Abstract: A printing system for an article of apparel includes an article receptacle device for receiving an article to be printed. The printing system includes a receptacle receiving system for receiving an article receptacle device with an article to be printed. The printing system can include an article positioning system for positioning an article receptacle device with an article to be printed. The printing system can include a printhead for printing an indicia portion on an article that corresponds to a design element on the article.

Abstract: A method and system for retaining and transferring an article uses a frame and a receptacle. The frame is inserted to interact with the receptacle. The article is placed over the frame and receptacle. The article and the frame may be simultaneously removed from the receptacle.

Abstract: An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material. Additionally, the varied thicknesses of the energy absorbing material may be effective for covering a palmar side of joints located on a hand wearing the glove.

Abstract: A method and system for printing to apparel includes a receptacle configured to receive articles of apparel, such as socks. The receptacle includes perforations and an inner ink absorbing layer. The receptacle is rotated beneath a print head assembly. The ink can be cured using heating devices.

Abstract: An endcap for a cylinder for use in a customization system for tubular articles. The endcap has a minimized geometry to maximize the surface area of the tubular article available for printing. The endcap may be limited in size so that the endcap is limited to an endface of the cylinder. The endcap may also have a shape that limits the amount of material in the endcap, such as an X-shape. The endcap may include a fast connection system such as a plurality of magnets for rapid loading and unloading of the articles on the cylinder.

Abstract: A printing system for an article of apparel includes an article receptacle device for receiving an article to be printed. The printing system includes a receptacle receiving system for receiving an article receptacle device with an article to be printed. The printing system can include an article positioning system for positioning an article receptacle device with an article to be printed. The printing system can include a printhead for printing an indicia portion on an article that corresponds to a design element on the article.

Abstract: Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.

Abstract: A method and system for retaining and transferring an article uses a frame and a receptacle. The frame is inserted to interact with the receptacle. The article is placed over the frame and receptacle. The article and the frame may be simultaneously removed from the receptacle.

Abstract: A method and system for printing to apparel includes a receptacle configured to receive articles of apparel, such as socks. The receptacle includes perforations and an inner ink absorbing layer. The receptacle is rotated beneath a print head assembly. The ink can be cured using heating devices.

Abstract: An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material.

Abstract: A method and system for printing to apparel includes a receptacle configured to receive articles of apparel, such as socks. The receptacle includes perforations and an inner ink absorbing layer. The receptacle is rotated beneath a print head assembly. The ink can be cured using heating devices.

Abstract: A method and system for printing to apparel includes a receptacle configured to receive articles of apparel, such as socks. The receptacle includes perforations and an inner ink absorbing layer. The receptacle is rotated beneath a print head assembly. The ink can be cured using heating devices.

Abstract: An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material. Additionally, the varied thicknesses of the energy absorbing material may be effective for covering a palmar side of joints located on a hand wearing the glove.

Abstract: Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.

Abstract: A spheroidal ball includes a body having three grooves that define divisions on the ball. The ball includes a first color and a second color that contrasts with the first color. The second color may be applied in various regions, areas, or sections of the ball to enhance the visibility of the ball in use.

Abstract: Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cupped shoulder strap. In general, the cupped shoulder strap may be comprised of a cupped shoulder strap receiving section and a plurality of strap. The cupped shoulder receiving section may have a lateral portion and a medial portion. To form a cupped shape, the lateral portion may be affixed, in a nonparallel orientation, to the medial portion at a superior affixing point that is proximate superior ends of the lateral and medial portions. Further, the lateral portion may be affixed, in a nonparallel orientation, to the medial portion at an inferior affixing point that is proximate inferior ends of the medial and lateral portions.

Abstract: A duffel bag may utilize a structural component to allow the duffel bag to stand upright without the use of filling materials. Accordingly, a duffel bag having auxiliary structural support is provided. In particular, the duffel bag may have a panel comprising a side of the duffel bag. The duffel bag also may have a strap affixed to a portion of the panel. Additionally, the duffel bag has a semi-rigid component between the panel and the strap. Further, the semi-rigid component may be secured between to the panel and the strap.

Abstract: An ergonomic curved athletic glove is provided. The glove comprises palm and back portions as well as four finger sheaths and a thumb sheath, each sheath having a front and back finger portion and one or more gussets. The thumb, pinky, and index finger sheaths may incorporate a “seamless” design that avoids seams where the glove comes in contact with a sporting implement and reduces potential gripping interference. The palm portion of the glove may comprise multiple sections connected with a stretchable palm gusset to minimize bunching when a sporting implement is gripped. The length of each front finger portion is shorter than the length of the corresponding back finger portion to provide the glove with a gripping curve. Providing the glove with a gripping curve minimizes bunching of the front finger portions, front thumb portion, and palm portion while a received hand grips the sporting implement.

Abstract: A prolate spheriodal ball includes first and second ends and first and second mid regions between the first and second ends and the tranverse axis, respectively. The ball is colored with a first color. First and second tips at first and second ends are colored to contrast with the first color. First and second mid regions include colored regions that are colored to contrast with the first color. The peripheries of the contrasting colored regions are continuous around the ball.