US20230147306A1 - Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper, and Methods of Forming Such Uppers and/or Articles of Footwear - Google Patents
Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper, and Methods of Forming Such Uppers and/or Articles of Footwear Download PDFInfo
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- US20230147306A1 US20230147306A1 US17/969,443 US202217969443A US2023147306A1 US 20230147306 A1 US20230147306 A1 US 20230147306A1 US 202217969443 A US202217969443 A US 202217969443A US 2023147306 A1 US2023147306 A1 US 2023147306A1
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0245—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form
- A43B23/028—Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0245—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form
- A43B23/028—Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing
- A43B23/0285—Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing filled with a non-compressible fluid, e.g. gel or water
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B1/00—Footwear characterised by the material
- A43B1/02—Footwear characterised by the material made of fibres or fabrics made therefrom
- A43B1/04—Footwear characterised by the material made of fibres or fabrics made therefrom braided, knotted, knitted or crocheted
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0205—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0245—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form
- A43B23/025—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form assembled by stitching
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0245—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form
- A43B23/0255—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form assembled by gluing or thermo bonding
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0245—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form
- A43B23/026—Laminated layers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/02—Uppers; Boot legs
- A43B23/0245—Uppers; Boot legs characterised by the constructive form
- A43B23/028—Resilient uppers, e.g. shock absorbing
- A43B23/029—Pneumatic upper, e.g. gas filled
Definitions
- the present invention relates to bladders for footwear uppers, footwear uppers including the bladders, articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear.
- the bladders will be engaged with a footwear upper component in an adhesive free manner or with an adhesive based bond.
- the bladders will include texturing, e.g., imprinted by surface contour features of the attached footwear upper component and/or imprinted from a mold surface during molding or during another process.
- the present technology may be used to create footwear upper components and articles of footwear of the types described in concurrently filed U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,903, filed Nov.
- Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure.
- the upper may provide a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure.
- the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration.
- the sole structure may be secured to a lower surface of the upper and generally is positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motion, such as over pronation.
- the upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot.
- the void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided at an ankle opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot.
- a lacing system often is incorporated into the upper to allow users to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and to permit the user to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying proportions.
- the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to moderate pressure applied to the foot by the laces).
- the upper also may include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel.
- aspects of this technology relate to bladders for footwear uppers, footwear uppers including the bladders, articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings.
- the bladders may be engaged with a fabric component of the upper in any desired manner.
- the bladders will be engaged with a fabric component of the upper in an adhesive free manner (e.g., by melt bonding, by welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), etc.) or with an adhesive based bond.
- the bladder e.g., its perimeter seam surface and/or its bladder chamber surface
- the bladder will include texturing formed thereon, e.g., imprinted by the surface of the fabric material with which it is engaged, imprinted from a mold surface, applied in a different manner, etc.
- Such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.
- FIG. 1 provides a view of a portion of a footwear upper component having an engaged bladder in accordance with some examples of this technology
- FIGS. 2 A- 2 J provide cross sectional views, e.g., along line 2 - 2 in FIG. 1 , showing various alternative structures in accordance with some aspects of this technology;
- FIGS. 3 A- 5 C show various example footwear upper constructions and methods of controlling bladder expansion in accordance with some aspects of this technology
- FIGS. 6 A- 6 E show various examples of pressing techniques that may be used to form footwear upper components in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology
- FIGS. 7 A and 7 B illustrate structures and methods for forming interconnected bladder chambers in accordance with some aspects of this technology
- FIG. 8 illustrates a footwear upper blank that may be included in footwear components and structures in accordance with at least some examples of this technology
- FIGS. 9 A- 9 E illustrate footwear uppers, footwear components, articles of footwear, and footwear manufacturing methods in accordance with at least some examples of this technology
- FIGS. 10 - 12 B illustrate additional features of bladders and/or footwear upper components in accordance with at least some examples of this technology
- FIGS. 13 A- 13 D illustrate texturing features for bladders and/or footwear upper components in accordance with at least some examples of this technology
- FIGS. 14 A- 14 K illustrate additional examples and features of bladders, footwear upper components, and methods of making them that include texturing in accordance with some examples of this technology.
- bladders As noted above, aspects of this technology relate to bladders, footwear uppers including such bladders, and articles of footwear including such bladders, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings.
- Such bladders, footwear uppers, and articles of footwear may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.
- footwear components e.g., upper components (including fabric components), bladder components, sole structures, etc.) that are “bonded” together.
- bonded (and derivatives thereof) means that the components are joined securely to one another.
- bonded encompasses bonds formed using adhesives or cements (including hot melt adhesives) as well as bonds formed in an “adhesive free” manner, i.e., without use of a separate adhesive component.
- Adhesive free bonds include bonds formed by fusing or melting components together (e.g., if the components include compositions that are compatible to mix and join together to form a bond, such as two components including a thermoplastic polyurethane component); bonds formed by welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, high-frequency welding, laser welding, impulse welding, etc.); bonds formed by heat sealing; etc. Some adhesive free bonds may form a seamless joint between the two previously separate components (e.g., the materials mix and join together and then re-harden with no discernible junction).
- melt bond and variations thereof, as used herein, mean bonds formed where localized melting of each component occurs (e.g., melting of the thermoplastic polymer present in each component), the melted components combine together, and then the combined components harden to thereby “fuse” and “bond” the two components together.
- melt bonded joints are adhesive free and may be seamless.
- engaged with is used herein as a generic term and includes both adhesive based bonds and adhesive free bonds within its scope as well as other potential types of engagement that fix two (or more) components together in a “non-bonded” manner (including through the use of mechanical connectors or fasteners, through the use of sewing or stitching, etc.).
- blade precursor means at least some portion of a final bladder structure (e.g., a portion of bladder 200 ), such as one of a first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or a second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B discussed in more detail below.
- a “bladder precursor” also may be considered all bladder components in an unsealed condition (e.g., before seam 200 S is formed) or a completely sealed bladder before it is inflated and/or fully inflated.
- footwear uppers that include: (a) a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element) that includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid.
- This bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber. At least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is engaged (e.g., bonded, melt bonded, etc.) to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element.
- the bladder component may include a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet.
- a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber.
- the first thermoplastic sheet will include a first major exterior surface opposite its first major interior surface, and at least a portion of this first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet will be engaged (e.g., bonded, melt bonded, etc.) to the first fabric element (e.g., the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element).
- the first fabric element and the bladder component the outer perimeter seam and/or the first major exterior surface
- will be joined together, optionally in an adhesive free manner e.g., by melt bonding).
- footwear upper components that include: (a) a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element) that includes a first surface having texturing; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid.
- a first fabric element e.g., a first knit fabric element
- a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid.
- the bladder component will include: (a) a first major surface engaged with (e.g., bonded to) the first surface of the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (b) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (c) a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface.
- At least a portion of the first major surface (e.g., at least part of the first perimeter seam surface and/or at least part of the first surface of the sealed interior chamber) will include texturing having surface contour features corresponding to (e.g., imprinted by) the texturing present on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- Additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of forming footwear upper components that include: (a) placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element), wherein the first fabric element includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component (the bladder or the bladder precursor includes at least a first thermoplastic polymer layer and optionally a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer); and (b) applying heat and pressure to form a seam to engage (e.g., bond) the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer (if a second thermoplastic polymer layer is present) and/or to engage (e.g., bond) at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element.
- a first fabric element e.g., a first knit fabric element
- the first fabric element includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component
- the bladder or the bladder precursor includes at least a first thermoplastic polymer layer and optional
- the second thermoplastic polymer layer may be bonded to the first thermoplastic polymer layer after the first fabric element and the first thermoplastic polymer layer are bonded together.
- the seam, the first thermoplastic polymer layer, and the second thermoplastic polymer layer define a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid (e.g., a gas).
- a fluid e.g., a gas
- the sealed interior chamber may be filled with fluid (e.g., inflated with a gas).
- the first fabric element and the bladder or bladder precursor (the seam and/or at least some portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer) will be joined together in an adhesive free manner (e.g., by melt bonding the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element with the first thermoplastic polymer layer of the bladder or bladder precursor).
- Still additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of forming footwear upper components that include: (a) placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element, wherein the first fabric element includes a first surface having texturing, and wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes at least a first thermoplastic polymer layer, and optionally a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer; and (b) forming texturing on at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer by applying heat and pressure to form at least one of: (i) a seam that engages (e.g., bonds) the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer (if present) and/or (ii) an engagement of (e.g., a bond between) at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element.
- the second thermoplastic polymer layer may be bonded to the first thermoplastic polymer layer after the first fabric element and the first thermoplastic polymer layer are bonded.
- the bladder (or the bladder precursor) defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid such as a gas (in a volume inside the seam and between the first and second thermoplastic polymer layers).
- the texturing formed on at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer corresponds in surface contour features to (and is imprinted by) the texturing included on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- footwear upper components that include: (a) a first fabric element; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid (e.g., as gas).
- This example bladder component includes: (i) a first major surface engaged with the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (ii) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (iii) and a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface, and wherein at least a portion of the second major surface includes molded-in texturing (e.g., a plurality of raised ridges, a plurality of raised grid elements, a plurality of recessed grid elements, a herringbone pattern, a
- Texturing may be different in different areas of the bladder (e.g., the molded-in texturing may include a first portion having a first pattern, a second portion having a second pattern different from the first pattern, etc.).
- molded-in texturing means texturing applied using a mold component irrespective of the particular process used (e.g., molding a bladder alone, molding a bladder while attaching to a fabric, formed in a vacuum forming process, forming in a thermoforming process, etc.).
- the term “molded-in” texturing includes texturing applied during an embossing or calendering process or a rolling process using a textured roller.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of an example footwear upper component 100 that includes a fabric component 110 engaged with (e.g., bonded to) a bladder component 200 .
- the bladder component 200 of this example includes an outer perimeter seam 200 S that extends continuously around (as a closed loop) and defines an entire outer perimeter of a sealed interior chamber 2001 for containing a gas or other fluid.
- the sealed interior chamber 2001 may comprise a single chamber that is in open fluid communication throughout its interior (e.g., a single sealed interior chamber 2001 ).
- the bladder component 200 includes an instep and/or tongue based region 200 T, a heel and/or ankle support region 200 H and a fluid line 206 connecting the instep and/or tongue based region 200 T with the heel and/or ankle support region 200 H (and placing these regions in fluid communication with one another).
- the bladder 200 of this example may be flat pressed onto and engaged with the fabric component 110 using heat and pressure in an inflated or uninflated condition.
- the structure of the bladder 200 and its incorporation into a footwear upper component 100 , an overall footwear upper, and/or a footwear structure will be described in more detail below.
- FIGS. 2 A- 2 J are cross sectional views, e.g., taken along line 2 - 2 in FIG. 1 . These cross sectional views show several example variations in footwear upper components 100 , fabric components 110 , bladder components 200 , and their engagements in accordance with examples of this technology.
- the bladder component 200 is formed from a first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU) engaged with a second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU), e.g., at a bonded outer perimeter seam 200 S.
- thermoplastic polymer material 200 A e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU
- TPU thermoplastic polyurethane
- the sealed interior chamber 2001 is provided in the area bounded by the outer perimeter seam 200 S and by the first and second sheets or layers of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A, 200 B.
- the outer perimeter seam 200 S may be used for engaging the bladder component 200 with a fabric component of the footwear upper base 102 , e.g., by stitching through the outer perimeter seam 200 S into the fabric component 110 ; by an adhesive connection; by a melt bond, welded, or other adhesive-free bonded connection; etc.
- the example footwear upper component 100 of FIG. 2 A includes a complete adhesive free bond between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (bonding bladder 200 interior surfaces 200 AI and 200 BI) and (b) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the fabric component 110 (bonding bladder exterior surface 200 AX with fabric surface 110 I). Small gaps between components are provided in the depictions shown in FIG. 2 A (as well as in FIGS. 2 B- 2 J ) so that the different components of the structure can be more readily discerned.
- fabric component 110 may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material.
- TPU material such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material.
- This type of adhesive free bonding may be accomplished, for example, by melt bonding components 110 and 200 A to one another and melt bonding components 200 A and 200 B to one another; by welding components 110 and 200 A to one another and welding components 200 A and 200 B to one another; etc.
- heat and pressure may be applied to the desired seam area 200 S and/or any desired areas where the fabric component 110 is to be connected to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (e.g., along at least a portion of the seam 200 S area, along at least a portion of the surface of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A forming the sealed interior chamber 2001 , etc., and/or where the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A is to be connected to the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (e.g., at the seam 200 S, at internal welds, etc.), etc.).
- Each of components 110 , 200 A, and 200 B may include a TPU material that will melt and/or soften at the location(s) where adequate heat and pressure are applied. This localized melting and/or softening will allow the melted and/or softened materials of the components 110 , 200 A, and 200 B to mix and combine together. Then, after the heat and/or pressure are removed or adequately relaxed, the materials of components 110 , 200 A, 200 B will harden to form bonded components 110 / 200 A and/or bonded components 200 A/ 200 B. If sufficient melting and/or softening took place during the bonding step, the resultant joints between components 110 / 200 A and/or components 200 A/ 200 B may appear seamless.
- the adhesive free bonds in the structure of FIG. 2 A between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B and (b) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the fabric component 110 may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealed interior chamber 2001 may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before the bladder 200 is bonded to the fabric component 110 or after the bladder 200 is bonded to the fabric component 110 .
- At least 50% (and in some examples, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100%) of the surface area of an exterior surface 200 AX of the outer perimeter seam 200 S (formed from first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A) will be bonded to the fabric component 110 .
- at least 25%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the overall surface area of exterior surface 200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A will be bonded to fabric component 110 .
- the example footwear upper component 100 of FIG. 2 B is similar to that shown in FIG. 2 A except the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of both the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B have a hot melt adhesive 210 A and 210 B, respectively, applied to or otherwise included with it.
- the bond between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (its exterior surface 200 AX) and the fabric component 110 (its surface 110 I) constitutes an adhesive free bond of the types described above and (ii) the bond between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (its interior surface 200 AI) and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (its interior surface 200 BI) constitutes an adhesive bond from the hot melt material 210 A, 210 B.
- the interior chamber 2001 may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to the thermoplastic polymer materials 200 A, 200 B located at the interior chamber 2001 area.
- fabric component 110 may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A.
- a TPU material such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A.
- the bonds in the structure of FIG. 2 B between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B and (b) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the fabric component 110 may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealed interior chamber 2001 may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before the bladder 200 is bonded to the fabric component 110 or after the bladder 200 is bonded to the fabric component 110 .
- the surface area of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A forming the bond with fabric component 110 may be within any of the ranges described above for FIG. 2 A .
- the example footwear upper component 100 structures of FIGS. 2 C and 2 D are similar to that shown in FIG. 2 B except the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of only one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A ( FIG. 2 C ) or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B ( FIG. 2 D ) has a hot melt adhesive 210 A and 210 B, respectively, applied to or otherwise included with it.
- the bond between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the fabric component 110 constitutes an adhesive free bond of the types described above and the bond between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (joining surfaces 200 AI and 200 BI) constitutes an adhesive bond from the hot melt material 210 A or 210 B.
- the interior chamber 2001 may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to the thermoplastic polymer materials 200 A, 200 B located at the interior chamber 2001 area.
- fabric component 110 may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A.
- a TPU material such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A.
- the bonds in the structures of FIG. 2 C and 2 D between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B and (b) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the fabric component 110 may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealed interior chamber 2001 may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before the bladder 200 is bonded to the fabric component 110 or after the bladder 200 is bonded to the fabric component 110 .
- the surface area of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A forming the bond with fabric component 110 may be within any of the ranges described above for FIG. 2 A .
- FIGS. 2 E and 2 F show different arrangements of footwear upper components 100 in which a fabric component 110 is located between a first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and a second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B forming a bladder 200 having an interior chamber 2001 .
- both the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B have a hot melt adhesive 210 A, 210 B, respectively, applied to it and engaging the fabric component 110 as an adhesive bond.
- neither of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A nor the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B has a hot melt adhesive applied to it.
- fabric component 110 engages the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B in an adhesive free manner in the example of FIG. 2 F .
- the interior chamber 2001 may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to the thermoplastic polymer materials 200 A, 200 B located at the interior chamber 2001 area.
- a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to the thermoplastic polymer materials 200 A, 200 B located at the interior chamber 2001 area.
- fabric component 110 may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B.
- a TPU material such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B.
- the fabric component 110 may extend to locations beyond the seam 200 S. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, the fabric component 110 need not completely span the interior chamber 2001 (e.g., the fabric component 110 may present just at the seam 200 S area).
- the hot melt material 210 A may be omitted from the example of FIG. 2 E , e.g., provided the material of fabric component 110 can bond with the material of the first thermoplastic polymer material 200 A in an adhesive free manner.
- the hot melt material 210 B may be omitted, e.g., provided the material of fabric component 110 can bond with the material of the second thermoplastic polymer material 200 B in an adhesive free manner.
- one or both surfaces of the fabric component 110 may have a hot melt adhesive applied to it, in which case, hot melt material 210 A and/or 210 B can be omitted from the facing sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or 200 B.
- bonds in the structures of FIGS. 2 E and 2 F between: (a) the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the fabric component 110 and (b) the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B and the fabric component 110 may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order).
- Bladder 200 structures may include various features to control the shape of the bladder 200 once it is inflated or filled and/or to control bladder expansion features when fluid pressure and/or volume changes.
- internal welds e.g., spot welds, straight and/or curved weld lines, etc.
- interior components may be included within the interior chamber 2001 and engaged with the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B.
- the interior component(s) may limit the distance that the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B can separate from one another when the bladder 200 is inflated or filled.
- Such interior component structures, shape control methods, and shape control structures may be used with bladder components 200 in accordance with at least some examples of this technology.
- FIG. 2 G illustrates an example footwear upper component 100 including a bladder structure 200 of the type shown in FIG. 2 B .
- the example of FIG. 2 G shows a footwear upper component 100 in which: (a) the interior surface 200 AI, 200 BI of each of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B includes a hot melt adhesive 210 A, 210 B and (b) the fabric component 110 (e.g., a TPU material, such as a TPU knit material) is applied to the exterior surface 200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material 200 A in an adhesive free manner.
- the fabric component 110 e.g., a TPU material, such as a TPU knit material
- any of the footwear upper component 100 structures of FIGS. 2 A- 2 D could be used.
- at least a portion of the fabric component 110 is formed from a soluble material (e.g., water soluble, organic soluble, etc.).
- FIG. 2 G shows broken lines in a region 112 where a solvent is applied to the fabric component 110 to dissolve at least a portion of the fabric component 110 in this example. This dissolution opens a hole and/or weakens the fabric component 110 in region 112 , thereby allowing a bulged region 212 of the bladder 200 to be formed when the bladder 200 is inflated and/or when pressure and/or volume is increased in that area of the bladder 200 .
- the fabric component 110 partially covers the exterior surface 200 AX of the sealed interior chamber 2001 or is weakened in region 112 .
- This type of selective dissolution and/or weakening of fabric component 110 can control the shape of the inflated bladder 200 and/or provide a controlled direction of expansion of the bladder 200 under a fluid pressure applied in the interior chamber 2001 at this area.
- the bulged region 212 may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer's foot.
- the bulging and/or contacting actions may increase support for the area of the foot and/or improve comfort or fit of the footwear (e.g., by eliminating excess space within the upper).
- the bulged region 212 could face outward and away from a wearer's foot.
- FIG. 2 H illustrates an example of controlling the shape and/or direction of expansion of a bladder 200 using the properties of the fabric component 110 .
- the footwear upper component 100 includes a hot melt adhesive 210 A, 210 B on the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of each of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B.
- the fabric component 110 e.g., a TPU material, such as a TPU knit material
- FIGS. 2 A- 2 D could be used.
- one or more portions 114 A, 114 B of the fabric component 110 are formed from a looser structure (e.g., by forming portions 114 A, 114 B using a looser knit or weave structure, by forming portions 114 A, 114 B from a more stretchable or more elastic material, and/or by forming portions 114 A, 114 B from a more stretchable knit or weave pattern, etc.) and/or (ii) one or more portions 114 C, 114 D, 114 E of the fabric component 110 are formed from a tighter structure (e.g., by forming portions 114 C, 114 D, 114 E using a tighter knit or weave structure, by forming portions 114 C, 114 D, 114 E from a less stretchable or less elastic material, and/or by forming portions 114 C, 114 D, 114 E from a less stretchable knit or weave pattern, etc.).
- a looser structure e.g., by forming portions 114 A, 114 B using a looser
- the bulged region(s) 214 A, 214 B may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer's foot.
- the bulging and/or contacting actions may increase support for the area of the foot and/or improve comfort or fit of the footwear (e.g., by eliminating excess space within the upper).
- the bulged region(s) 214 A, 214 B could face outward and away from a wearer's foot.
- the fabric component 110 was formed of and/or included a material (e.g., a TPU material) that was compatible with the material(s) of at least one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B. This enables the fabric component 110 to bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B in an adhesive free manner.
- a material e.g., a TPU material
- a fabric component 120 may be used that is not formed of and/or formed to include a material (e.g., a TPU material) compatible with the material(s) of at least one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B to form an adhesive free bond (at least under the heat and pressure conditions to be used). Rather, such a fabric component 120 may be engaged with at least one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B by an adhesive bond.
- FIG. 2 I illustrates an example footwear upper component 100 similar to the structure described above in conjunction with FIG.
- the material of fabric component 120 may be used in place of fabric component 110 in any of the various footwear upper component 100 structures shown in FIGS. 2 A- 2 G , e.g., provided a suitable adhesive (e.g., hot melt adhesive) is used to bond fabric component 120 with one or both of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B.
- a suitable adhesive e.g., hot melt adhesive
- 2 I may not be needed in all examples of this structure 100 , e.g., if the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B are capable of forming an adhesive free bond under the conditions used to form footwear upper component 100 .
- FIG. 2 J illustrates a footwear upper component 100 similar to the structure described above in conjunction with FIG. 2 I , but in this illustrated structure, the opposite side of the bladder 200 /bladder interior chamber 2001 also has a fabric component 110 and/or 120 engaged with its exterior surface (the exterior surface 200 BX of second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B in this illustrated example). While FIG. 2 J shows this additional fabric component as a fabric component 110 capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B, an adhesive based bond and/or a fabric component like fabric component 120 also may be used in the structure of FIG. 2 J in place of fabric component 110 . Either or both fabric components 110 , 120 of FIG.
- 2 J may include an opening defined through it (e.g., of the types described above in region 112 of FIG. 2 G ), and at least a portion of an exterior surface 200 AX, 200 BX of the sealed interior chamber 2001 may be exposed through that opening. Additionally or alternatively, the second hot melt layer 210 B shown in FIG. 2 J may not be needed in all examples of this structure 100 , e.g., if the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B are capable of forming an adhesive free bond under the conditions used to form the bladder 200 and/or the footwear upper component 100 .
- Heat and pressure may be applied to: (a) engage (adhesively bond) fabric component 120 to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and (b) engage (adhesively bond or adhesive free bond) fabric component 110 to the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B.
- the application of heat and pressure to bond these components may take place simultaneously or separately. Further, the application of heat and pressure to bond these components may take place simultaneously or separately from the steps used to form the bladder 200 (e.g., the steps to form seam 200 S between the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of layers 200 A, 200 B). Additionally, the application of heat and pressure to bond the fabric components 110 , 120 to the sheets or layers of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A, 200 B may take place before or after the interior bladder chamber 2001 is inflated.
- the outer perimeter seam 200 S includes: (a) a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A with a first side of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (e.g., the left sides of FIGS. 2 A- 2 J ) and (b) a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A with a second side of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (e.g., the right sides of FIGS. 2 A- 2 J ), wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber 2001 from the second seam portion.
- the portion of the first major exterior surface 200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A that is bonded to the fabric component 110 or 120 may extend continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion.
- the fabric component 110 or 120 e.g., an adhesive bond, an adhesive free bond, etc.
- At least 25%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the surface area of the exterior major surface 200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A that forms the sealed interior chamber 2001 of the bladder 200 will be bonded to the fabric component 110 or 120 (e.g., an adhesive bond, an adhesive free bond, etc.).
- the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B when the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B is bonded to a fabric component 110 , 120 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2 J ), its exterior major surface 200 BX may be bonded to the fabric component 110 , 120 over any of the same surface area ranges described above for exterior major surface 200 AX.
- FIGS. 3 A- 3 B illustrate an additional example of “one way” bladder 200 expansion.
- FIG. 3 A illustrates a footwear upper 300 including a footwear upper blank 302 (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwear upper component 100 with an attached bladder 200 of the types described above ( FIGS. 1 - 2 J ) engaged with it.
- a component of footwear upper blank 302 may comprise one of fabric components 110 , 120 shown in FIG. 2 J .
- FIG. 3 B provides a cross sectional view of one example footwear upper component 100 as a separate component from footwear upper blank 302 . While FIG. 3 B shows fabric component 110 as a TPU material engagable with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A by an adhesive free bond, an adhesive based bond may be used in at least some examples of this technology.
- the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A is mounted to the footwear upper blank 302 such that the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A forms an exterior layer of the overall footwear upper component 100 and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B forms an interior layer facing the wearer's foot.
- At least the portion of fabric component 110 extending across the exterior surface 200 AX of the bladder interior chamber 2001 may be formed to have high tenacity (e.g., high strength, high abrasion resistance, etc.) and/or high resistance to stretch.
- high tenacity e.g., high strength, high abrasion resistance, etc.
- fluid pressure inside interior chamber 2001 will tend to cause the bladder 200 to displace inwardly (downwardly in FIG. 3 B ; see arrow 310 ), away from the fabric component 110 and toward a wearer's foot (particularly if fabric component 110 has higher tenacity and/or higher resistance to stretch than any fabric material engaged with the bladder 200 at the bottom side shown in FIG. 3 B (if any).
- the interior chamber 2001 may be in open fluid communication at all areas inside perimeter seam 200 S.
- force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s) 200 T e.g., via a footwear securing strap, by bending of the wearer's foot (when taking a step, initiating or landing a jump, etc.), etc., may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) 200 H via fluid line 206 .
- FIGS. 4 A- 4 B illustrate an example of “two way” bladder 200 expansion.
- FIG. 4 A illustrates a footwear upper 400 including a footwear upper blank 302 (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwear upper component 100 with an attached bladder 200 of the types described above ( FIGS. 1 - 2 J ) engaged with it.
- a component of footwear upper blank 302 may comprise one of fabric components 110 , 120 shown in FIG. 2 J .
- FIG. 4 B provides a cross sectional view of one example footwear upper component 100 as a separate component from footwear upper blank 302 . While FIG. 4 B shows fabric components 110 A, 110 B as TPU materials engagable with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic material 200 B, respectively, by adhesive free bonds, either or both of these fabric engagements shown in FIG. 4 B may be adhesive based bonds.
- fabric component 110 A is mounted to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (e.g., only at the seam 200 S area) such that both of fabric component 110 A and the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A form the exterior layer of the footwear upper component 100 .
- the exterior surface 200 AX of the bladder 200 (formed by first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material 200 A) is exposed at areas inside the outer perimeter seam 200 S in this illustrated example.
- fabric component 110 B is mounted to the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (e.g., only at the seam 200 S area) such that both of fabric component 110 B and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B form the interior layer of the footwear upper component 100 .
- the exterior surface 200 BX of the bladder 200 (formed by second sheet or layer of thermoplastic material 200 B) is not covered by fabric component 110 B at areas inside the outer perimeter seam 200 S in this illustrated example.
- Fabric components 110 A, 110 B extend outward beyond outer perimeter seam 200 S in this illustrated example (although one or both of the fabric components 110 A, 110 B need not do so in some examples of this technology).
- the bladder 200 's first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and second sheet or layer of thermoplastic material 200 B will be exposed in the footwear upper 300 in areas defining the sealed interior chamber 2001 .
- fluid pressure inside interior chamber 2001 will tend to cause the bladder 200 to displace outwardly (upwardly and downwardly in FIG. 4 B ; see arrow 410 ).
- the interior chamber 2001 may be in open fluid communication at all areas inside perimeter seam 200 S.
- force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s) 200 T may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) 200 H via fluid line 206 .
- Such movement of fluid (a) will cause the bladder 200 upper or outer surface (formed by the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material 200 A in this example) to deflect upward and outward and (b) will cause the bladder 200 lower or inner surface (formed by the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material 200 B in this example) to deflect downward and inward into the overall footwear upper 300 . See double headed deflection arrow 410 .
- This deflection of the bladder 200 provides additional fluid to support the wearer's heel and/or ankle and may provide a visual indication of the movement of fluid (due to the bladder 200 's outer surface deflection).
- FIGS. 5 A- 5 C illustrate additional examples of “two way” bladder 200 expansion.
- FIG. 5 A illustrates a footwear upper 500 including a footwear upper blank 302 (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwear upper component 100 with an attached bladder 200 of the types described above ( FIGS. 1 - 2 J ) engaged with it.
- a component of footwear upper blank 302 may comprise one of fabric components 110 , 120 shown in FIG. 2 J .
- FIG. 5 B provides a cross sectional view of one example of this type of footwear upper component 100 as a separate component from footwear upper blank 302 . While FIG. 5 B shows fabric components 110 A, 110 B as TPU materials engagable with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic material 200 B, respectively, by adhesive free bonds, either or both of these fabric engagements shown in FIG. 5 B may be adhesive based bonds.
- fabric component 110 A is mounted to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (e.g., only at the seam 200 S area) such that both of fabric component 110 A and the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A form the exterior layer of the footwear upper component 100 .
- the exterior surface 200 AX of the bladder 200 (formed by first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material 200 A) is exposed at areas inside the outer perimeter seam 200 S in this illustrated example.
- fabric component 110 B is mounted to the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B.
- Fabric component 110 B of this example includes an elastic component 110 E (e.g., a fabric component) that extends at least partially across (and at least partially covers (and optionally completely covers)) the exterior surface 200 BX of bladder 200 component (formed by the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B).
- Fabric components 110 A, 110 B extend outward beyond outer perimeter seam 200 S in this illustrated example (although one or both of the fabric components 110 A, 110 B need not do so in some examples of this technology).
- the elastic component 110 E may be provided on the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material 200 A rather than on the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material 200 B as shown in FIG. 5 B (i.e., elastic component 110 E may be flipped vertically from its position shown in FIG. 5 B ).
- the elastic component 110 E may be positioned at locations where increased displacement of the bladder 200 is desired.
- the elastic component 110 E of FIG. 5 B may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer's foot, e.g., at the heel and/or ankle area.
- FIG. 5 C The structure of FIG. 5 C is similar to that shown in FIG. 5 B , but in FIG. 5 C , the exterior surface of the bladder 200 's sealed interior chamber 2001 (formed by exterior surface 200 AX) also is at least partially covered (and optionally completely covered) with an elastic component 110 E.
- fluid pressure inside interior chamber 2001 will tend to cause the bladder 200 to displace outwardly (upwardly and downwardly in FIGS. 5 B and 5 C ; see arrows 510 ) and stretch the elastic component 110 E adjacent the interior chamber 2001 .
- the interior chamber 2001 may be in open fluid communication at all areas inside perimeter seam 200 S.
- force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s) 200 T may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) 200 H via fluid line 206 .
- Such movement of fluid (a) will cause the bladder 200 upper (exterior) surface to deflect outward and (b) will cause the bladder 200 lower (interior) surface to deflect inward into the overall footwear upper 300 . See double headed deflection arrows 510 in FIGS. 5 B and 5 C .
- This deflection of the bladder 200 will stretch elastic component(s) 110 E and provides additional fluid to support the wearer's heel and/or ankle and/or may improve comfort and fit (e.g., by eliminating excess space in the shoe interior and/or reducing foot movement within the shoe). This deflection also may provide a visual indication of the movement of fluid (due to the bladder 200 's outer surface deflection).
- the elasticity of fabric component(s) 110 E may be selected and/or altered to control the amount and/or direction of displacement of the bladder 200 's sealed interior chamber 2001 . Additionally or alternatively, when top and bottom elastic fabric components 110 E are provided as in FIG.
- the relative elasticity of these two elastic fabric components 110 E may be selected and/or altered (i.e., their elasticities may be the same or different and the differences may be controlled) to control the relative amounts of displacement of the surfaces 200 AX and 200 BX of the bladder 200 's sealed interior chamber 2001 .
- FIGS. 6 A- 6 E provide information regarding various pressing techniques that may be used in some examples of this technology.
- FIG. 6 A illustrates an example of a full press in which a silicone press pad 600 is applied over the bladder 200 .
- the bottom of the bladder 200 can be supported at the seam 200 S area to allow application of heat and pressure at the seam 200 S.
- the bottom of interior chamber 2001 of the bladder 200 may be unsupported (e.g., mounted over a hole or recess) so that the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI of the bladder 200 's interior chamber 2001 do not bond together.
- FIG. 6 B illustrates a zonal press technique.
- the silicone press pad 602 is shaped as a closed loop or ring (not necessarily round, but forming a closed perimeter have the shape of the desired bladder 200 seam 200 S) and presses a fabric component 110 , 120 to bond fabric component 110 , 120 to the bladder 200 at the seam 200 S area. Because little pressure is applied to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer 200 A by the fabric component 110 , 120 outside of the press pad 602 , the bladder 200 's interior chamber 2001 remains unbonded and open.
- the fabric component 110 , 120 attaches (adhesively or adhesive free) to the bladder 200 at the seam 200 S (due to the ring shaped press pad 602 ), but the fabric component 110 , 120 remains unattached at other locations.
- This pressing technique also bonds the first and second sheets or layers of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A, 200 B together (adhesively or in an adhesive free manner).
- FIG. 6 C illustrates a pressing technique where a full press (e.g., FIG. 6 A ) is provided on one side and a zonal press (e.g., FIG. 6 B ) is provided on the opposite side.
- a ring shaped silicone press pad 602 of this example is shaped to form the shape of the bladder 200 's interior chamber 2001 .
- fabric component 110 , 120 can be bonded with the bladder 200 at the seam 200 S and the two sheets or layers of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A, 200 B can be bonded together in a manner similar to that described above in FIG. 6 B .
- FIG. 6 D illustrates an example pressing technique in which the silicone pressure pad 610 includes an opening 612 (e.g., shaped like the desired bladder 200 's sealed interior chamber 2001 ).
- the silicone pressure pad 610 includes an opening 612 (e.g., shaped like the desired bladder 200 's sealed interior chamber 2001 ).
- the outer perimeter seam 200 S is formed and the remainder of the bladder 200 's layers (the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material 200 B) remain unattached to thereby form the sealed interior chamber 2001 .
- FIG. 6 E illustrates an example pressing technique using a ring shaped silicone pressure pad 602 and a fabric component 110 , 120 that each has an opening 122 formed in it.
- the opening 122 and the ring shaped silicone pressure pad 602 may be shaped to correspond to the desired bladder 200 's seam 200 S and/or sealed interior chamber 2001 .
- the opening 122 (as well as any opening used to form bulged region 112 discussed above) may be formed as a cutout, may be formed directly in the pressure pad 602 and/or fabric component 110 , 120 during its fabrication (e.g., during knitting of fabric component 110 , 120 ), etc.
- the outer perimeter seam 200 S is formed and the remainder of the bladder 200 's layers (the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymeric material 200 B) remain unattached to thereby form the sealed interior chamber
- one or more fabric components 110 , 120 may be included in the pressing step. If a fabric component 120 is to be used that will not itself create an adhesive free bond with the bladder 200 under the pressing conditions, an adhesive (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) may be applied to the fabric component 120 and/or to the first and/or second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or 200 B. In some aspects of this technology, a single heating and pressing step will be used to create both the sealed bladder 200 and join it to the fabric component(s) 110 / 120 to form the overall footwear upper component 100 (e.g., of the types shown in FIGS. 2 A- 2 J ).
- an adhesive e.g., a hot melt adhesive
- FIG. 7 A provides a cross sectional view of a portion of the bladder 200 with a fabric component 110 attached to it.
- the bladder 200 includes a first chamber (e.g., an instep chamber like chamber 200 T shown in FIGS. 3 A, 4 A, and 5 A and like chamber 202 A shown in FIGS. 9 A, 9 C- 9 E ), another chamber (e.g., a heel and/or ankle support chamber like chamber 200 H shown in FIGS. 3 A, 4 A, and 5 A and like chamber 210 L shown in FIGS. 9 A, 9 C- 9 E ), and a fluid line (e.g., like fluid line 206 shown in FIGS.
- a first chamber e.g., an instep chamber like chamber 200 T shown in FIGS. 3 A, 4 A, and 5 A and like chamber 202 A shown in FIGS. 9 A, 9 C- 9 E
- another chamber e.g., a heel and/or ankle support chamber like chamber 200 H shown in FIGS. 3 A, 4 A, and 5
- the fabric component 110 shown in FIG. 7 A may be engaged with the entire exterior surface of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (e.g., in an adhesive free manner) or it may just be engaged with the exterior surface of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A at the locations of the seam 200 S.
- the pressing pad e.g., see FIGS. 6 A- 6 E
- the pressing pad may include a gap at locations corresponding to chamber 202 A, chamber 210 L, and fluid line 206 .
- adhesive material may be omitted on the interior surfaces of the bladder chamber 2001 at locations where the chambers 202 A, 210 L and/or fluid line 206 are to be produced (so the interior surfaces 200 AI, 200 BI do not bond where the interior chamber(s) is (are) desired).
- Sealed and interconnected fluid chambers 202 A, 210 L are provided by the illustrated structures and methods.
- the bonds forming the seam 200 S and the bonds forming the junction between the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the fabric component 110 may be adhesive free and/or adhesive based.
- FIG. 7 B provides a cross sectional view of another portion of a bladder 200 with two different types of fabric components 110 , 120 engaged with it.
- fabric component 110 represents a fabric component (e.g., a knit component) made from or including a TPU component that is capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A under the heat and pressure conditions to be used.
- Fabric component 120 represents a fabric component (e.g., a polyester knit component) that is not capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A under the heat and pressure conditions to be used.
- Fabric component 110 is provided at the seam areas 200 S.
- fabric component 110 also may be provided over a fluid line area 206 .
- Fabric component 120 is provided at locations corresponding to the exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber 2001 of the various fluid chambers 202 A, 210 L, 210 M. Because fabric component 120 does not bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A at these areas, the fabric component 120 may move with respect to the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A, it may stretch, etc.
- Fabric component 120 also is provided in areas between bladder chambers (e.g., between bladder chambers 210 L and 210 M in this example) and outside of the bladder seam 200 S. Fabric components 110 , 120 may form distinct portions of a single and continuous piece of fabric.
- FIG. 8 illustrates an upper blank 700 showing different potential fabrics or other materials for components of a footwear upper base 102 in accordance with some examples of this technology. Such a combination of components may be used, for example, in the uppers and/or articles of footwear described above (e.g., the uppers 300 , 400 , and 500 of FIGS. 3 A, 4 A, and 5 A ) and those described in more detail below.
- FIG. 8 shows an upper blank 700 formed from five different fabric components 702 A, 702 B, 702 C, 702 D, and 702 E that are fixed together in any appropriate manner (e.g., by one or more of sewing, adhesives, melt bonding, etc.).
- Fabric component 702 A forms a base component of the footwear upper base 102 , and this fabric component 702 A may be formed, for example, from a fabric comprising a chenille fabric with medium sized mesh openings. This fabric component 702 A forms instep and heel regions of the footwear upper base 102 . If desired, the fabric component 702 A may underlie some or all of other fabric components, e.g., some or all of fabric components 702 B- 702 D).
- a denser chenille fabric component 702 B is engaged with the front and midfoot-to-forefoot sides of fabric component 702 A in this example.
- This denser fabric component 702 B provides enhanced durability and abrasion resistance and provides a stable and/or strong base for engaging one or more components of a sole structure.
- Another dense chenille fabric component 702 C with small mesh openings is engaged with fabric component 702 A at the heel-containing region 102 H of the footwear upper base 102 .
- Fabric component 702 C also may provide durability, abrasion resistance, and/or a stable and/or strong base for engaging one or more sole structure 104 components.
- Fabric component 702 D of this example comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) containing fabric component, e.g., a fabric component, optionally a knit fabric component, including at least one yarn formed from a TPU material and/or coated with a TPU material.
- TPU thermoplastic polyurethane
- This fabric component 702 D forms a base for engaging components of a bladder 200 , e.g., in an adhesive free manner (e.g., in melt bonded or welded manners, using heat and pressure, or the like, as described above).
- Fabric component 702 D may be formed as a mesh with relatively large openings, e.g., to enhance breathability.
- Fabric component 702 E of this example upper blank 700 is located at a medial side of the upper blank 700 .
- Fabric component 702 E may comprise an elastic or elastomeric component, such as a stretchable chenille fabric, that helps provide comfort, stretches to enable easy donning and doffing, and/or helps hold the overall footwear upper to a wearer's foot.
- FIG. 9 A illustrates an overall footwear upper 800 as footwear upper blank 700 with additional footwear components attached to it.
- FIGS. 9 B- 9 E illustrate various component parts of the overall footwear upper 800 and features of the manner of making it.
- the footwear upper blank 700 is formed, e.g., to the structure shown in FIG. 9 B (and similar to the structure shown and described above in conjunction with FIG. 8 ).
- six component parts of a footwear upper blank 700 are engaged together, e.g., by one or more of sewing, adhesives, melt bonding (using heat and pressure), mechanical connectors (e.g., rivets, crimped metal rings, etc.), and the like.
- the six parts include components 702 A (as a base component), 702 B (as a forefoot and midfoot reinforcing component), 702 C (as a heel reinforcing component), 702 D (as a bladder support base component), 702 E (as a stretch component to support foot insertion/removal), and heel loop 620 .
- the component parts 702 A- 702 E may be made from the materials described above in conjunction with FIG. 8 or from one or more different materials.
- FIG. 9 C shows an example bladder 200 component for this upper 800 and article of footwear.
- the bladder 200 includes a first thermoplastic sheet (e.g., the top sheet) and a second thermoplastic sheet (e.g., a bottom sheet) facing the first thermoplastic sheet as described above.
- the two thermoplastic sheets (which may be formed from two (or more) separate sheets or a single sheet (e.g., folded over at one edge) are sealed together by a continuous outer perimeter seam 200 S.
- This sealed engagement can be accomplished using adhesives (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) or in an adhesive free manner, e.g., using any of the techniques described above.
- thermoplastic sheet 200 A The first thermoplastic sheet 200 A, the second thermoplastic sheet 200 B (not shown in FIG.
- the continuous outer perimeter seam 200 S define a sealed interior volume 2001 for containing a gas or other fluid.
- the continuous outer perimeter seam 200 S forms the outermost exterior perimeter of the bladder 200 in this example.
- the continuous outer perimeter seam 200 S extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include: (i) at least one fluid supply chamber (two chambers 202 A and 202 B shown connected by a connecting portion 202 C) having a first major surface formed by the first thermoplastic sheet (an outermost exterior surface 200 AX of the bladder 200 ), (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber (lateral heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 L in this example), (iii) a first fluid line 206 connecting the fluid supply chamber(s) 202 A, 202 B and the first heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 L through the sealed interior volume 2001 , (iv) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber (medial heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 M in this example), and (v)
- bladder 200 all portions of the sealed interior volume 2001 defined by the first thermoplastic sheet, the second thermoplastic sheet, and the continuous outer perimeter seam 200 S are in fluid communication with one another. Also, while FIG. 9 C shows bladder 200 's thermoplastic sheets engaged together only by the continuous perimeter seam 200 S, other seams may be provided, such as interior weld lines, interior weld dots, or interior weld regions, e.g., to provide shape control to the bladder 200 .
- the first heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 L and the second heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 M are in fluid communication only via the second fluid line 208 .
- the bladder chambers and the sealed interior volume 2001 may be sized and shaped such that one or both of a first volume defined by the first heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 L and a second volume defined by the second heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 M is/are at least 5 times greater than a third volume defined by the second fluid line 208 connecting chambers 210 L and 210 M.
- the first volume and/or the second volume will be at least 8 times greater, at least 10 times greater, at least 12 times greater, or even at least 15 times greater than the third volume.
- an axial length of the second fluid line 208 from the first heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 L to the second heel and/or ankle support chamber 210 M will be less than 35 mm, and in some examples, less than 30 mm, less than 25 mm, less than 20 mm, or even less than 15 mm.
- the second fluid line 208 may have a length of at least 4 mm in the example ranges provided above.
- FIG. 9 D illustrates the step of engaging the bladder 200 (e.g., of FIG. 9 C ) with the footwear upper base 102 (e.g., with component 702 D shown in FIG. 9 B ). In some examples, this step may occur when the footwear upper base 102 is in the form of the upper blank 700 (e.g., a flat upper blank 700 ) and the bladder 200 is in an uninflated condition.
- the bladder 200 e.g., of FIG. 9 C
- this step may occur when the footwear upper base 102 is in the form of the upper blank 700 (e.g., a flat upper blank 700 ) and the bladder 200 is in an uninflated condition.
- the uninflated bladder 200 can be positioned atop footwear upper base 102 fabric component 702 D, which, as noted above, may be formed at least in part from a TPU containing fabric component, e.g., a fabric component, optionally a knit fabric component, including at least one yarn formed from a TPU material and/or coated with a TPU material.
- Heat and pressure may be applied, e.g., to locally melt or soften the thermoplastic materials of the fabric component 702 D and the bladder 200 to thereby melt or soften and/or bond fabric component 702 D and bladder 200 together in an adhesive free manner.
- other ways of engaging the footwear upper base 102 materials and the bladder 200 may be used, including adhesive based engagement, mechanical fasteners, sewn seams, or the like.
- FIG. 9 E illustrates the upper 800 engaged with a sole structure 104 to form an overall article of footwear 900 .
- the overall article of footwear 900 of this example further includes two straps 320 A, 320 B of a strap system 300 .
- these straps 320 A, 320 B may be incorporated into the footwear upper 800 (e.g., engaged with one or more of the footwear upper base 102 components, such as one or more of components 702 A, 702 B, and/or 702 C). Engagement may occur via one or more of sewn seams 322 A, 322 B (see FIG. 9 A ), adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or the like.
- the ends of either or both straps 320 A, 320 B may be engaged with the sole structure 104 of the article of footwear 900 and/or sandwiched between the footwear upper 800 (e.g., a bottom surface of the upper 800 , one of components 702 A- 702 D, etc.) and the sole structure 104 .
- FIG. 9 A illustrates the footwear upper 800 as an upper blank (including footwear upper base 102 components), the attached bladder 200 , and the attached strap system 300 .
- This footwear upper 800 optionally may be engaged with an upper bottom component (e.g., a strobel) by stitching.
- the overall footwear upper 800 (including the bottom component) may be engaged with a sole structure 104 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9 E ), e.g., in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear art (e.g., by one or more of adhesives, mechanical connectors, sewn seams, etc.).
- FIG. 1 illustrates a bladder 200 engaged with a fabric component 110 in an adhesive free manner (or with adhesive based bonding, if desired).
- FIG. 1 shows the bladder 200 engaged in a deflated condition, e.g., flat pressed using heat and pressure to form at least seam 200 S.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate portions of additional example bladder 200 components engaged with fabric components 110 .
- the bladders 200 of FIGS. 10 and 11 may be engaged with the fabric component 110 in a deflated condition (e.g., by flat pressing using heat and pressure).
- the bladders 200 then may be inflated, e.g., via an inflation port, to the conditions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 . Once inflated, the inflation port may be sealed, cut off, and discarded.
- a small portion of the inflation line 1000 for the bladder 200 is shown in FIG. 10 .
- FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate relatively distinct bladder edges 200 E at the outer edge of the outer perimeter seam 200 S, i.e., where the bladder 200 ends and uncovered fabric component 110 begins.
- FIG. 1 shows somewhat less of a distinct edge.
- the heat and pressing conditions e.g., pressing force, pressing temperature, pressing time
- the material specifications e.g., thickness of the first and/or second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A/ 200 B
- the material specifications e.g., thickness of the first and/or second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A/ 200 B
- FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate relatively distinct bladder edges 200 E at the outer edge of the outer perimeter seam 200 S, i.e., where the bladder 200 ends and uncovered fabric component 110 begins.
- FIG. 1 shows somewhat less of a distinct edge.
- the heat and pressing conditions e.g., pressing force, pressing temperature, pressing time
- the material specifications e.g., thickness of the first and/or second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material
- FIGS. 12 A and 12 B illustrate a bladder 200 /fabric component 110 combination in which it is more difficult to discern exactly where the physical edge of the bladder 200 is located.
- Longer press times, higher press temperatures, higher pressing forces, and/or thinner bladder materials may enable the bladder 200 material (e.g., first and/or second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A/ 200 B) and/or any meltable material in the fabric component 110 (e.g., a TPU material) to melt and mix to a greater extent, thereby eliminating or reducing the prominence of a distinct and/or regular edge (like edge 200 E shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 ).
- the material of the outer perimeter seam 200 S and at least some of the fabric component 110 will mix and/or intermingle together under the pressing conditions to engage the bladder 200 and fabric component 110 together.
- the bladder 200 in an inflated or uninflated condition
- a bladder precursor is placed on a fabric component 110 or 120 .
- the fabric component 110 e.g., a knit fabric element such as component 702 D
- the fabric component 110 will include a first thermoplastic polyurethane component that is capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer material) in the bladder 200 or the bladder precursor.
- the fabric component 120 e.g., a knit fabric element
- the fabric component 120 will not be capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer material) in the bladder 200 or the bladder precursor under the pressing conditions, and thus an adhesive material (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) may be applied to at least one of the fabric component 120 and the bladder 200 (or bladder precursor).
- thermoplastic material e.g., thermoplastic elastomer material
- an adhesive material e.g., a hot melt adhesive
- the seam 200 S, the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A, and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B define a sealed interior chamber 2001 for containing a fluid (e.g., a gas, such as air, nitrogen, etc.).
- a fluid e.g., a gas, such as air, nitrogen, etc.
- the sealed interior chamber 2001 may be inflated (if it was not already inflated). If necessary, the inflation port may be sealed after inflation is complete, and the port may be trimmed off. Footwear upper components 100 formed by these methods may have any of the specific structures, properties, features, and/or options described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 12 B .
- a second fabric component will be engaged with the bladder 200 or bladder precursor, e.g., to make a structure like that shown in FIG. 2 J .
- the second fabric component also may be applied using heat and pressure (e.g., with an adhesive based bond or an adhesive free bond), in the same heat and pressing steps described above or in a separate heat and pressing step.
- the footwear upper component 100 may be combined with other footwear upper component parts (if needed, e.g., a strobel or other bottom member) and/or other footwear parts (e.g., a strap system), to form an overall upper 800 like that shown in FIG. 9 A .
- the resulting upper 800 then may be engaged with a footwear sole structure 104 , e.g., of the type shown in FIG. 9 E .
- FIGS. 13 A- 13 D illustrate additional features of bladders 200 and/or footwear upper components 100 with texturing features in accordance with at least some examples of this technology.
- FIGS. 13 A- 13 C show various views of bladders 200 engaged with fabric components 110 , 120 .
- FIG. 13 D provides a partial cross sectional view of a footwear upper component 100 showing a portion of the bladder 200 at the sealed interior chamber 2001 to illustrate potential layering and texturing features.
- the fabric component 110 , 120 may form a mesh structure (e.g., with mesh openings or recesses 120 R defined within a matrix formed by the fabric component 110 , 120 ) or otherwise have surface texture on the surface 120 A to be engaged with the bladder 200 .
- the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (and, if present, the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B) may become softened, e.g., to enable formation of the adhesive free bond(s). If at least a portion of the fabric component 110 , 120 (e.g., a portion that forms the texturing) does not significantly soften or melt under the heating and pressing conditions, then the heating and pressing step may alter the softened surfaces of at least one (and potentially both) of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B to include texturing (e.g., recesses 220 R).
- texturing e.g., recesses 220 R
- the texturing recesses 220 R are formed from (imprinted or embossed into material 200 A and/or 200 B by) the openings or recesses 120 R in surface 120 A of fabric component 110 , 120 .
- the texturing is shown in the diamond shaped recess patterns and surface irregularities formed on the exterior surface 200 BX of second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B in FIGS. 13 A- 13 D .
- FIGS. 13 A- 13 C show the exposed exterior surface 200 BX of the bladder 200 with texturing having surface contour features corresponding to the texturing present on the surface 120 A of the first fabric component 110 , 120 . That texturing may be present on one or more of the surfaces of the bladder 200 forming the seam 200 S and/or on one or more of the surfaces of the bladder 200 forming the sealed interior chamber 2001 . Further, as shown in FIG.
- the texturing 220 R may be present on one or more of: (a) an exterior surface 200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (e.g., the surface that directly contacts and bonds with the textured surface 120 A of the fabric component 110 , 120 ), (b) an interior surface 200 AI of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A (e.g., the surface that forms the bond for seam 200 S and the interior of the sealed interior chamber 2001 ), (c) an interior surface 200 BI of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (e.g., the other surface that forms the bond for seam 200 S and the interior of the sealed interior chamber 2001 ), and/or (d) an exterior surface 200 BX of the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (e.g., the exposed exterior surface of the footwear upper 100 in the illustrated examples of FIGS.
- an exterior surface 200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A e.g., the surface that directly contacts and bonds with the
- the texturing can be formed on all of these surfaces, e.g., if the sheets or layers of the first and second polymer materials 200 A and 200 B of the bladder precursor are flat pressed against textured surface 120 A before the bladder 200 is inflated.
- the texturing may help provide feel differential when contacted by a user, e.g., to help locate the bladder 200 and/or to provide proprioceptive feedback.
- the texturing may provide an interesting aesthetic, as texturing may create different lighting, reflecting, and/or shadowing effects.
- at least one of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B (e.g., at least the second sheet or layer 200 B in FIG. 13 D ) may be formed from an at least partially transparent material (e.g., a clear or colored thermoplastic polyurethane material).
- texturing e.g., recesses 220 R
- the interior sheet e.g., on the interior surface 200 A 1 and/or the exterior surface 200 AX of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A in the example of FIG. 13 D
- the underlying fabric component 110 , 120 is visible through the at least partially transparent materials forming the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B.
- At least portions of either or both of the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 A and/or the second sheet or layer of thermoplastic polymer material 200 B may be tinted to provide additional color palette and color combination choices.
- FIGS. 13 A- 13 D relate to examples in which texturing is applied to one or more surfaces of a bladder 200 from texture present on a fabric component 110 , 120 with which the bladder 200 is engaged (e.g., from a mesh structure of fabric component 110 , 120 ). Texture may be applied to bladders 200 in other manners as well.
- FIGS. 14 A- 14 K illustrate additional examples and features of bladders, footwear upper components, and methods of making them that include texturing (e.g., at least on an exposed surface of the bladder 200 ) in accordance with some examples of this technology.
- texturing may be applied to a bladder 200 surface 200 BX using molding processes (e.g., when the bladder 200 is formed, when the bladder 200 is inflated, and/or when the bladder 200 or a bladder precursor is engaged with a fabric component 110 , 120 ), using a thermoforming process, using a vacuum forming process, using an embossing process, etc.
- FIG. 14 A shows an example mold assembly 1400 and molding and pressing process, e.g., for forming a bladder 200 from two thermoplastic sheets 200 A, 200 B and engaging the bladder 200 with a fabric component 110 , 120 .
- the thermoplastic sheets 200 A, 200 B are placed in a mold cavity 1400 C (defined between top mold plate 1400 A and bottom mold plate 1400 B).
- a fabric component 110 , 120 extends into the area of the mold cavity 1400 C between the mold plates 1400 A, 1400 B to engage the bottom surface 200 AX of thermoplastic sheet 200 A.
- the fabric component 110 , 120 could be omitted in this process (e.g., and engaged with the bladder 200 or bladder precursor at a later time).
- the mold plates 1400 A, 1400 B are pressed together (shown by arrows 1410 ) with sufficient heating to soften the thermoplastic sheets 200 A, 200 B, form the outer perimeter seam 200 S (e.g., by an adhesive free bond or by an adhesive based bond (if an adhesive has been applied to one or both of sheets 200 A, 200 B)), and engage thermoplastic sheet 200 A with fabric component 110 , 120 (e.g., by an adhesive free bond or by an adhesive based bond (if an adhesive has been applied to one or both of sheet 200 A and fabric component 110 , 120 )).
- fabric component 110 , 120 e.g., by an adhesive free bond or by an adhesive based bond (if an adhesive has been applied to one or both of sheet 200 A and fabric component 110 , 120 )
- thermoplastic sheets 200 A, 200 B will not bond in the area adjacent and within the cavity 1400 C (as no compressive force is applied to the sheets 200 A, 200 B in the cavity 1400 C area).
- the interior surface 1400 S of the top plate 1400 A in the cavity 1400 C area includes texturing 1400 T.
- a vacuum may be applied to the cavity 1400 C (see vacuum arrows 1400 V).
- the vacuum force pulls at least the top thermoplastic sheet 200 B against interior surface 1400 S of the cavity 1400 C. Due to its softened state, this action applies texturing 1400 T from the cavity 1400 C surface 1400 S onto at least the incident surface 200 BX of the top thermoplastic sheet 200 B.
- the bladder 200 could be inflated while in the mold assembly 1400 (e.g., if a fluid inlet is present to introduce fluid between thermoplastic sheets 200 A and 200 B after the seam 200 S is made).
- the cavity 1400 C could be omitted such that the applied force 1410 from pressing the mold plates 1400 A, 1400 B together also presses mold surface 1400 S (with its texturing 1400 T) against surface 200 BX of the second thermoplastic sheet 200 B.
- the vacuum force 1400 V may not be present and/or needed to apply texturing to surface 200 BX.
- texturing may be applied to thermoplastic sheet 200 A as well.
- FIG. 14 B shows an example of a mold plate 1400 A in which surface 1400 S includes texturing 1400 T in the form of wavy raised ridges separated by wavy recessed curves.
- FIG. 14 C shows an example of a mold plate 1400 A in which surface 1400 S includes texturing 1400 T in the form of a matrix (e.g., rows and columns, staggered rows and/or columns, etc.) of raised polygons separated by wavy recessed curves.
- FIG. 14 D shows an example of a mold plate 1400 A in which surface 1400 S includes texturing 1400 T in the form of a herringbone pattern.
- FIGS. 14 E- 14 K show views of bladders 200 and/or portions thereof that include texturing 220 R at least on exposed exterior surface 200 BX of the bladder 200 , e.g., formed by one or more of the methods described above in conjunction with FIGS. 14 A- 14 D .
- FIG. 14 E shows a portion of bladder 200 formed in a deflated condition. Note the texturing 220 R, which in this example generally corresponds to the mold plate 1400 A shown in FIG. 14 B .
- the bladder 200 is engaged with a fabric component 110 , 120 while the bladder 200 was formed (e.g., as shown in FIG. 14 A ) or in a separate step.
- FIG. 14 F shows this same bladder 200 portion in an inflated condition, and FIG.
- 14 G shows the overall bladder 200 (e.g., forming an instep and/or tongue based region 200 T and a heel and/or ankle support region 200 H of the types described above in conjunction with FIGS. 3 A, 4 A, 5 A, 9 A, and 9 C- 9 E ).
- FIG. 14 H illustrates a portion of an example bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and inflated.
- the bladder 200 has texturing 220 R on exposed exterior surface 200 BX in the form of raised polygons in a matrix pattern separated by curved recesses (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.).
- FIG. 14 H illustrates a portion of an example bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and inflated.
- the bladder 200 has texturing 220 R on exposed exterior surface 200 BX in the form of raised polygons in a matrix pattern separated by curved recesses (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.).
- FIG. 14 H illustrates a portion of an example bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and inflated.
- the bladder 200 has texturing 220 R on exposed exterior surface 200 BX in the form of raised polygons in a matrix pattern separated by curved recesses (e.g.
- FIG. 141 illustrates a portion of an example bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and inflated in which the bladder 200 has texturing 220 R on exposed exterior surface 200 BX in the form of raised rounded elements (e.g., circular elements, oval elements, elliptical elements, teardrop shaped elements, etc.) in a matrix pattern (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.).
- FIG. 14 J illustrates a portion of an example bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and inflated in which texturing 220 R on exposed exterior surface 200 BX is in the form of recessed polygons in a matrix pattern (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.).
- FIG. 14 K illustrates an example bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and in an uninflated condition.
- This example bladder 200 has different texturing at different locations on its exterior surface 200 BX. Any desired number and/or types of different texturing patterns may be provided.
- the instep and/or tongue based region 200 T has one texturing pattern (e.g., recessed polygons in a matrix arrangement) and the heel and/or ankle support region 200 H as a different texturing pattern (e.g., a matrix of smaller raised and recessed elements).
- 14 H- 14 K may be attached to a fabric component 110 , 120 at any desired time (e.g., before or after inflation), e.g., by engaging seam 200 S with the fabric component 110 , 120 , e.g., in any of the manners described above.
- the texturing 220 R may help provide feel differential when contacted by a user, e.g., to help locate the bladder 200 with one's fingers and/or to provide proprioceptive feedback.
- the texturing 220 R may face toward the interior of the shoe (e.g., to contact the wearer's foot or leg at least in the heel and/or ankle support area 200 H), toward the exterior of the shoe (e.g., to enable easy location of the bladder 200 parts by feel), or in both directions in all or part of the bladder 200 (e.g., in one direction in one area of the bladder 200 and in the other direction in another area of the bladder 200 ).
- the texturing 220 R may provide an interesting aesthetic, as texturing may create different lighting, reflecting, and/or shadowing effects.
- the bladder 200 also may have any of the transparency and/or other properties of the bladders described above in conjunction with FIGS. 13 A- 13 D .
- texturing may be applied to one or more bladder surfaces (e.g., 200 AX, 200 BX) in other processes.
- first and/or second thermoplastic sheets 200 A, 200 B softened e.g., by application of heat
- the sheet(s) 200 A, 200 B could be pressed by one or more rollers having a textured surface (e.g., passed between rollers, one of which may have a textured surface), e.g., in an embossing, calendaring, or rolling process.
- FIGS. 1 - 14 K illustrate various different bladder sizes, shapes, and specific configurations, many variations in bladder sizes, shapes, and/or configurations are possible without departing from this technology.
- the specifically illustrated bladders could be varied widely in size, shape, and/or configuration while still providing the desired functions and/or properties described above.
- a footwear upper component comprising:
- Clause 2 The footwear upper component according to Clause 1, wherein the bladder component includes a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber.
- thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and wherein the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element is bonded in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 4 The footwear upper component according to Clause 3, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a first side of the second thermoplastic sheet and a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a second side of the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber from the second seam portion, and wherein the portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element extends continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion.
- thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 6 The footwear upper component according to Clause 2, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 7 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 2 to 6, further comprising: a second knit fabric element engaged with at least one of the first knit fabric element or the bladder component.
- Clause 8 The footwear upper component according to Clause 7, wherein the second knit fabric element includes a second thermoplastic polyurethane component, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 9 The footwear upper component according to Clause 8, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 10 The footwear upper component according to Clause 8, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 11 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 7 to 10, wherein the second knit fabric element includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 12 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 2 to 6, further comprising: a fabric component engaged with the second thermoplastic sheet.
- thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 14 The footwear upper component according to Clause 13, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 15 The footwear upper component according to Clause 13, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 16 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 12 to 15, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 17 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 12 to 15, wherein a portion of the fabric component partially covers an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 18 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein the outer perimeter seam extends continuously and completely around the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 19 The footwear upper component according to Clause 18, wherein at least 90% of a surface area of one surface of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
- Clause 20 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 19, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a thermoplastic polyurethane material that melts under heat and pressure to bond with melted material of the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
- Clause 21 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11 or
- Clause 22 The footwear upper component according to Clause 21, wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the bladder component forming the sealed interior chamber is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 23 The footwear upper component according to Clause 22, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the exterior major surface of the bladder component is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 24 The footwear upper component according to Clause 22, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the exterior major surface of the bladder component is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 25 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 24, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 26 The footwear upper component according to Clause 25, wherein a portion of the fabric component is dissolved to form the opening.
- Clause 27 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 26, wherein a portion of the fabric component partially covers an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 28 The footwear upper component according to Clause 27, wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed at an exterior surface of the footwear upper component.
- Clause 29 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 28, wherein at least a portion of the fabric component that engages the sealed interior chamber is formed from a dissolvable material.
- Clause 30 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 29, wherein the outer perimeter seam forms a closed loop, and wherein a perimeter of the closed loop encloses a single sealed interior chamber which consists of the sealed interior chamber.
- An article of footwear comprising:
- a method of forming a footwear upper component comprising:
- Clause 33 The method according to Clause 32, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets.
- Clause 34 The method according to Clause 32 or 33, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed from the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed from the second thermoplastic polymer layer opposite the first major exterior surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
- Clause 35 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 34, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 36 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 35, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 37 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 35, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 38 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 37, further comprising:
- thermoplastic polymer layer engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 39 The method according to Clause 38, wherein the step of engaging the fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 40 The method according to Clause 39, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to a thermoplastic polyurethane component included in the fabric component.
- Clause 41 The method according to Clause 40, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric component in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 42 The method according to Clause 40, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric component in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 43 The method according to any one of Clauses 38 to 42, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 44 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 37, further comprising: (i) engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer; and (ii) forming an opening through the fabric component, wherein a portion an exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 45 The method according to Clause 44, wherein the portion of the exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer exposed through the opening includes a portion that forms an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 46 The method according to Clause 44 or 45, wherein the step of forming the opening includes dissolving a portion of the fabric component to form the opening.
- Clause 47 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 46, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
- Clause 48 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 47, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 49 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 48, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place after the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 50 The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 48, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place before the step of applying heat and pressure.
- a method of making an article of footwear comprising:
- Clause 53 An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 52.
- a footwear upper component comprising:
- a first fabric element a first fabric element
- a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid
- the bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and wherein at least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first fabric element.
- Clause 55 The footwear upper component according to Clause 54, wherein the bladder component includes a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 56 The footwear upper component according to Clause 55, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and wherein the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first fabric element is bonded in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 57 The footwear upper component according to Clause 56, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a first side of the second thermoplastic sheet and a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a second side of the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber from the second seam portion, and wherein the portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that is bonded to the first fabric element extends continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion.
- Clause 58 The footwear upper component according to Clause 55, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 60 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 55 to 59, further comprising: a second fabric element engaged with at least one of the first fabric element or the bladder component.
- Clause 61 The footwear upper component according to Clause 60, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 62 The footwear upper component according to Clause 61, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 63 The footwear upper component according to Clause 61, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 64 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 60 to 63, wherein the second fabric element includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 65 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 64, wherein the outer perimeter seam extends continuously and completely around the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 66 The footwear upper component according to Clause 65, wherein at least 90% of a surface area of one surface of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first fabric element.
- Clause 67 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 66, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a thermoplastic material that melts under heat and pressure to bond with melted material of the first fabric element.
- Clause 68 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 67, wherein the outer perimeter seam forms a closed loop, and wherein a perimeter of the closed loop encloses a single sealed interior chamber which consists of the sealed interior chamber.
- An article of footwear comprising:
- a method of forming a footwear upper component comprising:
- Clause 71 The method according to Clause 70, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets.
- Clause 72 The method according to Clause 70 or 71, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed from the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed from the second thermoplastic polymer layer opposite the first major exterior surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element.
- Clause 73 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 72, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 74 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 73, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 75 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 73, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 76 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 75, further comprising:
- thermoplastic polymer layer engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 77 The method according to Clause 76, wherein the step of engaging the fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 78 The method according to Clause 77, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 79 The method according to Clause 78, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 80 The method according to Clause 78, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 81 The method according to any one of Clauses 76 to 80, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 82 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 75, further comprising: (i) engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer; and (ii) forming an opening through the fabric component, wherein a portion an exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 83 The method according to Clause 82, wherein the portion of the exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer exposed through the opening includes a portion that forms an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 84 The method according to Clause 82 or 83, wherein the step of forming the opening includes dissolving a portion of the fabric component to form the opening.
- Clause 85 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 84, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element.
- Clause 86 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 85, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 87 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 86, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place after the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 88 The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 86, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place before the step of applying heat and pressure.
- a method of making an article of footwear comprising:
- Clause 91 An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 90.
- a footwear upper component comprising:
- Clause 93 The footwear upper component according to Clause 92, wherein the texturing on the first major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the first surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 94 The footwear upper component according to Clause 92 or 93, wherein the texturing on the first major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the first perimeter seam surface.
- Clause 95 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 94, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface includes texturing corresponding to the texturing present on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- Clause 96 The footwear upper component according to Clause 95, wherein the texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 97 The footwear upper component according to Clause 95 or 96, wherein the texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second perimeter seam surface.
- Clause 98 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 97, wherein the first major surface of the bladder component is formed from a first thermoplastic sheet and the second major surface of the bladder component is formed from a second thermoplastic sheet.
- thermoplastic sheet is formed from an at least partially transparent or translucent material such that the texturing present on at least a portion of the first major surface is visible through the second thermoplastic sheet.
- Clause 100 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 99, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure.
- Clause 101 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 99, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure with openings defined within a matrix formed by the first fabric element, and wherein the mesh structure and openings produce the surface contour features on the first major surface of the bladder component.
- Clause 102 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 101, wherein the first fabric element is a knit fabric element.
- An article of footwear comprising:
- a method of forming a footwear upper component comprising:
- Clause 105 The method according to Clause 104, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets.
- Clause 106 The method according to Clause 104 or 105, wherein the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer on which the texturing is formed comprises at least a portion of the seam.
- Clause 107 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 106, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed by the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed by the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer on which the texturing is formed comprises at least a portion of the first major exterior surface.
- Clause 108 The method according to Clause 107, wherein the step of forming the texturing forms texturing on at least a portion of the second major exterior surface.
- Clause 109 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 106, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed by the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed by the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the step of forming the texturing forms texturing on at least a portion of the second major exterior surface.
- Clause 110 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 109, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 111 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 110, further comprising:
- Clause 112 The method according to Clause 111, wherein the step of engaging the second fabric element with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure to form the texturing on at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 113 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 112, wherein the step of forming the texturing further includes forming texturing on at least a portion of the second thermoplastic polymer layer by applying heat and pressure to the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the texturing formed on the portion of the second thermoplastic polymer layer corresponds in surface contour features to the texturing included on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- Clause 114 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 113, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer is formed at least in part from an at least partially transparent or translucent material, and wherein the texturing present on at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is visible through the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 115 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 114, further comprising: inflating the sealed interior chamber after the step of forming the texturing.
- Clause 116 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 114, further comprising: inflating the sealed interior chamber before the step of forming the texturing.
- Clause 117 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 116, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure.
- Clause 118 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 116, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure with openings defined within a matrix formed by the first fabric element, and wherein the mesh structure and openings produce the surface contour features on the first thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 119 The method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 118, wherein the first fabric element is a knit fabric element.
- Clause 120 A footwear upper component formed by the method according to any one of Clauses 104 to 119.
- a method of making an article of footwear comprising:
- Clause 122 An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 121.
- a footwear upper component comprising:
- Clause 124 The footwear upper component according to Clause 123, wherein the molded-in texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on at least a portion of the second surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 125 The footwear upper component according to Clause 123 or 124, wherein the molded-in texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second perimeter seam surface.
- Clause 126 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 125, wherein the first major surface of the bladder component is formed from a first thermoplastic sheet and the second major surface of the bladder component is formed from a second thermoplastic sheet.
- Clause 127 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of raised ridges.
- Clause 128 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of raised grid elements.
- Clause 129 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of recessed grid elements.
- Clause 130 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a herringbone pattern.
- Clause 131 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of rounded elements.
- Clause 132 The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a first portion having a first pattern and a second portion having a second pattern different from the first pattern.
- An article of footwear comprising:
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Abstract
Footwear upper components include a fabric element having a first thermoplastic polyurethane component and a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid. The bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and at least a portion of this outer perimeter seam is engaged with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element. The outer perimeter seam seals two thermoplastic sheets together to form the bladder component. At least a portion of a major exterior surface of one thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber may be bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and/or the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric element may be bonded in an adhesive free manner.
Description
- This application is a U.S. Non-Provisional Application based on (a) U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,916 filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “Footwear Uppers Including Bladders and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper” and (b) U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,932 filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “Footwear Uppers Including Bladders and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper.” Each of U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,916 and U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,932 is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to bladders for footwear uppers, footwear uppers including the bladders, articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear. In some aspects of this technology, the bladders will be engaged with a footwear upper component in an adhesive free manner or with an adhesive based bond. Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of this technology, the bladders will include texturing, e.g., imprinted by surface contour features of the attached footwear upper component and/or imprinted from a mold surface during molding or during another process. The present technology may be used to create footwear upper components and articles of footwear of the types described in concurrently filed U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,903, filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “Bladders, Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper” and U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. No. 63/277,941, filed Nov. 10, 2021 and entitled “Bladders, Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper,” each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
- Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, an upper and a sole structure. The upper may provide a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure may be secured to a lower surface of the upper and generally is positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure may provide traction and control potentially harmful foot motion, such as over pronation.
- The upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided at an ankle opening. Accordingly, the upper extends over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. A lacing system often is incorporated into the upper to allow users to selectively change the size of the ankle opening and to permit the user to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to moderate pressure applied to the foot by the laces). The upper also may include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel.
- This Summary is provided to introduce some general concepts relating to this technology in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.
- Aspects of this technology relate to bladders for footwear uppers, footwear uppers including the bladders, articles of footwear including the bladders, and/or methods of making and using such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. The bladders may be engaged with a fabric component of the upper in any desired manner. In some aspects of this technology, the bladders will be engaged with a fabric component of the upper in an adhesive free manner (e.g., by melt bonding, by welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, etc.), etc.) or with an adhesive based bond. Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects of this technology, the bladder (e.g., its perimeter seam surface and/or its bladder chamber surface) will include texturing formed thereon, e.g., imprinted by the surface of the fabric material with which it is engaged, imprinted from a mold surface, applied in a different manner, etc. Such bladders, uppers, and/or articles of footwear may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.
- The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.
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FIG. 1 provides a view of a portion of a footwear upper component having an engaged bladder in accordance with some examples of this technology; -
FIGS. 2A-2J provide cross sectional views, e.g., along line 2-2 inFIG. 1 , showing various alternative structures in accordance with some aspects of this technology; -
FIGS. 3A-5C show various example footwear upper constructions and methods of controlling bladder expansion in accordance with some aspects of this technology; -
FIGS. 6A-6E show various examples of pressing techniques that may be used to form footwear upper components in accordance with at least some aspects of this technology; -
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate structures and methods for forming interconnected bladder chambers in accordance with some aspects of this technology; -
FIG. 8 illustrates a footwear upper blank that may be included in footwear components and structures in accordance with at least some examples of this technology; -
FIGS. 9A-9E illustrate footwear uppers, footwear components, articles of footwear, and footwear manufacturing methods in accordance with at least some examples of this technology; -
FIGS. 10-12B illustrate additional features of bladders and/or footwear upper components in accordance with at least some examples of this technology; -
FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate texturing features for bladders and/or footwear upper components in accordance with at least some examples of this technology; -
FIGS. 14A-14K illustrate additional examples and features of bladders, footwear upper components, and methods of making them that include texturing in accordance with some examples of this technology. - In the following description of various examples of bladders, footwear uppers, and/or articles of footwear according to the present technology, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of this technology may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made to the specifically described structures, functions, and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
- I. General Description of Aspects of this Technology
- As noted above, aspects of this technology relate to bladders, footwear uppers including such bladders, and articles of footwear including such bladders, e.g., of the types described and/or claimed below and/or of the types illustrated in the appended drawings. Such bladders, footwear uppers, and articles of footwear may include any one or more structures, parts, features, properties, and/or combination(s) of structures, parts, features, and/or properties of the examples described and/or claimed below and/or of the examples illustrated in the appended drawings.
- This application and/or claims use the adjectives, e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like, to identify certain components and/or features relating to this technology. These adjectives are used merely for convenience, e.g., to assist in maintaining a distinction between components and/or features of a specific structure. Use of these adjectives should not be construed as requiring a specific order or arrangement of the components and/or features being discussed. Also, use of these specific adjectives in the specification for a specific structure does not require that the same adjective be used in the claims to refer to the same part (e.g., a component or feature referred to as the “third” in the specification may correspond to any numerical adjective used for that component or feature in the claims).
- This application describes footwear components (e.g., upper components (including fabric components), bladder components, sole structures, etc.) that are “bonded” together. The term “bonded” (and derivatives thereof) means that the components are joined securely to one another. The term “bonded” encompasses bonds formed using adhesives or cements (including hot melt adhesives) as well as bonds formed in an “adhesive free” manner, i.e., without use of a separate adhesive component. “Adhesive free” bonds include bonds formed by fusing or melting components together (e.g., if the components include compositions that are compatible to mix and join together to form a bond, such as two components including a thermoplastic polyurethane component); bonds formed by welding techniques (e.g., RF welding, ultrasonic welding, high-frequency welding, laser welding, impulse welding, etc.); bonds formed by heat sealing; etc. Some adhesive free bonds may form a seamless joint between the two previously separate components (e.g., the materials mix and join together and then re-harden with no discernible junction). The term “melt bond” and variations thereof, as used herein, mean bonds formed where localized melting of each component occurs (e.g., melting of the thermoplastic polymer present in each component), the melted components combine together, and then the combined components harden to thereby “fuse” and “bond” the two components together. Such melt bonded joints are adhesive free and may be seamless. The term “engaged with” is used herein as a generic term and includes both adhesive based bonds and adhesive free bonds within its scope as well as other potential types of engagement that fix two (or more) components together in a “non-bonded” manner (including through the use of mechanical connectors or fasteners, through the use of sewing or stitching, etc.).
- The term “bladder precursor” as used herein means at least some portion of a final bladder structure (e.g., a portion of bladder 200), such as one of a first sheet or layer of
thermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or a second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B discussed in more detail below. A “bladder precursor” also may be considered all bladder components in an unsealed condition (e.g., beforeseam 200S is formed) or a completely sealed bladder before it is inflated and/or fully inflated. - Some aspects or examples of this technology relate to footwear uppers that include: (a) a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element) that includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid. This bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber. At least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is engaged (e.g., bonded, melt bonded, etc.) to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element. The bladder component may include a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet. In such structures, a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber. Additionally, in some examples of this technology, the first thermoplastic sheet will include a first major exterior surface opposite its first major interior surface, and at least a portion of this first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet will be engaged (e.g., bonded, melt bonded, etc.) to the first fabric element (e.g., the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element). In some aspects of this technology, the first fabric element and the bladder component (the outer perimeter seam and/or the first major exterior surface) will be joined together, optionally in an adhesive free manner (e.g., by melt bonding).
- Additionally or alternatively, some aspects of this technology relate to footwear upper components that include: (a) a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element) that includes a first surface having texturing; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid. In this aspect of this technology, the bladder component will include: (a) a first major surface engaged with (e.g., bonded to) the first surface of the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (b) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (c) a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface. At least a portion of the first major surface (e.g., at least part of the first perimeter seam surface and/or at least part of the first surface of the sealed interior chamber) will include texturing having surface contour features corresponding to (e.g., imprinted by) the texturing present on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- Additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of forming footwear upper components that include: (a) placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element (e.g., a first knit fabric element), wherein the first fabric element includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component (the bladder or the bladder precursor includes at least a first thermoplastic polymer layer and optionally a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer); and (b) applying heat and pressure to form a seam to engage (e.g., bond) the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer (if a second thermoplastic polymer layer is present) and/or to engage (e.g., bond) at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element. Alternatively, the second thermoplastic polymer layer may be bonded to the first thermoplastic polymer layer after the first fabric element and the first thermoplastic polymer layer are bonded together. The seam, the first thermoplastic polymer layer, and the second thermoplastic polymer layer define a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid (e.g., a gas). Once the bladder is fully formed, the sealed interior chamber may be filled with fluid (e.g., inflated with a gas). In at least some examples of this technology, the first fabric element and the bladder or bladder precursor (the seam and/or at least some portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer) will be joined together in an adhesive free manner (e.g., by melt bonding the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first fabric element with the first thermoplastic polymer layer of the bladder or bladder precursor).
- Still additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of forming footwear upper components that include: (a) placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element, wherein the first fabric element includes a first surface having texturing, and wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes at least a first thermoplastic polymer layer, and optionally a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer; and (b) forming texturing on at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer by applying heat and pressure to form at least one of: (i) a seam that engages (e.g., bonds) the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer (if present) and/or (ii) an engagement of (e.g., a bond between) at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element. The second thermoplastic polymer layer may be bonded to the first thermoplastic polymer layer after the first fabric element and the first thermoplastic polymer layer are bonded. The bladder (or the bladder precursor) defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid such as a gas (in a volume inside the seam and between the first and second thermoplastic polymer layers). The texturing formed on at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer corresponds in surface contour features to (and is imprinted by) the texturing included on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- Still additional aspects of this technology relate to footwear upper components that include: (a) a first fabric element; and (b) a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid (e.g., as gas). This example bladder component includes: (i) a first major surface engaged with the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (ii) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (iii) and a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface, and wherein at least a portion of the second major surface includes molded-in texturing (e.g., a plurality of raised ridges, a plurality of raised grid elements, a plurality of recessed grid elements, a herringbone pattern, a plurality of rounded elements (e.g., with raised rounded elements, recessed rounded elements, a combination of both, circular elements, oval elements, elliptical elements, teardrop shaped elements, etc.), etc.). Texturing may be different in different areas of the bladder (e.g., the molded-in texturing may include a first portion having a first pattern, a second portion having a second pattern different from the first pattern, etc.). The term “molded-in” texturing means texturing applied using a mold component irrespective of the particular process used (e.g., molding a bladder alone, molding a bladder while attaching to a fabric, formed in a vacuum forming process, forming in a thermoforming process, etc.). The term “molded-in” texturing, unless otherwise noted, includes texturing applied during an embossing or calendering process or a rolling process using a textured roller.
- Further aspects of this technology relate to articles of footwear including the bladders and/or footwear uppers of the various types described above and described in more detail below. Still additional aspects of this technology relate to methods of making the bladders, footwear upper components, footwear uppers, and/or articles of footwear described above and described in more detail below.
- Given the general description of features, examples, aspects, structures, and methods according to examples of the technology provided above, a more detailed description of specific example bladders, footwear upper components, footwear uppers, articles of footwear, and methods in accordance with this technology follows.
- Footwear, and Other Components/Features According to this Technology
- As described above, aspects of the present technology relate to footwear upper components that include a bladder engaged with a fabric component that will form a portion of the footwear upper (e.g., a tongue portion, an instep portion, a heel and/or ankle support portion, etc.).
FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of an example footwearupper component 100 that includes afabric component 110 engaged with (e.g., bonded to) abladder component 200. Thebladder component 200 of this example includes anouter perimeter seam 200S that extends continuously around (as a closed loop) and defines an entire outer perimeter of a sealedinterior chamber 2001 for containing a gas or other fluid. The sealedinterior chamber 2001 may comprise a single chamber that is in open fluid communication throughout its interior (e.g., a single sealed interior chamber 2001). While other shapes and arrangements are possible, in this illustrated example, thebladder component 200 includes an instep and/or tongue basedregion 200T, a heel and/orankle support region 200H and afluid line 206 connecting the instep and/or tongue basedregion 200T with the heel and/orankle support region 200H (and placing these regions in fluid communication with one another). Thebladder 200 of this example may be flat pressed onto and engaged with thefabric component 110 using heat and pressure in an inflated or uninflated condition. The structure of thebladder 200 and its incorporation into a footwearupper component 100, an overall footwear upper, and/or a footwear structure will be described in more detail below. -
FIGS. 2A-2J are cross sectional views, e.g., taken along line 2-2 inFIG. 1 . These cross sectional views show several example variations in footwearupper components 100,fabric components 110,bladder components 200, and their engagements in accordance with examples of this technology. As shown inFIGS. 2A-2J , thebladder component 200 is formed from a first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU) engaged with a second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU), e.g., at a bondedouter perimeter seam 200S. The sealedinterior chamber 2001 is provided in the area bounded by theouter perimeter seam 200S and by the first and second sheets or layers ofthermoplastic polymer material outer perimeter seam 200S may be used for engaging thebladder component 200 with a fabric component of the footwearupper base 102, e.g., by stitching through theouter perimeter seam 200S into thefabric component 110; by an adhesive connection; by a melt bond, welded, or other adhesive-free bonded connection; etc. - The example footwear
upper component 100 ofFIG. 2A includes a complete adhesive free bond between: (a) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (bonding bladder 200 interior surfaces 200AI and 200BI) and (b) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the fabric component 110 (bonding bladder exterior surface 200AX with fabric surface 110I). Small gaps between components are provided in the depictions shown inFIG. 2A (as well as inFIGS. 2B-2J ) so that the different components of the structure can be more readily discerned. In this illustrated example,fabric component 110 may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material. This type of adhesive free bonding may be accomplished, for example, bymelt bonding components bonding components components welding components seam area 200S and/or any desired areas where thefabric component 110 is to be connected to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (e.g., along at least a portion of theseam 200S area, along at least a portion of the surface of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A forming the sealedinterior chamber 2001, etc., and/or where the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A is to be connected to the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (e.g., at theseam 200S, at internal welds, etc.), etc.). Each ofcomponents components components components 110/200A and/or bondedcomponents 200A/200B. If sufficient melting and/or softening took place during the bonding step, the resultant joints betweencomponents 110/200A and/orcomponents 200A/200B may appear seamless. - The adhesive free bonds in the structure of
FIG. 2A between: (a) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B and (b) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and thefabric component 110 may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealedinterior chamber 2001 may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before thebladder 200 is bonded to thefabric component 110 or after thebladder 200 is bonded to thefabric component 110. In some examples of this technology, at least 50% (and in some examples, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100%) of the surface area of an exterior surface 200AX of theouter perimeter seam 200S (formed from first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A) will be bonded to thefabric component 110. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, at least 25%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the overall surface area of exterior surface 200AX of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A will be bonded tofabric component 110. - The example footwear
upper component 100 ofFIG. 2B is similar to that shown inFIG. 2A except the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI of both the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B have a hot melt adhesive 210A and 210B, respectively, applied to or otherwise included with it. Thus, in this overall structure: (i) the bond between the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (its exterior surface 200AX) and the fabric component 110 (its surface 110I) constitutes an adhesive free bond of the types described above and (ii) the bond between the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (its interior surface 200AI) and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (its interior surface 200BI) constitutes an adhesive bond from thehot melt material interior chamber 2001 may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to thethermoplastic polymer materials interior chamber 2001 area. Again, in this illustrated example,fabric component 110 may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A. - The bonds in the structure of
FIG. 2B between: (a) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B and (b) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and thefabric component 110 may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealedinterior chamber 2001 may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before thebladder 200 is bonded to thefabric component 110 or after thebladder 200 is bonded to thefabric component 110. The surface area of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A forming the bond withfabric component 110 may be within any of the ranges described above forFIG. 2A . - The example footwear
upper component 100 structures ofFIGS. 2C and 2D are similar to that shown inFIG. 2B except the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI of only one of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (FIG. 2C ) or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (FIG. 2D ) has a hot melt adhesive 210A and 210B, respectively, applied to or otherwise included with it. Thus, in these overall structures, the bond between the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the fabric component 110 (joining surfaces 200AX and 110I) constitutes an adhesive free bond of the types described above and the bond between the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (joining surfaces 200AI and 200BI) constitutes an adhesive bond from thehot melt material interior chamber 2001 may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to thethermoplastic polymer materials interior chamber 2001 area. Again, in these illustrated examples,fabric component 110 may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A. - The bonds in the structures of
FIG. 2C and 2D between: (a) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B and (b) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and thefabric component 110 may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). Further, the sealedinterior chamber 2001 may be inflated with gas or filled with other fluid before thebladder 200 is bonded to thefabric component 110 or after thebladder 200 is bonded to thefabric component 110. The surface area of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A forming the bond withfabric component 110 may be within any of the ranges described above forFIG. 2A . -
FIGS. 2E and 2F show different arrangements of footwearupper components 100 in which afabric component 110 is located between a first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and a second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B forming abladder 200 having aninterior chamber 2001. In the example ofFIG. 2E , both the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B have a hot melt adhesive 210A, 210B, respectively, applied to it and engaging thefabric component 110 as an adhesive bond. In the example ofFIG. 2F , on the other hand, neither of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A nor the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B has a hot melt adhesive applied to it. Thus,fabric component 110 engages the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B in an adhesive free manner in the example ofFIG. 2F . Theinterior chamber 2001 may be formed (e.g., left unbonded) by using a pressing device that has a hole through it and/or otherwise does not apply sufficient heat and/or pressure to thethermoplastic polymer materials interior chamber 2001 area. In at least the example ofFIG. 2F ,fabric component 110 may comprise a TPU material, such as a fabric material (including a knit fabric material) in which one or more yarns is/are formed by and/or coated with a TPU material that is compatible to bond with a TPU material included in the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B. In the examples ofFIGS. 2E and 2F (as well asFIGS. 2A-2D ), thefabric component 110 may extend to locations beyond theseam 200S. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of this technology, thefabric component 110 need not completely span the interior chamber 2001 (e.g., thefabric component 110 may present just at theseam 200S area). - As an alternative, the
hot melt material 210A may be omitted from the example ofFIG. 2E , e.g., provided the material offabric component 110 can bond with the material of the firstthermoplastic polymer material 200A in an adhesive free manner. As a further alternative, thehot melt material 210B may be omitted, e.g., provided the material offabric component 110 can bond with the material of the secondthermoplastic polymer material 200B in an adhesive free manner. As yet further alternatives, if desired, one or both surfaces of thefabric component 110 may have a hot melt adhesive applied to it, in which case,hot melt material 210A and/or 210B can be omitted from the facing sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or 200B. - The bonds in the structures of
FIGS. 2E and 2F between: (a) the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and thefabric component 110 and (b) the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B and thefabric component 110 may be formed in a single step or they may be formed in separate steps (in either order). -
Bladder 200 structures may include various features to control the shape of thebladder 200 once it is inflated or filled and/or to control bladder expansion features when fluid pressure and/or volume changes. For example, internal welds (e.g., spot welds, straight and/or curved weld lines, etc.) joining the interior surface 200AI of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A with the interior surface 200BI of the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B may be used control the inflated or filledbladder shape 200. Additionally or alternatively, interior components may be included within theinterior chamber 2001 and engaged with the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B. The interior component(s) may limit the distance that the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B can separate from one another when thebladder 200 is inflated or filled. Such interior component structures, shape control methods, and shape control structures may be used withbladder components 200 in accordance with at least some examples of this technology. - Other shape control and/or bladder expansion control structures and methods also may be used with this technology.
FIG. 2G illustrates an example footwearupper component 100 including abladder structure 200 of the type shown inFIG. 2B . Specifically, the example ofFIG. 2G shows a footwearupper component 100 in which: (a) the interior surface 200AI, 200BI of each of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B includes a hot melt adhesive 210A, 210B and (b) the fabric component 110 (e.g., a TPU material, such as a TPU knit material) is applied to the exterior surface 200AX of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic material 200A in an adhesive free manner. Alternatively, however, any of the footwearupper component 100 structures ofFIGS. 2A-2D could be used. In the example footwearupper component 100 ofFIG. 2G , at least a portion of thefabric component 110 is formed from a soluble material (e.g., water soluble, organic soluble, etc.).FIG. 2G shows broken lines in aregion 112 where a solvent is applied to thefabric component 110 to dissolve at least a portion of thefabric component 110 in this example. This dissolution opens a hole and/or weakens thefabric component 110 inregion 112, thereby allowing abulged region 212 of thebladder 200 to be formed when thebladder 200 is inflated and/or when pressure and/or volume is increased in that area of thebladder 200. Thus, in this example, thefabric component 110 partially covers the exterior surface 200AX of the sealedinterior chamber 2001 or is weakened inregion 112. This type of selective dissolution and/or weakening offabric component 110 can control the shape of theinflated bladder 200 and/or provide a controlled direction of expansion of thebladder 200 under a fluid pressure applied in theinterior chamber 2001 at this area. In a final footwear product, if desired, the bulgedregion 212 may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer's foot. The bulging and/or contacting actions may increase support for the area of the foot and/or improve comfort or fit of the footwear (e.g., by eliminating excess space within the upper). Alternatively, the bulgedregion 212 could face outward and away from a wearer's foot. -
FIG. 2H illustrates an example of controlling the shape and/or direction of expansion of abladder 200 using the properties of thefabric component 110. In the example ofFIG. 2H , the footwearupper component 100 includes a hot melt adhesive 210A, 210B on the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI of each of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B. The fabric component 110 (e.g., a TPU material, such as a TPU knit material) is applied to the exterior surface 200AX of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic material 200A in an adhesive free manner in this illustrated example. Alternatively, however, any of the footwearupper component 100 structures ofFIGS. 2A-2D could be used. In the example footwearupper component 100 ofFIG. 2H : (i) one ormore portions fabric component 110 are formed from a looser structure (e.g., by formingportions portions portions more portions fabric component 110 are formed from a tighter structure (e.g., by formingportions portions portions fabric portions fabric portions fabric component 110 at desired locations allows one or more bulged regions (e.g., bulgedregions bladder 200 to be formed when thebladder 200 is inflated. This type of selective placement of regions (e.g.,fabric portions 114A-114E) offabric component 110 can control the shape of theinflated bladder 200 and/or provide a controlled direction of expansion of thebladder 200 under a fluid pressure applied in theinterior chamber 2001 at this area. In a final footwear product, if desired, the bulged region(s) 214A, 214B may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer's foot. The bulging and/or contacting actions may increase support for the area of the foot and/or improve comfort or fit of the footwear (e.g., by eliminating excess space within the upper). Alternatively, the bulged region(s) 214A, 214B could face outward and away from a wearer's foot. - In the examples of
FIGS. 2A-2H described above, thefabric component 110 was formed of and/or included a material (e.g., a TPU material) that was compatible with the material(s) of at least one of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B. This enables thefabric component 110 to bond with the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B in an adhesive free manner. In some examples of this technology, however, afabric component 120 may be used that is not formed of and/or formed to include a material (e.g., a TPU material) compatible with the material(s) of at least one of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B to form an adhesive free bond (at least under the heat and pressure conditions to be used). Rather, such afabric component 120 may be engaged with at least one of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B by an adhesive bond.FIG. 2I illustrates an example footwearupper component 100 similar to the structure described above in conjunction withFIG. 2D but wherefabric component 120 is engaged with the exterior surface 200AX of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A via an adhesive layer 220 (e.g., a hot melt adhesive layer). Heat and pressure may be applied to engage (adhesively bond)fabric component 120 to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A. The application of heat and pressure tobond fabric component 120 to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A may take place simultaneous with or separate from steps used to bond the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A with the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B. When performed separately, the various components may be bonded with one another in any desired order. Additionally, the application of heat and pressure tobond fabric component 120 to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A may take place before or after theinterior bladder chamber 2001 is inflated. - In a similar manner, the material of
fabric component 120 may be used in place offabric component 110 in any of the various footwearupper component 100 structures shown inFIGS. 2A-2G , e.g., provided a suitable adhesive (e.g., hot melt adhesive) is used tobond fabric component 120 with one or both of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B. The secondhot melt layer 210B shown inFIG. 2I may not be needed in all examples of thisstructure 100, e.g., if the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B are capable of forming an adhesive free bond under the conditions used to form footwearupper component 100. -
FIG. 2J illustrates a footwearupper component 100 similar to the structure described above in conjunction withFIG. 2I , but in this illustrated structure, the opposite side of thebladder 200/bladder interior chamber 2001 also has afabric component 110 and/or 120 engaged with its exterior surface (the exterior surface 200BX of second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B in this illustrated example). WhileFIG. 2J shows this additional fabric component as afabric component 110 capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B, an adhesive based bond and/or a fabric component likefabric component 120 also may be used in the structure ofFIG. 2J in place offabric component 110. Either or bothfabric components FIG. 2J may include an opening defined through it (e.g., of the types described above inregion 112 ofFIG. 2G ), and at least a portion of an exterior surface 200AX, 200BX of the sealedinterior chamber 2001 may be exposed through that opening. Additionally or alternatively, the secondhot melt layer 210B shown inFIG. 2J may not be needed in all examples of thisstructure 100, e.g., if the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B are capable of forming an adhesive free bond under the conditions used to form thebladder 200 and/or the footwearupper component 100. - Heat and pressure may be applied to: (a) engage (adhesively bond)
fabric component 120 to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and (b) engage (adhesively bond or adhesive free bond)fabric component 110 to the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B. The application of heat and pressure to bond these components may take place simultaneously or separately. Further, the application of heat and pressure to bond these components may take place simultaneously or separately from the steps used to form the bladder 200 (e.g., the steps to formseam 200S between the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI oflayers fabric components thermoplastic polymer material interior bladder chamber 2001 is inflated. - As shown in the examples of
FIGS. 2A-2J , theouter perimeter seam 200S includes: (a) a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A with a first side of the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (e.g., the left sides ofFIGS. 2A-2J ) and (b) a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A with a second side of the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (e.g., the right sides ofFIGS. 2A-2J ), wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealedinterior chamber 2001 from the second seam portion. In some examples of this technology, the portion of the first major exterior surface 200AX of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A that is bonded to thefabric component 110 or 120 (e.g., a knit fabric element including a thermoplastic polyurethane component) may extend continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion. In such structures, at least some portion of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A that forms the sealedinterior chamber 2001 of thebladder 200 will be bonded to thefabric component 110 or 120 (e.g., an adhesive bond, an adhesive free bond, etc.). As some more specific examples, at least 25%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or even 100% of the surface area of the exterior major surface 200AX of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A that forms the sealedinterior chamber 2001 of thebladder 200 will be bonded to thefabric component 110 or 120 (e.g., an adhesive bond, an adhesive free bond, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, when the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B is bonded to afabric component 110, 120 (e.g., as shown inFIG. 2J ), its exterior major surface 200BX may be bonded to thefabric component - As mentioned above (e.g., in conjunction with
FIGS. 2G and 2H ), features of the fabric components (e.g.,fabric components 110 and/or 120) may be structured and/or controlled to enable control of the shape and/or expansion direction ofbladder 200 under fluid pressure applied in theinterior chamber 2001.FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an additional example of “one way”bladder 200 expansion.FIG. 3A illustrates a footwear upper 300 including a footwear upper blank 302 (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwearupper component 100 with an attachedbladder 200 of the types described above (FIGS. 1-2J ) engaged with it. If desired, a component of footwear upper blank 302 may comprise one offabric components FIG. 2J . -
FIG. 3B provides a cross sectional view of one example footwearupper component 100 as a separate component from footwear upper blank 302. WhileFIG. 3B showsfabric component 110 as a TPU material engagable with the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A by an adhesive free bond, an adhesive based bond may be used in at least some examples of this technology. In this illustrated example, the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A is mounted to the footwear upper blank 302 such that the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A forms an exterior layer of the overall footwearupper component 100 and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B forms an interior layer facing the wearer's foot. At least the portion offabric component 110 extending across the exterior surface 200AX of the bladderinterior chamber 2001 may be formed to have high tenacity (e.g., high strength, high abrasion resistance, etc.) and/or high resistance to stretch. In this manner, as shown inFIG. 3B , fluid pressure insideinterior chamber 2001 will tend to cause thebladder 200 to displace inwardly (downwardly inFIG. 3B ; see arrow 310), away from thefabric component 110 and toward a wearer's foot (particularly iffabric component 110 has higher tenacity and/or higher resistance to stretch than any fabric material engaged with thebladder 200 at the bottom side shown inFIG. 3B (if any). - When the example footwear upper 300 of
FIG. 3A is incorporated into an article of footwear (e.g., seeFIG. 9E ), theinterior chamber 2001 may be in open fluid communication at all areas insideperimeter seam 200S. In use, force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s) 200T, e.g., via a footwear securing strap, by bending of the wearer's foot (when taking a step, initiating or landing a jump, etc.), etc., may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) 200H viafluid line 206. If thefabric component 110 applied over the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) 200H has high tenacity and/or stretch resistance, this movement of fluid frominstep chamber 200T to heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) 200H will cause the bladder interior surface (formed by the second sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200B in this example) to deflect downward and inward into the overall footwear upper 300 and toward a wearer's foot (see arrow 310). This deflection of thebladder 200's second sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200B provides additional fluid to support the wearer's heel and/or ankle. - In some examples of this technology, features of the footwear
upper component 100 may be controlled to allow for “two way” expansion.FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an example of “two way”bladder 200 expansion.FIG. 4A illustrates a footwear upper 400 including a footwear upper blank 302 (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwearupper component 100 with an attachedbladder 200 of the types described above (FIGS. 1-2J ) engaged with it. If desired, a component of footwear upper blank 302 may comprise one offabric components FIG. 2J . -
FIG. 4B provides a cross sectional view of one example footwearupper component 100 as a separate component from footwear upper blank 302. WhileFIG. 4B showsfabric components thermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic material 200B, respectively, by adhesive free bonds, either or both of these fabric engagements shown inFIG. 4B may be adhesive based bonds. In this illustrated example,fabric component 110A is mounted to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (e.g., only at theseam 200S area) such that both offabric component 110A and the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A form the exterior layer of the footwearupper component 100. The exterior surface 200AX of the bladder 200 (formed by first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic material 200A) is exposed at areas inside theouter perimeter seam 200S in this illustrated example. Also, in this illustrated example,fabric component 110B is mounted to the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (e.g., only at theseam 200S area) such that both offabric component 110B and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B form the interior layer of the footwearupper component 100. The exterior surface 200BX of the bladder 200 (formed by second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic material 200B) is not covered byfabric component 110B at areas inside theouter perimeter seam 200S in this illustrated example.Fabric components outer perimeter seam 200S in this illustrated example (although one or both of thefabric components - Thus, in this illustrated example, at least some portions of the
bladder 200's first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic material 200B will be exposed in the footwear upper 300 in areas defining the sealedinterior chamber 2001. In this manner, as shown inFIG. 4B , fluid pressure insideinterior chamber 2001 will tend to cause thebladder 200 to displace outwardly (upwardly and downwardly inFIG. 4B ; see arrow 410). When the example footwear upper 400 ofFIG. 4A is incorporated into an article of footwear (e.g., seeFIG. 9E ), theinterior chamber 2001 may be in open fluid communication at all areas insideperimeter seam 200S. In use, force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s) 200T, e.g., via a footwear securing strap, by bending of the wearer's foot (when taking a step, initiating or landing a jump, etc.), etc., may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) 200H viafluid line 206. Such movement of fluid: (a) will cause thebladder 200 upper or outer surface (formed by the first sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200A in this example) to deflect upward and outward and (b) will cause thebladder 200 lower or inner surface (formed by the second sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200B in this example) to deflect downward and inward into the overall footwear upper 300. See double headeddeflection arrow 410. This deflection of thebladder 200 provides additional fluid to support the wearer's heel and/or ankle and may provide a visual indication of the movement of fluid (due to thebladder 200's outer surface deflection). -
FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate additional examples of “two way”bladder 200 expansion.FIG. 5A illustrates a footwear upper 500 including a footwear upper blank 302 (e.g., made from one or more fabric components) having a footwearupper component 100 with an attachedbladder 200 of the types described above (FIGS. 1-2J ) engaged with it. If desired, a component of footwear upper blank 302 may comprise one offabric components FIG. 2J . -
FIG. 5B provides a cross sectional view of one example of this type of footwearupper component 100 as a separate component from footwear upper blank 302. WhileFIG. 5B showsfabric components thermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic material 200B, respectively, by adhesive free bonds, either or both of these fabric engagements shown inFIG. 5B may be adhesive based bonds. In this illustrated example,fabric component 110A is mounted to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (e.g., only at theseam 200S area) such that both offabric component 110A and the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A form the exterior layer of the footwearupper component 100. The exterior surface 200AX of the bladder 200 (formed by first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic material 200A) is exposed at areas inside theouter perimeter seam 200S in this illustrated example. Also, in this illustrated example,fabric component 110B is mounted to the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B.Fabric component 110B of this example includes anelastic component 110E (e.g., a fabric component) that extends at least partially across (and at least partially covers (and optionally completely covers)) the exterior surface 200BX ofbladder 200 component (formed by the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B).Fabric components outer perimeter seam 200S in this illustrated example (although one or both of thefabric components elastic component 110E may be provided on the first sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200A rather than on the second sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200B as shown inFIG. 5B (i.e.,elastic component 110E may be flipped vertically from its position shown inFIG. 5B ). Theelastic component 110E may be positioned at locations where increased displacement of thebladder 200 is desired. For example, in a final footwear product, if desired, theelastic component 110E ofFIG. 5B may face inward with respect to the footwear upper to contact and/or apply force to the wearer's foot, e.g., at the heel and/or ankle area. - The structure of
FIG. 5C is similar to that shown inFIG. 5B , but inFIG. 5C , the exterior surface of thebladder 200's sealed interior chamber 2001 (formed by exterior surface 200AX) also is at least partially covered (and optionally completely covered) with anelastic component 110E. - In the illustrated examples of
FIGS. 5A-5C , fluid pressure insideinterior chamber 2001 will tend to cause thebladder 200 to displace outwardly (upwardly and downwardly inFIGS. 5B and 5C ; see arrows 510) and stretch theelastic component 110E adjacent theinterior chamber 2001. When the example footwear upper 500 ofFIG. 5A is incorporated into an article of footwear (e.g., seeFIG. 9E ), theinterior chamber 2001 may be in open fluid communication at all areas insideperimeter seam 200S. In use, force applied to the instep oriented bladder chamber(s) 200T, e.g., via a footwear securing strap, by bending of the wearer's foot (when taking a step, initiating or landing a jump, etc.), etc., may cause fluid to move to the heel and/or ankle support chamber(s) 200H viafluid line 206. Such movement of fluid: (a) will cause thebladder 200 upper (exterior) surface to deflect outward and (b) will cause thebladder 200 lower (interior) surface to deflect inward into the overall footwear upper 300. See double headeddeflection arrows 510 inFIGS. 5B and 5C . This deflection of thebladder 200 will stretch elastic component(s) 110E and provides additional fluid to support the wearer's heel and/or ankle and/or may improve comfort and fit (e.g., by eliminating excess space in the shoe interior and/or reducing foot movement within the shoe). This deflection also may provide a visual indication of the movement of fluid (due to thebladder 200's outer surface deflection). The elasticity of fabric component(s) 110E may be selected and/or altered to control the amount and/or direction of displacement of thebladder 200's sealedinterior chamber 2001. Additionally or alternatively, when top and bottomelastic fabric components 110E are provided as inFIG. 5C , the relative elasticity of these twoelastic fabric components 110E may be selected and/or altered (i.e., their elasticities may be the same or different and the differences may be controlled) to control the relative amounts of displacement of the surfaces 200AX and 200BX of thebladder 200's sealedinterior chamber 2001. - As described above, the
bladder 200 andfabric components FIGS. 6A-6E provide information regarding various pressing techniques that may be used in some examples of this technology.FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a full press in which asilicone press pad 600 is applied over thebladder 200. The bottom of thebladder 200 can be supported at theseam 200S area to allow application of heat and pressure at theseam 200S. In some methods, the bottom ofinterior chamber 2001 of thebladder 200 may be unsupported (e.g., mounted over a hole or recess) so that the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI of thebladder 200'sinterior chamber 2001 do not bond together. -
FIG. 6B illustrates a zonal press technique. In this instance, thesilicone press pad 602 is shaped as a closed loop or ring (not necessarily round, but forming a closed perimeter have the shape of the desiredbladder 200seam 200S) and presses afabric component bond fabric component bladder 200 at theseam 200S area. Because little pressure is applied to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer 200A by thefabric component press pad 602, thebladder 200'sinterior chamber 2001 remains unbonded and open. Thefabric component bladder 200 at theseam 200S (due to the ring shaped press pad 602), but thefabric component thermoplastic polymer material -
FIG. 6C illustrates a pressing technique where a full press (e.g.,FIG. 6A ) is provided on one side and a zonal press (e.g.,FIG. 6B ) is provided on the opposite side. A ring shapedsilicone press pad 602 of this example is shaped to form the shape of thebladder 200'sinterior chamber 2001. In this manner,fabric component bladder 200 at theseam 200S and the two sheets or layers ofthermoplastic polymer material FIG. 6B . -
FIG. 6D illustrates an example pressing technique in which thesilicone pressure pad 610 includes an opening 612 (e.g., shaped like the desiredbladder 200's sealed interior chamber 2001). When heat and pressure are applied by thesilicone pressure pad 610, theouter perimeter seam 200S is formed and the remainder of thebladder 200's layers (the first sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200B) remain unattached to thereby form the sealedinterior chamber 2001. -
FIG. 6E illustrates an example pressing technique using a ring shapedsilicone pressure pad 602 and afabric component opening 122 formed in it. Theopening 122 and the ring shapedsilicone pressure pad 602 may be shaped to correspond to the desiredbladder 200'sseam 200S and/or sealedinterior chamber 2001. The opening 122 (as well as any opening used to form bulgedregion 112 discussed above) may be formed as a cutout, may be formed directly in thepressure pad 602 and/orfabric component fabric component 110, 120), etc. When heat and pressure are applied by thesilicone pressure pad 602, theouter perimeter seam 200S is formed and the remainder of thebladder 200's layers (the first sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200A and the second sheet or layer of thermoplasticpolymeric material 200B) remain unattached to thereby form the sealed interior chamber - Under any of the pressing techniques described above in conjunction with
FIGS. 6A to 6E , one ormore fabric components fabric component 120 is to be used that will not itself create an adhesive free bond with thebladder 200 under the pressing conditions, an adhesive (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) may be applied to thefabric component 120 and/or to the first and/or second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or 200B. In some aspects of this technology, a single heating and pressing step will be used to create both the sealedbladder 200 and join it to the fabric component(s) 110/120 to form the overall footwear upper component 100 (e.g., of the types shown inFIGS. 2A-2J ). -
FIG. 7A provides a cross sectional view of a portion of thebladder 200 with afabric component 110 attached to it. In this illustrated example, thebladder 200 includes a first chamber (e.g., an instep chamber likechamber 200T shown inFIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A and likechamber 202A shown inFIGS. 9A, 9C-9E ), another chamber (e.g., a heel and/or ankle support chamber likechamber 200H shown inFIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A and likechamber 210L shown inFIGS. 9A, 9C-9E ), and a fluid line (e.g., likefluid line 206 shown inFIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A, 9A, and 9C-9E ) interconnecting the other two chambers (202A, 210L) and placing the other two chambers in fluid communication with one another. Thefabric component 110 shown inFIG. 7A may be engaged with the entire exterior surface of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (e.g., in an adhesive free manner) or it may just be engaged with the exterior surface of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A at the locations of theseam 200S. During the pressing step (when applying heat and pressure), the pressing pad (e.g., seeFIGS. 6A-6E ) may include a gap at locations corresponding tochamber 202A,chamber 210L, andfluid line 206. As another option, adhesive material may be omitted on the interior surfaces of thebladder chamber 2001 at locations where thechambers fluid line 206 are to be produced (so the interior surfaces 200AI, 200BI do not bond where the interior chamber(s) is (are) desired). Sealed andinterconnected fluid chambers seam 200S and the bonds forming the junction between the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and thefabric component 110 may be adhesive free and/or adhesive based. -
FIG. 7B provides a cross sectional view of another portion of abladder 200 with two different types offabric components fabric component 110 represents a fabric component (e.g., a knit component) made from or including a TPU component that is capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A under the heat and pressure conditions to be used.Fabric component 120, on the other hand, represents a fabric component (e.g., a polyester knit component) that is not capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A under the heat and pressure conditions to be used.Fabric component 110 is provided at theseam areas 200S. If desired,fabric component 110 also may be provided over afluid line area 206.Fabric component 120 is provided at locations corresponding to the exterior surface of the sealedinterior chamber 2001 of the variousfluid chambers fabric component 120 does not bond with the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A at these areas, thefabric component 120 may move with respect to the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A, it may stretch, etc.Fabric component 120 also is provided in areas between bladder chambers (e.g., betweenbladder chambers bladder seam 200S.Fabric components -
FIG. 8 illustrates an upper blank 700 showing different potential fabrics or other materials for components of a footwearupper base 102 in accordance with some examples of this technology. Such a combination of components may be used, for example, in the uppers and/or articles of footwear described above (e.g., theuppers FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A ) and those described in more detail below.FIG. 8 shows an upper blank 700 formed from fivedifferent fabric components Fabric component 702A forms a base component of the footwearupper base 102, and thisfabric component 702A may be formed, for example, from a fabric comprising a chenille fabric with medium sized mesh openings. Thisfabric component 702A forms instep and heel regions of the footwearupper base 102. If desired, thefabric component 702A may underlie some or all of other fabric components, e.g., some or all offabric components 702B-702D). - A denser
chenille fabric component 702B is engaged with the front and midfoot-to-forefoot sides offabric component 702A in this example. Thisdenser fabric component 702B provides enhanced durability and abrasion resistance and provides a stable and/or strong base for engaging one or more components of a sole structure. Another densechenille fabric component 702C with small mesh openings is engaged withfabric component 702A at the heel-containingregion 102H of the footwearupper base 102.Fabric component 702C also may provide durability, abrasion resistance, and/or a stable and/or strong base for engaging one or moresole structure 104 components. -
Fabric component 702D of this example comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) containing fabric component, e.g., a fabric component, optionally a knit fabric component, including at least one yarn formed from a TPU material and/or coated with a TPU material. Thisfabric component 702D forms a base for engaging components of abladder 200, e.g., in an adhesive free manner (e.g., in melt bonded or welded manners, using heat and pressure, or the like, as described above).Fabric component 702D may be formed as a mesh with relatively large openings, e.g., to enhance breathability. -
Fabric component 702E of this example upper blank 700 is located at a medial side of the upper blank 700.Fabric component 702E may comprise an elastic or elastomeric component, such as a stretchable chenille fabric, that helps provide comfort, stretches to enable easy donning and doffing, and/or helps hold the overall footwear upper to a wearer's foot. -
FIG. 9A illustrates an overall footwear upper 800 as footwear upper blank 700 with additional footwear components attached to it.FIGS. 9B-9E illustrate various component parts of the overall footwear upper 800 and features of the manner of making it. In a first step, the footwear upper blank 700 is formed, e.g., to the structure shown inFIG. 9B (and similar to the structure shown and described above in conjunction withFIG. 8 ). In this example, six component parts of a footwear upper blank 700 are engaged together, e.g., by one or more of sewing, adhesives, melt bonding (using heat and pressure), mechanical connectors (e.g., rivets, crimped metal rings, etc.), and the like. The six parts includecomponents 702A (as a base component), 702B (as a forefoot and midfoot reinforcing component), 702C (as a heel reinforcing component), 702D (as a bladder support base component), 702E (as a stretch component to support foot insertion/removal), andheel loop 620. Thecomponent parts 702A-702E may be made from the materials described above in conjunction withFIG. 8 or from one or more different materials. -
FIG. 9C shows anexample bladder 200 component for this upper 800 and article of footwear. Thebladder 200 includes a first thermoplastic sheet (e.g., the top sheet) and a second thermoplastic sheet (e.g., a bottom sheet) facing the first thermoplastic sheet as described above. The two thermoplastic sheets (which may be formed from two (or more) separate sheets or a single sheet (e.g., folded over at one edge) are sealed together by a continuousouter perimeter seam 200S. This sealed engagement can be accomplished using adhesives (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) or in an adhesive free manner, e.g., using any of the techniques described above. - The
first thermoplastic sheet 200A, thesecond thermoplastic sheet 200B (not shown in FIG. - 9C but shown in other figures), and the continuous
outer perimeter seam 200S define a sealedinterior volume 2001 for containing a gas or other fluid. The continuousouter perimeter seam 200S forms the outermost exterior perimeter of thebladder 200 in this example. As illustrated inFIG. 9C , the continuousouter perimeter seam 200S extends continuously to form the sealed interior volume to include: (i) at least one fluid supply chamber (twochambers portion 202C) having a first major surface formed by the first thermoplastic sheet (an outermost exterior surface 200AX of the bladder 200), (ii) a first heel and/or ankle support chamber (lateral heel and/orankle support chamber 210L in this example), (iii) afirst fluid line 206 connecting the fluid supply chamber(s) 202A, 202B and the first heel and/orankle support chamber 210L through the sealedinterior volume 2001, (iv) a second heel and/or ankle support chamber (medial heel and/orankle support chamber 210M in this example), and (v) asecond fluid line 208 connecting the first heel and/orankle support chamber 210L and the second heel and/orankle support chamber 210M through the sealedinterior volume 2001. In the illustratedexample bladder 200, all portions of the sealedinterior volume 2001 defined by the first thermoplastic sheet, the second thermoplastic sheet, and the continuousouter perimeter seam 200S are in fluid communication with one another. Also, whileFIG. 9C showsbladder 200's thermoplastic sheets engaged together only by thecontinuous perimeter seam 200S, other seams may be provided, such as interior weld lines, interior weld dots, or interior weld regions, e.g., to provide shape control to thebladder 200. - As further shown in
FIG. 9C , the first heel and/orankle support chamber 210L and the second heel and/orankle support chamber 210M are in fluid communication only via thesecond fluid line 208. In at least some examples ofbladders 200, the bladder chambers and the sealedinterior volume 2001 may be sized and shaped such that one or both of a first volume defined by the first heel and/orankle support chamber 210L and a second volume defined by the second heel and/orankle support chamber 210M is/are at least 5 times greater than a third volume defined by thesecond fluid line 208 connectingchambers bladders 200, an axial length of thesecond fluid line 208 from the first heel and/orankle support chamber 210L to the second heel and/orankle support chamber 210M will be less than 35 mm, and in some examples, less than 30 mm, less than 25 mm, less than 20 mm, or even less than 15 mm. Thesecond fluid line 208 may have a length of at least 4 mm in the example ranges provided above. -
FIG. 9D illustrates the step of engaging the bladder 200 (e.g., ofFIG. 9C ) with the footwear upper base 102 (e.g., withcomponent 702D shown inFIG. 9B ). In some examples, this step may occur when the footwearupper base 102 is in the form of the upper blank 700 (e.g., a flat upper blank 700) and thebladder 200 is in an uninflated condition. As some more specific examples, theuninflated bladder 200 can be positioned atop footwearupper base 102fabric component 702D, which, as noted above, may be formed at least in part from a TPU containing fabric component, e.g., a fabric component, optionally a knit fabric component, including at least one yarn formed from a TPU material and/or coated with a TPU material. Heat and pressure may be applied, e.g., to locally melt or soften the thermoplastic materials of thefabric component 702D and thebladder 200 to thereby melt or soften and/orbond fabric component 702D andbladder 200 together in an adhesive free manner. Additionally or alternatively, other ways of engaging the footwearupper base 102 materials and thebladder 200 may be used, including adhesive based engagement, mechanical fasteners, sewn seams, or the like. -
FIG. 9E illustrates the upper 800 engaged with asole structure 104 to form an overall article offootwear 900. The overall article offootwear 900 of this example further includes twostraps strap system 300. As shown inFIG. 9A , thesestraps upper base 102 components, such as one or more ofcomponents seams FIG. 9A ), adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the ends of either or bothstraps sole structure 104 of the article offootwear 900 and/or sandwiched between the footwear upper 800 (e.g., a bottom surface of the upper 800, one ofcomponents 702A-702D, etc.) and thesole structure 104.FIG. 9A illustrates the footwear upper 800 as an upper blank (including footwearupper base 102 components), the attachedbladder 200, and the attachedstrap system 300. This footwear upper 800 optionally may be engaged with an upper bottom component (e.g., a strobel) by stitching. Then, the overall footwear upper 800 (including the bottom component) may be engaged with a sole structure 104 (e.g., as shown inFIG. 9E ), e.g., in conventional manners as are known and used in the footwear art (e.g., by one or more of adhesives, mechanical connectors, sewn seams, etc.). - As previously described,
FIG. 1 illustrates abladder 200 engaged with afabric component 110 in an adhesive free manner (or with adhesive based bonding, if desired).FIG. 1 shows thebladder 200 engaged in a deflated condition, e.g., flat pressed using heat and pressure to form atleast seam 200S.FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate portions ofadditional example bladder 200 components engaged withfabric components 110. Like the example ofFIG. 1 , thebladders 200 ofFIGS. 10 and 11 may be engaged with thefabric component 110 in a deflated condition (e.g., by flat pressing using heat and pressure). Thebladders 200 then may be inflated, e.g., via an inflation port, to the conditions shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 . Once inflated, the inflation port may be sealed, cut off, and discarded. A small portion of theinflation line 1000 for thebladder 200 is shown inFIG. 10 . -
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate relativelydistinct bladder edges 200E at the outer edge of theouter perimeter seam 200S, i.e., where thebladder 200 ends anduncovered fabric component 110 begins.FIG. 1 , on the other hand, shows somewhat less of a distinct edge. The heat and pressing conditions (e.g., pressing force, pressing temperature, pressing time) and/or the material specifications (e.g., thickness of the first and/or second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A/200B) may affect the degree to which thedistinct edge 200E disappears in afinal bladder 200/fabric component 110 (or 120) product. For example, as compared to thedistinct edges 200E shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 ,FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate abladder 200/fabric component 110 combination in which it is more difficult to discern exactly where the physical edge of thebladder 200 is located. Longer press times, higher press temperatures, higher pressing forces, and/or thinner bladder materials may enable thebladder 200 material (e.g., first and/or second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A/200B) and/or any meltable material in the fabric component 110 (e.g., a TPU material) to melt and mix to a greater extent, thereby eliminating or reducing the prominence of a distinct and/or regular edge (likeedge 200E shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 ). In some examples, the material of theouter perimeter seam 200S and at least some of thefabric component 110 will mix and/or intermingle together under the pressing conditions to engage thebladder 200 andfabric component 110 together. - Examples of methods of making footwear
upper components 100 now will be described in more detail. As an initial step, the bladder 200 (in an inflated or uninflated condition) or a bladder precursor is placed on afabric component component 702D) will include a first thermoplastic polyurethane component that is capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer material) in thebladder 200 or the bladder precursor. In other examples, the fabric component 120 (e.g., a knit fabric element) will not be capable of forming an adhesive free bond with the first sheet or layer of thermoplastic material (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer material) in thebladder 200 or the bladder precursor under the pressing conditions, and thus an adhesive material (e.g., a hot melt adhesive) may be applied to at least one of thefabric component 120 and the bladder 200 (or bladder precursor). - Heat and pressure then are applied, in one step or in multiple steps: (a) to form a
seam 200S to engage the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A with the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B and (b) to engage at least a portion of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A withfabric component seam 200S, the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A, and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B define a sealedinterior chamber 2001 for containing a fluid (e.g., a gas, such as air, nitrogen, etc.). - Once the
bladder 200 or bladder precursor is attached to thefabric component 110/120, the sealedinterior chamber 2001 may be inflated (if it was not already inflated). If necessary, the inflation port may be sealed after inflation is complete, and the port may be trimmed off. Footwearupper components 100 formed by these methods may have any of the specific structures, properties, features, and/or options described above in conjunction withFIGS. 1 to 12B . - In some examples of these methods, a second fabric component will be engaged with the
bladder 200 or bladder precursor, e.g., to make a structure like that shown inFIG. 2J . The second fabric component also may be applied using heat and pressure (e.g., with an adhesive based bond or an adhesive free bond), in the same heat and pressing steps described above or in a separate heat and pressing step. - Once the footwear
upper component 100 is formed, it may be combined with other footwear upper component parts (if needed, e.g., a strobel or other bottom member) and/or other footwear parts (e.g., a strap system), to form an overall upper 800 like that shown inFIG. 9A . The resulting upper 800 then may be engaged with a footwearsole structure 104, e.g., of the type shown inFIG. 9E . -
FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate additional features ofbladders 200 and/or footwearupper components 100 with texturing features in accordance with at least some examples of this technology.FIGS. 13A-13C show various views ofbladders 200 engaged withfabric components FIG. 13D provides a partial cross sectional view of a footwearupper component 100 showing a portion of thebladder 200 at the sealedinterior chamber 2001 to illustrate potential layering and texturing features. As shown in these figures, in some examples of this technology, thefabric component recesses 120R defined within a matrix formed by thefabric component 110, 120) or otherwise have surface texture on thesurface 120A to be engaged with thebladder 200. During the heating and pressing steps, the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (and, if present, the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B) may become softened, e.g., to enable formation of the adhesive free bond(s). If at least a portion of thefabric component 110, 120 (e.g., a portion that forms the texturing) does not significantly soften or melt under the heating and pressing conditions, then the heating and pressing step may alter the softened surfaces of at least one (and potentially both) of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B to include texturing (e.g., recesses 220R). The texturing recesses 220R are formed from (imprinted or embossed intomaterial 200A and/or 200B by) the openings or recesses 120R insurface 120A offabric component thermoplastic polymer material 200B inFIGS. 13A-13D . -
FIGS. 13A-13C show the exposed exterior surface 200BX of thebladder 200 with texturing having surface contour features corresponding to the texturing present on thesurface 120A of thefirst fabric component bladder 200 forming theseam 200S and/or on one or more of the surfaces of thebladder 200 forming the sealedinterior chamber 2001. Further, as shown inFIG. 13D , as a result of the heating and pressing step(s), thetexturing 220R may be present on one or more of: (a) an exterior surface 200AX of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (e.g., the surface that directly contacts and bonds with thetextured surface 120A of thefabric component 110, 120), (b) an interior surface 200AI of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A (e.g., the surface that forms the bond forseam 200S and the interior of the sealed interior chamber 2001), (c) an interior surface 200BI of the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (e.g., the other surface that forms the bond forseam 200S and the interior of the sealed interior chamber 2001), and/or (d) an exterior surface 200BX of the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (e.g., the exposed exterior surface of the footwear upper 100 in the illustrated examples ofFIGS. 13A-13C ). The texturing can be formed on all of these surfaces, e.g., if the sheets or layers of the first andsecond polymer materials textured surface 120A before thebladder 200 is inflated. - The texturing may help provide feel differential when contacted by a user, e.g., to help locate the
bladder 200 and/or to provide proprioceptive feedback. In addition, the texturing may provide an interesting aesthetic, as texturing may create different lighting, reflecting, and/or shadowing effects. Also, in some examples of this technology, at least one of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B (e.g., at least the second sheet orlayer 200B inFIG. 13D ) may be formed from an at least partially transparent material (e.g., a clear or colored thermoplastic polyurethane material). In such structures, texturing (e.g., recesses 220R) present on the interior sheet (e.g., on the interior surface 200A1 and/or the exterior surface 200AX of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A in the example ofFIG. 13D ) may be visible at the exterior of thebladder 200 through the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B and through the sealedinterior chamber 2001 of thebladder 200. Further, as shown inFIGS. 13A-13C , in these examples of this technology, theunderlying fabric component thermoplastic polymer material 200A and the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B. At least portions of either or both of the first sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200A and/or the second sheet or layer ofthermoplastic polymer material 200B may be tinted to provide additional color palette and color combination choices. -
FIGS. 13A-13D relate to examples in which texturing is applied to one or more surfaces of abladder 200 from texture present on afabric component bladder 200 is engaged (e.g., from a mesh structure offabric component 110, 120). Texture may be applied tobladders 200 in other manners as well.FIGS. 14A-14K illustrate additional examples and features of bladders, footwear upper components, and methods of making them that include texturing (e.g., at least on an exposed surface of the bladder 200) in accordance with some examples of this technology. - As some more specific examples, texturing may be applied to a
bladder 200 surface 200BX using molding processes (e.g., when thebladder 200 is formed, when thebladder 200 is inflated, and/or when thebladder 200 or a bladder precursor is engaged with afabric component 110, 120), using a thermoforming process, using a vacuum forming process, using an embossing process, etc.FIG. 14A shows anexample mold assembly 1400 and molding and pressing process, e.g., for forming abladder 200 from twothermoplastic sheets bladder 200 with afabric component thermoplastic sheets mold cavity 1400C (defined betweentop mold plate 1400A andbottom mold plate 1400B). In this example, afabric component mold cavity 1400C between themold plates thermoplastic sheet 200A. Alternatively, in some examples of this technology, thefabric component bladder 200 or bladder precursor at a later time). - In this illustrated example, the
mold plates thermoplastic sheets outer perimeter seam 200S (e.g., by an adhesive free bond or by an adhesive based bond (if an adhesive has been applied to one or both ofsheets thermoplastic sheet 200A withfabric component 110, 120 (e.g., by an adhesive free bond or by an adhesive based bond (if an adhesive has been applied to one or both ofsheet 200A andfabric component 110, 120)). Because of thecavity 1400C intop mold plate 1400A in this example, thethermoplastic sheets cavity 1400C (as no compressive force is applied to thesheets cavity 1400C area). - As shown in
FIG. 14A , theinterior surface 1400S of thetop plate 1400A in thecavity 1400C area includestexturing 1400T. While theplates thermoplastic sheets cavity 1400C (seevacuum arrows 1400V). The vacuum force pulls at least thetop thermoplastic sheet 200B againstinterior surface 1400S of thecavity 1400C. Due to its softened state, this action applies texturing 1400T from thecavity 1400Csurface 1400S onto at least the incident surface 200BX of thetop thermoplastic sheet 200B. Additionally or alternatively, thebladder 200 could be inflated while in the mold assembly 1400 (e.g., if a fluid inlet is present to introduce fluid betweenthermoplastic sheets seam 200S is made). - Alternatively, if desired, the
cavity 1400C could be omitted such that the appliedforce 1410 from pressing themold plates mold surface 1400S (with itstexturing 1400T) against surface 200BX of thesecond thermoplastic sheet 200B. In such examples, thevacuum force 1400V may not be present and/or needed to apply texturing to surface 200BX. In such examples, texturing may be applied tothermoplastic sheet 200A as well. - Any type of texturing pattern may be applied to the
bladder 200.FIG. 14B shows an example of amold plate 1400A in which surface 1400S includestexturing 1400T in the form of wavy raised ridges separated by wavy recessed curves.FIG. 14C shows an example of amold plate 1400A in which surface 1400S includestexturing 1400T in the form of a matrix (e.g., rows and columns, staggered rows and/or columns, etc.) of raised polygons separated by wavy recessed curves.FIG. 14D shows an example of amold plate 1400A in which surface 1400S includestexturing 1400T in the form of a herringbone pattern. -
FIGS. 14E-14K show views ofbladders 200 and/or portions thereof that include texturing 220R at least on exposed exterior surface 200BX of thebladder 200, e.g., formed by one or more of the methods described above in conjunction withFIGS. 14A-14D .FIG. 14E shows a portion ofbladder 200 formed in a deflated condition. Note thetexturing 220R, which in this example generally corresponds to themold plate 1400A shown inFIG. 14B . Thebladder 200 is engaged with afabric component bladder 200 was formed (e.g., as shown inFIG. 14A ) or in a separate step.FIG. 14F shows thissame bladder 200 portion in an inflated condition, andFIG. 14G shows the overall bladder 200 (e.g., forming an instep and/or tongue basedregion 200T and a heel and/orankle support region 200H of the types described above in conjunction withFIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A, 9A, and 9C-9E ). -
FIG. 14H illustrates a portion of anexample bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and inflated. In this illustrated example, thebladder 200 has texturing 220R on exposed exterior surface 200BX in the form of raised polygons in a matrix pattern separated by curved recesses (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.).FIG. 141 illustrates a portion of anexample bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and inflated in which thebladder 200 has texturing 220R on exposed exterior surface 200BX in the form of raised rounded elements (e.g., circular elements, oval elements, elliptical elements, teardrop shaped elements, etc.) in a matrix pattern (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.).FIG. 14J illustrates a portion of anexample bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and inflated in whichtexturing 220R on exposed exterior surface 200BX is in the form of recessed polygons in a matrix pattern (e.g., arranged in rows and columns, arranged in staggered rows and/or columns, etc.). Such a pattern may be formed, for example, usingmold plate 1400A of the type shown inFIG. 14C .FIG. 14K illustrates anexample bladder 200 formed separate from a fabric component and in an uninflated condition. Thisexample bladder 200 has different texturing at different locations on its exterior surface 200BX. Any desired number and/or types of different texturing patterns may be provided. In this illustrated example, the instep and/or tongue basedregion 200T has one texturing pattern (e.g., recessed polygons in a matrix arrangement) and the heel and/orankle support region 200H as a different texturing pattern (e.g., a matrix of smaller raised and recessed elements). Thebladders 200 ofFIGS. 14H-14K may be attached to afabric component seam 200S with thefabric component - The
texturing 220R may help provide feel differential when contacted by a user, e.g., to help locate thebladder 200 with one's fingers and/or to provide proprioceptive feedback. Thetexturing 220R may face toward the interior of the shoe (e.g., to contact the wearer's foot or leg at least in the heel and/orankle support area 200H), toward the exterior of the shoe (e.g., to enable easy location of thebladder 200 parts by feel), or in both directions in all or part of the bladder 200 (e.g., in one direction in one area of thebladder 200 and in the other direction in another area of the bladder 200). In addition, thetexturing 220R may provide an interesting aesthetic, as texturing may create different lighting, reflecting, and/or shadowing effects. Thebladder 200 also may have any of the transparency and/or other properties of the bladders described above in conjunction withFIGS. 13A-13D . - As other alternatives, if desired, texturing may be applied to one or more bladder surfaces (e.g., 200AX, 200BX) in other processes. For example, with one or both of the first and/or
second thermoplastic sheets - While
FIGS. 1-14K illustrate various different bladder sizes, shapes, and specific configurations, many variations in bladder sizes, shapes, and/or configurations are possible without departing from this technology. The specifically illustrated bladders could be varied widely in size, shape, and/or configuration while still providing the desired functions and/or properties described above. - The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of example structures. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.
- For the avoidance of doubt, the present application includes at least the subject matter described in the following numbered Clauses:
- Clause 1. A footwear upper component, comprising:
-
- a first knit fabric element that includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component; and
- a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and wherein at least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to or otherwise engaged with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
-
Clause 2. The footwear upper component according to Clause 1, wherein the bladder component includes a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber. - Clause 3. The footwear upper component according to
Clause 2, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and wherein the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element is bonded in an adhesive free manner. - Clause 4. The footwear upper component according to Clause 3, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a first side of the second thermoplastic sheet and a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a second side of the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber from the second seam portion, and wherein the portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element extends continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion.
- Clause 5. The footwear upper component according to
Clause 2, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. - Clause 6. The footwear upper component according to
Clause 2, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. - Clause 7. The footwear upper component according to any one of
Clauses 2 to 6, further comprising: a second knit fabric element engaged with at least one of the first knit fabric element or the bladder component. - Clause 8. The footwear upper component according to Clause 7, wherein the second knit fabric element includes a second thermoplastic polyurethane component, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 9. The footwear upper component according to Clause 8, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
-
Clause 10. The footwear upper component according to Clause 8, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner. - Clause 11. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 7 to 10, wherein the second knit fabric element includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 12. The footwear upper component according to any one of
Clauses 2 to 6, further comprising: a fabric component engaged with the second thermoplastic sheet. - Clause 13. The footwear upper component according to Clause 12, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 14. The footwear upper component according to Clause 13, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 15. The footwear upper component according to Clause 13, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 16. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 12 to 15, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 17. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 12 to 15, wherein a portion of the fabric component partially covers an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 18. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 17, wherein the outer perimeter seam extends continuously and completely around the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 19. The footwear upper component according to Clause 18, wherein at least 90% of a surface area of one surface of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
- Clause 20. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 19, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a thermoplastic polyurethane material that melts under heat and pressure to bond with melted material of the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
- Clause 21. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 11 or
- Clauses 18 to 20, further comprising: a fabric component engaged with the bladder component.
- Clause 22. The footwear upper component according to Clause 21, wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the bladder component forming the sealed interior chamber is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 23. The footwear upper component according to Clause 22, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the exterior major surface of the bladder component is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 24. The footwear upper component according to Clause 22, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the exterior major surface of the bladder component is fixedly bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 25. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 24, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 26. The footwear upper component according to Clause 25, wherein a portion of the fabric component is dissolved to form the opening.
- Clause 27. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 26, wherein a portion of the fabric component partially covers an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 28. The footwear upper component according to Clause 27, wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed at an exterior surface of the footwear upper component.
- Clause 29. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 21 to 28, wherein at least a portion of the fabric component that engages the sealed interior chamber is formed from a dissolvable material.
- Clause 30. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 29, wherein the outer perimeter seam forms a closed loop, and wherein a perimeter of the closed loop encloses a single sealed interior chamber which consists of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 31. An article of footwear, comprising:
- a footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 1 to 30; and a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper component.
- Clause 32. A method of forming a footwear upper component, comprising:
-
- placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first knit fabric element, wherein the first knit fabric element includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component, and wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes a first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer;
- applying heat and pressure to form a seam to engage the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer and to engage at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element, wherein the seam, the first thermoplastic polymer layer, and the second thermoplastic polymer layer define a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid; and
- inflating the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 33. The method according to Clause 32, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets.
- Clause 34. The method according to Clause 32 or 33, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed from the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed from the second thermoplastic polymer layer opposite the first major exterior surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
- Clause 35. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 34, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 36. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 35, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 37. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 35, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 38. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 37, further comprising:
- engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 39. The method according to Clause 38, wherein the step of engaging the fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 40. The method according to Clause 39, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to a thermoplastic polyurethane component included in the fabric component.
- Clause 41. The method according to Clause 40, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric component in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 42. The method according to Clause 40, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the thermoplastic polyurethane component of the fabric component in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 43. The method according to any one of Clauses 38 to 42, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 44. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 37, further comprising: (i) engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer; and (ii) forming an opening through the fabric component, wherein a portion an exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 45. The method according to Clause 44, wherein the portion of the exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer exposed through the opening includes a portion that forms an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 46. The method according to Clause 44 or 45, wherein the step of forming the opening includes dissolving a portion of the fabric component to form the opening.
- Clause 47. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 46, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
- Clause 48. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 47, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 49. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 48, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place after the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 50. The method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 48, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place before the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 51. A footwear upper component formed by the method according to any one of
- Clauses 32 to 50.
- Clause 52. A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
-
- forming a footwear upper component using the method according to any one of Clauses 32 to 50; and
- engaging a sole structure with the footwear upper component.
- Clause 53. An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 52.
- Clause 54. A footwear upper component, comprising:
- a first fabric element; and a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and wherein at least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first fabric element.
- Clause 55. The footwear upper component according to Clause 54, wherein the bladder component includes a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 56. The footwear upper component according to Clause 55, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and wherein the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first fabric element is bonded in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 57. The footwear upper component according to Clause 56, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a first side of the second thermoplastic sheet and a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a second side of the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber from the second seam portion, and wherein the portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that is bonded to the first fabric element extends continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion.
- Clause 58. The footwear upper component according to Clause 55, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 59. The footwear upper component according to Clause 55, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 60. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 55 to 59, further comprising: a second fabric element engaged with at least one of the first fabric element or the bladder component.
- Clause 61. The footwear upper component according to Clause 60, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 62. The footwear upper component according to Clause 61, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 63. The footwear upper component according to Clause 61, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 64. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 60 to 63, wherein the second fabric element includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 65. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 64, wherein the outer perimeter seam extends continuously and completely around the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 66. The footwear upper component according to Clause 65, wherein at least 90% of a surface area of one surface of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first fabric element.
- Clause 67. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 66, wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a thermoplastic material that melts under heat and pressure to bond with melted material of the first fabric element.
- Clause 68. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 67, wherein the outer perimeter seam forms a closed loop, and wherein a perimeter of the closed loop encloses a single sealed interior chamber which consists of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 69. An article of footwear, comprising:
-
- a footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 54 to 68; and
- a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper component.
- Clause 70. A method of forming a footwear upper component, comprising:
-
- placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element, wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes a first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer;
- applying heat and pressure to form a seam to engage the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer and to engage at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element, wherein the seam, the first thermoplastic polymer layer, and the second thermoplastic polymer layer define a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid; and
- inflating the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 71. The method according to Clause 70, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets.
- Clause 72. The method according to Clause 70 or 71, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed from the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed from the second thermoplastic polymer layer opposite the first major exterior surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element.
- Clause 73. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 72, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 74. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 73, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 75. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 73, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface, and wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 76. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 75, further comprising:
- engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 77. The method according to Clause 76, wherein the step of engaging the fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 78. The method according to Clause 77, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component.
- Clause 79. The method according to Clause 78, wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 80. The method according to Clause 78, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the fabric component in an adhesive free manner.
- Clause 81. The method according to any one of Clauses 76 to 80, wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 82. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 75, further comprising: (i) engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer; and (ii) forming an opening through the fabric component, wherein a portion an exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is exposed through the opening.
- Clause 83. The method according to Clause 82, wherein the portion of the exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer exposed through the opening includes a portion that forms an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 84. The method according to Clause 82 or 83, wherein the step of forming the opening includes dissolving a portion of the fabric component to form the opening.
- Clause 85. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 84, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element.
- Clause 86. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 85, wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes localized melting to bond the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
- Clause 87. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 86, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place after the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 88. The method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 86, wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place before the step of applying heat and pressure.
- Clause 89. A footwear upper component formed by the method according to any one of
- Clauses 70 to 88.
- Clause 90. A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
-
- forming a footwear upper component using the method according to any one of Clauses 70 to 88; and
- engaging a sole structure with the footwear upper component.
- Clause 91. An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 90.
- Clause 92. A footwear upper component, comprising:
-
- a first fabric element that includes a first surface having texturing; and
- a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes: (a) a first major surface engaged with the first surface of the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (b) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (c) and a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major surface includes texturing having surface contour features corresponding to the texturing present on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- Clause 93. The footwear upper component according to Clause 92, wherein the texturing on the first major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the first surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 94. The footwear upper component according to Clause 92 or 93, wherein the texturing on the first major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the first perimeter seam surface.
- Clause 95. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 94, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface includes texturing corresponding to the texturing present on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- Clause 96. The footwear upper component according to Clause 95, wherein the texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 97. The footwear upper component according to Clause 95 or 96, wherein the texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second perimeter seam surface.
- Clause 98. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 97, wherein the first major surface of the bladder component is formed from a first thermoplastic sheet and the second major surface of the bladder component is formed from a second thermoplastic sheet.
- Clause 99. The footwear upper component according to Clause 98, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet is formed from an at least partially transparent or translucent material such that the texturing present on at least a portion of the first major surface is visible through the second thermoplastic sheet.
-
Clause 100. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 99, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure. - Clause 101. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 99, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure with openings defined within a matrix formed by the first fabric element, and wherein the mesh structure and openings produce the surface contour features on the first major surface of the bladder component.
-
Clause 102. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 101, wherein the first fabric element is a knit fabric element. - Clause 103. An article of footwear, comprising:
-
- a footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 92 to 102; and
- a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper component.
-
Clause 104. A method of forming a footwear upper component, comprising: -
- placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first fabric element, wherein the first fabric element includes a first surface having texturing, and wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes a first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer; and
- forming texturing on at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer by applying heat and pressure to form at least one of: (a) a seam that engages the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer and (ii) an engagement of at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first fabric element, wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, and wherein the texturing formed on the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer corresponds in surface contour features to the texturing included on the first surface of the first fabric element.
- Clause 105. The method according to
Clause 104, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer layer and the second thermoplastic polymer layer are formed as separate sheets. -
Clause 106. The method according toClause 104 or 105, wherein the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer on which the texturing is formed comprises at least a portion of the seam. - Clause 107. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 106, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed by the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed by the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer on which the texturing is formed comprises at least a portion of the first major exterior surface. - Clause 108. The method according to Clause 107, wherein the step of forming the texturing forms texturing on at least a portion of the second major exterior surface.
- Clause 109. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 106, wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed by the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed by the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the step of forming the texturing forms texturing on at least a portion of the second major exterior surface. -
Clause 110. The method according to any one ofClauses 104 to 109, wherein the seam comprises an outer perimeter seam that completely surrounds the sealed interior chamber. - Clause 111. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 110, further comprising: - engaging a second fabric element with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
-
Clause 112. The method according to Clause 111, wherein the step of engaging the second fabric element with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure to form the texturing on at least the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer. - Clause 113. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 112, wherein the step of forming the texturing further includes forming texturing on at least a portion of the second thermoplastic polymer layer by applying heat and pressure to the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein the texturing formed on the portion of the second thermoplastic polymer layer corresponds in surface contour features to the texturing included on the first surface of the first fabric element. - Clause 114. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 113, wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer is formed at least in part from an at least partially transparent or translucent material, and wherein the texturing present on at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is visible through the second thermoplastic polymer layer. - Clause 115. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 114, further comprising: inflating the sealed interior chamber after the step of forming the texturing. - Clause 116. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 114, further comprising: inflating the sealed interior chamber before the step of forming the texturing. - Clause 117. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 116, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure. - Clause 118. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 116, wherein the first surface of the first fabric element has a mesh structure with openings defined within a matrix formed by the first fabric element, and wherein the mesh structure and openings produce the surface contour features on the first thermoplastic polymer layer. - Clause 119. The method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 118, wherein the first fabric element is a knit fabric element. -
Clause 120. A footwear upper component formed by the method according to any one ofClauses 104 to 119. - Clause 121. A method of making an article of footwear, comprising:
-
- forming a footwear upper component using the method according to any one of
Clauses 104 to 119; and - engaging a sole structure with the footwear upper component.
- forming a footwear upper component using the method according to any one of
-
Clause 122. An article of footwear formed by the method according to Clause 121. - Clause 123. A footwear upper component, comprising:
-
- a first fabric element; and
- a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes: (a) a first major surface engaged with the first fabric element, wherein the first major surface defines at least part of a first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a first surface of the sealed interior chamber, (b) a second major surface opposite the first major surface, wherein the second major surface defines at least part of a second perimeter seam surface opposite the first perimeter seam surface and at least part of a second surface of the sealed interior chamber opposite the first surface of the sealed interior chamber, and (c) and a fluid chamber located between the first major surface and the second major surface, and wherein at least a portion of the second major surface includes molded-in texturing.
- Clause 124. The footwear upper component according to Clause 123, wherein the molded-in texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on at least a portion of the second surface of the sealed interior chamber.
- Clause 125. The footwear upper component according to Clause 123 or 124, wherein the molded-in texturing on the second major surface of the bladder component includes texturing on the second perimeter seam surface.
- Clause 126. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 125, wherein the first major surface of the bladder component is formed from a first thermoplastic sheet and the second major surface of the bladder component is formed from a second thermoplastic sheet.
- Clause 127. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of raised ridges.
- Clause 128. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of raised grid elements.
- Clause 129. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of recessed grid elements.
- Clause 130. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a herringbone pattern.
- Clause 131. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a plurality of rounded elements.
- Clause 132. The footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 126, wherein the molded-in texturing includes a first portion having a first pattern and a second portion having a second pattern different from the first pattern.
- Clause 133. An article of footwear, comprising:
-
- a footwear upper component according to any one of Clauses 123 to 132; and
- a sole structure engaged with the footwear upper component.
Claims (20)
1. A footwear upper component, comprising:
a first knit fabric element that includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component; and
a bladder component that defines a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid, wherein the bladder component includes an outer perimeter seam that extends at least partially around the sealed interior chamber, and wherein at least a portion of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to or otherwise engaged with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
2. The footwear upper component according to claim 1 , wherein the bladder component includes a first thermoplastic sheet and a second thermoplastic sheet facing the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein the outer perimeter seam fixes the first thermoplastic sheet to the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein a first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, a first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and the outer perimeter seam define the sealed interior chamber, wherein the first thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet, wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that defines the sealed interior chamber is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner, and wherein the portion of the outer perimeter seam that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element is bonded in an adhesive free manner.
3. The footwear upper component according to claim 2 , wherein the outer perimeter seam includes: (i) a first seam portion engaging a first side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a first side of the second thermoplastic sheet and (ii) a second seam portion engaging a second side of the first thermoplastic sheet with a second side of the second thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first seam portion is located on an opposite side of the sealed interior chamber from the second seam portion, and wherein the portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet that is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element extends continuously from the first seam portion to the second seam portion.
4. The footwear upper component according to claim 2 , wherein at least 50% of a surface area of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
5. The footwear upper component according to claim 2 , further comprising: a second knit fabric element engaged with at least one of the first knit fabric element or the bladder component, wherein the second knit fabric element includes a second thermoplastic polyurethane component, wherein the second thermoplastic sheet includes a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the second thermoplastic polyurethane component of the second knit fabric element in an adhesive free manner.
6. The footwear upper component according to claim 5 , wherein the second knit fabric element includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
7. The footwear upper component according to claim 1 , wherein the outer perimeter seam extends continuously and completely around the sealed interior chamber, and wherein at least 90% of a surface area of one surface of the outer perimeter seam is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
8. The footwear upper component according to claim 1 , wherein the outer perimeter seam includes a thermoplastic polyurethane material that melts under heat and pressure to bond with melted material of the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
9. The footwear upper component according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fabric component engaged with the bladder component, and wherein the fabric component includes an opening defined through it, and wherein at least a portion of an exterior major surface of the sealed interior chamber is exposed through the opening.
10. The footwear upper component according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fabric component engaged with the bladder component, wherein at least a portion of the fabric component that engages the sealed interior chamber is formed from a dissolvable material.
11. A method of forming a footwear upper component, comprising:
placing a bladder or a bladder precursor on a first knit fabric element, wherein the first knit fabric element includes a first thermoplastic polyurethane component, and wherein the bladder or the bladder precursor includes a first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second thermoplastic polymer layer overlapping the first thermoplastic polymer layer;
applying heat and pressure to form a seam to engage the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer and to engage at least a portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element, wherein the seam, the first thermoplastic polymer layer, and the second thermoplastic polymer layer define a sealed interior chamber for containing a fluid; and
inflating the sealed interior chamber.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the sealed interior chamber includes a first major exterior surface formed from the first thermoplastic polymer layer and a second major exterior surface formed from the second thermoplastic polymer layer opposite the first major exterior surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the first thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element.
13. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising: engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the step of engaging the fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer takes place simultaneous with the step of applying heat and pressure.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the second thermoplastic polymer layer includes a first major interior surface and a first major exterior surface opposite the first major interior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer, and wherein at least a portion of the first major exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is bonded to a thermoplastic polyurethane component included in the fabric component.
16. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising: engaging a fabric component with the second thermoplastic polymer layer; and
forming an opening through the fabric component, wherein a portion an exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer is exposed through the opening.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the portion of the exterior surface of the second thermoplastic polymer layer exposed through the opening includes a portion that forms an exterior surface of the sealed interior chamber.
18. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the step of forming the opening includes dissolving a portion of the fabric component to form the opening.
19. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of applying heat and pressure to form the seam includes (i) localized melting to bond the portion of the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the first thermoplastic polyurethane component of the first knit fabric element, and/or (ii) localized melting to bond the first thermoplastic polymer layer with the second thermoplastic polymer layer.
20. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of inflating the sealed interior chamber takes place after the step of applying heat and pressure.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/969,443 US20230147306A1 (en) | 2021-11-10 | 2022-10-19 | Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper, and Methods of Forming Such Uppers and/or Articles of Footwear |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US202163277916P | 2021-11-10 | 2021-11-10 | |
US202163277932P | 2021-11-10 | 2021-11-10 | |
US17/969,443 US20230147306A1 (en) | 2021-11-10 | 2022-10-19 | Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper, and Methods of Forming Such Uppers and/or Articles of Footwear |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20230147306A1 true US20230147306A1 (en) | 2023-05-11 |
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US17/969,489 Pending US20230146597A1 (en) | 2021-11-10 | 2022-10-19 | Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper, and Methods of Forming Such Uppers and/or Articles of Footwear |
US17/969,443 Pending US20230147306A1 (en) | 2021-11-10 | 2022-10-19 | Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper, and Methods of Forming Such Uppers and/or Articles of Footwear |
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US17/969,489 Pending US20230146597A1 (en) | 2021-11-10 | 2022-10-19 | Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper, and Methods of Forming Such Uppers and/or Articles of Footwear |
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US (2) | US20230146597A1 (en) |
WO (2) | WO2023086726A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20230141325A1 (en) * | 2021-11-10 | 2023-05-11 | Nike, Inc. | Bladders, Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8677652B2 (en) * | 2002-07-02 | 2014-03-25 | Reebok International Ltd. | Shoe having an inflatable bladder |
US9737114B2 (en) * | 2014-08-06 | 2017-08-22 | Nike, Inc. | Articles of footwear with upper incorporating chamber element |
US10499707B2 (en) * | 2017-10-18 | 2019-12-10 | Reebok International Limited | Articles of footwear having a leno woven upper with a bladder component |
EP3788194B1 (en) * | 2018-04-30 | 2023-03-22 | Nike Innovate C.V. | Upper for an article of footwear with a lattice structure |
US11653712B2 (en) * | 2020-02-10 | 2023-05-23 | Reebok International Limited | Automatic inflation pump bladder system |
US20210368941A1 (en) * | 2020-05-29 | 2021-12-02 | Nike, Inc. | Cushioned upper for an article of footwear |
EP4157012A2 (en) * | 2020-05-31 | 2023-04-05 | Nike Innovate C.V. | Upper structure for article of footwear and article of footwear |
US11839262B2 (en) * | 2020-10-30 | 2023-12-12 | Nike, Inc. | Upper for article of footwear |
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2022
- 2022-10-19 WO PCT/US2022/078364 patent/WO2023086726A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-10-19 WO PCT/US2022/078367 patent/WO2023086727A1/en active Application Filing
- 2022-10-19 US US17/969,489 patent/US20230146597A1/en active Pending
- 2022-10-19 US US17/969,443 patent/US20230147306A1/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20230141325A1 (en) * | 2021-11-10 | 2023-05-11 | Nike, Inc. | Bladders, Footwear Uppers Including Bladders, and Articles of Footwear Including Bladders in the Upper |
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US20230146597A1 (en) | 2023-05-11 |
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