Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture having at least a portion The present invention is directed to articles of manufacture (and a method for forming such an article) having at least a portion prepared using high coefficient friction material as an interface for human contact using, but not limited to, polymeric materials. The articles may be incorporated into any product or any portion of a product where non-slip properties are required during human contact and usage. Preferably, a thermoplastic material such as thermoplastic urethane with very durable but soft properties is accurately texturized to achieve optimum frictional properties for a given application. The textures are carefully calculated for the desired friction characteristics. The invention further provides methods of preparing articles made with the interface that are characterized by their excellent economic benefits, ease of use, environmental benefits and functional advantages.

Abstract: A shoe sole that is less likely to feel push-up on the sole at the time of landing and suppresses pronation to enable quick weight movement in running or jogging, while being widely available in sports requiring weight movement such as golf, tennis, basketball, soccer, and skateboarding, as well as that is lightweight, has good wearing comfort and provides stable walking even in using on the street or walking. The shoe sole includes a shoe sole main body made of a flexible material, and a plate made of a material having a flexural modulus higher than a flexural modulus of the flexible material constituting the shoe sole main body, in which at least two of the plates are included in the shoe sole main body.

Abstract: A method of making a deep pile fabric that closely resembles natural sheepskin fleece. The method includes forming a length of pile fabric having fibers on one side and a scrim on an opposing side, where at least a portion of the fibers are natural wool fibers, and finishing the pile fabric as natural sheepskin by polishing the fiber side of the pile fabric, including guiding the length of pile fabric over at least two polishing rolls, where the two polishing rolls rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: Multiple shoe types are made from a plurality of generic molded base frames including a midsole and at least one upper portion integrally molded together. A first set of upper components is provided for forming a first shoe type secured to a first portion of the base frames and a second set of upper components is provided for forming a second shoe type secured to a second portion of the base frames. The upper portion that is integrally molded with the midsole may be a forefoot panel or a quarter. The various types formed from the generic frame include sneakers, backless shoes, slip-ons, skate shoes and boots. The generic unitary molded frame construction substantially reduces the cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A method of making a deep pile fabric that closely resembles natural sheepskin fleece. The method includes forming a length of pile fabric having fibers on one side and a scrim on an opposing side, where at least a portion of the fibers are natural wool fibers, and finishing the pile fabric as natural sheepskin by polishing the fiber side of the pile fabric, including guiding the length of pile fabric over at least two polishing rolls, where the two polishing rolls rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A method of making a sheared wool, deep pile fabric that closely resembles natural sheepskin fleece that includes forming a length of wool pile fabric having natural wool fibers on one side and a scrim on an opposing side and finishing the wool pile fabric as natural shearling. The finishing process includes polishing the wool fiber side of the pile fabric by guiding the length of pile fabric over one or more heated first polishing rolls, applying a sheepskin conditioning solution to the wool fiber side of the pile fabric, further polishing the wool fiber side of the pile fabric by guiding the fabric a plurality of times over one or more second heated polishing rolls, and cutting the wool fibers to a designated length.

Abstract: A shoe has a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion and comprises a sole having a base layer, a heel pedestal extending from the base layer, a lateral stabilizer pedestal extending from the base layer and positioned at least partially beneath the cuboid bone, and a medial stabilizer pedestal extending from the base layer and positioned at least partially beneath the navicular bone. During bipedal locomotion, the weight of a person wearing the shoe is supported on at least one of the heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal, thereby transferring the person's weight from the heel pedestal, to the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and to the medial stabilizer pedestal. The heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal include an outsole and a compressible base layer between the outsole and the wearer's foot.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure having an outer periphery and one or more pontoons flexibly and resiliently joined to the sole structure. The pontoons are configured to spread laterally when the footwear is loaded to thereby increase the surface area of the sole structure and elastically retract back to an original position when the footwear is unloaded. The increased surface area of the sole reduces sinking of the footwear in soft, loose or saturated ground. Optionally, the sole structure includes paddle blades.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component for an article of footwear including providing a two-part mold, inserting a first material layer in the mold, pouring a polyurethane layer on the first material layer, placing a piece of a wool pile fabric on the polyurethane layer and closing the mold for a designated period of time for forming a wool pile fabric component such as a footwear insole. After the designated period of time the mold is opened and the molded wool pile fabric component is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A density enhancement method for a wool pile fabric comprising simultaneously knitting a plurality of shorter sheared wool fibers and a plurality of longer sheared wool fibers to a backing material. The mixture of the shorter and the longer wool fibers enhances the density of the wool pile fabric and closely replicates the density of natural shearling.

Abstract: A method of making a sheared wool, deep pile fabric that closely resembles natural sheepskin fleece that includes forming a length of wool pile fabric having natural wool fibers on one side and a scrim on an opposing side and finishing the wool pile fabric as natural shearling. The finishing process includes polishing the wool fiber side of the pile fabric by guiding the length of pile fabric over one or more heated first polishing rolls, applying a sheepskin conditioning solution to the wool fiber side of the pile fabric, further polishing the wool fiber side of the pile fabric by guiding the fabric a plurality of times over one or more second heated polishing rolls, and cutting the wool fibers to a designated length.

Abstract: A wool pile fabric product including a plurality of wool fibers and at least one security fiber knit with a textile scrim to form a pile fabric having a scrim side and a fiber pile side. The product also includes a facing material that is attached to the scrim side of the wool pile fabric. The security fiber in the product provides a discrete way to identify a genuine product.

Abstract: Multiple shoe types are made from a plurality of generic molded base frames including a midsole and at least one upper portion integrally molded together. A first set of upper components is provided for forming a first shoe type secured to a first portion of the base frames and a second set of upper components is provided for forming a second shoe type secured to a second portion of the base frames. The upper portion that is integrally molded with the midsole may be a forefoot panel or a quarter. The various types formed from the generic frame include sneakers, backless shoes, slip-ons, skate shoes and boots. The generic unitary molded frame construction substantially reduces the cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A shoe has a forefoot portion, a midfoot portion, and a heel portion and comprises a sole having a base layer, a heel pedestal extending from the base layer, a lateral stabilizer pedestal extending from the base layer and positioned at least partially beneath the cuboid bone, and a medial stabilizer pedestal extending from the base layer and positioned at least partially beneath the navicular bone. During bipedal locomotion, the weight of a person wearing the shoe is supported on at least one of the heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal, thereby transferring the person's weight from the heel pedestal, to the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and to the medial stabilizer pedestal. The heel pedestal, the lateral stabilizer pedestal, and the medial stabilizer pedestal include an outsole and a compressible base layer between the outsole and the wearer's foot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering an immiscible oily substance spread as an oily film over the surface of a body of water by forming a vortex in the water mass to attract the oily film substance and water in the vicinity of the vortex to flow into the vortex and flowing the attracted oily film substance and water from the vortex to a quiescent zone to enable separation of the oily film substance and water. The separated oily film substance is retained in a receiver and recovered from the receiver as desired.