Abstract: A variety of plates for footwear are provided including a polyolefin resin. Sole structures and articles of footwear formed therefrom are also provided. Methods of making the polyolefin resin compositions, plates, sole structures, and articles of footwear are also provided. In some aspects, the polyolefin resin composition includes an effective amount of a polymeric resin modifier. The effective amount can be an amount effective to allow the resin composition to pass a flex test, and in particular to pass a flex test without significant change in abrasion loss. In some aspects, the resin composition also includes a clarifying agent to improve optical clarity of the plate. In some aspects, the plates include a textile disposed on one or both of a first side and the second side of the plate. The textile can provide for improved bonding of the plate to other components such as a chassis or an upper.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is described. In one example, the sole structure includes first and second foam components and one or more mesh components, e.g., a mesh textile component. The first foam component includes first and second opposing sides, and the second foam component includes first and second opposing sides. The first and second foam components form a stack in the sole structure. The mesh components, e.g., a mesh textile component, are positioned in the stack between and bonded to the second side of the first foam component and the first side of the second foam component. 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 footwear includes an upper formed of a first material, and an armor system including a shroud covering a forefoot region of the upper. The shroud includes an articulable shroud vamp having a plurality of overlapping lames arranged in series along a ball portion of the shroud, each of the lames being formed of a second material having a greater hardness than the first material. The shroud may include a toe cap covering a toe portion of the upper and a saddle covering a mid-foot portion of the upper. The shroud vamp is disposed between the toe cap and the saddle. The saddle and the toe cap may be formed of the second material. The second material may be an up-cycled polyethylene composite.

Abstract: An adjustment system for a wearable article includes an adjustment element operable to form at least a portion of the wearable article and including a bladder including an interior void and a compressible component disposed within the interior void, and a control module operably coupled to the adjustment element and configured to translate the compressible component between a relaxed state and a constricted state by controlling a volume of fluid within the interior void in response to a condition-responsive parameter.

Abstract: A cushioning article comprises a first and a second polymeric sheet bonded to one another and enclosing an interior cavity. The polymeric sheets retain a gas in the interior cavity. A tensile component disposed in the interior cavity includes a first tensile layer, a second tensile layer, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer. An inwardly-protruding bond joins the first polymeric sheet to the first tensile layer, protrudes inward from the first polymeric sheet toward the second polymeric sheet, and partially traverses the plurality of tethers. The first polymeric sheet is displaced from the first tensile layer adjacent to the inwardly-protruding bond by the gas. A method of manufacturing a cushioning article is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a molded article having an insert includes temporarily protecting features of the insert during a molding process using a malleable plugging material. In one step, the method includes disposing a plug including the plugging material within a receptacle of the insert, where each receptacle includes an engagement feature. The insert and the plugging material are placed into a mold, and a liquid molding material is applied to an exterior surface of the insert. The liquid molding material is solidified, forming the molded article including the insert embedded in the solidified molding material. The molded article is removed from the mold, and the plugging material is removed from the receptacle of the insert that is embedded in the molded article to expose the engagement feature.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a chassis and a cushioning arrangement. The chassis includes a recess formed between a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface. The cushioning arrangement includes a first cushioning element protruding from the first surface and including a first plurality of lobes and a second cushioning element protruding from the second surface and including a second plurality of lobes contacting the first plurality of lobes. At least one of the first cushioning element and the second cushioning element may include a fluid-filled bladder. A first side of each cushioning element includes a substantially planar base and a second side of each cushioning element includes the lobes formed on an opposite side from the base. The base of each cushioning element is attached to a respective one of the surfaces of the recess.

Abstract: Presented are polymeric cover panels with permanently affixed plastic fragments for articles of footwear, methods for making/using such cover panels, and footwear fabricated with such cover panels. A cover panel for an article of footwear includes a cover layer that is formed, in whole or in part, from an at least partially transparent polymeric material, such as a hot-melt adhesive, adhesive-coated polymer, or tacky thermoplastic material. The cover panel mounts onto one or more select segments of the footwear upper such that an outer face of the cover layer defines an outermost surface of these select segment(s) of the footwear upper. An assortment of plastic fragments is dispersed across and permanently affixed to an interior face of the cover layer, e.g., such that the plastic fragments are encapsulated between the cover layer and the footwear upper. Each plastic fragment may have a distinct shape, size, and/or color.

Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear includes a first outer region, a second outer region, and a third outer region. The first outer region is at least partially disposed a first distance from a longitudinal axis and includes a first hardness. The second outer region is at least partially disposed a second distance from the longitudinal axis and includes a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness. The third outer region is at least partially disposed between the first outer region and the second outer region a third distance from the longitudinal axis and includes a third hardness that is greater than the first hardness and less than the second hardness. The second distance is greater than the first distance, and the third distance is greater than the first distance and less than the second distance.

Abstract: A method of retail engagement includes receiving a worn article from a user in a retail establishment, where the worn article includes dirt or debris on an outer surface of the article. The method then includes robotically cleaning the worn article to at least partially remove the dirt or debris on the outer surface. The cleaning comprises contacting the shoe with a rotating brush, and at least one of the worn article or the rotating brush is robotically manipulated to cause the contacting. Finally, the outer surface of the article may be adorned with one or more adornments, where the one or more adornments are selected by the user.

Abstract: Components of articles that include an optical element that imparts structural color to the component are provided. Methods of making the components including the optical element, and methods of using the components such as to make an article of manufacture are provided.

Abstract: A foot presence sensor system for an active article of footwear can include a sensor housing configured to be disposed at or in an insole of the article, and a controller circuit, disposed within the sensor housing, configured to trigger one or more automated functions of the footwear based on a foot presence indication. In an example, the sensor system includes a capacitive sensor configured to sense changes in a capacitance signal in response to proximity of a body. A dielectric member can be provided between the capacitive sensor and the body to enhance an output signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article may include positioning a first textile sheet against a second textile sheet and reciprocating a single needle of an embroidery machine through the first textile sheet and the second textile sheet, the needle forcing fibers of the second textile sheet through the first textile sheet. The fibers may have terminal ends extending outward of an exterior side of the first textile sheet through which the fibers are forced. A method may include forcing fibers from a second side to an opposite side of a single textile sheet to create a pattern of the fibers on the opposite side. Various articles such as footwear uppers may be manufactured according to the method.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrorheological fluid structure with attached conductor and method of fabrication. A polymeric housing may have a channel defined therein. A first conductive trace may at least partially coincide with the channel. A first wire may have a first conductor surrounded by a first insulating jacket. The first conductor may be in electrical communication with the first conductive trace. A jacket bonding region of the first jacket may be welded to a housing bonding region of the housing. The jacket bonding region and the housing bonding region may be formed from a common type of polymer.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles of manufacture and components of articles that incorporate an optical element that imparts structural color to the component or the article. The component comprises a cured or curable material, and can include or be made to have a textured surface.