A method for producing a shoe includes: preparing an adapter including a first thermoplastic and an energy absorber having a higher dielectric loss factor than that of the first thermoplastic, the adapter having the first thermoplastic exposed at least on a first surface; a contacting process of bringing a first bonded surface formed on a first shoe member into abutting contact with the first surface and bringing a second bonded surface formed on a second shoe member into abutting contact with the second surface; and of heating and melting the adapter by irradiating the adapter with microwaves after the contacting process to cause these shoe members to be bonded to each other via the adapter. A shoe can be produced by the method.

A footwear sole structure having a fluid-filled chamber including a tensile member is provided. The fluid-filled chamber includes a first barrier sheet, a second barrier sheet and the tensile member. The first barrier sheet is formed from a first thermoplastic material. The second barrier sheet is attached to the first barrier sheet and is formed from a second thermoplastic material. The first barrier sheet and the second barrier sheet cooperate to define an internal cavity. The tensile member is disposed within the internal cavity and is formed from a third thermoplastic material. A first weld attaches the first barrier sheet, the second barrier sheet, and the tensile member together by melding the first thermoplastic material of the first barrier sheet, the second thermoplastic material of second barrier sheet, and the third thermoplastic material of the tensile member.

The present invention pertains to a new shoe comprising a sole of a thermoplastic material adhered to an upper shoe with a hot melt adhesive that is applied between the sole and the upper shoe, wherein the hot melt adhesive is fused with the thermoplastic material. Advantageously, the fusion is brought about by heating the hot melt adhesive to a temperature THM such that it softens, heating the second body such that the thermoplastic material that has a melting temperature TM obtains a temperature T.sub.SUB below T.sub.M while making sure that (T.sub.HM+T.sub.SUB)/2 is equal to or higher than (T.sub.M−10° C.).

The present invention pertains to a new shoe comprising a sole of a thermoplastic material adhered to an upper shoe with a hot melt adhesive that is applied between the sole and the upper shoe, wherein the hot melt adhesive is fused with the thermoplastic material. Advantageously, the fusion is brought about by heating the hot melt adhesive to a temperature THM such that it softens, heating the second body such that the thermoplastic material that has a melting temperature TM obtains a temperature T.sub.SUB below T.sub.M while making sure that (T.sub.HM+T.sub.SUB)/2 is equal to or higher than (T.sub.M−10° C.).

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear 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 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.

Systems and methods for monitoring the quality of a surface treatment applied to an article in a manufacturing process are provided. A surface treatment may be applied to at least a portion of an article. A thermal profile of the article may be obtained and used to determine temperature indications of different regions of the article to which the surface treatment has been applied. A standard model of the article may be obtained that includes model regions having model temperature ranges. The temperature indications of the article can be compared with the model temperature ranges to determine if any temperature indications are outside of a corresponding model temperature range. The article may be a shoe part. The surface treatments may include the application of heat, plasma, dye, paint, primer, and/or the application of other materials, substances, and/or processes.

Systems and methods for monitoring the quality of a surface treatment applied to an article in a manufacturing process are provided. A surface treatment may be applied to at least a portion of an article. A thermal profile of the article may be obtained and used to determine temperature indications of different regions of the article to which the surface treatment has been applied. A standard model of the article may be obtained that includes model regions having model temperature ranges. The temperature indications of the article can be compared with the model temperature ranges to determine if any temperature indications are outside of a corresponding model temperature range. The article may be a shoe part. The surface treatments may include the application of heat, plasma, dye, paint, primer, and/or the application of other materials, substances, and/or processes.

Systems and methods for monitoring the quality of a surface treatment applied to an article in a manufacturing process are provided. A surface treatment may be applied to at least a portion of an article. A thermal profile of the article may be obtained and used to determine temperature indications of different regions of the article to which the surface treatment has been applied. A standard model of the article may be obtained that includes model regions having model temperature ranges. The temperature indications of the article can be compared with the model temperature ranges to determine if any temperature indications are outside of a corresponding model temperature range. The article may be a shoe part. The surface treatments may include the application of heat, plasma, dye, paint, primer, and/or the application of other materials, substances, and/or processes.

Systems and methods for monitoring the quality of a surface treatment applied to an article in a manufacturing process are provided. A surface treatment may be applied to at least a portion of an article. A thermal profile of the article may be obtained and used to determine temperature indications of different regions of the article to which the surface treatment has been applied. A standard model of the article may be obtained that includes model regions having model temperature ranges. The temperature indications of the article can be compared with the model temperature ranges to determine if any temperature indications are outside of a corresponding model temperature range. The article may be a shoe part. The surface treatments may include the application of heat, plasma, dye, paint, primer, and/or the application of other materials, substances, and/or processes.