Abstract: A tape (6) for forming a hand grip (8) on the handle of sporting equipment, hand tools and the like including a method and serrated tool for making the tape. Hand grips on the handle of such devices become wet and slippery from perspiration, however, the present tape minimizes the problem. The tape (6) has upper and lower surfaces provided with substantially complementary longitudinally extending ridges (10) and grooves (9). The serrated tool has a front face (20), a rear face (21) and a cutting edge (22) comprising teeth (23). The method involves rotation of a disc of material relative to the serrated tool to peel tape (6) from the disc. A hand grip (8) may be formed from the tape (6) by helically winding the tape onto the handle portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of footwear manufacture in which a footwear component for incorporation into an article of footwear is made. The footwear component is made by simultaneously forming from a piece of sheet material a rand extending at least part-way around an innersole, the rand and innersole being substantially coplanar whereby the rand forms a substantially lateral extension of the innersole. The rand may be integral with, separable from or separated from the innersole. The sheet material may be a single layer or may be multi-layered. A footwear article incorporating the the component of the invention is also contemplated.