An article having an inner article layer and an outer article layer to be worn by a mammal comprising a thermally insulating layer of a reflective metalized polymeric insulation material having moisture vapour transference properties adjacent to at least one of the inner and outer article layers. An apparatus and method for producing a reflective metalized polymeric thermally insulating assembly having moisture vapour transference properties suitable for use in the article is also provided. The insulation material provides enhanced thermal retention.

A mold, a molding apparatus, and a method for manufacturing articles or components is used to manufacture an article or component of the article that at least partially comprises an ultraviolet (UV) curable material. The mold and apparatus comprise at least one mold wall formed of a cyclic olefin copolymer, which is in contact with UV radiation curable material and allows the article or component of the article to be exposed to UV radiation for a period of time in order to provide for at least partial cure thereof.

A method for manufacturing a mechanoreception fabric for incorporation into a garment or item of apparel sets a liquid substrate to a fabric weave to produce a plurality of protuberances in graticulate array and spaced apart across a surface of the fabric. The plurality of protuberances includes pyramidal nodes, each independent and separate from other nodes, not less than 1 mm apart at the base and not more than 5 mm apart at each apex and 1.5 mm in height. Because the nodes are separated and not in contact with each other, the fabric produced is still stretchable and wearable when incorporated into an item of apparel despite the nodes having a hardness of between Shore A 60 and 80.

Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.

A process for fabricating a three-dimensional, multi-layered fabric product with a moisture barrier is provided. A partially seamed inner lining fabric assembly having at least a two-dimensional shape is laminated with a membrane barrier film having flaps left un-laminated to cover at least one seam. The inner lining fabric assembly is further seamed and flaps of the of the membrane barrier film overlapped into contact with each other and sealed to provide a continuous moisture barrier. A process for fabricating a stretchable section of a garment with a moisture barrier is also provided. At least a section of a garment is formed from fibers arranged in a pattern having a direction of stretch in one direction and a three-dimensional surface texture such that a portion of the fibers protrude above another portion of the fibers. The stretchable section is stretched in the direction of stretch. Segments of a membrane barrier film are adhered to an outer edge of the protruding portion of the fibers while the section is stretched in the direction of stretch, leaving intermediate segments of the barrier film free from adherence to the section. In this way, the intermediate segments of the membrane barrier film include slack that folds up to form ruches when the section is in a relaxed state.

A method and an apparatus for making a non-woven fabric article are provided. The method includes providing a screen mold, disposing a formable material thereover, and evacuating air from the screen mold. The screen mold is made of a non-pliable material, and has an annular surrounding wall that defines an internal space, and multiple screen holes that extend through the annular surrounding wall and communicate with the internal space. The formable material is disposed over the annular surrounding wall and the screen holes of the screen mold, and then air is evacuated from the internal space via a suction device to form the fabric article.

A sporting equipment is disclosed. The sporting equipment may include a head, and at least one of a handle and a shaft extending from the head. The head and the at least one of the handle and the shaft may be a monolithic structure having at least one continuous fiber passing from the head to the at least one of the handle and the shaft.

A sporting equipment is disclosed. The sporting equipment may include a harness, and a protective plate. The protective plate may be integrally formed with the harness from a plurality of fibers that are continuous from the harness into the protective plate.

A sporting equipment is disclosed. The sporting equipment may include an elongated platform configured to support a user and being fabricated from matrix-coated fibers. The sporting equipment may also include a sensor integrally fabricated into the platform and connected to the matrix-coated fibers.

A sporting equipment is disclosed. The sporting equipment may include a barrel, an action connected to a base end of the barrel, and a stock connected to the action opposite the barrel. At least two of the barrel, the action, and the stock are fabricated from a plurality of fibers.