Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe component may include injecting a material into a mold cavity to create a thin sheet of molded material formed as a single piece with molded holes extending through the molded material and formed as part of the injection molding process. The thin sheet of molded material may be in a shape that can be secured together to form a shoe upper including a vamp, a medial portion, and a lateral portion. The method may include removing, from the mold cavity, the sheet of molded material, folding the sheet of molded material, optionally cementing a first portion of the sheet of molded material to a second portion of the sheet of molded material, and cementing a third portion of the sheet of molded material to a sole to form a shoe. The completed shoe may also include an insole, a tongue, and laces.

Abstract: A molding process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes injecting a first molding material into a mold cavity of a mold, the mold cavity formed by at least a mold cavity portion of a first platen and a second platen when the first platen is in contact with the second platen; opening the mold by separating the first and second platens; placing a second molding material at the first molding material while the first molding material remains with the first platen or the second platen; sealing a space between the first and second platens; removing a gas from the space while the space is sealed; and closing the mold while the space is sealed.

Abstract: A footbed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a top surface; a bottom surface; a plurality of domes formed in the footbed, the plurality of domes protruding at the top surface; each of the plurality of domes having an outer diameter at the top surface and a cavity formed under the dome, the cavity extending to the bottom surface; a first set of the plurality of domes each having a first outer diameter at the top surface; a second set of the plurality of domes each having a second outer diameter at the top surface; wherein the first outer diameter is larger than the second outer diameter, and wherein the footbed is a single piece of injection molded foam material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a base portion of the article of footwear and providing a sheet. A pneumatic pressure differential is applied to the sheet to displace the sheet toward the base portion and shape the sheet against the base portion. The sheet is coupled to the base portion. Excess material is removed from the sheet such that a remainder of the sheet defines a portion of the article of footwear.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a precursor sheet is formed by injecting an EVA-based material into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to create a series of indentations through a first portion of the precursor sheet and into a second portion of the precursor sheet. The precursor sheet is removed from the mold cavity and the second portion of the precursor sheet is removed from the first portion of the precursor sheet to create an isolated sheet with a series of through-holes. The isolated sheet is then formed into a portion of a shoe.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a base portion of the article of footwear and providing a sheet. A pneumatic pressure differential is applied to the sheet to displace the sheet toward the base portion and shape the sheet against the base portion. The sheet is coupled to the base portion. Excess material is removed from the sheet such that a remainder of the sheet defines a portion of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A molding process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes injecting a first molding material into a mold cavity of a mold, the mold cavity formed by at least a mold cavity portion of a first platen and a second platen when the first platen is in contact with the second platen; opening the mold by separating the first and second platens; placing a second molding material at the first molding material while the first molding material remains with the first platen or the second platen; sealing a space between the first and second platens; removing a gas from the space while the space is sealed; and closing the mold while the space is sealed.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a precursor sheet is formed by injecting an EVA-based material into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to create a series of indentations through a first portion of the precursor sheet and into a second portion of the precursor sheet. The precursor sheet is removed from the mold cavity and the second portion of the precursor sheet is removed from the first portion of the precursor sheet to create an isolated sheet with a series of through-holes. The isolated sheet is then formed into a portion of a shoe.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a precursor sheet is formed by injecting an EVA-based material into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to create a series of indentations through a first portion of the precursor sheet and into a second portion of the precursor sheet. The precursor sheet is removed from the mold cavity and the second portion of the precursor sheet is removed from the first portion of the precursor sheet to create an isolated sheet with a series of through-holes. The isolated sheet is then formed into a portion of a shoe.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a base portion of the article of footwear and providing a sheet. A pneumatic pressure differential is applied to the sheet to displace the sheet toward the base portion and shape the sheet against the base portion. The sheet is coupled to the base portion. Excess material is removed from the sheet such that a remainder of the sheet defines a portion of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A footwear product includes a sole assembly and an upper and has an at least partially flexible construction. The sole assembly includes a number of sole sections with one or more connecting members disposed between adjacent sole sections.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a first portion of the article of footwear and providing a vamp; the first portion includes an ethylene vinyl acetate layer; folding the first portion to define walls of an upper of the article of footwear and an insole of the article of footwear; and coupling the vamp to the walls of the upper to define a foot-receiving opening of the article of footwear.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a body configured to receive a foot of a wearer of the article of footwear. A temperature regulation system is supported by the body. The temperature regulation system includes a reservoir containing a temperature regulating fluid configured to receive heat from the foot of the wearer. The reservoir is configured to be compressed between the foot of the wearer and the body to discharge the temperature regulating fluid from the reservoir. The temperature regulation system further includes a heat-dissipating portion receiving the temperature regulating fluid from the reservoir. The heat-dissipating portion is configured to permit the temperature regulating fluid to dissipate heat received from the foot of the wearer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a powder including a plurality of particles each comprising ethylene vinyl acetate, delivering the powder to a cavity of a mold, the mold being at an elevated temperature, pressing the powder in the cavity of the mold between the mold and a counter-mold, the counter-mold being at an elevated temperature, to fuse the particles of the powder and thereby provide a first portion of the article of footwear, removing the first portion of the article of footwear from the cavity of the mold, cooling the first portion of the article of footwear, providing a second portion of the article of footwear, and coupling the first portion of the article of footwear to the second portion of the article of footwear.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a precursor sheet is formed by injecting an EVA-based material into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is configured to create a series of indentations through a first portion of the precursor sheet and into a second portion of the precursor sheet. The precursor sheet is removed from the mold cavity and the second portion of the precursor sheet is removed from the first portion of the precursor sheet to create an isolated sheet with a series of through-holes. The isolated sheet is then formed into a portion of a shoe.

Abstract: An open shoe, such as a slipper, sandal and the like, comprising a sole with which an insole and an upper are associated. The insole has part of its edges engaged in a corresponding recess, which is provided as an undercut on the upper perimetric side wall of the sole and is formed by an inward rim, which is perimetric and has, for each side of the sole, a discontinuity for guiding insertion of the edges of the insole in the inward lip. The discontinuities are located at at least part of the regions of the side wall where the upper connects.

Abstract: An open shoe, such as a slipper, sandal and the like, comprising a sole with which an insole and an upper are associated. The insole has part of its edges engaged in a corresponding recess, which is provided as an undercut on the upper perimetric side wall of the sole and is formed by an inward rim, which is perimetric and has, for each side of the sole, a discontinuity for guiding insertion of the edges of the insole in the inward lip. The discontinuities are located at at least part of the regions of the side wall where the upper connects.