A43B3/0078

IMAGE REGISTRATION FOR PRINTING

A method for printing on an article can include positioning an article and a fiducial within a field of view of an image sensor. The method can also include generating an image of the article and the fiducial, using the fiducial to determine a print location on the article, and printing a graphic on the article at the print location. A method for printing on an article additionally or alternatively can include transforming a graphic using a shape model to produce a transformed graphic and printing the transformed graphic on the article. A method for printing on an article additionally or alternatively can include retrieving a shape model corresponding to a reference article, obtaining a configuration file corresponding to the article, transforming a graphic based on the shape model and the configuration file to produce a transformed graphic, and printing the transformed graphic on the article.

THERMOPLASTIC NON-WOVEN TEXTILE ELEMENTS
20230265589 · 2023-08-24 ·

A non-woven textile may be formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The non-woven textile may have a first region and a second region, with the filaments of the first region being fused to a greater degree than the filaments of the second region. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear), may incorporate the non-woven textile. In some of these products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another textile element to form a seam. More particularly, an edge area of the non-woven textile may be heatbonded with an edge area of the other textile element at the seam. In other products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another component, whether a textile or a non-textile.

Articles with embroidered sequins and methods of making
11332882 · 2022-05-17 · ·

Hot melt sequins and methods of applying these sequins are disclosed. A method of attaching two components includes stitching a hot melt sequin to one of the components and heating the hot melt sequin to bond the two components together. Sequins can also be applied to articles to create structural elements such as heel counters, toe covers, and lace cages. Sequins can be applied in 1D, 2D, and 3D patterns as well as in dispersive patterns. Sequins can be applied to vary the abrasion properties of a portion of an article.

Non-Slip Footwear Device
20230263271 · 2023-08-24 ·

The present invention relates generally to the field of non-slip shoes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-slip footwear device that is comprised of an upper shoe portion and a sole. The upper shoe portion is comprised of a heel, an opening, at least one zipper, at least one strap, at least one shoelace, and a plurality of eyelets. The sole is comprised of at least one insole, at least one sole connector, and a plurality of grips. In this manner, the device can be worn by the user to provide a fashionable shoe that is also non-slip to prevent accidents in the workplace to protect the establishment from liability and to protect the user from injury.

STRUCTURALLY-COLORED ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING STRUCTURALLY-COLORED ARTICLES
20230255303 · 2023-08-17 ·

As described above, one or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles having structural achromatic color, and methods of making articles having structural achromatic color. The present disclosure provides for articles that exhibit structural color upon exposure to white light (e.g., sunlight, artificial light, or a combination) that shifts based on the angle of observation and/or incident light. At least one shift in the structural color is between an achromatic structural color and a chromatic structural color. The shift occurs at different angles of observation and/or angle of incident light.

Three-dimensionally thermo-molded footwear

Articles of footwear including a thermo-molded upper having a skin composed of one or more low melting point thermoplastic polymers. The skin may include at least one of: a base layer composed of a low melting point thermoplastic polymer and a grid layer including a yarn composed of a low melting point thermoplastic polymer. The uppers may be formed by placing a skin and an inflatable bladder into a mold cavity and heating the mold to a predetermined temperature. The inflatable bladder may be inflated such that the skin is pressed against an interior surface of the heated mold cavity to cause the skin to take on the shape of the internal surface of the mold cavity, thereby forming an upper for an article of footwear.

Modular article of footwear and method of manufacturing customized article of footwear

A modular article of footwear comprises a sole structure having a foot-facing surface, a ground-engaging surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the foot-facing surface and the ground-engaging surface. The peripheral side surface has at least one recess. The modular article of footwear includes an upper component, and a flange secured to the upper component and projecting therefrom. An inner surface of the flange fits against and is securable to the peripheral side surface of the sole structure with the flange in the at least one recess, and the upper component at least partially defining a foot-receiving cavity over the foot-facing surface. A method of manufacturing a customized article of footwear comprises receiving a request for an upper with a specified characteristic, and assembling the modular article of footwear having an upper in accordance with the request.

Injected footwear with internal complex graphic
11723433 · 2023-08-15 ·

An injected footwear with internal complex graphic is a footwear apparatus that also is an easily manufacturable product. The footwear apparatus includes a sole, an upper, at least one complex graphic, and a sock liner. The sole is below the wearer's foot, while the upper covers the rest of the wearer's foot. The complex graphic integrates an aesthetically pleasing element for the footwear apparatus. The sock liner is used as an intermediate between the wearer's foot and the rest of the footwear apparatus. The complex graphic is internalized in between the sock liner and the upper. The upper and the sole are specifically made of the injectable molding material. A proximal portion of the sock liner is attached to the complex graphic, while the injectable molding material is bonded to a surrounding portion of the sock liner.

FOOTWEAR WITH FLEXIBLE DISPLAY MEANS
20220125152 · 2022-04-28 ·

The present invention relates to footwear with flexible display means, comprising: a) at least one strap that is comprised of a flexible thin display panel, b) a sole comprising attachment latches adapted to attach the at least one strap to the sole; and an electrical circuitry configured to enable the flexible thin display panel to display digital content.

Method of Tape Embroidery
20220120002 · 2022-04-21 ·

An article comprised of tape segments embroidered in place is disclosed. One embodiment includes tape segments embroidered to a self-supporting embroidered structure. Another embodiment includes tape segments embroidered together to form an embroidered lattice structure. In one embodiment, some of the tape segments may expand when exposed to heat and may be used to form cushioning regions for the article.