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: 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 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 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 support and cushioning system for an article of footwear. The system includes a resilient insert disposed between a midsole and an outsole of a shoe. The resilient insert includes several chambers disposed in a heel portion of the resilient insert These chambers are fluidly interconnected to each other via periphery passages. The resilient insert also includes several chambers disposed in a forefoot portion of the resilient insert. These chambers are also fluidly interconnected to each other. A connecting passage connects the chambers in the heel portion and the chambers in the forefoot portion of the resilient insert. A bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber is also inserted above the midsole to provided added cushioning to the wearer. In one embodiment, the resilient insert contains air at ambient pressure and the bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure.

Abstract: A support and cushioning system for an article of footwear. The system includes a resilient insert disposed between a midsole and an outsole of a shoe. The resilient insert includes several chambers disposed in a heel portion of the resilient insert. These chambers are fluidly interconnected to each other via heel chamber interconnection passages. The resilient insert also includes several chambers disposed in a forefoot portion of the resilient insert. These chambers are also fluidly interconnected to each other. A connecting passage connects at least one of the chambers in the heel portion and at least one of the chambers in the forefoot portion of the resilient insert. A bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber is also inserted above the midsole to provided added cushioning to the wearer. In one embodiment, the resilient insert contains air at ambient pressure and the bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure.

Abstract: A support and cushioning system for an article of footwear. The system includes a resilient insert disposed between a midsole and an outsole of a shoe. The resilient insert includes several chambers disposed in a heel portion of the resilient insert. These chambers are fluidly interconnected to each other via periphery passages. The resilient insert also includes several chambers disposed in a forefoot portion of the resilient insert. These chambers are also fluidly interconnected to each other. A connecting passage connects the chambers in the heel portion and the chambers in the forefoot portion of the resilient insert. A bladder having a fluidly interconnected heel chamber and forefoot chamber is also inserted above the midsole to provided added cushioning to the wearer. In one embodiment, the resilient insert contains air at ambient pressure and the bladder contains air at slightly above ambient pressure.