A messaging apparatus for wearable items. The messaging apparatus may comprise a light source, at least one sensor to detect are event, and a controller to control the flashing of the light source in response to the detection of the event. The controlling of the flashing of the light source may generate at least one visible element that is visible to a viewer. Further, the light source may not be adapted in the form of the at least one visible element, but rather, the controlled flashing of the light source may be in the form of the at least one visible element.

Described is a shoe, in particular an athletic shoe. The shoe can include a sole and a shoe upper. The shoe upper can include (a.) a lateral portion; (b.) a medial portion; and (c.) intermediate portion between the lateral portion and the medial portion. The intermediate portion can include a cupped portion uncoated by a first coating portion on the lateral portion and a second coating portion on the medial portion. When the shoe upper is separate from the sole at least a majority of the cupped portion may be cupped above surrounding areas of the shoe upper.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of modeling part of shoe includes steps as follows. A shoe sample is provided, a modeling step is performed, a mapping step is performed, a dividing step is performed and a transferring step is performed. In the modeling step, the shoe sample is 3D-scanned to establish a structural model. In the mapping step, a plurality of shoe texture photos are shot from the shoe sample, and the plurality of shoe texture photos are mapped to the structural model, so as to form a shoe model with a texture. In the dividing step, the structural model is divided into at least two part prototypes according to the texture of the shoe model. In the transferring step, the texture of the shoe model is transferred to the at least two part prototypes to form at least two part models.

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.

An article of footwear comprises a sole structure and an upper. The upper is connected to the sole structure to form an enclosure to at least partially receive a foot. The upper comprises a first panel forming a first portion of the upper and having a first texture, a second panel forming a second portion of the upper and having a second texture, and an embroidery area extending across portions of the first panel and the second panel and having an appearance that replicates the first texture extending into the second texture.

In one embodiment, a shoe includes a top portion configured to provide covering to a top of a user's foot, a sole portion coupled to the top portion, and one or more processors embedded within the sole portion. Communicatively coupled to the one or more processors are one or more memory modules, one or more user input devices, and a user output device. The user input device includes at least a microphone. Machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the shoe to: receive a command from a user with the one or more user input devices; process the command from the user; and output information with the user output device relevant to the command from the user.

Hot melt sequins and methods of applying these sequins are disclosed. Sequins can be arranged in various patterns. Sequins can be arranged in dispersive patterns. Sequin patterns can be used to create gradients on the outside of an upper. The sequins can be used to attach two layers where the density of the sequins used to attach the layers can affect thermal properties, flexibility and relative motion between the layers.

A conductive apparatus, including: a first conductive portion for attaching to an inner portion of a footwear garment; a second conductive portion for attaching to an underside of the footwear garment; and a connecting portion that at least partly extends along an outside of the footwear garment, the connecting portion electrically connecting the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion; wherein the conductive apparatus is a flexible strap including: an adhesive layer; a first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer provided on at least the second conductive portion. The strap includes a top layer, wherein the top layer is formed from a material that accepts printing, and wherein the top layer is perforated to allow contact with the conductive portion beneath the top layer.

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.

A customizable shoe and accessory kit are provided. The accessory kit comprises at least one shoe, each shoe comprising an upper having an outside layer defining an outer surface and a lining, a sole attached to the upper, and at least one means for removably securing at least one accessory to the outer surface. The at least one means for removably securing at least one accessory to the outer surface is disposed beneath the upper and, in some embodiments, between the outside layer and the lining of the shoe, such that the means for removably securing at least one accessory to the outer surface is concealed within the structure of the shoe.