Abstract: A fusing system includes an upper member and a base member. The upper member includes a pressing layer and the base member is associated with a last member. The pressing layer has a contoured portion that approximates the shape of a portion of the last member. The upper member can be associated with the base portion and a vacuum can be applied so that the pressing layer is pulled down onto materials disposed on the last member for purposes of fusing the materials together to form articles, such as articles of footwear.

Abstract: A fusing system includes an upper member and a base member. The upper member includes a pressing layer and the base member is associated with a last member. The pressing layer has a contoured portion that approximates the shape of a portion of the last member. The upper member can be associated with the base portion and a vacuum can be applied so that the pressing layer is pulled down onto materials disposed on the last member for purposes of fusing the materials together to form articles, such as articles of footwear.

Abstract: A fusing system includes an upper member and a base member. The upper member includes a pressing layer and the base member is associated with a last member. The pressing layer has a contoured portion that approximates the shape of a portion of the last member. The upper member can be associated with the base portion and a vacuum can be applied so that the pressing layer is pulled down onto materials disposed on the last member for purposes of fusing the materials together to form articles, such as articles of footwear.

Abstract: A fusing system includes an upper member and a base member. The upper member includes a pressing layer and the base member is associated with a last member. The pressing layer has a contoured portion that approximates the shape of a portion of the last member. The upper member can be associated with the base portion and a vacuum can be applied so that the pressing layer is pulled down onto materials disposed on the last member for purposes of fusing the materials together to form articles, such as articles of footwear.

Abstract: A bonded mesh composite panel of an upper includes a substrate layer formed from a substrate material, a mesh material layer and one or more skin material layers. The mesh composite can be fabricated by first arranging panels of substrate, mesh and skin layer material into an assembly corresponding to the locations of those panels in a completed upper. The assembly may include separate layers of hot melt bonding material interposed between the substrate, mesh and skin layers. The assembly is pressed at an elevated temperature so as to melt the bonding material and the skin layers and bond the elements together. Before the pressed assembly completely cools, it is then pressed a second time in an unheated press. A heat-conductive compressible pad can be used in the pressing process to create a surface effect in the skin layers that reveals a patterns of an underlying mesh layer.

Abstract: A bonded mesh composite panel of an upper includes a substrate layer formed from a substrate material, a mesh material layer and one or more skin material layers. The mesh composite can be fabricated by first arranging panels of substrate, mesh and skin layer material into an assembly corresponding to the locations of those panels in a completed upper. The assembly may include separate layers of hot melt bonding material interposed between the substrate, mesh and skin layers. The assembly is pressed at an elevated temperature so as to melt the bonding material and the skin layers and bond the elements together. Before the pressed assembly completely cools, it is then pressed a second time in an unheated press. A heat-conductive compressible pad can be used in the pressing process to create a surface effect in the skin layers that reveals a patterns of an underlying mesh layer.

Abstract: A bonded mesh composite panel of an upper includes a substrate layer formed from a substrate material, a mesh material layer and one or more skin material layers. The mesh composite can be fabricated by first arranging panels of substrate, mesh and skin layer material into an assembly corresponding to the locations of those panels in a completed upper. The assembly may include separate layers of hot melt bonding material interposed between the substrate, mesh and skin layers. The assembly is pressed at an elevated temperature so as to melt the bonding material and the skin layers and bond the elements together. Before the pressed assembly completely cools, it is then pressed a second time in an unheated press. A heat-conductive compressible pad can be used in the pressing process to create a surface effect in the skin layers that reveals a patterns of an underlying mesh layer.

Abstract: A bonded mesh composite panel of an upper includes a substrate layer formed from a substrate material, a mesh material layer and one or more skin material layers. The mesh composite can be fabricated by first arranging panels of substrate, mesh and skin layer material into an assembly corresponding to the locations of those panels in a completed upper. The assembly may include separate layers of hot melt bonding material interposed between the substrate, mesh and skin layers. The assembly is pressed at an elevated temperature so as to melt the bonding material and the skin layers and bond the elements together. Before the pressed assembly completely cools, it is then pressed a second time in an unheated press. A heat-conductive compressible pad can be used in the pressing process to create a surface effect in the skin layers that reveals a patterns of an underlying mesh layer.