Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transport mechanism, heads, and an estimation part. The transport mechanism transports an elongated strip-shaped base material along a predetermined transport path in a longitudinal direction thereof. The heads eject ink onto a surface of the base material being transported by the transport mechanism, based on submitted data. The estimation part outputs an estimation result indicating the expansion/contraction state of the base material resulting from the ink, based on the submitted data, prior to printing of the submitted data. This provides the estimation result of the expansion/contraction state in accordance with the submitted data. Thus, the submitted data is printed in consideration of the estimation result. The printing apparatus according to the present invention is capable of estimating the expansion/contraction state of the base material in accordance with the submitted data prior to the printing.

Abstract: The invention provides a sole structure that can not only prevent deterioration of cushioning performance and improve cushioning properties but also enhance flexibility. The sole structure 1 includes a rear foot sole 2 disposed at a rear foot region of the sole structure 1, a forefoot sole 3 disposed at a forefoot part F of the sole structure 1, and a plate 4 disposed at the rear foot region of the sole structure 1 and having an upwardly convexly curved shape along a heel part H to a midfoot part M of the sole structure 1. A front end portion 4f of the plate 4 is disposed at a front end portion 2Af, 2Bf of the rear foot sole 2 (i.e. upper and lower soles 2A, 2B). There is formed a gap S in front of the front end portion 4f of the plate 4 between the front end portion 2Af, 2Bf of the rear foot sole 2 and a rear end portion 3r of the forefoot sole 3.

Abstract: The heel counter structure includes a sole plate provided at least at the heel region of the shoe and having a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is upraised along the heel region of the shoe so as to enclose the lower portion of the heel portion of the foot of the wearer. The heel structure also includes a pair of heel counter portions provided on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the shoe so as to sandwich the heel portion of the foot sideways. The heel counter portions are coupled to the peripheral portion of the sole plate at the lower ends of the heel counter portions so that the heel counter portions can tilt inwardly and outwardly independently of the sole plate. The heel counter portions are separated from the peripheral portion of the sole plate except the lower ends of the heel counter portions.

Abstract: The heel counter structure includes a sole plate provided at least at the heel region of the shoe and having a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion is upraised along the heel region of the shoe so as to enclose the lower portion of the heel portion of the foot of the wearer. The heel structure also includes a pair of heel counter portions provided on the medial and lateral sides of the heel region of the shoe so as to sandwich the heel portion of the foot sideways. The heel counter portions are coupled to the peripheral portion of the sole plate at the lower ends of the heel counter portions so that the heel counter portions can tilt inwardly and outwardly independently of the sole plate. The heel counter portions are separated from the peripheral portion of the sole plate except the lower ends of the heel counter portions.

Abstract: The upper structure for a shoe includes an upper body formed of stretchable material and covering at least the tiptoe of the foot of a shoe wearer. The structure further includes a toe pressing member located at a position corresponding to toes of the foot, surrounded by the upper body, and formed of non-stretchable material. The toe pressing member presses the toes of the foot from above when the toes of the foot come into contact with the backside of the upper body at the time of dorsal flexion of the foot.

Abstract: A sole structure 1 for a shoe comprises an upper sheet portion 2 disposed on the upper side of the sole structure, and a plurality of curved sheet portions 3 (31-35) that are provided on the lower surface of the upper sheet portion 2, that have downwardly convexedly curved portions 31-35, respectively, and that are disposed side by side and partially overlapped with each other in the longitudinal direction. Each of the curved sheet portions 31-35 has a first end A (A1-A5) and a second end B (B1-B5) on the opposite sides of each of the downwardly convexedly curved portions 31-35. The first end A of the curved sheet portion 3 is located on the front side of the sole structure 1 and fixed to the lower surface of the upper sheet portion 2. The second end B of the curved sheet portion 3 is located on the rear side of the sole structure 1 and fixed to the external surface of the adjacent curved sheet portion 3.

Abstract: A sole structure 1 for a shoe comprises an upper plate 2 having a heel region and disposed on the upper side of the structure 1, a first C-shaped portion 3 and a second C-shaped portion 4 each having a longitudinally flat, generally C-shape with an upwardly opening portion 3A, 4A, disposed alongside in the longitudinal direction under the upper plate 2, and each opening end of the upwardly opening portions 3A, 4A directly fixed to the upper plate 2, and a connecting portion 5 interposed between and connecting the first and second C-shaped portions 3. The C-shaped portions 3, 4 are formed of downwardly convexly curved surfaces 30, 40 and diagonally upwardly convexly curved surfaces 31, 41, respectively, which extend diagonally upwardly from the downwardly convexly curved surfaces 30, 40 toward the upper plate 2.

Abstract: A sole structure 1 for a shoe comprises an upper plate 2 having a heel region and disposed on the upper side of the structure 1, a first C-shaped portion 3 and a second C-shaped portion 4 each having a longitudinally flat, generally C-shape with an upwardly opening portion 3A, 4A, disposed alongside in the longitudinal direction under the upper plate 2, and each opening end of the upwardly opening portions 3A, 4A directly fixed to the upper plate 2, and a connecting portion 5 interposed between and connecting the first and second C-shaped portions 3. The C-shaped portions 3, 4 are formed of downwardly convexly curved surfaces 30, 40 and diagonally upwardly convexly curved surfaces 31, 41, respectively, which extend diagonally upwardly from the downwardly convexly curved surfaces 30, 40 toward the upper plate 2.

Abstract: A sole structure 1 for a shoe comprises an upper sheet portion 2 disposed on the upper side of the sole structure, and a plurality of curved sheet portions 3 (31-35) that are provided on the lower surface of the upper sheet portion 2, that have downwardly convexedly curved portions 31-35, respectively, and that are disposed side by side and partially overlapped with each other in the longitudinal direction. Each of the curved sheet portions 31-35 has a first end A (A1-A5) and a second end B (B1-B5) on the opposite sides of each of the downwardly convexedly curved portions 31-35. The first end A of the curved sheet portion 3 is located on the front side of the sole structure 1 and fixed to the lower surface of the upper sheet portion 2. The second end B of the curved sheet portion 3 is located on the rear side of the sole structure 1 and fixed to the external surface of the adjacent curved sheet portion 3.

Abstract: A hard elastic body (10) having a longitudinally extending cavity (13) formed therein is provided mainly at a forefoot region (F) of a sole body. The cavity (13) is formed of a first curved surface (11) extending curvedly in a longitudinal direction and a second curved surface (12) disposed under the first curved surface (11) and extending curvedly in a longitudinal direction as well. A front and rear end of the second curved surface (12) is connected to a front and rear end of the first curved surface (11) respectively and an intermediate portion of the second curved surface (12) is spaced apart downwardly from an intermediate portion of the first curved surface (11). A path (PQ1) between the front and rear end of the first curved surface (11) is substantially equal to a path (PQ2) between the front and rear end of the second curved surface (12). When the first curved surface (11) is pressed downwardly, the sole body is deformed in such a way that a rear foot region (R) of the sole body is lifted upwardly.

Abstract: A sole structure for an athletic shoe includes a heel region and a forefoot region, a midsole of a soft elastic material including a midsole heel portion at the heel region, and an outsole of a harder material including an outsole heel portion at the heel region and an outsole forefoot portion that extends from the outsole heel portion to the forefoot region. The midsole heel portion has wavy corrugations on a lower surface thereof and a smooth plane on an upper surface thereof. The outsole heel portion includes a corrugated wavy plate with corrugations through its thickness, which are in phase with the wavy corrugations on the lower surface of the midsole heel portion.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole structure includes a midsole body that extends from a heel region to a forefoot region of a shoe, and an outsole body that is disposed under the midsole body, extends from the heel region to the forefoot region of the shoe, and is formed of a harder material than the midsole body. A heel portion of the outsole body includes a corrugation. The sole structure further includes a lower midsole disposed under the heel portion of the outsole body, an outsole heel portion attached at a lower surface of the lower midsole, and cleats provided at a lower surface of the outsole body. The sole structure having only two layers with the outsole and the midsole decreases the weight of the shoe, simplifies a manufacturing process, and reduces a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A sole structure for an athletic shoe includes a heel region and a forefoot region, a midsole of a soft elastic material including a midsole heel portion at the heel region, and an outsole of a harder material including an outsole heel portion at the heel region and an outsole forefoot portion that extends from the outsole heel portion to the forefoot region. The midsole heel portion has wavy corrugations on a lower surface thereof and a smooth plane on an upper surface thereof. The outsole heel portion includes a corrugated wavy plate with corrugations through its thickness, which are in phase with the wavy corrugations on the lower surface of the midsole heel portion.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole structure includes a midsole body that extends from a heel region to a forefoot region of a shoe, and an outsole body that is disposed under the midsole body, extends from the heel region to the forefoot region of the shoe, and is formed of a harder material than the midsole body. A heel portion of the outsole body includes a corrugation. The sole structure further includes a lower midsole disposed under the heel portion of the outsole body, an outsole heel portion attached at a lower surface of the lower midsole, and cleats provided at a lower surface of the outsole body. The sole structure having only two layers with the outsole and the midsole decreases the weight of the shoe, simplifies a manufacturing process, and reduces a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A shoe sole structure includes an outsole that extends from a heel region to a forefoot region of a shoe, and a midsole that is disposed above the outsole and extends from the heel region to a midfoot region of the shoe. A heel portion of the outsole includes a corrugated portion. A heel portion of the midsole includes a corrugated portion, which corresponds in phase to the corrugated portion of the outsole. Cleats are provided at a bottom surface of the outsole. The corrugated portion on the outsole provides running stability. The sole structure having only two layers with the outsole and the midsole decreases the weight of the shoe, simplifies a manufacturing process, and reduces a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe comprising a midsole and a corrugated sheet. The midsole is formed of soft elastic material. The corrugated sheet is disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole. Either or both amplitude and wavelength of wave configuration of said corrugated sheet are made different either or both between a front end portion and back end portion, and between an medial portion and lateral portion of said heel portion.

Abstract: A sole structure having an outsole that extends from a heel region to a forefoot region of a shoe and a midsole that is disposed inside the outsole and extends from the heel region to a midfoot region of the shoe. The outsole includes a corrugated portion at a heel portion thereof. The midsole includes a corrugated portion at a heel portion thereof, which corresponds to the corrugated portion of the outsole. A plurality of cleats are provided at a bottom surface of the outsole. Forming the corrugated portion on the outsole makes it possible to secure a running stability. The sole structure having double layers with the outsole and the midsole decreases the weight of the shoe, simplifies a manufacturing process, and reduces a manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe includes a midsole formed of soft elastic material, and a corrugated sheet disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole. The amplitude of the wave configuration of the corrugated sheet is larger at the medial and lateral sides of the heel portion and smaller at the central portion between the medial and lateral sides. Alternatively, the wave phase of the corrugated sheet is offset by one half of a wave pitch between the medial and lateral sides.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe comprises an upper midsole 3a and a lower midsole 3b formed of soft elastic material, and a corrugated sheet 4 having a heel portion 4a formed with a corrugation. The corrugated sheet 4 is interposed between the upper and lower midsoles 3a, 3b. Upwardly and downwardly extending walls 6, 7 and 8 are formed at the medial and lateral sides of the corrugated sheet 4. Thereby, transverse or lateral deformation of the heel portion of the midsole 3 can be securely prevented and running stability can be further improved.

Abstract: A midsole assembly for an athletic shoe comprising a midsole and a corrugated sheet. The midsole is formed of soft elastic material. The corrugated sheet is disposed in at least a heel portion of the midsole. Either or both amplitude and wavelength of wave configuration of said corrugated sheet are made different either or both between a front end portion and back end portion, and between an medial portion and lateral portion of said heel portion.