Drop-in unitary footwear sole with first and second cushioning bodies of differing hardness

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a unitary sole with a first cushioning body having a first hardness and a second cushioning having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. Both the first and the second cushioning bodies are exposed at a periphery of the sole. The second cushioning body may have a wedge surface that interfaces with a lateral extremity of the first cushioning body and angles laterally outward toward a lateral side exterior surface of the sole from a lower extent to an upper extent of the wedge surface. The second cushioning body may underlie the first cushioning body in a portion of a forefoot region of the sole such that the first cushioning body establishes a foot-facing exterior surface and the second cushioning body establishes a ground-facing exterior surface of the sole where the first cushioning body overlies the second cushioning body.

FOOTWEAR STROBEL WITH BLADDER AND TENSILE COMPONENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included. 1. A method of manufacturing footwear comprising:{'claim-text': ['placing a tensile component on a first polymeric sheet;', 'placing a second polymeric sheet on the tensile component; and', {'claim-text': ['an interior cavity, the polymeric bladder configured to retain a fluid in the polymeric bladder; and', 'a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity and at which the first and second polymeric sheets are welded;'], '#text': 'welding the first and second polymeric sheets to one another to define a polymeric bladder having:'}, 'wherein the tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder; and', 'wherein the peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange.'], '#text': 'providing a strobel formed by:'}2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:forming the strobel.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein welding the first and second polymeric sheets to one another includes welding a first weld and a second weld that are spaced apart from one another and extending lengthwise along the peripheral flange claim 1 , with the groove extending lengthwise along the peripheral flange between the first weld and the second weld.4. The method of claim 1 , further ...

FOOTWEAR STROBEL WITH BLADDER AND LASTING COMPONENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

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

DROP-IN UNITARY FOOTWEAR SOLE WITH FIRST AND SECOND CUSHIONING BODIES OF DIFFERING HARDNESS

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a unitary sole with a first cushioning body having a first hardness and a second cushioning having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. Both the first and the second cushioning bodies are exposed at a periphery of the sole. The second cushioning body may have a wedge surface that interfaces with a lateral extremity of the first cushioning body and angles laterally outward toward a lateral side exterior surface of the sole from a lower extent to an upper extent of the wedge surface. The second cushioning body may underlie the first cushioning body in a portion of a forefoot region of the sole such that the first cushioning body establishes a foot-facing exterior surface and the second cushioning body establishes a ground-facing exterior surface of the sole where the first cushioning body overlies the second cushioning body. 1. A sole structure for an article of footwear that has a foot-receiving cavity , the sole structure comprising:a unitary sole configured for insertion into the foot-receiving cavity and having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region;wherein the unitary sole comprises a first cushioning body and a second cushioning body, the first cushioning body having a first hardness and the second cushioning body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness; andwherein both the first cushioning body and the second cushioning body are exposed at a periphery of the unitary sole.2. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein only the first cushioning body is exposed along a first portion of the periphery claim 1 , and the second cushioning body is exposed along a remainder of the periphery.3. The sole structure of claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the periphery is at a medial side exterior surface of the unitary sole in the forefoot region.4. The sole structure of claim 1 , wherein the second hardness is from about 5 durometer to about 15 durometer greater than the ...

STROBEL FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes a strobel having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The strobel may define a forefoot through hole in the forefoot region and a heel through hole in the heel region. The shape, the position, or both the shape and the position of the forefoot through hole and the heel through hole may be based on a foot pressure map. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear comprises securing a midsole to a strobel, wherein the strobel has a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the strobel defines a forefoot through hole in the forefoot region and a heel through hole in the heel region, and the shape and/or position of the forefoot through hole and the heel through hole are based on a foot pressure map. 1. An article of footwear comprising:a strobel having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region;wherein the strobel defines a forefoot through hole in the forefoot region and a heel through hole in the heel region; andwherein the shape, the position, or both the shape and the position of the forefoot through hole and the heel through hole are based on a foot pressure map.2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , further comprising:a midsole having a proximal surface secured to the strobel;wherein the forefoot through hole and the heel through hole span over the proximal surface of the midsole; andwherein the strobel, the proximal surface of the midsole at the forefoot through hole, and the proximal surface of the midsole at the heel through hole together define a foot support surface.3. The article of footwear of claim 2 , further comprising an adhesive layer at which a distal surface of the strobel is adhered to the proximal surface of the midsole.4. The article of footwear of claim 3 , wherein the adhesive layer does not extend across the proximal surface of the midsole at the forefoot through hole or at the heel through hole.5. The article of ...

ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR WITH MIDFOOT FLEXIBILITY

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a connecting portion coupled to a siped portion. The connecting portion extends across the sole structure, with an upper surface operative to be secured to an upper of the article of footwear. The siped portion extends from a ground-facing side of the connecting portion and includes a plurality of sole elements. Each of the plurality of sole elements is at least partially defined by one or more of a plurality of sipes that extend from the ground-contacting surface to the ground-facing side of the connecting portion. At least one of the plurality of sipes is a lateral sipe that is located within the midfoot region and extends from the medial side to the lateral side of the sole structure. This at least one lateral sipe is sized to permit plantarflexion of the sole structure without deformation of an adjacent sole element. 1. A sole structure for an article of footwear having an upper adapted to receive a foot and defining a heel region , a midfoot region , and a forefoot region , a further defining a medial side and a lateral side , the sole structure comprising:a connecting portion coupled to a siped portion, the connecting portion comprising an upper surface and an opposite ground-facing side, and the siped portion comprising an upper side and an opposite ground-contacting surface; the connecting portion extends across the sole structure and the upper surface is operative to be secured to the upper;', 'the siped portion extends from the ground-facing side of the connecting portion and includes a plurality of sole elements, each of the plurality of sole elements being at least partially defined by one or more of a plurality of sipes that extend from the ground-contacting surface to the ground-facing side of the connecting portion;', 'at least one of the plurality of sipes is a lateral sipe that is located within the midfoot region and extends from the medial side to the lateral side of the sole structure; and', ' ...

CLOSURE FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR

An article of footwear includes a sole structure and an upper coupled with the sole structure. The upper has a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion. The closure includes a closure panel and a plurality of laces each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end. The first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the first side portion of the upper and the second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly secured to the unitary closure panel. A selective and reusable fastener is further provided to couple the closure panel to the second side panel of the upper. 1. An article of footwear comprising:an upper comprising: a unitary closure panel having a first fastener portion;', the first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly and permanently secured to the first side portion of the upper;', 'the second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly and permanently secured to the unitary closure panel; and', 'the unitary closure panel is permanently coupled to the upper only via the plurality of laces; and, 'a plurality of laces each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end, wherein, 'a second fastener portion provided on an outer surface of the second side portion of the upper, the second fastener portion configured to selectively couple with the first fastener portion to secure the closure panel to the second side portion of the upper., 'a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion across the throat opening; the closure including2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion together form a hook-and-loop fastener.3. The ...

FOOTWEAR STROBEL WITH BLADDER AND LASTING COMPONENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity and is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The strobel also includes a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity. The lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange. A method of manufacturing footwear that includes the strobel is disclosed. 1. An article of footwear comprising: a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; wherein the peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange;', 'a tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder; and', 'a lasting component configured to extend along the peripheral flange around the at least a portion of the perimeter of the interior cavity; wherein the lasting component is secured to the peripheral flange., 'a strobel including2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , further comprising:an upper; and wherein the lasting component is secured the upper.3. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein:the polymeric bladder and the lasting component are each disposed in at least one different one of a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region of the article of footwear;the lasting component is secured to the polymeric bladder by a first series of stitches extending transversely across the polymeric bladder and the lasting ...

FOOTWEAR STROBEL WITH BLADDER HAVING GROOVED FLANGE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

A strobel for an article of footwear comprises a polymeric bladder that defines an interior cavity. The polymeric bladder is configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder may include a first polymeric sheet bonded to a second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange and joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds each of which extends only partway across the interior cavity. Methods of manufacturing a strobel and manufacturing footwear are included. 1. An article of footwear comprising: a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; and', 'wherein the peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange., 'a strobel including2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , further comprising:an upper; wherein the strobel is secured to the upper.3. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein the strobel is secured to the upper by a series of stitches extending through the peripheral flange in the groove.4. The article of footwear of claim 2 , further comprising:a midsole secured to at least one of the upper or the polymeric bladder.5. The article of footwear of claim 3 , further comprising:a lasting component disposed at the flange; wherein the series of stitches further extend through the lasting component.6. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein:the polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet;the first polymeric sheet is bonded to the second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange; andthe first polymeric sheet is joined to the second polymeric sheet at a plurality of interior welds ...

FOOTWEAR STROBEL WITH BLADDER AND TENSILE COMPONENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

An article of footwear includes a strobel that has a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity. The polymeric bladder has a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity. A tensile component is disposed in the interior cavity. The tensile component is secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The groove serves as a guide path for an operator or for a machine to follow when stitching or otherwise securing the strobel to the upper. A method of manufacturing footwear is included. 1. An article of footwear comprising: a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; and', 'a tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder;, 'a strobel includingwherein the peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange.2. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein:the peripheral flange has a first weld and a second weld spaced apart from the first weld;the first weld and the second weld extend lengthwise along the peripheral flange, and the groove extends lengthwise along the peripheral flange between the first weld and the second weld;the first weld is inward of the groove; andthe second weld is outward of the groove.3. The article of footwear of claim 2 , wherein:the peripheral flange includes a first ridge protruding at an outer surface of the peripheral flange between the first weld and the groove; andthe peripheral flange includes a second ridge protruding at the outer surface of the peripheral flange between the second weld and the groove.4. The article of footwear of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric bladder has a ...

Footwear strobel with bladder having grooved flange and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder and tensile component and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder and lasting component and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder having grooved flange and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder and lasting component and method of manufacturing

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

Article of footwear with midfoot flexibility

A sole structure for an article of footwear includes a connecting portion coupled to a siped portion. The connecting portion extends across the sole structure, with an upper surface operative to be secured to an upper of the article of footwear. The siped portion extends from a ground-facing side of the connecting portion and includes a plurality of sole elements. Each of the plurality of sole elements is at least partially defined by one or more of a plurality of sipes that extend from the ground-contacting surface to the ground-facing side of the connecting portion. At least one of the plurality of sipes is a lateral sipe that is located within the midfoot region and extends from the medial side to the lateral side of the sole structure. This at least one lateral sipe is sized to permit plantarflexion of the sole structure without deformation of an adjacent sole element.

Strobel for an article of footwear and method of manufacturing

An article of footwear and a method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes a strobel having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region. The strobel may define a forefoot through hole in the forefoot region and a heel through hole in the heel region. The shape, the position, or both the shape and the position of the forefoot through hole and the heel through hole may be based on a foot pressure map. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear comprises securing a midsole to a strobel, wherein the strobel has a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, the strobel defines a forefoot through hole in the forefoot region and a heel through hole in the heel region, and the shape and/or position of the forefoot through hole and the heel through hole are based on a foot pressure map.

Footwear strobel with bladder having grooved flange and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder and lasting component and method of manufacturing

Footwear strobel with bladder and tensile component and method of manufacturing

The present invention relates to an article of footwear comprising: a strobel, the strobel including: a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; and a tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet, wherein the first polymeric sheet is bonded to the second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange. The tensile component includes a first tensile layer, a second tensile layer, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer. The first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a plurality of inwardly-protruding bonds that protrude inward from the first polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers toward the second polymeric sheet, and the polymeric bladder is narrowed at the inwardly-protruding bonds. The inwardly-protruding bonds extend along an outer surface of the first polymeric sheet, and include inwardly-protruding bonds that are arranged parallel to one another in a forefoot region of the strobel.

Footwear strobel with bladder and tensile component and method of manufacturing

The present invention relates to an article of footwear comprising: a strobel, the strobel including: a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; and a tensile component disposed in the interior cavity and secured to opposing inner surfaces of the polymeric bladder. The peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange. The polymeric bladder includes a first polymeric sheet and a second polymeric sheet, wherein the first polymeric sheet is bonded to the second polymeric sheet at the peripheral flange. The tensile component includes a first tensile layer, a second tensile layer, and a plurality of tethers spanning the interior cavity from the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer and connecting the first tensile layer to the second tensile layer. The first polymeric sheet is joined to the first tensile layer at a plurality of inwardly-protruding bonds that protrude inward from the first polymeric sheet only partially across the plurality of tethers toward the second polymeric sheet, and the polymeric bladder is narrowed at the inwardly-protruding bonds. The inwardly-protruding bonds extend along an outer surface of the first polymeric sheet, and include inwardly-protruding bonds that are arranged parallel to one another in a forefoot region of the strobel.

Strobel for an article of footwear and method of manufacturing

Footwear strobel with bladder having grooved flange and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder and tensile component and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder having grooved flange and method of manufacturing

A strobel for an article of footwear is described. The strobel comprises: a polymeric bladder defining an interior cavity and configured to retain a fluid in the interior cavity, the polymeric bladder having a peripheral flange extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the interior cavity; a lasting component stitched to the polymeric bladder; and wherein the peripheral flange defines a groove extending along the peripheral flange.

Footwear strobel with bladder and tensile component and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder and lasting component and method of manufacturing

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

Footwear strobel with bladder having grooved flange and method of manufacturing

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

Closure for article of footwear

An upper for an article of footwear includes a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion across the throat opening. The closure includes a unitary closure panel having a first fastener portion, a plurality of laces each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end, and a second fastener portion provided on an outer surface of the second side portion of the upper. The second fastener portion is configured to selectively couple with the first fastener portion to secure the closure panel to the second side portion of the upper. The first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly and permanently secured to the first side portion of the upper. The second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly and permanently secured to the unitary closure panel. The unitary closure panel is permanently coupled to the upper only via the plurality of laces. The second fastener portion includes an alignment indicia. The unitary closure panel includes an aperture positioned such that the alignment indicia is visible through the aperture when the closure panel is secured to the second side portion of the upper.

Drop-in unitary footwear sole with first and second cushioning bodies of differing hardness

An article of footwear includes an outsole, an upper secured to the outsole and defining a foot-receiving cavity and an ankle opening, and a unitary, full-length midsole having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, and configured to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity through the ankle opening. The midsole includes a first cushioning body having a first hardness and a second cushioning body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. The midsole has a lateral side, a medial side, a forwardmost extent disposed in the forefoot region, and a rearmost extent disposed in the heel region. The second cushioning body includes a lateral segment that extends through the lateral side in the forefoot region, and a portion of the lateral segment of the second cushioning body is closer to the forwardmost extent than to the midfoot region.

Footwear strobel with bladder and lasting component and method of manufacturing

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

Drop-in unitary footwear sole with first and second cushioning bodies of differing hardness

An article of footwear includes an outsole, an upper secured to the outsole and defining a foot-receiving cavity and an ankle opening, and a unitary, full-length midsole having a forefoot region, a midfoot region, and a heel region, and configured to be removably inserted into the foot-receiving cavity through the ankle opening. The midsole includes a first cushioning body having a first hardness and a second cushioning body having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. The midsole has a lateral side, a medial side, a forwardmost extent disposed in the forefoot region, and a rearmost extent disposed in the heel region. The second cushioning body includes a lateral segment that extends through the lateral side in the forefoot region, and a portion of the lateral segment of the second cushioning body is closer to the forwardmost extent than to the midfoot region.