Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. Portions of the articles may be manufactured using rapid manufacturing and those portions may be joined with portions formed using conventional, non-rapid manufacturing techniques. The methods may also include performing a scan of an appropriate body part of a user, such as a foot, in order to create a customized article of footwear for the user.

Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. Portions of the articles may be manufactured using rapid manufacturing and those portions may be joined with portions formed using conventional, non-rapid manufacturing techniques. The methods may also include performing a scan of an appropriate body part of a user, such as a foot, in order to create a customized article of footwear for the user.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for bundling of single-use plastics into reusable material. An example method for forming a sheet of insulation includes arranging a plurality of single-use plastic straws to be parallel to each other in a side-by-side manner. At least some of the plurality of single-use plastic straws are arranged to contact adjacent ones of the plurality of single-use plastic straws. The example method also includes applying fastening material to the plurality of single-use plastic straws to couple the plurality of single-use plastic straws together.

A composite product substantially reduced the impact force imposed by hard impactor which travelled at the speed in the range of 400 m/s to 1400 m/s simultaneously damping the vibrations and shocks appeared therein is disclosed. At the same time it is light weight with the weight lower than that of 22 to 38 kg/m2 and is flexible to adopt the shape suitable for the end applications. A method of manufacturing the composite product of the invention is also disclosed.

A composite product substantially reduced the impact force imposed by hard impactor which travelled at the speed in the range of 400 m/s to 1400 m/s simultaneously damping the vibrations and shocks appeared therein is disclosed. At the same time it is light weight with the weight lower than that of 22 to 38 kg/m2 and is flexible to adopt the shape suitable for the end applications. A method of manufacturing the composite product of the invention is also disclosed.

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.

An insulated cooler comprises a body and a lid at least partially connected to the body, where each is comprised of soft thermoplastic material. The body includes a base comprising rigid plastic connected to the body via a first thermoplastic sealing strip heat welded to the bottom edges of the body, and sewn to top edges of the base. The lid includes a top comprising rigid plastic connected to top edges of the lid via a second thermoplastic sealing strip heat welded to the top edges of the lid, and sewn to bottom edges of the top. The cooler also includes a waterproof liner disposed along inner surfaces of the body and the lid, insulation disposed between the liner and the body and lid, and a zipper closing the lid to the body. A method of manufacturing an insulated cooler is also disclosed. This is helpful for transporting cooler conveniently and increasing the capabilities of the cooler.

An insulated cooler comprises a body and a lid at least partially connected to the body, where each is comprised of soft thermoplastic material. The body includes a base comprising rigid plastic connected to the body via a first thermoplastic sealing strip heat welded to the bottom edges of the body, and sewn to top edges of the base. The lid includes a top comprising rigid plastic connected to top edges of the lid via a second thermoplastic sealing strip heat welded to the top edges of the lid, and sewn to bottom edges of the top. The cooler also includes a waterproof liner disposed along inner surfaces of the body and the lid, insulation disposed between the liner and the body and lid, and a zipper closing the lid to the body. A method of manufacturing an insulated cooler is also disclosed. This is helpful for transporting cooler conveniently and increasing the capabilities of the cooler.

A method for producing a fencing material including the steps of: providing a border material having an interior surface; providing a mesh material having a front and a back; treating the interior surface of the border material to produce a tacky border material surface; placing a portion of the front and/or the back of the mesh material against the tacky border material surface; pressing the tacky border material surface and the mesh material together; and thermally bonding at least some portion of the front and the back of the mesh material with the interior surface of the border material. The border material being a polyvinyl chloride, the mesh being a polyvinyl chloride material and/or a vinyl coated material.