Systems and methods for supporting an object to be printed in an additive manufacturing process are disclosed. Support structures (202, 302, 402, 502, 602) are prefabricated and positioned in the build area of a 3D printing device prior to printing the 3D object. When the object has been printed, the support is removed and can be reused to print another object by repositioning the support structure in the building area of the additive manufacturing device.

A shoe insole (28) comprises a base layer (34) and an optional top layer (36). The base layer (34) comprises functional zones (40) configured according to a user's physiological data, needs, and intended use. The insoles (28) may either partially or wholly be made using additive manufacturing techniques.

An insole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, having a first sole section with a standing surface for a user's foot. The first sole section extends vertically over a specified first height when the insole is used as intended. At least two second sole sections are arranged below the first sole section. A second sole section is arranged in a front section of the insole and a second sole section is arranged in a rear section of the insole viewed from the sole longitudinal direction. The two second sole sections extend over a specified second height in the vertical direction when the insole is used as intended and at least one elastic element connects the two second sole sections, each of the two ends of the elastic element engaging with a respective second sole section within the extent of the second height.

A shoe insert device relieves pressure on a heel when a shoe is worn. The device includes a panel configured to be positioned in a shoe. A heel alignment pad is U-shaped. The heel alignment pad is positioned on and extends upwardly from an upper surface of the panel wherein the heel alignment pad is configured to extend around and support a heel of the foot positioned in the shoe.

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 is provided that includes an insole member. The insole member includes a base layer, an intermediate layer having a plurality of cavities, and a microbial layer having a plurality of microbial mediums with one or more microorganisms therein. Further, the cavities receive the microbial mediums of the microbial layer.

In certain aspects, the inventive subject matter is directed to production of constructs of footwear and components thereof by jet extrusion. The inventive subject matter contemplates novel processes for making such constructs using jets or streams of materials that solidify as fibers, and which form into two- or three-dimensional webs as they are collected. The webs may be in the nature of films, membranes, or mats. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter generally relates to nonwoven textiles consisting of webs of superfine fibers, i.e., fibers with diameters in nanoscale or micronscale ranges.

An article of footwear includes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor system connected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a plurality of sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user's foot on the sensor. The sensor system also includes a port that is configured to receive a module to place the module in communication with the sensors. The port includes a housing with a chamber configured to receive the module and an interface engaged with the housing and having at least one electrical contact exposed to the chamber. Additional retaining structure and interface structure may be included.

An insole installed on top of existing footwear with a sealed chamber extending across the plantar surface of the foot filled with a fluid that can traverse across the chamber in response to pressure caused by a weight shift by the wearer. The movement of the fluid (which may be a liquid, gas, or gel) serves to massage the foot muscles and tendons, release toxins, and increase circulation. The chamber may also have restrictions or unique shapes to guide the fluid for maximum effectiveness.

A shoe insole includes a semi-rigid shell for providing a wearer with extended comfort. The semi-rigid shell includes a notch which is located on the outward side of the wearer's foot and accommodates pronation of the foot during use. Additionally, the semi-rigid shell includes an extended side portion which is located opposite of the notch side on an inner side of the wearer's foot. The semi-rigid shell is shorter in length than the length of a shoe sole and slightly shorter in width and may be combined with an insole comfort cover to provide cushion between the wearer's foot and the semi-rigid shell.