Abstract: One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide for composite elements that include a textile having a plurality of fibers, the plurality of fibers comprising a first thermoplastic material; and a second thermoplastic material surrounding the plurality of fibers of the textile and consolidating at least a portion of the textile, wherein the second thermoplastic material has a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of the first thermoplastic material. The composite elements can be used as part of a fluid chamber or cushioning element, whereby the composite element imparts puncture resistant to the fluid chamber or cushioning element. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide for composite elements that include a textile having a plurality of fibers, the plurality of fibers comprising a first thermoplastic material; and a second thermoplastic material surrounding the plurality of fibers of the textile and consolidating at least a portion of the textile, wherein the second thermoplastic material has a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of the first thermoplastic material. The composite elements can be used as part of a fluid chamber or cushioning element, whereby the composite element imparts puncture resistant to the fluid chamber or cushioning element. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide for composite elements that include a textile having a plurality of fibers, the plurality of fibers comprising a first thermoplastic material; and a second thermoplastic material surrounding the plurality of fibers of the textile and consolidating at least a portion of the textile, wherein the second thermoplastic material has a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of the first thermoplastic material. The composite elements can be used as part of a fluid chamber or cushioning element, whereby the composite element imparts puncture resistant to the fluid chamber or cushioning element. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide for composite elements that include a textile having a plurality of fibers, the plurality of fibers comprising a first thermoplastic material; and a second thermoplastic material surrounding the plurality of fibers of the textile and consolidating at least a portion of the textile, wherein the second thermoplastic material has a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of the first thermoplastic material. The composite elements can be used as part of a cushioning structure, whereby the composite element imparts puncture resistant to the cushioning structure. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An article of athletic footwear having an air-filled bladder disposed in a sole structure is disclosed. The air-filled bladder is in fluid communication with ambient air through a filter that permits ambient air to enter the bladder but restricts liquids and particulates from entering the bladder. In operation, the filter and bladder may be portions of a bladder system that absorb shock when the footwear contacts a playing surface. Alternatively, the filter and bladder may be portions of a bladder system that ventilates the interior of the footwear. The filter may be formed of a material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene that is attached to a carrier.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: Valves and methods for manufacturing the valves are disclosed. The valves are formed from a plurality of flexible polymer layers. A radio frequency bonding process, or the like, is utilized to form welds between the various layers. In general, a sub-assembly is formed that includes a valve layer bonded to a substrate layer. The sub-assembly is bonded to a second element such that a channel is formed between the valve layer and the second element. The channel includes an inlet, an outlet, and a pair of weld beads located in the inlet that place the inlet in an open configuration.

Abstract: Valves and methods for manufacturing the valves are disclosed. The valves are formed from a plurality of flexible polymer layers. A radio frequency bonding process, or the like, is utilized to form welds between the various layers. In general, a sub-assembly is formed that includes a valve layer bonded to a substrate layer. The sub-assembly is bonded to a second element such that a channel is formed between the valve layer and the second element. The channel includes an inlet, an outlet, and a pair of weld beads located in the inlet that place the inlet in an open configuration.

Abstract: The invention is a fluid system with an internal filter assembly that prevents particulate from moving between portions of the fluid system. The internal filter assembly is located within a fluid path extending between a particle source, such as a textile tensile member, and a portion of the fluid system that may be affected by particulates from the particle source, such as a value. The fluid system, and particularly the internal filter assembly, has applicability to articles of footwear, for example.

Abstract: The invention is a fluid system with an internal filter assembly that prevents particulate from moving between portions of the fluid system. The internal filter assembly is located within a fluid path extending between a particle source, such as a textile tensile member, and a portion of the fluid system that may be affected by particulates from the particle source, such as a valve. The fluid system, and particularly the internal filter assembly, has applicability to articles of footwear, for example.

Abstract: Valves and methods for manufacturing the valves are disclosed. The valves are formed from a plurality of flexible polymer layers. A radio frequency bonding process, or the like, is utilized to form welds between the various layers. In general, a sub-assembly is formed that includes a valve layer bonded to a substrate layer. The sub-assembly is bonded to a second element such that a channel is formed between the valve layer and the second element. The channel includes an inlet, an outlet, and a pair of weld beads located in the inlet that place the inlet in an open configuration.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: An article of athletic footwear having an air-filled bladder disposed in a sole structure is disclosed. The air-filled bladder is in fluid communication with ambient air through a filter that permits ambient air to enter the bladder but restricts liquids and particulates from entering the bladder. In operation, the filter and bladder may be portions of a bladder system that absorb shock when the footwear contacts a playing surface. Alternatively, the filter and bladder may be portions of a bladder system that ventilates the interior of the footwear. The filter may be formed of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene that is attached to a carrier.

Abstract: A bladder which is particularly useful for a sole assembly of a shoe is formed of multiple layers of barrier film to provide multiple pressurized layers of cushioning fluid or gas when the bladder is filled. A multiple gas layer bladder enhances cushioning response by relying more on the response characteristics of the gas and reducing the amount of foam and the dependence on foam as a cushioning material. The internal film layers provide a truss-like geometry in cross section and act as tensile members to impart a generally smooth surface contour to the bladder. The bladder is constructed to provide complex regionalized cushioning profiles which are coupled to the anatomy of the foot and expected loads at known points.

Abstract: An athletic shoe has a sole with a rearfoot strike zone segmented from the remaining heel area by a line of flexion which permits articulation of the strike zone during initial heel strike of a runner. The line of flexion is located to delimit a rearfoot strike zone reflecting the heel to toe running style of the majority of the running population. In addition to allowing articulation of the rearfoot strike zone about the line of flexion, the sole incorporates cushioning elements, including a resilient gas filled bladder, to provide differential cushioning characteristics in different parts of the heel, to attenuate force applications and shock associated with heel strike, without degrading footwear stability during subsequent phases of the running cycle. The line of flexion may be formed by various means including a deep groove, a line of relatively flexible midsole material, and a relatively flexible portion of a segmented fluid bladder.

Abstract: A complex-contoured tensile bladder and method of making same in which a bladder comprises an envelope formed from two outer barrier layers surrounding a tensile element formed of two inner sheets. The inner sheets are attached to one another along selected first attachment portions and include die cuts at certain locations. Each of the outer barrier layers are attached to the inner sheet nearest it at selected second attachment portions which are incoincident with the selected first attachment portions. The outer layers are sealed around the periphery to form the envelope and the bladder is inflated with a gas so that the inner sheets form a tensile member which extends between the selected second portions, and the selected first portions form hinges disposed between the outer layers. When loaded the tensile member compresses at the hinges which readily allow for compression while not interfering with the cushioning properties of the gas.

Abstract: A complex-contoured tensile bladder and method of making same in which a bladder comprises an envelope formed from two outer barrier layers surrounding a tensile element formed of two inner sheets. The inner sheets are attached to one another along selected first attachment portions and include die cuts at certain locations. Each of the outer barrier layers are attached to the inner sheet nearest it at selected second attachment portions which are incoincident with the selected first attachment portions. The outer layers are sealed around the periphery to form the envelope and the bladder is inflated with a gas so that the inner sheets form a tensile member which extends between the selected second portions, and the selected first portions form hinges disposed between the outer layers. When loaded the tensile member compresses at the hinges which readily allow for compression while not interfering with the cushioning properties of the gas.