Abstract: A sole structure may include a protected region at least partially defined by side walls of one or more sole structure features. The sole structure may further include indicial features formed in the protected region. The indicial features may have shapes of information-conveying indicia. A sole structure master corresponding to the sole structure may have indicial elements corresponding to the indicial features in a master indicial region corresponding to the protected region. A mold corresponding to the sole structure may have indicial elements corresponding to the indicial features in a mold indicial region corresponding to the protected region. A sole structure master modeling a sole structure may have textures formed on one or more surfaces by a laser.

Abstract: Cleat structures, e.g., for golf shoes, may include a flat and flexible interior surface and/or a generally disk-shaped perimeter area that includes features to promote in-molding of the cleat to a footwear sole component (e.g., to permanently engage the cleat with an outsole member). Such cleats may provide a flexible and comfortable base, including a low profile, e.g., to enable formation relatively thin and/or flexible footwear sole components. Footwear sole components and articles of footwear that include one or more in-molded cleat structures of this type also are described. Molds used for in-molding procedures and methods of using the molds to make articles with in-molded components (e.g., for making footwear sole structures including one or more in-molded cleats) also are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture having at least a portion prepared using recycled material, including but not limited recycled rubber or other polymeric materials. The articles may incorporate the recycled materials in a granulated form. In specific embodiments, the article comprises an article of footwear (i.e., a shoe). Particularly, all or part of the shoe sole may be formed using the granulated material, the granules specifically being joined together using a binder material, such as a polyurethane, preferably a moisture cure, single component polyurethane binder. The invention further provides methods of preparing articles formed of granulated materials. The inventive methods are characterized by their excellent economic benefits, ease of use, and environmental benefits.

Abstract: A shoe mold unit includes a base mold having a shoe molding part on the top thereof and a concavity. A left mold and a right mold are respectively located on two sides of the base mold, and each of the left and right molds has a recessed positioning portion with which a protection member is respectively engaged. Two respective ridges are located on two respective insides of the left mold and the right mold. The ridges protect the outside of the vamp and restrict the space for formation of the outsole such that no surplus material is formed on the outsole and the defective rate is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shoe sole (1), in particular for practicing a sport, comprising a support (3) of a general form corresponding to the surface of at least a part of the base of the shoe and comprising at least one first layer in a thermoform material, characterised in comprising at least one second layer made from thermoform material, the second layer (6) partly covering the first layer (5) in order to leave at least one free zone (7, 8, 9, 10) at the level of the first layer (5),the material making up the first layer (5) having a thermoform temperature less than the thermoform temperature of the material making up the second layer (6). The invention further relates to a device for forming said sole.

Abstract: An environmental-protection shoe sole made of recycled shoes is provided, which uses recycled used shoes as a primary constituent of the raw material thereof, which used shoes, after being processed to remove metal accessories, are pulverized to small pieces of a predetermined size, and are then subjected to heating for deodorization and drying and thereafter added with a suitable amount of a base rubber, followed by uniformly mixing, to provide a shoe sole material, which is then molded and shaped. Thus, manufacturing time and material costs can be substantially reduced and environmental and economic effects by cyclic utilization of recycling used shoes can be realized.

Abstract: A footwear customization system that includes a rearfoot and forefoot goniometer for measuring rearfoot and forefoot alignment of a foot to provide rearfoot and forefoot alignment data. A customizable piece of footwear having a moldable, settable midsole is mounted on a shoe press, and the shoe press applies pressure to the midsole based on the rearfoot and forefoot alignment data in order to form a contour in the midsole. The contour provides alignment corrections based on the rearfoot and forefoot alignment data. A computer running a footwear customization program can be interfaced to the rearfoot and forefoot goniometer and the shoe press to receive the rearfoot and forefoot alignment data from the rearfoot and forefoot goniometer and provide it to the shoe press. An injection apparatus can be used to set the midsole of the piece of footwear so that the midsole retains the contour after the piece of footwear has been removed from the shoe press.

Abstract: A system for stiffening the shank of an insole uses a stiffener which is formed from an initially flexible and deformable strip of thermosetting resin, preferably mixed with reinforcing fibers such as fiberglass. A length of such shank strip material is applied onto the bottom of an insole and the insole, with the shank strip in place, is mounted in a special fixture. The fixture holds the strip on the bottom of the insole and also assures that the insole and shank strip will be held in the proper configuration, with the proper bend at the ball and the arch. With the shank strip and insole so held an external stimulus, such as radiant heat, is applied to the shank strip to activate and cure it in place on the insole bottom.

Abstract: A system for stiffening the shank of an insole uses a stiffener which is formed from an initially flexible and deformable strip of thermosetting resin, preferably mixed with reinforcing fibers such as fiberglass. A length of such shank strip material is applied onto the bottom of an insole and the insole, with the shank strip in place, is mounted in a special fixture. The fixture holds the strip on the bottom of the insole and also assures that the insole and shank strip will be held in the proper configuration, with the proper bend at the ball and the arch. With the shank strip and insole so held an external stimulus, such as radiant heat, is applied to the shank strip to activate and cure it in place on the insole bottom.