Abstract: An insulation packaging assembly includes a box including a top side wall, a bottom side wall, and a plurality of lateral side walls, the box defining a box cavity; a first insulation liner positioned within the box cavity, the first insulation liner defining a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, the first insulation liner defining a first fold, a second fold, and a third fold, the first fold defining the first end, the third fold defining the second end, a first bend line defined between the first fold and the second fold, a second bend line defined between the second fold and the third fold; a second insulation liner positioned within the box cavity, the second insulation liner defining a third end and a fourth end opposite from the third end, the first insulation liner defining a fourth fold.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear, the upper including a base layer defining a least a portion of the upper and polymer threads stitched to the base layer. The polymer threads may include a core composed of a first material and a coating composed of a second material, where the melting point of the first material is higher than the melting point of the second material. The polymer threads may be bonded to the base layer by the coating of the polymer threads. The polymer threads may include one or more polymer thread sets stitched in pattern(s) on area(s) of an outer surface of the base layer to provide targeted characteristics to area(s) on the upper. In some embodiments, the polymer threads may be bonded to the base layer with heat and/or pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed toward presses which may comprise planar or curved press plates that can be driven toward and away from each other such as via linear reciprocating movement to press filter media sheets as opposed to using rolls. The press plates can create such features as embossments that may have the ridges and grooves, brands, creases or other such features. The press can create pleated packs or individual panels for non-pleated packs. Additionally, a variety of embossed pleat packs, unique shapes, structural components and other pleat packs that may be formed by presses or other methodology are disclosed as well as filter cartridges using such pleat packs.

Abstract: A method includes injection molding a preform using a two phase injection system having a first phase in which a material is injected into the preform and a second phase in which the material is injected into the preform. The preform is disposed in a mold. The preform is blow molded into an intermediate article. The intermediate article is trimmed to form a finished container. The first phase includes injecting a material into the preform to form a single layer of the preform and the second phase includes injecting the material to form inner and outer layers and an intermediate layer between the inner and outer layers. The inner and outer layers include the material and the intermediate layer includes at least one additive. Finished containers are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides economical and effective methods and apparatus for repairing scratches and scuffs on refillable bottle surfaces that minimally contaminates the bottle during the refurbishing process. In one aspect, the method comprises the steps of: a) adding at least one fluid into the polymeric packaging material such as a bottle to form at least a partially filled packaging material; and b) applying at least one heat source to an exterior surface of the at least partially filled packaging material to form a repaired polymeric packaging material. Apparatus and recycling systems that incorporate this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Dunnage may be applied to surfaces of items by nozzles coupled to one or more robotic arms that may be operated in six degrees of freedom within three-dimensional space. The dunnage is applied in substantially hollow pieces or sections by one or more 3D printing processes, e.g., by deposition. Such pieces or sections may be applied in one or more series or patterns along surfaces of an item prior to enveloping the item in one or more wraps or covers, or depositing the item in one or more containers. Various characteristics of the dunnage, such as materials from which the dunnage is formed, diameters or thicknesses of the dunnage, the series or patterns in which the dunnage is applied to the surface of the item, or any other factors may be selected based on one or more attributes of the items, such as dimensions or shipping and handling instructions.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to devices, which may be used in communication or optoelectronic modules for example, suitable for arrayed positioning of a plurality of fiber optical components. In one form, an optoelectronic module includes a printed circuit board (“PCB”). The module also includes an optical component array device which includes an elongated support member and an array of fused fiber optical components positioned around and coupled with the elongated support member. A recursive fiber may extend between an output of a first fused fiber optical component and an input of a second fused fiber optical component, and an optical fiber routing member may be coupled to the PCB and include a plurality of guides extending away from the PCB and defining a pathway for routing optical fibers relative to the PCB.

Abstract: Apparatus for longitudinal orientation of thermoplastic film material (4) comprises a width-reduction zone upstream of the longitudinal stretching zone, through which the width of the film is gradually reduced so as to allow longitudinal stretching without necking. The width-reduction zone comprises at least one, preferably several, pairs of pleating rollers (16, 17) comprising intermeshing grooves or discs for pleating the material, the length of said width reduction zone preferably being less than 3 times the original width of the film. The width-reducing zone has upstream (14) and downstream (15) rollers or roller assemblies, with curved axes and optionally also conveyor belts for providing smooth width reduction. Longitudinal stretching is preferably between at least two, and preferably more than two, pairs of stretching rollers (9, 10, 11, 12) which are relatively close together.

Abstract: A method for thermoforming an article includes extruding a sheet of material, conditioning the sheet with a roller, thermoforming the sheet to provide a web, and cutting the web to provide the article.

Abstract: Packages made from flexible material, wherein the packages include one or more self-folds formed by applying activation energy to the flexible material.

Abstract: A thermochromic paint including: 1 wt % to 90 wt % binder; 2 wt % to 40 wt % filler comprising an inorganic oxide; and 0.1 wt % to 28 wt % organic compound including a chromophore. The paint provides an irreversible indication of maximum temperature.

Abstract: A sleeve joint (1), in particular for a vehicle, having an outer sleeve (3) which receives and secures a ball socket (9), in an axial direction. The ball socket (9) is composed of a plastics material for engagement with an inner ball joint body (5). The ball socket (9) extends radially as far as an inner wall (11) of the outer sleeve, such that the ball socket (9) is supported directly on the outer sleeve (3).

Abstract: A rain gauge that allows freezing and thawing of rain or ice without damage is described. The rain gauge is comprised of a vessel and an elastic insert. As the rain inside the gauge freezes, the elastic insert compresses, displacing the increased volume of the ice. When the ice melts, the compression of the elastic insert reverses, thus leaving the device unharmed.

Abstract: Packages made from flexible material, wherein the packages include one or more self-folds formed by applying activation energy to the flexible material.

Abstract: A method for contacting a wire (1), in particular an aluminum wire, with a connecting body (4), in particular with a plug of a coil body (5), comprising the following steps: connecting the wire (1) materially to the connecting body (4) at at least one point (2, 3); after connecting, enclosing a connecting region including the at least at one point (2, 3) by a shrink tube (6) with an inner glue (7), the shrink tube (6) encompassing the connecting body (4).

Abstract: The current document is directed to a fluid dispensing nozzle assembly for use with a multi-well synthesizer and in other reagent distribution systems. In certain implementations, a fluid dispensing nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle body with a built-in dispenser tube, a reagent inlet tube, and a fitting that securely connects the inlet tube to the nozzle body. The nozzle body with the built-in dispenser tube and the reagent inlet tube are securely attached to one another by various coupling elements or adhesive material to ensure that liquid is transmitted through the inlet tube without leaking into the nozzle body and other undesired areas.

Abstract: In blown film installations, it is known to provide longitudinal stretching of the produced double layer film strip downstream of the draw-off, more precisely downstream of the reversing unit and upstream of the winder. It is also known to stretch the down-drawn film, wherein the film must then be preheated owing to the long cooling path from the draw-off. According to a first feature, the present invention specifies warming the film above the draw-off and then treating it mechanically. The film can thereby be brought with only little energy from a first level of warmth to a temperature level at which it can easily be worked. According to a second feature, the invention specifies providing a tractive force breakdown brake.

Abstract: A radially-expandable stent for implantation in a bodily passageway, being expandable from an initial unexpanded state to an expanded state, having an outer surface with a geometric pattern covering said outer surface to minimize migration after implantation is provided. Also provided is a method of manufacturing such a stent.

Abstract: A method of at least partially sealing surfaces of a body of a cellular foam, preferably comprising polyethylene terephthalate, the cellular foam having an initial compression strength, the method comprising the steps of: providing a body of an cellular foam comprising polyethylene terephthalate, the body having opposite surfaces; disposing the body between first pressure elements; in a first pressure applying step at a first temperature above 100° C., applying a first compression pressure to the opposite surfaces by the first pressure elements, the first compression pressure being less than 10% of the initial compression strength; disposing the pressed body between second pressure elements; and in a second pressure applying step at a second temperature at least 25° C. lower than the first temperature, applying a second compression pressure to the opposite surfaces, the second compression pressure being less than 15% of the initial compression strength.

Abstract: An electrical connecting apparatus and related systems and methods are provided. The electrical connecting apparatus includes a substantially flat body having a top surface and a bottom surface. At least one electrically conductive tooth is positioned on the body, the at least one tooth having at least one puncture point positioned beyond at least one of the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. A coating is positioned on the at least one tooth. In use, when the electrical connecting apparatus is compressed, the at least one puncture point on the at least one tooth pierces through the coating thereon.

Abstract: Printed wiring boards, in which the insulating layer exhibits excellent peel strength with respect to a conductive layer after a roughening treatment, even when using a resin composition having a high content of inorganic filler, may be obtained by: (A) laminating, onto an internal layer substrate, an adhesive sheet which includes a support and a resin composition layer in contact with the support, so that the resin composition layer is in contact with the internal layer substrate; (B) thermally curing the resin composition layer to form an insulating layer; and (C) removing the support, when the support satisfies certain conditions (TD1) and (TD2) in a TD direction thereof when it is heated under specific heating conditions.

Abstract: Shape memory polymers featuring reversible actuation capability under ambient stimulus for integration with apparel. One approach is to use a multiblock polymer consisting of two (or potentially more) blocks in which the one block is the crystalline switching block with relatively low melting transitions, the other block has a higher thermal transition, and the two blocks are linked together by a linker molecule. Another approach is to use a graft copolymer having high and low melting transitions where the graft copolymer has a first polymer serving as the backbone and a second polymer being grafted to or from the backbone at certain graft locations. A further approach is to use latent crosslinking of a semicrystalline polymer with reactive groups placed on the backbone.

Abstract: An optical cable and method for forming an optical cable is provided. The cable includes a cable jacket including an inner surface defining a channel and an outer surface and also includes a plurality of optical fibers located within the channel. The cable includes a seam within the cable jacket that couples together opposing longitudinal edges of a wrapped thermoplastic sheet which forms the cable jacket and maintains the cable jacket in the wrapped configuration around the plurality of optical fibers. The method includes forming an outer cable jacket by wrapping a sheet of thermoplastic material around a plurality of optical core elements. The method includes melting together portions of thermoplastic material of opposing longitudinal edges of the wrapped sheet such that a seam is formed holding the sheet of thermoplastic material in the wrapped configuration around the core elements.

Abstract: Provided are: a fluorine rubber composition which contains a hydrogen atom-containing fluorine rubber and a hydrogen atom-containing fluororesin; a crosslinked rubber molded body which uses this fluorine rubber composition; and a method for producing this crosslinked rubber molded body. It is preferable that the hydrogen atom-containing fluororesin is composed of at least one compound that is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluorides, vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymers, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymers and vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers.

Abstract: Preform (1) or preform assembly for blow molding a container (23), wherein the preform of preform assembly has a neck portion (4), a lid element (16) being provided at the neck portion, an opening extending into the neck portion, providing access to an internal space of the preform or preform assembly. Method for blow molding a container. Container blown from a preform or preform assembly.

Abstract: A method for producing a stretched film comprising a first step of stretching a long film by increasing a holding distance in the width direction and a second step of shrinking by decreasing the holding distance in the width direction. One side edge of the long film has a traveling direction with at least three bending travels, while the other side edge has a traveling direction with at least two bending travels. The first step or the second step performs the bending travel at one or both of the side edges. The first step or the second step has a traveling trajectory in which the both side edges of the long film travel to the same side. The method achieves suppression of wrinkles formed on the stretched film, limitation of biaxiality of the stretched film, and provides a stretched film having optical properties suitably usable as a retardation plate.

Abstract: Methods and tools for forming contoured composite structures are disclosed. Methods include positioning a sheet of composite material relative to a structure of shape memory alloy, heating the structure of shape memory alloy to deform the structure of shape memory alloy to a deformed conformation and thereby conform the sheet of composite material to a desired contour corresponding to the deformed conformation of the structure of shape memory alloy. Tools include a structure of shape memory alloy and a heat source for heating the structure of shape memory alloy to conform a sheet of composite material to a desired contour corresponding to the deformed conformation of the structure of shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a first panel and noise attenuation panel that is attached to the first panel. The noise attenuation panel includes a central portion having a length and a width. The central portion of the noise attenuation panel is spaced from the surface of the first panel by a gap distance to form a gas chamber between the surface of the first panel and the central portion of the noise attenuation panel. The panel assembly includes at least one wall structure that is disposed within the gas chamber. The wall structure extends between the central portion of the noise attenuation panel and the surface of the first panel, and includes a pattern that defines a fluid flow path through the gas chamber, which includes an effective length that is greater than both the length and the width of the central portion of the noise attenuation panel.

Abstract: A filter element has a multi-layered filter medium web with several layers that is folded along folding lines. The filter medium web has at least one functional region in at least one section located between adjacent folding lines. The at least one functional region is a first embossment. The layers of the filter medium web are firmly bonded to each other along the first embossment. A device for folding a multi-layered filter medium web has an energy-introducing embossing unit that embosses the filter medium web fed by a feed unit to the embossing unit. A folding unit for folding the filter medium web along folding lines is provided. The energy-introducing embossing unit embosses and firmly bonds the layers of the filter medium web along at least one functional region in at least one section of the filter medium web located between adjacent folding lines.

Abstract: A biodegradable medical device including at least one biodegradable material and having an initial shape and at least one evolved shape. The evolved shape is different from the initial shape. The initial shape is adapted to change towards the evolved shape due to an external stimulus. The medical device has a tension loaded to a predetermined tension level. The medical device is adapted to restore the tension to the predetermined tension level for at least 2 weeks in physiological conditions, or conditions simulating the physiological conditions.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer compound is disclosed having a high strain recovery rate and a high strain fixity rate to provide shape memory, preferably manageable shape memory. One type of thermoplastic elastomer compound is comprises a maleated styrenic block copolymer and polycaprolactone to achieve the shape memory. A second type of thermoplastic elastomer compound comprises styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene and a paraffin wax having less than about 0.5% oil content. Shape modes of articles made from the thermoplastic elastomer compound can be altered by at least one thermo-mechanical event to cause deformation of the compound from a first shape to a second shape with retention of the compound in the second shape for any reasonable time interval.

Abstract: In a molding die for multicolored molding, a second fixed die includes a hollow shape portion which is arranged at a portion associated with an optical functional surface. The second fixed die further includes an abutting portion which abuts on the optical element excluding the optical functional surface.

Abstract: A fluid filter media including a first media layer, a second media layer, a filter layer disposed between the first media layer and the second media layer, and a plurality of spaced apart weld points that couple the first media layer, the filter layer, and the second media layer together, where the weld points distort the surface of the first media layer and the second media layer, the fluid filter media is folded back on itself to form a plurality of pleats, and the surface distortions permit fluid flow through the fluid filter media when adjacent surfaces of the fluid filter media touch.

Abstract: The technical problems of this invention are to overcome a limitation in the aspect of the shape of conventional synthetic resin double containers comprising an inner container and an outer container and to solve a problem of additional steps required to assemble the outer and inner containers. A principle means taken to solve these problems comprises a double container made by a direct blow molding process wherein a space is formed between the outer layer and the inner layer made of synthetic resins that are mutually non-adherent, thus allowing both layers to be left in a detached state due to a difference in mold shrinkage factors between the two layers during the direct blow molding step.

Abstract: Methods and tools for forming contoured composite structures are disclosed. Methods include positioning a sheet of composite material relative to a structure of shape memory alloy, heating the structure of shape memory alloy to deform the structure of shape memory alloy to a deformed conformation and thereby conform the sheet of composite material to a desired contour corresponding to the deformed conformation of the structure of shape memory alloy. Tools include a structure of shape memory alloy and a heat source for heating the structure of shape memory alloy to conform a sheet of composite material to a desired contour corresponding to the deformed conformation of the structure of shape memory alloy.

Abstract: A roll-up door has a plurality of panels and a plurality of roller assemblies mounted to ends of the panels for mounting the panels in channels. At least some of the panels are formed of blow-molded thermoplastic material and have a relatively flat outside face and an inside face including ribs that extend longitudinally and transversely on the panel. A reinforced panel of thermoplastic material is made by blow molding a panel with a thermoplastic material to form a relatively flat outside face and a ribbed inside face, and with elongated channels along upper and lower walls thereof. The panel is trimmed while it is still warm to open the channels at one end. While the panel is still warm, reinforcing members are inserted into the elongated channels. The panels can be cooled to shrink the channels onto the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid lay-up tool and a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. Next, composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus and then placed into a rigid external tool and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external tool. When the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be urged away from the cured composite material and removed from within the composite part.

Abstract: A support apparatus and method for providing structural support to a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus during fabrication of composite parts. The support apparatus may comprise an adjustable, rigid structural member and a plurality of SMP support components transitionable between a rigid and malleable state and fixed to an outer surface of the rigid structural member. The rigid structural member may extend in at least one cross-sectional dimension toward the SMP apparatus, pressing the SMP support components, in their malleable state, against the SMP apparatus. The SMP support components may thereby conform to a first surface of the SMP apparatus, then return to their rigid state while pressed against the SMP apparatus, thus providing a rigid load path between the SMP apparatus and the rigid structural member. Then composite material may be applied to a second surface of the SMP apparatus, opposite of the first surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as a rigid lay-up tool. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material and/or nested components may be heated and compressed against the SMP apparatus. The SMP apparatus may be configured to remain rigid during the composite cure cycle. Once the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be triggered to a malleable state and urged away from the cured composite material.

Abstract: Self-corrugating laminates useful in the manufacture of thermoelectric devices are disclosed. The laminates include an upper and a lower shrinkable film layer and a non-shrinkable core with a thermoelectric pattern formed thereon bonded between said upper and lower shrinkable film along bond lines arranged parallel, substantially parallel, radially, or annularly. The bond lines that bond the upper shrinkable film layer to top surface of the nonshrinkable core are staggered relative to the bond lines that bond the lower shrinkable film layer to the bottom surface of the non-shrinkable core such that upon shrinkage of the shrinkable film layers, structural corrugations are formed in the non-shrinkable core. Thermoelectric modules or devices and methods for forming them from the self-corrugating laminates are also described.

Abstract: A device comprising a planar material and at least one support element which is connected to the planar material, wherein the at least one support element comprises at least one shape memory polymer, such that the device has a substantially flat shape in a first configuration of the at least one shape-memory polymer and a substantially domed shape in a second configuration of the shape-memory polymer.

Abstract: A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a means for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the means for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the healing means into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite material part using an integrated shape memory polymer (SMP) and caul tool comprises the steps of: placing a caul on a positive feature of a mold, deforming the SMP from a relaxed state such that the SMP integrates with the caul to form an integrated SMP and caul tool, placing composite material on the integrated SMP and caul tool, heating the composite material to cure the composite material to form a composite material part while the SMP remains deformed, and stimulating the SMP to return to the relaxed state such that the SMP separates from the caul and the composite material part.

Abstract: A thermoplastic elastomer compound is disclosed having a high strain recovery rate and a high strain fixity rate to provide shape memory, preferably manageable shape memory. One type of thermoplastic elastomer compound is comprises a maleated styrenic block copolymer and polycaprolactone to achieve the shape memory. A second type of thermoplastic elastomer compound comprises styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene and a paraffin wax having less than about 0.5% oil content. Shape modes of articles made from the thermoplastic elastomer compound can be altered by at least one thermo-mechanical event to cause deformation of the compound from a first shape to a second shape with retention of the compound in the second shape for any reasonable time interval.

Abstract: Tubular casting processes, such as dip-coating, may be used to form substrates from polymeric solutions which may be used to fabricate implantable devices such as stents. The polymeric substrates may have multiple layers which retain the inherent properties of their starting materials and which are sufficiently ductile to prevent brittle fracture. Parameters such as the number of times the mandrel is immersed, the duration of time of each immersion within the solution, as well as the delay time between each immersion or the drying or curing time between dips and withdrawal rates of the mandrel from the solution may each be controlled to result in the desired mechanical characteristics. Additional post-processing may also be utilized to further increase strength of the substrate or to alter its shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a programmed shape memory polymer, which assumes a first temporary shape and at least two additional stored thermally activatable shapes, namely at least one second temporary shape and a permanent shape, with the steps of: (a) providing a shape memory polymer which has at least two switching segments (A, B), which through phase segregation each form a switching phase having each a corresponding transition temperature (TtransA, TtransB), (b) deforming the shape memory polymer into a shape corresponding to the first temporary shape at a temperature above the upper transition temperature (TtransA), and (c) cooling to a temperature below the lower transition temperature (TtransB) by fixing the first temporary shape. The method of the invention provides a one-step programming method for a triple-shape plastic material.

Abstract: An in situ method deploy and/or plasticize a shape-memory material in order to change the material's physical dimensions and/or mechanical properties, including a method for deploying a shape-memory polymer having a deformed or compressed shape in an environment at a first temperature, the shape memory polymer having a first glass transition temperature which is greater than the first temperature. The method also includes decreasing the glass transition temperature of shape memory polymer from the first glass transition temperature to a second glass transition temperature which is less than or equal to the first temperature; and expanding the shape memory polymer to deploy the shape memory polymer in a deployed shape.

Abstract: A method for producing shape memory anti-counterfeiting identifier includes the following steps: a high polymer material with a shape memory function without the need of sunshine cross-linking or chemical cross-linking is directly extruded to become sheet in an extruder or is injected to be molded in an injection molding machine, and the extruded sheet can be a planar sheet or a sheet having a surface on which concave-convex patterns or characters are formed; the above sheet is then heated to the temperature higher than the vitrification temperature and lower than the melting point temperature, and the patterns or characters are pressed on the planar sheet, or the sheet on which the concave-convex patterns or characters are already formed is pressed to become planes or other patterns and characters; the sheet is then cut into small sheets, wherein one pattern or one group of characters is implied on every small sheet, and when the small sheets are again heated to the temperature higher than the vitrification

Abstract: This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.

Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear includes injecting a first material into a first cavity of a mold assembly to form a sole assembly, injecting a second material into a second cavity of the mold assembly, a first last being suspended within the second cavity, to form an upper of the article of footwear about the first last. The upper and the sole assembly are positioned in contact with one another. The upper and the sole assembly are cured and bonded together to form an article of footwear. The article of footwear is removed from the mold assembly and from the first last and allowed to expand to a first size. The article of footwear is placed on a second last having a second size that is smaller than the first size, and heated and cooled until it shrinks to the second size.