tube main body having opposite first and second openings; (B) closing the first opening to form a front joined part; (C) cutting an oval shaped opening in the tube main body and closing the same to form a side joined part proximate to the front joined part; (D) preparing and sleeving a three-dimensional rigid foam sleeve on a shoe last; (E) adhering the tube main body to an outer surface of the foam sleeve so as to form a tubular knitted upper; (F) placing the shoe last in an oven for heating; (G) removing the shoe last from the oven; (H) adhering a sole to a bottom side of the tubular knitted upper; and (I) removing the shoe last from the tubular knitted upper.

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Aspects of the present invention customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Aspects of the present invention customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.

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 midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot 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.

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 midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot 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.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

A strobel for an article of footwear includes a base layer and an upper layer formed of a polymer material covering a portion of the top surface of the base layer, leaving a portion of the top surface of the base layer exposed about an entire periphery of the base layer. The upper layer is directly bonded to the base layer without any fastening members. A method of forming the strobel is also disclosed.

A smart oven includes a box body unit, a heating unit and a feed unit. The box body unit includes a box body that has a first inner wall surface, two second inner wall surfaces, two third inner wall surfaces, and a heating chamber having a chamber opening that faces downward. The heating unit includes a plurality of upper radiation heating lamps disposed above the chamber opening, and a plurality of outer radiation heating lamps disposed in proximity to the second and third inner wall surfaces. The feed unit includes a carrier platform that is movable relative to the box body between a material-placing position and a material-operating position, in which the carrier platform is distal from and closes the chamber opening, respectively.

A smart oven includes a box body unit, a heating unit and a feed unit. The box body unit includes a box body that has a first inner wall surface, two second inner wall surfaces, two third inner wall surfaces, and a heating chamber having a chamber opening that faces downward. The heating unit includes a plurality of upper radiation heating lamps disposed above the chamber opening, and a plurality of outer radiation heating lamps disposed in proximity to the second and third inner wall surfaces. The feed unit includes a carrier platform that is movable relative to the box body between a material-placing position and a material-operating position, in which the carrier platform is distal from and closes the chamber opening, respectively.

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.