Abstract: A system and method for molding a component within a molding system having a mold cavity that includes at least one controlled compression region associated with and adjacent to a movable mold part. In one embodiment, the mold cavity may include a reference compression region for which the movable mold part is configured to substantially avoid affecting or to substantially act independently, or both.

Abstract: A 3D foam component for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing a 3D foam component for an article of footwear is provided. The method includes a sequential deposition of liquid droplets of liquid polymer material onto an object carrier. A blowing agent is introduced to the molten polymer prior to or sequentially with or after the discharge of a liquid droplet. The resulting component includes a plurality of foam pellets formed by the expansion and cooling of droplets of liquid polymer material injected with the blowing agent.

Abstract: A 3D foam component for an article of footwear and a method for manufacturing a 3D foam component for an article of footwear is provided. The method includes a sequential deposition of liquid droplets of liquid polymer material onto an object carrier. A blowing agent is introduced to the molten polymer prior to or sequentially with or after the discharge of a liquid droplet. The resulting component includes a plurality of foam pellets formed by the expansion and cooling of droplets of liquid polymer material injected with the blowing agent.

Abstract: A system and method for molding a component within a molding system having a mold cavity that includes at least one controlled compression region associated with and adjacent to a movable mold part. In one embodiment, the mold cavity may include a reference compression region for which the movable mold part is configured to substantially avoid affecting or to substantially act independently, or both.

Abstract: A sole component molded with different portions molded from different bead foams where there is a gradual transition between the different bead foams, as well as a method and apparatus for manufacturing the same. The molding system includes a mold cavity that is partially divided into at least two adjacent mold regions by at least one blade. The blade does not fully separate adjacent regions, but instead defines a space allowing beads introduced into adjacent regions to intermingle or overlap at the interface between the mold regions. The size, shape and configuration of the blade and the space may vary from application to application. The molding system may include a blade retractor that allows the blade to be retracted after the beads are loaded and before the beads are joined. The different bead foams may be different expanded thermoplastic polyurethane bead foams that vary in density or hardness or color.

Abstract: A footwear construction having a strobel-stitched bottomed upper and a sole assembly with a topsole disposed above the strobel board. The topsole is manufactured from a foam having an average modulus at a stress of 535 kilopascals of from about 750 kilopascals to about 950 kilopascals. The foam also has an energy efficiency of at least about 78%, and a dynamic compression set of less than about 10%. The sole assembly may include an inner sole disposed above the topsole. The inner sole may be manufactured from EVA foam. The topsole may have a thickness of at least 1 mm, the inner sole may have a thickness of at least 3 mm, and the total thickness of the topsole and inner sole may be at least 5 mm. The sole assembly may include a midsole, and possibly an outsole, disposed below the strobel board.

Abstract: An article of footwear that exhibits enhanced whole boot breathability and reduced wet pickup is provided. The footwear article includes an upper having an inferior and superior compartment; a mechanism for joining the superior and inferior compartments together; a protective cover; and an outer sole.

Abstract: Waterproof, breathable, stretch-recoverable composites are described herein. They are utilizable within footwear assemblies and exhibit stretchability in at least one direction by at least about 35% at 4 lbs force and exhibit at least about 80% recovery. The composites also exhibit a minimum compression of about 1 mm under a 10 kPa load and recovery of at least about 90% when load is removed.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: An article of footwear that exhibits enhanced whole boot breathability and reduced wet pickup is provided. The footwear article includes an upper having an inferior and superior compartment; a mechanism for joining the superior and inferior compartments together; a protective cover; and an outer sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear that exhibits enhanced whole boot breathability and reduced wet pickup is provided. The footwear article includes an upper having an inferior and superior compartment; a mechanism for joining the superior and inferior compartments together; a protective cover; and an outer sole.

Abstract: An article of footwear that exhibits enhanced whole boot breathability and reduced wet pickup is provided. The footwear article includes an upper having an inferior and superior compartment; a mechanism for joining the superior and inferior compartments together; a protective cover; and an outer sole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel means of joint and body protection using engineered textiles to provide dynamic kinematic control within the device itself and for the underlying body part. The apparatus may be used in apparel or orthosis wherein a textile is organized about the proximal and distal aspects of a joint or body part and uses the mechanical and material characteristics of the engineered textile to dynamically control the kinetics of the body part and more specifically to prevent the body part from reaching extremes in range of motion. The engineered textiles can be designed to provide non-uniform increases in stiffness in any direction. The engineered textile may incorporate strain or strain rate dependant materials in which case stiffness properties would vary non-uniformly with velocity and/or acceleration within the device allowing for protection from blunt trauma, blast, or ballistic events anywhere on the body.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel means of joint and body protection using engineered textiles to provide dynamic kinematic control within the device itself and for the underlying body part. The apparatus may be used in apparel or orthosis wherein a textile is organized about the proximal and distal aspects of a joint or body part and uses the mechanical and material characteristics of the engineered textile to dynamically control the kinetics of the body part and more specifically to prevent the body part from reaching extremes in range of motion. The engineered textiles can be designed to provide non-uniform increases in stiffness in any direction. The engineered textile may incorporate strain or strain rate dependant materials in which case stiffness properties would vary non-uniformly with velocity and/or acceleration within the device allowing for protection from blunt trauma, blast, or ballistic events anywhere on the body.

Abstract: A position control actuator system includes a control element and first and second actuators. The first and second actuators are each comprised of magneto-active twinned material. The first actuator is configured to extend and drive the control element in a first direction when the first actuator is subjected to a magnetic field. The second actuator is configured to extend and drive the control element in a second direction when the second actuator is subjected to a magnetic field. A magnetic field source subsystem is configured to extend the first actuator to drive the control element in the first direction, and extend the second actuator to drive the control element in the second direction.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: A cushioning member for an article of footwear. The cushioning member is a flexible bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber. The bladder is disposed above the sole and beneath the wearer's foot to provided added cushioning to the wearer. The bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure and can be formed by thermoforming or by welding two sheets of resilient, flexible material together. A connecting passage fluidly connects the heel chamber and the forefoot chamber. The connecting passage is narrow to control the flow of air between the two chambers.

Abstract: A position control actuator system includes a control element and first and second actuators. The first and second actuators are each comprised of magneto-active twinned material. The first actuator is configured to extend and drive the control element in a first direction when the first actuator is subjected to a magnetic field. The second actuator is configured to extend and drive the control element in a second direction when the second actuator is subjected to a magnetic field. A magnetic field source subsystem is configured to extend the first actuator to drive the control element in the first direction, and extend the second actuator to drive the control element in the second direction.