A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a midsole including a polymeric bladder element enclosing a fluid-filled interior cavity, a first outsole component secured to a bottom surface and to a side surface of the polymeric bladder element, and a second outsole component. The first outsole component includes a first base, and a wall integral with the first base. The second outsole component includes a second base secured to the first base, and a wall integral with the second base and secured to the outer surface of the wall of the first outsole component. A method of manufacturing the article of footwear includes thermoforming the bladder element and the first outsole component, and securing the second outsole component to the first outsole component.

A method for inflating a chamber in an article composed at least partially of polymer layers, such as thermoplastic layers, is provided. The methods can allow for forming an aperture in a polymer layer, inflating a chamber or volume in fluid communication with the aperture, and then sealing the chamber so that the inflation fluid is substantially retained in the chamber and/or does not escape via the aperture. The formation of the aperture, inflation of the chamber, and sealing of the chamber or aperture may be performed by a single tool and/or based on a single registration of the thermoplastic article with a tool. In some aspects, formation of the aperture is enabled in part by using a punch with a cupped surface that allows the top layer of a thermoplastic article to be breached without forming a hole in at least one lower layer.

A method for inflating a chamber in an article composed at least partially of polymer layers, such as thermoplastic layers. The method can allow for forming an aperture in a polymer layer, inflating a chamber or volume in fluid communication with the aperture, and then welding or sealing the chamber so that the inflation fluid is substantially retained in the chamber and/or does not escape via the aperture. In various aspects, the formation of the aperture, inflation of the chamber, and sealing of the chamber or aperture can be performed by a single tool and/or based on a single registration of the thermoplastic article with a tool. In some aspects, formation of the aperture is enabled in part by using a punch with a cupped surface that allows the top layer of a thermoplastic article to be breached without forming a hole in at least one lower layer.

The invention relates to a method for producing hollow bodies from thermoplastic material comprising the shaping of at least one tubular preform or at least two two-dimensional, web-like preforms of plasticated thermoplastic material into a substantially closed hollow body, for example in the form of a fuel tank for motor vehicles.

A fuel tank baffle assembly is provided for installation in a fuel tank, the baffle assembly comprising a main body having a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the first and second end sections. Operably associated with the main body is at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure. The auxiliary baffle structure is configured to be positioned in an undeployed state during installation into a fuel tank, thereby defining a first installation width of the baffle assembly. Following installation, the auxiliary baffle structure is deployed into an extended position, thereby defining an operational width for subsequent usage. The operational width is greater than the installation width.

A resin panel of which contact surfaces of a rear wall to be in contact with another member are made unlikely to deform while reducing the weight of the resin panel. The panel includes a rear wall having a plurality of contact surfaces to be in contact with another member, and a front wall opposing the rear wall with an interval therebetween, the resin panel including a plurality of ribs obtained by indenting parts of the rear wall toward the front wall and welding the parts to an inner surface of the front wall, wherein a wall thickness of the front wall is generally equal to or smaller than a wall thickness of the rear wall.

A process is disclosed for manufacturing at least one wall of a tank and comprises at least a first layer of thermoplastic and a second foam-based layer. The second foam-based layer forms at least part of an anti-slosh device, and the process is characterized in that the first layer and the second layer are molded in the same mold.

A resin panel of which contact surfaces of a rear wall to be in contact with another member are made unlikely to deform while reducing the weight of the resin panel. The panel includes a rear wall having a plurality of contact surfaces to be in contact with another member, and a front wall opposing the rear wall with an interval therebetween, the resin panel including a plurality of ribs obtained by indenting parts of the rear wall toward the front wall and welding the parts to an inner surface of the front wall, wherein a wall thickness of the front wall is generally equal to or smaller than a wall thickness of the rear wall.

The present invention relates to molded foam having no hollow space caused in a plate-shaped portion. The molded foam comprises a tube body and a plate-shaped portion joined to the outer side of the tube body. The expansion ratio of the molded foam is lower than two, and a value of a thickness B/a thickness A as a relationship between the thickness A of the tube body at the periphery of a point joined to the plate-shaped portion and the thickness B of the plate-shaped portion is less than 2.82.

The use of sheets comprising at least one face consisting of a pseudo-amorphous composition based on polyaryl ether ketone(s) for a twin sheet thermoforming process. A twin sheet thermoforming process for manufacturing a hollow body. A hollow body comprising at least one internal surface consisting of a crystallized composition based on polyaryl ether ketone(s), obtainable by the process.