Abstract: Soles for articles of footwear with a three-dimensional mesh having a bottom surface defined at least partially by a plurality of nodes having a platform with a top platform surface connected to a bottom platform surface with a side surface a plurality of struts for the three-dimensional mesh directly connected to the top platform surface. In some embodiments, the side surface of two directly adjacent nodes defining the bottom surface are not connected to each other at the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the bottom platform surface of two or more adjacent nodes can merge to form a continuous integrally formed surface at the bottom surface of the three-dimensional mesh.

Abstract: Articles of footwear and methods of making articles of footwear including one or more continuous threads wound around anchor points. The winding of the one or more continuous threads forms a thread pattern that imparts desired characteristics to components of the article of footwear. Thread lines of the thread pattern may be bonded together. In some embodiments, thread lines may be bonded with a bonding layer.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing an article of apparel includes a plate with a plurality of projections. The system also includes a winding head with a plurality of adjacent thread guides. The thread guides among the plurality of thread guides are configured to simultaneously dispense respective continuous threads. The system also includes an actuator configured to move the winding head over the plate to wind the continuous threads around the plurality of projections on the plate.

Abstract: A shoe has an upper and a sole structure connected to the upper. A stability structure is positioned between a midsole and an outsole. The stability structure has a plurality of rods extending in a length direction from at least a midfoot region toward a toe end. At least one connection bar connects at least two of the plurality of rods in a forefoot region of the shoe, the connection bar extending in a width direction being transverse to the length direction a contact cycle with the ground and configured to control movement of the sole structure in the medial-lateral direction.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

Abstract: Improved soles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. A sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided that includes a midsole with randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The sole further includes an element having a higher deformation stiffness in at least one direction than the expanded material. The material of the midsole at least partially surrounds the element.

Abstract: A garment and sensor system for determining a posture of an individual, the garment and sensor system including a garment, a retention element coupled to the garment, and a sensor module configured to be coupled to the retention element, the sensor module including a sensor configured to generate orientation data and a transceiver configured to transmit the orientation data generated by the sensor, wherein the garment and sensor system is configured to determine a posture of at least a portion of the individual and to display a graphical comparison of the posture to a target posture.

Abstract: A bra including a closure system, the closure system including a first layered fabric body, a second layered fabric body, a loop assembly secured to the first layered fabric body, and a hook assembly secured to the second layered fabric body. The hook assembly is configured to interface with the loop assembly to secure the first layered fabric body to the second layered fabric body, and the first layered fabric body includes a flexible supporting layer, where the flexible supporting layer is configured to provide rigidity to the second layered fabric body such that the second layered fabric body maintains a flat configuration when it is secured to the first layered fabric body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a shoe upper, including the steps of: providing at least one stretchable portion on the shoe upper; stretching the at least one stretchable portion of the shoe upper for adapting a size of the shoe upper; and permanently attaching at least one rigid element at least partly on the stretched stretchable portion so that the stretched stretchable portion is locked.

Abstract: Soles for articles of footwear comprising a body, a traction element comprising a base, and a shiftable region circumscribing the base and merging with the body at a perimeter of the shiftable region. The sole comprises a stay extending from the base, through the shiftable region, and to the body, and an opening located in the shiftable region, the opening comprising an outermost point relative to the base, wherein the outermost point is located at the perimeter the shiftable region. In some embodiments, the stay comprises an edge point at an outermost edge of the stay that moves relative to the body when a force is imparted to the traction element.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool, a tool system and a method for the production of particle foam parts, in particular for the manufacture of shoe soles. The shoe sole may be manufactured by welding foam particles using electromagnetic waves. The tool may comprise two mold halves forming a mold cavity corresponding to the shape of the shoe sole. The tool may be arranged between two capacitor plates. The mold cavity may be filled with the foam particles. The tool may then be closed and subjected to electromagnetic waves, in particular radio waves or microwaves, introduced into the mold cavity via the capacitor plates. The foam particles heated by the electromagnetic waves and at least partially fuse or bake together.

Abstract: Injection-molded footwear made by an injection molding method. The method can comprise: providing an upper; providing a mold and opening the mold; inserting the upper into the open mold; closing the mold; and injecting a pressurized molten resin, wherein, after the injecting, there is a gap filled with the resin between a side wall of the mold and an outer surface of at least a first portion of the upper, wherein the gap is essentially zero at a contacting point, wherein the gap increases gradually from the contacting point in at least a first region of the mold.

Abstract: A sole structure for a shoe and a method of manufacturing the sole structure with additive manufacturing is provided. A midsole structure is integrally formed with a midsole shell having an upper platform and lower platform integrally formed to define a cavity therebetween. A plurality of cushion elements is retained in the cavity. Each of the plurality of cushion elements is movable independently in the cavity. The midsole shell and the cushion elements formed together in a three-dimensional printing process.