Abstract: Processes and systems for thermoforming articles of wear are disclosed. The process can include utilizing a negative pressure generation system to seal an article in a forming material thereby compressing the forming material onto the outer surface of the article. The process can also include exposing the sealed article to an increased temperature followed by exposure to a decrease temperature, while maintaining the compressive force of the forming material on the outer surface of the article. A positive pressure can also be applied to the sealed article while undergoing the heating and/or cooling steps, which can facilitate the removal of bubbles from the article during thermoforming as well as apply additional compressive force to the outer surface of the article.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole structure including a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid is described, along with a method of making the article. The chamber may include a tensile member extending between a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer. The tensile member may include a first tensile member layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer, a second tensile member layer bonded to the second chamber barrier layer, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile member layer to the second tensile member layer. The second tensile member layer may include a first section and a second section separate from the first section. In addition, a portion of the second chamber barrier layer may extend toward the first tensile member layer between the first section and the second section, the portion being joined to the first tensile member layer.

Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. 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 having a sole structure including a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid is described, along with a method of making the article. The chamber may include a tensile member extending between a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer. The tensile member may include a first tensile member layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer, a second tensile member layer bonded to the second chamber barrier layer, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile member layer to the second tensile member layer. The second tensile member layer may include a first section and a second section separate from the first section. In addition, a portion of the second chamber barrier layer may extend toward the first tensile member layer between the first section and the second section, the portion being joined to the first tensile member layer.

Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. 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: A method of making an article of footwear. The method may include forming a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid, including a first chamber barrier layer, a second chamber barrier layer, and a tensile member extending between the first chamber barrier layer and the second chamber barrier layer. The tensile member may include a first tensile member layer, a second tensile member layer, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile member layer to the second tensile member layer. The method may also include extending a portion of the second chamber barrier layer toward the first tensile member layer between a first section of the second tensile member layer and a second section of the second tensile member layer, and joining the portion of the second chamber barrier layer to the first tensile member layer between the first section and the second section of the second tensile member layer.

Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. 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: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes a midsole having a first surface, a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface, a first cavity formed in the first surface and tapering in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface, and a second cavity formed in the second surface and tapering in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface. A first quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the first cavity and a second quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the second cavity.

Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a matrix structure extending at least partially across the open space at least at the forefoot support area to define an open cellular construction with plural open cells in the open space at least at the forefoot support area. A plurality of these open cells of the open cellular construction have openings with curved perimeters and no distinct corners. Additional aspects of this invention relate to ground-engaging components that are very lightweight yet very stiff, particularly in the forefoot support area. Two or more sizes of the ground-engaging components may be provided with substantially constant forefoot stiffness (optionally substantially constant over a size run).

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes a midsole having a first surface, a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface, a first cavity formed in the first surface and tapering in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface, and a second cavity formed in the second surface and tapering in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface. A first quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the first cavity and a second quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the second cavity.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a sole structure including a chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid is described, along with a method of making the article. The chamber may include a tensile member extending between a first chamber barrier layer and a second chamber barrier layer. The tensile member may include a first tensile member layer bonded to the first chamber barrier layer, a second tensile member layer bonded to the second chamber barrier layer, and a plurality of tethers connecting the first tensile member layer to the second tensile member layer. The second tensile member layer may include a first section and a second section separate from the first section. In addition, a portion of the second chamber barrier layer may extend toward the first tensile member layer between the first section and the second section, the portion being joined to the first tensile member layer.

Abstract: A method of making a cushioning member is provided. The method includes forming a first barrier member from a first material, the first barrier member including a first compartment and a second compartment. The method further includes forming a second barrier member from a second material different than the first material. The first compartment is provided with a first quantity of particulate matter and the second compartment is provided with a second quantity of particulate matter. The method further includes covering the first compartment with the second barrier member and covering the second compartment with the second barrier member.

Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. 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: A shoe may include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may include a shell and first, second, third, and fourth sets of tensile restraints. Each of the sets may have one or more tensile restraints extending over and/or through a corresponding portion of the shell. The shell may be engaged with the sole structure and define an interior void configured to receive insertion of a user's foot. The first, second, third, and fourth sets of tensile restraints may be configured so that, upon securing of one or more structures to tighten the upper and connect the sets of tensile restraints, two linear axes of tension with anchors located in the forefoot and heel region extend diagonally across the article from one side to the other.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper coupled to a sole structure. The upper has a ground facing surface, and opposing medial and lateral sidewalls disposed on and extending from opposite medial and lateral sides of the ground facing surface. The sole structure is formed from a plurality of non-coextensive, thermoplastic foam layers, where each layer extends across a portion of the ground facing surface of the upper. These layers include at least a first foam layer and a second foam layer. The first foam layer has a different hardness and/or density than the second foam layer. Each of the first foam layer and the second foam layer extends into direct contact with, and is directly adhered to the lateral sidewall and the medial sidewall of the upper, and the first foam layer is secured to the second foam layer via an adhesive or a thermal weld.

Abstract: A method of making a cushioning member is provided. The method includes forming a first barrier member from a first material, the first barrier member including a first compartment and a second compartment. The method further includes forming a second barrier member from a second material different than the first material. The first compartment is provided with a first quantity of particulate matter and the second compartment is provided with a second quantity of particulate matter. The method further includes covering the first compartment with the second barrier member and covering the second compartment with the second barrier member.

Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. 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: A cushioning member for an article of footwear is provided and includes a first barrier member defining a first compartment and a second compartment and being formed from a first material. A second barrier member is attached to the first barrier member, covers the first compartment to define a first interior void, and covers the second compartment to define a second interior void. The second barrier is formed from a second material different than the first material. The cushioning member also includes a first quantity of particulate matter disposed within the first interior void and a second quantity of particulate matter disposed within the second interior void.

Abstract: Ground-engaging components for articles of footwear include: (a) an outer perimeter boundary rim that at least partially defines an outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim defines an open space at least at a forefoot support area of the ground-engaging component, wherein the outer perimeter boundary rim is shaped such that the outer perimeter of the ground-engaging component tapers or curves inward moving from a forefoot support area to an arch support area, and wherein a narrowest dimension from a lateral side edge to a medial side edge of the outer perimeter boundary rim is located in a heel support area of the ground-engaging component; and (b) a support structure extending into or at least partially across the open space. The ground-engaging component may have a narrower width dimension in a central heel or rear heel support area than in the arch support area.

Abstract: Articles of wear having one or more textiles that include a low processing temperature polymeric composition and a high processing temperature polymeric composition, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The low processing temperature polymeric composition and the high processing temperature polymeric composition can be selectively incorporated into a textile to provide one or more structural properties and/or other advantageous properties to the article. The textile can be thermoformed to impart such structural and/or other advantageous properties to the article of wear. 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.