Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.

This invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition having a type A hardness (i.e., the momentary value) of 55 or less in accordance with JIS K6253, which comprises 35 to 65 parts by weight of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (A) having a type A hardness (i.e., the momentary value) of 75 or less in accordance with JIS K6253 and 65 to 35 parts by weight of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (B) having a type A hardness (i.e., the momentary value) of 60 or less in accordance with JIS K6253 (with the total amount of components (A) and (B) being 100 parts by weight) and a molded thermoplastic elastomer product obtained via molding of such composition.

This invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition having a type A hardness (i.e., the momentary value) of 55 or less in accordance with JIS K6253, which comprises 35 to 65 parts by weight of an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (A) having a type A hardness (i.e., the momentary value) of 75 or less in accordance with JIS K6253 and 65 to 35 parts by weight of a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer (B) having a type A hardness (i.e., the momentary value) of 60 or less in accordance with JIS K6253 (with the total amount of components (A) and (B) being 100 parts by weight) and a molded thermoplastic elastomer product obtained via molding of such composition.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.

Molded polymer foam articles are described as having a novel foam structure. The polymer foam articles include a continuous polymer matrix defining a plurality of pneumatoceles therein which is present throughout the entirety of the article. The surface region is further characterized as having compressed pneumatoceles. The novel foam structure is achieved even when molding polymer foam articles comprising a shape and volume wherein a sphere having a diameter between 2 cm and 1000 cm would fit within the article in at least one location without protruding from a surface of the article, and the article further has a total volume of more than 1000 cm.sup.3. Methods of making a stabilized molten polymer foam, and of making a molded polymer foam article using the stabilized molten polymer foam are also described.

Molded polymer foam articles are described as having a novel foam structure. The polymer foam articles include a continuous polymer matrix defining a plurality of pneumatoceles therein which is present throughout the entirety of the article. The surface region is further characterized as having compressed pneumatoceles. The novel foam structure is achieved even when molding polymer foam articles comprising a shape and volume wherein a sphere having a diameter between 2 cm and 1000 cm would fit within the article in at least one location without protruding from a surface of the article, and the article further has a total volume of more than 1000 cm.sup.3. Methods of making a stabilized molten polymer foam, and of making a molded polymer foam article using the stabilized molten polymer foam are also described.

Provided are a manufacturing method for a foamable printed matter, a manufacturing method for a foam and a foaming inhibition ink. The manufacturing method for a printed matter is a manufacturing method for a foamable printed matter that foams to form an irregular pattern on its surface, the method including a printing step of inkjet-printing a foaming inhibition ink on a printing medium having a layer of a foamable resin composition containing a chemical foaming agent, under a temperature condition lower than a softening temperature of the foamable resin composition, the foaming inhibition ink containing: a foaming inhibitor that deteriorates a heat decomposing ability of the foamable resin composition; and a solvent that dissolves the foaming inhibitor when the foaming inhibitor is solid, is compatible with the foaming inhibitor when the foaming inhibitor is liquid, and is able to move the foaming inhibitor into the foamable resin composition.

Molded polymer foam articles are described as having a novel foam structure. The polymer foam articles include a continuous polymer matrix defining a plurality of pneumatoceles therein which is present throughout the entirety of the article. The surface region is further characterized as having compressed pneumatoceles. The novel foam structure is achieved even when molding polymer foam articles comprising a shape and volume wherein a sphere having a diameter between 2 cm and 1000 cm would fit within the article in at least one location without protruding from a surface of the article, and the article further has a total volume of more than 1000 cm.sup.3. Methods of making a stabilized molten polymer foam, and of making a molded polymer foam article using the stabilized molten polymer foam are also described.

Molded polymer foam articles are described as having a novel foam structure. The polymer foam articles include a continuous polymer matrix defining a plurality of pneumatoceles therein which is present throughout the entirety of the article. The surface region is further characterized as having compressed pneumatoceles. The novel foam structure is achieved even when molding polymer foam articles comprising a shape and volume wherein a sphere having a diameter between 2 cm and 1000 cm would fit within the article in at least one location without protruding from a surface of the article, and the article further has a total volume of more than 1000 cm.sup.3. Methods of making a stabilized molten polymer foam, and of making a molded polymer foam article using the stabilized molten polymer foam are also described.