A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a bladder and at least one insert. The bladder includes an upper surface having a first portion defining a chamber and a second portion defining at least one recess adjacent to the chamber. The at least one insert is disposed within the at least one recess and has a top surface that is substantially flush with the first portion of the upper surface of the bladder. The first portion of the upper surface is exposed to the at least one insert.

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.

The invention provides a method of assembling a shoe including a printed design for providing flat material having a first designated area and a second designated area, printing a first portion of the design on the first designated area and printing a second portion of the design on the second designated area, separating the designated areas into individual panels and assembling each panel, so that the first portion of the design joins the second portion of the design when each panel is arranged side by side to form an uninterrupted and complete design.

A tattooable element for decorating fashion or decorative objects and the limbs of the human body is provided that includes a polymer layer (2) suitable for tattooing and a reinforcing element (3) of the tattooable layer. The reinforcing element (3) can be an element that is separate from the polymer layer (2) and fixed to the polymer layer (2), or it can be integrated into the polymer layer (2). Optionally, the reinforcing element (3) prevents the needle from penetrating the tattooable element during the tattooing of the polymer layer (2). If used to decorate human limbs, it takes the form of an adaptable elastic tubular sheath.

A surface element including a recycled polyurethane and a glycol or polyol additive is provided. The surface element has an increased tearability as compared to the recycled polyurethane. An article of footwear and methods of preparing an article of footwear are also provided.

A shoelace centering device for securely holding a shoelace centered between bottom eyelets of a shoe and maintaining opposite tie ends of the shoelace even in length is provided. The shoelace centering device comprises a first securing portion and a second securing portion. A hinge connection is provided between the first and second securing portions with the hinge connection allowing the first and second securing portions to move from a non-contacting open position to a contacting closed position. A locking mechanism releasably secures the first and second securing portions in the contacting closed position. Upon positioning the bottom eyelet shoelaces between the first and second securing portions when the first and second securing portions are in the non-contacting open position. Upon releasably securing the first and second securing portions together in the contacting closed position, the shoelaces are anchored from shifting and maintaining opposite tie ends of the shoelace even in length.

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.

Various articles, such as footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, watchbands, and the like, and methods of forming those articles are presented. The articles are generally formed, in whole or in part, using rapid manufacturing techniques, such as laser sintering, stereolithography, solid deposition modeling, and the like. The use of rapid manufacturing allows for relatively economical and time efficient manufacture of customized articles. The articles may include one or more reinforcements configured to provide added durability to various regions of the articles. In addition, the articles may be formed from two or more materials in a single rapid manufacturing process. The rapid manufacturing additive fabrication technique may also include using of varying intensities of the laser to fuse material to form the articles.

A method of using an inflatable member to customize an article is described. An inflatable member includes at least one adjustable portion. The inflatable member may be inserted into an article. The position of the adjustable portion can be changed according to the size of the article. The inflatable member can also be filled with fluid according to the size of the article. The inflatable member may be used to adjust the size of an article. The inflatable member may be used to apply a graphic to an article.

Fastening devices and systems and methods thereof. Fastening devices and systems and methods thereof can include a unitary or one-piece body having first and second ends configured and operative to be coupled together or to be coupled to their respective complement in another of said fastening devices. The first end can include a ring or annular portion and a projection that are sized and shaped to fit around an anchor and in an orifice, respectively, of the second end. Fastening devices and systems and methods thereof according to embodiments may be used with items, including footwear, apparel, luggage, a backpack, a bag, a purse, a boxing glove, a punching bag, football or lacrosse shoulder pads, or the like.