Improved soles and insoles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In an aspect, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with at least a first and a second surface region is provided. The first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The second surface region is free from expanded TPU.

Improved soles and insoles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In an aspect, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with at least a first and a second surface region is provided. The first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The second surface region is free from expanded TPU.

An article of footwear may include an outsole having an opening extending from a top face of the outsole to a ground-contacting face of the outsole, and a traction member disposed within the opening in the outsole. The traction member has a protruding portion and flange portion extending from an upper end of the protruding portion. The flange portion is secured to the top face of the outsole.

An article of footwear may include an outsole having an opening extending from a top face of the outsole to a ground-contacting face of the outsole, and a traction member disposed within the opening in the outsole. The traction member has a protruding portion and flange portion extending from an upper end of the protruding portion. The flange portion is secured to the top face of the outsole.

A cushioning member for an article of footwear is provided and includes a first barrier member defining a first compartment and a second compartment and being formed from a first material. A second barrier member is attached to the first barrier member, covers the first compartment to define a first interior void, and covers the second compartment to define a second interior void. The second barrier is formed from a second material different than the first material. The cushioning member also includes a first quantity of particulate matter disposed within the first interior void and a second quantity of particulate matter disposed within the second interior void.

A cushioning member for an article of footwear is provided and includes a first barrier member defining a first compartment and a second compartment and being formed from a first material. A second barrier member is attached to the first barrier member, covers the first compartment to define a first interior void, and covers the second compartment to define a second interior void. The second barrier is formed from a second material different than the first material. The cushioning member also includes a first quantity of particulate matter disposed within the first interior void and a second quantity of particulate matter disposed within the second interior void.

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a unitary cushioning component comprising a plurality of scrap foam pieces configured as a plurality of different polyhedron shapes and a resin binder securing the scrap foam pieces to one another. The sole structure may comprise a midsole including an outer shell defining a central cavity. The cushioning component may be disposed in the central cavity as a core of the midsole. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear cutting the scrap foam body into pieces, mixing the pieces with a resin binder, and compression molding the mixed pieces and resin binder in a mold to form a cushioning component of a sole structure of the article of footwear.

The invention relates to an item of footwear in which is provided a mid-sole (10) with features that provide comfort to the wearer when walking. An item of footwear comprising: a sole (1) comprising a mid-sole (10), the mid-sole having a first major surface (11) for facing the foot of a wearer, a second major surface (12) opposite the first, the mid-sole (10) having an inner edge (13) corresponding to the inside of a wearer's foot and an outer edge (14) corresponding to the outside of a wearer's foot; and a securing means for securing the item of footwear to a foot of a wearer such that the first surface (11) of the sole (1) contacts the foot, wherein: the mid-sole (10) has formed therein a plurality of generally transverse grooves (20) and a generally longitudinal primary groove (30a), thereby dividing the sole (1) into an array of lands (50); and the primary groove (30a) is substantially parallel to the outer edge (14) of the sole (1) over a majority of the length of the sole (1) and defines with 15 the transverse grooves (20) a plurality of lands (50).

The invention relates to an item of footwear in which is provided a mid-sole (10) with features that provide comfort to the wearer when walking. An item of footwear comprising: a sole (1) comprising a mid-sole (10), the mid-sole having a first major surface (11) for facing the foot of a wearer, a second major surface (12) opposite the first, the mid-sole (10) having an inner edge (13) corresponding to the inside of a wearer's foot and an outer edge (14) corresponding to the outside of a wearer's foot; and a securing means for securing the item of footwear to a foot of a wearer such that the first surface (11) of the sole (1) contacts the foot, wherein: the mid-sole (10) has formed therein a plurality of generally transverse grooves (20) and a generally longitudinal primary groove (30a), thereby dividing the sole (1) into an array of lands (50); and the primary groove (30a) is substantially parallel to the outer edge (14) of the sole (1) over a majority of the length of the sole (1) and defines with 15 the transverse grooves (20) a plurality of lands (50).

This document discloses algae-derived flexible foams, whether open-cell or closed-cell, with inherent antimicrobial and flame resistant properties, wherein a process of manufacturing includes the steps of: harvesting algae-biomass; sufficiently drying the algae biomass; blending the dried algae biomass with a carrier resin and various foaming ingredients; adding an algal-derived antimicrobial compound selected from various natural sulfated polysaccharides present in brown algae, red algae, and/or certain seaweeds (marine microalgae); and adding a sufficient quantity of dried algae biomass to the formulation to adequately create a fire resistant flexible foam material.