US20190166952A1 - Article of footwear with dispensed saddle - Google Patents

Abstract

An article of footwear includes a sole, an upper, and a dispensed component. The upper is coupled to the sole and includes an instep. The dispensed component extends over the instep from a medial side of the upper to a lateral side of the upper.

Description

BACKGROUNDField
• Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to articles of footwear; and more specifically to articles of footwear with dispensed components.
Background
• Articles of footwear are used to protect and cushion the wearer's feet. Because articles of footwear may be worn for an extended period of time, consumers desire articles of footwear that will fit properly to secure the article of footwear to the wearer's foot in a comfortable manner. It is desirable to achieve improved fit for articles of footwear in an efficient manner.
BRIEF SUMMARY
• Articles of footwear with dispensed components are disclosed. The components may be formed via an automated dispensing process that is done robotically. In some embodiments, an article of footwear includes a sole, an upper, and a dispensed component. In some embodiments, the upper is coupled to the sole and includes an instep. In some embodiments, the dispensed component extends over the instep from a medial side of the upper to a lateral side of the upper.
• In some embodiments, the dispensed component forms a saddle. In some embodiments, the dispensed component extends over the instep from a medial featherline of the article of footwear to a lateral featherline of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the dispensed component is not bonded to the upper between the medial featherline and the lateral featherline. In some embodiments, the dispensed component is not bonded to the instep. In some embodiments, the dispensed component is partially bonded to the upper (e.g., bonded between the medial featherline and the instep and between the lateral featherline and the instep, but not bonded across the instep). In some embodiments, the dispensed component is bonded to a medial featherline of the article of footwear and a lateral featherline of the article of footwear.
• In some embodiments, the dispensed component extends along the medial featherline for at least 50% of a longitudinal length of the sole. In some embodiments, the dispensed component extends along the lateral featherline for at least 50% of a longitudinal length of the sole.
• In some embodiments, the dispensed component can secure the article of footwear to a wearer's foot. In some embodiments, the dispensed component can stretch. In some embodiments, the dispensed component defines a plurality of apertures.
• In some embodiments, the upper is a bootie. In some embodiments, the bootie is a single layer bootie. In some embodiments, the upper may be any suitable upper. The upper may be made of a variety of materials (e.g., a textile fabric, woven or knit goods, leather, synthetic, a film product, etc.). In some embodiments, the upper may be made of a combination of these materials.
• In some embodiments, an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. In some embodiments, the sole includes a midsole, a substrate attached to the midsole, and a dispensed component disposed on the substrate.
• In some embodiments, the substrate is attached to the midsole with a hot melt film. In some embodiments, the substrate is attached to the midsole with any type of adhesive system (e.g., solvent-based or water-based urethane cement). In some embodiments, the substrate includes a synthetic coating. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a textile. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a textile with a thin film laminate backing or cast film coating. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a thermoplastic polyurethane film (e.g., mono-layer film, co-extruded film, multi-layer film) or other suitable polymeric film.
• In some embodiments, the substrate can bond with the dispensed component as the dispensed component solidifies. In some embodiments, the dispensed component forms an outsole of the sole. In some embodiments, the midsole includes foam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an article of footwear according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 2 shows a medial side view of an article of footwear according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of portion A of the article of footwear ofFIG. 2 according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 4 shows a lateral side view of an article of footwear according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of an article of footwear according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a sole for an article of footwear according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 7 shows a top view of an upper dispensed component on a substrate according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 8 shows a lateral side view of an article of footwear according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 9 shows a medial side view of an article of footwear according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate identical or functionally similar elements. References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
• The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is a non-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the application.
• The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present invention. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide articles of footwear having one or more dispensed components created by an automated dispensing process. It is understood that while the term “dispensed” is generally used herein to refer to certain materials, these materials may also be “extruded.” Thus, the term “dispensed component” includes components that are dispensed and components that are extruded. These dispensed components may be dispensed from a mechanical device. In some embodiments, the dispensed components are 3-D printed. In some embodiments, the dispensed components are not 3-D printed.
• In some embodiments, an upper and/or a sole of the article of footwear may have one or more dispensed components. In some embodiments, an upper and/or a sole, or portions thereof, can be formed from one or more dispensed components. In some embodiments, the dispensed component can be a single, continuous piece of solid material. A dispensed footwear component can have advantages over traditionally-formed components, such as those made by casting, pouring, injection molding, screen-printing, or thermo-plastically forming. For example, a dispensed component can be customized without having to machine a new, expensive mold. The use of dispensed components can also allow for the use of shapes and geometries that are difficult to achieve using conventional upper or bottom molding techniques. Moreover, the data and knowledge to make a dispensed component can be quickly deployed to any location that houses equipment and material suitable for processing.
• Various physical properties of the dispensed component can be manipulated, adjusted, altered, and/or modified. For example, in some embodiments, the width, length, shape, wall thickness, color, density, elasticity, material, viscosity, hardness, number of layers, etc. of the dispensed component can vary along the dispensed component or between a first and second dispensed component. As an example, a dispensed component on an upper may be less viscous than a dispensed component on a sole, which can help the dispensed component on the upper lay flat. As another example, a dispensed upper component may be rigid in a first portion, flexible in a second portion that is continuous with the first portion, and rigid in a third portion that is continuous with the second portion. The dispensed upper component may similarly vary in other characteristics, such as color or in the number of layers.
• In some embodiments, the dispensed component can be made of rubber, foam (e.g., dispensed polyurethane foam), silicone, plastic including thermoplastic (e.g., polyurethane (such as TPU), nylon, or polypropylene), or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, the dispensed component can be made of a composite material. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the dispensed component can be substantially circular, oval, rectangular, triangular, square, or any other suitable shape or design (e.g., star-shaped). In some embodiments, the cross-section of the dispensed component can be relatively flat (i.e., low profile). Moreover, the cross-section of the dispensed component may be adjusted dynamically and may vary throughout the automated dispensing process.
• In some embodiments, the dispensed component can be dispensed directly onto the article of footwear, such as directly onto the sole (e.g., insole, midsole, and/or outsole) or the upper. For example, the dispensed component can be dispensed directly onto a formed upper on a last (e.g., a flat knit upper, a circular knit upper, a formed three-dimensional knit, a sock, a fully-finished traditionally-lasted upper, etc.). The upper may be made of a textile fabric, leather, synthetic, or film product. In some embodiments, the dispensing or extruding is done automatically (i.e., robotically). In some embodiments, a scanner may scan the upper and then robotically dispense the dispensed component onto the upper based on the scan.
• In some embodiments, the dispensed component may bond (e.g., by thermal fusion, chemical adhesion, or mechanical locking) to a portion of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, a portion of the dispensed component may bond to the article of footwear, while another portion of the dispensed component does not bond to the article of footwear.
• In some embodiments, the dispensed component may form an upper support element for the article of footwear. For example, in some embodiments, the dispensed component may form a saddle. In some embodiments, the saddle extends over the instep of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the saddle is not bonded to the article of footwear over the instep. In some embodiments, the saddle is bonded to the article of footwear at the medial featherline and the lateral featherline. The saddle may help secure the article of footwear to the wearer's foot. In some embodiments, the dispensed component that forms the saddle provides for some stretch, which may facilitate a more comfortable fit around the wearer's foot.
• In some embodiments, the dispensed component may form a portion of the sole of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the dispensed component may form an outsole (i.e., a ground-contacting surface) of the article of footwear. In some embodiments, the sole comprises a foam midsole. In some embodiments, a substrate is disposed underneath the foam midsole. The substrate may be bonded to the foam midsole with an adhesive, such as a hot melt film, or traditionally cemented by way of solvent-based or water-based urethane adhesive. In some embodiments, the substrate provides a suitable surface for bonding with the dispensed component. In some embodiments, the dispensed component is dispensed onto the substrate, for example, in an undulating pattern, to form the outsole. Forming the sole with a dispensed component may provide flexibility and speed in development and manufacturing of the sole.
• In some embodiments, the article of footwear may include or utilize any of the extruded/dispensed components or other features disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/455,650, filed Aug. 8, 2014, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/945,077, filed Nov. 18, 2015, and/or U.S. application Ser. No. 15/644,463, filed Jul. 7, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference thereto.
• In some embodiments, dispensed components may be utilized in article offootwear10, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 1-6. In some embodiments, article offootwear10 comprises an upper20 and a sole30. In some embodiments, upper20 and sole30 are coupled together. In some embodiments, article offootwear10 comprises an upper dispensedcomponent24, as shown, for example, inFIG. 1. In some embodiments, article offootwear10 comprises a sole dispensedcomponent34, as shown, for example inFIG. 2. In some embodiments, article offootwear10 comprises both a sole dispensedcomponent34 and an upper dispensed component24 (seeFIG. 2). However, in some embodiments, article offootwear10 may include either sole dispensedcomponent34 or upper dispensedcomponent24, and not both.
• In some embodiments, dispensedcomponents24,34 may be dispensed onto a surface so as to provide a dispensed component that extends above the surface at a certain width and height profile. In some embodiments, the height, width, or geometry or physical appearance/characteristic of the dispensed components may be dynamically changed as the components are dispensed onto article offootwear10, such as onto sole30, or another surface. In some embodiments, the geometry or physical appearance/characteristics of the dispensed components may be changed by dynamically changing the height of the nozzle (relative to the dispensing surface or substrate) from which the material, used to form the component, is dispensed. In some embodiments, the geometry or physical appearance/characteristics of the dispensed components may be changed by dynamically changing the speed at which the nozzle is moving as the material is dispensed and the component is formed. In some embodiments, the geometry or physical appearance/characteristics of the dispensed components may be changed by dynamically changing the flow rate of the material that is dispensed. Other parameters may be changed to dynamically change the height, width, or other characteristic of the dispensed components. In some embodiments, the density or viscosity of the dispensed components may be changed.
• Upper20 may be made of a variety of materials (e.g., a textile fabric, woven or knit goods, leather, synthetic, a film product, etc.). In some embodiments, upper20 may be made of a combination of these materials. In some embodiments, upper20 comprises abootie21, as shown, for example, inFIG. 1. In some embodiments,bootie21 comprises a single-layer bootie. In some embodiments, upper20 comprises an elastic material. Using an elastic material in upper20 may allow upper20 to stretch and conform to a wearer's foot. In some embodiments, upper20 includes aninstep22. In some embodiments,instep22 is a continuous portion of upper20, as shown inFIG. 1. In some embodiments,instep22 may be a tongue. In some embodiments, at least a portion ofinstep22 may include a gap in the material of upper20.
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends overinstep22. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends from a medial side of article offootwear10 to a lateral side of article offootwear10. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends from amedial featherline23 of article offootwear10 to alateral featherline25 of article offootwear10.
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is bonded to article offootwear10 at medial featherline23 (seeFIG. 3). In some embodiments, dispensedcomponent24 is bonded to article offootwear10 atlateral featherline25. In some embodiments, dispensedcomponent24 is bonded to article offootwear10 atmedial featherline23 andlateral featherline25. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is not bonded to article offootwear10 atinstep22. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is not bonded to upper20 at any point between medial featherline23 andlateral featherline25.
• Thus, in some embodiments, a segment of upper dispensedcomponent24 may bond or stick to article of footwear10 (e.g., atmedial featherline23 and/or lateral featherline25) and another segment of upper dispensedcomponent24 may not bond or stick to article of footwear10 (e.g., at instep22). In some embodiments, having a bonded segment and a non-bonded segment of upper dispensedcomponent24 allows a designated part of article of footwear10 (e.g.,bootie21,instep22, etc.) to stretch and move independently from upper dispensed component24 (seeFIG. 4). In some embodiments, the non-bonded segment of upper dispensedcomponent24 may extend over a gap in the material of upper20. In some embodiments, the non-bonded segment of upper dispensedcomponent24 may extend over a tongue of upper20. For example, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be bonded to article offootwear10 on both a medial side and a lateral side (e.g., at the feather line, at the quarters, etc.) and include a non-bonded segment that extends over a tongue of upper20. In some embodiments, the non-bonded segment of upper dispensedcomponent24 may extend over a portion of upper20 to provide stress relief.
• In some embodiments, to form the non-bonded segment of upper dispensedcomponent24, the component is dispensed over a non-stick material. A non-stick material is any material that does not bond with upper dispensedcomponent24 as it hardens. In some embodiments, the non-stick material may be removed after upper dispensedcomponent24 has hardened, thus leaving a non-bonded segment of the dispensed component. In some embodiments, the non-stick material may be a temporary insert made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or other suitable non-stick material. In some embodiments, the non-stick material may be screen printed or sprayed over a portion of article offootwear10, such as a portion ofinstep22. In some embodiments, a last on which upper dispensedcomponent24 is dispensed may be made of or coated with the non-stick material. In some embodiments, article offootwear10 may have an upper20 that is completely knit (e.g., flat knit, circular knit, etc.) with areas of the knit upper comprising yarns that are inherently non-stick (e.g., PTFE yarns, polyolefin yarns, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) yarn). In some embodiments, upper20 may include woven, non-woven, or knit sections that are entirely made from non-stick yarns that are seamed together (i.e., stitched) to other sections that are made from traditional yarns (i.e., polyester, nylon, etc.) that may or may not be coated with the non-stick material.
• In some embodiments, an entire upper dispensedcomponent24 may be made as a non-bonded segment (i.e., upper dispensedcomponent24 is dispensed only over a non-stick material to form a stand-alone component). For example, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be dispensed to asubstrate40, as shown, for example, inFIG. 7. In some embodiments,substrate40 comprises a non-stick material, such that upper dispensedcomponent24 will form a free-floating or stand-alone component. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is dispensed to define a plurality ofapertures26. The appearance (e.g., color) and/or mechanical properties (e.g., cross-section, material properties, aperture design, etc.) of upper dispensedcomponent24 as a stand-alone component may vary in different areas to affect the relative strain. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may then be attached to article offootwear10. For example, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be attached to article offootwear10 as a saddle with attachment points located atmedial featherline23 andlateral featherline25. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be attached to article offootwear10 between upper20 and sole30.
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be attached to article offootwear10 at locations other thanmedial featherline23 andlateral featherline25. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be attached to a portion of upper20 of article offootwear10. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be attached to a portion of sole30 of article offootwear10. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be attached to any other part of article of footwear10 (e.g., between sole30 and upper20).
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is stitched to article offootwear10. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be stitched alongmedial featherline23 and/orlateral featherline25. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is stitched to upper20 (e.g., a bottom surface of upper20). In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is stitched to sole30 (e.g., a top surface of sole30). In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is stitched between sole30 and upper20.
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 is adhered to article offootwear10 with an adhesive. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 bonds to article offootwear10 as upper dispensedcomponent24 hardens or solidifies. Other means of joining may also be used (e.g., laser-welded, ultrasonically welded, radio-frequency welded, low-melt film, or any other suitable method for joining).
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends alongmedial featherline23 in alongitudinal direction12. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends alongmedial featherline23 for at least 25% of the length ofmedial featherline23. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends alongmedial featherline23 for at least 50% of the length ofmedial featherline23.
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends alonglateral featherline25 inlongitudinal direction12. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends alonglateral featherline25 for at least 25% of the length oflateral featherline25. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 extends alonglateral featherline25 for at least 50% of the length oflateral featherline25.
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 forms a saddle for upper20. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 secures article offootwear10 to a wearer's foot. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be elastic. In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 may be less elastic than upper20. Thus, upper20 and upper dispensedcomponent24 may stretch to accommodate the wearer's foot, while upper dispensedcomponent24 provides an outer boundary of stretching to better secure article offootwear10 to the wearer's foot.
• In some embodiments, upper dispensedcomponent24 defines a plurality ofapertures26. In some embodiments,apertures26 form a grid pattern. In some embodiments, the size, shape, and/or pattern ofapertures26 varies in different portions of upper dispensedcomponent24. For example,apertures26 may be smaller in the medial and/or lateral sides of article offootwear10 than on the top ofinstep22. This configuration may provide more support to the side of a wearer's foot, thus facilitating upper dispensedcomponent24 to function as a saddle. Other changes to the aperture design, or to other mechanical properties, in various areas of upper dispensedcomponent24 may be utilized to affect the relative strain.
• In some embodiments, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 8 and 9, upper20 includes astrap27 that extends around the back of the heel of upper20. In some embodiments,strap27 is a dispensed component. In some embodiments,strap27 is made of a non-dispensed material. In some embodiments,strap27 connects to upper dispensedcomponent24. For example,strap27 may be integrally formed with upper dispensedcomponent24. In some embodiments,strap27 is attached tomedial featherline23 and/orlateral featherline25. In some embodiments,strap27 extends from upper dispensedcomponent24 on one side of article of footwear10 (e.g., the lateral side) to the featherline on the other side of article of footwear10 (e.g., medial featherline23).
• Details of sole30 are shown, for example, inFIGS. 4-6. In some embodiments, sole30 comprises amidsole31. In some embodiments, sole30 comprises asubstrate32. In some embodiments, sole30 comprises sole dispensedcomponent34. In some embodiments,midsole31 comprises a foam. In some embodiments,midsole31 is only made of foam. In some embodiments,substrate32 is disposed underneathmidsole31. In some embodiments,substrate32 is attached tomidsole31. In some embodiments,substrate32 is attached to midsole31 with an adhesive. In some embodiments,substrate32 includes afilm33 to facilitate attachment tomidsole31. For example,substrate32 may include a hot melt film that, with the application of heat, melts and adheres to midsole31. In some embodiments,substrate32 is attached to midsole31 with any type of adhesive system (e.g., solvent-based or water-based urethane cement).
• In some embodiments,substrate32 may be a material that is suitable for bonding with sole dispensedcomponent34. In some embodiments,substrate32 includes a synthetic coating. In some embodiments,substrate32 includes a textile. In some embodiments,substrate32 includes a textile with a thin film laminate backing or cast film coating. In some embodiments,substrate32 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane film (e.g., mono-layer film, co-extruded film, multi-layer film) or other suitable polymeric film. In some embodiments,substrate32 is partially exposed on the bottom surface of sole30.
• In some embodiments, sole dispensedcomponent34 is dispensed directly ontosubstrate32. In some embodiments, sole dispensedcomponent34 forms an outsole of article offootwear10. In some embodiments, sole dispensedcomponent34 may be dispensed in a pattern, such as an undulating pattern back and forth across substrate32 (e.g., inlongitudinal direction12, a transverse direction, or an angled direction betweenlongitudinal direction12 and a transverse direction). For example, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, sole30 includes sole dispensedcomponent34 that extends back and forth in a transverse direction acrosssubstrate32 in an undulating pattern. Sole dispensedcomponent34 may be dispensed to form a variety of other patterns.
• In some embodiments, sole dispensedcomponent34 is dispensed directly tomidsole31, which may be a traditional midsole foam (e.g., compression-molded EVA, injection-molded EVA, PU foam, TPU film-wrapped PU foam, polyamide foam, polyester-based beaded HR foam, etc.). In some embodiments, sole dispensedcomponent34 is dispensed directly to blow-molded components of article offootwear10.
• Various embodiments described herein provide an article of footwear that may facilitate a more comfortable fit around the wearer's foot. Further variations of the embodiments described above may also be provided.
• The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
• The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (27)

What is claimed is:

1. An article of footwear comprising:

a sole;

an upper coupled to the sole, the upper comprising an instep; and

a dispensed component that extends over the instep from a medial side of the upper to a lateral side of the upper.

2. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the dispensed component forms a saddle.

3. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the dispensed component extends over the instep from a medial featherline of the article of footwear to a lateral featherline of the article of footwear.

4. The article of footwear ofclaim 3, wherein the dispensed component is not bonded to the upper between the medial featherline and the lateral featherline.

5. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the dispensed component is not bonded to the instep.

6. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the dispensed component is bonded to a medial featherline of the article of footwear and a lateral featherline of the article of footwear.

7. The article of footwear ofclaim 6, wherein the dispensed component extends along the medial featherline for at least 50% of a longitudinal length of the sole.

8. The article of footwear ofclaim 6, wherein the dispensed component extends along the lateral featherline for at least 50% of a longitudinal length of the sole.

9. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the dispensed component is configured to secure the article of footwear to a wearer's foot.

10. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the dispensed component is configured to stretch.

11. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the dispensed component defines a plurality of apertures.

12. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein the upper comprises a bootie.

13. The article of footwear ofclaim 12, wherein the bootie is a single layer bootie.

14. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper; and

a sole coupled to the upper, the sole comprising:

a midsole;

a substrate attached to the midsole; and

a dispensed component disposed on the substrate.

15. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate is attached to the midsole with a hot melt film.

16. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate is attached to the midsole with a solvent-based urethane cement.

17. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate is attached to the midsole with a water-based urethane cement.

18. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate comprises a synthetic coating.

19. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate comprises a textile.

20. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate comprises a textile with a thin film laminate backing.

21. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate comprises a textile with a cast film coating.

22. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate comprises a polymeric film.

23. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane film.

24. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate comprises at least one of a mono-layer film, a co-extruded film, and a multi-layer film.

25. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the substrate is configured to bond with the dispensed component as the dispensed component solidifies.

26. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the dispensed component forms an outsole of the sole.

27. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the midsole comprises foam.

Images