A boot comprises: an outsole and a polymeric upper affixed to the outsole. The upper comprises an upper body and a gusset, which comprises a relaxed position and an expanded position, wherein the gusset moves from the relaxed position to the expanded position to accommodate a wearer's leg upon donning of the boot.

This document discloses a process for manufacturing recyclable injection molded microcellular foams for use in, footwear components, seating components, protective gear components, and watersport accessories. The process includes the steps of providing a thermoplastic polymer which comprises at least one monomer derived from depolymerized post-consumer plastic, inserting a fluid into a barrel of a molding apparatus. The fluid is introduced under temperature and pressure conditions to produce a super critical fluid. The process further includes mixing the thermoplastic polymer and super critical fluid so as to create a single phase solution, and injecting the single phase solution into a mold of an injection molding machine under gas counter pressure. The process further includes foaming the single phase solution by controlling the head and temperature conditions within the mold.

A method for making an elastically yielding layer (14) on a rigid or substantially rigid support surface (16) of an article (12) comprises a step of providing a support surface (16) inside a mold (18) for injection molding provided with a molding cavity (20), comprising a die (22) and a punch (24). The support surface (16) is in use facing the elastically yielding layer (14). The support surface (16) forms a wall of the molding cavity (20). There is also a step of providing an insert (26) inside the molding cavity (20) and a step of closing the mold (18). A step of injection molding of a thermoplastic polymer above the support surface (16), between the support surface (16) and the mold (18) is also provided.

A method for manufacturing a sole assembly of an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first mold to forming a first component. A second material is injected into a second mold to form a second component in the second mold. The first component is formed from a first material and includes a first plurality of channel elements. The second component is formed from a second material and includes a second plurality of channel elements. Each of the first plurality of channel elements is aligned with a corresponding one of the second plurality of channel elements, and the first component is secured to the second component to form an initial sole assembly.

A method of manufacturing a multicolor shoe material includes the following steps. Step S1: blank molds are provided, and a mold chamber of each of the blank molds is injected by one of the foamed materials in different colors to form unfoamed semi-finished products in different colors. Step S2: the semi-finished products are put into a foaming mold, when the foaming mold is preheated and completely closed, a ratio of a total volume of the semi-finished products to a volume of the mold chamber of the foaming mold is ranged between 0.96 and 1.04. Thus, the semi-finished products could be evenly foamed. After foaming, adjacent two of the semi-finished products could be connected by heat fusion to obtain the multicolor shoe material. Additionally, a semi-finished product and a multicolor shoe material are provided in the present invention.

The invention concerns a method of producing an article of footwear comprising: providing an upper; providing a mold and opening the mold; inserting the upper into the open mold; closing the mold; and injecting a pressurized molten resin, wherein, after the injecting, there is a gap filled with the resin between a side wall of the mold and an outer surface of at least a first portion of the upper, wherein the gap is essentially zero at a contacting point, wherein the gap increases gradually from the contacting point in at least a first region of the mold.

A molding system and a method for forming a sole structure are provided. The method includes flowing a molten polymeric material into a mold from an upstream device, receiving the molten polymeric material in a cavity of the mold, and maintaining a repeatable, uniform pressure profile as the molten polymeric material is delivered into the mold.

A footwear assembly having an upper that comprises a neoprene sock with a foot portion integrally connected to a leg portion. The foot portion has heel, vamp and under-foot portions. The leg portion has front shin, side wall, and rear calf-side portions. The upper has a unitary, outer, injection molded layer molded directly onto the foot and shin portions of the neoprene sock, while the sidewall and rear calf-side portions remain substantially uncovered by the injection molded layer. The injection molded layer encases the foot portion of the neoprene sock. The injection molded layer on the shin portion defines a shin guard portion having a necked down area integrally connected to the injection molded layer at the vamp portion, wherein the shin guard extends upwardly from the necked-down portion in an outwardly diverging shape away from the vamp.

In order to provide an injection molded article that is able to be easily produced so that a molding surface of a forming mold is accurately reflected on the injection molded article, and, in order to provide a shoe having a shoe part excellent in appearance, the shoe part is formed of an elastomer composition showing a certain heat melting characteristics.

A pressure injected plastic footwear is provided characterized in that comprising double liner made of fabric, one on the inside part and one on the outside part; both liners may be identical or different and provide the footwear with special characteristics such as being fire retardant, antifungal, anti-mold and hermetic to moisture and liquid water as well as thermal insulating.