Abstract: A footwear construction includes a sole assembly including a first midsole, a second midsole, a spring plate between the first and second midsoles, and an outsole. The plate can include an upward curving, multi-radii transition portion extending from a lowermost portion to a forward most portion of the plate so as to roll a wearer's foot forward into a next stride in a gait cycle of the wearer. The plate can include a lateral arm and a medial arm in the forefoot region separated by a plate slot extending rearward from the forwardmost portion of the plate toward the lowermost portion. The medial arm can be longer than the lateral arm. The plate can have a first bending stiffness during bending in a first direction, and a second bending stiffness greater than the first bending stiffness during bending in a second direction.

Abstract: A footwear construction including a sole assembly, which can include a midsole including a midsole support wall forming a compartment and a compression molded core constructed from thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) disposed in the compartment and shielded from abrasion in the environment of the footwear in use via the midsole support wall. The core can be formed by compressing a foam core to increase its density, for example, from a first density between 0.05 g/cm3 and 0.08 g/cm3, inclusive, to a second density between about 0.09 g/cm3 and 0.12 g/cm3, inclusive. Such compression molding and the attendant density increase of the TPEE core can increase energy efficiency to at least 95% energy efficiency, when the midsole is installed in footwear. A related method of manufacture is provided.

Abstract: A footwear construction includes a midsole including a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, and a mesh substrate layer covering the lateral sidewall and medial sidewall to protect the surfaces of those sidewalls from abrasion, wear and damage, and in some cases to provide tuned stiffness to the sidewalls and thus the midsole. The mesh substrate layer can wrap partially above and below the midsole so that edges of the layer can be conceals between the midsole and an upper, or between the midsole and an outsole layer. The mesh substrate can include a mesh material and a film sheet bonded to one another, with the film sheet facing the midsole and the mesh textile facing outward in the finished footwear. A related method of manufacture also is provided.

Abstract: A footwear construction includes a sole assembly including a first midsole platform, a second midsole platform below the first midsole platform, a spring plate disposed between the first and second midsole platforms, and an outsole layer disposed below and joined directly with at least one of the plate, the first and the second midsole platforms. The outsole layer can be substantially the only layer below the plate in the forefoot region of the footwear so an underfoot force engaging the outsole layer is transmitted directly to the plate, which also can have an upward curving, multi-radii transition portion extending from a lowermost portion to a forward most portion of the plate so as to roll a wearer's foot forward into a next stride in a gait cycle of the wearer. The plate can define an aperture. A mounting cap can extend through the aperture and can receive a traction spike.

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 method of manufacturing a footwear sole component is provided including projecting elongated pins into a mold cavity in the shape of the footwear sole component and partially filled with an expandable material including multiple unexpanded beads, and introducing steam into the cavity through ports defined by one or more cavity walls and through the pins in an internal region of the expandable material, to expand both exterior beads and interior beads in the internal region a predetermined amount. With the elongated pins, the interior beads can be expanded more, less and/or the same amount as exterior beads to provide particular physical characteristics to the component. For example, the interior beads can be fully expanded to a similar density as exterior beads, or expanded less to provide more density and rigidity in the internal region, or expanded more to provide less density and rigidity in the internal region.

Abstract: A footwear construction includes a sole assembly including a first midsole, a second midsole, a spring plate between the first and second midsoles, and an outsole. The plate can include an upward curving, multi-radii transition portion extending from a lowermost portion to a forward most portion of the plate so as to roll a wearer's foot forward into a next stride in a gait cycle of the wearer. The plate can include a lateral arm and a medial arm in the forefoot region separated by a plate slot extending rearward from the forwardmost portion of the plate toward the lowermost portion. The medial arm can be longer than the lateral arm. The plate can have a first bending stiffness during bending in a first direction, and a second bending stiffness greater than the first bending stiffness during bending in a second direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to formulations of single domain antigen binding molecules, e.g., nanobody molecules, in particular formulations of TNF-binding nanobody molecules. The single domain antigen binding molecules can include one or more single binding domains that interact with, e.g., bind to, one or more target proteins. The formulations are useful, e.g., as pharmaceutical formulations. Method of preparing, and using the formulations described herein, to treat, e.g., TNF-associated disorders, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A footwear construction includes a midsole including a lateral sidewall and a medial sidewall, and a mesh substrate layer covering the lateral sidewall and medial sidewall to protect the surfaces of those sidewalls from abrasion, wear and damage, and in some cases to provide tuned stiffness to the sidewalls and thus the midsole. The mesh substrate layer can wrap partially above and below the midsole so that edges of the layer can be conceals between the midsole and an upper, or between the midsole and an outsole layer. The mesh substrate can include a mesh material and a film sheet bonded to one another, with the film sheet facing the midsole and the mesh textile facing outward in the finished footwear. A related method of manufacture also is provided.

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 method of manufacturing a footwear sole component is provided including projecting elongated pins into a mold cavity in the shape of the footwear sole component and partially filled with an expandable material including multiple unexpanded beads, and introducing steam into the cavity through ports defined by one or more cavity walls and through the pins in an internal region of the expandable material, to expand both exterior beads and interior beads in the internal region a predetermined amount. With the elongated pins, the interior beads can be expanded more, less and/or the same amount as exterior beads to provide particular physical characteristics to the component. For example, the interior beads can be fully expanded to a similar density as exterior beads, or expanded less to provide more density and rigidity in the internal region, or expanded more to provide less density and rigidity in the internal region.

Abstract: A footwear construction includes a sole assembly including a first midsole platform, a second midsole platform below the first midsole platform, a spring plate disposed between the first and second midsole platforms, and an outsole layer disposed below and joined directly with at least one of the plate, the first and the second midsole platforms. The outsole layer can be substantially the only layer below the plate in the forefoot region of the footwear so an underfoot force engaging the outsole layer is transmitted directly to the plate, which also can have an upward curving, multi-radii transition portion extending from a lowermost portion to a forward most portion of the plate so as to roll a wearer's foot forward into a next stride in a gait cycle of the wearer. The plate can define an aperture. A mounting cap can extend through the aperture and can receive a traction spike.

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.