A knitted or woven component including an upper of an article of footwear, the upper including a knitted textile that is knitted together via a plurality of yarn such that the plurality of knitted yarn at least partially forms the knitted component. The article of footwear includes a midsole coupled to the knitted textile of the upper such that the midsole is positioned adjacent to the plurality of knitted yarn that at least partially forms the knitted component of the article of footwear, and an outsole coupled to the midsole on an opposite side of the knitted textile of the upper such that the outsole is separated from the plurality of knitted yarn that at least partially forms the knitted component of the article of footwear by the midsole disposed therebetween.

A knit textile that includes a plurality of yarn that is knitted together to form the knit textile, and the knit textile defines an upper of an article of footwear. A pair of fused regions are formed along the upper, and the plurality of yarn knitted together to form the knit textile is fused to a predefined extent at the pair of fused regions. The article of footwear includes a midsole coupled to the knit textile of the upper such that the midsole is positioned adjacent to the pair of fused regions, and an outsole coupled to the midsole on an opposite side of the knit textile such that the outsole is separated from the pair of fused regions by the midsole.

A knit textile that includes a plurality of yarn that is knitted together to form the knit textile, and the knit textile defines an upper of an article of footwear. A pair of fused regions are formed along the upper, and the plurality of yarn knitted together to form the knit textile is fused to a predefined extent at the pair of fused regions. The article of footwear includes a midsole coupled to the knit textile of the upper such that the midsole is positioned adjacent to the pair of fused regions, and an outsole coupled to the midsole on an opposite side of the knit textile such that the outsole is separated from the pair of fused regions by the midsole.

Compression molded foam articles are provided having a closed cell foam structure comprising a plurality of cells having an anisotropic cell shape. The disclosed compression molded foam articles can be used as components or parts of a variety of articles, including articles of footwear and athletic equipment. Methods are disclosed for making the disclosed compression molded foam articles from a foamed preform having an elastomeric closed cell foam with substantially isotropic cell shape. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Compression molded foam articles are provided having a closed cell foam structure comprising a plurality of cells having an anisotropic cell shape. The disclosed compression molded foam articles can be used as components or parts of a variety of articles, including articles of footwear and athletic equipment. Methods are disclosed for making the disclosed compression molded foam articles from a foamed preform having an elastomeric closed cell foam with substantially isotropic cell shape. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

A method and apparatus for printing onto a curved surface of an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include receiving the article and extruding a composite yarn from a nozzle. A method may include attaching the composite yarn to the curved surface by moving the nozzle in a direction aligned with a first axis and a direction aligned with second axis along the curved surface. The first axis may be approximately normal to the print surface and the second axis may be approximately normal to the first direction. The article may be repositioned during printing to accommodate nozzle movement.

A method and apparatus for printing onto a curved surface of an article are disclosed. An embodiment of a method may include receiving the article and extruding a composite yarn from a nozzle. A method may include attaching the composite yarn to the curved surface by moving the nozzle in a direction aligned with a first axis and a direction aligned with second axis along the curved surface. The first axis may be approximately normal to the print surface and the second axis may be approximately normal to the first direction. The article may be repositioned during printing to accommodate nozzle movement.

A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.

A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.

A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.