Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for forming a molded foam article. An example method may include molding a plurality of separate pieces of closed-cell foam by exposure to a temperature cycle within a sealed mold to soften the plurality of pieces sufficiently for physical bonding; and forming a molded foam article with the pieces bonded together without an adhesive, wherein, during the temperature cycle, the mold is unsealed at least once to release gases and/or pressure. In another example, a method includes exposing a filled, sealed mold filled with a plurality of pieces of foamed material to a heating cycle; at a threshold temperature, unsealing the filled, sealed mold until a pressure reduces to within a threshold of atmospheric pressure; and, following the unsealing, cooling the filled mold prior to removing a molded foam article.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprises an upper defining an interior void, a sole structure attached to the upper, a cable attached to the upper and moveable in a tightening direction to decrease a volume of the interior void of the upper and in a loosening direction to increase a volume of the interior void of the upper, and a locking device operable between a locked state to prevent movement of the cable and an unlocked state to permit movement of the cable, the locking having a housing attached to one of the upper and the sole structure and receiving the cable therethrough. The housing includes a pulley rotatably disposed therein, whereby the pulley is engaged by the cable and configured cooperate with the housing to provide audible or tactile feedback when the pulley is rotated by cable.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in general, provides for elastomeric materials which, when they contact water, take up water reversibly, and undergo a dry to wet “character change” in which the appearance of the elastomeric material, its physical properties, or both, is altered.

Abstract: An outsole component for use in an article of footwear is manufactured using a molding process that incorporates a second polymeric material with a film component including a first layer formed of a polymeric hydrogel material. The first layer forms the external or ground-facing layer of the outsole. Methods of manufacturing the outsole component, as well as articles of footwear including outsole component and methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear are also described.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in general, provides for a layered material that can be incorporated in to textiles (e.g., footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, or components of each). In an aspect, the layered material includes an externally facing layer and a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive layer and optionally one or more inner layers between the externally facing layer and the thermoplastic hot melt adhesive layer. The present disclosure provides for articles including the layered material such as footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, a component of an article of sporting equipment, apparel or footwear, including a outsole structure for footwear.

Abstract: An outsole component for use in an article of footwear is manufactured using a molding process that incorporates a second polymeric material with a film component including a first layer formed of a polymeric hydrogel material. The first layer forms the external or ground-facing layer of the outsole. Methods of manufacturing the outsole component, as well as articles of footwear including outsole component and methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in general, provides for a layered material that can be incorporated in to textiles (e.g., footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, or components of each). In an aspect, the layered material includes an externally facing layer and a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive layer and optionally one or more inner layers between the externally facing layer and the thermoplastic hot melt adhesive layer. The present disclosure provides for articles including the layered material such as footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, a component of an article of sporting equipment, apparel or footwear, including a outsole structure for footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprises an upper defining an interior void, a sole structure attached to the upper, a cable attached to the upper and moveable in a tightening direction to decrease a volume of the interior void of the upper and in a loosening direction to increase a volume of the interior void of the upper, and a locking device operable between a locked state to prevent movement of the cable and an unlocked state to permit movement of the cable, the locking having a housing attached to one of the upper and the sole structure and receiving the cable therethrough. The housing includes a pulley rotatably disposed therein, whereby the pulley is engaged by the cable and configured cooperate with the housing to provide audible or tactile feedback when the pulley is rotated by cable.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprises an upper defining an interior void, a sole structure attached to the upper, a cable attached to the upper and moveable in a tightening direction to decrease a volume of the interior void of the upper and in a loosening direction to increase a volume of the interior void of the upper, and a locking device operable between a locked state to prevent movement of the cable and an unlocked state to permit movement of the cable, the locking having a housing attached to one of the upper and the sole structure and receiving the cable therethrough. The housing includes a pulley rotatably disposed therein, whereby the pulley is engaged by the cable and configured cooperate with the housing to provide audible or tactile feedback when the pulley is rotated by cable.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles of footwear (100) and components thereof, including outsoles (112), which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil on the outsoles (112). In particular, the disclosure relates to articles of footwear (100) and components thereof including an outsole (112) with a material (116) including a polymeric network formed of a plurality of polymer chains, where the material (116) defines external ground-facing surface or side of the outsole (112). The outsoles (112) can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil on the footwear (100) during wear on unpaved surfaces such as sporting fields.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles and components thereof, including outsoles, which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil. In particular, the articles have substrate body, a tie layer secured to the substrate body, and a material including a hydrogel secured to the tie layer. The material can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil during use. The presence of the tie layer can minimize or prevent delamination of the hydrogel containing material during normal use.

Abstract: An article of footwear (100), apparel (500, 600), and/or sporting equipment (300, 400), and methods of manufacturing thereof, having a hydrogel present on at least a portion of an externally-facing side of the article. The hydrogel is effective in reducing soil accumulation on the article, and/or for reducing soil adhesion to the article.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles of footwear (100) and components thereof, including outsoles (112), which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil on the outsoles (112). In particular, the disclosure relates to articles of footwear (100) and components thereof including an outsole (112) with a material (116) including a polymeric network formed of a plurality of polymer chains, where the material (116) defines external ground-facing surface or side of the outsole (112). The outsoles (112) can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil on the footwear (100) during wear on unpaved surfaces such as sporting fields.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper defining an interior void and a first cable movable in a tightening direction to move the upper into a tightened state and movable in a loosening direction to move the upper into a loosened state. The article of footwear also includes a tightening grip operable to be moved away from the upper in a first direction to move the first cable in the tightening direction and a cable lock operable in a locked state to restrict movement of the first cable in the loosening direction and operable in an unlocked state to permit movement of the first cable in the loosening direction. A release grip is operable to be moved away from the upper in a second direction to move the cable lock from the locked state to the unlocked state, whereby the release grip is separate from the tightening grip.

Abstract: An article of footwear (100), apparel (500, 600), and/or sporting equipment (300, 400), and methods of manufacturing thereof, having a hydrogel present on at least a portion of an externally-facing side of the article. The hydrogel is effective in reducing soil accumulation on the article, and/or for reducing soil adhesion to the article.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for forming a molded foam article. An example method may include molding a plurality of separate pieces of closed-cell foam by exposure to a temperature cycle within a sealed mold to soften the plurality of pieces sufficiently for physical bonding; and forming a molded foam article with the pieces bonded together without an adhesive, wherein, during the temperature cycle, the mold is unsealed at least once to release gases and/or pressure. In another example, a method includes exposing a filled, sealed mold filled with a plurality of pieces of foamed material to a heating cycle; at a threshold temperature, unsealing the filled, sealed mold until a pressure reduces to within a threshold of atmospheric pressure; and, following the unsealing, cooling the filled mold prior to removing a molded foam article.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to articles and components thereof, including outsoles, which can be used in conditions normally conducive to the accumulation of soil. In particular, the articles have substrate body, a tie layer secured to the substrate body, and a material including a hydrogel secured to the tie layer. The material can prevent or reduce the accumulation of soil during use. The presence of the tie layer can minimize or prevent delamination of the hydrogel containing material during normal use.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in general, provides for a layered material that can be incorporated in to textiles (e.g., footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, or components of each). In an aspect, the layered material includes an externally facing layer and a thermoplastic hot melt adhesive layer and optionally one or more inner layers between the externally facing layer and the thermoplastic hot melt adhesive layer. The present disclosure provides for articles including the layered material such as footwear, apparel, sporting equipment, a component of an article of sporting equipment, apparel or footwear, including a outsole structure for footwear.