Nike, Inc.

Nike Innovate C.v.

Chia-Yi Wu

Tee L Wan

Thienchai Chaisumrej

Gjermund Haugbro

Yu-Chen Lin

A midsole and a method of manufacturing it includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Midsole for an article of footwear formed from preforms and method for manufacturing same

A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.

Mold for manufacturing a midsole for an article of footwear

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly positioned beneath the upper. The sole assembly has a vertically extending channel formed in its bottom surface inward of a periphery of the sole assembly, the channel including opposed sidewalls and an end surface. The sole assembly includes a first portion having a first color; and a second portion having a second color that is different than the first color. An interface between the first portion and the second portion is positioned at a central portion of one of the sidewalls of the channel. A method of forming such an article of footwear is also disclosed.

Sole assembly formed from multiple preforms and method and mold for manufacturing same

A method of forming a sole assembly includes positioning a plurality of preforms having different colors together to form a sole assembly preform and placing the sole assembly preform in a recess in a first portion of a mold assembly. The sole assembly preform is subjected to heat for a predetermined amount of time such that the plurality of preforms bond to one another to form a sole assembly.

Method of manufacturing sole assembly formed of multiple preforms

Article of footwear formed from two preforms and method and mold for manufacturing same

A mold used to form a midsole for an article of footwear and a method of manufacturing are disclosed. The mold includes a first portion and a second portion cooperating to define a midsole recess, the first portion including a major recess and plurality of wall segments extending throughout the major recess and cooperating to define a plurality of minor recesses. A fillet is provided at each intersection of adjacent wall segments. The mold may have a draft angle of less than or equal to approximately 2.5 degrees.

Growing community of inventors

Long An Province, Vietnam

Chia-Yi Wu