A multi-sided, multi-purpose liner is provided for use in footwear. Each side of the liner provides one or more benefits to the wearer. The liner is reversible, such that a first side with a first benefit can contact the wearer's foot or a second side with a second benefit can contact the wearer's foot. The wearer can flip or rotate the liner so that the side having the desired benefit contacts their foot during use. One side of the liner may include a plurality of benefits in a preselected pattern across the surface. A liner kit provides a material blank from which the liner may be cut to produce a desired distribution of benefits. The benefits of the liner may vary with respect to the location on the surface of the liner, with some areas of the liner displaying an increased or decreased degree of a specific benefit.

An article of footwear including a compression molded upper is disclosed. A composite structure including several layers is placed under heat and pressure to form a laminate. One layer of the composite is an optical effect layer possessing an aesthetic that differs from one or more of the other layers of the composite structure. A plurality of holes are cut through one or more of the layers of the laminate to expose the optical effect layer.

Provided is, among other things, a shoe having a sole that includes multiple layers and an upper attached to and extending above the sole. In addition, the shoe includes a tab having: (1) a first portion, located between adjacent layers of the sole and thus hidden from view, that is imprinted with identification information pertaining to the shoe and (2) a second portion that is visible during ordinary use of the shoe.

Provided herein are methods for the modulation of appearance or material properties within items of apparel or equipment. Also provided herein are design articles having alterable designs.

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.

The present invention generally relates to soles in particular midsoles for sports shoes. According to an aspect, an additively manufactured sole is provided. The sole comprises a lattice structure, the lattice structure comprising a plurality of cell elements. The sole further comprises a heel element, three-dimensionally encompassing the heel. Moreover, the sole comprises a base portion interconnecting the heel element and the lattice structure, wherein the base portion has an extension arranged to connect to a plurality of adjacent cell elements, wherein the plurality of adjacent cell elements is not positioned along an edge of the lattice structure.

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.

A method of processing a sheet material (20) for use in the manufacture of products such as, but not limited to, a shoe upper blank (10). The method comprises providing a sheet material (20); providing a two-dimensional mark (30) on a surface of the sheet material (20); imposing an indentation (40) on said surface of the sheet material (20), wherein at least part of the indentation (40) is arranged with respect to at least part of the two-dimensional mark (30) to create a three-dimensional mark (50) on said surface. A blank for such a product is also related. The blank (10) comprises a sheet material (20) shaped in accordance with the product such as a shoe upper, the sheet material (20) comprising a two-dimensional mark (30) is provided thereon and is positioned with respect to an indentation (40) formed in the sheet material (20) to thereby provide a three-dimensional mark (50) on said surface.

A messaging apparatus for wearable items. The messaging apparatus may comprise a light source, at least one sensor to detect an 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.

A process for thermo-adhesive bonding of semi-finished products includes preparing an inner sock, an outer sock and an impermeable membrane provided with a thermo-adhesive disposed on an inner surface and/or an outer surface of the membrane; fitting the inner sock onto a rigid reference shape; fitting the membrane over the inner sock; fitting the outer sock over the membrane; heating the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock arranged on the rigid reference shape in an oven until at least partial melting of the thermo-adhesive; cooling the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock arranged on the rigid reference shape until cross-linking of the thermo-adhesive and stable bonding of the membrane to the outer sock and/or the inner sock. Also, exerting a substantially uniform pressure on the outer sock, the membrane and the inner sock disposed on the rigid reference shape during cooling, so as to compact them.