Provided is a shoe sole member formed by at least two types of polymer compositions, a first composition and a second polymer composition, including: a first part formed by the first polymer composition; a second part formed by the second polymer composition; and a third part formed by a mixture of the first polymer composition and the second polymer composition between the first part and the second part.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a sole component having a plurality of hollow polymeric elements in contact with one another or with binder between the hollow polymeric elements and fixed relative to one another. Each of the hollow polymeric elements defines a sealed, fluid-filled internal cavity capable of retaining fluid at a predetermined pressure. A method of manufacturing a sole structure for an article of footwear includes placing a plurality of hollow polymeric elements in contact with one another or with binder between the hollow polymeric elements, and fixing the plurality of hollow polymeric elements relative to one another to form a sole component. Each of the hollow polymeric elements has a sealed, fluid-filled internal cavity capable of retaining fluid at a predetermined pressure.

The present invention relates to a composition of a hot-melt adhesive film and a method for producing a shoe sole. The composition of the hot-melt adhesive film comprises a hot-melt adhesive material and an electromagnetic radiation absorbing material. The hot-melt adhesive material includes ethylene vinyl acetate and thermoplastic materials. The electromagnetic radiation absorbing material is uniformly dispersed in the hot-melt adhesive material. Energy of an electromagnetic radiation can be absorbed by the electromagnetic radiation absorbing material, thereby producing thermal energy, further increasing temperature and adhering property of the hot-melt adhesive film. Therefore, a midsole and an outsole of the shoe sole can be adhered by the hot-melt adhesive film. Further, the hot-melt adhesive film is made from recyclable materials. Therefore, the hot-melt adhesive film is fully recyclable.

Described are methods, systems, and devices for at least partly manufacturing a piece of apparel (e.g., a shoe), which incorporate manipulating at least one component of the piece of apparel with a particle jamming device.

A midsole and a method of manufacturing it includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

A sole for a shoe, the sole comprising reinforcing members extending in a front half of the sole, wherein at least a first one of the reinforcing members further extends rearwardly beyond a midfoot area and into a heel area of the sole and wraps up to a posterior portion of an ankle region. A shoe, in particular a running shoe, comprising such a sole. A method for the manufacture of such items.

Soles for articles of footwear with a three-dimensional mesh having a bottom surface defined at least partially by a plurality of nodes having a platform with a top platform surface connected to a bottom platform surface with a side surface a plurality of struts for the three-dimensional mesh directly connected to the top platform surface. In some embodiments, the side surface of two directly adjacent nodes defining the bottom surface are not connected to each other at the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the bottom platform surface of two or more adjacent nodes can merge to form a continuous integrally formed surface at the bottom surface of the three-dimensional mesh.

Adjustable system and methods are provided that are used in curing a foam item. Induction heating assemblies, cooling mechanisms and a dynamic conveyance mechanism may be used in combination to heat and cool a mold containing the foam item as it is conveyed. The dynamic conveyance mechanism may have removable rollers that allow for chambers, such as the induction heating assemblies, to be placed into areas where removable rollers have been removed. As such, chambers may be placed into, taken out of, and moved around the dynamic conveyance mechanism. The flexibility of a dynamic conveyance mechanism allows for a curing process to be automated, adjusted, and customized.

A method for producing a molded part, in particular a component of a sporting good, includes providing a mixture of a polymer melt and a foaming agent and injecting the mixture into a mold. The method includes solidifying at least a first portion of the molded part without foaming and at least a second portion of the molded part after foaming inside the mold, wherein the mixture includes a polymer having an average molecular mass corresponding to a viscosity number ≥130 ml/g, preferably ≥170 ml/g, more preferably ≥190 ml/g and most preferably ≥225 ml/g, wherein the viscosity number is determined via solution viscometry according to the ISO 307 standard.