Abstract: Presented are intelligent electronic footwear and apparel with controller-automated features, methods for making/operating such footwear and apparel, and control systems for executing automated features of such footwear and apparel. A method for automating a collaborative operation between an intelligent electronic shoe (IES) and an intelligent transportation management (ITM) system includes receiving, via a detection tag attached to the IES shoe structure, a prompt signal from a transmitter-detector module communicatively connected to a traffic system controller of the ITM system. In reaction to the received prompt signal, the detection tag transmits a response signal to the transmitter-detector module. The traffic system controller uses the response signal to determine a location of the IES's user, and the current operating state of a traffic signal proximate the user's location.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled with the sole structure. The upper has a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion. The closure includes a closure panel and a plurality of laces each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end. The first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the first side portion of the upper and the second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the unitary closure panel. A selective and reusable fastener is further provided to couple the closure panel to the second side panel of the upper.

Abstract: Running shoes are ergonomically enhanced with a damping sole under the toe-cap, that provokes a touch-down at the foot's ball first and consequently avoids, for less stress and fatigue, an unrolling motion of the foot. The soft cup may be made of leather, canvas, and/or little extensible soft plastics. The pins may be angled at 40° upwards along a main axis of the running shoe. A combined thickness of additional sole and the original sole at the tip of the running shoe may be equal to a total sole thickness of the original sole at a heel of the running shoe. The cup assembly may increase a height of the tip of the running shoe. The cup assembly may dampen an impact of a foot at the tip of the running shoe.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the footwear sector, principally the children's footwear sector, and relates to physiological footwear with dynamic configuration of microparticles used in a chamber between the insole and the sole. The sole has a counter and an irregular arrangement that simulates the natural ground.

Abstract: A sports shoe has a lower boot portion to receive the user's foot and an upper boot portion to receive the user's lower leg. In the process, at least one first sensor in a front foot portion of the sole assembly is connected with at least one second sensor in a heel portion of the sole assembly via a multipolar flexible flat cable having an adjustable length as needed, such that a distance between the at least one first and second sensors can be adjusted to various sole lengths during the manufacturing of the sports shoe. This can be specified correspondingly for at least one third or fourth sensor in the upper boot portion and the at least one first or second sensor on the sole assembly of the sports shoe, such that an adjustment to the upper boot portion with various model-dependent height dimensions is facilitated during manufacturing.

Abstract: The shoe for bicycle competition, with a first member having a convex portion projecting on the bottom with the mounting surface to which a cleat is mounted for position adjustment, covering the heel, the side, and the sole of the feet integrally, the cleat for fixing to a bicycle pedal detachable, and the second member covering the sole to close the opening located on the opposite side of the convex portion. The first member forms an undercut shape with its lateral width narrower upward for the heel of the foot only to move forward, and the third member and the first member share the overlapping portion at least on the side surface of the foot, and by tightening the third member, be integrated by deformation and friction to form a monocoque structure.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper that is coupled to the sole structure to at least partially defining an internal volume that is operative to receive a foot of the wearer. The upper includes an enlarged throat opening that is in communication with the internal volume and a forwardly extending flap section that defines a portion of the enlarged throat opening. The flap section is operative to fold laterally across an instep portion of the upper to reduce the size of the throat opening. Additionally, a plurality of perforations extend through a portion of the upper on a first side of the flap section. Folding the flap section laterally in a first direction covers the plurality of perforations to provide selective water resistance. Conversely, folding the flap section laterally in a second direction exposes the plurality of perforations to provide ventilation to the interior volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waterproof shoe with an improved ventilation mechanism, designed to circulate air from the outside environment through the shoe in order to provide convective cooling to a wearer's foot. In a desired embodiment, the shoe may incorporate a pump-ventilation mechanism which, coupled with airflow channels incorporated in the upper, acts to establish continuous substantially one-way airflow through the shoe in a heel-to-toe direction while a user walks.

Abstract: A footbed for use in footwear is provided. The footbed assembly includes a resilient, flexible material (e.g. EVA or PU foam) that extends the entire length of the footbed. a heel plate made from a material that is more rigid (plastic, carbon fiber) than the resilient foam attaches to the flexible material. The shape of the resilient footbed defines a geometry that provides support and comfort to the user by reducing peak pressures, improving cushioning, and enhancing foot support. The resilient foam and heel plate defines the shape of the midfoot R2 and rearfoot R1 of the footbed while the resilient flexible foam continues forward to define the shape of the forefoot R3 region of the footbed.

Abstract: A ballet pointe shoe is disclosed comprising a toebox, a platform at a front end of the toebox, a shank, an upper, a heel, and a single continuous sole. The single continuous sole comprises a front end closest to the toebox, a back end closest to the heel, and a waist defined as a narrowest part of the single continuous sole. The waist is positioned at more than 65 percent of the length of the single continuous sole from the front end of the single continuous sole. A ratio of (i) the waist to the back end of the single continuous sole to (ii) the waist to the front end of the single continuous sole is at least 42 percent.

Abstract: An orthopedic shoe may include a shoe having an upper and a sole, the upper having a multi-compartment toe box at a forefront of the shoe, the multi-compartment toe box including a separate compartment for the big toe; and an elevating portion at a location corresponding to a big toe. Further another orthopedic shoe may include a shoe having an upper and a sole; and an elevating portion, wherein an outsole of the sole has a groove formed therein at a location corresponding to a base of the elevating portion which contacts the sole at the location where the big toe bends. Further yet another orthopedic shoe may include a shoe having an upper and a sole; and an elevating portion, wherein the upper comprises a toe box, and wherein the toe box has a peak height above the sole at a location above the elevating portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear has an upper that is direct attached with the sole. The direct attach sole has an insert, such as an airbag, that forms a portion of a sidewall. The insert is externally visible and forms at least a portion of an external sidewall of the sole. The insert is formed into the direct attach sole by having the insert or a mask temporarily joined with the insert contact a sidewall molding surface of a mold used in the direct attach operation such that the insert results in forming a visible element of the direct attached sole.

Abstract: Two part sole structures are provided having a first foam component containing a polyolefin resin with a polyurethane resin component adhered to a surface of the first foam component. For example, in some aspects, a sole structure or a portion thereof is provided having a first sole component containing a foam composition and a second sole component adhered to a surface of the first sole component, where the second sole component includes a polyurethane resin. The second sole component is in some aspects printed or extruded onto the surface of the foam. In particular, midsoles including the foams and having an outsole component on the ground facing portion are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the sole structures are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the sole structures.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure that is thermoformed to the upper. The upper has a ground facing surface, and opposing medial and lateral sidewalls disposed on opposite sides of the ground facing surface. The sole structure has an inner surface adhered to the upper and an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface. The sole structure includes a thermoplastic base layer that defines the inner surface of the sole structure. The sole structure further includes a thermoplastic outer layer integrally formed with the base layer. The outer layer has a plurality of protuberances, each protuberance has an outer face that defines a portion of the outer sole surface, and the outer layer further includes a plurality of splayed sipes extending across a portion of the sole structure. Each splayed sipe generally extends between at least two adjacent protuberances.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear may have a midsole system that includes a sole plate having a forefoot region and a midfoot region. The sole plate may have a foot-facing surface and a ground-facing surface opposite to the foot-facing surface. The sole plate may define a through hole extending from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface in the forefoot region. The through hole may be closer to a medial edge of the sole plate than to a lateral edge of the sole plate. The sole plate may have ridges extending longitudinally in the midfoot region and in the forefoot region. The ridges may have crests at least some of which may extend non-parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction of the sole plate.

Abstract: An article includes a base component defining a plurality of holes arranged in an auxetic configuration. The auxetic configuration is configured such that when the base component is compressed in a first direction, the base component contracts in both the first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A surface of the base component defines at least one of the plurality of holes is shaped as a one-sheeted hyperboloid.

Abstract: Articles of footwear including footbed membranes and rigid or semi-rigid frames may be configured to suspend and support a wearer's foot during all stages of the gait cycle. Footbed membranes may be configured to suspend the wearer's foot with nothing underneath the footbed membrane, maintaining a gap between the footbed membrane and the frame during the entire gait cycle. Footbed membranes may be formed of elastomeric materials having less than a threshold percentage of elongation in response to loading, to maintain suspension of the wearer's foot. The outsole, frame, and footbed membrane may be integrated such that the components work together to support the wearer's foot during the gait cycle and in static conditions as well. Methods of making such articles of footwear may include sewing the footwear upper to the footbed membrane via a sew wall, without cementing the upper.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear has a sole plate that may include a midfoot region, and also may include a forefoot region or a heel region. The sole plate may have a foot-facing surface with ridges extending longitudinally in the midfoot region and in the forefoot region or heel region. The sole plate may have a ground-facing surface with grooves extending longitudinally in correspondence with the ridges. A thickness of the sole plate from the foot-facing surface to the ground-facing surface may vary at a transverse cross-section of the sole plate through the ridges, or along a length of at least one of the ridges, or at both the transverse cross-section and along the length of the at least one of the ridges. The ridges may have crests at least some of which may extend non-parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction of the sole plate.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided. The sole structure includes an outsole having a ground-engaging surface and an upper surface formed on an opposite side of the outsole than the ground-engaging surface. A first cushion is disposed proximate to a medial side of the sole structure and includes a first fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a second fluid-filled chamber attached to the first fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the first fluid-filled chamber and the upper. A second cushion is disposed proximate to a lateral side of the sole structure and includes a third fluid-filled chamber attached to the upper surface of the outsole and a fourth fluid-filled chamber attached to the third fluid-filled chamber and disposed between the third fluid-filled chamber and the upper. The second cushion is fluidly isolated from the first cushion.

Abstract: A shoe includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. The sole includes a sole member and a spring element. The sole member has a footbed surface, a bottom surface opposite the footbed surface, a heel side surface, a toe side surface, a medial side surface, and a lateral side surface. The spring element is in contact with the toe side surface of the sole member, the lateral side surface of the sole member, the heel side surface of the sole member, and a portion of the medial side surface of the sole member. The spring element is adapted and configured to support the sole member by resisting deflection due to one or more of lateral deformation of the sole member and longitudinal deformation of the sole member.

Abstract: A sole structure includes a midsole layer with a lower surface having a first recess that has an outer periphery spaced inward of an outer periphery of the midsole layer, and a peripheral bonding region between the outer periphery of the midsole layer and the outer periphery of the first recess. A sole plate has an upper surface with a second recess forming a cavity with the first recess between the sole plate and the midsole layer. The upper surface of the sole plate has a peripheral bonding region between an outer periphery of the sole plate and an outer periphery of the second recess. A bladder nests in the cavity with a contoured upper surface inward of the peripheral bonding region of the midsole layer and a contoured lower surface inward of the peripheral bonding region of the sole plate. A method of manufacturing the sole structure is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cushioning article comprises wrapping a polymeric sheet around a support so that the polymeric sheet surrounds a perimeter of the support. A first portion of the polymeric sheet adjacent a first side edge of the polymeric sheet overlaps and is stacked on a second portion of the polymeric sheet adjacent a second side edge of the polymeric sheet. The first portion is welded to the second portion at a first weld disposed between the first side edge and the second side edge while the polymeric sheet is wrapped around the support so that the polymeric sheet forms an open-ended sheath with a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall with the first weld disposed at only one of the top wall and the bottom wall. A cushioning article manufactured according to the method is disclosed.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed.

Abstract: A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds each of which extends only partway across the interior cavity. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included.

Abstract: Foot support systems include a fluid flow regulator and/or valve that: (a) can operate as a stop valve to stop transfer of fluid between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, (b) can open in a controlled manner to allow transfer of fluid from the second fluid container to the first fluid container, (c) can open to equalize pressure in the first and second fluid containers, and (d) can act as a check valve to enable flow of fluid from the first fluid container to the second fluid container when/if gas pressure in the first container exceeds that in the second container by a predetermined amount. Additional features relate to fluid flow control systems and methods, systems and methods for changing and controlling the crack pressure of a valve (e.g., a check valve), and/or systems and methods for matching foot support pressure features in two different sole structures.

Abstract: Foot support systems, e.g., for articles of footwear, include systems for changing the hardness or firmness of the foot support portion (e.g., of a sole structure) and/or systems for moving (e.g., selectively moving) fluid between various portions of the foot support system. Such systems may include: a foot support bladder, a pump, and a fluid reservoir. Two or more fluid transfer lines may be provided to connect these components, and these fluid lines are equipped with fluid flow control device(s) and/or check valves to enable selective movement of fluid between the fluid reservoir and the foot support bladder. Such systems enable one to set and maintain two or more foot support pressures in the foot support bladder.

Abstract: A spacer textile material may include a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of connecting members extending between and joining the first layer and the second layer. The connecting members may form a series of at least ten rows that are separated by spaces. The rows have a width that is less than a width of the spaces, and the connecting members form at least one stabilizing row with a width that is greater than the width of the spaces.

Abstract: An intermediate sole structure for an article of footwear includes a foamed thermoplastic sole component. The foamed thermoplastic sole component has a foamed thermoplastic base layer and a foamed thermoplastic outer layer that is integrally formed with the foamed thermoplastic base layer. The outer layer includes a plurality of sipes extending through the outer layer and terminating at the base layer. The thermoplastic sole component has an inner surface defined by the base layer, an opposite, outer surface defined by the outer layer, and a thickness defined between the inner surface and the outer surface. The inner surface is substantially planar and is operative to be adhered to a ground-facing surface of an upper. Additionally, the thickness is smaller at a peripheral edge of the sole component than within a central region.

Abstract: A layered product (1) comprises a waterproof and water vapor permeable membrane (4) having a first side (41) and a second side (42), the membrane comprising a membrane material (40, 40a, 40b) which is waterproof and water vapor permeable, and thermoplastic material (3) which covers at least a portion of the first side (41) of the membrane (4) and is formed by at least one three-dimensional build layer (3-1 to 3-n) printed onto the first side (41) of the membrane such that the thermoplastic material (3) of the at least one three-dimensional build layer (3-1 to 3-n) is bonded to the membrane material (40, 40a, 40b) of the membrane. The layered product can be part of footwear, such as a bootie or upper material.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a strobel stitched to the upper at a series of stitches disposed in stitch holes that extend through the strobel. The strobel and the upper define a foot-receiving cavity with an inner surface of the strobel disposed at the foot-receiving cavity. A midsole is secured to the upper and an outer surface of the strobel is disposed at the midsole. The stitch holes are obstructed such that the stitch holes are not exposed to both the midsole and the foot-receiving cavity. Accordingly, when a flowable polymeric material is injected in a mold cavity to form the midsole with the lower portion of the upper and the strobel in the mold cavity, the stitch holes will not provide a path for entry of the flowable polymeric material into the foot-receiving cavity. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear is disclosed.

Abstract: An article of footwear can include a sole structure, an upper, and a printed layer. The upper can be coupled to the sole structure. The printed layer can be disposed on the upper and include a first printed material and a second printed material. The first printed material can have a plurality of spaced-apart first segments and have a first hardness. The second printed material can have a plurality of spaced-apart second segments and have a second hardness that is less than the first hardness of the first printed material. Each of the second segments can be disposed adjacent to one or more of the first segments.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole and an upper. The upper has a knitted element being formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The shoe further includes a lateral stiffening member coupled to the upper in a lateral vamp region a medial stiffening member coupled to the upper in a medial vamp region. The sole has a sole member and a molded chassis. The molded chassis has at least a midfoot region, the midfoot region extending upwardly above a portion of the upper. The lateral stiffening member is spaced from the molded chassis and the sole member and is operatively connected to the molded chassis in the midfoot region. The medial stiffening member is spaced from the molded chassis and the sole member and is operatively connected to the molded chassis in the midfoot region.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole and an upper. The knit upper has a knitted element being formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The knitted element has at least a first area and a second area. The first and second areas are mutually exclusive. The first area is of a first knit structure having a first gauge, and the second area is of a second knit structure having a second gauge. The first gauge is larger than the second gauge. The first area extends within the one or more regions such that the first area provides increased rigidity to the upper in such regions.

Abstract: A heel liner preventing heel rubbing and sliding comprises a heel liner body, wherein the upper and lower surfaces of the heel liner body are respectively provided with a gripping surface and an adhesive fixing surface; the gripping surface comprises a pin array arranged stepwise in ascending order; the pin array and the heel liner body are inclined at a specific angle; the pin array comprises a lower pin array, a middle pin array and a upper pin array; the configuration of the lower end of the heel liner body is matched with the that of the heel of a human body. The disclosure is ease to use, good fitness, and nice comfort, such that the adaptation to various shoe types and foot shapes may be truly realized, and that the problems such as foot rubbing and lack of fit may finally be solved.

Abstract: A kit includes a tape and instructions for adhering skin to a shoe. The tape having: a substrate; an insole side having an insole adhesive; an insole adhesive liner covering the insole adhesive; a skin side having a skin adhesive, wherein the skin adhesive has a characteristic different from the insole adhesive; a skin adhesive liner covering the skin adhesive; and a release tab formed by a portion of the insole side of the substrate devoid of insole adhesive. The tape can have the following options: the release tab is at the arch end of the substrate; insole side of the substrate has less stick potential compared to the skin side, which results in the insole side being less sticky than the skin side; or insole adhesive has less stick potential compared to the skin adhesive, which results in the insole adhesive being less sticky than the skin adhesive.

Abstract: An eyestay coupling device according to various aspects of the present technology include a center body portion and a plurality of coupling elements arranged along an outer edge or periphery of the center body portion. The coupling elements are configured to be connected to the eyelets of a shoe in place of a shoelace. The center body portion is flexible in at least one direction to allow a user to insert or remove their foot from the shoe. When a foot is positioned within the shoe, the center body portion pulls the coupling elements inwards towards each other to provide a secure fit around the user's foot.

Abstract: A system for stitching two parts of a shoe together includes a stitching machine with a head and a cylinder bed. The head has a needle base disposed on a lower end adjacent the cylinder bed such that the two shoe parts can be stitched together therebetween. A positioning mechanism has a curved drive frame and is capable of moving the curved drive frame in a rotating motion along the circumference of the curved drive frame and in a linear direction generally along an axis of the curved drive frame. A jig positions the two shoe parts with respect to one another and is coupled to the curved drive frame. The jig includes a curved support surface for supporting the two shoe parts.

Abstract: A method for assembling a shoe upper and a bottom unit includes digitally determining a bite line on the shoe upper. The method further includes storing a set of data representing the bite line in a computing device. The method also includes utilizing the set of data to automatically indicate the location of an actual physical bite line on the shoe upper.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to apparatuses and methods that employ a press pad for forming shoe parts, or subassemblies, for example a sole subassembly. The adaptive pad may conform to a topography of a pattern of recesses of a shoe part and provide sufficient rigidity to facilitate formation of a bond during pressing of the one or more shoe parts to form the sole subassembly.

Abstract: A belt buckle structure includes a buckle body and a plate-based controller. The buckle body is provided with a coupling section and a connection section at two ends thereof The coupling section is formed with a pivoting notch in a top side and a recess in a bottom side. A pin hole is formed in each of two sides of the buckle body. The plate-based controller includes a coupling axle having a pawl. The coupling axle is arranged in the coupling section. A fixing member has a protruding section fit into the recess. A pin is received through the pint hole to penetrate through the recess and extend into a positioning hole of the fixing member. A primary constraint frame has two side portions collaborating with the pin to attach to two sides of the buckle body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a baby carrier belt, and more particularly, to a no-noise detachable baby carrier belt, which does not generate noise when the belt is fastened and unfastened so as to prevent a baby or an infant who is sleeping in a baby carrier from awaking from sleep due to noise generated when the belt is fastened and unfastened.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a zipper fastener including: an upper plate; a lower plate disposed to correspond to the upper plate; a head disposed in a predetermined region of an upper surface of the upper plate; and a pull body configured to be fastened to the head. The head includes a body portion and a flange portion extending to one side end of the body portion. The pull body includes a main body portion. The main body portion includes a main body portion lower surface disposed at a lower portion of the main body portion, a main body portion first side surface disposed at a first side of the main body portion, and a main body portion second side surface disposed at a second side of the main body portion and disposed to face the main body portion first side surface.

Abstract: A slide fastener includes: a pair of fastener stringers each provided with a fastener element at a bent side-edge portion of a fastener tape; a slider that moves for opening or closing the pair of fastener stringers; and a pair of resin-made terminal members each fixed to the fastener tape adjacently to the fastener element in a terminal portion of the fastener tape in an elongation direction of the fastener tape, the pair of terminal members including a pin and a socket configured to receive the pin. Reinforcing films are attached to both tape surfaces of at least one fastener tape in the terminal portion, and each reinforcing film has an embedded portion embedded in the terminal member.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device is provided and comprises: an assembly for carrying out the intended use of the device including a microprocessor and a strap by means of which the assembly can be attached to the body of the wearer characterised in that the strap includes at least one supercapacitor comprised of nanocarbon-containing electrodes and/or ionic liquid electrolytes and a first connector adapted to connect an external electrical power source to the supercapacitor for purposes of recharging.

Abstract: A bracelet including two strands provided with a fastening system which includes at least one longitudinal groove on one of the two strands and at least one longitudinal protuberance on the other strand. The material and the shape of the groove and of the protuberance are configured such that these two elements interlock under pressure exerted by the bracelet user, over two overlapping portions of the bracelet strands. The connection between the strands can easily be separated, preferably by peeling the upper strand away from the lower strand. The bracelet is continuously adjustable in length, without requiring heavy or complex elements.

Abstract: Watch bands can employ clasps that are configured to ratchet. Due to this ratcheting, the watch bands can be adjusted which much smaller increments than traditional watch bands. A unique clasp configuration enables this ratcheting to be achieved without sacrificing aesthetic appeal or usability.

Abstract: A method for rendering a gemstone traceable, includes the steps: providing an invisible marker, wherein the marker is unambiguously identifiable, fastening the marker in a placement location of the gemstone, and acquiring marking information that includes that this unambiguously identifiable marker is fastened to this gemstone. The marker can be transported to the placement location in a manner in which it is suspended in a carrier fluid. An additive, for example a primer or a starting material for a surface coating of at least a part surface of the placement location, can be added to the carrier fluid.

Abstract: An adjustable pouch or pocket for carrying an article such as one or more ammunition magazines, armor plates, batteries, radios, grenades, bottles, and the like in hostile environments, integrates a lace tightening system for adjusting the pouch size, fit, and/or tightness about the article or articles, wherein a lace or laces of the tightening system are largely or substantially incorporated into an arrangement of one or more enclosed cavities or pockets within or between certain of the panels so as to be protected from exposure and potential damage while still allowing free movement of the lace or laces, and which largely isolates the laces from the carried article or articles so as not to catch or snag the article when being inserted or removed from the pouch.

Abstract: A system includes a docking station and a suitcase. The docking station is installable in a cargo area of a vehicle and electrically connectable to a power source of the vehicle. The suitcase includes a port engageable with the docking station, a battery electrically connected to the port, an electric motor electrically connected to the battery, and a wheel connected to the electric motor.