Adidas

This invention relates to a method of fabricating a sports article comprising a knitting process. the knitting process comprises the steps: a.) providing a knitting machine, yarn for knitting, and at least one insert element; b.) knitting a fabric such that the fabric comprises at least one open void between at least two layers of the fabric; c.) inserting at least one insert element into the at least one open void while the fabric remains in the knitting machine; and d.) further knitting the fabric such that the at least one void is closed at least partially around the insert element(s) by connecting the at least two layers. The invention further relates to a sports article.

The present invention relates to a shoe upper, in particular for a sports shoe, comprising a layered structure having a first layer, a second layer, and an intermediate foam layer between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the intermediate foam layer comprises a polyamide, PA, foam material. The present invention also relates to a sports shoe comprising such a shoe upper.

The present invention relates to a sole element (100) adapted to be arranged in a shoe, preferably a sports shoe. The sole element (100) is a strobel board (120) and/or an insole. The sole element (100) comprises means for stiffening (110) at least a portion (105a) of the sole element (100), wherein the at least a portion (105a) of the sole element (100) is located at least in a region adapted to receive a forefoot. The sole element (100) is adapted to be arranged in the shoe when wearing the shoe.

A bootie for an upper of an article of footwear, in particular for a sports shoe, comprises a set of basic pattern pieces made of a layered structure comprising at least one membrane and at least one extension piece made of thinner and more elastic material than the material of the basic pattern pieces and at least partially creating a top line of the bootie at an ankle region of the user when in use. The at least one extension piece is connected to the set of basic pattern pieces along at least one first connection line. The bootie further comprises a lining piece being stitched to the at least one extension piece along a top part of the lining piece and covers the at least one extension piece and the set of basic pattern pieces on the inside of the bootie when in use. The lining piece covers the at least one first connection line. The at least one extension piece thereby creates a link between basic pattern pieces and lining piece.

Improved soles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In one aspect of the invention, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided that comprises a midsole comprising randomly arranged particles of an expanded material. The sole further comprises an element which comprises a higher deformation stiffness in at least one direction than the expanded material. The material of the midsole surrounds the element at least partially.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an upper for an article of footwear. The method comprises the steps of providing a polymer; providing a solvent; and mixing the polymer with the solvent, thereby producing a liquified polymer. The method further comprises the steps of providing a substrate; dispensing strands of the liquified polymer onto the substrate such that the strands form a shape of at least a part of the upper; curing the strands; and removing the cured strands from the substrate. The present invention further relates to a corresponding upper for an article of footwear.

The present invention relates to a sole structure, preferably for a sports shoe, comprising a base layer and a polymer layer arranged on a ground-facing side of the base layer in a pattern wherein the pattern comprises one or more first areas and one or more second areas having a lower thickness than the one or more first areas and wherein the pattern comprises an alternating arrangement of first areas and second areas such that a longitudinal extension of the first areas and of the second areas is essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sole structure, and/or wherein the surface area of the first areas is at least two times the surface area of the second areas for providing grip when in contact to a surface, preferably a wet surface. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a shoe comprising the sole structure and a method of manufacturing the sole structure.

The present invention relates to a ball, in particular a football, comprising:particles of an expanded material; a first layer of the particles of the expanded material, provided as an outer shell; comprising at least one cavity, wherein the first layer is arranged around the cavity; and a supporting structure with the particles of the expanded material, wherein the supporting structure comprises at least one spherical inner shell.

The present invention relates to an upper (1) for a shoe, comprising a knitted main part (2), wherein the main part (2) is adapted to form at least a part of a void for receiving a foot of a wearer of the shoe; a knitted flap (3); and a knitted transition part (4) connecting the flap (3) to the main part (2), wherein the main part (2), the flap (3) and the transition part (4) form a unitary knit construction, and wherein the transition part (4) comprises a different knit structure and/or a different yarn and/or yarn combination and/or yarn placement compared to the main part (2) and/or to the flap (3).

A device and method of making a sole structure through layer-by-layer additive manufacturing is provided. The sole structure has layers of a plurality of preformed-foam pieces bonded together to define a sole structure shape. A first layer of a portion of the foam pieces is deposited. An area of the foam pieces is selectively bonded in the first layer to define a sole structure shape. A second layer of a portion of the foam pieces is deposited. The area of the foam pieces is selectively bonded in the second layer to define the sole structure shape.