Abstract: The invention relates to a growth media comprising a hydrophilic polyurethane polymer matrix containing particulate inclusions. The invention also relates to a method of providing the growth media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and shoe having a sole attached to an upper for defining an interior, the interior having a recess, and at least two footbeds, each having different physical properties and each being sized to be placed within the recess. The shoe also has an additive dispersed over the interior and at least one footbed, wherein each of the at least two footbeds is removably placed within the recess depending upon a desired physical property.

Abstract: The invention relates to a growth media including a charred organic matter, a hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer, and water for mixing said hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer and said charred organic matter together into a malleable mixture. The invention also relates to a method of providing the growth media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and shoe having a sole attached to an upper for defining an interior, the interior having a recess, and at least two footbeds, each having different physical properties and each being sized to be placed within the recess. The shoe also has an additive dispersed over the interior and at least one footbed, wherein each of the at least two footbeds is removably placed within the recess depending upon a desired physical property.

Abstract: A footwear support system of the type positioned within an inner volume of an article of footwear includes a footbed and an insole insert. The footbed includes a body having an upper surface and a cavity formed within the upper surface for receiving an insole insert. The cavity has a shape corresponding to the shape of the insole insert and a depth corresponding to the thickness of the insole insert. The insole insert may include interchangeable insole inserts, one including hydrophilic urethane for insulating a wearer's foot in cold environments and another including thermally insulative material for cooling a wearer's foot in warm environments. The footwear support system based on the footbed provides greater comfort to a wearer's foot.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of bonding low density or thin gauge polyurethane foams to polypropylene substrates, said apparatus including, a revolvable turntable for indexing the workpieces to various work stations, a conductive heating station to heat-liquify designated areas of the polypropylene substrate, and a compression station having compression platens to emboss the polyurethane foam onto the polypropylene substrate effectively fusing the fibers of the polyurethane foam with the heat-liquified areas of polypropylene.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of bonding low density or thin gauge polyurethane foams to polypropylene substrates, said apparatus including, a revolvable turntable for indexing the workpieces to various work stations, a conductive heating station to heat-liquify designated areas of the polypropylene substrate, and a compression station having compression platens to emboss the polyurethane foam onto the polypropylene substrate effectively fusing the polyurethane foam with the heat-liquified areas of polypropylene.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of bonding low density or thin gauge polyurethane foams to polypropylene substrates, said apparatus including, a revolvable turntable for indexing the workpieces to various work stations, a conductive heating station to heat-liquify designated areas of the polypropylene substrate, and a compression station having compression platens to emboss the polyurethane foam onto the polypropylene substrate effectively fusing the fibers of the polyurethane foam with the heat-liquified areas of polypropylene.