The invention relates to footwear and portions thereof having structural features and decorative designs thereon, and related systems and methods for manufacturing same. An example method for providing a feature on a surface of an object includes positioning a laser proximate the surface of the object, directing a laser beam from the laser to the surface of the object to mark or engrave at least a portion of the surface of the object, and moving at least one of the laser or the object to create a pattern on the surface of the object, the pattern providing at least one of an aesthetic or a structural feature on the surface of the object.

The invention relates to footwear and portions thereof having structural features and decorative designs thereon, and related systems and methods for manufacturing same. An example method for providing a feature on a surface of an object includes positioning a laser proximate the surface of the object, directing a laser beam from the laser to the surface of the object to mark or engrave at least a portion of the surface of the object, and moving at least one of the laser or the object to create a pattern on the surface of the object, the pattern providing at least one of an aesthetic or a structural feature on the surface of the object.

An article, such as an article of footwear or an article of apparel, includes an upper having a gradient-like coloring pattern. The article further includes protruding elements configured in a pattern that corresponds to the coloring pattern. The article may have a layered structure including a base layer, a coloring ink layer and a layer of protruding elements.

An article, such as an article of footwear or an article of apparel, includes an upper having a gradient-like coloring pattern. The article further includes protruding elements configured in a pattern that corresponds to the coloring pattern. The article may have a layered structure including a base layer, a coloring ink layer and a layer of protruding elements.

A shoe upper manufacturing method is provided. The shoe upper manufacturing method includes the steps of obtaining materials for shoe uppers, forming the shoe uppers, processing the shoe uppers, and printing the shoe uppers carried out in turn. Thus a multi-layer composite footwear fabric is produced and further processed to form shoe uppers required. Thereby different heating temperature and time are set for heat melting and adhesion of thermoplastic elastomer onto footwear fabric made from different materials in order to meet different requirements of users. Moreover, production efficiency is improved and production capacity is increased by combination of one upper mold with a plurality of lower molds. The present method is more efficient than those in current use.

A shoe upper manufacturing method is provided. The shoe upper manufacturing method includes the steps of obtaining materials for shoe uppers, forming the shoe uppers, processing the shoe uppers, and printing the shoe uppers carried out in turn. Thus a multi-layer composite footwear fabric is produced and further processed to form shoe uppers required. Thereby different heating temperature and time are set for heat melting and adhesion of thermoplastic elastomer onto footwear fabric made from different materials in order to meet different requirements of users. Moreover, production efficiency is improved and production capacity is increased by combination of one upper mold with a plurality of lower molds. The present method is more efficient than those in current use.

The present disclosure is directed to articles that have a surface comprising a polymeric material having a printed layer disposed thereon that is durable and flexible. Prior to formation of the printed layer, the surface of the article can comprise a first layer of a first composition disposed on a portion of the polymeric material. The first composition can include a dispersion of uncrosslinked polymers (e.g., a water-borne dispersion of uncrosslinked polymers). The printed layer can be included on an article of footwear, a component of footwear, apparel, a component of apparel, sporting equipment, or a component of sporting equipment.

The present disclosure is directed to articles that have a surface comprising a polymeric material having a printed layer disposed thereon that is durable and flexible. Prior to formation of the printed layer, the surface of the article can comprise a first layer of a first composition disposed on a portion of the polymeric material. The first composition can include a dispersion of uncrosslinked polymers (e.g., a water-borne dispersion of uncrosslinked polymers). The printed layer can be included on an article of footwear, a component of footwear, apparel, a component of apparel, sporting equipment, or a component of sporting equipment.

A method and apparatus for printing on an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include the generation of a virtual mask that can designate areas for printing and/or designate areas to exclude from printing. A method may include utilization of the virtual mask during either 2D or 3D printing such that a print design is printed in areas designated for printing by the virtual mask.

A method and apparatus for printing on an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include the generation of a virtual mask that can designate areas for printing and/or designate areas to exclude from printing. A method may include utilization of the virtual mask during either 2D or 3D printing such that a print design is printed in areas designated for printing by the virtual mask.